3.12 Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment are initially recorded at their cost of acquisition and/or construction and are presented net of accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses if any. The borrowing costs related to the acquisition or construction of qualifying asset is capitalized as part of the cost of that asset.
Major maintenance costs are capitalized as part of total acquisition cost. Routine maintenance and repair costs are expensed as incurred.
Investments in progress consist of long-lived assets not yet in service, in other words, that are not yet ready for the purpose that they were bought, built or developed. The Company expects to complete those investments during the following 12 months.
Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over acquisition cost. Where an item of property, plant and equipment comprises major components having different useful lives, they are accounted and depreciated for as separate items (major components) of property, plant and equipment. The Company estimates depreciation rates, considering the estimated useful lives of the assets.
The estimated useful lives of the Company’s principal assets are as follows:
| Years | ||
|
Buildings |
40 – 50 | |
|
Machinery and equipment |
10 – 20 | |
|
Distribution equipment |
7 – 15 | |
|
Refrigeration equipment |
5 – 7 | |
|
Returnable bottles |
1.5 – 4 | |
|
Other equipment |
3 – 10 |
The estimated useful lives, residual values and depreciation method are reviewed at the end of each reporting period, with the effect of any changes in estimate accounted for on a prospective basis.
An item of property, plant and equipment is derecognized upon disposal or when no future economic benefits are expected to arise from the continued use of the asset. Any gain or loss arising on the disposal or retirement of an item of property, plant and equipment is determined as the difference between the sales proceeds (if any) and the carrying amount of the asset and is recognized in consolidated income statement.
Returnable and non-returnable bottles:
The Company has two types of bottles: returnable and non-returnable.
| • | Non-returnable: Are recorded in consolidated income statement at the time of the sale of the product. |
| • | Returnable: Are classified as long-lived assets as a component of property, plant and equipment. Returnable bottles are recorded at acquisition cost and for countries with hyperinflationary economies, restated according to IAS 29. Depreciation of returnable bottles is computed using the straight-line method considering their estimated useful lives. |
There are two types of returnable bottles:
| • | Those that are in the Company’s control within its facilities, plants and distribution centers; and |
| • | Those that have been placed in the hands of customers and still belong to the Company. |
Returnable bottles that have been placed in the hands of customers are subject to an agreement with a retailer pursuant to which the Company retains ownership. These bottles are monitored by sales personnel during periodic visits to retailers and the Company has the right to charge any breakage identified to the retailer. Bottles that are not subject to such agreements are expensed when placed in the hands of retailers.
The Company’s returnable bottles are depreciated according to their estimated useful lives (3 years for glass bottles and 1.5 years for PET bottles). Deposits received from customers are amortized over the same useful estimated lives of the bottles.