27 Share-based compensation

The DSM Stock Incentive Plan provides rules for the grant of Restricted Share Units (RSU) and Performance Share Units (PSU) to eligible employees. Any grant of share units will be conducted on the last trading day at the Amsterdam Stock Exchange in March.

The number of share units to be granted is based on the face value of the DSM share. The grant value (depending on job level) to eligible employees will be divided by the average share price in January. As a result, the number of share units to be granted annually will fluctuate with the share price development. The grant concerns the maximum number of Restricted Share Units (RSUs) and Performance Share Units (PSUs) that may vest.

RSUs and PSUs are subject to a vesting period of 3 years starting at the grant date. Vesting of RSUs is subject to continued employment until the vesting date (‘time vesting’). In addition, vesting of PSUs is also subject to the achievement of predefined performance targets at the end of the vesting period. The PSUs granted in 2020 are subject to the realization of four equally weighted goals:

• Relative Total Shareholder Return (TSR) performance versus a peer group
• Return on Capital Employed (ROCE) growth
• Energy Efficiency Improvement (EEI)
• Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHGE) reduction

Non-vested share units will be forfeited. If employment is terminated prior to the vesting date, specific rules regarding vesting and forfeitures apply.

Prior to 2017, stock options were granted to eligible executives. Stock options have a term of 8 years and are subject to a vesting period of 3 years. All outstanding stock options are vested.

Share units and stock options are settled by delivery of DSM shares.

Certain employees in the Netherlands are entitled to employee stock options, to be granted on the first day on which the DSM stock is quoted ex-dividend following the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders. The opening price of the DSM stock on that day is the exercise price of such stock options. Employee stock options can immediately be exercised and have a term of five years.

Measurement of fair value

The costs of share units are measured by reference to the fair value of the DSM share at the date on which the share units are granted, ex-dividend as the share units do not accumulate dividend during the three-year vesting period.

The costs of option plans are measured by reference to the fair value of the options at the date on which the options are granted. The fair value is determined using the Black-Scholes model, taking into account market conditions linked to the price of the DSM share. Stock-price volatility is determined on the basis of historical volatilities of the DSM share price measured each month over a period equal to the expected option life. The costs of these options are recognized in the income statement (Employee benefit costs).

Assumptions determining fair value

The following assumptions were used to determine the fair value at grant date.

An amount of €29 million is included in the costs for wages and salaries for share-based compensation (2019: €34 million). The following table specifies the share-based compensation.