Cash flows (used in)/generated from operating activities
Cash flows used in operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, of $78 million represents an increase in usage of $276 million, compared with $198 million net cash generated from operating activities in the same period in 2021. The increase was mainly due to an increase in operating profit of $154 million, an increase in depreciation and amortization of $7 million, a decrease in exceptional operating items of $192 million, an increase in working capital outflows of $252 million, an increase in transaction-related, start-up and other exceptional costs paid of $50 million, an increase in exceptional restructuring paid of $2 million, higher interest payments of $6 million, higher inflows from settlements of foreign currency derivative financial instruments of $59 million and lower tax payments of $6 million.
Cash flows used in investing activities
Cash flows used in investing activities decreased by $14 million to $413 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2022, compared with $427 million in the same period in 2021 that was mainly driven by the timing of projects in relation to the Group’s growth investment program.
Net cash inflow from financing activities
Net cash from financing activities represents an inflow of $643 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2022 compared with a $493 million inflow in the same period in 2021.
Proceeds from borrowings of $701 million primarily reflects the issuance of $600 million 6.000% Senior Secured Green Notes and draw down of the Group’s Global Asset Based Loan Facility during the nine months ended September 30, 2022.
Repayment of borrowings of $109 million reflects the repayment of $100 million of the Global Asset Based Loan Facility and repayment of $9 million of other borrowings during the nine months ended September 30, 2022.
Lease payments of $40 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2022, increased by $6 million compared to $34 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2021, reflecting increased principal repayments on the Group’s lease obligations.
In the nine months ended September 30, 2022, the Company issued non-convertible, non-voting 9% preferred shares to AGSA for $260 million and paid $2 million of transaction costs related to the issuance of the preferred shares.
In the nine months ended September 30, 2022, the Company paid cash dividends to shareholders of $121 million. On April 26, 2022, the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”) approved an interim cash dividend of $0.10 per ordinary share. The interim cash dividend of $60 million was paid on June 28, 2022, to shareholders of record on June 14, 2022. On June 1, 2022, the Board approved an interim cash dividend of $0.10 per ordinary share. The interim cash dividend of $61 million was paid on June 28, 2022, to shareholders of record on June 14, 2022.
In the nine months ended September 30, 2022, the Company repurchased a total of 5,768,638 ordinary shares, returning $35 million to shareholders.
Working capital
In the nine months ended September 30, 2022, the working capital outflow during the period increased by $252 million to $445 million, from an outflow of $193 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021. The increase is mainly due to a decrease in trade payables and an increase in inventory, compared with the same period in 2021.