EDGAR 10-K Filing

Company CIK: 1096056
Filing Year: 2022
Filename: 1096056_10-K_2022_0001096056-22-000015.json

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ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Item 1. Business
Background and business overview
Luxfer Holdings PLC ("Luxfer," "the Company," "we," "our") is a global industrial company innovating niche applications in materials engineering. Luxfer focuses on value creation by using its broad array of technical know-how and proprietary technologies. Luxfer's high-performance materials, components and high-pressure gas containment devices are used in defense, first response and healthcare, transportation and general industrial applications.
We focus primarily on product lines related to magnesium alloys, zirconium chemicals and carbon composites. We have a long history of innovation derived from our strong technical expertise, and we work closely with customers to apply solutions to their most demanding product needs. Our proprietary technologies and technical expertise, coupled with strong customer service and global presence, provide competitive advantages and have established us as leaders in the global markets we serve. We believe that we have leading positions in key product areas, including magnesium aerospace alloys, photo-engraving plates, zirconium chemicals for automotive catalytic converters, and high-pressure composite cylinders for breathing applications and a wide variety of other uses.
We have a global presence, operating 13 manufacturing plants in the U.S., the U.K., Canada and China, one of which relates to discontinued operations, and we also have a joint venture in Japan. We employ approximately 1,400 people, including temporary staff, of which fewer than 100 relate to discontinued operations. In 2021, our net sales from continuing operations were $374.1 million (2020: $324.8 million, 2019: $373.4 million), and our net income from continuing operations was $30.0 million (2020: $20.8 million, 2019: $8.7 million).
Luxfer operates in two business segments - Elektron and Gas Cylinders.
Elektron Segment
Our Elektron Segment focuses on specialty materials based primarily on magnesium and zirconium. In 2021, sales from our Elektron Segment represented approximately 52% (2020: 56%, 2019: 59%) of our consolidated net sales from continuing operations. Our top ten customers represented 37% of segment sales. No singular customer represented 10% or more of our Elektron Segment sales.
Key product lines include:
•Advanced lightweight, corrosion-resistant and heat- and flame-resistant magnesium alloys for use in aerospace, healthcare and oil and gas applications.
•Magnesium powders used in countermeasure flares that protect aircrafts from heat-seeking missiles and also for heating pads for self-heating meals used by the military and emergency-relief agencies.
•High-performance zirconium-based materials and oxides used as catalysts and in the manufacture of advanced ceramics, fiber-optic fuel cells, pharmaceuticals and many other performance products.
•Magnesium, copper, and zinc photoengraving plates for graphic arts and luxury packaging.
Gas Cylinders Segment
Our Gas Cylinders Segment manufactures and markets specialized, highly-engineered cylinders using carbon composites and aluminum alloys. In 2021, sales from our Gas Cylinders Segment represented approximately 48% (2020: 44%, 2019: 41%) of our consolidated net sales. Our top ten customers represented 49% of segment sales. One customer represented 15% and another represented 11% of our Gas Cylinders Segment sales. No other singular customer represented greater than 10% of Gas Cylinders Segment sales.
Key product lines include:
•Carbon composite cylinders for compressed natural gas (CNG) and hydrogen containment in alternative fuel (AF) vehicles.
•Carbon composite cylinders for self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), used by firefighters and other emergency-responders. Our products are also used by scuba divers and personnel in potentially hazardous environments, such as mines.
•Cylinders used for the containment of oxygen and other medical gases used by patients, healthcare facilities and laboratories.
Our U.S. aluminum gas cylinder business was sold in March 2021, our Superform U.K. business was sold in September 2021, and we expect our Superform U.S. business to be sold within the next twelve months. As a result, only our Superform U.S. business is still held on the balance sheet as held-for-sale at December 31, 2021.
All information included within this section relates to continuing operations, unless otherwise stated.
Financial Information about Segments and Geographic Areas
See Note 17 ("Segment Information") to our consolidated financial statements for further information regarding our operating segments and our geographic areas.
Suppliers and raw materials
Post COVID economic recovery related raw material supply constraints and cost increases
The significant increase in demand for materials, transport and energy experienced as a result of the post-pandemic economic recovery has resulted in significant constraints on availability of key inputs, such as magnesium, aluminum and carbon fiber, and a consequent spike in prices. In addition, two critical suppliers of key inputs to the Elektron Segment declared force majeure during the year, which is a standard clause in contracts to remove liability for unexpected and unavoidable catastrophes that interrupt the normal course of business and prevent participants from fulfilling contractual obligations. In order to reduce the risk of interruption to production, we have sourced critical materials from alternative sources and built additional raw material inventory throughout the second half of 2021. We aim to pass through inflation to customers and, where possible, protect long term margins. However, we do experience timing differences that can impact short term profitability.
Elektron Segment
Key raw materials used by our Elektron Segment are magnesium, zircon sand and rare earths.
The world demand for magnesium is around one million metric tons per year. China provides about 80% of the world supply. Western production is, however, significant, from North American suppliers, Dead Sea Magnesium in Israel, RIMA Industrial in Brazil and two smelters in Russia. We purchase approximately 40% of our magnesium needs from China. We use only U.S.-sourced materials for our products sold to the U.S. military, for which U.S. sourcing is mandatory.
We generally purchase raw materials from suppliers on a spot basis under standard terms and conditions. We have long-term supply contracts in place with U.S. Magnesium for raw material purchases of magnesium ingot for both military and commercial applications. The military contract covers magnesium purchases through December 31, 2023, whereas the commercial contract covers purchases through December 31, 2022.
We purchase and process zircon sand, which is found in heavy-minerals sand, titanium dioxide and other products. Global production of zircon is estimated at approximately 1.5 million metric tons. We source premium-grade zircon sand from suppliers in South Africa and Australia. We also purchase intermediate zirconium chemicals from suppliers in China. The level of these purchases is based on a number of factors, including required properties and relative market prices.
There are 17 rare earth metals that are reasonably common in nature. Usually found mixed together with other mineral deposits, these rare earths have magnetic and light-emitting properties that make them invaluable to high-technology manufacturers. These are ingredients in our zirconium chemical and magnesium alloy products, with our main requirement is for cerium, which we use in automotive catalysis compounds because of its unique oxygen-storage capabilities.
Gas Cylinders Segment
Key raw materials used in the Gas Cylinders Segment are high-strength carbon fiber and aluminum. Our main carbon fiber suppliers are Toray and Mitsubishi. In recent years, carbon fiber shortages have occurred due to increased demand for commercial aerospace and military applications. Over time, we have built relationships with our suppliers, providing them predictable requirements and annual contracts to ensure successful procurement of our required volume of carbon fiber.
In 2021, we purchased approximately 60% of our aluminum from Rio Tinto Alcan and its associated companies, and aluminum represented approximately 40% of the segment's raw material costs in the year. The price of aluminum has been somewhat volatile in the past. While we pass on most price movements to our customers, sometimes through contractual cost-sharing formulas, doing so can be more difficult or time consuming with our higher-value products.
Our end-markets
Key end-markets for Luxfer products fall into three categories:
Transportation (31% of 2021 sales): Many Luxfer products serve a growing need to improve and safeguard the environment in the field of transportation, including our (i) lightweight, high-pressure carbon composite alternative fuel cylinders that contain clean-burning compressed natural gas and hydrogen; (ii) zirconium-based products that reduce automotive emissions; and (iii) lightweight magnesium alloys used in fuel-efficient aerospace and automotive designs.
Area of Focus Product End-market drivers
Alternative fuels • Alternative fuel ("AF") cylinders
• Bulk gas transportation cylinders
• "Clean air" initiatives
• Abundance of natural gas
• Acceptance of hydrogen as fuel source for public transport in Europe
• Increasing compress natural gas ("CNG") filling infrastructure
Environmental catalysts (cleaning of exhaust emissions) • Zirconium compounds with specific properties used in auto-catalysis washcoats
• Emissions legislation and regulation generally including gasoline particulate filtration
• Cost effective for vehicle manufacturers as they reduce the use of precious metals
• Increasing demand for gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles
Civil helicopters • Elektron® aerospace alloys in cast, extruded, and sheet form
• Growing aircraft build rate
• Lightweighting
• Fuel efficiency
Defense, First Response & Healthcare (34% of 2021 sales): Luxfer offers several products that address principal factors driving growth in this market, such as increased protection of people, equipment and property during conflicts and emergencies. Our products include magnesium powders used for countermeasure flares that defend aircrafts against heat-seeking missile attacks, flameless ration heaters used in meals Ready-to-Eat, life-support cylinders for firefighters and other emergency-service personnel, and chemical agent decontamination products. Other products include lightweight gas cylinders for containment of medical and laboratory gases, zirconium powders for pharmaceutical products, magnesium materials for lightweight orthopedic devices, specialized magnesium alloys, and zirconium materials for biomedical applications and dental implants.
Area of Focus Product End-market drivers
Life-support breathing apparatus • Composite cylinders used in self-contained breathing apparatus ("SCBA") • Increased awareness of importance of properly equipping firefighting services
• Demand for lightweight products to upgrade from heavy all-metal cylinders
• Periodic upgrade of new U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) standards and natural replacement cycles
• Asian and European fire services looking to adopt more modern SCBA equipment
Countermeasures • Ultra-fine magnesium powders for flares used to protect aircraft from attack by heat-seeking missiles
• Use in combat and training
• Maintenance of countermeasures reserves (shelf-life restrictions)
Military personnel and emergency relief agencies • Self-heating meals used by military personnel and emergency-relief agencies
• Chemical detection and chemical decontamination kits
• Ensuring protection and well-being for military personnel and victims of natural disasters
• Use in combat and training and in response to terrorist activities
Medical gases • Portable aluminum and composite cylinders • Shift to paramedics, who need portable, lightweight products
• Growing trend to provide oxygen therapy in the home and to keep patients mobile
• Increase in respiratory diseases
Orthopedics • Magnesium sheets
• Improved mobility through use of easy-to-wear, lightweight braces and trusses
Sorbents • MELsorb® material being developed as active ingredient in dialysis equipment and enterosorbents
• ISOLUX free-flowing powder, removes heavy metals and other contaminants from drinking water
• Growth in kidney problems
• New technologies to remove noxious elements from the body
General industrial (35% of 2021 sales): Our core technologies have enabled us to serve various markets and applications. Our products include zirconium-based compounds to purify drinking water and clean industrial exhausts; magnesium alloys shaped for use in various general engineering applications; and high-pressure gas cylinders used for high-purity specialty gases, beverage dispensing, scuba diving and performance racing. Metal foil-stamping and embossing dies are used primarily for luxury packaging, labels and greeting cards. Our high-quality magnesium, copper, brass and zinc plates are ideal for these and other graphic applications.
Area of Focus Product End-market drivers
General engineering • Magnesium billets, sheets, coil, tooling plates
• Zirconium ceramic compounds for hard working components
• Need for components to operate in more extreme environments for longer periods, such as underground or in the ocean
Hydraulic fracturing or "fracking" • Dissolvable SoluMag® magnesium alloy
• Onshore shale gas exploration linked to increasing energy demand
Paper • Bacote™ and Zirmel™, both formaldehyde-free insolubilizers that aid high-quality printing
• Elimination of toxic chemicals
Graphic arts • Photo-engraving plates
• Luxury packaging as part of marketing high-end products
Our competitive advantages
Focus on innovation and product development for growing specialized end-markets. We continue to produce a steady stream of new products, including those developed in close collaboration with our customers.
Strong technical expertise and know-how. Using our expertise in metallurgy and material science, we specialize in advanced materials, developing products and materials with superior performance to satisfy the most demanding requirements in the most extreme environments. Further, we benefit from the fact that a growing number of our products are patented, including many of our alloys and compounds.
Diversified customer base with long-standing relationships. We put the customer at the heart of our strategy, and we have long-standing relationships with many of our customers, including global leaders in our key markets.
Our Business Excellence Standard Toolkit. The "Luxfer B.E.S.T. Model," consists of the following key themes:
•A common set of values that drives accountability, innovation, customer first, personal development, teamwork and integrity.
•Disciplined capital allocation with the aim of maximizing organic growth and the product portfolio value through value-enhancing acquisitions and divestitures.
•Balanced score-card used in an effort to continuously improve employee performance in an effort to help translate our vision into actionable individual goals and ensure that employee compensation is commensurate with individual performance.
•A published Customer Charter designed to enable us to retain and grow our customer base and capture additional market share.
•A lean enterprise philosophy that helps drive operational process excellence in all functions.
Seasonality
Historically, we have shutdown periods at most of our manufacturing sites, during which we carry out maintenance work. Shutdowns typically last two weeks in the summer and one to two weeks around the year-end holidays, resulting in reduced levels of activity in the second half of the year compared to the first half. Third-quarter and fourth-quarter sales and operating profit can be affected by our own shutdowns and by shutdowns by various industrial customers. In particular, we have found that our fourth-quarter results are generally lower, since many customers reduce production activity from late November through December. However, due to shutdowns at both Luxfer and customer plants in the first half of 2020, we did not see this similar trend in the prior year, with results improving during the latter months as demand increased after the initial lockdowns enforced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. We also operate in various geographic areas that are susceptible to bad weather during winter months, such as Calgary, Canada, and various U.S. eastern states. Bad weather can unexpectedly disrupt production and shipments from our manufacturing facilities, which can lead to reduced revenue and operating profits. Additionally, we manufacture products that are used in graphic arts and premium packaging, demand for which increases in the run up to the year-end holidays.
Research and Development
Luxfer recognizes the importance of research in materials science and the need to develop innovative new products to meet future needs of customers and to continue providing growth opportunities for the business. Each year, we invest in the development of new products and processes directed towards transportation, defense and emergency response, healthcare and general industrial end-markets. Our product development projects also include utilizing skills of our wider commercial technical sales staff, manufacturing engineers and general management, many of whom are highly qualified scientists and engineers. A large proportion of senior sales and management time is spent overseeing development of products and working with customers on integrating our products and solutions into their product designs.
To provide customers with improving products and services, we invest in new technology and research and employ some of the world's leading specialists in materials science and metallurgy. Our engineers and metallurgists collaborate closely with our customers to design, develop and manufacture our products. We also co-sponsor ongoing research programs at major universities in the U.S., Canada and Europe. Thanks to the ingenuity of our own research and development teams, Luxfer has developed a steady stream of new products, most recently including:
•soluble magnesium alloys, branded SoluMag®, for down-well oil and gas applications;
•ultra-lightweight large composite cylinders, branded G-StorTM, for containment of CNG, hydrogen, helium and other gases;
•enabling AF systems solutions for buses, trucks and bulk gas transportation;
•zirconium catalysts for automotive end-use, including advances in gasoline particulate filtration used in hybrid vehicles;
•L7X® higher-strength aluminum alloy and carbon composite gas cylinders;
•Luxfer ECLIPSE, a new carbon composite cylinders for firefighter self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA); and
•bioresorbable magnesium alloys, branded SynerMag®.
We believe that our commitment to research and new product development, through dedicated resources and significant use of management's time, is the core of Luxfer's growth potential worldwide. This commitment reflects our strategy of focusing on high-performance, value-added product lines and markets and leveraging our collaboration with universities. We invest in developing products for end-markets that we believe have long-term growth potential.
Intellectual Property
Luxfer relies on a combination of patents, trade secrets, copyrights, trademarks, and proprietary manufacturing processes and design rights, together with non-disclosure agreements and technical measures, to establish and protect proprietary rights in our products. Our Elektron Segment holds key patents related to protected applications, including numerous aerospace alloys and magnesium-gadolinium alloys, as well as patents related to environmental applications, including water-treatment products and our specialized G4 process used to manufacture zirconium-cerium oxides for emissions-control catalysts. The Elektron Segment also has patented technology for magnesium-based flameless heater pads used to heat meals and beverages. Key patents held by our Gas Cylinders Segment relate to composites and alloys for pressurized hollow bodies. No individual patent or such intellectual property is considered material to either the Elektron or Gas Cylinders Segment.
In certain areas, we rely more heavily upon trade secrets and unpatented proprietary know-how than patent protection in order to establish and maintain our competitive advantage. We generally enter into non-disclosure and invention assignment agreements with our employees and subcontractors, as well as our customers and vendors.
Human Capital Management
As of December 31, 2021, the Company employed approximately 1,400 people worldwide, including fewer than 100 individuals that relate to our discontinued operations. Of the approximately 1,300 employees related to our continuing operations, around 700 are employed in the United States.
To succeed in an ever-changing and competitive labor market, we have developed human capital management strategies, objectives, and measures that drive recruitment and retention, support business performance, advance innovation, foster employee development, and support our mission and values. Luxfer’s approach to human capital management is focused on the following programs and initiatives: (i) supporting financial, health, and social well-being; (ii) promoting a diverse and supportive workplace; (iii) ensuring occupational health and safety; and (iv) creating opportunities for growth and talent development.
Financial, Health, and Social Well-Being
The Company’s compensation philosophy aims to attract, retain, and motivate employees through its incentive and benefit programs. Luxfer offers competitive base pay and, depending on position, variable incentive pay associated with individual performance and the performance of the Company as a whole, including both short-term incentive pay and long-term equity awards. Full-time employees are offered paid time off, opportunity to participate in the Company’s various pension and retirement savings plans, and, for those employees located in the U.S., a 401(K) retirement savings contribution match. In addition, Luxfer employees may participate in the Company’s U.S. Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”) and U.K. Share Incentive Plan (“SIP”), which provides employees an opportunity to become Luxfer shareholders at a reduced price. Through convenient payroll deductions, U.S. employees can purchase Company stock at a 15% discount under the ESPP. Similarly, under the SIP, U.K. employees can purchase Company stock through payroll deductions and, in turn, the Company grants participating employees one free share per every two shares purchased.
Luxfer also provides health benefit coverage, fitness and wellness programs, and healthy living incentives to our employees. We offer group medical, dental, and vision plans, along with life, disability and paid family leave offerings which vary by jurisdiction. Luxfer is proud to offer several optional fitness and wellness programs, such as our Employee Healthy Lifestyle Program. Available to our U.S. employees, this program offers partial reimbursement for certain gym and fitness center memberships, weight loss programs, and group exercise classes. U.S. employees are also eligible to participate in a smoking cessation program through which employees who complete a 90-day program are rewarded with lowered insurance rates.
In addition to financial and physical wellbeing, employees’ social and emotional health is supported through access to wellness clinics and funded mental health counseling services. As a part of Luxfer’s group medical insurance plan, U.S. employees have convenient access to mental health services through live video visits with a board-certified doctor or licensed therapist. Luxfer also provides access to the Employee Assistance Program, which is designed to support employees and their families with a variety of work-life services and resources for family matters, including legal assistance, financial budgeting, and more. Through the Employee Assistance Program, employees are connected to a credentialed counselor, free of charge, to provide professional, confidential services to help them and their loved ones improve their quality of life.
Diverse and Supportive Workplace
The professional conduct of our employees furthers the Company’s mission, promotes productivity, minimizes disputes, and enhances our reputation. As such, Luxfer strives to create and maintain a work environment in which people are treated with dignity, decency, and respect. Pursuant to the Company’s Equal Opportunity, Non-Discrimination, and Anti-Harassment Policy and the Human Rights and Labor Practices Policy, the work environment at Luxfer is characterized by mutual trust and the absence of intimidation, oppression, and exploitation and operates free of discrimination or harassment.
Luxfer’s diversity initiatives are applicable, but not limited, to practices and policies on recruitment and selection, including targeted sourcing of personnel from diverse backgrounds; compensation and benefits; professional development and training; advancement opportunities; and the ongoing development of a diverse and inclusive work environment. To ensure effective teamwork and achievement of common business goals, all Luxfer personnel are required to complete a variety of anti-harassment, non-discrimination, diversity, and unconscious bias trainings annually. Luxfer’s talent acquisition teams and hiring managers undergo additional training to ensure that a diverse slate of candidates is considered for all job openings. Further, Luxfer monitors the composition of its current workforce for diversity, age, and gender demographics. The quality of this data is continually improved to ensure that a diverse and talented workforce is maintained. This data is used to enhance employment and recruitment practices to provide the most inclusive work environment possible.
Occupational Health and Safety
The occupational health and safety of employees is fundamental to delivering sustainable economic performance. Luxfer has established well-defined health and safety policies and procedures, as well as ongoing employee training, as part of the Company’s commitment to being an industry leader in safety. Gap analyses are regularly conducted and safety goals and objectives for all functional business units are developed. As part of the Company’s enterprise-wide risk management system, these objectives are monitored, and performance related to them is regularly reviewed and discussed. Employees are encouraged to submit suggestions, ideas, and observations about safety hazards which are incorporated into a “safety moment” at the beginning of each meeting to increase awareness and reinforce positive safety behavior. Additional efforts include monthly safety meetings with employees, safety audits by management, safety audits by certain employees, and the inclusion of safety initiatives as part of select employees’ incentive plans. The Company utilizes a mixture of leading and lagging indicators to assess the health and safety performance of its operations. Lagging indicators include Lost Time Accidents (“LTAs”) and the recordable Incident Frequency Rate (“IFR”). Leading indicators include reporting and closure of all near miss events and safety concerns identified. Reported total workforce numbers include employees and supervised contractors. In fiscal year 2021, the Company had 3 LTAs and an IFR of 2.62, with no work-related fatalities.
Growth and Talent Development
One of Luxfer’s core values is ‘Personal Development’ because we are only as strong as our employees who achieve, lead, and revolutionize our business. We believe in each employee’s ability to bring their unique skills and passions into the challenging and constantly evolving industries we serve, providing an environment to grow, build relationships, and take advantage of career opportunities. Employees are provided training, learning, and development opportunities at all levels of the Company. At the management level, the Management and Executive Development program focuses on individual strengths and fosters technical skills and knowledge to create the next generation of well-rounded Luxfer leaders. With a multi-faceted curriculum, the program provides critical problem-solving, business management, and leadership skills necessary for Luxfer’s continued success. At the workforce level, management teams work closely with employees to ensure that they have the skills, knowledge, experience, and support necessary to accomplish their goals. Management utilizes a variety of tools to evaluate employee performance, including skill assessments, self-evaluations, and achievement of personal objectives. Personal objectives (a list of goals the employee will strive to achieve) are set at the beginning of each year in the form of a balanced scorecard. Managers approve the personal objective scorecard and review the employee’s performance in relation to their scorecard throughout the year. Setting personal objectives gets employees involved with the Company’s overall strategy and improves engagement, thereby supporting Luxfer’s growth and profitability.
To further support employees’ personal development, Luxfer offers a company-wide online training and development platform designed to increase access to critical business, leadership, management, productivity, collaboration, and computer software skills. Available to all Luxfer employees, the platform provides access to over 180,000 courses, videos, books, and audio books on a variety of topics from world-class experts, including business skills development, leadership and management techniques, productivity and collaboration tools, and instructional content on desktop software, IT, and more. The content is made to suit different learning styles; all one click away in the same user interface. Employees can access the content 24/7 on any desktop or mobile device, providing them with the opportunity to improve their performance anytime, anywhere.
Available Information
Our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q , Current Reports on Form 8-K and any exhibits or amendments to such are made available, free of charge, on our website at http://www.luxfer.com as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such reports with, or furnish them to, the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Information on our website is not incorporated by reference herein and is not made a part of this report.
Financial and other material information regarding the Company is routinely posted and accessible on our website at http://www.luxfer.com/investors.

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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Item 1A. Risk Factors
The risks described below are not the only risks facing us. Any of the following risks could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or those we currently view to be immaterial may also materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. See also "Information Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" for certain warnings regarding forward-looking information contained in this document.
Economic and Industry risks
Our results of operations may continue to be negatively impacted by the continued effects of the coronavirus disease pandemic, as well as the subsequent adverse impact on availability of key inputs and associated cost inflation.
The global COVID-19 outbreak, characterized by increased business uncertainty and broad based market weakness, had an adverse impact on our financial results during 2020, impacting demand across most of our end markets. We took a variety of actions during 2020 to help mitigate the financial impact, including executing additional cost savings measures, reducing our capital spending, initiating restructuring actions and proactively managing our working capital. Activity in most of the end markets we serve has improved throughout 2021 following the adverse impact of COVID-19 on prior year volumes, with current year fourth quarter like-for-like sales returning to positive growth versus the pre-pandemic 2019 level for the first time, and with full year 2021 sales only around 7% lower than 2019. The recovery in demand has had business impacts, including increased material cost inflation on key inputs, (such as magnesium, aluminum and carbon fiber), labor availability issues and energy and transport cost increases. Currently, our expectation is that the impact of material and energy cost inflation and labor and transport constraints will continue well into 2022. While we aim to pass on cost increases to customers through increased price, there is no guarantee that we will be able to do so in all circumstances (see: We are exposed to fluctuations in the costs of the raw materials that are used to manufacture our products, and such fluctuations could lead us to incur unexpected costs and could affect our margins and / or working capital requirements), and failure to do so could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations, financial position and cash flows.
We depend on certain end-markets, including automotive, alternative fuels, self-contained breathing apparatus, aerospace and defense, healthcare, oil and gas and printing and paper. An economic downturn, or regulatory changes, in any of those end-markets, could reduce sales and profit margins on those end-markets.
We have significant exposures to certain end-markets, including some end-markets that are cyclical in nature or subject to high levels of regulatory control, including automotive, SCBA, aerospace and defense. Dependence of either of our segments on certain end-markets is even more pronounced.
To the extent that any of these cyclical end-markets are in decline, at a low point in their economic cycle, or subject to regulatory change, sales and margins on those sales may be adversely affected. It is possible that all or most of these end-markets could be in decline at the same time, i.e. during an economic downturn such as that caused by the current COVID-19 pandemic. Any significant reduction in sales could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations, financial position and cash flows.
Our global operations expose us to economic conditions, potential tax costs, political risks and specific regulations or restrictions in the countries in which we operate, which could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations, financial position and cash flows.
We derive our sales and earnings from operations in many countries and are subject to risks associated with doing business internationally. We have wholly-owned operations in the U.S., the U.K., Canada and China, as well as a joint venture in Japan. Doing business in different countries has risks, including the potential for adverse changes in the local, social, political, financial or regulatory climate, difficulty in staffing and managing geographically diverse operations, and the costs of complying with a variety of laws and regulations. For example, in connection with the current status of international relations with Russia, particularly in light of potential conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the U.S. government has stated it is considering imposing enhanced export controls on certain products and sanctions on certain industry sectors and parties in Russia. The governments of other jurisdictions in which we operate, such as the U.K. and Canada, may also implement sanctions or other restrictive measures. These potential sanctions and export controls, as well as any responses from Russia, could adversely affect the Company and/or our supply chain, business partners or customers.
Due to the fact we have operations in many countries, we are also liable to pay taxes in many fiscal jurisdictions. Our tax burden depends on the interpretation of local tax regulations, bilateral or multilateral international tax treaties and the administrative doctrines in each jurisdiction. Changes in these tax regulations may increase our tax burden, or otherwise affect our accounting for taxes. For example, in March 2021, the U.K. government announced an increase in the statutory rate of Corporation tax from the current 19% to 25%, which will take effect from April 2023. While the rate change has resulted in a reduction in the deferred tax charge following enactment in 2021 (due to revaluation of our net deferred tax asset position in the U.K.), it is expected to increase the future tax burden on earnings from our U.K. operations.
The principal markets for our products are located in North America, Europe and Asia, and any financial difficulties experienced in these markets may have a material adverse impact on our businesses. For example, the maturity of some of our markets, such as the U.S. market for photoengraving plates, could require us to increase sales in developing regions, which may involve greater economic and political risks. We cannot provide any assurances that we will be able to expand sales in these regions. Any of these factors could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations, financial position and cash flows.
Our operations rely on a number of large customers in certain areas of our business, and the loss of any of our major customers could negatively impact our results of operations.
If we fail to maintain our relationships with our major customers, or fail to replace lost customers, or if there is reduced demand from our customers or for products produced by our customers, such failures or reduced demand could materially reduce our sales. In addition, we could experience a reduction in sales if any of our customers fail to perform or default on any payment pursuant to our contracts with them. Long-term relationships with customers are especially important for suppliers of intermediate materials and components such as ourselves. We often work closely with customers to develop products that meet particular specifications as part of the design of a product intended for an end-user market. The bespoke nature of many of our products could make it difficult to replace lost customers. Our top 10 customers accounted for approximately 30% of our net sales in 2021. Any significant reduction in sales or customer payment default could have an adverse material impact on our results of operations, financial position and cash flows.
We depend upon our larger suppliers for a significant portion of our raw materials, and a loss of one of these suppliers, or a significant supply interruption could negatively impact our financial performance.
We rely, to varying degrees, on major suppliers for some of the principal raw materials of our engineered products, including aluminum, zirconium and carbon fiber. For example, in 2021, we obtained approximately 60% of our aluminum from Rio Tinto Alcan and its associated companies. Moreover, demand for carbon fiber is increasing, which has led to occasional periods of short supply in recent years with a number of expanding applications competing for the same supply of this specialized raw material. Our largest suppliers of carbon fiber are Toray and Grafil, a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Chemical. For additional details of some of our major suppliers (see ITEM 1 - Suppliers and raw materials).
We generally purchase raw materials from suppliers on a spot basis under standard terms and conditions. We also enter into supply contracts with Rio Tinto Alcan for a substantial portion of our aluminum requirements. In addition, we have supply contracts in place with U.S. Magnesium for raw material purchases of magnesium ingot for both military and commercial applications. The military contract covers magnesium purchases through December 31, 2023, whereas the commercial contract covers through December 31, 2022.
An interruption in the supply of essential raw materials used in our production processes or an increase in the costs of raw materials due to market shortages, supplier financial difficulties, government quotas or natural disturbances, could significantly affect our ability to provide competitively priced products to customers in a timely manner. For example, the significant increase in demand for materials and energy stemming from the post-COVID economic recovery has resulted in significant constraints on availability of key inputs such as magnesium and aluminum and a consequent spike in prices. In the event of a significant interruption in the supply of any materials used in our production processes, or a significant increase in their prices, we may have to purchase these materials from alternative sources, build additional inventory of raw materials, increase our prices, reduce our margins or possibly fail to fill customer orders by deadlines required in contracts, which could result in, among other things, contractual penalties. We can provide no assurance that we would be able to obtain replacement materials quickly on similar terms or at all. Failure to maintain relationships with key suppliers or to develop relationships with alternative suppliers could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position and cash flows.
We are exposed to fluctuations in the costs of the raw materials that are used to manufacture our products, and such fluctuations could lead us to incur unexpected costs and could affect our margins and / or working capital requirements.
Fluctuations in the costs of raw materials could affect margins and working capital requirements in the businesses in which we use them, see ITEM 7A. We cannot always pass on cost increases or increase our prices to offset these cost increases immediately or at all, whether because of fixed-price agreements with customers, competitive pressures that restrict our ability to pass on cost increases or increase prices, or other factors. It can be particularly difficult to pass on cost increases or increase prices in product areas such as gas cylinders, where competitors offer similar products made from alternative materials, such as steel, if those materials are not subject to the same cost increases. Higher prices necessitated by large increases in raw material costs could make our current or future products unattractive compared to competing products made from alternative materials that have not been so affected by raw material cost increases, or compared to products produced by competitors who have not incurred such large increases in their raw material costs.
If, for example, the cost of aluminum or carbon fiber were to rise, we may not be able pass those cost increases on to our customers or manage the exposure effectively through hedging instruments. From time to time we use derivative financial instruments to hedge our exposures to fluctuations in aluminum costs. Although it is our treasury policy to enter into these transactions only for hedging and not for speculative purposes, we are exposed to market risk and credit risk with respect to the use of these derivative financial instruments, see ITEM 7A.
In the past several years and towards the end of 2021, we have made additional purchases of large stocks of magnesium alloys in an effort to delay the effect of potentially increased costs in the future. However, even though such purchases are not made for speculative purposes, there can be no assurance that costs will move as expected. Moreover, these strategic purchases increase our working capital needs, thus reducing our liquidity and cash flow. Accordingly, a substantial increase in raw material costs could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position and cash flows.
Changes in foreign exchange rates could reduce profit margins on our sales and reduce the reported sales of our non-U.S. operations and have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
We conduct a large portion of our commercial transactions, purchases of raw materials and sales of goods in various countries and regions, including the U.S., the U.K., continental Europe, Australia and Asia. Our manufacturing operations based in the U.S. and Asia usually purchase raw materials and sell goods denominated in their local currency, but our manufacturing operations in the U.K. often purchase raw materials and sell products in different currencies. Changes in the relative values of currencies can decrease the profits of our subsidiaries when they incur costs in currencies that are different from the currencies in which they generate all or part of their revenue. These transaction risks principally arise as a result of purchases of raw materials in U.S. dollars, coupled with sales of products to customers in euros. This impact is most pronounced in our exports to continental Europe from the U.K. In 2021, our U.K. operations sold approximately €52 million of goods into the Eurozone. Our policy is to hedge a portion of our net exposure to fluctuations in exchange rates with forward foreign currency exchange contracts. Therefore, we are exposed to market risk and credit risk through the use of derivative financial instruments. Moreover, any failure of hedging policies could negatively impact our profits, and thus damage our ability to fund our operations and to service our indebtedness. Exchange rate volatility has been experienced against a background of the COVID-19 pandemic, and continued volatility is to be expected.
In addition to subsidiaries and joint ventures in the U.S., we have operating subsidiaries located in the U.K., Canada, China and Australia, as well as a joint venture in Japan, each of whose revenue, costs, assets and liabilities are denominated in local currencies. As our consolidated financial statements are reported in U.S. dollars, we are exposed to fluctuations in those currencies when those amounts are translated to U.S. dollars for purposes of reporting our consolidated financial statements, which may cause declines in results of operations. The largest risk is from our operations in the U.K., which, in 2021, generated an operating profit of $25.8 million and net sales of $161.4 million. Fluctuations in exchange rates, particularly between the U.S. dollar and GBP sterling (which has been subject to significant fluctuations, as described above), can have a material effect on our consolidated income statement and consolidated balance sheet. In 2021, movements in the average U.S. dollar exchange rate had a positive impact on net sales of $9.5 million. In 2020 movements in the average U.S. dollar exchange rate had a positive impact on net sales of $0.3 million. Changes in translation exchange rates decreased net assets by $0.8 million in 2021, compared to a increase of $4.2 million in 2020.
These foreign exchange risks could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position and cash flows. For additional information on these risks, and the historical impact on our results, see ITEM 7A.
Our defined benefit pension plans historically have had funding deficits and are exposed to market forces that could require us to make increased ongoing cash contributions in response to changes in market conditions, actuarial assumptions and investment decisions These market forces could expose us to significant short-term liabilities if a wind-up trigger occurred in relation to such plans, each of which could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations and financial position.
We have defined benefit pension arrangements in the U.K. and in the U.S., see ITEM 8, Note 14. Our largest defined benefit plan, the Luxfer Group Pension Plan, which closed to new members in 1998, remained open for accrual of future benefits based on career-average salary until April 5, 2016. However, following a consultation, it was agreed with the Trustees and plan members to close the Luxfer Group Pension Plan in the U.K. to future accrual of benefits, effective from April 5, 2016. Moreover, for the purpose of increasing pensions in payment, it was agreed to use the CPI as the reference index, in place of the RPI where applicable. The Luxfer Group Pension Plan is funded according to the regulations in effect in the U.K. and, as of December 31, 2021, and December 31, 2020, had an accounting surplus of $13.7 million and an accounting deficit of $45.1 million, respectively. The accounting surplus reported at December 31, 2021 is largely the result of an special one-off deficit reduction payment of £9.6 million in December 2021 (see below), as well as favorable market movements characterized by an increase in the discount rate and improved returns on assets. There is no guarantee that the surplus funding position will be maintained and adverse market movements would likely result in a reversion to a deficit funding position. According to the latest triennial actuarial valuation of the Luxfer Group Pension Plan as of April 5, 2021, the Luxfer Group Pension Plan had a deficit of £12.2 million on a plan-specific basis (reduced from £26.5 million at the previous valuation in April 2018). This valuation was carried out prior to the one-off deficit reduction payment, above. Should a wind-up trigger occur in relation to the Luxfer Group Pension Plan, the buy-out deficit of that plan will become due and payable by the employers. The aggregate deficit of the Luxfer Group Pension Plan on a buy-out basis was estimated at £86 million as of April 5, 2021 (reduced from £145 million in April 2018) . The Trustees have the power to wind-up the Luxfer Group Pension Plan if they determine that in the best interests of members, there is no reasonable purpose in continuing the Luxfer Group Pension Plan.
Following the actuarial valuation as of April 5, 2021, we agreed with the Trustees to make a one-off cash contribution in December 2021 of £9.6 million in addition to the £4.1 million annual payment agreed as a result of the previous valuation. While there is an expectation that no further contributions will be required until at least after the next valuation in 2024, there is no guarantee that this will be the case. The Trustees can request additional contributions, and the U.K. Pensions Regulator (TPR) has the power to order further funding in the current three-year window should increasingly stringent regulation require it (see Environmental and regulatory risks: The Pensions Regulator in the U.K. has the power in certain circumstances to issue contribution notices or financial support directions that, if issued, could result in significant liabilities arising for us). We remain legally responsible and committed to ensuring that the Luxfer Group Pension Plan has the funding required to meet its liabilities as they fall due. Future funding requirements will likely be reassessed and revised following the next triennial actuarial valuation in April 2024. Regulatory burdens have also proved to be a significant risk, such as the U.K.'s Pension Protection Fund Levy, which was £0.4 million in 2021.
Our other defined benefit plans are less significant than the Luxfer Group Pension Plan and, as of December 31, 2021, and December 31, 2020, had aggregate accounting deficits of $1.9 million and $5.7 million, respectively. The largest of these additional plans is the BA Holdings, Inc. Pension Plan in the U.S., which was closed to further benefit accruals in December 2005, and merged with the much smaller Luxfer Hourly Pension Plan, effective January 1, 2016. In September 2021, we kicked off an exercise that we expect will result in a buyout of the U.S. plan liability, with an initial lump sum exercise taking place in 2022, followed by annuity purchase and full buyout expected by early 2023.
We are exposed to various risks related to our defined benefit plans, including the risk of loss of market value of the plan assets, the risk of actual investment returns being less than assumed rates of return, the Trustees of the Luxfer Group Pension Plan switching investment strategy (which does require consultation with the employer), and the risk of actual experience deviating from actuarial assumptions for such things as mortality of plan participants. In addition, fluctuations in interest rates cause changes in the annual cost and benefit obligations, and increasingly stringent regulation can further increase the financial burden. Any of these risks could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations, financial position and cash flows.
Environmental and regulatory risks
The Pensions Regulator in the U.K. has the power in certain circumstances to issue contribution notices or financial support directions that, if issued, could result in significant liabilities arising for us.
The Pensions Regulator may issue a contribution notice to the employers that participate in the Luxfer Group Pension Plan, or any person who is connected with, or is an associate of, these employers where the Pensions Regulator is of the opinion that the relevant person has been a party to an act, or a deliberate failure to act, which had as its main purpose (or one of its main purposes) the avoidance of pension liabilities or where such act has a materially detrimental effect on the likelihood of payment of accrued benefits under the Luxfer Group Pension Plan being received. A person holding alone or together with his or her associates, directly or indirectly, one-third or more of our voting power, could be the subject of a contribution notice. The terms "associate" and "connected person," which are taken from the Insolvency Act 1986, are widely defined and could cover our significant shareholders and others deemed to be shadow directors. If the Pensions Regulator considers that a plan employer is "insufficiently resourced" or a "service company" (which terms have statutory definitions), it may impose a financial support direction requiring such plan's employer or any member of the Group, or any person associated or connected with an employer, to put in place financial support in relation to the Luxfer Group Pension Plan. Liabilities imposed under a contribution notice or financial support direction may be up to the difference between the value of the assets of the Luxfer Group Pension Plan and the cost of buying out the benefits of members and other beneficiaries of the Luxfer Group Pension Plan. The Pension Schemes Act 2021 further strengthened regulation in this area and includes new criminal and civil penalties for breaches in pensions law (including unlimited fines) and new notifiable events that apply to certain corporate transactions which have the potential to adversely affect the security of the pension plan and therefore increase the likelihood of a contribution notice. In practice, the risk of a contribution notice being imposed may restrict our ability to restructure or undertake certain corporate activities. Additional security may also need to be provided to the Trustees of the Luxfer Group Pension Plan before certain corporate activities can be undertaken (such as the payment of an unusual dividend), and any additional funding of the Luxfer Group Pension Plan may have a material adverse effect on our financial position and cash flows.
Our operations may prove harmful to the environment resulting in reputational damage and clean-up or other related costs.
We are exposed to substantial environmental costs and liabilities, including liabilities associated with divested assets and prior activities performed on sites before we acquired an interest in them. Our operations, including the production and delivery of our products, are subject to a broad range of continually changing environmental laws and regulations in each of the jurisdictions in which we operate. These laws and regulations increasingly impose more stringent environmental protection standards on us with respect to, among other things, air emissions, wastewater discharges, the use and handling of hazardous materials, noise levels, waste disposal practices, soil and groundwater contamination and environmental clean-up. Complying with these regulations involves significant and recurring costs.
We cannot predict our future environmental liabilities and cannot assure investors that our management is aware of every fact or circumstance regarding potential liabilities, or that the amounts provided and budgeted to address such liabilities will be adequate for all purposes. In addition, future developments, such as changes in regulations, laws or environmental conditions, may result in reputational damage or increase environmental costs and liabilities that could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position and cash flows.
The health and safety of our employees and the safe operation of our business is subject to various health and safety regulations in each of the jurisdictions in which we operate. These regulations impose various obligations on us, including the provision of safe working environments and employee training on health and safety matters. Complying with these regulations involves recurring costs.
Certain of our operations are highly regulated by different agencies that require products to comply with their rules and procedures and can subject our operations to penalties or adversely affect production.
Certain of our operations are in highly regulated industries that require us to maintain regulatory approvals and, from time to time, obtain new regulatory approvals from various countries. This can involve substantial time and expense. In turn, higher costs of compliance reduce our cash flows from operations. For example, manufacturers of gas cylinders throughout the world must comply with high local safety and health standards and obtain regulatory approvals in the markets in which they sell their products. Furthermore, military organizations require us to comply with applicable government regulations and specifications when providing products or services to them directly or as subcontractors. In addition, we are required to comply with U.S. and other export regulations with respect to certain products and materials. The E.U. has also passed legislation governing the registration, evaluation and authorization of chemicals, known as REACH, pursuant to which we are required to register
chemicals and gain authorization for the use of certain substances. Following the U.K.’s withdrawal from the E.U. and the subsequent transition period, the E.U. REACH Regulation has been brought into U.K. law, and REACH, and related legislation, have therefore been replicated in the U.K. In the U.S., there is similar legislation under the Toxic Substance Control Act 1976 ("TSCA") which was substantially amended in 2016. Although we make reasonable efforts to obtain all licenses and certifications that are required by countries in which we operate, there is always a risk that we may be found not to comply with certain required procedures. This risk grows with increased complexity and variance in regulations across the globe. As regulatory schemes vary by country, we may also be subject to regulations of which we are not presently aware and could be subject to sanctions by a foreign government that could materially and adversely affect our operations in the relevant country.
Governments and their agencies have considerable discretion to determine whether regulations have been satisfied. They may also revoke or limit existing licenses and certifications or change the laws and regulations to which we are subject at any time. If our operations fail to obtain, experience delays in obtaining or lose a needed certification or approval, we may not be able to sell our products to our customers, expand into new geographic markets or expand into new product lines. In addition, new or more stringent regulations, if imposed, could result in us incurring significant costs in connection with compliance. Non-compliance with these regulations could result in administrative, civil, financial, criminal or other sanctions against us, which could have negative consequences on our business and financial position. Furthermore, if we begin to operate in new countries, we may need to obtain new licenses, certifications and approvals.
Our customers are also often subject to similar regulations and risks. We therefore face the risk that our customers may have the demand for their products reduced as a result of regulatory matters that fall outside our direct control. This would in turn reduce demand for our products and have a negative financial impact on our operating results.
Any of these factors could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations, financial position and cash flows.
We are subject to legislation and regulations to reduce carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions.
Although we are working to improve our energy efficiency, our manufacturing processes and the manufacturing processes of many of our suppliers and customers are still energy-intensive and use or generate, directly or indirectly, greenhouse gases ("GHGs"). In recent years, current regulatory programs impacting GHG emissions from large industrial plants and other sources include the E.U. Emissions Trading Scheme, the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme in the U.K. and certain federal and state programs in the U.S., including GHG reporting and permitting rules issued by the U.S.E.P.A and the California Cap and Trade Program.
Moreover, in December 2015, 195 countries participating in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, at its 21st Conference of the Parties meeting held in Paris, adopted a new global agreement on the reduction of climate change (the "Paris Agreement"). The Paris Agreement set a goal of holding the increase in global average temperature to well below 2 degrees Celsius and pursuing efforts to limit the increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius, to be achieved by commitments by the participating countries to set emissions reduction targets, referred to as "nationally determined contributions." The Paris Agreement came into effect on November 4, 2016, after it was ratified the previous month, with implementation efforts beginning from 2018 with reassessment every five years.
In November 2021, 197 countries joined together at the 26th Conference "COP26" in Glasgow, U.K., resulting in the Glasgow Climate Pact, which contains all necessary guidelines for fully implementing the Paris Agreement. The package of decisions within the Pact consists of a range of agreed items, including strengthened efforts to build resilience to climate change, to curb greenhouse gas emissions and to provide the necessary finance for both. Nations collectively agreed to work to reduce the gap between existing emission reduction plans and what is required to reduce emissions, so that the rise in the global average temperature can be limited to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Increased costs of compliance with climate change regulations and the potential impact on energy costs could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position and cash flows.
Due to the nature and use of the products that we manufacture, we may in the future face large liability claims.
We are subject to litigation in the ordinary course of our business, which could be costly to us and which may arise in the future. We are exposed to possible claims for personal injury, death or property damage, which could result from a failure of a product manufactured by us or of a product integrating one of our products. For example, improperly manufactured gas cylinders could explode at high pressure, which can cause substantial personal and property damage. This risk may be increased through the use of new technologies, materials and innovations. We also supply many components into aerospace applications in which the potential for significant liability exposures necessitates additional insurance costs.
Many factors beyond our control could lead to liability claims, including:
•the failure of a product manufactured by a third party that incorporated components manufactured by us;
•the reliability and skills of persons using our products or the products of our customers; and
•the use by customers of materials or products that we produced for applications for which the material or product was not designed.
If we cannot successfully defend ourselves against claims, we may incur substantial liabilities. Even successful defense would require significant financial and management resources. Regardless of the merits or eventual outcome, liability claims may result in:
•decreased demand for our products;
•reputational injury;
•initiation of investigation by regulators;
•costs to defend related litigation;
•diversion of management time and resources;
•compensatory damages and fines;
•product recalls, withdrawals or labeling, marketing or promotional restrictions;
•loss of revenue;
•exhaustion of any available insurance and our capital resources; and
•a decline in our stock price.
We could be required to pay a material amount if a claim is made against us that is not covered by insurance or otherwise subject to indemnification or that exceeds the insurance coverage that we maintain. Moreover, we do not currently carry insurance to cover the expense of product recalls, and litigation involving significant product recalls or product liability could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position and cash flows.
We are exposed to risks related to cybersecurity threats and general information security incidents which may also expose us to liability under data protection laws, including the GDPR.
In the conduct of our business, we increasingly collect, use, transmit and store data on information technology systems. This data includes confidential information belonging to us, our customers and other business partners, as well as personally identifiable information of individuals, including our employees. Like other global companies, we have experienced, and expect to continue to be subject to, cybersecurity threats and incidents, ranging from employee error or misuse, individual attempts to gain unauthorized access to information technology systems, and to sophisticated and targeted measures known as advanced persistent threats, none of which have been material to the Company to date.
Although we devote significant resources to network security, data encryption and other measures to protect our information technology systems and data from unauthorized access or misuse, including those measures necessary to meet certain information security standards that may be required by our customers, there can be no assurance that these measures will be successful in preventing a cybersecurity or general information security incident. We also rely in part on the reliability of certain tested third parties' cybersecurity measures, including firewalls, virus solutions and backup solutions, and our business may be affected if these third-party resources are compromised.
Cybersecurity incidents may result in business disruption, the misappropriation, corruption or loss of confidential information (including personally identifiable information) and critical data (ours or that of third parties), reputational damage, litigation with third parties, regulatory fines, diminution in the value of our investment in research and development and data privacy issues and increased information security protection and remediation costs. As these cybersecurity threats, and government and regulatory oversight of associated risks,
continue to evolve, we may be required to expend additional resources to remediate, enhance or expand upon the cybersecurity protection and security measures we currently maintain. For example, we are subject to the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation ("GDPR"), which became enforceable from May 25, 2018, and, following the U.K.'s exit from the E.U. on January 31, 2020, our U.K. based businesses are subject to U.K.-GDPR, which enshrines equivalent requirements in U.K. law. The GDPR introduced a number of new obligations for subject companies, resulting in the need to continue dedicating financial resources and management time to GDPR compliance. Among other things, the GDPR places subject companies under obligations relating to the security of the personally identifiable information they process. While we have taken steps to ensure compliance with the GDPR, there can be no assurance that the measures we have taken will be successful in preventing an incident, including a cybersecurity incident or other data breach, which results in a breach of the GDPR. Fines for non-compliance with the GDPR may be levied up to a maximum of €20,000,000 or 4% of the subject company’s annual, group-wide turnover (whichever is higher). Individuals who have suffered damage as a result of a subject company’s non-compliance with the GDPR also have the right to seek compensation from such a company.
Future cybersecurity breaches, general information security incidents, further increases in data protection costs or failure to comply with relevant legal obligations regarding protection of data could therefore have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position and cash flows.
We could incur future liability claims arising from previous businesses now closed or sold.
We have sold or closed a number of businesses over the years, but the products or services provided when the businesses were open and under our ownership could still result in potential liabilities, which could have a material adverse effect on our operations, financial position and cash flows.
Risks associated to new and existing products
Our ability to remain profitable depends on our ability to protect and enforce our intellectual property, and any failure to protect and enforce such intellectual property could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations and financial position.
We cannot ensure that we will always have the ability to protect proprietary information and our intellectual property rights. We protect our intellectual property rights (within the U.S., Europe and other countries) through various means, including patents and trade secrets. Due to the difference in foreign trademark, patent and other laws concerning proprietary rights, our intellectual property rights may not receive the same degree of protection in other countries as they would in the U.S. or the U.K. The patents we own could be challenged, invalidated or circumvented by others and may not be of sufficient scope or strength to provide us with any meaningful protection or commercial advantage. Further, competitors may infringe our patents and the costs of protecting our patents could be significant. We cannot assure you that we will have adequate resources to enforce our patents. Our patents will only be protected for the duration of the patent. Some of our older key patents have expired, and others will expire over the next few years. As a result, our competitors may introduce products using the technology previously protected, and these products may have lower prices than our products, which may negatively affect our market share. To compete, we may need to reduce our prices for those products. Additionally, the expiry of certain of those patents has reduced, or will reduce, barriers to entry to possible competitors for certain products and end-markets. With respect to our unpatented proprietary technology, it is possible that others will independently develop the same or similar technology or obtain access to our unpatented technology. To protect our trade secrets and other proprietary information, we require employees, consultants, advisors and collaborators to enter into confidentiality agreements. Nevertheless, we cannot assure you that these agreements will provide meaningful protection for our trade secrets, know-how or other proprietary information in the event of any unauthorized use, misappropriation or disclosure of such trade secrets, know-how or other proprietary information. We rely on our trademarks, trade names and brand names to distinguish our products from the products of our competitors, and we have registered or applied to register many of these trademarks. Third parties may also oppose our trademark applications, or otherwise challenge our use of the trademarks. In the event that our trademarks are successfully challenged, we could be forced to rebrand our products, which could result in loss of brand recognition and could require us to devote resources to advertising and marketing new brands. Further, we cannot assure you that competitors will not infringe our trademarks or that we will have adequate resources to enforce our trademarks.
Any failure to maintain, protect and enforce our intellectual property or the expiry of patent protection could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations, financial position and cash flows.
Expiration or termination of our right to use certain intellectual property granted by third parties, the right of those third parties to grant the right to use the same intellectual property to our competitors, and the right of certain third parties to use certain intellectual property used as part of our business, could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations, financial position and cash flows.
We have negotiated, and may from time to time in the future negotiate, licenses with third parties with respect to third party proprietary technologies used in certain of our manufacturing processes and products. If any of these licenses expire or terminate, we will no longer retain the rights to use the relevant third party proprietary technologies in our manufacturing processes and products, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position and cash flows. Further, the rights granted to us might be non-exclusive, which could result in our competitors gaining access to the same intellectual property.
Some of our patents may cover inventions that were conceived or first reduced to practice under, or in connection with, government contracts or other government funding agreements or grants. With respect to inventions conceived or first reduced to practice under such government funding agreements, a government may retain a non-exclusive, irrevocable, royalty-free license to practice, or have practiced for or on behalf of the relevant country, the invention throughout the world. In addition, if we fail to comply with our reporting obligations, or to adequately exploit the developed intellectual property under these government funding agreements, the relevant country may obtain additional rights to the developed intellectual property, including the right to take title to any patents related to government funded inventions or to license the same to our competitors. Furthermore, our ability to exclusively license or assign the intellectual property developed under these government funding agreements to third parties may be limited or subject to the relevant government's approval or oversight. These limitations could have a significant impact on the commercial value of the developed intellectual property.
We often enter into research and development agreements with academic institutions whereby they generally retain certain rights to the developed intellectual property. The academic institutions generally retain rights over the technology for use in non-commercial academic and research fields, including in some cases the right to license the technology to third parties for use in those fields. It is difficult to monitor and enforce such non-commercial academic and research uses, and we cannot predict whether the third party licensees would comply
with the use restrictions of these licenses. We could incur substantial expenses to enforce our rights against such licensees. In addition, even though the rights that academic institutions obtain are generally limited to the non-commercial academic and research fields, they may obtain rights to commercially exploit developed intellectual property in certain instances. Under research and development agreements with academic institutions, our rights to intellectual property developed thereunder are not always certain, but instead may be in the form of an option to obtain license rights to such intellectual property. If we fail to exercise our option rights in a timely way and / or we are unable to negotiate a license agreement, the academic institution may offer a license to the developed intellectual property to third parties for commercial purposes. Any such commercial exploitation could adversely affect our competitive position and have a material adverse effect on our business.
If third parties claim that intellectual property used by us infringes upon their intellectual property, our operating profits could be adversely affected.
We may, from time to time, be notified of claims that we are infringing upon patents, copyrights, or other intellectual property rights owned by third parties, and we cannot provide assurances that other companies will not in the future pursue such infringement claims against us or any third party proprietary technologies we have licensed. If we were found to infringe upon a patent or other intellectual property right, or if we failed to obtain or renew a license under a patent or other intellectual property right from a third party, or if a third party from whom we are licensing technologies was found to infringe upon a patent or other intellectual property rights of another third party, we may be required to pay damages, suspend the manufacture of certain products or re-engineer or rebrand our products, if feasible, or we may be unable to enter certain new product markets. Any such claims could also be expensive and time consuming to defend and could divert management's attention and resources. In addition, if we have omitted to enter into a valid non-disclosure or assignment agreement for any reason, we may not own the invention or our intellectual property and may not be adequately protected. Our competitive position could suffer as a result of any of these events and have a material adverse impact on our results of operations, financial position and cash flows.
Any failure of our research and development activity to improve our existing products and develop new products could cause us to lose market share.
Our products are highly technical in nature, and in order to maintain and improve our market position, we depend on successful research and development activity to continue to improve our existing products and develop new products. We cannot be certain that we will have sufficient research and development capability to respond to changes in the industries in which we operate. These changes could include changes in the technological environment in which we currently operate, increased demand for new products or the development of alternatives to our products. For example, the development of lighter weight steel alloys has made the use of steel in gas cylinders a more competitive alternative to aluminum than it had been previously. We may also experience delays in completing development of, enhancements to or new versions of our products, and product innovations may not achieve the market penetration or price stability necessary for profitability. In addition to benefiting from our research collaboration with universities, we spent $3.9 million, $3.3 million and $5.7 million in 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively, on our own research and development activities. We expect to fund our future research and development expenditure requirements through operating cash flows and restricted levels of indebtedness, but if operating profit decreases, we may not be able to invest in research and development or continue to develop new products or enhancements.
Without the timely introduction of new products or enhancements to existing products, our products could become obsolete over time, in which case our results of operations, financial position and cash flows could be adversely affected.
Increased climate control regulation could negatively impact sales of our products.
As previously mentioned, in November 2021, 197 countries joined together at COP26 in Glasgow, U.K., resulting in the Glasgow Climate Pact (see Environmental and Regulatory risks: We are subject to legislation and regulations to reduce carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions). Participants at COP26 made specific industrial commitments in order to contribute to overall climate goals. For example, the automotive sector will be required to ensure that all new car sales are to become net-zero by 2040 and in core markets by 2035. This will ultimately curtail demand for products linked to internal combustion engine vehicles, such as our zirconium automotive catalysis products.
While climate change regulation presents opportunities for Luxfer to develop new product lines and increase sales of climate-friendly products such as alternative fuel hydrogen cylinders and lightweight magnesium alloys, the impact on our existing product portfolio could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position and cash flows.
Operational Risks
We may not be able to consummate, finance or successfully integrate future acquisitions into our business, which could hinder our strategy or result in unanticipated expenses, losses or charges.
As part of our strategy, we have supplemented and may continue to supplement organic growth by acquiring companies or operations engaged in similar or complementary businesses. If the consummation of future acquisitions, together with integration of acquired companies and businesses, excessively diverts management's attention from the operations of our existing businesses, operating results could suffer. Any acquisition made could be subject to a number of risks, including:
•failing to discover liabilities of the acquired company or business for which we may be responsible as a successor owner or operator, including litigation or environmental costs and liabilities;
•difficulties associated with the assimilation of operations and personnel of the acquired company or business, creating uncertainty for employees, customers and suppliers;
•increased debt service requirements as a result of increased indebtedness to complete acquisitions;
•the loss of key personnel in the acquired company or business;
•a negative effect on our financial results resulting from an impairment of acquired intangible assets, the creation of provisions, or write downs; and / or
•potential adverse effects on our stock price and dividend amount due to the issuance of additional stock.
We cannot ensure that every acquisition will ultimately provide the benefits originally anticipated, which could ultimately have a material adverse impact on our results of operations, financial position and cash flows.
Our failure to perform under purchase or sale contracts could result in the payment of penalties to customers or suppliers, which could have a negative impact on our results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
A failure to perform under purchase or sale contracts could result in the payment of penalties to suppliers and / or customers, which could have a negative impact on our results of operations, financial position or cash flows. Certain contracts with suppliers could obligate us to purchase a minimum product volume (clauses known as "take or pay"), and contracts with customers may impose firm commitments for the delivery of certain quantities of products within certain time periods. The risk of incurring liability under a take or pay supply contract would increase during an economic crisis, which in turn would increase the likelihood of a sharp drop in demand for our products, resulting in a potential material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position and cash flows.
Our businesses could suffer if we lose certain employees or cannot attract and retain qualified employees.
We rely upon a number of key executives and employees, particularly members of the Executive Leadership Team. If these and certain other employees ceased to work for us, we would lose valuable expertise and industry experience and could become less profitable. We do not carry key person insurance covering the loss of any of our executives or employees.
In addition, future operating results depend in part upon our ability to attract and retain qualified engineering and technical personnel. As a result of intense competition for talent in the market, we cannot ensure that we will be able to continue to attract and retain such personnel. While our key employees are generally subject to non-competition agreements for a limited period of time following the end of their employment, if we were to lose the services of key executives or employees, it could adversely impact our ability to maintain our technological position, and / or have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position and cash flows.
We could suffer a material interruption in our operations as a result of unforeseen events or operating hazards.
Our production facilities are located in a number of different locations around the world. Any of our facilities could suffer an interruption in production, either at separate times or at the same time, because of various and unavoidable occurrences, such as severe weather events (for example, hurricanes and floods), earthquakes, casualty events (for example, explosions, fires or material equipment breakdowns), acts of terrorism, pandemic disease, labor disruptions or other events (for example, required maintenance shutdowns). For instance, our operations in California are subject to risks related to earthquakes. Further disruption occurred during 2015 at our Riverside, California, facility when an electrical arc caused damage to electrical equipment, which triggered a power outage at the facility. In addition, some of our products are highly flammable, and there is a risk of fire inherent in their production process. Such hazards could cause personal injury or death, serious damage to, or destruction of, property and equipment, suspension of operations, substantial damage to the environment and / or reputational harm. The risk is particularly high in the production of ultra-fine magnesium powders, which are highly flammable and explosive in certain situations. Similar disruptions in the operations of our suppliers and / or customers could materially affect our business and operations. Although we carry certain levels of business interruption insurance, the coverage on certain catastrophic events or natural disasters, a failure of energy supplies and certain other events, is limited, and it is possible that the occurrence of such events may have a significant adverse impact on our results of operations, financial position and cash flows.
Employee strikes and other labor-related disruptions may adversely affect our operations.
Several of our production facilities depend on employees who are members of various trade union organizations. Strikes by, or labor disputes with, our employees may adversely affect our ability to conduct business.
We cannot assure you that there will not be any strike, lock-out or material labor dispute in the future. Work interruptions or stoppages could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position and cash flows.
As a holding company, Luxfer Holdings PLC's main source of cash is distributions from our operating subsidiaries.
Our ultimate parent company, Luxfer Holdings PLC, conducts all of its operations through its subsidiaries. Accordingly, its main cash source is dividends from these subsidiaries. The ability of each subsidiary to make distributions depends on the funds that a subsidiary receives from its operations in excess of the funds necessary for its operations, obligations or other business plans. Since the subsidiaries are wholly-owned, claims of Luxfer Holdings PLC will generally rank junior to all other obligations of the subsidiaries. If Luxfer's operating subsidiaries are unable to make distributions, Luxfer's growth may slow, unless we are able to obtain additional debt or equity financing. In the event of a subsidiary's liquidation, there may not be assets sufficient for us to recoup our investment in the subsidiary.
We have a level of indebtedness which has reduced over time, but could adversely affect our cash flows and our ability to operate our business, remain in compliance with debt covenants, make payments on our indebtedness, pay dividends and respond to changes in our business or take certain actions.
As of December 31, 2021, we had $50.0 million of indebtedness under our senior notes (the "Loan Notes") divided into two equal tranches of $25.0 million due in 2023 and 2026, respectively. There was also a $10.8 million balance on the revolving credit facility ("RCF") as of December 31, 2021.
Our indebtedness could have important consequences. For example, it could make it more difficult for us to satisfy obligations with respect to indebtedness, and any failure to comply with the obligations of any of our debt instruments, including financial and other restrictive covenants, could result in an event of default under agreements governing our indebtedness. Further, our indebtedness could require us to dedicate a substantial portion of available cash flows to pay principal and interest on our outstanding debt, which would reduce the funds available for working capital, capital expenditures, dividends, acquisitions and other general corporate purposes. Our indebtedness could also limit our ability to operate our business, including the ability to engage in strategic transactions or implement business strategies. Factors related to our indebtedness could materially and adversely affect our business and our results of operations. Furthermore, our interest expense could increase if interest rates rise, because certain portions of our debt facilities bear interest at floating rates. If we do not have sufficient cash flows to service our debt, we may be required to refinance all or part of our existing debt, sell assets, incur further indebtedness or sell securities, none of which we can guarantee we will be able to do.
In addition, the agreements that govern the terms of our indebtedness contain, and any future indebtedness would likely contain, a number of restrictive covenants imposing significant operating and financial restrictions on us, including restrictions that may limit our ability to engage in acts that may be in our long-term best interests, including:
•incurring or guaranteeing additional indebtedness;
•capital expenditures;
•paying dividends (including to fund cash interest payments at different entity levels) or making redemptions, repurchases or distributions with respect to ordinary shares or capital stock;
•creating or incurring certain security interests;
•making certain loans or investments;
•engaging in mergers, acquisitions, investment in joint ventures, amalgamations, asset sales and sale and leaseback transactions; and
•engaging in transactions with affiliates.
These restrictive covenants are subject to a number of qualifications and exceptions. The operating and financial restrictions and covenants in our existing debt agreements and any future financing agreements may adversely affect our ability to finance future operations or capital needs or to engage in other business activities.
We may be able to incur significant additional indebtedness in the future. Although the agreements governing our indebtedness contain restrictions on the incurrence of certain additional indebtedness, these restrictions are subject to a number of important qualifications and exceptions, and the indebtedness incurred in compliance with these restrictions could be substantial. If we incur new indebtedness, the related risks, including those described above, could intensify.
Any of these factors could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations, financial position and cash flows.
General risks
Our ability to pay regular dividends on our ordinary shares is subject to the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend on many factors, including our results of operations, cash requirements, financial position, contractual restrictions, applicable laws and other factors, and may be limited by our structure and statutory restrictions and restrictions imposed by the Revolving Credit Facility and the Loan Notes, as well as any future debt facilities.
We may declare cash dividends on our ordinary shares as described in ITEM 8. However, the payment of future dividends will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors. Any recommendation by our Board to pay dividends will depend on many factors, including our results of operations, cash requirements, financial position, contractual restrictions, applicable laws and other factors, including availability of future debt facilities. Under English law, any payment of dividends would be subject to the Companies Act 2006 of England and Wales (the "Companies Act"), which requires, among other things, that we can only pay dividends on ordinary shares out of profits available for distribution determined in accordance with the Companies Act. Additionally, any change in the level of our dividends or the suspension of the payment thereof could adversely affect the market price of our ordinary shares.
If we fail to establish or maintain an effective system of internal controls, we may be unable to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud, and investor confidence and the market price of our ordinary shares may, therefore, be adversely impacted.
We are subject to reporting obligations under U.S. securities laws. Our reporting obligations as a public company place a significant strain on our management, operational and financial resources and systems for the foreseeable future. Our management is required to report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, as required annually by Section 404(a), and quarterly by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, for which we perform system and process evaluation and testing of our internal control over financial reporting.
Over time we may identify and correct deficiencies or weaknesses in our internal controls and, where and when appropriate, report on the identification and correction of these deficiencies or weaknesses. However, the internal control procedures can provide only reasonable, and not absolute, assurance that deficiencies or weaknesses are identified. Deficiencies or weaknesses that have not been identified by us could emerge, and the identification and correction of these deficiencies or weaknesses could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations. If our internal controls over financial reporting are not considered adequate, this may adversely affect our ability to report our financial results on a timely and accurate basis, which may result in a loss of public confidence or have an adverse effect on the market price of our ordinary shares, which could then adversely impact our ability to access equity markets and have a material adverse impact on our results of operations, financial position and cash flows.
It may be difficult to effect service of U.S. process and enforce U.S. legal processes against the directors of Luxfer.
Luxfer is a public limited company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales. A number of our directors and officers reside outside of the U.S., principally in the U.K. A substantial portion of our assets, and the assets of such persons, are located outside of the U.S. Therefore, it may not be possible to effect service of process within the U.S. upon Luxfer or these persons in order to enforce judgments of U.S. courts against Luxfer or these persons based on the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws. There is doubt as to the enforceability in England and Wales, in original actions or in actions for enforcement of judgments of U.S. courts, of civil liabilities solely based on the U.S. federal securities laws.

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ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.

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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Item 2. Properties
Our principal executive office in the United States is located in leased premises in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and we also have a corporate office located in owned premises in Manchester, United Kingdom. Our operations are conducted in facilities throughout the world. These facilities house manufacturing and distribution operations, as well as sales and distribution offices.
We carry out Elektron manufacturing operations at six plants in the United States and one plant in the United Kingdom.
We carry out Gas Cylinders manufacturing operations at two plants in the United States and single plants in each of the United Kingdom, Canada and China. Gas Cylinders also has a sales and distribution office in both Australia and Italy.
We have a further plant in the United States which is classified as discontinued operations.
Our manufacturing plants comprise both owned and leased properties. We believe that our production facilities are suitable for their purpose and are adequate to support our businesses.
Division Property / Plant Principal products
manufactured Ownership Approximate area (square feet)
Elektron
Manchester, England Magnesium alloys / zirconium chemicals Split Lease / Own 560,000
Madison, IL Magnesium sheet Lease 805,000
Tamaqua, PA Magnesium powders Own 65,000
Lakehurst, NJ Magnesium powders Own 80,000
Flemington, NJ Zirconium chemicals Own 65,000
Cincinnati, OH Magnesium heating pads Lease 150,000
Saxonburg, PA Magnesium powders Own 70,000
Gas Cylinders
Nottingham, England Composite and aluminum cylinders Lease 145,000
Calgary, Canada Composite cylinders Lease 65,000
Pomona, CA Composite cylinders Lease 175,000
Riverside, CA Composite cylinders Lease / Own 125,000
Shanghai, China Cylinders Lease 15,000
Discontinued operations
Riverside, CA Aluminum panels Lease 70,000

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ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
The Company is a defendant in various lawsuits and is subject to various claims that arise in the normal course of business, the most significant of which are summarized in Note 19 (commitments and contingencies) to the consolidated financial statements in ITEM 8. In the opinion of management, the likelihood that the ultimate disposition of these matters will have a material adverse impact is remote.

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ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
PART II

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ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY
Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Market Information
Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and is traded under the symbol "LXFR." As of December 31, 2021, the Company had 18 shareholders of record.
Dividends
During the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, the Company paid quarterly dividends of $0.125 per ordinary share, which equated to $13.6 million in each of the three years, respectively. A further dividend of $3.4 million was declared and paid in the first quarter of 2022. The declaration and payment of any future dividends will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend upon our results of operations, cash requirements, financial position, contractual restrictions, restrictions imposed by our indebtedness, any future debt agreements or applicable laws and other factors that our Board of Directors may deem relevant. As with all dividends declared to date, we expect future dividends to be paid out of our earnings.
Any payment of dividends is also subject to the provisions of the U.K. Companies Act, according to which dividends may only be paid out of profits available for distribution determined by reference to financial statements prepared in accordance with the Companies Act and the International Accounting Standards Board, which differ in some respects from U.S. GAAP. In the event that dividends are paid in the future, holders of the ordinary shares will be entitled to receive payments in U.S. dollars in respect of dividends on the underlying ordinary shares in accordance with the deposit agreement. Furthermore, because we are a holding company, any dividend payments would depend on cash flows from our subsidiaries.
United Kingdom tax consequences for holders of common stock
The United Kingdom tax consequences discussed below do not reflect a complete analysis or listing of all the possible United Kingdom tax consequences that may be relevant to holders of our common stock. Moreover, the statements below only apply to holders of our common stock who are residents for tax purposes outside of the United Kingdom.
Investors should consult their own tax advisers in respect of the tax consequences related to receipt, ownership, purchase or sale or other disposition of our common stock.
United Kingdom withholding tax
Under current law, the Company is not required to make any deduction or withholding for or on account of United Kingdom tax from dividends distributed on our common stock, irrespective of the tax residence or individual circumstances of the recipient shareholder.
United Kingdom income tax on dividends
A non-United Kingdom tax resident holder of our common stock will not be subject to United Kingdom income taxes on dividend income and similar distributions in respect of our shares, unless the shares are attributable to a permanent establishment or a fixed place of business maintained in the United Kingdom by such non-United Kingdom holder.
Stamp duty and stamp duty reserve tax ("SDRT")
While the ordinary shares are held within a depositary trust company ("DTC"), provided that DTC satisfies various conditions specified in U.K. legislation, electronic book-entry transfers of such shares should not be subject to U.K. stamp duty, and agreements to transfer such shares should not be subject to U.K. stamp duty reserve tax (“SDRT”). The parties have obtained confirmation of this position by way of formal clearance by HMRC. Likewise, transfers of, or agreements to transfer, the ordinary shares from the DTC clearance service into another clearance service or into a depositary receipt system should not, provided that the other clearance service or depositary receipt system satisfies various conditions specified in U.K. legislation, be subject to U.K. stamp duty or SDRT.
In the event that the ordinary shares have left the DTC clearance service, other than into another clearance service or depositary receipt system, any subsequent transfer of, or agreement to transfer, such ordinary shares may, subject to any available exemption or relief, be subject to U.K. stamp duty or SDRT at a rate of 0.5% of the consideration for such transfer or agreement. Any such U.K. stamp duty or SDRT will generally be payable by the transferee and must be paid (and any relevant transfer document stamped by HMRC) before the transfer can be registered in the books of Luxfer Holdings PLC.
In the event that ordinary shares which have left the DTC clearance service, other than into another clearance service or depositary receipt system, are subsequently transferred back into a clearance service or depositary receipt system, such transfer, or agreement to transfer, may, subject to any available exemption or relief, be subject to U.K. stamp duty or SDRT at a rate of 1.5% of the consideration for such transfer (or, where there is no such consideration, 1.5% of the value of such ordinary shares). In practice, this liability for stamp duty or SDRT is generally borne by the person depositing the relevant shares in the clearance service or depositary receipt system.
Share performance graph
The following information under the caption "Share Performance Graph" in this ITEM 5 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K is not deemed to be "soliciting material" or to be "filed" with the SEC or subject to Regulation 14A or 14C under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), or subject to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Exchange Act and will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except to the extent we specifically incorporate it by reference into such a filing.
The following graph sets forth the cumulative total shareholder return on our ordinary shares for the last five years, assuming an investment of $100 on December 31, 2016, and the reinvestment of all dividends since that date to December 31, 2021. The graph also contains for comparison purposes the Russell 2000 Index, assuming the same investment level and reinvestment of dividends.
By virtue of our market capitalization and characteristics, we believe the Russell 2000 Index is an appropriate published industry index for comparison purposes.
Purchase of Equity Securities
During the fiscal year 2021, we purchased 297,678 of our ordinary shares for a total cost of $6.4 million.

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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
Item 6. [Reserved]
Not applicable

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Information regarding forward-looking statements
This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains certain statements, statistics and projections that are, or may be, forward-looking. These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that could cause our actual results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, performance, prospects, opportunities, achievements or industry results, as well as those of the markets we serve or intend to serve, to differ materially from those expressed in, or suggested by, these forward-looking statements. The accuracy and completeness of all such statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding our future financial position, strategy, plans and objectives for the management of future operations, is not warranted or guaranteed. These statements typically contain words such as "believes," "intends," "expects," "anticipates," "estimates," "may," "will," "should" and words of similar import. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such statements are reasonable, no assurance can be given that such expectations will prove to be correct. There are a number of factors that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, factors identified in "Business," "Risk factors," and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," or elsewhere in this Annual Report, as well as:
•general economic conditions, or conditions affecting demand for the services offered by us in the markets in which we operate, both domestically and internationally, being less favorable than expected;
•worldwide economic and business conditions and conditions in the industries in which we operate;
•ongoing impact of COVID-19 and future pandemics;
•fluctuations in the cost of raw materials and utilities;
•availability of essential inputs, including but not limited to, raw materials, transport, energy and labor;
•currency fluctuations and other financial risks;
•our ability to protect our intellectual property;
•the amount of indebtedness we have incurred and may incur, and the obligations to service such indebtedness and to comply with the covenants contained therein;
•relationships with our customers and suppliers;
•increased competition from other companies in the industries in which we operate;
•changing technology;
•our ability to execute and integrate new acquisitions;
•claims for personal injury, death or property damage arising from the use of products produced by us;
•the occurrence of accidents or other interruptions to our production processes;
•changes in our business strategy or development plans, and our expected level of capital expenditure;
•our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel;
•restrictions on the ability of Luxfer Holdings PLC to receive dividends or loans from certain of its subsidiaries;
•regulatory, environmental, legislative and judicial developments; and
•our intention to pay dividends.
Please read the sections "Business," "Risk factors," and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a more complete discussion of the factors that could affect our performance and the industries in which we operate, as well as those discussed in other documents we file or furnish with the SEC.
About Luxfer
Luxfer Holdings PLC ("Luxfer," "the Company," "we," "our") is a global industrial company innovating niche applications in materials engineering. Luxfer focuses on value creation by using its broad array of technical know-how and proprietary technologies. Luxfer's high-performance materials, components and high-pressure gas containment devices are used in defense, first response and healthcare, transportation and general industrial applications.
Key trends and uncertainties regarding our existing business
Update on impact of COVID-19 on operations
Demand from most end-markets we serve has improved throughout 2021 following the adverse impact of COVID-19 on prior year volumes. Current year fourth quarter like-for-like sales returned to positive growth versus the pre-pandemic 2019 level for the first time, but full year 2021 sales remained around 7% lower than 2019 given weakness in the first half of 2021. In addition, COVID-19 related supply chain disruption constrained our ability to fully convert robust demand into sales. Sharp recovery in demand combined with supply chain challenges has resulted in some adverse business impacts, including increased material cost inflation on key inputs (including magnesium, aluminum and carbon fiber), labor availability issues and energy and transport cost increases. Currently, our expectation is that the impact of material and energy cost inflation and labor and transport constraints will continue into 2022, although it is our intention to pass through inflation to our customers.
Luxfer’s top priority during this global pandemic has been the health and well-being of our employees, customers, shareholders, and the communities in which we operate. The Company continues to monitor the COVID-19 situation closely, including subsequent constraints on supply, while simultaneously executing business continuity plans. These business continuity plans include, but are not limited to: (i) retooling operations to maintain social distance and maximize employee safety; (ii) increasing resources to manage supply constraints and recruit employees in order to satisfy demand; (iii) expanding flexible work arrangements and policies, where practical, to maximize employee safety; and (iv) providing regular updates to our shareholders, employees, customers, and suppliers in a transparent and timely manner.
Operating objectives and trends
In 2022, we expect the following operating objectives and trends to impact our business:
•Organic growth initiatives with particular focus on revenue from new products;
•Actions to ensure continuity of supply of critical materials and services while safeguarding margins;
•Proactive response on health and well-being of employees post pandemic, including continuous improvement on safety;
•Targeted improvements in ESG standing through investment in new projects;
•Continued focus on recruiting and developing talent and driving a high-performance culture; and
•Continued focus on operating cash generation with lower restructuring activity and maintaining strong working capital performance.
CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The consolidated results of operations from continuing operations of Luxfer were as follows:
Years ended December 31, % / point change
In millions 2021 2020 2019 2021 v 2020 2020 v 2019
Net sales $ 374.1 $ 324.8 $ 373.4 15.2 % (13.0) %
Cost of sales (278.1) (243.9) (269.7) 14.0 % (9.6) %
Gross profit 96.0 80.9 103.7 18.7 % (22.0) %
% of net sales 25.7 % 24.9 % 27.8 % 0.8 (2.9)
Selling, general and administrative expenses (47.3) (39.8) (49.7) 18.8 % (19.9) %
% of net sales 12.6 % 12.3 % 13.3 % 0.3 (1.0)
Research and development (3.9) (3.3) (5.7) 18.2 % (42.1) %
% of net sales 1.0 % 1.0 % 1.5 % - (0.5)
Restructuring charges (6.2) (8.9) (25.9) (30.3) % (65.6) %
% of net sales 1.7 % 2.7 % 6.9 % (1.0) (4.2)
Impairment credit - - 0.2 n/a (100.0) %
% of net sales - % - % (0.1) % - 0.1
Acquisition and disposals costs (1.5) - (1.4) n/a (100.0) %
% of net sales 0.4 % - % 0.4 % 0.4 (0.4)
Other income 0.2 - - n/a n/a
% of net sales 0.1 % - % - % n/a n/a
Other charges (1.1) (0.4) (2.5) 175.0 % (84.0) %
% of net sales 0.3 % 0.1 % 0.7 % 0.2 (0.6)
Operating income 36.2 28.5 18.7 27.0 % 52.4 %
% of net sales 9.7 % 8.8 % 5.0 % 0.9 3.8
Net interest expense (3.1) (5.0) (4.4) (38.0) % 13.6 %
% of net sales 0.8 % 1.5 % 1.2 % (0.7) 0.3
Defined benefit pension credit 2.3 4.3 1.3 (46.5) % 230.8 %
% of net sales 0.6 % 1.3 % 0.3 % (0.7) 1.0
Income before income taxes and equity in net income of affiliates 35.4 27.8 15.6 27.3 % 78.2 %
% of net sales 9.5 % 8.6 % 4.2 % 0.9 4.4
Provision for income taxes (5.4) (6.9) (7.6) (21.7) % (9.2) %
Effective tax rate 15.3 % 24.8 % 48.7 % (9.5) (23.9)
Income before equity in net income of affiliates 30.0 20.9 8.0 43.5 % 161.3 %
% of net sales 8.0 % 6.4 % 2.1 % 1.6 4.3
Equity in (loss) / income of unconsolidated affiliates (net of tax) - (0.1) 0.7 (100.0) % (114.3) %
% of net sales - % - % 0.2 % - (0.2)
Net income from continuing operations $ 30.0 $ 20.8 $ 8.7 44.2 % 139.1 %
% of net sales 8.0 % 6.4 % 2.3 % 1.6 4.1
Net sales
The 15.2% increase in consolidated net sales across most major product groups in 2021 from 2020 was primarily due to the acquisition of Structural Composite Industries LLP ("SCI"), as well as the recovery in volumes adversely impacted by COVID-19 in the prior year. The most significant factors were:
•An additional contribution to net sales in Luxfer Gas Cylinders of $24.9 million due to the acquisition of SCI at the end of the first quarter, which primarily impacted sales of cylinders used in aerospace and alternative fuels applications;
•Increased sales of SCBA cylinders used by first responders and of cylinders used for gas calibration and other industrial applications;
•Increased sales in Luxfer MEL Technologies of zirconium automotive catalysis products;
•Increased sales of military powders used in countermeasure flares;
•Increased sales of Luxfer Graphic Arts magnesium photoengraving plates; and
•Favorable foreign exchange variances of $10.3 million or 3.2%.
These increases were partially offset by decreased sales of heater meals and chemical response kits in our Luxfer Magtech business.
The 13.0% decrease in consolidated net sales in 2020 from 2019 was heavily influenced by the global economic downturn resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic across all end-markets, with the adverse impact most pronounced across the industrial and transportation end-markets, including:
•Lower sales of photoengraving plates;
•Lower sales of zirconium-based chemical products used in industrial catalysis;
•Lower sales of SCBA cylinders used by first responders; and
•$7.6 million revenue decline as a result of the divestiture of Elektron's magnesium Czech recycling business in 2019.
These decreases were partially offset by:
•Continued growth of alternative fuel (AF) systems despite COVID-19 headwinds affecting transportation end-markets; and
•Increased revenues from Luxfer Magtech chemical kit products.
Gross profit
The 0.8 percentage point increase in gross profit as a percentage of sales in 2021 from 2020 was primarily the result of production efficiency linked to increased volumes as we recovered from the prior year impact of COVID-19. This was partially offset by the impact of material cost inflation not fully covered by price increases primarily in the fourth quarter.
The 2.9 percentage point decrease in gross profit as a percentage of sales in 2020 from 2019 was primarily the result of adverse sales mix and inefficiency from the impact of COVID-19.
These adverse factors were partially offset by the impact of productivity improvements in Luxfer Gas Cylinders Europe, following the closure of the French operation in 2019 and transfer of production to the U.K. and U.S.A.
Selling, general and administrative expenses ("SG&A")
SG&A costs as a percentage of sales have increased marginally by 0.3 percentage points in 2021 from 2020.
SG&A costs as a percentage of sales decreased by 1.0 percentage points in 2020 from 2019. The $9.9 million or 19.9%, decline in costs was primarily the result of continued cost savings derived from our transformation plan, as well as specific cost reduction actions taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Research and development costs
Research and development costs as a percentage of sales were flat in 2021 when compared to 2020, with actual expenditure increasing by 18.2% as activity levels picked up as we recovered from the COVID-19 economic downturn.
Research and development costs as a percentage of sales reduced by 0.5% in 2020 from 2019, largely as a result of COVID-19 caused project delays.
Restructuring charges
The $6.2 million restructuring charges in 2021 includes:
•A further $5.0 million in relation to the closure of Luxfer Gas Cylinders France;
•$0.9 million of one-time employee termination costs in the Elektron division, largely in relation to the divestiture of our small Luxfer Magtech production facility in Ontario, Canada; and
•$0.3 million of miscellaneous restructuring project costs in the Gas Cylinders division.
The $8.9 million restructuring charges in 2020 were the result of:
•A further $7.5 million in relation to the closure of Luxfer Gas Cylinders France; and
•$1.4 million in one-time severance costs as a result of actions taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Acquisition and disposals costs
Acquisition and disposals costs of $1.5 million in 2021 primarily relate to the acquisition of SCI.
Acquisition and disposals costs which were net nil in 2020 related to $0.4 million costs incurred in relation to merger and acquisition ("M&A") exploration activities offset by deferred consideration adjustments and profit on previously written-down inventory. In July 2020, we sold our 51% investment in Luxfer Uttam India Private Limited to the joint venture ("JV") partner. Allowing for legal costs, we generated a profit on disposal of less than $0.1 million.
Other charges
The $1.1 million other charges incurred in 2021 relates to the settlement of a class action lawsuit in the Gas Cylinders segment from an alleged historic violation of the California Labor Code, concerning a Human Resources administration matter.
The $0.4 million other charges incurred in 2020, is the result of further costs incurred in relation to the remediation of the legacy environmental issue at our Elektron Manchester, UK site,
Net interest expense
Net interest expense of $3.1 million in 2021 decreased from $5.0 million in 2020 largely due to the $25 million early repayment in December 2020 of the Loan Notes due in 2021.
Net interest expense of $5.0 million in 2020 increased from $4.4 million in 2019 largely as a result of an additional finance charge following the $25 million voluntary early repayment of 3.67% Loan notes due in 2021, at the end of the fourth quarter.
Defined benefit pension credit
The defined benefit pension credit of $2.3 million has decreased by $2.0 million in 2021 from 2020. This was primarily due to the combined effect on the U.K. plan of lower projected asset returns and a higher post-2030 inflation projection in the U.K., partially offset by a fall in the discount rate.
The $3.0 million increase in defined benefit pension credit in 2020 from 2019 was primarily due to the combined effect on the U.K. plan of a reduction in the discount rate and lower inflation, partially offset by lower projected asset returns.
Provision for income taxes
The 9.5 percentage point decrease in the effective tax rate in 2021 from 2020 was primarily due to the impact of the U.K. tax rate change enacted in the year (from 19% to 25%) which increased the valuation of the U.K. related net deferred tax asset (largely related to the U.K. defined benefit pension plan) as reported in the second quarter. In addition, a deferred tax credit of $2.6 million has been recognized in the income statement in respect of future tax relief available as a result of a special one-off pension contribution made to the U.K. plan in December 2021. The adjusted effective tax rate of 20.6% was marginally higher than the prior year rate of 20.2%, largely due to increased profits in higher tax jurisdictions, primarily the U.S.
The 23.9 percentage point increase in the effective tax rate in 2020 from 2019 was primarily due to significantly lower non-deductible expenses of a non-recurring nature in the current year.
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES TO GAAP MEASURES
The following table of non-GAAP summary financial data presents a reconciliation of net income from continuing operations to adjusted net income for the periods presented, being the most comparable GAAP measure. Management believes that adjusted net income, adjusted earnings per share, adjusted EBITA and adjusted EBITDA are key performance indicators (KPIs) used by the investment community and that such presentation will enhance an investor’s understanding of the Company's operational results. In addition, Luxfer's CEO and other senior management use these KPIs, among others, to evaluate business performance. However, investors should not consider adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per share in isolation as an alternative to net income and earnings per share when evaluating Luxfer's operating performance or measuring Luxfer's profitability.
Years ended December 31,
In millions except per share data 2021 2020 2019
Net income from continuing operations 30.0 20.8 8.7
Accounting charges relating to acquisitions and disposals of businesses:
Unwind of discount on deferred consideration - - 0.2
Amortization on acquired intangibles 0.9 0.7 1.2
Acquisitions and disposals cost 1.5 - 1.4
Defined benefit pension credit (2.3) (4.3) (1.3)
Restructuring charges 6.2 8.9 25.9
Impairment credit - - (0.2)
Other charges 1.1 0.4 2.5
Share-based compensation charges 2.8 2.8 4.5
Other non-recurring tax items (1.9) - -
Income tax on adjusted items (2.1) (0.4) (2.0)
Adjusted net income from continuing operations 36.2 28.9 40.9
Adjusted earnings per ordinary share from continuing operations
Diluted earnings per ordinary share 1.07 0.74 0.31
Impact of adjusted items 0.22 0.29 1.16
Adjusted diluted earnings per ordinary share(1)
1.29 1.03 1.47
(1) For the purpose of calculating diluted earnings per share, the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the financial year has been adjusted for the dilutive effects of all potential ordinary shares and share options granted to employees.
Years ended December 31,
In millions except per share data 2021 2020 2019
Adjusted net income from continuing operations 36.2 28.9 40.9
Add back:
Other non-recurring tax items 1.9 - -
Income tax on adjusted items 2.1 0.4 2.0
Income tax expense 5.4 6.9 7.6
Net finance costs 3.1 5.0 4.4
Adjusted EBITA from continuing operations 48.7 41.2 54.9
Loss on disposal of PPE - 0.1 0.2
Depreciation 14.7 12.6 12.0
Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations 63.4 53.9 67.1
The following table presents a reconciliation for the adjusted effective tax rate, which management believes is a KPI used by the investment community and that such presentation will enhance an investor's understanding of the Company's operational results.
Years ended December 31,
In millions 2021 2020 2019
Adjusted net income from continuing activities $ 36.2 $ 28.9 $ 40.9
Add back:
Other non-recurring tax items 1.9 - -
Income tax on adjusted items 2.1 0.4 2.0
Provision for income taxes 5.4 6.9 7.6
Adjusted income from continuing activities before income taxes $ 45.6 $ 36.2 $ 50.5
Adjusted provision for income taxes 9.4 7.3 9.6
Adjusted effective tax rate from continuing activities 20.6 % 20.2 % 19.0 %
SEGMENT RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The summary that follows provides a discussion of the results of operations of each of our two reportable segments (Gas Cylinders and Elektron). Both segments comprise various product offerings that serve multiple end-markets.
Adjusted EBITDA, which is our segment income metric, represents operating income adjusted for restructuring charges, impairment credit, other charges, acquisition and disposals cost, depreciation and amortization,; share based compensation charges, and unwind of discount on deferred consideration. A reconciliation to net income and taxes can be found in ITEM 8, Note 17.
GAS CYLINDERS
The results of operations from the Gas Cylinders segment are for continuing activities only.
The net sales and adjusted EBITDA for Gas Cylinders were as follows:
Years ended December 31, % / point change
In millions 2021 2020 2019 2021 v 2020
2020 v 2019
Net sales $ 178.3 $ 141.9 $ 153.5 25.7 % (7.6) %
Adjusted EBITDA 22.7 21.3 22.3 6.6 % (4.5) %
% of net sales 12.7 % 15.0 % 14.5 % (2.3) 0.5
Net sales
The 25.7% increase in Gas Cylinders sales in 2021 from 2020 was primarily the result of the recovery of our markets following COVID-19 related disruption in the prior year, as well as the acquisition of SCI at the end of the first quarter of the current year, which generated $24.9 million of additional revenues. Revenues increased across all significant product lines except for medical oxygen cylinders, sales of which had held up relatively well in the prior year.
The 7.6% decrease in Gas Cylinders sales in 2020 from 2019 was primarily the result of COVID-19 related disruption marked by temporary customer shutdowns, especially reduced sales of SCBA composite cylinders used by first responders. This was partially offset by continued growth in alternative fuel cylinder sales.
Adjusted EBITDA
The 2.3 percentage point decrease in adjusted EBITDA for Gas Cylinders as a percentage of net sales in 2021 from 2020 was primarily the result of losses suffered by the newly acquired SCI business from the end of the first quarter, as well as material cost inflation in excess of price increases primarily in the fourth quarter. This was partially offset by productivity improvements as volumes recovered from the Covid-19 affected prior year.
The 0.5 percentage point increase in adjusted EBITDA for Gas Cylinders as a percentage of net sales in 2020 from 2019 was primarily the result of productivity improvements and cost savings following the integration of the Luxfer Gas Cylinders France operation into other sites. This was partially offset by adverse sales mix.
ELEKTRON
The net sales and adjusted EBITDA for Elektron were as follows:
Years ended December 31, % / point change
In millions 2021 2020 2019 2021 v 2020
2020 v 2019
Net sales $ 195.8 $ 182.9 $ 219.9 7.1 % (16.8) %
Adjusted EBITDA 40.7 32.6 44.8 24.8 % (27.2) %
% of net sales 20.8 % 17.8 % 20.4 % 3.0 (2.6)
Net sales
The 7.1% increase in Elektron sales in 2021 from 2020 was primarily the result of the recovery from COVID-19 related disruption affecting the prior year, especially:
•Increased sales of zirconium-based industrial catalysts;
•Increased sales of magnesium photo-engraving plates;
•Increased sales of military powders used in countermeasure flares; and
•Increased sales of wrought magnesium alloys, especially those used in our transportation end markets.
This was partially offset by decreased revenues from Luxfer Magtech chemical detection kits and from heater meals.
The 16.8% decrease in Elektron sales in 2020 from 2019 was primarily the result of COVID-19 related disruption especially to the industrial and transportation end-markets, including:
•Decreased sales of zirconium-based industrial catalysts;
•Lower sales of photo-engraving plates and military powders used in countermeasure flares;
•Lower sales of magnesium aerospace alloys; and
•$7.6 million revenue decline as a result of the divestiture of Elektron's magnesium Czech recycling business in 2019.
This was partially offset by increased revenues from Luxfer Magtech chemical detection kits.
Adjusted EBITDA
The 3.0 percentage point increase in adjusted EBITDA for Elektron as a percentage of net sales in 2021 from 2020 was primarily the result of productivity improvements as volumes recovered from the Covid-19 affected prior year, as well as favorable product sales mix.
The 2.6 percentage point decrease in adjusted EBITDA for Elektron as a percentage of net sales in 2020 from 2019 was primarily the result of the impact of Covid-19 related reduction in volumes more than offsetting associated cost saving measures. This was further impacted by adverse product sales mix.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Our liquidity requirements arise primarily from obligations under our indebtedness, capital expenditures, acquisitions, the funding of working capital and the funding of hedging facilities to manage foreign exchange and commodity purchase price risks. We meet these requirements primarily through cash flows from operating activities, cash deposits and borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility and accompanying ancillary hedging facilities and the Loan Notes due 2023 and 2026. Our principal liquidity needs are:
•funding acquisitions;
•capital expenditure requirements;
•payment of shareholder dividends;
•servicing interest on the Loan Notes, which is payable at each quarter end, in addition to interest and / or commitment fees on the Senior Facilities Agreement;
•working capital requirements, particularly in the short term as we aim to achieve organic sales growth; and
•hedging facilities used to manage our foreign exchange and aluminum purchase price risks.
We believe that, in the long term, cash generated from our operations will be adequate to meet our anticipated requirements for working capital, capital expenditures and interest payments on our indebtedness. In the short term, we believe we have sufficient credit facilities to cover any variation in our cash flow generation. However, any major repayments of indebtedness will be dependent on our ability to raise alternative financing or to realize substantial returns from operational sales. Also, our ability to expand operations through sales development and capital expenditures could be constrained by the availability of liquidity, which, in turn, could impact the profitability of our operations.
We have been in compliance with the covenants under the Loan Notes and the Senior Facilities Agreement throughout all of the quarterly measurement dates from and including September 30, 2011, to December 31, 2021.
In October 2021, the Company completed a refinancing of its existing Revolving Credit Facility, extending its tenure to 2026, while providing increased flexibility to incur additional indebtedness outside of this agreement if required and reducing the covenant burden.
Luxfer conducts all of its operations through its subsidiaries, joint ventures and affiliates. Accordingly, Luxfer's main cash source is dividends from its subsidiaries. The ability of each subsidiary to make distributions depends on the funds that a subsidiary receives from its operations in excess of the funds necessary for its operations, obligations or other business plans. We have not historically experienced any material impediment to these distributions, and we do not expect any local legal or regulatory regimes to have any impact on our ability to meet our liquidity requirements in the future. In addition, since our subsidiaries are wholly-owned, our claims will generally rank junior to all other obligations of the subsidiaries. If our operating subsidiaries are unable to make distributions, our growth may slow, unless we are able to obtain additional debt or equity financing. In the event of a subsidiary's liquidation, there may not be assets sufficient for us to recoup our investment in the subsidiary.
Our ability to maintain or increase the generation of cash from our operations in the future will depend significantly on the competitiveness of and demand for our products, including our success in launching new products. Achieving such success is a key objective of our business strategy. Due to commercial, competitive and external economic factors, however, we cannot guarantee that we will generate sufficient cash flows from operations or that future working capital will be available in an amount sufficient to enable us to service our indebtedness or make necessary capital expenditures.
Cash Flows from Continuing Operations
Operating activities
Cash provided by operating activities was $26.0 million in 2021, which includes approximately $4.0 million of cash spent on restructuring activities. It was primarily related to net income from operating activities, net of the following non-cash items: (i) depreciation and amortization; (ii) share based compensation charges; (iii) pension adjustments and (iv) net changes to assets and liabilities. The Company also made an additional, special one-off deficit reduction payment in the U.K. for $12.7 million.
Cash provided by operating activities was $49.3 million in 2020, which includes approximately $7.0 million of cash spent on restructuring activities. It was primarily related to net income from operating activities, net of the following non-cash items: (i) depreciation and amortization; (ii) asset impairment charges, (iii) pension adjustments and (iv) net changes to assets and liabilities.
Investing activities
Net cash used for investing activities was $5.0 million in 2021, compared to net cash used for investing activities of $6.5 million in 2020. The following investing activities impacted our cash flow:
Capital expenditures
Capital expenditures in 2021 was $9.1 million compared to $8.0 million in 2020, as we delayed some projects in the prior year in response to COVID-19, and expenditure continued to be delayed in the first half of 2021. We anticipate capital expenditures for 2022 to be around $10 million.
Proceeds from sale of business
In March 2021, the Company sold its U.S. aluminum gas cylinder business for net cash proceeds of $20.2 million. In September 2021, the Company sold its Superform U.K. business for net consideration of $4.0 million, of which $3.0 million was received in 2021 and $1.0 million deferred until September 2022.
In July 2020, the Company sold its 51% investment in Luxfer Uttam India Private Limited for net cash proceeds of $1.5 million. In September 2021, the Company received deferred consideration of $0.3 million for this sale.
In June 2019, the Company sold its Czech recycling business for net cash proceeds of $4.4 million.
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired
In March 2021, the Company completed the acquisition of the SCI business of Worthington Industries, Inc., based in Pomona, California, for $19.3 million cash consideration.
Financing activities
In 2021, net cash used for financing activities was $16.1 million, (2020: $52.5 million). We made net drawdowns on our borrowing facilities of $6.4 million (2020: net repayments of $38.2 million) and dividend payments of $13.6 million (2020: $13.6 million), equating to $0.50 per ordinary share. In 2021, the Company initiated a share buyback programme and has spent $6.4 million repurchasing approximately 300,000 shares.
Loan Notes 2023 and 2026
The Note Purchase Agreement contains customary covenants and events of default, in each case with customary and appropriate grace periods and thresholds. In addition, the Note Purchase Agreement requires us to maintain compliance with a minimum interest coverage ratio and a leverage ratio. The interest coverage ratio measures our EBITDA (as defined in the Note Purchase Agreement) to Net Finance Charges (as defined in the Note Purchase Agreement). We are required to maintain an interest coverage ratio of 4.0:1. The leverage ratio measures our Total Net Debt (as defined in the Note Purchase Agreement) to Adjusted Acquisition EBITDA (as defined in the Note Purchase Agreement). We are required to maintain a leverage ratio of no more than 3.0:1. We have been in compliance with the covenants under the Note Purchase Agreement throughout all of the quarterly measurement dates from and including September 30, 2011, to December 31, 2021.
The Loan Notes due 2023 and 2026 and the Note Purchase Agreement are governed by the law of the State of New York.
The Loan Notes due 2023 and 2026 are denominated in U.S. dollars, which creates a natural partial offset between the dollar-denominated net assets and earnings of our U.S. operations and the dollar-denominated debt and related interest expense of the notes. We have included the Note Purchase Agreement and a form of the Loan Notes due 2023 and 2026 as exhibits to this Annual Report and refer you to the exhibits for more information on the Note Purchase Agreement and the Loan Notes due 2023 and 2026.
Loan Notes due 2021 and Shelf Facility
The Loan Notes due 2021 were due to mature on September 15, 2021. However, we voluntarily chose to repay the notes early on December 31, 2020, largely using surplus cash generated from operations, plus a small drawing on the Senior Facilities Agreement. In addition to the repayment of the $25 million principal, we incurred an early repayment charge of $0.5 million.
The Note Purchase and Private Shelf Agreement contains the same customary covenants and events of default as for the Note Purchase Agreement. The Note Purchase and Private Shelf Agreement also requires us to maintain compliance with the same interest and leverage ratios as for the Note Purchase Agreement. The Shelf Facility was amended in October 2021, with no material amendments to the agreement.
We have been in compliance with the covenants under the Note Purchase and Private Shelf Agreement throughout all of the quarterly measurement dates from and including September 30, 2014, to the eventual repayment on December 31, 2020.
The Loan Notes due 2021, and Shelf Facility, and the Note Purchase and Private Shelf Agreement are all governed by the law of the State of New York.
Senior Facilities Agreement
A new Senior Facilities Agreement was signed in October 2021, for more information see ITEM 8 Note 11.
Structure. The current Senior Facilities Agreement provides $100 million of committed debt facilities in the form of a multi-currency (GBP sterling, U.S. dollars or euros) Revolving Credit Facility and an additional $50 million of uncommitted facilities through an accordion clause. The facilities mature in October 2026. As of December 31, 2021, we had drawn down $10.8 million under the Revolving Credit Facility (December 31, 2020: $4.1 million).
Availability. The facility is used for loans and overdrafts. Amounts unutilized under the Revolving Credit Facility (or, if the case, under the revolving portion of the accordion) are allocated to ancillary facilities available under the Senior Facilities Agreement in connection with overdraft facilities, bilateral loan facilities and letter of credit facilities. As of December 31, 2021, we had drawn down $nil under the ancillary facilities (December 31, 2020: $nil). We may use amounts drawn under the Revolving Credit Facility for our general corporate purposes and certain capital expenditures, as well as for the financing of permitted acquisitions and reorganizations. As of December 31, 2021, $89.2 million (net of $10.8 million drawn down) was available under the Revolving Credit Facility. The last month in which we may draw funds from the Revolving Credit Facility is September 2026.
The Company also had three separate (uncommitted) bonding facilities for bank guarantees: two denominated in GBP sterling totalling £0.6 million (2021: $0.9 million) and one denominated in USD of $1.5 million. Of that denominated in GBP, £0.1 million ($0.2 million) was utilized at December 31, 2021. Of that denominated in USD, $0.9 million was utilized at December 31, 2021.
Interest rates and fees. Borrowings under the facility bear an interest rate equal to an applicable margin plus either EURIBOR, in the case of amounts drawn in euros, or SONIA (Sterling Overnight Index Average), in the case of amounts drawn in GBP sterling or U.S. dollars.
The tables below sets out the range of ratios and the related margin percentage currently in effect.
Leverage Margin
(% per annum)
Greater than 2.5:1 2.75
Less than or equal to 2.5:1, but greater than 2.0:1 2.50
Less than or equal to 2.0:1, but greater than 1.5:1 2.25
Less than or equal to 1.5:1, but greater than 1.0:1 2.00
Less than or equal to 1.0:1 1.75
As of December 31, 2021, we had drawn down $10.8 million under the Revolving Credit Facility (December 31, 2020: $4.1 million). A commitment fee is levied each quarter against any unutilized element of the Revolving Credit Facility, excluding overdraft or ancillary facilities.
In the event of a sale of all or substantially all of our business and / or assets, or if any person or group of persons acting in concert gains direct or indirect control (as defined in the Senior Facilities Agreement) of Luxfer Holdings PLC, we will be required to immediately repay all outstanding amounts under the Revolving Credit Facility (and, if the case, the accordion) and the ancillary facilities under the Senior Facilities Agreement.
In addition, the Senior Facilities Agreement requires us to maintain compliance with an interest coverage ratio and a leverage ratio. The interest coverage ratio measures our EBITDA (as defined in the Senior Facilities Agreement) to Net Finance Charges (as defined in the Senior Facilities Agreement). We are required to maintain a minimum interest coverage ratio of 4.0:1. The leverage ratio measures our Total Net Debt (as defined in the Senior Facilities Agreement) to the Relevant Period Adjusted Acquisition EBITDA (as defined in the Senior Facilities Agreement). We are required to maintain a leverage ratio of no more than 3.0:1.
We have been in compliance with the covenants under the Senior Facilities Agreement throughout all of the quarterly measurement dates from and including September 30, 2011, to December 31, 2021.
The Senior Facilities Agreement is governed by English law.
For more information see ITEM 8, Note 11.
Dividends
We paid dividends in 2021 of $13.6 million (2020: $13.6 million), or $0.50 per ordinary share.
Any payment of dividends is also subject to the provisions of the U.K. Companies Act, according to which dividends may only be paid out of profits available for distribution determined by reference to financial statements prepared in accordance with the Companies Act and the International Accounting Standards Board, which differ in some respects from U.S. GAAP. In the event that dividends are paid in the future, holders of the ordinary shares will be entitled to receive payments in U.S. dollars in respect of dividends on the underlying ordinary shares in accordance with the deposit agreement. Furthermore, because we are a holding company, any dividend payments would depend on cash flows from our subsidiaries.
Authorized shares
Our authorized share capital consists of 40.0 million ordinary shares with a par value of £0.50 per share.
Contractual obligations
The following summarizes our significant contractual obligations that impact our liquidity:
Payments Due by Period
In millions Total Less than
1 year 1 - 3
years 3 - 5
years After
5 years
Contractual cash obligations
Loan Notes due 2023 25.0 - 25.0 - -
Loan Notes due 2026 25.0 - - 25.0 -
Revolving Credit Facility 10.8 - - 10.8 -
Obligations under operating leases 19.6 3.0 4.8 2.9 8.9
Capital commitments 1.5 1.5 - - -
Interest payments 16.4 3.3 5.4 2.3 5.4
Total contractual cash obligations $ 98.3 $ 7.8 $ 35.2 $ 41.0 $ 14.3
Off-balance sheet measures
At December 31, 2021, we had no off-balance sheet arrangements other than the three bonding facilities as described above.
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Capital commitments
At December 31, 2021, the Company had capital expenditure commitments of $1.5 million (2020: $1.1 million and 2019: $1.0 million) for the purchase of new plant and equipment.
Committed banking facilities
The Company refinanced in October 2021, see Note 11 for details of the refinance.
At December 31, 2021 the Company had committed banking facilities of $100.0 million with an additional $50.0 million of uncommitted facilities through an accordion provision. Of these committed facilities, $10.8 million was drawn at December 31, 2021.
At December 31, 2020, the Company had committed banking facilities of $150.0 million with an additional $50.0 million of uncommitted facilities through an accordion provision. Of the committed facilities, $4.1 million was drawn at December 31, 2020.
Contingencies
During February 2014, a cylinder was sold to a long-term customer and ruptured at one of their gas facilities. As a result of this rupture, three people were noted to have injuries, such as loss of hearing. There was no major damage to assets of the customer. A claim has been launched by the three people who were injured in the incident. We have reviewed our quality control checks from around the time which the cylinder was produced and no instances of failures have been noted. It has also been noted by the investigator that the customer has poor quality and safety checks. In November 2021, during the final hearing, the Court found the representative of Luxfer Gas Cylinders Limited, not guilty and thus the Company was found not liable. The Civil case is still ongoing but as a result, of the above, we do not believe that we are liable for the incident, and therefore, do not currently expect this case to have a material impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations.
In November 2018, an alleged explosion occurred at a third-party waste disposal and treatment site in Boise, Idaho, reportedly causing property damage, personal injury, and one fatality. We had contracted with a service company for removal and disposal of certain waste resulting from the magnesium powder manufacturing operations at the Reade facility in Manchester, New Jersey. We believe this service company, in turn, apparently contracted with the third-party disposal company, at whose facility the explosion occurred, for treatment and disposal of the waste. In November 2020, we were named as a defendant in three lawsuits in relation to the incident - one by the third-party disposal company, one by the estate of the decedent, and one by an injured employee of the third-party disposal company. At present, we have received insufficient information on the cause of the explosion. We do not believe that we are liable for the incident, have asserted such, and, therefore, do not currently expect this matter to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.
NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
See ITEM 8, Note 1 of the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, included in this Form 10-K, for information pertaining to recently adopted accounting standards or accounting standards to be adopted in the future.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
We have adopted various accounting policies to prepare the consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP. Our significant accounting policies are more fully described in ITEM 8, Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Certain of our accounting policies require the application of significant judgment by management in selecting the appropriate assumptions for calculating financial estimates. By their nature, these judgments are subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty. These judgments are based on our historical experience, terms of existing contracts, our observance of trends in the industry and information available from other outside sources, as appropriate. We consider an accounting estimate to be critical if:
•it requires us to make assumptions about matters that were uncertain at the time we were making the estimate; and
•changes in the estimate or different estimates that we could have selected would have had a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations.
Our critical accounting estimates include the following:
Impairment of goodwill
Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of acquired businesses over the net of the fair value of identifiable tangible net assets and identifiable intangible assets purchased and liabilities assumed.
Goodwill is tested at least annually for impairment and is tested for impairment more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. Goodwill is tested for impairment by either performing a qualitative evaluation or a quantitative test. The qualitative evaluation is an assessment of factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, including goodwill. We may elect not to perform the qualitative assessment for some or all reporting units and perform a quantitative impairment test. In 2021, management carried out its qualitative review, which showed no indicators of impairment. As a result, the Company concluded its review and was not required to perform a quantitative review.
We completed our qualitative goodwill impairment evaluation as of the last day of the third quarter of 2021, with each of our reporting units' fair value being substantially in excess of its carrying value.
Identifiable intangible assets
Our primary identifiable intangible assets include: (i) customer relationships and technology; and (ii) traded related assets. All our identifiable intangible assets have finite lives and are amortized over that period. Identifiable intangible assets that are subject to amortization are evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. No such events occurred during the year ended December 31, 2021.
Pension and other post-retirement plans
We sponsor U.S. and non-U.S. defined-benefit pension and other post-retirement plans. The amounts recognized in our consolidated financial statements related to our defined-benefit pension and other post-retirement plans are determined from actuarial valuations. Inherent in these valuations are assumptions, including: (i) discount rates; (ii) inflation rates; (iii) pension increases; and (iv) life expectancy. These assumptions are updated annually and are disclosed in ITEM 8, Note 14 to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Differences in actual experience or changes in assumptions may affect our pension and other post-retirement obligations and future expense.
We recognize changes in the fair value of plan assets and net actuarial gains or losses for pension and other post-retirement benefits annually in the fourth quarter each year ("mark-to-market adjustment") and, if applicable, in any quarter in which an interim remeasurement is triggered. Net actuarial gains and losses occur when the actual experience differs from any of the various assumptions used to value our pension and other post-retirement plans or when assumptions change as they may each year. The primary factors contributing to actuarial gains and losses each year are (i) changes in the discount rate used to value pension and other post-retirement benefit obligations as of the measurement date and (ii) differences between the expected and the actual return on plan assets. This accounting method also results in the potential for volatile and difficult to forecast mark-to-market adjustments. The remaining components of pension expense, including service and interest costs and the expected return on plan assets, are recorded on a quarterly basis as ongoing pension expense.
Discount rate
The discount rate used represents the annualized yield based on a cash flow matched methodology with reference to an AA corporate bond spot curve and having regard to the duration of the Plan’s liabilities. This yield produced a weighted-average discount rate for our U.K. plans of 1.90% in 2021, 1.40% in 2020 and 2.10% in 2019. The discount rate on our U.S. plans was 2.70% in 2021, 2.30% in 2020 and 3.10% in 2019. There are no known or anticipated changes in our discount rate assumption that will impact our pension expense in 2022.
To indicate the sensitivity of results to this assumption, a 0.1% per annum increase in the discount rate for our U.K. plans would reduce the value of the liabilities and therefore increase the pension surplus by approximately $5.4 million and increase the projected 2022 income statement credit by approximately $0.1 million. Similarly, a 0.1% per annum increase in the discount rate for our U.S. plans would reduce the value of the liabilities; and therefore the deficit, by approximately $1.0 million and decrease the projected 2022 income statement credit by approximately $0.1 million.
Inflation rate
In September 2019, the UK Statistics Authority announced plans to reform the RPI inflation index. On November 25, 2020, the government and UK Statistics Authority confirmed these plans to reform the RPI index to bring it into line with the CPIH index from 2030, with no compensation for the holders of index-linked gilts. Inflation measured by the CPIH is consistently significantly lower than that measured by RPI, and therefore, these plans imply a significant expected reduction in RPI inflation from 2030 onwards. As a result we have taken a stepped approach and used different inflation rates pre and post 2030.
To indicate the sensitivity of results to the CPI assumption, a 0.1% per annum decrease in all CPI-linked assumptions, (including pension increases) would reduce the value of the liabilities and therefore increase the pension surplus at December 31, 2021 by approximately $5.4 million and increase the projected 2022 income statement credit by approximately $0.3 million.
Pension increases
The pension increase assumptions have been set with reference to the corresponding CPI inflation assumption and take account of the caps and floors applicable to the various components of pension indexation.
Life expectancy
The life expectancies of male and female members aged 65 on 31 December 2021 are assumed to be 21.1 and 22.9 years, respectively, with the life expectancies of male and female members aged 65 on 31 December 2041 assumed to be 22.4 and 24.4 years, respectively.
To indicate the sensitivity of results to the life expectancy assumption, a one year increase in assumed life expectancy could increase the value of the liabilities and therefore decrease the pension surplus at December 31, 2021 by approximately $14.8 million and reduce the projected 2022 income statement credit by approximately $0.8 million.
Expected rate of return
Our expected rate of return on plan assets for our U.K. plans was 3.30% in 2021, 3.00% in 2020 and 4.10% in 2019. The expected rate of return on our U.S. plans was 2.50% in 2021, 5.00% in 2020 and 6.20% in 2019. The expected rate of return is designed to be a long-term assumption that may be subject to considerable year-to-year variance from actual returns. In developing the expected long-term rate of return, we considered our historical returns, with consideration given to forecast economic conditions, our asset allocations, input from external consultants and broader longer-term market indices.
See ITEM 8, Note 14 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding pension and other post-retirement plans.
Loss contingencies
Accruals are recorded for various contingencies, including legal proceedings, self-insurance and other claims that arise in the normal course of business. The accruals are based on judgment, the probability of losses and, where applicable, the consideration of opinions of internal and/or external legal counsel and actuarial determined estimates. Additionally, we record receivables from third party insurers when recovery has been determined to be probable.
Our critical judgment revolves around the recognition of litigation and environmental liabilities in relation to the closure of our French site. We have recognized a loss contingency of $11.2 million, for which we have engaged with external experts to assist with the valuation of these liabilities.

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ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Item 7A. Quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk
Market risk is the potential economic loss arising from adverse changes in market rates and market prices such as interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, commodity prices and changes in the market value of equity instruments. We are exposed to market risk, primarily related to foreign exchange, commodity prices and interest rates. Counterparties to all derivative contracts are major financial institutions. All instruments are entered into for other than trading purposes. The major accounting policies and utilization of these instruments is described more fully in ITEM 8, Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Foreign currency risk
We conduct business in various locations throughout the world and are subject to market risk due to changes in the value of foreign currencies in relation to our reporting currency, the U.S. dollar. Periodically, we use derivative financial instruments to manage these risks. The functional currencies of our foreign operating locations are generally the local currency in the country of domicile. We manage these operating activities at the local level and revenues, costs, assets and liabilities are generally denominated in local currencies, thereby mitigating the risk associated with changes in foreign exchange. However, our results of operations and assets and liabilities are reported in U.S. dollars and thus will fluctuate with changes in exchange rates between such local currencies and the U.S. dollar.
To hedge foreign currency risks, we enter into short duration currency contracts. The below table details the foreign currency contracts which we have in place over sales and purchases. Changes in the fair value of all derivatives are recognized immediately in income unless the derivative qualifies as a hedge of future cash flows. Gains and losses related to a hedge are deferred and recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as a component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income ("AOCI") and are subsequently recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Statements of Income when the hedged item affects earnings.
December 31, 2021
Sales hedges U.S. dollars Euros Japanese Yen
Contract totals/£m 5.0 9.8 0.1
Maturity dates 01/22 to 03/22 01/22 to 03/22 01/22 to 03/22
Exchange rates $1.3455 to $1.3788 €1.1697 to €1.1906 JPY 155.2443
Purchase hedges U.S. dollars Euros Canadian dollars Australian dollars Chinese yuan
Contract totals/£m 4.5 3.5 7.5 0.9 1.5
Maturity dates 01/22 to 04/22 01/22 to 02/22 01/22 01/22 03/22
Exchange rates 1.3451 €1.1812 1.7172 $1.8598 ¥8.6126
December 31, 2020
Sales hedges U.S. dollars Euros Japanese Yen Canadian dollars
Contract totals/£m 3.0 11.1 0.1 0.1
Maturity dates 01/21 to 03/21 01/21 to 04/21 01/21 01/21
Exchange rates 1.3045 €1.0917
JPY 136.8910 $1.7409
Purchase hedges U.S. dollars Euros Canadian dollars Australian Chinese Yuan
Contract totals/£m 4.8 1.7 9.4 0.9 0.9
Maturity dates 01/21 to 04/21 01/21 to 02/21 01/21 01/21 03/21
Exchange rates $1.3046 €1.1065 $1.7409 $1.7729 ¥8.9184
Commodity price risk
We are exposed to commodity price risks in relation to the purchases of our raw materials.
There is no financial market to hedge magnesium, zirconium raw materials or carbon fiber, and prices for these raw materials have been volatile in recent years, with substantial increases in the second half of 2021. To help mitigate these risks, we have a number of fixed-price supply contracts for a portion of these raw materials, which limits our exposure to price volatility over a calendar year. However, we remain exposed over time to rising prices in these markets, and therefore rely on the ability to pass on any major price increases to our customers in order to maintain our levels of profitability for zirconium, and magnesium-based products. We have also in the last few years, when we felt it was appropriate, made additional physical purchases of magnesium and some rare earth chemicals to delay the impact of higher prices, but this has had a cash flow impact on occasion, thereby leading to greater utilization of our revolving credit bank facilities.
Primary aluminum is a global commodity, with its principal trading market on the LME. In the normal course of business, we are exposed to aluminum price volatility to the extent that the costs of aluminum purchases are more closely related to the LME price than the sales prices of certain of our products. Our Gas Cylinders Segment will buy various aluminum alloys, in log, sheet, or tube form, and the contractual price will usually include an LME-linked base price plus a premium for a particular type of alloy, as well as the cost of casting, rolling or extruding. The price of high-grade aluminum, which is actively traded on the LME, has fluctuated significantly in recent years.
Interest rate risk
As of December 31, 2021, we had both fixed rate and variable rate debt outstanding on our consolidated balance sheet. As a result of this exposure, we have in the past hedged interest payable under our floating rate indebtedness based on a combination of forward rate agreements, interest rate caps and swaps. There were no fixed or variable rate interest hedge agreements in place as of December 31, 2021, and December 31, 2020.
Luxfer has exposure to variable interest rates when it draws down on the revolving credit facilities. As a result of this exposure, we may decide to hedge interest payable based on a combination of forward rate agreements, interest rate caps and swaps. It has also used fixed rate debt within its financing structure to mitigate volatility in interest rate movements as disclosed in Notes 11 and 12 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Luxfer Holdings PLC
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements
Page
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID: 876)
Consolidated Statements of Income 48
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income 49
Consolidated Balance Sheets 50
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows 51
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity 52
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 53
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Luxfer Holdings PLC
Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Luxfer Holdings PLC and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2021, including the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). We also have audited the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2021 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the COSO.
Basis for Opinions
The Company's management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in Management's Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 9A. Our responsibility is to express opinions on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
As described in Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting, management has excluded Structural Composites Industries LLC from its assessment of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021 because it was acquired by the Company in a purchase business combination during 2021. We have also excluded Structural Composites Industries LLC from our audit of internal control over financial reporting. Structural Composites Industries LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary whose total assets and total revenues excluded from management’s assessment and our audit of internal control over financial reporting represent approximately 6% and 7%, respectively, of the related consolidated financial statement amounts as of and for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the
consolidated financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (i) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (ii) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
Valuation of Pension Benefit Obligations
As described in Notes 1 and 14 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company had pension benefit obligations of $411.6 million as of December 31, 2021. The amounts in the consolidated financial statements related to the pension benefit obligations are determined from actuarial valuations. The valuation of the pension benefit obligations requires estimation in determining appropriate assumptions including: (i) discount rates; (ii) inflation rates; (iii) pension increases; and (iv) life expectancy. Differences in actual experience or changes in these assumptions can have a material impact on the determination of the liabilities in the Company’s pension schemes.
The principal considerations for our determination that performing procedures relating to the valuation of the pension benefit obligations is a critical audit matter are the significant judgments and assumptions made by management, including the use of management’s specialists, when determining the pension benefit obligations. This in turn resulted in a high degree of auditor judgment, subjectivity and effort in performing procedures to evaluate management's significant assumptions for: (i) discount rates; (ii) inflation rates; (iii) pension increases; and (iv) life expectancy. The audit effort involved the use of professionals with specialized skill and knowledge.
Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our overall opinion on the consolidated financial statements. These procedures included testing the effectiveness of controls relating to the assumptions used to determine the pension benefit obligations. These procedures also included, among others, testing the completeness, accuracy and relevance of the underlying data used in the valuation of the pension benefit obligations. With the assistance of professionals with specialized skill and knowledge, these procedures also included evaluating the reasonableness of the assumptions used in calculating the pension benefit obligations, by (i) evaluating that the discount rates, inflation rates, pension increases and life expectancy assumptions used were consistent with independently developed ranges; and (ii) assessing management’s methodology used to determine the discount rates, inflation rates, pension increases and life expectancy assumptions was in line with the requirements of ASC 715 Compensation - Retirement Benefits.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Manchester, United Kingdom
February 24, 2022
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2015.
LUXFER HOLDINGS PLC
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
Years Ended December 31,
In millions, except share and per-share data 2021 2020 2019
Net sales $ 374.1 $ 324.8 $ 373.4
Cost of sales (278.1) (243.9) (269.7)
Gross profit 96.0 80.9 103.7
Selling, general and administrative expenses (47.3) (39.8) (49.7)
Research and development (3.9) (3.3) (5.7)
Restructuring charges (6.2) (8.9) (25.9)
Impairment credit - - 0.2
Acquisitions and disposals costs (1.5) - (1.4)
Other income 0.2 - -
Other charges (1.1) (0.4) (2.5)
Operating income 36.2 28.5 18.7
Interest expense (3.1) (5.0) (4.5)
Interest income - - 0.1
Defined benefit pension credit 2.3 4.3 1.3
Income before income taxes and equity in net income of affiliates 35.4 27.8 15.6
Provision for income taxes (5.4) (6.9) (7.6)
Income before equity in net income of affiliates 30.0 20.9 8.0
Equity in (loss) / income of affiliates (net of tax) - (0.1) 0.7
Net income from continuing operations 30.0 20.8 8.7
Net gain on disposition of discontinued operations 6.6 - -
Net loss from discontinued operations (6.7) (0.8) (5.6)
Net income $ 29.9 $ 20.0 $ 3.1
Earnings / (loss) per share(1)
Basic from continuing operations 1.08 0.75 0.32
Basic from discontinued operations - (0.03) (0.21)
Basic $ 1.08 $ 0.73 $ 0.11
Diluted from continuing operations 1.07 0.74 0.31
Diluted from discontinued operations - (0.03) (0.21)
Diluted $ 1.07 $ 0.72 $ 0.11
Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding
Basic 27,698,691 27,557,219 27,289,042
Diluted 28,032,506 27,971,382 27,882,864
(1) The calculation of earnings per share is performed separately for continuing and discontinued operations. As a result, the sum of the two in any particular year may not equal the earnings-per-share amount in total.
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
LUXFER HOLDINGS PLC
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Years Ended December 31,
In millions 2021 2020 2019
Net income $ 29.9 $ 20.0 $ 3.1
Other comprehensive income / (loss)
Net change in foreign currency translation adjustment (0.8) 3.8 0.6
Pension and post-retirement actuarial gains / (losses), net of $10.6, $4.8 and $0.9 of tax, respectively
31.6 (20.0) (3.9)
Cash flow hedges, net of $0.0, $0.0 and $0.1 of tax, respectively
- - 0.3
Other comprehensive income / (loss) net of tax 30.8 (16.2) (3.0)
Total comprehensive income $ 60.7 $ 3.8 $ 0.1
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
LUXFER HOLDINGS PLC
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
December 31,
In millions, except share and per-share data 2021 2020
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents $ 6.2 $ 1.5
Restricted cash 0.2 -
Accounts and other receivables, net of allowances of $0.8 and $0.5, respectively
57.8 43.1
Inventories 90.5 68.8
Current assets held-for-sale 8.5 36.0
Other current assets - 1.5
Total current assets 163.2 150.9
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment, net 87.5 86.0
Right-of-use assets from operating leases 12.6 9.5
Goodwill 69.7 70.2
Intangibles, net 13.7 12.8
Deferred tax assets 8.0 16.5
Pensions and other retirement benefits 13.7 -
Investments and loans to joint ventures and other affiliates 0.4 0.5
Total assets $ 368.8 $ 346.4
Current liabilities
Accounts payable $ 31.7 $ 18.6
Accrued liabilities 28.2 21.5
Taxes on income 3.0 0.4
Current liabilities held-for-sale 1.4 11.4
Other current liabilities 19.6 13.5
Total current liabilities 83.9 65.4
Non-current liabilities
Long-term debt 59.6 53.4
Pensions and other retirement benefits 1.9 50.8
Deferred tax liabilities 2.7 2.0
Other non-current liabilities 11.6 7.7
Total liabilities $ 159.7 $ 179.3
Commitments and contingencies (Note 19)
Shareholders' equity
Ordinary shares of £0.50 par value; authorized 40,000,000 shares for 2021 and 2020; issued and outstanding 28,944,000 shares for 2021 and 29,000,000 shares for 2020
$ 26.5 $ 26.6
Deferred shares of £0.0001 par value; authorized, issued and outstanding 761,835,318,444 shares for 2021 and 761,835,338,444 shares for 2020
149.9 149.9
Additional paid-in capital 70.9 70.6
Treasury shares (9.6) (4.0)
Company shares held by ESOP (1.1) (1.4)
Retained earnings 107.5 91.2
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (135.0) (165.8)
Total shareholders' equity $ 209.1 $ 167.1
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 368.8 $ 346.4
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
LUXFER HOLDINGS PLC
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Years Ended December 31,
In millions 2021 2020 2019
Operating activities
Net income $ 29.9 $ 20.0 $ 3.1
Net loss from discontinued operations 0.1 0.8 5.6
Net income from continuing operations 30.0 20.8 8.7
Adjustments to reconcile net income from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities
Equity in loss / (income) of affiliates - 0.1 (0.7)
Depreciation 14.7 12.6 12.0
Amortization of purchased intangible assets 0.9 0.7 1.2
Amortization of debt issuance costs 0.5 0.4 0.3
Share-based compensation charge 2.8 2.8 4.5
Deferred income taxes (1.6) 4.8 4.0
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment - 0.1 0.2
Gain on disposal of business - - (2.9)
Asset impairment charges - - 4.8
Defined benefit pension credit (1.9) (3.9) (2.8)
Defined benefit pension contributions (18.2) (5.8) (7.9)
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of business acquisitions
Accounts and notes receivable (9.8) 10.7 (7.6)
Inventories (15.3) 9.5 3.5
Other current assets (1.6) 9.6 (2.3)
Accounts payable 11.4 (12.9) (0.7)
Accrued liabilities 7.5 (1.9) (9.5)
Other current liabilities 6.6 2.5 3.1
Other non-current assets and liabilities - (0.8) (2.9)
Net cash provided by operating activities - continuing 26.0 49.3 5.0
Net cash provided by operating activities - discontinued 0.1 0.3 0.8
Net cash provided by operating activities 26.1 49.6 5.8
Investing activities
Capital expenditures (9.1) (8.0) (13.1)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment - - 1.2
Proceeds from sale of businesses 23.4 1.5 4.4
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired (19.3) - -
Net cash used for investing activities - continuing (5.0) (6.5) (7.5)
Net cash used for investing activities - discontinued (0.1) (0.3) (0.8)
Net cash used for investing activities (5.1) (6.8) (8.3)
Financing activities
Net repayments of short term borrowings - - (3.5)
Net drawdowns / (repayments) of long-term borrowings 6.4 (38.2) 17.5
Debt issuance costs (1.0) - -
Deferred consideration paid - (0.4) (0.5)
Proceeds from sale of shares - 1.1 3.5
Dividends paid (13.6) (13.6) (13.6)
Share based compensation cash paid (1.5) (1.4) (4.4)
Repurchases of ordinary shares (6.4) - -
Net cash used for financing activities (16.1) (52.5) (1.0)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents - 0.9 (0.3)
Net increase / (decrease) 4.9 (8.8) (3.8)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash; beginning of year 1.5 10.3 14.1
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash; end of year $ 6.4 $ 1.5 $ 10.3
Supplemental cash flow information:
Interest payments $ 3.2 $ 5.1 $ 4.6
Income tax payments 5.3 2.1 6.1
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
LUXFER HOLDINGS PLC
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
In millions, Ordinary
shares Deferred
shares Additional paid-in capital Treasury shares Number Treasury shares Amount Company shares held by ESOP Number Company shares held by ESOP Amount Retained
earnings Accumulated other comprehensive loss Total
shareholders'
equity
At January 1, 2019 $ 26.6 $ 149.9 $ 65.6 (0.4) $ (4.3) (1.6) $ (2.2) $ 95.3 $ (146.6) $ 184.3
Net income - - - - - - - 3.1 - 3.1
Shares sold from ESOP
- - 3.3 - - 0.2 0.2 - - 3.5
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax - - - - - - - - (3.0) (3.0)
Dividends declared and paid - - - - - - - (13.6) - (13.6)
Share based compensation
- - 4.5 - - - - - - 4.5
Utilization of treasury shares to satisfy share based compensation
- - (0.1) - 0.3 - - - 0.2
Utilization of shares from ESOP to satisfy share based compensation
- - (4.9) - - 0.2 0.3 - - (4.6)
At December 31, 2019 $ 26.6 $ 149.9 $ 68.4 (0.4) $ (4.0) (1.2) $ (1.7) $ 84.8 $ (149.6) $ 174.4
Net income - - - - - - - 20.0 - 20.0
Shares sold from ESOP
- - 0.8 - - 0.1 0.3 - - 1.1
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax
- - - - - - - - (16.2) (16.2)
Dividends declared and paid - - - - - - - (13.6) - (13.6)
Share based compensation
- - 2.8 - - - - - - 2.8
Utilization of treasury shares to satisfy share based compensation - - (0.1) - - - - - - (0.1)
Utilization of shares from ESOP to satisfy share based compensation - - (1.3) - - 0.1 - - - (1.3)
At December 31, 2020 $ 26.6 $ 149.9 $ 70.6 (0.4) $ (4.0) (1.0) $ (1.4) $ 91.2 $ (165.8) $ 167.1
Net income for the year - - - - - - - 29.9 - 29.9
Other comprehensive income, net of tax - - - - - - - - 30.8 30.8
Dividends declared and paid - - - - - - - (13.6) - (13.6)
Share based compensation charges - - 2.8 - - - - - - 2.8
Utilization of treasury shares to satisfy share based compensation - - (0.1) - 0.1 - - - - -
Utilization of shares from ESOP to satisfy share based compensation - - (1.8) - - 0.2 0.3 - - (1.5)
Repurchases of ordinary shares - - - (0.3) (6.4) - - - - (6.4)
Cancellation of ordinary shares (0.1) - (0.6) 0.1 0.7 - - - - -
At December 31, 2021 $ 26.5 $ 149.9 $ 70.9 (0.6) $ (9.6) (0.8) $ (1.1) $ 107.5 $ (135.0) $ 209.1
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
LUXFER HOLDINGS PLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Business description
Luxfer Holdings PLC is a global industrial company innovating niche applications in materials engineering. Luxfer focuses on value creation by using its broad array of technical know-how and proprietary technologies. Luxfer's high-performance materials, components and high-pressure gas containment devices are used in defense and emergency response, healthcare, transportation and general industrial applications. It comprises two reportable segments being Gas Cylinders and Elektron.
Principles of consolidation
The consolidated financial statements comprise the financial statements of Luxfer Holdings PLC and its subsidiaries (collectively "we," "our," "Luxfer" or "the Company" ) that we control. Investments in unconsolidated affiliates, where we have the ability to exercise significant influence over the operating and financial policies, are accounted for using the equity method. All inter-company balances and transactions, including unrealized profits arising from intra-company transactions, have been eliminated in full.
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") and are presented in U.S. dollars ("USD"). The books of the Company's non-U.S. entities are converted to USD at each reporting period date in accordance with the accounting policy below. The functional currency of the holding company, Luxfer Holdings PLC, is USD (2020 and 2019 pounds sterling ("GBP")) and that of its U.K. subsidiaries is GBP, being the most appropriate currency for those particular operations.
Discontinued operations
Certain amounts relating to our discontinued businesses are recorded within assets or liabilities held-for-sale on the consolidated balance sheets and within net loss from discontinued operations on the consolidated statements of income.
Fiscal year
Our fiscal year ends on December 31. We report our interim quarterly periods on a 13-week basis ending on a Sunday.
Impact of COVID-19 on the Financial Statements
Demand from most end-markets we serve has improved throughout 2021 following the adverse impact of COVID-19 on prior year volumes. Sharp recovery in demand, combined with supply chain challenges, has resulted in some adverse business impacts, including increased material cost inflation on key inputs (including magnesium, aluminum and carbon fiber), labor availability issues and energy and transport cost increases. Currently, our expectation is that the impact of material and energy cost inflation and labor and transport constraints will continue into 2022, but it is our intention to pass through inflation to our customers.
The Company continues to monitor the COVID-19 situation closely, including subsequent constraints on supply, while simultaneously executing business continuity plans. These business continuity plans include, but are not limited to, (i) retooling operations to maintain social distance and maximize employee safety; (ii) increasing resources to manage supply constraints and recruit employees in order to satisfy demand; (iii) expanding flexible work arrangements and policies, where practical, to maximize employee safety; and (iv) providing regular updates to our shareholders, employees, customers, and suppliers in a transparent and timely manner.
In relation to liquidity, the Company has access to a revolving credit facility (see Note 11) and has performed stress testing on financial covenants using current forecast information. Consequently, the Company has not identified any liquidity concerns.
Use of estimates
The preparation of our consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in these consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes, disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and in the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates include our assessment of goodwill for impairment, estimated realizable value on excess and obsolete inventory, assets acquired and liabilities assumed in acquisitions, estimated selling proceeds from assets held for sale, contingent liabilities, income taxes and pension benefits. Actual results could differ from our estimates.
1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Goodwill and other identifiable intangible assets
Business combinations are accounted for using the purchase method. The cost of an acquisition is measured as the aggregate of the consideration transferred, measured at acquisition date fair value, and the amount of any non-controlling interest in the acquiree. The measurement of non-controlling interest is at fair value and is determined on a transaction by transaction basis. Acquisition costs are expensed as incurred.
Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of acquired businesses over the net of the fair value of identifiable tangible net assets, identifiable intangible assets purchased, and liabilities assumed.
Goodwill is tested at least annually for impairment or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. Goodwill is tested for impairment by either performing a qualitative evaluation or a quantitative test. The qualitative evaluation is an assessment of factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, including goodwill. We may elect not to perform the qualitative assessment for some or all reporting units and only perform a quantitative impairment test. At the end of the third quarter of 2021, management carried out its qualitative review, which showed no indicators of impairment, as a result, the Company concluded its review at this point and was not required to perform a quantitative review. We completed a quantitative goodwill impairment evaluation as of the last day of the third quarter of 2020 and 2019 with each of our reporting units' fair value being substantially in excess of their carrying value.
Other intangible assets are measured initially at cost, or, where acquired in a business combination, at fair value, and are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, as shown in the table below.
Customer relationships 15 - 25 years
Technology and trading related 5 - 25 years
The carrying values are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Reviews are made annually of the estimated remaining lives and residual values of the patents and trademarks.
Investments in affiliates
The company owns interest in the following affiliate:
Name of company Country of
incorporation Holding Proportion of voting rights and shares held Classification Consolidation method
Nikkei-MEL Co. Limited Japan Ordinary shares 50% Joint venture Equity method
Sub161 Pty Limited, our former Australian associate, (VIE), in which we held a 26% interest, was liquidated and deregistered as a legal entity in November 2020. We were not the primary beneficiary of the VIE, and thus did not consolidate it so we used the equity method to account for its results. We had previously fully impaired our investment, and there was no gain or loss resulting from the liquidation.
Property, plant and equipment, net
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and any impairment in value. Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the particular asset. The depreciation expense during 2021, 2020 and 2019 was $14.7 million, $12.6 million and $12.0 million, respectively. The estimated useful lives are summarized as follows:
Freehold buildings 10 - 33 years
Leasehold land and buildings The lesser of life of lease or freehold rate
Machinery and equipment 3 - 25 years
Including:
Heavy production equipment (including casting, rolling, extrusion and press equipment) 20 - 25 years
Chemical production plant and robotics 7 - 10 years
Other production machinery 5 - 10 years
Furniture, fittings, storage and equipment 3 - 10 years
Computer software 4 - 7 years
Freehold land is not depreciated.
1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Property, plant and equipment, net (continued)
Reviews are made annually of the estimated remaining lives and residual values of individual productive assets, taking account of commercial and technological obsolescence, as well as normal wear and tear.
We review the carrying value for any individual asset or asset group for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. If any such indication exists, and where the carrying value exceeds the estimated recoverable amount, the asset is written-down to its estimated recoverable amount. The assessment of possible impairment is based on our ability to recover the carrying value of the asset or asset group from the expected future pre-tax cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) of the related operations. If these cash flows are less than the carrying value of such asset or asset group, an impairment loss is recognized for the difference between estimated fair value and carrying value. Impairment losses on long-lived assets held for sale are determined in a similar manner, except that fair values are reduced for the cost to dispose of the assets.The measurement of impairment requires us to estimate future cash flows and the fair value of long-lived assets. During 2021 and 2019, we recorded an impairment charge of $1.5 million and $5.2 million, respectively, recorded within discontinued operations. There was no impairment charge recognized in 2020.
Impairments
The Company will recognize impairments in relation to property, plant and equipment, investments, goodwill, other identifiable intangible assets and other long-lived assets in accordance with the above policies. Impairments relating to restructuring activities, incurred to exit an activity or location, will be recorded within the restructuring line on the Statements of Income. Other impairments will be recorded within the impairment charges line on the Statements of Income. Impairments related to discontinued operations will be recorded within the net loss from discontinued operations line on the Statements of Income.
Within discontinued operations in 2021, there was a $1.5 million impairment charge relating to plant and equipment held in our Superform U.S. business, reflecting updated expectations of fair market value. In 2019, there was a $0.2 million impairment credit resulting from a true-up upon the final sale of the Czech business, recognized in the impairment credit line, and within discontinued operations, there was a $5.2 million charge relating to plant and equipment held in our Superform UK business.
Within restructuring costs in 2019 there was $5.0 million of asset impairment predominantly relating to asset write-downs and one-time employee benefits following the decision to scale down production at one of our Luxfer Magtech sites.
Revenue recognition
A performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer a distinct good or service to the customer. The majority of the Company’s contracts have a single performance obligation, as the promise to transfer the individual goods or services is not separately identifiable from other promises in the contracts and, therefore, not distinct. There is no variable consideration or obligations for returns, refunds, or other related obligations in the Company’s contracts.
Payment terms and conditions vary by contract type and may include a requirement of payment in advance. In general, our payment terms are 30 to 60 days. In instances where the timing of revenue recognition differs from the timing of invoicing, the Company has determined its contracts do not include a significant financing component.
The Company’s revenue is primarily derived from the following sources and are recognized when or as the Company satisfies a performance obligation by transferring a good or service to a customer:
Product revenues
We recognize revenue when it is realized or realizable and has been earned. Revenue is recognized when the following are met: (i) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; (ii) shipment or delivery has occurred (depending on the terms of the sale), which is when the transfer of product or control occurs; (iii) our price to the buyer is fixed or determinable; and (iv) the ability to collect is reasonably assured.
Royalties
Royalty revenue is recognized on an accrual basis in accordance with the substance of the relevant agreements, provided that it is probable that the economic benefits will flow to the Company and the amount of revenue can be measured reliably.
Practical Expedients
The Company applies the practical expedient and does not disclose information about remaining performance obligations for contracts that have original expected durations of one year or less.
1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash
We consider all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
Restricted cash is recognized separately in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Restricted cash balances were $0.2 million at December 31, 2021, and less than $0.1 million at December 31, 2020. The amounts held in escrow at December 31, 2021, were held in relation to a payment received for an historic doubtful debt in our Elektron division and the amounts held at December 31, 2020, were held to disburse environmental liabilities recognized as a result of the acquisition of the Specialty Metals division of ESM Inc. in 2017.
Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Raw materials are valued on a first-in, first-out basis. Strategic purchases of inventories in order to secure supply and reduce the impact of price volatility on the cost of inventories are valued on a weighted-average cost basis. Work in progress and finished goods costs comprise direct materials including, where applicable, direct labor costs, an apportionment of production overheads and any other costs that have been incurred in bringing the inventories to their present location and condition. Inventories are reviewed on a regular basis, and we make allowance for excess or obsolete inventories and write-down to net realizable value based primarily on committed sales prices and our estimates of expected and future product demand and related pricing.
Research and Development
Included within research and development costs are directly attributable salaries, materials and consumables, as well as third-party contractor fees and research costs. These costs are expensed as incurred.
Foreign currencies
Transactions in currencies other than an operation's functional currency are initially recorded in the functional currency at the rate of exchange prevailing on the dates of transactions. At each balance sheet date, the foreign currency monetary assets and liabilities of each operation are translated into the functional currency of that operation at the rates prevailing on the balance sheet date.
All differences are taken to the consolidated statement of income, with the exception of differences on foreign currency borrowings that provide a hedge against a net investment in a foreign entity. These differences on foreign currency borrowings are taken directly to equity until the disposal of the net investment, at which time they are recognized in the consolidated statement of income. Tax charges and credits attributable to exchange differences on those borrowings are also included in equity.
On consolidation, the assets and liabilities of the Company's foreign operations are translated at exchange rates prevailing on the balance sheet date. Income and expense items are translated at the average exchange rates for the period. Exchange differences that arise, if any, are included in Accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”), a separate component of equity. Such translation differences are recognized in the consolidated statements of income in the period in which the Company either loses control of the operation or liquidation occurs.
During 2021, the average USD/GBP sterling exchange rate was £0.7264 compared to the 2020 average of £0.7805. This change resulted in a positive impact of $9.5 million on revenue and $0.3 million on operating income. Based on the 2021 level of revenue and income, a weakening in GBP sterling leading to a £0.05 increase in the USD/GBP sterling exchange rate would result in a decrease of $8.9 million in revenue and a decrease of $1.3 million in operating net income.
On January 1, 2021 the functional currency of Luxfer Holdings PLC was changed from the local currency, GBP to the reporting currency, USD reflecting that the majority of the parent company's cash flows are now denominated in USD, including intercompany loans and interest payments as well as dividends paid to its shareholders. The change was triggered by a revision to our intercompany financing model which now aims to manage foreign exchange risk through Luxfer Group Limited, whose functional currency remains GBP (the same as its local currency).
1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Income taxes
Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carry-forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. When the Company does not believe that, on the basis of available information, it is more likely than not that deferred tax assets will be fully recovered, it recognizes a valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets to reduce the deferred tax assets to the amount more likely than not to be realized. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactments date.
Furthermore, a tax benefit from a tax position may be recognized in the financial statements only if it is more-likely-than-not that the position is sustainable, based solely on its technical merits and consideration of the relevant tax authority’s widely understood administrative practices and precedents. The tax benefit recognized, when the likelihood of realization is more likely-than-not (i.e. greater than 50 percent), is measured at the largest amount that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon settlement.
Employee benefit plans
The Company operates funded defined benefit pension plans in the U.K., the U.S. and France. The levels of funding are determined by periodic actuarial valuations that take into account changes in actuarial assumptions, including discount rates and expected returns on plan assets. The assets of the plans are generally held in separate Trustee-administered funds. The Company also operates defined contribution plans in the U.K., the U.S., Australia and Canada.
Actuarial assumptions are updated annually and are disclosed in Note 14. We recognize changes in the fair value of plan assets and net actuarial gains or losses for pension and other post-retirement benefits annually in the fourth quarter each year (“mark-to-market adjustment”) and, if applicable, in any quarter in which an interim remeasurement is triggered. Net actuarial gains and losses occur when the actual experience differs from any of the various assumptions used to value our pension and other post-retirement plans or when assumptions change, as they may each year. The remaining components of pension expense, including service and interest costs and estimated return on plan assets, are recorded on a quarterly basis.
Payments to defined contribution plans are charged as an expense as they fall due.
Commitments and contingencies
Loss contingencies are recognized when the Company has a present obligation as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of resources will be required to settle the obligation, and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation.
Share-based compensation
We account for share-based compensation awards on a fair value basis at the grant date. The estimated grant date fair value of each option award is recognized in income on an accelerated basis over the requisite service period (generally the vesting period). The estimated fair value of each option award is calculated using either the Black-Scholes option-pricing model or a Monte-Carlo simulation, both of which are subjective and involve the application of significant estimates and assumptions, including the expected term of the award, implied volatility, expected dividend yield and the risk-free interest rate. Restricted share awards and units are recorded as compensation cost on an accelerated basis over the requisite service periods based on the market value on the date of the grant.
Performance share units ("PSU") are stock awards where the ultimate number of shares issued will be contingent on the Company's performance against certain financial performance targets. The fair value of each PSU is based on the market value on the date of grant. We recognize expense based upon the fair value of the awards on the grant date and the estimated vesting of the PSUs granted. The estimated vesting of the PSUs is based on the probability of achieving certain financial performance thresholds over the specified performance period.
1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Trade receivables and concentration of credit risk
The Company is exposed to credit losses primarily through sales of products. The Company’s expected loss allowance methodology for accounts receivable is developed using historical collection experience, current and future economic and market conditions and a review of the current status of customers' trade accounts receivables. Due to the short-term nature of such receivables, the estimate of accounts receivable amounts that may not be collected is based on aging of the accounts receivable balances and the financial condition of customers. Additionally, specific allowance amounts are established to record the appropriate provision for customers that have a higher probability of default. The Company considered the current and expected future economic and market conditions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and determined that the estimate of credit losses was not significantly impacted.
Estimates are used to determine the allowance. It is based on assessment of anticipated receipts and all other historical, current and future information that is reasonably available.
We are exposed to credit risk in the event of nonpayment by customers. However, we mitigate our exposure to credit risk by performing ongoing credit evaluations and, when deemed necessary, utilizing credit insurance, prepayments or guarantees. No individual customer represented more than 10% of our revenue or accounts receivable. The concentration of credit risks from financial instruments related to the markets we serve is not expected to have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, cash flows or future results of operations.
Derivative financial instruments
We recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities (within accounts and other receivables or accounts payable) at fair value in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We no longer apply hedge accounting. Therefore any changes in fair value are reported in income immediately in cost of sales. We use derivative instruments for the purpose of hedging commodity price risk and currency exposures, which exist as part of ongoing business operations.
New accounting standards
There were no new accounting standards issued which required adoption in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.
Accounting standards which have been early adopted
None
Accounting standards issued but not yet effective
There are no accounting standards that have been issued, but are not yet effective, that are expected to have a material impact on our results of operations or balance sheet presentation.
2. Revenue
Disaggregated revenue from continuing operations for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019, are included below and in Note 17, Segment Information.
Years ended December 31,
2021 2020 2019
In millions Gas Cylinders Elektron Total Gas Cylinders Elektron Total Gas Cylinders Elektron Total
General industrial $ 33.4 $ 95.8 $ 129.2 $ 24.2 $ 87.7 $ 111.9 $ 24.7 $ 111.7 $ 136.4
Transportation 71.2 45.8 117.0 49.8 42.3 92.1 48.5 59.5 108.0
Defense, First Response & Healthcare 73.7 54.2 127.9 67.9 52.9 120.8 80.3 48.7 129.0
$ 178.3 $ 195.8 $ 374.1 $ 141.9 $ 182.9 $ 324.8 $ 153.5 $ 219.9 $ 373.4
The Company’s performance obligations are satisfied at a point in time. With the classification of our Superform business as discontinued operations, none of the Company's revenue is satisfied over time. As a result, the Company's contract receivables, contract assets and contract liabilities at December 31, 2021, and December 31, 2020, are disclosed with current assets and liabilities held-for-sale.
3. Acquisitions and disposals
On March 15, 2021, the Company completed the acquisition of the SCI business of Worthington Industries, Inc., based in Pomona, California, for $19.3 million cash consideration. The acquisition of SCI strengthens Luxfer’s composite cylinder offerings and aligns with recent investment to enhance our alternative fuel capabilities to capitalize on the growing compressed natural gas ("CNG") and hydrogen opportunities.
The fair value of assets and liabilities acquired are as follows:
In millions
Accounts and other receivables $ 4.7
Inventories 6.7
Property, plant and equipment 7.8
Customer relationships 1.8
Less:
Accounts payable (1.7)
Net assets acquired 19.3
Purchase consideration $ 19.3
In 2021, the Company recognized a net gain on disposition of $6.6 million, consisting of a $7.1 million gain on our U.S. aluminum business, sold in March 2021, partially offset by a $0.5 million loss on our Superform U.K. business sold in September 2021.
Our Superform U.K. business was sold for $4.0 million, net of working capital adjustments, made up of $3.0 million cash received in 2021 and $1.0 million of non-contingent, deferred consideration, receivable by September 30, 2022.
In millions 2021
Net proceeds $ 3.0
Deferred consideration payable 1.0
Less
Net assets sold (4.5)
Loss on disposition $ (0.5)
3. Acquisitions and disposals (continued)
Our U.S. aluminum business was sold for $20.2 million cash consideration, net of working capital adjustments. The below table shows the gain on disposition.
In millions 2021
Net proceeds $ 20.2
Less
Net assets sold (11.5)
Gross gain on disposition 8.7
Tax expense (1.6)
Net gain on disposition $ 7.1
Acquisition-related costs of $1.5 million in 2021 represent professional fees incurred in relation to the SCI acquisition.
In 2020, the Company sold its 51% investment in Luxfer Uttam India Private Limited to our joint venture partner for INR 137.4 million ($1.8 million) cash. Allowing for legal costs, we generated a profit on disposal of less than $0.1 million. During the year we also incurred $0.4 million costs in relation to M&A exploration activities offset by deferred consideration adjustment and profit on previous written-down inventory.
In 2019, acquisition and disposal related costs of $1.4 million were incurred. The amount includes a $3.5 million charge in relation to the reimbursement of costs, $0.9 million of professional and legal fees incurred in connection with the terminated Neo acquisition, partially offset by a $2.9 million gain from the sale of Magnesium Elektron CZ s.r.o in the second quarter of 2019, and a $0.1 million credit on the remeasurement of the deferred contingent consideration.
4. Restructuring
During 2021, 2020 and 2019, we initiated and continued execution of certain business restructuring initiatives aimed at reducing our fixed cost structure and realigning our business.
In 2021, there was $5.0 million of costs in relation to the closure of Luxfer Gas Cylinders' French site, which includes an additional $1.0 million charge for environmental remediation and $2.4 million employee litigation claims, with the remaining largely legal and professional fees. It is expected that we will incur further costs in 2022. A further $0.3 million of miscellaneous project costs were incurred in the Gas Cylinders Segment during 2021. There was also $0.9 million of one-time employee termination costs in the Elektron division, largely in relation to the divestiture of our small Luxfer Magtech production facility in Ontario, Canada.
In 2020, there was $7.5 million of costs in relation to the closure of Luxfer Gas Cylinders' French site. In response to uncertain global economic conditions, we undertook actions to reduce the Company's cost structure and improve operating efficiency. These actions included a workforce reduction program resulting in $1.4 million of severance-related charges, of which $0.4 million and $0.9 million were incurred in the Gas Cylinders and Elektron Segments respectively, and $0.1 million which is unallocated.
In 2019, there was $20.1 million of costs in relation to the closure of Luxfer Gas Cylinders' French site. Within the Elektron segment, there was $4.6 million of asset write-downs and one-time employee benefits, following the decision to scale down production at one of our Luxfer Magtech sites. There were other simplification costs incurred of $1.2 million across both segments.
Restructuring related costs included in restructuring charges in the consolidated statement of income are as follows:
Years ended December 31,
In millions 2021 2020 2019
Severance and related costs $ (6.2) $ (8.9) $ (20.9)
Asset impairment - - (5.0)
Total restructuring charges $ (6.2) $ (8.9) $ (25.9)
4. Restructuring (continued)
Restructuring costs by reportable segment were as follows:
Years ended December 31,
In millions 2021 2020 2019
Gas Cylinders Segment $ (5.3) $ (7.9) $ (20.7)
Elektron Segment (0.9) (0.9) (5.2)
Other $ - $ (0.1) $ -
Total restructuring charges $ (6.2) $ (8.9) $ (25.9)
Activity related to restructuring, recorded in other current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets is summarized as follows:
In millions 2021 2020
Balance at January 1, $ 9.0 $ 6.5
Costs incurred 6.2 8.9
Cash payments and other (3.5) (6.4)
Balance at December 31, $ 11.7 $ 9.0
5. Other charges
Other charges of $1.1 million in 2021 relates to the settlement of a class action lawsuit in the Gas Cylinders segment in relation to an alleged historic violation of the California Labor Code, concerning a Human Resources administration matter. The Company paid the settlement during the year, with no additional charge to the income statement expected.
In 2019, the Company decided to commence a project to remove low-level naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) from a redundant building at Elektron's Manchester, U.K. site. The work represented remediation of a legacy environmental issue and was completed in 2021. In 2020 and 2019, the Company recognized $0.4 million and $2.5 million, respectively, in other charges on the Statements of Income related to this remediation. This work is now complete and all liabilities have been settled.
6. Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share are computed by dividing net income for the period by the weighted-average number of ordinary shares outstanding, net of Treasury shares and shares held in ESOP. Diluted earnings per share are computed by dividing net income for the period by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding and the dilutive ordinary share equivalents.
Basic and diluted earnings per share were calculated as follows:
Years ended December 31,
In millions except share and per-share data 2021 2020 2019
Basic earnings:
Net income from continuing operations $ 30.0 $ 20.8 $ 8.7
Net gain / (loss) from discontinued operations (0.1) (0.8) (5.6)
Net income $ 29.9 $ 20.0 $ 3.1
Weighted average number of £0.50 ordinary shares:
For basic earnings per share 27,698,691 27,557,219 27,289,042
Dilutive effect of potential common stock 333,815 414,163 593,822
For diluted earnings per share 28,032,506 27,971,382 27,882,864
Earnings per share using weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding:(1)
Basic earnings per ordinary share for continuing operations $ 1.08 $ 0.75 $ 0.32
Basic earnings / (loss) per ordinary share for discontinued operations $ - $ (0.03) $ (0.21)
Basic earnings per ordinary share $ 1.08 $ 0.73 $ 0.11
Diluted earnings per ordinary share for continuing activities $ 1.07 $ 0.74 $ 0.31
Diluted earnings / (loss) per ordinary share for discontinued operations $ - $ (0.03) $ (0.21)
Diluted earnings per ordinary share $ 1.07 $ 0.72 $ 0.11
(1) The calculation of earnings per share is performed separately for continuing and discontinued operations. As a result, the sum of the two in any particular year may not equal the earnings-per-share amount in total.
7. Discontinued operations
Our Superform aluminum superplastic forming business, which operated from sites in the U.S. and the U.K, and our U.S. aluminum gas cylinder business were historically included in the Gas Cylinders Segment. As a result of our decision to exit non-strategic aluminum product lines in 2020, we have reflected the results of operations of these businesses as discontinued operations in the Consolidated Statements of Income for all periods presented.
Our U.S. aluminum gas cylinder business was sold in March 2021 for $20.2 million, net of working capital adjustments. The Company recognized a gain on disposition, net of tax, of $7.1 million.
In September 2021, our Superform U.K. business was sold for $4.0 million, net of working capital adjustments. The Company recognized a loss on disposition, net of tax, of $0.5 million.
We expect our Superform U.S. business to be sold within the next twelve months.
The assets and liabilities of the above businesses have been presented within Current assets held-for-sale and Current liabilities held-for-sale in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2021, and December 31, 2020. The Company recognized a $1.5 million impairment charge relating to plant and equipment held in our Superform U.S. business reflecting updated expectations of fair market value.
7. Discontinued operations (continued)
Results of discontinued operations were as follows:
In millions 2021 2020 2019
Net sales $ 20.9 $ 53.2 $ 70.1
Cost of goods sold (21.8) (51.5) (65.8)
Gross (loss) / profit (0.9) 1.7 4.3
Selling, general and administrative expenses (2.9) (5.8) (5.3)
Restructuring charges (1.0) (0.1) (0.1)
Impairment charges (1.5) - (5.2)
Other income - 3.4 -
Operating loss (6.3) (0.8) (6.3)
Net interest expense - - (0.2)
Net loss before income taxes (6.3) (0.8) (6.5)
Provision for income taxes (0.4) - 0.9
Net loss $ (6.7) $ (0.8) $ (5.6)
The assets and liabilities classified as held-for-sale were as follows:
In millions December 31, 2021 December 31, 2020
Accounts and other receivables $ 2.1 $ 8.7
Inventories 2.7 12.6
Current assets 4.8 21.3
Property, plant and equipment - 7.9
Right-of-use assets - 3.1
Total assets $ 4.8 $ 32.3
Accounts payable 0.5 4.3
Accrued liabilities 0.1 1.5
Other current liabilities 0.8 1.5
Current liabilities 1.4 7.3
Other non-current liabilities - 4.1
Total liabilities $ 1.4 $ 11.4
Also included within assets held-for-sale in 2021 and 2020 is one building valued at $3.7 million within our Elektron Segment.
The depreciation and amortization, capital expenditures and significant operating non-cash items were as follows:
In millions 2021 2020 2019
Non-cash add-backs to cash flows from discontinued operating activities:
Depreciation $ 0.5 $ 1.1 $ 1.1
Impairment charges 1.5 - 5.2
Cash flows from discontinued investing activities:
Capital expenditures $ 0.1 $ 0.3 $ 0.8
Cash balances are swept into the treasury entities at the end of each day, and these sweeps are recorded within operating cash flows in the statements of cash flows.
8. Goodwill and other identifiable intangible assets
Changes in goodwill during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 were as follows:
In millions Gas Cylinders Elektron Total
At January 1, 2020 $ 27.0 $ 41.8 $ 68.8
Exchange difference 0.9 0.5 1.4
At December 31, 2020 27.9 42.3 70.2
Exchange difference (0.3) (0.2) (0.5)
Net balance at December 31, 2021 $ 27.6 $ 42.1 $ 69.7
Accumulated goodwill impairment losses in relation to continuing activities were $8.0 million as of December 31, 2021 and 2020.
Changes in the gross value of identifiable intangible assets during the year ended December 31, 2021, were as follows:
In millions Customer relationships Technology and trading related Total
At January 1, 2020 $ 13.4 $ 8.1 $ 21.5
Exchange movements - 0.2 0.2
At December 31, 2020 $ 13.4 $ 8.3 $ 21.7
Additions 1.8 - 1.8
Exchange movements - (0.1) (0.1)
At December 31, 2021 $ 15.2 $ 8.2 $ 23.4
Identifiable intangible assets consisted of the following:
December 31, 2021 December 31, 2020
In millions Gross Accumulated amortization Net Gross Accumulated amortization Net
Customer relationships $ 15.2 $ (5.7) $ 9.5 $ 13.4 $ (5.2) $ 8.2
Technology and trading related 8.2 (4.0) 4.2 8.3 (3.7) 4.6
Total identifiable intangibles $ 23.4 $ (9.7) $ 13.7 $ 21.7 $ (8.9) $ 12.8
Identifiable intangible asset amortization expense in 2021, 2020 and 2019 was $0.9 million, $0.7 million and $1.2 million, respectively.
Intangible asset amortization expense over the next five years is expected to be approximately $1.0 million per year.
The weighted-average amortization period for the customer relationships is 17 years and for the technology and trading related assets is 15 years.
9. Supplementary balance sheet information
In millions 2021 2020
Accounts and other receivables
Trade receivables, net $ 45.8 $ 33.6
Related parties 0.1 0.2
Prepayments and accrued income 8.5 5.5
Derivative financial instruments 0.1 0.2
Deferred consideration 1.0 0.2
Other receivables 2.3 3.4
Total accounts and other receivables $ 57.8 $ 43.1
Inventories
Raw materials and supplies $ 39.3 $ 26.2
Work-in-process 26.7 19.7
Finished goods 24.5 22.9
Total inventories $ 90.5 $ 68.8
Other current assets
Income tax receivable - 1.5
Total other current assets $ - $ 1.5
Property, plant and equipment, net
Land, buildings and leasehold improvements $ 64.6 $ 65.2
Machinery and equipment 266.3 255.3
Construction in progress 8.4 7.8
Total property plant and equipment 339.3 328.3
Accumulated depreciation and impairment (251.8) (242.3)
Total property, plant and equipment, net $ 87.5 $ 86.0
Other current liabilities
Short term provision $ 0.2 $ 1.1
Restructuring provision 11.7 9.0
Derivative financial instruments 0.1 0.4
Operating lease liability 3.0 2.9
Advance payments 4.6 0.1
Total other current liabilities $ 19.6 $ 13.5
Other non-current liabilities
Contingent liabilities $ 1.8 $ 1.0
Operating lease liability 9.8 6.7
Total other non-current liabilities $ 11.6 $ 7.7
Impairment of property, plant and equipment
There were no impairments of property, plant and equipment recognized in 2021 or 2020 in continuing operations. See note 7 for the impairment recognized in discontinued operations.
10. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss consist of the following:
In millions December 31, 2021 December 31, 2020
Cumulative translation adjustments $ (52.5) $ (51.7)
Pension plans actuarial loss, net of tax (82.5) (114.1)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss $ (135.0) $ (165.8)
11. Debt
Debt outstanding was as follows:
In millions December 31, 2021 December 31, 2020
4.88% Loan Notes due 2023
25.0 25.0
4.94% Loan Notes due 2026
25.0 25.0
Revolving credit facility 10.8 4.1
Unamortized debt issuance costs (1.2) (0.7)
Total debt $ 59.6 $ 53.4
Non-current debt $ 59.6 $ 53.4
In May 2021, we reduced our revolving credit facility ("RCF") from $150 million to $100 million to reflect the Company's scaled back funding requirements. In October 2021, a new Senior Facilities Agreement ("SFA") was agreed which provides $100 million in committed debt facilities, taking the form of a multi-currency RCF, with an additional $50 million of uncommitted facilities through an accordion provision, a provision that allows the Company to expand the maximum amount allowed on the line of credit. The previous SFA was due to mature in July 2022, but has been replaced by the new agreement which will mature in October 2026. Issuance costs of $0.8 million were capitalized in relation to the new facility, with $0.2 million of costs written off from issuance costs previously capitalized.
The SFA bears interest equal to an applicable margin, based upon the Company's leverage, plus either EURIBOR, in the case of amounts drawn in euros, or SONIA (Sterling Overnight Index Average), in the case of amounts drawn in GBP sterling or U.S. dollars. The weighted-average interest rate on the RCF was 1.70% and 2.19% in 2021 and 2020, respectively.
The maturity profile of the Company's debt, excluding unamortized issuance costs and discounts is, as follows:
In millions 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 Total
Loan Notes due 2023 $ - $ 25.0 $ - $ - $ - $ 25.0
Loan Notes due 2026 - - - - 25.0 25.0
Revolving credit facility - - - - 10.8 10.8
Total debt $ - $ 25.0 $ - $ - $ 35.8 $ 60.8
11. Debt (continued)
Loan notes due and shelf facility
We have been in compliance with the covenants under the Note Purchase and Private Shelf Agreement throughout all of the quarterly measurement dates in 2021, with an expectation of compliance in 2022.
Senior Facilities Agreement
The Senior Facilities Agreement contains a number of additional undertakings and covenants that, among other things, restrict, subject to certain exceptions, our and our subsidiaries' ability to:
•engage in mergers, divestitures, consolidations or divisions;
•change the nature of our business;
•make certain acquisitions;
•participate in certain joint ventures;
•grant liens or other security interests on our assets;
•sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of assets, including receivables;
•enter into certain non-arm's-length transactions;
•grant guarantees;
•pay off certain existing indebtedness;
•make investments, loans or grant credit; and
•issue shares or other securities;
The Senior Facilities Agreement requires us to maintain compliance with an interest coverage ratio and a leverage ratio. The interest coverage ratio measures our EBITDA (as defined in the SFA) to Net Finance Charges (as defined in the SFA). We are required to maintain a minimum interest coverage ratio of 4.0:1. The leverage ratio measures our Total Net Debt (as defined in the SFA) to the Relevant Period Adjusted Acquisition EBITDA (as defined in the SFA). We are required to maintain a leverage ratio of no more than 3.0:1.
Any breach of a covenant in the SFA could result in a default under the SFA, in which case lenders could elect to declare all borrowed amounts immediately due and payable if the default is not remedied or waived within any applicable grace periods. Additionally, our and our subsidiaries' ability to make investments, incur liens and make certain restricted payments is also tied to ratios based on EBITDA.
We have been in compliance with the covenants under the SFA throughout all of the quarterly measurement dates in 2021, with an expectation of compliance in 2022.
12. Derivatives and Financial Instruments
The Company's financial instruments comprise bank and other loans, senior loan notes, derivatives and trade payables. Other than derivatives, the main purpose of these financial instruments is to raise finance for the Company's operations. The Company also has various financial assets, such as trade receivables, deferred consideration and cash and cash equivalents, which arise directly from its operations.
Derivative financial instruments We are exposed to market risk during the normal course of business from changes in currency exchange rates, interest rates and commodity prices, such as magnesium and aluminum prices. We manage exposures through a combination of normal operating and financing activities and through the use of derivative financial instruments, such as foreign currency forward purchase contracts. We do not use market risk-sensitive instruments for trading or speculative purposes. In 2021, the Company had $0.1 million (2020: $0.2 million) derivative financial instruments recorded within accounts and other receivables. The value of derivative financial instruments recorded in liabilities in 2021 was $0.1 million (2020: $0.4 million).
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts
The Company incurs currency transaction risk whenever one of the Company's operating subsidiaries enters into either a purchase or sales transaction in a currency other than its functional currency. Currency transaction risk is reduced by matching sales and expenses in the same currency. The Company's U.S. operations have little currency exposure as most purchases, costs and sales are conducted in U.S. dollars. The Company's U.K. operations are exposed to exchange transaction risks, mainly because these operations sell goods priced in euros and U.S. dollars and purchase raw materials priced in U.S. dollars. The Company also incurs currency transaction risk if it lends currency other than its functional currency to its joint venture partners.
At December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company held various forward foreign currency exchange contracts designated as hedges in respect of forward sales for U.S. dollars, euros, Canadian dollars and Japanese yen for the receipt of GBP sterling or euros. The Company also held forward foreign currency exchange contracts designated as hedges in respect of forward purchases for U.S. dollars, euros, Canadian dollars, Australian dollars and Chinese yuan by the sale of GBP sterling. The contract totals in GBP sterling and euros, range of maturity dates and range of exchange rates are disclosed below, with the value denominated in GBP sterling, given that it is the currency the majority of the contracts are held in.
12. Derivatives and Financial Instruments (continued)
December 31, 2021
Sales hedges U.S. dollars Euros Japanese Yen
Contract totals/£m 5.0 9.8 0.1
Maturity dates 01/22 to 03/22 01/22 to 03/22 01/22 to 03/22
Exchange rates $1.3455 to $1.3788
€1.1697 to €1.1906
¥155.2443 to ¥156.6793
Purchase hedges U.S. dollars Euros Canadian dollars Australian dollars Chinese yuan
Contract totals/£m 4.5 3.5 7.5 0.9 1.5
Maturity dates 01/22 to 04/22 01/22 to 02/22 01/22 01/22 03/22
Exchange rates $1.3451 to $1.3781
€1.1812 to €1.1662
$1.7172 to $1.6762
$1.8598 ¥8.6126
December 31, 2020
Sales hedges U.S. dollars Euros Japanese Yen Canadian dollars
Contract totals/£m 3.0 11.1 0.1 0.1
Maturity dates 01/21 to 03/21 01/21 to 04/21 01/21 01/21
Exchange rates $1.3045 to $1.3667
€1.0917 to €1.1181
¥136.8910
$1.7409
Purchase hedges U.S. dollars Euros Canadian dollars Australian dollars Chinese yuan
Contract totals/£m 4.8 1.7 9.4 0.9 0.9
Maturity dates 01/21 to 04/21 01/21 to 02/21 01/21 01/21 03/21
Exchange rates $1.3046 to $1.3667
€1.1065 to €1.0944
$1.7409 to $1.7201
$1.7729 ¥8.9184
The above contracts are held in GBP sterling. Therefore, the analysis in the table has been given in GBP sterling to avoid any movements as a result of translation.
Fair value of financial instruments
The following methods were used to estimate the fair values of each class of financial instrument:
Cash at bank and in hand
The carrying value approximates the fair value as a result of the short-term maturity of the instruments. Cash at bank and in hand are subject to a right to offset in the U.S.
Bank loans
At December 31, 2021, bank and other loans of $60.8 million (2020: $54.1 million) were outstanding. At December 31, 2021, bank and other loans are shown net of issue costs of $1.2 million (2020: $0.7 million), and these issue costs are to be amortized to the expected maturity of the facilities. This carrying value approximates to its fair value at December 31, 2021 and 2020 respectively. At December 31, 2021, $10.8 million (2020: $4.1 million) of the total $60.8 million (2020: $54.1 million) bank and other loans was variable interest rate debt and subject to floating interest rate risk, with the remainder being fixed rate debt.
Forward foreign currency exchange rate contracts
The fair value of these contracts was calculated by determining what the Company would be expected to receive or pay on termination of each individual contract by comparison to present market prices.
12. Derivatives and Financial Instruments (continued)
Fair value of financial instruments (continued)
The Company uses the following hierarchy for determining and disclosing the fair value of financial instruments by valuation technique:
Level 1: quoted (unadjusted) prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2: other techniques for which all inputs which have a significant effect on the recorded fair value are observable, either directly or indirectly.
Level 3: techniques which use inputs that have a significant effect on the recorded fair value that are not based on observable market data.
The fair values of the financial instruments of the Company at December 31, 2021 and 2020, were analyzed using the hierarchy as follows:
December 31, 2021
In millions Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Derivative financial assets:
Foreign currency contract assets $ 0.1 $ - $ 0.1 $ -
Derivative financial liabilities:
Foreign currency contract liabilities 0.1 - 0.1 -
Interest bearing loans and borrowings:
Loan Notes due 2023 25.0 - 25.0 -
Loan Notes due 2026 25.0 - 25.0 -
Revolving credit facility 10.8 - 10.8 -
December 31, 2020
In millions Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Derivative financial assets:
Foreign currency contract assets $ 0.2 $ - $ 0.2 $ -
Derivative financial liabilities:
Foreign currency contract liabilities 0.4 - 0.4 -
Interest bearing loans and borrowings:
Loan Notes due 2023 25.0 - 25.0 -
Loan Notes due 2026 25.0 - 25.0 -
Revolving credit facility 4.1 - 4.1 -
13. Income Taxes
Income before income taxes consisted of the following:
Years ended December 31,
In millions 2021 2020 2019
U.K. $ 21.8 $ 21.0 $ 13.4
International(1)
13.6 6.7 2.9
Income before income taxes $ 35.4 $ 27.7 $ 16.3
(1) "International" reflects non-U.K. income before income taxes.
The provision for income taxes consisted of the following:
Years ended December 31,
In millions 2021 2020 2019
Currently payable
U.K. $ 2.0 $ (0.2) $ 0.7
International(1)
5.4 2.3 2.9
Total current taxes $ 7.4 $ 2.1 $ 3.6
Deferred
U.K. $ (1.1) $ 2.1 $ 4.5
International(1)
(0.9) 2.7 (0.5)
Total deferred taxes $ (2.0) $ 4.8 $ 4.0
Total provision for income taxes $ 5.4 $ 6.9 $ 7.6
(1) "International" reflects non-U.K. income taxes.
Differences between the financial reporting and the corresponding tax basis of assets and liabilities and the different income tax rates and laws applicable to the Company, among other factors, give rise to permanent differences between the statutory tax rate applicable in the U.K. and the effective tax rate presented in the Consolidated Income Statement, which in 2021, 2020 and 2019, were as follows:
Years ended December 31,
In millions 2021 2020 2019
Income before income taxes $ 35.4 $ 27.7 $ 16.3
Provision for income taxes at the U.K. statutory tax rate (2021: 19%, 2020:19%, 2019: 19%) 6.7 5.3 3.1
Effect of:
Non-deductible expenses 1.9 1.7 2.7
Movement in valuation allowances (0.6) 0.8 1.2
Differences in income tax rates in countries where the Company operates(1)
0.5 (0.1) 1.1
Effect of changes in tax rates (2)
(2.0) 0.1 (0.1)
Movement in uncertain tax positions - (0.4) 0.4
Other (1.1) (0.5) (0.8)
Total provision for income taxes $ 5.4 $ 6.9 $ 7.6
(1) Refers mainly to the effects of the differences between the statutory income tax rate in the U.K. against the applicable income tax rates of each country where the Company operates.
(2) An increase in the U.K. corporation tax rate from 19% to 25%, effective from April 1, 2023, was announced in March 2021. Rate changes also occur in each period as a result of changes in the average state tax rate in the U.S.
13. Income Taxes (continued)
Reconciliations of the beginning and ending gross unrecognized tax benefits were as follows:
Years ended December 31,
In millions 2021 2020 2019
Beginning balance $ 2.4 $ 3.2 $ 3.2
Gross increases based on tax positions related to the current year 0.1 0.6 0.6
Reductions due to expiry of statute of limitations (0.7) (1.4) (0.6)
Ending balance $ 1.8 $ 2.4 $ 3.2
Non-current $ 1.8 $ 2.4 $ 3.2
The Company's unrecognized tax benefits relate to the pricing of its various inter-company transactions. Because the transfer pricing calculation is often multifaceted, taking into account economics, finance, industry practice, and functional analysis, a company's transfer pricing position often sits at a particular point along a wide continuum of possible pricing outcomes. The inherent subjectivity in pricing inter-company balances gives rise to measurement uncertainty. Management has considered the valuation uncertainty in determining the measurement of the uncertain tax position. There are no current tax audit examinations. Management estimates that it is reasonably possible that approximately $1.1 million of our gross unrecognized tax benefits ($0.3 million of our net unrecognized tax benefits) may be recognized by the end of 2022 as a result of a lapse of the statute of limitations.
At December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, there were $0.4 million, $0.5 million, and $0.5 million of unrecognized tax benefits, respectively, that, if recognized, would affect the annual effective tax rate.
The Company recognizes interest accrued and penalties relating to unrecognized tax benefits in the income tax line. During the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, the Company recognized approximately $nil, $0.1 million and $nil, respectively, in interest and penalties.
The following is a summary of the tax years open by major tax jurisdiction:
Jurisdiction Years open
U.K. 2019 - 2021
U.S. Federal 2018 - 2021
U.S. State and local 2018 - 2021
France 2018 - 2021
Germany 2017 - 2021
China 2018 - 2021
Canada 2017 - 2021
13. Income Taxes (continued)
Taxes have not been provided on undistributed earnings of subsidiaries where it is our intention to reinvest these earnings permanently or to repatriate the earnings only when it is tax efficient to do so. The amount of unremitted earnings at December 31, 2021 was approximately $70.3 million (at December 31, 2020: $56.4 million, at December 31, 2019: $47.2 million). If these earnings were remitted, it is estimated that the additional income tax arising would be approximately $1.0 million (at December 31, 2020: $0.8 million, at December 31, 2019: $0.7 million).
Deferred taxes were recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as follows:
December 31,
In millions 2021 2020
Deferred tax assets $ 8.0 $ 16.5
Deferred tax liabilities (2.7) (2.0)
Net deferred tax assets $ 5.3 $ 14.5
The tax effects of the major items recorded in deferred tax assets and liabilities were as follows:
December 31,
In millions 2021 2020
Deferred tax assets
Pension benefits $ 0.5 $ 9.9
Accrued liabilities 1.5 0.7
Tax loss and credit carry forwards 28.3 25.8
Employee compensation benefits 2.9 1.9
Other 2.1 1.5
Total deferred tax assets 35.3 39.8
Valuation allowances (18.0) (19.3)
Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowances $ 17.3 $ 20.5
Deferred tax liabilities
Property, plant and equipment $ 4.5 $ 1.7
Pension benefits 3.5 -
Goodwill and other intangibles 2.4 3.2
Other 1.6 1.1
Total deferred tax liabilities $ 12.0 $ 6.0
Net deferred tax assets $ 5.3 $ 14.5
Deferred tax liabilities and assets represent the tax effect of temporary differences between the value of assets and liabilities for financial statement purposes and such values as measured by the relevant jurisdiction's tax laws and regulations. Deferred tax assets and liabilities from the same tax jurisdiction have been netted, resulting in assets and liabilities being recorded under the deferred taxation captions on the consolidated balance sheet.
In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences and carryforwards become deductible or creditable. Management considers the scheduled reversal of existing taxable temporary differences, projected future taxable income, and tax-planning strategies in making this assessment.
In March 2021 an increase in the U.K. corporation tax rate from 19% to 25% was announced, effective from April 1, 2023. Deferred tax liabilities and assets which are expected to unwind after April 1, 2023 have been revalued at 25%. Gains and losses arising from revaluation have been recognized in the income statement and other comprehensive income.
13. Income Taxes (continued)
At December 31, 2021, the Company had carried forward tax losses and tax credits of $106.3 million (U.K.: $43.0 million, non-U.K.: $63.3 million). Carried forward tax losses and tax credits for 2020 were $104.2 million (U.K.: $30.0 million, non-U.K.: $74.2 million) and for 2019 were $94.9 million (U.K.: $32.8 million, non-U.K.: $62.1 million). To the extent that these losses are not already recognized as deferred income taxes assets and are available to offset against future taxable profits, it is expected that the future effective tax rate would be below the standard rate in the country where the profits are offset. A valuation allowance of $18.0 million (2020: $19.3 million, 2019: $14.9 million) exists for deferred tax benefits related to the tax loss and tax credit carry forwards and other benefits that may not be realized. The apportionment of the valuation allowance between the U.K. and non-U.K. jurisdictions is U.K.: $4.1 million, non-U.K.: $13.9 million (2020: U.K.: $3.2 million, non-U.K.: $16.1 million; 2019: U.K.: $2.8 million, non-U.K.: $12.1 million). The non-U.K. valuation allowances relates to tax losses in France and Germany.
Of the carried forward tax losses and tax credits as at December 31, 2021, $13.4 million expire between 2023 and 2034, and $99.2 million are available for indefinite carry-forward.
14. Pension Plans
The Company has defined benefit pension plans in the U.K., the U.S. and France. The levels of funding are determined by periodic actuarial valuations. The assets of the plans are generally held in separate Trustee-administered funds. The Company also operates defined contribution plans in the U.K., the U.S., Australia and Canada.
The "10% corridor" method for recognizing gains and losses has been adopted. This methodology means that cumulative gains and losses up to an amount equal to 10% of the higher of the liabilities and the assets (the corridor) have no impact on the pension cost. Cumulative gains or losses greater than this corridor are amortized over the average future lifetime of the members in the plans.
The principal defined benefit pension plan in the Company is the U.K. Luxfer Group Pension Plan ("the Plan"), which closed to new members in 1998, with new employees then being eligible for a defined contribution plan. In April 2016, the Plan was closed to further benefit accrual, with members being offered contributions to a defined contribution plan. The Company's other arrangements are less significant than the Plan, the largest being the BA Holdings, Inc. Pension Plan in the U.S. In December 2005, this plan was closed to further benefit accrual, with members being offered contributions to that company's 401(k) plan. At January 1, 2016, the U.S. pension plans (BA Holdings Inc. Pension Plan and Luxfer Hourly Pension Plan) merged into one plan.
The following tables present reconciliations of plan benefit obligations, fair value of plan assets and the funded status of pension plans as of and for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020:
2021 2021 2021 2020 2020 2020
In millions U.K. U.S. / other Total U.K. U.S. / other Total
Change in benefit obligations
Benefit obligation at January 1 $ 404.0 $ 50.7 $ 454.7 $ 359.2 $ 47.1 $ 406.3
Interest cost 5.6 1.1 6.7 7.0 1.4 8.4
Actuarial (gain) / loss (29.6) (0.8) (30.4) 40.7 4.7 45.4
Exchange difference (4.0) - (4.0) 11.7 - 11.7
Benefits paid (13.1) (2.3) (15.4) (14.7) (2.5) (17.2)
Prior service cost - - - 0.1 - 0.1
Benefit obligation at December 31 $ 362.9 $ 48.7 $ 411.6 $ 404.0 $ 50.7 $ 454.7
Change in plan assets
Fair value of plan assets at January 1 $ 358.9 $ 45.0 $ 403.9 $ 328.7 $ 42.4 $ 371.1
Actual return on assets 16.3 4.1 20.4 27.9 5.1 33.0
Exchange difference (3.7) - (3.7) 11.2 - 11.2
Contributions from employer 18.2 - 18.2 5.8 - 5.8
Benefits paid (13.1) (2.3) (15.4) (14.7) (2.5) (17.2)
Fair value of plan assets at December 31 $ 376.6 $ 46.8 $ 423.4 $ 358.9 $ 45.0 $ 403.9
Funded status
Net benefit surplus / (obligation) $ 13.7 $ (1.9) $ 11.8 $ (45.1) $ (5.7) $ (50.8)
The net benefit surplus of $13.7 million in the U.K. plan is recorded in non-current assets at December 31, 2021, and the net benefit obligation of $1.9 million in the U.S. / other is recorded in non-current liabilities at December 31, 2021.
The net benefit obligation of $50.8 million was recorded in non-current liabilities at December 31, 2020, as all plans were in a net benefit obligation position.
In December 2021, the Company made a special one-off deficit reduction payment to the U.K. Plan of $12.7 million. The payment means the Company is not expected to make any additional contributions to the Plan for at least the next three years.
14. Pension Plans (continued)
The amounts recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income in respect of the pension plans were as follows:
2021 2021 2021 2020 2020 2020 2019 2019 2019
In millions U.K. U.S. / other Total U.K. U.S. / other Total U.K. U.S. / other Total
In respect of defined benefit plans:
Current service cost $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ 0.1 $ 0.1
Interest cost 5.6 1.1 6.7 7.0 1.4 8.4 9.2 1.9 11.1
Expected return on assets (10.2) (1.8) (12.0) (12.2) (2.3) (14.5) (13.4) (2.3) (15.7)
Curtailment gain - - - - - - - (1.8) (1.8)
Settlement loss - - - - - - - 0.8 0.8
Amortization of net actuarial loss 3.4 0.4 3.8 2.3 0.3 2.6 2.5 0.6 3.1
Amortization of prior service credit (0.4) - (0.4) (0.4) - (0.4) (0.4) - (0.4)
Total credit for defined benefit plans $ (1.6) $ (0.3) $ (1.9) $ (3.3) $ (0.6) $ (3.9) $ (2.1) $ (0.7) $ (2.8)
In respect of defined contribution plans:
Total charge for defined contribution plans $ 2.1 $ 1.5 $ 3.6 $ 1.5 $ 1.9 $ 3.4 $ 2.1 $ 2.1 $ 4.2
Total charge / (credit) for benefit plans $ 0.5 $ 1.2 $ 1.7 $ (1.8) $ 1.3 $ (0.5) $ - $ 1.4 $ 1.4
In accordance with ASC 715, defined benefit pension credit is split in the income statement, with $0.4 million (2020: $0.4 million; 2019: $0.3 million) of expenses recognized within sales, general and administrative expenses and a credit of $2.3 million (2020: $4.3 million credit; 2019: $1.3 million credit) recognized below operating income in the income statement. In 2019, a credit of $1.8 million was recognized in relation to the curtailment gain on the French pension plan, recognized in restructuring charge in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
The following table shows other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income during the years ended December 31:
In millions 2021 2020 2019
Net actuarial gain / (loss) $ 38.8 $ (26.9) $ (7.5)
Amortization of actuarial loss 3.8 2.6 3.1
Prior service cost - (0.1) -
Amortization of prior service credit (0.4) (0.4) (0.4)
Total recognized in other comprehensive income / (loss) 42.2 (24.8) (4.8)
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income / (loss) $ 44.1 $ (20.9) $ (2.0)
The estimated net loss for defined benefit plans included in AOCI that will be recognized in net periodic benefit cost during 2022 is $1.9 million, consisting of amortization of net actuarial loss of $2.3 million, partially offset by amortization of prior service credit of $0.4 million.
The following table shows the amounts included in AOCI that have not yet been recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost for the years ended December 31:
In millions 2021 2020
Gross actuarial loss $ (122.5) $ (165.1)
Gross prior service credit 11.4 11.8
Total included in AOCI not yet recognized in the statement of income $ (111.1) $ (153.3)
14. Pension Plans (continued)
In September 2019, the U.K. Statistics Authority announced plans to reform the RPI inflation index. On November 25, 2020, the government and U.K. Statistics Authority confirmed these plans to reform the RPI index to bring it into line with the CPIH index from 2030, with no compensation for the holders of index-linked gilts. Inflation measured by the CPIH is consistently significantly lower than that measured by RPI, and, therefore, these plans imply a significant expected reduction in RPI inflation from 2030 onwards. As a result.we have taken a stepped approach and used different inflation rates pre and post 2030.
The financial assumptions used in the calculations were:
Projected Unit Credit Valuation
U.K. U.S.
2021 2020 2019 2021 2020 2019
% % % % % %
Discount rate 1.90 1.40 2.10 2.70 2.30 3.10
Expected return on assets 3.30 3.00 4.10 2.50 5.00 6.20
Pre-2030
Retail Price Inflation 3.30 2.90 2.90 n/a n/a n/a
Consumer Price Inflation 2.20 1.80 2.00 n/a n/a n/a
Pension increases
Pre 6 April 1997 2.00 1.70 1.80 n/a n/a n/a
1997 - 2005 2.20 1.90 2.10 n/a n/a n/a
Post 5 April 2005 1.80 1.60 1.70 n/a n/a n/a
Post-2030
Retail Price Inflation 3.30 2.70 2.90 n/a n/a n/a
Consumer Price Inflation 3.20 2.60 2.00 n/a n/a n/a
Pension increases
Pre 6 April 1997 2.50 2.20 1.80 n/a n/a n/a
1997 - 2005 3.10 2.60 2.10 n/a n/a n/a
Post 5 April 2005 2.20 2.00 1.70 n/a n/a n/a
The discount rate used for the UK Plan represents the annualized yield based on a cash-flow matched methodology, with reference to an AA corporate bond spot curve and having regard to the duration of the Plan’s liabilities. The inflation rate is derived using a similar cash flow matched methodology as used for the discount rate but with regard to the difference between yields on fixed-interest and index-linked United Kingdom government gilts. The expected return on assets assumption is set with regard to the asset allocation and expected return on each asset class as of the balance sheet date.
2021 2020
Other principal actuarial assumptions: Years Years
Life expectancy of male / female in the U.K. aged 65 at accounting date 21.1 / 22.9
21.5 / 24.3
Life expectancy of male / female in the U.K. aged 65 at 20 years after accounting date 22.4 / 24.4
22.9 / 25.8
Investment strategies
For the principal defined benefit plan in the Company and the U.K., the Luxfer Group Pension Plan, (the "Plan," as defined above), the assets are invested in a diversified range of asset classes and include matching assets (comprising fixed-interest and index-linked bonds and swaps) and growth assets (comprising all other assets). The Trustees of the Plan have formulated a de-risking strategy to help control the short-term risk of volatility associated with holding growth assets. The Trustees also monitor the cost of a buy-in to secure pensioner liabilities with an insurance company to ensure they and the Company are able to act if such an opportunity arises. Other options to progressively reduce the scale of the liabilities are discussed between the Trustees and the Company.
14. Pension Plans (continued)
Risk exposures
The U.K. plan currently has a strategic target to hold 40 percent of assets in equity and other growth investments, with the intention of growing the value of assets relative to liabilities. Although there is an intention to further increase the proportion of matching assets over the next few years towards 75 percent, at the current level of 60 percent, the Company is at risk if the value of liabilities grows at a faster rate than the plans' assets, or if there is a significant fall in the value of these assets not matched by a fall in the value of liabilities. If any of these events occurred, it would be expected to lead to an increase in the Company's future cash contributions.
Special events
In 2021, the Company decided to terminate its U.S. Pension Plan. The process is expected to complete within 12 to 18 months, including final funding requirements and administrative cost payments. In accordance with ASC 715, the liabilities must be valued based on market expectations for the period over which the obligations are to be settled. The Company is committed to buying out the U.S. plans with an insurer in 2023. Therefore, at the 2021 year-end, the obligation reflects the expected cost of securing the plans’ benefits with an insurer. This increases the liability by $2.8m. In preparation for the buyout, in April 2021 the Company switched its asset portfolio in favor of fixed interest securities with the intention of matching asset movements to movements in the value of plan liabilities.
In June 2019, the closure of Luxfer Gas Cylinders' French site affected the French pension plan. This resulted in a curtailment gain of $1.8 million and triggered immediate recognition of the unamortized net actuarial losses of $0.3 million. In December 2019, the U.S. plan offered deferred members the opportunity to receive a lump sum in respect of their benefits in the Plan. As a result lump sums totaling $2.7 million were paid out with a corresponding $3.6 million of defined benefit obligation being extinguished. This triggered immediate recognition of the unamortized net actuarial losses of $0.8 million.
The fair value of plan assets were:
2021 2021 2021 2020 2020 2020
In millions U.K. U.S. / other Total U.K. U.S. / other Total
Assets in active markets:
Equities and growth funds $ 149.9 $ - $ 149.9 $ 152.3 $ 26.9 $ 179.2
Government bonds 64.6 - 64.6 63.1 - 63.1
Corporate bonds 147.5 46.6 194.1 141.6 18.1 159.7
Cash 14.6 0.2 14.8 1.9 - 1.9
Total fair value of plan assets $ 376.6 $ 46.8 $ 423.4 $ 358.9 $ 45.0 $ 403.9
All investments, apart from cash, were classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy as of December 31, 2021, and December 31, 2020. Cash is classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy as of December 31, 2021, and December 31, 2020.
The following benefit payments are expected to be paid by the plans for the years ended December 31 as follows:
In millions U.K. pension plans U.S. / other pension plans (1)
2022 $ 9.9 $ 13.5
2023 10.1 2.4
2024 10.3 2.4
2025 10.5 2.4
2026 10.8 2.4
Thereafter 56.9 12.1
(1) The expected payments reflect the current projection of benefits due to be paid. Upon completion of the d buyout this will be a nil value. The expected buyout completion date is in 2023.
The estimated amount of employer contributions expected to be paid to the defined benefit pension plans for the year ending December 31, 2022, is nil (2021: $18.2 million actual employer contributions).
15. Shareholders' Equity
(a)Ordinary share capital
December 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 December 31, 2021 December 31, 2020
No. No. Millions Millions
Authorized:
Ordinary shares of £0.50 each
40,000,000 40,000,000 $ 35.7 (1) $ 35.7 (1)
Deferred ordinary shares of £0.0001 each
761,835,318,444 761,835,338,444 149.9 (1) 149.9 (1)
761,875,318,444 761,875,338,444 $ 185.6 (1) $ 185.6 (1)
Allotted, called up and fully paid:
Ordinary shares of £0.50 each
28,944,000 29,000,000 $ 26.5 (1) $ 26.6 (1)
Deferred ordinary shares of £0.0001 each
761,835,318,444 761,835,338,444 149.9 (1) 149.9 (1)
761,864,262,444 761,864,338,444 $ 176.4 (1) $ 176.5 (1)
(1)The Company's ordinary and deferred share capital are shown in U.S. dollars at the exchange rate prevailing at the month-end spot rate at the time of the share capital being issued.
The rights of the shares are as follows:
Ordinary shares of £0.50 each
The ordinary shares carry no entitlement to an automatic dividend but rank pari passu in respect of any dividend declared and paid. The ordinary shares were allotted and issued to satisfy share awards which vested under the Company's share award and share incentive plans.
At December 31, 2021, there were 27,529,824 (2020: 27,636,153) ordinary shares of Luxfer Holdings PLC listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).
Deferred ordinary shares of £0.0001 each
The deferred shares have no entitlement to dividends or to vote. Upon liquidation (but not otherwise), the holders of the deferred shares shall be entitled to the repayment of the paid up nominal amount of the deferred shares, but only after any payment to the holders of ordinary shares of an amount equal to 100 times the amount paid up on such ordinary shares.
(b) Treasury Shares
In millions
January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020 (4.0)
Purchase of treasury shares (6.4)
Cancellation of treasury shares 0.7
Utilization of treasury shares 0.1
At December 31, 2021 $ (9.6)
In June 2021, the Board announced a share buy-back program. As a result, in 2021, the Company purchased 297,678 total shares for $6.4 million. Of the 297,678 shares repurchased in the year, 56,000 at $0.7 million have been cancelled. 16,395 shares were utilized at $0.1 million, with the remaining 225,283 retained within Treasury shares.
At December 31, 2021, there were 575,618 (2020: 350,335) treasury shares held at a cost of $9.6 million (2020: $4.0 million).
15. Shareholders' Equity (continued)
(c) Company shares held by ESOP
In millions
At January 1, 2020 $ (1.7)
Shares sold from ESOP 0.3
At December 31, 2020 (1.4)
Utilization of ESOP shares 0.3
At December 31, 2021 $ (1.1)
At December 31, 2021, there were 838,558 ordinary shares at £0.50 each (2020: 1,013,512 ordinary shares of £0.50 each) held by The Luxfer Group Employee Share Ownership Plan (the "ESOP").
(d) Dividends paid and proposed
In millions 2021 2020 2019
Dividends declared and paid during the year:
Interim dividend paid February 6, 2019 ($0.125 per ordinary share)
$ - $ - $ 3.4
Interim dividend paid May 1, 2019 ($0.125 per ordinary share)
- - 3.4
Interim dividend paid August 7, 2019 ($0.125 per ordinary share)
- - 3.4
Interim dividend paid November 6, 2019 ($0.125 per ordinary share)
- - 3.4
Interim dividend paid February 5, 2020 ($0.125 per ordinary share)
- 3.4 -
Interim dividend paid May 6, 2020 ($0.125 per ordinary share)
- 3.4 -
Interim dividend paid August 5, 2020 ($0.125 per ordinary share)
- 3.4 -
Interim dividend paid November 4, 2020 ($0.125 per ordinary share)
- 3.4 -
Interim dividend paid February 4, 2021 ($0.125 per ordinary share)
3.4 - -
Interim dividend paid May 5, 2021 ($0.125 per ordinary share)
3.4 - -
Interim dividend paid August 4, 2021 ($0.125 per ordinary share)
3.4 - -
Interim dividend paid November 3, 2021 ($0.125 per ordinary share)
3.4 - -
$ 13.6 $ 13.6 $ 13.6
In millions 2021 2020 2019
Dividends declared and paid after December 31 (not recognized as a liability at December 31):
Interim dividend paid February 5, 2020: ($0.125 per ordinary share)
$ - $ - $ 3.4
Interim dividend paid February 4, 2021: ($0.125 per ordinary share)
- 3.4 -
Interim dividend paid February 2, 2022 : ($0.125 per ordinary share)
3.4 - -
$ 3.4 $ 3.4 $ 3.4
16. Share Plans
(a) The Luxfer Group Employee Share Ownership Plan
The trust
In 1997, the Company established an employee benefit trust ("the ESOP") with independent Trustees, to purchase and hold shares in the Company in trust to be used to satisfy options granted to eligible senior employees under the Company's share plans established from time to time.
The ESOP was established with the benefit of a gift equivalent to the set up and running costs. Purchase monies and costs required by the ESOP Trustees to purchase shares for and under the provisions of the trust are provided by way of an interest free loan from a Company subsidiary. The loan is repayable, in normal circumstances, out of monies received from senior employees when they exercise options granted to them over shares. Surplus shares are held by the ESOP Trustees to satisfy future option awards. The ESOP Trustees have waived their right to receive dividends on shares held in trust. The Remuneration Committee is charged with determining which senior employees are to be granted options, and in what number, subject to the relevant plan rules.
The current plan
The current share option plan, implemented by the Company in February 2007 is The Luxfer Holdings Executive Share Option Plan ("the Plan"), which consists of two parts. Part A of the Plan is approved by HM Revenue & Customs, and Part B is unapproved. Options can be exercised at any time up to the tenth anniversary of their grant, subject to the rules of the relevant part of the Plan. As a result of the Company's initial public offering of ordinary shares in 2012, all leaver restrictions over the shares were released. There are no other performance criteria attached to the options.
Changes in the year
The change in the number of shares held by the Trustees of the ESOP and the number of share options held over those shares are shown below:
Number of shares held by ESOP Trustees
£0.0001 deferred shares
£0.50 ordinary shares
At January 1, 2021 15,977,968,688 1,013,512
Shares utilized during the year - (242,579)
Shares transferred into ESOP during the year - 67,625
At December 31, 2021 15,977,968,688 838,558
At December 31, 2021, the loan outstanding from the ESOP was $0.5 million (2020: $0.6 million).
The market value of each £0.50 ordinary share held by the ESOP at December 31, 2021, was $19.31 (2020: $16.42).
(b) Share-based compensation
Luxfer Holdings PLC Long-Term Umbrella Incentive Plan and Luxfer Holdings PLC Non-Executive Directors Equity Incentive Plan
As an important retention tool and to align the long-term financial interests of our management with those of our shareholders, the Company adopted the Luxfer Holdings PLC Long-Term Umbrella Incentive Plan (the "LTIP") for the Company's senior employees and the Luxfer Holdings PLC Non-Executive Directors Equity Incentive Plan (the "Director EIP") for the Non-Executive Directors.
The equity or equity-related awards under the LTIP and the Director EIP are based on the ordinary shares of the Company. The Remuneration Committee administers the LTIP and has the power to determine to whom the awards will be granted, the amount, type and other terms. Awards granted under the LTIP generally vest one-quarter each year over a four-year period, subject to continuous employment and certain other conditions, with the exercise period expiring six years after grant date. Awards granted under the Director EIP are non-discretionary, are purely time-based and vest over one year, with settlement occurring immediately on vesting.
16. Share Plans (continued)
(b) Share-based compensation (continued)
Share option and restricted stock awards
In March 2021, a combined 110,000 of Restricted Stock Units and Options over ordinary shares were granted under the LTIP, which were all time-based awards vesting over four years and expiring two years later. Also, in March 2021, a combined 45,000 awards were granted based on the achievement of total shareholder return targets from the period January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2020. The awards vest over two years. In June 2021, a combined 19,000 Restricted Stock Units and Options over ordinary shares were granted under the Director EIP, which were all time-based awards that would fully vest one year later.
In March 2020, a combined 132,900 Restricted Stock Units and Options over ordinary shares were granted under the LTIP, which were all time-based awards vesting over four years and expiring two years later. In May 2020, a combined 2,000 Restricted Stock Units and Options over ordinary shares were granted under the LTIP, which were all time-based awards vesting over four years and expiring two years later. In June 2020, a combined 27,280 Restricted Stock Units and Options over ordinary shares were granted under the Director EIP, which were all time-based awards that would fully vest one year later. In September 2020, a combined 3,892 oRestricted Stock Units and Options over ordinary shares were granted under the LTIP, which were all time-based awards vesting over four years and expiring two years later.
In March 2019, a combined 196,320 Restricted Stock Units and Options over ordinary shares were granted under the LTIP, which were all time-based awards vesting over four years and expiring two years later. In May 2019, a combined 3,981 Restricted Stock Units and Options over ordinary shares were granted under the Director EIP, which were all time-based awards that would fully vest one year later. In December 2019, a combined 6,000 Restricted Stock Units and Options over ordinary shares were granted under the LTIP, which were all time-based awards vesting over four years and expiring two years later.
Total share-based compensation expense for 2021, 2020 and 2019 was as follows:
Years ended December 31,
In millions 2021 2020 2019
Total share-based compensation charges $ 2.8 $ 2.8 $ 4.5
There were no cancellations or modifications to the awards in 2021, 2020 or 2019.
The actual tax benefit realized for the tax deductions from option exercises totaled $1.1 million, $0.6 million and $0.9 million in 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
The following tables illustrates the number of, and movements in, share options during the year, with each option relating to 1 ordinary share:
Number of shares Weighted- average exercise price Weighted- average remaining contractual life (years) Aggregate intrinsic value ($M)
At January 1, 2021 412,804 $ 0.87 1.9 $ 6.8
Granted during the year 174,264 $ 1.00
Exercised during the year (271,851) $ 0.77
Accrued dividend awards 7,898 $ 0.95
Lapsed during the year (25,628) $ 0.92
At December 31, 2021 297,487 $ 0.99 2.2 $ 5.7
Options exercisable at December 31, 2021 13,874 $ 0.84 3.1 $ 0.2
Options expected to vest as of December 31, 2021 269,432 $ 1.00 2.2 $ 5.2
The weighted average fair value of options granted in 2021, 2020 and 2019 was estimated to be $20.56, $9.41 and $17.65 per share, respectively. The total intrinsic value of options that were exercised during 2021, 2020 and 2019 was $5.8 million, $3.0 million and $11.2 million, respectively. At December 31, 2021, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to share options was $2.8 million (2020: $2.2 million). This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.9 years (2020: 1.3 years ).
16. Share Plans (continued)
(b) Share-based compensation (continued)
The following table illustrates the assumptions used in deriving the fair value of share options during the year:
2021 2020 2019
Dividend yield (%) 2.27
3.39 - 4.09
2.10
Expected volatility range (%) 42.80 - 59.03
36.48 - 56.28
35.06 - 44.20
Risk-free interest rate (%) 0.04 - 0.24
0.18 - 0.49
0.74 - 2.52
Expected life of share options range (years) 0.50 - 4.00
0.50 - 4.00
0.50 - 4.00
Forfeiture rate (%) 5.00 5.00 5.00
Weighted average exercise price ($) $1.00 $1.00 $1.00
Models used Black-Scholes & Monte-Carlo Black-Scholes & Monte-Carlo Black-Scholes & Monte-Carlo
The expected life of the share options is based on historical data and current expectations and is not necessarily indicative of exercise patterns that may occur. The expected volatility reflects the assumption that the historical volatility over a period similar to the life of the options is indicative of future trends, which may not necessarily be the actual outcome.
Employee share incentive plans The Company operates an all-employee share incentive plan in its U.K. and U.S. operations and may look to implement plans in other geographic regions.
17. Segment Information
We classify our operations into two core business segments, Gas Cylinders and Elektron, based primarily on shared economic characteristics for the nature of the products and services; the nature of the production processes; the type or class of customer for their products and services; the methods used to distribute their products or provide their services; and the nature of the regulatory environment. The Company has four identified business units, which aggregate into the two reportable Segments. Luxfer Gas Cylinders forms the Gas Cylinders Segment, and Luxfer MEL Technologies, Luxfer Magtech and Luxfer Graphic Arts aggregate into the Elektron Segment. The Superform business unit used to aggregate into the Gas Cylinders Segment but is now recognized within discontinued operations. A summary of the operations of the segments is provided below:
Gas Cylinders Segment
Our Gas Cylinders Segment manufactures and markets specialized highly-engineered cylinders using carbon composites and aluminum alloys, such as pressurized cylinders for use in various applications including self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) for firefighters, containment of oxygen and other medical gases for healthcare, alternative fuel vehicles, and general industrial applications.
Elektron Segment Our Elektron Segment focuses on specialty materials based primarily on magnesium and zirconium, with key product lines including advanced lightweight magnesium alloys with a variety of uses across a variety of industries, including the following: (i) magnesium powders for use in countermeasure flares, as well as heater meals; (ii) photoengraving plates for graphic arts; and (iii) high-performance zirconium-based materials and oxides used as catalysts and in the manufacture of advanced ceramics, fiber-optic fuel cells, and many other high-performance products.
Other
Other, as used below, primarily represents unallocated corporate expense and includes non-service related defined benefit pension cost / credit.
Management monitors the operating results of its reportable segments separately for the purpose of making decisions about resource allocation and performance assessment. Segment performance is evaluated by the chief operating decision maker, the CEO, who is responsible for allocating resources and assessing performance of the operating segments, using adjusted EBITA(1) and adjusted EBITDA, which is defined as segment income, and is based on (i) operating income adjusted for share based compensation charges; (ii) loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment; (iii) restructuring charges; (iv) impairment charges; (v) acquisition and disposal related gains and costs; (vi) other charges; (vii) depreciation and amortization; and (viii) unwind of discount on deferred consideration.
Unallocated assets and liabilities include those which are held on behalf of the Company and cannot be allocated to a segment, such as taxation, investments, cash, retirement benefits obligations, bank and other loans and holding company assets and liabilities.
Financial information by reportable segment for the years ended December 31 is included in the following summary:
Net Sales Adjusted EBITDA
In millions 2021 2020 2019 2021 2020 2019
Gas Cylinders segment $ 178.3 $ 141.9 $ 153.5 $ 22.7 $ 21.3 $ 22.3
Elektron segment 195.8 182.9 219.9 40.7 32.6 44.8
Consolidated $ 374.1 $ 324.8 $ 373.4 $ 63.4 $ 53.9 $ 67.1
During 2021 there were no of sales made from the Elektron segment to the Gas Cylinders segment (2020 and 2019 $0.4 million).
Depreciation and amortization Restructuring Charges
In millions 2021 2020 2019 2021 2020 2019
Gas Cylinders segment $ 5.8 $ 3.7 $ 3.6 $ 5.3 $ 7.9 $ 20.7
Elektron segment 9.8 9.6 9.6 0.9 0.9 5.2
Other segment - - - - 0.1 -
Consolidated $ 15.6 $ 13.3 $ 13.2 $ 6.2 $ 8.9 $ 25.9
(1) Adjusted EBITA is adjusted EBITDA less depreciation and loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment.
17. Segment Information (continued)
Total assets Capital expenditure
In millions 2021 2020 2021 2020 2019
Gas Cylinders segment $ 122.7 $ 99.7 $ 1.0 $ 2.0 $ 3.1
Elektron segment 206.5 189.7 7.9 5.1 10.9
Other 34.8 24.7 - - -
Discontinued operations 4.8 32.3 0.1 0.3 0.8
$ 368.8 $ 346.4 $ 9.0 $ 7.4 $ 14.8
The following table presents a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income from continuing operations:
In millions 2021 2020 2019
Adjusted EBITDA $ 63.4 $ 53.9 $ 67.1
Share based compensation charges (2.8) (2.8) (4.5)
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment - (0.1) (0.2)
Depreciation and amortization (15.6) (13.3) (13.2)
Unwind discount on deferred consideration - - (0.2)
Restructuring charges (6.2) (8.9) (25.9)
Impairment credit - - 0.2
Acquisition costs (1.5) - (1.4)
Other charges (1.1) (0.4) (2.5)
Defined benefits pension credit 2.3 4.3 1.3
Interest expense, net (3.1) (5.0) (4.4)
Provision for taxes (5.4) (6.9) (7.6)
Net income from continuing operations $ 30.0 $ 20.8 $ 8.7
Equity (loss) / income of unconsolidated affiliates for 2020 and 2019 relates predominantly to the Gas Cylinders Segment.
17. Segment Information (continued)
The following tables present certain geographic information by geographic region for the years ended December 31:
Net Sales(1)
2021 2020 2019
$M Percent $M Percent $M Percent
United States $ 207.8 55.6 % $ 173.0 53.3 % $ 201.4 53.9 %
U.K. 24.4 6.6 % 18.7 5.8 % 23.9 6.4 %
Germany 17.7 4.7 % 15.7 4.8 % 21.8 5.8 %
Italy 11.0 2.9 % 10.5 3.2 % 13.3 3.6 %
France 12.5 3.3 % 20.2 6.2 % 15.9 4.3 %
Top five countries $ 273.4 73.1 % $ 238.1 73.3 % $ 276.3 74.0 %
Rest of Europe 25.8 6.9 % 25.4 7.8 % 37.7 10.1 %
Asia Pacific 53.7 14.3 % 45.2 13.9 % 42.8 11.5 %
Other (2)
21.2 5.7 % 16.1 5.0 % 16.6 4.4 %
$ 374.1 $ 324.8 $ 373.4
Property, plant and equipment, net
In millions 2021 2020
United States $ 46.9 $ 44.3
United Kingdom 36.0 36.6
Canada 3.3 3.7
Rest of Europe 1.0 1.1
Asia Pacific 0.3 0.3
$ 87.5 $ 86.0
(1) Net sales are based on the geographic destination of sale.
(2) Other represents Africa, Brazil, Canada, Mexico and Other Americas.
18. Leases
We have operating leases for buildings, vehicles and certain equipment. The Company has applied practical expedients for leases with a fair value of less than $5,000 or a lease term of less than twelve months. The majority of our leases have remaining lease terms of one to seven years, with one building having 51 years remaining.
The components of the lease expense is as follows:
Year to date
In millions 2021 2020 2019
Operating lease cost $ 3.4 $ 3.8 $ 4.1
None of our leases were classified as finance leases in any of the years disclosed.
Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows:
Year-to-date
In millions 2021 2020 2019
Operating cash flows from operating leases $ 3.4 $ 3.8 $ 4.1
During the year ended December 31, 2021, there were additional operating leases entered into totaling $2.3 million (2020: $0.8 million, 2019: $0.2 million). These are non-cash items but will impact cash in future years.
Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases was as follows:
December 31, December 31,
In millions 2021 2020
Operating leases
Operating lease right-of-use asset $ 12.6 $ 9.5
Other current liabilities 3.0 2.9
Other non-current liabilities 9.8 6.7
$ 12.8 $ 9.6
Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term (Years) 17.2 21.9
Weighted Average Discount Rate 4.38 % 4.43 %
Maturities of lease liabilities were as follows:
In millions 2021
2022 $ 3.0
2023 2.6
2024 2.2
2025 1.9
2026 1.0
Thereafter 8.7
Total lease payments $ 19.4
Less imputed interest (6.6)
Total $ 12.8
19. Commitments and Contingencies
Capital commitments
At December 31, 2021, the Company had capital expenditure commitments of $1.5 million (2020: $1.1 million and 2019: $1.0 million) for the acquisition of new plant and equipment.
Committed banking facilities
The Company refinanced in October 2021, see Note 11 for details of the refinance.
At December 31, 2021, the Company had committed banking facilities of $100.0 million with an additional $50.0 million of uncommitted facilities through an accordion provision. Of these committed facilities, $10.8 million was drawn at December 31, 2021.
The Company also has three separate (uncommitted) bonding facilities for bank guarantees, two denominated in GBP sterling totaling £0.6 million ($0.9 million) and one denominated in USD of $1.5 million. Of that denominated in GBP, £0.1 million ($0.2 million) was utilized at December 31, 2021. Of that denominated in USD, $0.9 million was utilized at December 31, 2021.
The Company also has a $4.0 million separate overdraft facility of which none was drawn at December 31, 2021. The Company has various uncommitted transitional banking and foreign exchange lines available for day-to-day operational purposes.
At December 31, 2020 the Company had committed banking facilities of $150.0 million with an additional $50.0 million of uncommitted facilities through an accordion provision. Of the committed facilities, $4.1 million was drawn at December 31, 2020.
The Company had a separate (uncommitted) facility for letters of credit, which at December 31, 2020, was £1.0 million ($1.3 million). None of these were utilized at December 31, 2020.
The Company also had two separate (uncommitted) bonding facilities for bank guarantees; one denominated in GBP sterling totaling £4.5 million ($6.1 million) and one denominated in USD totaling $1.5 million. Of that dominated in GBP, £1.0 million ($1.4 million) was utilized at December 31, 2020. Of that denominated in USD, $0.8 million was utilized at December 31, 2020.
Contingencies
During February 2014, a cylinder was sold to a long-term customer and ruptured at one of their gas facilities. As a result of this rupture, three people were noted to have injuries, such as loss of hearing. There was no major damage to assets of the customer. A claim has been launched by the three people who were injured in the incident. We have reviewed our quality control checks from around the time that the cylinder was produced, and no instances of failures have been noted. It has also been noted by the investigator that the customer has poor quality and safety checks. In November 2021, during the final hearing, the Court found the representative of Luxfer Gas Cylinders Limited, not guilty and thus the Company was found not liable. The Civil case is still ongoing but as a result of the above, we do not believe that we are liable for the incident, and therefore, do not currently expect this case to have a material impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations.
In November 2018, an alleged explosion occurred at a third-party waste disposal and treatment site in Boise, Idaho, reportedly causing property damage, personal injury, and one fatality. We had contracted with a service company for removal and disposal of certain waste resulting from the magnesium powder manufacturing operations at the Reade facility in Manchester, New Jersey. We believe this service company, in turn, apparently contracted with the third-party disposal company, at whose facility the explosion occurred, for treatment and disposal of the waste. In November 2020, we were named as a defendant in three lawsuits in relation to the incident - one by the third-party disposal company, one by the estate of the decedent, and one by an injured employee of the third-party disposal company. At present, we have received insufficient information on the cause of the explosion. We do not believe that we are liable for the incident, have asserted such, and, therefore, do not currently expect this matter to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.
20. Selected Quarterly Data (unaudited)
The following tables present 2021 and 2020 quarterly financial information for continuing operations:
In millions, except per-share data First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter Full Year
Net sales $ 85.2 $ 99.0 $ 91.2 $ 98.7 $ 374.1
Gross profit 25.2 25.9 21.1 23.8 96.0
Operating income 11.1 11.5 8.1 5.5 36.2
Net income from continuing operations 8.6 11.9 6.0 3.5 30.0
Earnings per ordinary share(1)
Basic earnings per ordinary share from continuing operations $ 0.31 $ 0.43 $ 0.22 $ 0.13 $ 1.08
Diluted earnings per ordinary share from continuing operations 0.31 0.42 0.21 0.13 1.07
In millions, except per-share data First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter Full Year
Net sales $ 88.4 $ 76.6 $ 77.7 $ 82.1 $ 324.8
Gross profit 24.1 18.0 18.9 19.9 $ 80.9
Operating income 9.0 5.8 5.3 8.4 $ 28.5
Net income from continuing operations 7.2 4.6 2.4 6.6 $ 20.8
Earnings per ordinary share(1)
Basic earnings per ordinary share from continuing operations $ 0.26 $ 0.17 $ 0.09 $ 0.24 $ 0.75
Diluted earnings per ordinary share from continuing operations 0.26 0.16 0.09 0.24 0.74
(1) Amounts may not total to annual earnings because each quarter and year are calculated separately based on basic and diluted weighted-average ordinary shares outstanding during the period.
21. Related-Party Transactions
Joint venture in which the Company is a venturer
During 2021, the Company maintained its 50% investment in the equity of the joint venture, Nikkei-MEL Company Limited. During 2021, the Elektron Segment made $0.8 million of sales to the joint venture (2020: $0.6 million). At December 31, 2021, the gross and net amounts receivable from the joint venture amounted to $0.1 million (2020: $0.2 million).
In July 2020, the Company sold its 51% investment in the equity of its previous joint venture (see note 3 Acquisitions and Disposals), Luxfer Uttam India Private Limited. During 2020, prior to the sale, the Gas Cylinders Segment made $1.5 million (2019: $6.4 million) of sales to the joint venture.
In addition, in 2018, we transferred goods to Luxfer Uttam on extended credit terms with a sales value of $1.6 million, where we did not deem it to be probable that we would collect substantially all of the consideration. In accordance with ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, we did not recognize any revenue in relation to this transaction in 2018. However, this revenue was recognized, in full, during 2019.
Associates in which the Company holds an interest
During 2020, Sub161 Pty Limited, in which the Company held 26.4% equity, was liquidated as it no longer traded. During 2020, there were no sales made to or amounts receivable from the associate.
Transactions with other related parties
At December 31, 2021, the directors and key management comprising the members of the Executive Leadership Team owned 500,237 £0.50 ordinary shares (2020: 425,413 £0.50 ordinary shares) and held awards over a further 299,021 £0.50 ordinary shares (2020: 248,522 £0.50 ordinary shares).
During the years ended December 31, 2021, and December 31, 2020, share options held by members of the Executive Leadership Team were exercised.
Cherokee Properties Inc. represented a related party in 2019 due to its association with Chris Barnes, who was, until July 2019, the president of one of our operating segments and is the president of Cherokee Properties Inc. During 2019, we engaged with Cherokee Properties Inc. for rental and associated costs regarding our manufacturing site in Madison, IL, for the value of $1.1 million. We continue to engage with Cherokee Properties Inc., although not as a related-party.
Other than the transactions with the joint ventures, associates and key management personnel disclosed above, no other related-party transactions have been identified.
22. Subsequent Events
No material subsequent events.

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ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
Not applicable.

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ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures for the period covered by this report, pursuant to Rule 13a-15(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"). Based upon their evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the year ended December 31, 2021, to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms and to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.
Management's Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting for the Company as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) or 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act. Our internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements.
Management has performed an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, based on the framework and criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework).
Management excluded certain elements of the internal controls over financial reporting of Structural Composites Industries LLC from its assessment of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021 because this business was acquired by the Company in a purchase business combination in 2021. The excluded elements represent controls over accounts of 6% of consolidated assets and 7% of consolidated revenue as of and for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Based on this evaluation, management has concluded that internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2021.
The effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report, which appears in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2021 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 9B. Other Information
Not applicable.

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ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to the following sections of our definitive Proxy Statement related to the 2022 Annual General Meeting to be filed with the SEC not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this annual report, (the "2022 Proxy Statement"): "Resolutions 1 - 5 - Election and Re-Election of Director Nominees," "Corporate Governance Matters" and "Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance."
The Company has adopted a code of ethics which is applicable to all employees and is available on the corporate website, www.luxfer.com. A copy of the code can also be obtained, without charge, upon request. If there is an amendment to the code, then the nature of the amendment will also be made available of the corporate website.

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ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Item 11. Executive Compensation
The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to the following sections of the Proxy Statement for the 2022 Annual General Meeting: “Executive Compensation Discussion and Analysis” and “Director Compensation.”

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ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to the following sections of the Proxy Statement for the 2022 Annual General Meeting: "Equity Compensation Plan Information" and "Security Ownership."

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ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to the following sections of the Proxy Statement for the 2022 Annual General Meeting: "Policies and Procedures Regarding Conflicts of Interest and Related Party Transactions" and "Corporate Governance Matters."

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ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to the following section of the Proxy Statement for the 2022 Annual General Meeting: "Resolution 9 - Ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the independent auditors of Luxfer Holdings PLC for 2022, and to authorize, by binding vote, the Audit Committee to set the auditors’ remuneration".
PART IV

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ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
(a)(1) Financial Statements
The Financial Statements listed in the Index to Financial Statements in Item 8 are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
(a)(2) Financial Statement Schedules
N/A
(a)(3) Exhibits
3.1 Articles of Association of the Registrant, initially filed with the SEC on December 2, 2011 and as amended on May 22, 2018 and as amended on May 15, 2019
4.1 Form of specimen certificate evidencing ordinary shares (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to our Registration Statement on Form (file no. 333-178278), as amended, initially filed with the SEC on December 2, 2011)
10.1 Amended and Restated Note Purchase Agreement dated as of June 29, 2016 by and among BA Holdings, Inc. and the parties named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.3 to our Annual Report on Form 20-F (file no. 001-35370), initially filed with the SEC on March 19, 2018)
10.2 Senior Facilities Agreement dated as of May 13, 2011, as amended and restated on July 31, 2017 by and among Luxfer Holdings PLC and the parties named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.4 to our Annual Report on Form 20-F (file no. 001-35370), initially filed with the SEC on March 19, 2018)
10.3 First Amendment to Amended and Restated Note Purchase Agreement dated as of March 13, 2017 by and among Luxfer Holdings PLC and the parties named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.5 to our Annual Report on Form 20-F (file no. 001-35370), initially filed with the SEC on March 19, 2018)
10.4 Amended and Restated Note Purchase and Private Shelf Agreement dated as of June 29, 2016 by and among Luxfer Holdings PLC and the parties named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.6 to our Annual Report on Form 20-F (file no. 001-35370), initially filed with the SEC on March 19, 2018)
10.5 First Amendment to Amended and Restated Note Purchase Agreement and Private Shelf Agreement dated as of March 13, 2017 by and among Luxfer Holdings PLC and the parties named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.7 to our Annual Report on Form 20-F (file no. 001-35370), initially filed with the SEC on March 19, 2018)
10.6 Second Amendment to Amended and Restated Note Purchase Agreement and Private Shelf Agreement dated as of October 26, 2021 by and among Luxfer Holdings PLC and the parties named therein
10.7 Senior Facilities Agreement dated as of October 26, 2021 by and among Luxfer Holdings PLC and the parties named therein
10.8* Executive Share Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to our Registration Statement on Form (file no. 333-178278), as amended, initially filed with the SEC on December 2, 2011)
10.9* Long-Term Umbrella Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to our Annual Report on Form 20-F (file no. 001-35370), initially filed with the SEC on March 19, 2018)
10.10* Amended and Restated Non-Executive Director Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to our Annual Report on Form 20-F (file no. 001-35370), filed with the SEC on March 29, 2013)
10.11* The Luxfer Share Incentive Plan, initially filed with the SEC on March 11, 2019, amended May 15, 2019
10.12* The Luxfer Employee Stock Purchase Plan, filed with the SEC on March 11, 2019
10.13* Form of Executive Officer IPO Stock Option Grant Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to our Registration Statement on Form (file no. 333-178278), as amended, initially filed with the SEC on December 2, 2011)
10.14* Form of Non-Executive Director IPO Stock Option Grant Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to our Registration Statement on Form (file no. 333-178278), as amended, initially filed with the SEC on December 2, 2011)
10.15* Employment Agreements, filed with the SEC on March 11, 2019
10.16* Employment Agreements, filed with the SEC on March 11, 2019,
10.17* Employment Agreements, filed with the SEC on March 11, 2019
10.18* Employment Agreements, filed with the SEC on March 11, 2019
21.1 List of Subsidiaries of the Company
23.1 Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
31.1 Certification Required by Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934-Alok Maskara
31.2 Certification Required by Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934-Heather Harding
32.1 Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Subsections (a) and (b) of Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code)-Alok Maskara
32.2 Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Subsections (a) and (b) of Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code)-Heather Harding
101 The financial statements from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, formatted in XBRL: (i) Consolidated Statements of Income, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iii) Consolidated Balance Sheets, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, (v) Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity, and (vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged as blocks of text and including detailed tags.
* Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement