Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

9 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

1. BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

1. BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

References herein to "Novelis," the "Company," "we," "our," or "us" refer to Novelis Inc. and its subsidiaries unless the context specifically indicates otherwise. References herein to "Hindalco" refer to Hindalco Industries Limited. Hindalco acquired Novelis in May 2007. Effective September 1, 2022, Novelis Inc. and AV Metals, Inc. (which, prior to such date, was our sole shareholder and a wholly owned subsidiary of AV Minerals (Netherlands) N.V.) completed a plan of arrangement, pursuant to which AV Metals, Inc. merged with and into Novelis Inc., with Novelis Inc. surviving the merger. As of the effectiveness of the plan of arrangement, we are a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of AV Minerals (Netherlands) N.V. and indirectly of Hindalco. Prior to the effectiveness of the plan of arrangement, AV Metals, Inc. was a holding company, with its assets being comprised solely of its investment in Novelis, and without any operations. The plan of arrangement was a combination of entities under common control and resulted in a change in the reporting entity. The opening balance of common shares has been increased to 1,100 shares and additional paid-in capital has been increased and retained earnings reduced by $4 million in the earliest period presented.

All tonnages are stated in metric tonnes. One metric tonne is equivalent to 2,204.6 pounds. One kt is 1,000 metric tonnes.

Organization and Description of Business

We produce aluminum sheet and light gauge products for use in the packaging market, which includes beverage and food can and foil products, as well as for use in the automotive, transportation, aerospace, electronics, architectural, and industrial product markets. As of December 31, 2023, we had manufacturing operations in nine countries on four continents: North America, South America, Asia, and Europe, through 32 operating facilities, which may include any combination of hot or cold rolling, finishing, casting, or recycling capabilities. We have recycling operations in 14 of our operating facilities to recycle post-consumer aluminum, such as UBCs, and post-industrial aluminum, such as class scrap.

Basis of Presentation

The condensed consolidated balance sheet data as of March 31, 2023, was derived from the March 31, 2023, audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by U.S. GAAP. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes in our 2023 Form 10-K. Management believes that all adjustments necessary for the fair statement of results, consisting of normally recurring items, have been included in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for the interim periods presented.

Consolidation Policy

Our condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and include the assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses of all wholly owned subsidiaries, majority-owned subsidiaries over which we exercise control, and entities in which we have a controlling financial interest or are deemed to be the primary beneficiary. We eliminate intercompany accounts and transactions from our condensed consolidated financial statements.

We use the equity method to account for our investments in entities that we do not control but have the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies. Consolidated net income attributable to our common shareholder includes our share of the net income (loss) of these entities. The difference between consolidation and the equity method impacts certain of our financial ratios because of the presentation of the detailed line items reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements for consolidated entities, compared to a two-line presentation of investment in and advances to non-consolidated affiliates and equity in net loss (income) of non-consolidated affiliates.

Supplier Finance Programs

The Company participates in supply chain finance programs under which participating suppliers may elect to sell some or all of their Novelis receivables to a third-party financial institution. Supplier participation in the programs is solely up to the supplier, and participating suppliers negotiate their arrangements directly with the financial institutions. The payment terms that we have with our suppliers under these programs range up to 180 days and are considered commercially reasonable. The Company has provided a guarantee in support of the obligations of certain of its subsidiaries under one of the supply chain finance programs currently in effect pursuant to which invoices receivable from Novelis originating in North America and South America are purchased and sold. In the ordinary course of business, the Company provides operating guarantees relating to the payment obligations of certain of its subsidiaries. The Company’s obligation under the guarantee referenced above is qualitatively the same as its guarantees supporting payment obligations of its subsidiaries.

On December 31, 2023, and March 31, 2023, confirmed supplier invoices that are outstanding and subject to the third-party programs included in accounts payable on the condensed consolidated balance sheets were $672 million and $801 million, respectively.

Restructuring Activities

Restructuring charges, which are recorded within restructuring and impairment expenses, net on our condensed consolidated statements of operations, include employee severance and benefit costs, impairments of certain assets, and other costs associated with exit activities. In October 2023, the Company approved the plan to close the cold rolling and finishing plant in Clayton, New Jersey, and the plant ceased operations in December 2023. As a result, in the third quarter of fiscal 2024, the Company recorded approximately $24 million in charges for restructuring activities related to the plant closure.

Use of Estimates and Assumptions

The preparation of our condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. The principal areas of judgment relate to (1) impairment of goodwill; (2) actuarial assumptions related to pension and other postretirement benefit plans; (3) tax uncertainties and valuation allowances; and (4) assessment of loss contingencies, including environmental and litigation liabilities. Future events and their effects cannot be predicted with certainty, and accordingly, our accounting estimates require the exercise of judgment. The accounting estimates used in the preparation of our condensed consolidated financial statements may change as new events occur, more experience is acquired, additional information is obtained, and our operating environment changes. We evaluate and update our assumptions and estimates on an ongoing basis and may employ outside experts to assist in our evaluations. Actual results could differ from the estimates we have used.

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

On April 1, 2023, we adopted ASU 2022-04, which requires a buyer in a supplier finance program to disclose qualitative and quantitative information about its supplier finance programs, including the key terms of the program, the amount of obligations outstanding at the end of the reporting period, and a description of where those obligations are presented in the balance sheet. If presented in more than one balance sheet line item, the amount in each line item should be disclosed. Further, effective April 1, 2024, a roll-forward of such amounts during the annual period should be presented. The adoption of this guidance resulted in enhanced disclosures regarding these programs (see Supplier Finance Programs above) and did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

We did not adopt any other new accounting pronouncements during the nine months ended December 31, 2023, that had a material impact on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards (Not Yet Adopted)

In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures. This ASU updates reportable segment disclosure requirements primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. This ASU is effective for all entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and for interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. The amendments should be applied retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements. We are currently evaluating this ASU to determine its impact on the Company's disclosures.

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. This ASU expands disclosures in an entity's income tax rate reconciliation table and disclosures regarding cash taxes paid both in the U.S. and foreign jurisdictions. This ASU is effective for all entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. We are currently evaluating this ASU to determine its impact on the Company's disclosures.