SEC Filing | Ferroglobe PLC

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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 6-K

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER

Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16

under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the Month of June 2022

Commission File Number: 001-37668

FERROGLOBE PLC

(Name of Registrant)

5 Fleet Place

London, EC4M7RD

(Address of Principal Executive Office)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

Form 20-F x

Form 40-F ¨

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): ¨

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Yes ¨

No x

If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): N/A

2022 Annual General Meeting of Ferroglobe PLC

On June 3, 2022, Ferroglobe PLC ("Ferroglobe" or the "Company") released its Notice of 2022 Annual General Meeting ("2022 AGM") and Annual Report and Accounts for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021. The 2022 AGM will be held at 14:00 British Summer Time (BST) on Thursday, June 30, 2022 at Ferroglobe PLC, 13 Chesterfield Street, London, W1J 5JN, United Kingdom.

Exhibits

Reference is made to the Exhibit Index included hereto.

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.		Description
99.1		Notice of Annual General Meeting dated June 3, 2022

99.2		Ferroglobe PLC Annual Report and Accounts for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021

99.3		Extracts from the 2021 Form 20-F

99.4		Form of Proxy Card for 2022 Annual General Meeting

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

	Date: June 3, 2022
	FERROGLOBE PLC

	by	/s/ Marco Levi
		Name: Marco Levi
		Title: Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)

Exhibit 99.1

FERROGLOBE PLC

(a public limited company having its registered office at 5 Fleet Place, London, EC4M 7RD, United

Kingdom and incorporated in England and Wales with company number 9425113)

3 June 2022

Dear Shareholder

2022 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders of Ferroglobe Plc (“Ferroglobe” or the “Company”)

I am pleased to invite you to attend Ferroglobe’s annual general meeting of its shareholders (the “Annual General Meeting” or “AGM”), to be held at 14:00 (British Summer Time) on Thursday, 30 June 2022 at the Company’s offices at 13 Chesterfield Street, London, W1J 5JN, United Kingdom. The accompanying notice of Annual General Meeting (“Notice”) describes the meeting, the resolutions you will be asked to consider and vote upon and related matters.

Your vote is important, regardless of the number of shares you own. Whether or not you intend to attend the Annual General Meeting, please vote as soon as possible to make sure that your shares are represented. You may vote via the internet, by phone or by mail by signing, dating and returning your proxy card in the envelope provided. To ensure your vote is counted, please ensure that your proxy vote is submitted through the relevant channels by not later than 00:01 BST on Wednesday, 29 June 2022

Recommendation

We consider all resolutions proposed to shareholders at the Annual General Meeting to be standard business. You will find an explanation of each resolution within the Explanatory Notes on pages 3 to 9 of this pack. The Company’s board of directors (the “Board”) considers that all the resolutions to be put to the Annual General Meeting are in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders as a whole and are most likely to promote the success of the Company. The Board unanimously recommends that you vote in favour of each of the proposed resolutions, as the members of the Board intend to do in respect of their beneficial holdings.

Thank you for your continued support of Ferroglobe.

Yours sincerely,

Javier López Madrid

Executive Chairman

FERROGLOBE PLC

(a public limited company having its registered office at 5 Fleet Place, London, EC4M 7RD, United

Kingdom and incorporated in England and Wales with company number 9425113)

NOTICE OF 2022 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

To the holders of ordinary shares of Ferroglobe Plc (“Ferroglobe” or the “Company”):

Notice is hereby given that Ferroglobe’s Annual General Meeting of shareholders will be held on Thursday, 30 June 2022 at 14:00 (British Summer Time), at the offices of the Company at 13 Chesterfield Street, London, W1J 5JN, United Kingdom (“U.K.”).

The business of the Annual General Meeting will be to consider and, if thought fit, pass the resolutions below. All resolutions will be proposed as ordinary resolutions. Explanations of the resolutions are given in the explanatory notes on pages 3 to 9 of this Annual General Meeting notice and additional information on voting at the Annual General Meeting can be found on pages 9 to 10. All resolutions will be put to vote on a poll, where each shareholder has one vote for each share held.

Certain of the resolutions that shareholders of the Company will be asked to consider may not be familiar to them because, unlike many companies with shares traded on the NASDAQ Capital Market (“NASDAQ”), the Company is incorporated under the laws of England and Wales and is therefore subject to the U.K. Companies Act 2006 (the “Companies Act”). The Companies Act obliges the Company to propose certain matters to shareholders for approval that would generally not be subject to periodic approval by shareholders of companies incorporated in the United States but would be considered routine items for approval by shareholders of companies incorporated in England and Wales.

ORDINARY RESOLUTIONS:

U.K. Annual Report and Accounts 2021

THAT the directors’ and auditor’s reports and the accounts of the Company for the financial year ended 31 December 2021 (the “U.K. Annual Report and Accounts”) be received.

Authority to Allot Shares and Disapplication of Pre-emption Rights

THAT the authority granted to the Board under Article 5 of the Articles of Association of the Company be renewed for an additional period expiring five years from the date of the Annual General Meeting.

Directors’ Remuneration

THAT the directors’ remuneration policy (the “Remuneration Policy”), as set out on pages 34 to 46 of the U.K. Annual Report and Accounts be approved.

THAT the directors’ annual report on remuneration for the year ended 31 December 2021 (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, any part of the Directors’ remuneration report containing the directors’ remuneration policy), as set out on pages 32 to 33 and 47 to 56 of the U.K. Annual Report and Accounts be approved.

Directors’ Re-election

THAT Javier López Madrid be re-elected as a director.

THAT Marco Levi be re-elected as a director.

THAT Marta Amusategui be re-elected as a director

THAT Bruce L. Crockett be re-elected as a director.

THAT Stuart E. Eizenstat be re-elected as a director.

THAT Manuel Garrido y Ruano be re-elected as a director.

THAT Juan Villar-Mir de Fuentes be re-elected as a director.

THAT Belen Villalonga be re-elected as a director.

THAT Silvia Villar-Mir de Fuentes be re-elected as a director.

THAT Nicolas De Santis be re-elected as a director.

THAT Rafael Barrilero Yarnoz be re-elected as a director.

Appointment of Auditor

THAT Deloitte LLP be appointed as auditor of the Company to hold office from the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting until the conclusion of the next general meeting at which accounts are laid before the Company.

Remuneration of Auditor

THAT the Audit Committee of the Board be authorised to determine the auditor’s remuneration.

Thomas Wiesner

Company Secretary

3 June 2022

Explanatory notes to the resolutions

Resolution 1 (U.K. Annual Report and Accounts 2021)

The Board is required to present at the Annual General Meeting the U.K. Annual Report and Accounts for the financial year ended 31 December 2021, including the Directors’ Report, the Auditor’s Report on the U.K. Annual Report and Accounts and those parts of the Directors’ Remuneration Report which have been audited.

Resolution 1 is an advisory vote and in accordance with its obligations under English law, the Company will provide shareholders at the Annual General Meeting with the opportunity to receive the U.K. Annual Report and Accounts and ask any relevant and appropriate questions on the U.K. Annual Report and Accounts of the Board and or auditors in attendance at the Annual General Meeting.

Resolution 2 (authority to allot shares and disapplication of pre-emption rights)

Pursuant to Article 5 of the Articles of Association of the Company, the Board is authorized pursuant to section 551 of the Companies Act to, among other things, exercise all of the powers of the Company to allot shares in the Company, and to grant rights to subscribe for or to convert any security into shares in the Company up to a maximum aggregate amount representing 50 per cent. of the number of shares in the capital of the Company as at the date of the adoption of the Articles (i.e., 26 October 2017) for a period expiring (unless previously renewed, varied or revoked by the Company in general meeting) on the date which is five years from the date of the adoption of the Articles by the Company (i.e., 26 October 2017), and to make an offer or agreement which would or might require shares to be allotted, or rights to subscribe for or convert any security into shares to be granted, after expiry of this authority, and to allot shares and grant rights in pursuance of that offer or agreement as if this authority had not expired. Additionally, the Board has the powers to allot equity securities for cash, as if section 561(1) of the Companies Act did not apply to the allotment.

Resolution 2 is a binding vote to renew the authority granted to the Board under Article 5 of the Articles of Association of the Company for an additional period expiring five years from the date of the Annual General Meeting.

Resolutions 3 and 4 (directors’ remuneration)

Resolutions 3 and 4 deal with the remuneration of the directors and seek approval of the Remuneration Policy and of the remuneration of the Directors during the year under review.

Resolution 3 is a binding vote to approve the Company’s proposed Remuneration Policy. Under English law, a company’s directors’ remuneration policy must be put to its shareholders for approval at least once every three years. The Company’s current directors’ remuneration policy was last approved by shareholders in 2019 and has been subject to extensive review by the Company’s Compensation Committee and Corporate Governance Committee. As a result of this review, a new Remuneration Policy, largely unchanged from that approved in 2019, is now put to the shareholders for approval. If approved, it will take effect from immediately following the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting. There is more information on the Remuneration Policy, including on the minor changes it proposes to the policy approved in 2019, on pages 34 to 46 of the UK Annual Report and Accounts.

Resolution 4 is an advisory vote to approve the directors’ annual remuneration report for the year ended 31 December 2021. The directors’ remuneration report is set out on pages 32 to 33 and 47 to 56 of the U.K. Annual Report and Accounts. It provides information on the remuneration of the directors for 2021 and that proposed for 2022; it includes a statement by the Chairman of the Compensation Committee but excludes the Remuneration Policy proposed for approval in resolution 3.

Resolutions 5 to 15 (directors seeking election or re-election)

In line with best practice in corporate governance, all our directors retire annually and, if agreed with them that they will continue in office, they offer themselves for re-election by the shareholders. Any director appointed by the Board since the last Annual General Meeting must stand for election at the next Annual General Meeting.

The biographies of the directors standing for re-election at the Annual General Meeting are set out below to enable shareholders to make an informed decision on their re-election. The biographies give the date of appointment of each director to the Board or Committees of Ferroglobe. Certain of our directors have also held roles at Grupo FerroAtlántica S.A.U. (“FerroAtlántica”) or Globe Speciality Metals, Inc. (“Globe”). On 23 December 2015 FerroAtlántica merged with Globe through corporate transactions (the “Business Combination”) to form the Ferroglobe group of companies under Ferroglobe’s ownership.

Javier López Madrid

Javier López Madrid has been Executive Chairman of the Company since December 31, 2016 and Chairman of our Nominations Committee since January 1, 2018. He was first appointed to the Board on February 5, 2015 and was the Company’s Executive Vice-Chairman from December 23, 2015 until December 31, 2016.

He has been Chief Executive Officer of Grupo VM since 2008, is a member of the World Economic Forum, Group of Fifty and a member of the Board of several non profit organizations. He is the founder and largest shareholder of Financiera Siacapital and founded Tressis, Spain’s largest independent private bank. Mr. López Madrid holds a Masters in law and business from ICADE University.

Marco Levi

Marco Levi was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Company on January 10, 2020 and appointed to its Board of Directors on January 15, 2020. Dr Levi previously served as President and CEO of Alhstrom-Munksjö Oyj, a global fiber materials company listed in Finland, where he led a successful transformation of the business by refocusing its product portfolio towards value-added specialty products. Prior to that, Dr. Levi was Senior Vice President and Business President of the $3 billion emulsion polymers division of chemicals manufacturer Styron, including during the period in which Styron division was acquired by Bain Capital from Dow Chemical Company. Dr. Levi previously had spent over twenty-two years at Dow in various departments and roles, ultimately serving as general manager of the emulsion polymers business.

Dr Levi is also a Non-Executive Director of Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc, the leading global performance materials company, listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Dr Levi holds a doctorate in industrial chemistry from the Università degli Studi di Milano, Statale, in Italy.

Marta de Amusategui y Vergara

Marta de Amusategui y Vergara was appointed to our Board of Directors as a Non-Executive Director on June 12, 2020. She has been a member of our Audit Committee from that date and a member of the Compensation Committee since June 23, 2021.

Ms. Amusategui has substantial experience in executive and non-executive roles, with a background in business strategy, banking and finance. She is founder and partner of Abrego Capital S.L, providing strategic and financial advisory services, and co-founder of Observatorio Industria 4.0, the professional forum leveraging knowledge and experience to assist businesses, specifically those in the secondary sector, in their digital transformation. She began her career in management consulting and investment banking, serving as Country Executive Officer and General Manager with Bank of America in Spain from 2003 to 2008.

Ms. Amusategui has been a member of the Board of Eland Private Equity, S.G.E.I.C., S.A., a private equity management company specializing in renewable energies, since 2009. Since 2020, she has been a member of the board of directors of Eccocar Sharing S.L. She has also held other Board positions in the past, including that of Telvent GIT S.A. (NASDAQ TLVT), the global IT solutions and business information services provider, where she became an independent director from early 2010 until its de-listing following acquisition in December 2011. She is currently a member of the McKinsey Alumni Council in Spain.

Ms. Amusategui holds an Industrial Engineering degree (MSc equivalent) from Universidad Pontificia de Comillas, Madrid, Spain, and an MBA from INSEAD, Fontainebleau, France. She holds a number of academic appointments, lecturing in Financing at the Three Points Digital Business School, Grupo Planeta, in Barcelona, in Managerial Competencies in CUNEF, in Madrid, and in Risk Management on the Non-Executive Directors Program at ICADE Business School, also in Madrid.

Bruce L. Crockett

Bruce L. Crockett was appointed to our Board of Directors as a Non-Executive Director on December 23, 2015. He has been a member of our Audit Committee from that date and was Chair of the Audit Committee since June 4, 2020 and served on our Compensation Committee from January 1, 2018 until June 23, 2021. Mr. Crockett was appointed on May 13, 2021 as our Senior Independent Director and on June 23, 2021 as Chair of the Corporate Governance Committee.

Mr. Crockett holds a number of other Board and governance roles. He has been Chairman of the Invesco Mutual Funds Group Board of Directors and a member of its Audit, Investment and Governance Committees, serving on the board since 1991, as Chair since 2003 and on the Board of predecessor companies from 1978. Since 2013, he has been a member of the Board of Directors and, since 2014, Chair of the Audit Committee and since 2021 member of the Governance Committee of ALPS Property & Casualty Insurance Company. He has been Chairman of, and a private investor in, Crockett Technologies Associates since 1996. He is a life trustee of the University of Rochester.

Mr. Crockett was a member of the Board of Directors of Globe from April 2014 until the closing of the Business Combination, as well as a member of Globe’s Audit Committee. He was formerly President and Chief Executive Officer of COMSAT Corporation from 1992 until 1996 and its President and Chief Operating Officer from 1991 to 1992, holding a number of other operational and financial positions at COMSAT from 1980, including that of Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. He was a member of the Board of Directors of Ace Limited from 1995 until 2012 and of Captaris, Inc. from 2001 until its acquisition in 2008 and its Chairman from 2003 to 2008.

Mr. Crockett holds an A.B. degree from the University of Rochester, B.S. degree from the University of Maryland, an MBA from Columbia University and an Honorary Doctor of Law degree from the University of Maryland.

Stuart E. Eizenstat

Stuart E. Eizenstat was appointed to our Board of Directors as a Non-Executive Director on December 23, 2015. He has been a member of the Company’s Corporate Governance Committee since January 1, 2018 and was appointed to our Nominations Committee on May 16, 2018.

Mr. Eizenstat has been a Senior Counsel at Covington & Burling LLP in Washington, D.C. and Head of its international practice since 2001. He has served as a member of the Advisory Boards of GML Ltd. since 2003 and of the Office of Cherifien de Phosphates since 2010. He was a trustee of BlackRock Funds from 2001 until 2018.

Mr. Eizenstat was a member of Board of Directors of Globe from 2008 until the closing of the Business Combination and Chair of its Nominating Committee. He was a member of the Board of Directors of Alcatel-Lucent from 2008 to 2016 and of United Parcel Service from 2005 to 2015. He has had an illustrious political and advisory career, including serving as Special Adviser to Secretary of State Kerry on Holocaust-Era Issues from 2009 to 2017 and Special Representative of the President and Secretary of State on Holocaust Issues during the Clinton administration from 1993 to 2001. He was Deputy Secretary of the United States Department of the Treasury from July 1999 to January 2001, Under Secretary of State for Economic, Business and Agricultural Affairs from 1997 to 1999, Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade from 1996 to 1997, U.S. Ambassador to the European Union from 1993 to 1996 and Chief Domestic Policy Advisor in the White House to President Carter from 1977 to 1981. He is the author of “Imperfect Justice: Looted Assets, Slave Labor, and the Unfinished Business of World War II”; “The Future of the Jews: How Global Forces are Impacting the Jewish People, Israel, and its Relationship with the United States” and “President Carter: The White House Years.”

Mr. Eizenstat holds a B.A. in Political Science, cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa, from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a J.D. from Harvard Law School and nine honorary doctorate degrees and awards from the United States, French, German, Austrian, Belgian and Israeli governments.

Manuel Garrido y Ruano

Manuel Garrido y Ruano was appointed to our Board of Directors as a Non-Executive Director on May 30, 2017. He was a member of our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee from May 30, 2017 until December 31, 2017, when he was appointed to our Corporate Governance Committee.

Mr. Garrido y Ruano has been Chief Financial Officer of Grupo Villar Mir since 2003 and he is currently member of the Board of its subsidiary in the energy sector, and member of the steering Committee of its real estate subsidiary. In June 2021 he was appointed non executive Chairman of Fertial SPA the Algerian fertilizers subsidiary of the Group.

He is Professor of Corporate Finance of one Graduate Management Program at the Universidad de Navarra, and has also been Professor of Communication and Leadership of the Graduate Management Program at CUNEF in Spain.

Mr. Garrido y Ruano was a member of the steering committee of FerroAtlántica until 2015, having previously served as its Chief Financial Officer from 1996 to 2003. He worked with McKinsey & Company from 1991 to 1996, specializing in restructuring, business development and turnaround and cost efficiency projects globally.

Mr. Garrido y Ruano holds a Masters in Civil Engineering with honors from the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid and an MBA from INSEAD, Fontainebleau, France.

Juan Villar-Mir de Fuentes

Juan Villar-Mir de Fuentes was appointed to our Board of Directors as a Non-Executive Director on December 23, 2015.

Mr. Villar-Mir de Fuentes has been Vice Chairman of Inmobiliaria Espacio, S.A since 1996 and Vice Chairman of Grupo Villar Mir, S.A.U. since 1999 and he is currently Chairman of both companies. He has been a member of the Board of Directors of Obrascon Huarte Lain, S.A. since 1996, a member of the Audit Committee and, later, a member of its Compensation Committee. Currently he is Vice Chairman of the company. He was a Board director and member of the Compensation Committee of Inmobiliaria Colonial, S.A from June 2014 to May 2017. He also was a member of the Board of Directors and of the Compensation Committee of Abertis Infraestructuras, S.A. between 2013 and 2016.

Mr. Villar-Mir de Fuentes is Patron and member of the Patronage Council of Fundación Nantik Lum and of Fundación Santa María del Camino.

Mr. Villar-Mir holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Economics and Business Management from the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid.

Belen Villalonga Morenés

Belen Villalonga Morenés was appointed to our Board of Directors as a Non-Executive Director on May 13, 2021. She has been a member of the Audit Committee from that date and was appointed to the Corporate Governance Committee on June 23, 2021.

Ms. Villalonga is a Professor of Management and Organizations, a Yamaichi Faculty Fellow, and a Professor of Finance (by courtesy) at New York University’s Stern School of Business. Between 2001 and 2012 she was a faculty member at the Harvard Business School. Her teaching, research, and consulting activities are in the areas of corporate governance, strategy, and finance, with a special focus on family-controlled companies. Her award-winning research has been cited over 15,000 times in scholarly articles and international media outlets. Professor Villalonga is an independent director and audit committee member (and former chair) at Grifols, a global leader in hemoderivatives that is part of Spain’s IBEX35 blue-chip index and is also listed on NASDAQ. She is also a member of the board and of the risk, audit, and compensation & talent management committees at Banco Santander International, the Santander group’s private banking subsidiary in the United States. She was also an independent director for 13 years at Acciona, a leader in the renewable energy and infrastructure industries, as well as at Talgo, a high-speed train manufacturer, where she chaired the strategy committee.

Ms. Villalonga holds a Ph.D. in Management and an M.A. in Economics from the University of California at Los Angeles, where she was a Fulbright Scholar. She also holds a Ph.D. in Business Economics from the Complutense University of Madrid.

Silvia Villar-Mir de Fuentes

Silvia Villar-Mir de Fuentes was appointed to our Board of Directors as a Non-Executive Director on May 13, 2021. She has been a member of the Compensation Committee since June 23, 2021. Ms. Villar-Mir de Fuentes currently serves on the board of directors of Grupo Villar Mir, a privately held Spanish group with investments across a broad range of diversified industries, which is the beneficial owner of approximately 49% of the Company’s share capital.

Mrs. Villar-Mir de Fuentes is a summa cum laude graduate in Economics and Business Studies, with concentration in finance and accounting, from The American College in London, United Kingdom.

Nicolas De Santis

Nicolas De Santis was appointed to our Board of Directors as a Non-Executive Director on May 13, 2021. He has been a member of the Compensation Committee and the Nominations Committee since June 23, 2021. Mr. De Santis is a technology entrepreneur, strategist and author with substantial experience in executive and non-executive roles. Mr. De Santis is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Corporate Vision, a strategy and innovation consultancy and incubator. Corporate Vision advises multinational corporations and start-ups on digital business transformation (including artificial intelligence and machine learning), business strategy, branding, business model innovation, sustainability strategies and corporate culture change.

Previously Mr. De Santis served on the board of publicly traded Lyris Technologies (acquired by AUREA Software in 2015). He began his management career at Landor Associates (now WPP Group). As a technology entrepreneur, he co-founded several high-profile start-ups, including opodo.com, one of Europe’s most successful start-ups, reaching $1.5 billion in gross sales.

Mr. De Santis is a regular lecturer at business schools and universities on business strategy, global branding, business model innovation and culture transformation, including IE Business School, Madrid and the University of Wyoming. He is the author of Futurising Companies® - A systematic approach to win the future by managing culture as the operating system of organisations.

Rafael Barrilero Yarnoz

Rafael Barrilero Yarnoz was appointed to our Board of Directors as a Non-Executive Director on May 13, 2021. He was appointed Chair of the Compensation Committee and a member of the Nominations Committee on June 23, 2021.

Mr. Barrilero Yarnoz is a senior advisor at Mercer Consulting. Mr. Barrilero Yarnoz has developed his career as a partner of the firm and as a member of the executive committee, leading the advisory talent and reward service for the boards of the main companies and multinationals. He has also led the business throughout the EMEA. Previously, he led the Watson Wyatt consulting firm in Madrid. He began his career as a lawyer at Ebro Agricolas focused on labour law, before serving as Ebro’s head of human resources.

Mr. Barrilero Yarnoz has a law degree from Deusto and a Masters in Financial Economics from ICADE, as well as a masters in human resources by Euroforum-INSEAD.

Resolution 16 (appointment of auditor)

At each general meeting at which accounts are laid before the shareholders, the Company is required to appoint an auditor to serve until the next such meeting. Deloitte LLP has served as the Company’s U.K. statutory auditor since 3 February 2016.

If this resolution does not receive the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares entitled to vote and represented by proxy or, where appropriate, present in person at the Annual General Meeting, the Board may appoint an auditor to fill the vacancy.

Resolution 17 (remuneration of auditor)

Under the Companies Act, the remuneration of the Company’s U.K. statutory auditor must be fixed in a general meeting or in such manner as may be determined in a general meeting. The Company asks its shareholders to authorise the Audit Committee to determine the remuneration of Deloitte LLP in its capacity as the Company’s U.K. statutory auditor under the Companies Act.

Further notes:

Some of the resolutions are items that are required to be approved by shareholders periodically under the Companies Act and generally do not have an analogous requirement under United States laws and regulations. As such, while these resolutions may be familiar and routine to shareholders accustomed to being shareholders of companies incorporated in England and Wales, other shareholders may be less familiar with these routine resolutions and should review and consider each resolution carefully.

In accordance with the Articles, all resolutions will be taken on a poll. Voting on a poll will mean that each Ordinary Share represented in person or by proxy will be counted in the vote.

All resolutions will be proposed as ordinary resolutions, which means that such resolutions must be passed by a simple majority of the total voting rights of shareholders who vote on such resolutions, whether in person or by proxy. The results of the shareholders’ vote on resolutions 1 and 4 regarding receipt of the U.K. Annual Report and Accounts and approval of the Directors’ Annual Remuneration Report will not require the Board or any Committee thereof to take (or refrain from taking) any action. The Board values the opinion of shareholders as expressed through such resolutions and will carefully consider the outcome of the votes on these resolutions.

“Shareholders of record” are those persons registered in the register of members of the Company in respect of Ordinary Shares at 23:59 (British Summer Time) on 11 May 2022. If, however, Ordinary Shares are held for you in a stock brokerage account or by a broker, bank or other nominee, you are considered the “beneficial owner” of those Ordinary Shares.

Beneficial owners of Ordinary Shares as at 23:59 (British Summer Time) on 11 May 2022 have the right to direct their broker or other agent on how to vote the Ordinary Shares in their account and are also invited to attend the Annual General Meeting. However, as beneficial owners are not Shareholders of record of the relevant Ordinary Shares, they may not vote their Ordinary Shares at the Annual General Meeting unless they request and obtain a legal proxy from their broker or agent.

Any Shareholder of record attending the Annual General Meeting has the right to ask questions. The Company must cause to be answered any questions put by a Shareholder of record attending the meeting relating to the business being dealt with at the Annual General Meeting unless to do so would interfere unduly with the business of the meeting, be undesirable in the interests of the Company or the good order of the meeting, involve the disclosure of confidential information or if the information has already been given on the Company’s website.

In accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act, and in accordance with the Articles, a Shareholder of record who is entitled to attend and vote at the Annual General Meeting is entitled to appoint another person as his or her proxy to exercise all or any of his or her rights to attend and to speak and vote at the Annual General Meeting and to appoint more than one proxy in relation to the Annual General Meeting (provided that each proxy is appointed to exercise the rights attached to different Ordinary Shares). Such proxies need not be Shareholders of record, but must attend the Annual General Meeting and vote as the Shareholder of record instructs. Further details regarding the process to appoint a proxy, voting and the deadlines therefor are set out in the “Voting Process and Revocation of Proxies” section below.

Pursuant to section 527 of the Companies Act 2006, shareholders meeting the threshold requirements set out in that section have the right to require the Company to publish on a website a statement setting out any matter relating to:

(a)

the audit of the Company’s accounts (including the auditor’s report and the conduct of the audit) that are to be laid before the AGM; or

(b)

any circumstance connected with an auditor of the Company ceasing to hold office since the previous meeting at which annual accounts and reports were laid in accordance with section 437 of the Companies Act 2006.

The Company may not require the shareholders requesting any such website publication to pay its expenses in complying with sections 527 or 528 of the Companies Act 2006. Where the Company is required to place a statement on a website under section 527 of the Companies Act 2006, it must forward the statement to the Company’s auditor no later than the time when it makes the statement available on the website. The business which may be dealt with at the AGM includes any statement that the Company has been required under section 527 of the Companies Act 2006 to publish on a website.

The results of the polls taken on the resolutions at the Annual General Meeting and any other information required by the Companies Act will be made available on the Company’s website as soon as reasonably practicable following the AGM and for a period of two years thereafter.

10.

A copy of this Annual General Meeting notice can be found at the Company’s website, www.ferroglobe.com.

11.

Recipients of this notice and the accompanying materials may not use any electronic address provided in this notice or such materials to communicate with the Company for any purposes other than those expressly stated.

12.

To be admitted to the Annual General Meeting, please bring the Admission Ticket that you will have received through the post. You will need to be able to provide your photo identification at the registration desk.

13.

On arrival at the Annual General Meeting venue, all those entitled to vote will be required to register and collect a poll card. In order to facilitate these arrangements, please arrive at the Annual General Meeting venue in good time. You will be given instructions on how to complete your poll card at the Annual General Meeting.

VOTING PROCESS AND REVOCATION OF PROXIES

If you are a Shareholder of record, there are three ways to vote by proxy:

•

By Internet – You can vote over the Internet at www.envisionreports.com/GSM by following the instructions at such web address. You will need to enter your control number, which is a 15-digit number located in a box on your proxy card. We encourage you to vote by Internet even if you received this Annual General Meeting notice in the mail.

•

By Telephone – You may vote and submit your proxy by calling toll-free 1-800-652-8683 in the United States and providing your control number, which is a 15-digit number located in a box on your proxy card.

•

By Mail – If you received this Annual General Meeting notice by mail or if you requested paper copies of the Annual General Meeting notice, you can vote by mail by marking, dating, signing and returning the proxy card in the postage-paid envelope.

Telephone and Internet voting facilities for Shareholders of record will be available 24 hours a day and will close at 00:01 (British Summer Time) on Wednesday, 29 June 2022. Submitting your proxy by any of these methods will not affect your ability to attend the Annual General Meeting in-person and vote at the Annual General Meeting.

If your shares are held in “street name”, meaning you are a beneficial owner with your shares held through a bank or brokerage firm, you will receive instructions from your bank or brokerage firm, which is the Shareholder of record of your shares. You must follow the instructions of the Shareholder of record in order for your shares to be voted. Telephone and Internet voting may also be offered to shareholders owning shares through certain banks and brokers, according to their individual policies.

The Company has retained Computershare to receive and tabulate the proxies.

If you submit proxy voting instructions and direct how your shares will be voted, the individuals named as proxies must vote your shares in the manner you indicate.

A shareholder who has given a proxy may revoke it at any time before it is exercised at the Annual General Meeting by:

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attending the Annual General Meeting and voting in person;

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voting again by Internet or Telephone (only the last vote cast by each Shareholder of record will be counted), provided that the shareholder does so before 00:01 (British Summer Time) on Wednesday, 29 June 2022.

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delivering a written notice, at the address given below, bearing a date later than that indicated on the proxy card or the date you voted by Internet or Telephone, but prior to the date of the Annual General Meeting, stating that the proxy is revoked; or

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signing and delivering a subsequently dated proxy card prior to the vote at the Annual General Meeting.

You should send any written notice or new proxy card to Proxy Services, c/o Computershare Investor Services, PO Box 30202 College Station, TX 77842-9909, USA.

If you are a registered shareholder you may request a new proxy card by calling Computershare at 1-866-490-6057 if calling from the United States, or +1-781-575-2780 from outside the United States, or you may also send a request via email to web.queries@computershare.com.

ANY SHAREHOLDER OWNING SHARES IN STREET NAME MAY CHANGE OR REVOKE PREVIOUSLY GIVEN VOTING INSTRUCTIONS BY CONTACTING THE BANK OR BROKERAGE FIRM HOLDING THE SHARES OR BY OBTAINING A LEGAL PROXY FROM SUCH BANK OR BROKERAGE FIRM AND VOTING IN PERSON AT THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING. YOUR LAST VOTE, PRIOR TO OR AT THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING, IS THE VOTE THAT WILL BE COUNTED.

Location of Annual General Meeting:

DOCUMENTS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION

Forms of appointment of the Non-Executive Directors, as well as a memorandum setting out the terms of the Executive Director’s contracts, will be available for inspection at the Company’s registered office during normal business hours and at the place of the Annual General Meeting from at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the meeting until the end of the Annual General Meeting.

By order of the Board,

Thomas Wiesner

Company Secretary

3 June 2022

Exhibit 99.2

Ferroglobe PLC

Annual Report and Accounts 2021

Company Registration No. 09425113

Ferroglobe PLC

Annual Report and Financial Statements

Year ended 31 December 2021

Ferroglobe PLC

Annual report and financial statements 2021

Contents	Page No.

Glossary and definitions	2

Officers and professional advisers	5

Introduction	6

Chairman’s letter to shareholders	7

Strategic report (including section 172 statement)	11

Directors’ report	20

The Board of Directors	26

Directors’ remuneration report	32

Independent auditor’s report to the members of Ferroglobe PLC	57

Consolidated financial statements	70

Notes to the consolidated financial statements	76

Parent company financial statements	162

Notes to the parent company financial statements	164

Appendix 1 — Non-IFRS financial metrics	171

Ferroglobe PLC

GLOSSARY AND DEFINITIONS

Unless the context requires otherwise, the following definitions apply throughout this U.K. Annual Report (including the Appendix, save as set out below):

“2021”	the financial year ended 31 December 2021;

“2020”	the financial year ended 31 December 2020;

“2022 AGM”	the Annual General Meeting of the Company, to be held in 2022;

“2021 Form 20-F”	the Company’s Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2021;

“ABL RCF”	the Credit and Security Agreement for a new $100 million North American asset-based revolving credit facility dated as of 11 October 2019, entered into between Globe and QSIP Canada ULC, as borrowers, and PNC Bank, N.A., as lender and settled in March 2021;

“ABL Revolver”	credit available under the ABL RCF;

“Adjusted EBITDA”	earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation, adjusted in accordance with Company’s adjustments announced as part of its earnings reports. Alternative Performance Measures are reconciled at Appendix 1;

“Alternative Performance Measures”	the non-IFRS financial metrics reconciled at Appendix 1;

“Aon”	Aon Plc;

“ARA”	this annual report and accounts for the financial year ended 31 December 2021;

“Articles”	the Articles of Association of the Company, from time to time;

“Auditor”	Deloitte LLP, the Company’s independent U.K. statutory auditor;

“Aurinka”	Aurinka Photovoltaic Group, S.L.;

“Blue Power”	Blue Power Corporation, S.L.;

“Board”	the Company’s board of directors;

“Business Combination”	the business combination of Globe and FerroAtlántica as the Company’s wholly owned subsidiaries on 23 December 2015;

“Business Combination Agreement”	the definitive transaction agreement entered into on 23 February 2015 (as amended and restated on 5 May 2015) by, among others, the Company, Grupo VM, FerroAtlántica and Globe;

“Capital”	net debt plus total equity. Alternative Performance Measures are reconciled at Appendix 1;

“CEO”, “Chief Executive Officer” or “Chief Executive”	the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, or where the context requires, of the relevant company or organization;

“Companies Act”	the U.K. Companies Act 2006;

“Company” or “Ferroglobe”	Ferroglobe PLC, a company incorporated in England and Wales with registered number 09425113 and whose registered office is at 5 Fleet Place, London EC4M 7RD, United Kingdom or, where the context requires, the Group;

“Consolidated Financial Statements”	(save in the supplemental attachment when it will have the meaning given below) these consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2021

“Compensation Committee”	the compensation committee of the Company;

“EBITDA”	earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation;

“EIP”	the Ferroglobe PLC Equity Incentive Plan, adopted by the Board on 29 May 2016 and approved by shareholders on 29 June 2016;

“EU”	the European Union;

“Exchange Act”	the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (as amended);

“Executive Chairman”	the executive chairman of the Company;

“Executive Directors” or “Executives”	the executive directors of the Company;

“FerroAtlántica” or “Grupo FerroAtlántica” or “Predecessor”	Grupo FerroAtlántica, S.A.U. a joint stock company organised under the laws of Spain, including (where the context so requires), its subsidiaries and subsidiary undertakings;

“Free cash-flow”	operating cash-flow less property, plant and equipment cash flows. Alternative Performance Measures are reconciled at Appendix 1;

“Globe” or “GSM”	Globe Specialty Metals, Inc., a Delaware corporation, including (whether the context requires) its subsidiaries and subsidiary undertakings;

“Group”	the Company and its subsidiaries;

“Grupo VM”	Grupo Villar Mir, S.A.U.;

“IASB”	International Accounting Standards Board;

“IFRS”	International Financial Reporting Standards;

“Indenture”	the indenture, dated as of 15 February 2017, among Ferroglobe and Globe as co-issuers, certain subsidiaries of Ferroglobe as guarantors, and Wilmington Trust, National Association as trustee, registrar, transfer agent and paying agent;

“KPI”	key performance indicator;

“LIBOR”	the basic rate of interest payable in respect of the drawn amount of the ABL Revolver, interest under which is to be paid at the rate of LIBOR plus the applicable margin;

“NASDAQ”	the NASDAQ Global Select Market;

“NASDAQ Rules”	the NASDAQ Stock Market Rules;

“Net debt”	bank borrowings, debt instruments, obligations under finance leases, and other financial liabilities, less cash and cash equivalents. Alternative Performance Measures are reconciled at Appendix 1;

“Non-Executive Directors” or “NEDs”	the non-executive directors of the Company;

“Notes”	refer to the $350,000,000 aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes bearing interest of 9.375% issued by Ferroglobe PLC and Globe Specialty Metals, Inc., due March 1, 2022 (the “Notes”);

“Reinstated Senior Notes”	refer to the notes issued in exchange of 98.588% of the 9.375% Senior Notes due 2022 issued by Ferroglobe Finance Company PLC and Globe due December 2025;

“Stub Notes”	refer to the $4,942 thousand aggregate principal amount of 9.375% senior unsecured Notes due March 1, 2022;

“Super Senior Notes”	refer to the 9% senior secured notes due 2025 issued by Ferroglobe Finance Company, PLC;

“Ordinary Shares”	the ordinary shares of $0.01 each in the capital of the Company;

“Policy”	the directors’ remuneration policy in force from time to time;

“SHA”	the amended and restated shareholders agreement between Group VM and the Company dated 22 November 2017, as amended on 23 January 2018;

“SEC”	the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission;

“SOX”	the U.S. Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002;

“SPE”	Ferrous Receivables DAC, a special purpose entity domiciled and incorporated in Ireland to which trade receivables generated by the Company’s subsidiaries in the United States, Canada, Spain and France were sold;

“U.K.”	the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland;

“U.S.”	the United States of America;

“Working capital”	inventories and trade and other receivables, less trade and other payables. Alternative Performance Measures are reconciled at Appendix 1;

“$”	U.S. dollars.

In the separate attachment hereto only (and for the avoidance of doubt, not in the remainder of this U.K. Annual Report), the following phrase has the meaning given below:

“Consolidated Financial Statements”	the audited consolidated financial statements of Ferroglobe and its subsidiaries as of 31 December 2021, 2020 and 2019 and for each of the years ended 31 December 2021, 2020 and 2019, including the related notes thereto, prepared in accordance with IFRS, as filed on SEC Form 20-F.

Ferroglobe PLC

Report and financial statements 2021

Officers and professional advisers

Directors
J López Madrid
M Amusategui
Rafael Barrilero Yarnoz	(appointed 13 May 2021)
B L Crockett
S E Eizenstat
M Garrido y Ruano J M Alapont	(resigned 30 April 2021)
M Levi
Nicolas de Santis	(appointed 13 May 2021)
Belén Villalonga	(appointed 13 May 2021)
J Villar-Mir de Fuentes
Silvia Villar-Mir de Fuentes	(appointed 13 May 2021)
Company Secretary
Thomas Wiesner
Registered Address
5 Fleet Place
London
EC4M 7RD
Auditor
Deloitte LLP
Statutory Auditor
1 New St. Square
EC4A 3HQ London

Ferroglobe PLC

Introduction

Ferroglobe PLC is a public limited company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales under Company Number: 09425113. Ferroglobe PLC and subsidiaries (the “Company” or “Ferroglobe”) is among the world’s largest producers of silicon metal and silicon-based alloys, important ingredients in a variety of industrial and consumer products. The Company’s customers include major silicone chemical, aluminum and steel manufacturers, auto companies and their suppliers, ductile iron foundries, manufacturers of photovoltaic solar cells and computer chips, and concrete producers. Additionally, the Company was operating hydroelectric plants (hereinafter “energy business”) in Spain until August 30, 2019 and is still operating in France.

The Company was incorporated in 2015 and its Ordinary Shares are listed for trading on the NASDAQ in U.S. dollars under the symbol “GSM”.

The Company is subject to disclosure obligations in the U.S. and the U.K. While some of these disclosure requirements overlap or are otherwise similar, some differ and require distinct disclosures. Pursuant to the requirements of the Companies Act, this document includes our directors’ strategic report, directors’ report, remuneration report and required financial information (including our statutory accounts and statutory auditor’s report for the reporting period commencing 1 January 2021 and ending 31 December 2021), which together comprise our U.K. annual reports and accounts for the period ended 31 December 2021 (the “U.K. Annual Report”).

We are also subject to the information and reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, regulations and other guidance issued by the SEC and the NASDAQ listing standards applicable to foreign private issuers. In accordance with the Exchange Act, we are required to file annual and periodic reports and other information with the SEC, including, without limitation, our 2021 Form 20-F. Certain other announcements made by the Company are furnished to the SEC on Form 6-K. Our status as a foreign private issuer requires the Company to comply with various corporate governance practices under the SOX, as well as related rules subsequently implemented by the SEC. In addition, NASDAQ Rules permit foreign private issuers to follow home country practice in lieu of the NASDAQ corporate governance standards, subject to certain exemptions and except to the extent that such exemptions would be contrary to U.S. federal securities law.

We have provided as a separate attachment to the U.K. Annual Report extracts from the 2021 Form 20-F to assist shareholders in assessing the Group’s performance and results. Investors may obtain the full 2021 Form 20-F, without charge, from the SEC at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or from our website at www.ferroglobe.com. Unless expressly stated otherwise, the information on our website is not part of this U.K. Annual Report and is not incorporated by reference herein.

The capitalised terms used throughout the U.K. Annual Report are defined in the Glossary and Definitions section of this U.K. Annual Report unless otherwise indicated. In the following text, the terms “we,” “our,” “the Company”, “our Company” and “us” may refer, as the context requires, to Ferroglobe or collectively to Ferroglobe and its subsidiaries. Throughout the U.K. Annual Report, rounding has been applied and numbers given and totals aggregated may differ in consequence.

Chairman’s Letter to Shareholders

Dear fellow shareholders,

2021 was positive year for Ferroglobe. Despite the ongoing challenges facing the world, Ferroglobe was focused on the execution of its turnaround plan and restoring profitability. In the face of new COVID-19 variants and further waves of infection our people have demonstrated resilience and adaptability to ensure we continue to deliver for our customers and generate value for shareholders.

The impact of COVID-19 continues to be felt throughout our Company and the broader value chain into which we are integrated. Notwithstanding this, Ferroglobe delivered sales of $1.7 billion in 2021, an increase of 55% versus 2020. Furthermore, we posted adjusted EBITDA of $179 million in 2021 compared with $32 Million in 2020. This achievement demonstrates our turnaround plan is producing the expected results across our commercial, operational, and financial areas and we are fully focused on the plan’s execution in 2022.

The Board and I are again extremely proud of the commitment of our employees. Without their support and commitment to our vision, we would not have delivered such positive results.

Value Creation Plan

In 2020 we designed a comprehensive strategic plan focused on bolstering the long-term competitiveness of the business. 2021 marked the first year of the execution of the plan spanning across a number of value creation areas, including commercial excellence, footprint optimization, continuous plant efficiency, centralized procurement and the reduction of corporate overheads. While our multi-year plan set a target of $180 million of EBITDA impact to be driven from initiatives spread across these areas, in the first year of execution, our in-year target was $55 million. For the year, we came in above our target, achieving $58 million of EBITDA from cost cutting and commercial excellence. Separately, we have a multi-year target of $70 million of cash release from working capital. In 2021 alone we reached this target.

The financial targets are important to the longer-term performance of the Company through a cycle. However, in addition to these results, we are fundamentally changing the way we operate. By creating a new culture focused on best practices and a reshaping of decision making to a centralized model, amongst many other attributes. Ultimately, we seek to create a culture where decisions are made with the broader goal of the Company in mind to ensure our long term competitiveness. Like with any program of this caliber, there are some areas which outperformed and some which are lagging. Nonetheless, we are motivated by the embracing of the change by the broader workforce and feel this momentum can fuel even greater pockets of value.

Looking ahead, have begun thinking past the turnaround and developing a near-term strategy for the Company. In 2022, the management team has embarked on this journey and is in the process of conducting a self-assessment of the market to determine the best way to position the Company for continued success. We are excited to be able to think about new opportunities to grow and further bolster our platform. It is a stark contrast from where this company has recently been but an exciting and important step aimed at optimizing value creation for all stakeholders.

Comprehensive Refinancing Completed

2021 marked an active year with regards to our capital markets activity. At the center of the comprehensive refinancing effort was the extension of the maturity of our Senior Notes to December 2025 (from February 2022). In addition to extending the maturity profile of the company, we also issued $60 million of Super Senior Notes that provided the Company additional cash funding to support our value creation plan. Overall, we view this financing to be a success given the uncertain operating market back-drop prevailing in the midst of the pandemic.

There was a significant change in performance during the second half of 2021, coupled with the step-change in performance anticipated in 2022. We will seek to build on this and decide on the best actions relating to our balance sheet. Consistent with our objectives on the strategic side, we seek to bolster the Company’s balance sheet to ensure flexibility and competitiveness through the cycle.

Health and Safety

Safety is always a priority for our business, and we are constantly striving to achieve a risk-free environment for all of our colleagues, contractors and third parties. In 2021 we rolled-out our new Health and Safety policy across all locations and our new Health and Safety Committee, that ensures we share best practice and other important safety related information across our organization. As an organization that is committed to zero-harm we are implementing an ambitious three-year Health and Safety plan that will reinforce the key pillars of how we manage Health and safety across the organization. Simultaneously we have remained focused on the COVID19 pandemic and have made important changes to our procedures to protect our people and ensure the integrity of our operations.

Environmental, Social, Governance

We have also been working on the necessary foundations to make Ferroglobe a leader in terms of Sustainability and Innovation, as key pillars of our future. In 2021 we started working on developing our first ESG report, which we expect to be completed during 2022. In addition, we are developing good progress on environmental projects that are expected to aid our decarbonization and energy efficiency efforts across all markets. I look froward to updating you further on these initiatives as they progress.

Performance in 2021

During the second half of 2020 we saw gradual strengthening in the pricing indices across our three main product categories. This positive momentum continued into 2021 and throughout the year we experienced improved sales volumes which increased by 18% from tn.927 thousand in 2020 to tn.1,095 in 2021. Across the year as a whole, we experienced an increase in revenue of 55%, from $1,144 million in 2020 to $1,779 million in 2021, while an operating loss of $184.4 million in 2020 improved to an operating profit of $31.39m in 2021, with the group still incurring a net loss in 2021 of $115.4m due to financing costs which included a significant non recurring charge due to the refinancing. There is more on the Company’s performance in respect of its key performance indicators in 2021 at page 175.

Board and Senior Management Changes

During 2021 we announced the appointment of four new board members who will complement our current directors’ skills and experiences and provide valuable perspectives and support to management.

Belen Villalonga Morenés

Silvia Villar-Mir de Fuentes

Mrs. Villar-Mir de Fuentes is a summa cum laude graduate in Economics and Business Studies, with concentration in finance and accounting, from The American College in London, United Kingdom.

Nicolas De Santis

Rafael Barrilero Yarnoz

Mr. Barrilero Yarnoz has a law degree from Deusto and a Masters in Financial Economics from ICADE, as well as a masters in human resources by Euroforum-INSEAD.

On 30 April 2021 we announced the resignation from our Board of José María Alapont. The Board and I are grateful to José María for his commitments and contributions during his tenure.

Looking Ahead

We begin 2022 in a stronger position than 2021 and are poised to take advantage of the positive market conditions. However, we also remain fully focused in our efforts to continue executing our turnaround plan and implementing our strategic vision for the Company. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to present a number of uncertainties and risks and we continue to plan accordingly and ensure we make the right decisions for the company’s future into the long-term.

We are impacted by the ongoing military conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Our business may be materially adversely affected by any negative impact on the global economy and capital markets resulting from the conflict in Ukraine or any other geopolitical tensions. Management continually tracks developments in the nascent conflict in Ukraine and is committed to actively managing our response to potential distributions to the business, but can provide no assurance that the conflict in Ukraine or other ongoing headwinds will not have a material adverse effect on our business, operations and financial results

As I reflect on 2021 I thank our shareholders for your continued support, along with our customers and other partners. I also want to recognize our employees who have worked tirelessly with passion and resilience. Our people are Ferroglobe’s greatest asset and I thank each and every one for their support.

Javier López Madrid

Executive Chairman

Strategic report

This strategic report for the financial year to 31 December 2021 has been prepared in compliance with Section 414C of the Companies Act to provide an overview of the Group’s business and strategy. It contains certain forward-looking statements. These statements are made by the directors in good faith based on the information available to them up to the time of their approval of this report and such statements should be treated with caution due to the inherent uncertainties, including both economic and business risk factors, underlying any such forward-looking information.

For a supplementary description of our business (including our model, strategy and competitive strengths), risks associated with our business and our results of operations, see the following sections of the 2021 Form 20-F: Part I, Item 3, Section D, Risk factors; Item 4, Information on the Company; Item 5, Operating and Financial Review and Prospects; Item 7, Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions and Item 11, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk. These sections are set out in a separate attachment to this U.K. Annual Report.

Nature of the business

Through its operating subsidiaries, Ferroglobe is one of the world’s largest producers of silicon metal, silicon-based alloys and manganese-based alloys. Additionally, Ferroglobe currently has quartz mining activities in Spain, the United States, Canada, and South Africa, low-ash metallurgical quality coal mining activities in the United States, and interests in hydroelectric power in France. Ferroglobe controls a meaningful portion of most of its raw materials and captures, recycles and sells most of the by-products generated in its production processes.

We sell our products to a diverse base of customers worldwide, in a varied range of industries. These industries include aluminum, silicone compounds used in the chemical industry, ductile iron, automotive parts, renewable energy, photovoltaic (solar) cells, electronic semiconductors and steel, all of which are key elements in the manufacturing of a wide range of industrial and consumer products.

We are able to supply our customers with the broadest range of specialty metals and alloys in the industry from our production centers in North America, Europe, South America, Africa and Asia. Our broad manufacturing platform and flexible capabilities allow us to optimize production and focus on products most likely to enhance profitability, including the production of customized solutions and high purity metals to meet specific customer requirements. We also benefit from low operating costs, resulting from our ownership of sources of critical raw materials and the flexibility derived from our ability to alternate production at certain of our furnaces between silicon metal and silicon-based alloy products.

Business model and strategy

As part of the strategy for delivering the objectives of the Company, the Group develops new products or new specifications on a continual basis. As a consequence of these efforts, investments may be made in facilities that allow the production of new products, such as higher-grade silicon metal, solar grade silicon metal or new foundry products.

In 2020 we conducted a deep and broad evaluation of our Company with the goal of designing a strategic plan focused on bolstering the long term competitiveness of the business and returning the Company to profitability by fundamentally changing the way we operate, both operationally and financially. The multi-year value creation plan we developed essentially impacts all the functional areas of our Company as we seek to drive changes that ensure competitiveness throughout the cycle. Between 2021 and 2024, the Company set a target of achieving $180 million in cost savings and EBITDA contribution from commercial excellence, along with $70 million of cash release in working capital. 2021 was the first year of the execution phase of this value creation plan. We surpassed our 2021 targets delivering $58 million of in-year EBITDA contribution from the various initiatives, and releasing $70 million of cash through the working capital workstream. The key value drivers of our strategic plan are the following:

Footprint optimization: One of the Company’s core advantages is our large and diverse production platform. While our asset footprint provides flexibility, at times we are restricted in our ability to quickly adapt to changing market conditions due to inherent constraints in curtailing capacity, particularly for shorter durations. Going forward, our goal is to ensure that the operating platform is more flexible and modular so shifts in production, based on needs and relative costs, are incorporated swiftly. Through this value creation driver we aim to shift our capacity footprint by optimizing production to the most competitive assets.

Continuous plant efficiency: We will continue to build on the success of our existing key technical metrics (KTM) programme, which consists of specific initiatives aimed at enhancing our process, minimizing waste, and improving the overall efficiency to drive down costs. The Company maintains a pipeline of initiatives developed through the sharing of best practices amongst our numerous sites and through new improvements identified by our research and development team. Under the strategic plan we have formalized the manner in which we execute such initiatives by creating operational and technical teams with the expertise critical for implementation. Furthermore, we are developing tools to track our key performance indicators in an ongoing effort to improve furnace level performance.

Commercial excellence: We are focused on the design and delivery of commercial best practices that maximize profitable revenue, including programs aimed at consistently improve pricing, salesforce effectiveness, product mix, customer selection and focus. By organizing and analyzing client profitability we seek to optimize commercial opportunities. Our focus will be on portfolio and account management, ensuring we have the proper customer relationship management tools and clearly defined objectives for each of our customers. Front line management will require us to re-design our commercial coverage and operating model in-line with our product and customer priorities. On the pricing side, we seek to enhance communication and transparency amongst our internal teams to realize target margins on each sale.

Centralized purchasing: We are reshaping the organization so that purchasing of many consumables can be done centrally and to support a procurement culture centered on buying better and spending better. This will enable us to improve its tracking of needs, enhance our ability to schedule purchases and enable us to benefit from bulk purchases. Buying better is a supply-led effort that focuses on price and volume allocation, negotiating prices and terms, managing price risks, pooling volumes and contracts, shifting volumes to best-price suppliers and leveraging procurement networks. Spending better is an operation-led effort to control demand, enforce compliance, reduce complexity, and perform value engineering to improve efficient spending. Through the principles of buying better and spending better, we aim to attain more than just cost reduction. Through the new organization, we seek to reduce supply chain risk, supporting continuous quality and service improvement, fostering better decision-making about suppliers and optimizing resource allocation

Selling, general and administration & corporate overhead reduction: During our corporate review conducted in 2020, we identified significant opportunity for further cost improvement through permanent cost-cutting at the our plants, as well as at corporate levels. By tracking these costs vigorously and increasing accountability, we aim to bolster the overall cost structure at various levels. Through this value creation driver, we aim to create a culture focused on cost control and disciplines for deploying best practices to drive sound spending decisions without compromising our overall performance.

Working capital improvement: Improving net working capital performance requires cross-functional cooperation and alignment. By increasing the collaboration amongst the global team, and having oversight and controls at the corporate level, we aim to make a significant improvement in our overall cash conversion cycle on sustainable basis. This value creation area touches on inventory management of our raw materials and finished goods, as well as monitoring and improving terms with both our suppliers and customers, commensurate with market levels.

There is more information on the Group’s business, risks, key financials and organizational structure in Part I, Item 3, Item 4, Item 5 Information on the Company of the 2021 Form 20-F (as set out in the separate attachment to this U.K. Annual Report and not forming part of our financial statements). This, together with the information in this Strategic Report, and the Operating and Financial Review and Prospects section of the 2021 Form 20-F included in the separate attachment provides a fair review of the Company’s business and its development and performance during 2021.

Key Risks

We operate in a highly competitive industry.

The silicon metal market and the silicon based and manganese based alloys markets are global, capital intensive and highly competitive. Our competitors may have greater financial resources, as well as other strategic advantages, to maintain, improve and possibly expand their facilities, and, as a result, they may be better positioned than we are to adapt to changes in the industry or the global economy. Advantages that our competitors have over us from time to time, new entrants that increase competition in our industry, and increases in the use of substitutes for certain of our products could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Our business is particularly sensitive to increases in energy costs, which could materially increase our cost of production.

Electricity is one of our largest production components. The price of electricity is determined in the applicable domestic jurisdiction and is influenced both by supply and demand dynamics and by domestic regulations. Changes in local energy policy, increased costs due to scarcity of energy supply, climate conditions, the termination or non-renewal of any of our power purchase contracts and other factors may affect the price of electricity supplied to our plants and adversely affect our results of operations and financial conditions.

Our business benefits from antidumping and countervailing duty orders and laws that protect our products by imposing special duties on unfairly traded imports from certain countries. If these duties or laws change, certain foreign competitors might be able to compete more effectively.

The current antidumping and countervailing duty orders may not remain in effect and continue to be enforced from year to year, the products and countries now covered by orders may no longer be covered, and duties may not continue to be assessed at the same rates. In the United States, rates of duty can change as a result of “administrative reviews” of antidumping and countervailing duty orders. These orders can also be revoked as a result of periodic “sunset reviews,” which determine whether the orders will continue to apply to imports from particular countries. Antidumping and countervailing duties in the European Union and Canada are also subject to periodic reviews. In the European Union and in Canada, such reviews can include interim reviews, expiry reviews and other types of proceedings that may result in changes in rates of duty or termination of the duties.

Changes in any of these factors could adversely affect our business and profitability. Finally, at times, in filing trade actions, we arguably act against the interests of our customers. Certain of our customers may not continue to do business with us as a result.

Our business operations may be impacted by various types of claims, lawsuits, and other contingent obligations.

We are involved in various legal and regulatory proceedings including those that arise in the ordinary course of our business. We estimate such potential claims and contingent liabilities and, where appropriate, record provisions to address these contingent liabilities. The ultimate outcome of the legal matters currently pending against our Company is uncertain, and although such claims, lawsuits and other legal matters are not expected individually to have a material adverse effect, such matters in the aggregate could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. Furthermore, we could, in the future, be subject to judgments or enter into settlements of lawsuits and claims that could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations in any particular period. While we maintain insurance coverage in respect of certain risks and liabilities, we may not be able to obtain such insurance on acceptable terms in the future, if at all, and any such insurance may not provide adequate coverage against such claims.

Key Performance Indicators (“KPIs”)

The Board considered that the most important KPIs during 2021 were those set out below. Certain of these KPIs will also be a core area of focus during 2022.

At the corporate level, the principal KPIs that we use for measuring the overall performance of our business are:

EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA margin

Working capital improvement

Free cash-flow

Net Debt to Total Assets

Net Debt to Capital; and

Net Income.

Some of these measures are also part of our compensation structure for the key executives, as follows:

Adjusted EBITDA: EBITDA, adjusted in accordance with Company’s adjustments announced as part of its earnings reports.

Free cash-flow, which represents net cash provided by operating activities less payments for property, plant and equipment.

The following table sets out the Company’s performance in respect of these financial and non-IFRS measures in 2021. Refer to Appendix 1 for reconciliations of these non-IFRS measures.

Adjusted
EBITDA

Adjusted
EBITDA
Margin

Working
Capital

Net Cash-
Flow

($m)

178.7

10.1%

464.9

(14.7)

(2020: 32.5)

(2020: 2.8)%

(2020: 339.0)

(2020: 8.9)

Reported
EBITDA

Net
Income

Net Debt to
Total Assets

Net Debt to
Capital

($m)

128.7

(115.4)

33.3%

55.4%

(2020: (76.2))

(2020: (249.8))

(2020: 32.5)%

(2020: 54.5)%

In addition to these financial KPIs, there are a number of non-financial performance measures which the Company uses to gauge its success such as customer attrition, inventory rotation /obsolescence, benchmark against competitors and others. Some of these are reflected in the annual bonus and equity plan objectives for senior management and are reviewed each year to ensure their continued relevance. In the financial year ended 31 December 2021, the annual bonus was subject to meeting certain financial conditions related to net cash flow and EBITDA. Further information on performance in respect of these performance measures is in the Directors Remuneration Report at page 35.

Details of the Group’s anti-bribery and corruption and environmental policies are below and details of its employment policies and greenhouse gas emissions are set out below and in the Directors’ Report.

Principal risks and uncertainties

The Company is exposed to a number of operational risks which are monitored on an ongoing basis and which are summarised in the supplementary attachment. There is more information on the Group’s, risks, in Part I, Item 3 Information on the Company of the 2021 Form 20-F (as set out in the separate attachment to this U.K. Annual Report).

We did not maintain an effective control environment to enable the identification and mitigation of the risk of the existence of potential material accounting errors. We have identified deficiencies in the principles associated with the control environment component of the COSO framework. There is more information on the Group’s controls and procedures in Part I, Item 15 Information on the Company of the 2021 Form 20-F (as set out in the separate attachment to this U.K. Annual Report).

Employees

As at 31 December 2021, the Group had:

11 directors, of whom 3 are female and 8 are male;

291 senior managers, of whom 210 are male and 83 are female; and

3,132 employees, of whom 2,850 are male and 282 are female.

Environment and other social matters

Ferroglobe is committed to conducting its business in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations in a manner that has the highest regard for human rights, the environment and the health and safety and well-being of employees and the general public. During the year under review the Group’s employees were each asked to re-confirm in writing their commitment to the Company’s Code of Conduct which emphasizes the Group’s commitment to the highest standards of integrity, ethical behavior, transparency, safety and corporate citizenship. The Code of Conduct incorporates the Group’s key policies on matters including whistleblowing, anti-bribery and corruption, environmental impacts, health and safety and respect in the workplace and the conduct of national and international trade.

Section 172 (1) Statement

This section of the U.K. Companies Act sets out a number of matters to which directors of a U.K. company must have regard in discharging their duty to promote the success of the Company. The strategic report must include a statement which describes how the directors have had regard to those matters when performing their duties. The Board welcomes this opportunity to throw more light on its governance structures and on how input from its stakeholders has informed and shaped its decision-making. In 2021 the Board exercised all their duties with regard to these and other factors as they reviewed and considered proposals from senior management and governed the Company through the Board and its Committees.

The factors which the directors must take account of can be summarised as:

the likely consequences of any decision in the long term

taking account of the interests of the Company’s employees and fostering business relationships with customers, suppliers and other relevant stakeholders, such as regulatory bodies, governments and local authorities

the impact of operations on the community and the environment

maintaining a high standard of business conduct

acting fairly between its members

In order to take account of these factors, the Board must be informed of them. This takes place directly and indirectly, through collaborative working with management and direct and indirect feedback, as illustrated below. The Company’s internal control framework, including the Company’s Sarbanes Oxley controls, and the work of the Internal Audit team assists in providing assurance to the Board on the information made available to it.

The likely consequences of any decision in the long-term

The governance structures of the Company include delegation of certain responsibilities of the Board to its key Committees and delegation of the Board’s authority for the executive management of the Company to its executive team, subject to clearly defined limits and regular monitoring by the Board and subject also to the reservation to the Board of any matter not expressly delegated in this way.

The management team bring their annual budget to the Board for approval each year. This includes forecasts, expected revenues, costs and major expenditure and projects for the year ahead. Each year the Board typically also takes a day out of its board calendar to consider, with the majority of the management team, the Company’s strategic plan. In light of the refinancing and turnaround plan undertaken in 2021, a separate strategy day was not held by the Board, but they were kept continually updated on the status of those key initiatives throughout the year. Board strategy days are expected to resume in June 2022.

Throughout the year, the Board has received a number of reports on the Company’s capital structure and financing arrangements. Reports were made regularly to the Board by the management team members responsible for each function and region on their area of responsibility, their performance, priorities and key decisions and risks for the immediate future and medium term, giving assurance that proper consideration is made to the longer-term in decision making throughout the business.

Staying informed on employee, customer, supplier, investor and other key stakeholders’ views

Our relationships with those who work for the Company and with the Company are key to our success. The Board stays up to date with views of our employees through a number of means: key members of the management team, usually attend the management presentation made at each Board meeting when their input is regularly solicited. They are also consulted in less formal settings. Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, Directors had an annual schedule of visits to our facilities which enable them to spend time with our people on the ground and receive their direct feedback. One output of these pre-Covid site visits led in 2021 to an increased focus at Board level on the importance of driving a unified brand and culture for Ferroglobe. There are other channels through which the Board or its Committees receives reports on employee views; these include the VP People & Culture’ normal attendance at Compensation Committee meetings and his annual report on pay and conditions across the Group; and the confidential whistleblowing hotline, reports to which are in turn reported to the Audit Committee at its scheduled meetings. In 2021 the CEO continued with town hall meetings, face to face and virtually, with employees across the Group to keep them updated on our financial and operational performance; employees are encouraged to raise questions as part of those sessions.

We build strong relationships with our customers and suppliers, including our joint venture partners, spending a lot of time with them to best understand their goals and how to develop our business in our respective interests. The Board is aware that many of our relationships are long-term and depend on mutual trust and collaboration. The Board gets feedback on customer and supplier issues on a regular basis: through the input of the Chief Commercial Officer and Marketing and VP Supply Chain Management who normally attend management presentations in the scheduled Board meetings and through presentations each has made to the Board on their areas of responsibility, priorities and challenges.

The Board is aware that the Company relies on the support of its shareholders and their views are important to it. The Board’s interactions with these stakeholders take place through a variety of channels. The Company’s major shareholder, Grupo VM, had during 2021 four representative directors on the Board through whom views and input can be provided or sought. The Board receives feedback from other shareholders and the investment community through the Company’s quarterly results presentations . The EVP Investor Relations is a regular attendee at Board meetings and shares themes or commentary made to the Executives and management by the Company’s investors and certain other stakeholders. Shareholders typically have the opportunity to attend the general meetings of the Company, including the AGM, and put questions to directors formally at the meeting and in a more relaxed environment before and afterwards. The Company also maintains an investor relations email address on its corporate website, questions posed to which are directed to its EVP Investor Relations and Company Secretary and, where relevant, would then be raised by them with the other management team members or the Board.

Engaging with community and the environment

We engage with communities, government and regulators in the areas and countries in which we operate through a range of industry consultations, trade or industry bodies, conferences, forums and meetings. We have engaged with local charities and community groups. We also routinely consult with the local, regional and central governments and their agencies on the proposed idling of our production facilities. These matters are reported to the Board, which is kept updated on the status of these discussions and their progress.

We recognise that our business has an impact on the environment and work with relevant authorities and industry experts to manage and minimise that impact. The Audit Committee of the Board receives regular updates on any allegations of non-compliance by the business with environmental laws and regulations, such as the allegations of violations of clean air legislation in the U.S.A. made by the U.S. Department of Justice in relation to the operations and construction of our Beverly facility. There is more on this in Note 25 of our financial statements.

Sustainability has been identified by management as a top priority. First and foremost, we recognize the criticality of company’s to take an active role in leading and driving change for the betterment of society. Furthermore, given the growing focus on sustainability amongst our stakeholders we need to create more transparency around our performance and the action plan to drive the changes required to meet our goals. In 2022 we have issued the first ESG report for 2021 financial year as the commencement of our new approach to sustainability disclosure.

In 2021 we have defined Ferroglobe’s ESG Strategy 2022-2026 which sets the roadmap that makes sustainability a strategic pillar for the organization at the global level.

The ESG Strategy is aimed at being progressively implemented from 2022 to 2026, and has been defined based on four Strategic lines:

Strengthening our governance framework

Promoting a solid & honest engagement with our people and local communities where we operate

Reinforcing the role of sustainability through our value chain

Improving our environmental footprint to enable materials which are vital for sustainable development.

A specific ESG Committee has been designated to adopt and implement the ESG Strategy through 5 specific working groups to engage all business and corporate leaders to adopt and implement the ESG responsibilities set forth in the strategy.

The ESG Committee reports to the Management Team and The Board of Directors, which is ultimately responsible for the Company´s ESG performance.

The ESG working groups are responsible for monitoring and coordinating the development of the 40 measures that have been established within the strategy, as well as establishing and tracking targets to measure the degree of implementation of each of them.

We have defined our ESG Strategy 2022-2026 in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), identifying for each of the defined measures the specific targets to which it contributes to. In this sense, we have determined 8 out of the 17 SDGs, which are the most relevant in our activities and on which we shall focus our efforts.

The measures set for each strategic line are summarized as follows:

Strengthening our governance framework: Measures aimed at integrating sustainability into the Group's strategy, governance tools and organizational structure and also starting reporting through an annual ESG report.

Promoting a solid & honest engagement with our people and local communities where we operate: Measures aimed at achieving a corporate culture by harmonizing procedures for people management, guided by the fundamental values of collaboration, leading change, respect and ownership. Focusing on Health & Safety as a top priority and guiding principle in all our operations and promoting diversity, equality and inclusion as part of Ferroglobe´s core value of respect by setting a “DEI Roadmap”.

Reinforcing the role of sustainability throughout our value chain: Measures to promote the integration of sustainability among Ferroglobe’s value chain, both upstream and downstream by assessing our suppliers according to the ESG approach and coordinating the procedures to respond to customer´s needs in terms of ESG performance. The environmental footprint of our products will also be assessed developing specific Life Cycle Assessment studies.

Improving our environmental footprint to enable materials which are vital for sustainable development: Measures focused at reducing the environmental impacts of products and processes and integrate the environmental risks management approach to strengthen our resiliency and sustainability. Extending the environmental and energy management systems certification according to ISO standards in our production sites. Boosting energy efficiency through technological and processes improvement. Setting a Corporate Climate Change Framework and setting specific emission reduction targets. Promoting circularity principles for waste and water management trough specific programs in the plants to reduce the global environmental footprint.

ESG Risk Management Approach

Under the Governance strategic line, ESG risks will be integrated in the Company´s risk management system, including a specific Climate Change Risks & Opportunities Assessment aligned with the TCFD recommendations.

Maintaining a high standard of business conduct

On behalf of the Company, the Board has adopted a number of policies which articulate the Company and the Board’s commitment to the highest standards of integrity, ethical behaviour, transparency, safety and corporate citizenship. These include, as their mainstay, the Company’s code of conduct which sets out the Company’s policies on bribery and corruption, whistleblowing, conflicts of interest and political and charitable contributions, as well as the importance of safeguarding the wellbeing of its employees and protecting its resources. The Code of Conduct is supported by further policies on whistleblowing, data protection and statements on trade compliance, tax and modern slavery. The Board has also adopted a corporate governance policy statement to protect the interests of minority shareholders (on which there is more on “Acting fairly between members” sections that follows).

The Code of Conduct is reviewed regularly and every employee of the Company and all of its Board members are asked to confirm their personal commitment to the Code on joining the Company and to re-confirm it each year thereafter. Employees have the opportunity to report suspected breaches of the Code, for which purpose a secure and confidential hotline has been established, administered by an independent third party. Allegations of breaches of the Code are normally reported to the Audit Committee at each of its scheduled meetings and regular updates on the status of follow-up actions and outcomes given.

Acting fairly between members

A significant number of the Company’s shares are held by Grupo VM, its major shareholder. The Company has a number of checks and balances in place throughout the Company’s governance framework to ensure that the interests of the majority and the minority shareholders are respected and the Board is very cognisant of its duties in this regard. These checks and balances include:

the Company’s shareholders agreement with Grupo VM which regulates Board appointments, including those nominated by Grupo VM, Grupo VM’s rights to transfer and pledge its shares, its pre-emption rights and standstill obligations and the confidentiality agreement with Grupo VM which regulates the use, disclosure and security of confidential information shared with Grupo VM or its representatives;

the Company’s Articles of Association which, among other things, require the approval of a majority of independent directors to any agreement or arrangement between the Company and Grupo VM;

the Board’s corporate governance policy first adopted in October 2017 under which the Board commits to maintain a majority of independent directors on the Board. This policy was most recently renewed in November 2021 for a period of 24 months;

the workings and functions of the Board’s key fully independent Audit and majority independent Compensation Committees;

the Company’s related parties’ policy which stipulates how and in what way proposed related party transactions are to be submitted for consideration and approval by the Audit Committee of the Board and the Company’s register of related party transactions which is submitted to each scheduled meeting of the Audit Committee;

the presence of directors on the Board who were nominated by Grupo VM.

The Chief Legal Officer and Group Company Secretary has primary responsibility for advising the Board on its duties and on the Company’s governance framework and normally attends all meetings of the Board and its Committees.

The Strategic Report for the financial period ended 31 December 2021 has been reviewed and approved by the Board on 1 June 2022.

Javier Lopez Madrid

Director

Directors’ report

The Directors present their report and the audited financial statements of the Group and Company for the year ended 31 December 2021. The Directors do not need to comply with Corporate Governance requirements.

The Directors’ Report comprises these pages (22 to 62) and the other sections and pages of the Annual Report cross-referred below which are incorporated by reference.

The financial statements have been prepared under the going concern basis of accounting, with additional details provided in note 3.1 of the financial statements

As permitted by legislation, certain disclosures normally included in the Directors’ Report have instead been integrated into the Strategic Report (pages 12 to 21). These disclosures include information relating to the Group’s principal risks and uncertainties.

Directors

The directors of the Company, who held office at any time during the year to 31 December 2021, were as follows:

Javier López Madrid		Director and Executive Chairman
Marco Levi		Director and Chief Executive Officer
José María Alapont		Non-Executive Director
Rafael Barrilero Yarnoz		Non Executive Director
Bruce L. Crockett		Non-Executive Director
Stuart E. Eizenstat		Non-Executive Director
Manuel Garrido y Ruano		Non-Executive Director
Nicolas de Santis		Non-Executive Director
Marta Amusategui Vergara		Non-Executive Director
Juan Villar-Mir de Fuentes		Non-Executive Director
Silvia Villar-Mir de Fuentes		Non-Executive Director
Belén Villalonga Morenés		Non-Executive Director

On the 30 April 2021 José María Alapont resigned from the Board. On 13 May 2021 Belén Villalonga Morenés, Silvia Villar-Mir de Fuentes, Nicolas de Santis and Rafael Barrilero Yarnoz were appointed to the Board.

The biographies of our directors as at the date of this report are set out on pages 28 to 32. Details of the directors standing for election or re-election at our 2022 AGM will be set out in the notice of that meeting.

Directors’ indemnities

As required by the Articles, each director is indemnified in connection with his role as a director, to the extent permitted by law. As permitted by the Articles, the Company has purchased and maintained throughout the year under review directors’ and officers’ liability insurance.

Share repurchases

On August 21, 2018, we announced a share repurchase program, which provided authorization to purchase up to $20 million of our ordinary shares in the period ending December 31, 2018. On November 7, 2018, we completed the repurchase program, resulting in the acquisition of a total of 2,894,049 ordinary shares for total consideration of $20,100 thousand, including applicable stamp duty. The average price paid per share was $6.89. The share repurchase program resulted in 1,152,958 ordinary shares purchased and cancelled and 1,741,091 ordinary shares purchased into treasury, all of which remained held in treasury at December 31, 2018.

During 2021 the company did not perform any share repurchase (2020: None).

Dividends

The Company has not declared any dividends during the year under review.

Political donations

During the year under review the Company has not made any political donations, incurred any political expenditure or made any contributions to an EU or non-EU political party.

Employee policies

Ferroglobe has a culture of continuous improvement through investment in people at all levels within the organisation. Its Code of Conduct (“Code”), which applies to all directors and employees of the Group, sets out Ferroglobe’s commitment to protecting, respecting and supporting its workforce. The Code was revised in 2017 to bring together Ferroglobe’s policies on key ethical, behavioral and compliance matters. Its roll-out across the Group globally was initiated in 2017, supported by mandatory training for all employees. In 2019, 2020 and 2021, Group personnel were requested to re-certify their knowledge of and continued compliance with the Code. The adoption of and training provided on the Code is consistent with our evolution to an organization with an integrated approach to human relations policies across the five continents in which the Group operates.

Those key policies include:

Health and safety, where Ferroglobe places high value on the well-being of all personnel and is committed to providing a healthy and safe working environment;

Respect in the workplace, promoting equality and diversity, rejecting harassment and bullying and supporting work-life balance;

Striving to conduct operations in a way that respects the human rights of personnel, suppliers and others with whom Ferroglobe works, including local communities;

Encouraging the reporting of wrongdoing or of any suspicions or concerns as to wrongdoing, any of which can be raised in confidence through the whistleblowing hotline which Ferroglobe has established in all countries in which it operates where it is lawful to do so.

Ferroglobe is committed to providing equal opportunities for all Group personnel and to creating an inclusive workforce by promoting employment equality. This includes pursuing equality and diversity in all its employment activities, including recruitment, training, career development and promotion and ensuring there is no bias or discrimination in the treatment of people. Ferroglobe opposes all forms of unlawful or unfair discrimination on the grounds of race, age, nationality, religion, ethnic or national origin, sexual orientation, gender or gender reassignment, marital status or disability. Wherever possible, vacancies are filled from within Ferroglobe and efforts are made to create opportunities for internal promotion.

Greenhouse gas emissions

The UK Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Directors’ Reports) Regulations 2013 requires UK-based quoted companies to report global greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions data in the Annual Report and Accounts. Comparison year data for 2019, 2020 and 2021 is included in Table 2 in this report. As in 2017-2018, the 2019-2021 GHG inventory was prepared in accordance with the Ferroglobe PLC Greenhouse Gas Inventory Management Plan (2017), prepared in consultation with ERM Group, Inc. and its UK affiliate (the “IMP”).

The Company has selected the Operational Control approach and criteria as the basis for reporting GHG emissions data, defining “Operational Control” to encompass facilities the Group owns and operates, facilities it leases and operates, and joint venture facilities it operates. All facilities within Ferroglobe’s Operational Control that are material to its Group-wide GHG emission inventory are included in reported figures. This approach means that the operations for which emissions are reported are substantially coextensive with operations comprised by Ferroglobe’s consolidated financial reporting. The Company does not have responsibility for any emission sources that are not included in its financial reporting.

Table 1 sets forth the Company’s consolidated greenhouse gas emissions expressed in metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e). The figures reported below include all material direct (Scope 1) and indirect (Scope 2) emission sources for facilities within the Company’s Operational Control. Principal sources of Scope 1 emissions from operations at, or Scope 2 emissions imputed to, Ferroglobe-controlled facilities include:

Electricity purchased or produced by Ferroglobe facilities

Fuels purchased for consumption in stationary sources on-site at Ferroglobe facilities (e.g., natural gas, diesel, LPG)

Fuels purchased for consumption in mobile sources owned and operated by Ferroglobe

Process emissions associated with electric arc furnaces used for the production of silicon metal and ferroalloys.

Table 1. Company-wide Scope 1 and Scope 2 Emissions for 2021

Global GHG emissions data for period 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2021

Emissions From:	Tonnes of CO₂e
Combustion of fuel and operation of facilities		2,197,734	*
Electricity, heat, steam and cooling purchased for own use		1,228,600
Company’s chosen intensity measurement:
Emissions reported above normalized to per tonne of product output

*In line with DEFRA Guidance, 977,204 tonnes of CO₂e are not included in the above table, due to being biogenic in nature.

Table 2. Company-wide Scope 1 and Scope 2 Emissions Comparison for 2019-2020-2021

Global GHG emissions data for period 1 January to 31 December 2019-2021

	2019			2020			2021
Emissions From:	Tonnes of CO₂e			Tonnes of CO₂e			Tonnes of CO₂e
Combustion of fuel and operation of facilities		2,490,210	*		1,701,763	**		2,197,734	***
Electricity, heat, steam and cooling purchased for own use		1,929,965			1,282,333			1,228,600
Company’s chosen intensity measurement:
Emissions reported above normalized to per tonne of product output		4.99			4.92			4.42

*In line with DEFRA Guidance, 1.5 million tonnes of CO₂e are not included in the above table, due to being biogenic in nature.

**In line with DEFRA Guidance, 944,997 tonnes of CO₂e are not included in the above table, due to being biogenic in nature.

***In line with DEFRA Guidance, 997,204 tonnes of CO₂e are not included in the above table, due to being biogenic in nature.

Methodology

In preparing the IMP and this report, the Company has adhered to the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) Greenhouse Gas Protocol: A Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard – Revised Edition (2004) (the “GHG Protocol”) and the UK DEFRA’s Environmental Reporting Guidelines: Including mandatory greenhouse gas emissions reporting guidance (June 2013) (“DEFRA Guidance”). The Company reports material emissions of three out of the six Kyoto GHGs, viz. carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O). A fourth, sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆), is present in electrical breakers at some Company facilities, but no emission of SF₆of have been observed. The two remaining Kyoto gases, perfluorocarbons (PFCs) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), are not reported since Company facilities do not emit or use materials containing them.

Financial risk management objectives/policies and hedging arrangements

Please see Part I, Item 11 (Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk) of the 2021 Form 20-F (as set out in the separate attachment to this U.K. Annual Report) for information on Ferroglobe’s financial risk management objectives/policies and hedging arrangements.

Post year-end events

SEPI Loan

On February 16, 2022, the Company announced that the Spanish Fund for supporting strategic companies, on a proposal of the Sociedad Estatal de Participaciones Industriales (“SEPI”), a Spanish state-owned industrial holding company affiliated with the Ministry of Finance and Administration, has approved €34.5 million in loans to Grupo Ferroatlántica, S.A.U. and Grupo Ferroátlantica de Servicios, S.L.U., wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company. These loans are part of the SEPI fund intended to provide assistance to non-financial companies operating in strategically important sectors within Spain in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The €34.5M was funded using a dual-tranche loan, with €17.25M maturing in February 2025 and €17.25M maturing in June 2025. €16.9M of the loan carries a fixed interest rate of 2% per annum, and interest on the remaining €17.6M is calculated as IBOR plus a spread of 2.5% in the first year, 3.5% in the second and third years and 5.0% in the fourth year, plus an additional 1.0% payable if the result before taxes of the Beneficiaries is positive. The loans are guaranteed by the Company and certain of its subsidiaries. The loans are guaranteed by the Company and certain of its subsidiaries.

Uncertainties caused by the Russo-Ukrainian War

The recent outbreak of war between Russia and the Ukraine has disrupted supply chains and caused instability in the global economy, while the United States and the European Union, among other countries, announced sanctions against Russia. The ongoing conflict could result in the imposition of further economic sanctions against Russia, and given Russia’s role as global exporter of metcoke, anthracite and electrodes, the Company’s business may be impacted. Currently, the Company’s charter contracts have not been affected by the events in Russia and Ukraine. However, it is possible that in the future third parties with whom the Company has or will have charter contracts may be impacted by such events. Russia and Ukraine are meaningful producers of silicon metal, ferroalloys and manganese-based alloys, exporting into our markets.

Agreement with the French Works Council

The Company reached a majority collective agreement with the French Works Council on March 30, 2022 relating to a process that was initiated in April 2021 when Ferroglobe engaged the French Works Councils to discuss proposals for its asset optimization program designed to safeguard its long-term future in Europe.

The formal consultation procedure concerning the restructuring project in France initially targeted 355 jobs across the Company’s Château-Feuillet, Les Clavaux and Chambéry sites. Subsequently the scope of the project was amended in November 2021 to reflect the continuation of operation at the Les Clavaux facility given new developments.

Collectively, this agreement results in 195 potential job terminations and 35 employee transfers to other facilities. The project is subject to final approval from the French labor authority which is expected during the second quarter of 2022.

Future developments

As part of its strategy to serve customers better, the Group develops new products or new specifications on a continuous basis. As a consequence of these efforts, investments have been made in facilities that allow the production of new products, such as higher-grade silicon metal, solar grade silicon metal, electrodes for use in silicon metals furnaces, high-value powders for use in Li-on batteries or new foundry products. Please see Part I, Item 4, Information on the Company of the 2021 Form 20-F by way of example of how the Group has developed proprietary technologies and has pursued innovation in the development of new products.

Research and development

Please refer to Part I, Item 4, Information on the Company of the 2021 Form 20-F (as set out in the separate attachment to this U.K. Annual Report) for information on Ferroglobe’s research and development activities and opportunities.

Overseas branches

The Company has no overseas branches.

Share capital structure and change of control provisions

The Company’s share capital comprises ordinary shares of $0.01 each, all of which bear the same rights and obligations. The Company’s issued share capital at 31 December 2021 is set out at Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

The rights attaching to the Ordinary Shares are set out in the Articles, a copy of which can be obtained from the Company Secretary on request. Each Ordinary Share has one vote attaching to it for voting purposes and all holders of Ordinary Shares are entitled to receive notice of and attend and vote at the Company’s general meetings. The Articles vest power in the directors to refuse to register transfers of Ordinary Shares in certain circumstances including where the instrument of transfer is not stamped or is in favor of more than 4 transferees. There are also restrictions in the Articles affecting the terms of tender offers and any scheme of arrangement, consolidation, merger or business combination designed to protect minority shareholders while Grupo VM and its associates hold ten percent or more of the Ordinary Shares.

Significant agreements affected by a takeover

There are no agreements between the Group and any of its employees or any director of the Company that provide for compensation to be paid to the employee or director for termination of employment or for loss of office as a consequence of a takeover of the Company, other than provisions that would apply on any termination of employment.

Capital Raising and Extension of the Maturity of the Senior Notes

On March 27, 2021, Ferroglobe and Globe and certain other members of our group entered into the Lock-Up Agreement with the Ad Hoc Group Noteholders, Grupo VM and affiliates of Tyrus Capital that set forth a plan to implement the restructuring. On July 30,2021 the company announced the occurrence of the “Transaction Effective Date” under the lock-up agreement dated March 27, 2021 (the “Lock-Up Agreement”) between the Company and the financial stakeholders. The Issuers completed the exchange of 98.588% of the 9⅜% Senior Notes due 2022 (the “Old Notes”) issued by the Company and Globe for a total consideration per $1,000 principal amount of Old Notes comprising (i) $1,000 aggregate principal amount of new 9⅜% senior secured notes due 2025 issued by the Issuers (the “New Notes”) plus (ii) a cash fee, which the Parent, at the direction of the qualifying noteholders, applied as cash consideration for a subscription of new ordinary shares of the Company. In addition the Company issued new ordinary shares for total gross proceeds of $40 million.

The principal elements of the restructuring, are set forth below:

Issuance of $60 million of new senior secured notes

Issuance of $40 million in new equity of Ferroglobe

Extension of the maturity date of the Notes from March 31, 2022 to December 31, 2025 and amendment of certain other terms.

The Reinstated Notes Indenture require us to offer to repurchase all or any part of each holder’s Reinstated Notes upon the occurrence of a change of control, as defined in the Reinstated Notes Indenture, at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, to the date of purchase.

Statement of disclosure to the Company’s U.K. statutory auditor

In accordance with section 418 of the Companies Act, each director at the date of this Directors’ Report confirms that:

so far as he is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the Auditor is unaware; and

he has taken all the steps he ought to have taken as a director to make himself aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the Auditor is aware of that information.

This confirmation is given and should be interpreted in accordance with the provisions of section 418 of the Companies Act 2006. Deloitte LLP has indicated its willingness to continue in office, and a resolution that it be re-appointed is expected to be proposed at the 2022 AGM.

By order of the Board on 1 June 2022

Javier Lopez Madrid

Director

The Board of Directors

Details of the members of the Board as at the date of this ARA are below.

Javier López Madrid

Marco Levi

Bruce L. Crockett

Stuart E. Eizenstat

Manuel Garrido y Ruano

Mr. Garrido y Ruano holds a Masters in Civil Engineering with honours from the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid and an MBA from INSEAD, Fontainebleau, France.

Marta de Amusategui y Vergara

Juan Villar-Mir de Fuentes

Juan Villar-Mir de Fuentes was appointed to our Board of Directors as a Non-Executive Director on December 23, 2015.

Mr. Villar-Mir de Fuentes is Patron and member of the Patronage Council of Fundación Nantik Lum and of Fundación Santa María del Camino.

Mr. Villar-Mir holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Economics and Business Management from the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid.

Belen Villalonga

Silvia Villar-Mir de Fuentes

Silvia Villar-Mir de Fuentes currently serves on the board of directors of Grupo Villar Mir, a privately held Silvia Villar-Mir de Fuentes was appointed to our Board of Directors as a Non-Executive Director on May 13, 2021. She has been a member of the Compensation Committee since June 23, 2021. Ms. Villar-Mir de Fuentes currently serves on the board of directors of Grupo Villar Mir, a privately held Spanish group with investments across a broad range of diversified industries, which is the beneficial owner of approximately 49% of the Company’s share capital.

Mrs. Villar-Mir de Fuentes is a summa cum laude graduate in Economics and Business Studies, with concentration in finance and accounting, from The American College in London, United Kingdom.

Nicolas De Santis

Rafael Barrilero Yarnoz

Mr. Barrilero Yarnoz has a law degree from Deusto and a Masters in Financial Economics from ICADE, as well as a masters in human resources by Euroforum-INSEAD.

Directors’ responsibilities

The directors are responsible for preparing the Company’s annual reports and 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 are required to prepare the group financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom adopted international accounting standards in conformity with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements also comply with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the IASB. The directors have also chosen to prepare the parent company financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice, including Financial Reporting Standard 101 Reduced Disclosure Framework. 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 the Group and of the profit or loss of the Group for that period. In preparing these group financial statements, International Accounting Standard 1 requires that directors:

properly select and apply accounting policies;

present information, including accounting policies, in a manner that provides relevant, reliable, comparable and understandable information;

provide additional disclosures when compliance with the specific requirements in IFRS is insufficient to enable users to understand the impact of particular transactions, other events and conditions on the entity’s financial position and financial performance; and

make an assessment of the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern.

In preparing the parent company financial statements the directors are required to:

Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

Make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent; and

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 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 the Group and enable them to ensure that the financial statements and the directors’ remuneration report comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Company and the Group and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the Company’s website.

Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

Directors’ responsibility statement

To the best of each directors’ knowledge:

the financial statements, prepared in accordance with the applicable accounting standards, give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the Company and the undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole;

this directors’ report and the strategic report include a fair review of the development or performance of the business and the position of the Company and its subsidiaries and subsidiary undertakings taken as a whole, together with a description of the principal risks and uncertainties that they face;

the annual report and financial statements, taken as a whole, are fair, balanced and understandable and provide the information necessary for shareholders to assess the Company’s position, performance, business model and strategy.

The responsibility statement was approved by the Board and signed on its behalf.

By order of the Board on 1 June 2022

Javier Lopez Madrid

Director

Directors’ Remuneration Report

Introduction

Dear Shareholder

As Chairman of the Compensation Committee (the Committee), and on behalf of the Board, I present the Directors’ Remuneration Report for the period ended 31 December 2021.

This includes the following three sections:

	·	This Annual Statement which summarises the work of the Committee during the year;
	·	The Annual Report on Remuneration (the ARR) which provides details of the remuneration earned by directors for the period ended 31 December 2021; and
	·	The new Directors’ Remuneration Policy (the Policy) which will be put forward for shareholder approval at the 2022 Annual General Meeting following the expiry of the three-year policy that was approved by shareholders in 2019. The new policy is largely unchanged from the previous one. The new Policy is set out on pages 37 to 49

This report sets out both the Company’s annual report on remuneration (the ARR) for 2021 and the directors’ remuneration policy (the 2022 Policy or the Policy). The ARR will be subject to an advisory vote and the 2019 Policy will be subject to a binding vote at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting in June. If approved, the 2022 Policy will come into immediate effect. The section in this report on remuneration in 2022 details proposed implementation of the 2022 Policy in the current year, assuming it is approved. As changes to the current Policy are limited, there are few aspects which will require revision if it is not approved. We hope to have your support for the 2022 Policy. The 2020 Policy is included on pages 37 to 42 for your information and ease of reference.

The 2019 Policy was put to shareholders at the 2019 AGM and approved by over 91% of the shareholders who voted on it.

The Policy

The Company approved the current Policy in June 2019. Under English law, such policies require shareholder approval not less than once in every three years and the review of the Policy approved in 2019 was a major priority of the Committee in 2022. We considered a number of different remuneration approaches, reviewing potential alternatives to achieve our remuneration aims and promote the long-term success of the Company. Our 2022 Policy is largely unchanged from that approved in 2019. The 2022 Policy is the next item in this report after this statement.

Management Changes

There were no changes in the Executive Directors or their salaries in 2021. In 2022 the Committee and the Board approved an increase in the base salary of the CEO Marco Levi in the amount of €200,000 annually effective as of 1 January 2022.

Annual Bonus awards for 2021 and 2020

The annual bonus objectives for the Executive Chairman and CEO in 2021 were EBITDA in relation to 35% of the award, net cash-flow in relation to 35% and an indicator related to the turnaround plan in relation to 30%. The Executive Directors achieved performance of 149% of their target bonus opportunities. See the ARR for more on the 2021 annual bonus outturn.

In the 2020 report of the Compensation Committee, we reported to you that the outturn of the 2020 annual bonus was 44% of target and that no bonus had been paid. An adjustment was made at the discretion of the Compensation Committee and Board to reflect a reduction in adjusted EBITDA, and a 2020 annual bonus at 41% of target was approved and paid in 2021, totaling $616 thousand, and which was not included in the 2020 report on directors’ remuneration.

LTIPs vesting in 2021

Awards granted to our Executive Directors in 2018 under the EIP came to the end of their performance period on 31 December 2020 and vested in 2021. The Committee assessed their performance at 20% of target (40% of maximum), and the awards vested and became exercisable. To date, the award to our Executive Chairman has not been exercised; the award to our former CEO was exercised in 2021.

LTIPs with performance period ending in financial year 2021

The performance period of awards granted to our Executive Directors in 2019 under the EIP ended on 31 December 2021 and vested at 32.17% out of a maximum opportunity of 200% of target. In addition, the performance period of awards granted to our Executive Directors in 2021 under the EIP ended on 31 December 2021 and vested at 100% of maximum.

Non-Executive Directors and their remuneration

2021 was a challenging year for the Company and the Board met more frequently than anticipated in its usual annual calendar. Due to these exceptional requirements, the Board met 9 times in 2021, rather than the 8 times normally scheduled. No additional fees were paid to its Non-Executive Directors for the time and attention in preparing for and attending these meetings.

In 2022, the Corporate Governance Committee reviewed the structure of NED fees and decided to propose an additional payment for extraordinary meetings in the amount of £2,500 for in-person meetings and £1,250 for meetings held by video conference or telephonically. Such changes were approved by the Board. Other than these two changes, they chose not to recommend any other adjustment to the level or principles underlying NED fees, which otherwise remained unchanged in quantum from 2016.

In 2020, the Committee undertook its annual review of its terms of reference and worked with the Corporate Governance Committee and the Board in considering whether responsibility for the oversight of NED fees should more properly sit with the Corporate Governance Committee to make recommendations to the Board. While this might be unusual in the U.K. it is more common in the U.S. where the Company is listed. It was decided that this change was appropriate in light of the overall governance regime to which the Company is subject by virtue of its listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market. Since November 2020, the Corporate Governance Committee has reviewed and made recommendations to the full Board on the amount and type of compensation to be paid to the Company’s Non-Executive Directors. To meet the requirements of U.K. corporate law, this report continues to advise on NED remuneration policy and practice in the relevant period and the Corporate Governance Committee has therefore reviewed and signed off on any aspect of NED remuneration disclosed in this report.

Looking forward to 2022

After several years of realigning our commercial strategy, cost cutting and focusing on making our operational assets more competitive, the Company is well situated to capitalize on current market opportunities in 2022. Our legacy silicon metals contracts, which were set at fixed prices, limited our upside last year and have all expired at the end of 2021. With the resetting of the prices tied to the index, we are now going to realize the uplift in financial performance as a result in this part of our product portfolio. Our silicon-based alloys and manganese-based alloys business also continues to build on the momentum from the end of 2021. We continue to monitor the macro and micro economic developments with great interest and are well positioned to navigate changes in the broader operating environment. Overall, we expect to deliver record setting results in 2022.

The Committee was pleased with the level of support received for the advisory vote at last year’s AGM with 99.5% of votes cast in favor. This year, shareholders will continue to have an advisory vote on the Directors’ Remuneration Report and there will be a second vote on the new Directors’ Remuneration Policy which is effectively a roll over of the one previously approved by shareholders in 2019. I hope we will again receive your support for the resolutions relating to remuneration at the 2022 AGM.

Signed on behalf of the Board.

Chairman of the Compensation Committee

1 June 2022

The Policy

This section of the Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 37 to 62 sets out the Directors’ Remuneration Policy which will be put forward for shareholder approval at the 2022 AGM on 30 June 2022 and will take formal effect from that date, subject to shareholder approval. Under English law, a company’s directors’ remuneration policy must be put to its shareholders for approval at least once every three years. The Company’s current directors’ remuneration policy was last approved by shareholders in 2019 and has been subject to extensive review by the Company’s Compensation Committee and Corporate Governance Committee. As a result of this review, a new Remuneration Policy, largely unchanged from that approved in 2019, will be put to the shareholders for approval at the 2022 AGM. There is more information on the Remuneration Policy, including on the minor changes it proposes to the policy approved in 2019, on pages 37 to 49 of the UK Annual Report and Accounts.

Changes to the Remuneration Policy

There are no substantive changes to the Policy from the one previously approved by shareholders in 2019. The policy limits applying to each element of pay remain unchanged. The policy on treatment of long-term incentive awards on cessation now includes scope for time pro-ration in all good leavers cases and for long-term incentive awards granted in 2022 and beyond good leaver treatment in relation to cessation without cause and/or resignation by an Executive Director for good reason will be at the discretion of the Committee. Similarly, in respect of long- term incentive awards granted in 2022 and beyond in the event of a takeover awards may be pro-rated at the discretion of the Committee.

Aim of the Policy

The overall aim of the Policy is to provide appropriate incentives that reflect the Company’s high-performance culture and values to maximize returns for shareholders.

In summary, our aim as regards Executive Directors is to provide remuneration which:

attracts, retains and motivates high caliber, high performing employees;

encourages strong performance and engagement, both in the short and the long term, to enable the Company to achieve its strategic objectives;

link a very significant proportion of pay to performance conditions measured over the short term and longer term;

set fixed pay levels at or around market norms to allow for a greater proportion of total remuneration opportunity to be in variable pay; and

create strong alignment between the interests of shareholders and executives through both the use of equity in variable incentive plans and the setting of shareholding guidelines for Executive Directors.

There are no material differences in the Policy for Executive Directors compared to that of senior management other than in terms of quantum and levels of participation in incentive plans reflecting the higher weighting to variable pay and ability to influence performance outcomes. For the wider employee population, the Company aims to provide remuneration structures and levels that reflect market norms for the location at which they are based.

Operation of the Policy

Throughout the Policy, reference is made to the authority, powers and discretions vested in the Committee. It is the Committee’s practice that, in relation to any significant decision in relation to the compensation of the Company’s Executive Directors or the second tier of executive management below them, the Committee makes recommendations to the Board which determines the final decision of the Company on such matters.

The following table summarizes the Policy as applied to Executive Director remuneration:

Components of remuneration for Executive Directors

Element	Purpose and link to strategy	Operation and maximum opportunity	Performance framework and recovery

Salary	A fixed salary commensurate with the individual’s role, responsibilities and experience, having regard to broader market rates.	Reviewed annually, taking account of Group performance, individual performance, changes in responsibility, levels of increase for the broader employee population and market salary levels.	Not applicable.

Pension and retirement benefits	Attraction and retention of top talent; providing mechanism for the accumulation of retirement benefits.	Executive Directors may be paid a cash allowance in lieu of pension. The maximum cash allowance is 20% of base salary. This includes contributions to the U.S. tax-qualified defined contribution 401(k) plan.	Not applicable.

Benefits	Attraction and retention of top talent.	Benefits may include but are not limited to medical cover, life assurance and income protection insurance.	Not applicable.

		Relocation allowances may take into account a housing allowance, school fees, adviser fees for assistance with tax affairs and an expatriate allowance to cover additional expenditure incurred as a result of the relocation. Payment of such relocation allowances will be reviewed by the Committee on an annual basis

		Benefits may include tax equalization provisions applicable if an Executive moves between jurisdictions with differing tax regimes at the Company’s request. If the Executive moves to an area of higher taxation, the Company may agree to make an annual or other regular payment in cash to compensate him or her for any additional tax burden. Where the Executive moves to a jurisdiction where his or her effective tax burden is lower than that to which he or she was subject prior to such move, the Executive’s compensation may be commensurately reduced to ensure that his or her net pay remains unaffected.

Element	Purpose and link to strategy	Operation and maximum opportunity	Performance framework and recovery

		Benefits will be provided as the Committee deems necessary including to take into account perquisites or benefits received from a prior employer or as is customary in the country in which an executive resides or is relocated from.

		Benefits provided by the Company are subject to market rates and therefore there is no prescribed monetary maximum. The Company and the Committee keep the cost of the benefits under review.

		The Company provides all Executive Directors with directors’ and officers’ liability insurance and will provide an indemnity to the fullest extent permitted by the Companies Act.

Annual and other bonuses	Short-term performance-based incentive to reward achievement of annual performance objectives.	The annual bonus plan and all payments and awards under it are at the discretion of the Committee. Subject as aforesaid, the Committee will determine an Executive Director’s actual bonus amount, subject to the achievement of quantitative and qualitative performance criteria. At least two-thirds of the bonus will be based on financial metrics with any balance based on non-financial metrics. The maximum annual bonus opportunity that may be awarded to an Executive Director is normally 200% of salary. If the Committee provides higher annual bonus opportunities in any year its rationale will be clearly explained in the Annual Report on Remuneration for the relevant year. In these and other exceptional circumstances the limit will be 500% of salary. No more than 25% of the maximum annual bonus payable for each performance condition will be payable for threshold performance.	The Committee will select the most appropriate performance measures for the annual bonus for each performance period and will set appropriately demanding targets. Normally any bonus earned in excess of the target amount will be deferred for three years into shares in the Company. An Executive Director may be granted an additional long-term incentive award as described below of equal value (at maximum) to the amount of annual bonus deferred. Recovery and recoupment will apply to all bonus awards for misstatement, error or gross misconduct.

Element	Purpose and link to strategy	Operation and maximum opportunity	Performance framework and recovery

		In addition or in place of an annual bonus, the Company may pay a retention bonus where it considers it necessary to retain key Executives in situations where the relevant Executive would otherwise leave the Company and his or her retention is critical to the Company’s performance and/or the achievement of strategic goals or key projects. The grant, terms and payment of any retention bonus are at the discretion of the Committee.

		A retention bonus may be payable in cash or in shares and subject to such conditions as the Committee sees fit, including the Executive remaining with the Company for a defined period of time and/or meeting set performance criteria. The Committee would normally count any retention bonus awarded towards the 500% of salary limit.

Long-term incentive awards

Focus Executive Directors’ efforts on sustainable strong long-term performance of the Company as a whole, and to aid in retention with multi-year vesting provision. Improves alignment of Executive Directors’ interests with those of the Company and shareholders.

Executive Directors are eligible for awards to be granted as decided by the Committee under the Company’s long-term incentive plan. All awards are subject to performance targets as determined by the Committee for each grant, performance against which is normally measured over a three-year period. Awards usually vest three years from the date of their grant.

The annual target award limit will not normally be higher than 300% of salary (based on the face value of shares at date of grant).

Maximum vesting is normally 200% of target (based on the face value of shares at date of grant).

There is an exceptional annual target award limit in recruitment, appointment and retention situations of 500% of salary.

The Committee will select the most appropriate performance measures for long-term incentive awards for each performance period and will set appropriately demanding targets.

Recovery and recoupment will apply to all long-term incentive awards for misstatement, error or gross misconduct.

Element	Purpose and link to strategy	Operation and maximum opportunity	Performance framework and recovery

Share ownership guidelines	Increases alignment between the Executive Directors and shareholders.	Executive Directors are strongly encouraged to hold a percentage of their salary in shares. This holding guideline could be achieved through the retention of shares on vesting/exercise of share awards and may also (but is not required to) be through the direct purchase of shares by the Executive Directors.	Not applicable.

Performance Criteria and Discretions

Selection of Criteria

The Committee annually assesses at the beginning of the relevant performance period which corporate performance measures, or combination and weighting of performance measures, are most appropriate for both annual bonus and long-term incentive awards to reflect the Company’s strategic initiatives for the performance period. The Committee has the discretion to change the performance measures for awards granted in future years based upon the strategic plans of the Company. The Committee sets demanding targets for variable pay in the context of the Company’s trading environment and strategic objectives and taking into account the Company’s internal financial planning and market forecasts. Any non-financial goals will be well defined and measurable.

Discretions retained by the Committee in operating its incentive plans

The Committee operates the Group’s various plans according to their respective rules. In administering these plans, the Committee may apply certain operational discretions. These include the following:

determine the extent of vesting based on the assessment of performance, including exercising its discretion to reduce payout as and where appropriate;

determine “good leaver” status (as described below) and where relevant extent of vesting;

where relevant determine the extent of vesting in the case of share-based plans in the event of a change of control in accordance with the rules of the various plans; and

make the appropriate adjustments required in certain circumstances (e.g. rights issues, corporate restructuring events, variation of capital and special dividends).

The Committee, acting fairly and reasonably, and after consulting plan participants, may adjust the targets and/or set different measures and alter weightings for the variable pay awards already granted (in a way that the alterations are intended to create an equivalent outcome for plan participants) only if (i) an unexpected event (whether a corporate or outside event) occurs which causes the Committee to reasonably consider that the performance conditions would not achieve their original purpose without alteration and (ii) the varied conditions are materially no more or less difficult to satisfy than the original conditions. Any changes and the rationale for those changes will be set out clearly in the Annual Report on Remuneration in respect of the year in which they are made.

Remuneration scenarios for the Executive Directors

The charts below show the level of remuneration potentially payable to each of Javier López Madrid as Executive Chairman and Marco Levi as CEO under different performance scenarios for the 2022 financial year.

In respect of the remuneration of the Executive Chairman:

In respect of the remuneration of the CEO:

Assumptions

Fixed pay comprises base salary for 2022, benefits and a pension contribution of 20% of base salary for each of Javier Lopez Madrid and Marco Levi. Benefits comprise private health, income protection and life insurance arrangements at an estimated level of 5.46% of base salary for Javier Lopez Madrid and 4.52% of base salary for Marco Levi salary (excluding the one-off contribution towards relocation costs incurred in 2020) and an expatriate allowance of 20% of base salary in the case of Javier López Madrid.

On-target performance comprises fixed pay plus annual bonus of 100% of base salary and long-term incentives of 200% of base salary for the Executive Chairman and the CEO.

Maximum performance comprises fixed pay plus annual bonus of 150% of base salary for the Executive Chairman and the CEO and long-term incentives of 200% of base salary for each. Annual bonus awards and long-term inventive award levels have not yet been determined for 2022 and are illustrated at the levels awarded in 2019.

Maximum performance plus share price growth comprises the maximum performance scenario described above plus an assumed 50% share price growth over the performance period of the LTIP.

As described in the Policy, an additional long-term incentive award may be granted if part of the annual bonus is deferred, with the maximum value of such award equal to the amount of bonus deferred. As at 31 December 2021 no such awards have been made to the Executive Directors and none is to be made in respect of 2021.

Approach to Recruitment Remuneration

The Committee expects any new Executive Directors to be engaged on terms that are consistent with the Policy as set out above.

The Committee recognizes that it cannot always predict accurately the circumstances in which any new directors may be recruited. The Committee may determine that it is in the interests of the Company and shareholders to secure the services of a particular individual which may require the Committee to take account of the terms of that individual’s existing employment and/or their personal circumstances. Examples of circumstances in which the Committee expects it might need to do this are:

•

where an existing employee is promoted to the Board, in which case the Company will honour all existing contractual commitments including any outstanding annual bonus or long-term incentive awards or pension entitlements and will provide other benefits consistent with those provided to senior leaders in that employee’s home country or place of residence prior to appointment to the Board;

•

where an individual is relocating in order to take up the role, in which case the Company may provide certain one-off benefits in addition to benefits set out in the policy table such as reasonable relocation expenses, assistance with visa applications or other immigration issues and ongoing arrangements such as flights home and cost of education; and

•

where an individual would be forfeiting fixed or valuable variable remuneration in order to join the Company, in which case the Committee may award appropriate additional compensation in addition to the limit set out in the policy table. The Committee would look to replicate the arrangements being forfeited as closely as possibly taking into account the nature of the remuneration, performance conditions, attributed expected value and the time over which any variable pay would have vested or been paid.

In making any decision on any aspect of the remuneration package for a new recruit, the Committee would balance shareholder expectations, current best practice and the requirements of any new recruit and would strive not to pay more than is necessary to achieve the recruitment. The Committee would give full details of the terms of the package of any new recruit in the next remuneration report. Award levels under the Company’s variable incentive plans would not exceed those set out in the policy table, but their proportions can be altered for the first three years of employment.

Executive Directors’ Service Contracts and Policy on Cessation

In order to motivate and retain the Executive Directors and other senior executives, most of whose backgrounds are in the United States and Europe, the Committee has taken account of market practices in those countries in formulating the Policy, including (a) determining the treatment of annual and retention bonuses and long-term incentive awards in case of termination of their employment by the Company without cause, (b) referencing past annual bonuses in calculating the amount of payment in lieu of notice, (c) determining the extent of vesting of long-term incentive awards in the event of a takeover or change of control and (d) determining that all long-term incentive awards granted to an executive in any financial year will be subject to achievement of performance targets.

Service contracts

Subject to the Approach to Recruitment Remuneration above, all Executive Directors have rolling service contracts for an indefinite term but a fixed period of notice of termination which would normally be 12 months. With respect to newly appointed directors, the Committee may, if it considers it necessary, agree a notice period in excess of 12 months (but not exceeding 24 months), provided it reduces to 12 months within a specified transition period of not exceeding 36 months. The service contract for Javier López Madrid is in accordance with this policy and his fixed period of notice of termination is 12 months. See below for more on Marco Levi’s service contract.

The Executive Chairman’s service contract may be terminated for cause without notice and without further payment or compensation, except for sums accrued to the date of termination. In other circumstances, the Company may terminate his employment with immediate effect and make a payment in lieu of notice in the amount equivalent to the aggregate of (i) base salary, (ii) the average of annual bonuses in the last three years prior to termination, (iii) pension allowance plus (iv) cost of benefits, for the notice period (or if a notice has been served, for the unserved notice period). He would be entitled to an equivalent payment in the event of his resignation for good reason (as defined in the service contract). Similar provisions may apply in the event that he leaves following a change of control of the Company, but no additional entitlements would be expected to be set out in the Executive Director’s service contract beyond those described above. An Executive Director may also be entitled to certain amounts with respect to annual or retention bonuses and long-term incentive awards, as described below.

Marco Levi is employed under a service contract made under Spanish law (and in particular, the provisions of the Royal Decree 1382/1985 1^st of August regarding senior management (“Alta Dirección”)). Spanish employment law imposes a number of mandatory requirements, including in relation to termination. The CEO’s service contract may be terminated for cause (as defined in the service contract by reference to Spanish statutory law) without notice and without further payment or compensation, except for sums accrued to the date of termination. If the dismissal is declared null or unfair by a definitive court or labour tribunal ruling, the CEO is entitled to receive a severance payment equal to six months’ salary plus a payment equal to the Company’s costs in such six month period corresponding to the insurance and pension benefits in force at the time of termination. This severance compensation includes and absorbs the compensation and any statutory notice to which the Executive may otherwise be entitled by operation of law. In the event that the CEO is dismissed without cause, the CEO will similarly be entitled to receive a severance payment equal to six months’ salary plus an amount equal to the costs the Company would have incurred in providing pension, health insurance, income protection and life assurance benefits for the period of notice, in lieu of any statutory notice to which the CEO would otherwise be entitled. In addition, in accordance with Spanish law and as contemplated in the section Generally below, the CEO has enhanced post termination restrictive covenants. Under these provisions, the Company may be required to make an additional payment to ensure the enforceability of certain post-employment restrictions on competition for a period of six months from termination on terms which are customary in senior management employment relationships. The amount payable is 30% of the CEO’s salary at the date of termination and is deemed discharged at the rate of 15% of salary per annum throughout the employment relationship, such that on termination no further sums will be payable if an amount equal to 30% of salary has already been paid. The total amount payable on termination of the CEO’s service contract other than for cause is therefore less than 12 months’ salary and benefits.

Where an Executive Director’s service contract is terminated for “without cause” or for “good reason” as defined in the relevant director’s service contract, the provisions outlined below in relation to annual bonus awards and long-term incentive awards as described below will apply. Executive Directors’ service contracts (or a memorandum of the terms where the contract is unwritten) are available for inspection at the Group’s office at 13 Chesterfield Street, London, W1J 5JN during normal business hours and at the Annual General Meeting.

Generally

As circumstances may require, the Committee may approve compensation payments in consideration of statutory entitlements, for a release of claims, enhanced post-termination restrictive covenants (for example, as outlined above) or transitional assistance, such as outplacement services and payment of legal fees in connection with termination, the costs of short term accommodation or leasing arrangements, home relocation expenses including tax related expenses and other ancillary payments thereto.

Annual bonus awards (including retention awards)

In the event that an Executive Director’s employment is terminated without cause, by resignation by the Executive Director for good reason, or by reason of death, injury, disability or his employing company or the business for which he works being sold out of the Group, the Company will pay an annual bonus amount in respect of the financial year in which termination occurs subject to performance conditions being met at the end of the period and with pro-rating of the award determined on the basis of the period of time served in employment during the normal vesting period but with the Committee retaining the discretion in exceptional circumstances to increase the level of vesting within the maximum annual bonus amount as determined by the performance conditions. The Committee may, if it considers it appropriate in exceptional circumstances, measure performance to the date of cessation. In other circumstances, payment will be at the Committee’s discretion. The Committee will consider the period of the year worked and the performance of the Executive Director during that period when considering how to exercise its discretion.

The terms of any retention bonus agreed to be paid to an Executive Director may provide for such bonus to be payable on that Executive Director’s employment being terminated without cause, by resignation by the Executive Director for good reason, or by reason of death, injury, disability or his employing company or the business for which he works being sold out of the Group. In any such case, the retention bonus will become payable in such circumstances.

Long-term incentive awards

As a general rule, any unvested long-term incentive award (except deferred bonus awards see below) will lapse upon an Executive Director ceasing to be an employee or director in the case of voluntary resignation or dismissal for cause. However, if the cessation is without cause, by resignation by the Executive Director for good reason, or because of his death, injury, disability or his employing company or the business for which he works being sold out of the Group or in other circumstances at the discretion of the Committee, and generally for any award granted in 2022 and beyond, then the award will normally vest in full on the date when it would have ordinarily vested subject to the performance conditions being met. Where an award vests at the discretion of the Committee that award may be pro-rated taking into account the period of time served in employment during the normal vesting period of the award. The Committee can for any cessation measure performance up to the date of cessation and permit awards to vest early in respect of which the same pro-ration principles noted above remain applicable. For awards granted in 2022 and beyond, good leaver treatment in relation to cessation without cause and/or by resignation of an Executive Director for good reason will be at the discretion of the Committee.

Deferred bonus awards vest in full upon cessation, other than in case of voluntary resignation by an Executive Director without good reason or dismissal for cause. Vested but unexercised awards held on cessation will remain capable of exercise for a limited period save in the case of dismissal for cause.

In the event of a takeover all awards will vest early to the extent that the performance conditions are determined as satisfied at that time on such basis as the Committee considers appropriate. In respect of awards granted in 2022 and beyond, in the event of a takeover awards may also be pro-rated at the discretion of the Committee.

External appointments

Executive Directors may retain fees paid for external director appointments. These appointments are subject to disclosure to and approval by the Board and must be compatible with their duties as Executive Directors.

Matters taken into consideration in determining policy and differences in the remuneration policy of the Executive Directors and employees

It is not the Committee’s practice to consult with employees on matters relating to executive pay. However, the Committee will consider pay structures, practices and principles across the Group on a regular basis and take these into account in any review of the Executive Directors’ current Policy or implementation thereof.

The Committee will consider feedback from shareholders and take into account the results of both advisory and binding votes concerning executive pay at the Annual General Meeting as well as ensuring it engages with shareholders on executive pay matters. The 2021 Policy has been formulated taking into account the Company’s understanding of current shareholder views on the Company’s remuneration policy and practices.

Directors’ Remuneration Policy for Non-Executive Directors

The following table summarizes the 2021 Policy as proposed to be applied to Non-Executive Director remuneration, subject to its approval:

Element

Purpose and link to strategy

Operation and maximum
opportunity

Performance framework
and recovery

Non-Executive Directors fees including any Non-Executive Chairman

To appropriately remunerate the Non-Executive Directors

The Non-Executive Directors are paid a basic fee. Supplemental fees may be paid for additional responsibilities and activities, such as for the committee chairmen and other members of the main Board committees (e.g. audit, compensation, nominations and corporate governance) and the Senior Independent Director, to reflect the additional responsibilities as well as travel fees to reflect additional time incurred in travelling to meetings.

Not applicable

Element	Purpose and link to strategy	Operation and maximum opportunity	Performance framework and recovery

		These fee levels are reviewed periodically, with reference to time commitment, knowledge, experience and responsibilities of the role as well as market levels in comparable companies both in terms of size and sector.

		The Company does not currently have a Non-Executive Chairman. If one were appointed his or her fee would be set at a level with reference to time commitment, knowledge, experience and responsibilities of the role as well as market levels in comparable companies both in terms of size and sector.

		There is no maximum fee level or prescribed annual increase.

Payment of expenses and benefits	To support the Non-Executive Directors in the fulfilment of their duties	Reasonable expenses incurred by the Non-Executive Directors in carrying out their duties may be reimbursed by the Company including any personal tax payable by the Non-Executive Directors as a result of reimbursement of those expenses. The Company may also pay an allowance in lieu of expenses and may arrange and pay for the provision of advice or assistance in relation to personal taxes for which the Non-Executive Director may be liable in connection with his or her appointment to the Board, if it deems this appropriate.	Not applicable

		The Company provides Non-Executive Directors with directors’ and officers’ liability insurance and an indemnity to the fullest extent permitted by the Companies Act.

Legacy Arrangements with Certain Non-Executive Directors

Prior to the Business Combination, in keeping with many other NASDAQ listed companies, Globe granted restricted stock units and share appreciation rights to its Non-Executive directors. Outstanding awards as at 31 December 2021 held by the Non-Executive Directors, who were previously Globe’s Non-Executive directors, are set out in the ARR.

It is noted that those Non-Executive Directors with restricted stock units and share appreciation rights may be regarded as not being independent by U.K. based proxy voting agencies although the Board considers them to be fully independent. It is a provision of this Policy that the Company may accelerate the vesting of or repurchase of these awards based on an independent valuation, if it deems it to be appropriate.

Letters of Appointment with Non-Executive Directors

The Company does not enter into service contracts with its Non-Executive Directors, rather the Company enters into letters of appointment for a rolling period of 12 months with each annual renewal being subject to re-election at each annual general meeting of the Company. No compensation for loss of office is payable in the event a Non-Executive Director is not re-elected. The Company may request that Non-Executive Directors resign with immediate effect in certain circumstances (including material breach of their obligations) in which case their appointment would terminate without compensation to the Non-Executive Director for such termination but with accrued fees and expenses payable up to the date of termination.

Appointment of Non-Executive Directors

For the appointment of a Non-Executive Chairman or other Non-Executive Directors, the fee arrangement would be in accordance with the approved Directors’ Remuneration Policy in place at that time.

Minor amendments

The Committee may make minor changes to the Policy, which do not have a material advantage or disadvantage overall to directors, to aid in its operation or implementation (including to take account of any change in legislative or regulatory requirements applicable to the Company) without seeking shareholder approval for a revised version of the Policy.

Annual Report on Remuneration

Implementation of the Directors’ Remuneration Policy for the year ending 31 December 2022

This section sets out how the Committee intends to implement the Policy for the year ending 31 December 2022.

Base salary

Javier López Madrid was appointed as Executive Chairman with effect from 31 December 2016. Javier López Madrid’s salary was reviewed on his appointment and remains unchanged at £555,000 ($763,609) per annum.

Marco Levi was appointed as Chief Executive Officer on 10 January 2020 and to the Board of Directors on 15 January 2020. Marco Levi’s base salary as CEO was €600,000 ($709,620) per annum during 2021 was increased to €800,000 ($909,680) per annum effective as of 1 January 2022.

Neither Javier Lopez Madrid nor Marco Levi received any additional fees or compensation for their respective roles on the Board.

Pension and benefits

In accordance with the Policy, both Executive Directors receive a pension contribution at the rate of 20% of base salary, payable as a cash allowance, and health insurance, income protection and life assurance benefits to the value of approximately 6.2% of salary for the Executive Chairman and 6.7% for the CEO.

The Company provides directors’ and officers’ liability insurance and an indemnity to the fullest extent permitted by the Companies Act.

Variable Remuneration

The objectives for the 2022 annual short-term incentives were determined by the Compensation Committee and the Board on 31 March 2022. For each of the Executive Directors, target is at 100% of base salary, with a maximum opportunity of 150% of base salary. The performance indicators are as follows:

2022 Adjusted EBITDA accounts for 35% weighting, with performance measured over a straight line sliding scale with $502,402 thousand representing 0% performance, $717,717 thousand representing target, and $933,032 thousand representing maximum.

2022 net cash flow accounts for 35% weighting, with performance measured over a straight line sliding scale with $111,384 thousand representing 0% performance, $159,120 thousand representing target, and $206,856 thousand representing maximum.

A long-term strategy indicator accounts for 30% weighting, with Board endorsement of strategic options by June 2022 representing target and long-term endorsement of strategy by September 2022 representing maximum.

Long-term incentives

In the case of the Company’s long term incentive awards, the Committee has decided to delay the implementation of its variable compensation plans for 2022 until such time as it is feasible to set relevant and stretching targets, appropriately aligned to the Company’s strategic priorities and key financial performance indicators for 2022. The awards are expected to be structured as performance share awards with awards ordinarily vesting three years from grant subject to continued service and the achievement of performance conditions. The award levels are expected to be 100% of base salary as target and 200% of base salary as maximum in the case of the Executive Directors. Performance conditions are expected to comprise EBIT with a weighting of 40%, a cash flow measure with a weighting of 40% and relative total shareholder return relative to a comparator group with a weighting of 20%. In addition, the grants are expected to be subject to a multiplier for a health & safety measure which can both reduce or increase the total amount of payouts.

Non-Executive Director share ownership guidelines

In 2018, the Non-Executive Directors reviewed the guidelines under which they had voluntarily agreed to apply on a cumulative basis at least a quarter of their normal annual gross fees to acquire shares under arrangements designed to ensure that shares can be purchased on a regular basis over a period of eight years and agreed several points of clarification, including that: .

Where more or fewer shares are acquired in any year, the value of shares to be acquired in subsequent years may be reduced or increased respectively such that on a cumulative basis the 25% test is satisfied;

Each Non-Executive Director agrees to retain his or her shares until the earlier of achieving a holding equal to twice his or her annual base fees being achieved or that director leaving the Board;

Where a director holds outstanding and exercisable share-based or phantom restricted stock awards, the shares or notional shares under award are to be taken into account in determining the relevant director’s holding and may be exercised and disposed of at any time (with consequent effect on the director’s holding).

Fees for the Non-Executive Directors

The fee structure and levels were set following the Business Combination. Fees are set and payable in Pounds sterling and are reviewed - but not necessarily increased - annually, with changes normally effective from 1 January in each year. The fees for 2022 are the same as those for 2021 and have not changed since 2016:

Non-Executive Director base fee	£70,000 ($89,866)
Senior Independent Director	£35,000 ($44,688)
Member of Audit Committee	£17,500 ($22,344)
Member of Compensation Committee	£15,500 ($19,790)
Member of Corporate Governance Committee	£12,000 ($15,322)

Member of Nominations Committee	£1,500 ($1,915 per meeting, subject to an annual cap of £10,000 ($12,768))¹
Extraordinary meetings (per meeting)
In person meetings	£2,500 ($3,210)
Meetings by videoconference/telephone	£1,250 ($1,605)
Committee Chairman	Two times committee membership fee

Travel fee (per meeting)
Intercontinental travel	£3,500 ($4,469)
Continental travel	£1,500 ($1,915)

Notes:

No fees are payable to the Chair of the Nominations Committee while the individual in that role is also an Executive Director

Remuneration paid in respect of the year to 31 December 2021

Single Figure of Remuneration for the period – Audited

The table below shows the aggregate emoluments earned by the Executive Directors of the Company who served at any point in 2021 for the years ended 31 December 2021 and 31 December 2020. The emoluments shown for 2021 have been converted to USD at the Group’s average rate for year to 31 December 2021 of GBP1:USD1.3757. Those for 2020 were converted at the rate of GBP1:USD1.2838 in accordance with the 2020 U.K. Annual Report. Numbers given in Euros in any part of the Directors Remuneration Report are converted to USD at the Group’s rate of €1:USD1.183 and to GBP at the Group’s rate of €1:GBP0.8596.

	Salary¹ (USD 000s)				Benefits ² (USD 000s)				Pension³ (USD 000s)				Annual Bonus⁴ (USD 000s)				Long-term incentives⁵ (USD 000s)				Total (USD 000s)
Executive Director	2021		2020		2021		2020		2021		2020		2021		2020 Restated		2021		2020 Restated		2021		2020 Restated
Javier López Madrid		764		712		200		181		153		142		1,121		313		3,397		659		5,635		2,007
Marco Levi		710		670		47		31		141		134		1,009		303		2,455		430		4,362		1,568

	Total Fixed Remuneration		Total Variable Remuneration		Total Remuneration
Executive Director	2021	2020	2021	2020	2021	2020
Javier López Madrid	1,117	1,035	4,518	972	5,635	2,007
Marco Levi	898	835	3,464	733	4,362	1,568

	(1)	No change in salary has been made year on year, any difference resulting in changes in the GBP: USD exchange rate.
	(2)	For Javier López Madrid, benefits include an expatriate allowance of 20% of salary (£110,000 ($152,722) in 2021), and medical insurance and life assurance coverage as benefits. For Marco Levi, benefits include medical and life assurance coverage as benefits.
	(3)	For 2021 the pension for Javier López Madrid is 20% of base salary payable as a cash supplement.
	(4)	The 2020 bonus column has been restated from the U.K. Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2020 to reflect the bonus paid in 2021 in respect of 2020 performance at 41% of target, which reflects a reduction from the 44% previously approved and disclosed in the 2020 U.K. Annual Report. Such adjustment was made at the discretion of the Compensation Committee and Board to reflect a reduction in adjusted EBITDA.
	(5)	The performance period of the 2019 long-term incentive awards ended on 31 December 2021. As outlined below, the 2019 awards vested at 32.17% out of a maximum of 200%. The value of the 2019 LTIP, which forms part of the 2021 column, is calculated using the share price of $6.91 on 28 April 2022, the date of vesting. The performance period of the 2021 long-term incentive awards ended on 31 December 2021 and the awards are expected to vest on 1 January 2024 as to 100%. The value of the 2021 LTIP, which forms part of the 2021 column, is an estimate using the average share price over the last three months of 2021. The 2020 Long-term incentives column has been restated from the 2020 U.K. Annual Report to report awards during the year in which the performance period for the award was concluded. The performance period of the 2018 long-term incentive awards ended on 31 December 2020. As outlined below, the 2018 awards vested at 40.00% out of a maximum of 200%. The value of the 2018 LTIP, which forms part of the 2020 column, is calculated using the share price of $4.35 on 28 April 2021, the date of vesting. The performance period of the 2020 long-term incentive awards ended on 31 December 2020 and the awards are expected to vest on 16 December 2024 as to 31.92%. The value of the 2020 LTIP, which forms part of the 2020 column, is an estimate using the average share price over the last three months of 2020.

The table below shows the aggregate emoluments earned by the Non-Executive Directors of the Company who served at any time during 2021 for the years ended 31 December 2021 and 31 December 2020.

	Fees ($’000)				Benefits ($’000)¹				Total ($’000)
Non-Executive Directors	2021		2020		2021		2020		2021		2020
José María Alapont²		92.1		209.9		4.1		5.7		96.2		215.7
Donald G Barger Jr		-		68.7		-		4.5		-		73.2
Bruce L Crockett		202.5		145.2		14.4		4.5		217.0		149.6
Stuart E Eizenstat		119.0		119.8		-		4.5		119.0		124.3
Manuel Garrido y Ruano		112.8		105.3		-		1.9		112.8		107.2
Greger Hamilton³		-		62.6		-		-		-		62.6
Rafael Barrilero		85.5		-		4.1		-		89.6		-
Nicolas de Santis		74.4		-		-		-		74.4		-
Juan Villar Mir de Fuentes		96.3		89.9		-		-		96.3		89.9
Marta Amusategui		131.5		62.1		-		-		131.5		62.1
Silvia Villar-Mir de Fuentes		72.3		-		-		-		72.3		-
Belén Villalonga Morenes		85.2		-		4.8		-		90.0		-

	(1)	Benefits comprise travel allowances.
	(2)	José María Alapont was appointed as Senior Independent Director and Chairman of the Corporate Governance Committee in January 2019. He undertook additional duties in 2019 as a designated director of the Board for which he was paid additional fees totaling £9,139 in 2020 ($11,669). Mr. Alapont resigned from the Board on April 30, 2021.
	(3)	Greger Hamilton undertook additional duties in 2020 as a designated director of the Board for which he was paid additional fees totaling £9,139 in 2020 ($11,669).

Annual bonus for the financial year to 31 December 2021 for the Executive Directors – audited

The target annual bonus opportunity for each of the Executive Directors was 100% of salary, with a maximum opportunity of 150%, and the performance measures for 2021 for each are detailed in the tables below. Final bonuses were approved by the Compensation Committee and Board and paid at 149% of target for the Executive Chairman and CEO.

Performance in respect of the performance metrics for 2021 is detailed in the table below.

Performance targets and performance for the Executive Directors in 2021 were:

Measure

Weighting
(target %
of award)

Threshold
performance
(0% of target
paid)

Target
performance
(100% of
target paid)

Stretch
performance
(150% of
target paid)

Actual
Performance

Bonus
outcome
(as a
percentage
of target)

EBITDA

$30,435 thousand

$60,870 thousand

$91,305 thousand

$128,714 thousand

150

Net cash-flow¹

$25,261 thousand

$50,521 thousand

$75,782 thousand

$73,663 thousand

146

Turn-around impact

$44,000 thousand

$55,000 thousand

$60,500 thousand

$62,000 thousand

150

Pursuant to the discretion granted to the Compensation Committee and Board, net cash flow was calculated excluding $44 million in refinancing fees and $44 million related to repurchase of CO2 rights during the year.

Long term incentive awards for the financial year ended 31 December 2021 – Audited

Awards vesting/performance period ending in financial year 2021, including long-term incentive awards granted in financial year 2021

2019 LTIP awards

The performance period of the 2019 LTIP awards ended on 31 December 2021. 60% of each award was determined by Ferroglobe’s Total Shareholder Return (TSR) performance. 50% of the TSR part of the award was calculated relative to a bespoke group of peers, and the other 50% relative to the S&P Global 1200 Metals and Mining Index in line with the prior year's award. Vesting of the remaining 40% of each award related to the Company’s return on invested capital (ROIC) over the performance period as compared with the bespoke comparator group of the Company’s peers and the Company’s net operating profit after tax (NOPAT) growth as compared to the same bespoke comparator group of the Company's peers. Vesting of these awards was calculated as follows:

	Weighting			Threshold (0%)	Target (100%)	Maximum (200%)	Actual			Vesting %
Total shareholder return relative to a bespoke group¹		30	%	Less than median (50^th percentile)	50^thpercentile	90^thpercentile		45.2	%		107.22	%
TSR relative to the S&P 1200 Metals and Mining Index²		30	%	Less than Index TSR	Equal to Index TSR	Equal to Index TSR + 25 percentage points		57.2	%		0	%
Relative return on invested capital ("ROIC")³		20	%	Below percentile 25 (-79.9%)	Median (-68.1%)	Percentile 75 (-30.6%) and above		-150.2	%		0	%
Relative net operating profit after tax ("NOPAT") growth³		20	%	Below percentile 25 (-99.3%)	Median (-88.6%)	Percentile 75 (-74.9%) and above		-73.5	%		0	%
Weighted average (max 200%)											32.17% (out of max 200%)

1 Between the 50th and 75th percentile, proportionate vesting of between target (100%) and 150% of target. Between 75th percentile and 90th percentile, proportionate vesting of between 150% and 200% of target

2 Equal to Index TSR + 15 percentage points, vesting of 150% of target. Straight line vesting between Index TSR and Index TSR +15 percentage points and between Index TSR+15 percentage points and Index TSR +25 percentage points

3 Percentile 25, vesting of 50% of target

As a result, the following awards vested during 2022:

Type
of
award

Grant
date

Vesting
date

Number of shares
awarded at target

Percentage
of target
award
vesting (0%
- 200%)

Number of
shares to
vest ¹

Estimated
value to of
award to vest
(USD)²

Javier López Madrid

LTIP Nil-cost option

13 March 2019

28 April 2022

342,329

32.17% out of 200%

110,113

760,881

Pedro Larrea Paguaga³

LTIP Nil-cost option

13 March 2019

28 April 2022

254,769

32.17% out of 200%

81,948

566,261

The number of shares shown excludes dividend equivalents to be awarded in the form of shares.

The value shown in the table is calculated using the share value upon vesting on 28 April 2022 of $6.91.

Pedro Larrea Paguaga is a ‘good leaver’ under the rules of the Equity Incentive Plan.

2018 LTIP awards

The performance period of the 2018 LTIP awards ended on 31 December 2020. 60% of each award was determined by Ferroglobe’s Total Shareholder Return (TSR) performance. 50% of the TSR part of the award was calculated relative to a bespoke group of peers, and the other 50% relative to the S&P Global 1200 Metals and Mining Index in line with the prior year's award. Vesting of the remaining 40% of each award related to the Company’s return on invested capital (ROIC) over the performance period as compared with the bespoke comparator group of the Company’s peers and the Company’s net operating profit after tax (NOPAT) growth as compared to the same bespoke comparator group of the Company's peers. Vesting of these awards was calculated as follows:

	Weighting			Threshold (0%)	Target (100%)	Maximum (200%)	Actual			Vesting %
Total shareholder return relative to a bespoke group¹		30	%	Less than median (50^th percentile)	50^thpercentile	90^thpercentile		Below lowest ranked			0	%
TSR relative to the S&P 1200 Metals and Mining Index²		30	%	Less than Index TSR	Equal to Index TSR	Equal to Index TSR + 25 percentage points		-93.1	%		0	%
Relative return on invested capital ("ROIC")³		20	%	Below percentile 25 (1.15%)	Median (2.24%)	Percentile 75 (3.33%) and above		-2.66	%		0	%
Relative net operating profit after tax ("NOPAT") growth³		20	%	Below percentile 25 (-99.3%)	Median (-88.6%)	Percentile 75 (-74.9%) and above		-73.5	%		200	%
Weighted average (max 200%)											40% (out of max 200%)

3 Percentile 25, vesting of 50% of target

As a result, the following awards vested on 28 April 2021:

	Type of award	Grant date	Vesting date	Number of shares awarded		Percentage of target award vesting (0% - 200%)			Number of vested shares ¹		Value of award upon vesting (USD)²
Javier López Madrid	LTIP Nil-cost option	21 March 2018	28 April 2021		113,121		40	%		46,777		203,480
Pedro Larrea Paguaga³	LTIP Nil-cost option	21 March 2018	28 April 2021		84,187		40	%		34,813		151,437

	1	The number of shares shown includes dividend equivalents awarded in the form of shares.
	2.	The value shown in the table is calculated using the share price of $4.35 on 28 April 2021.
	3.	Pedro Larrea Paguaga is a ‘good leaver’ under the rules of the Equity Incentive Plan.

2021 LTIP awards

On 9 September 2021 Javier López Madrid and Marco Levi were granted long-term incentive awards as set out in the table below.

Type of
award¹

Basis of award
(at max)²

Share
value at
grant

Number of
shares at
max

Face value
of shares at
max³

Vesting date

Performance
period⁴

Javier López Madrid

Nil-cost option

200% of salary of $763,609

3.98

385,611

1,534,732

1 January 2024

Through to 31 December 2021

Marco Levi

Nil-cost option

200% of salary of $709,620

3.98

359,105

1,429,238

1 January 2024

Through to 31 December 2021

No price is normally payable on the exercise of the nil-cost option although the Company reserves the right to require the payment of the nominal cost of the shares as a condition of exercise if required to enable the issue or transfer of the shares.

Converted at GBP1:EUR0.85 and EUR1:USD1.18, being the exchange rate on the date of grant.

The value shown in this column has been calculated by multiplying the number of shares that would vest at max by the share value at grant. Although the share price on the date of grant was $8.86, the Compensation Committee and Board chose an issue price of $3.98 for the 2021 LTIP grant, which was an increase from the $1.97 which had been agreed by the Compensation Committee earlier in 2021 and which was disclosed in the 2021 U.K. Annual Report.

See below for details of the performance conditions applicable to the awards.

Vesting of 40% of the award was determined by reference to the average closing prices for the last 15 trading days of the year, with $2.50 representing the minimum with 0% of the component vesting, $3.60 representing 50% vesting and $4.70 representing 100% vesting, with straight-line analysis between such points. The final value for the share price component was $6.20.

Vesting of 30% of the award was determined by reference to EBITDA, with $42,609 thousand representing the minimum with 0% of the component vesting, $60,870 thousand representing 50% vesting and $79,131 thousand representing 100% vesting, with straight line analysis between such points. The final performance value was $128,714 thousand.

Vesting of 30% of the award was determined by reference to net cash flow, with $35,365 thousand representing the minimum with 0% of the component vesting, $50,521 thousand representing 50% vesting and $65,677 representing 100% vesting. The final performance value was $73,633 thousand after excluding refinancing fees of $44 million and $44 million related to an exceptional CO2 rights repurchase during the year.

As a result, the awards are expected to vest at 100% of their maximum awards. The awards vest on 1 January 2024, and are subject to confirmation and modification by the Compensation Committee.

Directors’ shareholding and share interests – Audited

The table below sets out the number of shares held or potentially held by directors (including their connected persons where relevant) as at 31 December 2021.

Director	Beneficially owned shares		Number of shares under long term incentive awards without performance conditions¹		Number of shares under long term incentive awards with performance conditions²		Target shareholding guideline (as a % of salary or average gross annual fees as applicable)			Percentage of Executive Director’s salary held as shares as at 31 December 2021³
Javier López Madrid		168,424		1,096,919		-		-			137	%
Marco Levi		-		767,500		-		-			-
José María Alapont		15,000		-		-		-
Bruce L. Crockett		41,000		2,527		-		200	%
Stuart E. Eizenstat		56,632		-		-		200	%
Manuel Garrido y Ruano		870		-		-		200	%
Marta de Amusategui y Vergara		78,220		-		-		200	%
Juan Villar Mir de Fuentes		-		-		-		200	%
Belen Villalonga		-		-		-		200	%
Nicolas De Santis		-		-		-		200	%
Silvia Villar Mir de Fuentes		-		-		-		200	%
Rafael Barrilero		-		-		-		200	%

Where performance conditions have already been tested by the Board, such amounts are reflected in the “without performance conditions” column with their expected vesting values.

N/A.

Measured by reference to beneficially owned shares only and using the closing share price at 31 December 2021 of $6.21 and the annual salaries of the Executive Directors in USD as disclosed in this U.K. Annual Report and Accounts.

The Directors’ outstanding share awards as at 31 December 2021 were as detailed below:

Director	Award type	Grant date	Outstanding¹		Subject to performance conditions²	Exercisable as of 31 December 2021	Exercised during the year to 31 December 2021		Future vesting²		Vesting date
Javier López Madrid	LTIP Nil cost option	01.06.17		70,464	Yes	Yes		-		-		01.06.20
	LTIP Nil cost option	21.03.18		46,777	Yes	Yes		-		-		21.03.21
	Deferred Bonus Award: Nil cost option	14.06.18		23,066	No	Yes		-		-		14.06.21
	LTIP Nil cost option	13.03.19		110,113	Yes	No		-		110,113		28.04.22
	LTIP Nil cost option	16.12.20		432,771	Yes	No		-		432,771		16.12.24
	LTIP Nil cost option	09.09.21		385,611	Yes	No		-		385,611		01.01.24

Marco Levi	LTIP Nil cost option	16.12.20		408,395	Yes	No		-		408,395		16.12.24
	LTIP Nil cost option	09.09.21		359,105	Yes	No		-		359,105		01.01.24

Pedro Larrea Paguaga	LTIP Nil cost option	01.06.17		-	Yes	Yes		52,440		-		01.06.20
	LTIP Nil cost option	21.03.18		-	Yes	Yes		34,813		-		21.03.21
	Deferred Share Bonus Award	14.06.18		-	No	Yes		20,887		-		14.06.18
	LTIP Nil cost option	14.03.19		81,948	Yes	No		-		81,948		28.04.22

Donald G. Barger³	RSU/C	Various		23,741	No	Yes		-		-		-

Bruce L. Crockett³	RSU/C	Various		2,527	No	Yes		-		-		-

Deferred share bonus awards granted to the Executive Directors only. Vested awards are shown with dividend equivalents. Where performance conditions have already been tested by the Board, the number of shares vested or expected to vest in the future are reflected as “outstanding”. Where performance conditions have been tested but the related awards have not yet vested, such amounts are also reflected in the “future vesting” column.

Subject to performance conditions and continued employment in the case of awards to the Executive Directors. See page 56 for performance conditions applicable to the awards granted in 2021.

These incentive awards are legacy awards which the Company is authorised to honour following shareholder approval of the Policy in June 2019.

Total pension entitlements – Audited

Details of the value of pension contributions are provided in the Pensions column of the Single Figure of Remuneration table. Pension contributions are by way of a cash allowance or contribution to a 401(k) plan. There are therefore no specified retirement ages to disclose or consequences of early retirement.

Executive Chairman remuneration table (in thousand)

	2021¹	2020²	2019³	2018⁴
	Javier López Madrid	Javier López Madrid	Javier López Madrid	Javier López Madrid
Executive Chairman’s remuneration⁵	$5,635	$2,007	$1,078	$1,336
Annual variable pay (including as a % of maximum)⁶	$4,518 (80%)	$972 (48%)	$0 (0%)	$0 (0%)
LTIP awards where vesting is determined by performance in the relevant year⁷	§	31.92%	19.40%	17.87%

At the exchange rate of 1 GBP: 1.2838 USD used in the FY21 Report

At the exchange rate of 1 GBP: 1.2838 USD used in the FY20 Report

At the exchange rate of 1 GBP: 1.2772 USD used in the FY19 Report

At the exchange rate of 1 GBP: 1.3356 USD used in the FY18 Report

Remuneration comprises total remuneration

Annual variable pay is the bonus amounts in respect of 2019 and 2018 and, for each of those years, the percentage of maximum award it represents. Figures elsewhere in this report show bonus as a percentage of target.

The number of shares subject to long term incentive awards where final vesting is determined by reference to performance ending in the year under review is shown as a percentage of maximum opportunity.

§ The performance period of the 2019 LTIP awards ended on 31 December 2021 and vested at 32.17% out of a maximum opportunity of 200% of target. The performance period of the 2021 LTIP awards ended on 31 December 2021 and vested at 100% of maximum.

Percentage increase or reduction in the remuneration of the Executive Chairman

The following table shows the percentage change in 2021 in the Executive Chairman’s pay¹ compared with 2020 and the average percentage change in the same period in amounts paid to European employees of the Group as a whole. European employees have been chosen as an appropriate group against which to make the comparison as our Executive Chairman as at 31 December 2021 was based in Europe. Although there was no change in base salary for either the Executive Chairman or CEO during 2021, both experienced significant increases in variable remuneration as a result of the improved performance of the company and share price.

Executive Chairman’s pay¹	CEO	Average employee pay
2020 to 2021	2020 to 2021	2020 to 2021
181%	178%	0%

The components of pay for these purposes includes salary, taxable benefits and annual variable pay

Increase in Executive Chairman and CEO pay is entirely attributable to FOREX movement.

Relative importance of the spend on pay

The following table shows the Company’s actual spend on pay for all employees compared to distributions to shareholders in the financial year.

	1 January 2021 to 31 December 2021		1 January 2020 to 31 December 2020
Employee costs	$	280,917,000	$	214,782,000
Average number of employees		3,434		3,317
Distributions to shareholders		-		-

Including the costs of employees employed in FerroAtlantica SAU, whose shares were sold by the Company in 2019, resulting in an adjustment to the staff costs to $338,862,000 for 2018.

Including employees employed in FerroAtlantica SAU, as above.

External directorships during financial year 2021

Javier López Madrid

Chief Executive Officer of Grupo VM.

Non-Executive Chairman and investor of Siacapital S.L.

Marco Levi

Non-executive director of Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc.

The Board was satisfied that under these arrangements the Executive Chairman and CEO had the necessary time to carry out his duties effectively during 2021.

Under the Policy, Executive Directors may retain fees paid for external director appointments. These appointments are subject to approval by the Board and must be compatible with their duties as Executive Directors.

Membership of the Committee

During the period from January 1, 2021 to the resignation of Mr. Alapont on April 30, 2021, our Compensation Committee consisted of two directors: Messrs. Alapont (Chair) and Crockett. During the period from May 1, 2021 to June 22, 2021 our Compensation Committee has consisted of one director: Mr. Crockett (Chair). During the period from June 23, 2021 to December 31, 2021, our Compensation Committee has consisted of four directors: Mses. Amusategui and Villar-Mir de Fuentes and Messrs. Barrilero (Chair) and De Santis.

The Executive Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, Chief People & Culture Officer and other members of the management team may be invited to attend meetings to assist the Committee. Other Non-Executive Directors are normally invited to attend meetings to assist the Committee in its deliberations as appropriate. No Executive, however, is present during any decision making in relation to their own remuneration.

External advisors

Aon provides independent advice to the Committee and was appointed by the Committee in early 2016. The Committee seeks advice relating to Executive remuneration and Non-Executive Director remuneration and the wider senior management population from Aon. Aon also provided advice to management, to enable their support of the Committee, primarily in relation to remuneration reporting and the operation of incentive plans but does not provide any other services to the Company except for insurance broking services.

The Committee is satisfied that the advice received from Aon in relation to executive remuneration matters is objective and independent. Aon is a member of the UK Remuneration Consultants Group and abides by the Remuneration Consultants Group Code of Conduct, which requires its advice to be objective and impartial. The fees paid to Aon for advice provided directly to the Committee in 2021 were £31,446 ($42,137) (excluding VAT), with such fees paid on a per-service basis.

Statement of shareholder voting

The following table shows the results of the advisory vote on the 2020 Remuneration Report at the Annual General Meeting of 29 June 2021.

		For				% of votes cast				Against				% of votes cast				Withheld
Remuneration Report			129,206,472				99.52				604,398				0.47				24,547

The following table shows the results of the binding vote on the 2019 Remuneration Policy at the Annual General Meeting of 28 June 2019.

		For				% of votes cast				Against				% of votes cast				Withheld
Remuneration Policy			125,949,908				91.07				12,268,746				8.87				83,069

Approval

This Directors’ Remuneration Report, including both the Policy and Annual Report on Remuneration has been approved by the Board.

Signed on behalf of the Board.

Chairman of the Compensation Committee

1 June 2022

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF FERROGLOBE PLC

Report on the audit of the financial statements

Opinion

In our opinion:

the financial statements of Ferroglobe plc (the ‘parent company’) and its subsidiaries (the ‘group’) give a true and fair view of the state of the group’s and of the parent company’s affairs as of 31 December 2021 and of the group’s loss for the year then ended;

the group financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom adopted international accounting standards and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB);

the parent company financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice, including Financial Reporting Standard 101 “Reduced Disclosure Framework”; and

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

We have audited the financial statements which comprise:

the consolidated income statement;

the consolidated statement of comprehensive income;

the consolidated and parent company statement of financial position;

the consolidated and parent company statements of changes in equity;

the consolidated cash flow statement;

the related notes 1 to 31 in respect of the group financial statements; and

the related notes 1 to 11 in respect of the parent company financial statements.

The financial reporting framework that has been applied in the preparation of the group financial statements is applicable law and United Kingdom adopted international accounting standards and IFRSs as issued by the IASB. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in the preparation of the parent company financial statements is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including FRS 101 “Reduced Disclosure Framework” (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

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 group and the parent company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the Financial Reporting Council’s (the ‘FRC’s’) Ethical Standard as applied to listed entities, 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.

Summary of our audit approach

Key audit matters	The key audit matters that we identified in the current year were: · Going concern; · Impairment of goodwill and property, plant and equipment (‘PP&E’) and carrying values of the parent company’s investment its subsidiaries; and · Refinancing.
Materiality	The materiality that we used for the group financial statements was $14.2m (2020: $9.1m), determined by reference to revenue. The assessed materiality represents approximately 0.8% of revenue (2020: 0.8%)
Scoping	As in the prior year, we focused our group audit scope primarily on the components in the following countries: · United States of America (‘USA’); · Canada; · France; and · Spain. The components subject either to full scope audits or audits of specified balances represent 94% of the group’s revenue. FerroPem SAS in France, Grupo Ferroatlantica SAU in Spain and the parent company in the UK were all subject to full scope audit. Lower materialities were applied to the procedures performed on components, ranging from $1.4m to $4.3m (2020: $1.5m to $4.6m).

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 group's and parent 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 evaluation of the directors’ assessment of the group’s and parent company’s ability to continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting is discussed in section 5.1.

Key audit matters

Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgement, were of most significance in our audit of the financial statements of the current period and include the most significant assessed risks of material misstatement (whether or not due to fraud) that we identified. These matters included those which had the greatest effect on: the overall audit strategy, the allocation of resources in the audit; and directing the efforts of the engagement team.

These matters were addressed in the context of our audit of the financial statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters.

5.1.

Liquidity and Going concern

Key audit matter description

Company’s management is required to make an assessment regarding the adoption of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements. As described in Note 3.1, the Company’s management has concluded that the Company´s working capital is sufficient for its present requirements, and anticipates generating sufficient cash from operations to satisfy its short and long-term liquidity needs. For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, the Company reported net losses of $115 million, $250 million and $286 million, respectively. The business has historically been subject to fluctuations in the price of the products and market demand for them, caused by general and regional economic cycles, raw material and energy price fluctuations, competition and other factors.

The Company’s primary short-term liquidity needs are to fund its capital expenditure commitments, fund specific initiatives underlying the strategic plan, service its existing debt, fund working capital and comply with other contractual obligations. The Company is subject to certain restrictive covenants under the existing financing agreements, which limit, among other things, its ability to incur additional indebtedness. To assess liquidity risk, the Company has considered a model which considers revenues (including prices and volume assumptions), costs, net tax payments, capital expenditures and net working capital requirements.

We identified going concern as a key audit matter because of the subjectivity in assessing whether the Company will be able to meet its operational and finance commitments. A high degree of auditor judgment was required when performing audit procedures to evaluate the reasonableness of management's estimates and assumptions related to the forecasted future financial results and projected liquidity.

How the scope of our audit responded to the key audit matter

Our audit procedures related to management's evaluation and disclosure of liquidity and going concern basis of accounting included the following, among others:

o     We obtained information about management’s plans that are intended to mitigate the adverse effects of conditions or events indicative of significant doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern.

o     We assessed the adequacy of support regarding the availability of financing, including existing arrangements for factoring receivables and the possible effects on management’s borrowing plans of existing restrictions on additional borrowing or the sufficiency of available collateral.

o     We considered external analyst reports, industry data and other external information to determine if it provided corroborative or contradictory evidence in relation to management's assumptions.

o     We assessed the reasonableness of management’s key assumptions for preparing prospective cash flow information, including projected results and forecasted future cash flows, with particular attention to assumptions that are especially sensitive or inconsistent with historical trends.

o    We inquired as to management´s knowledge of events or conditions beyond the period of management’s assessment that may cast significant doubt on the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern.

o     We evaluated the appropriateness of the Company's disclosures on this matter.

Key observations

From our audit procedures performed, we concur with the Director’s assessment that the going concern basis of preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

5.2.

Impairment of goodwill and property, plant and equipment (‘PP&E’) and carrying values of the parent company’s investment in its subsidiaries

Key audit matter description

As described in Notes 4.4, 7 and 9 to the financial statements, the Group´s consolidated goodwill balance was $29 million and the Groups´s consolidated PP&E balance was $555 million as of December 31, 2021. As mentioned in Notes 7 and 9, no significant impairments were recorded during 2021. The Group’s evaluation of goodwill and PP&E for impairment involves the comparison of the carrying amounts of assets with their recoverable amount. The determination of the recoverable amount requires significant judgement in developing and applying key underlying assumptions concerning future market and conditions (volumes, sale prices, cost structure and capital expenditure - “capex”) for the periods projected, as well as the determination of an appropriate discount rate and terminal value. For certain assets, recoverable amount has been determined at fair value less cost of disposal, which determination is subject to significant judgement.

The recoverable amount of the Group’s CGUs is also used to evaluate the parent company’s investments in subsidiaries, which through its subsidiary Ferroglobe Holding Company Ltd, principally represent the US & Canadian CGUs for Globe Specialty Metals Inc (‘GSM’) and the European and South African CGUs for Grupo Ferroatlantica SAU (‘GFAT’), and are therefore subject to similar levels of judgement and estimation uncertainty. As such, the impairment of the parent company’s investment in subsidiaries is a key audit matter for our audit of the parent company’s separate financial statements.

The carrying value of the parent company’s investment in its subsidiary, Ferroglobe Holding Company Ltd as at 31 December 2021 is $629,284 thousand as detailed in Note 3 to the parent company Financial Statements. As noted in Note 3 , no impairment has been recorded during the current year (2020: nil).

We identified impairment of goodwill and property, plant and equipment and the investment in subsidiaries of the parent company as a key audit matter because of the significant judgments involved in the assessment. A high degree of auditor judgment and an increased extent of audit effort, including the involvement of fair value specialists and an increase in the nature and extent of audit procedures as a result of the material weaknesses identified by the Company, was required to consider management’s estimates and assumptions.

How the scope of our audit responded to the key audit matter

Our audit procedures related to management´s assessment of goodwill and PP&E for impairment included the following, among others:

·    We considered the accuracy of past forecasts developed by management to assess the reliability of the forecasting process.

·    We considered key assumptions applied in the development of the discounted future cash flows for the periods projected.

·     We evaluated the volumes and prices projected for the period 2022-2026 using independent sources of information (such as analyst and industry reports or prices reports, when available) and considered information that could be potentially contradictory to management's forecasts.

·    With the assistance of our fair value specialists, we evaluated the discount rates (WACC), the long-term growth rates, the appropriate methodology for determination of terminal values and the underlying source information. Our fair value specialists also assisted in testing the mathematical accuracy of the calculations and developing a range of independent estimates and comparing those to management’s estimates.

·    We have performed sensitivity analysis over the goodwill impairment test by comparing the results of the impairment test with significant changes and modifications to the underlying inputs such as the net cash flows and the terminal value, the discount rates (WACC) and the long-term growth rate.

·    For those assets for which recoverable amount was determined at fair value less cost of disposal, we evaluated the main assumptions used by the Company with the assistance of our fair value specialists.

·    In respect of the parent company, we assessed that the valuation determined in the impairment assessment for goodwill and property, plant and equipment (‘PP&E’) was appropriately allocated in the value in use calculations performed for the investments held by the parent company.

Key observations

The deficiencies identified in internal controls over the assessment of impairment of goodwill and PPE assets related to instances of both ineffective controls and controls that were not designed over the assumptions and inputs used in the impairment evaluation. We re-evaluated the nature and extent of substantive audit procedures performed as a result of the deficiencies identified.

From our audit procedures performed, including our evaluation of the methodology, valuation and accuracy of the impairment test performed, we are satisfied that the Group’s goodwill and PPE assets at 31 December 2021 are recoverable. Additionally, we are satisfied that the carrying value of the investments in subsidiaries at 31 December 2021 are recoverable.

5.3.

Refinancing

Key audit matter description

As described in Note 18 to the financial statements, on July 29, 2021 the Company completed a restructuring of its capital and debt by the Issuance of $60 million of new senior secured notes (the “Super Senior Notes”); the issuance of $40 million in new equity of Ferroglobe; and the exchange of $345.1 million over the original $350 million in aggregate principal amount of 9.375% Senior Notes due 2022 (the “Old Notes”) for the same principal amount of new 9.375% senior secured notes due 2025 (resulting in the “Reinstated notes”) and amendment of certain other terms (the “refinancing”). The refinancing has been accounted for as an extinguishment of the Old Notes and the Company has recognised a charge of $91 million in the income statement related mainly to the advisory fees and expenses related to the exchange and to equity granted to the noteholders.

We identified the accounting for the refinancing as a key audit matter because of its significant accounting impact and because auditing the judgments made by management to determine the accounting for this transaction required a high degree of auditor judgment and an increased extent of audit effort.

How the scope of our audit responded to the key audit matter

Our audit procedures related to the accounting for the refinancing and management's judgements used to account for it included the following, among others:

o       We evaluated management's conclusion regarding the accounting treatment by performing the following:

·      We obtained and evaluated the transaction contracts and other documentation, including terms with impact in the accounting evaluation.

·      We obtained and analysed the Company's evaluation as to whether the exchange of the Old Notes by the Reinstated Notes was a substantial modification of the debt in accordance with the applicable accounting standards.

·      We evaluated the Company's conclusions over the accounting for the transaction fees and expenses, including equity granted to the noteholders and underwriters.

o      We evaluated the adequacy of the Company's disclosures on this matter. 

Key observations

From our audit procedures performed, including our evaluation of the accounting judgements, we are satisfied that the accounting treatment of the refinancing process as at 31 December 2021 is appropriate.

Our application of materiality

6.1.

Materiality

We define materiality as the magnitude of misstatement in the financial statements that makes it probable that the economic decisions of a reasonably knowledgeable person would be changed or influenced. We use materiality both in planning the scope of our audit work and in evaluating the results of our work.

Based on our professional judgement, we determined materiality for the financial statements as a whole as follows:

	Group financial statements	Parent company financial statements
Materiality	$14.2m (2020: $9.1m)	$9.8m (2020: $6.4m)
Basis for determining materiality	0.8% of Revenue (2020: 0.8%)	1% of Total assets, (2020: capped at 70% of group materiality)
Rationale for the benchmark applied	Revenue is considered to be the most appropriate and stable benchmark as the Group was loss making in the current year and prior years.	As the parent company is a non-trading entity, we considered it appropriate to use total assets for determining materiality.

6.2.

Performance materiality

We set performance materiality at a level lower than materiality to reduce the probability that, in aggregate, uncorrected and undetected misstatements exceed the materiality for the financial statements as a whole.

Group performance materiality was set at $7.1m for the 2021 audit (2020: $7.3m), representing 50% of group materiality (2020: 80%). Parent company performance materiality was set at $6.9m (2020: $5.1m), representing 70% (2020: 80%) of parent company materiality.

In determining performance materiality, we considered the following factors:

trading performance of the Group in the current year and in previous year;

Scale and complexity of the Group’s financial operations;

the quality of the control environment and the control deficiencies identified;

the nature, volume and size of misstatements (corrected and/or uncorrected) identified in the previous audit; and

the complexity of financial reporting matters and one-off transactions.

Our Performance Materiality was initially based on 70% (2020: 80%) of planning stage materiality but represents 50% of final materiality as the performance materiality was left unchanged when materiality was updated at year-end to reflect a stronger than expected revenue performance.

6.3.

Error reporting threshold

We agreed with the Audit Committee that we would report to the Committee all audit differences in excess of $0.71m (2020: $0.45m), as well as differences below that threshold that, in our view, warranted reporting on qualitative grounds. We also report to the Audit Committee on disclosure matters that we identified when assessing the overall presentation of the financial statements.

An overview of the scope of our audit

7.1.

Identification and scoping of components

The group comprises four reportable segments (North America Silicon, Europe Manganese, Europe Silicon and South Africa Silicon) and the corporate business unit, with geographical CGUs reported within each.

Our audit scope was consistent with the prior year, with component audit teams in the following countries:

United States of America (‘USA’);

Canada

France; and

Spain.

Full scope audits were performed on Grupo Ferroatlantica SAU by Deloitte Spain, FerroPem SAS by Deloitte France and by Deloitte UK for the parent company in the UK.

Specified audit procedures were performed on the Group’s businesses in USA by Deloitte US and Canada by Deloitte Canada.

Analytical procedures were performed over the Group’s residual businesses and components by Deloitte Spain, with oversight performed by Deloitte UK.

The materialities applied to component audits ranged from $1.4 million to $4.21.4 million (2020: $1.5 million to $4.6 million).

7.2.

Working with other auditors

The UK group audit team worked on an integrated basis with Deloitte Spain, directing and overseeing audit work performed by component teams and audit work performed directly by Deloitte Spain.

The integrated UK and Spanish audit teams planned, supervised and reviewed work performed by component auditors in France, USA and Canada. The level of direct involvement varied by location and included, attendance to key meetings with local engagement teams, including audit close meetings, and a detailed review of their reporting deliverables and underlying audit work documentation.

The coverage of our audit work across the group is shown below:

8.	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 respect of this regard.

Responsibilities of directors

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 group’s and the parent 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 group or the parent company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

10.

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

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.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the FRC’s website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

11.

Extent to which the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud

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.

11.1.

Identifying and assessing potential risks related to irregularities

In identifying and assessing risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations, we considered the following:

the nature of the industry and sector, control environment and business performance including the design of the group’s remuneration policies, key drivers for directors’ remuneration, bonus levels and performance targets;

results of our enquiries of management, internal audit, and the audit committee about their own identification and assessment of the risks of irregularities;

any matters we identified having obtained and reviewed the group’s documentation of their policies and procedures relating to:

identifying, evaluating and complying with laws and regulations and whether they were aware of any instances of non-compliance;

detecting and responding to the risks of fraud and whether they have knowledge of any actual, suspected or alleged fraud;

the internal controls established to mitigate risks of fraud or non-compliance with laws and regulations;

the matters discussed among the audit engagement team including component audit teams and relevant internal specialists, including tax, valuations and IT regarding how and where fraud might occur in the financial statements and any potential indicators of fraud.

As a result of these procedures, we considered the opportunities and incentives that may exist within the organisation for fraud and identified the greatest potential for fraud in the revenue recognition process at the end of the year. In common with all audits under ISAs (UK), we are also required to perform specific procedures to respond to the risk of management override.

We also obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks that the group operates in, focusing on provisions of those laws and regulations that had a direct effect on the determination of material amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. The key laws and regulations we considered in this context included the UK Companies Act 2006 and tax regulations applicable in the key jurisdictions where the group operates.

In addition, we considered provisions of other laws and regulations, ,that do not have a direct effect on the financial statements but compliance with which may be fundamental to the group’s ability to operate or to avoid a material penalty. The key laws and regulations we considered in this context included employment law and environmental regulations.

11.2.

Audit response to risks identified

As a result of performing the above, we did not identify any key audit matters related to the potential risk of fraud or non-compliance with laws and regulations.

Our procedures to respond to risks identified included the following:

reviewing the financial statement disclosures and testing to supporting documentation to assess compliance with provisions of relevant laws and regulations described as having a direct effect on the financial statements;

enquiring of management, the audit committee and in-house legal counsel concerning actual and potential litigation and claims;

performing analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected relationships that may indicate risks of material misstatement due to fraud;

reading minutes of meetings of those charged with governance and reviewing internal audit reports;

in addressing the risk of fraud through management override of controls, testing the appropriateness of journal entries and other adjustments; assessing whether the judgements made in making accounting estimates are indicative of a potential bias; and evaluating the business rationale of any significant transactions that are unusual or outside the normal course of business; and

in addressing the risk of fraud in revenue recognition identified as a risk of cut-off, testing sales recorded in the last month of the year and in January 2022, by inspecting a sample of transactions and agreeing those to supporting documentation, in order to evaluate whether sales were recorded in the correct period in accordance with the agreed shipping terms.

We also communicated relevant identified laws and regulations and potential fraud risks to all engagement team members, including internal specialists, and component audit teams, and remained alert to any indications of fraud or non-compliance with laws and regulations throughout the audit.

Report on other legal and regulatory requirements

12.

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion the part of the directors’ remuneration report to be audited has been properly prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 2006.

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the 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 group and the parent company and their environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified any material misstatements in the strategic report or the directors’ report.

13.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

13.1.

Adequacy of explanations received and accounting records

Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required to report to you if, in our opinion:

we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or

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

the parent company financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns.

We have nothing to report in respect of these matters.

13.2.

Directors’ remuneration

Under the Companies Act 2006 we are also required to report if in our opinion certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration have not been made or the part of the directors’ remuneration report to be audited is not in agreement with the accounting records and returns.

We have nothing to report in respect of these matters.

14.

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.

Nicola Barker, ACA (Senior statutory auditor)

For and on behalf of Deloitte LLP

Statutory Auditor

London, UK

1 June 2022

FERROGLOBE PLC

AUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Consolidated Financial Statements as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 and for each of the three years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019

Consolidated Statements of Financial Position as of December 31, 2021 and 2020		71
Consolidated Income Statements for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019		72
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019		73
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019		74
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019		75
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements		76

FERROGLOBE PLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND 2020

Thousands of U.S. Dollars

		2021			2020
	Notes	US$'000			US$'000
ASSETS
Non-current assets
Goodwill	Note 7		29,702			29,702
Other intangible assets	Note 8		100,642			20,756
Property, plant and equipment	Note 9		554,914			620,034
Other non-current financial assets	Note 10		4,091			5,057
Deferred tax assets	Note 23		7,010			—
Non-current receivables from related parties	Note 24		1,699			2,454
Other non-current assets	Note 12		18,734			11,904
Non-current restricted cash and cash equivalents	Note 10		2,272			—
Total non-current assets			719,064			689,907
Current assets
Inventories	Note 11		289,797			246,549
Trade and other receivables	Note 10		381,073			242,262
Current receivables from related parties	Note 24		2,841			3,076
Current income tax assets	Note 23		7,660			12,072
Other current financial assets	Note 10		104			1,008
Other current assets	Note 12		8,408			20,714
Current restricted cash and cash equivalents	Note 10		—			28,843
Cash and cash equivalents	Note 10		114,391			102,714
Total current assets			804,274			657,238
Total assets			1,523,338			1,347,145
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES
Equity
Share capital			1,962			1,784
Reserves			544,433			696,774
Translation differences			(227,318	)		(206,759	)
Valuation adjustments			5,525			5,755
Result attributable to the Parent			(110,624	)		(246,339	)
Non-controlling interests			106,053			114,504
Total equity	Note 13		320,031			365,719
Non-current liabilities
Deferred income			895			620
Provisions	Note 15		60,958			108,487
Bank borrowings	Note 16		3,670			5,277
Lease liabilities	Note 17		9,968			13,994
Debt instruments	Note 18		404,938			346,620
Other financial liabilities	Note 19		4,549			29,094
Other obligations	Note 21		38,082			15,006
Other non-current liabilities	Note 22		1,476			1,761
Deferred tax liabilities	Note 23		25,145			27,781
Total non-current liabilities			549,681			548,640
Current liabilities
Provisions	Note 15		137,625			55,296
Bank borrowings	Note 16		95,297			102,330
Lease liabilities	Note 17		8,390			8,542
Debt instruments	Note 18		35,359			10,888
Other financial liabilities	Note 19		62,464			34,802
Payables to related parties	Note 24		9,545			3,196
Trade and other payables	Note 20		206,000			149,201
Current income tax liabilities	Note 23		1,775			2,538
Other obligations	Note 21		22,843			4,672
Other current liabilities	Note 22		74,328			61,321
Total current liabilities			653,626			432,786
Total equity and liabilities			1,523,338			1,347,145

Notes 1 to 31 are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements

The financial statements were approved by the board of directors and authorized for issue on June 1, 2022

Signed on its behalf by:

Dr. Marco Levy

Director

FERROGLOBE PLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS 2021, 2020 AND 2019

Thousands of U.S. Dollars

		2021			2020			2019
	Notes	US$'000			US$'000			US$'000
Sales	Note 26.1		1,778,908			1,144,434			1,615,222
Raw materials and energy consumption for production			(1,184,896	)		(835,486	)		(1,214,397	)
Other operating income	Note 4.21		110,085			33,627			54,213
Staff costs	Note 26.2		(280,917	)		(214,782	)		(285,029	)
Other operating expense			(296,809	)		(132,059	)		(225,705	)
Depreciation and amortization charges, operating allowances and write-downs	Note 26.3		(97,328	)		(108,189	)		(120,194	)
Impairment (loss) gain	Note 26.5		137			(73,344	)		(175,899	)
Net (loss) gain due to changes in the value of assets	Note 26.5		758			158			(1,574	)
(Loss) gain on disposal of non-current assets	Note 26.6		1,386			1,292			(2,223	)
Other (loss) gain			62			(1	)		—
Operating (loss) profit			31,386			(184,350	)		(355,586	)
Finance income	Note 26.4		253			177			1,380
Finance costs	Note 26.4		(149,189	)		(66,968	)		(63,225	)
Financial derivative gain	Note 19		—			3,168			2,729
Exchange differences			(2,386	)		25,553			2,884
(Loss) before tax			(119,936	)		(222,420	)		(411,818	)
Income tax benefit (expense)	Note 23		4,562			(21,939	)		41,541
(Loss) for the year from continuing operations			(115,374	)		(244,359	)		(370,277	)
(Loss) profit for the year from discontinued operations	Note 30		—			(5,399	)		84,637
Total (Loss) for the year			(115,374	)		(249,758	)		(285,640	)

Attributable to the Parent			(110,624	)		(246,339	)		(280,601	)
Attributable to non-controlling interests	Note 13		(4,750	)		(3,419	)		(5,039	)

Earnings per share
			2021			2020			2019
(Loss) attributable to the Parent (US$'000)			(110,624	)		(246,339	)		(280,601	)
Weighted average basic and dilutive shares outstanding			176,508,144			169,269,281			169,152,905
Basic and diluted (loss) earnings per ordinary share (US$)	Note 14		(0.63	)		(1.46	)		(1.66	)

(Loss) for the year from continuing operations attribuitable to the Parent (US$'000)			(110,624	)		(240,940	)		(365,238	)
Weighted average basic and dilutive shares outstanding			176,508,144			169,269,281			169,152,905
Basic and diluted (loss) earnings per ordinary share (US$)	Note 14		(0.63	)		(1.42	)		(2.16	)

(Loss) profit for the year from discontinued operations (US$'000)			—			(5,399	)		84,637
Weighted average basic and dilutive shares outstanding			176,508,144			169,269,281			169,152,905
Basic and diluted (loss) earnings per ordinary share (US$)	Note 14		—			(0.03	)		0.50

Notes 1 to 31 are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements

FERROGLOBE PLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) FOR 2021, 2020 AND 2019

Thousands of U.S. Dollars

	2021			2020			2019
	US$'000			US$'000			US$'000
Net (loss)		(115,374	)		(249,758	)		(285,640	)

Items that will not be reclassified subsequently to income or loss:
Defined benefit obligation		2,566			3,630			(1,859	)
Tax effect		139			(45	)		—
Total income and expense that will not be reclassified subsequently to income or loss		2,705			3,585			(1,859	)

Items that may be reclassified subsequently to income or loss:
Arising from cash flow hedges		—			(3,752	)		9,663
Translation differences		(20,393	)		3,239			(8,698	)
Tax effect		—			—			—
Total income and expense that may be reclassified subsequently to income or loss		(20,393	)		(513	)		965

Items that have been reclassified to income or loss in the period:
Arising from cash flow hedges		(922	)		8,091			2,390
Tax effect		—			—			(805	)
Total transfers to income or loss		(922	)		8,091			1,585

Other comprehensive income (loss) for the year, net of income tax		(18,610	)		11,163			691

Total comprehensive (loss) for the year		(133,984	)		(238,595	)		(284,949	)

Attributable to the Parent		(131,413	)		(235,022	)		(281,097	)
Attributable to non-controlling interests		(2,571	)		(3,573	)		(3,852	)

Notes 1 to 31 are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements

FERROGLOBE PLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY FOR 2021, 2020 AND 2019

Thousands of U.S. Dollars

	Total Amounts Attributable to Owners
	Issued		Share							Translation			Valuation			Result for			Non-controlling
	Shares		Capital		Share Premium		Reserves			Differences			Adjustments			the Year			Interests			Total
	(Thousands)		US$'000		US$'000		US$'000			US$'000			US$'000			US$'000			US$'000			US$'000
Balance at January 1, 2019		170,864		1,784		—		941,707			(207,366	)		(11,559	)		43,661			116,145			884,372
Comprehensive (loss)  income  for the year 2019		—		—		—		—			(9,886	)		9,390			(280,601	)		(3,852	)		(284,949	)
Share-based compensation		—		—		—		4,879			—			—			—			—			4,879
Distribution of 2018 income		—		—		—		43,661			—			—			(43,661	)		—			—
Dividends paid to joint venture partner		—		—		—		—			—			—			—			(97	)		(97	)
Acquisition of non-controlling interests in Ferrosolar OPCO Group SL. and Rocas Arcillas and Minerales, S.A.		—		—		—		(14,889	)		7,100			—			—			5,881			(1,908	)
Balance at December 31, 2019		170,864		1,784		—		975,358			(210,152	)		(2,169	)		(280,601	)		118,077			602,297
Comprehensive (loss) income for the year 2020		—		—		—		—			3,393			7,924			(246,339	)		(3,573	)		(238,595	)
Share-based compensation		—		—		—		2,017			—			—			—			—			2,017
Distribution of 2019 loss		—		—		—		(280,601	)		—			—			280,601			—			—
Balance at December 31, 2020		170,864		1,784		—		696,774			(206,759	)		5,755			(246,339	)		114,504			365,719
Comprehensive (loss) income for the year 2021		—		—		—		—			(20,559	)		(230	)		(110,624	)		(2,571	)		(133,984	)
Issue of share capital		18,019		178		86,220					—			—			—			—			86,398
Share-based compensation		—		—		—		3,627			—			—			—			—			3,627
Distribution of 2020 (loss)		—		—		—		(246,339	)		—			—			246,339			—			—
Dividends paid non-controlling interests		—		—		—		—			—			—			—			(5,880	)		(5,880	)
Other changes		—		—		—		4,151			—			—			—			—			4,151
Balance at December 31, 2021		188,883		1,962		86,220		458,213			(227,318	)		5,525			(110,624	)		106,053			320,031

Notes 1 to 31 are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements

FERROGLOBE PLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS FOR 2021, 2020 AND 2019

Thousands of U.S. Dollars

	2021			2020			2019*
	US$'000			US$'000			US$'000
Cash flows from operating activities:
(Loss) for the year		(115,374	)		(249,758	)		(285,640	)
Adjustments to reconcile net profit (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Income tax expense (benefit)		(4,562	)		21,939			(40,528	)
Depreciation and amortization charges, operating allowances and write-downs		97,328			108,189			123,024
Finance income (loss)		(253	)		(177	)		2,140
Finance costs		149,189			66,968			66,139
Financial derivative (gain) loss		—			(3,168	)		(2,729	)
Exchange differences		2,386			(25,553	)		(2,884	)
Impairment (gain) loss		(137	)		73,344			175,899
Loss (gain) on disposal of discontinued operations		—			5,399			(85,101	)
Loss (gain) due to changes in the value of assets		(758	)		(158	)		1,574
Loss (gain)  on disposal of non-current assets		(1,386	)		(1,292	)		2,223
Share-based compensation		3,627			2,017			4,879
Other loss (gain)		(62	)		—			—
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
(Increase) decrease in inventories		(60,296	)		114,585			91,531
(Increase) decrease in trade and other receivables		(161,434	)		71,034			30,933
Increase (decrease) in trade and other payables		64,382			(55,405	)		(63,187	)
Other changes in operating assets and liabilities		29,803			14,473			(45,878	)
Income tax paid		(3,794	)		11,831			(3,589	)
Net used cash provided (used) by operating activities		(1,341	)		154,268			(31,194	)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Interest and finance income received		207			630			1,673
Payments due to investments:
Acquisition of subsidiaries		—			—			9,088
Other intangible assets		—			(2,654	)		(184	)
Property, plant and equipment		(27,597	)		(30,257	)		(32,445	)
Other financial assets		—			—			(1,248	)
Disposals:
Disposal of subsidiaries		—			—			176,590
Other non-current assets		1,919			341			8,668
Other		1,623			—			3,768
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities		(23,848	)		(31,940	)		165,910
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payment for debt and equity issuance costs		(43,755	)		(4,540	)		(15,117	)
Proceeds from equity issuance		40,000			—			—
Proceed from debt issuance		60,000			—			—
Repayment of hydro leases		—			—			(55,352	)
Increase (decrease) in bank borrowings:
Borrowings		659,083			177,593			245,629
Payments		(671,467	)		(235,296	)		(329,501	)
Amounts paid due to leases		(11,232	)		(10,315	)		(18,105	)
Other amounts (paid) due to financing activities		—			(2,863	)		(8,526	)
Interest paid		(22,177	)		(37,912	)		(43,033	)
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities		10,452			(113,333	)		(224,005	)
Total net cash flows for the year		(14,737	)		8,995			(89,289	)
Beginning balance of cash and cash equivalents		131,557			123,175			216,647
Exchange differences on cash and cash equivalents in foreign currencies		(157	)		(613	)		(4,183	)
Ending balance of cash and cash equivalents		116,663			131,557			123,175

* While in periods prior to 2020 Ferroglobe presented interest paid as cash flows from operating activities, in 2020 management deemed interest paid as among activities that alter the borrowing structure of the Company and therefore are most appropriately presented as among financing activities. This change allows for a fairer presentation of cash flow to users of the financial statements.

Notes 1 to 31 are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements

Ferroglobe PLC and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the years ended

December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019

(U.S. Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

General information

Ferroglobe PLC and subsidiaries (the “Company” or “Ferroglobe”) is among the world’s largest producers of silicon metal and silicon-based alloys, important ingredients in a variety of industrial and consumer products. The Company’s customers include major silicone chemical, aluminum and steel manufacturers, auto companies and their suppliers, ductile iron foundries, manufacturers of photovoltaic solar cells and computer chips, and concrete producers. Additionally, the Company was operating hydroelectric plants (hereinafter “energy business”) in Spain until August 30, 2019 and is still operating hydroelectric plants in France.

Ferroglobe PLC (the “Parent Company” or “the Parent”) is a public limited company that was incorporated in the United Kingdom on February 5, 2015 (formerly named ‘Velonewco Limited’). The Parent’s registered office is 13 Chesterfield Street, London W1J 5JN (United Kingdom).

On December 23, 2015, Ferroglobe PLC consummated the acquisition (“Business Combination”) of Globe Specialty Metals, Inc. and subsidiaries (“GSM” or “Globe”) and Grupo FerroAtlántica, S.A.U. (“FerroAtlántica”).

Presentation of results of Spanish energy business for the prior years

As described in Note 30 of these financial statements, on June 2, 2019 the Company entered into an agreement with Kehlen Industries Management, S.L., a wholly-owned subsidiary of TSSP Adjacent Opportunities Partners, L.P., for the sale of the entire share capital of FerroAtlántica, S.A.U ("FAU"), the owner and operator of the Group's hydro-electric assets in Galicia, Spain (the “Spanish Hydro-electric Business”) and its smelting facility at Cee-Dumbria and effectively sold the Spanish Hydroelectric Business on August 30, 2019. The Spanish Hydroelectric Business was classified as a disposal group held for sale and accounted for as a discontinued operation in the second quarter of 2019.

Organization and Subsidiaries

Ferroglobe has a diversified production base consisting of production facilities across North America, Europe, South America, South Africa and Asia.

The subsidiaries of Ferroglobe PLC as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, classified by reporting segments, were as follows:

Percentage of Ownership

Direct

Total

Reporting Segment

Registered

Alabama Sand and Gravel, Inc.

—

100.0

North America – Silicon

Delaware - USA

Alden Resources, LLC

—

100.0

North America – Silicon

Delaware - USA

Alden Sales Corporation, LLC

—

100.0

North America – Silicon

Delaware - USA

ARL Resources, LLC

—

100.0

North America – Silicon

Delaware - USA

ARL Services, LLC

—

100.0

North America – Silicon

Delaware - USA

Core Metals Group Holdings, LLC

—

100.0

North America – Silicon

Delaware - USA

Core Metals Group, LLC

—

100.0

North America – Silicon

Delaware - USA

ECPI, Inc.

—

100.0

North America – Silicon

Delaware - USA

Gatliff Services, LLC

—

100.0

North America – Silicon

Delaware - USA

Globe BG, LLC

—

100.0

North America – Silicon

Delaware - USA

GBG Financial LLC

—

100.0

North America – Silicon

Delaware - USA

GBG Holdings, LLC

—

100.0

North America – Silicon

Delaware - USA

Globe Metallurgical Inc.

—

100.0

North America – Silicon

Delaware - USA

Globe Metals Enterprises, Inc.

—

100.0

North America – Silicon

Delaware - USA

GSM Alloys I, Inc.

—

100.0

North America – Silicon

Delaware - USA

GSM Alloys II, Inc.

—

100.0

North America – Silicon

Delaware - USA

GSM Enterprises Holdings, Inc.

—

100.0

North America – Silicon

Delaware - USA

GSM Enterprises, LLC

—

100.0

North America – Silicon

Delaware - USA

GSM Sales, Inc.

—

100.0

North America – Silicon

Delaware - USA

Laurel Ford Resources, Inc.

—

100.0

North America – Silicon

Delaware - USA

LF Resources, Inc.

—

100.0

North America – Silicon

Delaware - USA

Metallurgical Process Materials, LLC

—

100.0

North America – Silicon

Delaware - USA

Norchem, Inc.

—

100.0

North America – Silicon

Florida - USA

QSIP Canada ULC

—

100.0

North America – Silicon

Canada

Quebec Silicon General Partner

—

51.0

North America – Silicon

Canada

Quebec Silicon Limited Partnership

—

51.0

North America – Silicon

Canada

Tennessee Alloys Company, LLC

—

100.0

North America – Silicon

Delaware - USA

West Virginia Alloys, Inc.

—

100.0

North America – Silicon

Delaware - USA

WVA Manufacturing, LLC

—

51.0

North America – Silicon

Delaware - USA

Cuarzos Industriales, S.A.U.

—

100.0

Europe – Silicon

A Coruña - Spain

FerroPem, S.A.S.

—

100.0

Europe – Silicon

France

Rocas, Arcillas y Minerales, S.A.

—

100.0

Europe – Silicon

A Coruña - Spain

Ferroatlántica del Cinca, S.L.

—

99.9

Europe – Manganese

Madrid - Spain

Ferroglobe Mangan Norge A.S.

—

100.0

Europe – Manganese

Norway

Ferroglobe Manganese France S.A.S.

—

100.0

Europe – Manganese

France

Grupo FerroAtlántica, S.A.U.

—

100.0

Europe – Manganese and Silicon

Madrid - Spain

Kintuck (France) S.A.S.

—

100.0

Europe – Manganese

France

Kintuck A.S.

—

100.0

Europe – Manganese

Norway

Rebone Mining (Pty.), Ltd.

—

74.0

South Africa – Silicon

Polokwane - South Africa

Silicon Smelters (Pty.), Ltd.

—

100.0

South Africa – Silicon

Polokwane - South Africa

Silicon Technology (Pty.), Ltd.

—

100.0

South Africa – Silicon

South Africa

Thaba Chueu Mining (Pty.), Ltd.

—

74.0

South Africa – Silicon

Polokwane - South Africa

Cuarzos Indus. de Venezuela (Cuarzoven), S.A.

—

100.0

Other segments

Venezuela

Emix, S.A.S.

—

100.0

Other segments

France

Ferroatlántica de México, S.A. de C.V.

—

100.0

Other segments

Nueva León - Mexico

Ferroatlántica Participaciones, S.L.U.

—

100.0

Other segments

Madrid - Spain

Grupo FerroAtlántica de Servicios, S.L.U.

—

100.0

Other segments

Madrid - Spain

Ferroatlántica de Venezuela (FerroVen), S.A.

—

99.9

Other segments

Venezuela

Ferroatlántica Deutschland, GmbH

—

100.0

Other segments

Germany

Ferroatlántica do Brasil Mineraçao Ltda.

—

70.0

Other segments

Brazil

Ferroglobe Holding Company, LTD

100

100.0

Other segments

United Kingdom

Ferroglobe Finance Company, PLC

—

100.0

Other segments

United Kingdom

FerroManganese Mauritania S.A.R.L.

—

90.0

Other segments

Mauritania

Ferroquartz Holdings, Ltd. (Hong Kong)

—

100.0

Other segments

Hong Kong

FerroQuartz Mauritania S.A.R.L.

—

90.0

Other segments

Mauritania

Ferrosolar OPCO Group S.L.

—

100.0

Other segments

Spain

Ferrosolar R&D S.L.

—

50.0

Other segments

Spain

FerroTambao, S.A.R.L.

—

90.0

Other segments

Burkina Faso

Globe Argentina Holdco, LLC

—

100.0

Other segments

Delaware - USA

Globe Metales S.R.L.

—

100.0

Other segments

Argentina

Globe Specialty Metals, Inc.

—

100.0

Other segments

Delaware - USA

GSM Financial, Inc.

—

100.0

Other segments

Delaware - USA

GSM Netherlands, B.V.

—

100.0

Other segments

Netherlands

Hidroelectricité de Saint Beron, S.A.S.

—

100.0

Other segments

France

Mangshi FerroAtlántica Mining Industry Service Company Limited

—

100.0

Other segments

Mangshi, Dehong - Yunnan - China

Ningxia Yonvey Coal Industrial Co., Ltd.

—

98.0

Other segments

China

Photosil Industries, S.A.S.

—

100.0

Other segments

France

Ferroglobe Innovation, S.L.U

—

100.0

Other segments

Spain

Solsil, Inc.

—

92.4

Other segments

Delaware - USA

Ultracore Energy S.A.

—

100.0

Other segments

Argentina

2020 Subsidiaries

Percentage of Ownership

Direct

Total

Reporting Segment

Registered

Alabama Sand and Gravel, Inc.

—

100.0

North America – Silicon

Delaware - USA

Alden Resources, LLC

—

100.0

North America – Silicon

Delaware - USA

Alden Sales Corporation, LLC

—

100.0

North America – Silicon

Delaware - USA

ARL Resources, LLC

—

100.0

North America – Silicon

Delaware - USA

ARL Services, LLC

—

100.0

North America – Silicon

Delaware - USA

Core Metals Group Holdings, LLC

—

100.0

North America – Silicon

Delaware - USA

Core Metals Group, LLC

—

100.0

North America – Silicon

Delaware - USA

ECPI, Inc.

—

100.0

North America – Silicon

Delaware - USA

Gatliff Services, LLC

—

100.0

North America – Silicon

Delaware - USA

Globe BG, LLC

—

100.0

North America – Silicon

Delaware - USA

GBG Financial LLC

—

100.0

North America – Silicon

Delaware - USA

GBG Holdings, LLC

—

100.0

North America – Silicon

Delaware - USA

Globe Metallurgical Inc.

—

100.0

North America – Silicon

Delaware - USA

Globe Metals Enterprises, Inc.

—

100.0

North America – Silicon

Delaware - USA

GSM Alloys I, Inc.

—

100.0

North America – Silicon

Delaware - USA

GSM Alloys II, Inc.

—

100.0

North America – Silicon

Delaware - USA

GSM Enterprises Holdings, Inc.

—

100.0

North America – Silicon

Delaware - USA

GSM Enterprises, LLC

—

100.0

North America – Silicon

Delaware - USA

GSM Sales, Inc.

—

100.0

North America – Silicon

Delaware - USA

Laurel Ford Resources, Inc.

—

100.0

North America – Silicon

Delaware - USA

LF Resources, Inc.

—

100.0

North America – Silicon

Delaware - USA

Metallurgical Process Materials, LLC

—

100.0

North America – Silicon

Delaware - USA

Norchem, Inc.

—

100.0

North America – Silicon

Florida - USA

QSIP Canada ULC

—

100.0

North America – Silicon

Canada

Quebec Silicon General Partner

—

51.0

North America – Silicon

Canada

Quebec Silicon Limited Partnership

—

51.0

North America – Silicon

Canada

Tennessee Alloys Company, LLC

—

100.0

North America – Silicon

Delaware - USA

West Virginia Alloys, Inc.

—

100.0

North America – Silicon

Delaware - USA

WVA Manufacturing, LLC

—

51.0

North America – Silicon

Delaware - USA

Cuarzos Industriales, S.A.U.

—

100.0

Europe – Silicon

A Coruña - Spain

Ferroatlántica del Cinca, S.L.

—

99.9

Europe – Manganese

Madrid - Spain

Ferroatlántica de Sabón, S.L.U.

—

100.0

Europe – Silicon

Madrid - Spain

Ferroatlántica de Boo, S.L.U.

—

100.0

Europe – Manganese

Madrid - Spain

Ferroatlántica Participaciones, S.L.U.

—

100.0

Other segments

Madrid - Spain

Ferroglobe Mangan Norge A.S.

—

100.0

Europe – Manganese

Norway

Ferroglobe Manganese France S.A.S.

—

100.0

Europe – Manganese

France

FerroPem, S.A.S.

—

100.0

Europe – Silicon

France

Ferrous Receivables DAC.

—

100.0

Other segments

Ireland

Grupo FerroAtlántica, S.A.U.

100

100.0

Europe – Manganese

Madrid - Spain

Grupo FerroAtlántica de Servicios, S.L.U.

—

100.0

Other segments

Madrid - Spain

Kintuck (France) S.A.S.

—

100.0

Europe – Manganese

France

Kintuck A.S.

—

100.0

Europe – Manganese

Norway

Rocas, Arcillas y Minerales, S.A.

—

100.0

Europe – Silicon

A Coruña - Spain

Rebone Mining (Pty.), Ltd.

—

74.0

South Africa – Silicon

Polokwane - South Africa

Silicon Smelters (Pty.), Ltd.

—

100.0

South Africa – Silicon

Polokwane - South Africa

Silicon Technology (Pty.), Ltd.

—

100.0

South Africa – Silicon

South Africa

Thaba Chueu Mining (Pty.), Ltd.

—

74.0

South Africa – Silicon

Polokwane - South Africa

Cuarzos Indus. de Venezuela (Cuarzoven), S.A.

—

100.0

Other segments

Venezuela

Emix, S.A.S.

—

100.0

Other segments

France

Ferroatlántica de México, S.A. de C.V.

—

100.0

Other segments

Nueva León - Mexico

Ferroatlántica de Venezuela (FerroVen), S.A.

—

99.9

Other segments

Venezuela

Ferroatlántica Deutschland, GmbH

—

100.0

Other segments

Germany

Ferroatlántica do Brasil Mineraçao Ltda.

—

70.0

Other segments

Brazil

Ferroatlántica I+D, S.L.U.

—

100.0

Other segments

Madrid - Spain

FerroAtlántica International Ltd.

—

100.0

Other segments

United Kingdom

Ferroglobe Services (UK) Ltd.

100

100.0

Other segments

United Kingdom

FerroManganese Mauritania S.A.R.L.

—

90.0

Other segments

Mauritania

Ferroquartz Holdings, Ltd. (Hong Kong)

—

100.0

Other segments

Hong Kong

FerroQuartz Mauritania S.A.R.L.

—

90.0

Other segments

Mauritania

Ferrosolar OPCO Group S.L.

—

100.0

Other segments

Spain

Ferrosolar R&D S.L.

—

50.0

Other segments

Spain

FerroTambao, S.A.R.L.

—

90.0

Other segments

Burkina Faso

Globe Argentina Holdco, LLC

—

100.0

Other segments

Delaware - USA

Globe Metales S.R.L.

—

100.0

Other segments

Argentina

Globe Specialty Metals, Inc.

100

100.0

Other segments

Delaware - USA

GSM Financial, Inc.

—

100.0

Other segments

Delaware - USA

GSM Netherlands, B.V.

—

100.0

Other segments

Netherlands

Hidroelectricité de Saint Beron, S.A.S.

—

100.0

Other segments

France

Mangshi FerroAtlántica Mining Industry Service Company Limited

—

100.0

Other segments

Mangshi, Dehong -Yunnan -China

Mangshi Sinice Silicon Industry Company Limited

—

100.0

Other segments

Mangshi, Dehong -Yunnan -China

Ningxia Yonvey Coal Industrial Co., Ltd.

—

98.0

Other segments

China

Photosil Industries, S.A.S.

—

100.0

Other segments

France

Silicio Ferrosolar, S.L.U.

—

100.0

Other segments

Spain

Solsil, Inc.

—

92.4

Other segments

Delaware - USA

Ultracore Energy S.A.

—

100.0

Other segments

Argentina

Subsidiaries are all companies over which Ferroglobe has control.

Control is achieved when the Company:

has power over the investee;

is exposed, or has rights, to variable returns from its involvement with the investee; and

has the ability to use its power over the investee to affect the amount of the investor’s returns.

The Company has power over the investee when the voting rights are sufficient to give it the practical ability to direct the relevant activities of the investee unilaterally. The Company considers all relevant facts and circumstances in assessing whether or not the Company’s voting rights in an investee are sufficient to give it power, including:

the total voting rights held by the Company relative to the size and dispersion of holdings of the other vote holders;

potential voting rights held by the Company, other vote holders or other parties;

rights arising from other contractual arrangements; and

any additional facts and circumstances that indicate that the Company has, or does not have, the current ability to direct the relevant activities at the time these decisions need to be made, including voting patterns at previous shareholders’ meetings.

Consolidation of a subsidiary begins when the Company obtains control over the subsidiary and ceases when the Company loses control of the subsidiary.

The Company uses the acquisition method to account for the acquisition of subsidiaries. According to this method, the consideration transferred for the acquisition of a subsidiary corresponds to the fair value of the assets transferred, the liabilities incurred and the equity interests issued by the Company. The consideration transferred also includes the fair value of any asset or liability resulting from a contingent consideration arrangement. Any contingent consideration transferred by the Company is recognized at fair value at the date of acquisition. Subsequent changes in the fair value of the contingent consideration classified as an asset or a liability are recognized in accordance with IFRS 9 in the income statement. The costs related to the acquisition are recognized as expenses in the years incurred. The identifiable assets acquired and the liabilities and contingent liabilities assumed in a business combination are initially recognized at their fair value at the date of acquisition. The Company recognizes any non-controlling interest in the acquiree at the non-controlling interest’s proportionate share of the acquiree’s identifiable net assets.

Profit or loss for the period and each component of other comprehensive (loss) income are attributed to the owners of the Company and to the non-controlling interests. The Company attributes total comprehensive (loss) income to the owners of the Company and to the non-controlling interests even if the profit or loss of the non-controlling interests gives rise to a balance receivable.

All assets and liabilities, equity, income, expenses and cash flows relating to transactions between subsidiaries are eliminated in full in consolidation.

Basis of presentation and basis of consolidation

3.1 Basis of presentation

These consolidated financial statements have been issued in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board and interpretations issued by the International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee (collectively “IFRS”).

The consolidated financial statements have been authorized for issuance on May 2, 2022.

All accounting policies and measurement bases with effect on the consolidated financial statements were applied in their preparation.

The consolidated financial statements were prepared on a historical cost basis, with the exceptions disclosed in the notes to the consolidated financial statements, where applicable, and in those situations where IFRS requires that financial assets and financial liabilities are valued at fair value.

For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, the Company reported net losses of $115,374 thousand, $249,758 thousand and $285,640 thousand, respectively. Our business has historically been subject to fluctuations in the price of the products and market demand for them, caused by general and regional economic cycles, raw material and energy price fluctuations, competition and other factors.

Throughout 2021, COVID -19 and its consequences continued to impact our business, operations, and financial results. Such conditions, and any future decline in the global silicon metal, manganese-based alloys and silicon-based alloys industries could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. Also, many of our products are traded internationally at prices that are significantly affected by worldwide supply and demand, and our costs are particularly sensitive to increases in energy prices and raw material prices. Consequently, our financial performance will fluctuate with the general economic cycle, and our business is even more cyclical than the general economy.

With the significant change in performance during the second half of 2021, which has continued in the first quarter of 2022, our revenue and operating margins continued improving. Consistent with our strategic objectives, we seek to strengthen the Company’s balance sheet to ensure flexibility and competitiveness through the cycle.

In 2020 we developed a turnaround plan focused on improving our cost structure and bolstering the long-term competitiveness of the business. 2021 marked the first year of the execution of the plan spanning across a number of value creation areas, including commercial excellence, working capital optimization, footprint optimization, continuous plant efficiency, centralized procurement, and the reduction of corporate overheads. 

During 2022, we will continue executing on various cost cutting initiatives, as well as focusing on capability building to improve our operating model and processes. Through these efforts we seek to improve our overall decision making, establishing a new culture focused on data-driven decision making under a centralized model.

The market momentum in customer demand and significantly improved pricing during 2021 has been captured in the order book for the first half of 2022, and the projections for the coming twelve months reflect a strong improvement in financial performance as a consequence of the benefit of our turnaround plan, coupled with the improvement in broader operating environment.

We have been closely monitoring the situation in Ukraine since the war began. Russia is a key supplier of raw materials to Ferroglobe and other ferro-alloy producers. We have convened a committee that has met daily to monitor the situation, and this will continue for as long as the crisis persists. While our suppliers have not been specifically targeted by sanctions, Russia’s expulsion from Swift and sanctions on various Russian banks have presented difficulties in how we pay for raw materials from Russia, and transportation and other supply chain interruptions have impacted deliveries. We have been successful in implementing mitigating actions that we believe will alleviate these issues and allow us to continue production.

To support its assessment of the going concern basis of accounting, management has prepared a financial model which considers the revenues, expenditures, cash flows, net tax payments and capital expenditures for a period of at least one year from the date of approval of these financial statements. The financial projections to determine these future cash flows are modelled considering the principal variables that determine the historic flows at a Group level including prices, volumes, costs, capital expenditures and net working capital. These projections are based on the 2022 annual budget and management’s five-year financial model. Key assumptions include estimates on sale prices based on the order book and indexes. It has to be considered that sale prices are the variable to which the Company´s cash flows are more sensitive to. Sensitivities have been run, including stressed scenarios with reductions on the base case sale prices for the coming months, to reflect the key risks and uncertainties impacting the cash flow projections. The potential impact of the Ukranian war has also been considered in this analysis.

2021 marked an active year with regards to our capital markets activity.  At the center of the comprehensive financing effort was the extension of the maturity of our 9 3/8% Senior Notes to December 2025 (from March 1, 2022).  In addition to extending the maturity profile of the debt of the Company, we also issued $60 million of Super Senior Notes and issued $40 million of new equity that provided the Company additional cash funding to support our strategic transformation plan. Overall, we view this financing to be a success given the uncertain operating market back-drop prevailing in the midst of the pandemic.

Also, the Company is subject to certain restrictive covenants under the existing financing agreements, which limit, among other things, its ability to incur certain additional indebtedness (see Note 18). In this respect we are currently discussing with financial institutions for new financing agreements within the limits of the covenants mentioned before. Additionally, the Company has increased liquidity through additional funding in early 2022 and through its own cash generation. In February 2022, the Spanish Fund for supporting strategic companies, on a proposal of the Sociedad Estatal de Participaciones Industriales (“SEPI”), approved €34.5 million in loans to Grupo Ferroatlántica, S.A.U. and Grupo Ferroátlantica de Servicios, S.L.U., wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company.

Ferroglobe’s primary short-term liquidity needs are to fund its capital expenditure commitments, fund specific initiatives underlying the strategic plan, service its existing debt, fund working capital and comply with other contractual obligations. Ferroglobe’s long-term liquidity needs primarily relate to debt servicing and repayment. Ferroglobe’s core objective with respect to capital management is to maintain a balanced and sustainable capital structure through the economic cycles, while keeping the cost of capital at competitive levels.  We believe our working capital is sufficient for our present requirements, and we anticipate generating sufficient cash from operations to satisfy our short and long-term liquidity needs.

As a result of all the analysis performed, the Company has concluded that there is no substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern.  

3.2 International financial reporting standards

Application of new accounting standards

New and amended standards and interpretations adopted by the Company

No new standards effective on January 1, 2021 have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements. The Company has not early adopted any other standard, interpretation or amendment that has been issued but is not yet effective.

New and amended standards and interpretations not yet adopted

Certain new accounting standards and interpretations have been published that are not mandatory for the reporting period ended December 31, 2021 and have not been early adopted by the Company. Standards, interpretations and amendments published by the IASB that will be effective for periods beginning on or after January 1, 2022:

IFRS 17 Insurance Contracts (issued on 18 May 2017); including Amendments to IFRS 17 (issued on June 2020)

Amendments to IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements: Classification of Liabilities as Current or Non-current and Classification of Liabilities as Current or Non-current - Deferral of Effective Date (issued on January 2020 and July 2020 respectively)

Amendments to;

IFRS 3 Business Combinations;

IAS 16 Property, Plant and Equipment;

IAS 37 Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets; and

Annual Improvements 2018-2020

Amendments to IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements and IFRS Practice Statement 2: Disclosure of Accounting policies (issued on February 2021)

Amendments to IAS 8 Accounting policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors: Definition of Accounting Estimates (issued on February 2021)

Amendments to IAS 12 Income Taxes: Deferred Tax related to Assets and Liabilities arising from a Single Transaction (issued on May 2021)

Amendments to initial application of IFRS 17 and IFRS 9: Comparative information (issued on December 2021)

None of these standards or interpretations that are not yet effective are expected to have a material impact on the entity in the current or future reporting periods and on foreseeable future transactions.   

3.3 Currency

Until September 30, 2021, the Parent’s functional currency was the Euro. Due to an occurrence of events and conditions that reduce the number of transactions in euros, and in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, management conducted a review of the functional currency of Ferroglobe PLC and they concluded that there has been a change in its functional currency from Euro to U.S. Dollars, effective since October 1, 2021.

Ferroglobe PLC is the parent company of Ferroglobe Group and its main assets and liabilities relate to intercompany transactions. Due to the new group structure, PLC has signed an agreement in which they agreed to convert all intercompany receivables and payables outstanding into US Dollars.. Additionally, PLC financing instruments (debt and equity instruments) are U.S. Dollars denominated.

The change in functional currency was implemented prospectively starting October 1, 2021. To give effect to this change, balances of the parent company as of October, 1, 2021 have been translated to USD in accordance with IAS 21 “The effect of changes in foreign exchange rates”. The functional currencies of subsidiaries are determined by the primary economic environment in which each subsidiary operates.

The reporting currency of the Company is U.S. Dollars and as such the accompanying results and financial position have been translated pursuant to the provisions indicated in IAS 21.

All differences arising from the aforementioned translation are recognized in equity under “Translation differences.”

Upon the disposal of a foreign operation, the translation differences relating to that operation deferred as a separate component of consolidated equity are recognized in the consolidated income statement when the gain or loss on disposal is recognized.

3.4 Responsibility for the information and use of estimates

The information in these consolidated financial statements is the responsibility of Ferroglobe’s Management.

Certain assumptions and estimates were made by management in the preparation of these consolidated financial statements, including:

The impairment losses on goodwill, see Note 7;

the assumptions taken over forecast recovery in trading activity and cash liquidity management that mitigates any substantial doubt as to the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern, see Note 3.1;

the useful life of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets, see Note 4.3;

the fair value valuation of the plants, impairment losses on property, plant and equipment and intangible assets, determined by value in use or by fair value less cost of disposal methods, see Note 9;

the fair value of certain unquoted financial assets, see Note 10;

the fair value of financial instruments, see Note 29;

the assumptions used in the actuarial calculation of pension liabilities, see Note 15;

the discount rate used to calculate the present value of certain collection rights and payment obligations, see Note 15;

provisions for contingencies and environmental liabilities, see Note 25;

The Company based its estimates and judgments on historical experience, known or expected trends and other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ materially from these estimates. Changes in accounting estimates are applied in accordance with IAS 8.

At the date of preparation of these consolidated financial statements no events had taken place that might constitute a significant source of uncertainty regarding the accounting effect that such events might have in future reporting periods.

3.5 Critical accounting 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 amounts 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 recognized in the period in which the estimate is revised if the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both current and future periods.

Critical judgements in applying the Company's accounting policies

The following are the critical judgements, apart from those involving estimations (which are dealt with separately below), that the directors have made in the process of applying the Company's accounting policies and that have the most significant effect on the amounts recognized in financial statements.

Fair value measurement of financial instruments

Certain of the Company's financial instruments are classified as Level 3 as they include unobservable inputs. The fair value measurement is based on the presumption that the transaction to sell the asset or transfer the liability takes place either: in the principal market for the asset or liability; or in the absence of a principal market, in the most advantageous market for the asset or liability.

The fair value of an asset or a liability is measured using the assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability, assuming that market participants act in their economic best interest.

For those assets and liabilities measured at fair value at the balance sheet date, further information on fair value measurement is provided in Note 29.

Going concern

As required by the accounting rules, the Company performs an analysis to assess the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. In this analysis, management makes certain estimates. To assess the liquidity risk the Company has defined a financial model which considers the revenues, expenditures, cash flows, net tax payments, capital expenditures and net working capital requirements. The financial projections to determine future cash flows are modelled considering the principal variables that determine the historic flows at a Group level including prices, volumes, costs, capital expenditures and net working capital. These projections are based on the 2022 annual budget and management’s five-year financial model.

Debt restructuring

As described in Note 18, on July 29, 2021 the Company completed a restructuring of its capital and debt. To determine the accounting for this transaction, management considered the criteria for derecognition of financial liabilities set out in IFRS 9 Financial Instruments and the guidance in IFRIC 19 Extinguishing Financial Liabilities with Equity Instruments. Judgement was required to determine if the exchange of the Old Notes by the Reinstated Notes is a substantial modification of the debt, including what fees and transaction costs should be included in the quantitative test (the so called “10 per cent test¨) and to determine the accounting for fees and transaction costs related to the issuance of the new bonds and equity. We concluded that the exchange was a substantial modification and therefore it was accounted for as an extinguishment of the old debt. See Notes 4.5 and 18 for further details.

Impairment of assets

The Company’s evaluation of goodwill and PP&E for impairment involves the comparison of the carrying amounts of assets with their recoverable amount. The determination of the recoverable amount requires significant judgement in developing and applying key underlying assumptions concerning future market and conditions (volumes, sale prices, cost structure and capital expenditure - “capex”) for the periods projected, as well as the determination of an appropriate discount rate and terminal value. For certain assets, recoverable amount has been determined at fair value less cost of disposal, which determination is subject to significant judgement.

Key sources of estimation uncertainty

The key assumptions concerning the future, and other key sources of estimating uncertainty at the reporting period that may have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amount of assets and liabilities within the next financial year, are discussed below.

Impairment of assets

The Company reviews the carrying value of assets on a periodic basis, and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the related carrying amounts may not be recoverable.

Such circumstances or events could include: a pattern of losses involving the asset; a decline in the market value for the asset; and an adverse change in the business or market in which the asset is involved. Determining whether an impairment has occurred typically requires various estimates and assumptions, including determining which cash flows are directly related to the potentially impaired asset, the useful life over which cash flows will occur, their amount and the asset’s residual value, if any. Estimates of future cash flows and the selection of appropriate discount rates relating to particular assets or groups of assets involve the exercise of a significant amount of judgement.

The key assumptions for the value in use calculation are those regarding the discount rate, growth rate, and cash flows. Cash flow projections are based on the Company’s five year internal forecast. Estimates of selling prices and direct costs are based on past experience, expectations of future changes in the market and historic trends. Sensitivities are disclosed in Note 7 of the Consolidated Financial Statements.

3.6 Basis of consolidation

The financial statements of the subsidiaries are fully consolidated with those of the Parent. Accordingly, intercompany balances and transactions, including income, expenses and dividends, are eliminated in the consolidated financial statements. Gains and losses resulting from intercompany transactions are also eliminated.

Non-controlling interests are presented in “Equity – Non-controlling interests” in the consolidated statement of financial position, separately from the consolidated equity attributable to the Parent. The share of non-controlling interests in the profit or loss for the year is presented under “Loss attributable to non-controlling interests” in the consolidated income statement.

When necessary, adjustments are made to the financial statements of subsidiaries to align the accounting policies used to the accounting policies of the Company.

4.    Accounting policies

The principal IFRS accounting policies applied in preparing these consolidated financial statements were in effect at the date of preparation are described below.

4.1 Goodwill

Goodwill arising on consolidation represents the excess of the cost of acquisition over the Company’s interest in the fair value of the identifiable assets and liabilities of a subsidiary at the date of acquisition.

On disposal of a subsidiary, the attributable amount of goodwill is included in the determination of the gain or loss on disposal.

4.2 Other intangible assets

Other intangible assets are assets without physical substance which can be individually identified either because they are separable or because they arise as a result of a legal or contractual right or of a legal transaction or were developed by the consolidated companies. Only intangible assets whose value can be measured reliably and from which the Company expects to obtain future economic benefits are recognized in the consolidated statement of financial position.

Intangible assets are recognized initially at acquisition cost. The aforementioned cost is amortized systematically over each asset’s useful life. At each reporting date, these assets are measured at acquisition cost less accumulated amortization and any accumulated impairment losses, if any. The Company reviews amortization periods and amortization methods for finite-lived intangible assets at the end of each fiscal year.

The Company’s main intangible assets are as follows:

Development expenditures

Development expenditures are capitalized if they meet the requirements of identifiability, reliability in cost measurement and high probability that the assets created will generate economic benefits. Developmental expenditures are amortized on a straight-line basis over the useful lives of the assets, which are between four and ten years.

Expenditures on research activities are recognized as expenses in the years in which they are incurred.

Power supply agreements

Power supply agreements at rates below market acquired in business combinations are amortized on a straight-line basis over the term in which the agreement is effective.

Rights of use

Rights of use granted are amortized on a straight-line basis over the term in which the right of use was granted from the date it is considered that use commenced. Rights of use are generally amortized over a period ranging from 10 to 20 years.

Computer software

Computer software includes the costs incurred in acquiring or developing computer software, including the related installation. Computer software is amortized on a straight-line basis over two to five years.

Computer system maintenance costs are recognized as expenses in the years in which they are incurred.

Other intangible assets

Other intangible assets include:

Supply agreements which are amortized in accordance with their estimated useful lives (see Note 8).

CO₂emissions allowances (“rights held emit greenhouse gasses”) which are not amortized, but rather are expensed when used (see Note 4.22).

4.3 Property, plant and equipment

Cost

Property, plant and equipment for our own use are initially recognized at acquisition or production cost and are subsequently measured at acquisition or production cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses.

When the construction and start-up of non-current assets require a substantial period of time, the borrowing costs incurred over that period are capitalized. In 2021, 2020 and 2019 no material borrowing cost were capitalized.

The costs of expansion, modernization or improvements leading to increased productivity, capacity or efficiency or to a lengthening of the useful lives of the assets are capitalized. Repair, upkeep and maintenance expenses are recognized in the consolidated income statement for the year in which they are incurred.

Mineral reserves are recorded at fair value at the date of acquisition. Depletion of mineral reserves is computed using the units-of-production method utilizing only proven and probable reserves (as adjusted for recoverability factors) in the depletion base.

Property, plant and equipment in the course of construction are transferred to property, plant and equipment in use at the end of the related development period.

Depreciation

The Company depreciates property, plant and equipment using the straight-line method at annual rates based on the following years of estimated useful life:

			Years of
			Estimated
			Useful
			Life
Properties for own use			25-50
Plant and machinery			8-20
Tools			12.5-15
Furniture and fixtures			10-15
Computer hardware			4-8
Transport equipment			10-15

Land included within property, plant and equipment is considered to be an asset with an indefinite useful life and, as such, is not depreciated, but rather it is tested for impairment annually. The Company reviews residual value, useful lives, and the depreciation method for property, plant and equipment annually.

Environment

The costs arising from the activities aimed at protecting and improving the environment are accounted for as an expense for the year in which they are incurred. When they represent additions to property, plant and equipment aimed at minimizing the environmental impact and protecting and enhancing the environment, they are capitalized to non-current assets.

4.4 Impairment of property, plant and equipment, intangible assets and goodwill

In order to ascertain whether its assets have become impaired, the Company compares their carrying amount with their recoverable amount; goodwill - the CGU been tested for impairment annually, and whenever there is an indication of impairment and property, plant and equipment and other - whenever there is an indication of impairment. Where the asset itself does not generate cash flows that are independent from other assets, the Company estimates the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs.

Recoverable amount is the higher of:

Fair value less costs of disposal: the price that would be agreed upon by two independent parties, less estimated costs to sell, and

Value in use: the present value of the future cash flows that are expected to be derived from continuing use of the asset and from its ultimate disposal at the end of its useful life, discounted at a rate which reflects the time value of money and the risks specific to the business to which the asset belongs.

If the recoverable amount of an asset (or cash-generating unit) is less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount of the asset is reduced to its recoverable amount, and an impairment loss is recognized as an expense under “Impairment losses” in the consolidated income statement.

Where an impairment loss subsequently reverses (not permitted in the case of goodwill), the carrying amount of the asset is increased to the revised estimate of its recoverable amount, but so that the increased carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognized for the asset in prior years. A reversal of an impairment loss is recognized as “Impairment (loss)/gain” in the consolidated income statement.

The basis for depreciation is the carrying amount of the assets, deemed to be the acquisition cost less any accumulated impairment losses.

4.5 Financial instruments

Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognized in the Company’s statement of financial position when the Company becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Financial assets and financial liabilities are initially measured at fair value. Transaction costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition or issue of financial assets and financial liabilities (other than financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss) are added to or deducted from the fair value of the financial assets or financial liabilities, on initial recognition. Transaction costs directly attributable to the acquisition of financial assets or financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss are recognized immediately in profit or loss.

Financial assets

From January 1, 2018, the Company classifies its financial assets into the following categories: those to be measured subsequently at fair value (either through other comprehensive income or through profit or loss) and those to be measured at amortized cost. The classification depends on the entity’s business model for managing the financial assets and the contractual terms of the cash flows.

Financial assets measured at amortized cost

Financial assets are classified as measured at amortized cost when they are held in a business model whose objective is to collect contractual cash flows and the contractual terms of the financial asset give rise on specific dates to cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest on the principal amount outstanding. Such assets are carried at amortized cost using the effective interest method if the time value of money is significant. Gains and losses are recognized in profit or loss when the assets are derecognized or impaired and when interest is recognized using the effective interest method. This category of financial assets includes trade receivables, receivables from related parties and cash and cash equivalents.

Financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income

Debt instruments are classified as measured at fair value through other comprehensive income when they are held in a business model whose objective is achieved by both collecting contractual cash flows and selling the financial assets, and the contractual terms of the financial asset give rise on specified dates to cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest on the principal amount outstanding. All movements in the fair value of these financial assets are taken through other comprehensive income, except for the recognition of impairment gains or losses, interest income calculated using the effective interest method and foreign exchange gains and losses. When the financial asset is derecognized, the cumulative fair value gain or loss previously recognized in other comprehensive income is reclassified to the income statement.

Equity instruments are classified as measured at fair value through other comprehensive income if, on initial recognition, the Company makes an irrevocable election to designate the instrument as at fair value through other comprehensive income. The election is made on an instrument-by-instrument basis and is not permitted if the equity investment is held for trading. Fair value gains or losses on revaluation of such equity investments are recognized in other comprehensive income and accumulated in the valuation adjustments reserve. When the equity investment is derecognized, there is no reclassification of fair value gains or losses previously recognized in other comprehensive income to the income statement. Dividends are recognized in the income statement when the right to receive payment is established.

Financial assets measured at fair value through profit or loss

Financial assets are classified as measured at fair value through profit or loss when the asset does not meet the criteria to be measured at amortized cost or at fair value through other comprehensive income. Such assets are carried on the balance sheet at fair value with gains or losses recognized in the income statement.

Derecognition of financial assets

The Company derecognizes a financial asset when:

the rights to receive cash flows from the asset have expired; or

the Company has transferred its rights to receive cash flows from the asset or has assumed an obligation to pay the received cash flows in full without material delay to a third party under a ‘pass-through’ arrangement; and either (a) the Company has transferred substantially all the risks and rewards of the asset, or (b) the Company has neither transferred nor retained substantially all the risks and rewards of the asset, but has transferred control of the asset.

On derecognition of a financial asset in its entirety, the difference between the asset’s carrying amount and the sum of the consideration received and receivable is recognized in profit or loss.

If the Company retains substantially all of the risks and rewards of ownership of a transferred financial asset, the Company continues to recognize the financial asset and also recognizes a collateralized borrowing for the proceeds received.

Impairment of financial assets

The expected credit loss model is applied for recognition and measurement of impairments in financial assets measured at amortized cost and debt instruments held at fair value through other comprehensive income. The loss allowance for the financial asset is measured at an amount equal to the 12-month expected credit losses. If the credit risk on the financial asset has increased significantly since initial recognition, the loss allowance for the financial asset is measured at an amount equal to the lifetime expected credit losses. Changes in loss allowances are recognized in profit and loss. For trade receivables, a simplified impairment approach is applied recognizing expected lifetime losses from initial recognition. For this purpose, the Company has established a provision matrix that is based on its historical credit loss experience, adjusted for forward-looking factors specific to the debtors and the economic environment.

The Company writes off a financial asset when there is information indicating that the debtor is in severe financial difficulty and there is no realistic prospect of recovery, e.g. when the debtor has been placed under liquidation or has entered into bankruptcy proceedings, or in the case of trade receivables, when the amounts are over two years past due, whichever occurs sooner. Financial assets written off may still be subject to enforcement activities under the Company’s recovery procedures, considering legal advice where appropriate. Any recoveries made are recognized in profit or loss.

Financial liabilities

The subsequent measurement of financial liabilities depends on their classification, as described below:

Financial liabilities measured at fair value through profit or loss

Financial liabilities that meet the definition of held for trading are classified as measured at fair value through profit or loss. Such liabilities are carried on the balance sheet at fair value with gains or losses recognized in the income statement. This category includes contingent consideration and derivatives, other than those designated as hedging instruments in an effective hedge.

Financial liabilities measured at amortized cost

This is the category most relevant to the Company and comprises all other financial liabilities, including bank borrowings, debt instruments, financial loans from government agencies, payables to related parties and trade and other payables.

After initial recognition, other financial liabilities are subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method. Amortized cost is calculated by considering any issue costs and any discount or premium on settlement.

Derecognition of financial liabilities

The Company derecognizes financial liabilities when, and only when, the Company’s obligations are discharged, cancelled or have expired. The difference between the carrying amount of the financial liability derecognized and the consideration paid and payable is recognized in profit or loss. When the Company exchanges with the existing lender one debt instrument into another one with substantially different terms, such exchange is accounted for as an extinguishment of the original financial liability and the recognition of a new financial liability. Similarly, the Company accounts for substantial modification of terms of an existing liability or part of it as an extinguishment of the original financial liability and the recognition of a new liability. It is assumed that the terms are substantially different if the discounted present value of the cash flows under the new terms, including any fees paid net of any fees received and discounted using the original effective rate is at least 10 per cent different from the discounted present value of the remaining cash flows of the original financial liability. If the modification is not substantial, the difference between the carrying amount of the liability before the modification and the present value of the cash flows after modification are recognized in profit or loss as a modification gain or loss.

4.6 Derivative financial instruments and hedging activities

In order to mitigate the economic effects of exchange rate and interest rate fluctuations to which it is exposed as a result of its business activities, the Company uses derivative financial instruments, such as cross currency swaps and interest rate swaps.

The Company’s derivative financial instruments are set out in Note 19 to these consolidated financial statements and the Company’s financial risk management policies are set out in Note 28.

Derivatives are initially recognized at fair value at the date a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently remeasured to their fair value at each balance sheet date. The resulting gain or loss is recognized in profit or loss immediately unless the derivative is designated and effective as a hedging instrument, in which event the timing of the recognition of profit or loss depends on the nature of the hedge relationship. The gain or loss recognized in respect of derivatives that are not designated and effective as a hedging instrument is recognized in the consolidated income statement in the line item financial derivative gain (loss).

A derivative with a positive fair value is recognized as a financial asset within the line item other financial assets whereas a derivative with a negative fair value is recognized as a financial liability within the line item other financial liabilities. A derivative is presented as a non-current asset or non-current liability if the remaining maturity of the instrument is more than 12 months and it is not expected to be realized or settled within 12 months.

Hedge accounting

The Company designates certain derivatives as cash flow hedges. For further details, see Note 19 of the consolidated financial statements.

At the inception of the hedge relationship, the Company documents the relationship between the hedging instrument and the hedged item, along with its risk management objectives and its strategy for undertaking the hedge transaction. Furthermore, at the inception of the hedge and on an ongoing basis, the Company documents whether the hedging instrument is effective in offsetting changes in fair values or cash flows of the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk.

The effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges is recognized in other comprehensive income. The gain or loss relating to any ineffective portion is recognized immediately in profit or loss and is included in the financial derivative gain (loss) line item.

Amounts previously recognized in other comprehensive income and accumulated in equity in the valuation adjustments reserve are reclassified to profit or loss in the periods when the hedged item is recognized in profit or loss, in the same line of the income statement as the recognized hedged item.

Hedge accounting is discontinued when the Company revokes the hedging relationship, the hedging instrument expires or is sold, terminated, or exercised, or no longer qualifies for hedge accounting. Any gain or loss recognized in other comprehensive income at that time is accumulated in equity and is recognized when the forecast transaction is ultimately recognized in profit or loss. When a forecast transaction is no longer expected to occur, the gain or loss accumulated in equity is recognized immediately in profit or loss.

4.7 Fair value measurement

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. The fair value measurement is based on the presumption that the transaction to sell the asset or transfer the liability takes place either: in the principal market for the asset or liability; or in the absence of a principal market, in the most advantageous market for the asset or liability.

The Company uses valuation techniques that are appropriate in the circumstances and for which sufficient data are available to measure fair value, maximizing the use of relevant observable inputs and minimizing the use of unobservable inputs.

All assets and liabilities for which fair value is measured or disclosed in the financial statements are categorized within the fair value hierarchy, described as follows, based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement as a whole:

Level 1 — Quoted (unadjusted) market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 — Valuation techniques for which the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement is directly or indirectly observable.

Level 3 — Valuation techniques for which the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement is unobservable.

For those assets and liabilities measured at fair value at the balance sheet date, further information on fair value measurement is provided in Note 29.

4.8 Inventories

Inventories comprise assets (goods) which:

Are held for sale in the ordinary course of business (finished goods); or

Are in the process of production for such sale (work in progress); or

Will be consumed in the production process or in the rendering of services (raw materials and spare parts).

Inventories are stated at the lower of acquisition or production cost and net realizable value. The cost of each inventory item is generally calculated as follows:

Raw materials, spare parts and other consumables and replacement parts: the lower of weighted average acquisition cost and net realizable value.

Work in progress, finished goods and semi-finished goods: the lower of production cost (which includes the cost of materials, labor costs, direct and indirect manufacturing expenses) or net realizable value in the market.

Obsolete, defective or slow-moving inventories have been reduced to net realizable value.

Net realizable value is the estimated selling price less all the estimated costs of selling and distribution.

The amount of any write-down of inventories (as a result of damage, obsolescence or decrease in the selling price) to their net realizable value and all losses of inventories are recognized as expenses in the year in which the write-down or loss occurs. Any subsequent reversals are recognized as income in the year in which they arise.

The consumption of inventories is recognized as an expense in “Raw Materials and energy consumption for production” in the consolidated income statement in the period in which the revenue from their sale is recognized.

4.9 Raw materials and energy consumption for production

Raw materials and energy consumption for production comprise raw materials, energy, other direct costs and changes in inventory.

4.10 Cash and cash equivalents

The Company classifies under “Cash and cash equivalents” any liquid financial assets, such as for example cash on hand and at banks, deposits and liquid investments, that can be converted into known amounts of cash within three months and are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value.

4.11 Restricted cash and cash equivalents

The Company classifies under “restricted cash and cash equivalents” any liquid financial assets, which meet the definition of cash and cash equivalents but the use is resticted by financial agreements.

4.12 Provisions and contingencies

When preparing the consolidated financial statements, the Parent’s directors made a distinction between:

Provisions: present obligations, either legal, contractual, constructive or assumed by the Company, arising from past events, the settlement of which is expected to give rise to an outflow of economic benefits the amount or timing of which are uncertain; and

Contingent liabilities: possible obligations that arise from past events and whose existence will be confirmed only by the occurrence or non-occurrence of one or more future events not wholly within the control of the Company, or present obligations arising from past events the amount of which cannot be estimated reliably or whose settlement is not likely to give rise to an outflow of economic benefits.

Contingent assets: possible assets that arise from past events and whose existence will be confirmed only by the occurrence or non-occurrence of one or more uncertain future events not wholly within the control of the entity.

The consolidated financial statements include all the material provisions with respect to which it is considered that it is probable that the obligation will have to be settled. Contingent liabilities are not recognized in the consolidated financial statements, but rather are disclosed, as required by IAS 37 (see Note 25).

Provisions are classified as current or non-current based on the estimated period of time in which the obligations covered by them will have to be met. They are recognized when the liability or obligation giving rise to the indemnity or payment arises, to the extent that its amount can be estimated reliably.

“Provisions” includes the provisions for pension and similar obligations assumed; provisions for contingencies and charges, such as for example those of an environmental nature and those arising from litigation in progress or from outstanding indemnity payments or obligations, and collateral and other similar guarantees provided by the Company; and provisions for medium- and long- term employee incentives.

Contingent assets are not recognized, but are disclosed where an inflow of economic benefits is probable. If it has become virtually certain that an inflow of economic benefits will arise, the asset and the related income are recognized in the financial statements in the period in which the change occurs.

Defined contribution plans

Certain employees have defined contribution plans which conform to the Spanish Pension Plans and Funds Law. The main features of these plans are as follows:

They are mixed plans covering the benefits for retirement, disability and death of the participants.

The sponsor undertakes to make monthly contributions of certain percentages of current employees’ salaries to external pension funds.

The annual cost of these plans is recognized under Staff costs in the consolidated income statement.

Defined benefit plans

IAS 19, Employee Benefits requires defined benefit plans to be accounted for:

Using actuarial techniques to make a reliable estimate of the amount of benefits that employees have earned in return for their service in the current and prior periods.

Discounting those benefits in order to determine the present value of the obligation.

Determining the fair value of any plan assets.

Determining the total amount of actuarial gains and losses and the amount of those actuarial gains and losses that must be recognized.

The amount recognized as a benefit liability arising from a defined benefit plan is the total net sum of:

The present value of the obligations.

Minus the fair value of plan assets (if any) out of which the obligations are to be settled directly.

The Company recognizes provisions for these benefits as the related rights vest and on the basis of actuarial studies. These amounts are recognized under “Provisions” in the consolidated statement of financial position, on the basis of their expected due payment dates. All plan assets are separately held from the rest of the Company’s assets.

Environmental provisions

Provisions for environmental obligations are estimated by analyzing each case separately and observing the relevant legal provisions. The best possible estimate is made on the basis of the information available and a provision is recognized provided that the aforementioned information suggests that it is probable that the loss or expense will arise and it can be estimated in a sufficiently reliable manner.

The balance of provisions and disclosures disclosed in Notes 15 and 24 reflects management’s best estimation of the potential exposure as of the date of preparation of these financial statements.

4.13 Leases

The Company assesses if a contract is or contains a lease at inception of the contract. 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.

The Company recognizes a right-of-use asset and a lease liability at the commencement date.

The lease liability is initially measured at the present value of the minimum future lease payments, discounted using the interest rate implicit in the lease, or, if not readily determinable, the incremental borrowing rate. Lease payments include fixed payments, variable payments that depend on an index or rate, as well as any extension or purchase options, if the Company is reasonably certain to exercise these options. The lease liability is subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method and remeasured with a corresponding adjustment to the related right-of-use asset when there is a change in future lease payments.

The right-of-use asset comprises, at inception, the initial lease liability, any initial direct costs and, when applicable, the obligations to refurbish the asset, less any incentives granted by the lessors. The right-of-use asset is subsequently depreciated, on a straight-line basis, over the lease term or, if the lease transfers the ownership of the underlying asset to the Company at the end of the lease term or, if the cost of the right-of-use asset reflects that the lessee will exercise a purchase option, over the estimated useful life of the underlying asset. Right-of-use assets are also subject to testing for impairment if there is an indicator for impairment.

Variable lease payments not included in the measurement of the lease liabilities are expensed to the consolidated income statement in the period in which the events or conditions which trigger those payments occur.

In the statement of financial position, right-of-use assets and lease liabilities are classified, respectively, as part of property, plant and equipment and current and non-current lease liabilities.

4.14 Current assets and liabilities

In general, assets and liabilities are classified as current or non-current based on the Company’s operating cycle. However, in view of the diverse nature of the activities carried on by the Company, in which the duration of the operating cycle differs from one activity to the next, in general assets and liabilities expected to be settled or fall due within twelve months from the end of the reporting period are classified as current items and those which fall due or will be settled within more than twelve months are classified as non-current items.

4.15 Income taxes

Income tax expense represents the sum of current tax and deferred tax. Income tax is recognized in the income statement except to the extent that it relates to items recognized in other comprehensive income or directly in equity, in which case the related tax is recognized in other comprehensive income or directly in equity.

The current income tax expense is based on domestic and international statutory income tax rates in the tax jurisdictions where the Company operates related to taxable profit for the period. The taxable profit differs from net profit as reported in the income statement because it is determined in accordance with the rules established by the applicable tax authorities which includes temporary differences, permanent differences, and available credits and incentives.

The Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities are provided on temporary differences at the balance sheet date between financial reporting and the tax basis of assets and liabilities, then applying enacted tax rates expected to be in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. Deferred tax assets are recognized for deductible temporary differences, carry-forward of unused tax credits and losses, to the extent that it is probable, that taxable profit will be available against which the deductible temporary difference and carryforwards of unused tax credits and losses can be utilized. The deferred tax assets and liabilities that have been recognized are reassessed at the end of each closing period in order to ascertain whether they still exist, and adjustments are made on the basis of the findings of the analyses performed.

Income tax payable is the result of applying the applicable tax rate in force to each tax-paying entity, in accordance with the tax laws in force in the country in which the entity is registered. Additionally, tax deductions and credits are available to certain entities, primarily relating to inter-company trades and tax treaties between various countries to prevent double taxation.

Income tax expense is recognized in the consolidated income statement, except to the extent that it arises from a transaction which is recognized directly to “consolidated equity”, in which case the tax is recognized directly to “consolidated equity.”

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset only when there is a legally enforceable right to set off current tax assets against current tax liabilities and when the deferred tax assets and liabilities relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation authority or either the same taxable entity or different taxable entities where there is an intention to settle the current tax assets and liabilities on a net basis or to realize the assets and settle the liabilities simultaneously.

4.16 Foreign currency transactions

Foreign currency transactions are initially recognized in the functional currency of the subsidiary by applying the exchange rates prevailing at the date of the transaction.

Subsequently, at each reporting date, monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated to dollars at the rates prevailing on that date.

Any exchange differences arising on settlement or translation at the closing rates of monetary items are recognized in the consolidated income statement for the year.

Note 4.6 details the Company’s accounting policies for derivative financial instruments. Also, Note 28 to these consolidated financial statements details the financial risk policies of Ferroglobe.

4.17 Revenue recognition

The Company recognizes sales revenue related to the transfer of promised goods or services when control of the goods or services passes to the customer. The amount of revenue recognized reflects the consideration to which the Company is or expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.

In the Company’s electrometallurgy business, revenue is principally generated from the sale of goods, including silicon metal and silicon- and manganese-based specialty alloys. The Company mainly satisfies its performance obligations at a point in time; the amounts of revenue recognized relating to performance obligations satisfied over time are not significant. The point in time at which control is transferred to the buyer is determined based on the agreed delivery terms, which follow Incoterms 2021 issued by International Chamber of Commerce.

In most instances, control passes and sales revenue is recognized when the product is delivered to the vessel or vehicle on which it will be transported, the destination port or the customer’s premises. There may be circumstances when judgment is required based on the five indicators of control below.

The customer has the significant risks and rewards of ownership and has the ability to direct the use of, and obtain substantially all of the remaining benefits from, the goods or service.

The customer has a present obligation to pay in accordance with the terms of the sales contract.

The customer has accepted the asset. Sales revenue may be subject to adjustment if the product specification does not conform to the terms specified in the sales contract, but this does not impact the passing of control. Specification adjustments have been immaterial historically.

The customer has legal title to the asset. The Company may retain legal title until payment is received but this is for credit risk purposes only.

The customer has physical possession of the asset. This indicator may be less important as the customer may obtain control of an asset prior to obtaining physical possession, which may be the case for goods in transit.

Where the Company sells on ‘C’ terms (e.g., CIF, CIP, CFR and CPT), the Company is responsible (acts as principal) for providing shipping services and, in some instances, insurance after the date at which control of goods passes to the customer at the loading point. The Company therefore has separate performance obligations for freight and insurance services that are provided solely to facilitate sale of the commodities it produces. Revenue attributable to freight and insurance services is not usually material.

Where the Company sells on ‘D’ terms (e.g., DDP, DAP and DAT), the Company arranges and pays for the carriage and retains the risk of the goods until delivery at an agreed destination, where ownership and control is transferred.

Where the Company sells on ‘F’ terms (e.g., FCA and FOB), the customer arranges and pays for the main transportation. Risk and control are transferred to the customer when the goods are handed to the carrier engaged by the customer.

The Company’s products are sold to customers under contracts which vary in tenure and pricing mechanisms. The majority of pricing terms are either fixed or index-based for monthly, quarterly or annual periods, with a smaller proportion of volumes being sold on the spot market.

Within each sales contract, each unit of product shipped is a separate performance obligation. Revenue is generally recognized at the contracted price as this reflects the stand-alone selling price. Sales revenue excludes any applicable sales taxes.

Physical exchanges with counterparties in the same line of business in order to facilitate sales to customers are reported net, as are sales and purchases made with a common counterparty, as part of an arrangement similar to a physical exchange.

Revenue from the energy business is based on the power generated and put on the market at regulated prices and is recognized when the energy produced is transferred to the power network.

Interest income is recognized as the interest accrues using the effective interest rate, the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash receipts through the expected life of the financial instrument to the net carrying amount of the financial asset.

Dividend income from investments is recognized when the shareholders’ right to receive the payment is established.

4.18 Expense recognition

Expenses are recognized on an accrual basis, i.e. when the actual flow of the related goods and services occurs, regardless of when the resulting monetary or financial flow arises.

An expense is recognized in the consolidated income statement when there is a decrease in the future economic benefits related to a reduction of an asset, or an increase in a liability, which can be measured reliably. This means that an expense is recognized simultaneously with the recognition of the increase in a liability or the reduction of an asset. Additionally, an expense is recognized immediately in the consolidated income statement when a disbursement does not give rise to future economic benefits or when the requirements for recognition as an asset are not met. Also, an expense is recognized when a liability is incurred and no asset is recognized, as in the case of a liability relating to a guarantee.

4.19 Grants

Government grants are recognized where there is reasonable assurance that the grant will be received and all attached conditions will be complied with. When the grant relates to an expense item, it is recognized as income on a systematic basis over the periods that the related costs, for which it is intended to compensate, are expensed. When the grant relates to an asset, it is recognized as income in equal amounts over the expected useful life of the related asset.

4.20 Termination benefits

Under current labour legislation, the Company is required to pay termination benefits to employees whose employment relationship is terminated under certain conditions. The cost of providing employee benefits are recognised in the period in which the benefit is earned by the employee, rather than when it is paid or payable.

4.21 CO2 emission allowances

The Company recognizes emission rights (allowances) received, whether allocated by government or purchased, as intangible assets. The intangible asset recognized is initially measured at fair value, being the consideration paid (if purchased on the open market) or the current market value (if granted for less than fair value).

When allowances are granted for less than fair value, the difference between the fair value and the nominal amount paid is recognized as a government grant. The grant is initially recognized as deferred income in the statement of financial position and subsequently recognized as “other operating income” on a systematic basis on the proportion of the CO2 emitted over total CO2 expected to be emitted for the compliance period. In the case that a better estimate of the expected CO2 emissions for the compliance period is available, the deferred income to be recognized in the statement of financial position is adjusted prospectively.

As the Company emits CO2, it recognizes a provision for its obligation to deliver the CO2 allowances at the end of the compliance period. The provision is remeasured and recorded as an expense at the end of each reporting period at historical cost for the emission rights (allowances) received and at adquisition cost for the CO2 purchased and at fair value for the CO2 pending to be purchased.

Intangible assets recognized for emissions allowances are not amortized and remain valued at historical cost until either sold or surrendered in satisfaction of the Company’s obligation to deliver the allowances to the relevant authority.

Sale of emission rights

In those cases that it is decided to sell some or even all of its rights in the expectation of later buying rights equal to its actual emissions, the accounting will be as follows.

The emission rights sold would be derecognized from the balance sheet against the cash received. In those cases, where the price per emission right is different to the fair value per emission right at the time they were granted, a gain or a loss on the disposal of assets will be recognized. The deferred income originally recognized for the free emission rights granted at the beginning of the compliance period that still remain in the balance sheet at the time of sale, will continue to be amortized over the remaining compliance period.

4.22 Share-based compensation

The Company recognizes share-based compensation expense based on the estimated grant date fair value of share-based awards using a Black-Scholes option pricing model. Prior to vesting, cumulative compensation cost equals the proportionate amount of the award earned to date. The Company has elected to treat each award as a single award and recognize compensation cost on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the entire award. If the terms of an award are modified in a manner that affects both the fair value and vesting of the award, the total amount of remaining unrecognized compensation cost (based on the grant-date fair value) and the incremental fair value of the modified award are recognized over the amended vesting period.

4.23 Assets and disposal groups classified as held for sale, liabilities associated with assets held for sale and discontinued operations

Assets and disposal groups classified as held for sale include the carrying amount of individual items, disposal groups or items forming part of a business unit earmarked for disposal (discontinued operations), whose sale in their present condition is highly likely to be completed within one year from the reporting date. Therefore, the carrying amount of these items, which may or may not be of a financial nature, will likely be recovered through the proceeds from their disposal.

Liabilities associated with non-current assets held for sale include the balances payable arising from the assets held for sale or disposal groups and from discontinued operations.

Assets and disposal groups classified as held for sale are measured at the lower of fair value less costs to sell and their carrying amount at the date of classification in this category. Non-current assets held for sale are not depreciated as long as they remain in this category.

4.24 Consolidated statement of cash flows

The following terms are used in the consolidated statement of cash flows, prepared using the indirect method, with the meanings specified as follows:

Cash flows: inflows and outflows of cash and cash equivalents, which are short-term, highly liquid investments that are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value.

Operating activities: activities constituting the object of the subsidiaries forming part of the consolidated Company and other activities that are not investing or financing activities.

Investing activities: the acquisition and disposal of long-term assets and other investments not included in cash and cash equivalents.

Financing activities: activities that result in changes in the size and composition of the equity and borrowings of the Company that are not operating or investing activities. Interest payments and principal payments are presented separately.

5.    Business Combinations

Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method. The identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recognized at their fair values at the acquisition date. Acquisition costs are recognized in profit or loss as incurred.

Goodwill is initially measured as the excess of the aggregate of the consideration transferred, the amount recognized for any non-controlling interest and the acquisition-date fair values of any previously held interest in the acquiree over the fair value of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date. If, after reassessment, the net of the acquisition date amounts of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed exceeds the sum of the consideration transferred, the excess is recognized immediately in profit or loss as a bargain purchase gain.

Contingent consideration that is classified as equity is not remeasured at subsequent reporting dates and its subsequent settlement is accounted for within equity. Contingent consideration that is classified as an asset or a liability is remeasured at subsequent reporting dates at fair value with the corresponding gain or loss being recognized in profit or loss. Changes in fair value of the contingent consideration that qualify as measurement period adjustments are adjusted retrospectively, with corresponding adjustments against goodwill. Measurement period adjustments are adjustments that arise from additional information obtained during the ‘measurement period’ (which cannot exceed one year from the acquisition date) about facts and circumstances that existed at the acquisition date.

Ferroglobe has not recorded any business combination in 2021 and 2020.

6.    Segment reporting

Operating segments are based upon the Company’s management reporting structure. During 2021, the Company has revised its operating segments to reflect the way its Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”) is currently managing the business. Our revised organizational structure includes the following six operating segments:

Canada – Silicon Metals

US – Silicon Metals & Silicon Alloys

Europe – Manganese Alloys

Europe – Silicon Metals & Silicon Alloys, and

South Africa – Silicon Alloys

Other segments

The operating segments described above are those components whose operating results are regularly reviewed by the entity’s Chief Operating Decision Maker to make decisions about resources to be allocated to the segment and assess its performance, and for which discrete financial information is available. This is due to the integrated operations within each region and product family and the ability to reallocate production based on the individual capacity of each plant. Additionally, economic factors that may impact our results of operations, such as currency fluctuations and energy costs, are also assessed at a region and product level.

The Company’s North America- Silicon reportable segment is the result of the aggregation of the operating segments of the United States and Canada Silicon Metals & Silicon Alloys. These operating segments have been aggregated as they have similar long-term economic characteristics and there is similarity of competitive and operating risks and the political environment in the United States and Canada. The Europe-Silicon, the Europe -Manganese and South Africa – Silicon reportable segments are equal to each related Operating segment.

All other segments that do not meet the quantitative threshold for separate reporting have been grouped as “Other segments”.

The consolidated income statements at December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, by reportable segment, are as follows:

	2021
	North America			Europe			Europe			South Africa						Adjustments/
	Silicon			Manganese			Silicon			Silicon			Other segments			Eliminations (**)			Total
	US$'000			US$'000			US$'000			US$'000			US$'000			US$'000			US$'000
Sales		524,808			476,287			665,337			117,195			43,568			(48,287	)		1,778,908
Raw materials and energy consumption for production		(323,316	)		(326,257	)		(473,884	)		(76,617	)		(33,445	)		48,623			(1,184,896	)
Other operating income		5,385			34,142			65,752			763			49,901			(45,858	)		110,085
Staff costs		(82,463	)		(33,696	)		(120,287	)		(13,268	)		(31,203	)		—			(280,917	)
Other operating expense		(43,070	)		(105,290	)		(128,755	)		(13,256	)		(51,960	)		45,522			(296,809	)
Depreciation and amortization charges, operating allowances and write-downs		(55,770	)		(18,634	)		(16,852	)		(5,081	)		(991	)		—			(97,328	)
Impairment (loss) gain		—			(376	)		(441	)		2,684			(1,730	)		—			137
Net gain due to changes in the value of assets		—			—			—			—			758			—			758
(Loss) gain on disposal of non-current assets		394			—			1,029			—			(37	)		—			1,386
Other (loss) gain		—			—			(1	)		—			63			—			62
Operating (loss) profit		25,968			26,176			(8,102	)		12,420			(25,076	)		—			31,386
Finance income		258			8,516			2,540			244			31,303			(42,608	)		253
Finance costs		(1,063	)		(25,544	)		(7,162	)		(5,693	)		(152,335	)		42,608			(149,189	)
Exchange differences		807			2,160			(263	)		135			(5,225	)		—			(2,386	)
(Loss) Profit  before tax		25,970			11,308			(12,987	)		7,106			(151,333	)		—			(119,936	)
Income tax (expense) benefit		(5,331	)		(3,674	)		7,463			(692	)		6,796			—			4,562
(Loss) profit for the year		20,639			7,634			(5,524	)		6,414			(144,537	)		—			(115,374	)

Attributable to the Parent		24,755			7,634			(5,509	)		6,821			(144,325	)		—			(110,624	)
Attributable to non-controlling interests		(4,116	)		—			(15	)		(407	)		(212	)		—			(4,750	)

(**)	The amounts correspond to transactions between segments that are eliminated in the consolidation process.

100

	2020(*)
	North America Silicon			Europe Manganese			Europe Silicon			South Africa Silicon			Other segments			Adjustments/ Eliminations (**)			Total
	US$'000			US$'000			US$'000			US$'000			US$'000			US$'000			US$'000
Sales		425,277			240,142			467,728			80,572			25,334			(94,619	)		1,144,434
Raw materials and energy consumption for production		(280,858	)		(204,063	)		(369,130	)		(56,062	)		(19,518	)		94,145			(835,486	)
Other operating income		2,916			9,199			25,049			131			24,587			(28,255	)		33,627
Staff costs		(73,988	)		(28,337	)		(84,300	)		(11,013	)		(17,144	)		—			(214,782	)
Other operating expense		(34,315	)		(33,884	)		(51,812	)		(14,098	)		(26,679	)		28,729			(132,059	)
Depreciation and amortization charges, operating allowances and write-downs		(61,664	)		(19,086	)		(19,252	)		(7,141	)		(1,046	)		—			(108,189	)
Impairment (loss) gain		(35,685	)		305			(17,941	)		(8,677	)		(11,346	)		—			(73,344	)
Net gain due to changes in the value of assets		—			—			—			—			158			—			158
(Loss) gain on disposal of non-current assets		(869	)		1,154			1,002			—			5			—			1,292
Other (loss) gain		—			4			—			—			(5	)		—			(1	)
Operating (loss)		(59,186	)		(34,566	)		(48,656	)		(16,288	)		(25,654	)		—			(184,350	)
Finance income		679			7,122			2,338			90			11,220			(21,272	)		177
Finance costs		(857	)		(22,267	)		(10,325	)		(3,796	)		(50,995	)		21,272			(66,968	)
Financial derivative gain		—			—			—			—			3,168			—			3,168
Exchange differences		(485	)		(3,508	)		(1,226	)		(1,405	)		32,177			—			25,553
(Loss) before tax		(59,849	)		(53,219	)		(57,869	)		(21,399	)		(30,084	)		—			(222,420	)
Income tax (expense) benefit		14,213			(19,797	)		(14,446	)		(1,049	)		(860	)		—			(21,939	)
(Loss) for the year from continuing operations		(45,636	)		(73,016	)		(72,315	)		(22,448	)		(30,944	)		—			(244,359	)
(Loss) for the year from discontinued operations		—			(5,399	)					—			—			—			(5,399	)
(Loss) for the year		(45,636	)		(78,415	)		(72,315	)		(22,448	)		(30,944	)		—			(249,758	)

Attributable to the Parent		(42,603	)		(79,482	)		(71,243	)		(22,206	)		(30,805	)		—			(246,339	)
Attributable to non-controlling interests		(3,033	)		—			(5	)		(242	)		(139	)		—			(3,419	)

(*) Our operating segments have been revised in 2021 to reflect the way its chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) is currently managing and viewing the business. Accordingly, the results of 2020 and 2019 have been restated to report results according to the operating segments revised in 2021. 

(**)	The amounts correspond to transactions between segments that are eliminated in the consolidation process.

101

	2019(*)
	North America Silicon			Europe Manganese			Europe Silicon			South Africa Silicon			Other segments			Adjustments/ Eliminations (**)			Total
	US$'000			US$'000			US$'000			US$'000			US$'000			US$'000			US$'000
Sales		551,500			564,060			593,907			136,292			43,147			(273,684	)		1,615,222
Raw materials and energy consumption for production		(366,711	)		(502,919	)		(474,993	)		(108,823	)		(35,939	)		274,988			(1,214,397	)
Other operating income		10,418			12,828			39,001			1,323			27,144			(36,501	)		54,213
Staff costs		(87,954	)		(32,133	)		(106,681	)		(20,333	)		(37,928	)		—			(285,029	)
Other operating expense		(60,105	)		(64,851	)		(83,917	)		(19,457	)		(32,572	)		35,197			(225,705	)
Depreciation and amortization charges, operating allowances and write-downs		(72,251	)		(19,904	)		(19,667	)		(6,459	)		(1,913	)		—			(120,194	)
Impairment (loss) gain		(174,013	)		12			(1	)		—			(1,897	)		—			(175,899	)
Net (loss) due to changes in the value of assets		—			—			—			(530	)		(1,044	)		—			(1,574	)
(Loss) gain on disposal of non-current assets		(1,601	)		—			181			—			(803	)		—			(2,223	)
Operating (loss)		(200,717	)		(42,907	)		(52,170	)		(17,987	)		(41,805	)		—			(355,586	)
Finance income		529			8,999			2,074			156			17,690			(28,068	)		1,380
Finance costs		(3,914	)		(19,722	)		(5,626	)		(4,507	)		(57,524	)		28,068			(63,225	)
Financial derivative gain		—			—			—			—			2,729			—			2,729
Exchange differences		(407	)		2,812			1,161			(1,179	)		497			—			2,884
(Loss) before tax		(204,509	)		(50,818	)		(54,561	)		(23,517	)		(78,413	)		—			(411,818	)
Income tax benefit (expense)		8,520			9,258			12,782			7,761			3,220			—			41,541
(Loss) for the year from continuing operations		(195,989	)		(41,560	)		(41,779	)		(15,756	)		(75,193	)		—			(370,277	)
Profit for the year from discontinued operations		—			—			3,280			—			81,357			—			84,637
Profit (loss) for the year		(195,989	)		(41,560	)		(38,499	)		(15,756	)		6,164			—			(285,640	)

Attributable to the Parent		(190,866	)		(41,560	)		(38,499	)		(16,124	)		6,448			—			(280,601	)
Attributable to non-controlling interests		(5,123	)		—			—			368			(284	)		—			(5,039	)

(**)	The amounts correspond to transactions between segments that are eliminated in the consolidation process.

102

The consolidated statements of financial position at December 31, 2021 and 2020, by reportable segment are as follows:

	2021
														Consolidation
	North America			Europe			Europe		South Africa					Adjustments/
	Silicon			Manganese			Silicon		Silicon		Other segments			Eliminations (*)			Total
	US$'000			US$'000			US$'000		US$'000		US$'000			US$'000			US$'000
Goodwill		29,702			—			—		—		—			—			29,702
Other intangible assets		4,015			40,318			54,463		1,165		681			—			100,642
Property, plant and equipment		324,210			69,283			87,547		35,830		38,044			—			554,914
Inventories		56,318			77,425			121,813		21,008		13,233			—			289,797
Trade and other receivables (**)		867,128			487,731			319,805		51,734		1,233,809			(2,574,594	)		385,613
Cash, restricted cash and cash equivalents		61,032			32,139			10,660		6,787		6,045			—			116,663
Other		(4,420	)		3,810			18,018		1,909		26,690			—			46,007
Total assets		1,337,985			710,706			612,306		118,433		1,318,502			(2,574,594	)		1,523,338

Equity		438,915			86,234			150,320		21,048		(376,486	)		—			320,031
Provisions		21,458			42,428			128,144		6,163		390			—			198,583
Bank borrowings		—			29,972			67,749		—		1,246			—			98,967
Obligations under finance leases		6,334			11,457			—		24		543			—			18,358
Debt instruments		—			—			—		—		440,297			—			440,297
Other financial liabilities		4,033			153			—		—		62,827			—			67,013
Trade and other payables (***)		813,676			550,695			186,493		87,687		1,195,016			(2,618,022	)		215,545
Other		53,569			(10,233	)		79,600		3,511		(5,331	)		43,428			164,544
Total equity and liabilities		1,337,985			710,706			612,306		118,433		1,318,502			(2,574,594	)		1,523,338

	2020(*)
													Consolidation
	North America			Europe		Europe		South Africa					Adjustments/
	Silicon			Manganese		Silicon		Silicon		Other segments			Eliminations (**)			Total
	US$'000			US$'000		US$'000		US$'000		US$'000			US$'000			US$'000
Goodwill		29,702			—		—		—		—			—			29,702
Other intangible assets		14,604			1,790		1,841		1,265		1,256			—			20,756
Property, plant and equipment		353,145			88,883		101,391		37,526		39,089			—			620,034
Inventories		63,765			62,243		90,434		20,375		9,732			—			246,549
Trade and other receivables (***)		609,456			413,115		280,519		43,121		1,001,306			(2,099,725	)		247,792
Cash, restricted cash and cash equivalents		48,127			34,335		13,684		2,777		32,634			—			131,557
Other		(37,007	)		14,546		16,267		9,808		47,141			—			50,755
Total assets		1,081,792			614,912		504,136		114,872		1,131,158			(2,099,725	)		1,347,145

Equity		412,729			13,998		169,850		17,856		(248,714	)		—			365,719
Provisions		33,812			45,609		74,804		5,956		3,602			—			163,783
Bank borrowings		—			23,216		56,905		—		27,486			—			107,607
Obligations under finance leases		4,260			17,403		—		318		555			—			22,536
Debt instruments		—			—		—		—		357,508			—			357,508
Other financial liabilities		3,140			331		—		—		60,425			—			63,896
Trade and other payables (****)		615,690			500,813		183,123		78,807		915,381			(2,141,417	)		152,397
Other		12,161			13,543		19,453		11,935		14,915			41,692			113,699
Total equity and liabilities		1,081,792			614,913		504,135		114,872		1,131,158			(2,099,725	)		1,347,145

(*) Our operating segments have been revised in 2021 to reflect the way its chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) is currently managing and viewing the business. Accordingly, the results of 2020 have been restated to report results according to the operating segments revised in 2021.

(**) These amounts correspond to balances between segments that are eliminated at consolidation.

(***) Trade and other receivables includes non-current and current receivables from group that eliminated in the consolidated process.

(****) Trade and other payables includes non-current and current payables from group that are eliminated in the consolidated process.

103

Other disclosures

Sales by product line

Sales by product line are as follows:

	2021		2020		2019
	US$'000		US$'000		US$'000
Silicon metal		637,695		463,217		539,872
Manganese-based alloys		469,138		267,469		447,311
Ferrosilicon		337,833		176,447		275,368
Other silicon-based alloys		161,750		126,817		181,736
Silica fume		32,409		25,888		33,540
Other		140,083		84,596		137,395
Total		1,778,908		1,144,434		1,615,222

Information about major customers

Total sales of $870,039 thousand, $580,570 thousand, and $643,689 thousand were attributable to the Company’s top ten customers in 2021, 2020, and 2019 respectively. During 2021 and 2020, sales corresponding to Dow Silicones Corporation represented 12.2% and 13.2% respectively of the Company’s sales. Sales to Dow Silicones Corporation are included partially in the North America - Silicon segment and partially in the Europe - Silicon segment. During 2019, there was no single customer representing greater than 10% of the Company’s sales.

Capital expenditures by reporting segment

	Year Ended  December 31,
	2021		2020		2019
	US$´000		US$´000		US$´000
North America - Silicon		15,579		17,420		7,226
Europe Silicon		4,328		1,334		11,001
Europe Manganese		6,947		4,034		5,146
South Africa Silicon		3,611		2,308		3,492
Other Segments		2,944		1,963		7,175
Total		33,409		27,059		34,040

Non current assets by geographical area

The non-current assets (as defined in IFRS 8) attributable to the country of domicile and all foreign countries of operation are as follows:

	Year ended December 31,
	2021		2020
	US$´000		US$´000
United States of America		230,356		227,539
Europe
Spain		146,405		145,019
France		138,842		90,543
Other EU Countries		71,612		72,313
Total non-current assets in Europe		356,859		307,875
Rest of the World		124,839		154,493
Total		712,054		689,907

104

7.    Goodwill

Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill during the years ended December 31, are as follows:

	January 1,		Impairment		Exchange		December 31,		Impairment		Exchange		December 31,
	2020		(Note 26.5)		differences		2020		(Note 26.5)		differences		2021
	US$'000		US$'000		US$'000		US$'000		US$'000		US$'000		US$'000
Globe Specialty Metals, Inc.		29,702		—		—		29,702		—		—		29,702
Total		29,702		—		—		29,702		—		—		29,702

On December 23, 2015, Ferroglobe PLC consummated the acquisition of 100% of the equity interests of Globe Specialty Metals, Inc. (GSM) and subsidiaries and FerroAtlántica. This Business Combination was accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting for business combinations under IFRS 3 Business Combinations, with FerroAtlántica treated as the accounting acquirer and GSM as the acquiree. The excess of the cost of acquisition over the Company’s interest in the fair value of the identifiable assets and liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition was recorded as goodwill.

During the years ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, in connection with our annual goodwill impairment test, the Company did not recognize an impairment charge. During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company recognized an impairment charge of $174,008 thousand.

Ferroglobe operates in a cyclical market, and silicon and silicon-based alloy index pricing and foreign import pressure into the U.S. markets impact the future projected cash flows used in our impairment analysis. Recoverable value was estimated based on discounted cash flows. Estimates under the Company’s discounted income based approach involve numerous variables including anticipated sales price and volumes, cost structure, discount rates and long term growth, and therefore could impact fair values in the future. As of December 31, 2021, and 2020 the remaining goodwill for the U.S cash-generating units is $29,702 thousand.

Key assumptions used in the determination of recoverable value

In determining the asset recoverability through value in use, management makes estimates, judgments and assumptions on uncertain matters. For each cash-generating unit, the value in use is determined based on economic assumptions and forecasted operating conditions as follows:

	2021						2020						2019
	U.S.			Canada			U.S.			Canada			U.S.			Canada
Weighted average cost of capital		13.2	%		—	%		10.3	%		—	%		11.1	%		11.5	%
Long-term growth rate		2.3	%		—	%		2.0	%		—	%		2.0	%		2.0	%
Normalized tax rate		21.0	%		—	%		21.0	%		—	%		21.0	%		26.6	%

Our approach in determining the recoverable amount utilises a discounted cash flow methodology, which necessarily involves making numerous estimates and assumptions regarding, operating costs, appropriate discount rates and working capital requirements. The key assumptions used for estimating cash flow projections in the Group’s impairment testing are those relating to revenue and operating costs. The key assumptions take account of the business’s expectations for the projection period. These expectations consider the macroeconomic environment, industry and market conditions, the CGU’s historical performance and any other circumstances particular to the unit, such as business strategy and product mix.

These estimates will likely differ from future actual results of operations and cash flows, and it is possible that these differences could be material. In addition, judgements are applied in determining the level of CGU identified for impairment testing and the criteria used to determine which assets should be aggregated. Changes in our business activities or structure may also result in additional changes to the level of testing in future periods. Further, future events could cause the Group to conclude that impairment indicators exist and that the asset values associated with a given operation have become impaired.

105

The Company has defined a financial model which considers the revenues, expenditures, cash flows, pre tax payments and capital expenditures on a five year period (2022-2026), and perpetuity beyond this period. The financial projections to determine the net present value of future cash flows are modeled considering the principal variables that determine the historic flows of each group of cash-generating unit including prices, volumes, costs, CAPEX and net working capital.

The long-term growth rate is based on long-term average growth rate in the US.

8.    Other intangible assets

Changes in the carrying amount of other intangible assets during the years ended December 31 are as follows:

												Other			Accumulated
	Development			Power Supply					Computer			Intangible			Depreciation			Impairment
	Expenditure			Agreements		Rights of Use			Software			Assets			(Note 26.3)			(Note 26.5)			Total
	US$'000			US$'000		US$'000			US$'000			US$'000			US$'000			US$'000			US$'000
Balance at January 1, 2020		50,326			37,836		16,533			5,149			42,670			(82,283	)		(18,964	)		51,267
Additions		262			—		—			—			42,561			(7,183	)		—			35,640
Disposals		—			—		—			—			(68,713	)		—			—			(68,713	)
Exchange differences		4,286			—		516			100			2,354			(3,576	)		(1,118	)		2,562
Business disposal		—			—		—			—			—			—			—			—
Balance at December 31, 2020		54,874			37,836		17,049			5,249			18,872			(93,042	)		(20,082	)		20,756
Additions		1,040			—		10			—			139,180			(7,241	)		(1,153	)		131,836
Disposals		—			—		(3,558	)		(72	)		(51,796	)		563			3,072			(51,791	)
Exchange differences		(4,216	)		—		(132	)		(87	)		(540	)		3,580			1,236			(159	)
Business disposal		—			—		—			—			—			—			—			—
Balance at December 31, 2021		51,698			37,836		13,369			5,090			105,716			(96,140	)		(16,927	)		100,642

Additions and disposals in other intangible assets in 2021 and 2020 primarily relate to the acquisition, use and expiration of rights held to emit greenhouse gasses by certain Spanish, French and Canadian subsidiaries (see Note 4.21).

During 2021 the Company recognized an impairment of $1,153 thousand in relation to our quartz mine located in Mauritania.

During 2021 the company has purchased rights to emit greenhouse gasses amounting $44,138 thousand.

During 2020 the Company disposed of rights held to emit greenhouse gasses $34,209 thousand, which result in a net reduction of other intangible assets of $32,517 thousand.

As a result of the Business Combination, the Company acquired a power supply agreement which provides favorable below-market power rates to the Alloy, West Virginia facility, which terminates in December 2025.

At December 31, 2021, the Company has certain intangible assets pledged as collateral for debt instruments in Canada (see Note 18).

106

9.    Property, plant and equipment

The detail of property, plant and equipment, net of the related accumulated depreciation and impairment in 2021 and 2020 is as follows:

										Advances and
										Property, Plant						Other Items of			Other Items			Other Items
							Other Fixtures,			and Equipment						Property,			of Leased			of Leased			Accumulated
	Land and			Plant and			Tools and			in the Course of			Mineral			Plant and			Land and			Plant and			Depreciation			Impairment
	Buildings			Machinery			Furniture			Construction			Reserves			Equipment			Buildings			machinery			(Note 26.3)			(Note 26.5)			Total
	US$'000			US$'000			US$'000			US$'000			US$'000			US$'000			US$'000			US$'000			US$'000			US$'000			US$'000
Balance at January 1, 2020		196,586			1,273,837			8,819			106,651			59,502			34,463			13,298			21,333			(865,937	)		(107,646	)		740,906
Additions		1,391			11,095			302			27,059			—			30			3,374			1,405			(101,006	)		(71,929	)		(128,279	)
Disposals and other		(780	)		(17,664	)		(612	)		(1,715	)		—			—			—			—			17,337			4			(3,430	)
Transfers from/(to) other accounts		904			15,830			—			(16,861	)		—			—			—			127			—			(6,937	)		(6,937	)
Exchange differences		9,924			48,487			(87	)		8,895			(177	)		(1,305	)		916			1,581			(45,901	)		(4,559	)		17,774
Balance at December 31, 2020		208,025			1,331,585			8,422			124,029			59,325			33,188			17,588			24,446			(995,507	)		(191,066	)		620,034
Additions		166			6,054			199			33,409			—			—			576			4,113			(90,087	)		1,663			(43,907	)
Disposals and other		(1,131	)		(106,295	)		(618	)		(9,374	)		—			(55	)		—			—			73,601			39,972			(3,900	)
Transfers from/(to) other accounts		65			21,883			112			(23,621	)		—			(20	)		—			730			867			(17	)		(1	)
Exchange differences		(9,911	)		(50,603	)		(636	)		(10,481	)		(306	)		476			(1,008	)		(1,527	)		49,048			7,636			(17,312	)
Balance at December 31, 2021		197,214			1,202,624			7,479			113,962			59,019			33,589			17,156			27,762			(962,078	)		(141,811	)		554,914

In order to ascertain whether its assets have become impaired, Ferroglobe compares their carrying amount with their recoverable amount if there are indications that the assets might have become impaired. Where the asset itself does not generate cash flows that are independent from other assets, Ferroglobe estimates the recoverable amount of the asset unit to which the asset belongs. Recoverable amount is the higher of fair value less cost of disposal and value in use, which is the present value of the future cash flows that are expected to be derived from continuing use of the asset and from its ultimate disposal at the end of its useful life, discounted at a rate which reflects the time value of money and the risks specific to the business to which the asset belongs.

If the recoverable amount of an asset or cash-generating unit is less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount of the asset is reduced to its recoverable amount, and an impairment loss is recognized as an expense under “net impairment losses” in the consolidated income statement. The increased carrying amount of an asset due to a reversal of an impairment loss should not exceed the carrying amount that would  have been determined (net of amortisation or depreciation) had no impairment loss been recognised for the asset in prior years. A reversal of an impairment is recognized as “impairment (loss) gain” in the consolidated income statement. The basis for depreciation or amortization is the carrying amount of the assets, deemed to be the acquisition cost less any accumulated impairment losses.

As at December 31, 2021 the Company tested property, plant and equipment for impairment related to our solar-grade silicon metal project based in Puertollano, Spain, Château-Feuillet plants in France and our silicon metal plant in Polokwane, South Africa for which the recoverable value was determined at fair value less cost of disposal.

During year ended December 31, 2021 the Company recognized an impairment reversal of $2,681 thousand in relation to our Polokwane facility in South Africa, an impairment at Château Feuillet facility in Europe $441 thousand and an impairment related to our quartz mine located in Mauritania amounting $573 thousand.

Fair value for Polokwane facility as of December 31, 2021 was $7,130 thousand. As this amount is higher than the carrying amount ($4,449 thousand), the company recognized an impairment reversal of $2,681 thousand.

Fair value for Chateau Feuillet facility as of December 31, 2021 was $7,285 thousand. As this amount is lower than the carrying amount ($7,726 thousand), the company recognized an impairment of $441 thousand.

107

During 2021, as a consequence of the sale of the Niagara facility, which had a net book value of nil (an impairment had been recognized in previous periods amounting to $$34,229) the Company has written off these amounts.

During 2021, as a consequence of the sale of certain OPCO assets which had a net book value of nil(an impairment had been recognized in previous periods amounting to $5,743), the Company has written off these amounts..

During year ended December 31, 2020 the Company recognized an impairment of $71,929 thousand in relation to our idled capacity at the Niagara facilities in the United States $34,270 thousand, at the Polokwane facility in South Africa $8,677 thousand, at Château Feuillet facility in Europe $17,941 thousand and an impairment of $11,041 thousand in relation to our solar-grade silicon metal project in Puertollano, Spain.

Transfer from (to) other accounts as of December 31, 2020 only includes $6,937 thousand from OpCo related to the contract signed with Aurinka.

During 2019 the Company disposed of FerroAtlántica, S.A.U. and Ultracore Polska Zoo, which resulted in a net reduction of property, plant and equipment of $94,401 thousand.

During 2019 the Company liquidated Ganzi Ferroatlántica Silicon Industry Company, Ltd. and started the process of liquidation of Mangshi Sinice Silicon Industry Company Limited, which resulted in the reduction of impairment of $48,775 thousand.

At December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company has property, plant and equipment pledged as security for debt instruments in Canada, France, Norway, Spain and USA.

Commitments

At December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company has capital expenditure commitments totaling $3,834 thousand and $2,605 thousand, respectively, primarily related to maintenance and improvement works at plants.

10.  Financial assets and other receivables

The company’s financial assets and their classification under IFRS 9 are as follows:

			2021 classification
			Amortised cost		Fair value through profit or loss - mandatorily measured		Fair value through other comprehensive income - designated		Total
	Note		US$'000		US$'000		US$'000		US$'000
Other financial assets		10.1		3,348		847		—		4,195
Receivables from related parties		24		4,540		—		—		4,540
Trade receivables		10.2		321,929		—		—		321,929
Other receivables		10.2		6,199		—		—		6,199
Cash and cash equivalents				114,391		—		—		114,391
Restricted cash				2,272		—		—		2,272
Total financial assets				452,679		847		—		453,526

			2020 classification
			Amortised cost		Fair value through profit or loss - mandatorily measured		Fair value through other comprehensive income - designated		Total
	Note		US$'000		US$'000		US$'000		US$'000
Other financial assets		10.1		3,456		2,609		—		6,065
Receivables from related parties		24		5,530		—		—		5,530
Trade receivables		10.2		202,233		—		—		202,233
Other receivables		10.2		3,847		—		—		3,847
Cash and cash equivalents				102,714		—		—		102,714
Restricted cash				28,843		—		—		28,843
Total financial assets				346,623		2,609		—		349,232

108

Restrictions on the use of group assets

As of year ended December 31, 2021, Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash comprise the following:

	2021		2020
	US$'000		US$'000
Cash and cash equivalents		114,391		102,714
Current/Non Current restricted cash presented as Cash		2,272		28,843
Escrow: Hydro sale		2,272		6,136
ABL		—		22,500
Others		—		207
Total		116,663		131,557

At December 31, 2021, non-current restricted cash comprises cash in relation to the guarantees taken over escrow amounting $2,272 thousand ($6,136 thousand in 2020). The escrow was constituted in August 30, 2019, in consideration of previous FerroAtlántica; under agreement terms, the Purchaser and the Seller deposited in a restricted bank account a part of the share purchase price, guaranteeing any compensation to the purchaser for any claim under the contract. On October 30, 2021, both parts agreed the release of an amount of $3,494 thousand (€3,000 thousand) out of the Escrow funds in order to offset part of the amount that the Company owes to the buyer derived the new tolling agreement.

The Company has certain restrictions for the disposal of the cash in Norway recorded in “cash and cash equivalents” due to local requirements, amounting $1,497 thousand.

The Company has also restrictions for the disposal of the cash in the joint ventures with Dow Corning, when the Company want to access to the excess cash available in the joint ventures, it is necessary to organise a board meeting and approve a dividend payment. Each partner receives its dividend portion accordingly, amounting to $51,956 thousand as of December 31, 2021.

On March 16, 2021, the Company repaid in its entirety the remaining balance at the date of the ABL and the restricted cash was offset with the payment.

109

10.1 Other financial assets

At December 31, 2021, other financial assets comprise the following:

	2021
	Non-
	Current		Current		Total
	US$'000		US$'000		US$'000
Other financial assets held with third parties:
Other financial assets at amortised cost		3,348		—		3,348
Equity securities		743		104		847
Total		4,091		104		4,195

At December 31, 2020, other financial assets comprise the following:

	2020
	Non-
	Current		Current		Total
	US$'000		US$'000		US$'000
Other financial assets held with third parties:
Other financial assets at amortised cost		3,456		—		3,456
Equity securities		1,601		1,008		2,609
Total		5,057		1,008		6,065

Other financial assets at amortized cost mainly comprises deposits given to French government by Ferropem ($2,718 thousand in 2021 and 2,679 thousand in 2020), a Ferroglobe subsidiary, in respect of effort de construction. The law in France requires employers and companies to provide a certain size to invest a portion of their budget in the construction or renovation of housing (including through direct investment, providing mortgages, and other). In this case, the mandatory contribution has been made in the form of a loan, to be returned by the French government in twenty years.

Listed equity securities comprises investments held by Globe Argentina Metales in Pampa Energía.

For those assets measured at fair value at the balance sheet date, further information on fair value measurement is provided in Note 29.

10.2 Trade and other receivables

Trade and other receivables comprise the following at December 31:

	2021			2020
	US$'000			US$'000
Trade receivables		322,935			203,930
Less – allowance for doubtful debts		(1,006	)		(1,697	)
		321,929			202,233
Tax receivables⁽¹⁾		25,244			13,166
Government grant receivables		27,701			23,016
Other receivables		6,199			3,847
Total		381,073			242,262

(1)

“Tax receivables” is primarily related to VAT receivables, which are recovered either by offsetting against VAT payables or are expected to be refunded by the tax authorities in the relevant jurisdictions.

The trade and other receivables disclosed above are short-term in nature and therefore their carrying amount is considered to approximate their fair value.

110

The changes in the allowance for doubtful debts during 2021 and 2020 were as follows:

	Allowance
	US$'000
Balance at January 1, 2020		4,543
Impairment losses recognized		504
Amounts written off as uncollectible		(3,666	)
Changes in the scope of consolidation		—
Exchange differences		315
Balance at December 31, 2020		1,697
Impairment losses recognized		(580	)
Amounts written off as uncollectible		—
Changes in the scope of consolidation		—
Exchange differences		(111	)
Balance at December 31, 2021		1,006

Securization and factoring of trade receivables

On February 6, 2020, the Company entered into an amended and restated accounts receivables securitization program via which trade receivables generated by certain of the Company’s subsidiaries in Spain and France are financed both directly through the existing Irish special purpose vehicle (“SPE”) and indirectly through a French “fonds commun de titrisation”. The incorporation of the “fonds commun de titirsation” into the program allowed for the sale of certain Euro-denominated receivables that were not eligible under the previous structure and increased the available funding. The senior lender’s commitments under the amended and restated securitization program were $150,000 thousand. Finacity remained as intermediate subordinated lender providing a cash consideration of $2,808 thousand, and the Company’s European subsidiaries continued as senior subordinated and junior subordinated lenders as well as, having interests in the senior and intermediate subordinated loan tranches.

On October 2, 2020, the Company ended the receivables funding agreement over European receivables and cancelled the securitization program, signing a new factoring agreement with a Leasing and Factoring Agent, for anticipating the collection of receivables of the Company’s European entities (Grupo FerroAtlántica, S.A. and FerroPem S.AS). As a result of the agreement, the Agent provided a cash consideration of circa $48.8 million, repurchased the receivables portfolio sold to the SPE on September 28, and consequently assumed the loan tranche of the senior borrower to the SPE. Also, the senior loan and intermediate subordinate loan tranches were paid with internal sources of funds, terminating the financing structure of the securitization program.

The main characteristics of the factoring agreement are the following:

the maximum cash consideration advanced for the financing facility is up to €60,000 thousand;

over collateralization of 10% of accounts receivable as guarantee provided to the Agent until payment has been satisfied;

Annual fee of 0.15% applied to the annual revenues ceded to the Agent;

Financing commission of 1% charged annually;

Other conditions are set in relation to credit insurance policy which has been structured in an excess of loss policy where the first €5,000 thousand of bad debt losses are not covered by the insurance provider. The Company has assumed the cash collateralization for the entire excess of loss, as agreed in contractual terms.

111

During 2021, the factoring agreement provided upfront cash consideration of approximately $659,083 thousand ($169,105 thousand for the three months ended December 31, 2020). The Company has repaid $ 640,168 thousand ($95,800 thousand in 2020), showing at December 31, 2021, an on-balance sheet bank borrowing debt of $93,090 thousand (2020: $74,844 thousand), see Note 16.

At December 31, 2021, the Company held $ 115,684 thousand of accounts receivables recognized in consolidated balance sheet in respect of factoring agreement (89,154 thousand at December 31, 2020). Finance costs incurred during the year ended December 31, 2021, amounts $3,202 thousand ($916 thousand, at December 31, 2020) recognized in finance costs in the consolidated income statement.

As of December 31, 2021, the Company exceeded the limit, the lender agreed a temporary increase of the limit (See Note 16).

Judgements relating to the accounting for the factoring agreement

The Company has assessed whether it has transferred substantially all risks and rewards, continuing to be exposed to the variable returns from its involvement in the factoring agreement as it is exposed to credit risk, so the conclusion is that the derecognition criteria is not met and therefore, the account receivables sold are not derecognized from the balance sheet and an obligation is recognized as bank borrowings for the amount of cash advanced by the Leasing and Factoring Agent. The amount repayable under the factoring agreement is presented as on-balance sheet factoring and the debt assigned to factoring is showed as bank borrowings. See Note 16.

Government grants

The Company has been awarded government grants in relation to its operations in France, Spain and Norway, including grants in relation to the compensation of costs associated with the emission of CO₂.

During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company recognized $31,588 thousand of income related to government grants, the amount was deducted against the related expense in Raw Materials and energy consumption for production (2020: $30,420 thousand of income). The Company has no unfulfilled conditions in relation to government grants, but certain grants would be repayable if the Company were to substantially curtail production or employment at certain plants.

11.   Inventories

Inventories comprise the following at December 31:

	2021		2020
	US$'000		US$'000
Finished goods		118,080		100,711
Raw materials in progress and industrial supplies		110,965		99,259
Other inventories		42,815		46,274
Advances to suppliers		17,937		305
Total		289,797		246,549

During 2021 the Company recognised an expense of $1,095 thousand (2020: $1,939 thousand) in respect of write-downs of inventory to net realisable value. The Company records expense for the write-down of inventories to Raw Materials and energy consumption for production in the consolidated income statement, see Note 4.8.

At December 31, 2021, inventories in the Company’s subsidiaries in the United States, Canada, Norway and Spain ($180,575 thousand) were pledged forming part of the collateral for debt instruments, see Note 18.

112

12. Other assets

Other assets comprise the following at December 31:

	2021						2020
	Non-						Non-
	Current		Current		Total		Current		Current		Total
	US$'000		US$'000		US$'000		US$'000		US$'000		US$'000
Guarantees and deposits given		18,020		299		18,319		10,290		253		10,543
Prepayments and accrued income		27		3,213		3,240		—		10,656		10,656
Other assets		687		4,896		5,583		1,614		9,805		11,419
Total		18,734		8,408		27,142		11,904		20,714		32,618

At December 31, 2021, the amount in Guarantees and deposits given increased due to a cash deposit made during the year with TAC (Tennessee Valley Authority) which supplies power to "Core Metals Group Holdings, LLC” and to letter of credits related to the insurance company in “Global Specialty Metals, Inc”.

At December 31, 2021, the figure in Prepayments and accrued income decreased due to prepayments recorded in “Grupo FerroAtántica S.A.U” as of December 31, 2020.

13.  Equity

Share capital

Ferroglobe PLC was incorporated on February 5, 2015 and issued one ordinary share with a face value of $1.00. The share was issued but uncalled. On October 13, 2015, the Company increased its share capital by £50,000 by issuing 50,000 sterling non-voting redeemable preference shares (the “Non-voting Shares”) as well as 14 ordinary shares with a par value of $1.00. Subsequently on October 13, 2015, the Company consolidated the 15 ordinary shares at a par value of $1.00 to two ordinary shares with a par value of $7.50, for a total amount of $15.00.

On December 23, 2015, the Company acquired all of the issued and outstanding ordinary shares from Grupo Villar Mir, S.A.U., par value €1,000 per share, of Grupo FerroAtlántica, S.A.U. in exchange for 98,078,161 newly-issued Ferroglobe Class A ordinary shares, nominal value $7.50 per share, making Grupo FerroAtlántica, S.A.U. a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. The company subsequently redeemed all Non-voting Shares.

Subsequently on December 23, 2015, Gordon Merger Sub, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, merged with Globe Specialty Metals, Inc., and all outstanding shares of GSM common stock, par value $0.0001 per share were converted to the right to receive one newly-issued Ferroglobe ordinary share, nominal value $7.50 per share. The ordinary shares were registered by the Company pursuant to a registration statement on Form F-4, which was declared effective by the SEC on August 11, 2015, and trade on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the ticker symbol “GSM.”

On June 22, 2016 the Company completed a reduction of the share capital and as such the nominal value of each share has been reduced from $7.50 to $0.01, with the amount of the capital reduction being credited to a distributable reserve.

On November 18, 2016, Class A Ordinary Shares were converted into ordinary shares of Ferroglobe as a result of the distribution of beneficial interest units in the Ferroglobe Representation and Warranty Insurance Trust to certain Ferroglobe shareholders.

During the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2020, the Company did not issue new ordinary shares of any class.

Upon the closing of the financing transaction at July 29, 2021, the company issued 8,918,618 new ordinary shares to Rubric Capital Management LP on behalf of certain managed or sub-managed funds and accounts and Grupo Villar Mir, S.A.U for a total issued share capital of $40 million, and 1,900,000 shares and 7,013,872 shares par value $0.01 amounting to $51,522 thousand as equity work fee and bondholder equity stake related to the financing transactions.

The transaction fees incurred in the issuance of the share capital of $40 million amounting to $6,647 thousand have been accounted for as a deduction from equity.

On October 6, 2021, the Company has entered into an equity distribution agreement (the “Equity Distribution Agreement”) with B. Riley Securities, Inc. and Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. relating to the ordinary shares, par value $0.01 per share, of Ferroglobe PLC, by which the Company may offer and sell ordinary shares having an aggregate offering price of up to $100,000,000 from time to time through B. Riley Securities, Inc. and Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. as our sales agents. The company has sold 186,053 ordinary shares with net proceeds of $1.4 million.

113

At December 31, 2021, there were 188,882,316 ordinary shares in issue with a par value of $0.01, for a total issued share capital of $1,962 thousand, (2020: 170,863,773 ordinary shares in issue with a par value of $0.01, for a total issued share capital of $1,784 thousand). The Company held 1,568,854 ordinary shares in treasury.

At December 31, 2021, the Company’s largest shareholders are as follows:

	Number of Shares		Percentage of
Name	Beneficially Owned		Outstanding Shares (*)
Grupo Villar Mir, S.A.U.		91,125,519		48.60	%
Rubric Capital Management LP		13,648,711		7.3	%
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.		9,806,757		5.2	%

(*) 187,313,460 ordinary shares were outstanding at 31 December 2021, comprising 188,882,316 shares in issue less 1,568,854 shares held in treasury

Valuation adjustments

Valuation adjustments comprise the following at December 31:

	2021		2020
	US$'000		US$'000
Actuarial gains and losses		5,525		4,833
Hedging instruments and other		—		922
Total		5,525		5,755

Changes in actuarial gain and losses are due to remeasurements of the net defined benefit liability, see Note 15.

Capital management

The Company’s primary objective is to maintain a balanced and sustainable capital structure through the industry’s economic cycles, while keeping the cost of capital at competitive levels so as to fund the Company’s growth. The main sources of financing are as follows:

cash flow from operations;

bank borrowings,

debt instruments, including the Reinstated Senior Notes and the Super Senior Notes due 2025.

factoring and forfaiting of receivables

Capital Raising and Extension of the Maturity of the Notes

114

The principal elements of the restructuring, are set forth below: 

Issuance of $60 million of new senior secured notes

Issuance of $40 million in new equity of Ferroglobe

Extension of the maturity date of the Notes from March 31, 2022 to December 31, 2025 and amendment of certain other terms.

The Company manages its capital structure and makes adjustments in light of changes in economic conditions. To maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Company may restructure or issue new borrowings or debt, make dividend payments, return capital to shareholders or issue new shares. Management’s review of the Company’s capital structure includes monitoring of the leverage ratio.

Dividends

There have not been dividends paid or proposed by the Company during the year ended December 31, 2021 neither during the year ended December 31, 2020.

There were earnings distributed by a Joint Venture participated by a Globe Speciality Metals, Inc subsidiary to non-controlling interests during the year ended December 31, 2021.

Non-controlling interests

The changes in non-controlling interests in the consolidated statements of financial position in 2021 and 2020 were as follows:

	Balance
	US$'000
Balance at January 1, 2020		118,077
Loss for the year		(3,419	)
Translation differences		(154	)
Balance at December 31, 2020		114,504
Loss for the year		(4,750	)
Dividends paid to joint venture partner		(5,880	)
Translation differences		166
Other		2,013
Balance at December 31, 2021		106,053

The stand-alone statutory information regarding the largest non-controlling interests, in accordance with IFRS 12 Disclosure of Interests in Other Entities, is as follows:

WVA Manufacturing, LLC (WVA) was formed on October 28, 2009 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Globe. On November 5, 2009, Globe sold a 49% membership interest in WVA to Dow Corning Corporation (currently named “Dow”), an unrelated third party. As part of the sale of the 49% membership interest to Dow, an operating agreement and an output and supply agreement were established. The output and supply agreement states that of the silicon metal produced by WVA, 49% will be sold to Dow and 51% to Globe, which represents each member’s ownership interest, at a price equal to WVA’s actual production cost plus $100 per metric ton. The agreement will automatically terminate upon the dissolution or liquidation of WVA in accordance with the joint venture agreement between Globe and Dow. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the balance of Non-controlling interest related to WVA was $61,912 thousand and $70,270 thousand, respectively.

Quebec Silicon Limited Partnership (QSLP), formed under the laws of the Province of Québec on August 20, 2010 is managed by its general partner, Quebec Silicon General Partner Inc., which is 51% property of Globe. QSLP owns and operates the silicon metal operations in Bécancour, Québec. QSLP’s production output is subject to a supply agreement, which sells 51% of the production output to Globe and 49% to Dow, which represents each member’s ownership interest, at a price equal to QSLP’s actual production cost plus 31 Canadian dollars per metric ton. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the balance of non-controlling interest related to QSLP was $37,682 thousand and $44,808 thousand, respectively.

115

	2021						2020						2019
	WVA			QSLP			WVA			QSLP			WVA			QSLP
	US$'000			US$'000			US$'000			US$'000			US$'000			US$'000
Statements of Financial Position
Non-current assets		76,865			63,088			80,887			67,806			80,923			63,639
Current assets		66,336			46,186			58,404			37,095			56,839			30,931
Non-current liabilities		14,677			19,005			14,677			18,186			14,677			19,944
Current liabilities		32,612			14,671			23,208			16,320			27,579			7,277
Income Statements
Sales		165,660			89,446			156,995			70,637			167,503			78,414
Operating profit		6,696			2,093			5,900			3,113			6,688			252
Profit before taxes		6,507			1,237			5,900			2,898			6,423			(36	)
Net (loss) income		3,318			613			3,008			1,666			3,276			(70	)
Cash Flow Statements
Cash flows from operating activities		11,981			8,997			28,683			15,387			2,287			3,720
Cash flows from investing activities		(3,893	)		(4,956	)		(7,977	)		(5,227	)		(2,256	)		(3,544	)
Cash flows from financing activities		—			—			—			—			—			227
Exchange differences on cash and cash equivalents in foreign currencies		—			31			—			45			—			149
Beginning balance of cash and cash equivalents		27,272			12,524			6,566			2,319			6,535			1,767
Ending balance of cash and cash equivalents		35,360			16,596			27,272			12,524			6,566			2,319

116

14.  Earnings (loss) per ordinary share

Basic earnings (loss) per ordinary share are calculated by dividing the consolidated profit (loss) for the year attributable to the Parent by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the year, excluding the average number of treasury shares held in the year, if any. Dilutive earnings (loss) per share assumes the exercise of stock options, provided that the effect is dilutive.

	2021			2020			2019
	US$'000			US$'000			US$'000
(Loss) for the year from continuing operations		(115,374	)		(244,359	)		(370,277	)
(Loss) profit for the year from discontinued operations		—			(5,399	)		84,637
Total (Loss) for the year		(115,374	)		(249,758	)		(285,640	)

Attributable to the Parent		(110,624	)		(246,339	)		(280,601	)
Attributable to non-controlling interests		(4,750	)		(3,419	)		(5,039	)

Earnings per share
		2021			2020			2019
Numerator:
(Loss) attributable to the Parent (US$'000)		(110,624	)		(246,339	)		(280,601	)
Denominator:
Weighted average basic and dilutive shares outstanding		176,508,144			169,269,281			169,152,905
Basic and diluted (loss) earnings per ordinary share (US$)		(0.63	)		(1.46	)		(1.66	)

Numerator:
(Loss) for the year from continuing operations attribuitable to the Parent (US$'000)		(110,624	)		(240,940	)		(365,238	)
Denominator:
Weighted average basic and dilutive shares outstanding		176,508,144			169,269,281			169,152,905
Basic and diluted (loss) earnings per ordinary share (US$)		(0.63	)		(1.42	)		(2.16	)

Numerator:
(Loss) profit for the year from discontinued operations (US$'000)		—			(5,399	)		84,637
Denominator:
Weighted average basic and dilutive shares outstanding		176,508,144			169,269,281			169,152,905
Basic and diluted (loss) earnings per ordinary share (US$)		—			(0.03	)		0.50

Potential ordinary shares of 4,359,436, of 3,411,974 and of 445,008 were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings (loss) per ordinary share in 2021, 2020 and 2019 respectively because their effect would be anti-dilutive.

117

15.  Provisions

Provisions comprise the following at December 31:

	2021						2020
	Non- Current		Current		Total		Non- Current		Current		Total
	US$'000		US$'000		US$'000		US$'000		US$'000		US$'000
Provision for pensions		41,238		180		41,418		56,395		191		56,586
Environmental provision		2,562		1,133		3,695		2,910		1,256		4,166
Provisions for litigation		—		1,952		1,952		—		1,355		1,355
Provisions for third-party liability		8,905		—		8,905		10,759		—		10,759
Provisions for C02 emissions allowances		3,033		107,213		110,246		—		40,161		40,161
Provision for restructuring cost		—		22,350		22,350		—		2		2
Other provisions		5,220		4,797		10,017		38,423		12,331		50,754
Total		60,958		137,625		198,583		108,487		55,296		163,783

118

Restructuring provision is related to the restructuring process in Château-Feuillet facility in France amounting $21,717 thousand and Cinca facility in Spain amounting $633 thousand.

The changes in the various line items of provisions in 2021 and 2020 were as follows:

							Provisions for			Provisions for			Provisions for			Provisions for
	Provision for			Environmental			Litigation			Third			CO2 Emissions			Restructuring			Other
	Pensions			Provision			in Progress			Party Liability			Allowances			Cost			Provisions			Total
	US$'000			US$'000			US$'000			US$'000			US$'000			US$'000			US$'000			US$'000
Balance at January 1, 2020		57,729			4,108			3,905			9,263			34,938			2			21,002			130,943
Charges for the year		5,340			117			184			268			38,249			—			30,890			75,048
Provisions reversed with a credit to income		(1,843	)		—			—			—			—			—			(1,972	)		(3,815	)
Amounts used		(3,514	)		(26	)		(2,886	)		(198	)		(35,860	)		—			—			(42,484	)
Provision against equity		(3,260	)		—			—			568			—			—			—			(2,692	)
Exchange differences and others		2,134			(33	)		152			858			2,834			—			838			6,783
Disposals from business divestitures		—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—
Balance at December 31, 2020		56,586			4,166			1,355			10,759			40,161			2			50,754			163,783
Charges for the year		5,990			28			934			588			97,982			31,838			(12	)		137,348
Provisions reversed with a credit to income		(1,419	)		(189	)		—			—			(7,830	)		—			(9,419	)		(18,857	)
Amounts used		(9,911	)		(1	)		(233	)		(535	)		(18,420	)		(9,534	)		(269	)		(38,903	)
Provision against equity		(6,847	)		—			—			(1,081	)		—			—			—			(7,928	)
Transfers from/(to) other accounts		—			(33	)		—			—			—			44			(28,437	)		(28,426	)
Exchange differences and others		(2,981	)		(276	)		(104	)		(826	)		(1,647	)		—			(2,600	)		(8,434	)
Balance at December 31, 2021		41,418			3,695			1,952			8,905			110,246			22,350			10,017			198,583

119

The main provisions relating to employee pensions are as follows:

France

These relate to various obligations assumed by FerroPem, SAS with various groups of employees relate to long-service benefits, medical insurance supplements and retirement obligations, all of which are defined unfunded benefit obligations, whose changes in 2021 and 2020 were as follows:

	2021			2020
	US$'000			US$'000
Obligations at the beginning of year		34,496			32,795
Current service cost		1,082			1,580
Borrowing costs		212			242
Actuarial differences		(3,003	)		(2,170	)
Benefits paid		(995	)		(1,037	)
Exchange differences		(2,412	)		3,086
Others		(3,430	)		—
Obligations at the end of year		25,950			34,496

At December 31, 2021 and 2020 the effect of a 1% change in discount rate would have resulted in a change to the provision of approximately $3,288 thousand and $4,953 thousand, respectively.

The following table reflects the gross benefit payments that are expected to be paid for the benefit plans for the year ended December 31, 2021:

	2021
	US$'000
2022		1,016
2023		1,281
2024		2,078
2025		1,563
2026		1,488
Years 2027-2031		8,458

The subsidiary recognized provisions in this connection based on an actuarial study performed by an independent expert.

South Africa

Defined benefit plans relate to Retirement medical aid obligations and Retirement benefits. Actuarial valuations are performed periodically by independent third parties and in the actuary’s opinion the fund was in a sound financial position. The valuation was based upon the amounts as per the latest valuation report received from third party experts.

Retirement medical aid obligations

The Company provides post-retirement benefits by way of medical aid contributions for employees and dependents.

Retirement benefits

It is the policy of the Company to provide retirement benefits to all its employees and therefore membership of the retirement fund is compulsory. The Company has both defined contribution and defined benefit plans. The pension fund obligation is recognized in current provisions as the Company will contribute the difference to the plan assets within the next 12 months.

120

In this regard, the changes of this provision in 2021 and 2020 were as follows:

	2021			2020
	US$'000			US$'000
Obligations at beginning of year		3,461			4,601
Current service cost		32			47
Borrowing costs		390			435
Actuarial differences		526			(1,238	)
Benefits paid		(232	)		(278	)
Exchange differences		(398	)		(106	)
Obligations at end of year		3,779			3,461

At December 31, 2021 and 2020, the effect of a 1% change in the cost of the medical aid would have resulted in a change to the provision of approximately $481 thousand and $378 thousand, respectively.

The breakdown, in percentage, of the plan assets are as follows:

	2021			2020
Cash		2.85	%		1.84	%
Equity		47.21	%		41.70	%
Bond		17.32	%		18.53	%
Property		2.79	%		1.68	%
International		28.42	%		32.02	%
Others		1.41	%		4.23	%
Total		100.00	%		100.00	%

As of December 31, 2021 and 2020 the Plan assets amounted to $1,706 thousand and $2,204 thousand, respectively. Changes in the fair value of plan assets linked to the defined benefit plans in South Africa were as set forth in the following table:

	2021			2020
	US$'000			US$'000
Fair value of plan assets at the beginning of the year		2,204			2,126
Interest income on assets		172			200
Benefits paid		(775	)		—
Actuarial differences		223			(77	)
Other		(118	)		(45	)
Fair value of plan assets at the end of the year		1,706			2,204
Actual return on assets		395			122

Venezuela

Benefit Plan

The company FerroVen has pension obligations to all of its employees who, once reaching retirement age, have accumulated at least 15 years of service to the company and receive a Venezuelan Social Security Institute (IVSS) pension. In addition to the pension paid by the IVSS, 80% of the basic salary accrued when the pension benefit is awarded is guaranteed and paid by means of a lifelong monthly pension.

The most recent of the present value of the defined benefit obligation actuarial valuation was determined at December 31, 2021 by independent actuaries. The present value of the obligation for defined unfunded benefit cost, the current service cost and past service cost were determined using the projected unit credit method.

121

In this regards, the changes of this provision in 2021 and 2020 were as follows:

	2021			2020
	US$'000			US$'000
Obligations at the beginning of year		22			2,577
Current service cost		102			26
Borrowing costs		115			596
Benefits paid		(2	)		(2	)
Exchange differences		(47	)		(956	)
Other		—			(2,220	)
Obligations at the end of year		190			22

The summary of the main actuarial assumptions used to calculate the aforementioned obligations is as follows:

	France		South Africa		Venezuela
	2021	2020	2021	2020	2021			2020
Salary increase	1.60%-6.10%	1.60%-6.10%	N/A	5.80%-9.10%		500	%		500	%
Discount rate	0.75%	0.75%	10.60-11.60%	9.80%-13.2%		536	%		536	%
Expected inflation rate	1.60%	1.60%	5.80-7.10%	4.80%-7.60%		550	%		550	%
Mortality	TGH05/TGF05	TGH05/TGF05	SA 85-90 / PA (90)	SA 85-90 / PA (90)		GAM 83			GAM 83
Retirement age	65	65	63	63		63-64			65

High percentages are driven by hyperinflationary economy in Venezuela.

North America

a. Defined Benefit Retirement and Post-retirement Plans

Globe Metallurgical Inc. (“GMI”) sponsors three non-contributory defined benefit pension plans covering certain employees, which were all frozen in 2003. Core Metals sponsors a non-contributory defined benefit pension plan covering certain employees, which was closed to new participants in April 2009.

The Plan’s liabilities have been completely settled as a result of the amendment terminating the plan.
There are no remaining participants due to the plan termination effective September 30, 2021. All obligations have been satisfied due to the plan termination. The total settlement payment amounting to $2,784 thousand resulted in a net income of $1,027 thousand.

Quebec Silicon Limited partnership (“QSLP”) sponsors a contributory defined benefit pension plan and postretirement benefit plan for certain employees, based on length of service and remuneration. Post-retirement benefits consist of a group insurance plan covering plan members for life insurance, disability, hospital, medical, and dental benefits. The contributory defined benefit pension plan was closed to new participants in December 2013. On December 27, 2013, the Communications, Energy and Paper Workers Union of Canada (“CEP”) ratified a new collective bargaining agreement, which resulted in a curtailment pertaining to the closure of the postretirement benefit plan for union employees retiring after January 31, 2016. The Company’s funding policy has been to contribute, as necessary, an amount in excess of the minimum requirements in order to achieve the Company’s long-term funding targets.

122

Benefit Obligations and Funded Status – The following provides a reconciliation of the benefit obligations, plan assets and funded status of the North American plans as of December 31, 2021 and 2020:

	2021											2020
	USA			Canada					Total			USA			Canada					Total
							Post-											Post-
	Pension			Pension			retirement					Pension			Pension			retirement
	Plans			Plans			Plans					Plans			Plans			Plans
	US$'000			US$'000			US$'000		US$'000			US$'000			US$'000			US$'000		US$'000
Benefit obligation		—			25,349			8,569		33,918			39,214			28,110			9,632		76,956
Fair value of plan assets		(14	)		(22,417	)		—		(22,431	)		(36,011	)		(22,337	)		—		(58,348	)
Provision for pensions		(14	)		2,932			8,569		11,487			3,203			5,773			9,632		18,608

All North American pension and post-retirement plans are underfunded. At December 31, 2021 and 2020, the accumulated benefit obligation was $25,349 thousand and $67,324 thousand for the defined pension plan and $8,569 thousand and $9,632 thousand for the post-retirement plans, respectively.

The assumptions used to determine benefit obligations at December 31, 2021 and 2020 for the North American plans are as follows:

North America – 2021

North America – 2020

USA

Canada

USA

Canada

Pension

Postretirement

Pension

Postretirement

Plan

Salary increase

N/A

2.75% - 3.00%

N/A

2.75% - 3.00%

N/A

Discount rate

N/A

3.21%

3.30%

2.25%

2.61%

2.75%

Expected inflation rate

N/A

Mortality

N/A

CPM2014-
Private Scale CPM-B

Pri-2012 Blue Collar Mortality

CPM2014-
Private

CPM2014-
Private Scale CPM-B

Retirement age

N/A

58-60

The discount rate used in calculating the present value of our pension plan obligations is developed based on the BPS&M Pension Discount Curve for 2021 and 2020 and the Mercer Proprietary Yield Curve for 2021 and 2020 for QSLP Pension and post-retirement benefit plans and the expected cash flows of the benefit payments.

The Company expects to make discretionary contributions of approximately $861 thousand to the defined benefit pension and post-retirement plans for the year ending December 31, 2021.

The pension plan exposes the Company to the following risks:

(i) Investment risk: The defined benefit obligation is calculated using a discount rate. If the return on plan assets is below this rate, a plan deficit occurs.

(ii) Interest rate risk: Variation in bond rates will affect the value of the defined benefit obligation.

(iii) Inflation risk: The defined benefit obligation is calculated assuming a certain level of inflation. An actual inflation higher than expected will have the effect of increasing the value of the defined benefit obligation.

123

The following reflects the gross benefit payments that are expected to be paid in future years for the benefit plans for the year ended December 31:

			Non-pension
			Postretirement
	Pension Plans		Plans
	US$'000		US$'000
2022		1,043		194
2023		1,086		203
2024		1,176		228
2025		1,230		251
Years 2026-2030		6,599		1,578

The accumulated non-pension post-retirement benefit obligation has been determined by application of the provisions of the Company’s health care and life insurance plans including established maximums, relevant actuarial assumptions and health care cost trend rates projected at 5.1% for 2021 and decreasing to an ultimate rate of 4.0% in fiscal 2040. At December, 31 2021 and 2020, the effect of a 1% increase in health care cost trend rate on the non-pension post-retirement benefit obligation is $1,735 thousand and $2,085 thousand, respectively. At December, 31 2021 and 2020 the effect of a 1% decrease in health care cost trend rate on the non-pension post-retirement benefit obligation is ($1,327) thousand and ($1,567) thousand.

The changes to these obligations in the current year ended December 31, 2021 were as follows:

	2021
	USA			Canada						Total
	Pension			Pension			Post-retirement
	Plans			Plans			Plans
	US$'000			US$'000			US$'000			US$'000
Obligations at the beginning of year		39,214			28,110			9,632			76,956
Service cost		151			162			371			684
Borrowing cost		566			720			262			1,548
Actuarial differences		(18	)		(2,688	)		(1,555	)		(4,261	)
Benefits paid		(1,693	)		(1,020	)		(169	)		(2,882	)
Exchange differences					65			28			93
Expenses		(119	)		—			—			(119	)
Plan settlement		(38,101	)		—			—			(38,101	)
Obligations at the end of year		—			25,349			8,569			33,918

The plan assets of the defined benefit and retirement and post-retirement plans in North America are comprised of assets that have quoted market prices in an active market. The breakdown as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 of the assets by class are:

	2021			2020
Cash		—	%		33	%
Equity Mutual Funds		27	%		10	%
Fixed Income Securities		14	%		32	%
Assets held by insurance company		59	%		25	%
Total		100	%		100	%

124

For the year ended December 31, 2021, the changes in plan assets were as follows:

	2021
	USA			Canada
	Pension			Pension
	Plans			Plans			Total
	US$'000			US$'000			US$'000
Fair value of plan assets at the beginning of the year		36,011			22,337			58,348
Interest income on assets		514			582			1,096
Benefits paid		(1,693	)		(1,020	)		(2,713	)
Actuarial return on plan assets		(610	)		(47	)		(657	)
Exchange differences		—			57			57
Other		48			508			556
Plan Settelment		(34,256	)		—			(34,256	)
Fair value of plan assets at the end of the year		14			22,417			22,431

b. Other Benefit Plans

The Company administers healthcare benefits for certain retired employees through a separate welfare plan requiring reimbursement from the retirees.

The Company’s subsidiary, GMI, provides two defined contribution plans (401(k) plans) that allow for employee contributions on a pretax basis. The Company agrees to match 25% of participants’ contributions up to a maximum of 6% of compensation. Additionally, the Company sponsors a defined contribution plan for employees of Core Metals. Under the plan, the Company may make discretionary payments to salaried and non-union participants in the form of profit sharing and matching funds.

Other benefit plans offered by the Company include a Section 125 cafeteria plan for the pretax payment of healthcare costs and flexible spending arrangements.

Environmental provision

Environmental provisions related to $2,562 thousand of non-current environmental rehabilitation obligations as of December 31, 2021 (2020: $2,910 thousand) and $1,133 thousand of current environmental rehabilitation obligations as of December 31, 2021 (2020: $1,256 thousand). A significant part of these provisions is related to the company's mining activity.

Provisions for litigation

Certain employees of FerroPem, SAS, then known as Pechiney Electrometallurgie, S.A., may have been exposed to asbestos at its plants in France in the decades prior to FerroAtlántica’s purchase of that business in December 2004. The Company has recognized a provision of $1,143 thousand during the year ended December 31, 2021 as part of the current portion of Provisions for litigation (2020: $1,080 thousand). See Note 25 for further information.

The timing and amounts potential liabilities arising from such exposures is uncertain. The provision reflects the Company’s best estimate of the expenditure required to meet resulting obligations.

Provisions for third-party liability

Provisions for third-party liability presented as non-current obligations $8,905 thousand relate to health costs for retired employees (2020: $10,759 thousand) in the The Company’s subsidiary, FerroPem, SAS.

The following table reflects the gross benefit payments that are expected to be paid for the benefit plans for the year ended December 31, 2021:

	2021
	US$'000
2022		-
2023		532
2024		269
2025		272
2026		277
Years 2027-2031		1,428

The recognized provisions are based on an actuarial study performed by an independent expert.

125

Other provisions

Included in other provisions are current obligations arising from past actions that involve a probable outflow of resources that can be reliably estimated. Other provisions include taxes of $2,506 thousand (2020: $6,053 thousand) and $6,422 thousand are related to the accrued estimated costs of reclaiming the land after it has been mined for gravel or coal.

16.  Bank borrowings

Bank borrowings comprise the following at December 31:

	2021
			Non-Current		Current
	Limit		Amount		Amount		Total
	US$'000		US$'000		US$'000		US$'000
Borrowings carried at amortised cost:
Borrowings from receivable factoring facility		67,956		—		93,090		93,090
Other loans		—		3,670		2,207		5,877
Total				3,670		95,297		98,967

	2020
			Non-Current		Current
	Limit		Amount		Amount		Total
	US$'000		US$'000		US$'000		US$'000
Borrowings carried at amortised cost:
Credit facilities		100,000		—		27,237		27,237
Borrowings from receivable factoring facility		73,626		—		74,844		74,844
Other loans				5,277		249		5,526
Total				5,277		102,330		107,607

Credit facilities

Credit facilities comprise the following at December 31:

	2021		2020
	US$'000		US$'000
Secured loans carried at amortised cost
Principal amount		—		31,155
Unamortised issuance costs		—		(3,918	)
Accrued interest		—		—
Total		—		27,237

Amount due for settlement within 12 months		—		27,237
Amount due for settlement after 12 months		—		—
Total		—		27,237

126

On October, 11, 2019, Ferroglobe subsidiaries Globe Specialty Metals, Inc., and QSIP Canada ULC, as borrowers, entered into a Credit and Security Agreement for a new $100 million north American asset-based revolving credit facility (the “ABL Revolver”), with PNC Bank, N.A., as lender.

On March 16, 2021, the Company has repaid in its entirety the remaining balance at the date for an amount equal to $39,476 thousand, cancelling its obligations derived from the contract.

Borrowings from receivable factoring facility

On October 2, 2020, the Company ended the receivables funding agreement over European receivables, signing a new factoring agreement with a Leasing and Factoring Agent, for anticipating the collection of receivables of the Company’s European entities. As a result of the agreement, the Agent provided a cash consideration of circa $48.8 million, repurchased the receivables portfolio sold to the SPE on September 28, and consequently assumed the loan tranche of the senior borrower to the SPE. Also, the senior loan and intermediate subordinate loan tranches were paid with internal sources of funds, terminating the financing structure of the securitization program (See Note 10).

The main characteristics of the agreement are the following:

the maximum cash consideration advanced for the financing facility is up to EUR 60,000 thousand;

over collateralization of 10% of accounts receivable as guarantee provided to the Agent until payment has been satisfied;

Annual fee of 0.15% applied to the annual revenues ceded to the Agent;

Financing commission of 1% charged annually;

Other conditions are set in relation to credit insurance policy which has been structured in an excess of loss policy where the first EUR 5,000 thousand of bad debt losses are not covered by the insurance provider. The Company has assumed the cash collateralization for the entire excess of loss, as agreed in contractual terms.

Judgements relating to the accounting for the factoring agreement

As of December 31, 2021, the Company exceeded the limit, the lender agreed a temporary increase of the limit.

Other Loans

Include loans held by The Company to finance their current activities in France and Argentina. The loan related to France was signed in July 2020 for an amount of $5,277 thousand. The balance as of December 31, 2021 is $3,670 thousand. The loan is zero interest rate, guaranteed by French government, and the initial period is one year duration, with repayment of up to five years. The loans related to Argentina are three short term loans for a total amount of $975 thousand due in 2022.

Since December 2019, the Company entered into a forfaiting program where some of the Company’s French and Spanish entities may assign their rights to receive payments under the Contracts with the customer “ArcelorMittal Sourcing s.c.a.” in accordance with a forfaiting scheme.

127

Foreign currency exposure of bank borrowings

The breakdown by currency of bank borrowings at December 31, is as follows:

	2021
	Non-Current		Current
	Principal		Principal
	Amount		Amount		Total
	US$'000		US$'000		US$'000
Borrowings in US Dollars		—		1,245		1,245
Borrowings in Euros		3,670		94,052		97,722
Total		3,670		95,297		98,967

	2020
	Non-Current		Current
	Principal		Principal
	Amount		Amount		Total
	US$'000		US$'000		US$'000
Borrowings in US Dollars		—		27,486		27,486
Borrowings in other currencies		5,277		74,844		80,121
Total		5,277		102,330		107,607

Contractual maturity of non-current bank borrowings

The contractual maturity of bank borrowings at December 31, 2021, was as follows:

	2021
	2022		2025		Total
	US$'000		US$'000		US$'000
Credit facilities		—		—		—
Borrowings from supplier factoring facility		93,941		—		93,941
Other loans		2,229		3,670		5,899
Total		96,170		3,670		99,840

17.  Leases

Lease obligations

Lease obligations as at December 31 are as follows:

	2021						2020
	Non-						Non-
	Current		Current		Total		Current		Current		Total
	US$'000		US$'000		US$'000		US$'000		US$'000		US$'000
Other leases		9,968		8,390		18,358		13,994		8,542		22,536
Total		9,968		8,390		18,358		13,994		8,542		22,536

As of December 31, 2021 and 2020 Ferroglobe holds short-term leases and low-value leases for which it has elected to recognise right of use assets and lease liabilities. Each lease is reflected in the statement of financial position as a right of use asset and a lease liability.

As of December 31, 2021 and 2020 Ferroglobe has not recorded any expense relating to variable lease payments.

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The detail, by maturity, of the non-current payment obligations under leases as of December 31, 2021 is as follows:

	2023		2024		2025		2026		2027 and after		Total
	US$'000		US$'000		US$'000		US$'000		US$'000		US$'000
Other leases		5,905		1,672		1,027		310		1,054		9,968
Total		5,905		1,672		1,027		310		1,054		9,968

IFRS 16 has had the following effect on components of the consolidated financial statements:

	2021			2020
	US$'000			US$'000
Balance at December 31,		(22,536	)		(25,872	)
Additions		(7,761	)		(5,471	)
Disposals and other		517			102
Interest		(1,100	)		(1,358	)
Lease payments		11,285			11,673
Exchange differences		1,237			(1,610	)
Balance at December 31,		(18,358	)		(22,536	)

Lease liabilities were discounted at the average incremental borrowing rate of 5.5%.

Leases are presented as follows in the Statement of financial position:

	2021			2020
	US$'000			US$'000
Non-current assets
Leased land and buildings		17,156			17,588
Leased plant and machinery		27,762			24,446
Accumulated depreciation		(29,855	)		(22,498	)

Non-current liabilities
Lease liabilities		(9,968	)		(13,994	)

Current liabilities
Lease liabilities		(8,390	)		(8,542	)

Leases are presented as follows in the Consolidated income statement:

	2021			2020
	US$'000			US$'000
Depreciation and amortization charges, operating allowances and write-downs
Depreciation of right of use assets		7,357			10,112

Finance costs
Interest expense on lease liabilities		1,100			1,358

Exchange differences
Currency translation losses on lease liabilities		1,237			(1,610	)
Currency translation gains on right of use assets		(1,838	)		2,138

Leases are presented as follows in the Statement of cash flows:

	2021		2020
	US$'000		US$'000
Payments for:
Principal		10,185		10,315
Interest		1,100		1,358

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18.  Debt instruments

Debt instruments comprise the following at December 31:

	2021			2020
	US$'000			US$'000
Notes carried at amortised cost
Secured Super Senior Notes		60,000			—
Secured Reinstated Senior Notes		351,003			—
Unsecured Stub Notes		4,942			350,000
Unamortised issuance costs		(6,064	)		(3,380	)
Accrued coupon interest		30,416			10,888
Total		440,297			357,508

Amount due for settlement within 12 months		35,359			10,888
Amount due for settlement after 12 months		404,938			346,620
Total		440,297			357,508

On February 15, 2017, Ferroglobe and Globe (together, the “Issuers”) co-issued $350,000 thousand aggregate principal amount of 9.375% senior unsecured notes due March 1, 2022 (the “Notes”). The proceeds were used primarily to repay existing indebtedness, including borrowings, certain credit facilities and other loans. Interest on the Notes is payable semi-annually on March 1 and September 1 of each year, commencing on September 1, 2017.

On July 30,2021 the company announced the occurrence of the “Transaction Effective Date” under the lock-up agreement dated March 27, 2021 (the “Lock-Up Agreement”) between the Parent and the financial stakeholders. The Transaction Effective Date marks the completion of the financing process.

As part of the transaction:

●

The Company completed the exchange of 98.588% of the 9⅜% Senior Notes due 2022 (the “Stub Notes”) issued by the Ferroglobe and Globe for a total consideration per $1,000 principal amount of Old Notes comprising (i) $1,000 aggregate principal amount of new 9⅜% senior secured notes due 2025 issued by Ferroglobe Finance Company, PLC and Globe (“the Issuers”) (the “Reinstated Senior Notes”) plus (ii) a fee amounting to $51,611 thousand. Notes not exchanged (the “Stub Notes”) are due on March 1, 2022.

●

Ferroglobe Finance Company, PLC (a new, subsidiary of the Company) issued $60 million in aggregate proceeds of new 9% senior secured notes due 2025 (the “Super Senior Notes”).

At the completion of the comprehensive refinancing, we recognized a charge of $90.8 million (See Note 26.4). This relates to all the advisory fees and expenses, including equity granted to the noteholders, incurred during the refinancing of the prior 9.375% Senior Notes due 2022, which were deemed to be extinguished at closing and replaced with new 9.375% million Senior Notes due 2025.

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For accounting purposes the refinancing of the Senior Notes has been considered a debt extinguishment. As a consequence:

(i) We recognized a finance expense amounting to $31.7 million related to the advisory fees incurred in the exchange of the notes,

(ii) Similarly to the transaction fees, the shares issued to the bondholders and the work fee were recognized as a one-off expense, amounting $51.6 million at market value.

(iii) In the case of an extinguishment, any outstanding upfront fees that had been capitalized at the issuance of the original notes needs to be recycled through profit and loss, this amounted $1 million. Additionally, as a result of the refinancing, the gross carrying amount of the amortized cost of the Reinstated Notes has been adjusted to reflect actual and revised estimated contractual cash flows. The gross carrying amount of the Reinstated Notes has been recalculated as the present value of the estimated future contractual cash flows that are discounted at the effective interest rate of 9.096%. The adjustment amounts to $6,462 and it was recognized as an expense in the income statement. After the exchange the Senior notes were accounted under the amortized cost method.

The fair value of the Reinstated Senior Notes maturing on December 31, 2025, determined by reference to the closing market price on the last trading day of the year (Level 1), was $354,084 thousand.

The fair value of the Super Senior Notes maturing on June 30, 2025, determined by reference to the closing market price on the last trading day of the year (Level 1), was $60,742 thousand.

The fair value of the Stub Notes maturing on March 1, 2022, determined by reference to the closing market price on the last trading day of the year (Level 1), was $5,082 thousand.

Super Senior Notes

On May 17, 2021, Ferroglobe Finance Company, PLC (a new, subsidiary of the Company, “The UK issuer”) issued a tranche of the Super Senior Notes, comprising an initial $40 million of an aggregate of $60 million 9.0% senior secured notes due 2025. Additional Super Senior Notes were issued on July 29, 2021 such that a total of $60 million in aggregate principal amount was outstanding on such date.

The Super Senior Notes are governed by an indenture (the “Super Senior Notes Indenture”) entered into by, among others, the UK Issuer, GLAS Trustees Limited, as trustee, Global Loan Agency Services Limited, as paying agent, GLAS Trust Corporation Limited, as security agent, and the guarantors named therein (the “Super Senior Notes Guarantors”). The Super Senior Notes mature on June 30, 2025 and are secured by certain share pledges, bank account pledges, intercompany receivables pledges, inventory pledges and security over certain mine concessions, real property, leases and other assets.

The Super Senior Notes, and the guarantees thereof, are general secured, senior obligations of the UK Issuer and the Super Senior Notes Guarantors, as applicable, and rank senior in right of payment to any and all of the existing and future indebtedness of the UK Issuer and the Super Senior Notes Guarantors, as applicable, that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Super Senior Notes and such guarantees, as applicable.

The Super Senior Notes Indenture require us to offer to repurchase all or any part of each holder’s Super Senior Notes upon the occurrence of a change of control, as defined in the Super Senior Notes Indenture, at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, to the date of purchase.

The Super Senior Notes Indenture restricts, among other things, the ability of Ferroglobe and its restricted subsidiaries to:

	o	borrow or guarantee additional indebtedness;
	o	pay dividends, repurchase shares and make distributions of certain other payments;
	o	make certain investments;
	o	create certain liens;
	o	merge or consolidate with other entities;
	o	enter into certain transactions with affiliates;
	o	sell, lease or transfer certain assets, including shares of any restricted subsidiary of Ferroglobe; and
	o	guarantee certain types of other indebtedness of Ferroglobe and its restricted subsidiaries without also guaranteeing the Super Senior Notes.

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Reinstated Senior Notes

Pursuant to the Exchange Offer, Ferroglobe PLC, the UK Issuer and Globe offered to eligible holders of the Old Notes the opportunity to exchange any and all of the Old Notes for new 9⅜% senior secured notes due 2025 issued by the UK Issuer and Globe.

The Reinstated Notes are governed by an indenture (the “Reinstated Notes Indenture”) entered into by, among others, Ferroglobe Finance Company PLC and Globe, as issuers, GLAS Trustees Limited, as trustee, Global Loan Agency Services Limited, as paying agent, GLAS Trust Corporation Limited, as security agent, and the guarantors named therein. The Reinstated Notes are guaranteed on a senior basis by Ferroglobe and each subsidiary of Ferroglobe that guarantees the UK Issuer’s obligations under the Super Senior Notes (other than Globe) (the “Reinstated Notes Guarantors”). The Reinstated Notes mature on December 31, 2025 and are secured by the same collateral that secures the Super Senior Notes.

The Reinstated Notes, and the guarantees thereof, are general secured, senior obligations of Ferroglobe Finance Company PLC and Globe and the Reinstated Notes Guarantors, as applicable, and will rank senior in right of payment to any and all of the existing and future indebtedness of Ferroglobe, Globe and the Reinstated Notes Guarantors, as applicable, that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Reinstated Notes and such guarantees, as applicable.

The Reinstated Notes Indenture restricts, among other things, the ability of Ferroglobe and its restricted subsidiaries to:

	o	borrow or guarantee additional indebtedness;
	o	pay dividends, repurchase shares and make distributions of certain other payments;
	o	make certain investments;
	o	create certain liens;
	o	merge or consolidate with other entities;
	o	enter into certain transactions with affiliates;
	o	sell, lease or transfer certain assets, including shares of any restricted subsidiary of Ferroglobe; and
	o	guarantee certain types of other indebtedness of Ferroglobe and its restricted subsidiaries without also guaranteeing the Reinstated Notes.

Compared to the Old Notes Indenture (prior to certain amendments on July 29, 2021) the Reinstated Notes Indenture have generally more stringent restrictive covenants. Some of these differences include, among others, the following:

	o	the elimination of baskets or a reduction of basket sizes in the debt covenant, restricted payment covenant, permitted investments,
	o	permitted liens and asset disposition;
	o	the addition of a net leverage test in the debt covenant and reduced flexibility in financial calculations;
	o	requirement to apply certain excess proceeds to repay debt in accordance with the applicable intercreditor agreement;
	o	lower event of default thresholds; and
	o	a 90% guarantor coverage test.

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Stub Notes

The Stub Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Issuers and are guaranteed on a senior basis by certain subsidiaries of Ferroglobe. The Notes are listed on the Irish Stock Exchange. As of December 31, 2021 $4.9 million in aggregate principal amount of the Old Notes was outstanding. This balance was settled on March 1, 2022.

The Old Notes are governed by the Old Notes Indenture entered into by, among others, Ferroglobe and Globe, as issuers, Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee, registrar and paying agent, and the guarantors named therein (the “Old Notes Guarantors”).

The Old Notes and the guarantees thereof are general unsecured, senior obligations of Ferroglobe and Globe and the Old Notes Guarantors, as applicable, and rank senior in right of payment to any and all of the existing and future indebtedness of Ferroglobe, Globe and the Old Notes Guarantors, as applicable, that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Old Notes and such guarantees, as applicable.

Ferroglobe and Globe may redeem all or, from time to time, part of the Old Notes at a redemption price of 100% of the principal amount of the Old Notes being redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest and additional amounts, if any, to, but not including, the applicable redemption date.

19.  Other financial liabilities

Other financial liabilities comprise the following at December 31:

	2021						2020
	Non-						Non-
	Current		Current		Total		Current		Current		Total
	US$'000		US$'000		US$'000		US$'000		US$'000		US$'000
Financial loans from government agencies		4,549		62,464		67,013		29,094		34,802		63,896
Derivative financial instruments		—		—		—				—		—
Total		4,549		62,464		67,013		29,094		34,802		63,896

Financial loans from government agencies

On September 8, 2016, FerroAtlántica, S.A.U, as borrower, and the Spanish Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Commerce (the “Ministry”), as lender, entered into two loan agreements under which the Ministry made available to the borrower loans in aggregate principal amount of €44,999 thousand and €26,909 thousand, respectively, in connection with industrial development projects relating to the Company’s solar grade silicon project. The loan is contractually due to be repaid in 7 installments over a 10-year period with the first three years as a grace period. The loan of €26,909 thousand was repaid in April 2018. Interest on outstanding amounts under each loan accrues at an annual rate of 3.55%. Default interests are calculated at an annual rate of 3.75%. As of December 31, 2021, the amortized cost of the loan was €54,578 thousand (equivalent to $61,815 thousand) (2020: €44,824 thousand and $55,004 thousand). In November 2018, FAU agreed to transfer to OpCo certain assets which had been acquired with the proceeds of the REINDUS Loan and used exclusively by OpCo in connection with the joint venture in consideration of OpCo assuming liability for the REINDUS Loan. Reindus loan fair value as of December 31, 2021, based on discounted cash flows at a market interest rate (Level 2), amounts to $44,200 thousand.

The agreements governing the loans contain the following limitations on the use of the proceeds of the outstanding loan: (1) the investment of the proceeds must occur between January 1, 2016 and February 24, 2019; (2) the allocation of the proceeds must adhere to certain approved budget categories; (3) if the final investment cost is lower than the budgeted amount, the borrower must reimburse the Ministry proportionally; and (4) the borrower must comply with certain statutory restrictions regarding related party transactions and the procurement of goods and services. On May 24, 2019, a report on uses of the loan was presented to the Ministry. On January 26, 2021, the Company received a decision from the Administration under which it was agreed to extend the grace period and the term of loan, and it will be completed by 2030.

On January 25, 2022, the Ministry opened a hearing to decide on reimbursement of the loan. The company presented its allegations on February 15, 2022. Based on those allegations, the reimbursement procedure has been suspended and a new final report is expected to be made by the Ministry by the end of 2022 ending the administrative procedure and establishing the definitive amount of the partial reimbursement to be made. Due to this event, the company has decided to reclassify the financial loan to the short term.

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The remaining non-current and current balances are related to loans granted mainly by Canadian and Spanish government agencies.

Derivative financial instruments

The Company does not hold derivative financial instruments as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020.

Cross currency swap

The Company's operations generate cash flows predominantly in Euros and US dollars. The Company is been exposed to exchange rate fluctuations between these currencies as it expected to convert Euros into US dollars to settle a proportion of the interest and principal of the Notes (see Note 18). To manage this currency risk, the Parent Company entered a cross-currency swap (the “CCS”) on May 12, 2017 where on a semi-annual basis received interest of 9.375% on a notional of $192,500 thousand and pay interest of 8.062% on a notional of €176,638 thousand and it was expected to exchange these Euro and US dollar notional amounts at maturity of the Notes in 2022. The timing of payments of interest and principal under the CCS coincided exactly with those of the Notes.

In March, 2020, the Company closed out the cross currency swap resulting in the receipt of cash proceeds of $3,608 thousand.

The fair value of the CCS at December 31, 2020 was $ nil (2019: $9,600 thousand) (see Note 29).

The Parent Company, which had an Euro functional currency, designated $150,000 thousand of the notional amount of the CCS as a cash flow hedge of the variability of the Euro functional currency equivalents of the future US dollar cash flows of $150,000 thousand of the principal amount of the Notes. In March, 2020, the CCS hedging foreign exchange risk of the Notes was closed out resulting in a change in fair value of $11,161 thousand since the last year end closing. As 77% of the derivative was designated as hedging instrument in a cashflow hedge relationship, $3,168 thousand were recognized in finance income in the income statements for the non-designated portion (2019: $2,729 thousand) and $11,161 thousand were recognized through other comprehensive income in the valuation adjustments reserve (2019: $9,663 thousand gain). Considering that the hedged item remained as a highly probable transaction, the corresponding valuation adjustment reserve should be reclassified to the income statement as the hedged item affects profit or loss over the period to maturity of the Notes. In that sense, during the period of 2020 amounts transferred from the valuation adjustments reserve to the income statement comprised a gain of $5,090 thousand transferred to exchange differences (2019: $2,874 thousand) and a gain of $429 thousand transferred to finance costs (2019: $1,639 thousand). At December 31, 2020, a balance of $(2,226) thousand in respect of the cash flow hedge of the CCS remained in the valuation adjustment reserve. At December 31, 2021, as consecuence of the extinguishment of the original financial liability, the remaining cash flow hedge of the CCS was accounted through profit or loss.

At December 31, 2020, the remaining $42,500 thousand of the notional amount of the CCS was not designated as a cash flow hedge before closed out and was accounted for at fair value through profit or loss, resulting in a gain of $3,164 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020, which is recorded in financial derivative gain in the consolidated income statement (2019: $2,736 thousand).

Interest rate swaps

The Company previously entered into interest rate swaps to manage the risk of changes in interest rates on certain non-current and current obligations. Since June 30, 2015, the interest rate swaps have been considered as ineffective hedges and as a result the changes in fair value of these derivatives are recognized through profit or loss. During the year ended December, 31, 2019 the Company disposed of the swap relating to the lease of hydroelectrical installations as part of the sale of its 100% interest in subsidiary FerroAtlántica, S.A.U. (“FAU”) to investment vehicles affiliated with TPG Sixth Street Partners.

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20.   Trade and other payables

Trade and other payables comprise the following at December 31:

	2021		2020
	US$'000		US$'000
Payable to suppliers		200,999		147,512
Trade notes and bills payable		5,001		1,689
Total		206,000		149,201

21.   Other Obligations

Other obligations comprise the following at December 31:

	2021						2020
	Non-						Non-
	Current		Current		Total		Current		Current		Total
	US$'000		US$'000		US$'000		US$'000		US$'000		US$'000
Payable to non-current asset suppliers		135		2,677		2,812		130		2,633		2,763
Guarantees and deposits		14		4,554		4,568		17		266		283
Contingent consideration		13,504		13,023		26,527		14,859		1,773		16,632
Tolling agreement liability		24,429		2,589		27,018		—		—		—
Total		38,082		22,843		60,925		15,006		4,672		19,678

In 2021 we disaggregated “Other liabilities” into an additional line to the balance sheet “Other obligations“ to separately present certain contractual obligations whose nature and function differs from other items presented in the “Other liabilities line”, so as to allow a better understanding of the Company´s financial position.

Obligations contained in the new line Other obligations: “Tolling agreement liability”, which used to be presented within “Provisions”; “Glencore earn-out liability”, “Payable to non-current asset suppliers” and “Guarantees and deposits”, which were presented in prior periods within “Other liabilities”, and have been classified as Other obligations for all the years presented.

Contingent consideration

On February 1, 2018 the Company acquired 100% of the outstanding ordinary shares of Kintuck (France) SAS and Kintuck AS from a wholly-owned subsidiary of Glencore International AG (“Glencore”) and obtained control of both entities. The new subsidiaries were renamed as Ferroglobe Mangan Norge AS and Ferroglobe Manganèse France SAS. The Company completed the acquisition through its wholly-owned subsidiary Ferroatlántica., see Note 5. Consideration included both cash and contingent consideration.

The contingent consideration arrangement requires the Company to pay the former owners of Kintuck (France) SAS and Kintuck AS a sliding scale commission based on the silicomanganese and ferromanganese sales spreads of Ferroglobe Mangan Norge and Ferroglobe Manganèse France, up to a maximum amount of $60,000 thousand (undiscounted). The contingent consideration applies to sales made up to eight and a half years from the date of acquisition and if it applies, the payment is on annual basis. During 2021, the total payment made amounts to $3,273 thousand.

The potential undiscounted amount of all future payments that the Company could be required to make under the contingent consideration arrangement is between $nil thousand and $60,000 thousand.

The fair value of the contingent consideration arrangement as at December, 31, 2021 of $26,537 thousand (2020: $16,632 thousand) was estimated by applying the income approach based on a Monte Carlo simulation considering various scenarios of fluctuation of future manganese alloy spreads as well at the cyclicality of manganese alloy pricing. The fair value measurement is based on significant inputs that are not observable in the market, which IFRS 13 Fair Value Measurement refers to as Level 3 inputs. Key assumptions include discount rates of 10.7 percent and 10.9 percent for Ferroglobe Mangan Norge and Ferroglobe Manganèse France respectively (2020: 12.5 percent and 11.5 percent), prices, spread and cost assumptions. Average simulated revenues in Ferroglobe Mangan Norge and Ferroglobe Manganèse France are between $245,292 thousand and $311,050 thousand per year (2020: between $135,868 thousand and $262,441 thousand). The liability has increased primarily driven by an increase in forecasted volumes and prices as a result of the current market outlook, increased operational costs and the combined impact of FX and inflation forecasts, this was partially offset by an increase in the variable and fixed costs. Changes in the value of contingent consideration are presented in the income statement Raw materials and energy consumption for production.

135

Sensitivity to changes in assumptions

Changing assumptions, could significantly affect the evaluation of the fair value of the contingent consideration. The following changes to the assumptions used in the Monte Carlo simulation could lead to the following changes in the fair value:

Sensibility on

discount rate

Contigent consideration

Decrease

Increase

December 31, 2021

by 10%

Fair value contingent consideration

26,526

26,922

26,145

Tolling agreement liability

On August 30, 2019, Grupo FerroAtlántica, S.A.U. sold its 100% interest in the remainder of FerroAtlántica, S.A.U. to Kehlen Industries Management, S.L.U., an affiliate of U.S.-based TPG Sixth Street Partners. The FerroAtlántica, S.A.U. assets transferred by means of this transaction included ten hydroelectric power plants and the Cee-Dumbría ferroalloys manufacturing plant, all located in the province of A Coruña, Spain. Under the terms of the transaction, the Group will become exclusive off-taker of finished products produced at the smelting plant at C and supplier of key raw materials to that facility pursuant to a tolling agreement expiring in 2060.

In November 2020, the Tribunal Superior de Justicia de Galicia dismissed the request of  separation of the Cee-Dumbria's hydroelectric plants and the ferroalloys plants. Grupo FerroAtlantica, S.A.U. appealed to the Supreme Court, in 2021 the appeal was dismissed. At December 31, 2021, the liability recognized amounts to $27,018 thousand (€23,855 thousand). After the Supreme Court dismissal of appeal, there is no longer uncertainty in time and amounts, therefore the liability has been reclassified from “Provisions” to “Other obligations”.

22.   Other liabilities

Other liabilities comprise the following at December 31:

	2021						2020
	Non-						Non-
	Current		Current		Total		Current		Current		Total
	US$'000		US$'000		US$'000		US$'000		US$'000		US$'000
Remuneration payable		—		36,046		36,046		20		27,552		27,572
Tax payables		—		17,613		17,613		—		23,177		23,177
Other liabilities		1,476		20,669		22,145		1,741		10,592		12,333
Total		1,476		74,328		75,804		1,761		61,321		63,082

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Tax payables

Tax payables comprise the following at December 31:

	2021				2020
	Current		Total		Current		Total
	US$'000		US$'000		US$'000		US$'000
VAT		4,839		4,839		4,061		4,061
Accrued social security taxes payable		6,251		6,251		13,266		13,266
Personal income tax withholding payable		820		820		1,111		1,111
Other		5,703		5,703		4,739		4,739
Total		17,613		17,613		23,177		23,177

Share-based compensation

a. Equity Incentive Plan

On May 29, 2016, the board of Ferroglobe PLC adopted the Ferroglobe PLC Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) and on June 29, 2016 the Plan was approved by the shareholders of the Company. The Plan is a discretionary benefit offered by Ferroglobe PLC for the benefit of selected senior employees of Ferroglobe PLC and its subsidiaries. The Plan’s main purpose is to reward and foster performance through share ownership. Awards under the plan may be structured either as conditional share awards or options with a $nil exercise price (nil cost options). The awards are subject to a service condition of three years from the date of grant.

Details of the Plan awards during the current and prior years are as follows:

	Number of awards
Outstanding as of December 31, 2019		2,175,853
Granted during the period		1,411,271
Exercised during the period		(175,150	)
Outstanding as of December 31, 2020		3,411,974
Granted during the period		1,307,934
Exercised during the period		(309,462	)
Expired/forfeited during the period		(51,010	)
Outstanding as of December 31, 2021		4,359,436

Exercisable as of December 31, 2021		455,790

The awards outstanding under the Plan at December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 were as follows:

						Fair Value at
Grant Date	Performance Period		Expiration Date	Exercise Price		Grant Date		2021		2020
September 9, 2021		December 31, 2023	September 9, 2031		nil	$	8.83		1,307,934		—
December 16, 2020		December 31, 2024	December 16, 2030		nil	$	1.23		1,411,271		1,411,271
March 13, 2019		December 31, 2022	March 13, 2029		nil	$	2.69		1,184,441		1,184,441
June 14, 2018		N/A	June 13, 2028		nil	$	9.34		70,774		85,739
March 21, 2018		December 31, 2021	March 20, 2028		nil	$	22.56		136,434		263,153
June 20, 2017		December 31, 2020	June 20, 2027		nil	$	15.90		—		17,342
June 1, 2017		N/A	June 1, 2027		nil	$	10.96		834		834
June 1, 2017		December 31, 2020	June 1, 2027		nil	$	16.77		168,469		304,811
November 24, 2016		December 31, 2019	November 24, 2026		nil	$	16.66		79,279		144,383
									4,359,436		3,411,974

The awards outstanding as of December 31, 2021 had a weighted average remaining contractual life of 8.37 years (2020: 11.93 years).

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The weighted average share price at the date of exercise for stock options exercised in the year ended December 31, 2021 was $5.28.

At December 31, 2021, 4,287,828 of the outstanding awards were subject to performance conditions (2020: 3,325,401 awards). For those awards subject to performance conditions, upon completion of the three years service period, the recipient will receive a number of shares or nil cost options of between 0% and 200% of the above award numbers, depending on the financial performance of the Company during the performance period. The performance conditions can be summarized as follows:

Vesting Conditions

40% based on share price

30% based on Operating (Loss) profit plus depreciation and amortization charges

30% based on net cash flow

There were no performance obligations linked to 71,608 of the awards outstanding at December 31, 2021 (2020: 86,573 awards). These awards were issued as deferred bonus awards and vest subject to remaining in employment for three years.

Fair Value

The weighted average fair value of the awards granted during the year ended December 31, 2021 was $8.83 (2020: $1.23). The Company estimates the fair value of the awards using Stochastic and Black-Scholes option pricing models. Where relevant, the expected life used in the model has been adjusted for the remaining time from the date of valuation until options are expected to be received, exercise restrictions (including the probability of meeting market conditions attached to the option), and performance considerations. Expected volatility is calculated over the period commensurate with the remainder of the performance period immediately prior to the date of grant.

The following assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of the awards:

	Grant date
	September  9, 2021			December  16, 2020			March 13, 2019			March 21, 2018			June 20, 2017			June 01, 2017			November 24, 2016
Fair value at grant date	$	8.83		$	1.23		$	2.69		$	22.56		$	1,590		$	16.77		$	11.81
Grant date share price	$	8.57		$	1.61		$	2.44		$	15.19		$	1,050		$	10.96		$	11.81
Exercise price		0.01			Nil			Nil			Nil			Nil			Nil			Nil
Expected volatility		104.75	%		91.30	%		53.54	%		49.86	%		43.15	%		43.09	%		44.83	%
Option life		2.31 years			4.00 years			3.00 years			3.00 years			3.00 years			3.00 years			3.00 years
Dividend yield		—			—			—	%		—	%		—	%		—	%		—	%
Risk-free interest rate		0.28	%		0.27	%		2.40	%		2.48	%		1.52	%		1.44	%		1.39	%
Remaining performance period at grant date (years)		2.31			4.04			2.81			2.78			2.53			2.58			2.10
Company TSR at grant date		NA			NA			(48.1	)%		2.1	%		(0.3	)%		4.0	%		40.0	%
Median comparator group TSR at grant date		NA			NA			(4.8	)%		(6.2	)%		(7.2	)%		(3.7	)%		56.4	%
Median index TSR at grant date		NA			NA			10.9	%		(8.4	)%		0.6	%		4.8	%		45.7	%

At the date of grant for these awards, all of the opening averaging period and some of the performance period had elapsed. The Company’s TSR relative to the median comparator group TSR and median index TSR at grant date may impact the grant date fair value; starting from an advantaged position increases the fair value and starting from a disadvantaged position decreases the fair value.

138

To model the impact of the TSR performance conditions, we have calculated the volatility of the comparator group using the same method used to calculate the Company’s volatility, using historical data, where available, which matches the length of the remaining performance period grant date.

The Company’s correlation with its comparator group was assessed on the basis of all comparator group correlations, regardless of the degree of correlation, have been incorporated into the valuation model.

For the year ended December 31, 2021, share-based compensation expense related to this stock plan amounted to $3,627 thousand, which is recorded in staff costs (2020: $2,017 thousand).

Prior to the business combination, shares of Globe Specialty Metals common stock were registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act and listed on NASDAQ. As a result of the business combination between Ferroglobe and Globe, each share of Globe common stock was converted into the right to receive one Ferroglobe ordinary share. The shares of Globe common stock were suspended from trading on NASDAQ effective as of the opening of trading on December 24, 2015. Ferroglobe ordinary shares were approved for listing on The NASDAQ Global Market. At the effective time of the business combination, GSM stock and stock-based awards were replaced with stock and stock-based awards of Ferroglobe in a one to one exchange.

There were not options exercised or expired during the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.

A summary of options outstanding is as follows:

					Weighted-
					Average
			Weighted-		Remaining
			Average		Contractual		Aggregate
	Number of		Exercise		Term in		Intrinsic
	Options		Price		Years		Value
Outstanding as of December 31, 2019		26,268	$	16.70		0.16	$	—
Expired/forfeited during the period
Outstanding as of December 31, 2020		26,268	$	16.70		0.16	$	—
Expired/forfeited during the period				—
Outstanding as of December 31, 2021		26,268	$	16.70		0.16	$	—

Exercisable as of December 31, 2021		26,268	$	16.70		0.16	$	—

For the year ended December 31, 2021, share based compensation expense related to stock options under this plan was $120 thousand (2020: $18 thousand).  The expense is reported within staff costs in the consolidated income statement.

b. Executive bonus plan assumed under business combination with Globe

Prior to the business combination, Globe also issued restricted stock units under the Company’s Executive Bonus Plan. The fair value of restricted stock units is based on quoted market prices of the Company’s stock at the end of each reporting period. These restricted stock units proportionally vest over three years, but are not delivered until the end of the third year. The Company will settle these awards by cash transfer, based on the Company’s stock price on the date of transfer. For the year ended December 31, 2021, no restricted options were exercised and for the year ended December 31, 2020, no restricted options were exercised. As of December 31, 2021, and 2020, restricted stock units of 26,268 were outstanding.

139

For the year ended December 31, 2021, share based compensation expense for these restricted stock units was $120 thousand (2020: $18 thousand income before tax and $11 thousand income after tax). The expense is reported within staff costs in the consolidated income statement. At December 31, 2021 and 2020, the liability associated with the restricted stock option was $163 thousand and $43 thousand, respectively included in other current liabilities.

c. Stock appreciation rights assumed under business combination with Globe

Globe issued cash-settled stock appreciation rights as an additional form of incentivized bonus. Stock appreciation rights vest and become exercisable in one-third increments over three years. The Company settles all awards by cash transfer, based on the difference between the Company’s stock price on the date of exercise and the date of grant. The Company estimates the fair value of stock appreciation rights using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. As of December 31, 2021 there were no appreciation rights outstanding (2020: 16,510).

23.  Tax matters

The components of current and deferred income tax expense (benefit) are as follows:

	2021			2020			2019
	US$'000			US$'000			US$'000
Consolidated income statement
Current income tax
Current income tax charge		5,284			4,307			2,133
Adjustments in current income tax in respect of prior years		—			901			4,753
Adjustments in current income tax due to discounted operations		—			—			—
Total		5,284			5,208			6,886

Deferred tax
Origination and reversal of temporary differences		(9,954	)		(20,961	)		(48,618	)
Impact of tax rate changes		-			—			(46	)
Impairment of deferred tax assets		-			37,660			—
Adjustments in deferred tax in respect of prior years		108			33			237
Total		(9,846	)		16,732			(48,427	)
Income tax expense (benefit)		(4,562	)		21,939			(41,541	)

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As the Company has significant business operations in Spain, France, South Africa and the United States, a weighted effective tax rate is considered to be appropriate in estimating the Company’s expected tax rate. The following is a reconciliation of tax expense based on a weighted blended statutory income tax rate to our effective income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019:

	2021			2020			2019
	US$'000			US$'000			US$'000
Accounting profit/(loss) before income tax		(119,936	)		(222,420	)		(411,818	)
Adjustment for discontinued operations		—			(5,399	)		(28,135	)
Accounting profit/(loss) before income tax		(119,936	)		(227,819	)		(439,954	)
At weighted effective tax rate of 18% (2020: 24% and 2019: 24%)		(22,650	)		(54,294	)		(105,369	)
Non-taxable income/(expenses)		—			—			(17,020	)
Non-deductible income/ (expenses)		(11,399	)		6,779			49,390
Movements in unprovided deferred tax		—			—			4,604
Differing territorial tax rates		2,603			3,064			(3,987	)
Adjustments in respect of prior periods		—			(50	)		2,160
Other items		27,885			70,123			20,407
Elimination of effect of interest in joint ventures		(782	)		899			917
Other permanent differences		(673	)		(389	)		9,234
Incentives and deductions		88			(2,456	)		(1,302	)
US State taxes		367			(1,737	)		(824	)
Taxable capital gains		—			—			249
Adjustments in current income tax due to discontinued operations		—			—			—
Income tax expense (benefit)		(4,562	)		21,939			(41,541	)

Other items mainly comprise unrecognised temporary differences for tax losses.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities

For the year ended December 31, 2021:

	Opening			Prior Year			Recognised in			Impairment of Deferred Tax					Exchange			Closing
	Balance			Charge			P&L			Assets		Reclassifications			Differences			Balance
	US$'000			US$'000			US$'000			US$'000		US$'000			US$'000			US$'000
Intangible assets		(458	)		21			(34	)		—		—			20			(451	)
Biological assets		(1	)		—			1			—		—			—			—
Provisions		14,235			(7	)		8,503			—		(986	)		(73	)		21,673
Property, plant & equipment		(48,263	)		(585	)		(7,481	)		—		3,238			860			(52,231	)
Inventories		64			—			(64	)		—		—						—
Tax losses		9,525			—			1,491			—		(3,959	)		(704	)		6,353
Incentives & credits		1,426			—			7,906			—		—			1			9,333
Partnership interest		(8,983	)		—			469			—		—			—			(8,514	)
Other		4,674			—			(266	)		—		1,256			39			5,703
Total		(27,781	)		(571	)		10,525			—		(451	)		143			(18,135	)

For the year ended December 31, 2020:

	Opening			Prior Year		Recognised in			Impairment of Deferred Tax						Exchange			Closing
	Balance			Charge		P&L			Assets			Reclassifications			Differences			Balance
	US$'000			US$'000		US$'000			US$'000			US$'000			US$'000			US$'000
Intangible assets		(414	)		—		(44	)		—			—			—			(458	)
Biological assets		(1	)		—		—			—			—			—			(1	)
Provisions		15,928			—		2,757			(3,357	)		(1,655	)		562			14,235
Property, plant & equipment		(64,697	)		—		16,094			(219	)		434			125			(48,263	)
Inventories		(2,542	)		—		639			—			1,993			(26	)		64
Tax losses		41,728			—		(1,073	)		(33,162	)		(154	)		2,187			9,525
Incentives & credits		2,139			—		—			(921	)		169			40			1,426
Partnership interest		(9,890	)		—		1,647			—			(740	)		—			(8,983	)
Other		3,243			—		909			—			533			(10	)		4,674
Total		(14,506	)		—		20,928			(37,660	)		580			2,878			(27,781	)

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Presented in the statement of financial position as follows:

	2021			2020
	US$'000			US$'000
Deferred tax assets		45,246			31,528
Deferred tax liabilities		(63,381	)		(59,309	)
Offset between deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities		38,236			31,528
Total deferred tax assets due to temporary differences recognized in the statement of financial position		7,010			—
Total deferred tax liabilities due to temporary differences recognized in the statement of financial position		(25,145	)		(27,781	)

142

Unrecognised deductible temporary differences, unused tax losses and unused tax credits

	2021		2020
	US$'000		US$'000
Unused tax losses		624,635		513,189
Unused tax credits		8,487		8,685
Unrecognised deductible temporary differences		135,174		106,952
Total		768,296		628,826

In general terms, neither the NOLs nor the tax credits have an expiration date in the jurisdictions where they derive from.

Unused tax losses and unrecognized deductible temporary differences have increased in 2021 compared to 2020 due to the losses in most of the jusrisdictions during 2021.

Throughout 2021 a debt restructuring has been undertaken, being completed in July 2021. For the purpose of the debt restructuring, a group reorganization has been completed in order to attend the specific needs and requirements posed by the bondholders for the purpose of securing their investment. This group restructuring has consisted of the incorporation of two subsidiaries sitting under Ferroglobe PLC. These two entities, which are tax resident in the United Kingdom, are Ferroglobe Holding Company Limited and Ferroglobe Finance Company PLC. Additionally, within the framework of the debt restructuring, the exchanged and the new bonds have been secured with guarantees over the subsidiaries of the Ferroglobe group and their assets. Within the framework of the group reorganization, Ferroglobe PLC has transferred to Ferroglobe Holding Company Limited its stake in Globe Specialty Metals, Inc. and Grupo Ferroatlántica, S.A.U. Likewise, within the debt restructuring and group reorganization Ferroglobe PLC has assigned to Ferroglobe Finance Company PLC the original issued bonds which bondholders approved the debt restructuring in exchange for intercompany notes.

All the tax implications arising from the debt restructuring and group reorganization have been analysed and it has set forth guidelines for the operatives put in place as a result of these transactions.

For United States purposes, the main tax concern was the eventual triggering of cancellation of debt income as a result of the difference in carrying value of the original bonds compared to the new bonds at the time of first trading. For such reasons it was analysed the tax base of all assets and subsidiaries of Globe Specialty Metals, Inc. since this type of income can be set off against property of the entity generating thereof. No taxable income of such nature was generated since the trading value of the new bonds was higher from inception compared to the trading value of the old bonds.

Likewise, it was concluded that the transfer of the shares of Globe Specialty Metals, Inc. did not trigger any taxable event because Ferroglobe Holding Company Ltd was duly checked open for tax purposes and consequently this transfer of shares was disregarded for United States tax purposes.

From a United Kingdom perspective, also the main concern was the eventual taxable event resulting from the difference in carrying value of the exchanged debt instruments. No taxation arose in this regard.

The debt restructuring cost has been recharged to the entities of the group benefiting therefrom in line with arm’s length principles and following the accounting treatment of such type of costs.

The transfer of the shares of Globe Specialty Metals, Inc. and Grupo Ferroatlántica, S.A.U. should be treated as a tax neutral reorganization and thus non-taxable in the United Kingdom.

The equity issuance did not result in a change of control event for Ferroglobe PLC and consequently no limitation on its tax attributes resulted.

143

It was also a relevant topic the risk of falling into the pro-rata rule for value added tax purposes as a result of the intercompany financing put in place to allocate the bonds and the intercompany balances from Ferroglobe PLC to Ferroglobe Finance Company PLC and Ferroglobe Holding Company Limited respectively. To avoid this risk, a value add tax group was put in place in the United Kingdom amongst these three entities.

Additionally, it was analysed and concluded that no taxation arose neither in the United Kingdom nor in the respective jurisdiction of the subsidiaries of the Ferroglobe group as a result of the direct or indirect transfer of their shares when being contributed down by Ferroglobe PLC to Ferroglobe Holding Company Limited.

Management of tax risks

The Company is committed to conducting its tax affairs consistent with the following objectives:

(i)

to comply with relevant laws, rules, regulations, and reporting and disclosure requirements in whichever jurisdiction it operates;

(ii)

to maintain mutual trust, transparency and respect in its dealings with all tax authorities; and

(iii)

to adhere with best practice and comply with the Company's internal corporate governance procedures, including but not limited to its Code of Conduct

For further details please refer to the group's tax strategy which can be found here: http://investor.ferroglobe.com/corporate-governance.

The Group's tax department maintains a tax risk register on a jurisdictional basis.

In the jurisdictions in which the Company operates, tax returns cannot be deemed final until they have been audited by the tax authorities or until the statute-of-limitations has expired. The number of open tax years subject to examination varies depending on the tax jurisdiction. In general, the Company has the last four years open to review. The criteria that the tax authorities might adopt in relation to the years open for review could give rise to tax liabilities which cannot be quantified.

24.  Related party transactions and balances

Continued operations

Balances with related parties at December 31 are as follows:

	2021
	Receivables				Payables
	Non-Current		Current		Non-Current		Current
	US$'000		US$'000		US$'000		US$'000
Inmobiliaria Espacio, S.A.		—		2,841		—		—
Villar Mir Energía, S.L.U.		1,699		—		—		8,808
Espacio Information Technology, S.A.U.		—		—		—		737
Other related parties		—		—		—		—
Total		1,699		2,841		—		9,545

	2020
	Receivables					Payables
	Non-Current		Current			Non-Current		Current
	US$'000		US$'000			US$'000		US$'000
Inmobiliaria Espacio, S.A.		—		3,078			—		—
Villar Mir Energía, S.L.U.		2,454		—			—		2,458
Espacio Information Technology, S.A.U.		—		—			—		701
Other related parties		—		(2	)		—		37
Total		2,454		3,076			—		3,196

The loan granted to Inmobiliaria Espacio, S.A. accrues a market interest (EURIBOR three month rate plus 2.75%) and has a maturity in the short-term that is renewed tacitly upon maturity. Unless the parties agree the repayment, the loan is extended it automatically for one year.

The balance with the other related parties arose as a result of the commercial transactions performed with them (see explanation of main transactions below).

144

Continuing operations

Transactions with related parties in 2021, 2020 and 2019 are as follows:

	2021
			Raw materials
			and energy
	Sales and Operating Income		consumption for production		Other Operating Expenses		Finance Income (Note 26.4)
	US$'000		US$'000		US$'000		US$'000
Inmobiliaria Espacio, S.A.		—		—		—		—
Villar Mir Energía, S.L.U.		—		132,566		1,365		—
Espacio Information Technology, S.A.U.		—		—		3,266		—
Enérgya VM Gestión, S.L		—		—		120		—
Aurinka		—		—		111		—
Other related parties		—		—		68		—
Total		—		132,566		4,930		—

	2020
			Raw materials
			and energy
	Sales and Operating Income		consumption for production		Other Operating Expenses		Finance Income (Note 26.4)
	US$'000		US$'000		US$'000		US$'000
Inmobiliaria Espacio, S.A.		—		—		—		16
Villar Mir Energía, S.L.U.		—		39,900		647		—
Espacio Information Technology, S.A.U.		—		—		3,171		—
Enérgya VM Gestión, S.L		—		—		79		—
Aurinka		—		1		308		—
Other related parties		—		—		3		—
Total		—		39,901		4,208		16

	2019
			Raw materials
			and energy
	Sales and Operating Income		consumption for production		Other Operating Expenses		Finance Income (Note 26.4)
	US$'000		US$'000		US$'000		US$'000
Inmobiliaria Espacio, S.A.		—		—		1		68
Villar Mir Energía, S.L.U.		—		65,406		681		—
Espacio Information Technology, S.A.U.		—		—		3,566		—
Enérgya VM Generación, S.L		1		—		1		—
Enérgya VM Gestión, S.L		—		1		89		—
Aurinka		—		—		3,206		—
Other related parties		143		—		7		—
Total		144		65,407		7,551		68

“Raw Materials and energy consumption for production” of the related parties vis-à-vis Villar Mir Energía, S.L.U. relates to the purchase of energy from the latter by the Company’s Europe – Manganese Alloys and Europe – Silicon Metals & Silicon Alloys segment. FerroAtlántica pays VM Energía a service charge in addition to paying for the cost of energy purchase from the market. Under contracts entered into with FAU on June 22, 2010 and December 29, 2010 (assigned to FerroAtlántica de Boo, S.L.U. (“FAU Boo”) and to FerroAtlántica de Sabon, S.L.U. (“FAU Sabon”) in August 2019 in anticipation of the FAU Disposal), and with Hidro Nitro Española on December 27, 2012 (assigned to FerroAtlántica del Cinca when Hidro Nitro Española was sold in December 2018), VM Energía supplies the energy needs of the Boo, Sabón and Monzón electrometallurgy facilities, as a broker for FAU BOO or FAU Sabon (now Grupo Ferroatlantica) and Hidro Nitro Española (now FerroAtlántica del Cinca) in the wholesale power market. The contracts allow FAU Boo or FAU Sabon (now Grupo Ferroatlantica) and Hidro Nitro Española (now FerroAtlántica del Cinca) to buy energy from the grid at market conditions without incurring costs normally associated with operating in the complex wholesale power market, as well as to apply for fixed price arrangements in advance from VM Energía, based on the energy markets for the power, period and profile applied for. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, Grupo Ferrotlantica and FerroAtlantica del Cinca’s obligations to make payments to VM Energía under their respective agreements for the purchase of energy plus the service charge amounted to $102,066 thousand and $30,501 thousand, respectively.

145

“Other operating expenses" corresponds to the payment to Espacio Information Technology, S.A. (“Espacio I.T.”), provides information technology and data processing services to Ferroglobe PLC and certain of its direct and indirect subsidiaries: FAU (until shortly prior to the FAU Disposal when such services were assigned to Grupo FerroAtlántica de Servicios, S.L.U. (“Servicios”)), FerroAtlántica de Mexico, Silicon Smelters (Pty), Ltd. and FerroPem, SAS pursuant to several contracts. Additionally corresponds to the Payment to Villar Mir Energia, S.L.U that provides the energy needs of the mining facilities operated by RAMSA and CISA in the wholesale power market.

Discontinued operations

At 31 December, 2020 and 2021, there were not discontinued transactions considered with Related Parties. Transactions with related parties in 2019 are as follows:

	2019
			Raw materials
			and energy
	Sales and Operating Income		consumption for production		Other Operating Expenses
	US$'000		US$'000		US$'000
Villar Mir Energía, S.L.U.		—		—		373
Enérgya VM Generación, S.L		12,635		—		117
Enérgya VM Gestión, S.L		—		66		—
Total		12,635		66		490

25.   Guarantee commitments to third parties and contingent liabilities

Guarantee commitments to third parties

As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company has provided bank guarantees commitments to third parties amounting $11,948 thousand and $19,969 thousand, respectively. Management believes that any unforeseen liabilities at December 31, 2021 and 2020 that might arise from the guarantees given would not be material.

Contingent liabilities

In the ordinary course of its business, Ferroglobe is subject to lawsuits, investigations, claims and proceedings, including, but not limited to, contractual disputes and employment, environmental, health and safety matters. Although we cannot predict with certainty the ultimate resolution of lawsuits, investigations, claims and proceedings asserted against it, we do not believe any currently pending legal proceeding to which it is a party will have a material adverse effect on its business, prospects, financial condition, cash flows, results of operations or liquidity.

Stamp Tax litigation procedure

On February 2021 the Central Economic-Administrative Court ruled against the interest of Ferroglobe in a stamp duty litigation procedure initiated in 2015, where the taxpayer is Abanca, the financial institution through which a sale and lease back of the electric production plants in Galicia was conducted in 2012. Ferroglobe has agreed with Abanca that it continues the litigation at the judiciary level by filing an appeal before the Audiencia Nacional. This filing has been completed in April 2021. As a result of the continuation of this litigation process, with the appropriate granting of bank guarantee by the taxpayer (Abanca), neither payment of the tax reassessment (circa 1.4MM Euro plus delay interest) nor of the penalty proposed (circa 600K Euro) are due at this stage of the process. We anticipate this stage will take between two to four years to be resolved by the Audiencia Nacional. In case the Audiencia Nacional rules against the interests of Ferroglobe, the full amount of the tax reassessment and the penalty would be payable by Ferroglobe in applying a compensation agreement in place between Abanca and Ferroglobe.

146

Asbestos-related claims

Certain employees of FerroPem, SAS, then known as Pechiney Electrometallurgie, S.A. (“PEM”), may have been exposed to asbestos at its plants in France in the decades prior to FerroAtlántica Group’s purchase of that business in December 2004. During the period in question, PEM was wholly-owned by Pechiney Bâtiments, S.A., which had certain indemnification obligations to FerroAtlántica pursuant to the 2004 Share Sale and Purchase Agreement under which our FerroAtlántica acquired PEM. As of December 31, 2021, approximately 100 such employees have “declared” asbestos-related injury to the French social security agencies. Approximately three quarters of these cases now have been closed. Of the remaining cases, approximately half include assertions of “inexcusable negligence” (“faute inexcusable”) which, if upheld, may lead to material liability in the aggregate on the part of FerroPem. Other employees may declare further asbestos-related injuries in the future, and may likewise assert inexcusable negligence. Litigation against, and material liability on the part of, FerroPem will not necessarily arise in each case, and to date a majority of such declared injuries have been minor and have not led to significant liability on Ferropem’s part. Whether liability for “inexcusable negligence” will be found is determined case-by-case, often over a period of years, depending on the evolution of the claimant’s asbestos-related condition, the possibility that the claimant was exposed while working for other employers and, where asserted, the claimant’s ability to prove inexcusable negligence on PEM’s part. Because of these and other uncertainties, no reliable estimate can be made of FerroPem’s eventual liability in these matters, with exception of three grave cases that were litigated through the appeal process and in which claimants’ assertions of inexcusable negligence were upheld against FerroPem. Liabilities in respect to asbestos-related claims have been recorded at December 31, 2021 at an estimated amount of $1,143 thousand in Provisions for litigation in progress ($1,080 thousand in 2020).

Environmental matters

Since 2016, GMI has been negotiating with the U.S. Department of Justice (the “DOJ”) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (the “EPA”) to resolve two Notices of Violation/Findings of Violation (“NOV/FOV”) that the EPA issued to the Beverly facility. The first NOV/FOV was issued on July 1, 2015 and alleges certain violations of the Prevention of Significant Deterioration (“PSD”) and New Source Performance Standards provisions of the Clean Air Act associated with a 2013 project performed at GMI’s Beverly facility. Specifically, the July 2015 NOV/FOV alleges violations of the facility’s existing operating and construction permits, including allegations related to opacity emissions, sulfur dioxide and particulate matter emissions, and failure to keep necessary records and properly monitor certain equipment. The second NOV/FOV was issued on December 6, 2016, and arises from the same facts as the July 2015 NOV/FOV and subsequent EPA inspections. The second NOV/FOV alleges opacity exceedances at certain units, failure to prevent the release of particulate emissions through the use of furnace hoods at a certain unit, and the failure to install Reasonably Available Control Measures (as defined) at certain emission units at the Beverly facility. Since that time, GMI and the authorities have continued negotiations regarding potential resolution of the NOV/FOVs, which negotiations are ongoing. As part of the ongoing consent process to resolve the NOVs/FOVs, the authorities could demand that GMI install additional pollution control equipment or implement other measures to reduce emissions from the facility, as well as pay a civil penalty. At this time, however, GMI is unable to determine the extent of potential injunctive relief or the amount of civil penalty a negotiated resolution of this matter may entail. Should the DOJ and GMI be unable to reach a negotiated resolution of the NOVs/FOVs, the authorities could institute formal legal proceedings for injunctive relief and civil penalties. The statutory maximum penalty is $93,750 per day per violation, from April, 2013 to December 2021, and $109,024 per day thereafter.

26.   Income and expenses

26.1 Sales

Sales by segment for the years ended December 31 are as follows:

	2021			2020			2019
	US$'000			US$'000			US$'000
North America - Silicon		524,808			425,277			551,500
Europe - Silicon		665,337			467,728			593,907
Europe - Manganese		476,287			240,142			564,060
South Africa - Silicon		117,195			80,572			136,292
Other segments		43,568			25,334			43,147
Eliminations		(48,287	)		(94,619	)		(273,684	)
Total		1,778,908			1,144,434			1,615,222

147

Sales by geographical area for the years ended December 31 are as follows:

	2021		2020		2019
	US$'000		US$'000		US$'000
Spain		251,528		133,370		183,969
Germany		292,774		191,107		249,911
Italy		76,721		42,067		99,796
France		130,811		79,491		109,513
Other EU Countries		176,046		88,443		220,475
USA		515,095		404,633		533,764
Rest of World		335,933		205,323		217,794
Total		1,778,908		1,144,434		1,615,222

26.2 Staff costs

The average monthly number of employees (including Executive Directors) was:

	2021		2020		2019
Directors		8		6		8
Senior Managers		289		291		345
Employees		2,997		3,020		3,383
Total		3,294		3,317		3,736

Staff costs are comprised of the following for the years ended December 31:

	2021		2020		2019
	US$'000		US$'000		US$'000
Wages, salaries and similar expenses		214,374		161,957		208,317
Pension plan contributions		7,571		3,641		12,787
Employee benefit costs		58,972		49,184		63,925
Total		280,917		214,782		285,029

148

26.3 Depreciation and amortization charges, operating allowances and write-downs

Depreciation and amortization charges, operating allowances and write-downs are comprised of the following for the years ended December 31:

	2021		2020		2019
	US$'000		US$'000		US$'000
Amortization of intangible assets (Note 8)		7,241		7,183		7,305
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment (Note 9)		90,087		101,006		112,824
Other write-downs and reversals		—		—		65
Total		97,328		108,189		120,194

26.4 Finance income and finance costs

Finance income is comprised of the following for the years ended December 31:

	2021		2020		2019
	US$'000		US$'000		US$'000
Finance income of related parties (Note 24)		—		16		68
Other finance income		253		161		1,312
Total		253		177		1,380

Finance costs are comprised of the following for the years ended December 31:

	2021		2020		2019
	US$'000		US$'000		US$'000
Interest on debt instruments		42,579		34,989		33,705
Interest on loans and credit facilities		12,584		8,404		15,533
Interest on note and bill discounting		88		363		373
Interest on leases		1,100		1,358		1,972
Trade receivables securitization expense (Note 10)		399		15,044		9,192
Other finance costs		92,439		6,810		2,450
Total		149,189		66,968		63,225

At the completion of the comprehensive refinancing, the Company recorded a finance cost of $90.8 million (See Note 18).

26.5 Impairment losses and net (loss) gain due to changes in the value of assets

Impairment losses and net loss gain due to changes in the value of assets are comprised of the following for the years ended December 31:

	2021			2020			2019
	US$'000			US$'000			US$'000
Impairment of goodwill (Note 7)		—			—			(174,008	)
Impairment of intangible assets (Note 8)		(1,153	)		—			(211	)
Impairment of property, plant and equipment (Note 9)		1,663			(71,929	)		(1,224	)
Impairment of non-current financial assets		(373	)		—			(456	)
Impairment of other		—			(1,415	)		—
Impairment (reversal)/losses		137			(73,344	)		(175,899	)

Increase (decrease) in fair value of biological assets (Note 29)		—			—			(530	)
Other (loss) / profit		758			158			(1,044	)
Net (loss) gain due to changes in the value of assets		758			158			(1,574	)

149

26.6 (Loss) gain on disposal of non-current assets

Loss (gain) on disposal of non-current assets is comprised of the following for the years ended December 31:

	2021			2020			2019
	US$'000			US$'000			US$'000
Gain on disposal of intangible assets		—			1,692			—
Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment		2,462			473			353
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment		(1,123	)		(873	)		(1,761	)
Gain on disposal of other non-current assets		47			—			6
Loss on disposal of other non-current assets					—			—
(Loss) gain on disposal of subsidiary		—			—			(821	)
Total		1,386			1,292			(2,223	)

During 2021, Ferroglobe has sold the assets related to Niagara facility, the Company received net cash proceeds of $1,370 thousand and recognized a gain on disposal for the same amount (zero was the net book value of Niagara assets as of December 31, 2020). Additionally, the French subsidiary FerroPem has sold property of Chateau-Feuillet facility, amounting to $1,092 thousand fully depreciated.

Loss on disposal during 2021 is mainaly due to asset disposals in American and Candian subsidieries.

During 2020, Ferroglobe sold CO2 emissions rights that were derecognized from the balance sheet against the cash received, as the carrying amount price per emission right was lower to the sales price per CO2 emission right, an income of $1,692 thousand was recognized on the disposal of intangible assets.

On September 19, 2019, Ferroglobe closed on the sale of its subsidiary Ultracore Polska ZOO, which manufactures cored wire in Poland, recognized a loss on disposal of $821 thousand.

26.7 Contractual assets and liabilities

Contractual assets and liabilities are comprised of the following for the years ended December 31:

	2021		2020		2019
	US$'000		US$'000		US$'000
Contractual Assets		5,785		5,152		5,271
Contractual Liabilities		5,047		1,687		134
Total		10,832		6,839		5,405

Contractual assets are recorded within “trade and other receivables” and relate to unbilled services.

Contractual liabilities are recorded within “Trade an other payable” and relate to advances from customers.

150

27.   Remuneration of key management personnel

The remuneration of the key management personnel, which comprises the Company’s management committee, during the years ended December 31 is as follows:

	2021		2020		2019
	US$'000		US$'000		US$'000
Fixed remuneration		5,244		5,086		5,404
Variable remuneration		1,209		756		254
Contributions to pension plans and insurance policies		373		319		350
Share-based compensation		3,627		2,017		4,882
Termination benefits		119		1,886		1,147
Other remuneration		17		9		7
Total		10,589		10,073		12,044

During 2021, 2020 and 2019, no loans and advances have been granted to key management personnel.

28.   Financial risk management

Ferroglobe operates in an international and cyclical industry which exposes it to a variety of financial risks such as currency risk, liquidity risk, interest rate risk, credit risk and risks relating to the price of finished goods, raw materials and power.

The Company’s management model aims to minimize the potential adverse impact of such risks upon the Company’s financial performance. Risk is managed by the Company’s executive management, supported by the Risk Management, Treasury and Finance functions. The risk management process includes identifying and evaluating financial risks in conjunction with the Company’s operations and quantifying them by project, region and subsidiary. Management provides written policies for global risk management, as well as for specific areas such as foreign currency risk, credit risk, interest rate risk, liquidity risk, the use of hedging instruments and derivatives, and investment of surplus liquidity.

The financial risks to which the Company is exposed in carrying out its business activities are as follows:

a) Market risk

Market risk is the risk that the Company’s future cash flows or the fair value of its financial instruments will fluctuate because of changes in market prices. The primary market risks to which the Company is exposed comprise foreign currency risk, interest rate risk and risks related to prices of finished goods, raw materials and power.

151

Foreign currency risk

Ferroglobe generates sales revenue and incurs operating costs in various currencies. The prices of finished goods are to a large extent determined in international markets, primarily in US dollars and Euros. Foreign currency risk is partly mitigated by the generation of sales revenue, the purchase of raw materials and other operating costs being denominated in the same currencies. Although it has done so on occasions in the past, and may decide to do so in the future, the Company does not generally enter into foreign currency derivatives in relation to its operating cash flows. At December 31, 2021, and December 31, 2020, the Company was not party to any foreign currency forward contracts.

In July 2021 the Company completed a restructuring of its $350,000 thousand of senior unsecured Notes due 2022. This included the issue of additionally $60,000 thousand of super senior secured Notes due 2025 (see Note 18) and the repayment of certain existing indebtedness denominated in a number of currencies across its subsidiaries. The Company is exposed to foreign exchange risk as the interest and principal of the Notes is payable in US dollars, whereas its operations principally generate a combination of US dollar and Euro cash flows. On May 12, 2017, the Company entered into a cross currency interest rate swap to exchange 55% of the principal and interest payments in US dollars for principal and interest payments in Euros (see Note 19). In March, 2020, the Company closed out the cross currency swap resulting in the receipt of cash proceeds of $3,608 thousand (see Note 19).

During the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 the Company did not enter into any cross currency swaps.

Foreign currency Sensitivity analysis

The Company’s exposure to foreign currency risk arises from the translation of the foreign currency exchange gains and losses on cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and inventories that are denominated in foreign currency.

Depreciation or appreciation of the USD by 10% against EUR, CAD and ZAR at December 31, 2021, while all other variables were remained constant, would have increased or (decreased) the net profit before tax of $35,310 thousand.

Interest rate risk

Ferroglobe is exposed to interest rate risk in respect of its financial liabilities that bear interest at floating rates. These primarily comprise credit facilities (see Note 16) and lease commitments (see Note 17).

During the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company did not enter into any interest rate derivatives in relation to its interest bearing credit facilities. At December 31, 2020, the Company had drawn down $28,168 thousand under its credit facilities and nil at December 31, 2021.

152

b) Credit risk

Credit risk refers to the risk that a customer or counterparty will default on its contractual obligations resulting in financial loss. The Company’s main credit risk exposure related to financial assets is set out in Note 10 and includes trade receivables, other receivables and other financial assets.

Trade receivables consist of a large number of customers, spread across diverse industries and geographical areas. The Company has established policies, procedures and controls relating to customer credit risk management. Ongoing credit evaluation is performed on the financial condition of accounts receivable and, where appropriate, the Company insures its trade receivables with reputable credit insurance companies.

Since October 2020, the Company entered into a factoring program where the receivables of some of the Company’s French and Spanish entities are prefinanced by a factor. (see Note 10 and 16).

c) Liquidity risk

The purpose of the Company’s liquidity and financing policy is to ensure that the Company keeps sufficient funds available to meet its financial obligations as they fall due. The Company’s main sources of financing are as follows:

$345,058 thousand aggregate principal amount of 9.375% senior secured notes due March 1, 2025 (the “Reinstated Senior Notes”). Interest is payable semi-annually on January 31 and July 31 of each year.

$60,000 thousand aggregate principal amount of 9% super senior secured notes due March 1, 2025 (the “Super Senior Notes”). The proceeds from the Notes, issued on May 17, 2021 and July 29, 2021, were primarily used to repay certain existing indebtedness of the Parent Company and its subsidiaries. Interest is payable semi-annually on January 31 and July 31 of each year.

153

On October 2, 2020, the Company ended the receivables funding agreement and cancelled the securitization program, signing a new factoring agreement with a Factor, for anticipating the collection of receivables of the Company’s European entities (Grupo FerroAtlántica, S.A. and FerroPem S.AS). As a result of the agreement, the Leasing and Factoring Agent provided a cash consideration of circa $48.8 million, repurchased the receivables portfolio sold to the SPE on September 28 2020, and consequently assumed the loan tranche of the senior borrower to the SPE. Also, the Senior loan and intermediate subordinate loan tranches were paid with internal sources of funds, at closing, there was cash release of $18 million from restricted cash relating to a special purpose vehicle under prior securitization program (see Note 10). As of December 31, 2021, the Company exceeded the limit, the lender agreed a temporary increase of the limit.

$100,000 thousand North-American asset-based, revolving credit facility. Loans under the ABL Revolver may be borrowed, repaid and reborrowed at any time until the facility’s expiration date. The legal final maturity date of the ABL Revolver is October 11, 2024. The terms of the facility provide a spring forward provision which requires the ABL Revolver to be repaid on the date which is three months prior to the maturity date of the senior unsecured Notes (March 1, 2022), which would currently imply a facility repayment date of December 1, 2021. At December 31, 2020 $31,155 thousand was utilized. The ABL Revolver was fully repaid in March 2021.

On July 23, 2020, Ferroglobe subsidiary, Ferropem, S.A.S., as borrower, contracted a loan with BNP Paribas, as lender, amounting to €4,456 thousand, to finance Company’s activities in France. The loan is guaranteed by the French government as part of the COVID-19 relief measures. Repayment of principal and payment of interest and accessories offer the possibility for the Borrower to extend the amortization of the amounts due at maturity for an additional period of 1 to 5 years. Interest rate is zero percent and the borrower is liable to pay a 0.50% fee calculated on the capital borrowed equivalent to an amount of €22 thousand.

On June 2, 2020, Ferroglobe subsidiary, Silicium Québec, as borrower, contracted a $7,000 thousand loan with Investissement Québec, a regional government loan & investment agency, as lender, to finance its capital expenditures activities in Canada. The loan is to be repaid in 84 installments over a 10 year period with the first three years as a grace period. Interest rate on outstanding amounts is zero percent.

On March 3, 2022, Grupo FerroAtlántica and Grupo FerroAtlántica de Servicios (together the “Beneficiaries”) and the Sociedad Estatal de Participaciones Industriales (“SEPI”), a Spanish state-owned industrial holding company affiliated with the Ministry of Finance and Administration, entered into a loan agreement of €34.5 million. This loan is part of the SEPI fund intended to provide assistance to non-financial companies operating in strategically important sectors within Spain in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds are subject to certain governance conditions that imply, among others, the prohibition of distributing dividends, paying non-mandatory coupons or acquiring own shares and the prohibition of the use of the funds for financing economic activities of the group subsidiaries that are not beneficiaries.

154

Quantitative information

Interest rate risk:

At December 31, the Company’s interest-bearing financial liabilities were as follows:

	2021
	Fixed rate		Floating rate		Total
	US$'000		US$'000		US$'000
Bank borrowings		—		98,967		98,967
Obligations under leases		—		18,358		18,358
Debt instruments		440,297		—		440,297
Other financial liabilities (*)		67,013		—		67,013
		507,310		117,325		624,635

(*)      Other financial liabilities comprise loans from government agencies and exclude derivative financial instruments (see Note 19).

	2020
	Fixed rate		Floating rate		Total
	US$'000		US$'000		US$'000
Bank borrowings		—		107,607		107,607
Obligations under leases		—		22,537		22,537
Debt instruments		357,508		—		357,508
Other financial liabilities (*)		63,896		—		63,896
		421,404		130,144		551,548

(*)      Other financial liabilities comprise loans from government agencies and exclude derivative financial instruments (see Note 19).

Analysis of sensitivity to interest rates

At December 31, 2021, an increase of 1% in interest rates would have given rise to additional borrowing costs of $990 thousand (2020: $1,064 thousand).

ii.

Foreign currency risk:

Notes and cross currency swap

The Parent Company has been historically exposed to exchange rate fluctuations as it had a Euro functional currency and future commitments to pay interest and principal in US dollars in respect of its outstanding debt instruments of $150,000 thousand (see Note 18). To manage this foreign currency risk, the Parent Company entered in 2017 into a cross currency swap and designated a portion of this as an effective cash flow hedge of the future interest and principal amounts due on its debt instruments. In March, 2020, the Company closed out the cross currency swap (see Note 19).

In 2021, due to an occurrence of events and conditions that reduce the number of transactions in euros, management conducted a review of the functional currency of the Parent Company and concluded that there has been a change in its functional currency from Euro to US Dollars, effective since October 1, 2021 (see Note 3.3). Therefore, The Parent Company is no longer exposed to exchange rate fluctuations.

Foreign currency swaps in relation to trade receivables and trade payables

At December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company has no foreign currency swaps in place in respect of foreign currency accounts receivable and accounts payable.

155

iii.

Liquidity risk:

The table below summarizes the maturity profile of the Company’s financial liabilities at December 31, 2021, based on contractual undiscounted payments. The table includes both interest and principal cash flows. The cash flows for debt instruments assume that principal of the Stub Notes is repaid at maturity in March 2022 and the principal of the Super Senior Notes and the Reinstated Senior Notes are repaid at maturity in June and December 2025 respectively (see Note 18).

	2021
	Less than 1 year		Between 1-2 years		Between 2-5 years		After 5 years		Total
	US$'000		US$'000		US$'000		US$'000		US$'000
Bank borrowings		95,899		—		3,670		—		99,569
Leases		8,092		5,897		3,251		1,289		18,529
Debt instruments		57,440		37,749		493,585		—		588,774
Financial loans from government agencies		63,868		4,304		245				68,417
Payables to related parties		9,545		—		—		—		9,545
Payable to non-current asset suppliers		2,677		135		—		—		2,812
Contingent consideration		13,023		10,684		6,844		—		30,551
Tolling agreement liability		2,589		2,367		5,952		18,379		29,287
Trade and other payables		206,000		—		—		—		206,000
		459,133		61,136		513,547		19,668		1,053,484

	2020
	Less than 1 year		Between 1-2 years		Between 2-5 years		After 5 years		Total
	US$'000		US$'000		US$'000		US$'000		US$'000
Bank borrowings		108,613		5,277		—		—		113,890
Finance leases		8,796		6,350		7,130		1,748		24,024
Debt instruments		32,813		366,406		—		—		399,219
Financial loans from government agencies		36,672		7,209		18,274		6,501		68,656
Payables to related parties		3,196		—		—		—		3,196
Payable to non-current asset suppliers		130		2,633		—		—		2,763
Contingent consideration		1,772		4,175		15,892		3,277		25,116
Trade and other payables		149,201		—		—		—		149,201
		341,193		392,050		41,296		11,526		786,065

Changes in liabilities arising from financing activities

The changes in liabilities arising from financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 were as follows:

	January 1, 2021		Changes from financing cash flows			Effect of changes in foreign exchange rates			Changes in fair values		Interest expenses		Other changes			December 31, 2021
	US$'000		US$'000			US$'000			US$'000		US$'000		US$'000			US$'000
Bank borrowings		107,607		(15,604	)		1,927			—		—		5,037			98,967
Obligations under leases		22,536		(11,232	)		(1,188	)		—		—		8,242			18,358
Debt instruments ^(*)		357,508		43,295			—			6,462		36,233		(3,201	)		440,297
Financial loans from government agencies (Note 19)		63,896		(2,252	)		(702	)		—		6,071		—			67,013
Total liabilities from financing activities		551,547		14,207			37			6,462		42,304		10,078			624,635
Dividends paid				—
Proceeds from stock option exercises				—
Other amounts paid due to net financing activities ^(**)				(3,755	)
Payments to acquire or redeem own shares				—
Net cash (used) by financing activities				10,452

(*) Changes from financing cash flows in debt instruments include payments due to interest amounting to $16,705 thousand and proceeds from debt issuances of $60,000 thousand.

(**) Other amounts paid due to financing activities include payments due to equity issuance costs amounting to $43,755 thousand and proceeds from equity issuance of $40,000 thousand.

156

	January 1, 2020		Changes from financing cash flows			Effect of changes in foreign exchange rates			Changes in fair values			Other changes (*)		December 31, 2020
	US$'000		US$'000			US$'000			US$'000			US$'000		US$'000
Bank borrowings		158,998		(67,343	)		10,295			—			5,657		107,607
Obligations under leases		25,873		(10,315	)		1,608			—			5,370		22,536
Debt instruments		354,952		(32,812	)					—			35,368		357,508
Financial loans from government agencies (Note 19)		56,939		—			4,865			—			2,092		63,896
Derivative financial instruments (Note 19)		9,600		3,608			(86	)		(14,329	)		1,207		—
Total liabilities from financing activities		606,362		(106,862	)		16,682			(14,329	)		49,694		551,547
Dividends paid				—
Proceeds from stock option exercises				—
Other amounts paid due to net financing activities				(6,471	)
Payments to acquire or redeem own shares				—
Net cash provided by financing activities				(113,333	)

(*) Other changes include interest expenses

29. Fair value measurement

Fair value of assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis

The following table provides the fair value measurement hierarchy of the Company’s assets and liabilities that are carried at fair value in the statement of financial position:

December 31, 2021

Quoted prices
in active
markets

Significant
observable
inputs

Significant
unobservable
inputs

Total

(Level 1)

(Level 2)

(Level 3)

US$'000

Other financial assets (Note 10):

Listed equity securities

847

—

Other obligations (Note 21)

Contingent consideration in a business combinations

(26,527

)

—

(26,527

)

December 31, 2020

Quoted prices
in active
markets

Significant
observable
inputs

Significant
unobservable
inputs

Total

(Level 1)

(Level 2)

(Level 3)

US$'000

Other financial assets (Note 10):

Listed equity securities

2,609

—

Other obligations (Note 21)

Contingent consideration in a business combinations

(16,632

)

—

(16,632

)

157

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of all liabilities at fair value on recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the year ended December 31, 2021, presented as follows:

	Total
	US$'000
Fair value at December 31, 2019		(21,965	)
Changes in fair value through profit or loss		5,333
Fair value at December 31, 2020		(16,632	)
Changes in fair value through profit or loss		(13,168	)
Payments		3,273
Fair value at December 31, 2021		(26,527	)

30. Non-current assets held for sale and discontinued operations

Discontinued operations

At 31 December, 2021, there were not discontinued operations.

For the year ended 31 December, 2020, the Company recorded $5,399 thousand related to price adjustment on the sale of Group’s hydro-electric assets in 2019. The amount was recognized in Discontinued operations in Consolidated Income Statement.

On June 2, 2019 the Company entered into an agreement with Kehlen Industries Management, S.L., a wholly-owned subsidiary of TSSP Adjacent Opportunities Partners, L.P., for the sale of the entire share capital of FerroAtlántica, S.A.U ("FAU"), the owner and operator of the Group's hydro-electric assets in Galicia (the “Spanish Hydroelectric Business”) and its smelting facility at Cee-Dumbria. The Spanish Hydroelectric Business was classified as disposal group held for sale in the second quarter of 2019 and has been accounted for as a discontinued operation. Prior to completion of the sale, all other assets of FAU unrelated to the Spanish Hydroelectric Business and the Cee-Dumbria smelting facility were transferred to other Group entities.

Following the satisfaction of conditions precedent, the sale of FAU completed on August 30, 2019, resulting in gross cash proceeds of $177,627 thousand and a profit on disposal of $85,102 thousand. Under the terms of the transaction, the Group became exclusive off-taker of finished products produced at the smelting plant at Cee-Dumbria and supplier of key raw materials to that facility pursuant to a tolling agreement expiring in 2060.

Analysis of the result for the period from the discontinued operations

The results of the discontinued operations included in the (loss) profit after taxes from discontinued operations are set out below. The comparative results of the Spanish Hydroelectric Business at December 31, 2020 and 2019 have been represented them as profit (loss) from discontinued operations.

158

The profit and loss statement from discontinued operations is as follows:

	2021		2020			2019
	US$'000		US$'000			US$'000
Sales		—		—			13,164
Raw materials and energy consumption for production		—		—			(271	)
Other operating income		—		—			365
Staff costs		—		—			(1,450	)
Other operating expense		—		—			(1,995	)
Depreciation and amortization charges, operating allowances and write-downs		—		—			(2,830	)
Impairment losses		—		—			—
Operating Profit (loss)		—		—			6,983
Net finance expense		—					(6,433	)
(LOSS) PROFIT BEFORE TAXES FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS		—		—			550
Income tax expense		—		—			(1,015	)
Gain on sale of discontinued operation		—		(5,399	)		85,102
(LOSS) PROFIT AFTER TAXES FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS		—		(5,399	)		84,637

Basic earnings (loss) per ordinary share are calculated by dividing the consolidated profit (loss) for the year attributable to the Discontinued Operations by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the year, excluding the average number of treasury shares held in the year, if any. Dilutive earnings (loss) per share assumes the exercise of stock options, provided that the effect is dilutive. The Earnings per share is showed as follows:

	2021		2020			2019
Basic earnings (loss) per ordinary share computation
Numerator:
Profit (loss) attributable to Discontinued Operations (US$'000)		—		(5,399	)		84,637
Denominator:
Weighted average basic shares outstanding		—		169,269,281			169,152,905
Basic earnings (loss) per ordinary share (US$)		—		(0.03	)		0.50

Diluted earnings (loss) per ordinary share computation
Numerator:
Profit (loss) attributable to Discontinued Operations (US$'000)		—		(5,399	)		84,637
Denominator:
Weighted average basic shares outstanding		—		169,269,281			169,152,905
Effect of dilutive securities		—		—			—
Weighted average dilutive shares outstanding		—		169,269,281			169,152,905
Diluted earnings (loss) per ordinary share (US$)		—		(0.03	)		0.50

159

The statement of cash flows from discontinued operations is showed as follows:

	2021		2020			2019
	US$'000		US$'000			US$'000
Cash flows from operating activities:
Profit for the period		—		(5,399	)		84,637
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) profit to net cash provided by operating activities:
Income tax expense (benefit)		—		—			1,015
Depreciation and amortization charges, operating allowances and write-downs		—		—			2,830
Net Finance expense		—		—			6,433
Gains on disposals of non-current and financial assets		—		5,399			(85,102	)
Changes in working capital
Decrease / (increase) in accounts receivable		—		—			(10,341	)
Decrease / (increase) in inventories		—		—			2
Increase / (Decrease) in accounts payable		—		—			89
Other changes in operating assets and liabilities
Other, net		—		(24	)		69,243
Income tax paid		—		—			—
Interest paid		—		—			(2,307	)
Total cash flow from operating activities		—		(24	)		66,499
Cash flows from investing activities:
Payments due to investments:
Property, plant and equipment		—		—			(126	)
Disposals:
Disposal of business, net of cash		—		—			—
Total cash flow from investing activities		—		—			(126	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Other financing activities		—		—			(66,457	)
Total cash flow from financing activities		—		—			(66,457	)
INCREASE / (DECREASE) IN CASH		—		(24	)		(84	)
CASH AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD		—		24			108
CASH AT END OF PERIOD		—		—			24

31.

Events after the reporting period

SEPI Loan

On February 16, 2022, the Company announced that the Spanish Fund for supporting strategic companies, on a proposal of the Sociedad Estatal de Participaciones Industriales (“SEPI”), a Spanish state-owned industrial holding company affiliated with the Ministry of Finance and Administration, has approved €34.5 million in loans to Grupo Ferroatlántica, S.A.U. and Grupo Ferroátlantica de Servicios, S.L.U., wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company. These loans are part of the SEPI fund intended to provide assistance to non-financial companies operating in strategically important sectors within Spain in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The €34.5M was funded using a dual-tranche loan, with €17.25M maturing in February 2025 and €17.25M maturing in June 2025. €16.9M of the loan carries a fixed interest rate of 2% per annum, and interest on the remaining €17.6M is calculated as IBOR plus a spread of 2.5% in the first year, 3.5% in the second and third years and 5.0% in the fourth year, plus an additional 1.0% payable if the result before taxes of the Beneficiaries is positive. The loans are guaranteed by the Company and certain of its subsidiaries.

160

The funds are subject to certain governance conditions that imply, among others, the prohibition of distributing dividends, paying non-mandatory coupons or acquiring own shares and the prohibition of the use of the funds for financing economic activities of the group subsidiaries that are not beneficiaries.

Uncertainties caused by the Russo-Ukrainian War

The recent outbreak of war between Russia and the Ukraine has disrupted supply chains and caused instability in the global economy, while the United States and the European Union, among other countries, announced sanctions against Russia. The ongoing conflict could result in the imposition of further economic sanctions against Russia, and given Russia’s role as global exporter of metcoke, anthracite and electrodes, the Company’s business may be impacted. Currently, the Company’s charter contracts have not been affected by the events in Russia and Ukraine. However, it is possible that in the future thirdparties with whom the Company has or will have charter contracts may be impacted by such events. Rusia and Ukraine are meaningful producers of silicon metal, ferroalloys and manganese-based alloys, exporting into our markets. Management continually tracks developments in the conflict in Ukraine and actively manages our response to potential distributions to the business.

Agreement with the French Works Council

The Company reached a majority collective agreement with the French Works Council on March 30, 2022 relating to a process that was initiated in April 2021 when Ferroglobe engaged the French Works Councils to discuss proposals for its asset optimization program designed to safeguard its long-term future in Europe.

The formal consultation procedure concerning the restructuring project in France initially targeted 355 jobs across the Company’s Château-Feuillet, Les Clavaux and Chambéry sites. Subsequently the scope of the project was amended in November 2021 to reflect the continuation of operation at the Les Clavaux facility given new developments.

161

PARENT COMPANY BALANCE SHEET

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND 2020
Thousands of U.S. Dollars

		2021			2020
	Notes	US$'000			US$'000
ASSETS
Non-current assets
Investment in subsidiaries	3		629,284			631,274
Property, plant and equipment	8		105			2
Trade and other receivables	4		227,865			221,878
Total non-current assets			857,255			853,154

Current assets
Trade and other receivables	4		160,224			88,385
Other current assets			441			5,619
Cash and cash equivalents			1,311			1,065
Total current assets			161,976			95,069
Total assets			1,019,230			948,223
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES
Equity
Share capital			1,964			1,784
Other reserves	6		(164,783	)		(280,036	)
Translation differences			—			47,296
Valuation adjustments			—			922
Retained earnings			774,530			797,875
Total equity			611,712			567,841

Net current (liabilities) assets			(245,517	)		(136,736	)
Total assets less current liabilities			611,737			716,418

Non-current liabilities
Debt instruments	7		—			148,551
Bank borrowings			—			(1	)
Lease liabilities	9		25			27
Total non-current liabilities			25			148,577

Current liabilities
Debt instruments	7		2,181			4,605
Lease liabilities	9		568			492
Trade and other payables	5		404,024			225,440
Current Income tax liabilities			490			519
Other current liabilities			230			749
Total current liabilities			407,492			231,805
Total equity and liabilities			1,019,230			948,223

Notes 1 to 10 are an integral part of these financial statements.

The Company reported a loss for the financial year ended December 31, 2021 of $44,490 thousand (2020: profit of $4,146 thousand).

The financial statements of Ferroglobe PLC with registration number 9425113 were approved by the Board and authorized for issue on June 1, 2022.

Signed on behalf of the Board.

Dr. Marco Levi

Director

162

PARENT COMPANY STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY FOR 2021 AND 2020
Thousands of U.S. Dollars

	Equity attributable to equity holders of the Company
	Share capital		Other reserves			Translation differences			Valuation adjustments			Retained earnings			Total
	US$'000		US$'000			US$'000			US$'000			US$'000			US$'000
Balance at December 31, 2019		1,784		(282,025	)		39,236			(3,417	)		793,729			549,307
Comprehensive (loss) income for the period		—		—			8,060			4,339			4,146			16,545
Share-based compensation		—		1,989			—			—			—			1,989
Balance at December 31, 2020		1,784		(280,036	)		47,296			922			797,875			567,841
Issue share capital		178		84,786			—			—			—			84,965
Share-based compensation		—		2,161			—			—			—			2,161
Comprehensive (loss) income for the period		—		—			1,290			—			(108,164	)		(106,874	)
Net (loss)/gain on cash flow hedges		—		—			—			(922	)		—			(922	)
Balance at September 30, 2021		1,962		(193,089	)		48,586			—			689,711			547,171
Effect of change in functional currency		—		25,403			(48,586	)		—			23,186			2
Balance at October 01, 2021		1,962		(167,686	)		—			—			712,897			547,173
Issue share capital		2		1,440			—			—			—			1,442
Share-based compensation		—		1,464			—			—			—			1,464
Comprehensive (loss) income for the period		—		—			—			—			61,633			61,633
Net (loss)/gain on cash flow hedges		—		—			—			—			—			—
Balance at December 31, 2021		1,964		(164,783	)		—			—			774,530			611,712

163

1.    Significant accounting policies

The separate financial statements of the Company are presented as required by the Companies Act 2006.  The Company meets the definition of a qualifying entity under FRS 100 (Financial Reporting Standard 100) issued by the Financial Reporting Council (the “FRC”). In the year ended December 31, 2021 the Company has continued to adopt FRS 101 as issued by the FRC. Accordingly, the financial statements have therefore been prepared in accordance with FRS 101 (Financial Reporting Standard 101) Reduced Disclosure Framework as issued by the FRC incorporating the Amendments to FRS 101 issued by the FRC in July 2015 and July 2016.

As permitted by FRS 101, the Company has taken advantage of the disclosure exemptions available under that standard in relation to share-based payment, financial instruments, capital management, presentation of comparative information in respect of certain assets, presentation of a cash flow statement, certain related party transactions and the requirements of paragraphs 30 and 31 of IAS 8 ‘Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors’ in relation to standards not yet effective. Where required, equivalent disclosures are given in the consolidated financial statements.

The financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis except for the re-measurement of certain financial instruments to fair value. The principal accounting policies adopted are the same as those set out in Notes 3 and 4 to the consolidated financial statements except as noted below.

Investment in subsidiaries and impairment

Investments in subsidiaries are stated at cost less, where appropriate, provisions for impairment. At each balance sheet date, the Company reviews the carrying amount of its investments to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).

Recoverable amount is the higher of the fair value less costs to sell and the value in use. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to the present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset for which the estimates of future cash flows have not been adjusted. If the recoverable amount of an asset is estimated to be less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount of the asset is reduced to its recoverable amount. An impairment loss is recognized immediately in profit or loss.

Where an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the carrying amount of the asset is increased to the revised estimate of its recoverable amount, but so that the increased carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognized for the asset in prior years. A reversal of an impairment loss is recognized immediately in profit or loss.

Impact of new International Financial Reporting Standards

There are no new or amended standards or interpretations adopted during the year that have a significant impact on the financial statements.

1.1 Critical accounting judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty

164

Critical judgements in applying the Company's accounting policies

Impairment of assets

The Company reviews the carrying value of assets on a periodic basis, and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the related carrying amounts may not be recoverable.

Cash flow projections are based on the Company’s five year internal forecasts, the results of which are reviewed by the Board. Estimates of selling prices and direct costs are based on past experience, expectations of future changes in the market and historic trends.

Change of functional currency

Until September 30, 2021, the Parent’s functional currency was the Euro. Due to an occurrence of events and conditions that reduce the number of transactions in euros, and in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, management conducted a review of the functional currency of Ferroglobe PLC and they concluded that there has been a change in its functional currency from Euro to U.S. Dollars, effective since October 1, 2021.

Ferroglobe PLC is the parent company of Ferroglobe Group and its main assets and liabilities relate to intercompany transactions. Due to the new group structure, PLC has signed an agreement in which they agreed to convert all intercompany receivables and payables outstanding into US Dollars. Additionally, PLC financing instruments (debt and equity instruments) are U.S. Dollars denominated.

The change in functional currency was implemented prospectively starting October 1, 2021. To give effect to this change, balances of the parent company as of October, 1, 2021 have been translated to USD in accordance with IAS 21 “The effect of changes in foreign exchange rates”. The functional currencies of subsidiaries are determined by the primary economic environment in which each subsidiary operates.

Key sources of estimation of uncertainty

Allowances against the carrying value of investment in subsidiaries

Investments in subsidiaries and associates are stated at cost less, where appropriate, provisions for impairment. The recoverable amounts of individual investments in subsidiaries are determined from value in use calculations with a discounted cash flow model being used to calculate this amount. The key assumptions for the value in use calculation are those regarding the discount rate, growth rate, and cash flows.

165

2.    Profit (loss) for the year

As permitted by s408 of the Companies Act 2006 the Company has elected not to present its own profit and loss account or statement of other comprehensive income for the year. The profit (loss) attributable to the Company is disclosed directly beneath the Company’s balance sheet.

Auditor’s remuneration

The analysis of the auditor’s remuneration in respect to the Group is as follows:         

	2021  US$'000		2020  US$'000
Audit Fees		5,296		4,810
Audit-Related Fees		770		38
Total audit fees		6,066		4,848
Tax Fees		37		3
All Other Fees		13		—
Total non-audit fees		50		3
Total		6,116		4,851

The company has €71.1 million of unrecognised tax losses in 2021 (2020: €54.6 million).

3.    Investment in subsidiaries

The Company’s investments at the balance sheet date in the share capital of its subsidiaries include the following:

Company		Country		Ownership				Currency		Purpose
Ferroglobe Holding Company, LTD		United Kingdom			100	%		USD		Electrometallurgy

During 2021 the Company completed the refinancing of its debt instruments. As part of the refinancing process two new entities were incorporated Ferroglobe Finance Company PLC “FinCo” and Ferroglobe Holding Company LTD “HoldCo”. A step of this refinancing process was for Ferroglobe PLC to transfer all of its investments to the new incorporated entity HoldCo. Therefore, Ferroglobe PLC transferred the shares of GSM and GFAT in exchange of shares of HoldCo. This transaction was accounted at their existing carrying values.

Investments in subsidiaries are stated at cost less provision for impairments and the Directors believe that the carrying value of the investments is supported by their underlying net assets or expected cash generation.

The change in carrying value of investments is as follows:

	2021			2020
	US$'000			US$'000
Cost:
At January 1		631,274			610,534
Translation differences		—			20,740
Effect of change in functional currency		(1,990	)		—
At December 31		629,284			631,274

Provision for impairment:
At January 1		—			—
Impairment		—			—
At December 31		—			—

Net book value:
At December 31		629,284			631,274

166

The following are subsidiaries of the Company:

Name	Country of incorporation	Nature of the business
Grupo FerroAtlántica, S.A.U.	Spain (1)	Electrometallurgy
FerroPem, S.A.S.	France (2)	Electrometallurgy
Silicon Smelters (Pty.), Ltd.	South Africa (3)	Electrometallurgy
Globe Specialty Metals, Inc	United States of America (4)	Electrometallurgy
Globe Metallurgical, Inc.	United States of America (4)	Electrometallurgy
WVA Manufacturing, LLC	United States of America (5)	Electrometallurgy
xºQuebec Silicon LP	Canada (6)	Electrometallurgy
Globe Metales, S.A.	Argentina (7)	Electrometallurgy
Ferroglobe Mangan Norge AS	Norway (8)	Electrometallurgy
Ferroglobe Manganese France SAS	France (9)	Electrometallurgy
FerroAtlántica del Cinca, S.L.	Spain (1)	Electrometallurgy
Ferroglobe Finance Company, PLC	United Kingdom (10)	Electrometallurgy
Ferroglobe Holding Company, LTD.	United Kingdom (10)	Electrometallurgy

Registered Offices:

1.	Pº Castellana, Nº 259-D Planta 49ª, 28046, Madrid, Spain

2.	517, Av. de la Boisse., Chambery, France

3.	Beyersnek Road Po Box 657, Polokwane, 0700 ZA, South Africa

4.	1595 Sparling Road, Waterford OH 45786, United States

5.	Route 60 East, Alloy WV 25002, United States

6.	6500 Rue Yvon-Trudeau, Becancour Québec G9H 2V8, Canada

7.	Pico 1641 - Floor 8th - Rooms A and C, Buenos Aires, Argentina

8.	Mo Industripark, 8624 Mo-i-Rana, Norway

9.	Route De L’Ecluse , de Mardyck, 59792, Grande Synthe, France

10.	5 Fleet Place, London, England, EC4M 7RD

The following subsidiaries were dormant and subsequently have been dissolved during 2021:

Ferroatlantica International Ltd was subsequently dissolved on 23 March 2021; and

Ferroglobe Services (UK) Ltd was subsequently dissolved on 4 May 2021.

Further information about subsidiaries, including disclosures about non-controlling interests, is provided in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements.

4.    Trade and other receivables

	2021						2020
	Non-current		Current		Total		Non-current		Current		Total
	US$'000		US$'000		US$'000		US$'000		US$'000		US$'000
Amounts receivable from subsidiaries		227,865		159,874		387,740		221,878		88,033		309,911
VAT recoverable		—		237		237		—		294		294
Other receivables		—		113		113		—		58		58
Total		227,865		160,224		388,090		221,878		88,385		310,263

Current amounts due from subsidiaries are repayable on demand and are non interest bearing.

Non-current amounts receivable from related parties comprise loans receivable from subsidiaries. The loans bear interest at a rate of 6 month EURIBOR + 9.32% per annum.

167

5.    Trade and other payables

	2021		2020
	US$'000		US$'000
Amounts payable to subsidiaries		392,803		217,803
Trade payables		11,221		7,637
Total		404,024		225,440

Amounts payable to related parties comprise $392,803 thousand payable to subsidiaries (2020: $217,803 thousand). Amounts payable to subsidiaries include variable rate interest bearing loans of $251,411 thousand (2020: $186,968 thousand).

The Company guarantees the debts and liabilities of certain of its UK subsidiaries, Ferroglobe Finance Company PLC (company number: 13353128) and Ferroglobe Holding Company Ltd (company number: 13347942) at the balance sheet date in accordance with section 479C of the Companies Act 2006. The Company has assessed the probability of loss under these guarantees as remote.

6.    Shareholders’ funds

The change in other reserves is as follows:

	Other reserves
	Merger reserve			Share premium			Share-based payment			Own shares			Total
	US$'000			US$'000			US$'000			US$'000			US$'000
Balance at December 31, 2019		(280,023	)		420			9,510			(11,932	)		(282,025	)
Share-based compensation		—			—			1,989			—			1,989
Balance at December 31, 2020		(280,023	)		420			11,499			(11,932	)		(280,036	)
Issued share capital		—			86,226			—			—			86,226
Share-based compensation		—			—			3,625			—			3,625
Effect of change in functional currency		37,402			(11,573	)		(2,020	)		1,593			25,402
Balance at December 31, 2021		(242,621	)		75,073			13,104			(10,339	)		(164,783	)

7.    Debt instruments

Debt instruments comprise the following at December 31:

	2021		2020
	US$'000		US$'000
Unsecured notes carried at amortised cost
Principal amount		2,116		150,000
Unamortised issuance costs		—		(1,531	)
Accrued coupon interest		65		4,687
Total		2,181		153,156

Amount due for settlement within 12 months		2,181		4,605
Amount due for settlement after 12 months		—		148,551
Total		2,181		153,156

On February 15, 2017, Ferroglobe issued $150,000 thousand aggregate principal amount of 9.375% Senior Notes due March 1, 2022 (the "Notes"). Issuance costs of $5,193 thousand were incurred. Interest on the Notes is payable semi-annually on March 1 and September 1 of each year, commencing on September 1, 2017.

On March 27, 2021, Ferroglobe and Globe and certain other members of our group entered into the Lock-Up Agreement with the Ad Hoc Group Noteholders, Grupo VM and affiliates of Tyrus Capital that set forth a plan to implement the restructuring. On July 30,2021 the company announced the occurrence of the “Transaction Effective Date” under the lock-up agreement dated March 27, 2021 (the “Lock-Up Agreement”) between the Company and the financial stakeholders. The Issuers completed the exchange of 98.588% of the 9⅜% Senior Notes due 2022 (the “Old Notes”) issued by the Company and Globe for a total consideration per $1,000 principal amount of Old Notes comprising (i) $1,000 aggregate principal amount of new 9⅜% senior secured notes due 2025 issued by the Issuers (the “New Notes”) plus (ii) a cash fee amounting to $51,611 thousand, which the Parent, at the direction of the qualifying noteholders, applied as cash consideration for a subscription of new ordinary shares of the Company. In addition, the Company issued new ordinary shares for total gross proceeds of $40 million.

168

As part of the refinancing process, Ferroglobe PLC cancelled 98.588% of the Old Notes and FinCo issued the New Notes amounting $345 million.

The fair value of the Note maturing on March 1, 2022, determined by reference to the closing market price on the last trading day of the year, was $5,082 thousand and has been fully settled.

8.    Property, plant and equipment

The detail of property, plant and equipment, net of the related accumulated depreciation and impairment in 2021 and 2020 is as follows:

	Leased Land			Leased Plant		Accumulated
	and Buildings			and Machinery		Depreciation			Impairment			Total
	US$'000			US$'000		US$'000			US$'000			US$'000
Balance at December 31, 2019		2,007			4		(791	)		(1,218	)		2
Depreciation charge for the year		—			—		(3	)		—			(3	)
Impairment		—			—		—			—			—
Exchange differences		186			—		(71	)		(112	)		3
Balance at December 31, 2020		2,193			4		(865	)		(1,330	)		2
Additions		215			—		(109	)		—			106
Disposals		(107	)		—		107			—			—
Depreciation charge for the year		—			—		—			—			—
Impairment		—			—		—			—			—
Exchange differences		(108	)		—		42			63			(3	)
Balance at December 31, 2021		2,192			4		(824	)		(1,267	)		105

During 2021 the Company recognised an addition of $215 thousand in relation to the new lease for the London office.

9.    Leases

Lease obligations comprise the following at December 31:

	2021			2020
	US$'000			US$'000
Balance as at January, 1		519			1,252
Additions		215			—
Interest		3			41
Lease payments		(111	)		(840	)
Exchange differences		(32	)		66
Balance as at December, 31		593			519
Analysed as:
Current		568			492
Non-current		25			27

169

10. Events after the reporting period

Uncertainties caused by the Russo-Ukrainian War

The recent outbreak of war between Russia and the Ukraine has disrupted supply chains and caused instability in the global economy, while the United States and the European Union, among other countries, announced sanctions against Russia. The ongoing conflict could result in the imposition of further economic sanctions against Russia, and given Russia’s role as global exporter of metcoke, anthracite and electrodes, the Company’s business may be impacted. Currently, the Company’s charter contracts have not been affected by the events in Russia and Ukraine. However, it is possible that in the future third parties with whom the Company has or will have charter contracts may be impacted by such events. Rusia and Ukraine are meaningful producers of silicon metal, ferroalloys and manganese-based alloys, exporting into our markets. Management continually tracks developments in the conflict in Ukraine and actively manages our response to potential distributions to the business.

170

Appendix 1 -  Non-IFRS financial metrics (unaudited)

Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA margin, Adjusted Net Profit, Working Capital, Free Cash Flow, Net Debt, Net Debt to total assets and Net Debt to Capital are non-IFRS financial metrics that Ferroglobe utilizes to measure its success. The Company has included these financial metrics to provide supplemental measures of its performance. We believe these metrics are important because they eliminate items that have less bearing on the Company’s current and future operating performance and highlight trends in its core business that may not otherwise be apparent when relying solely on IFRS financial measures.

Adjusted EBITDA

	2021			2020
	US$'000			US$'000
(Loss) profit attributable to the parent		(110,624	)		(246,339	)
(Loss) profit from discontinued operations		—			5,399
Loss attributable to non-controlling interest		(4,750	)		(3,419	)
Income tax (benefit) expense		(4,562	)		21,939
Net finance expense		148,936			66,791
Financial derivatives loss (gain)		—			(3,168	)
Exchange differences		2,386			(25,553	)
Depreciation and amortization charges, operating allowances and write-downs		97,328			108,189
EBITDA		128,714			(76,161	)
Impairment loss		(137	)		73,344
Restructuring and termination costs		27,368			3,770
New strategy implementation		22,700			—
Energy: France		—			70
Staff costs: South Africa		—			158
Other idling costs		—			2,887
Provision Ithaka		—			28,441
Adjusted EBITDA		178,645			32,510

Adjusted EBITDA Margin

	2021			2020
	US$'000			US$'000
Adjusted EBITDA		179,330			32,510
Sales		1,778,908			1,144,434
Adjusted EBITDA Margin		10.1	%		2.8	%

Adjusted Net Profit

	2021			2020
	US$'000			US$'000
(Loss) profit attributable to the parent		(110,624	)		(246,339	)
Tax rate adjustment		17,026			93,113
Impairment loss		(112	)		49,874
Restructuring and termination costs		22,442			2,564
New strategy implementation		18,614			—
Energy: France		—			48
Staff costs: South Africa		—			107
Other idling costs		—			1,963
Tolling agreement (¹)		—			—
Adjusted (loss)/profit attributable to the parent		(52,654	)		(98,671	)

¹ Non-IFRS financial metrics in 2020 included $19,340 thousand adjustment regarding the tolling agreement.

171

Working Capital

	2021			2020
	US$'000			US$'000
Inventories		289,797			246,549
Trade and other receivables		381,073			242,262
Trade and other payables		(206,000	)		(149,201	)
Working Capital		464,870			339,610

Free Cash Flow

	2021			2020
	US$'000			US$'000
Net cash provided by operating activities		(1,341	)		154,268
Payments for property, plant and equipment		(27,597	)		(30,257	)
Free Cash Flow		(28,938	)		124,011

Net Debt

	2021			2020
	US$'000			US$'000
Bank borrowings		98,967			107,607
Debt instruments		440,297			357,508
Lease obligations		18,358			39,866
Other financial liabilities		67,013			63,896
Cash and cash equivalents		(114,391	)		(102,714	)
Non-current restricted cash and cash equivalents		(2,272	)		(28,843	)
Net Debt		507,972			437,320

Capital

	2021		2020
	US$'000		US$'000
Net Debt		507,972		437,320
Equity		320,031		365,719
Capital		828,003		803,039

172

Exhibit 99.3

Ferroglobe PLC

Extracts from the 2021 Form 20-F

To accompany the PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2021

		Page
ITEM 3.	KEY INFORMATION	2
	D.    Risk Factors	2

ITEM 4.	INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY	29
	A.   History and Deveelpment of the Company	29
	B.    Business Overview	31
	C.    Organisational Structure	56
	D.    Property, Plant and Equipment	56

ITEM 5.	OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS	56
	A.   Operating results	56
	B.    Liquidity and Capital Resources	76
	C.    Research ande Development, Patents and Licenses etc.	81
	D.    Trend of Information	81
	E.    Critical Accounting Estimates	81
	G.    Safe Harbour	84

ITEM 7.	MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS	84
	B.    Related party Transactions	84

ITEM 11.	QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK	90

ITEM 3. KEY INFORMATION

D. Risk factors.

An investment in our ordinary shares carries a significant degree of risk. You should carefully consider the following risks and all other information in this annual report, including our Consolidated Financial Statements elsewhere in the 20-F. Additional risks and uncertainties we are not presently aware of, or that we currently deem immaterial, could also affect our business operations and financial condition. If any of these risks are realized, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected to a material degree. As a result, the trading price of our ordinary shares could decline and you could lose part or all of your investment.

Risks Related to Our Business and Industry

Our operations depend on industries including the aluminum, steel, polysilicon, silicone and photovoltaic/solar industries, which, in turn, rely on several end-markets. A downturn or change in these industries or end-markets could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Because we primarily sell silicon metal, silicon based alloys, manganese based alloys and other specialty alloys we produce to manufacturers of aluminum, steel, polysilicon, silicones, and photovoltaic products, our results are significantly affected by the economic trends in the steel, aluminum, polysilicon, silicone and photovoltaic industries. Primary end users that drive demand for steel and aluminum include construction companies, shipbuilders, electric appliance and car manufacturers, and companies operating in the rail and maritime industries. Primary end users that drive demand for polysilicon and silicones include the automotive, chemical, photovoltaic, pharmaceutical, construction and consumer products industries. Demand for steel, aluminum, polysilicon and silicones from such companies is strongly correlated with changes in gross domestic product and is affected by global economic conditions. Fluctuations in steel and aluminum prices may occur due to sustained price shifts reflecting underlying global economic and geopolitical factors, changes in industry supply-demand balances, the substitution of one product for another in times of scarcity, and changes in national tariffs. Lower demand for steel and aluminum can quickly cause a substantial build-up of steel and aluminum stocks, resulting in a decline in demand for silicon metal, silicon-based alloys, manganese-based alloys, and other specialty alloys. Polysilicon and silicone producers are subject to fluctuations in crude oil, platinum, methanol and natural gas prices, which could adversely affect their businesses. Changes in power regulations in different countries, fluctuations in the relative costs of different sources of energy, and supply-demand balances in the different parts of the value chain, among other factors, may significantly affect the growth prospects of the photovoltaic industry. A significant and prolonged downturn in the end markets for steel, aluminum, polysilicon, silicone and photovoltaic products, could adversely affect these industries and, in turn, our business, results of operations and financial condition.

COVID-19 has had a material detrimental impact on our business and financial results, and such impact could continue and may worsen for an unknown period of time.

COVID-19 has been and continues to be a complex and evolving situation, with governments, public institutions and other organizations imposing or recommending, and businesses and individuals implementing, at various times and to varying degrees, restrictions on various activities or other actions to combat its spread, such as restrictions and bans on travel or transportation; limitations on the size of in-person gatherings, restrictions on freight transportations, closures of, or occupancy or other operating limitations on work facilities, and quarantines and lock-downs. COVID-19 and its consequences have significantly impacted and continue to impact our business, operations, and financial results. The extent to which COVID-19 impacts our business, operations, and financial results going forward will depend on the factors described above and numerous other evolving factors that we may not be able to accurately predict or assess, including the duration and scope of the COVID-19 pandemic; the effectiveness of vaccines or treatments; COVID-19’s impact on global and regional economies and economic activity, including the duration and magnitude of its impact on unemployment rates; its short and longer-term impact on the demand for our products, group business, and levels of customer confidence; the ability of our owners to successfully navigate the impacts of COVID-19; and how quickly economies, and demand recovers after the pandemic subsides.

COVID-19 has negatively impacted, and in the future may negatively impact to an extent we are unable to predict, our revenues. In addition, COVID-19 and its impact on global and regional economies, and the specialty chemical industry in particular, has made it difficult to obtain financing and has increased the probability that we will be unable or unwilling to service, repay or refinance existing indebtedness. If a significant number of our sales volumes are terminated as a result of bankruptcies, sales or foreclosures, our results of operations could be materially adversely affected. Also, testing our intangible assets or goodwill for impairments could result in additional charges, which could be material. For the reasons set forth above, COVID-19 has had and may in the future will have a material adverse effect on our business, operations, and financial condition.

The metals industry is cyclical and has been subject in the past to swings in market price and demand which could lead to volatility in our revenues.

Historically, Ferroglobe’s indirect subsidiary Globe Metallurgical Inc., has been affected by recessionary conditions in the end markets for its products, such as the automotive and construction industries. In April 2003, Globe Metallurgical Inc. sought protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code following its inability to restructure or refinance its indebtedness amidst a confluence of several negative economic and other factors, including an influx of low priced, dumped imports, which caused it to default on then outstanding indebtedness. A recurrence of such economic factors could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Additionally, as a result of unfavorable conditions in the end markets for its products, Globe Metales S.R.L. (“Globe Metales”) went through reorganization proceedings (“concurso preventivo”) in 1999, which ended in February 2019. While such reorganization proceedings were ongoing (until February 2019), Globe Metales could not dispose of or encumber its registered assets (including its real estate) or perform any action outside its ordinary course of business without prior court approval.

In addition to the deterioration of market conditions for several of our products in the second half of 2018 and the whole of 2019, we also saw a contraction in sales volumes during 2020 which was primarily driven by the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout 2021, COVID -19 and its consequences continue to impact our business, operations, and financial results. Such conditions, and any future decline in the global silicon metal, manganese-based alloys and silicon-based alloys industries could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. Moreover, our business is directly related to the production levels of our customers, whose businesses are dependent on highly cyclical markets, such as the automotive, residential and non-residential construction, consumer durables, polysilicon, steel, and chemical industries. In response to unfavorable market conditions, customers may request delays in contract shipment dates or other contract modifications. If we grant modifications, these could adversely affect our anticipated revenues and results of operations. Also, many of our products are traded internationally at prices that are significantly affected by worldwide supply and demand. Consequently, our financial performance will fluctuate with the general economic cycle, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Our business is particularly sensitive to increases in energy costs, which could materially increase our cost of production.

Because electricity is indispensable to our operations and accounts for a high percentage of our production costs, we are particularly vulnerable to supply limitations and cost fluctuations in energy markets. For example, at certain of our plants, production must be modulated to reduce consumption of energy in peak hours or in seasons with higher energy prices, in order for us to maintain profitability. Generation of electricity in France by our own hydroelectric power operations partially mitigates our exposure to price increases in that market. However, in the past we have pursued possibilities of disposing of those operations, and may do so in the future. Such a divestiture, if completed, may result in a greater exposure to increases in electricity prices. Similarly, the disposal in 2019 of our hydroelectric assets in Spain has resulted, and may result in the future, in a greater exposure to price fluctuations, for our Spanish ferroalloys business and therefore home impacted margins. In 2021 the cost of electricity in Spain has experienced extremely high volatility due to the fluctuations of natural gas in the European markets. Natural gas has experienced a progressive increase in price since April 2021, due to the low level of stocks in gas storages in Europe, and the reduction of supply from Russia, following the growing demand for Natural Gas from China. The risk of natural gas shortages due to a possible cold winter in Europe, caused in December 2021 an unprecedented increase in the price of gas reaching record prices in the market, which led to record prices in the Spanish electricity market of up to 400 €/Mwh. Spanish plants have tried to mitigate price rises by reducing furnace capacity during peak hours and increasing production at more competitive furnaces.

Electrical power to our U.S. and Canadian facilities is supplied mostly by American Electric Power Co., Alabama Power Co., Brookfield Renewable Partners L.P. and Hydro-Québec, and the Tennessee Valley Authority through dedicated lines. Our Alloy, West Virginia facility obtains approximately 45% of its power needs under a fixed price power purchase agreement with a nearby hydroelectric facility owned by a Brookfield affiliate. This facility is over 70 years old and any breakdown could result in the Alloy facility having to purchase more grid power at higher rates. The hydropower contract with Brookfield for the Alloy plant was renewed in 2021 for a period of four years. The energy supply for our Mendoza, Argentina facility is supplied by the national network administrator Cammesa under a power agreement expiring in December 2024 with a special rate specifically approved for ultra electro intensive industries.

Energy supply to our facilities in South Africa is provided by Eskom (State-owned power utility) through rates that are approved annually by the national power regulator (NERSA). These rates have had an upward trend in the past years, due to the instability of available supply and are likely to continue increasing. Also, NERSA applies certain revisions to rates based on cost variances for Eskom that are not within our control.

In Spain, power is purchased in a competitive wholesale market. Our facilities have to pay access tariffs to the national grid and get a small compensation for having been recognized as electro-intensive consumers. The volatile nature of the wholesale market in Spain results in price uncertainty that can be only partially offset by long term power purchase agreements. Also, the payment we receive for the services provided to the grid are a major component of our power supply arrangements in Spain, and regulation for such services has been altered several times during the past years and the economic benefits of such services vary significantly from one year to the next, affecting our production cost and results from our operations.

In addition, France, South Africa and the U.S., our energy purchase arrangements depend to a certain extent on rebates or revenues that we get for providing different services to the grid (interruptibility, load shaving, off-peak consumption, etc.). These rebates may be significant, but such arrangements with relevant grid operators and/or regulators may vary over time, which may affect our production costs and results from our operations.

Losses caused by disruptions in the supply of power would reduce our profitability.

Large amounts of electricity are used to produce silicon metal, manganese and silicon-based alloys and other specialty alloys, and our operations are heavily dependent upon a reliable supply of electrical power. We may incur losses due to a temporary or prolonged interruption of the supply of electrical power to our facilities, which can be caused by unusually high demand, blackouts, equipment failure, natural disasters or other catastrophic events, including failure of the hydroelectric facilities that currently provide power under contract to our West Virginia, Québec and Argentina facilities. Additionally, on occasion, we have been instructed to suspend operations for several hours by the sole energy supplier in South Africa due to a general power shortage in the country. It is possible that this supplier may instruct us to suspend our operations for a similar or longer period in the future. Such interruptions or reductions in the supply of electrical power adversely affect production levels and may result in reduced profitability. Our insurance coverage does not cover all interruption events and may not be sufficient to cover losses incurred as a result.

In addition, investments in Argentina’s electricity generation and transmission systems have been lower than the increase in demand in recent years. If this trend is not reversed, there could be electricity supply shortages as the result of inadequate generation and transmission capacity. Given the heavy dependence on electricity of our manufacturing operations, any electricity shortages could adversely affect our financial results.

Government regulations of electricity in Argentina give priority of use of hydroelectric power to residential users and subject violators of these restrictions to significant penalties. This preference is particularly acute during Argentina’s winter months due to a lack of natural gas. We have previously successfully petitioned the government to exempt us from these restrictions given the demands of our business for continuous supply of electric power. If we are unsuccessful in our petitions or in any action we take to ensure a stable supply of electricity, our production levels may be adversely affected and our profitability reduced.

Any decrease in the availability, or increase in the cost, of raw materials or transportation could materially increase our costs.

Principal components in the production of silicon metal, silicon based alloys and manganese based alloys include coal, charcoal, graphite and carbon electrodes, manganese ore, quartzite, wood chips, steel scrap, and other metals. While we own certain sources of raw materials, we also buy raw materials on a spot or contracted basis. The availability of these raw materials and the prices at which we purchase them from third party suppliers depend on market supply and demand and may be volatile such as due to the COVID-19 pandemic or the Ukraine-Russia conflicts. Our ability to obtain these materials in a cost efficient and timely manner is dependent on certain suppliers, their labor union relationships, mining and lumbering regulations and output, pandemic, geopolitical and general local economic conditions.

Over the previous years, certain raw materials (particularly graphite electrodes, coal, manganese ore, and other electrode components) have experienced significant price increases and quick price moves in relatively short periods of time, and the recent conflict in Ukraine and resulting sanctions on Russia have led to supply limitations and interruptions. In some cases, this has been combined with certain shortage in the availability of such raw materials. While we try to anticipate potential shortages in the supply of critical raw materials with longer term contracts and other purchasing strategies, these price swings and supply shortages may affect our cost of production or even cause interruptions in our operations, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

We make extensive use of shipping by sea, rail and truck to obtain the raw materials used in our production and deliver our products to customers, depending on the geographic region and product or input. Raw materials and products often must be transported over long distances between mines and other production sites and the plants where raw materials are consumed, and between those sites and our customers. Any severe delay, interruption or other disruption in such transportation, any material damage to raw materials utilized by us or to our products while being transported, or a sharp rise in transportation prices, either relating to COVID-19, the Ukraine-Russia conflict or otherwise, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. In addition, because we may not be able to obtain adequate supplies of raw materials from alternative sources on terms as favorable as our current arrangements, or at all, any disruption or shortfall in the production and delivery of raw materials could result in higher raw materials costs and likewise materially adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Cost increases in raw material inputs may not be passed on to our customers, which could negatively impact our profitability.

The prices of our raw material inputs are determined by supply and demand, which may be influenced by, inter alia, economic growth and recession, changes in world politics, unstable governments in exporting nations, and inflation. The market prices of raw material inputs will thus fluctuate over time, and we may not be able to pass significant price increases on to our customers. If we do try to pass them on, we may lose sales and thereby revenue, in addition to having the higher costs. Additionally, decreases in the market prices of our products will not necessarily enable us to obtain lower prices from our suppliers.

Metallurgical manufacturing and mining are inherently dangerous activities and any accident resulting in injury or death of personnel or prolonged production shutdowns could adversely affect our business and operations.

Metallurgical manufacturing generally, and smelting in particular, is inherently dangerous and subject to risks of fire, explosion and sudden major equipment failure. Quartz and coal mining are also inherently dangerous and subject to numerous hazards, including collisions, equipment failure, accidents arising from the operation of large mining and rock transportation equipment, dust inhalation, flooding, collapse, blasting operations and operating in extreme climatic conditions. These hazards have led to accidents resulting in the serious injury and death of production personnel and prolonged production shutdowns in the past. We may experience fatal accidents or equipment malfunctions in the future, which could have a material adverse effect on our business and operations.

We are heavily dependent on our mining operations, which are subject to certain risks that are beyond our control and which could result in materially increased expenses and decreased production levels.

We mine quartz and quartzite at open pit mining operations and coal at underground and surface mining operations. We are heavily dependent on these mining operations for our quartz and coal supplies. Certain risks beyond our control could disrupt our mining operations, adversely affect production and shipments, and increase our operating costs, such as: the closure of operations as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic; a major incident at a mining site that causes all or part of the operations of the mine to cease for some period of time; mining, processing and plant equipment failures and unexpected maintenance problems; disruptions in the supply of fuel, power and/or water at the mine site; adverse changes in reclamation costs; the inability to renew mining concessions upon their expiration; the expropriation of territory subject to a valid concession without sufficient compensation; and adverse weather and natural disasters, such as heavy rains or snow, flooding and other natural events affecting operations, transportation or customers.

Regulatory agencies have the authority under certain circumstances following significant health and safety violations or incidents to order a mine to be temporarily or even permanently closed. If this occurs, we may be required to incur significant legal and capital expenditures to re-open the affected mine. In addition, environmental regulations and enforcement could impose unexpected costs on our mining operations, and future regulations could increase those costs or limit our ability to produce quartz and sell coal. A failure to obtain and renew permits necessary for our mining operations could limit our production and negatively affect our business. It is also possible that we have extracted or may in the future extract quartz from territory beyond the boundary of our mining concession or mining right, which could result in penalties or other regulatory action or liabilities.

We are subject to environmental, health and safety regulations, including laws that impose substantial costs and the risk of material liabilities.

Our operations are subject to extensive foreign, federal, national, state, provincial and local environmental, health and safety laws and regulations governing, among other things, the generation, discharge, emission, storage, handling, transportation, use, treatment and disposal of hazardous substances; land use, reclamation and remediation; waste management and pollution prevention measures; greenhouse gas emissions; and the health and safety of our employees. We are also required to obtain permits from governmental authorities for certain operations, and to comply with related laws and regulations. We may not have been and may not be at all times in full compliance with such permits and related laws and regulations. If we violate or fail to comply with these permits and related laws and regulations, we could be subject to penalties, restrictions on operations or other sanctions, obligations to install or upgrade pollution control equipment and legal claims, including for alleged personal injury or property or environmental damages. Such liability could adversely affect our reputation, business, results of operations and financial condition. In addition, in the context of an investigation, the government may impose obligations to make technology upgrades to our facilities that could result in our incurring material capital expenses. For example, in addition to notices received with respect to other plants, we have received two Notices and Findings of Violation (“NOV/FOV”) from the U.S. federal government, alleging numerous violations of the Clean Air Act relating to the Company’s Beverly, Ohio facility. Should the Company and the federal government be unable to reach a negotiated resolution of the NOV/FOVs, the U.S. government could file a formal lawsuit in U.S. federal court for injunctive relief, potentially requiring the Company to implement emission reduction measures, and for civil penalties. The statutory maximum penalty is $93,750 per day per violation, from April, 2013 to December 2021, and $109,024 per day thereafter. See “Item 8.A.—Financial Information—Consolidated Financial Statements and Other Financial Information—Legal proceedings” for additional information. The Beverly facility also is located in an area currently designated as Non-Attainment for the one hour SO2 National Ambient Air Quality Standards (“NAAQS”). The Company has worked with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency to develop a plan that ensures the facility is not causing exceedances of the one-hour NAAQS standard for SO2. The plan has received the necessary approval from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”).

The metals and mining industry is generally subject to risks and hazards, including fire, explosion, toxic gas leaks, releases of other hazardous materials, rockfalls, and incidents involving mobile equipment, vehicles or machinery. These could occur by accident or by breach of operating and maintenance standards, and could result in personal injury, illness or death of employees or contractors, or in environmental damage, delays in production, monetary losses and possible legal liability.

Under certain environmental laws, we could be required to remediate or be held responsible for the costs relating to contamination at our or our antecessors’ past or present facilities and at third party waste disposal sites. We could also be held liable under these environmental laws for sending or arranging for hazardous substances to be sent to third party disposal or treatment facilities if such facilities are found to be contaminated. Under these laws we could be held liable even if we did not know of, or did not cause, such contamination, or even if we never owned or operated the contaminated disposal or treatment facility.

There are a variety of laws and regulations in place or being considered at the international, federal, regional, state and local levels of government that restrict or propose to restrict and impose costs on emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. These legislative and regulatory developments may cause us to incur material costs if we are required to reduce or offset greenhouse gas emissions, or to purchase emission credits or allowances, and may result in a material increase in our energy costs due to additional regulation of power generators. Environmental laws are complex, change frequently and are likely to become more stringent in the future. Because environmental laws and regulations are becoming more stringent and new environmental laws and regulations are continuously being enacted or proposed, such as those relating to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change, the level of expenditures required for environmental matters could increase in the future. Future legislative action and regulatory initiatives could result in changes to operating permits, additional remedial actions, material changes in operations, increased capital expenditures and operating costs, increased costs of the goods we sell, and decreased demand for our products that cannot be assessed with certainty at this time.

Therefore, our costs of complying with current and future environmental laws, and our liabilities arising from past or future releases of, or exposure to, hazardous substances may adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Compliance with existing and proposed climate change laws and regulations could adversely affect our performance.

Under current European Union legislation, all industrial sites are subject to cap and trade programs, by which every facility with carbon emissions is required to purchase in the market emission rights for volumes of emission that exceed a certain allocated level. Until 2021, the allocated level of emissions had been practically sufficient for our business so the emissions rights purchases had a limited impact on our business. From 2022, new regulations reducing the allocation of free allowances require us to make significant purchases of emissions rights in the market. Also, certain Canadian provinces have implemented cap and trade programs. As a result, our facilities in Canada may be required to purchase emission credits in the future. The requirement to purchase emissions rights in the market could result in material costs to the Company, in addition to increased compliance costs, additional operating restrictions for our business, and an increase in the cost of the products we produce, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, and liquidity.

In the United States, it is likely that the current administration will place a greater emphasis on regulating greenhouse gas emissions, although no proposed regulations have been outlined to date. However, carbon taxes, clean energy standards, carbon offsets, and/or the requirement to participate in a cap-and-trade program are being explored by the administration and US Congress. Although it is impossible to predict what form such action will take, any action may result in material increased compliance costs additional operating restrictions for our business, and an increase in the cost of the products we produce, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and liquidity.

In 2022 Ferroglobe is going to assess the Climate Change Risks & Opportunities and its related financial impact across our operations. The evaluation will follow the Recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD).

We make a significant portion of our sales to a limited number of customers, and the loss of a portion of the sales to these customers could have a material adverse effect on our revenues and profits.

In the year ended December 31, 2021, our ten largest customers accounted for approximately 48.1% of Ferroglobe’s consolidated revenue. We expect that we will continue to derive a significant portion of our business from sales to these customers.

Some contracts with our customers do not entail commitments from the customer to purchase specified or minimum volumes of products over time. Accordingly, we face a risk of unexpected reduced demand for our products from such customers as a result of, for instance, downturns in the industries in which they operate or any other factor affecting their business, which could have a material adverse effect on our revenues and profits.

If we were to experience a significant reduction in the amount of sales we make to some or all of such customers and could not replace these sales with sales to other customers, this could have a material adverse effect on our revenues and profits.

Antidumping and countervailing duty orders are designed to provide relief from imports sold at unfairly low or subsidized prices by imposing special duties on such imports. Such orders normally benefit domestic suppliers and foreign suppliers not covered by the orders. In the United States, final antidumping or countervailing duties are in effect covering silicon metal imports from China, Russia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, and Kazakhstan. In July 2021 the International Trade Commission (ITC) voted to confirm that silicon metal imports from Malaysia had materially injured the U.S. industry. In response the U.S. Department of Commerce issued a form antidumping duty over covering all imports from Malaysia for five years. In the European Union, antidumping duties are in place covering silicon metal imports from China, ferrosilicon imports from China and Russia and calcium silicon imports from China. In Canada, antidumping and countervailing duties are in place covering silicon metal imports from China.

Similarly, export duties imposed by foreign governments that are currently in place may change. For example, duties on Chinese exports of types of ferroalloys produced by Ferroglobe could be reduced.

Products we manufacture may be subject to unfair import competition that may affect our profitability.

A number of the products we manufacture, including silicon metal and ferrosilicon, are globally-traded commodities that are sold primarily on the basis of price. As a result, our sales volumes and prices may be adversely affected by influxes of imports of these products that are dumped or are subsidized by foreign governments. Our silicon metal and ferrosilicon operations have been injured by such unfair import competition in the past. Applicable antidumping and countervailing duty laws and regulations may provide a remedy for unfairly traded imports in the form of special duties imposed to offset the unfairly low pricing or subsidization. However, the process for obtaining such relief is complex and uncertain. As a result, while we have sought and obtained such relief in the past, in some cases we have not been successful. Thus, there is no assurance that such relief will be obtained, and if it is not, unfair import competition could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Competitive pressure from Chinese steel, aluminum, polysilicon and silicone producers may adversely affect the business of our customers, reducing demand for our products. Our customers may relocate to China, where they may not continue purchasing from us.

China’s aluminum, polysilicon and steel producing capacity exceeds local demand and has made China an increasingly large net exporter of aluminum and steel, and the Chinese silicone manufacturing industry is growing. Chinese aluminum, polysilicon, steel and silicone producers — who are unlikely to purchase silicon metal, manganese and silicon based alloys and other specialty metals from our subsidiaries outside of China due to the ample availability of domestic Chinese production — may gain global market share at the expense of our customers. An increase in Chinese aluminum, steel, polysilicon and silicone industry market share could adversely affect the production volumes, revenue and profits of our customers, resulting in reduced purchases of our products.

Moreover, our customers might seek to relocate or refocus their operations to China or other countries with lower labor costs and higher growth rates. Any that do so might thereafter choose to purchase from other suppliers of silicon metal, manganese- and silicon-based alloys and other specialty metals which in turn could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

We are subject to the risk of union disputes and work stoppages at our facilities, which could have a material adverse effect on our business.

A majority of our employees are members of labor unions. We experience protracted negotiations with labor unions, strikes, work stoppages or other industrial actions from time to time. Strikes called by employees or unions have in the past and could in the future materially disrupt our operations, including productions schedules and delivery times. We have experienced strikes by our employees at several of our facilities from time to time and a certain number of these strikes have been protracted and have resulted in protracted amounts of business. Any such work stoppage could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

New labor contracts have to be negotiated to replace expiring contracts from time to time. It is possible that future collective bargaining agreements will contain terms less favorable than the current agreements. Any failure to negotiate renewals of labor contracts on terms acceptable to us, with or without work stoppages, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Many of our key customers or suppliers are similarly subject to union disputes and work stoppages, which may reduce their demand for our products or interrupt the supply of critical raw materials and impede their ability to fulfil their commitments under existing contracts, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

We are dependent on key personnel.

Our success depends in part upon the retention of key employees. Competition for qualified personnel can be intense. Current and prospective employees may experience uncertainty about our business or industry, which may impair our ability to attract, retain and motivate key management, sales, technical and other personnel.

If key employees depart our overall business may be harmed. We also may have to incur significant costs in identifying, hiring and retaining replacements for departing employees, may lose significant expertise and talent relating to our business and our ability to further realize the anticipated benefits of the Business Combination may be adversely affected. In addition, the departure of key employees could cause disruption or distractions for management and other personnel. Furthermore, we cannot be certain that we will be able to attract and retain replacements of a similar caliber as departing key employees.

The long term success of our operations depends to a significant degree on the continued employment of our core senior management team. In particular, we are dependent on the skills, knowledge and experience of Javier López Madrid, our Executive Chairman, Marco Levi, our Chief Executive Officer, and Beatriz García-Cos, our Chief Financial Officer. If these employees are unable to continue in their respective roles, or if we are unable to attract and retain other skilled employees, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected. We currently have employment agreements with Mr. López Madrid, Dr. Levi and Ms. García-Cos. These agreements contain certain non-compete provisions, which may not be fully enforceable by us. Additionally, we are substantially dependent upon key personnel among our legal, financial and information technology staff, who enable us to meet our regulatory, contractual and financial reporting obligations, including reporting requirements under our credit facilities.

Shortages of skilled labor could adversely affect our operations.

We depend on skilled labor for the operation of our submerged arc furnaces and other facilities. Some of our facilities are located in areas where demand for skilled personnel often exceeds supply. Shortages of skilled furnace technicians and other skilled workers, including as a result of deaths, work stoppages or quarantines resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, could restrict our ability to maintain or increase production rates, lead to production inefficiencies and increase our labor costs.

In certain circumstances, the members of our Board may have interests that may conflict with yours as a holder of ordinary shares.

Our directors have no duty to us with respect to any information such directors may obtain (i) otherwise than as our directors and (ii) in respect of which directors owe a duty of confidentiality to another person, provided that where a director’s relationship with such other person gives rise to a conflict, such conflict has been authorized by our Board in accordance with our articles of association (“Articles”). Our Articles provide that a director shall not be in breach of the general duties directors owe to us pursuant to the UK Companies Act 2006 because such director:

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fails to disclose any such information to our Board, directors or officers; or

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fails to use or apply any such information in performing such director’s duties as a director.

In such circumstances, certain interests of the members of our Board may not be aligned with your interests as a holder of ordinary shares and the members of our Board may engage in certain business and other transactions without any accountability or obligation to us.

We may not realize the cost savings and other benefits that we expect to achieve from the strategic plan.

We are constantly looking for opportunities to improve our operations through changes in processes, technology, information systems, and management of best practices. These initiatives are complex and require skilled management and the support of our workforce to implement them.

In our efforts to improve our business fully and successfully, we may encounter material unanticipated problems, expenses, liabilities, competitive responses, loss of client relationships, and a resulting diversion of management’s attention. The challenges include, among others:

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managing change throughout the company;

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coordinating geographically separate organizations;

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potential diversion of management focus and resources from ordinary operational matters and future strategic opportunities;

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retaining existing customers and attracting new customers;

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maintaining employee morale and retaining key management and other employees;

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integrating two unique business cultures that are not necessarily compatible;

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issues in achieving anticipated operating efficiencies, business opportunities and growth prospects;

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consolidating corporate and administrative infrastructures and eliminating duplicative operations;

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issues in integrating information technology, communications and other systems;

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changes in applicable laws and regulations;

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changes in tax laws (including under applicable tax treaties) and regulations or to the interpretation of such tax laws or regulations by the governmental authorities; and

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managing tax costs or inefficiencies associated with integrating our operations.

Many of these factors are outside of our control and any one of them could result in increased costs, decreased revenues and diversion of management’s time and energy, which could materially impact our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Any failure to integrate recently acquired businesses successfully or to complete future acquisitions successfully could be disruptive of our business and limit our future growth.

From time to time, we expect to pursue acquisitions in support of our strategic goals. In connection with any such acquisition, we could face significant challenges in managing and integrating our expanded or combined operations, including acquired assets, operations and personnel. For example, we have faced challenges in integrating Globe and Ferroatlantica following the merger in 2015, and more recently with the acquisitions of the Mo i Rana and Dunkirk plants, and have struggled to efficiently integrate the businesses and fully realize anticipated synergies. There can be no assurance that acquisition opportunities will be available on acceptable terms or at all or that we will be able to obtain necessary financing or regulatory approvals to complete potential acquisitions. Our ability to succeed in implementing our strategy will depend to some degree upon the ability of our management to identify, complete and successfully integrate commercially viable acquisitions. Acquisition transactions may disrupt our ongoing business and distract management from other responsibilities.

Grupo VM, our principal shareholder, has significant voting power with respect to corporate matters considered by our shareholders.

Our principal shareholder, Grupo VM, owns shares representing approximately 48.6% of the aggregate voting power of our capital stock. By virtue of Grupo VM’s voting power, as well as Grupo VM’s representation on the Board, Grupo VM will have significant influence over the outcome of any corporate transaction or other matters submitted to our shareholders for approval. Grupo VM will be able to block any such matter, including ordinary resolutions, which, under English law, require approval by a majority of outstanding shares cast in the vote. Grupo VM will also be able to block special resolutions, which, under English law, require approval by the holders of at least 75% of the outstanding shares entitled to vote and voting on the resolution, such as an amendment of the Articles or the exclusion of preemptive rights. Our principal shareholder has, and will continue to have, directly or indirectly, the power, among other things, to affect our legal and capital structure and our day-to-day operations, as well as the ability to elect and change our management and to approve other changes to our operations.

Grupo VM has pledged most of its shares in our company to secure a loan from Tyrus Capital.

Grupo VM has guaranteed its obligations pursuant to a credit agreement (the “GVM Credit Agreement”) with respect to a loan granted to GVM by Tyrus Capital (“GVM Loan”). In addition, Grupo VM has entered into a security and pledge agreement (the “GVM Pledge Agreement”), with Tyrus pursuant to which Grupo VM agreed to pledge most of its shares to Tyrus to secure the outstanding GVM Loan.

In the event Grupo VM defaults under the GVM Credit Agreement, Tyrus may foreclose on the shares subject to the pledge. The Reinstated Notes and the Super Senior Notes contain change of control definitions with significant exceptions compared with that contained in the indenture for the Old Notes. Under the revised change of control definitions, no change of control shall occur or be deemed to occur by reason of, among other matters, any enforcement or exercise of remedies under the GVM Pledge Agreement or any disposal by Grupo VM of the Grupo VM shares for the purpose of repaying Grupo VM’s debt to Tyrus, provided that certain other conditions, as described below, are met.

A change of control will occur upon the acquisition of 35% or more of the total voting power of our shares by persons other than certain permitted holders including Grupo VM and such permitted holders “beneficially own” directly or indirectly in the aggregate the same or a lesser percentage of the total voting power of our shares than such other “person” or “group” of related persons. However, the Reinstated Notes Indenture states that no change of control shall occur or be deemed to occur by reason of:

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any enforcement of rights or exercise of remedies under the GVM Share Pledge, including any sale, transfer or other disposal or disposition of the shares in Ferroglobe in connection therewith;

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any disposal by Grupo VM of its shares in Ferroglobe where the purpose of that transaction is to facilitate the repayment or discharge (in full or in part) of the GVM Loan and the proceeds of sale are promptly applied towards such repayment or discharge; or

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any mandatory offer (or analogous offer) required under the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers or any analogous regulation applied in any jurisdiction as a consequence of a transaction under limbs (1) or (2) above.

Provided that, if any transaction under paragraphs (1) to (3) above occurs which, but for such paragraph(s), would be a “Change of Control” as a consequence of any person or persons (other than Tyrus) (x) acquiring any voting stock of Ferroglobe PLC (or any other successor company) or (y) being or becoming the “beneficial owner” of the voting power of any voting stock of Ferroglobe PLC (or any other successor company) (such person(s), the “Controlling Shareholder”):

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the Controlling Shareholder has within 60 days of that transaction and at its election:

paid to the Holders, on a pro rata basis, a fee in an aggregate amount equal to the product of(i) the aggregate principal amount outstanding of the Notes, (ii) 0.02 and (iii) the number of years (or part-thereof, with any part of a year calculated on the basis of the number of days divided by 360) from the payment date of such fee to June 30, 2025; or

made an offer to all Holders to purchase one-third of the Notes on a pro rata basis at a price equal to (A) in the first fifteen months after the Issue Date, 100% of the principal amount of such Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest or (B) at any time after the first fifteen months following the Issue Date, 101% of the principal amount of such Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest; or

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either or both of the Issuers within 60 days of that transaction has made an offer to all Holders to repurchase or purchase (as applicable), or has otherwise redeemed, one-third of the Notes on a pro rata basis at a price equal to (A) in the first fifteen months after the Issue Date,100% of the principal amount of such Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest or (B) at anytime after the fifteen months following the Issue Date, 101% of the principal amount of such Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest, resulting in such repurchased, purchased or redeemed Notes being cancelled, and provided further that the Controlling Shareholder is not a Restricted Person.

Where:

“GVM Loan” means any financing provided by Tyrus to Grupo VM or owing by Grupo VM to Tyrus, from time to time.

“GVM Share Pledge” means any share pledge or charge or other similar security over the shares in Ferroglobe PLC held by Grupo VM granted by Grupo VM in support of or as collateral for its obligations under any Grupo VM Loan from time to time.

“Restricted Person” means any person that: (a) is listed on the United States Specifically Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List; the European Union Consolidated List of Persons, Groups and Entities subject to EU Financial Sanctions; or the United Kingdom Consolidated List of Financial Sanctions Targets (each a “Sanctions List”); (b) is owned or controlled by a person identified on a Sanctions List, to the extent that such ownership or control results in such person being subject to the same restrictions as if such person were themselves identified on the corresponding Sanctions List; (c) is located in or incorporated under the laws of a country or territory that is the target of comprehensive sanctions imposed by the United States, which for the purposes of this Agreement, as at the date of signature of this Agreement by the last of its signatories are Iran, Syria, Cuba, the Crimea Region, and North Korea; (d) has, within the last five years, been prosecuted by a relevant authority in the United States, the United Kingdom or any member state of the European Union, in relation to a breach of securities laws (in so far as such prosecution relates to insider dealing, unlawful disclosure, market manipulation or prospectus liability) or criminal laws relating to fraud or anti-corruption, save for instances where the prosecution has concluded and did not result in any criminal or civil settlement or penalty being imposed in relation to such breaches; or (e) is a Subsidiary of a person described in (d) above.

If upon a change of control, we do not have sufficient funds available to repurchase the notes with our available cash, third party financing would be needed, yet may be impermissible under our other debt agreements. In addition, certain other contracts we are party to from time to time may contain change of control provisions. Upon a change in control, such provisions may be triggered, which could cause our contracts to be terminated or give rise to other obligations, each of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

We engage in related party transactions with affiliates of Grupo VM, our principal shareholder.

Conflicts of interest may arise between our principal shareholder and your interests as a shareholder. Our principal shareholder has, and will continue to have, directly or indirectly, the power, among other things, to affect our day-to-day operations, including the pursuit of related party transactions. We have entered, and may in the future enter, into agreements with companies who are affiliates of Grupo VM, our principal shareholder. Such agreements have been approved by, or would be subject to the approval of, the Board or the Audit Committee, as its delegate. The terms of such agreements may present material risks to our business and results of operations. For example, we have entered into a number of agreements with affiliates of Grupo VM with respect to, among other things, the provision of information technology and data processing services and energy-related services. See “Item 7.B.—Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—Related Party Transactions.”

We are exposed to significant risks in relation to compliance with anti-bribery and corruption laws, anti-money laundering laws and regulations, and economic sanctions programs.

Doing business on a worldwide basis requires us to comply with the laws and regulations of various jurisdictions. In particular, our international operations are subject to anti-corruption laws, most notably the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 (“FCPA”) and the UK Bribery Act of 2010 (the “Bribery Act”), international trade sanctions programs, most notably those administered by the U.N., U.S. and European Union, anti-money laundering laws and regulations, and laws against human trafficking and slavery, most notably the UK Modern Slavery Act 2015 (“Modern Slavery Act”).

The FCPA and Bribery Act prohibit offering or providing anything of value to foreign officials for the purposes of obtaining or retaining business or securing any improper business advantage. We may deal from time to time with both governments and state-owned business enterprises, the employees of which are considered foreign officials for purposes of these laws. International trade sanctions programs restrict our business dealings with or relating to certain sanctioned countries and certain sanctioned entities and persons no matter where located.

As a result of doing business internationally, we are exposed to a risk of violating applicable anti-bribery and corruption (“ABC”) laws, international trade sanctions, and anti-money laundering (“AML”) laws and regulations. Some of our operations are located in developing countries that lack well-functioning legal systems and have high levels of corruption. Our worldwide operations and any expansion, including in developing countries, our development of joint venture relationships worldwide, and the engagement of local agents in the countries in which we operate tend to increase the risk of violations of such laws and regulations. Violations of ABC laws, AML laws and regulations, and trade sanctions are punishable by civil penalties, including fines, denial of export privileges, injunctions, asset seizures, debarment from government contracts (and termination of existing contracts) and revocations or restrictions of licenses, as well as criminal penalties including possible imprisonment. Moreover, any major violations could have a significant impact on our reputation and consequently on our ability to win future business.

For its part, the Modern Slavery Act requires any commercial organization that carries on a business or part of a business in the United Kingdom which (i) supplies goods or services and (ii) has an annual global turnover of £36 million to prepare a slavery and human trafficking statement for each financial year ending on or after March 31, 2016. In this statement, the commercial organization must set out the steps it has taken to ensure there is no modern slavery in its own business and its supply chain, or provide an appropriate negative statement. The UK Secretary of State may enforce this duty by means of civil proceedings. The nature of our operations and the regions in which we operate may make it difficult or impossible for us to detect all incidents of modern slavery in certain of our supply chains. Any failure in this regard would not violate the Modern Slavery Act per se, but could have a significant impact on our reputation and consequently on our ability to win future business.

We seek to build and continuously improve our systems of internal controls and to remedy any weaknesses identified. As part of our efforts to comply with all applicable law and regulation, we have introduced a global ethics and compliance program. We believe we are devoting appropriate time and resources to its implementation, related training, and to monitoring compliance. Despite these efforts, we cannot be certain that our policies and procedures will be followed at all times or that we will prevent or timely detect violations of applicable laws, regulations or policies by our personnel, partners or suppliers. Any actual or alleged failure to comply with applicable laws or regulations could lead to material liabilities not covered by insurance or other significant losses, which in turn could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.

We operate in a highly competitive industry.

The silicon metal market and the silicon-based and manganese-based alloys markets are global, capital intensive and highly competitive. Our competitors may have greater financial resources, as well as other strategic advantages, to maintain, improve and possibly expand their facilities, and, as a result, they may be better positioned than we are to adapt to changes in the industry or the global economy. Advantages that our competitors have over us from time to time, new entrants that increase competition in our industry, and increases in the use of substitutes for certain of our products could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Though we are not currently operating at full capacity, we have historically operated at near the maximum capacity of our operating facilities. Because the cost of increasing capacity may be prohibitively expensive, we may have difficulty increasing our production and profits.

Our facilities are able to manufacture, collectively, approximately 296,000 tons of silicon metal (including Dow’s portion of the capacity of our Alloy, West Virginia and Bécancour, Québec plants and excluding currently idled plants), 343,000 tons of silicon-based alloys and 562,000 tons of manganese-based alloys on an annual basis. Our ability to increase production and revenues will depend on expanding existing facilities, acquiring facilities or building new ones. Increasing capacity is difficult because:

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adding 30,000 tons of new production capacity to an existing silicon manufacturing plant would cost approximately $120 million and take at least 12 to 18 months to complete once permits are obtained;

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a greenfield development project would take at least three to five years to complete and would require significant capital expenditure and, regulatory compliance costs; and

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obtaining sufficient and dependable electric power at competitive rates in areas near the required natural resources is extremely difficult.

We may not have sufficient funds to expand existing facilities, acquire new facilities, or open new ones and may be required to incur significant debt to do so, which could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition.

We are subject to restrictive covenants under our credit facilities and other financing agreements. These covenants could significantly affect the way in which we conduct our business. Our failure to comply with these covenants could lead to an acceleration of our debt.

We have in the past breached certain financial covenants under our credit facilities, including financial maintenance covenants for the three months ended September 30 and December 31, 2016 under our then existing revolving credit facility. Our ability to comply with applicable debt covenants may be affected by events beyond our control, potentially leading to future breaches. The breach of any of the covenants contained in our credit facilities, unless waived, would constitute an event of default, in turn permitting the lenders to terminate their commitments to extend credit under, and accelerate the maturity of, the credit facilities in question. If in such circumstances we were unable to repay lenders and holders, or obtain waivers from them on acceptable terms or at all, the lenders and holders could foreclose upon the collateral securing the credit facilities and exercise other rights. Such events, should they occur, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. See “—Risks Related to Our Capital Structure—We are subject to restrictive covenants under our financing agreements, which could impair our ability to run our business” below.

Our insurance costs may increase materially, and insurance coverages may not be adequate to protect us against all risks and potential losses to which we may be subject.

We maintain various forms of insurance covering a number of specified and consequential risks and losses arising from insured events under the policies, including securities claims, certain business interruptions and claims for damage and loss caused by certain natural disasters, such as earthquakes, floods and windstorms. Our existing property and liability insurance coverage contains various exclusions and limitations on coverage. In some previous insurance policy renewals, we have acceded to larger premiums, self-insured retentions and deductibles. For example, as a result of the explosion at our facility in Chateau Feuillet, France, the applicable property insurance premium increased. We may also be subject to additional exclusions and limitations on coverage in future insurance policy renewals. There can be no assurance that the insurance policies we have in place are or will be sufficient to cover all potential losses we may incur. In addition, due to changes in our circumstances and in the global insurance market, insurance coverage may not continue to be available to us on terms we consider commercially reasonable or be sufficient to cover multiple large claims.

We have operations and assets in the United States, Spain, France, Canada, China, South Africa, Norway, Venezuela, Argentina and may have operations and assets in other countries in the future. Our international operations and assets may be subject to various economic, social and governmental risks.

Our international operations and sales may expose us to risks that are more significant in developing markets than in developed markets and which could negatively impact future revenue and profitability. Operations in developing countries may not operate or develop in the same way or at the same rate as might be expected in a country with an economy, government and legal system similar to western countries. The additional risks that we may be exposed to in such cases include, but are not limited to:

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tariffs and trade barriers;

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sanctions and other restrictions in our ability to conduct business with certain countries, companies or individuals;

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recessionary trends, inflation or instability of financial markets;

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regulations related to customs and import/export matters;

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tax issues, such as tax law changes, changes in tax treaties and variations in tax laws;

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absence of a reliable legal or court system;

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changes in regulations that affect our business, such as new or more stringent environmental requirements or sudden and unexpected raises in power rates;

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limited access to qualified staff;

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inadequate infrastructure;

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cultural and language differences;

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inadequate banking systems;

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restrictions on the repatriation of profits or payment of dividends;

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crime, strikes, riots, civil disturbances, terrorist attacks or wars;

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nationalization or expropriation of property;

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less access to urgent medical care for employees and key personnel in the case of severe illness;

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law enforcement authorities and courts that are weak or inexperienced in commercial matters; and

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deterioration of political relations among countries.

In addition to the foregoing, exchange controls and restrictions on transfers abroad and capital inflow restrictions have limited, and can be expected to continue to limit, the availability of international credit.

The critical social, political and economic conditions in Venezuela have adversely affected, and may continue to adversely affect, our results of operations.

Among other policies in recent years, the Venezuelan government has continuously devalued the Bolívar. The resulting inflation has devastated the country, which is experiencing all manner of shortages of basic materials and other goods and difficulties in importing raw materials. In 2016, we idled our Venezuelan operations and sought to determine the recoverable value of the long lived assets there. We concluded that the costs to dispose of the facility exceeded the fair value of the assets, primarily due to political and financial instability in Venezuela. Accordingly, we wrote down the full value of our Venezuelan facilities. However, our inability to generate cash in that market may cause us to default on some of our obligations there in the future, which may result in administrative intervention or other consequences. In addition, in the recent past the Venezuelan government has threatened to nationalize certain businesses and industries, which could result in a loss of our Venezuelan facilities for no consideration. If the social, political and economic conditions in Venezuela continue as they are, or worsen, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected. Venezuela net assets value as of December 31, 2021 $708 thousand ($1,443 thousand as of December 31, 2020). Revenues during 2021 $11 thousand ($38 thousand during 2020).

We are exposed to foreign currency exchange risk and our business and results of operations may be negatively affected by the fluctuation of different currencies.

We transact business in numerous countries around the world and a significant portion of our business entails cross border purchasing and sales. Our sales made in a particular currency do not exactly match the amount of our purchases in such currency. We prepare our consolidated financial statements in U.S. Dollars, while the financial statements of each of our subsidiaries are prepared in the entities functional currency. Accordingly, our revenues and earnings are continuously affected by fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. For example, our sales made in U.S. Dollars exceed the amount of our purchases made in U.S. Dollars, such that the appreciation of certain currencies (like the Euro or the South African Rand) against the U.S. Dollar would tend to have an adverse effect on our costs. Such adverse movements in relevant exchange rates could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

We depend on a limited number of suppliers for certain key raw materials. The loss of one of these suppliers or the failure of one of any of them to meet contractual obligations to us could have a material adverse effect on our business.

Colombia and the United States are among the preferred sources for the coal consumed in the production of silicon metal and silicon-based alloys, and the vast majority of producers source coal from these two countries. In the year ended December 31, 2021, 62% of our coal came from a single mine in Colombia while the remaining 38% came from the United States, other Colombian mines, as well as from Kazakhstan and South Africa. Additionally, nearly all of the manganese ore we purchase comes from suppliers located in South Africa and Gabon. We do not control these third party suppliers and must rely on them to perform in accordance with the terms of their contracts. If these suppliers fail to provide us with the required raw materials in a timely manner, or at all, or if the quantity or quality of the materials they provide is lower than that contractually agreed, we may not be able to procure adequate supplies of raw materials from alternative sources on comparable terms, or at all, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. In addition, since many suppliers of these raw materials are located in the same region, if a natural disaster or event affected one of these regions it is likely alternative sources would also be similarly affected.

Global markets are experiencing volatility and disruption following the escalation of geopolitical tensions and the start of the military conflict between Russia and Ukraine. On February 24, 2022, a full-scale military invasion of Ukraine by Russian troops was reported. Although the length and impact of the ongoing military conflict is highly unpredictable, the conflict in Ukraine could lead to market disruptions, including significant volatility in commodity prices, credit and capital markets, as well as supply chain interruptions.

Russia and Ukraine are meaningful producers of silicon metal, ferroalloys and manganese based alloys, and are also significant suppliers of raw materials for our business and industry. The inability of Russian and Ukrainian producers to meet their customer obligations could potentially create tightness in the market. Likewise, we rely on a number of inputs from Russia and the CIS region, including metallurgical coke, anthracite and carbon and graphite electrodes. Our inability to procure these material can adversely impact our operations.

Additionally, Russia’s prior annexation of Crimea, recent recognition of two separatist republics in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine and subsequent military interventions in Ukraine have led to sanctions and other penalties being levied by the United States, European Union and other countries against Russia, Belarus, the Crimea Region of Ukraine, the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic, and the so-called Luhansk People’s Republic, including agreement to remove certain Russian financial institutions from the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (“SWIFT”) payment system, expansive ban on imports and exports of products to and from Russia and ban on exportation of U.S denominated banknotes to Russia or persons located there. Additional potential sanctions and penalties have also been proposed and/or threatened. Russian military actions and the resulting sanctions could adversely affect the global economy and financial markets and lead to instability and lack of liquidity in capital markets, potentially making it more difficult for us to obtain additional funds. The extent and duration of the military action, sanctions and resulting market disruptions are impossible to predict, but could be substantial.

Management continually tracks developments in the nascent conflict in Ukraine and is committed to actively managing our response to potential distributions to the business, but can provide no assurance that the conflict in Ukraine or other ongoing headwinds will not have a material adverse effect on our business, operations and financial results.

Planned investments in the expansion and improvement of existing facilities and in the construction of new facilities may not be successful.

We may engage in significant capital improvements to our existing facilities to upgrade and add capacity to those facilities. We also may engage in the development and construction of new facilities. Should any such efforts not be completed in a timely manner and within budget, or be unsuccessful otherwise, we may incur additional costs or impairments which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Any delay or failure to procure, renew or maintain necessary governmental permits, including environmental permits and concessions to operate our hydropower plants would adversely affect our results of operations.

The operation of our hydropower plants is highly regulated, requires various governmental permits, including environmental permits and concessions, and may be subject to the imposition of conditions by government authorities. We cannot predict whether the conditions prescribed in such permits and concessions will be achievable. The denial of a permit essential to a hydropower plant or the imposition of impractical conditions would impair our ability to operate the plant. If we fail to satisfy the conditions or comply with the restrictions imposed by governmental permits or concessions, or restrictions imposed by other applicable statutory or regulatory requirements, we may face enforcement action and be subject to fines, penalties or additional costs or revocation of such permits or concessions. Any failure to procure, renew or abide by necessary permits and concessions would adversely affect the operation of our hydropower plants.

Equipment failures may lead to production curtailments or shutdowns and repairing any failure could require us to incur capital expenditures and other costs.

Many of our business activities are characterized by substantial investments in complex production facilities and manufacturing equipment. Because of the complex nature of our production facilities, any interruption in manufacturing resulting from fire, explosion, industrial accidents, natural disaster, equipment failures or otherwise could cause significant losses in operational capacity and could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Our hydropower generation assets and other equipment may not continue to perform as they have in the past or as they are expected. A major equipment failure due to wear and tear, latent defect, design error or operator error, early obsolescence, natural disaster or other force majeure event could cause significant losses in operational capacity. Repairs following such failures could require us to incur capital expenditures and other costs. Such major failures also could result in damage to the environment or damages and harm to third parties or the public, which could expose us to significant liability. Such costs and liabilities could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

We depend on proprietary manufacturing processes and software. These processes may not yield the cost savings that we anticipate and our proprietary technology may be challenged.

We rely on proprietary technologies and technical capabilities in order to compete effectively and produce high quality silicon metal and silicon-based alloys, including:

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computerized technology that monitors and controls production furnaces;

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electrode technology and operational know-how;

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metallurgical processes for the production of solar-grade silicon metal;

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production software that monitors the introduction of additives to alloys, allowing the precise formulation of the chemical composition of products; and

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flowcaster equipment, which maintains certain characteristics of silicon-based alloys as they are cast.

We are subject to a risk that:

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we may not have sufficient funds to develop new technology and to implement effectively our technologies as competitors improve their processes;

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if implemented, our technologies may not work as planned; and

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our proprietary technologies may be challenged and we may not be able to protect our rights to these technologies.

Patent or other intellectual property infringement claims may be asserted against us by a competitor or others. Our intellectual property rights may not be enforceable and may not enable us to prevent others from developing and marketing competitive products or methods. An infringement action against us may require the diversion of substantial funds from our operations and may require management to expend efforts that might otherwise be devoted to operations. A successful challenge to the validity of any of our patents may subject us to a significant award of damages, and may oblige us to secure licenses of others’ intellectual property, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

We also rely on trade secrets, know-how and continuing technological advancement to maintain our competitive position. We may not be able to effectively protect our rights to unpatented trade secrets and know-how.

Ferroglobe PLC is a holding company whose principal source of revenue is the income received from its subsidiaries.

Ferroglobe PLC is dependent on the income generated by its subsidiaries in order to earn distributable profits and pay dividends to shareholders. The amounts of distributions and dividends, if any, to be paid to us by any operating subsidiary will depend on many factors, including such subsidiary’s results of operations and financial condition, limits on dividends under applicable law, its constitutional documents, documents governing any indebtedness, applicability of tax treaties and other factors which may be outside our control. If our operating subsidiaries do not generate sufficient cash flow, we may be unable to earn distributable profits and pay dividends on our shares.

Our business operations may be impacted by various types of claims, lawsuits, and other contingent obligations.

We are exposed to changes in economic and political conditions where we operate and globally that are beyond our control.

Our industry is affected by changing economic conditions, including changes in national, regional and local unemployment levels, changes in national, regional and local economic development plans and budgets, shifts in business investment and consumer spending patterns, credit availability, and business and consumer confidence. Disruptions in national economies and volatility in the financial markets may and often will reduce consumer confidence, negatively affecting business investment and consumer spending. The outlook for the global economy in the near to medium term is negative due to several factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical risks and concerns about global growth and stability.

Following the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union, we may face risks associated with the current uncertainty and the consequences that may result from such exit, in particular with respect to tax, customs and duty laws and regulations, volatility in exchange rates and interest rates and our ability to sell and transport products from manufacturing facilities on the continent to our customers in the United Kingdom.

We are not able to predict the timing or duration of periods economic growth in the countries where we operate or sell products, nor are we able to predict the timing or duration of any economic downturn or recession that may occur in the future.

Cybersecurity breaches and threats could disrupt our business operations and result in the loss of critical and confidential information.

We rely on the effective functioning and availability of our information technology and communication systems and the security of such systems for the secure processing, storage and transmission of confidential information. The sophistication and magnitude of cybersecurity incidents are increasing and include, among other things, unauthorized access, computer viruses, deceptive communications and malware. We have experienced minor incidents in the past, and information technology security processes may not effectively detect or prevent cybersecurity breaches or threats and the measures we have taken to protect against such incidents may not be sufficient to anticipate or prevent rapidly evolving types of cyber-attacks. Breaches of the security of our information technology and communication systems could result in destruction or corruption of data, the misappropriation, corruption or loss of critical or confidential information, business disruption, reputational damage, litigation and remediation costs.

Possible new tariffs and duties that might be imposed by certain governments, including the United States, the European Union and others, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

In March, 2018, the United States imposed import tariffs of 25 percent on steel and 10 percent on aluminum. Exemptions from these tariffs were allowed for steel from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and South Korea, and aluminum from Argentina, Australia, Canada, and Mexico. These tariffs were expanded to apply to steel and aluminum derivatives from most countries. China, the EU, and other countries imposed retaliatory duties on products from the United States.

In January, 2022, the tariffs on steel and aluminum from the EU were replaced by “tariff-rate quotas”, which allow a certain volume of imports to enter without the additional tariffs, but impose a 25% tariff on steel imports and a 10% tariff on aluminum imports exceeding the quota amount. Similar arrangements to replace the steel and aluminum tariffs are being negotiated with Japan and the UK.

Beginning in July 2018, the United States also imposed 25 percent tariffs on a wide array of Chinese products, including products produced and consumed by Ferroglobe, and 7.5 percent on a smaller range of products. In January 2020, the United States and China entered an initial “Phase 1” agreement to resolve the trade dispute between the two countries. The agreement resulted in the suspension of Chinese retaliatory duties on certain U.S. products and the commitment by China to purchase products from the United States. It is unclear whether and, if so, when the two countries will reach a Phase 2 agreement that would resolve the dispute more broadly.

There are indications that China has not fully complied with its Phase 1 commitments. If China were found to be in noncompliance, the United States could reimpose tariffs on Chinese products that are currently suspended or increase the existing tariffs.

Any “trade war” resulting from the imposition of tariffs could have a significant adverse effect on world trade and the world economy. To date, tariffs have not affected our business to a material degree.

Our suppliers, customers, agents or business partners may be subject to or affected by export controls or trade sanctions imposed by government authorities from time to time, which may restrict our ability to conduct business with them and potentially disrupt our production or our sales.

The United States, European Union, United Nations and other authorities have variously imposed export controls and trade sanctions on certain countries, companies, individuals and products, restricting our ability to trade normally with or in them. At present, compliance with such trade regulation is not affecting our business to a material degree. However, new trade regulations may be imposed at any time that target or otherwise affect our customers, suppliers, agents or business partners or their products. In particular, trade sanctions could be imposed that restrict our ability to do business with one or more critical suppliers and require special licenses to do so. Such events could potentially disrupt our production or sales and have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

We make significant investments in the development of new technologies and new products. The success of such technologies or products is inherently uncertain and the investments made may fail to render the desired increased in profitability.

In order to improve our processes and increase the margins in our products we have constantly invested significant amounts in the development of new technologies and in the development of new value added products. However, these developments are inherently uncertain, since they may fail to render the desired results when implemented at an industrial scale.

Specifically, we have invested in the construction of a factory to produce solar-grade silicon metal through a technology developed by the Company. We believe the technology presents several advantages when compared to current solar-grade silicon production processes since the technology has proven to render the desired technological and cost results at a laboratory scale. However, the implementation of the technology at an industrial scale is challenging especially in light of current market conditions. The current market for solar-grade silicon (or polysilicon) is very volatile and has suffered from declining prices in the past few years. Further investment in this project has been temporarily suspended and the future profitability of this project is uncertain.

Risks Related to Our Capital Structure

Our leverage may make it difficult for us to service our debt and operate our business.

We have significant outstanding indebtedness and debt service requirements. Our leverage has and in the future could have important consequences, including:

making it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations to all creditors;

requiring us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to payments on our indebtedness, thus reducing the availability of our cash flow to fund internal growth through working capital and capital expenditures and for other general corporate purposes;

increasing our vulnerability to a downturn in our business or economic or industry conditions;

placing us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that have less indebtedness in relation to cash flow;

limiting our flexibility in planning for or reacting to changes in our business and our industry;

restricting us from investing in growing our business, pursuing strategic acquisitions and exploiting certain business opportunities; and

limiting, among other things, our and our subsidiaries’ ability to incur additional indebtedness, including refinancing, or raise equity capital in the future and increasing the costs of such additional financings.

Our ability to service our indebtedness will depend on our future performance, including an improvement on recent financial performance, and liquidity, which will be affected by prevailing economic conditions and financial, business, regulatory and other factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the military conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Many of these factors are beyond our control. We may not be able to generate enough cash flow from operations or obtain enough capital to service our indebtedness or fund our planned capital expenditures. If we cannot service our indebtedness and meet our other obligations and commitments, we might be required to refinance our indebtedness, obtain additional financing, delay planned capital expenditures or to dispose of assets to obtain funds for such purpose. We cannot assure you that any refinancing or asset dispositions could be effected on a timely basis or on satisfactory terms, if at all, or would be permitted by the terms of our outstanding debt instruments.

We have in the past experienced losses and cannot assure you that we will be profitable.

Our business has historically been subject to fluctuations in the prices of our products and the market demand for them, caused by general and regional economic cycles, raw material and energy price fluctuations, competition and other factors. Throughout 2019 and 2020 we experienced a significant decline in prevailing prices of our products, which adversely affected our results. In early 2020, the outbreak of coronavirus disease (“COVID-19”) has been and continues to be a complex and evolving situation, with governments, public institutions and other organizations imposing or recommending, and businesses and individuals implementing, at various times and to varying degrees, restrictions on various activities or other actions to combat its spread, such as restrictions and bans on travel or transportation; limitations on the size of in-person gatherings, restrictions on freight transportations, closures of, or occupancy or other operating limitations on work facilities, and quarantines and lock-downs.

As a result of this pandemic and the strict confinement and other public health measures taken around the world, the demand for our products in the second and third quarters of 2020 was reduced significantly compared with the first and fourth quarters of the year. During the fourth quarter of 2020, demand level for our products increased to levels similar to those prior to the outbreak. During 2021, demand for our products has increased even further than in the fourth quarter of 2020. However, COVID-19 has negatively impacted, and will in the future negatively impact to an extent we are unable to predict, our revenues.

As a result, in part due to this pandemic and the strict confinement and other public health measures taken around the world, our sales decreased $470.8 million, or 29.1%, from $1,615.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 to $1,144.4 million for the year ended December 31 2020, resulting in a loss of $249.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. During 2021, our sales increased $634.5 million, or 55.4%, from $1,144.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 to $1,778.9 million for the year ended December 31 2021, resulting in a loss of $106.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2021.

We are subject to restrictive covenants under our financing agreements, which could impair our ability to run our business.

Restrictive covenants under our financing agreements, including relating to our outstanding notes and the agreements for our SEPI financing, may restrict our ability to operate our business. Our failure to comply with these covenants, including as a result of events beyond our control, could result in an event of default that could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

The restrictions contained in our financing agreements could affect our ability to operate our business and may limit our ability to react to market conditions or take advantage of potential business opportunities as they arise. For example, such restrictions could adversely affect our ability to finance our operations, make strategic acquisitions, investments or alliances, restructure our organization or finance our capital needs. Additionally, our ability to comply with these covenants and restrictions may be affected by events beyond our control. These include prevailing economic, financial and industry conditions. If we breach any of these covenants or restrictions, we could be in default under our financing agreements.

If there were an event of default under any of our debt instruments that is not cured or waived, the holders of the defaulted debt could terminate their commitments thereunder and declare all amounts outstanding with respect to such indebtedness due and payable immediately, which, in turn, could result in cross-defaults under our other outstanding debt instruments. Any such actions could force us into bankruptcy or liquidation.

To service our indebtedness, we require a significant amount of cash, and our ability to generate cash will depend on many factors beyond our control.

Our ability to make payments on and to refinance our indebtedness, and to fund capital expenditures, depends in part on our ability to generate cash in the future, and increased cash flow than we have generated in recent periods. Debt service requirements due to increased debt and increased interest rates will increase our cash flow requirements. This depends on the success of our business strategy and on general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other factors, many of which are beyond our control.

The Restructuring has increased our leverage and so we will need to significantly improve our profitability and/or cash flow in order to be able to service our indebtedness. There can be no assurance that we will generate sufficient cash flow from operations, that we will realize operating improvements on schedule or that future borrowings will be available to us in an amount sufficient to enable us to service and repay our indebtedness or to fund our other liquidity needs. Furthermore, applicable law and future contractual arrangements may impose restrictions on certain of our subsidiaries’ ability to make payments to Ferroglobe and other entities within the Group, which could impact our ability to service and pay our obligations as they mature or to fund our liquidity needs.

The Super Senior Notes mature in June 2025, the Reinstated Notes mature in December 2025 and the remaining Old Notes that were not exchanged mature in March 2022. Other debt instruments mature at various other dates. There can be no assurance that we will have the available liquidity or the ability to raise financing in order to repay these instruments at or ahead of their maturity.

If we are unable to satisfy our debt obligations, we may have to undertake alternative financing plans, such as refinancing or further restructuring our indebtedness, selling assets, reducing or delaying capital investments or seeking to raise additional capital. There can be no assurance that any refinancing or debt restructuring would be possible, or if possible, that it would be on similar terms to those of our debt instruments existing at that time, that any assets could be sold or that, if sold, the timing of the sales and the amount of proceeds realized from those sales would be favorable to us or that additional financing could be obtained on acceptable terms. As the Super Senior Notes and the Reinstated Notes will be secured by a significant portion of our assets that can be granted as collateral, our ability to refinance our existing debt or raise new debt may be limited to unsecured or lesser-secured debt. Disruptions in the capital and credit markets, as have been seen in recent years, could adversely affect our ability to meet our liquidity needs or to refinance our indebtedness.

We may not be able to repurchase the Notes upon a Change of Control.

The Reinstated Notes and the Super Senior Notes require us to offer to repurchase all or any part of each holder’s notes upon the occurrence of a change of control, as defined in the respective indentures, at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, to the date of purchase. If such an event were to occur, we may not have sufficient financial resources available to satisfy all of those obligations.

Risks Related to Our Ordinary Shares

The market price of our ordinary shares may be volatile and may decline.

Our ordinary shares are admitted for trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “GSM”. The market price of our ordinary shares is subject to wide fluctuations in response to numerous factors, some of which are beyond our control. These factors include, among other things, actual or anticipated variations in our costs of doing business, operating results and cash flow, the nature and content of our earnings releases and our competitors’ earnings releases, changes in financial estimates by securities analysts, business conditions in our markets and the general state of the securities markets and the market for other financial stocks, changes in capital markets that affect the perceived availability of capital to companies in our industry, and governmental legislation or regulation, as well as general economic and market conditions, such as downturns in our economy and recessions.

In recent years, the stock market in general has experienced extreme price fluctuations that have often times been unrelated to the operating performance of the affected companies. Similarly, the market price of our ordinary shares may fluctuate significantly based upon factors unrelated or disproportionate to our operating performance.

These market fluctuations, as well as general economic, political and market conditions, such as recessions, interest rates or international currency fluctuations may adversely affect the market price of our ordinary shares.

Significant sales of our ordinary shares, or the perception that significant sales thereof may occur in the future, could adversely affect the market price for our ordinary shares.

The sale of substantial amounts of our ordinary shares could adversely affect the price of these securities. Sales of substantial amounts of our ordinary shares in the public market, and the availability of shares for future sale could adversely affect the prevailing market price of our ordinary shares and could cause the market price of our ordinary shares to remain low for a substantial amount of time.

We do not anticipate paying cash dividends in the foreseeable future.

We currently intend to retain future earnings, if any, for use in our business and, therefore, do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. The payment of future dividends, if any, will depend, among other things, on our results of operations and financial condition and on such other factors as our Board of Directors may, in their discretion, consider relevant.

If securities or industry analysts do not publish or cease publishing research reports about us, if they adversely change their recommendations regarding our ordinary shares, or if our operating results do not meet their expectations, the price of our ordinary shares could decline.

The trading market for our ordinary shares will be influenced by the research and reports that industry or securities analysts may publish about us, our business, our market or our competitors. If there is limited or no securities or industry analyst coverage of us, the market price and trading volume of our ordinary shares would likely be negatively impacted. Moreover, if any of the analysts who may cover us downgrade our ordinary shares or provide relatively more favorable recommendations concerning our competitors, or as we experienced in 2019 and 2020, if our operating results or prospects do not meet their expectations, the market price of our ordinary shares could decline. If any of the analysts who may cover us were to cease coverage or fail regularly to publish reports about our Company, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which, in turn, could cause our share price or trading volume to decline.

As a foreign private issuer within the meaning of the rules of NASDAQ, we are subject to different U.S. securities laws and NASDAQ governance standards than domestic U.S. issuers of securities. These may afford relatively less protection to holders of our ordinary shares, who may not receive all corporate and company information and disclosures they are accustomed to receiving or in a manner to which they are accustomed.

As a foreign private issuer, the rules governing the information that we are required to disclose differ from those governing U.S. corporations pursuant to the U.S. Exchange Act. Although we intend to report periodic financial results and certain material events, we are not required to file quarterly reports on Form 10-Q or provide current reports on Form 8-K disclosing significant events within four days of their occurrence. In addition, we are exempt from the SEC’s proxy rules, and proxy statements that we distribute will not be subject to review by the SEC. Our exemption from Section 16 rules requiring the reporting of beneficial ownership and sales of shares by insiders means that you will have less data in this regard than shareholders of U.S. companies that are subject to this part of the U.S. Exchange Act and that our insiders are not subject to short-swing profit rules. As a result, in deciding whether to purchase our shares, you may not have all the data that you are accustomed to having when making investment decisions with respect to domestic U.S. public companies.

Furthermore, NASDAQ Rule 5615(a)(3) provides that a foreign private issuer, such as our Company, may rely on home country corporate governance practices in lieu of certain of the rules in the NASDAQ Rule 5600 Series and Rule 5250(d), provided that we nevertheless comply with NASDAQ’s Notification of Noncompliance requirement (Rule 5625), the Voting Rights requirement (Rule 5640) and that we have an audit committee that satisfies Rule 5605(c)(3), consisting of committee members that meet the independence requirements of Rule 5605(c)(2)(A)(ii). We are permitted to follow certain corporate governance rules that conform to U.K. requirements in lieu of many of the NASDAQ corporate governance rules, and we intend to comply with the NASDAQ corporate governance rules applicable to foreign private issuers. Accordingly, our shareholders will not have the same protections afforded to stockholders of U.S. companies that are subject to all of the corporate governance requirements of NASDAQ.

We may lose our foreign private issuer status in the future, which could result in significant additional costs and expenses.

We could cease to be a foreign private issuer if a majority of our outstanding voting securities are directly or indirectly held of record by U.S. residents and we fail to meet additional requirements necessary to avoid loss of foreign private issuer status. In that event, the regulatory and compliance costs we would incur as a domestic registrant may be significantly higher than we incur as a foreign private issuer, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.

As an English public limited company, certain capital structure decisions require shareholder approval, which may limit our flexibility to manage our capital structure.

English law provides that a board of directors may only allot shares (or rights or convertible into shares) with the prior authorization of shareholders, such authorization being up to the aggregate nominal amount of shares and for a maximum period of five years, each as specified in the articles of association or relevant shareholder resolution. The Articles authorize the allotment of additional shares for a period of five years from October 26, 2017 (being the date of the adoption of the Articles), which authorization will need to be renewed upon expiration (i.e., at least every five years) but may be sought more frequently for additional five-year terms (or any shorter period).

English law also generally provides shareholders with preemptive rights when new shares are issued for cash. However, it is possible for the articles of association, or for shareholders acting in a general meeting, to exclude preemptive rights. Such an exclusion of preemptive rights may be for a maximum period of up to five years from the date of adoption of the articles of association, if the exclusion is contained in the articles of association, or from the date of the shareholder resolution, if the exclusion is by shareholder resolution. In either case, this exclusion would need to be renewed by our shareholders upon its expiration (i.e., at least every five years). The Articles exclude preemptive rights for a period of five years from October 26, 2017, which exclusion will need to be renewed upon expiration (i.e., at least every five years) to remain effective, but may be sought more frequently for additional five-year terms (or any shorter period).

English law also generally prohibits a public company from repurchasing its own shares without the prior approval of shareholders by ordinary resolution, such being a resolution passed by a simple majority of votes cast, and other formalities. As an English company listed on NASDAQ, we may not make on-market purchases of our shares and may make off-market purchases only for the purposes of or pursuant to an employees’ share scheme where our shareholders have approved our doing so by ordinary resolution (and with a maximum duration of such approval of five years) or with the prior consent of our shareholders by ordinary resolution to the proposed contract for the purchase of our shares.

English law requires that we meet certain financial requirements before we declare dividends or repurchases.

Under English law, we may only declare dividends, make distributions or repurchase shares out of distributable reserves of the Company or distributable profits. “Distributable profits” are a company’s accumulated, realized profits, so far as not previously utilized by distribution or capitalization, less its accumulated, realized losses, so far as not previously written off in a reduction or reorganization of capital duly made, as reported to the Companies House. In addition, as a public company, we may only make a distribution if the amount of our net assets is not less than the aggregate amount of our called-up share capital and undistributable reserves and if, and to the extent that, the distribution does not reduce the amount of those assets to less than that aggregate amount. The Articles permit declaration of dividends by ordinary resolution of the shareholders, provided that the directors have made a recommendation as to its amount. The dividend shall not exceed the amount recommended by the directors. The directors may also decide to pay interim dividends if it appears to them that the profits available for distribution justify the payment. When recommending or declaring the payment of a dividend, the directors will be required under English law to comply with their duties, including considering our future financial requirements.

The enforcement of shareholder judgments against us or certain of our directors may be more difficult.

Because we are a public limited company incorporated under English law, and because most of our directors and executive officers are non-residents of the United States and substantially all of the assets of such directors and executive officers are located outside of the United States, our shareholders could experience more difficulty enforcing judgments obtained against our Company or our directors in U.S. courts than would currently be the case for U.S. judgments obtained against a U.S. public company or U.S. resident directors. In addition, it may be more difficult (or impossible) to assert some types of claims against our Company or its directors in courts in England, or against certain of our directors in courts in Spain, than it would be to bring similar claims against a U.S. company or its directors in a U.S. court.

The United States is not currently bound by a treaty with Spain or the United Kingdom providing for reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgments rendered in civil and commercial matters with Spain or the United Kingdom, other than arbitral awards. There is, therefore, doubt as to the enforceability of civil liabilities based upon U.S. federal securities laws in an action to enforce a U.S. judgment in Spain or the United Kingdom. In addition, the enforcement in Spain or the United Kingdom of any judgment obtained in a U.S. court based on civil liabilities, whether or not predicated solely upon U.S. federal securities laws, will be subject to certain conditions. There is also doubt that a court in Spain or the United Kingdom would have the requisite power or authority to grant remedies in an original action brought in Spain or the United Kingdom on the basis of U.S. federal securities laws violations.

Risks Related to Tax Matters

The application of Section 7874 of the Code, including under recent IRS guidance, and changes in law could affect our status as a foreign corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

We believe that, under current law, we should be treated as a foreign corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) may assert that we should be treated as a U.S. corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes pursuant to Section 7874 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). Under Section 7874 of the Code, we would be treated as a U.S. corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes if, after the Business Combination, (i) at least 80% of our ordinary shares (by vote or value) were considered to be held by former holders of common stock of Globe by reason of holding such common stock, as calculated for Section 7874 purposes, and (ii) our expanded affiliated group did not have substantial business activities in the United Kingdom (the “80% Test”). The percentage (by vote and value) of our ordinary shares considered to be held by former holders of common stock of Globe immediately after the Business Combination by reason of their holding common stock of Globe is referred to in this disclosure as the “Section 7874 Percentage.”

Determining the Section 7874 Percentage is complex and, with respect to the Business Combination, subject to legal uncertainties. In that regard, the IRS and U.S. Department of the Treasury (“U.S. Treasury”) issued temporary Regulations in April 2016 and finalized Regulations in July 2018 (collectively, the “Section 7874 Regulations”), which include a rule that applies to certain transactions in which the Section 7874 Percentage is at least 60% and the parent company is organized in a jurisdiction different from that of the foreign target corporation (the “Third Country Rule”). This rule applies to transactions occurring on or after November 19, 2015, which date is prior to the closing of the Business Combination. If the Third Country Rule were to apply to the Business Combination, the 80% Test would be deemed met and we would be treated as a U.S. corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. While we believe the Section 7874 Percentage is less than 60% such that the Third Country Rule does not apply to us, we cannot assure you that the IRS will agree with this position and would not successfully challenge our status as a foreign corporation. If the IRS successfully challenged our status as a foreign corporation, significant adverse tax consequences would result for us and could apply to our shareholders.

In addition, changes to Section 7874 of the Code, the U.S. Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, or to other relevant tax laws (including under applicable tax treaties) could adversely affect our status or treatment as a foreign corporation, and the tax consequences to our affiliates, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and any such changes could have prospective or retroactive application. Recent legislative proposals have aimed to expand the scope of U.S. corporate tax residence, including by potentially causing us to be treated as a U.S. corporation if the management and control of us and our affiliates were determined to be located primarily in the United States, or by reducing the Section 7874 Percentage at or above which we would be treated as a U.S. corporation such that it would be lower than the threshold imposed under the 80% Test.

IRS guidance and changes in law could affect our ability to engage in certain acquisition strategies and certain internal restructurings.

Even if we are treated as a foreign corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Section 7874 Regulations materially changed the manner in which the Section 7874 Percentage will be calculated in certain future acquisitions of U.S. businesses in exchange for our equity, which may affect the tax efficiencies that otherwise might be achieved in transactions with third parties. For example, the Section 7874 Regulations would impact certain acquisitions of U.S. companies for our Ordinary Shares (or other stock) in the 36-month period beginning December 23, 2015, by excluding from the Section 7874 Percentage the portion of Ordinary Shares that are allocable to former holders of common stock of Globe. This rule would generally have the effect of increasing the otherwise applicable Section 7874 Percentage with respect to our future acquisition of a U.S. business. The Section 7874 Regulations also may more generally limit the ability to restructure the non-U.S. members of our Company to achieve tax efficiencies, unless an exception applies. However, no such acquisition of a U.S. business was made during the 36 months period.

IRS proposed regulations and changes in laws or treaties could affect the expected financial synergies of the Business Combination.

The IRS and the U.S. Treasury also issued rules that provide that certain intercompany debt instruments issued on or after April 5, 2016, will be treated as equity for U.S. federal income tax purposes, therefore limiting U.S. tax benefits and resulting in possible U.S. withholding taxes. As a result of these rules, we may not be able to realize a portion of the financial synergies that were anticipated in connection with the Business Combination, and such rules may materially affect our future effective tax rate. While these new rules are not retroactive, they could impact our ability to engage in future restructurings if such transactions cause an existing debt instrument to be treated as reissued. Furthermore, under certain circumstances, recent treaty proposals by the U.S. Treasury, if ultimately adopted by the United States and relevant foreign jurisdictions, could reduce the potential tax benefits for us and our affiliates by imposing U.S. withholding taxes on certain payments from our U.S. affiliates to related and unrelated foreign persons.

We are subject to tax laws of numerous jurisdictions and our interpretation of those laws is subject to challenge by the relevant governmental authorities.

We and our subsidiaries are subject to tax laws and regulations in the United Kingdom, the United States, France, Spain, South Africa and the other jurisdictions in which we operate. These laws and regulations are inherently complex, and we and our subsidiaries are (and have been) obligated to make judgments and interpretations about the application of these laws and regulations to us and our subsidiaries and their operations and businesses. The interpretation and application of these laws and regulations could be challenged by the relevant governmental authority, which could result in administrative or judicial procedures, actions or sanctions, which could be material an effect our effective tax rate.

We intend to operate so as to be treated exclusively as a resident of the United Kingdom for tax purposes, but the relevant tax authorities may treat us as also being a resident of another jurisdiction for tax purposes.

We are a company incorporated in the United Kingdom. Current U.K. tax law provides that we will be regarded as being a U.K. resident for tax purposes from incorporation and shall remain so unless (i) we were concurrently resident of another jurisdiction (applying the tax residence rules of that jurisdiction) that has a double tax treaty with the United Kingdom and (ii) there is a tiebreaker provision in that tax treaty which allocates exclusive residence to that other jurisdiction.

Based upon our management and organizational structure, we believe that we should be regarded solely as resident in the United Kingdom from our incorporation for tax purposes. However, because this analysis is highly factual and may depend on changes in our management and organizational structure, there can be no assurance regarding the final determination of our tax residence. Should we be treated as resident in a country or jurisdiction other than the United Kingdom, we could be subject to taxation in that country or jurisdiction on our worldwide income and may be required to comply with a number of material and formal tax obligations, including withholding tax and reporting obligations provided under the relevant tax law, which could result in additional costs and expenses and an increase of our effective tax rate.

We may not qualify for benefits under the tax treaties entered into between the United Kingdom and other countries.

We intend to operate in a manner such that, when relevant, we are eligible for benefits under the tax treaties entered into between the United Kingdom and other countries. However, our ability to qualify and continue to qualify for such benefits will depend upon the requirements contained within each treaty and the applicable domestic laws, as the case may be, on the facts and circumstances surrounding our operations and management, and on the relevant interpretation of the tax authorities and courts.

Our or our subsidiaries’ failure to qualify for benefits under the tax treaties could result in adverse tax consequences to us and our subsidiaries and could result in certain tax consequences of owning or disposing of our ordinary shares differing from those discussed below.

Future changes to domestic or international tax laws or to the interpretation of these laws by the governmental authorities could adversely affect us and our subsidiaries.

The U.S. Congress, the U.K. Government, the European Union and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development and other government agencies in jurisdictions where we and our affiliates do business have had an extended focus on issues related to the taxation of multinational corporations. One example is in the area of “base erosion and profit shifting” (or “BEPS”), in which payments are made between affiliates from a jurisdiction with high tax rates to a jurisdiction with lower tax rates. Thus, the tax laws in the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union or other countries in which we and our affiliates do business are changing and any such changes could adversely affect us, mostly those related to interest limitation rules. Furthermore, the interpretation and application of domestic or international tax laws made by us and our subsidiaries could differ from that of the relevant governmental authority, which could result in administrative or judicial procedures, actions or sanctions, which could be material. On July 1, 2018, OECD’s so-called “Multi-Lateral Instrument” entered into force covering 87 jurisdictions and impacting over 1,200 double tax treaties. The adoption and transposition into domestic legislations of the Anti-Tax Avoidance Directives (known as “ATAD 1 and 2”) by the European Union is another key development that is impacting us, mostly when it comes to interest deduction limitation. On December 2021, the European Commission published a proposal for a Directive “laying down rules to prevent the misuse of shell entities for improper tax purposes and amending Directive 2011/16/EU.” This Directive is also referred to as the ATAD 3 Directive. The implementation of this directive could affect us.

Further developments are to be seen in areas such as the “making tax digital - initiatives” allowing authorities to monitor multinationals’ tax position on a more real time basis and the contemplated introduction of new taxes, such as revenue-based digital services taxes aimed at technology companies, but which may impact traditional businesses as well in the sense of allocating a portion of the profitability of the given company to jurisdictions where it has significant sales even though it is not physically present. The latest development by the OECD in this field are the so-called Pillar One and Pillar Two. Under Pillar One, the OECD intends to set up the foundations for allocating to the market jurisdiction (i) non-routine profit; (ii) a fixed remuneration based on the Arm´s length Principle for baseline distribution and marketing functions; and (iii) an additional profit where in-country functions exceed the base-line activity already compensated. In principle, our business is not in scope of this measure as it refers to raw materials and commodities and this kind of business is excluded under the current drafting of the paper. Then, Pillar Two, also called GloBE (Global Anti-Base Erosion Proposal) consist of setting the ground for a minimum taxation, giving the countries the right to “tax back” profit that is currently taxed below the minimum 15% rate. This goal is reached through several avenues, that is, (i) the inclusion of foreign income when taxed below the minimum rate; (ii) an undertaxed payment rule to related parties to deny deduction or impose taxation when payment was not subject to tax; (iii) switch over rule in the double tax treaties to allow the residence jurisdiction to switch from exemption to credit method when profit of permanent establishment is taxed below the minimum rate; and (iv) a subject to tax rule to allow withholding tax or other taxation or adjust eligibility to treaty benefits on payments not subject to the minimum rate. GloBE could affect our effective tax rate when implemented. In December 2021 the OECD released a report containing further details about the implementation of Pillar I. Likewise, also in December 2021 the European Union released a proposed Directive on minimum taxation in line with the OECD report. In both cases, it is proposed a minimum taxation of 15% that, when implemented, could impact our organization although not significantly since we are already based in high tax jurisdictions without significant tax exemptions or credits to reduce our effective tax rate.

We may become subject to income or other taxes in jurisdictions which would adversely affect our financial results.

We and our subsidiaries are subject to the income tax laws of the United Kingdom, the United States, France, Spain, South Africa and the other jurisdictions in which we operate. Our effective tax rate in any period is impacted by the source and the amount of earnings among our different tax jurisdictions. A change in the division of our earnings among our tax jurisdictions could have a material impact on our effective tax rate and our financial results. In addition, we or our subsidiaries may be subject to additional income or other taxes in these and other jurisdictions by reason of the management and control of our subsidiaries, our activities and operations, where our production facilities are located or changes in tax laws, regulations or accounting principles like those referred to as to Pillar One and Pillar Two once fully developed and implemented. The OECD aims for a multilateral convention on Pillar One to be signed in 2022 and implemented in 2023. The aim for Pillar Two is for domestic legislation to be introduced during the course of 2022 and become effective in 2023 and for treaty changes to be implemented by a multilateral instrument in 2024. Changes in tax treaties, the introduction of new legislation, updates to existing legislation, or changes to regulatory interpretations of existing legislation as a result of these or similar proposals could impose additional taxes on businesses and increase the complexity, burden and cost of tax compliance in countries where we operate.

Although we have adopted guidelines and operating procedures to ensure our subsidiaries are appropriately managed and controlled, we may be subject to such taxes in the future and such taxes may be substantial. The imposition of such taxes could have a material adverse effect on our financial results.

We may incur current tax liabilities in our primary operating jurisdictions in the future.

We expect to make current tax payments in some of the jurisdictions where we do business in the normal course of our operations. Our ability to defer the payment of some level of income taxes to future periods is dependent upon the continued benefit of accelerated tax depreciation on our plant and equipment in some jurisdictions, the continued deductibility of external and intercompany financing arrangements, the application of tax losses prior to their expiration in certain tax jurisdictions and the application of tax credits including R&D credits, among other factors. The level of current tax payments we make in any of our primary operating jurisdictions could adversely affect our cash flows and have a material adverse effect on our financial results.

Changes in tax laws may result in additional taxes for us.

We cannot assure you that tax laws in the jurisdictions in which we reside or in which we conduct activities or operations will not be changed in the future. Such changes in tax law could result in additional taxes for us. As mentioned above, changes in tax treaties, the introduction of new legislation, updates to existing legislation, or changes to regulatory interpretations of existing legislation as a result of future tax law changes could impose additional taxes on businesses and increase the complexity, burden and cost of tax compliance in countries where we operate.

U.S. federal income tax reform could adversely affect us.

Legislation commonly known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “TCJA”) was enacted on December 22, 2017 in the United States. The TCJA made significant changes to the U.S. federal tax code, including a reduction in the U.S. federal corporate statutory tax rate from 35% to 21% as well as the introduction of a base erosion minimum tax (BEAT). The TCJA also made changes to the U.S. federal taxation of foreign earnings and to the timing of recognition of certain revenue and expenses and the deductibility of certain business expenses. We examined the impact the TCJA may have on our business in detail since enactment. Although further guidance continues to be released by the IRS, so far we have concluded that tax reform should not have a material adverse impact on the taxation of our U.S. business, as of December 31, 2021. This annual report does not discuss in detail the TCJA or the manner in which it might affect us or our stockholders. We urge you to consult with your own legal and tax advisors with respect to the Tax Reform Act and the potential tax consequences of investing in our shares.

Our transfer pricing policies are open to challenge from taxation authorities internationally.

Tax authorities have become increasingly focused on transfer pricing in recent years. Due to our international operations and an increasing number of inter-company cross-border transactions, we are open to challenge from tax authorities with regards to the pricing of such transactions. A successful challenge by tax authorities may lead to a reallocation of taxable income to a different tax jurisdiction and may potentially lead to an increase of our effective tax rate.

ITEM 4. INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY

A. History and Development of the Company

Ferroglobe PLC

Ferroglobe PLC, initially named VeloNewco Limited, was incorporated under the U.K. Companies Act 2006 as a private limited liability company in the United Kingdom on February 5, 2015, as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Grupo VM. On October 16, 2015 VeloNewco Limited re-registered as a public limited company. As a result of the Business Combination, which was completed on December 23, 2015, FerroAtlántica and Globe merged through corporate transactions to create Ferroglobe PLC, one of the largest producers worldwide of silicon metal and silicon and manganese-based alloys. To effect the Business Combination, Ferroglobe acquired from Grupo VM all of the issued and outstanding ordinary shares, par value €1,000 per share, of Grupo FerroAtlántica, SAU in exchange for 98,078,161 newly issued Class A Ordinary Shares, nominal value $7.50 per share, of Ferroglobe, after which FerroAtlántica became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ferroglobe. Immediately thereafter, Gordon Merger Sub, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ferroglobe, merged with and into Globe Specialty Metals, Inc., and each outstanding share of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, was converted into the right to receive one newly-issued ordinary share, nominal value $7.50 per share, of Ferroglobe. After these steps, Ferroglobe issued, in total, 171,838,153 shares, out of which 98,078,161 shares were issued to Grupo VM and 73,759,992 were issued to the former Globe shareholders. Our ordinary shares are currently traded on the NASDAQ under the symbol “GSM.”

On June 22, 2016, we completed a reduction of our share capital, as a result of which the nominal value of each share was reduced from $7.50 to $0.01, with the amount of the capital reduction being credited to distributable reserves.

On July 29, 2021, upon the closing of the Refinancing, the company issued 8,918,618 new ordinary shares to Rubric Capital Management LP on behalf of certain managed or sub-managed funds and accounts and Grupo Villar Mir, S.A.U for a total issued share capital of $40 million, 1,900,000 shares as a work fee and 7,013,872 shares to bondholder’s related to the financing transactions.

On October 6, 2021, the Company entered into an equity distribution agreement (the “Equity Distribution Agreement”) with B. Riley Securities, Inc. and Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. relating to the ordinary shares of Ferroglobe PLC. The Company may offer and sell ordinary shares having an aggregate offering price of up to $100,000,000 from time to time through B. Riley Securities, Inc. and Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. as our sales agents. In 2021 The Company sold 186,053 ordinary shares under the Equity Distribution Agrement, for net proceeds of $1.4 million.

During the year under review, a small number of the ordinary shares held in treasury have been used to satisfy share awards made by the Company to its management team under the Ferroglobe PLC Equity Incentive Plan 2016. The number of ordinary shares held in Treasury as at December 31, 2021 was 1,568,854. See Note 13.

Significant milestones in our history are as follows:

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1996: acquisition of the Spanish company Hidro Nitro Española, S.A. (“Hidro Nitro Española”), operating in the ferroalloys and hydroelectric power businesses, and start of the quartz mining operations through the acquisition of Cuarzos Industriales S.A. from Portuguese cement manufacturer Cimpor;

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1998: expansion of our manganese- and silicon-based alloy operations through the acquisition of 80% of the share capital of FerroAtlántica de Venezuela (currently FerroVen, S.A.) from the Government of Venezuela in a public auction;

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2000: acquisition of 67% of the share capital of quartz mining company Rocas, Arcillas y Minerales, S.A. from Elkem, a Norwegian silicon metal and manganese- and silicon-based alloy producer;

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2005: acquisition of Pechiney Electrométallurgie, S.A., now renamed FerroPem, S.A.S., a silicon metal and silicon-based alloys producer with operations in France, along with its affiliate Silicon Smelters (Pty) Ltd. in South Africa;

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2005: acquisition of the metallurgical manufacturing plant in Alloy, West Virginia, and Alabama Sand and Gravel, Inc. in Billingsly, Alabama, both in the U.S.;

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2006: acquisition of Globe Metallurgical Inc., the largest merchant manufacturer of silicon metal in North America and largest specialty ferroalloy manufacturer in the United States;

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2006: acquisition of Stein Ferroaleaciones S.A., an Argentine producer of silicon-based specialty alloys, and its Polish affiliate, Ultracore Polska;

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2007: creation of Grupo FerroAtlántica, S.A.U., the holding company of our FerroAtlántica Group;

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2007: acquisition of Camargo Correa Metais S.A., a major Brazilian silicon metal manufacturer;

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2008: acquisition of Rand Carbide PLC, a ferrosilicon plant in South Africa, from South African mining and steel company Evraz Highveld Steel and Vanadium Limited, and creation of Silicio FerroSolar, S.L., which conducts research and development activities in the solar grade silicon sector;

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2008: acquisition of 81% of Solsil, Inc., a producer of high-purity silicon for use in photovoltaic solar cells;

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2008: acquisition of a majority stake in Ningxia Yonvey Coal Industry Co., Ltd., a producer of carbon electrodes (the remaining stake subsequently purchased in 2012);

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2009: creation of French company Photosil Industries, S.A.S., which conducts research and development activities in the solar grade silicon sector;

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2009: sale of interest in Camargo Correa Metais S.A. in Brazil to Dow Corning Corporation and formation of a joint venture with Dow Corning at the Alloy, West Virginia facility;

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2010: acquisition of Core Metals Group LLC, one of North America’s largest and most efficient producers and marketers of high-purity ferrosilicon and other specialty metals;

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2010: acquisition of Chinese silicon metal producer Mangshi Sinice Silicon Industry Company Limited;

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2011: acquisition of Alden Resources LLC, North America’s leading miner, processor and supplier of specialty metallurgical coal to the silicon and silicon-based alloy industries;

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2012: acquisition of SamQuarz (Pty) Ltd, a South African producer of silica, with quartz mining operations;

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2012: acquisition of a majority stake (51%) in Bécancour Silicon, Inc., a silicon metal producer in Canada, operated as a joint venture with Dow Corning as the holder of the minority stake of 49%;

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2014: acquisition of Silicon Technology (Pty) Ltd. (“Siltech”), a ferrosilicon producer in South Africa;

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2018: acquisition from a subsidiary of Glencore PLC of a 100% interest in manganese alloys plants in Mo i Rana, Norway and Dunkirk, France, through newly-formed subsidiaries Ferroglobe Mangan Norge AS and Ferroglobe Manganèse France, SAS;

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2018: sale of the majority interest in Hidro Nitro Española to an entity sponsored by a Spanish renewable energies fund;

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2019: sale of 100% interest in FerroAtlántica, S.A.U. (“FAU”), to investment vehicles affiliated with TPG Sixth Street Partners;

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2019: sale of 100% interest in Ultra Core Polska, z.o.o, to Cedie, S.A;

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2021: Sale of Niagara Falls silicon metal facility.

Corporate and Other Information

Our registered office is located at 5 Fleet Place, London EC4M 7RD, our Board of Directors is based at our London Office at 13 Chesterfield Street, London W1J 5JN, United Kingdom and our management is based in London and also at Torre Emperador Castellana, Paseo de la Castellana, 259-D, P49, 28046 Madrid, Spain. The telephone number of our Spanish Office is +34 915 903 219. Our Internet address is http://www.ferroglobe.com. The information on our website is not a part of this document. The SEC maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC at http://www.sec.gov.

B. Business Overview

Industry and Market Data

The statements and other information contained below regarding Ferroglobe’s competitive position and market share are based on the reports periodically published by leading metals industry consultants and leading metals industry publications and information centers, as well as on the estimates of Ferroglobe’s management.

Competitive Strengths and Strategy of Ferroglobe

Competitive Strengths

Leading market positions in silicon metal, silicon-based alloys and manganese-based alloys

We are a leading global producer in our core products based on merchant production capacity and hold the leading market share in certain of our products. Specifically, in the case of silicon metal, with maximum global production capacity of approximately 296 thousand metric tons (which includes 51% of our attributable joint venture capacity, and excludes the 51 thousand metrics tons of currently idled capacity at the Polokwane facility in South Africa), we have approximately 75% of the active merchant production capacity market share in North America and approximately 23% of the global market share (all of the world excluding China), according to management estimates for our industry. In the case of manganese-based alloys, following the acquisition of the Dunkirk, France and Mo i Rana, Norway plants in 2018, our market share is approximately 15% in Europe, and we are among the three largest global producers of manganese alloys excluding China.

Our scale and global presence across five continents allows us to offer a wide range of products to serve a variety of end-markets, including those which we consider to be dynamic, such as the solar, automotive, consumer electronic products, semiconductors, construction and energy industries. As a result of our market leadership and breadth of products, we possess critical insight into market demand allowing for more efficient use of our resources and operating capacity. Our ability to supply critical sources of high-quality raw materials from within our Company group promotes operational and financial stability and reduces the need for us to compete with our competitors for supply. We believe this also provides a competitive advantage, allowing us to deliver an enhanced product offering with consistent quality on a cost-efficient basis to our customers.

Global production footprint and reach

Our diversified production base consists of production facilities across North America, Europe, South America, South Africa and Asia. We have the capability to produce our core products at multiple facilities, providing a competitive advantage when reacting to changing global demand trends and customer requirements. Furthermore, this broad base ensures reliability to our customers that value timely delivery and consistent product quality. Our diverse production base also enables us to optimize our production plans and shift production to the lowest cost facilities. Most of our production facilities are located close to sources of principal raw materials, key customers or major transport hubs to facilitate delivery of raw materials and distribution of finished products. This enables us to service our customers globally, while optimizing our working capital, as well as enabling our customers to optimize their inventory levels.

Diverse base of high-quality customers across growing industries

We sell our products to customers in over 30 countries, with our largest customer concentration in North America and in Europe. Our products are used in end products spanning a broad range of industries, including solar, personal care and healthcare products, automobile parts, carbon and stainless steel, water pipe, solar, semiconductor, oil and gas, infrastructure and construction. Although some of these end-markets have growth drivers similar to our own, others are less correlated and offer the benefits of diversification. This wide range of products, customers and end-markets provides significant diversity and stability to our business.

Many of our customers, we believe, are leaders in their end-markets and fields. We have built long-lasting relationships with customers based on the breadth and quality of our product offerings and our ability to produce products that meet specific customer requirements. For the year ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, Ferroglobe’s ten largest customers accounted for approximately 48.1% and 50.7%, respectively, of Ferroglobe’s consolidated revenue. Our customer relationships provide us with stability and visibility into our future volumes and earnings, though we are not reliant on any individual customer or end-market. Our customer relationships, together with our diversified product portfolio, provide us with opportunities to cross sell new products; for example, by offering silicon-based or manganese-based alloys to existing steelmaking customers.

Flexible and low-cost structure

We believe we have an efficient cost structure, enhanced over time by vertical integration through strategic acquisitions. The largest components of our cost base are raw materials and power. Our relatively low operating costs are primarily a result of our ownership of, and proximity to, sources of raw materials, our access to attractively priced power supplies and skilled labor and our efficient production processes.

We believe our vertically integrated business model and ownership of sources of raw materials provides us with a cost advantage over our competitors. Moreover, such ownership and the fact that we are not reliant on any single supplier for the remainder of our raw materials needs generally ensures stable, long term supply of raw materials for our production processes, thereby enhancing operational and financial stability. Transportation costs can be significant in our business; our proximity to sources of raw materials and customers improves logistics and represents another cost advantage. The proximity of our facilities to our customers also allows us to provide just in time delivery of finished goods and reduces the need to store excess inventory, resulting in more efficient use of working capital.

We capture, recycle and sell most of the by-products generated in our production processes, which further reduces our costs.

We operate with a largely variable cost of production and our diversified production base allows us to shift our production and distribution between facilities and products in response to changes in market conditions over time. Additionally, the diversity of our currency and commodity exposures provides, to a degree, a natural hedge against foreign exchange and raw materials pricing volatility. Our production costs are mostly dependent on local factors while our product prices are influenced more by global factors. Depreciation of local, functional currencies relative to the U.S. Dollar, when it occurs, reduces the costs of our operations, offering an increased competitive edge in the international market.

We believe our scale and global presence enables us to sustain our operations throughout periods of economic downturn, volatile commodity prices and demand fluctuations.

Stable supply of critical, high quality raw materials

In order to ensure reliable supplies of high-quality raw materials for the production of our metallurgical products, we have invested in strategic acquisitions of sources that supply a meaningful portion of the inputs our manufacturing operations consume. Specifically, we own and operate specialty, low ash, metallurgical quality coal mines in the United States, high purity quartz quarries in the United States, Spain and South Africa, charcoal production units in South Africa, and our Yonvey production facility for carbon electrodes in Ningxia, China. For raw materials needs our subsidiaries cannot meet, we have qualified multiple suppliers in each operating region for each raw material, helping to ensure reliable access to high quality raw materials.

Efficient and environmentally friendly by-product usage

We utilize or sell most of the by-products of our manufacturing process, which reduces cost and the environmental impact of our operations. We have developed markets for the by-products generated by our production processes and have transformed our manufacturing operations so that little solid waste disposal is required. By-products not recycled in the manufacturing process are generally sold to companies, which process them for use in a variety of other applications. These materials include: silica fume (also known as microsilica), used as a concrete additive, refractory material and oil well conditioner; fines - the fine material resulting from crushing lumps; and dross, which results from the purification process during smelting.

Pioneer in innovation with focus on technological advances and development of next generation products

Our talented workforce has historically developed proprietary technological capabilities and next generation products in-house, which we believe give us a competitive advantage. In addition to a dedicated R&D division, we have cooperation agreements in place with various universities and research institutes in Spain, France and other countries around the world. Our R&D achievements include:

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ELSA electrode — Ferroglobe has internally developed a patented technology for electrodes used in silicon metal furnaces, which it has been able to sell to several major silicon producers globally. This technology, known as the ELSA electrode, improves the energy efficiency in the production process of silicon metal and eliminates contamination from iron. Ferroglobe has granted these producers the right to use the ELSA electrode against payment to Ferroglobe of royalties. Continuous improvements are made to keep this invention state of the art.

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Solar Grade Silicon — Ferroglobe has sought to produce solar grade silicon metal with a purity above 99.9999% through a new, potentially cost effective, electrometallurgical process. The traditional chemical process tends to be costly and involves high energy consumption and potentially environmentally hazardous processes. The new technology entirely developed by Ferroglobe at an earlier stage at its research and development facilities aims to reduce the costs and energy consumption associated with the production of solar grade silicon. In connection with this project, FerroAtlántica obtained a loan, with a principal amount of approximately €45 million, from the Spanish Ministry of Industry and Energy for the purpose of building the UMG silicon plant. Due to the market environment for solar grade silicon (or polysilicon) worldwide, at the end of 2018 the Company suspended the investment in the project while preserving the technology and know-how in order to be able to finalize the construction of the factory when market circumstances change.

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High Purity Silicon Powders — Ferroglobe has launched the High Purity Silicon Powders project, which aims at producing silicon-based, tailor made products for high end applications. An important part of the technology developed for the Solar grade silicon project is used in this new project allowing Ferroglobe to have advantages in obtaining customized solutions for this emerging business and to put products in the market with a very low carbon footprint. At the same time, new know-how linked to specific milling technologies has been developed in the last years placing Ferroglobe in an excellent position in this new market. Among the various targeted applications, a specific project has been launched for Li-ion batteries.

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Li-ion batteries — The energy capacity of the anode in Li-ion batteries can be enhanced by adding silicon. This is a particularly attractive market because silicon not only can increase capacity of the Li-ion batteries but can contribute to reduce costs, to reduce carbon footprint and to ease fast charging. All these benefits will help to develop new mobility solutions. In this specific field, Ferroglobe has established several technical partnerships and collaborations in order to rapidly advance the research and development work that a market like this needs.

New R&D works are being carried out by the Ferroglobe Innovation team to develop new products that could fit in the requirements of next generations of batteries.

Experienced management team in the metals and mining industry

We have a seasoned and experienced management team with extensive knowledge of the global metals and mining industry, operational and financial expertise and a track record of developing and managing large-scale operations. Our management team is committed to responding quickly and effectively to macroeconomic and industry developments, to identifying and delivering growth opportunities and to improving our performance by way of a continuous focus on operational cost control and a disciplined, value-based approach to capital allocation. Our management team is complemented by a skilled operating team with solid technical knowledge of production processes and strong relationships with key customers.

Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Strategy

In 2021 we defined Ferroglobe’s ESG Strategy 2022-2026, a roadmap that will enable us to benchmark and assess ourselves on ESG matters, in alignment with the demands of our stakeholders and our industry trends. The current ESG Strategy will be implemented in phases commencing 2022 through 2026. This ESG Strategy has been defined based on four Strategic lines, critical for the development of Ferroglobe as a more sustainable Company:

	(i)	Strengthening our governance framework
	(ii)	Promoting a solid & honest engagement with our people and local communities where we operate
	(iii)	Reinforcing the role of sustainability through our value chain
	(iv)	Improving our environmental footprint to enable materials which are vital for sustainable development.

The progress on ESG performance and implementation of the ESG Strategy lines and accompanying measures will be included in the ESG reports to be issued on a yearly basis.

Business Strategy

In 2020 we conducted a deep and broad evaluation of our Company with the goal of designing a strategic plan focused on bolstering the long term competiteness of the business and returning the Company to profitability by fundamentally changing the way we operate, both operationaly and financially. The multi-year turnaround plan we developed essentially impacts all the functional areas of our Company as we seek to drive changes that ensure competitiveness throughout the cycle. Between 2021 and 2024, the Company set a target of achieving $180 million in cost savings, along with $70 million of cash release in working capital. 2021 was the first year of the execution phase of this turnaround plan. We surpassed our 2021 targets releasing $70 million of cash through the working capital workstream. The key value drivers of our strategic plan are the following:

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Footprint optimization: One of the Company’s core advantages is our large and diverse production platform. While our asset footprint provides flexibility, at times we are restricted in our ability to quickly adapt to changing market conditions due to inherent constraints in curtailing capacity, particularly for shorter durations. Going forward, our goal is to ensure that the operating platform is more flexible and modular so shifts in production, based on needs and relative costs, are incorporated swiftly. Through this value creation driver we aim to shift our capacity footprint by optimizing production to the most competitive assets.

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Continuous plant efficiency: We will continue to build on the success of our existing key technical metrics (KTM) program, which consists of specific initiatives aimed at enhancing our process, minimizing waste, and improving the overall efficiency to drive down costs. The Company maintains a pipeline of initiatives developed through the sharing of best practices amongst our numberous sites and through new improvements identified by our research and development team. Under the strategic plan we have formalized the manner in which we execute such initiatives by creating operational and technical teams with the expertise critical for implementation. Furthermore, we are developing tools to track our key performance indicators in an ongoing effort to improve furnace level performance.

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Commercial excellence: we are focused on the design and delivery of commercial best practices that maximize profitable revenue, including programs aimed at consistently improve pricing, salesforce effectiveness, product mix, customer selection and focus. By organizing and analyzing client profitability we seek to optimize commercial opportunities. Our focus will be on portfoilio and account management, ensuring we have the proper customer relationship management tools and clearly defined objectives for each of our customers. Front line management will require us to re-design our commercial coverage and operating model in-line with our product and customer priorities. On the pricing side, we seek to enhance communication and transparency amongst our internal teams to realize target margins on each sale.

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Centralized purchasing: we are reshaping the organization so that purchasing of many consumables can be done centrally and to support a procurement culture centered on buying better and spending better. This will enable us to improve its tracking of needs, enhance our ability to schedule purchases and enable us to benefit from bulk purchases. Buying better is a supply-led effort that focuses on price and volume allocation, negotiating prices and terms, managing price risks, pooling volumes and contracts, shifting volumes to best-price suppliers and leveraging procurement networks. Spending better is an operation-led effort to control demand, enforce compliance, reduce complexity, and perform value engineering to fost efficient spending. Through the principles of buying better and spending better, we aim to attain more than just cost reduction. Through the new organization, we seek to reduce supply chain risk, supporting continuous quality and service improvement, fostering better decision-making about suppliers and optimizing resource allocation.

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Selling, general and administration & corporate overhead reduction: during our corporate review, we identified significat opportunity for further cost improvement through permanent cost cutting at the our plants, as well as the corporate levels. By tracking these costs vigorously and increasing accountability, we aim to bolster the overall cost structure at various levels. Through this value creation driver, we aim to create a culture focused on cost control and disciplines for deploying best practices to drive sound spending decisions without compromising our overall performance.

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Working capital improvement: Improving net working capital performance requires cross-functional cooperation and alignment. By increasing the collaboration amongst the global team, and having oversight and controls at the corporate level, we aim to make a significant improvement in our overall cash conversion cycle on sustainable basis. This value creation area touches on inventory management of our raw materials and finished goods, as well as monitoring and improving terms with both our suppliers and customers, commensurate with market levels.

With our strategic plan we aim to:

Maintain and leverage industry leading position in core businesses and pursue long-term growth

We intend to maintain and leverage our position as a leading global producer of silicon metal and one of the leading global producers of ferroalloys based on production capacity. We believe we will achieve our goals through the execution of our current strategic plan, which focuses on right-sizing our asset footprint, making continuous improvements to increase productivity and reducing our cost structure. We plan to achieve organic growth by continually enhancing our production capabilities as well as by developing new products to further diversify our portfolio of products and expand our customer base. We intend to focus our production and sales efforts on high-margin products and end-markets that we consider to have the highest potential for profitability and growth. We will continue to capitalize on our global reach and the diversity of our production base to adapt to changes in market demands, shifting our production and distribution across facilities and between different products as necessary in order to remain competitive and maximize profitability. We aim to obtain further direct control of key raw materials to secure our long-term access to scarce reserves, which we believe will allow us to continue delivering enhanced products while maintaining our low-cost position. Additionally, we will continue regularly to review our customer contracts in an effort to improve their terms and to optimize the balance between selling under long-term agreements and retaining some exposure to spot markets. We intent to maintain pricing that appropriately reflects the value of our products and our level of customer service and, in light of commodity prices and demand fluctuations, may decide to change the weighting of our mix of contracts that are set at fixed prices versus index-based prices, to capitalize on market opportunities and to ensure a profit throughout the cycles.

Maintain low cost position while controlling inputs

We believe we have an efficient cost structure and, going forward, we will seek to further reduce costs and improve operational efficiency through a number of initiatives. We plan to focus on controlling the cost of our raw materials through our captive sources and long-term supply contracts and on lowering our fixed costs in order to reduce the unit costs of our silicon metal and ferroalloy production. We aim to improve our internal processes and further integrate our global footprint, such as benefits from value chain optimization, including enhancements in raw materials procurement and materials management; adoption of best practices and technical and operational know how across our platform; reduced freight costs from improved logistics as well as savings through the standardization of monitoring and reporting procedures, technology, systems and controls. We intend to enhance our production process through R&D and targeted capital expenditure and leverage our geographic footprint to shift production to the most cost effective and appropriate facilities and regions for such products. We will continue to regularly review our power supply contracts with a view to improving their terms and more competitive tariff structures. In addition, we will seek to maximize the value derived from the utilization and sale of by-products generated in our production processes and continue to focus on innovation to develop next generation products.

We believe we differentiate ourselves from our competitors on the basis of our technical expertise and innovation, which allow us to deliver new high-quality products to meet our customers’ needs. We intend to keep using these capabilities in the future to retain existing customers and cultivate new business. We plan to leverage the expertise of our dedicated team of specialists to advance and to develop next generation products and technologies that fuel organic growth. In particular, we intend develop high value powders for high end applications, including silicon-based anodic materials for Li-ion batteries. We also aim to further develop our specialized foundry products, such as value-added inoculants and customized nodularizers, which are used in the production of iron to improve its tensile strength, ductility and impact properties, and to refine the homogeneity of the cast iron structure.

Maintain financial discipline to facilitate ongoing operations and support growth

We believe maintaining financial discipline will provide us with the ability to manage the volatility in our business resulting from changes in commodity prices and demand fluctuations. We intend to preserve a strong and conservative balance sheet, with sufficient liquidity and financial flexibility to facilitate all of our ongoing operations, to support organic and strategic growth and to finance prudent capital expenditure programs aimed at placing us in a better position to generate increased revenues and cash flows by delivering a more comprehensive product mix and optimized production in response to market circumstances. We plan to become even more efficient in our working capital management through various initiatives aimed at optimizing inventory levels and accounts receivable. We will also seek to repay indebtedness from free cash flow and retain low leverage for maximum free cash flow generation.

Pursue strategic opportunities

We have a proven track record of disciplined acquisitions of complementary businesses and successfully integrating them into existing operations while retaining a targeted approach through appropriate asset divestitures. Our past acquisitions have increased the vertical integration of our activities, allowing us to deliver an enhanced product offering on a cost-efficient basis. We regularly consider and evaluate strategic opportunities for our business and will continue to do so in the future with the objective of expanding our capabilities and leveraging our products and operations. In particular, we intend to pursue complementary acquisitions and other investments at appropriate valuations for the purpose of increasing our capacity, increasing our access to raw materials and other inputs, further refining existing products, broadening our product portfolio and entering new markets. We will consider such strategic opportunities in a disciplined fashion while maintaining a conservative leverage position and strong balance sheet.

We will also seek to evaluate our core business strategy on an ongoing basis and may divest certain non-core and lower margin businesses to improve our financial and operational results.

Facilities and Production Capacity

The following chart shows, as of December 31, 2021, the location of our assets and our production capacity, including 51% of the capacity of our joint ventures (of which we own 51%), by geography, of silicon, silicon-based alloys and manganese-based alloys. It is important to note that certain facilities may and do switch from time to time among different families of products (for instance, from silicon metal to silicon-based alloys and vice-versa) or among different products within the same family (for instance from ferromanganese to silicomanganese). Such switches change the production capacity at each plant.

Our production facilities are strategically located throughout the world. We operate quartz mines located in Spain, South Africa, Canada, and the United States, and charcoal production in South Africa. Additionally, we operate low-ash, metallurgical grade coal mines in the United States.

From time to time, in response to market conditions and to manage operating expenses, facilities are fully or partially idled. As of December 31, 2021, certain production facilities in the United States, Spain, Venezuela and South Africa are partially or fully idled, as a result of current market conditions. As part of our strategic plan, we have decided to shutter the capacity at Niagara Falls facility in the United States and at Château-Feuillet facility in France permanently. Ferroglobe has no installed power capacity in Spain as of December 31, 2021. Ferroglobe subsidiaries own a total of 18.9 megawatts of hydro production capacity in France.

Products

For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, Ferroglobe’s consolidated sales by product were as follows:

	Year ended December 31,
($ thousands)	2021		2020		2019
Silicon metal		637,695		463,217		539,872
Manganese-based alloys		469,138		267,469		447,311
Ferrosilicon		337,833		176,447		275,368
Other silicon-based alloys		161,750		126,817		181,736
Silica fume		32,409		25,888		33,540
Other		140,083		84,596		137,395
Total Sales		1,778,908		1,144,434		1,615,222

Shipments in metric tons:
Silicon metal		253,991		207,332		239,692
Manganese-based alloys		314,439		261,605		392,456
Ferrosilicon		166,268		134,849		203,761
Other silicon-based alloys		76,498		65,362		91,668

Average Selling price ($/MT):
Silicon metal		2.511		2.234		2,252
Manganese-based alloys		1.492		1.022		1,140
Ferrosilicon		2.032		1.308		1,351
Other silicon-based alloys		2.114		1.940		1,983

Silicon metal

Ferroglobe is a leading global silicon metal producer with a total production capacity of approximately 296,160 tons (including 51% of the joint venture capacity attributable to us) per annum in several facilities in the United States, France, South Africa, Canada and Spain. For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, Ferroglobe’s revenues generated by silicon metal sales accounted for 35.8%, 40.5% and 33.4% respectively, of Ferroglobe’s total consolidated revenues.

Silicon metal is used by primary and secondary aluminum producers, who require silicon metal with certain requirements to produce aluminum alloys. For the year ended December 31, 2021, sales to aluminum producers represented approximately 45% of silicon metal revenues. The addition of silicon metal reduces shrinkage and the hot cracking tendencies of cast aluminum and improves the castability, hardness, corrosion resistance, tensile strength, wear resistance and weldability of the aluminum end products. Aluminum is used to manufacture a variety of automotive components, including engine pistons, housings, and cast aluminum wheels and trim, as well as high tension electrical wire, aircraft parts, beverage containers and other products which require aluminum properties.

Silicon metal is also used by several major silicone chemical producers. For the year ended December 31, 2021 sales to chemical producers represented approximately 43% of silicon metal revenues. Silicone chemicals are used in a broad range of applications, including personal care items, construction-related products, health care products and electronics. In construction and equipment applications, silicone chemicals promote adhesion, act as a sealer and have insulating properties. In personal care and health care products, silicone chemicals add a smooth texture, protect against ultraviolet rays and provide moisturizing and cleansing properties. Silicon metal is an essential component of the manufacture of silicone chemicals, accounting for approximately 20% of the cost of production.

In addition, silicon metal is the core material needed for the production of polysilicon, which is most widely used to manufacture solar cells and semiconductors. For the year ended December 31, 2021 sales to polysilicon producers represented approximately 10% of silicon metal revenues. Producers of polysilicon employ processes to further purify the silicon metal and grow ingots from which wafers are cut. These wafers are the base material to produce solar cells, to convert sunlight to electricity. Individual solar cells are soldered together to make solar modules.

Manganese-based alloys

Ferroglobe is among the leading global manganese-based alloys producers based on production capacity. As of December 31, 2021, Ferroglobe maintained approximately 289,500 tons of annual silicomanganese production capacity and approximately 272,000 tons of annual ferromanganese production capacity in our factories in Spain, Norway and France. During the year ended December 31, 2021, Ferroglobe sold 314,439 tons of manganese-based alloys. For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, Ferroglobe’s revenues generated by manganese-based alloys sales accounted for 26.3%, 23.4% and 27.7%, respectively, of Ferroglobe’s total consolidated revenues over 90% of the global manganese based alloys produced are used in steel production, and all steelmakers use manganese and manganese alloys in their production processes.

Silicomanganese is used as deoxidizing agent in the steel manufacturing process. Silicomanganese is also produced in the form of refined silicomanganese, or silicomanganese AF, and super-refined silicomanganese, or silicomanganese LC.

Ferromanganese is used as a deoxidizing, desulphurizing and degassing agent in steel to remove nitrogen and otherharmful elements that are present in steel in the initial smelting process, and to improve the mechanical properties, hardenability and resistance to abrasion of steel. The three types of ferromanganese that Ferroglobe produces are:

●

high-carbon ferromanganese used to improve the hardenability of steel;

●

medium-carbon ferromanganese, used to manufacture flat and other steel products; and

●

low-carbon ferromanganese used in the production of stainless steel, steel with very low carbon levels, rolled steel plates and pipes for the oil industry.

Silicon-based alloys

Ferrosilicon

Ferroglobe is among the leading global ferrosilicon producers based on production output in recent years. During the year ended December 31, 2021, Ferroglobe sold 166,268 tons of ferrosilicon. For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, Ferroglobe’s revenues generated by ferrosilicon sales accounted for 19.0%, 15.4% and 17.0%, respectively, of Ferroglobe’s total consolidated revenues.

Ferrosilicon is an alloy of iron and silicon (normally approximately 75% silicon). Ferrosilicon products are used to produce stainless steel, carbon steel, and various other steel alloys and to manufacture electrodes and, to a lesser extent, in the production of aluminum. Approximately 88% of ferrosilicon produced is used in steel production.

Ferrosilicon is generally used to remove oxygen from the steel and as alloying element to improve the quality and strength of iron and steel products. Silicon increases steel’s strength and wear resistance, elasticity and scale resistance, and lowers the electrical conductivity and magnetostriction of steel.

Other silicon-based alloys

In addition to ferrosilicon, Ferroglobe produces various different silicon-based alloys, including calcium silicon and foundry products, which comprise inoculants and nodularizers. Ferroglobe produces more than 20 specialized varieties of foundry products, several of which are custom made for its customers. Demand for these specialty metals is increasing and, as such, they are becoming more important components of Ferroglobe’s product offering.

During the year ended December 31, 2021, Ferroglobe sold 76,498 tons of silicon-based alloys (excluding ferrosilicon). For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, Ferroglobe’s revenues generated by silicon-based alloys (excluding ferrosilicon) accounted for 9.1%, 11.1% and 11.3% respectively, of Ferroglobe’s total consolidated revenues.

The primary use for calcium silicon is the deoxidation and desulfurization of liquid steel. In addition, calcium silicon is used to control the shape, size and distribution of oxide and sulfide inclusions, improving fluidity, ductility, and the transverse mechanical and impact properties of the final product. Calcium silicon is also used in the production of coatings for cast iron pipes, in the welding process of powder metal and in pyrotechnics.

The foundry products that Ferroglobe manufactures include nodularizers and inoculants, which are used in the production of iron to improve its tensile strength, ductility and impact properties, and to refine the homogeneity of the cast iron structure.

Silica fume

For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, Ferroglobe’s revenues generated by silica fume sales accounted for 1.8%, 2.3% and 2.1% respectively, of Ferroglobe’s total consolidated sales.

Silica fume is a by-product of the electrometallurgical process of silicon metal and ferrosilicon. This dust-like material, collected through Ferroglobe factories’ air filtration systems, is mainly used in the production of high-performance concrete and mortar. The controlled addition of silica fume to these products results in increased durability, improving their impermeability from external agents, such as water. These types of concrete and mortar are used in large-scale projects such as bridges, viaducts, ports, skyscrapers and offshore platforms.

Services

Energy

The Company sold its Spanish hydroelectric business in 2019. For the year ended December 31, 2019, Ferroglobe recognized a loss as a result of the Spanish hydroelectric operations, in the amount of $450 thousand.

Raw Materials, Logistics and Power Supply

The primary raw materials Ferroglobe uses to produce its electrometallurgy products are carbon reductants (primarily coal, but also charcoal, metallurgical and petroleum coke, anthracite and wood) and minerals (manganese ore and quartz). Other raw materials used to produce Ferroglobe’s electrometallurgy products include electrodes (consisting of graphite and carbon electrodes and electrode paste), slags and limestone, as well as certain specialty additive metals. Ferroglobe procures coal, manganese ore, quartz, petroleum and metallurgical coke, electrodes and most additive metals centrally under the responsibility of the corporate purchasing department. Some locally sourced raw materials are purchased at a decentralized level (country specific purchasers) under close cooperation with the corporate purchasing department.

Manganese ore

The global supply of manganese ore comprises standard- to high-grade manganese ore, with 35% to 56% manganese content, and low-grade manganese ore, with lower manganese content. Manganese ore sea-borne trade comes mainly from a limited number of countries including South Africa, Australia, Gabon, Brazil and Ghana. However, the production of high-grade manganese ore is mainly concentrated in Australia, Gabon and South Africa.

The vast majority of the manganese ore Ferroglobe purchased in 2021 came from suppliers located in South Africa (48% of total purchases) and Gabon (43% of total purchases). Global manganese ore prices are mainly driven by manganese demand from China and to a lower extent from India. Potential disruption of supply from South Africa, Australia, Brazil or Gabon due to logistical, labor or other reasons may have an impact on the availability and the pricing of manganese ore.

Coal

Coal is the major carbon reductant in silicon and silicon alloys production. Only washed and screened coal with ash content below 10% and with specific physical properties are used for production of silicon alloys. Colombia and the United States are the best source for the required type of coal and the vast majority of the silicon alloys industry, including Ferroglobe, is dependent on supply from these two countries.

Approximately 62% of the coal Ferroglobe purchased externally in 2021 for its facilities was sourced from one source in Colombia while the remaining 38% came from the United States, other Colombian mines, as well as from Kazakhstan and South Africa. Ferroglobe has a long standing relationship with the coal washing plants which price coal using spot, quarterly, semi annual or annual contracts, based on market outlook. European coal prices, which are denominated in U.S. Dollars, are mainly based on API 2, the benchmark price reference for coal imported into northwest Europe.

Ferroglobe also owns Alden Resources LLC (“Alden”) in the United States. Alden provides a stable and long term supply of low ash metallurgical grade coal by fulfilling a substantial portion of our requirements to our North American operations.

See “—Mining Operations” below for further information.

Quartz

Quartz, also known as quartzite, is a key raw material in the manufacture silicon metal and silicon-based alloys.

Ferroglobe has secured access to quartz from its quartz mines in Spain, South Africa, the United States and Canada (see “—Mining Operations”). For the year ended December 31, 2021 approximately 67,8% of Ferroglobe’s total consumption of quartz was self-supplied. Ferroglobe purchases quartz from third-party suppliers on the basis of annual contractual arrangements. Ferroglobe’s quartz suppliers typically have operations in the same countries where Ferroglobe factories are located, or in close proximity, which minimizes logistical costs.

Ferroglobe controls quartzite mining operations located in Alabama and a concession to mine quartzite in Saint-Urbain, Québec (operated by a third-party miner). These mines supply our North American operations with a substantial portion of their requirements for quartz.

Other raw materials

Wood is needed for the production of silicon metal and silicon-based alloys. It is used directly in furnaces as woodchips or cut to produce charcoal, which is the major source of carbon reductant for Ferroglobe’s plants in South Africa. In South Africa, charcoal is a less expensive substitute for imported coal and provides desirable qualities to the silicon-based alloys it is used to produce. In the other countries where Ferroglobe operates, Ferroglobe purchases wood chips locally or logs for on site wood chipping operations from a variety of suppliers.

In 2021, the sourcing of the metallurgical coke was predominantly from Colombia, Russia and Spain, although some quantities were sourced in Poland, Colombia and United States of America.

Petroleum coke, electrode related products, slag, limestone and additive metals are other relevant raw materials Ferroglobe utilizes to manufacture its electrometallurgy products. Procurement of these raw materials is either managed centrally or with each country’s raw materials procurement manager or plant manager and the materials purchased at spot prices or under contracts of a year or less.

In 2021, Graphite electrodes volumes increased as a result of higher production level. The sourcing of graphite electrodes is diversified with supply from European Countries, India, Russia, Ukraine and China with a combination of spot and long-term agreements. Carbon electrodes supplies come from Russia, Poland and China, including from Ferroglobe´s own carbon electrode factory in Ningxia Province in China.

Cost of raw materials

Wood is both an important element for the production of silicon alloys and used to produce charcoal, which is used as a carbon reductant at Ferroglobe’s South African subsidiary Silicon Smelters (Pty.), Ltd. Ferroglobe’s wood expense amounted to $36.8 million in 2021.

The FerroAtlántica subsidiaries of Ferroglobe source approximately 62% of their quartz needs from FerroAtlántica’s mines in Spain and South Africa, and Globe subsidiaries source approximately 75% of their quartz needs from Globe’s mines in the United States and Canada. Total quartz consumption in 2021 represented an expense of $87.8 million.

Logistics

Logistical operations are managed centrally. Sea freight operations are centralized at the corporate level, while rail logistics is centralized at country level. Road transportation is managed at plant level with centralized coordination in multi site countries. Contractual commitments in respect of transportation and logistics match, to the extent possible, Ferroglobe’s contracts for raw materials and customer contracts.

Power

In Spain, our plants have always purchased energy in the pool, as there was no clear competitive advantage with long-term contracts, and in addition, energy producers require very high guarantees.

In 2021 we have therefore been 100% to the market, which has experienced extremely high volatility due to the fluctuations of natural gas in the European markets. The energy market within the European Union is marginalist, so the most expensive technology that is sold each hour in the pool is the one that sets the final price. Natural gas has experienced a progressive increase in price since April 2021, due to the low level of stocks in gas storages in Europe, and the reduction of supply from Russia, following the growing demand for Natural Gas from China. The risk of natural gas shortages due to a possible cold winter in Europe, caused in December 2021 an unprecedented increase in the price of gas reaching record prices in the market, which led to record prices in the Spanish electricity market of up to 400 €/Mwh. Spanish plants have tried to mitigate the rise in prices with a great modulation, even paralyzing their activity during peak hours.

From November 2021, the Spanish government will provide up to 80% of the guarantees required by power generators for the signing of long-term contracts. The growing renewable generation in the coming years in Spain, causes Spain to have one of the most competitive energy futures prices in Europe in the medium and long term, so Ferroglobe is negotiating with several suppliers to sign a PPA contract, to ensure a competitive price of energy in Spain for the coming years.

In 2021, the energy market price in France followed the increasing trend as in the rest of European countries, reaching an all-time high in December 2021. The difference with other European markets is that the French government has maintained the Arhen tariff in France, which allows energy consumers to have a fixed energy price linked to the nuclear tariff for 60% of their consumption. In the case of Ferroglobe, the rest of the energy was closed in 2021 with hedges at a price well below the pool price, which allowed us to have a very competitive final energy price in France and unlinked to the pool price.

In 2021, a high percentage of the energy consumption of our plant in Norway, is made through a long-term contract at a very competitive price, the rest of the consumption is made in the Nord pool, but the high renewable generation in Norway and especially in the area where our plant is located, makes the pool price the most competitive in Europe, and has not been affected by the rise in the price of gas.

In the United States, we attempt to enter into long term electric supply contracts that value our ability to interrupt load to achieve reasonable rates. Our power supply contracts have, in the past, resulted in stable price structures. In West Virginia, we have a contract with Brookfield Renewable Partners, LP to provide, on average, 45% of our power needs, from a dedicated hydro-electric facility, through December 2025 at a fixed rate. Our needs for non-hydroelectric power in West Virginia and Alabama are primarily sourced through special contracts that provide competitive rates. In Ohio, electricity is sourced at market-based rates.

In South Africa, energy prices are regulated by the NERSA and price increases are publicly announced in advance and applicable as from April each year. Silicon Smelters participate in demand reductions during peak hours that are compensated against the monthly power account. Production during winter periods is significantly reduced during peak hours in order to maintain control over production costs for the full year.

The level of power consumption of our submerged electric arc furnaces is highly dependent on which products are being produced and typically fall in the following ranges: (i) manganese based alloys require between 1.5 and 5.5 megawatt hours to produce one ton of product, (ii) silicon based alloys require between 7 and 8 megawatt hours to produce one ton of product and (iii) silicon metal requires approximately 12 megawatt hours to produce one ton of product. Accordingly, consistent access to low cost, reliable sources of electricity is essential to our business.

Mining Operations

Reserves

The Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) amendments to its disclosure rules modernizing the mineral property disclosure requirements for mining registrants became effective on January 1, 2021. The amendments include the adoption of S-K 1300, which governs disclosure for mining registrants (the “SEC Mining Modernization Rules”). The SEC Mining Modernization Rules replaced the historical property disclosure requirements for mining registrants that were included in the SEC’s Industry Guide 7 and better align disclosure with international industry and regulatory practices.

A Mineral reserve is defined by S-K 1300 as an estimate of tonnage and grade or quality of indicated and measured mineral resources that, in the opinion of the qualified person, can be the basis of an economically viable project. More specifically, it is the economically mineable part of a measured or indicated mineral resource, which includes diluting materials and allowances for losses that may occur when the material is mined or extracted. A proven mineral reserve is the economically mineable part of a measured mineral resource and can only result from conversion of a measured mineral resource. A probable mineral reserve is the economically mineable part of an indicated and, in some cases, a measured mineral resource. Reserve estimates were made by independent third party consultants (qualified person), based primarily on dimensions revealed in outcrops, trenches, detailed sampling and drilling studies performed. For a probable mineral reserve, the qualified person’s confidence in the results obtained from the application of the modifying factors and in the estimates of tonnage and grade or quality is lower than what is sufficient for a classification as a proven mineral reserve, but is still sufficient to demonstrate that, at the time of reporting, extraction of the mineral reserve is economically viable under reasonable investment and market assumptions. For a proven mineral reserve, the qualified person has a high degree of confidence in the results obtained from the application of the modifying factors and in the estimates of tonnage and grade or quality. These estimates are reviewed and reassessed from time to time. Reserve estimates are based on various assumptions, and any material changes in these assumptions could have a material impact on the accuracy of Ferroglobe’s reserve estimates.

The following table sets forth summary information on Ferroglobe’s mines as of December 31, 2021.

			Annual	Production	Production	Production	Mining
Mine	Location	Mineral	capacity kt	in 2021 kt	in 2020 kt	in 2019 kt	Recovery
Sonia	Spain (Mañón)	Quartz	150	125	89	108	0,4
Esmeralda	Spain (Val do Dubra)	Quartz	50	25	19	27	0,4
Serrabal.	Spain (Vedra & Boqueixón)	Quartz	330	300	184	219	0,2
SamQuarz	South Africa (Delmas)	Quartzite	1,000	601	586	787	0,7
Mahale	South Africa (Limpopo)	Quartz	80	24	25	88	0,5
Roodepoort	South Africa (Limpopo)	Quartz	50	—	—	7	0,5
Fort Klipdam	South Africa (Limpopo)	Quartz	50	30	34	362	0,6
AS&G Meadows Pit	United States (Alabama)	Quartzite	300	242	257	257	0,4
			2,010	1,346	1,194	1,855

Mosely Gap	United States (Kentucky)	Coal (active)	400	—	—	—	0,7
Davis Creek	United States (Kentucky)	Coal (active)	240	3	3	—	0,7
Log Cabin No. 5	United States (Kentucky)	Coal (active)	168	156	156	—	0,6
Brick Plant	United States (Kentucky)	Coal (inactive)	200	—	—	—	0,7
Kimberly	United States (Kentucky)	Coal (inactive)	100	—	—	—	0,6
Bennett's Branch	United States (Kentucky)	Coal (inactive)	100	—	—	—	0,7
Bain Branch No. 3	United States (Kentucky)	Coal (inactive)	60	—	—	—	0,5
Harpes Creek 4A	United States (Kentucky)	Coal (inactive)	100	—	—	—	0,6
			1,368	159	159	—

	Proven	Probable
	reserves	reserves	Mining		Btus per		Expiry
Mine	Mt(1)	Mt(1)	Method	Reserve grade	lb.	Life(2)	date(3)
Sonia	1.71	0.8	Open-pit	Metallurgical	N/A	18	2069
Esmeralda	0.05	0.13	Open-pit	Metallurgical	N/A	7	2029
Serrabal.	3.37	1.6	Open-pit	Metallurgical	N/A	18	2038
SamQuarz	7.03	19.5	Open-pit	Metallurgical & Glass	N/A	37	2039
Mahale	—	3.0	Open-pit	Metallurgical	N/A	30	2035
Roodepoort	—	0.02	Open-pit	Metallurgical	N/A	1	2028
Fort Klipdam	—	1.0	Open-pit	Metallurgical	N/A	2	2021 (4)
AS&G Meadows Pit	3.20	—	Surface	Metallurgical	N/A	10	2027
	15.36	26.05

Mosely Gap	1.5	—	Surface	Metallurgical	14,000	4	2025
Davis Creek	0.5	—	Surface	Metallurgical	14,000	3	2023
Log Cabin No. 5	0.6	—	Underground	Metallurgical	14,000	3	2023
Brick Plant	0.4	—	Surface	Metallurgical	14,000	2	2023
Kimberly	0.5	—	Surface	Metallurgical	14,000	5	2026
Bennett's Branch	1.7	—	Underground	Metallurgical	14,000	15	2036
Bain Branch No. 3	3.6	2.9	Underground	Metallurgical	14,000	25	2042
Harpes Creek 4A	1.2	1.3	Underground	Metallurgical	14,000	12	2029
	10.00	4.20

⁽¹⁾

The estimated recoverable proven and probable reserves represent the tons of product that can be used internally or sold to metallurgical or glass grade customers. The mining recovery is based on historical yields at each particular site. We estimate our permitted mining life based on the number of years we can sustain average production rates under current circumstances.

⁽²⁾

Current estimated mine life in years.

⁽³⁾

Expiry date of Ferroglobe’s mining concession.

⁽⁴⁾

The expiry date relates to last approved mining permit relating to an area within Fort Klipdam farm. The application for a new Mining Right has not yet been approved and the last mining permit has been submitted for a 1-year renewal period until end 2022.

Ferroglobe considers its Conchitina and Conchitina Segunda mines as a single mining project legally supported by the formation of Coto Minero, formally approved by the Mining Authority in March 2018. In addition, Ferroglobe currently holds all necessary permits to start production at its Conchitina mines. Although Ferroglobe has not received formal approval from the Spanish Mining Authority over its 2022 Annual Mining Plan, we are not legally prevented from commencing mining operations in the area based on the fully-authorized 2021 Annual Mining Plan.

Reserves for the Conchitina mine are, accordingly, considered to be probable reserves, and the following table sets forth summary information on the Conchitina and Conchitina Segunda mines:

Recoverable Reserves

Mining

Proven

Probable

Mining

Mine

Location

Mineralization

Recovery

MT⁽¹⁾

Reserve Grade

Method

Conchitina and Conchitina Segunda

Spain (O Vicedo)

Quartz

0.35

—

0.97

Metallurgical

Open-pit

⁽¹⁾

Estimates of recoverable probable reserves represent the tons of product that can be used internally or which are of metallurgical grade and can be delivered to Ferroglobe’s customers.

Ferroglobe has additional mining rights in Spain (Cristina and Merlán), but none of these mines are currently producing or undergoing mine development activities as the Spanish Mining Authority started cancelling mining rights for Merlán and Cristina in September 2015 and December 2017, respectively. The Spanish Mining Authority finished the cancellation process for our mining rights for Trasmonte. Ferroglobe does not consider certain Venezuelan mines to be mining assets (La Candelaria, El Manteco and El Merey) as the minerals are fully-depleted and because it will be difficult to obtain new mining rights at these locations given the current economic and political environment in Venezuela.

Spanish mining concessions

Conchitina

The Conchitina mining concession previously belonged to Cuarzos Industriales S.A.U., which acquired the mining concession in 1979. Ferroglobe acquired this company, along with Conchitina mining concession, in 1996 from the Portuguese cement manufacturer Cimpor. The Conchitina Segunda mining concession was granted to Cuarzos Industriales S.A.U. in 1997 for a 30-year term after proper mining research had been conducted and the mining potential of the area had been demonstrated. The Conchitina concession expired in 2009 and Cuarzos Industriales S.A.U. applied for its renewal, also requesting the competent authority to consolidate the concession with that of Conchitina Segunda. The legal support for the consolidation request was that both mining rights apply over a unique quartz deposit. Approval was formally granted by the authority in March 2018. Cuarzos Industriales S.A.U. is the owner of the properties currently mined at Conchitina. The surface area covered by Conchitina concessions is 497 hectares.

Sonia

The Sonia mining concession previously belonged to Cuarzos Industriales S.A.U., which acquired the mining concession in 1979. Ferroglobe acquired Cuarzos Industriales S.A.U., which is the owner of the properties currently mined at Sonia, along with the Sonia mining concession, in 1996 from the Portuguese cement manufacturer Cimpor. The surface area covered by the Sonia mining concession is 387 hectares. The concession is due to expire in 2069.

Esmeralda

The original Esmeralda mining concession was granted in 1999 to Cuarzos Industriales, S.A.U., the owner of the properties currently mined at Esmeralda, after proper mining research had been conducted and the mining potential of the area had been demonstrated to the relevant public authority. The surface area covered by the Esmeralda mining concession is 84 hectares. The concession is due to expire in 2029.

Serrabal

The Serrabal mining concession was originally granted in 1978 to Rocas, Arcillas y Minerales S.A. Ferroglobe acquired control of this company, which is the owner of the properties currently mined at Serrabal, along with the Serrabal mining concession, in 2000. Rocas, Arcillas y Minerales, S.A. has applied for the renewal of the concession. Pursuant to an interim measure approved by the applicable mining authority, Rocas Arcillas y Minerales S.A. is permitted to continue mining operations in Serrabal indefinitely until a final decision on the renewal of the concession has been made. If the renewal is granted, the concession will expire in 2038. The surface area covered by Serrabal mining concession is 861 hectares.

Cabanetas

The mining right granting process and tax regulations applicable to the Cabanetas limestone quarry slightly differ from those applicable to other Ferroglobe mines in Spain because Cabanetas is classified as a quarry, rather than a mine. Ferroglobe is currently operating the Cabanetas quarry pursuant to a permit resolution, which authorized the extension of the original mining concession, issued in 2013 by the competent mining authority. The extension is for a period of 30 years and, consequently, the concession will expire in 2043. Limestone extracted from the Cabanetas quarry was intended to be used by the FerroAtlántica del Cinca S.L. Monzón electrometallurgy plant. However, because new metallurgical techniques require low consumption of this product, most of the Cabanetas limestone is generally sold to the civil engineering and construction industries. The production level of the Cabanetas quarry has fallen considerably in recent years, mainly due to difficulties in the local construction industry.

The land on which the mining property is located is owned by Mancomunidad de Propietarios de Fincas Las Sierras and the plot containing the mining property is leased to FerroAtlantica del Cinca S.L. pursuant to a lease agreement entered into in 1950, which was subsequently restated in 2000 and due to expire in 2020. The lease agreement has been extended to 2050. To retain the lease, FerroAtlantica del Cinca S.L. pays the landlord an annual fee currently equal to €0.15 per ton of limestone quarried out of the mine. The quarry covers a surface area of approximately 180 hectares. The area affected by the planned exploitation during the current extension of the concession area is 6.9 hectares.

For further information regarding Spanish regulations applicable to mining concessions, as well as environmental and other regulations, see “—Laws and regulations applicable to Ferroglobe’s mining operations—Spain.

South African mining rights

Thaba Chueu Mining Delmas Operation

The SamQuarz mining rights were transferred from the original owners, Glass South Africa Holdings (Pty) Ltd and Samancor Limited, to SamQuarz (Pty) Ltd. (“SamQuarz”) in 1997. In 2009, the Minister of Mineral Resources converted the then existing SamQuarz mining rights into new order mining rights due to expire after 30 years in 2039. In 2012, FerroAtlántica acquired control of SamQuarz along with the mining rights. At the end of 2014, SamQuarz mining rights were transferred from SamQuarz to its sole shareholder, Thaba Chueu Mining (Pty) Ltd (“TCM”). During 2017, ownership of the properties currently mined in Delmas were transferred from SamQuarz to TCM. The total surface area covered by SamQuarz mine is 118.1 hectares. The mine supplies some rock to Ferroglobe South African smelters, but mainly Flint Sand to the total South African Glass Manufacturing Industry and other Metallurgical operations locally.

Mahale

Mahale is state-owned land, lawfully occupied by the Mahale community. Thaba Chueue Mining currently leases the land pursuant to an agreement with the Majeje Traditional Authority and runs mining operations on the area with mining rights owned by Thaba Chueue Mining and licensed to it. The latest mining right license was granted by the Department of Mineral Resources in December 2014 and registered at the mining titles deeds office in early 2016. The license is for a 20-year period and will expire in 2035. The total surface area covered by Mahale mine is 329.7 hectares. The lease agreement between Thaba Chueue Mining and the Majeje Traditional Authority will be in force for the entire duration of the mining right or as long as it is economically viable for the lessee to mine. Under the lease agreement, a monthly rent of ZAR 10 per Ton is paid to the lessor in the form of a Royalty. Mining volumes has reduced significantly at the Mahale mine through the stoppage of the Polokwane smelter in July 2019, but activities are continuing at minimum viable production volumes to supply the eMalahleni smelter with low alkaline quartz.

Roodepoort

The Roodepoort mining right is held by Ferroglobe’s subsidiary, Silicon Smelters (Pty.), Ltd. (“Silicon Smelters”), and will expire in 2028. In 2009, Silicon Smelters applied for a conversion of the mining right into a new mining right under the South African Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (the “MPRDA”), which came into force in 2004. The new mining right has been granted and is valid for the continuation of our mining activities at the Roodeport mine until. Silicon Smelters is currently in the process of transferring this mining right to its mining subsidiary, Thaba Chueue Mining, in order that all licenses and permits in South Africa are held under this entity.

The total surface area covered by Roodepoort mine is 17.6 hectares. The mining area covers the cobble and block areas. The land in which Roodepoort mine is located is owned by Alpha Sand, which also conducts all mining operations as a contractor for Silicon Smelters. An agreement is in place whereby Alpha Sand operates the mine and Silicon Smelters purchases the quartz mined from Alpha Sand based on the quartz requirements of Silicon Smelters and at prices that are reviewed annually on the basis of increases in production costs and diesel fuel. The agreement with Alpha Sand will terminate at the expiry of the mining right or when it is no longer economically viable to mine quartz in the area. Mining activities were suspended in July 2019 when a decision was taken to stop production at the Polokwane smelter and agreement was reached with the authorities to suspend activities legally until such time when the silicon metal market recovers significantly in order to allow the restart of the Polokwane smelter. In the event that the smelter is not restarted in the near future, full rehabilitation operations must be engaged and approved by the DMRE.

Fort Klipdam

The land on which Fort Klipdam is located is owned by Silicon Smelters. The mining rights application filed by Silicon Smelters was rejected. Mining operations have been limited to mining permits that were approved for quartz mining, which includes block mine areas. As substantial block reserves have been established, a new application was launched in 2021 for a mining right and the current mining permit was extended to December 2022.

For further information regarding South African regulations applicable to mining concessions, as well as environmental and other regulations, see “—Laws and regulations applicable to Ferroglobe’s mining operations—South Africa.”

French mining rights

Soleyron

FerroPem, SAS, a subsidiary of Ferroglobe, owns 7.5 hectares of the overall Soleyron mine area. The Saint-Hippolyte de Montaigu Municipality owns the remaining 12.9 hectares. In February 2015, FerroPem, SA, entered into a lease and royalty agreement with the municipality, which is valid for five years. The effective date of the agreement and the relevant term coincide with the effective date and term of the prefectural authorization renewal, which was granted to FerroPem, SAS in March 2015. With the end of the reachable reserves, operation at the mine was terminated on December 2016 and no extension of the permit was requested. The lease and royalty agreement with the municipality was terminated on December 2016. Rehabilitation of the site is expected to be performed in 2022.

United States and Canadian mining rights

Coal

As of December 31, 2021, we had three active coal mines (two surface mines and one underground mine) located in Knox, Whitley and Bell County, Kentucky. We also had five inactive permitted coal mines available for extraction located in Kentucky and Alabama. All of our coal mines are leased and the remaining term of the leases range from 2 to 40 years. The majority of the coal production is consumed by the Company’s facilities in the production of silicon metal and silicon-based alloys. As of December 31, 2021, we estimate our proven and probable reserves to be approximately 14,200,000 tons with an average permitted life of approximately 35 years at present operating levels. Present operating levels are determined based on a three-year annual average production rate. Reserve estimates were made by our geologists, engineers and third parties based primarily on drilling studies performed. These estimates are reviewed and reassessed from time to time. Reserve estimates are based on various assumptions, and any material changes in these assumptions could have a material impact on the accuracy of our reserve estimates.

We currently have two coal processing facilities in Kentucky, one of which is inactive. The active facility processes approximately 500,000 tons of coal annually, with a capacity of 2,500,000 tons. The average coal processing recovery rate is approximately 65%.

Quartzite

We have an open-pit quartz mining operation in Lowndesboro, Alabama. It has wash-plant facilities. We also have a concession to mine quartzite in Saint-Urbain, Québec (operated by a third party miner). These mines supply our North American operations with a substantial portion of their requirements for quartzite.

Laws and regulations applicable to Ferroglobe’s mining operations

Spain

In Spain, mining concessions have an average term of 30 years and are extendable for additional 30-year terms, up to a maximum of 90 years. In order to extend the concession term, the concessionaire must file an application with the competent public authority. The application, which must be filed three years prior to the expiration of the concession term, must be accompanied by a detailed report demonstrating the continuity of mineral deposits and the technical ability to extract such deposits, as well as reserve estimates, an overall mining plan for the term of the concession and a detailed description of extraction and treatment techniques. The renewal process is straightforward for a mining company that has been mining the concession regularly. The main impediments to renewal are a lack of mining activity and legal conflicts. Every year in January, in order to maintain the validity of the mining concession, an annual mining plan must be submitted to the competent public authority. This document must detail the work to be developed during the year.

Regarding the environmental requirements applicable to Ferroglobe’s mining operations in Spain, each of Serrabal, Esmeralda, Conchitina and Conchitina Segunda is subject to an “environmental impact statement” (or “EIS”), issued by the relevant environmental authority and specifically tailored to the environmental features of the relevant mine. The EIS requires compliance with high environmental standards and is based on the environmental impact study performed by the mining concession applicant in connection with each mining project. It is the result of a consultation process involving several public administrations, including cultural, archaeology, landscape, urbanistic, health, agriculture, water and industrial administrations. The EIS sets forth all conditions to be fulfilled by the applicant, including in connection with the protection of air, water, soil, flora and fauna, landscape, cultural heritage, restoration and the interaction of such elements. The EIS covers mining activities, auxiliary facilities and heaps carried out in a determined perimeter of each mine and includes a program of surveillance and environmental monitoring. The relevant authority regularly verifies compliance with it.

Sonia is subject to a “restoration plan” which provides for less stringent environmental requirements than an EIS and is mainly aimed at ensuring that the new areas generated as a result of the mining activity are properly restored in an environmentally friendly manner. The restoration plan is submitted by the mining concession applicant for the approval of the relevant authority together with the mining project for the area. Information about the exploitation project, including area of operation, annual production, method and operating system, and designed top and bottom level of the pit is included in the restoration plan.

All mines, with the exception of Cabanetas, also need to obtain from the relevant public administration an authorization for the discharge of the water used at the mine. This authorization is subject to certain conditions, including analyzing the water before any such discharge is made. In addition, when presenting to the competent mining authorities its annual mining plans, Ferroglobe must include an environmental report describing all environmental actions carried out during the year. Authorities are able to oversee such actions upon their annual inspections. Because Cabanetas is classified as a quarry and not as a mine, environmental requirements are generally less stringent and an environmental report is not required. The environmental license for Cabanetas is included in the mining permit and is formalized in the annual work plan and the annual restoration plan approved by the mining authority.

The main recurring payment obligation in connection with Ferroglobe’s mines in Spain relates to a tax payable annually, calculated on the basis of the budget included in the relevant annual mining plan provided to the authority. In addition, with the exception of Cabanetas, a small surface tax is paid annually to the administration on the basis of the mine property extension. A levy also applies to water consumption at each mine property, which is paid at irregular intervals whenever the relevant public administration requires it.

South Africa

In South Africa, mining rights are valid for a maximum of 30 years and may be renewed for further periods of up to 30 years per renewal. Prior to granting and renewing a mining right, the competent authority must be satisfied with the technical and financial capacity of the intended mining operator and the mining work program according to which the operator intends to mine. In addition, a species rescue, relocation and re-introduction plan must be developed and implemented by a qualified person prior to the commencement of excavation, a detailed vegetation and habitat and rehabilitation plan must be developed by a qualified person and a permit must be obtained from the South African Heritage Resource Agency prior to the commencement of excavations. The mining right holder must also compile a labor and social plan for its mining operations and comply with certain additional regulatory requirements relating to, among other things, human resource development, employment equity, housing and living conditions and health and safety of employees, and the usage of water, which must be licensed.

It is a condition of the mining right that the holder disposes of all minerals and products derived from exploitation of the mineral at competitive market prices, which means, in all cases, non-discriminatory prices or non-export parity prices. If the minerals are sold to any entity which is an affiliate or non-affiliate agent or subsidy of the mining right holder, or is directly or indirectly controlled by the holder, such purchaser must unconditionally undertake in writing to dispose of the minerals and any products from the minerals and any products produced from the minerals, at competitive market prices. The mining right, a shareholding, an equity, an interest or participation in the right or joint venture, or a controlling interest in a company, close corporation or joint venture, may not be encumbered, ceded, transferred, mortgaged, let, sublet, assigned, alienated or otherwise disposed of without the written consent of the Minister of Mineral Resources, except in the case of a change of controlling interest in listed companies.

Environmental requirements applicable to mining operations in South Africa are mostly set out in the MPRDA. Pursuant to the MPRDA, in order to obtain reconnaissance permissions as well as actual mining rights, applicants must have in place an approved environmental management plan, pursuant to which, among other things, all boreholes, excavations and openings sunk or made during the duration of the mining right must be sealed, closed, fenced and made safe by the mining operator. Further environmental requirements apply in connection with health and safety matters, waste management and water usage. The MPRDA further requires mining right applicants to conduct an environmental impact assessment on the area of interest and submit an environmental management program setting forth, among other things, baseline information concerning the affected environment to determine protection, remedial measures and environmental management objectives, and describing the manner in which the applicant intends to modify, remedy, control or stop any action, activity or process which causes pollution or environmental degradation, contain or remedy the cause of pollution or degradation and migration of pollutants and comply with any prescribed waste standard or management standards or practices. In addition, applicants must provide sufficient insurance, bank guarantees, trust funds or cash to ensure the availability of sufficient funds to undertake the agreed work programs and for the rehabilitation, management and remediation of any negative environmental impact on the interested areas. Holders of a mining right must conduct continuous monitoring of the environmental management plan, conduct performance assessments of the plan and compile and submit a performance assessment report to the competent authority, the frequency of which must be as approved in the environmental management program, or every two years or as otherwise agreed by the authority in writing. Mine closure costs are evaluated and reported on an annual basis, but are typically only incurred at mine closure.

The mining right holder must also be in compliance with an important governmental regulation called Black Economic Empowerment (“BEE”), a program launched by the South African government to redress certain racial inequalities. In order for a mining right to be granted, a mining company must agree on certain BEE-related conditions with the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources. Such conditions relate to, among other things, the company’s ownership and employment equity and require the submission of a social and labor plan. Failure to comply with any of these BEE conditions may have an impact on, among other things, the ability of the mining company to retain the mining right or obtain its renewal upon expiry. In addition, companies subject to BEE must conduct, on an annual basis, a BEE rating audit on several aspects of the business, including black ownership, management control, employment equity, skills development, preferential procurement, enterprise development and socio-economic development. Poor performance on the BEE rating audit may have a negative impact on the company’s ability to do business with other companies, to the extent that a company’s low rating is likely to reduce the rating of its business partners.

Mining rights are subject to payments of royalties to the tax authority, the South African Revenue Services. Such payments are generally made by June 30 and December 31 each year and upon the approval of the concessionaire’s annual financial statements.

France

In France, mining rights are subject to a prefectural authorization. The authorization provides details of all requirements, including environmental requirements, which the mining operator and its subcontractors must comply with to operate the mine. Such requirements mainly concern archaeology, water protection, air pollution, control of noise, visual impact and safety matters. The authorization also contains the requirements relating to the remediation of the land after the end of the mining operations, including the provision of adequate financial guarantees by the mining operator. Mines are regularly inspected by the administration and local environmental commissions, comprising representatives of the relevant municipality, administration, several associations and the mining operator, which must meet at least once a year.

United States

The Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969 and the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 impose stringent safety and health standards on all aspects of mining operations. Also, the state of Kentucky, in which we operate underground and surface coal mines, has state mine safety and health regulations. The Mine Safety and Health Administration (the “MSHA”) inspects mine sites and enforces safety regulations and the Company must comply with ongoing regulatory reporting to the MSHA. Numerous governmental permits, licenses or approvals are required for mining operations. In order to obtain mining permits and approvals from state regulatory authorities, we must submit a reclamation plan for restoring, upon the completion of mining operations, the mined property to its prior or better condition, productive use or other permitted condition. We are also required to establish performance bonds, consistent with state requirements, to secure our financial obligations for reclamation, including removal of mining structures and ponds, backfilling and regrading and revegetation.

Customers and Markets

The following table details the breakdown of Ferroglobe’s revenues by geographic end market for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019.

	Year ended December 31,
($ thousands)	2021		2020		2019
United States of America		515,095		404,633		533,764
Europe
Spain		251,528		133,370		183,969
Germany		292,774		191,107		249,911
France		130,811		79,491		109,513
Italy		76,721		42,067		99,796
Other EU Countries		176,046		88,443		220,475
Total revenues in Europe		927,880		534,478		863,664
Rest of the World		335,933		205,323		217,794
Total		1,778,908		1,144,434		1,615,222

Customer base

We have a diversified customer base across our key product categories. We have built long-lasting relationships with our customers based on the breadth and quality of our product offerings and our ability to frequently offer lower-cost and more reliable supply options than our competitors who do not have production facilities located near the customers’ facilities or production capabilities to meet specific customer requirements. We sell our products to customers in over 30 countries across six continents, though our largest customer concentration is in the United States and Europe. The average length of our relationships with our top 30 customers exceeds ten years and, in some cases, such relationships go back as far as 30 years.

For the year ended December 31, 2021, Ferroglobe’s ten largest customers accounted for approximately 48.1% of Ferroglobe’s consolidated sales. During 2021, sales corresponding to Dow Silicones Corporation represented 12.2% of the Company’s sales. During the year ended December 31, 2020, Ferroglobe’s ten largest customers accounted for approximately 50.7% of Ferroglobe’s consolidated sales. During 2020, sales corresponding to Dow Silicones Corporation represented 13.2% of the Company’s sales.

For the year ended December 31, 2021, approximately 59% of our metallurgical segment sales were to customers in Europe, approximately 28% were to customers in the United States and approximately 13% were to the rest of the world.

Customer contracts

Our contracting strategy seeks to lock in significant revenue while remaining flexible to benefit from any price increases. Our silicon metal, manganese-based ferroalloys and silicon-based ferroalloys are typically sold under annual and quarterly contracts. Historically, we have targeted to contract approximately 50-65% of our silicon metal, manganese-based ferroalloys production and silicon-based ferroalloy production in the fourth quarter for the following calendar year. Typically, approximately 40% of contracted production have fixed prices whereas the other 60% are indexed to benchmarks.

The remaining balance of our silicon metal, manganese-based ferroalloys and our silicon based ferroalloy production are sold under quarterly contracts or on a spot basis. By selling on a spot basis, we are able to take advantage of premiums for prompt delivery. We believe that our diversified contract portfolio allows us to lock in a significant amount of revenues while also allowing us to remain flexible and benefit from unexpected price and demand upticks. Given current spot price and current market dynamics, we are looking to enter into contracts for 2022 with shorter terms in order to benefit from expected price increases.

Sales and Marketing Activities

Ferroglobe generally sells the majority of its silicon products under annual or longer term contracts for silicone producers, and mainly between one month to six months for aluminum producing customers. All contracts generally include a volume framework and price formula based on the spot market price and other elements, including production costs and premiums. Ferroglobe also makes spot sales to customers with whom it does not have a contract as well as through quarterly agreements at prices that generally reflect market spot prices. In addition, Ferroglobe sells certain high quality products at prices that are not directly correlated with the market prices for the metals or alloys from which they are composed.

With the exception of the manganese-based business, the vast majority of Ferroglobe’s products are sold directly by its own sales force located in Spain, France, the United States and Germany, as well as in all of the countries in which Ferroglobe operates. For the manganese-based business, Glencore and Ferroglobe operates under exclusive agency agreements for the marketing of Ferroglobe's manganese alloys products worldwide, and for the procurement of manganese ores to supply Ferrogloble’s plants.

Competition

The most significant competitive factor in the silicon metal, manganese and silicon based alloys and specialty metals markets is price. Other factors include consistency of the chemical and physical specifications over time and reliability of supply.

The silicon metal, manganese- and silicon-based alloys and specialty metals markets are highly competitive, global markets, in which suppliers are able to reach customers across different geographies, and in which local presence is generally a minor advantage. In the silicon metal market, Ferroglobe’s primary competitors include Chinese producers, which have production capacity that exceeds total global demand. Aside from Chinese producers, Ferroglobe’s competitors include Elkem, a Norwegian manufacturer of silicon metal, ferrosilicon, foundry products, silica fumes, carbon products and energy, Dow Chemical, an American company specializing, inter alia, in silicone and silicon-based technology, Rusal, a Russian company that is a leading global aluminum and silicon metal producer, Rima, a Brazilian silicon metal and ferrosilicon producer, Liasa and Minas Ligas, Brazilian producers of silicon, Wacker, a German chemical business which manufactures silicon, Simcoa Operations, an Australian company specializing in the production of silicon as well as several other smaller companies in Bosnia Herzegovina, Iceland, Germany, Malaysia, and Thailand.

In the manganese and silicon alloys market, Ferroglobe’s competitors include Privat Group, a Ukrainian company with operations in Australia, Ghana and Ukraine, Eramet, a French mining and metallurgical group, CHEMK Industrial Group, a Russian conglomerate which is one of the largest silicon-based alloy producers in the world, South 32 (formerly BHP Billiton), a global mining company with operations in Australia and South Africa and Vale, a mining and metals group based in Brazil, Asia Minerals and OM Holdings in Malaysia and Elkem in Norway.

In the silica fumes market, Ferroglobe’s main competitor is Elkem.

Ferroglobe strives to be a highly efficient, low cost producer, offering competitive pricing and engaging in manufacturing processes that capture most of its production by-products for reuse or resale. Additionally, through the vertical integration of its quartz mines in Spain, the United States, Canada and South Africa and its metallurgical coal mines in the United States, Ferroglobe has ensured access to some of the high quality raw materials that are essential in silicon metal, manganese- and silicon-based alloys and specialty metals production processes and has been able to gain a competitive advantage over some of its competitors because it has reduced the contribution of these raw materials to its cost base

Research and Development (R&D)

Ferroglobe focuses on continually developing its technology in an effort to improve its products and production processes. Ferroglobe also has cooperation agreements in place with various universities and research institutes in Spain, France and other countries around the world. Set forth below is a description of Ferroglobe’s significant ongoing research and development projects.

ELSA electrode

Ferroglobe has internally developed a patented technology for electrodes used in silicon metal furnaces, which it has been able to sell to several major silicon producers globally. This technology, known as the ELSA electrode, improves the energy efficiency in the production process of silicon metal and eliminates contamination with iron. Ferroglobe has granted these producers the right to use the ELSA electrode against payment to Ferroglobe of royalties. Continuous improvements are made in an effort to keep this invention state of the art.

Solar grade silicon

Ferroglobe has sought to produce solar grade silicon metal with a purity above 99.9999% through a new, potentially cost-effective, electrometallurgical process. The traditional chemical process tends to be costly and involves high energy consumption and potentially environmentally hazardous processes. The new technology, entirely developed by Ferroglobe at an earlier stage at its research and development facilities aims to reduce the costs and energy consumption associated with the production of solar grade silicon.

In 2016, FerroAtlántica entered into a project with Aurinka Photovoltaic Group, S.L. (“Aurinka”) for a feasibility study and basic engineering for an upgraded metallurgical grade (“UMG”) solar silicon manufacturing plant. On December 20, 2016, Grupo FerroAtlántica, S.A.U., along with certain of its subsidiaries, entered into a joint venture agreement (the “Solar JV Agreement”) with Blue Power Corporation, S.L. (“Blue Power”) and Aurinka providing for the formation and operation of a joint venture with the purpose of producing UMG solar silicon. In furtherance of this project, FerroAtlántica obtained a loan, with a principal amount of approximately €45 million, from the Spanish Ministry of Industry and Energy for the purpose of building the UMG silicon plant. Due to the market environment for solar grade silicon (or polysilicon) worldwide, at the end of 2018 the Company suspended the investment in the project while preserving the technology and know-how in order to be able to finalize the construction of the factory when market circumstances change. In July 2019, the Solar JV Agreement was terminated. See “Item 7.B – Related Party Transactions – Aurinka and the Solar JV, below.

High value powders – Li-ion batteries

Ferroglobe has launched the High Value Powder project, which aims at producing silicon-based, tailor made products for high end applications. Among the various targeted applications, is a particularly attractive market in anodes for Li-ion batteries. In this specific field, Ferroglobe has developed several partnerships and technical collaborations to develop successful research and development solutions to enhance the energy capacity of the anode in Li-ion batteries by adding silicon.

An important part of the technology developed for the Solar grade silicon project is used in this new project allowing Ferroglobe to have advantages in obtaining tailor made solutions in this emerging business and to put in the market products with a very low carbon footprint. At the same time, new knowledge linked to specific milling technologies has been developed in the last years placing Ferroglobe in an excellent position in this new market.

Anyway, new R&D works are carrying out by the Ferroglobe innovation team to develop new products that could fit in the requirements of new generations of batteries.

Proprietary Rights and Licensing

The majority of Ferroglobe’s intellectual property consists of proprietary know-how and trade secrets. Ferroglobe’s intellectual property strategy is focused on developing and protecting proprietary know-how and trade secrets, which are maintained through employee and third-party confidentiality agreements and physical security measures. Although Ferroglobe owns some patented technology, we believe that the Company’s businesses and profitability do not rely fundamentally upon patented technology and that the publication implicit in the patenting process may in certain instances be detrimental to Ferroglobe’s ability to protect its proprietary information.

Regulatory Matters

Environmental and health and safety

Ferroglobe operates facilities worldwide, which are subject to foreign, national, regional, provincial and local environmental, health and safety laws and regulations, including, among others, those requirements governing the discharge of materials into the environment, the generation, use, storage and disposal of hazardous substances, the extraction and use of water, land use, reclamation and remediation and the health and safety of Ferroglobe’s employees. These laws and regulations require Ferroglobe to obtain from governmental authorities permits to conduct its regulated activities, which permits may be subject to modification or revocation by such authorities.

Ferroglobe may not be at all times in full compliance with such laws, regulations and permits, although Ferroglobe is not aware of any material past or current noncompliance. Failure to comply with these laws, regulations and permits may result in the assessment of administrative, civil and criminal penalties or other sanctions by regulators, the imposition of obligations to conduct remediation or upgrade or install pollution or dust control equipment, the issuance of injunctions limiting or preventing Ferroglobe’s activities, legal claims for personal injury or property damages, and other liabilities.

Under these laws, regulations and permits, Ferroglobe could also be held liable for any consequences arising out of an industrial incident, human exposure to hazardous substances or environmental damage that relates to Ferroglobe’s current or former operations or properties. Environmental, health and safety laws are likely to become more stringent in the future. Ferroglobe purchases insurance to cover these potential liabilities, but the costs of complying with current and future environmental, health and safety laws, and its liabilities arising from past or future releases of, or exposure to, hazardous substances, may exceed insured, budgeted or reserved amounts and adversely affect Ferroglobe’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

Some environmental laws assess liability on current or previous owners or operators of real property for the cost of removal or remediation of hazardous substances. In addition to cleanup, cost recovery or compensatory actions brought by foreign, national, provincial and local agencies, neighbors, employees or other third parties could make personal injury, property damage or other private claims relating to the presence or release of hazardous substances. Environmental laws often impose liability even if the owner or operator did not know of, or did not cause, the release of hazardous substances. Persons who arrange for the disposal or treatment of hazardous substances also may be responsible for the cost of removal or remediation of these substances. Such persons can be responsible for removal and remediation costs even if they never owned or operated the disposal or treatment facility. In addition, such owners or operators of real property and persons who arrange for the disposal or treatment of hazardous substances can be held responsible for damages to natural resources.

There are a variety of laws and regulations in place or being considered at the international, national, regional, provincial and local levels of government that restrict or are reasonably likely to result in limitations on, or additional costs related to, emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. These legislative and regulatory developments may cause Ferroglobe to incur material costs to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions from its operations (through additional environmental control equipment or retiring and replacing existing equipment) or to obtain emission allowance or credits, or result in the incurrence of material taxes, fees or other governmental impositions on account of such emissions. In addition, such developments may have indirect impacts on Ferroglobe’s operations, which could be material. For example, they may impose significant additional costs or limitations on electricity generators, which could result in a material increase in energy costs.

For a summary of regulatory matters applicable to Ferroglobe’s mining operations, see “—Laws and regulations applicable to Ferroglobe’s mining operations.”

Energy and electricity generation

Ferroglobe operates hydro-electric plants in France, which are subject to energy, environmental, health and safety laws and regulations, including those governing the generation of electricity and the use of water and river basins. These laws and regulations require Ferroglobe to obtain permits from governmental authorities, which may be subject to modification or revocation by these authorities.

Trade

Ferroglobe benefits from antidumping and countervailing duty orders and laws that protect its products by imposing special duties on unfairly traded imports from certain countries. These orders may be subject to revision, revocation or rescission as a result of periodic and five-year reviews.

In the United States, final antidumping or countervailing duties are in effect covering silicon metal imports from China, Russia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, and Kazakhstan, and preliminary duties are in effect on imports from Malaysia.

In June 2020, Globe Specialty Metals, Inc. (“GSM”) petitioned the U.S. Department of Commerce (“Commerce”) and the U.S. International Trade Commission (“ITC”) to stop silicon metal producers in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Malaysia and Kazakhstan from selling dumped and unfairly subsidized silicon metal imports into the United States. These cases were successful, and in April 2021, Commerce issued formal antidumping orders on all imports from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Iceland, and a formal countervailing duty order on all imports from Kazakhstan. A formal antidumping duty order was issued with respect to all imports from Malaysia in August 2021. These orders will remain in place for at least five years. Appeals of the Kazakhstan and Bosnia and Herzegovina determinations currently are pending before the United States Court of International Trade. Additionally, in June 2020, the Russia antidumping duty order was renewed for another five years after Commerce and the ITC determined that revocation of the order would lead to continued or recurrent dumping and injury to the U.S. industry. Similarly, in June 2018, the China antidumping duty order was renewed for an additional five years after the ITC and Commerce determined that revocation of the order on Chinese silicon metal imports would lead to continued or recurrent dumping and injury to the U.S. industry, respectively.

In Canada, antidumping and countervailing duties covering silicon metal imports from China are in effect. An expiry review of the Canadian antidumping/countervailing duty order covering silicon metal imports from China concluded on August 22, 2019. As a result of that proceeding, the order was continued for a further five-year period with the result that antidumping and countervailing duties continue to apply to imports of silicon metal from China into Canada.

In the European Union, antidumping duties are in place covering silicon metal imports from China and ferrosilicon imports from China and Russia. In April 2019, the European Commission initiated a review to determine whether to maintain the antidumping measures in place for ferrosilicon. In June 2020, and as a result of this proceeding, the European Commission renewed the orders on ferrosilicon from China and Russia for another five years. In 2021, the European Commission initiated a review to determine whether to maintain the antidumping measures in place for silicon metal. The final decision is expected by the end of June 2022. Also, in October 2021, the European Commission created a new provisional antidumping duty for calcium silicon imports from China for 6 months. On March 23, 2022, the European Commission imposed definitive antidumping duties on calcium silicon imports from China for a 5-year period.

Seasonality

Electrometallurgy

Due to the cyclicality of energy prices and the energy-intensive nature of the production processes for silicon metal, manganese- and silicon-based alloys and specialty metals, Ferroglobe does not operate its electrometallurgy plants during certain periods or times of day when energy prices are at their peak. Demand for Ferroglobe’s manganese- and silicon-based alloy and specialty metals products is lower during these periods as its customers also suspend their energy-intensive production processes involving Ferroglobe’s products. As a result, sales within particular geographic regions are subject to seasonality.

C. Organizational structure.

The organizational structure remains as follows as of December 31, 2021:

For a list of subsidiaries and ownership structure see Note 2 in the Consolidated Financial Statements.

D. Property, Plant and Equipment.

See “Item 4.B.—Information on the Company—Business Overview.”

ITEM 4A. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

Not applicable.

ITEM 5. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS

A. Operating Results

Introduction

The following “management’s discussion and analysis” should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements of Ferroglobe as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 and for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, which are included in this annual report. This discussion includes forward-looking statements, which, although based on assumptions that Ferroglobe considers reasonable, are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or conditions to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. See “Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.” For a discussion of risks and uncertainties facing Ferroglobe, see “Item 3.D.—Key Information—Risk Factors.”

In accordance with IAS 21 — The Effects of Changes in Foreign Exchange Rates, Ferroglobe’s consolidated income statements and consolidated statement of financial position have been translated from the functional currency of each subsidiary, which is determined by the primary economic environment in which each subsidiary operates, into the reporting currency of the Company that is U.S. Dollars.

Principal Factors Affecting Our Results of Operations

Sale prices

Ferroglobe’s operating performance is highly correlated to the demand for our products, market prices and cost to serve, in a global competitive environment. Ferroglobe follows a pricing policy aimed at maintaining balance between exposures to termed contracts, based on formula pricing, and exposure to the spot market. This approach allows Ferroglobe to remain flexible in adjusting its production and sales footprint depending on changing market conditions, which traditionally have been volatile. However, going into 2021 the Company had a higher weighting towards fixed priced contracts, particularly in silicon metal, given the demand uncertainty created by COVID-19. This capped our ability to realize the increase in market prices during in 2021. These contracts expired at the end of 2021, resulting in a resetting of pricing at current market levels, per the underlying indices, at the beginning of 2022.

During 2021, demand across our segments was positively impacted due to the re-filling of value chains to pre-COVID levels and a recovery in the market demand across our core need markets. Furthermore, disruptions along the global chain, coupled with supply curtailments in China impacted global supply for our products. Collectively these factors resulted in steady market price increases for our products throughout 2021.

Silicon metal pricing appreciated steady throughout 2021, with a pronounced uptick in the second half, due to premiums placed on supply security into key sectors, like chemicals, along with increased demand in the aluminum and other commodity sectors.

Historically, manganese-based alloy prices have shown a significant correlation with the price of manganese ore, but from 2018 up to middle 2020, the correlation was disrupted, causing a margin squeeze for Ferroglobe as a non-integrated producer. Since 2020, alloy pricing spreads over ore have recovered. In 2021, further improvements in the spread of ore continue to increase due to the recovery in steel demand. We anticipate these improved dynamics to hold in 2022, driven by stable demand in the European steel sector and the supply availability of manganese ore.

Our ferrosilicon business pricing improved throughout 2021 from the historical lows of 2020. We expect these dynamics to sustain in 2022, supported by demand for steel industry, stimulated by the construction and auto sectors.

Cost of raw materials

The main raw materials sourced by Ferroglobe are quartz, manganese ore, coal, metallurgical coke, wood and charcoal. Manganese ore is the largest component of the cost base for manganese-based alloys. In 2021, more than 27% of Ferroglobe’s total $133.48 million expense with respect to manganese ore fell under an annual commitment, whilst the remaining was purchased on spot basis. Special coal is used as a major carbon reductant in silicon-based alloy production. In 2021, coal represented a $137.4 million expense for Ferroglobe. Metallurgical coke, which is used for Mn Alloys production, represented a total purchase volume of $47.5 million in 2021. Wood is both an important element for the production of silicon alloys and used to produce charcoal, which is used as a carbon reductant at Ferroglobe’s South African subsidiary Silicon Smelters (Pty.), Ltd. Ferroglobe’s wood expense amounted to $36.8 million in 2021. The Grupo FerroAtlántica subsidiaries of Ferroglobe source approximately 62% of their quartz needs from FerroAtlántica’s mines in Spain and South Africa, and Globe subsidiaries source approximately 75% of their quartz needs from Globe’s mines in the United States and Canada. Total quartz consumption in 2021 represented an expense of $ 87.8 million.

Power

Power constitutes one of the single largest expenses for most of Ferroglobe’s products. Ferroglobe focuses on minimizing energy prices and unit consumption throughout its operations by concentrating its silicon and manganese-based alloy production during periods when energy prices are lower. In 2021, Ferroglobe’s total power consumption was 7,358 gigawatt-hours, with power contracts that vary across its operations.

In Spain and France, FerroAtlántica receives a rebate on a portion of its energy costs in exchange for an agreement to interrupt production, and thus power usage, upon request. FerroAtlántica is negotiating to obtain power contracts to partly hedge risks related to energy price volatility in Spain.

In Spain, the compensations for production interruption were eliminated in 2021. The plants continue to receive compensation for indirect CO2 costs, as in the rest of Europe. We are in active discussions with potential Spanish energy partners to enter into power purchase agreements to cover a portion of our needs during the coming years.

In France, FerroPem S.A.S. has traditionally had access to relatively low power prices, as it benefited from Electricité de France’s green tariff (“Tarif Vert”), and a discount thereon. The green tariffs expired at the end of 2015 and Ferroglobe has negotiated supply contracts based on ARENH (historical nuclear energy at fixed price) and market prices with two suppliers for years 2016 to 2019 and is currently negotiating long-term supply contracts with suppliers in the market place. A new contract based on ARENH and market covers 2020 to 2022. See also “Item 7.—Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—Related Party Transactions”. Regulation enacted in 2015 enables FerroPem S.A.S. to benefit from reduced tariffs resulting from its agreeing to interrupt production and respond to surges in demand, as well as receiving compensation for indirect CO₂ costs under the EU Emission Trading System (ETS) regulation. These arrangements allow FerroPem S.A.S. to operate competitively on a 12-month basis, but also concentrate production during periods when energy prices are lower if needed.

In the United States, we attempt to enter into long-term electric supply contracts that value our ability to interrupt load to achieve reasonable rates. Our power supply contracts have, in the past, resulted in stable price structures. In West Virginia, we have a contract with Brookfield Renewable Power to provide, on average, 45% of our power needs, from a dedicated hydro-electric facility, through December 2025 at a fixed rate. Our power needs for the non-hydroelectric component of West Virginia, Ohio, and Alabama are primarily sourced through special contracts that provide competitive rates whereas a portion of the power is also priced at market rates.

In South Africa, we have an “evergreen” supply agreement with Eskom, the parastatal electricity supplier, for our Polokwane, eMalahleni, Newcastle (Siltech) and Thaba Chueu mining plants. Eskom’s energy prices are regulated by the National Energy Regulator (NERSA) and price increases are publicly announced in advance. Operational smelters in South Africa were operating on normal tariffs for the year 2020, with eMalahleni participating in a curtailment program. The Polokwane and Newcastle smelters remained in care & maintenance for the full year. In eMalahleni, focus remained on ferrosilicon production. Profitability was good with positive EBITDA figures for this plant, despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The eMalahleni plant continued to participate in an interruptibility program where curtailments for power to Eskom is compensated on an hourly basis. This effectively has a positive contribution to the overall price paid for electricity. In addition, emphasis is placed to produce maximum products during summer months when power is cheaper and to reduce production over winter periods (June, July and August), to a minimum. Production during winter evening Peak Hours is also limited if there is no curtailment programmed.

Independent power production from private power producers increased during 2021 and assisted with the supply of the power demand within the country, this is expected to continue growing over the next years in order to counter Load Shedding Events due to insufficient supply from the governmental producer, Eskom. Discussions are continuing between Mining & Industry and Government for the implementation of an industrial tariff that must be beneficial for local beneficiation.

Foreign currency fluctuation

Ferroglobe has a diversified production base consisting of production facilities across the United States, Europe, South America, South Africa and Asia. Ferroglobe production costs are mostly dependent on local factors, with the exception of the cost of manganese ore and coal, which are dependent on global commodity prices. The relative strength of the functional currencies of Ferroglobe’s subsidiaries influences its competitiveness in the international market, most notably in the case of Ferroglobe’s South African operations, which have historically exported a majority of their production to the U.S. and the European Union. For additional information see “Item 11.—Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk—Foreign Exchange Rate Risk.”

Regulatory changes

See “Item 4.B.—Business Overview—Regulatory Matters.”

Results of Operations — Year Ended December 31, 2021 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2020

	Year ended December 31,
($ thousands)	2021			2020
Sales		1,778,908			1,144,434
Raw materials and energy consumption for production		(1,184,896	)		(835,486	)
Other operating income		110,085			33,627
Staff costs		(280,917	)		(214,782	)
Other operating expense		(296,809	)		(132,059	)
Depreciation and amortization charges, operating allowances and write-downs		(97,328	)		(108,189	)
Impairment (loss) gain		137			(73,344	)
Net gain due to changes in the value of assets		758			158
Gain on disposal of non-current assets		1,386			1,292
Other (loss) gain		62			(1	)
Operating profit (loss)		31,386			(184,350	)
Finance income		253			177
Finance costs		(149,189	)		(66,968	)
Financial derivative gain		—			3,168
Exchange differences		(2,386	)		25,553
(Loss) before tax		(119,936	)		(222,420	)
Income tax (expense) benefit		4,562			(21,939	)
(Loss) for the year from continuing operations		(115,374	)		(244,359	)
(Loss) for the year from discontinued operations		—			(5,399	)
(Loss) for the year		(115,374	)		(249,758	)
Loss attributable to non-controlling interests		(4,750	)		(3,419	)
(Loss) attributable to the Parent		(110,624	)		(246,339	)

Sales

Sales increased $634,474 thousand, or 55.4%, from $1,144,434 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020 to $1,778,908 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase in sales is attributed to the increase in volumes and average realised price across all our products portfolio.

Sales volume increased across all major products. Silicon metal sales volume increased 22.5% and average selling prices of silicon metal increased by 12.4% to $2,511/MT in 2021, as compared to $2,234/MT in 2020. Total shipments of silicon metal increased primarily as a result of continued strength in chemicals and to a lesser extent, the aluminum market in Europe which continues to lag due to continued supply chain issues. Overall tightness in the market, attributable to strong end market demand and ongoing reforms in China, propelled U.S. and European index prices to unprecedented levels mainly during the fourth quarter.

Silicon-Based Alloys sales volume increased 21.3% and average selling prices increased by 35.8% to $2,058/MT in 2021, as compared to $1,899/MT in 2020. Total shipments increased due to the continued recovery in global steel production. Strong demand for ferrosilicon, coupled with low levels of inventory, sent the index higher in the US and Europe, contributing significantly to the increase in average realized prices across silicon-based alloy.

Manganese-Based Alloys sales volume increased 20.2% and average selling prices increased by 46% to $1,492/MT in 2021, as compared to $1,022/MT in 2020. Total shipments increased due to continued recovery in global steel production, and some seasonal spillover of orders.

Raw Materials and energy consumption for production

Raw Materials and energy consumption for production increased $349,410 thousand, or 41.8%, from $835,486 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020 to $1,184,896 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2021, primarily due to an increase in sales volumes across all three product categories. For the full year 2021, raw materials and energy consumption for production as a percentage of sales was 66.6%, compared to 73.0% during full year 2020. In addition to the increase in sales, the improvement in the Raw Materials and energy consumption for production was primarily driven by improved utilization of our asset base, reallocation of orders to optimize economics, stronger operational performance at the furnace level, and continued cost cutting.

Other operating income

Other operating income increased $76,458 thousand, or 227.4%, from $33,627 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020 to $110,085 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2021, mainly due to CO₂emissions allowances (“rights held emit greenhouse gasses”). The Company has recognized emission rights (allowances) received at market value. Market value of the allowances has increased 130.5% from $39.3/allowance for the year ended December 31, 2020 to $90.6/allowance as of December 31, 2021.

Staff costs

Staff costs increased $66,135 thousand, or 30.8%, from $214,782 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020 to $280,917 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2021. This increase is mainly due to the recording of the restructuring provision in Spain and France amounting $27,367 thousand and higher variable consideration driven by the improved results in 2021 compared to 2020.

Other operating expense

Other operating expense increased $164,750 thousand, or 124.7%, from $132,059 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020 to $296,809 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2021, mainly due to CO2 emissions. As the Company emits CO2, it recognizes a provision for its obligation to deliver the CO2 allowances at the end of the compliance period. The provision is remeasured at the end of each reporting period at market value. Market value of the allowances increased 130.4% from $39.3/allowance for the year ended December 31, 2020 to $90.6/allowance as of December 31, 2021.

Depreciation and amortization charges, operating allowances and write-downs

Depreciation and amortization charges, operating allowances and write-downs decreased $10,861 thousand or 10.0%, from $108,189 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020 to $97,328 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2021. The decrease in depreciation is driven by a relevant number of the assets becoming fully depreciated.

Impairment (loss) gain

Impairment losses decreased $73,481 thousand, or 100.2%, from a loss of $73,344 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020 to a gain of $137 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2021. In 2020, the Company recognized an impairment of $73,344 thousand in relation to; our idled capacity at the Niagara facilities in the United States $35,685 thousand, at the Polokwane facility in South Africa $8,677 thousand, at Château Feuillet facility in Europe $17,941 thousand and an impairment of $11,041 thousand in relation to our solar-grade silicon metal project in Puertollano, Spain. In 2021, the Company has recorded a reversal of the impairment recorded at Polokwane facilities, amounting $2,681 thousand, an additional impairment at Château Feuillet facility, amounting $441 thousand, an impairment in relation to our quartz mine in Mauritania amounting $1,726 thousand.

Net loss (gain) due to changes in the value of assets

In 2021, the Company had a net gain of $758 thousand in the value of assets attributable to a higher valuation of shares in Pampa Energy in Argentina. This compares to a net loss of $158 thousand in 2020.

Loss (gain) on disposal of non-current assets

The gain on disposal of non-current assets of $1,386 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2021 relates to the sale of the Niagara plant (fully impairment as of December 31, 2020) and certain assets in France.

Finance income

Finance income increased $76 thousand, or 42.9%, from $177 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020 to $253 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase is driven by the higher earnings in our collateral account balance held by the South African subsidiary.

Finance costs

Finance costs increased $82,221 thousand, or 122.7%, from $66,968 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020 to $149,189 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase is due to the accounting charge relating to the Senior Notes refinancing, amounting $90.8 million.

For accounting purposes the refinancing of the Senior Notes have been considered a debt extinguishment. As a consequence:

(i) The accounting rules do not allow to capitalize the fees incurred in the exchange of the notes, amounting to $31.7 million

(ii) Similarly to the transaction fees, the shares issued to the bondholders and the work fee were recognized as a one-off expense, amounting $51.6 million at market value.

(iii) In the case of an extinguishment, any outstanding upfront fees that had been capitalized at the issuance of the original notes needs to be recycled through profit and loss, this amounted $1 million. Additionally, as a result of the refinancing, the gross carrying amount of the amortized cost of the Reinstated Notes has been adjusted to reflect actual and revised estimated contractual cash flows. The gross carrying amount of the Reinstated Notes has been recalculated as the present value of the estimated future contractual cash flows that are discounted at the effective interest rate of 9.096%. The adjustment amounts to $6,462 and it was recognized as an expense in the income statement. After the exchange the Senior notes were accounted under the amortized cost method.

The transaction fees incurred in the issuance of the Super Senior Notes have been capitalized as required by the accounting rules (IFRS).

Financial derivative gain

Gains on financial derivatives declined from $3,168 thousand in 2020 to $0 in 2021. The currency swap hedging the senior unsecured bonds was cancelled in 2020.

Exchange differences

Exchange differences decreased $27,937 thousand, from income of $25,553 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020 to a loss of $2,386 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2021, primarily due to the exchange rate between the Euro and the U.S. Dollar.

Income tax (expense) benefit

Income tax expense variation amounting by $26,501 thousand, or 120.8%, from an income tax expense of $21,939 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020 to an income tax benefit of $4,562 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2021. The variance is mainly due to the tax assets recorded in 2021 relating to a carryback credit of $ 6,408 thousand in our French subsidiary. In France, when a company incurs a loss during a given fiscal year, they may carry it back to reduce the tax liability of the immediately previous fiscal year. This generates a deferred tax asset that can be offset against the corporate income tax for the following five fiscal years or claimed to the French Treasury at the end of that period.

Profit (loss) for the year from discontinued operations

The result from discontinued operations decreased from $5,399 thousand in 2020 to $0 in 2021, due to the adjustment of the sales price of assets in Spain registered in 2020.

Segment operations

In 2021, the company revised its operating segments to reflect the way its chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) is currently managing and viewing the business.

Operating segments are based upon the Company’s management reporting structure. As such, we report our results in accordance with the following segments since 2021:

North America – Silicon

Europe – Manganese

Europe – Silicon

South Africa – Silicon

Other segments

North America - Silicon

	Year ended December 31,
($ thousands)	2021			2020
Sales		524,808			425,277
Raw materials and energy consumption for production		(323,316	)		(280,858	)
Other operating income		5,385			2,916
Staff costs		(82,463	)		(73,988	)
Other operating expense		(43,070	)		(34,315	)
Depreciation and amortization charges, operating allowances and write-downs		(55,770	)		(61,664	)
Impairment (loss) gain		—			(35,685	)
(Loss) gain on disposal of non-current assets		394			(869	)
Operating profit (loss)		25,968			(59,186	)

Sales

Sales increased $99,531 thousand, or 23.4%, from $425,277 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020 to $524,808 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2021.The increase in sales is attributed toan increase in the average realized price, resulting from a combination of higher market prices, and a different product and customer mix. Additionally, there was an increase in volumes resulting from strong customer demand.

Raw Materials and energy consumption for production

Raw Materials and energy consumption increased $42,458 thousand, or 15.1%, from $280,858 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020 to $323,316 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase is consequence of the increase in sale volumes.

Other operating income

Other operating income increased $2,469 thousand, or 84.6%, from $2,916 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020 to $5,385 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2021, mainly due to the gain on the CO2 emission rights regulatory period settlement for Canada, and the increase in scrap sales.

Staff costs

Staff costs increased $8,475 thousand, or 11.5%, from $73,988 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020 to $82,463 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase is primarly due to a higher number of employees on payroll in 2021, needed for the increase in production, adjustments to the Pension Plan as part of the buyout in 2021, and higher employee health insurance claims.

Other operating expense

Other operating expense increased $8,755 thousand, or 25.5%, from $34,315 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020 to $43,070 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2021. This increase is attributable mainly to higher freight cost due to the higher sales volume; an increase in the property and liability insurance premium; and an increase in the royalty rate for the Right Fork surface mine royalty agreement.

Depreciation and amortization charges, operating allowances and write-downs

Depreciation and amortization charges, operating allowances and write-downs decreased $5,894 thousand, or 9.6%, from $61,664 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020 to $55,770 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2021, mainly due to the impairment of the Niagara plant write-off in 2020.

Impairment (loss) gain

There were no impairment losses for the year ended December 31, 2021. During the year ended December 2020, the Company recognised an impairment charge of $35,685 thousand related to the permanent shutdown of the Niagara plant.

Gain on disposal of non-current assets

The gain on disposal of non-current assets relates mainly to the disposal of fixed assets at Niagara.

Europe - Manganese

	Year ended December 31,
($ thousands)	2021			2020
Sales		476,287			240,142
Raw materials and energy consumption for production		(326,257	)		(204,063	)
Other operating income		34,142			9,199
Staff costs		(33,696	)		(28,337	)
Other operating expense		(105,290	)		(33,884	)
Depreciation and amortization charges, operating allowances and write-downs		(18,634	)		(19,086	)
Impairment (loss) gain		(376	)		305
Gain on disposal of non-current assets		—			1,154
Other gain		—			4
Operating profit (loss)		26,176			(34,566	)

Sales

Sales increased $236,145 thousand or 98.3%, from $240,142 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020 to $476,287 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2021, mainly due to the increase of 20.2% in both domestic sales and exports. In addition, the increase of 46% in the average price has contributed to this increase in sales for the year.

Raw Materials and energy consumption for production

Raw Materials and energy consumption increased $122,194 thousand, or 59.9%, from $204,063 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020 to $326,257 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2021. Raw Materials and energy consumption for production increased with the increase in overall volumes, as well as consequence of higher raw material costs and higher energy prices.

Other operating income

Other operating income increased $24,943 thousand, or 271.1%, from $9,199 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020 to $34,142 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2021, primarily attributable to the freely granted CO2 emission rights . These rights are remeasured at the end of each reporting period at market value until there is a confirmation on the rights being granted by each government, in that moment the accounting value of the rights are fixed and are not remeasured anymore. Market value of the allowances has increased 130.4% from $39.3/allowance for the year ended December 31, 2020 to $90.6/allowance as of December 31, 2021.

Staff costs

Staff costs increased $5,359 thousand or 18.9%, from $28,337 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020 to $33,696 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2021. This increase is mainly due to the recognition of the restructuring costs in Spain and a higher variable consideration driven by the improved results in 2021 compared to 2020.

Other operating expense

Other operating expense increased $71,406 thousand, or 210.7%, from $33,884 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020 to $105,290 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2021, primarily attributable to the freely granted CO2 emission rights. As commented in the Other operating income section the market value of the allowances has increased significantly in 2021.

Depreciation and amortization charges, operating allowances and write downs

Depreciation and amortization charges, operating provisions and write-downs decreased $452 thousand, or 2.4%, from $19,086 thousand for the year ended 31 December 2020 to $18,634 thousand for the year ended 31 December 2021, due to the increase in the number of assets fully depreciated.

Impairment (loss) gain

Impairment gain decreased by $681 thousand, or 223.3%, from a gain of $305 thousand for the year ended 31 December 2020 to a loss of $376 thousand for the year ended 31 2021.

Gain (loss) on disposal of non-current assets

The amount reflected during the year ended 31 December 2020 driven by the sale of excess CO₂rights.

Europe – Silicon

	Year ended December 31,
($ thousands)	2021			2020
Sales		665,337			467,728
Raw materials and energy consumption for production		(473,884	)		(369,130	)
Other operating income		65,752			25,049
Staff costs		(120,287	)		(84,300	)
Other operating expense		(128,755	)		(51,812	)
Depreciation and amortization charges, operating allowances and write-downs		(16,852	)		(19,252	)
Impairment (loss) gain		(441	)		(17,941	)
Gain on disposal of non-current assets		1,029			1,002
Other (loss)		(1	)		—
Operating (loss)		(8,102	)		(48,656	)

Sales

Sales increased $197,629 thousand or 42.3%, from $467,728 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020 to $665,337 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2021, mainly due to the increase of 22.5% in both domestic sales and exports. In addition, the increase of 12.4% in the average price has contributed to this increase in sales for the year.

Raw Materials and energy consumption for production

Raw Materials and energy consumption increased $104,754 thousand, or 28.4%, from $369,130 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020 to $473,884 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2021. Raw Materials and energy consumption for production increased with the increase in overall volumes, as well as consequence of higher raw material costs.

Other operating income

Other operating income increased $40,703 thousand, or 162.5%, from $25,049 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020 to $65,752 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2021, primarily attributable to the freely granted CO2 emission rights. These rights are remeasured at the end of each reporting period at market value until there is a confirmation on the rights being granted by each government, in that moment the accounting value of the rights are fixed and are not remeasured anymore. Market value of the allowances has increased 130.4% from $39.3/allowance for the year ended December 31, 2020 to $90.6/allowance as of December 31, 2021.

Staff costs

Staff costs increased $35,987 thousand or 42.7%, from $84,300 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020 to $120,287 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2021. This increase is mainly due to the recognition of the restructuring provision in France amounting $23,798 thousand and a higher variable consideration driven by the improved results in 2021 compared to 2020.

Other operating expense

Other operating expense increased $76,943 thousand, or 148.5%, from $51,812 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020 to $128,755 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2021, primarily attributable to the freely granted CO2 emission rights. As commented in the Other operating income section the market value of the allowances has increased significantly in 2021.

Depreciation and amortization charges, operating allowances and write downs

Depreciation and amortization charges, operating provisions and write-downs decreased $2,400 thousand, or 12.5%, from $19,252 thousand for the year ended 31 December 2020 to $16,852 thousand for the year ended 31 December 2021, due to the increase in the number of assets fully depreciated.

Impairment (loss) gain

Impairment loss decreased by $17,500 thousand, or 97.5%, from a loss of $17,941 thousand for the year ended 31 December 2020 to a loss of $441 thousand for the year ended 31 2021. During the year ended 31 December 2020, the Company recognized an impairment of $17,941 thousand at Château Feuillet facility in France.

Gain (loss) on disposal of non-current assets

Gain (loss) on disposal of non-current assets increased $27 thousand, or 2.7%, from a gain of $1,002 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020 to $1,029 thousand for the year ended 31 December 2021, driven by the disposal of buildings at our Château Feuillet facility in France.

South Africa – Silicon

	Year ended December 31,
($ thousands)	2021			2020
Sales		117,195			80,572
Raw materials and energy consumption for production		(76,617	)		(56,062	)
Other operating income		763			131
Staff costs		(13,268	)		(11,013	)
Other operating expense		(13,256	)		(14,098	)
Depreciation and amortization charges, operating allowances and write-downs		(5,081	)		(7,141	)
Impairment (loss)		2,684			(8,677	)
Operating profit (loss)		12,420			(16,288	)

Sales

Sales increased $36,623 thousand, or 45.5%, from $80,572 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020 to $117,195 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2021. Our sales in South Africa were positively impacted by improved demand and market conditions, increasing both average price and sales volumes. Also, this increase translates into the recovery of sales after having gone through the impact of Covid-19 in 2020.

Raw Materials and energy consumption for production

Raw Materials and energy consumption for increased $20,555 thousand, or 36.7%, from $56,062 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020 to $76,617 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2021. Such variation is attributed to the increase in the electricity price as well as the improvement in sales tonnage.

Other operating income

Other operating income increased $632 thousand, or 482.4%, from $131 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020 to $763 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2021, mainly , due to all sundry sales from the idle Polokwane plant reported in other income.

Staff costs

Staff costs increased $2,255 thousand, or 20.5%, from $11,013 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020 to $13,268 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase in staff cost is primarily due to an inflationary adjustment made in 2021, and the incentive bonus accrued as of December 31, 2021.

Other operating expense

Other operating expense decreased $842 thousand, or 6.0%, from $14,098 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020 to $13,256 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2021, primarily due to the recovery of operating, selling and administrative expenses assumed in the 2020 financial year following the closure of the Polokwane facility in August 2019.

Depreciation and amortization charges, operating allowances and write-downs

Depreciation and amortization charges, operating allowances and write-downs decreased $2,060 thousand, or 28.8%, from $7,141 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020 to $5,081 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2021. The impairment of the Polokwane plant at the end of 2020 resulted in a lower depreciation charge at the end of 2021.

Impairment (loss) gain

Impairment losses decreased $11,361 thousand, or 130.9%, from a loss of $8,677 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020 to a gain of $2,684 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2021. This effect is due to the partial reversal of the 2020 impairment in the year ended December 2021.

Other segments

	Year ended December 31,
($ thousands)	2021			2020
Sales		43,568			25,334
Raw materials and energy consumption for production		(33,445	)		(19,518	)
Other operating income		49,901			24,587
Staff costs		(31,203	)		(17,144	)
Other operating expense		(51,960	)		(26,679	)
Depreciation and amortization charges, operating allowances and write-downs		(991	)		(1,046	)
Impairment (loss)		(1,730	)		(11,346	)
Net gain due to changes in the value of assets		758			158
(Loss) gain on disposal of non-current assets		(37	)		5
Other gain (loss)		63			(5	)
Operating (loss)		(25,076	)		(25,654	)

Sales

Sales increased $18,234 thousand, or 72.0%, from $25,334 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020 to $43,568 for the year ended December 31, 2021, mainly due to an increase in demand and prices for all our products due to supply constraints from Europe and Asia. Also, sales are increased by the restart of the second furnace in our plant in Argentna.

Raw Materials and energy consumption for production

Raw Materials and energy consumption for production increased $13,927 thousand, or 71.4%, from $19,518 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020 to $33,445 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2021, mainly due to increases in sales volumes. This increase is also due to an increase in the power tariff, and price increases in both local and imported raw materials.

Other operating income

Other operating income increased $25,314 thousand, or 103.1%, from $24,587 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020 to $49,901 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2021, primarily due to intercompany charges and a provision reversal.

Staff costs

Staff costs increased $14,059 thousand, or 82%, from $17,144 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020 to $31,203 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2021, primarily due to higher personnel needed on the reastart of the second furnace in Argentina. The increase was also attributable to wage adjustments in 2021, and a higher variable consideration driven by the improved results in 2021 compared to 2020.

Other operating expense

Other operating expense increased $25,281 thousand, or 94.8%, from $26,679 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020 to $51,960 for the year ended December 31, 2021, primarily due to intercompany charges.

Depreciation and amortization charges, operating allowances and write-downs

Depreciation and amortization charges, operating allowances and write-downs decreased $55 thousand, or 5.3%, from $1,046 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020 to $991 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2021.

Impairment (loss) gain

Impairment losses decreases $9,616 or 84.8%, from $11,346 thousand for the year ended 31 December 2020 to $1,730 thousand for the year ended 31 December 2021, mainly due to impaired intercompany loans. These items are eliminated in the consolidation adjustments column. During 2021 the Company registered an impairment related to quarz mine in Mauritania amounting $1,726 thousand.

Net (loss) gain due to changes in the value of assets

The gain due to changes in the value of assets in 2021 is mainly due to the increase in the valuation of Pampa Energy shares in Argentina.

(Loss) gain on disposal of non-current assets

Disposal of non-current assets decreased by $42 thousand, or 825.7%, from a gain of $5 thousand for the year ended 31 December 2020 to a loss of $37 thousand for the year ended 31 December 2021, mainly due to the loss on the sale of fixed assets of the Puertollano plant.

Other gains and losses

Other gains and losses increased $63 thounsand, or 100%. This increase is due to obtaining a subsidy from the Mendoza provincial government to finance working capital at Globe Metales, S.A.

Results of Operations — Year Ended December 31, 2020 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2019

	Year ended December 31,
($ thousands)	2020			2019
Sales		1,144,434			1,615,222
Raw materials and energy consumption for production		(835,486	)		(1,214,397	)
Other operating income		33,627			54,213
Staff costs		(214,782	)		(285,029	)
Other operating expense		(132,059	)		(225,705	)
Depreciation and amortization charges, operating allowances and write-downs		(108,189	)		(120,194	)
Impairment loss		(73,344	)		(175,899	)
Net (loss) gain due to changes in the value of assets		158			(1,574	)
(Loss) gain on disposal of non-current assets		1,292			(2,223	)
Other losses		(1	)		—
Operating profit (loss)		(184,350	)		(355,586	)
Finance income		177			1,380
Finance costs		(66,968	)		(63,225	)
Financial derivative gain		3,168			2,729
Exchange differences		25,553			2,884
(Loss) before tax		(222,420	)		(411,818	)
Income tax (expense) benefit		(21,939	)		41,541
(Loss) for the year from continuing operations		(244,359	)		(370,277	)
(Loss) profit for the year from discontinued operations		(5,399	)		84,637
(Loss) for the year		(249,758	)		(285,640	)
Loss attributable to non-controlling interests		(3,419	)		(5,039	)
(Loss) attributable to the Parent		(246,339	)		(280,601	)

Sales

Sales decreased $470,788 thousand, or 29.1%, from $1,615,222 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2019 to $1,144,434 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020. The decrease in sales is primarily attributable to the unexpected, adverse impact of COVID-19 on volumes and average realized pricing across all of our products.

Sales volume decreased across all major products. Silicon metal sales volume decreased 13.5%, silicon-based alloys sales volume decreased 32%, while manganese-based alloys sales volume decreased 33%, primarily due to significant drop in demand across the chemical, aluminum and steel end marjets as a result of the pandemic.

Average selling prices of silicon metal, silicon-based alloys and manganese-based alloys decreased year over year. The average selling price for silicon metal decreased by 0.8% to $2,234/MT in 2020, as compared to $2,252/MT in 2019; the average selling price for silicon-based alloys decreased by 4,2% to $1,899/MT in 2020, as compared to $1,983/MT in 2019 and the average selling price for manganese-based alloys decreased by 10.4% to $1,022/MT in 2020, as compared to $1,140/MT in 2019. The pressure on pricing throughout the year is primarily attributable to the deterioration in demand which outpaced the supply curtailments, resulting in the decline in the index pricing across these products.

Raw Materials and energy consumption for production

Raw Materials and energy consumption for production decreased $378,911 thousand, or 35%, from $1,214,397 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2019 to $835,486 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020, primarily due to a decrease in sales volumes, in silicon metal and manganese alloys, as well as lower unit costs for many of our key inputs.

Costs of sales for plants in North America, which produce silicon-metal and silicon-based alloys, were from 66.5% in 2019 to 62% in 2020, as a percentage of sales. Continued increases in energy costs and an increase in the purchase price of manganese ore impacted costs for manganese-based alloys in Europe.

Other operating income

Other operating income decreased $20,586 thousand, or 38.0%, from $54,213 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2019 to $33,627 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020. The main difference for this decrease is the consolidation of FAU as of December, 2019 with CO2 allowances granted of $12 million.

Staff costs

Staff costs decreased $70,247 thousand, or 24.6%, from $285,029 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2019 to $214,782 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020. During the year we continued our headcount reduction plan at both the corporate offices, as well as at the plant level. Furthermore, the temporary shut-down of plants during the first half of 2020 also had a positive impact on our staff costs. Additionally, a reduction in our bonus accrual for the year also contributed to the decrease in staff costs year-over-year.

Other operating expense

Other operating expense decreased $93,646 thousand, or 41.5%, from $225,705 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2019 to $132,059 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020, primarily due to a decrease in distribution and logistics costs as well a decrease in corporate overhead expense in variable costs associated with sales. As a result, there is a decrease in commercial expenses. Additionally, other operating expenses decreased due to moving our London office. Considerable travel expenses and information technology fees had been reduced as a result of reduced staffing and fees related to advertising, public relations and financial consulting, audit and legal fees.

Depreciation and amortization charges, operating allowances and write-downs

Depreciation and amortization charges, operating allowances and write-downs decreased $12,005 thousand or 10.0%, from $120,194 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2019 to $108,189 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020. This is primarily attributable to lower capital expenditure supported by a smaller operating footprint.

Impairment (loss) gain

Impairment losses decreased $102,555 thousand, or 63%, from a loss of $175,899 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2019 to a loss of $73,344 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020. In 2019, the Company took a full write-down of goodwill relating to our facility in Canada, as well as write-down in the United States.

During year ended December 31, 2020 the Company recognized an impairment of $73,344 thousand in relation to; our idled capacity at the Niagara facilities in the United States $35,685 thousand, at the Polokwane facility in South Africa $8,677 thousand, at Château Feuillet facility in Europe $17,941 thousand and an impairment of $11,041 thousand in relation to our solar-grade silicon metal project in Puertollano, Spain.

Net (loss) gain due to changes in the value of assets

In 2020, the Company had a net gain of $158 thousand in the value of assets attributable to a higher valuation of shares in Pampa Energy in Argentina. This compares to a net loss of $1,044 thousand in 2019.

(Loss) gain on disposal of non-current assets

The gain on disposal of non-current assets for the year ended December 31, 2020 relates primarily to a $1,292 thousand gain resulting from the sale of CO₂ rights in Europe.

Finance income

Finance income decreased $1,203 thousand, or 87.2%, from $1,380 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2019 to $177 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020. This is primarily due to the a lower volume of accounts receivables assets sold to securitization program in 2020 compared 2019. With the decline in overall volumes in 2020, the eligible accounts receivables sold into the securitization program also decreased.

Finance costs

Finance costs increased $3,743 thousand, or 5.9%, from $63,225 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2019 to $66,968 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020. This relates to the financial fees and expense obligations resulting from the prior Accounts Receivable securitization facility.

Financial derivative gain (loss)

Financial derivative gains of $2,729 thousand in 2019 and financial derivative gain of $3,168 thousand in 2020. The gains are related to the prior cross-currency swap underlying the senior unsecured notes due 2022.

Exchange differences

Exchange differences increased $22,669 thousand, from income of $2,884 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2019 to a gain of $25,553 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020, primarily due to the weakening of the U.S. Dollar relative to the Euro.

Income tax (expense) benefit

Income tax expense $63,480 thousand, or 152.8%, from an income tax benefit of $41,541 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2019. The decrease in 2020 is attributable to derecognition of deferred tax in Spain, France and Argentina.

Profit (loss) for the year from discontinued operations

Profit from discontinued operations decreased $90,036 thousand, or 106.4%, from an income of $84,637 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2019 to a loss of $5,399 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020, mainly due the adjustment registered on the Spain sale price in 2019.

Segment operations

Our operating segments has been revised in 2021 to reflect the way its chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) is currently managing and viewing the business. Accordingly, the results of 2020 and 2019 have been restated to report results according to the operating segments revised in 2021.

As such, we report our results in accordance with the following segments:

North America – Silicon

Europe – Manganese

Europe – Silicon

South Africa – Silicon

Other segments

North America - Silicon

	Year ended December 31,
($ thousands)	2020			2019
Sales		425,277			551,500
Raw materials and energy consumption for production		(280,858	)		(366,711	)
Other operating income		2,916			10,418
Staff costs		(73,988	)		(87,954	)
Other operating expense		(34,315	)		(60,105	)
Depreciation and amortization charges, operating allowances and write-downs		(61,664	)		(72,251	)
Impairment (loss)		(35,685	)		(174,013	)
Loss on disposal of non-current assets		(869	)		(1,601	)
Operating (loss)		(59,186	)		(200,717	)

Sales

Sales decreased $126,223 thousand, or 22.9%, from $551,500 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2019 to $425,277 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020, primarily due to a 15% decrease in the average selling price of silicon metal and a 72% decrease in sales volumes of silicon metal.

For the silicon-based alloys (calcium silicon, magnesium ferrosilicon, and different grades of ferrosilicon) portion of the business in North America, there was a 8% decrease in the average selling price, mainly due to decreased sales of ferrosilicon (FeSi 75%) in 2020, as well as a 31% decrease in sales volume across other siliconbased alloys. During 2020, we also reduced the sales of manganese based alloys into North America due to a weakening steel market and reduction in profitability.

Raw Materials and energy consumption for production

Raw Materials and energy consumption for production decreased $85,853 thousand, or 23.4%, from $366,711 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2019 to $280,858 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020. The reduction in our Raw Materials and energy consumption for production is due to a decline in overall sales volumes for both silicon metal and silicon-based alloys, as well slightly lower raw material costs.

Staff costs

Staff costs decreased $13,966 thousand, or 15.9%, from $87,954 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2019 to $73,988 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020. This is due to permanent and temporary headcount reduction as well as a decrease in bonus accruals for 2020.

Other operating expense

Other operating expense decreased $25,790 thousand, or 42.9%, from $60,105 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2019 to $34,315 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020, as the business realized lower shipping, freight, and storage costs due to decrease in sales volume.

Depreciation and amortization charges, operating allowances and write-downs

Depreciation and amortization charges, operating allowances and write-downs decreased $10,587 thousand, or 14.7%, from $72,251 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2019 to $61,664 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020, primarily due to assets were fully depreciated at the beginning of the year.

Impairment losses

Impairment losses decreased $138,328 thousand, or 79.5%, from $174,013 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2019 to $35,685 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company recognized an impairment charge of $35,685 relating to the permanent shutdown of Niagara facility.

Loss on disposal of non-current assets

The loss of $869 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020 relates primarily to the disposal of certain property plant, and equipment in the United States.

Europe – Manganese

	Year ended December 31,
($ thousands)	2020			2019
Sales		240,142			564,060
Raw materials and energy consumption for production		(204,063	)		(502,919	)
Other operating income		9,199			12,828
Staff costs		(28,337	)		(32,133	)
Other operating expense		(33,884	)		(64,851	)
Depreciation and amortization charges, operating allowances and write-downs		(19,086	)		(19,904	)
Impairment (loss)		305			12
Gain on disposal of non-current assets		1,154			—
Other gain		4			—
Operating (loss)		(34,566	)		(42,907	)

Sales

Sales decreased $323,918 thousand or 57.4%, from $564,060 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2019 to $240,142 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020, primarily due decreases in both volume and average realized price.

Raw Materials and energy consumption for production

Raw Materials and energy consumption for production decreased $298,856 thousand, or 59.4%, from $502,919 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2019 to $204,063 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020. Raw Materials and energy consumption for production decreased with the decline in overall volumes, as well as lower input costs.

Other operating income

Other operating income decreased $3,629 thousand, or 28.3%, from $12,828 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2019 to $9,199 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020, primarily due to a reduction in the use of CO₂ free allowances in the production process.

Staff costs

Staff costs decreased $3,796 thousand or 11.8%, from $32,133 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2019 to $28,337 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020. The improvement in the staff costs during the year is driven by a decrease due to lower overtime costs following the temporary idling of furnaces in a number of facilities, the reduction of the head count and the bonus provisions.

Other operating expense

Other operating expense decreased $30,967 thousand, or 47.8%, from $64,851 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2019 to $33,884 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020. The decrease is, primarily due to lower shipping, freight, and storage costs as a result of the slowdown in sales volumes.

Depreciation and amortization charges, operating allowances and write-downs

Depreciation and amortization charges, operating allowances and write downs decreased $818 thousand, or 4.1%, from $19,904 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2019 to $19,086 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Impairment (loss) gain

Impairment losses increased $293 thousand, or 2441.7%, from $12 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2019 to $305 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Gain (loss) on disposal of non-current assets

The amount reflected during the year ended December 31, 2020 driven by the the sale of excess CO₂ rights.

Europe – Silicon

	Year ended December 31,
($ thousands)	2020			2019
Sales		467,728			593,907
Raw materials and energy consumption for production		(369,130	)		(474,993	)
Other operating income		25,049			39,001
Staff costs		(84,300	)		(106,681	)
Other operating expense		(51,812	)		(83,917	)
Depreciation and amortization charges, operating allowances and write-downs		(19,252	)		(19,667	)
Impairment (loss)		(17,941	)		(1	)
Gain on disposal of non-current assets		1,002			181
Operating (loss)		(48,656	)		(52,170	)

Sales

Sales decreased $126,178 thousand or 21.2%, from $593,907 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2019 to $467,728 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020, primarily due decreases in both volume and average realized price.

Raw Materials and energy consumption for production

Raw Materials and energy consumption for production decreased $105,863 thousand, or 22.3%, from $474,993 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2019 to $369,130 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020. Raw Materials and energy consumption for production decreased with the decline in overall volumes, as well as lower input costs.

Other operating income

Other operating income decreased $13,952 thousand, or 35.8%, from $39,001 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2019 to $25,049 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020, primarily due to a reduction in the use of CO₂ free allowances in the production process.

Staff costs

Staff costs decreased $22,381 thousand or 21%, from $106,681 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2019 to $84,300 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020. The improvement in the staff costs during the year is driven by a decrease due to lower overtime costs following the temporary idling of furnaces in a number of facilities, the reduction of the head count and the bonus provisions.

Other operating expense

Other operating expense decreased $32,105 thousand, or 38.3%, from $83,917 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2019 to $51,812 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020. The decrease is, primarily due to lower shipping, freight, and storage costs as a result of the slowdown in sales volumes.

Depreciation and amortization charges, operating allowances and write-downs

Depreciation and amortization charges, operating allowances and write downs decreased $415 thousand, or 2.1%, from $19,667 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2019 to $19,252 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Impairment (loss) gain

Impairment losses increased $17,940 thousand, or 100%, from $1 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2019 to $17,941 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company recognized this impairment charge relating to the Château Feuillet facility.

Gain (loss) on disposal of non-current assets

The amount reflected during the year ended December 31, 2020 driven by the disposal of two buildings at our Anglefort facility in France and the sale of excess CO₂ rights.

South Africa - Silicon

	Year ended December 31,
($ thousands)	2020			2019
Sales		80,572			136,292
Raw materials and energy consumption for production		(56,062	)		(108,823	)
Other operating income		131			1,323
Staff costs		(11,013	)		(20,333	)
Other operating expense		(14,098	)		(19,457	)
Depreciation and amortization charges, operating allowances and write-downs		(7,141	)		(6,459	)
Impairment (loss)		(8,677	)		—
Net (loss) due to changes in the value of assets		—			(530	)
Operating (loss)		(16,288	)		(17,987	)

Sales

Sales decreased $55,720 thousand, or 40.9%, from $136,292 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2019 to $80,572 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020. Our sales in South Africa were adversely impacted by the temporary shutdown of the Polokwane facility during the lockdown period due to COVID-19. Additionally, the average realized price for our sales volume in South Africa also declined during the year due to weak market conditions.

Raw Materials and energy consumption for production

Raw Materials and energy consumption for production decreased $52,761 thousand, or 48.5%, from $108,823 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2019 to $56,062 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020, in-line with the decrease in sales volumes. A favorable movement in foreign exchange lowered our Raw Materials and energy consumption for production by $7,682 thousand.

Other operating income

Other operating income decreased $1,192 thousand, or 90.1%, from $1,323 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2019 to $131 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020, primarily due to a decrease in sales of products.

Staff costs

Staff costs decreased $9,320 thousand, or 45.8%, from $20,333 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2019 to $11,013 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020, due to the staffing adjustments and employee separation costs in connection with the shutdown of Polokwane plant during 2020. Furthermore, foreign exchange differences favoriably impacted staff costs, decreasing by $1,509 thousand.

Other operating expense

Other operating expense decreased $5,359 thousand, or 27.5%, from $19,457 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2019 to $14,098 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020, primarily due to operating, selling and administrative costs following the facility closure at Polokwane. Foreign exchange rate movements further decreased other operating expense by $1,765 thousand.

Depreciation and amortization charges, operating allowances and write-downs

Depreciation and amortization charges, operating allowances and write-downs increased $682 thousand, or 10.6%, from $6,459 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2019 to $7,141 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Impairment losses

Impairment losses for the year ended December 31, 2020 totalled $8,677 thousand, higher than the nil thousand for the prior year. The increase is related to the impairment registered in Polokwane facility.

Net (loss) gain due to changes in the value of assets

Net (loss) recorded for the full year ended December 31, 2020, due to the change in the value of assets in 2019 in the amount of $530 thousand, primarily relating to the remeasured fair value of the Company’s timber farms in South Africa as of December 31, 2019.

Other segments

	Year ended December 31,
($ thousands)	2020			2019
Sales		25,334			43,147
Raw materials and energy consumption for production		(19,518	)		(35,939	)
Other operating income		24,587			27,144
Staff costs		(17,144	)		(37,928	)
Other operating expense		(26,679	)		(32,572	)
Depreciation and amortization charges, operating allowances and write-downs		(1,046	)		(1,913	)
Impairment (loss)		(11,346	)		(1,897	)
Net (loss) gain due to changes in the value of assets		158			(1,044	)
(Loss) gain on disposal of non-current assets		5			(803	)
Other losses		(5	)		—
Operating (loss)		(25,654	)		(41,805	)

Sales

Sales decreased $17,813 thousand, or 41.3%, from $43,147 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2019 to $25,334 for the year ended December 31, 2020, primarily due to a $7,556 thousand decrease of sales of energy related to the sale of subsidiary UltraCore Polska Sp. Z o.o. Sales of silicon-based alloys at the Company’s Argentinian facility, Globe Metales S.A., decreased $9,031 thousand.

Raw Materials and energy consumption for production

Raw Materials and energy consumption for production decreased $16,421 thousand, or 45.7%, from $35,939 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2019 to $19,518 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020, primarily due to a decrease in sales volumes of silicon-based alloys at the Company’s Argentinian facility, Globe Metales S.A.

Other operating income

Other operating income decreased $2,557 thousand, or 9.4%, from $27,144 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2019 to $24,587 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020, primarily due to a chargeback of services by Ferroglobe to its subsidiaries.

Staff costs

Staff costs decreased $20,784 thousand, or 54.8%, from $37,928 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2019 to $17,144 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020, primarily due to redundancy payments linked with the headcount reduction plan at London corporate office and the departure costs of the prior Chief Financial Officer and Chief Executive Officer in the third and last quarters of 2019, respectively. Additionally we further reduced headcount in 2020.

Other operating expense

Other operating expense decreased $5,893 thousand, or 18.1%, from $32,572 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2019 to $26,679 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020, primarily due to the reduction of activity at London corporate office. Considerable travel expenses and information technology related fees had been reduced as a result of reduced staffing and fees related to advertising, public relations and financial consulting, audit and legal fees.

Depreciation and amortization charges, operating allowances and write-downs

Depreciation and amortization charges, operating allowances and write-downs decreased $867 thousand, or 45.3%, from $1,913 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2019 to $1,046 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020, The decrease is due to impairment of the London office lease, which is not longer being deprecitated.

Impairment (loss) gain

Impairment losses increased $9,449 thousand, or 498.1%, from $1,897 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2019 to $11,346 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020, primarily due to the value adjustment for the Puertollano plant in Spain.

Net (loss) gain due to changes in the value of assets

Net (loss) gain due to the changes in the value of assets in 2020 primarily due to the $158 thousand gain of the valuation of shares in Pampa Energy in Argentina.

(Loss) gain on disposal of non-current assets

The gain on disposal of non-current assets for the year ended December 31, 2020 relates primarily to the sale of a Globe Specialty Metals, Inc. property in Mississippi, United States, $5 thousand. In 2019, the loss on disposal of non-current assets for the year ended December 31, 2019 relates primarily to the sale of Ultra Core Polska, Z.o.o., a subsidiary of the Company, for a net loss of $821 thousand.

Effect of Inflation

Management believes that the impact of inflation was not material to Ferroglobe’s results of operations in the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019.

Cyclical Nature of the Industry and Movement in Market Prices, Raw Materials and Input Costs

Our business has historically been subject to fluctuations in the price of our products and market demand for them, caused by general and regional economic cycles, raw material and energy price fluctuations, competition and other factors. The timing, magnitude and duration of these cycles and the resulting price fluctuations are difficult to predict. For example, we experienced a weakened economic environment in national and international metals markets, including a sharp decrease in silicon metal prices in all major markets from late 2014 to late 2017. Throughout 2019 and 2020, we experienced the most dramatic decline in prevailing prices of our products, which adversely affected our results. During the fourth quarter of 2020, demand for our products increased to levels similar to those prior to the pandemic. During 2021, demand for our products has further increased; however, COVID-19 and the Ukraine-Russia conflict have negatively impacted, and will in the future negatively impact our business. The COVID pandemic and the Ukraine-Russia conflict have also impacted international logistics costs and have significantly impacted raw materials and commodities prices, external and unforeseeable factors have also contributed to extremely volatile and high spot electricity prices, in particular in Europe.

B. Liquidity and Capital Resources

Sources of Liquidity

Ferroglobe’s primary sources of long-term liquidity are its senior secured notes with a $345,058 thousand aggregate principal at an interest rate of 9.375%, due on June 30, 2025, (“the Reinstated Senior Notes”), its super senior secured notes with a $60,000 thousand aggregate principal at an interest rate of 9% due on June 2025 (“the Super Senior Notes”) and its primary source of short-term liquidity is its factoring agreement with a Leasing and Factoring Agent, for anticipating the collection of receivables of the Company’s European entities, which in 2021 provided upfront cash consideration of approximately $659,083.

On March 27, 2021, Ferroglobe and Globe and certain other members of our group entered into the Lock-Up Agreement with the Ad Hoc Group Noteholders, Grupo VM and affiliates of Tyrus Capital that set forth a plan to implement the restructuring. On July 30,2021 the company announced the occurrence of the “Transaction Effective Date” under the lock-up agreement dated March 27, 2021 (the “Lock-Up Agreement”) between the Company and the financial stakeholders. The Issuers completed the exchange of 98.588% of the 9⅜% Senior Notes due 2022 (the “Old Notes”) issued by the Company and Globe for a total consideration per $1,000 principal amount of Old Notes comprising (i) $1,000 aggregate principal amount of new 9⅜% senior secured notes due 2025 issued by the Issuers (the “New Notes”) plus (ii) a cash fee amounting to $51,611 thousand, which the Parent, at the direction of the qualifying noteholders, applied as cash consideration for a subscription of new ordinary shares of the Company. In addition the Company issued new ordinary shares for total gross proceeds of $40 million.

On October 11, 2019, Ferroglobe subsidiaries Globe Specialty Metals, Inc., and QSIP Canada ULC, as borrowers, entered into a Credit and Security Agreement for a $100,000 thousand North-American asset-based loan, (the “ABL Revolver”), with PNC Bank, as lender. On March 16, 2021, the Company repaid in its entirety the remaining balance at the date for an amount equal to $39,476 thousand, cancelling its obligations derived from the contract, as a condition of the lock-Up Agreement. See Note 16. On February 6, 2020, the Company entered an amended and restated accounts receivables securitization program. The senior lender’s commitments under the amended and restated securitization program were $150,000 thousand.

On October 2, 2020, the Company ended the receivables funding agreement and cancelled the securitization program, signing a new factoring agreement with a Leasing and Factoring Agent, for anticipating the collection of receivables of the Company’s European entities (Grupo FerroAtlántica, S.A.U. and FerroPem, S.A.S). As a result of the agreement, the Leasing and Factoring Agent provided a cash consideration of circa $48.8 million, repurchased the receivables portfolio sold to the SPE on September 28, and consequently assumed the loan tranche of the senior borrower to the SPE. Also, the Senior loan and intermediate subordinate loan tranches were paid with internal sources of funds. See Note 16.

The main characteristics of the agreement are the following:

the maximum cash consideration advanced for the financing facility is up to €60,000 thousand;

over collateralization of 10% of accounts receivable as guarantee provided to the Agent until payment has been satisfied;

Annual fee of 0.15% applied to the annual revenues ceded to the Agent;

Financing commission of 1% charged annually;

On September 8, 2016, FerroAtlántica, S.A.U., as borrower, and the Spanish Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Commerce (the “Ministry”), as lender, entered into a loan agreements under which the Ministry made available to the borrower a loan in aggregate principal amount of €44.9 million, in connection with the industrial development projects relating to our solar grade silicon project. FAU transferred the loan to OPCO before its sale. See “Item 4.B.—Information on the Company—Business Overview—Research and Development (R&D)—Solar grade silicon.” The loan of €44.9 million is to be repaid in seven installments starting on 2023 and completed by 2030. On January 25, 2022, the Ministry opened a hearing to decide on reimbursement of the loan. The company presented its allegations on February 15, 2022. Based on those allegations, the reimbursement procedure has been suspended and a new final report is expected to be made by the Ministry by the end of 2022 ending the administrative procedure and establishing the definitive amount of the partial reimbursement to be made. Interest on outstanding amounts under each loan accrues at an annual rate of 3.55%. See Note 19.

On July 23, 2020, Ferroglobe subsidiary, Ferropem, S.A.S., as borrower, entered into a loan with BNP Paribas, as lender, amounting to €4,300 thousand, to finance Company’s activities in France. The loan is guaranteed by French government following special measurements taken on COVID-19 impact on businesses. Repayment of principal and payment of interest and accessories shall be made with the possibility for the Borrower to request the amortization of the amounts due at maturity for an additional period of 1 to 5 years. Interest rate is zero percent and the borrower shall be liable to pay a fee equal to 0.50% equal to an amount of €22 thousand calculated on the total borrowed capital.

On June 2, 2020, Ferroglobe subsidiary, Silicium Québec, as borrower, agreed a $7,000 thousand loan with Investissement Québec, a regional government loan & investment agency, as lender, to finance its capital expenditures activities in Canada. The loan is to be repaid in 84 installments over a 10-year period with the first three years as a grace period. Interest rate on outstanding amounts is zero percent.

Ferroglobe’s primary short-term liquidity needs are to fund its capital expenditure commitments, fund specific initiatives underlying the strategic plan, service its existing debt and working capital. Ferroglobe’s long-term liquidity needs primarily relate to debt repayment. Ferroglobe’s core objective with respect to capital management is to maintain a balanced and sustainable capital structure through the economic cycles of the industries in which it participates, while keeping the cost of capital at competitive levels.

For the year ended December 31, 2021, operating activities generated a cash flow of ($1,341) thousand, compared to $154,268 thousand in 2020 and ($31,194) thousand in 2019, mainly due to the increase in inventories and trade and other receivables. Investing activities resulted in a total outflow of $23,848 thousand of cash in 2021, compared to an outflow of ($31,940) thousand in 2020 and an inflow of $165,910 thousand in 2019. Financing activities resulted in a total inflow of $10,452 thousand in cash in 2021, compared to an outflow of $113,333 thousand in 2020 and an outflow of $224,005 thousand in 2019. See “Cash Flow Analysis” below for additional information.

As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, Ferroglobe had cash, restricted cash and cash equivalents of $116,663 (of which $2,272 thousand is restricted cash) and $131,557 (of which $28,843 thousand is restricted cash), respectively. Cash and cash equivalents are primarily held in U.S. Dollars and Euros.

As of December 31, 2021, Ferroglobe’s total gross financial debt was $618,552 thousand as compared to $551,547 thousand as of December 31, 2020. As of December 31, 2021, gross financial debt comprised debt instruments of $440,297 thousand ($357,508 in 2020), bank borrowings of $98,967 thousand ($107,606 in 2020), $18,358 thousand of leases ($22,536 thousand in 2020), and other financial liabilities of $60,930 thousand ($63,896 thousand in 2020).

We believe our working capital is sufficient for our present requirements, and we anticipate generating sufficient cash to satisfy our short and long-term liquidity needs.

Availability of funds

At December 31, 2021, we had cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and other restricted funds amounted to $116,663 million. This amount includes non-current restricted cash in relation to the guarantees taken over escrow amounting $2,272 thousand. The escrow was constituted in August 30, 2019, in consideration of previous FerroAtlántica. The Company also has certain restrictions for the disposal of the cash in Norway due to local requirements and in the joint ventures with Dow Corning amounting as of December 31, 2021 amounting to $53,453 thousand.

Ferroglobe PLC is the parent company of Ferroglobe Group and receives funding from its subsidiaries in the form of intercompany loans. Consequently, certain restrictions on the ability of the Group’s subsidiaries to transfer funds to Ferroglobe PLC would negatively affect our liquidity and thus our business.

Working Capital Position

As of December 31, 2021, Ferroglobe’s working capital position (defined as inventories and trade and other receivables less trade and other payables) was $464,870 thousand as compared to $339,610 thousand as of December 31, 2020, mainly due to an increase in inventories by $60,296 thousand and receivables by $161,434 thousand partially offset for an increase in payables by $64,382 thousand.

Capital Expenditures

Ferroglobe incurs capital expenditures in connection with expansion and productivity improvements, production plants maintenance and research and development projects. Capital expenditures are funded through cash generated from operations and financing activities. Ferroglobe’s capital expenditures for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 were $27,597 thousand, $30,257 thousand and $32,445 thousand, respectively.

Contractual Obligations

The following table sets forth Ferroglobe’s contractual obligations and commercial commitments with definitive payment terms that will require significant cash outlays in the future, as of December 31, 2021.

			Payments Due by Period
			Less than						More than
($ thousands)	Total		1 year		1 - 3 years		3 - 5 years		5 years
Long and short term debt obligations		757,632		217,567		532,900		5,244		1,921
Capital expenditures		3,834		3,834		—		—		—
Leases		18,529		8,092		7,653		1,495		1,289
Power purchase commitments ⁽¹⁾		294,557		183,936		43,464		40,294		26,863
Purchase obligations ⁽²⁾		38,722		38,722		—		—		—
Other Long-Term Liabilities Reflected on the Company's Balance Sheet ⁽³⁾		59,837		15,612		15,215		10,632		18,379
Total		1,173,111		467,763		599,232		57,665		48,452

⁽¹⁾

Represents minimum charges that are enforceable and legally binding, and do not represent total anticipated purchases. Minimum charges requirements expire after providing one year notice of contract cancellation.

⁽²⁾

The Company has outstanding purchase obligations with suppliers for raw materials in the normal course of business. The disclosed purchase obligation amount represents commitments to suppliers that are enforceable and legally binding and do not represent total anticipated purchases of raw materials in the future.

⁽³⁾

Included tolling agreement with Cee-Dumbria facility and contingent consideration with Glencore.

The table above also excludes certain other obligations reflected in our consolidated balance sheet, including estimated funding for pension obligations, for which the timing of payments may vary based on changes in the fair value of pension plan assets and actuarial assumptions. We expect to contribute approximately $861 thousand to our pension plans for the year ended December 31, 2021.

Further information regarding Ferrogloble’s contractual obligations and commercial commitments as of December 31, 2021, is set forth in note 28 to the consolidated financial statements.

Cash Flow Analysis — Year Ended December 31, 2021 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2020

The following table summarizes Ferroglobe’s primary sources (uses) of cash for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020:

	Year ended December 31,
($ thousands)	2021			2020
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		131,557			123,175
Cash flows from operating activities		(1,341	)		154,268
Cash flows from investing activities		(23,848	)		(31,940	)
Cash flows from financing activities		10,452			(113,333	)
Exchange differences on cash and cash equivalents in foreign currencies		(157	)		(613	)
Cash, restricted cash and cash equivalents at end of period		116,663			131,557
Cash, restricted cash and cash equivalents at end of period from statement of financial position		116,663			131,557

Ferroglobe PLC paid nil dividends during the year ended December 31, 2021 and the year ended December 31, 2020.

Cash flows from operating activities

Cash flows from operating activities decreased $155,609 thousand, from a positive cash generated of $154,268 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020, to a negative $1,341 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2021. The decrese is mainly driven by the investment in working capital, increasing from $340 million at December 31, 2020 to $470 million at December 31, 2021.

Cash flows from investing activities

Cash flows from investing activities increased $8,092 thousand from an outflow of $31,940 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020 to an outflow of $23,848 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2021. Capital expenditures decreased during the year ended December 31, 2021 to $27,597 thousand from $30,257 thousand during the year ended December 31, 2020. Additionally during the year ended December 31, 2021, cash inflows were the proceeds from the disposal of certain assets, including $1,370 thousand from the sale of Niagara assets.

Cash flows from financing activities

Cash flows from financing activities increased $123,785 thousand, from a net outflow of $113,333 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020 to a net inflow of $10,452 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase is mainly due to the refinancing process, the issuance of the Super Senior notes amounting $60 million and $40 millions of new equity.

Cash Flow Analysis — Year Ended December 31, 2020 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2019

The following table summarizes Ferroglobe’s primary sources (uses) of cash for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019:

	Year ended December 31,
($ thousands)	2020			2019
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		123,175			216,647
Cash flows from operating activities		154,268			(31,194	)
Cash flows from investing activities		(31,940	)		165,910
Cash flows from financing activities		(113,333	)		(224,005	)
Exchange differences on cash and cash equivalents in foreign currencies		(613	)		(4,183	)
Cash, restricted cash and cash equivalents at end of period		131,557			123,175
Cash, restricted cash and cash equivalents at end of period from statement of financial position		131,557			123,175

Ferroglobe paid nil dividends during the year ended December 31, 2020 and the year ended December 31, 2019.

Cash flows from operating activities

Cash flows from operating activities increased $185,462 thousand, from a negative cash generated of $31,194 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2019, to $154,268 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020. Operating profits increased significantly, driven by an improve in operating profit and a reduction in working capital. Additionally, CO₂ emission rights have been sold during 2020 with a positive impact in operating cash flow $34,209 thousand.

Income taxes paid had a postive balance mainly due to the refunds received from USA Tax Authorities. Interest decrease $5,121 thousand driven by cancellation of AR securitization program on October 2, 2020.

Cash flows from investing activities

Cash flows from investing activities 197,850 thousand from an outflow of $165,910 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2019 to an inflow of $31,940 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020. Capital expenditures decreased during the year ended December 31, 2020 to $30,257 thousand from $32,445 thousand during the year ended December 31, 2019. During the year ended December 31, 2019, the effect of consolidating the accounts receivable securitization entity meant that an amount equal to $9,088 was included in cash flows from investing activities. Additional cash inflows were the proceeds from the disposal of certain non-core assets, including $177,627 thousand from the sale of subsidiary FerroAtlántica, S.A.U. and $8,668 thousand from the sale of timber farm plantations in South Africa and $3,018 thousand from other asset sales.

Cash flows from financing activities

Cash flows from financing activities increased $110,672 thousand, from an outflow of $224,005 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2019 to an outflow of $113,333 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2020. During the year ended 31 December 2020 there has been a decrease in bank borrowings. On October 11, 2019, the Revolving Credit Facility was repaid $134,570 and replaced with the ABL Revolver. The ABL Revolver had a balance of $62,835 thousand at December 31, 2019. The Company had no factoring without recourse arrangements for other receivables as of December, 31 2019. On August 30, 2019, the hydro-lease was repaid.

Capital resources

Ferroglobe’s core objective is to maintain a balanced and sustainable capital structure through the economic cycles of the industries in which it operates, while keeping the cost of capital at competitive levels. In addition to cash flows from continuing operations, the Company’s main sources of capital resources are its Reinstated Senior Notes with an aggregate principal value of $345,058 thousand, the Super Senior Notes with an aggregate principal value of $60,000 thousand and the factoring agreement with a maximum cash consideration advanced up to €60,000 thousand. As of December 31, 2021, the Company exceeded the limit, the lender agreed a temporary increase of the limit.

Capital Raising and Extension of the Maturity of the Senior Notes

Details and description of Ferroglobe’s debt instrument and factoring agreement are described in Notes 16 and 18 of the Consolidated Financial Statements.

For additional information see also “Item 10.C.— Material Contracts”.

C. Research and Development, Patents and Licenses, etc.

For additional information see “Item 4.B.—Information on the Company—Business Overview—Research and Development (R&D).”

D. Trend Information

We discuss in Item 5.A. above and elsewhere in this annual report, trends, uncertainties, demands, commitments or events for the year ended December 31, 2021 that we believe are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on our revenues, income, profitability, liquidity or capital resources or to cause the disclosed financial information not to be necessarily indicative of future operating results or financial conditions.

E. Critical Accounting Estimates

The discussion and analysis of Ferroglobe’s financial condition and results of operations is based upon its Consolidated Financial Statements, which have been prepared in accordance with IFRS. The preparation of those financial statements requires Ferroglobe to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities and related disclosure at the date of its financial statements. The estimates and related assumptions are based on available information at the date of preparation of the financial statements, on historical experience and on other relevant factors. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions and conditions. Critical accounting policies are those that reflect significant judgments of uncertainties and potentially result in materially different results under different assumptions and conditions. The principal items affected by estimates are business combinations, impairment of long-lived assets, inventories and income taxes. The following are Ferroglobe’s most critical accounting policies, because they generally involve a comparatively higher degree of judgment in their application. For a description of all of Ferroglobe’s principal accounting policies, see Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements of Ferroglobe included elsewhere in this annual report.

Business combinations

Ferroglobe subsidiaries have completed a number of significant business acquisitions over the past several years. Our business strategy contemplates that we may pursue additional acquisitions in the future. When we acquire a business, the purchase price is allocated based on the fair value of tangible assets and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed. 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. Goodwill as of the acquisition date is measured as the residual of the excess of the consideration transferred, plus the fair value of any non-controlling interest in the acquiree at the acquisition date, over the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired. If, after reassessment, the net of the acquisition date amounts of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed exceeds the sum of the consideration transferred, the excess is recognized immediately in profit or loss as a bargain purchase gain. We generally engage independent third-party appraisal firms to assist in determining the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Such a valuation requires management to make significant estimates, especially with respect to intangible assets. These estimates are based on historical experience and information obtained from the management of the acquired companies. These estimates are inherently uncertain and may impact reported depreciation and amortization in future periods, as well as any related impairment of goodwill or other long lived assets.

When the consideration transferred by the Company in a business combination includes an asset or liability resulting from a contingent consideration arrangement, the contingent consideration is measured at its acquisition-date fair value and included as part of the consideration transferred in a business combination. Contingent consideration that is classified as equity is not remeasured at subsequent reporting dates and its subsequent settlement is accounted for within equity. Contingent consideration that is classified as an asset or a liability is remeasured at subsequent reporting dates at fair value with the corresponding gain or loss being recognized in profit or loss. Changes in fair value of the contingent consideration that qualify as measurement period adjustments are adjusted retrospectively, with corresponding adjustments against goodwill. Measurement period adjustments are adjustments that arise from additional information obtained during the ‘measurement period’ (which cannot exceed one year from the acquisition date) about facts and circumstances that existed at the acquisition date.

See Note 5 to the accompanying audited Consolidated Financial Statements for detailed disclosures related to our acquisitions.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess purchase price of acquired businesses over fair values attributed to underlying net tangible assets and identifiable intangible assets. For the purpose of impairment testing, goodwill is allocated to each of the Company’s cash-generating units (or groups of cash generating units) that is expected to benefit from the synergies of the combination. A cash-generating unit to which goodwill has been allocated is tested for impairment annually, or more frequently when there is an indication that the cash-generating unit may be impaired. If the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit is less than its carrying amount, the impairment loss is allocated first to reduce the carrying amount of any goodwill allocated to the unit and then to the other assets of the unit pro rata based on the carrying amount of each asset in the unit. Any impairment loss for goodwill is recognized directly in profit or loss. On disposal of the relevant cash-generating unit, the attributable amount of goodwill is included in the determination of the profit or loss on disposal.

The valuation of the Company’s cash generating units requires significant judgment in evaluation of, among other things, recent indicators of market activity and estimated future cash flows, discount rates and other factors. The estimates of cash flows, future earnings, and discount rate are subject to change due to the economic environment and business trends, including such factors as raw material and product pricing, interest rates, expected market returns and volatility of markets served, as well as our future manufacturing capabilities, government regulation, technological change and operational improvements and cost efficiencies driven by the implementation of the new strategy.

We believe that the estimates of future cash flows, future earnings, and fair value are reasonable; however, changes in estimates such as volumes, pricing, costs, discount rate, circumstances or conditions could have a significant impact on our fair valuation estimation, which could then result in an impairment charge in the future.

During the years ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company has concluded that there are no impairment of goodwill.

Ferroglobe operates in a cyclical market, and silicon and silicon-based alloy index pricing and foreign import pressure into the U.S. and Canadian markets impact the future projected cash flows used in our impairment analysis.

Long-lived assets (excluding goodwill)

In order to ascertain whether its assets have become impaired, Ferroglobe compares their carrying amount with their recoverable amount if there are indications that the assets might have become impaired. Where the asset itself does not generate cash flows that are independent from other assets, Ferroglobe estimates the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs. Recoverable amount is the higher of fair value and value in use, which is the present value of the future cash flows that are expected to be derived from continuing use of the asset and from its ultimate disposal at the end of its useful life, discounted at a rate which reflects the time value of money and the risks specific to the business to which the asset belongs.

If the recoverable amount of an asset or cash-generating unit is less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount of the asset is reduced to its recoverable amount, and an impairment loss is recognized as an expense under “net impairment losses” in the consolidated income statement. Where an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the carrying amount of the asset is increased to the revised estimate of its recoverable amount, but so that the increased carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognized for the asset in prior years. A reversal of an impairment is recognized as “impairment gain (losses)” in the consolidated income statement. The basis for depreciation or amortization is the carrying amount of the assets, deemed to be the acquisition cost less any accumulated impairment losses.

During year ended December 31, 2021 the Company recognized an impairment reversal of $137 thousand in relation to; our idled capacity at the Polokwane facility in South Africa impairment reversal of $2,681 thousand, at Château Feuillet facility in Europe impairment of $441 thousand and in our quartz mine in Mauritania amounting $1,726 thousand. During 2020, the Company recognized an impairment loss of $73,344 thousand in relation to our idled capacity at the Niagara facilities in the United States by $35,685 thousand, at the Polokwane facility in South Africa by $8,677 thousand, at Château Feuillet facility in Europe by $17,941 thousand and an impairment of $11,041 thousand in relation to our solar-grade silicon metal project in Puertollano, Spain.

Inventories

Cost of inventories is determined by the average cost method. Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or Net Realizable Value. Circumstances may arise (e.g., reductions in market pricing, obsolete, slow moving or defective inventory) that require the carrying amount of our inventory to be written down to net realizable value. We estimate market and net realizable value based on current and future expected selling prices, as well as expected costs to complete, including utilization of parts and supplies in our manufacturing process. We believe that these estimates are reasonable; however, future market price decreases caused by changing economic conditions, customer demand, or other factors could result in future inventory write-downs that could be material.

Determination of income taxes provision

The current income tax expense incurred by Ferroglobe subsidiaries on an individual basis is determined by applying the applicable tax rate to the taxable profit for the year, calculated on the basis of accounting profit before tax, increased or decreased, as appropriate, by the permanent differences arising from the application of tax legislation and by the elimination of any tax consolidation adjustments, taking into account tax relief and tax credits. The consolidated income tax expense is calculated by adding together the expense recognized by each of the consolidated subsidiaries, increased or decreased, as appropriate, as a result of the tax effect of consolidation adjustments for accounting purposes.

Ferroglobe’s deferred tax assets and liabilities include temporary differences measured at the amounts expected to be payable or recoverable on differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their tax bases, and tax loss and tax credit carryforwards. These amounts are measured at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the period when the asset is realized or the liability is settled. Deferred tax liabilities are recognized for all taxable temporary differences, except for those arising from the initial recognition of goodwill. Deferred tax assets are recognized to the extent that it is considered probable that Ferroglobe will have taxable profits in the future against which the deferred tax assets can be utilized. The deferred tax assets and liabilities recognized are reassessed at each reporting date in order to ascertain whether they still exist, and the appropriate adjustments are made on the basis of the findings of the analyses performed.

Significant judgment is required in determining income tax provisions and tax positions. Ferroglobe may be challenged upon review by the applicable taxing authorities, and positions taken may not be sustained. The accounting for uncertain income tax positions requires consideration of timing and judgments about tax issues and potential outcomes and is a subjective estimate. In certain circumstances, the ultimate outcome of exposures and risks involves significant uncertainties. If actual outcomes differ materially from these estimates, they could have a material impact on Ferroglobe’s results of operations and financial condition. Interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions are recognized in income tax expense.

Fair value measurement of financial instruments

G. Safe Harbor

This annual report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act and Section 21E of the U.S. Exchange Act and as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. See “Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

ITEM 7. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

A. Major Shareholders

The following table sets forth certain information regarding beneficial ownership of shares by each stockholder known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our shares.

Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and includes voting or investment power with respect to the securities. Percentage of ownership is based on 187,313,460 shares outstanding (excluding those held in Treasury).

	Number of Shares		Percentage of
	Beneficially Owned		Outstanding Shares
Grupo Villar Mir, S.A.U.		91,125,519		48.6	%
Rubric Capital Management LP		13,648,711		7.3	%
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.		9,806,757		5.2	%

The Company’s shareholders do not have different voting rights.

As of April 29, 2022, Ferroglobe had four record holders in the United States, holding all of our outstanding shares. One of these shareholders is Cede & Co. The shares held by Cede & Co as record holder are held for underlying beneficial holders holding in ‘street name’.

B. Related Party Transactions

The following includes a summary of material transactions with any: (i) enterprises that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, control or are controlled by, or are under common control with us, (ii) associates, (iii) individuals owning, directly or indirectly, an interest in the voting power of the Company, that gives them significant influence over us, and close members of any such individual’s family, (iv) key management personnel, including directors and senior management of such companies and close members of such individuals’ families or (v) enterprises in which a substantial interest in the voting power is owned, directly or indirectly, by any person described in (iii) or (iv) or over which such person is able to exercise significant influence.

Grupo VM shareholder agreement

On November 21, 2017, we entered into an amended and restated shareholder agreement with Grupo VM (the “Grupo VM Shareholder Agreement”), as amended on January 13, 2021, and July 29, 2021 that contains various rights and obligations with respect to Grupo VM’s Ordinary Shares, including in relation to the appointment of directors and dealings in the Company’s shares. It sets out a maximum number of directors (the “Maximum Number”) designated by Grupo VM (each, a “Grupo VM Director”) dependent on the percentage of share capital in the Company held by Grupo VM. The Maximum Number is three, if Grupo VM’s percentage of the Company’s shares is greater than 25%; two if the percentage is greater than 15% but less than 25%; and one if the percentage is greater than 10% but less than 15%. As at the date of the Grupo VM Shareholder Agreement, the Board of Directors of the Company has three Grupo VM Directors.

Under the Grupo VM Shareholder Agreement, Grupo VM has the right to submit the names of one or more director candidates (a “Grupo VM Nominee”) to the Nominations Committee for consideration to be nominated or appointed as a director as long as it holds 10% or more of Company’s shares. If the Nominations Committee does not recommend a Grupo VM Nominee for nomination or appointment or if the requisite approval of the Board of Directors is not obtained in accordance with the Articles, Grupo VM shall, in good faith, and as promptly as possible but in all cases within thirty days, submit the names of one or more additional (but not the same) Grupo VM Nominees for approval. Grupo VM shall continue to submit the names of additional (but not the same) Grupo VM Nominees until such time as the favorable recommendation of the Nominations Committee and requisite approval of the Board of Directors are obtained. On December 23, 2015, Grupo VM designated Javier López Madrid to serve as the Executive Vice-Chairman of the Board in connection with the closing of the Business Combination. Upon the resignation of Alan Kestenbaum as Executive Chairman of the Board, Mr. López Madrid was appointed as Executive Chairman of the Board effective December 31, 2016. Mr. López Madrid is also the Chairman of the Nominations Committee.

The Board of Directors are prohibited from filling a vacancy created by the death, resignation, removal or failure to win re-election (a “Casual Vacancy”) of a Grupo VM Director other than with a Grupo VM Nominee. Grupo VM shall have the right to submit a Grupo VM Nominee for appointment to fill a Casual Vacancy only if the Casual Vacancy was created by the death, resignation, removal or failure to win re-election of a Grupo VM Director. Grupo VM does not have the right to submit a Grupo VM Nominee for appointment to fill a Casual Vacancy if the number of Grupo VM Directors equals or exceeds the Maximum Number. In connection with any meeting of shareholders to elect directors, the number of Grupo VM Nominees in the slate of nominees recommended by the Board of Directors must not exceed the Maximum Number.

Subject to certain exceptions, Grupo VM has preemptive rights to subscribe for up to its proportionate share of any shares issued in connection with any primary offerings. The Grupo VM Shareholder Agreement (i) also restricts the ability of Grupo VM and its affiliates to acquire additional shares and (ii) contains a standstill provision that limits certain proposals and other actions that can be taken by Grupo VM or its affiliates with respect to the Company, in each case, subject to certain exceptions, including prior Board approval. The Grupo VM Shareholder Agreement also restricts the manner by which, and persons to whom, Grupo VM or its affiliates may transfer shares. On February 3, 2016, during an in person meeting of our Board, the Board approved the purchase of up to 1% of the shares by Javier López Madrid in the open market pursuant to Section 5.01(b)(vi) of the Grupo VM Shareholder Agreement.

The Grupo VM Shareholder Agreement will terminate on the first date on which Grupo VM and its affiliates hold less than 10% of the outstanding Shares.

Agreements with executive officers and key employees

We have entered into agreements with our executive officers and key employees. See “Item 6.A.—Directors, Senior Management and Employees—Directors, Senior Management and Employees.”

VM Energía and Energya VM

Under contracts entered into with FerroAtlántica S.A.U., (“FAU”) on June 22, 2010 and December 29, 2010 (assigned to FerroAtlántica de Boo, S.L.U. (“FAU Boo”) and to FerroAtlántica de Sabon, S.L.U. (“FAU Sabon”) in August 2019 in anticipation of the FAU Disposal), and with Hidro Nitro Española on December 27, 2012 (assigned to FerroAtlántica del Cinca when Hidro Nitro Española was sold in December 2018), VM Energía supplies the energy needs of the Boo, Sabón and Monzón electrometallurgy facilities, as a broker for FAU (FAU Boo or FAU Sabon, as appropriate) and Hidro Nitro Española (now FerroAtlántica del Cinca) in the wholesale power market. The contracts allow FAU (FAU Boo or FAU Sabon, as appropriate) and Hidro Nitro Española (now FerroAtlántica del Cinca) to buy energy from the grid at market conditions without incurring costs normally associated with operating in the complex wholesale power market, as well as to apply for fixed price arrangements in advance from VM Energía, based on the energy markets for the power, period and profile applied for. The contracts have a term of one year, which can be extended by the mutual consent of the parties to the contract. The contracts were renewed in January 2019 and will renew annually for up to three years unless terminated. The contracts were again renewed in January 2020. In January 2021, the contracts were renewed for two years with the possibility to extend it for additional one-year periods unless terminated with thirty days’ notice. On September 30, 2021 Grupo FerroAtlántica, S.A.U absorbed its subsidiaries FAU Boo and FAU Sabón assuming all the rights and obligations derived from those contracts. The relevant contracting party within the Ferroglobe group pays VM Energía a service charge in addition to paying for the cost of energy purchase from the market. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, Grupo Ferroatlantica S.A.U and FerroAtlantica del Cinca’s obligations to make payments to VM Energía under their respective agreements for the purchase of energy plus the service charge amounted to $102,065 thousand and $30,501 thousand, respectively. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, FAU Boo, FAU Sabon and FerroAtlantica del Cinca’s obligations to make payments to VM Energía under their respective agreements for the purchase of energy plus the service charge amounted to $16,924 thousand, $14,334 thousand and $8,643 thousand, respectively. These contracts are similar to contracts FerroAtlántica signs with other third-party brokers.

Under contracts entered into with Rocas, Arcillas y Minerales SA (“RAMSA”) on December 3, 2010 and with Cuarzos Industriales SA (“CISA”) on April 27, 2012, VM Energía supplied the energy needs of the mining facilities operated by those companies, as a broker for RAMSA and CISA in the wholesale power market. RAMSA and CISA are both subsidiaries of the Company operating in the mining sector. These agreements superseded in 2019 by agreements entered into as of 15 March 2019 between VM Energía and each of RAMSA and CISA pursuant to which VM Energía provides equivalent intermediary services for term of one year, renewing annually. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, RAMSA and CISA’s obligations to make payments to VM Energía under their respective agreements amounted to $1,012 thousand and $353 thousand respectively. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, RAMSA was obliged to make payments to VM Energía of $427 thousand under its agreements then in force with VM Energía and CISA was obliged to make payments to VM Energía of $220 thousand under its agreements then in force with VM Energía.

Additionally, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, Enérgya VM invoiced other subsidiaries of FerroAtlántica for a total amount of $120 thousand, $79 thousand and $89 thousand, respectively.

On June 2020, FerroAtlántica del Cinca and VM Energía entered into a collaboration agreement by virtue of which VM Energía is allowed to use Monzon’s grid connection point and high voltage electrical assets for a PV installation project, electricity from which will be supplied to FerroAtlántica del Cinca.

On February 24, 2021, FerroAtlántica de Sabón and VM Energía entered into a collaboration agreement by virtue of which VM Energía is allowed to use Sabón’s grid connection point and high voltage electrical assets for a PV installation project, electricity from which will be supplied to FerroAtlántica de Sabón.

On November 10, 2021 Grupo FerroAtlántica entered into an agreement with VM Energía and Parque Eólico A Picota, S.L.U. (a VM Energía subsidiary) for a free assignment of 10% of the Guarantees of Origin of the total energy consumed by Grupo FerroAtlántica for five (5) years when the wind farms start to produce (in 2023 according to the estimation).

On December 14, 2021, Grupo FerroAtlántica entered into an agreement with VM Energía to assist in the identification of counterparties and intermediation for the closing of long-term power purchase agreements.

Espacio Information Technology, S.A.

Espacio Information Technology, S.A. (“Espacio I.T.”), a Spanish company wholly-owned by Grupo VM, provides information technology and data processing services to Ferroglobe PLC and certain of its direct and indirect subsidiaries: FAU (until shortly prior to the FAU Disposal when such services were assigned to Grupo FerroAtlántica de Servicios, S.L.U. (“Servicios”)), FerroAtlántica de Mexico, Silicon Smelters (Pty), Ltd. and FerroPem, SAS pursuant to several contracts.

Under a contract entered into on January 1, 2004, Espacio I.T. provided FAU with information processing, data management, data security, communications, systems control and customer support services. The contract was assigned to Servicios shortly prior to the FAU Disposal; it has a one-year term, subject to automatic yearly renewal, unless terminated with notice provided three months prior to the scheduled renewal. The base yearly amount due under the contract for these services is $641 thousand, exclusive of VAT and subject to inflation adjustment. For the period from January 1, 2019 to August 13, 2019 when the contract was assigned to Servicios, FerroAtlántica’s obligations to make payments to Espacio I.T. under this agreement amounted to $1,101 thousand. For the period from August 14, 2019 to December 31, 2019, Servicios’s obligations to make payments to Espacio IT under this agreement amounted to $552 thousand. For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2021, Servicios’s obligations to make payments to Espacio IT under this agreement amounted to $1,406 thousand and $1,427 thousand respectively.

Under a contract entered into on January 1, 2006, Espacio I.T. provides FerroPem, SAS with information processing, data management, data security, communications, systems control and customer support services. The contract has a one-year term, subject to automatic yearly renewal, unless terminated with notice provided three months prior to the scheduled renewal. The base yearly amount due under the contract for these services is $826 thousand, exclusive of VAT and subject to inflation adjustment. For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019, FerroPem, SAS’s obligations to make payments to Espacio I.T. under this agreement amounted to $860 thousand, $823 thousand and $866 thousand, respectively.

Under a contract entered into on January 1, 2009, Espacio I.T. provides Silicon Smelters (Pty), Ltd. with services including the maintenance and monitoring of the company’s network, servers, applications, and user workstations, as well as standard software licenses. The contract has a one-year term, subject to automatic yearly renewal, unless terminated with notice three months prior to the scheduled renewal. The base yearly amount due under the contact is $266 thousand, subject to inflation adjustment. For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 Silicon Smelters (Pty), Ltd.’s obligations to make payments to Espacio I.T. under this agreement amounted to $274 thousand, $264 thousand, and $254 thousand, respectively.

Under a contract entered into on May 2, 2016, Espacio I.T. provides Quebec Silicon with services including the maintenance and monitoring of its network, servers, applications, and user workstations, as well as standard software licenses at Quebec Silicon. The contract has a one-year term, subject to automatic yearly renewal, unless terminated with notice three months prior to the scheduled renewal. The base yearly amount due under the contract is $148 thousand, subject to inflation adjustment. For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 payments made under this contract to Espacio I.T. were $147 thousand, $141 thousand and $138 thousand, respectively.

Espacio I.T. also provides development services to FerroAtlántica under a contract dated July 21, 2017 for enhancements to Gesindus, FerroAtlántica’s ERP system, and hosting services in connection with the company’s document management system under a contract dated February 22, 2017, both on an ongoing basis. FerroAtlántica had transactions with Espacio I.T. under the former contract for the Gesindus development services for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 of $9 thousand, and under the latter contract for the hosting services for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 of $97 thousand, $101 thousand and $197 thousand, respectively.

Espacio I.T. also provides Grupo FerroAtlántica with IT outsourcing services in connection with the Mangshi facility in China and provided Hidro Nitro Española with IT services, for neither of which is there a formal contract in place. For the year ended December 31, 2020,Grupo FerroAtlántica’s obligations to make payments to Espacio IT in connection with the Mangshi facility in China amounted to $41 thousand. For the year ended December 31, 2020, FerroAtlántica del Cinca obligations to make payments to Espacio IT in connection with these services amounted to $232 thousand. For the year ended December 31, 2021,Grupo FerroAtlántica’s obligations to make payments to Espacio IT in connection with the Mangshi facility in China amounted to $30 thousand. For the year ended December 31, 2021, FerroAtlántica del Cinca obligations to make payments to Espacio IT in connection with these services amounted to $240 thousand.

For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, Espacio I.T. and other subsidiaries of Grupo VM involved in the provision of IT services invoiced FAU and other subsidiaries of Grupo FerroAtlántica and Ferroglobe PLC in a total amount of $190 thousand, $161 thousand, and $144 thousand, respectively.

On March 24, 2021, Servicios entered into an agreement with Espacio I.T., effective as from January 1, 2021, for the maintenance of the network electronics equipment (switches) that allow interconnection between all the user devices (computers and printers) on each of Ferroglobe floors (49th and 45th floors). The services include monitoring in order to detect eventual incidents in the network, 24x7 support, maintenance service, and spares to replace devices in the event of a breakdown.

Other agreements with other related parties

Under the terms of a loan agreement entered into on 24 July 2015 between FerroAtlántica and Inmobiliaria Espacio, S.A. (“IESA”), the ultimate parent of Grupo VM, FerroAtlántica extended to IESA a credit line for treasury purposes of up to $20 million, of which $3.1 million (the “Loan”) remains outstanding. The credit line runs year on year for a maximum period of 10 years and amounts outstanding under it (including the Loan) bear interest annually at the rate equal to the EURIBOR three month rate plus 2.75 percentage points. The availability of the credit line may be cancelled at the end of any year or at any time by IESA. On April 20, 2020 this agreement was amended so the credit line amount was reduced to approximately $2.5 million.

Calatrava RE, a Luxembourg affiliate of Grupo VM, is a reinsurer of the Company’s global marine and property insurance programs. The property and marine cargo insurances are placed with Mapfre Global Risks S.A. with whom the Company contracts for the provision of this insurance. There are no contracts directly in place between the Company and Calatrava RE.

Torre Espacio Gestión SLU, a wholly owned subsidiary of Grupo VM, manages the premises which are the subject of the leases on behalf of Torre Espacio, including collecting rents and other payments under the terms of the leases from FerroAtlántica on behalf of Torre Espacio. On September 30, 2020 the contract between Torre Espacio Gestión, SLU and the owner of the premises was terminated so this transaction does not involve a Grupo VM subsidiary and should therefore not be considered a related-parties transaction anymore. For the period from January 1, 2020 to September 30, 2020, Servicios’ obligations to make payments under those agreements amounted to $1,235 thousand.

Aurinka and the Solar JV

Javier López Madrid, the Company’s Executive Chairman and a member of the Board, currently owns approximately 100% of the outstanding share capital of Financiera Siacapital which, in turn, holds a 31.33% interest in Aurinka International, S.L. (“Aurinka Int”) and a 31.33% interest in Blue Power. Blue Power is a party to the Solar JV entered into by FerroAtlántica group with Aurinka Photovoltaic Group, S.L. (“Aurinka PV”). Aurinka PV is almost 100% owned by Aurinka Value, S.L., a company which also owns a 31.66% interest in Aurinka Int. Blue Power owns certain intellectual property contributed to the joint venture and provided certain technology consulting services to it, as summarized below.

The remaining equity interests in Blue Power and Aurinka Value, S.L. are owned by third party outside investors. In July 2019 certain changes were made to the terms of the Solar JV to effect its unwinding, as a result of which FerroAtlántica group acquired 100% of the share capital of the operating company set up as part of the joint venture to build and operate the pilot plant for the Solar JV (“OpCo”) and FerroAtlántica group’s wholly owned subsidiary, Silicio Ferrosolar, S.L.U. (now renamed as Ferroglobe Innovation, S.L.) (“SFS”) disposed of 1% of its interest in the research and development company (“R&DCo”) formed to license or develop and own certain intellectual property used in connection with the Solar JV. These changes are described further below.

In 2016, FAU entered into a project with Aurinka PV for a feasibility study and basic engineering for a UMG solar silicon manufacturing plant. Purchases under this project were approximately $3.4 million for 2016.

On December 20, 2016, FerroAtlántica and its wholly owned subsidiaries, FAU and SFS entered into the Solar JV Agreement with Blue Power and Aurinka PV providing for the formation and operation of a joint venture with the purpose of producing UMG solar silicon. The entry into the joint venture pursuant to the Solar JV Agreement was subject to certain conditions precedent, including the satisfactory completion of an ex-ante verification procedure in relation to the ability of the technology to be contributed to the joint venture by Blue Power to meet certain technical and cost parameters and the authorization of the joint venture by Ferroglobe PLC, Blue Power and Aurinka PV’s management bodies. All these conditions precedent were met during 2017 and the Solar JV Agreement became fully binding.

Under the Solar JV Agreement, FerroAtlántica indirectly owned 75% of OpCo , which owns certain assets comprising, among others, constructions at Sabón and a UMG solar silicon plant at Puertollano, Spain. SFS owned 51% of R&DCo, the company formed as part of the joint venture to hold certain intellectual property rights and know-how contributed by Blue Power and SFS. R&DCo licensed such intellectual property rights and know-how to OpCo. Pursuant to the Solar JV Agreement, FerroAtlántica and other subsidiaries committed to incur capital expenditure, subject to the approval of the joint venture board, in connection with the joint venture of up to a maximum of $133,000 thousand over an initial phase of up to 2 years. During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, FerroAtlántica and other subsidiaries paid Aurinka PV $4,252 thousand and $3,611 thousand, respectively, in connection with the project. Further investment in the joint venture was to be determined as the joint venture progressed. In connection with the Solar JV Agreement, FAU obtained a loan of approximately $50,000 thousand (“the REINDUS Loan”) from the Spanish Ministry of Industry and Energy (“the Ministry”) for the purpose of building and operating the UMG solar silicon plant. In November 2018, FAU agreed to transfer to OpCo certain assets which had been acquired with the proceeds of the REINDUS Loan and used exclusively by OpCo in connection with the joint venture in consideration of OpCo assuming liability for the REINDUS Loan. The request for this novation was formally submitted to the Ministry in November 2018. On September 25, 2017, OpCo entered into an agreement with Caiz Salceda SLU (“Salceda”), a company ultimately owned by members of the Villar Mir family (who are related to Javier Lopez Madrid by marriage), under which Salceda agrees to construct on its land and lease to the OpCo and to operate and maintain for a term of 25 years a pilot plant for power generation from photovoltaic panels produced with UMG solar silicon, in return for ownership of all power generated at the plant. On June 13, 2016, SFS entered into a loan agreement with Blue Power under which SFS advanced a principal sum of over $9,000 thousand to Blue Power in connection with the project. As at December 31, 2016 the amount outstanding under the loan agreement was $9,845 thousand. On February 24, 2017, the loan was novated to OpCo as part of a capital injection by Blue Power to OpCo and on August 1, 2019 the loan was novated to FerroAtlantica.

In July 2019, the Solar JV was unwound on the following terms:

●

FerroAtlántica acquired the whole of the share capital of OpCo for €1;

●

Aurinka PV acquired 1% of SFS’s interest in the share capital of R&DCo for €1, such that, following such disposal, R&DCo is owned as to 50% by SFS and, following the disposal of its 49% shareholding by Blue Power to Aurinka PV, 50% by Aurinka PV;

●

SFS agreed to sell certain patents to R&DCo for €1;

●

arrangements were made between;

Aurinka PV and OpCo pursuant to which Aurinka PV will continue to maintain the Puertollano plant for a monthly fee of $33.6 thousand and for a maximum term expiring on December 31, 2020. Amounts paid pursuant to these arrangements in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 totalled $404;

Aurinka PV and FerroAtlántica, FAU and Opco for the payment by the latter of the sum of $2,800 thousand and the grant by Opco to Aurinka of an option to purchase certain equipment with a book value of approximately $6,721 thousand for the sum of $1,120 thousand, in satisfaction of any claim Aurinka PV might otherwise have in relation to the termination of the Solar JV;

Aurinka PV and FerroAtlántica, SFS and Opco for the marketing and promotion of the sale of the OpCo and SFS’s rights in R&DCo, including a right of first refusal to Aurinka PV to purchase the 50% shares in R&DCo owned by SFS and a right of first refusal to Aurinka PV to acquire assets owned by Opco. This agreement was extended until June 30, 2021 and the purchase option was exercised on February 24, 2021. On March 10, 2021 the Parties partially executed the purchase option $111 Thousand.

●

save as set out above, all arrangements in place with Blue Power or Aurinka PV in relation to OpCo or R&DCo and any rights or claims which Aurinka PV or Blue Power might have in relation thereto were brought to an end.

Corporate Vision Strategists Ltd.

On September 20, 2020 Ferroglobe entered into a lease agreement with Corporate Vision Strategists Ltd for the provision of corporate and head office services for 13 Chesterfield Street, Mayfair, London, W1J 5JN. Nicolas de Santis, a Ferroglobe Director, became a director of the Company on May 13, 2021 and exercises significant influence over Corporate Vision Strategists Ltd as the company is wholly owned by him. For the year ended December 31, 2021, Ferroglobe’s obligations to make payments to Corporate Vision Strategists Ltd under this agreement amounted to $68 thousand.

C. Interests of Experts and Counsel

Not applicable.

ITEM 11. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

Market risk

Foreign exchange rate risk

Notes and cross currency swap

In 2021, due to an occurrence of events and conditions that reduce the number of transactions in euros, management conducted a review of the functional currency of the Parent Company and they concluded that there has been a change in its functional currency from Euro to US Dollars, effective since October 1, 2021 (see Note 3.3).

Interest rate risk

Ferroglobe is exposed to interest rate risk in respect of its financial liabilities that bear interest at floating rates. These primarily comprise credit facilities and leases commitments for lease agreements following IFRS 16 implementation.

At December 31, the Company’s interest-bearing financial liabilities were as follows:

	2021
	Fixed rate		Floating rate		Total
	US$'000		US$'000		US$'000
Bank borrowings		—		98,967		98,967
Obligations under finance leases		—		18,358		18,358
Debt instruments		440,297		—		440,297
Other financial liabilities (*)		67,014		—		67,014
		507,311		117,325		624,636

(*) Other financial liabilities comprise loans from government agencies and exclude derivative financial instruments (see Note 19 of the Consolidated Financial Statements).

	2020
	Fixed rate		Floating rate		Total
	US$'000		US$'000		US$'000
Bank borrowings		—		107,607		107,607
Obligations under finance leases		—		22,537		22,537
Debt instruments		357,508		—		357,508
Other financial liabilities (*)		63,896		—		63,896
		421,404		130,144		551,548

(*) Other financial liabilities comprise loans from government agencies and exclude derivative financial instruments (see Note 19 of the Consolidated Financial Statements).

Credit risk

Since October 2020, the Company entered into a factoring program where the receivables of some of the Company’s French and Spanish entities are advanced pursuant to a factoring arrangement.

Since December 2019, the Company entered into a forfaiting program where some of the Company’s French and Spanish entities may assign their rights to receive payments under the Contracts with the customer “ArcelorMittal Sourcing s.c.a.” in accordance with a forfaiting scheme.

Liquidity risk

●

$345,058 thousand aggregate principal amount of 9.375% senior secured notes due March 1, 2025 (the “Reinstated Senior Notes”). The proceeds from the Reinstated Notes, issued by Ferroglobe and Globe (together, the “Issuers”) on July 30, 2021, were primarily used to repay certain existing indebtedness of the Parent Company and its subsidiaries. Interest is payable semi-annually on January 31 and July 31 of each year.

●

$60,000 thousand aggregate principal amount of 9.300% super senior secured notes due March 1, 2025 (the “Super Senior Notes”). The proceeds from the Notes, issued by Ferroglobe on May 17, 2021, were primarily used to repay certain existing indebtedness of the Parent Company and its subsidiaries. Interest is payable semi-annually on January 31 and July 31 of each year.

●

On February 1, 2018 the Company acquired 100% of the outstanding ordinary shares of Kintuck (France) SAS and Kintuck AS from a wholly-owned subsidiary of Glencore International AG (“Glencore”) and obtained control of both entities. Consideration included both cash and contingent consideration.The contingent consideration arrangement requires the Company to pay the former owners of Kintuck (France) SAS and Kintuck AS a sliding scale commission based on the silicomanganese and ferromanganese sales spreads of Ferroglobe Mangan Norge and Ferroglobe Manganèse France, up to a maximum amount of $60,000 thousand (undiscounted). The contingent consideration applies to sales made up to eight and a half years from the date of acquisition and if it applies, the payment is on annual basis. The potential undiscounted amount of all future payments that the Company could be required to make under the contingent consideration arrangement is between $nil thousand and $60,000 thousand.

●

On October 2, 2020, the Company ended the receivables funding agreement and cancelled the securitization program, signing a new factoring agreement with a Factor, for anticipating the collection of receivables of the Company’s European entities (Grupo FerroAtlántica, S.A. and FerroPem S.AS). As a result of the agreement, the Leasing and Factoring Agent provided a cash consideration of circa $48.8 million, repurchased the receivables portfolio sold to the SPE on September 28, 2020, and consequently assumed the loan tranche of the senior borrower to the SPE. Also, the Senior loan and intermediate subordinate loan tranches were paid with internal sources of funds, at closing, there was cash release of $18 million from restricted cash relating to a special purpose vehicle under prior securitization program (see Note 10).

●

On July 23, 2020, Ferroglobe subsidiary, Ferropem, S.A.S., as borrower, contracted a loan with BNP Paribas, as lender, amounting to €4,456 thousand, to finance Company’s activities in France. The loan is guaranteed by the French government as part of the COVID-19 relief measures. Repayment of principal and payment of interest and accessories offer the possibility for the Borrower to extend the amortization of the amounts due at maturity for an additional period of 1 to 5 years. Interest rate is zero percent and the borrower is liable to pay a 0.50% fee calculated on the capital borrowed equivalent to an amount of €22 thousand.

●

On June 2, 2020, Ferroglobe subsidiary, Silicium Québec, as borrower, contracted a $7,000 thousand loan with Investissement Québec, a regional government loan & investment agency, as lender, to finance its capital expenditures activities in Canada. The loan is to be repaid in 84 installments over a 10 year period with the first three years as a grace period. Interest rate on outstanding amounts is zero percent.

●

Exhibit 99.4

1UPX For Against Abstain For Against Abstain For Against Abstain Ferroglobe PLC Using a b black ink pen, mark your votes with an X X as shown in this example. Please do not write outside the designated areas. 03NLAD + + Proposals — The Board recommends a vote FOR proposals 1 - 17 A Please sign exactly as name(s) appears hereon. Joint owners should each sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, corporate officer, trustee, guardian, or custodian, please give full title. Signature 1 — Please keep signature within the box. Signature 2 — Please keep signature within the box. Date (mm/dd/yyyy) — Please print date below. Authorized Signatures — This section must be completed for your vote to be counted. — Date and Sign Below B IF VOTING BY MAIL, SIGN, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. Annual Meeting Proxy Card 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 6. 12. You may vote online or by phone instead of mailing this card. Online Go to w www.envisionreports.com/GSM or scan the QR code — login details are located in the shaded bar below. Save paper, time and money! Sign up for electronic delivery at www.envisionreports.com/GSM Phone Call toll free 1-800-652-VOTE (8683) within the USA, US territories and Canada Your vote matters – here’s how to vote!

Proxy Solicited by Board of Directors for Annual Meeting – June 30, 2022 The undersigned hereby appoints the Company’s Executive Chairman or Company Secretary, each individually and each with powers of substitution, as proxies for the undersigned to vote all of the Ordinary Shares the undersigned may be entitled to vote at the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders of Ferroglobe PLC called to be held at 1 14:00 (British Summer Time) on Thursday, June 30, 2022 at 13 Chesterfield Street, London, W1J 5JN, UK, or any adjournment or postponement thereof in the manner indicated on the reverse side of this proxy, and upon such other business as may lawfully come before the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. The undersigned acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Annual General Meeting of Ferroglobe PLC. The undersigned revokes any proxy or proxies previously given for such shares. The undersigned ratifies and confirms any actions that the persons holding the undersigned’s proxy, or their substitutes, by virtue of this executed card take in accordance with the proxy granted hereunder. I IF NO DIRECTION AS TO THE MANNER OF VOTING THE PROXY IS MADE, THE PROXY WILL BE VOTED “FOR” THE RESOLUTIONS IN PROPOSALS 1 THROUGH 17 AS INDICATED ON THE REVERSE SIDE HEREOF. You are encouraged to specify your choices by marking the appropriate boxes (SEE REVERSE SIDE) but you need not mark any boxes if you wish to vote in accordance with the Board of Directors’ recommendations. This proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed herein. The Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” Proposals 1 – 17. (Items to be voted appear on reverse side.) Proxy — Ferroglobe PLC IF VOTING BY MAIL, SIGN, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. Non-Voting Items C + + Change of Address — Please print new address below. Comments — Please print your comments below. Meeting Attendance Mark box to the right if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting. U.K. Annual Report and Accounts 2021 1. THAT the directors’ and auditor’s reports and the accounts of the Company for the financial year ended 31 December 2021 (the “U U.K. Annual Report and Accounts”) be received. Authority to Allot Shares and Disapplication of Pre-emption Rights 2. THAT the authority granted to the Board under Article 5 of the Articles of Association of the Company be renewed for an additional period expiring five years from the date of the Annual General Meeting. Directors’ Remuneration 3. THAT the directors’ remuneration policy (the ‘’Remuneration Policy’’), as set out on pages 38 to 50 of the U.K. Annual Report and Accounts be approved. 4. THAT the directors’ annual report on remuneration for the year ended 31 December 2021 (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, any part of the Directors’ remuneration report containing the directors’ remuneration policy), as set out on pages 35 to 37 and 51 to 63 of the U.K. Annual Report and Accounts be approved. Directors’ Re election 5. THAT Javier López Madrid be re elected as a director. 6. THAT Marco Levi be re elected as a director. 7. THAT Marta Amusategui be re-elected as a director 8. THAT Bruce L. Crockett be re elected as a director. 9. THAT Stuart E. Eizenstat be re elected as a director. 10. THAT Manuel Garrido y Ruano be re elected as a director. 11. THAT Juan Villar Mir de Fuentes be re elected as a director. 12. THAT Belen Villalonga be re elected as a director. 13. THAT Silvia Villar-Mir de Fuentes be re elected as a director. 14. THAT Nicolas De Santis be re elected as a director. 15. THAT Rafael Barrilero Yarnoz be re elected as a director. Appointment of Auditor 16. THAT Deloitte LLP be appointed as auditor of the Company to hold office from the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting until the conclusion of the next general meeting at which accounts are laid before the Company. Remuneration of Auditor 17. THAT the Audit Committee of the Board be authorised to determine the auditor’s remuneration. 2022 Annual Meeting Admission Ticket 2022 Annual Meeting of Ferroglobe PLC Shareholders The 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Ferroglobe PLC will be held on Thursday, June 30, 2022 at 14:00 (British Summer Time) at 13 Chesterfield Street, London W1J 5JN, UK To access the virtual meeting, you must have the information that is printed in the shaded bar located on the reverse side of this form.