Revenue recognition, Investments, Cost structure, Debt and Financing

On this page you will find information on Valmet's revenue recognition standard practices, critical accounting estimates and judgements, as well as contract and project durations. Investments are broken down per year with gross capital expenditure data based on location. You will also find a breakdown of Valmet's cost, debt and financing structure.

Valmet delivers process automation, machinery, equipment and services for the pulp, paper, energy and other industries. On the capital business side, the Group’s revenue arises from projects, the scope of which ranges from delivery of complete mill facilities on a turnkey basis to single section machine rebuilds, that may or may not include process automation solutions. Service business revenue includes revenue from short-term and long-term maintenance contracts, smaller improvement and modification contracts, rebuilds, as well as sale of spare parts and consumables.

Revenue is recognized to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to the customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which Valmet expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. The timing and method as well as unit of revenue recognition are determined in accordance with the five-step model of IFRS 15 as follows:

Step 1: Identification of the contract(s) with a customer
Step 2: Identification of the performance obligations in the contract
Step 3: Determination of the transaction price attached to the contract
Step 4: Allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations identified in the contract
Step 5: Recognition of revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation

In long-term capital projects involving delivery of both equipment and services, one or more performance obligations are identified. The identification of performance obligations depends on the scope of the project and terms of the contracts, and largely follows the level at which quotes are being requested by the customers on capital projects.

In short-term service contracts that involve delivery of a combination of equipment and services, depending on the scope of the contract and terms attached thereto, one or more performance obligations are identified. When scope of the contract involves services provided at the customer site, such as installation, maintenance, technical support or
mechanical audits, these are typically considered as a separate performance obligation from delivery of significant equipment and services provided off-site. On the other hand, when services in the scope of the contract are performed at Valmet premises only, such as workshop services, material and services typically cannot be identified separately, and consistently only one performance obligation is identified.

In long-term service contracts where Valmet’s activities are largely performed at the customer’s site, depending on the contract and terms attached thereto, one or more performance obligations are identified. When the scope of the contract involves various service elements that are sold separately on a stand-alone basis, these elements would typically be determined to consist of performance obligations on their own.

Revenue is recognized when a customer obtains control of a good or service. A customer obtains control when it has the ability to direct the use of and obtain the benefits from the good or service, either over time or at a point in time.

When Valmet determines that control on goods or services is transferred over time, this is typically based on either that customer simultaneously receives and consumes benefits as Valmet performs, or that Valmet’s performance creates an asset with no alternative use throughout the duration of a contract and Valmet has enforceable right to payment for performance completed to date.

Deliverables within Valmet’s product offering that have the characteristics of the first criterion include mill maintenance services or other field services provided under long-term contracts, in which the receipt and simultaneous consumption by the customer of the benefits of Valmet’s performance can be readily identified. Deliverables with the characteristics of the second criterion include capital projects where the scope of the contract involves design and construction of an asset according to customer specifications. The assets created in these projects do not have alternative use because the design is based on specific customer needs. When revenue is recognized over time, progress towards complete satisfaction of the performance obligation is measured using the cost-to-cost method. The cost-to-cost method is estimated to result in a revenue profile that best depicts the transfer of control on the deliverables to the customer.

Recognition of revenue at a point in time is applicable, among others, in contracts where services are performed at Valmet’s premises, and deliveries of spare parts and consumables. Control of deliverables typically transfers based on the delivery terms used, at the takeover, or at a later point in time when customer acceptance is received.

Critical accounting estimates and judgements

For performance obligations satisfied over time, Valmet uses cost-to-cost method to recognize revenue as it best depicts the transfer of control to the customer as Valmet performs. Under cost-to-cost method, progress towards complete satisfaction of performance obligation is measured based on the ratio of costs incurred to date to the total estimated costs at completion of the performance obligation. Revenues, including estimated profits, are recorded proportionally
as costs are incurred. Management regularly reviews the progress of and execution on performance obligations. As part of the process, management reviews information including, but not limited to, key contractual obligations outstanding, project schedule, identified risks and opportunities, as well as changes in estimates of revenues and costs. A projected loss on a customer contract is recognized in full through profit or loss when it becomes known.

Valmet regularly enters into contracts where the consideration includes one or more variable elements. Variable consideration is estimated by using either the expected value or the most likely amount -method, depending on the type of the arrangement. In making judgments about variable consideration, Valmet considers historical, current and forecast information. Impact of changes in estimates is recognized in revenue in the period when the estimate is updated.

Typical contract and project durations

Long-term Services contract durations

Maintenance outsourcing: 6 years

Fabrics and consumables: 3 years

Pulp and Energy and Paper project durations

Pulp mill projects: 12 - 24 months

Power plant projects: 12 - 24 months

Paper business ine projects: 12 - 24 months

EUR million

 

2024

2023

2022

2021 

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

(carve-out)

Cash flow provided by operating activities

554 352 36 482 532 295 284 291 246  78 236 -43

Gross capital expenditure (excluding business combinations and right-of-use assets) 

107 125 112 97 89 79 79  66 60  44 46 54

           of which share of maintenance investments, %

28% 46 % 33% 40% 40% 77% 47%  56% 67%  82% 80% 76%

Proceeds from sale of fixed assets

2 6 2 2 1 6 6  2 2  3 4 4

Business combinations, net of cash acquired and loans repaid

-517 -415 117 -15 -48 -163 -2  - -  -323 - -3

Cash flow after investing activities

316 -181 56 382 -60 58 208  227 188  -287 -194 -97

Gross capital expenditure (excluding business combinations and right-of-use-assets) by location, EUR million

Valmet gross capital expenditure

In this section you can find information about Valmet’s cost structure. For more detailed information see Valmet’s Financial Statements 2024.

Consolidated statement of income

Valmet’s biggest expenses in 2024 were Cost of goods sold, Selling, general and administrative expenses (SG&A) and Income taxes.

Valmet consolidated statement of income 2024

 

Personnel expenses (included in Cost of goods sold and SG&A)

Valmet personnel expenses 2024

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses (SG&A)

Valmet SG&A 2024

 

Income taxes

Valmet income taxes 2024

 

Depreciation and amortization

Valmet depreciation and amortization 2024

Key figures

  As at September 30, 2025 As at September 30, 2024
Interest-bearing liabilities EUR 1,440 million EUR 1,750 million
Current debt (including portion of non-current debt) EUR 123 million EUR 207 million
Non-current debt EUR 1,136 million EUR 1,386 million
Net interest-bearing liabilities EUR 945 million EUR 1,057 million
Average maturity of non-current debt 2.8 years 2.9 years
Average interest rate 3.6% 4.4%

Key debt ratios

  As at September 30, 2025 As at September 30, 2024
Gearing 38% 43%
Equity ratio 43% 40%
Net debt to EBITDA ratio 1.50 1.59

Debt instruments and credit facilities as at September 30, 2025

  • Undrawn committed revolving credit facility of EUR 450 million
  • Unused commercial paper program worth of EUR 300 million

 

Debt maturity structure as at September 30, 2025 (excluding lease liabilities)

Green Notes

On March 6, 2024, Valmet announced that it issues EUR 200 million green notes. Read more here.

The Finnish Financial Supervisory Authority approved the listing prospectus of the Notes on March 14, 2024. Read more here.

The listing prospectus can be found here.

Green Finance Framework

Valmet announced on March 1, 2024, that it has established a Green Finance Framework applicable for the issuance of green debt instruments to further integrate its ambitious sustainability targets into its financing.

Valmet’s Green Finance Framework has received an independent second party opinion from ISS ESG, confirming the alignment of the framework with the Green Loan Principles 2023 and the Green Bond Principles 2021.

Links:

Valmet’s Green Finance Framework

ISS ESG’s independent second party opinion

ESG questionnaire

Press release on March 1, 2024: Valmet publishes Green Finance Framework