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Significant accounting policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2022
Corporate Information And Statement Of IFRS Compliance [Abstract]  
Significant accounting policies Significant accounting policies:
a) Statement of compliance:
These consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"), as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB"). These consolidated financial statements were approved and authorized for issue by the Board of Directors on March 9, 2023.
b) Basis of presentation and consolidation:
These consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, its wholly-owned subsidiaries, less than wholly-owned entities for which it has a controlling interest and its equity-accounted joint venture. Wholly-owned subsidiaries are entities controlled by the Company. The Company controls an entity when it is exposed to, or has rights to, variable returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the entity. For less than wholly-owned entities for which the Company has a controlling interest, a non-controlling interest is included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements and represents the non-controlling shareholders’ interest in the net assets of the entity. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. Preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the amounts reported and disclosed in the financial statements and related notes. The areas of estimation and judgment that management considers most significant are property, plant and equipment (note 2(g)), financial instruments (note 2(o)), fair value measurements (note 2(p)), leases (note 2(i)), and income taxes (note 2(q)). Actual results could differ from those estimates.
c) Reporting currency and foreign currency translation:
Functional currency is the currency of the primary economic environment in which an entity operates. The majority of the Company’s business in all jurisdictions is transacted in United States dollars and, accordingly, these consolidated financial statements have been measured and expressed in that currency. The Company translates foreign currency denominated monetary items at the period-end exchange rates, foreign currency denominated non-monetary items at historic rates and revenues and expenditures at the exchange rates at the dates of the transactions. Foreign exchange gains and losses are included in earnings.
d) Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents include securities with maturities of three months or less when purchased.
e) Receivables:
The Company provides credit to its customers in the normal course of business. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers and records provisions for expected credit losses for receivables measured at amortized cost. The Company records an allowance for doubtful accounts or writes down the receivable to estimated net realizable value, if not collectible in full, based on expected credit losses. Expected credit losses are based on historic and forward looking customer specific factors including historic credit losses incurred.
f) Inventories:
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost and estimated net realizable value. Cost is determined on a first-in, first-out basis and includes direct purchase costs, cost of production, allocation of production overhead and depreciation based on normal operating capacity and ocean freight costs for the shipment of product.
g) Property, plant and equipment:
Initial recognition
Property, plant and equipment are initially recorded at cost. The cost of purchased equipment includes expenditures that are directly attributable to the purchase price, delivery and installation. The cost of self-constructed assets includes the cost of materials and direct labour, any other costs directly attributable to bringing the assets to the location and condition for their intended use, the costs of dismantling and removing the items and restoring the site on which they are located, and borrowing costs on self-constructed assets that meet certain criteria. Borrowing costs incurred during construction and commissioning are capitalized until the plant is operating in the manner intended by management.
Subsequent costs
Routine repairs and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred. At regular intervals, the Company conducts a planned shutdown and inspection (turnaround) at its plants to perform major maintenance and replacement of catalysts. Costs associated with these shutdowns are capitalized and amortized over the period until the next planned turnaround and the carrying amounts of replaced components are derecognized and included in earnings.
Depreciation
Depreciation and amortization is generally provided on a straight-line basis at rates calculated to amortize the cost of property, plant and equipment from the commencement of commercial operations over their estimated useful lives to estimated residual value.
The estimated useful lives of the Company’s buildings, plant installations and machinery at installation, excluding costs related to turnarounds, initially ranges from 10 to 25 years depending on the specific asset component and the production facility to which it is related. Right-of-use (leased) assets are depreciated from the lease commencement date to the earlier of the end of the useful life of the right-of-use asset or the end of the lease term. The Company determines the estimated useful lives of individual asset components based on the shorter of its physical life or economic life. The physical life of these assets is generally longer than the economic life. The economic life is primarily determined by the nature of the natural gas feedstock available to the various production facilities. The estimated useful life of production facilities may be adjusted from time-to-time based on turnarounds, plant refurbishments and gas availability. Factors that influence the nature of natural gas feedstock availability include the terms of individual natural gas supply contracts, access to natural gas supply through open markets, regional factors influencing the exploration and development of natural gas and the expected price of securing natural gas supply. The Company reviews the factors related to each production facility on an annual basis to determine if changes are required to the estimated useful lives.
Recoverability of asset carrying values
Long-lived assets are tested for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances, either internal or external, indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable (“triggering events”). Examples of such triggering events related to our long-lived assets may include, but are not restricted to: a significant adverse change in the extent or manner in which the asset is being used or in its physical condition; a change in management’s intention or strategy for the asset, which includes a plan to dispose of the asset or idle the asset for a significant period of time; a significant adverse change in our long-term methanol price assumption or in the price or availability of natural gas feedstock required to manufacture methanol; a significant adverse change in legal factors or in the business climate that could affect the asset’s value, including an adverse action or assessment by a foreign government that impacts the use of the asset; or a current period operating or cash flow loss combined with a history of operating or cash flow losses, or a projection or forecast that demonstrates continuing losses associated with the asset’s use.
When a triggering event is identified, recoverability of long-lived assets is measured by comparing the carrying value of an asset or cash-generating unit to the estimated recoverable amount, which is the higher of its estimated fair value less costs to sell or its value in use. Fair value less costs of disposal is determined by estimating the price that would be received to sell an asset in an orderly transaction between market participants under current market conditions, less incremental costs directly attributable to the disposal, excluding finance costs and income tax expense. Value in use is determined by measuring the pre-tax cash flows expected to be generated from the cash-generating unit over its estimated useful life discounted by a pre-tax discount rate. An impairment writedown is recorded if the carrying value exceeds the estimated recoverable amount. An impairment writedown recognized in prior periods for an asset or cash-generating unit is reversed if there has been a subsequent recovery in the value of the asset or cash-generating unit due to changes in events and circumstances. For the purposes of recognition and measurement of an impairment writedown or reversal, we group our long-lived assets with other assets and liabilities to form a “cash-generating unit” at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely
independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities. To the extent that our methanol facilities in a particular location are interdependent as a result of common infrastructure and/or feedstock from shared sources that can be shared within a facility location, we group our assets based on site locations for the purpose of determining impairment.
When impairment indicators exist, there are two key variables that impact our estimate of future cash flows from producing assets: (1) the methanol price and (2) the price and availability of natural gas feedstock. Short-term methanol price estimates are based on current supply and demand fundamentals and current methanol prices. Long-term methanol price estimates are based on our view of long-term supply and demand, incorporating third-party assumptions, forecasts and market observable prices when appropriate. Consideration is given to many factors, including, but not limited to, estimates of global industrial production rates, energy prices, changes in general economic conditions, the ability for the industry to add further global methanol production capacity and earn an appropriate return on capital, industry operating rates and the global industry cost structure. Our estimate of the price and availability of natural gas takes into consideration the current contracted terms, as well as factors that we believe are relevant to supply under these contracts and supplemental natural gas sources. Other assumptions included in our estimate of future cash flows include the estimated cost incurred to maintain the facilities, estimates of transportation costs and other variable costs incurred in producing methanol in each period. Changes in these assumptions will impact our estimates of future cash flows when testing for impairment and could impact our estimates of the useful lives of property, plant and equipment. Consequently, it is possible that our future operating results could be adversely affected by further asset impairment charges or by changes in depreciation and amortization rates related to property, plant and equipment. In relation to previous impairment charges, we do not believe that there are significant changes in events or circumstances that would support their reversal.
h) Other assets:
Intangible assets are capitalized to other assets and amortized to depreciation and amortization expense on an appropriate basis to charge the cost of the assets against earnings.
Financing fees related to undrawn credit facilities are capitalized to other assets and amortized to finance costs over the term of the credit facility.
i) Leases:
At inception of a contract, the Company assesses whether a contract is, or contains, a lease. A contract is, or contains, a lease if the contract conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. To assess whether a contract conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset, the Company assesses whether:
the contract involves the use of an identified asset - this may be specified explicitly or implicitly and should be physically distinct or represent substantially all of the capacity of a physically distinct asset. If the supplier has a substantive substitution right, then the asset is not identified;
the Company has the right to obtain substantially all of the economic benefits from use of the asset throughout the period of use; and
the Company has the right to direct the use of the asset. The Company has the right when it has the decision-making rights that are most relevant to changing how and for what purpose the asset is used.
For contracts that contain a lease, the Company recognizes a right-of-use asset and a lease liability at the lease commencement date. The right-of-use asset is initially measured at cost, which comprises the initial amount of the lease liability adjusted for any lease payments made at or before the commencement date, plus any initial direct costs incurred and an estimate of costs to dismantle and remove the underlying asset or to restore the underlying asset or the site on which it is located, less any lease incentives received.
The right-of-use asset is subsequently depreciated using the straight-line method from the commencement date to the earlier of the end of the useful life of the right-of-use asset or the end of the lease term. The estimated useful lives of right-of-use assets are determined on the same basis as those of property, plant and equipment. In addition, the right-of-use asset is assessed for impairment losses, should a trigger be identified and adjusted for impairment if required. Lease terms range up to 22 years for vessels, terminals, equipment, and other items.
The lease liability is measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method. It is remeasured when there is a change in future lease payments arising from a change in an index or rate, if there is a change in the Company’s estimate of the amount expected to be payable under a residual value guarantee or if the Company changes its assessment of whether it will exercise a purchase, extension or termination option. When the lease liability is remeasured in this way, a corresponding
adjustment is made to the carrying amount of the right-of-use asset, or is recorded in profit or loss if the carrying amount of the right-of-use asset has been reduced to zero.
In determining the lease term, management considers all facts and circumstances that create an economic incentive to exercise an extension option, or not exercise a termination option. The assessment is reviewed upon a trigger by an event or a significant change in circumstances.
Certain leases contain non-lease components, excluded from the right-of-use asset and lease liability, related to operating charges for ocean vessels, terminal facilities and rail transport contracts. Judgment is applied in the determination of the stand-alone price of the lease and non-lease components.
The Company has elected not to recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for short-term leases that have a lease term of 12 months or less and leases of low-value assets, except for terminal and vessel leases. The Company recognizes the lease payments associated with these leases as an expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
j) Site restoration costs:
The Company recognizes a liability to dismantle and remove assets or to restore a site upon which the assets are located. The Company estimates the present value of the expenditures required to settle the liability by determining the current market cost required to settle the site restoration costs, adjusts for inflation through to the expected date of the expenditures and then discounts this amount back to the date when the obligation was originally incurred. As the liability is initially recorded on a discounted basis, it is increased each period until the estimated date of settlement. The resulting expense is referred to as accretion expense and is included in finance costs. The Company reviews asset retirement obligations and adjusts the liability and corresponding asset as necessary to reflect changes in the estimated future cash flows, timing, inflation and discount rates underlying the measurement of the obligation.
k) Employee future benefits:
The Company has non-contributory defined benefit pension plans covering certain employees and defined contribution pension plans. The Company does not provide any significant post-retirement benefits other than pension plan benefits. For defined benefit pension plans, the net of the present value of the defined benefit obligation and the fair value of plan assets is recorded to the consolidated statements of financial position. The determination of the defined benefit obligation and associated pension cost is based on certain actuarial assumptions including inflation rates, mortality, plan expenses, salary growth and discount rates. The present value of the net defined benefit obligation (asset) is determined by discounting the net estimated future cash flows using current market bond yields that have terms to maturity approximating the terms of the net obligation. Actuarial gains and losses arising from differences between these assumptions and actual results are recognized in other comprehensive income and transferred to retained earnings. The Company recognizes gains and losses on the settlement of a defined benefit plan in income when the settlement occurs. The cost for defined contribution benefit plans is recognized in net income (loss) as earned by the employees.
l) Share-based compensation:
The Company grants share-based awards as an element of compensation. Share-based awards granted by the Company can include stock options, tandem share appreciation rights, share appreciation rights, deferred share units, restricted share units or performance share units.
For stock options granted by the Company, the cost of the service received is measured based on an estimate of the fair value at the date of grant. The grant date fair value is recognized as compensation expense over the vesting period with a corresponding increase in contributed surplus. On the exercise of stock options, consideration received, together with the compensation expense previously recorded to contributed surplus, is credited to share capital. The Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the fair value of each stock option tranche at the date of grant.
Share appreciation rights ("SARs") are units that grant the holder the right to receive a cash payment upon exercise for the difference between the market price of the Company’s common shares and the exercise price that is determined at the date of grant. Tandem share appreciation rights ("TSARs") give the holder the choice between exercising a regular stock option or a SAR. For SARs and TSARs, the cost of the service received is initially measured based on an estimate of the fair value at the date of grant. The grant date fair value is recognized as compensation expense over the vesting period with a corresponding increase in liabilities. For SARs and TSARs, the liability is re-measured at each reporting date based on an estimate of the fair value with changes in fair value recognized as compensation expense for the proportion of the service that has been rendered at that date. The Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the fair value for SARs and TSARs.
Deferred, restricted and performance share units are grants of notional common shares that are redeemable for cash based on the market value of the Company’s common shares and are non-dilutive to shareholders.
Performance share units ("PSUs") granted from 2019 onwards are redeemable for cash based on the market value of the Company's common shares and are non-dilutive to shareholders. PSUs vest over three years and include two performance factors: (i) relative total shareholder return of Methanex shares versus a specific market index (the market performance factor) and (ii) three year average Return on Capital Employed ("ROCE") (the non-market performance factor). The market performance factor is measured by the Company at the grant date and reporting date using a Monte-Carlo simulation model to determine fair value. The non-market performance factor reflects management's best estimate of ROCE over the performance period (using actual ROCE as applicable) to determine the expected number of units to vest. Based on these performance factors the performance share unit payout will range between 0% to 200%.
For deferred, restricted and performance share units, the cost of the service received as consideration is initially measured based on the market value of the Company’s common shares at the date of grant. The grant date fair value is recognized as compensation expense over the vesting period with a corresponding increase in liabilities. Deferred, restricted and performance share units are re-measured at each reporting date based on the market value of the Company’s common shares with changes in fair value recognized as compensation expense for the proportion of the service that has been rendered at that date.
Additional information related to the stock option plan, TSARs, SARs and the deferred, restricted and performance share units is described in note 14.
m) Net income (loss) per common share:
The Company calculates basic net income (loss) per common share by dividing net income (loss) attributable to Methanex shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and calculates diluted net income (loss) per common share under the treasury stock method. Under the treasury stock method, diluted net income (loss) per common share is calculated by considering the potential dilution that would occur if outstanding stock options and, under certain circumstances, TSARs were exercised or converted to common shares. Stock options and TSARs are considered dilutive when the average market price of the Company’s common shares during the period disclosed exceeds the exercise price of the stock option or TSAR.
Outstanding TSARs may be settled in cash or common shares at the holder’s option. For the purposes of calculating diluted net income (loss) per common share, the more dilutive of the cash-settled or equity-settled method is used, regardless of how the plan is accounted for. Accordingly, TSARs that are accounted for using the cash-settled method will require adjustments to the numerator and denominator if the equity-settled method is determined to have a dilutive effect on diluted net income (loss) per common share.
The calculation of basic net income (loss) per common share and a reconciliation to diluted net income (loss) per common share is presented in note 13.
n) Revenue recognition:
Revenue is recognized based on individual contract terms at the point in time when control of the product transfers to the customer, which usually occurs at the time shipment is made. Revenue is recognized at the time of delivery to the customer’s location if the contractual performance obligation has not been met during shipment. For methanol sold on a consignment basis, revenue is recognized at the point in time the customer draws down the consigned methanol. Revenue is measured and recorded at the most likely amount of consideration the Company expects to receive.
By contract, the Company sells all the methanol produced by the Atlas Joint Venture and earns a commission on the sale of the methanol. As the Company obtains title and control of the methanol from the Atlas facility and directs the sale of the methanol to the Company's customers, the Company recognizes the revenue on these sales to customers at the gross amount receivable from the customers based on the Company's revenue recognition policy noted above. Cost of sales is recognized for these sales as the amount due to the Atlas Joint Venture which is the gross amount receivable less the commission earned by the Company.
o) Financial instruments:
All financial instruments are measured at fair value on initial recognition. Measurement in subsequent periods is dependent on the classification of the respective financial instrument. Financial instruments are classified into one of three categories and, depending on the category, will either be measured at amortized cost or fair value with fair value changes either recorded
through profit or loss or other comprehensive income. All non-derivative financial instruments held by the Company are classified and measured at amortized cost.
The Company enters into derivative financial instruments to manage certain exposures to commodity price and foreign exchange volatility. Under these standards, derivative financial instruments, including embedded derivatives, are classified as fair value through profit or loss and are recorded in the consolidated statements of financial position at fair value unless they are in accordance with the Company’s normal purchase, sale or usage requirements. The valuation of derivative financial instruments is a critical accounting estimate due to the complex nature of these instruments, the degree of judgment required to appropriately value these instruments and the potential impact of such valuation on the Company’s financial statements. The Company records all changes in fair value of derivative financial instruments in profit or loss unless the instruments are designated as cash flow hedges. The Company enters into and designates as cash flow hedges certain forward contracts to hedge its highly probable forecast natural gas purchases and certain forward exchange purchase and sales contracts to hedge foreign exchange exposure on anticipated purchases or sales. The Company assesses at inception and on an ongoing basis whether the hedges are and continue to be effective in offsetting changes in the cash flows of the hedged transactions. The effective portion of changes in the fair value of these hedging instruments is recognized in other comprehensive income. Any gain or loss in fair value relating to the ineffective portion is recognized immediately in profit or loss. Until settled, the fair value of the derivative financial instruments will fluctuate based on changes in commodity prices, foreign currency exchange rates or variable interest rates.
Assessment of contracts as derivative instruments, applicability of the own use exemption, determination of whether hybrid instruments contain embedded derivatives to be separated, the valuation of financial instruments and derivatives and hedge effectiveness assessments require a high degree of judgment and are considered critical accounting judgements and estimates due to the complex nature of these products and the potential impact on our financial statements.
p) Fair value measurements:
Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Fair value measurements within the scope of IFRS 13 are categorized into Level 1, 2 or 3 based on the degree to which the inputs are observable and the significance of the inputs to the fair value measurement in its entirety. Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the entity can access at the measurement date. Level 2 inputs are inputs, other than quoted prices included within Level 1, that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability. Financial instruments measured at fair value and categorized within the fair value hierarchy are disclosed in note 19.
q) Income taxes:
Income tax expense represents current tax and deferred tax. The Company records current tax based on the taxable profits for the period calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting date. Income taxes relating to uncertain tax positions are provided for based on the Company’s best estimate. Deferred income taxes are accounted for using the liability method. The liability method requires that income taxes reflect the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their tax bases. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined for each temporary difference based on currently enacted or substantially enacted tax rates that are expected to be in effect when the underlying items are expected to be realized. The effect of a change in tax rates or tax legislation is recognized in the period of substantive enactment. Deferred tax assets, such as non-capital loss carryforwards, are recognized to the extent it is probable that taxable profit will be available against which the asset can be utilized.
The Company accrues for taxes that will be incurred upon distributions from its subsidiaries when it is probable that the earnings will be repatriated.
Uncertain tax positions derive from the complexity of tax law and its interpretation by tax authorities and ultimately the judicial system in place in each jurisdiction. Uncertain tax positions, including interest and penalties, are recognized and measured applying management estimates. Given the complexity, management engages third-party experts as required, for the interpretation of tax law, transfer pricing regulations and determination of the ultimate resolution of its tax positions. The Company is subject to various taxation authorities who may interpret tax legislation differently, and resolve matters over longer-periods of time. The differences in judgement in assessing uncertain tax positions may result in material differences in the final amount or timing of the payment of taxes or settlement of tax assessments.
r) Provisions:
Provisions are recognized where a legal or constructive obligation has been incurred as a result of past events, it is probable that an outflow of resources will be required to settle the obligation, and a reliable estimate of the amount of the obligation can be made. Provisions are measured at the present value of the expenditures expected to be required to settle the obligation.
s) Segmented information:
The Company’s operations consist of the production and sale of methanol, which constitutes a single operating segment.
t) Application of new and revised accounting standards:
The Company has adopted the amendments to IAS 16, Property Plant, and Equipment, regarding the accounting for proceeds before intended use, and amendments to IAS 37, Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets, regarding the inclusion of all costs of fulfilling an onerous contract, which were effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2022. The amendments did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
u) Anticipated changes to International Financial Reporting Standards:
The following new or amended standards or interpretations that are effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2023 are being reviewed to determine the potential impact: amendments to IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements regarding the classification of liabilities as current or non-current, IAS 8 Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors, and IAS 12, Income Taxes regarding deferred tax related to assets and liabilities arising from a single transaction.