| 2.21. | Leases |
| (a) | When the Company is the lessee – financial lease |
The Company leases certain Property, plant and equipment in which it has substantially all the risk and benefits deriving from the ownership; they are therefore classified as financial leases. Financial leases are initially recorded at the lower of the fair value of the asset leased and the present value of the minimum lease payments.
Every lease payment is separated between the liability component and the financial expenses so as to obtain a constant interest rate over the outstanding amount of the debt. The corresponding leasing obligations, net of financial charges, are included in other financial liabilities. The element of interest in the financial cost is charged to the consolidated statement of income over the lease period so that it produces a constant periodic rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability for each year. The asset acquired under a financial lease is depreciated over its useful life and is included in Property, plant and equipment.
| (b) | When the Company is the lessee – operating lease |
Leases, in which the lessor retains an important part of the risks and benefits deriving from ownership, are classified as operating leases. Payments with respect to operating leases (net of any incentive received from the lessor) are charged in the consolidated statement of income on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.