9 Property, plant and equipment

Subsequent expenditure is capitalized only when it is probable that future economic benefits associated with the item will flow to the Group. Expenditures relating to major scheduled turnarounds are capitalized and depreciated over the period up to the next turnaround.

The estimated remaining lives of assets are reviewed every year, taking account of commercial and technological obsolescence as well as normal wear and tear. The initially assumed expected useful lives are in principle as follows:

• Buildings 10–50 years
• Plant and equipment 4–15 years
• Land is not depreciated

An item of property, plant and equipment owned is derecognized upon disposal or when no future economic benefits are expected to arise from the continued use or the sale of the asset. Any gain or loss arising on derecognition of the asset is recorded in profit or loss.

Right-of-use assets (leases)

dsm-firmenich mainly leases offices, warehouses, vehicles, machinery, and other equipment.

The Group recognizes a right-of-use asset and a lease liability at the lease commencement date. Right-of-use assets are measured at cost less any depreciation on a straight-line basis over the expected lease term, less any impairment losses, and adjusted for remeasurements of the lease liability. In line with the initially assumed expected useful life of the corresponding asset class within Property, plant and equipment, the minimum expected lease term for building leases is in principle 10 years. However, the contractual terms or specific circumstances could require applying the shorter non-cancellable period in determining the expected lease term. For vehicle leases, the expected lease term is set equal to the contractual term (4–5 years).

Impairment of Property, plant and equipment

If there is an indication of impairment, the carrying amount of an item of Property, plant and equipment or the cash generating unit (CGU) to which it belongs is reviewed and the recoverable amount of the asset or the CGU is estimated. An impairment loss is recognized if the carrying amount of an asset or CGU exceeds its recoverable amount. An impairment loss is reversed when there has been a change in estimate that is relevant for the determination of the asset’s recoverable amount since the last impairment loss was recognized.

Estimates and judgments

Key estimates and judgments dsm-firmenich makes in the accounting for items of property, plant and equipment relate to:

• The depreciation period of items of property, plant and equipment, which depend on their useful lives
• The determination of the lease term for lease contracts based on assessment of available renewal options. Estimates are based on the underlying asset class, past practices and current business outlooks
• The estimation and allocation of future cash flows, growth rates, discount rates and fair values minus costs of disposal for the impairment testing of items of property, plant and equipment. These estimates are based on historical and current market rates, experience, and current business outlooks