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

The principal activity of the company during the year was that of packaging wholesale.

Review of the business, key performance indicators and future developments

The directors are satisfied with the performance of the company during the year. The key performance indicators of the business continued to be turnover, gross profit margin, operating profit, net assets and the number of new customers.

             2024             2023

Turnover         10,357,083      11,472,981

Gross profit margin     30%             29%

Operating profit     1,182,076 1,321,220

Turnover decreased by 9.7% from 2023. The decrease in turnover is a result of a global reduction of raw material prices which need to be passed on to the customer.

Gross profit margin has increased from the prior year due to better cost controls. The company continues to invest in people and advertising as well as superior products.

There has also been a £237,582 increase in net assets.

The directors believe that the continued commitment, including investment in research and development, to enhance the product base and provide more environmentally friendly alternatives will enhance customer satisfaction and facilitate growth. The company is well positioned with a strong supplier base to be responsive in an innovative market place.

During the year the company also continued to invest in renovation works to one of its investment properties. The renovation works are expected to be completed in the 2024 financial year.

Principal risk and uncertainties

The principal risks faced by the company are indicated below:

• Polymer price volatility

• Changes in environmental legislation and public perception of plastic use

As mentioned above the company continues to invest in environmentally friendly alternatives and has formed key links with innovative suppliers.

The directors regularly monitor the above risks in board meetings and relevant actions are discussed and undertaken to mitigate the risks.

On behalf of the board

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

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

During the year an interim dividend of £735,000 (2023: £751,000) was paid. The directors do not recommend payment of a final dividend.

The directors are responsible for preparing the annual report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.

Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the directors have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards 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 these financial statements, the directors are required to:

• select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

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

• state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; 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 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. 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.

So far as each person who was a director at the date of approving this report is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the company’s auditor is unaware. Additionally, the directors individually have taken all the necessary steps that they ought to have taken as directors in order to make themselves aware of all relevant audit information and to establish that the company’s auditor is aware of that information.

In drawing their conclusion on the appropriateness of the going concern assumption, the directors have been mindful of the company having net current liability of £52,791 (2023 net current assets: £55,503).

The directors have set targets for the upcoming years which aim for results consistent to previous years, ensuring growth in funds and having sufficient cash to meet liabilities when the fall due.

Therefore, 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. Thus the directors continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

We have audited the financial statements of Polythene (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, the statement of cash flows 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 and the directors' report.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where 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.

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.

1. At the planning stage of the audit we gain an understanding of the laws and regulations which apply to the company and how the management seek to comply with those laws and regulations. This helps us to plan appropriate risk assessments.

    

2. During the audit we focus on relevant risk areas and review the compliance with the laws and regulations by making relevant enquiries and undertaking corroboration, for example by reviewing Board Minutes and other documentation.

    

3. We assess the risk of material misstatement in the financial statements including as a result of fraud and undertake procedures including:

   1. Reviewing the controls set in place by management;

   2. Making enquiries of management as to whether they consider fraud or other irregularity may have taken place, or where such opportunity might exist;

   3. Challenging management assumptions with regard to accounting estimates; and

   4. Identifying and testing journal entries, particularly those which appear to be unusual by size or nature.

Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.

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.

The statement of total comprehensive income has been prepared on the basis that all operations are continuing operations.

There are no recognised gains or losses other than those passing through the statement of total comprehensive income.

Polythene (UK) Limited is a private company limited by shares incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Unit 4 Witan Park, Witney, Oxfordshire, OX28 4FH.

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" ("FRS 102") and the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the company. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, modified to include the revaluation of freehold properties and investment properties at fair value. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

In drawing their conclusion on the appropriateness of the going concern assumption, the directors hatrueve been mindful of the company having net current liabilities of £52,791 (2023: net current assets £55,506).

The directors have prepared forecasts which show continued growth and funds to ensure that it can meet its liabilities when the fall due.

Therefore, 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. Thus the directors continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

The turnover shown in the profit an loss account represents amounts invoiced during the year, exclusive of Value Added Tax.

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 point of delivery), 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.

Intangible assets acquired separately from a business are recognised at cost and are subsequently measured at cost less accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses.

Intangible assets acquired on business combinations are recognised separately from goodwill at the acquisition date where it is probable that the expected future economic benefits that are attributable to the asset will flow to the entity and the fair value of the asset can be measured reliably; the intangible asset arises from contractual or other legal rights; and the intangible asset is separable from the entity.

Amortisation 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:

Tangible fixed assets (excluding freehold properties) are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or deemed cost, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.

Freehold properties are initially measured at cost and subsequently revalued at each year end date to market value, which is not considered to be materially different from fair value, by the directors. This is based on underlying market conditions and evidence of transaction prices for similar properties in the area. The fair value is then depreciated in line with the rates below.

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 profit or loss.

Investment properties, which are properties held to earn rentals and/or for capital appreciation, are initially recognised at cost, which includes the purchase cost and any directly attributable expenditure. Subsequently they are measured at fair value at the reporting end date. Changes in fair value are recognised in profit or loss.

Stocks are stated at the lower of cost and estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell. 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.

Stocks held for distribution at no or nominal consideration are measured at the lower of cost and replacement cost, adjusted where applicable for any loss of service potential.

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 profit or loss. Reversals of impairment losses are also recognised in profit or loss.

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.

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.

Financial liabilities and equity instruments are classified according to the substance of the contractual arrangements entered into. An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the company after deducting all of its liabilities.

Basic financial liabilities, including creditors, bank loans, loans from fellow group companies and preference shares that are classified as debt, are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.

Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

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

Equity instruments issued by the company are recorded at the proceeds received, net of transaction costs. Dividends payable on equity instruments are recognised as liabilities once they are no longer at the discretion of the company.

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

The tax currently payable is based on taxable profit for the year. Taxable profit differs from net profit as reported in the profit and loss account because it excludes items of income or expense that are taxable or deductible in other years and it further excludes items that are never taxable or deductible. The company’s liability for current tax is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting end date.

Deferred tax liabilities are generally recognised for all timing differences and deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that they will be recovered against the reversal of deferred tax liabilities or other future taxable profits. Such assets and liabilities are not recognised if the timing difference arises from goodwill or from the initial recognition of other assets and liabilities in a transaction that affects neither the tax profit nor the accounting profit.

The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each reporting end date and reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profits will be available to allow all or part of the asset to be recovered. Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the period when the liability is settled or the asset is realised. Deferred tax is charged or credited in the profit and loss account, except when it relates to items charged or credited directly to equity, in which case the deferred tax is also dealt with in equity. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when the company has a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets and liabilities and the deferred tax assets and liabilities relate to taxes levied by the same tax authority.

The costs of short-term employee benefits are recognised as a liability and an expense, unless those costs are required to be recognised as part of the cost of stock or fixed assets.

The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.

Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the company is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.

The company operates a defined contribution scheme for the benefit of its employees. Contributions payable are charged to the profit and loss account in the year they are payable.

Assets and liabilities in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at the rates of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date. Transactions in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at the rate of exchange ruling at the date of the transaction. Exchange differences are taken into account in arriving at the operating profit.

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. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.

The estimates and assumptions which have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amount of assets and liabilities are as follows.

Stocks are valued at the lower of cost and estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell, after making due allowances for obsolete stock and slow moving items. Provisions are made for any foreseeable losses, where appropriate. No element of profit is included in the valuation.

The calculation of the above provisions requires estimates to be made, which include a number of variables, such as, the forecast customer demand, the economic environment, the ageing of the stock and the discontinuation of certain product lines. These variables are monitored by the directors and a provision is in place to mitigate the relevant risks.

Freehold and investment properties are measured at market value, which is not considered to be materially different from the fair value, at the year end date. The directors estimate the market value of the properties at each year end taking into consideration the underlying market conditions and evidence of transaction prices for similar properties in the area.

The useful economic lives of non-current assets have been derived from the estimate of the directors, using their best estimate of the write-down period.

An analysis of the company's turnover is as follows:

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

Their aggregate remuneration comprised:

The number of directors for whom retirement benefits are accruing under defined contribution schemes amounted to 3 (2023 - 4).

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:

If freehold property and refurbishment was measured using the cost model, the carrying amount would have been £532,111 (2023: £544,735), being cost £692,829 (2023: £692,829) and depreciation £160,718 (2023: £148,095).

The fair value of the investment properties has been arrived at on the basis of valuations carried out on 31 December 2024 by the directors. The valuations were made on an open market value basis by reference to market evidence of transaction prices, both capital and rental, for similar properties. The fair value of the properties is not considered to be materially different to their market value at the year end date.

Bank borrowings with National Westminster Bank PLC are secured by fixed charges on the freehold and investment properties and floating charges over the other assets held by the company.

In addition to the above, RBS Invoice Finance Limited holds a fixed and floating charge over all the property and undertakings of the company.

Bank borrowings with National Westminster Bank PLC are secured by fixed charges on the freehold and investment properties, and floating charges over the other assets held by the company.

In addition to the above, RBS Invoice Finance Limited holds a fixed and floating charge over all the property or undertaking of the company.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset where the company has a legally enforceable right to do so. The following is the analysis of the deferred tax balances (after offset) for financial reporting purposes:

The company operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the company in an independently administered fund. As at the year end £9,571 (2023: £18,459) was due to the pension scheme.

The director Mr J Woollard has personally guaranteed £50,000 as security for the bank overdraft.

Transactions with directors:

As at the year end, the directors had an overdrawn loan account of £1,129,928 (2023: £714,488). Interest of £20,975 (2023: £15,829) was charged on the loan during the year at interest rates in line with the beneficial loan agreements.

During the year, a director paid rent of £19,750 (2023: £19,200) to the company. The transactions were made at arm's length and are in accordance with the relevant market rates.

The ultimate controlling party is Mr J Woollard by virtue of his majority shareholding.

After the year end, the company entered into a new lease commitment, with a minimum term of 3 years at an initial rent of £72,060 per annum.

After the year end, the company sold the freehold property for £1,000,000.