The directors present the strategic report for the year ended 31 December 2024.

As with all businesses, Viscofan UK Limited has risks which could impact negatively on the company and the Viscofan, S.A. group "the group" as a whole.

Continued consolidation within the processed food industry has resulted in the reduction in the number of customers whilst the size of those customers has increased. This could lead to a reduction in market share however, it may also give rise to opportunities for increased sales in the future. The directors manage the risks by ensuring that the company maintains a good reputation for quality and service throughout the industry so if customers do consolidate any existing customers should be retained.

The majority of the company's sales are from the sale of casings for the processed meat industry. Whilst there is nothing to suggest that the demand for sausages will fall significantly, the concentration of the company's business is on one type of product which would mean any significant fall in such demand would have a significant impact on the company's turnover. In order to manage this risk the business is continuously developing new products to keep up with market trends.

The market is particularly competitive and changes in pricing structures by our competitors could affect our market share. The risk is managed by periodically reviewing our competitors costs and ensuring that we provide a quality product at a competitive price, taking into account all relevant factors.

Predictions regarding an economic downturn in the UK and the current high interest rates and the recent change in Government may have an impact on the company’s position and resources in the coming year.

We are comfortable that we have taken the steps necessary to safeguard the business and ensure continuous supply to our customers.

Liquidity risk is the risk that an entity will encounter difficulty in meeting obligations associated with financial liabilities. The company aims to mitigate liquidity risk by managing cash generation from its operations.

Credit risk is the risk that one party to a financial instrument will cause a financial loss for the other party by failing to discharge an obligation. The key credit risk is potential non-payment by customers. However historically bad debts have been low and the company will continue to maintain its strict internal controls to minimise such risk.

Cash flow risk is the risk of exposure to variability in cash flows attributable to a particular risk associated with a recognised asset or liability, such as debtors, stock and creditors. The company manages this risk by ensuring that there are sufficient ongoing cash reserves to meet obligations.

The impact of interest rate fluctuations would have a minimal impact on the business.

Turnover decreased 3.6% on the previous year.

The gross profit margin decreased to 14.6%.

Operating profit margin decreased to 1.1%.

As at the balance sheet date the net assets of the company were £5,543,305 (2023: £5,429,583) enabling the company to continue investing into improving turnover and profits.

                 2024     2023 Movement 2023 to 2024

Turnover            £18,879,706    £19,584,006        -3.6%

Gross profit margin         14.6%     17.2%        -2.6%

Operating profit margin 1.1%     3.6%     -2.5%

Equity shareholders’ funds     £5,543,305     £5,429,583        +2.1%

                 2024     2023 Movement 2023 to 2024

Staff turnover rate         15.4%     7.1%        +8.3%

Employee productivity         £1,716,337    £1,506,462        +13.9%

Employee productivity is calculated by total turnover divided by the average number of employees for the year.

On behalf of the board

The directors present their annual report and audited financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024.

The principal activity of the company in the year under review continued to be that of the sale of food casings.

The directors who held office during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were as follows:

The results for the year are set out on page 6.

No ordinary dividends were paid during the year (2023: no ordinary dividends). The directors do not recommend payment of a final dividend.

The company expects to maintain the quality of its products and services to customers, whilst continuing to explore new opportunities at the same time.

Perrys Audit Limited were appointed as auditor to the company and in accordance with section 485 of the Companies Act 2006, a resolution proposing that they be re-appointed will be put at a General Meeting.

Going concern

At the time of approving the financial statements, the directors have a reasonable expectation that the company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. To confirm this, the Directors have received written confirmation of support for the Company from the ultimate parent undertaking, Viscofan, S.A., for at least 12 months from the signing of the financial statements.

Directors' confirmations

In the case of each director in office at the date the Directors’ Report is approved:

• so far as the director is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the company’s auditors are unaware; and

• they have taken all the steps that they ought to have taken as a director in order to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the company’s auditors are aware of that information.

The directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulation.

Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the directors have prepared the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards, comprising FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland”, and applicable law). Under company law the directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company and of the profit or loss of the company for that period. In preparing the financial statements, the directors are required to:

• select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

• state whether applicable United Kingdom Accounting Standards, comprising FRS 102, have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;

• make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent; and

• 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 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 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 enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006.

Viscofan UK Limited ('the company') is a private company limited by shares incorporated in the United Kingdom. The registered office is Unit 5 Platt Industrial Estate, Maidstone Road, Borough Green, Kent, TN15 8JL.

These financial statements have been prepared in compliance 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 company's functional and presentation currency is the pound sterling. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £1.

The financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis, under the historical cost convention. The accounting policies below have been applied consistently, unless otherwise stated.

This company is a qualifying entity for the purposes of FRS 102, being a member of a group where the parent of that group prepares publicly available consolidated financial statements, including this company, which are intended to give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the group. The company has therefore taken advantage of exemptions from the following disclosure requirements:

• Non-disclosure of transactions or balances with entities that are part of the group or investments of the group qualifying as related parties where 100% of the company's voting rights are controlled within the group. This is a requirement under FRS 102.33.1A.

• Non-disclosure of the reconciliation of the number of shares outstanding at the beginning and end of the period as required by paragraph 4.12 (a)(iv) of FRS 102.

• Non-disclosure of the company key management personnel compensation, as required by FRS 102 paragraph 33.7.

• The requirement to present disclosures relating to financial instruments as required by sections 11 and 12 of FRS 102

• The requirements of Section 7 Statement of Cash Flows and Section 3 Financial Statement Presentation paragraph 3.17 (d)

The financial statements of the company are consolidated in the financial statements of Viscofan S.A. These consolidated financial statements are available from the following address:

Viscofan S.A.

Calle Berroa No. 15 4a planta

Polígono Industrial Berroa

31192

Tajonar

Navarra

Spain

Atruet the time of approving the financial statements, the directors have a reasonable expectation that the company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. To confirm this, the Directors have received written confirmation of support for the Company from the ultimate parent undertaking, Viscofan, S.A., for at least 12 months from the signing of the financial statements. Thus the directors continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

Turnover is recognised at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable for goods and services provided in the normal course of business, and is shown net of VAT and other sales related taxes. The fair value of consideration takes into account trade discounts, settlement discounts and volume rebates.

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 on dispatch of the goods), 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.

Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.

Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:

The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is credited or charged to the Statement of Comprehensive Income.

Stocks are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value using cumulative weighted average. Cost comprises direct materials and, where applicable, direct labour costs and those overheads that have been incurred in bringing the stocks to their present location and condition.

At each reporting date, an assessment is made for impairment. Any excess of the carrying amount of stocks over its estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell is recognised as an impairment loss in the Statement of Comprehensive Income. Reversals of impairment losses are also recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive Income.

The company has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.

Financial instruments are recognised in the company's balance sheet when the company becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with 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.

Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.

Other financial assets, including investments in equity instruments which are not subsidiaries, associates or joint ventures, are initially measured at fair value, which is normally the transaction price. Such assets are subsequently carried at fair value and the changes in fair value are recognised in profit or loss, except that investments in equity instruments that are not publicly traded and whose fair values cannot be measured reliably are measured at cost less impairment.

Financial assets, other than those held at fair value through profit and loss, are assessed for indicators of impairment at each reporting end date.

Financial assets are impaired where there is objective evidence that, as a result of one or more events that occurred after the initial recognition of the financial asset, the estimated future cash flows have been affected. If an asset is impaired, the impairment loss is the difference between the carrying amount and the present value of the estimated cash flows discounted at the asset’s original effective interest rate. The impairment loss is recognised in profit or loss.

If there is a decrease in the impairment loss arising from an event occurring after the impairment was recognised, the impairment is reversed. The reversal is such that the current carrying amount does not exceed what the carrying amount would have been, had the impairment not previously been recognised. The impairment reversal is recognised in profit or loss.

Financial assets are derecognised only when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the asset expire or are settled, or when the company transfers the financial asset and substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to another entity, or if some significant risks and rewards of ownership are retained but control of the asset has transferred to another party that is able to sell the asset in its entirety to an unrelated third party.

Derivatives, including interest rate swaps and forward foreign exchange contracts, are not basic financial instruments. Derivatives are initially recognised at fair value on the date a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently re-measured at their fair value. Changes in the fair value of derivatives are recognised in profit or loss in finance costs or finance income as appropriate, unless hedge accounting is applied and the hedge is a cash flow hedge.

Debt instruments that do not meet the conditions in FRS 102 paragraph 11.9 are subsequently measured at fair value through profit or loss. Debt instruments may be designated as being measured at fair value through profit or loss to eliminate or reduce an accounting mismatch or if the instruments are measured and their performance evaluated on a fair value basis in accordance with a documented risk management or investment strategy.

Financial liabilities are derecognised when the company’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.

Taxation expense for the year comprises current and deferred tax recognised in the reporting period. Tax is recognised in the profit and loss account, except to the extent that it relates to items recognised in other comprehensive income or directly in equity. In this case tax is also recognised in other comprehensive income or directly in equity respectively.

Current or deferred taxation assets and liabilities are not discounted.

i. Current tax

Current tax is the amount of income 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 relevant to the year 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.

The company falls under Pillar Two legislation as it is a member of the Viscofan S.A group. The company has complied with the safe harbour test and no additional tax needs to be provided for.

ii. Deferred tax

Deferred tax arises from timing differences that are differences between taxable profits and total comprehensive income 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 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 year end and that are expected to apply to the reversal of the timing difference.

The company operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the company's pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Comprehensive Income in the year to which they relate.

Rentals payable under operating leases, including any lease incentives received, are charged to the Statement of Comprehensive Income on a straight line basis over the term of the relevant lease except where another more systematic basis is more representative of the time pattern in which economic benefits from the lease asset are consumed.

Transactions in foreign currencies are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing at the dates of the transactions. At each reporting end date, monetary assets and liabilities that are denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the rates prevailing on the reporting end date. Gains and losses arising on translation are included in the profit and loss account for the year.

Judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty

In the application of the company’s accounting policies, the directors are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. The company did not apply any significant judgements or consider there to be any key estimates in the preparation of these financial statements.

The company sells only one category of goods I.E. food casings.

The average monthly number of persons (including directors) employed by the company during the year was:

Their aggregate remuneration comprised:

Impairment tests have been carried out where appropriate and the following impairment losses have been recognised in profit or loss:

The actual charge for the year can be reconciled to the expected charge for the year based on the profit or loss and the standard rate of tax as follows:

Inventories are stated after provisions for impairment of £486,623 (2023: £733,003).

Amounts owed by group undertakings are unsecured, interest free, have no fixed date of repayment and are repayable on demand.

The bank overdraft is guaranteed by the parent company.

Amounts owed to group undertakings are unsecured, interest free, have no fixed date of repayment and are repayable on demand.

The following are the major deferred tax liabilities recognised by the company and movements thereon:

At the reporting end date the company had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases, which fall due as follows:

Viscofan UK Limited accounts are included as part of the group company financial statements and therefore this company has taken advantage of the exemptions conferred by section 33.1(a) of FRS 102 from the requirement to make disclosures concerning transactions with fellow group undertakings.

In the directors' opinion the company's ultimate parent undertaking and controlling party is Viscofan S.A., a company incorporated in Spain. This is also the largest and smallest group for which consolidated financial statements including the results of Viscofan UK Limited are prepared which can be obtained from Calle Berroa No. 15 4a planta, Poligono Industrial Berroa, 31192, Tajonar, Navarra, Spain.

The following are the parents of the largest and smallest groups in which this company's results are consolidated:

We have audited the financial statements of Viscofan UK Limited (the 'company') for the year ended 31 December 2024 which comprise the statement of comprehensive income, the balance sheet, the statement of changes in equity and notes to the financial statements, including 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).

In our opinion the financial statements:

• give a true and fair view of the state of the company's affairs as at 31 December 2024 and of its profit for the year then ended;

• have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and

• have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

Basis for opinion

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 Auditor's 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 UK, including the FRC’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.

Conclusions relating to going concern

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.

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial statements and our auditor's 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.

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of our 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.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

• adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or

• the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or

• certain disclosures of directors' remuneration specified by law are not made; or

• we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.

As explained more fully in the directors' responsibilities statement, the directors are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial statements, the directors are responsible for assessing the company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the directors either intend to liquidate the company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

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 auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with 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.

The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below.

We gained an understanding of the legal and regulatory framework applicable to the company and the industry in which it operates, and considered the risk of acts by the company that were contrary to applicable laws and regulations, including fraud.

We designed audit procedures to respond to the risk, recognising that the risk of not detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resulting from error, as fraud may involve deliberate concealment by, for example, forgery or intentional misrepresentations, or through collusion.

We focused on laws and regulations which could give rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements, including, but not limited to, the Companies Act 2006, UK tax legislation, UK employment law and health and safety legislation. Our tests included agreeing the financial statement disclosures to underlying supporting documentation and enquiries with management.

We did not identify any key audit matters relating to irregularities, including fraud. We also addressed the risk of management override of internal controls, including testing journals and evaluating whether there was evidence of bias by the directors that represented a risk of material misstatement due to fraud.

A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: https://www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report.

Use of our report

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 auditor's 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.