LUCITE INTERNATIONAL GROUP HOLDINGS LIMITED 6-K

Queens Gate, 15-17 Queens Terrace, Southampton SO14 3BP, United Kingdom
(Address of principal executive offices)

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

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


			Three months ended						Nine months ended

			September 30,			September 30,			September 30,			September 30,
			2002			2003			2002			2003
	Notes		£’m			£’m			£’m			£’m

Turnover		3		147			175			437			528
Operating costs before amortisation of goodwill and other intangible assets		4		(138	)		(153	)		(413	)		(473	)
Amortisation of goodwill and other intangible assets		4		(2	)		(2	)		(4	)		(4	)

Total operating costs		4		(140	)		(155	)		(417	)		(477	)
Operating profit		3, 4		7			20			20			51
Net interest payable and similar charges		5		—			(10	)		(20	)		(35	)

Profit on ordinary activities before taxation				7			10			—			16
Taxation on loss on ordinary activities				(1	)		(1	)		(1	)		(3	)

Profit/(loss) on ordinary activities after taxation				6			9			(1	)		13
Equity minority interests				—			(1	)		(1	)		(3	)

Profit/(loss) for the financial period				6			8			(2	)		10


			December 31,			September 30,
			2002			2003
	Notes		£’m			£’m

Fixed assets
Intangible assets				89			84
Negative Goodwill				(6	)		(5	)
Tangible assets				358			338

				441			417
Current assets
Stocks		7		75			76
Debtors				96			118
Cash at bank and in hand				11			29

				182			223

Total assets				623			640

Creditors — amounts falling due within one year				(119	)		(125	)

Net current assets				63			98

Total assets less current liabilities				504			515

Creditors — amounts falling due after more than one year				(330	)		(336	)
Provisions for liabilities and charges				(32	)		(31	)

Net assets				142			148

Shareholder’s equity
Called up equity share capital				175			175
Profit and loss account				(45	)		(37	)

Total equity shareholder’s funds				130			138
Equity minority interests				12			10

Capital employed				142			148


	Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended

	September 30,			September 30,		September 30,			September 30,
	2002			2003		2002			2003
	£’m			£’m		£’m			£’m

Profit /(loss) for the financial period		6			8		(2	)		10
Currency translation differences on foreign currency net investments		(5	)		2		(13	)		(2	)

Total recognised gains & losses relating to the period		1			10		(15	)		8


		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended

		September 30,			September 30,			September 30,			September 30,
		2002			2003			2002			2003
		£’m			£’m			£’m			£’m

Operating profit			7			20			20			51
	Depreciation of tangible fixed assets		9			9			30			28
	Amortisation of intangible fixed assets		2			2			4			4
	(Increase) / decrease in stocks		(5	)		9			2			—
	Decrease / (increase) in debtors		8			7			(17	)		(19	)
	Increase / (decrease) in creditors		4			(9	)		1			4
	Movement on provisions		1			(1	)		2			—
	Exceptional cash flows		(1	)		—			(2	)		(1	)

Net cash flow from operating activities			25			37			40			67
	Interest paid		(3	)		(3	)		(15	)		(15	)
	New issue High Yield Bond fees		—			—			—			(1	)
Returns on investments and servicing of finance			(3	)		(3	)		(15	)		(16	)
Taxation paid			(2	)		(1	)		(4	)		(3	)
Capital expenditure and financial investment			(8	)		(6	)		(16	)		(15	)
Equity dividends paid to minorities			—			(1	)		(3	)		(3	)
Distribution to minority interests			—			(3	)		—			(3	)
	Issue of debt due after more than one year		—			—			2			37
	Repayment of debt due within one year		(5	)		—			(8	)		(8	)
	Repayment of debt due after one year		(6	)		(6	)		(4	)		(38	)
Financing			(11	)		(6	)		(10	)		(9	)

Increase/(decrease) in cash			1			17			(8	)		18

Lucite International Group Holdings Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of Lucite International Limited. Lucite International Limited does not trade and has no investments other than Lucite International Group Holdings Limited and an interest in the newly formed Lucite International China Holdings Limited with the remaining interest being held by a subsidiary of Lucite International Group Holdings Limited. The principal shareholder and ultimate controlling party of Lucite International Limited is Charterhouse Development Capital Limited through funds managed by it. Lucite International Group Holdings Limited is a non-trading holding company for the remainder of the subsidiary companies included in the Lucite International Group. Lucite International Group Holdings Limited and subsidiary companies (together referred to as “Lucite International” or “the Company”) are engaged in the production and distribution of methacrylate monomers, the principal building block of acrylic, and the production and distribution of acrylic based polymers, resins, sheet and composites. These products are manufactured at facilities located in the Americas, Europe and Asia and are sold throughout the world.

The accounting policies used to prepare these financial statements are consistent with those adopted in the financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2002 as reported on Form 20-F filed on April 11, 2003.

The financial statements and notes included within this form 6-K should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s annual report on Form 20-F, where additional footnotes can be found.

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of Lucite International Group Holdings Limited and subsidiaries (the Company) contain all adjustments including usual recurring adjustments necessary to present fairly, in all material respects, the Company’s consolidated financial position as of September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002 and the consolidated results of operations, net profit and cash flows for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2003 and September 30, 2002. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s annual report on Form 20-F. The results of operations for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2003 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.


		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended

		September 30,			September 30,			September 30,			September 30,
		2002			2003			2002			2003
		£’m			£’m			£’m			£’m

Group turnover
	Upstream		104			126			298			385
	Downstream		66			71			205			210
	Inter-class elimination		(23	)		(22	)		(66	)		(67	)

			147			175			437			528

Group operating profit
	Upstream		5			18			6			41
	Downstream		4			4			18			14

			9			22			24			55
	Amortisation of goodwill and other intangible assets		(2	)		(2	)		(4	)		(4	)

	Operating profit		7			20			20			51

Depreciation
	Upstream		7			8			23			22
	Downstream		2			1			7			6

			9			9			30			28


		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended

		September 30,			September 30,			September 30,			September 30,
		2002			2003			2002			2003
		£’m			£’m			£’m			£’m

Turnover			147			175			437			528
Cost of sales			(115	)		(132	)		(342	)		(407	)

Gross profit			32			43			95			121
	Distribution costs		(10	)		(10	)		(34	)		(32	)
	Administrative expenses before amortisation and research and development costs		(10	)		(9	)		(28	)		(28	)
	Amortisation of goodwill and other intangible fixed assets		(2	)		(2	)		(4	)		(4	)
	Research and development costs		(3	)		(2	)		(9	)		(6	)
	Total administrative expenses		(15	)		(13	)		(41	)		(38	)

Total operating expenses			(25	)		(23	)		(75	)		(70	)

Operating profit			7			20			20			51


	Three months ended					Nine months ended

	September 30,			September 30,		September 30,		September 30,
	2002			2003		2002		2003
	£’m			£’m		£’m		£’m

Interest payable on senior credit facilities		4			3		9		8
Interest payable on senior notes		3			5		10		12
Amortisation of debt issue costs		—			—		1		1

Net interest payable		7			8		20		21
Foreign exchange loss on external debt		(7	)		2		—		14

Net interest payable and similar charges		—			10		20		35

EBITDA is presented not as an alternative measure of operating results or cash flows from operations as determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, but because it is an accepted financial indicator of the ability to incur and service debt. EBITDA is not necessarily comparable with similarly titled measures presented by other companies. As a performance measurement, EBITDA closely represents operating profit and can be reconciled to it in the following way:


	Three months ended				Nine months ended

	September 30,		September 30,		September 30,		September 30,
	2002		2003		2002		2003
	£’m		£’m		£’m		£’m

Operating profit		7		20		20		51
Depreciation and amortisation of goodwill and intangible assets		11		11		34		32

EBITDA		18		31		54		83

During June 2003 the Company issued 50 million Euro of 10.25% senior notes due May 15, 2010. These new notes are not fungible with the existing notes issued May 2000 but have substantially similar terms as them. The new notes were issued at 104% and the premium of 2 million Euro associated with the issue is being written off over the life of the notes. An offer was made in September to the holders of the existing notes to exchange their existing notes for new notes having the same terms as the notes offered in June 2003 and constituting a single series of notes. This offer closed on October 1, 2003 and the majority of notes have been exchanged.

The proceeds of the recent offering were used to make a voluntary prepayment to the senior banks of 30 million Euro with the balance used to repay the revolving credit balance until required to be drawn upon for investment in the China Project and to pay the associated transaction fees.


		December 31,			September 30,
		2002			2003
		£’m			£’m

Senior credit facilities:
	Term loan A		69			44
	Term loan B		69			71
	Term loan C		50			48
	Revolving Credit Facility		32			14
Senior notes			130			140
New issue Senior notes			—			37
Unamortised issue costs			(7	)		(9	)

Total Debt			343			345

On 25 March 2003, the Company received notification that the European Commission would investigate Lucite International Limited and Lucite International UK Limited with regard to possible participation in anti-competitive practices contrary to Article 81 of the Treaty of Rome. Such investigation is a preliminary step and does not imply that the Company has engaged in any unlawful activities relating to anti-competitive practices. There is no strict deadline to complete anti-competitive inquiries and their duration is determined by the complexity of each case, the exercise of the rights of defence and by the Commission’s procedures. Lucite International Limited is co-operating fully with the European Commission on these matters. It is not possible at this stage to estimate what the outcome of this investigation will be.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCES BETWEEN UK AND US ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES

The financial statements are prepared and presented in accordance with UK GAAP, which differs in certain significant respects from US GAAP. The following is a summary of the effect on net loss and shareholders’ equity of the differences between UK GAAP and US GAAP.

Effect on the loss for the financial
period of differences between UK GAAP and US GAAP


		Three months ended						Nine months ended

		September 30,			September 30,			September 30,			September 30,
		2002			2003			2002			2003
		£’m			£’m			£’m			£’m

Profit/(loss) for the financial period under UK GAAP			6			8			(2	)		10
Adjustments to conform with US GAAP:
	Purchase accounting adjustments:
	Depreciation of tangible fixed assets		1			1			4			4
	Amortisation of goodwill		2			2			4			4
	Amortisation of other intangibles		(3	)		(3	)		(10	)		(9	)
	Capitalisation of interest less amortisation		—			1			1			1
	Amortisation of loan arrangement fees		—			(1	)		—			(1	)
	Pensions		—			—			(1	)		—
	Foreign exchange loss on debt		—			—			(6	)		(2	)
	Fair value of derivative financial instruments		—			(1	)		—			(1	)
	Deferred taxation:
	Arising on UK GAAP results		—			—			1			—
	Arising on other US GAAP adjustments		—			—			1			(1	)

Net Profit/(loss) under US GAAP			6			7			(8	)		5

Effect on consolidated shareholder’s funds of differences
between UK GAAP and US GAAP


		December 31, 2002			September 30, 2003
		£’m			£’m

Consolidated shareholder’s funds under UK GAAP			130			138
Adjustments to conform with US GAAP:
	Purchase accounting adjustments		(20	)		(21	)
	Exchange translation on goodwill and intangible assets		2			1
	Capitalisation of interest less amortisation		7			8
	Capitalisation of loan arrangement fees		1			—
	Pensions		(3	)		(3	)
	Fair value of derivative financial instruments		—			(1	)
	Deferred taxation		28			27

Consolidated shareholder’s funds under US GAAP			145			149

For an explanation of the significant differences between UK GAAP and US GAAP please refer to the annual Form 20-F

The Company does not engage in derivatives trading, market-making or other speculative activities. The Company has entered into agreements to manage certain exposures to fluctuations in the price of natural gas, a major feedstock. It uses swap and cap and collar contracts to provide stability to the Company’s exposure to changes in the price of natural gas. These contracts generally involve the exchange of variable gas costs for costs which lie within a contracted range. Net amounts paid or received are reflected as adjustments to operating costs.

Changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments are measured at the balance sheet date and recognised in current earnings or other comprehensive income depending on whether the derivative is designated as part of a hedge transaction and, if it is, the type of transaction.

Our natural gas contracts are not designated as qualifying hedge instruments under FAS133 and accordingly changes in the fair value of the contracts are reflected in current earnings. As at 30 September 2003 the Company recognised a liability of £0.6 million in respect of these contracts. This is an increase in liability of £1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003 due to the price of gas futures for the remainder of 2003 lower than the contract strike price.

		The annual review of impairment required under FAS 142 was carried out as at June 30, 2003 and the results indicated that no impairment was deemed to exist.

		Intangible asset carrying values and accumulated amortisation in total and by each major class of finite lived intangible asset;


	Gross Carrying		Accumulated		Weighted average
	value as at		amortisation as at		amortisation
	September 30, 2003		September 30, 2003		period
	£m		£m		Years

Amortised intangible assets
Core and patented technology		54		21		10
Trade names		7		2		20
Customer relationships		20		4		20
Non-compete agreements		25		20		5

Total amortised intangible assets		106		47
Goodwill		45		—

Total goodwill and other intangible assets under US GAAP		151		47

Amortisation expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and estimated aggregate amortisation expense for each of the five succeeding years;


	£m

Aggregate amortisation expense:
For the nine months ended September 30, 2003		9
Estimated aggregate amortisation expense:
For the year ended December 31, 2003		12
For the year ended December 31, 2004		12
For the year ended December 31, 2005		7
For the year ended December 31, 2006		7
For the year ended December 31, 2007		7

There were no changes to the carrying value of goodwill during the nine months ended September 30, 2003.

In May 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 150, Accounting For Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity. The Statement improves the accounting for certain financial instruments that, under previous guidance, issuers could account for as equity and requires that these instruments be classified as liabilities in statements of financial position. This Statement is effective prospectively for financial instruments entered into or modified after May 31, 2003 and otherwise is effective at the beginning of the first interim period beginning after June 15, 2003. This statement shall be implemented by reporting the cumulative effect of a change in an accounting principle for financial instruments created before the issuance date of the Statement and still existing at the beginning of the interim period of adoption. The adoption of this Statement does not have a material effect on the results of operations or financial position.

The Company is including the following cautionary statement in this Form 6-K to make applicable and take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, for any forward-looking statements made by, or on behalf of, the Company. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements which are other than statements of historical facts. From time to time, the Company may publish or otherwise make available forward-looking statements of this nature. All such subsequent forward-looking statements, whether written or oral and whether made by or on behalf of the Company, are also expressly qualified by these cautionary statements. Certain statements contained herein are forward-looking statements and accordingly involve risk and uncertainties, which could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained herein are based on various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions. The Company’s expectations, beliefs and projections are expressed in good faith and are believed by the Company to have a reasonable basis, including without limitation, management’s examination of historical operating trends, data contained in the Company’s records and other data available from third parties. There can though be no assurance that management’s expectations, beliefs or projections will result or be achieved or accomplished.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles applicable in the United Kingdom but require some degree of judgement regarding the estimates and assumptions used to apply them. The application of these assumptions and judgements affects the reported amounts of profit during the year and the assets and liabilities at the balance sheet date. Actual results may differ from the estimates calculated using these assumptions and judgements. Management believes that accounting policies are critical policies where the assumptions and judgements would have a significant impact on the consolidated financial statements. These critical accounting policies are discussed in the annual financial statements as reported on Form 20-F and there have been no changes to them in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003.

Unless the context requires otherwise, the information provided in this Form 6-K and the terms “Lucite International”, “we”, “our” and the “Company” refer to Lucite International Group Holdings Limited and its subsidiaries and predecessor businesses as a combined entity. Lucite International Finance plc is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lucite International Group Holdings Limited and was formed for the purpose of issuing and selling securities and making the proceeds of those issues available to the Company.

The business is defined into two distinct segments, the upstream business and the downstream business. The principle products of our upstream business are methyl methacrylates, or MMA, and speciality methacrylates, or SpMAs. We also produce a limited range of high-value SpMAs, which impart specific high performance properties to their end products, such as gloss and adhesion. We also sell liquid sodium cyanide mainly in the United Kingdom, which is used to produce detergents and as an ingredient in pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. Our downstream business uses the MMA we manufacture to produce and sell methacrylate-based polymers, resins, sheet and composites in thousands of variations.

Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2003 Compared to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2002

Total turnover increased £28 million, or 19%, from £147 million for the three months ended September 30, 2002 to £175 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003. This increase primarily reflects improved volumes/mix effects (£9 million or 6%) with improving prices (£23 million or 16%) offset by adverse exchange effects (£(4) million or (3)%). Total volumes for the three months ended September 30, 2003 were 5% higher compared to the three months ended September 30, 2002 mainly due to stronger upstream demand.

Turnover from upstream operations increased £22 million, or 21%, from £104 million for the three months ended September 30, 2002 to £126 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003. This increase reflects improving monomer prices (£20 million or 19%) combined with higher sales volumes/mix (£5 million or 5%) net of an adverse exchange impact of £(3) million or (3)% in the three months ended September 30, 2003. This turnover includes £22 million of sales (£23 million for the same period in 2002) to our downstream operations that have not been included in our total turnover due to inter-class eliminations.

Turnover from downstream operations increased £5 million, or 8%, from £66 million for the three months ended September 30, 2002 to £71 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003. Improved prices across all downstream businesses have caused a £1 million or 2% increase in turnover compared to the three months ended September 30, 2002. Downstream volumes for the three months ended September 30, 2003 have increased by 1% compared to the three months ended September 30, 2002, with mix effects this has resulted in a increase of £5 million or 8% to the downstream turnover for the three months ended September 30, 2003 compared to September 30, 2002. Exchange movements have had an adverse impact of approximately £(1) million or (2)% on downstream turnover for the three months ended September 30, 2003.

Cost of sales was £132 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003 which is an increase of £17 million, or 15%, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2002. The increase arises due to 5% higher volumes sold combined with higher average raw material prices during the three months ended September 30, 2003 compared to the same period last year.

Net operating expenses decreased £2 million or 8% from £25 million for the three months ended September 30, 2002 to £23 million the three months ended September 30, 2003 due to lower administration and research and development costs.

Distribution costs were £10 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003 comparable to the previous year.

Administration costs decreased £1 million or 10% from £10 million for the three months ended September 30, 2002 to £9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003.

Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2003 Compared to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2002 (continued)

Net interest payable and similar charges increased by £10 million, from £nil for the three months ended September 30, 2002 to £10 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003. This increase is due almost entirely to exchange movements on the foreign currency loans that are not offset by the movement in foreign currency net assets (£3 million loss for the three months ended September 30, 2003 compared to £7 million gain for the three months ended September 30, 2002). Although the LIBOR rates have reduced for the three months ended September 30, 2003 compared to the same period last year, there was additional interest payable regarding the deep discounted bond facility put in place during December 2002 and additional interest arising from the new bonds issued in June 2003.

The tax charge was £1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003 compared to £1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2002.

Equity minority interests were £1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003 compared to £nil for the three months ended September 30, 2002 due to a stronger performance from KMC which has a 40% minority interest.

The cash generated from operating activities was an inflow of £37 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003 compared to an inflow of £25 million for the three months ended September 30, 2002. Working capital balances resulted in an inflow of £7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003 compared to an inflow of £7 million for the same period last year. A stronger operating result for the three months ended September 30, 2003 resulted in an additional £13 million inflow compared to the same period last year. Provision payments of £1million were made during the three months ended September 30, 2003 compared to £nil for the previous year.

Interest payments of £3 million were made in the three months ended September 30, 2003 (£3 million in the three months ended September 30, 2002) in line with loan agreements pertaining to the financial structure of the group. This consisted of £3 million of senior debt interest (£2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2002) plus interest on the revolving credit facility, sundry lease and other interest payments.

Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2003 Compared to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2002 (continued)

In the three months ended September 30, 2003 we made capital expenditures of £6 million as follows:

During June 2003 the company undertook a refinancing in order to fund future investment into China by issuing 50 million Euro of 10.25% senior notes at a premium of 2 million Euro. The proceeds were used to make a voluntary repayment of senior debt of £21 million (30 million Euro) and the balance (22 million Euro) to repay £15 million against the revolving credit facility until required for investment in China and pay £1 million of transaction fees.

There was a £7 million repayment on the revolving credit facility during the three months ended September 30, 2003 as a result of strong cash generation during the period.

Results of Operations for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003 Compared to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2002

Total turnover increased £91 million, or 21%, from £437 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 to £528 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003. This increase primarily reflects improved volumes/mix effects (£45 million or 10%) with improving prices (£76 million or 17%) offset by adverse exchange effects of £(30) million or (6)%. Total volumes for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 were 11% higher compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2002, reflecting recovering markets in all regions and in particular stronger upstream demand led by MMA.

Turnover from upstream operations increased £87 million, or 29%, from £298 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 to £385 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003. This increase reflects improving monomer prices (£75 million or 25%) combined with higher sales volumes and mix effects (£34 million or 11%) net of an adverse exchange impact of £(22) million or (7)% in the nine months ended September 30, 2003. This turnover includes £67 million of sales, compared to £66 million for the same period in 2002, to our downstream operations that have not been included in our total turnover due to inter-class eliminations.

Turnover from downstream operations increased by £5 million or 2% from £205 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 to £210 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003. Improved prices across all downstream businesses have caused a £8 million or 4% increase compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2002. Downstream volumes/mix for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 resulted in an increase of £5 million or 2%. Exchange movements have had an adverse impact of approximately £(8) million or (4)% on downstream turnover for the nine months ended September 30, 2003.

Cost of sales was £407 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003, which is an increase of £65 million, or 19%, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2002. The increase arises due to 11% higher volumes sold combined with higher average raw material prices during the nine months ended September 30, 2003 compared to the same period last year and are at very high absolute levels. The higher raw material prices have resulted in approximately £52 million of additional costs compared to the same period last year. The balance of the increase is due to the increased volumes sold in the nine months ended September 30, 2003 compared to the same period last year offset by lower purchase for resale costs and improved plant efficiencies.

Net operating expenses reduced £5 million or 7% from £75 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 to £70 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2002. This was due to lower research and development costs combined with lower distribution costs. The lower distribution costs arise despite higher volumes sold in the nine months ended September 30, 2003 compared to September 30, 2002. This is due to the mix of products sold.

Administration costs remained at a similar level in the nine months ended September 30, 2002 compared to those in the nine months ended September 30, 2003.

Results of Operations for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003 Compared to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2002 (continued)

Net interest payable and similar charges increased by £15 million or 75%, from £20 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 to £35 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003. This increase is due almost entirely to exchange movements on the foreign currency loans that are not offset by the movement in foreign currency net assets (£14 million loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 compared to £nil for the nine months ended September 30, 2002). Although the LIBOR rates have reduced for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 compared to the same period last year, there was continuing additional interest payable regarding the deep discounted bond facility put in place during December 2002 and additional interest arising from the new bonds issued in June 2003.

The tax charge was £3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 compared to £1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2002. This increase arises mainly due to better operating results in Asia where there are no unutilised losses to offset the liability.

Equity minority interests were £3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 compared to £1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 due to a stronger performance from KMC which has a 40% minority interest.

The cash generated from operating activities was an inflow of £67 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 compared to an inflow of £40 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 an increase of £27 million (or 67%). Working capital balances resulted in an outflow of £15 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 compared to an outflow of £14 million for the same period last year. A stronger operating result for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 resulted in an additional inflow of £29 million compared to the same period last year.

Interest payments of £15 million were made in the nine months ended September 30, 2003 (£15 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2002) in line with loan agreements pertaining to the financial structure of the group. This consisted of £7 million of senior debt interest (£7.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2002), £7 million of Senior Notes interest (£6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2002), £1 million interest on the revolving credit facility (£1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2002) plus sundry lease and other interest payments. The lower senior debt interest payment arises from lower Libor rates, the higher Senior Notes interest arises purely from exchange factors relating to a stronger Euro as the first interest payment on the new issue Euro 50 million bond is not due to be paid until November.

Results of Operations for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003 Compared to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2002 (continued)

In the nine months ended September 30, 2003 we made capital expenditures of £15 million as follows:

During June 2003 the company undertook a re-financing in order to fund future investment into China by issuing 50 million Euro of 10.25% senior notes at a premium of 2 million Euro. The proceeds were used to make a voluntary repayment of senior debt of £21million (30 million Euro) and the balance (22 million Euro) to repay £15 million against the revolving credit facility until required for future investment in China and to pay £1 million of transaction fees.

There was a £3 million repayment on the revolving credit facility during the nine months ended September 30, 2003 as a result of normal operations. The June senior A repayment of £8 million was made as scheduled. In addition a borrowing of approximately £1 million that was taken out locally in Japan earlier in 2003 has now been fully repaid.

The effects of the cash movement on the debt financing of the company are put into context in the following table:


	December 31,												September 30,
	2002			Cash			Exchange			Other			2003
	£’m			£’m			£’m			£’m			£’m

Term loan A		69			(29	)		4			—			44
Term loan B		69			—			2			—			71
Term loan C		50			—			(2	)		—			48

Total Senior debt		188			(29	)		4			—			163
Revolving Credit Facility		32			(18	)		—			—			14
Senior notes		130			—			10			—			140
Senior notes new issue		—			37			—						37
Finance lease and other short term borrowing		5			(1	)		—			—			4
Unamortised issue costs		(7	)		(1	)					(1	)		(9	)

Total Debt		348			(12	)		14			(1	)		349

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 authorised.


UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS
SIGNATURE


	£ million

Safety, health and environmental		1
Maintaining asset capacity		3
Growth projects		2

Total capital expenditure		6


	£ million

Safety, health and environmental		2
Maintaining asset capacity		5
Growth projects		8

Total capital expenditure		15

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Form 20-F [X]		Form 40-F [ ]


Yes [ ]		No [X]