[25] Inventories

The reported inventories break down as follows: > TABLE 068

Inventories

 

068

in € million

2015

2014

Materials and supplies

115.9

122.2

Work in progress

75.0

71.5

Finished goods and merchandise

359.5

330.8

Advances paid

3.1

4.7

Total inventories

553.5

529.2

The slight rise in inventories compared with 31 December 2014 was largely attributable to the increase in finished goods (up by 8.7 per cent) and work in progress (up by 4.9 per cent). By contrast, there was a decrease in materials and supplies of 5.1 per cent. In 2015, impairment losses of €12.5 million were recognised on inventories (2014: €9.1 million). Reversals of impairment losses had to be recognised in the amount of €4.6 million (2014: €4.1 million) because the reasons for the impairment losses no longer existed.