Company registration number:
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FOR THE YEAR ENDED
31 DECEMBER 2023
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CONTENTS
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COMPANY INFORMATION
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STRATEGIC REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
The directors of the company present their Strategic Report for the year ended 31 December 2023.
The Strategic Report is a statutory requirement under the Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Directors’ Report) Regulations 2013 and is intended to provide fair and balanced information that enables the directors to be satisfied that they have complied with section 172 of the Companies Act 2006 which sets out the directors' duty to promote the success of the Company.
The Company's principal activity is the international purchase and resale of recyclable materials.
The Company's turnover for the year was $45.8 million, a decrease of $23.6 million compared to 2022. The decrease was primarily a result of lower selling prices. There was a small increase in the metric tonnes sold during the year, and the Company also saw a decrease in gross margin from 4.6% in 2022 to 3.4% in 2023. The Company posted a pre-tax loss of $693,114 (2022: profit $583,299), and saw funds used in operating activities of $47,284 (2022: generated $64,452).
The Company was the recipient of the Paper Recycling Business Of The Year award on the 11 May 2023, as part of the 2023 Awards for Excellence in Recycling and Waste Management.
The war in Ukraine and the resulting energy crisis is anticipated to be a continuing risk into 2024. There is uncertainty over the level of demand within Europe in particular.
Additionally, the disruption to shipping in the Red Sea is expected to continue into next year. This will likely result in longer transit times and increased freight costs in 2024. Due to the economic conditions in the UK in 2023, there was a cut back in online retail and consumer spending leading to less demand for recovered waste paper. There is also a lack of material generation. These trends may continue into 2024 and may be exacerbated by the current levels of inflation within the UK.
This report was approved by the board on 29 April 2024 and signed on its behalf by:
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DIRECTORS' REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
The directors present their report and the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2023.
The directors are responsible for preparing the Strategic Report, the Directors' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.
In preparing these financial statements, the directors are required to:
∙select suitable accounting policies for the Company's financial statements and then apply them consistently;
∙make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
∙prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Company will continue in business.
The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Company's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Company and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The loss for the year, after taxation, amounted to $566,340 (2022 - profit $474,445).
No dividends were paid in the year.
The directors who served during the year were:
The Strategic Report on page 2 contains details of the principal activities of the Company and includes a business review which provides information on the development of the Company's business during the year, together with details of the risks and uncertainties that affect the Company's business.
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DIRECTORS' REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
There have been no significant events affecting the Company since the year end.
The auditors, F. W. Smith, Riches & Co., will be proposed for reappointment in accordance with section 485 of the Companies Act 2006.
This report was approved by the board on
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INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF EKMAN RECYCLING LIMITED
We have audited the financial statements of Ekman Recycling Limited (the 'Company') for the year ended 31 December 2023, which comprise the Statement of Income and Retained Earnings, the Balance Sheet, the Statement of Cash Flows and the related notes, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 ‘The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditors' responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the Company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the United Kingdom, including the Financial Reporting Council's Ethical Standard and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the directors' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the Company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the directors with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
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INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF EKMAN RECYCLING LIMITED (CONTINUED)
The other information comprises the information included in the Annual Report other than the financial statements and our Auditors' Report thereon. The directors are responsible for the other information contained within the Annual Report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.
We have nothing to report in this regard.
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:
∙the information given in the Strategic Report and the Directors' Report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and
∙the Strategic Report and the Directors' Report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the Company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Strategic Report or the Directors' Report.
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INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF EKMAN RECYCLING LIMITED (CONTINUED)
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an Auditors' Report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:
Discussions with and enquiries of management and those charged with governance were held with a view to identifying those laws and regulations that could be expected to have a material impact on the financial statements. During the engagement team briefing, the outcomes of these discussions and enquiries were shared with the team, as well as consideration as to where and how fraud may occur in the entity. The following laws and regulations were identified as being of significance to the entity: Those laws and regulations considered to have a direct effect on the financial statements include UK financial reporting standards, Company Law, Tax and Pensions legislation, and distributable profits legislation. These laws and regulations for which non compliance may be fundamental to the operating aspects of the business and therefore may have a material effect on the financial statements include The Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011 and SOLAS Verified Gross Mass Regulations (VGM) 2016. Audit procedures undertaken in response to the potential risks relating to irregularities (which include fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations) comprised of: enquiries of management and those charged with governance as to whether the entity complies with such laws and regulations; enquiries with the same concerning any actual or potential litigation or claims; inspection of relevant legal correspondence; inspection of records relating to compliance with waste and VGM regulations; review of minutes; testing the appropriateness of journal entries; and the performance of analytical review to identify unexpected movements in account balances which may be indicative of fraud. No instances of material non-compliance were identified. However, the likelihood of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is limited by the inherent difficulty in detecting irregularities, the effectiveness of the entity’s controls, and the nature, timing and extent of the audit procedures performed. Irregularities that result from fraud may be inherently more difficult to detect than irregularities that result from error. As explained above, there is an unavoidable risk that material misstatements may not be detected, even though the audit has been planned and performed in accordance with ISAs (UK).
A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council's website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our Auditors' Report.
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INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF EKMAN RECYCLING LIMITED (CONTINUED)
This report is made solely to the Company's members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the Company's members those matters we are required to state to them in an Auditors' Report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Company and the Company's members, as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
for and on behalf of
Chartered Accountants & Statutory Auditors
London
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STATEMENT OF INCOME AND RETAINED EARNINGS
(INCLUDING THE PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
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BALANCE SHEET
AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2023
The financial statements on pages 9 to 23 were approved and authorised for issue by the board on
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STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
1.Accounting policies
The Company's principal activity is the international purchase and resale of recyclable materials.
Ekman Recycling Limited is a private company limited by shares and is incorporated and domiciled in England and Wales. The address of its registered office and principal place of business is Hyde House, Edgware Road, London, NW9 6LH.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102, ‘the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland’ (“FRS 102”) and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.
The company has claimed exemption under Section 405 of the Companies Act 2006 from the preparation of group accounts on the grounds that the subsidiary entities are immaterial to the group. Therefore these financial statements present information about the Company as an individual undertaking and not about its group. The preparation of financial statements requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. It also requires management to exercise its judgement in the process of applying the Company's accounting policies. The areas involving a higher degree of judgement or complexity, or areas where assumptions and estimates are significant to the financial statements, are disclosed in note 2.
Revenue is recognised to the extent that the Company obtains the right to consideration in exchange for its performance. Revenue is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable, net of discounts, rebates and value added tax. The following criteria must also be met before revenue is recognised:
Sale of goods Revenue from the sale of goods is recognised when the significant risks and rewards of ownership of the goods have passed to the buyer, usually in accordance with the relevant shipping terms, the amount of revenue can be measured reliably, it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the entity and the costs incurred or to be incurred in respect of the transaction can be measured reliably.
Interest income
Revenue is recognised as interest accrues using the effective interest method.
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
1.Accounting policies (continued)
Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses. Cost includes the original purchase price, costs directly attributable to bringing the asset to its working condition for its intended use and dismantling and restoration costs.
Depreciation is calculated, using the straight line method, to allocate the cost of assets less their residual value over their estimated useful lives, as follows:
Plant & Machinery - 3 to 5 years Motor Vehicles - 4 years The assets’ residual values and useful lives are reviewed, and adjusted, if appropriate, at the end of each reporting period. The effect of any change is accounted for prospectively. Subsequent costs are included in the assets’ carrying amount or recognised as a separate asset, as appropriate, only when it is probable that economic benefits associated with the item will flow to the Company and the cost can be measured reliably. Repairs and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred. Tangible fixed assets are derecognised on disposal or when no future economic benefits are expected. On disposal, the difference between the net disposal proceeds and the carrying amount is recognised in the Profit and Loss Account and included in ‘administrative expenses’.
In the Company's financial statements, investments in subsidiaries are measured at cost less accumulated impairment.
Stock is stated at the lower of cost and estimated selling price less costs to sell. Stock is recognised as an expense in the period in which the related revenue is recognised.
Cost is determined on the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. Cost includes all costs incurred in bringing the stock to its present location and condition. At the end of each reporting period stock is assessed for impairment. If an item of stock is impaired, the identified stock is reduced to its selling price less costs to complete and sell and an impairment charge is recognised in the Profit and Loss Account. Where a reversal of the impairment is required the impairment charge is reversed, up to the original impairment loss, and is recognised as a credit in the Profit and Loss Account.
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
1.Accounting policies (continued)
The Company has chosen to adopt Sections 11 and 12 of FRS 102 in respect of financial instruments.
Short term debtors and creditors
Debtors and creditors with no stated interest rate and receivable or payable within one year are recorded at transaction price. Any losses arising from impairment are recognised in the Profit and Loss Account in ‘administrative expenses’. Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash at bank and in hand. Offsetting Financial assets and liabilities are offset and the net amounts presented in the financial statements when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
Functional and presentation currency
The functional and presentation currency of the Company is United States Dollar.
Transactions and balances
Foreign currency transactions are translated into the functional currency using the spot exchange rates at the dates of the transactions. At each period end foreign currency monetary items are translated using the closing rate. Non-monetary items measured at historical cost are translated using the exchange rate at the date of the transaction. Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from the settlement of transactions and from the translation at period end exchange rates of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are recognised in the Profit and Loss Account. Foreign exchange gains and losses are presented in the Profit and Loss Account under the heading to which they relate.
At inception the Company assesses agreements that transfer the right to use assets. The assessment considers whether the arrangement is, or contains, a lease based on the substance of the arrangement.
Leases that do not transfer all the risks and rewards of ownership are classified as operating leases. Rentals payable under operating leases are charged to the Profit and Loss Account on a straight line basis over the period of the lease. Lease incentives are recognised over the lease term on a straight line basis.
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
1.Accounting policies (continued)
The Company contributes to a defined contribution plan for its employees. A defined contribution plan is a pension plan under which the Company pays fixed contributions into a separate entity. Once the contributions have been paid the Company has no further payment obligations. The contributions are recognised as an expense when they are due. Amounts not paid are shown in accruals in the balance sheet. The assets of the plan are held separately from the Company in independently administered funds.
Final dividends to the Company's shareholder are recognised as a liability in the financial statements in the period in which the dividends are approved by the shareholder. These amounts are recognised in the Statement of Income and Retained Earnings. Interim dividends are recognised in the Statement of Income and Retained Earnings as paid.
Taxation expense for the period comprises current and deferred tax recognised in the reporting period. Tax is recognised in the Profit and Loss Account. Current or deferred taxation assets and liabilities are not discounted.
Current tax Current tax is the amount of corporation tax payable in respect of the taxable profit for the year or prior years. Tax is calculated on the basis of tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the period end. Management periodically evaluates positions taken in tax returns with respect to situations in which applicable tax regulation is subject to interpretation. It establishes provisions where appropriate on the basis of amounts expected to be paid to the tax authorities.
Deferred tax
Deferred tax arises from timing differences that are differences between taxable profits and profit on ordinary activities before taxation as stated in the financial statements. These timing differences arise from the inclusion of income and expenses in tax assessments in periods different from those in which they are recognised in the financial statements. Deferred tax is recognised on all timing differences at the reporting date except for certain exceptions. Unrelieved tax losses and other deferred tax assets are only recognised when it is probable that they will be recovered against the reversal of deferred tax liabilities or other future taxable profits. Deferred tax is measured using tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the period end and that are expected to apply to the reversal of the timing difference.
Ordinary shares are classified as equity.
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
1.Accounting policies (continued)
The Company discloses transactions with related parties which are not wholly owned within the same group. It does not disclose transactions with members of the same group that are wholly owned. Where appropriate, transactions of a similar nature are aggregated unless, in the opinion of the directors separate disclosure is necessary to understand the effect of the transactions on the Company’s financial statements.
In preparing the financial statements management are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported for assets and liabilities as at the balance sheet date and the amounts reported for revenues and expenses during the year. However, the nature of estimation means that actual outcomes could differ from these estimates. Whilst management have made judgements, estimates and assumptions in preparing the financial statements, they consider that these have not had a significant effect on amounts recognised.
The whole of the turnover is attributable to the sale of goods.
Analysis of turnover by country of destination:
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
The Company has access to cash balances via a cash pool provided by its ultimate parent company. These amounts have been included in amounts owed by or to group undertakings. In the current year, there are net balances with the group cash pool of £1,056,914 (2021: overdrawn by £566,767).
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
Profit and loss account
The Company is 100% (2022: 100%) owned by Ekman & Co AB, a company registered in Sweden, which is the ultimate controlling party and also the parent of the smallest group of undertakings for which group accounts have been drawn up and of which the Company is a member. The financial statements of Ekman & Co AB can be obtained from Bolagsverket, Swedish Companies Registration Office at www.bolagsverket.se and the address of the company is P.O. Box 230, 401 23 Gothenburg, Sweden.
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