1. General information

1. General information and summary of significant accounting policies

Titan Cement Co. S.A. (the Company) and, its subsidiaries (collectively the Group) are engaged in the production, trade and distribution of a wide range of construction materials, including cement, concrete, aggregates, cement blocks, dry mortars and fly ash. The Group operates primarily in Greece, the Balkans, Egypt, Turkey and the USA.

Information on the Group’s structure is provided in note 14. Information on other related party relationships of the Group and the Company is provided in note 33.

The Company is a limited liability company incorporated and domiciled in Greece at 22^A Halkidos Street - 111 43 Athens with the registration number in the General Electronic Commercial Registry: 224301000 (former Register of Sociétés Anonymes Number: 6013/06/Β/86/90) and is listed on the Athens Stock Exchange.

These annual financial statements (the financial statements) were approved for issue by the Board of Directors on February 27, 2014.

Summary of significant accounting policies

The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below:

1.1. Basis of preparation

These financial statements comprise the separate financial statement of the Company and the consolidated financial statements of the Group. They have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and as adopted by the European Union.

These financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, as modified by the revaluation of available-for-sale financial assets, investment property, and derivative financial instruments that have been measured at fair value.

The preparation of financial statements, in conformity with IFRS, requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates.  It also requires management to exercise its judgment in the process of applying the accounting policies. The areas involving a higher degree of judgment or complexity, or areas where assumptions and estimates are significant to the financial statements are disclosed in Significant Accounting Estimates and Judgments in note 2.

The financial statements have been prepared with the same accounting policies of the prior financial year, except for the adoption of the new or revised standards, amendments and/or interpretations that are mandatory for the periods beginning on or after 1 January 2013.

New or revised Standards and Interpretations adopted by the Group on 1 January, 2013 that have no significant impact in the Group’s financial position or performance

• IAS 1 "Financial Statement Presentation" (Amended) – Presentation of items of Other Comprehensive Income

  The amendments to IAS 1 change the grouping of items presented in Other Comprehensive Income. Items that could be reclassified (or ‘recycled’) to profit or loss at a future point in time (for example, upon derecognition or settlement) would be presented separately from items that will never be reclassified. The amendment affects only the presentation of the statement of comprehensive income.

• IAS 19 "Employee benefits" (Revised 2011) (IAS 19R)

  IAS 19 initiates a number of amendments to the accounting for defined benefit plans, including actuarial gains and losses that are now recognised in other comprehensive income (OCI) and permanently excluded from profit and loss. The expected returns on plan assets are no longer recognised in profit or loss, instead, there is a requirement to recognise interest on the net defined benefit liability (asset) in profit or loss, calculated using the discount rate used to measure the defined benefit obligation. The unvested past service costs are now recognised in profit or loss at the earlier of when the amendment occurs or when the related restructuring or termination costs are recognised. Other amendments include new disclosures, such as, quantitative sensitivity disclosures (note 25).

• IFRS 7 "Financial Instruments: Disclosures" (Amended) - Offsetting financial assets and financial liabilities

  The amendment of International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) 7 introduces common disclosure requirements. These disclosures would provide users with information that is useful in evaluating the effect or potential effect of netting arrangements on an entity’s financial position. The amendments to IFRS 7 are to be retrospectively applied. The new disclosures are required for all recognized financial instruments that are set off in accordance with IAS 32 Financial Instruments: Presentation. The disclosures also apply to recognized financial instruments that are subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement, irrespective of whether they are set off in accordance with IAS 32.

• IFRS 13 "Fair value measurement"

  IFRS 13 establishes a single source of guidance under IFRS for all fair value measurements. IFRS 13 does not change when an entity is required to use fair value, but rather provides guidance on how to measure fair value under IFRS, when fair value is required or permitted. The application of IFRS 13 has not materially impacted the fair value measurements carried out by the Group.

  IFRS 13 also requires specific disclosures on fair values, some of which replace existing disclosure requirements in other standards, including IFRS 7 “Financial Instruments: Disclosures”. Some of these disclosures are specifically required for financial instruments by IAS 34.16A(j), thereby affecting the disclosures of the interim condensed consolidated financial statements.

• IFRIC Interpretation 20 "Stripping costs in the production phase of a surface mine"

  This interpretation applies to waste removal (stripping costs) incurred in surface mining activity, during the production phase of the mine. The interpretation addresses the accounting for the benefit from the stripping activity.

• The IASB has issued the Annual Improvements to IFRSs – 2009 – 2011 Cycle, which contains amendments to its standards. The annual improvements project provides a mechanism for making necessary, but non-urgent, amendments to IFRS.
  • IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements: This improvement clarifies the difference between voluntary additional comparative information and the minimum required comparative information. Generally, the minimum required comparative period is the previous period.
  • IAS 16 Property, Plant and Equipment: This improvement clarifies that major spare parts and servicing equipment that meet the definition of property, plant and equipment are not inventory.
  • IAS 32 Financial Instruments, Presentation: This improvement clarifies that income taxes arising from distributions to equity holders are accounted for in accordance with IAS 12 Income Taxes.
  • IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting: The amendment aligns the disclosure requirements for total segment assets with total segment liabilities in interim financial statements. This clarification also ensures that interim disclosures are aligned with annual disclosures.