2. Operating costs

2. Operating costs

As at 31 March

Note

2026

2025

€m

€m

Cost by nature:

Raw materials and consumables

2,811

3,192

Maintenance costs (excluding own labour)

433

482

Other external charges (including fuels and utilities, hire charges and carriage costs)

840

803

Employment costs

4

1,282

1,186

Depreciation and amortisation expense

315

296

Other operating items (including rents, rates, insurance and general expenses)

546

526

Changes in inventory of finished goods and work in progress

32

55

Own work capitalised

(40)

(47)

Loss/(Profit) on disposal of property, pland and equipment

(12)

(17)

6,207

6,476

The above costs include €99 million (2025: €10 million) in respect of restructuring and impairment, which relate to Employment costs of €98 million (2025: €5 million) and depreciation and amortisation of €1 million (2025: €5 million). Further analysis of restructuring and impairment costs is presented in Note 3.

As at 31 March

Note

2026

2025

€m

€m

The above costs are stated after including:

Amortisation of other intangible asset

7

11

7

Impairment losses related to property, plant and equipment

3

2

4

Depreciation of owned assets

8

275

264

Depreciation of leased assets

8

27

21

Low value lease costs

3

4

Variable lease costs

23

22

Costs of research and development (gross)

81

56

Recoveries on research and development

(13)

(4)

Impairments against trade receivables

12(ii)

1

-

Net exchange rate results

1

-

Emission rights costs

179

153