The Company adheres to the 2020 Belgian Corporate Governance Code.

The Company’s governance structure is based on a Board of Directors and a Managing Director (CEO of the Rosier Group).

The Corporate Governance Charter is available on the Company's website (www.rosier.eu).
1. Board of Directors
1. Board of Directors

The number and appointment of members of the Board of Directors are governed by Article 15 of the articles of association, which provides that:

"The company is managed by a board composed of at least seven members, who do not need to be shareholders, three of whom must be independent within the meaning of the Companies and Associations code. Directors are appointed and removed by the general meeting, which sets their number. The term of office may not exceed four years. Outgoing directors are eligible for reappointment. "

The assessment criteria for determining directors' independence are those adopted by Article 7:87 &1 of the Companies and Associations Code and by the 2009 Belgian Corporate Governance Code.

At 24 June 2022, the Board of Directors was comprised of 7 (seven) members, including 3 (three) non-executive, 1 (one) executive and 3 (three) independent directors:

• B.V. ANBA, represented by Mrs Anne Marie BAEYAERT,
Independent Director
End of term of office: June 2026
Company Manager

• B.V. NADECE, represented by Mrs Nathalie DE CEULAER
Independent Director
End of term of office: June 2025

• Exploration B.V., represented by Mrs Dina DE HAECK,
Independent Director
CEO
End of term of office: June 2025

• Mr Jan-Martin NUFER,
Non-executive director representing the Borealis Group
Director, Treasury and Funding Borealis AG
End of term of office: June 2025

• Mr Willy RAYMAEKERS,
Chairman of the Board of Directors
Managing Director – Managing Director of Rosier S.A.
Chairman and CEO of the Rosier Group
End of term of office: June 2025

• Mr Robin KOOPMANS,
Non-executive director representing the Borealis Group
Head of BP HCE & OPS
End of term of office: June 2026

• Mr Benoît TAYMANS,
Non-executive director representing the Borealis Group
Senior Business Programme Manager, Borealis Group
End of term of office: June 2026

2. Operation

The internal rules of the Board of Directors describe its operation.

The Board of Directors meets at least four times a year, and as often as it deems necessary in the interests of the Company.

Article 15 of the Articles of Association defines its authority:

"The Board of Directors has the power to take all necessary or useful measures to advance the company’s corporate purpose, with the exception of those that, pursuant to the law or articles of association, are reserved for the general meeting".


The Board of Directors decides in particular, on the appointment and setting of the powers of the Managing Director, on the approval of the annual financial statements and the management report, on the convening of general meetings and on the setting of proposals to be submitted for their deliberations.

The Board of Directors defines the strategic plan of the Company and its investment projects. It also notably adjudicates upon contracts and agreements between the Company and the Borealis Group, pursuant to Article 7:97 of the Belgian Companies and Associations code.

At each meeting, a report is given on all security, financial, commercial and other matters of interest to the Company.

In 2021, the Board of Directors met eleven times, including ten meetings in physical form and one meeting in written form.

In addition to reviewing day-to-day management, the Board notably deliberated on the following points:

  • The approval of the annual accounts at 31 December 2021 of Rosier S.A., of the management report and the proposal for the distribution of profits to be submitted to the General Meeting;
  • The approval of the consolidated financial statements at 31 December 2021, the consolidated management report and the 2021 remuneration report;
  • The approval of the text of the press release for the results at 31 December 2021;
  • The setting of the agenda for the ordinary general meeting of 16 June 2021;
  • The agreement on the conventions between Borealis and Rosier, pursuant to Article 7:97 of the Belgian Companies and Associations code;
  • The review of the consolidated results as at 30 June 2021 and approval of the text of the corresponding press release;
  • Its self-assessment.

The average attendance rate at Board meetings in 2021 was 100%.
The internal rules of the Board of Directors define the assessment process.

3. Committees within the Board of Directors

In accordance with legal and statutory provisions (Article 18 of the Company’s articles of association), the Board of Directors has established three Committees.
1. CAppointment and Compensation Committee

The Appointment and Compensation Committee is comprised of three directors, the majority of whom meet the independence criteria.

At 31 December 2021, the composition of the Committee was as follows: Mr Benoît TAYMANS (Chairman), B.V. ANBA, represented by Mrs Anne Marie BAEYAERT and Exploration B.V., represented by Mrs Dina DE HAECK.

The Appointment and Compensation Committee performs the following tasks in particular:

  • Identifying persons qualified to become directors, in accordance with the criteria approved by the Board of Directors;
  • Issuing recommendations to the Board of Directors on the re-election or appointment of new directors;
  • Issuing recommendations to the Board of Directors on the remuneration of the managing director and independent directors;
  • Issuing recommendations to the Managing Director on the remuneration of the Rosier Group Management Members;
  • Drafting the annual remuneration report, which is submitted to the Board of Directors and the General Meeting for approval.
The internal rules of the Committee govern its organisation and, in particular, its assessment process.

In 2021, the Committee met four times, having been convened by its Chairman; attendance at meetings was 100%.

2. Audit Committee

The Audit Committee comprises at least three directors, the majority of whom meet the independence criteria.

At 31 December 2021, the Committee comprised Mr Jan-Martin NUFER (Chairman), B.V. ANBA, represented by Mrs Anne Marie BAEYAERT and B.V. NADECE, represented by Mrs Nathalie DE CEULAER. Mr Jan-Martin NUFER, due to his position, has the required accounting and auditing knowledge.

The Audit Committee shall assist the Board of Directors in ensuring the quality of internal control and the reliability of the information provided to shareholders and the financial markets.

The Audit Committee performs the following tasks in particular:
  • Monitoring of the financial reporting process and its completeness;
  • Reviewing the financial position, commitments and cash on a regular basis;
  • Examining the parent company's financial statements and the annual and half-yearly consolidated financial statements before their examination by the Board;
  • Reviewing the suitability of the accounting principles and methods chosen.
  • Ensuring the implementation of internal control and risk management procedures and monitoring their effectiveness with assistance from Management;
  • Keeping up to date with any internal and external audit work;
  • Ensuring the monitoring of the audit by the Company’s statutory and consolidated auditors;
  • Reviewing the annual work plans of external auditors;
  • Proposing the appointment of the Statutory Auditor, his remuneration, ensuring both his independence and the proper performance of his duties;
  • Establishing the rules for the use of the Statutory Auditor for work other than auditing the accounts and verifying their implementation.
In 2021, the Committee met six times; the attendance rate was 100%.

The internal rules of the Committee govern its organisation and, in particular, its assessment process.

3. The Committee of Independent Directors

This Committee was established in 2013 in accordance with Article 7:97 of the Companies and Associations code, which covers any decision or operation between a listed company and a related company.

In this context, the missions of the Committee, assisted by one or more independent experts, are mainly as follows:

  • To describe the nature of the decision or transaction, assess the gain or loss for the company or its shareholders, quantify the financial consequences and determine whether the decision or transaction is likely to cause manifestly abusive damage for the Company in light of the policy conducted by the Company;

  • To give a reasoned opinion in writing to the Board of Directors.
    At 31 December 2021, the Committee was comprised of the Company’s three independent directors: B.V. ANBA, represented by Mrs Anne Marie BAEYAERT, B.V. NADECE, represented by Mrs Nathalie DE CEULAER and Exploration B.V., represented by Mrs Dina DE HAECK.
    In 2021, the Committee met two times; the attendance rate was 100%.

  • Meeting of 15 Februari 2021:
    Opinion to be given by the Committee to the Board of Directors on the implementation of a financing agreement for an amount of EUR 25 million for the longterm loan initially valid from 22 July 2020 with a maturity date of 21 January 2022 with an interest rate calculated on the basis of the EURIBOR 6M + 202 bps and payable in arrears to extend the maturity date to 30 June 2022 without changing the other conditions. Opinion to be given by the Committee to the Board of Directors on the implementation of a financing agreement for an amount of EUR 25 million for the long-term loan initially valid from 28 August 2020 with a maturity date of 28 February 2022 with an interest rate calculated on the basis of the EURIBOR 6M + 202 bps and payable in arrears to extend the maturity date to 30 June 2022 without changing the other conditions.

    Conclusion of the Committee of Independent Directors:
    “The Committee of Independent Directors considers it unlikely that the decision to sign the long-term loan renewals to ensure the financing of the Company would cause grossly abusive damage for the Company in light of the policy conducted by the Company or even harm the Company. These opinions, signed by the independent directors, are intended for the Board of Directors of the Company. Issued in Moustier on 25 February 2021.”

    Extract from the minutes of the Board of Directors meeting on 26 February 2021: “On its meeting on the 22th of February 2021, the Board of Directors has been informed that an amendment of the two Inter-company loans was ongoing to extend the maturity date. Being impossible to hold plenary meeting of the Board of Directors before the publication of the press release of the 26th of February 2021: the position of each Board’s Director regarding the approval of the new amendment explained must be provided by the 26th of February 2021 after having received the advice of the Independent Board members committee the 25th of February, being: “The Committee of Independent Directors considers that it is not feasible that the decision to sign the renewals of long-term loans to finance the Company liable to cause grossly abusive damage to the Company in light of the Company’s policy or even that it harms the Company.”

    UNANIMOUS RESOLUTIONS The Directors have all individually and in writing approved the extension of the original maturity date of the two Inter-company funding contracts. In accordance with Article 7:97 of the Belgian Companies Code, the Board of Directors decided to accept the offer and authorised Mr Willy RAYMAEKERS to sign the contract.”

    Conclusion of the Auditor’s Report, PwC: In conclusion, we declare that our audit has not revealed anything that could have a significant influence on the accuracy of the data mentioned in the opinion of the Committee of Independent Directors on 25 February 2021 and in the minutes of the Board of Directors’ meeting held on the same date.

2. Income allocation policy

The Board of Directors will evaluate the future dividend policy based on Rosier’s financial results and investment needs.

3. Relations with the reference shareholder

With effect from 28 June 2013, the date on which Borealis AG took control of Rosier S.A., the transactions falling within the scope of Article 7:97 of the Companies and Associations code were the subject of an opinion of the Committee of Independent Directors - assisted by independent experts - submitted to the Board of Directors for decision.

The transactions covered by this article that were approved by the Board of Directors in 2021 concern:

• The financing of the Company by the Borealis Group.

The Committee of Independent Directors and the Board of Directors concluded that the transactions referred to in Article 7:97 were not likely to cause manifestly abusive damage or harm to the Company.

4. Shareholder structure

At 31 December 2021, the position of declared shareholders holding more than 2% of the capital was as follows:



5. Main characteristics of the internal control and risk management systems

The Board of Directors and Management believe that internal control and risk management must be an integral part of Rosier's day-to-day operations.

The Board of Directors monitors the proper functioning of the internal control and risk management systems through the Audit Committee and the Independent Directors Committee.

In this context, these Committees are based on information provided by the Management, internal audit and external auditor.

An audit on the internal control system was carried out by the Borealis Group in August 2017. The conclusions and recommendations of this audit were examined in detail by Management, the Audit Committee and the Statutory Auditor.

Management has defined an improved internal control system based on the description of the flows for which each manager has committed to implementing continuous improvements. This system started to be put into place during the course of 2018; it ensures that the objectives in terms of the reliability of financial information, compliance with laws and regulations and the establishment of internal control processes are achieved (points 5.1. and 5.3. set out below); it was updated in 2019.

This internal control system complements the integrated management system put in place and revised every three years (ISO 9001:2015).

Rosier applies the three-lines-of-defence model to achieve its risk management objectives:

First line of defence

Operational management, which is responsible for maintaining effective internal controls and performing risk control procedures on a daily basis.

Second line of defence

The risk management function under the responsibility of the CEO ensures that the first line of defence performs its mission effectively (point 5.2. set out below).

Third line of defence

The external audit of the Rosier Group, which certifies the consolidated financial statements and issues recommendations on risk management and internal control.

In addition, the Audit Committee oversees the effectiveness of the internal control and risk management systems.

The Audit Committee reports to the Board of Directors on its findings.

The internal control and risk management guidelines adopted by Rosier include the elements set out below.

1. Internal control environment

Management is continuing to improve the formalised internal control system, contributing to the control of activities, the effectiveness of operations and the efficient use of resources to achieve the objectives set.

Management has shared its ethical values and compliance with the principles deriving therefrom with all Rosier staff, through the continuous dissemination of Borealis' ethics policy and continuous e-learning. These ethical values and compliance with them are the cornerstones of the internal control system.

The powers granted to the Managing Director are set out in an Authority Schedule in accordance with the Articles of Association and the Companies and Associations code.

The Audit Committee has issued its internal rules and regulations, which have been approved by the Board of Directors; the functioning of the Committee and its rules and regulations are assessed annually. After assessment, no changes were applied in 2020.

All operational functions are described as well as the skills necessary for their proper execution; personnel have access to this information. An annual assessment makes it possible to verify their suitability.

2. Risk Management

Rosier’s risk management is a process for identifying, assessing and managing business risks with the aim of minimising the impact of such risks on the ability to achieve objectives and create shareholder value.

The risk management policy was updated in 2020 under the responsibility of the CEO. This risk mapping ensures that the Company regularly identifies, assesses, monitors and implements appropriate actions to minimise the effects of these risks.

All risks are periodically reviewed and assessed.

The risk registers thus created comprises 3 levels:

Strategic risks: risks that may affect the strategy and reputation of the company;

Tactical risks: risks identified as part of requirements or compliance. These risks relate primarily to processes or control deficiencies;

Operational risks: risks that may affect the effectiveness of the company’s day-to-day operations. Operational risks generally relate to short-term events with an impact in areas such as finance, production, project management and IT.

Operational risks have been classified into 4 categories:

• Financial risks: foreign exchange, interest rate, liquidity, credit, insurance and commodity price risks;

• Prevention of risks at production level: proactive management of risk prevention in terms of production, hygiene, safety and the environment, availability and quality of installations;

• Project management: events affecting the scope, schedule and budget of a project;

• IT risks: events affecting the information and technology used to process, store and transfer information (availability, integrity, confidentiality and security of data).

The main risks identified during this exercise are listed below:

₀ Risks that sales of fertilisers will not reach the targets set (granulated, liquids and powders);
₀ Risks of shortage of strategic raw materials;
₀ Risks related to production tools (technical problems);
₀ Risks related to product quality;
₀ Risks associated with the release of hazardous products and product decomposition;
₀ Risks of legislative change (environmental requirements, transport, hazardous products, etc.);
₀ Risks associated with non-compliance with regulations in the financial and legal fields (tax audits,
₀ FSMA audit, legal proceedings, etc.);
₀ Financial risks (exchange rate, interest rate, bad debts);
₀ Organisational risks (related to skills and personnel knowledge);
₀ IT risks.

Action plans to minimise the effects of risks have been defined and are monitored quarterly by the Executive Committee.

3. Control Activities

The control activities are carried out periodically.

At monthly meetings, Management analyses the various management indicators.

The monthly activity report is sent to Management and the members of the Board of Directors.

The CEO reports to each Board of Directors on the Company’s situation (Health, Safety, Environment and business).

4. Information and Communication

The Company complies with its legal obligations to disclose financial information, in particular through its website www.rosier.eu.

Communication tools are made available to staff. The information is disseminated via the Borealis Group and Rosier Group Intranet and continuously on the screens available on the Group's various sites.

The information system is regularly updated to meet the reliability, availability and relevance requirements of information.

6. Remuneration report

1. Remuneration of non-executive directors

In accordance with Article 20 of the articles of association, non-executive directors do not receive compensation, except for independent directors who receive directors’ fees for their actual participation in meetings of the Board of Directors, the Audit Committee, the Appointment and Compensation Committee and the Committee of independent directors.

Following the resolutions of the General Meeting of Shareholders of 19 June 2014, the amount of directors’ fees allocated to independent directors is set as follows:

  • €1,500 for attendance at a meeting of the Board of Directors;
  • €900 for attendance at a meeting of Committees set up by the Board of Directors, i.e. currently the Audit Committee, the Appointment and Compensation Committee and the Committee of Independent Directors.
    • The directors’ fees paid to the independent directors in 2021 and 2020 are as follows:



    Apart from attendance fees, independent directors are reimbursed for their travel and accommodation expenses incurred in the performance of their duties on the Board of Directors or the various Committees.

    2. Compensation of the executive director

    As of 12 November 2014, the executive director (CEO) is an employee of Borealis; he holds this position alongside that of Chairman of the Board of Directors.

    His services are invoiced by Borealis to the Company under a service agreement which was approved by the Board of Directors on 11 February 2015, after receiving a positive opinion from the Appointment and Compensation Committee and the Committee of Independent Directors.

    3. Compensation of members of the Executive Committee

    At 31 December 2020, the Rosier Group Executive Committee was comprised of five members: two members are employees of Rosier S.A., two members are employees of Rosier Nederland B.V. and one member is an employee of Borealis seconded to Rosier.

    The compensation of employees of the Rosier Group is set by the CEO following the opinion of the Appointment and Compensation Committee; it consists of a fixed and a variable component. The variable portion is linked to the achievement of annual collective (Group financial results, safety) and individual objectives. For the two Rosier S.A. employees, half of the variable portion is liquidated by a payment the following year and half by a specific insurance contract.