0001627223 us-gaap:EMEAMember 2018-01-01 2018-12-31

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 20162019

OR

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission File Number 001-36794

The Chemours Company

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

Delaware

 

46-4845564

(State or other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

1007 Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware 1989919801

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

Registrant’s Telephone Number:(302) 773-1000

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of Each Class

 

Trading Symbols(s)

Name of Exchange on Which Registered

Common Stock ($.01 par value)

CC

 

New York Stock Exchange

 

Securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

 

Indicate by check mark whetherif the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, (asas defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act).Act.

 

Yes     No  

 

 

 

Indicate by check mark whetherif the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.

 

Yes     No  

 

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

 

Yes     No  

 

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

 

Yes     No  

 

 

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrants knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer.filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definitionthe definitions of large accelerated filer,accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and large accelerated filer“emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer

Accelerated filer

Non-accelerated filer

Smaller reporting company

Emerging growth company

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

 

   

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).

 

Yes     No  

The aggregate market value of common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 30, 2016,28, 2019, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, was approximately $1.5$3.9 billion. As of February 14, 2017, 183,153,21810, 2020, 164,006,272 shares of the company’s common stock, $0.01 par value, were outstanding.

Documents Incorporated by Reference

Portions of the registrant’s definitive proxy statement relating to its 20172020 annual meeting of shareholders (2017(the “2020 Proxy Statement)Statement”) are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K where indicated. The 20172020 Proxy Statement will be filed with the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year to which this report relates.

 

 

 


The Chemours Company

Table of ContentsTABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

Page

Part I

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

 

Business

 

3

 

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

 

Risk Factors

1412

 

Item 1B.

Unresolved Staff Comments

 

26

Item 2.

Unresolved Staff CommentsProperties

27

Item 3.

Legal Proceedings

 

28

 

Item 2.4.

 

PropertiesMine Safety Disclosures

 

29

 

Item 3.Information About Our Executive Officers

 

Legal Proceedings

3029

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

30

Executive Officers of the Registrant

30

Part II

 

 

 

 

 

Item 5.

 

Market for RegistrantsRegistrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters, and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

31

Item 6.

Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data

 

33

 

Item 6.7.

 

Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data

35

Item 7.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

3634

 

Item 7A.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

60

Item 8.

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

 

61

 

Item 8.9.

 

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

62

Item 9.

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

 

6261

 

Item 9A.

Controls and Procedures

 

Controls and Procedures

6261

 

Item 9B.

Other Information

 

Other Information

6261

Part III

 

 

 

 

 

Item 10.

 

Directors, Executive Officers, and Corporate Governance

 

6362

 

Item 11.

Executive Compensation

 

Executive Compensation

6362

 

Item 12.

 

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

 

6362

 

Item 13.

 

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

 

6362

 

Item 14.

Principal Accounting Fees and Services

 

Principal Accounting Fees and Services

6362

Part IV

 

 

 

 

 

Item 15.

Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

 

Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

6463

 

Item 16.

Form 10-K Summary

 

Form 10-K Summary

6463

Signatures

 

 

 

6567

 

 

1


The Chemours Company

 

Forward-LookingForward-looking Statements

This section and other parts of this Annual Report on Form 10-K contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities law that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements provide current expectations of future events based on certain assumptions and include any statement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact. The words “believe”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “plan”, “estimate”, “target”, “project”“believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “estimate,” “target,” “project,” and similar expressions, among others, generally identify “forward-looking statements”,statements,” which speak only as of the date the statements were made. The matters discussed in these forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to these differences include those discussed below and in the within Item 1A “Risk Factors”– Risk Factors.

Forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and expectations of future events which may not be accurate or realized. Forward-looking statements also involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Chemours’our control. Important factors that may materially affect such forward-looking statements and projections include:

Fluctuations in energy and raw material prices;

fluctuations in energy and raw materials pricing;

Failure to develop and market new products and optimally manage product life cycles;

failure to develop and market new products and applications, and optimally manage product life cycles;

Our substantial indebtedness and availability of borrowing facilities, including access to our revolving credit facilities;

increased competition, and increasing consolidation of our core customers;

Uncertainty regarding the availability of additional financing in the future, and the terms of such financing;

significant litigation and environmental matters, including indemnifications we were required to assume;

Negative rating agency actions;

significant or unanticipated expenses, including, but not limited to, litigation or legal settlement expenses;

Significant litigation and environmental matters, including indemnifications we were required to assume;

our ability to manage and complete capital projects and/or planned expansions, including the start-up of capital projects;   

Failure to appropriately manage process safety and product stewardship issues;

changes in relationships with our significant customers and suppliers;

Changes in laws and regulations or political conditions;

failure to manage process safety and product stewardship issues appropriately;

Global economic and capital markets conditions, such as inflation, interest and currency exchange rates, and commodity prices, as well as regulatory requirements;

global economic and capital markets conditions, such as inflation, interest and currency exchange rates, and commodity prices, as well as regulatory requirements;

Currency related risks;

currency-related risks;

Business or supply disruptions and security threats, such as acts of sabotage, terrorism or war, weather events and natural disasters;

our current indebtedness and availability of borrowing facilities, including access to our revolving credit facilities;

Ability to protect, defend and enforce Chemours’ intellectual property rights;

business or supply disruptions and security threats, such as acts of sabotage, terrorism or war, weather events, and natural disasters;

Increased competition and increasing consolidation of our core customers;

uncertainty regarding the availability of additional financing in the future, and the terms of such financing;

Changes in relationships with our significant customers and suppliers;

negative rating agency actions;

Significant or unanticipated expenses, including but not limited to litigation or legal settlement expenses;   

changes in laws and regulations or political conditions;

Our ability to predict, identify and interpret changes in consumer preference and demand;

our ability to protect, defend, and enforce our intellectual property rights;

Our ability to realize the expected benefits of the Separation (as defined elsewhere in this Annual Report);

our ability to predict, identify, and address changes in consumer preference and demand;

Our ability to complete potential divestitures or acquisitions and our ability to realize the expected benefits of divestitures or acquisitions if they are completed;

our ability to complete potential divestitures or acquisitions and our ability to realize the expected benefits of divestitures or acquisitions if they are completed;

Our ability to deliver cost savings as anticipated, whether or not on the timelines proposed;

our ability to meet our growth expectations and outlook;

Our ability to pay a dividend and the amount of any such dividend declared; and

our ability to pay a dividend and the amount of any such dividend declared; and,

disruptions in our information technology networks and systems.

Disruptions in our information technology networks and systems.

Additionally, there may be other risks and uncertainties that we are unable to identify at this time, or that we do not currently expect to have a material impact on our business. The Company assumesWe assume no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement for any reason, except as required by law.

Unless the context otherwise requires, references herein to “The Chemours Company”, “The Chemours Company, LLC”, “Chemours”,” “Chemours,” “the Company”,Company,” “our company”, “we”, “us”,company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to The Chemours Company and its consolidated subsidiaries. References herein to “DuPont” refersrefer to E.I.E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, which is now a subsidiary of Corteva, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its consolidated subsidiaries (other than Chemours and its consolidated subsidiaries), unless the context otherwise requires.

 

 

2


The Chemours Company

 

PARTPART I

Item 1. BUSINESS

Overview

The Chemours Company (herein referred to as “us,” “we,” or “our”) is a leading, global provider of performance chemicals.  We began operating as an independent company on July 1, 2015 (the Separation Date) after separating from E. I. du Pont de Nemourschemicals that are key inputs in end-products and Company (DuPont) (the Separation). Our company is comprised of three reportable segments: Titanium Technologies, Fluoroproducts and Chemical Solutions. Our Titanium Technologies segment is the leading global producer of titanium dioxide (TiO2), a premium white pigment used to deliver whiteness, brightness, opacity and protectionprocesses in a variety of applications.industries. We deliver customized solutions with a wide range of industrial and specialty chemicals products for markets, including plastics and coatings, refrigeration and air conditioning, general industrial, electronics, mining, and oil refining. Our principal products include refrigerants, industrial fluoropolymer resins, sodium cyanide, performance chemicals and intermediates, and titanium dioxide (“TiO2”) pigment. We manage and report our operating results through three reportable segments: Fluoroproducts, Chemical Solutions, and Titanium Technologies. Our Fluoroproducts segment is a leading, global provider of fluoroproducts, including refrigerants and industrial fluoropolymer resins. Our Chemical Solutions segment is a leading, North American provider of industrial chemicals used in gold production, oilindustrial, and gas, water treatmentconsumer applications. Our Titanium Technologies segment is a leading, global provider of TiO2 pigment, a premium white pigment used to deliver whiteness, brightness, opacity, and protection in a variety of applications.

We operate 30 major production facilities located in nine countries and serve approximately 3,700 customers across a wide range of end-markets in over 120 countries.

We are committed to creating value for our customers and stakeholders through the reliable delivery of high-quality products and services around the world. To achieve this goal, we have a global team dedicated to upholding our five values: (i) customer centricity – driving customer growth, and our own, by understanding our customers’ needs and building long-lasting relationships with them; (ii) refreshing simplicity – cutting complexity by investing in what matters, and getting results faster; (iii) collective entrepreneurship – empowering our employees to act like they own our business, while embracing the power of inclusion and teamwork; (iv) safety obsession – living our steadfast belief that a safe workplace is a profitable workplace; and, (v) unshakable integrity – doing what’s right for our customers, colleagues, and communities – always.

We also have a forward-looking Corporate Responsibility commitment, which focuses on three key principles – inspired people, a shared planet, and an evolved portfolio – in an effort to achieve, among other industries.goals, increased diversity and inclusion in our global workforce, increased sustainability of our products, and becoming carbon positive. We call this responsible chemistry – it is rooted in who we are, and we expect that our Corporate Responsibility commitment will drive sustainable, long-term earnings growth.

Effective prior to the opening

Many of tradingour commercial and industrial relationships span decades. Our customer base includes a diverse set of companies, many of which are leaders in their respective industries. Our sales are not materially dependent on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)any single customer. As of December 31, 2019, no one individual customer balance represented more than 5% of our total outstanding receivables balance, and no one individual customer represented more than 10% of our consolidated net sales.

Corporate History

We began operating as an independent company on July 1, 2015 DuPont completed the separation of the businesses comprising DuPont’s Performance Chemicals reporting segment,(the “Separation Date”) after separating from E.I. du Pont de Nemours and certain other assets and liabilities, into Chemours, a separate and distinct public company. The separation was completed by way of a distribution of all of the then-outstanding shares of common stock of Chemours through a dividend in kind of Chemours’ common stock (par value $0.01) to holders of DuPont common stock (par value $0.30) as of the close of business on June 23, 2015Company (“DuPont”) (the Record Date) (the transaction is referred to herein as the Distribution)“Separation”).

On the Separation Date, each holder of DuPont’s common stock received one share of Chemours’ common stock for every five shares of DuPont’s common stock held on the Record Date. The Separation was completed pursuant to a separation agreement and other agreements with DuPont, including an employee matters agreement, a tax matters agreement, a transition services agreement, and an intellectual property cross-license agreement. These agreements govern the relationship between Chemoursus and DuPont following the separationSeparation and provided for the allocation of various assets, liabilities, rights, and obligations. Theseobligations at the Separation Date. On August 31, 2017, DuPont completed a merger with The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”). Following their merger, DuPont and Dow engaged in a series of reorganization steps and, in 2019, separated into three publicly-traded companies named Dow Inc., DuPont de Nemours, Inc., and Corteva, Inc. (“Corteva”). DuPont is now a subsidiary of Corteva, and, at this time, any agreements also included arrangements for transition services provided by DuPont to Chemours that were substantially completed during 2016.

We operate 26 production facilities located in 10 countries and serve over 3,800 customers across a wide range of end markets in more than 130 countries.  The following chart illustrates the global sales of our businesses for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014:

Chemours is committed to creating value for our customers through the reliable delivery of high quality products and services around the globe.  We create value for customers and stockholders through (i) operational excellence and asset efficiency, which includes our commitment to safety and environmental stewardship, (ii) strong customer focus to produce innovative, high-performance products, (iii) focus on cash flow generation through optimization of our cost structure, and improvement in working capital and supply chain efficiencies through our transformation plan (described below), (iv) organic growth and inorganic expansions to current business and (v) creation of an organization that is committedrelated to our corporate values of safety, customer appreciation, simplicity, collective entrepreneurshipSeparation remain between us and integrity.DuPont.

Many of Chemours’ commercial and industrial relationships span decades. Our customer base includes a diverse set of companies, many of which are leaders in their respective industries.  Our sales are not materially dependent on any single customer.  As of

3


The Chemours Company

 

December 31, 2016, noSegments

In our Fluoroproducts segment, we are a globally-integrated producer making both fluorochemicals and fluoropolymers. In our Fluorochemicals business, there is increased adoption of Opteon™, one individual customer balance represented more than five percent of Chemours’ total outstanding receivables balancethe world’s lowest global warming potential (“GWP”) refrigerant brands, as governments around the world pass legislation that makes the use of low GWP refrigerants a requirement. Our Fluoropolymers offerings provide customers with tailored products that have unique properties, including very high temperature resistance, high chemical resistance, resistivity, and noselective permeability. We will continue to invest in research and development (“R&D”) to remain a leader in these areas and ensure that we are able to meet our customers’ needs.

In our Chemical Solutions segment, our Mining Solutions and Performance Chemicals and Intermediates businesses produce industrial chemicals used in various applications by our customers, which are primarily located in the Americas. As one individual customer represented more than ten percentof the largest North American producers of solid sodium cyanide, our Mining Solutions business is recognized for its high quality product offering, reliability of supply, and commitment to the safe production, storage, and use of our sales.

Chemours Five-Point Transformation Plan

Followingproducts. Global demand growth over the Separation, Chemours developed a Five-Point Transformation Plannext three years is expected to address changesremain healthy, driven by growth in gold ore processing volumes. In our Mining Solutions business, particularly in the Americas region, the demand for sodium cyanide is expected to exceed global demand growth rates. In our organization, cost structurePerformance Chemicals and portfolio of businesses. We have made considerable progress onIntermediates business, growth in demand for our transformation plan throughout 2016,products is expected to generally grow in line with additional cost reductions and growth targeted in 2017.

The objectives of our multi-year five-point transformation plan are to improve our financial performance, streamline and strengthen our portfolio and reduce our leverage by:

1.

Reducing our costs through a simpler business model;

2.

Optimizing our portfolio to focus on our businesses where we have leading positions;

3.

Growing our market positions where we have competitive advantages;

4.

Refocusing our investments by concentrating our capital expenditures on our core businesses; and

5.

Enhancing our organization to deliver our values and support our transformation to a higher-value chemistry company.

Through cost reduction and growth, Chemours expects the transformation plan to deliver $500 million of incremental Adjusted EBITDA improvement over 2015 through 2017.  Based on our anticipated cost reduction and growth initiatives, we expect that our cost savings of approximately $350 million and approximately $150 million in improvements from growth initiatives will also improve our pre-tax earnings by similar amounts over 2015 through 2017. These improvements will be partially offset by the impact of divestitures completed during 2016, unfavorable price and mix of fluoropolymer products and may also be impacted by market factors.  For the year ended December 31, 2016, we had a pre-tax loss and Adjusted EBITDA of $11 million and $822 million, respectively, compared to a pre-tax loss of $188 million and adjusted EBITDA of $573 million for the year ended December 31, 2015.  Our 2016 pre-tax loss includes net gain from divestitures of approximately $254 million offset by $335 million litigation accrual related to the PFOA MDL Settlement (see Item 3. Legal Proceedings, Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, and Note 20 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report)global gross domestic product (“GDP”).

Through a combination of higher cash flow from operations, lower capital spending, and proceeds from asset sales, we anticipate reducing our leverage ratio (net debt to Adjusted EBITDA) to approximately three times by the end of 2017.  As of December 31, 2016, our leverage ratio is approximately 3.3 times.  

Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure.  For a discussion of our use of non-GAAP financial measures and reconciliations to the closest GAAP financial measures, see Item 7 - Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Non-GAAP Financial Measures.  

Segments

In our Titanium Technologies segment, we have a long-standing history of delivering high-quality TiO2 pigment using our proprietary chloride technology. We are one of the largest global producerproducers of TiO2,pigment, and our low-cost network of manufacturing facilities allows us to efficiently and cost-effectively serve our global customer base. During 2016,We believe we further enhanced our operating cost advantage with the startup of our second production line at our Altamira, Mexico facility.  Chemours is well positionedare well-positioned to remain one of the lowest costlowest-cost, high-quality TiO2 pigment producers, and we will continue to meet our customers’ growing needs around the world.

In our Fluoroproducts segment, we are one of two globally integrated producers making both fluorochemicals and fluoropolymers.  In Fluorochemicals, we expect to see increased adoption of Opteon™, the world’s lowest global warming potential refrigerant, as governments around the world pass legislation that makes the use of low global warming potential refrigerants a requirement.  Our fluoropolymers offerings provide customers with tailored products that have unique properties, including very high temperature resistance and high chemical resistance. We will continue to invest in research and development to remain a leader in these areas, and ensure that we are able to meet our customers’ needs as regulations change.

In our Chemical Solutions segment, we completed our strategic review of our portfolio in 2016, including the announced sales of the Beaumont Aniline facility, Clean & Disinfect business, and Sulfur products business, and ceased production at our Reactive Metals Solutions (RMS) facility in Niagara Falls, New York. We remain committed to retaining and improving our Mining Solutions

4


The Chemours Company

business (previously known as Cyanides business) and the product lines at our Belle, West Virginia site. We are investing in our Mining Solutions business during 2017 and 2018 to increase our capacity by approximately 50 percent. This additional capacity will allow us to serve the growing demand for sodium cyanide in the gold mining industry in the Americas.

We will maintain our commitment to responsible stewardship and safety for our employees, customers, and the communities wherein which we operate. Meeting and exceeding our customers’ expectations while conducting business in accordance with our high ethical standards will continue to be a primary focus for our companyus as we continue to transform Chemours intooperate as a higher-value chemistry company.

Additional information on our segments can be found inItem 7 – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Note 24“Note 28 – Geographic and Segment Information” to the Consolidated Financial Statements.Statements.

Titanium Technologies

Fluoroproducts Segment

Segment Overview

The Chemours Titanium Technologies segment is the leading global manufacturer of titanium dioxide, or TiO2.  TiO2 is a pigment used to deliver whiteness, opacity, brightness and protection from sunlight in applications such as architectural and industrial coatings, flexible and rigid plastic packaging, PVC window profiles, laminate papers, coated paper and coated paperboard used for packaging.  We sell our TiO2 products under the Ti-Pure™ brand name to over 800 customers globally. We operate four TiO2 production facilities: two in the United States (U.S.), one in Mexico and one in Taiwan.  In addition, we have a large-scale repackaging and distribution facility in Belgium and operate a mineral sands mining operation in Starke, Florida.  In total, we have a TiO2 capacity of 1.25 million metric tons per year.  In 2016, we expanded our TiO2 production facility in Altamira, Mexico.  We plan to steadily ramp up production at Altamira, with full capacity of the new line reaching approximately 200,000 metric tons annually being achieved over the next few years.

Chemours is one of a limited number of producers operating a chloride process for the production of TiO2.  We believe that our proprietary chloride technology enables us to operate plants at a much higher capacity than other chloride technology-based TiO2 producers, uniquely utilizing a broad spectrum of titanium-bearing ore feedstocks and achieving the highest unit margins in our industry.  This technology, which is in use at all of our production facilities, provides us with one of the industry’s lowest manufacturing cost positions.  Our research and development efforts focus on improving production processes and developing TiO2 grades that help our customers achieve optimal cost and product performance.

TiO2 demand is highly correlated to growth in the global residential housing, commercial construction and packaging markets. Industry demand for TiO2 is generally expected to be in line with global GDP growth, and can be cyclical due to economic and industry-specific market dynamics. We believe that the TiO2 demand grew above GDP growth rates in 2016 due to a pent-up demand created by destocking in 2015. We believe the market growth seen in 2016 was a combination of market growth and the return to more typical customer inventory levels. We expect TiO2 demand growth to return to approximate GDP growth rates in the long-term. Chemours’ future demand growth may be below average global GDP growth rates if our sales into developed markets outpaces our sales into emerging markets.

Our Titanium Technologies segment net sales by region for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014 is shown in the chart below:

5


The Chemours Company

We sell over 20 different grades of TiO2, with each pigment grade tailored for targeted applications.  Our portfolio of premium performance TiO2 pigment grades provide end users with benefits beyond opacity, such as longer lasting performance, brighter colors and the brilliant whites achievable only through Chloride manufactured pigment.

We have operated a titanium mine in Starke, Florida since 1949.  The mine provides us with access to a low cost source of domestic, high quality ilmenite ore feedstock and supplies less than ten percent of our ore feedstock consumption needs.  Co-products of our mining operations, which comprised less than five percent of our total sales in Titanium Technologies in 2016, are zircon (zirconium silicate) and staurolite minerals.  We are a major supplier of high quality calcined zircon in North America, primarily focused on the precision investment casting (PIC) industry, foundry and specialty applications, and ceramics.  Our staurolite blasting abrasives, sold as Starblast, are used in steel preparation and maintenance, and paint removal.

Revenue and earnings performance in Titanium Technologies reflect the cyclical nature of the global TiO2 business. TiO2 pricing tends to move up and down in a cyclical manner depending in large part on global economic conditions. Following the global financial crisis in 2008, global economic recovery, resulting from the impact of government stimulus, resulted in strong customer demand for TiO2 compared to available supply. This drove TiO2 prices higher, ultimately reaching a historical peak in 2012. New industry capacity, stimulated by that period of strong demand between 2008-2012, came online at the same time that global GDP fell back to a 2-3 percent annual growth rate. This oversupply situation resulted in price declines, until early 2016. We believe the TiO2 industry has moved past the bottom of the cycle and has returned to a modest level of profitability.  As described, Titanium Technologies has unique capabilities which deliver the industry’s best cost position, resulting in strong operating cash flow.

Industry Overview and Competitors

We estimate the worldwide demand for TiO2 in 2016 was approximately 5.7 million metric tons, of which 3.6 million metric tons were for premium performance pigments. Worldwide capacity in 2016 was estimated to be approximately 7.0 million metric tons. The products manufactured on this global capacity base are not fully substitutable due to pigment quality consistency and pigment product design. We believe that the utilization of the premium performance manufacturing base is considerably higher than that for general purpose - lower performance production.

Competition in the TiO2 pigment market is based primarily on product performance (both product design and quality consistency), supply capability and technical service.  Our major competitors within higher performance pigments include: The National Titanium Dioxide Company, Ltd. (Cristal), Huntsman International LLC, Kronos Worldwide, Inc. and Tronox Limited.

Beyond multi-national suppliers, the other TiO2 pigment producers are very fragmented and mostly utilize the sulfate production process and compete in the general purpose – lower performance pigment market.  In 2016, the combination of Sichuan Lomon and Henan Billions into the Lomon Billions entity demonstrated the consolidation of Chinese producers and created a large global producer representing approximately eight percent of global capacity.  In the next one to three years, industry experts believe that there will be no new capacity added outside of China. Within China, the announced added effective capacity is expected to be somewhat offset by capacity shutdowns at marginal producers.  Certain new capacity additions announced in China are based on a chloride technology.  

Raw Materials

The primary raw materials used in the manufacture of TiO2 are titanium-bearing ores, chlorine, calcined petroleum coke and energy.  We source titanium-bearing ores from a number of suppliers around the globe, who are primarily located in Australia and Africa.  Our titanium mine in Starke, Florida supplies less than ten percent of our raw material needs.  To ensure proper supply volume and to minimize pricing volatility, we generally enter into contracts in which volume is requirement-based and pricing is determined by a range of mechanisms structured to help us achieve competitive pricing relative to the market.  We typically enter into a combination of long- and mid-term supply contracts and source our raw material from multiple suppliers across different regions and from multiple sites per supplier.  Furthermore, we typically purchase multiple grades of ore from each supplier to limit our exposure to any single supplier for any single grade of ore in any given time period.  Historically, we have not experienced any problems renewing such contracts for raw materials or securing our supply of titanium-bearing ores.

We play an active role in ore source development around the globe, especially for those ores which can only be used by Chemours, given the capability of our unique process technology.  Supply chain flexibility allows for ore purchase and use optimization to manage short-term demand fluctuations and provides long-term competitive advantage.  Our process technology and ability to use lower grade ilmenite ore gives us the flexibility to alter our ore mix to the lowest cost configuration based on sales, demand and projected ore pricing.  Lastly, we have taken steps to optimize routes for distribution and increase storage capacity at our production facilities.

6


The Chemours Company

Transporting chlorine, one of our primary raw materials, can be costly.  To reduce our expense and our need to transport chlorine, we have a chlor-alkali production facility run by a third party that is co-located at our New Johnsonville, Tennessee site. Calcined petroleum coke is an important raw material input to our process.  We source calcined petroleum coke from well-established suppliers in North America and China, typically under contracts that run multiple years to facilitate material and logistics planning through the supply chain.  Distribution efficiency is enhanced through use of bulk ocean, barge and rail transportation modes.

Energy is another key input cost into the TiO2 manufacturing process, representing approximately ten percent of the production cost.  Chemours has access to natural gas based energy at our U.S. and Mexico TiO2 production facilities and our Florida minerals plant, supporting advantaged energy costs given the low cost shale gas in the U.S.  Natural gas-based cogeneration of steam and electricity was recently extended as part of the major expansion at one of our TiO2 production facilities.

Sales, Marketing and Distribution

We sell the majority of our products through a direct sales force.  We also utilize third-party sales agents and distributors to expand our reach.  TiO2 represents a significant raw material cost for our customers and as a result, purchasing decisions are often made by our customers’ senior management team.  Our sales organization works to develop and maintain close relationships with key decision makers in our value chain.

In addition, our sales and technical service teams work together to develop relationships with all layers of our customers’ organizations to ensure that we meet our customers’ commercial and technical requirements.  When appropriate, we collaborate closely with customers to solve formulation or application problems by modifying product characteristics or developing new product grades.

To ensure an efficient distribution, we have a large fleet of railcars, which are predominantly used for outbound distribution of products in the U.S. and Canada.  A dedicated logistics team, along with external partners, continually optimizes the assignment of our transportation equipment to product lines and geographic regions in order to maximize utilization and maintain an efficient supply chain.

Customers

Globally, we serve over 800 customers through our Titanium Technologies segment.  In 2016, our ten largest Titanium Technologies customers accounted for approximately 30 percent of the segment’s sales. No single Titanium Technologies customer represented more than ten percent of our segment sales in 2016. Our larger customers in the U.S. and Europe are typically served through direct sales and tend to have medium- to long-term contracts with annual supply volume requirements and periodic price adjustment mechanisms.  We serve our small- and mid-size customers through a combination of our direct sales and distribution network.

Our direct customers in Titanium Technologies are producers of decorative coatings, automotive and industrial coatings, polyolefin masterbatches, polyvinylchloride window profiles, engineering polymers, laminate paper, coatings paper and coated paperboard.  We focus on developing long-term partnerships with key market participants in each of these sectors.  We also deliver a high level of technical service to satisfy our customers’ specific needs, which helps us maintain strong customer relationships.

Seasonality

The demand for TiO2 is subject to seasonality due to the influence of weather conditions and holiday seasons on some of our applications, such as decorative coatings.  As a result, our TiO2 sales volume is typically lowest in the first quarter, highest in the second and third quarters and moderate in the fourth quarter.  This pattern applies to the entire TiO2 market, but may vary by region, country or application.  It can also be altered by economic or other demand cycles.

Fluoroproducts Segment

Segment Overview

Our Fluoroproducts segment is a leading, global leader in providingprovider of fluorine-based, advanced material solutions.materials solutions, such as refrigerants and industrial resins and derivatives. The segment creates products that have unique properties, such as high temperature resistance, high chemical resistance, and unique di-electric properties, for applications across a broad array of industries and applications. We are a global leader in providing fluoroproducts, such as refrigerants and industrial fluoropolymer resins and derivatives.  

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The Chemours Company

The manufacturing of fluoroproducts involves complex processes which include the use of highly corrosive and hazardous intermediates.  We have an industry-leading safety culture and apply world-class R&D and technical expertise to ensure that our operations run safely and reliably. These capabilities, alongside our researchreliably, and development expertise, allow us to continuously improve our process technology.

We sell fluoroproducts through two primary product groups: Fluorochemicals and Fluoropolymers.

Fluorochemicals products include refrigerants, air conditioning, foam expansionblowing agents, propellants and fire extinguishants.propellants. We have held a leading position in the fluorochemicals market since the commercial introduction of Freon™ in 1930. Since the original chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) based(“CFC”)-based product was introduced, we have been at the forefront of new-technologynew technology research for lower global warmingGWP and lesser ozone-depleting potential and ozone depleting products, leading to the development of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (“HCFC”) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs)(“HFC”). We have a leading position in HFC refrigerants under the brand name Freon™, and we are a leader in the development of sustainable technologies like Opteon™, a line of low Global Warming Potential (GWP)GWP hydrofluoroolefin (HFO)(“HFO”) refrigerants, which also have a zero ozone depletionozone-depletion footprint. Opteon™ was jointlyinitially developed with Honeywell International, Inc., in response to the European Union’s (EU)(“EU”) Mobile Air Conditioning (MAC) Directive. Today, our OpteonTM-branded portfolio of products are used in a broad range of applications, including automotive, air conditioning, commercial refrigeration, and foam blowing agents. This patented technology offers similar functionality to current HFC products, but meets or exceeds currently mandatedbetters currently-mandated environmental standards and, in some cases, provides energy efficiency benefits.

We led the industry in the Montreal-Protocol (1987) drivenMontreal Protocol-driven transition in 1987 from CFCs to the lesser ozone depletingozone-depleting HCFCs and non-ozone depletingnon-ozone-depleting HFCs. In 1988, we committed to cease production of CFCs and started manufacturing non-ozone depletingnon-ozone-depleting HFCs in the early 1990s. Driven by new and emerging environmental legislations and standards currentlylegislation being implementedenacted across the U.S., Europe, Latin America, and Japan, we have commercialized Opteon™. Over the years, regulation hasregulations have pushed the industry to evolve and respond to environmental concerns. We will continue to invest in research and developmentR&D to ensure that we remain a leader and are able to meet our customers’ needs as regulations change.

Fluorochemicals’ refrigerant sales fluctuate by season as sales in the first half of the year generally are slightly higher than sales in the second half of the year. However, Opteon™ sales into mobile air markets will be driven by automotive production, which may lead to less seasonality within Fluorochemicals overall.4


The Chemours Company

Fluoropolymers products include various industrial resins, coatings,specialty products, and other downstream products.coatings. We serve a wide range of essential industrial and end-user applications, spanning from wearableincluding electronics, tocommunications, automotive, network cables, pipe liningwire and gaskets,cable, energy, oil and gas, and aerospace, among others. Our products’ unique properties include chemical inertness, thermal stability, non-stick adhesion, low friction, weather and corrosion resistance, non-stick adhesion, thermal stability, and extreme temperature resistance.

resistance, and unique di-electric properties. Our Fluoropolymers products are sold under the brand names Teflon™, Viton™, Krytox™, and Nafion™. Teflon™ coatings, and additives are used in multiple end products including paints, fabrics, carpets, clothing, and other household applications. Teflon™ coatings, resins, additives, and films are also used in a wide range of industrial products. Our fluoroelastomer products, sold under the Viton™ brand name, are used in automotive, consumer electronics, chemical processing, oil and gas, petroleum refining and transportation, and aircraft and aerospace applications. Our Krytox™ branded-branded lubricants are used in a broad range of industrial applications, including bearings, electric motors, and gearboxes. We sell membranes underUnder the brand name Nafion™, we sell membranes, which are used in fuel cells, energy flow battery storage, transportation, stationary power, and medical tubing.

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The Chemours Company

The Fluoroproducts segment’s net sales by region and product group for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014 are shown in the charts below:

 

Industry Overview and Competitors

Our Fluoroproducts segment competes against a broad variety of global manufacturers, including Honeywell, Arkema, Mexichem, Daikin, Solvay and Dyneon, as well as regional Chinese and Indian manufacturers. We have a leadership position in fluorine chemistry and materials science, a broad scope and scale of operations, market driven applicationmarket-driven applications development, and deep customer knowledge.

Chemours has global leadership positions Key competitors in the following fluoroproduct categories as set forthFluorochemicals include: Honeywell International, Inc., Arkema S.A., Orbia, Dongyue Group Co., Ltd. (“Dongyue”), and Juhua Group Corporation. Key competitors in the table below:Fluoropolymers include: Daikin Industries, Ltd., 3M Company, Solvay, S.A., Asahi Glass Co., Ltd., Dongyue, and Chenguang Group.

 

Fluoroproducts Leadership Positions

Product Group

Position

Key Applications

Key Competitors

Fluorochemicals

#1 Globally

Refrigeration and Air Conditioning

Honeywell, Arkema, Mexichem, Dongyue, Juhua

Fluoropolymers

#1 Globally

Diversified industrial

applications

Daikin, 3M, Solvay, Asahi Glass Company, Dongyue, Chenguang

Fluoroproducts demand growth is generally in line with global GDP.GDP growth. Within Fluorochemicals, growth may be expected to be higher than GDP in situations where, for environmental reasons, regulatory drivers constrain the market or drive the market toward lower global warmingGWP alternatives. In Fluoropolymers, overall market growth is expected to be in line with GDP over the next few years, but may be influenced by increased competition and pricing pressure in some businesses.

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The Chemours Company

There are certain emerging technologies, such as 5G, along with our focus on application development, that may drive our growth at a rate faster than GDP. Developed markets represent the largest consumers of fluoroproducts markets today. Global middle class growth and the increasing demand for expanding infrastructure, alternative energy, consumer electronics, telecommunications, automobiles, refrigeratorsrefrigeration, and air conditionersconditioning are all key drivers of increased demand for various fluoroproducts.

Raw Materials

The primary raw materials required to support the Fluoroproducts segment are fluorspar, chlorinated organics, chlorinated inorganics, hydrofluoric acid, and vinylidene fluoride. These are available in many countries and are not concentrated in any particular region.

Our We pursue maximum competitiveness in our global supply chains are designed for maximum competitiveness through favorable sourcing of key raw materials. Our contracts typically include terms that span from two to ten10 years, except for select resale purchases that are negotiated on a monthly basis. Most qualified FluorsparQualified fluorspar sources have fixed contract prices or freely negotiatedfreely-negotiated, market-based pricing. Although the fluoroproduct industry has historically relied primarily on fluorspar exports from China, Chemours has diversified itsWe diversify our sourcing through multiple geographic regions and suppliers to ensure a stable and cost competitive supply. Our current supply agreements are generally in effect for the next five years.

Sales, Marketing, and Distribution

With more than 85 years of innovation and development in fluorine science, our technical, marketing, and sales teams around the world have deep expertise in our products and their end-uses. We work with customers to select the appropriate fluoroproducts to meet their technical performance needs. We sell our products through direct channels and through resellers. Selling agreements vary by product line and markets served and include both spot pricingspot-pricing arrangements and contracts with a typical duration of one year.

We maintain a large fleet of railcars, tank trucks, and containers to deliver our products and support our supply chain needs. For the portion of the fleet that is leased, the related lease terms are usually staggered, which provides us with a competitive cost position, as well as the ability to adjust the size of our fleet in response to changes in market conditions. A dedicated logistics team, along with external partners, continually optimizes the assignment of our transportation equipment to product lines and geographic regions in order to maximize utilization and flexibility of the supply chain.

Customers

We serve

The Fluoroproducts segment serves approximately 2,7002,800 customers and distributors globally and, in many instances, these commercial relationships have been in place for decades. No single Fluoroproducts customer represented more than ten percent10% of the segment’s net sales in 2016.2019.

Seasonality5


The Chemours Company

Seasonality

Fluorochemicals’ refrigerant sales fluctuate by season, as sales in Fluorochemicalsthe first half of the year are generally higher than sales is mainly driven byin the second half of the year due to increased demand for residential, commercial, and automotive air conditioning in the spring.  This demandspring, which peaks in the summer months, and then declines in the fall and winter.  Commercial refrigeration demand is fairly steady throughoutwinter in the year, butnorthern hemisphere. Mobile air conditioning demand is slightly higher duringin the summer months.first half of the year due to the timing of automotive production shutdowns in the second half of the year. There is no significant seasonality for Fluoropolymers, as demand is relatively consistent throughout the year.year.

Chemical Solutions Segment

Segment Overview

Our Chemical Solutions segment comprisesis comprised of a portfolio of industrial chemical businesses, primarily operating in the Americas. The Chemical Solutions segment’s products are used as important raw materials and catalysts for a diverse group of industries including, among others, gold production, oil and gas, water treatment, electronics, and automotive. We are a leading provider of sodium cyanide in the Americas through our Mining Solutions business. Chemical Solutions generates value through the use of market leadingmarket-leading manufacturing technology, safety performance, product stewardship, and differentiated logistics capabilities.

As part of our transformation plan announced in 2015, we conducted a strategic review of our

The Chemical Solutions segment. The process resulted in the divestiture of three assets and businesses, the shutdown of one business and the decision to retain the remaining businesses. Specifically, we sold our Aniline facility in Beaumont, Texas to The Dow Chemical Company in March 2016.  We also sold our Sulfur Products business to Veolia in July 2016 and our Clean & Disinfect business to LANXESS Corporation (“Lanxess”) in August 2016. These divestitures resulted in gross proceeds of approximately $685 million in 2016. In addition, we ceased production at our RMS facility in Niagara Falls, New York in September 2016. The segment continues to include our mining solutions business

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The Chemours Company

as well as the product lines at our Belle, West Virginia site, which include our Methylamines, Glycolic Acid and Vazo™ free radical initiators product lines.

Chemical Solutions operateshas operations at three dedicated production facilities in North America, which sellssell products and solutions through two primary product groups: Mining Solutions and Performance Chemicals &and Intermediates. The Mining Solutions product group includes our sodium cyanide hydrogen cyanide, and potassiumhydrogen cyanide product lines. We are thea market leader in solid sodium cyanide production in the Americas, which is used primarily by the mining industry for gold and silver production. We are also investing in a new sodium cyanide production facility in Mexico, for which construction is currently suspended as discussed further in “Note 22 – Commitments and Contingent Liabilities” to the Consolidated Financial Statements. For our Mining Solutions product group, we expect global demand growth to remain healthy over the next few years. In the Performance Chemicals &and Intermediates product group, we manufacture a wide variety of chemicals used in many different applications. Following the recent divestitures, Performance Chemicals &and Intermediates is now primarily comprised of our Methylamines, Glycolic Acid, Vazo™, and Vazo™Aniline product lines.lines, following our exit of the Methylamines and Methylamides business at our Belle, West Virginia production facility. Our plans to exit the business were announced in the third quarter of 2019, culminating in our completed exit and sale of the business to Belle Chemical Company, a subsidiary of Cornerstone Chemical Company, in the fourth quarter of 2019. Our remaining Performance Chemicals &and Intermediates business is expected to generally grow in line with growth in global GDP.

Chemical Solutions segment’s net sales by region and primary product groups for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014 are shown in the charts below.

1

2015 and 2014 sales were recast to exclude sales from divested business.

2

Includes sales from our C&D business, Sulfur business and Aniline facility in Beaumont, TX, which were sold during 2016.

Industry Overview and Competitors

The industrial and specialty chemicals produced by our Chemical Solutions segment are important raw materials for a wide range of industries and end markets.end-markets. We hold a long standinglong-standing reputation for high quality, and the safe handlingsafe-handling of hazardous products, such as

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The Chemours Company

sodium cyanide, methylaminesAniline, and Vazo™. Our competitive cost positions in these products are the result of our process technology, manufacturing scale, efficient supply chain, and proximity to large customers. Our Chemical Solutions segment also holds and occasionally licenses, what we believe to be a leading process technologies for the production of hydrogen and sodium cyanide, which are used in industrial polymers and in gold production.

Chemours has global leadership positions in The segment occasionally licenses these process technologies, as well as its process technology for the following product categories:production of acrylonitrile. Key competitors for the Chemicals Solutions segment include Cyanco Corp., Hebei Chengxin Group Co. Ltd., CyPlus GmbH, Orica Ltd., and Tongsuh Petrochemical Corp., Ltd.

 

Chemical Solutions Leadership Positions

Product (Product Group)

Position

Key Applications

Key Competitors

Mining Solutions 1

#1 in Solid Sodium Cyanide in the

Americas

Gold Production

Orica, Cyanco

1

Previously known as Cyanides business product group, which was renamed to Mining Solutions for the year ended December 31, 2016.

Raw Materials

Key raw materials for our Chemical Solutions segment include ammonia, methanol, natural gas, hydrogen, and caustic soda. We source raw materials from global and regional suppliers, where possible, and maintain multiple supplier relationships to protect against supply disruptions and potential price increases. To further mitigate the risk of raw materialmaterials availability and cost fluctuation,fluctuations, our Chemical Solutions segment has also taken steps to optimize routes for distribution, lock in long-term contracts with key suppliers, and increase the number of customer contracts with raw materialmaterials price pass-through terms. We do not believe that the loss of any particular supplier would be material to our business.

Sales, Marketing, and Distribution

Our technical, marketing, and sales teams around the world have deep expertise with our products and their end markets.end-markets. We predominantly sell directly to end-customers, although we also use a network of distributors for specific product lines and geographies. Sales may take place through either spot transactions or via long-term contracts.


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The Chemours Company

Most of Chemical Solutions’ raw materials and products can be delivered by efficient bulk transportation. As such, we maintain a large fleet of railcars, tank trucks, and containers to support our supply chain needs. For the portion of the fleet that is leased, the related lease terms are usually staggered, which provides us with a competitive cost position as well as the ability to adjust the size of our container fleet in response to changes in market conditions. A dedicated logistics team, along with external partners, continually optimizes the assignment of our transportation equipment to product lines and geographic regions in order to maximize utilization and flexibility of the supply chain.

The strategic placement of our production facilities in locations designed to serve our key customer base in the Americas gives us robust distribution capabilities.

Customers

Our Chemical Solutions segment focuses on developing long-term partnerships with key market participants. Many of our commercial and industrial relationships have been in place for decades and are based on our proven value proposition of safely and reliably supplying our customers with the materials needed for their operations. Our reputation and long-term track record is aare key competitive advantageadvantages, as several of the products’ end usersend-users demand the highest level of excellence in safe manufacturing, distribution, handling, and storage. Our Chemical Solutions segment has U.S. Department of Transportation Special Permits and Approvals in place for the distribution of various materials associated with each of our business lines, as required. Our Chemical Solutions segment serves over 400approximately 500 customers globally. No single Chemical Solutions customer represented more than ten percent10% of the segment’s net sales in 2016.2019.

Seasonality

Our Chemical Solutions segmentsegment’s sales are subject to minimal seasonality.

Titanium Technologies Segment

Segment Overview

Our Titanium Technologies segment is a leading, global manufacturer of high-quality TiO2 pigment. TiO2 pigment is used to deliver whiteness, brightness, opacity, and ultra-violet light protection in applications such as architectural and industrial coatings, flexible and rigid plastic packaging, polyvinylchloride (“PVC”), laminate papers used for furniture and building materials, coated paper, and coated paperboard used for packaging. We sell our TiO2 pigment under the Ti-Pure™ brand name. We also sell a chloride-based TiO2 pigment under the BaiMaxTM brand name, which is exclusively produced for customers in Greater China. We operate four TiO2 pigment production facilities: two in the U.S., one in Mexico, and one in Taiwan. In addition, we have a large-scale repackaging and distribution facility in Belgium. We also operate mineral sands mining and separation operations in Starke, Florida, as well as mineral sands mining operations in Folkston, Georgia and mineral sands separation operations in Offerman, Georgia. In total, we have a TiO2 pigment nameplate capacity of approximately 1.25 million metric tons per year.

We are one of a limited number of manufacturers operating a chloride process for the production of TiO2 pigment. We believe that our proprietary chloride technology enables us to operate plants at a much higher capacity than other chloride technology-based TiO2 pigment producers, as we uniquely utilize a broad spectrum of titanium-bearing ore feedstocks to achieve one of the highest TiO2 pigment unit margins in our industry. This technology, which is in use at all of our production facilities, provides us with one of the industry’s lowest manufacturing cost positions. Our R&D efforts focus on improving production processes and developing TiO2 pigment grades that help our customers achieve optimal cost and product performance to enhance end-user total value.

We sell over 20 different grades of TiO2 pigment, with each grade tailored for targeted applications. Our portfolio of premium performance TiO2 pigment grades provides end-users with benefits beyond opacity, such as longer-lasting performance, brighter colors, and the brilliant whites achievable only through chloride-manufactured pigment.

We have operated a titanium mine in Starke, Florida since 1949. Additionally, in 2019, we acquired a titanium mine in Folkston, Georgia, from which we source ore feedstock to be processed at its associated mineral sands separation facility in Offerman, Georgia. The recently added mine and separation facility were attained in the third quarter of 2019 as part of our acquisition of Southern Ionics Minerals, LLC (“SIM”), which expands our flexibility and scalability to internally source ore. These mines provide us with access to low-cost sources of domestic, high-quality ilmenite ore feedstock and supply less than 10% of our ore feedstock consumption needs, with expansion options that could effectively double our in-sourced material base. Co-products of our mining operations, which comprised less than 5% of our total net sales in Titanium Technologies during 2019, are zircon (zirconium silicate) and staurolite minerals. We are a major supplier of high-quality calcined zircon in North America, primarily focused on the precision investment casting industry, foundry, specialty applications, and ceramics. Our staurolite blasting abrasives are used in a variety of surface preparation applications, including steel preparation and maintenance and paint removal.

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The Chemours Company

Industry Overview and Competitors

The overall demand for TiO2 pigment is highly correlated to growth in the global residential housing, commercial construction, and packaging markets. In the long-run, industry demand for TiO2 pigment is generally expected to grow proportionately with GDP growth. We continue to experience customers’ preference for high-quality Ti-PureTM offerings. After 2016 and 2017 demand in the TiO2 pigment market above GDP growth, the TiO2 pigment market contracted below the GDP trend in 2018 and 2019. In the longer-term, we expect global TiO2 pigment demand to resume its historical correlation with global GDP growth rates.

We estimate that the worldwide demand for TiO2 pigment in 2019 was approximately 6.1 million metric tons, of which approximately 60% was for premium performance pigments. Worldwide nameplate capacity in 2019 was estimated to be approximately 8.0 million metric tons. The products manufactured on this global capacity base are not fully substitutable due to pigment quality consistency and pigment product design. We believe that the utilization of the premium performance manufacturing base is considerably higher than that for general purpose, lower-performance production. Over the next few years, as customer demand grows, we will be able to incrementally increase our production capacity by approximately 10% through technology-enabled de-bottlenecking processes. We believe that unlocking this additional 10% of capacity is in line with the anticipated needs of our customers during this time. This new capacity is expected to provide the equivalent of a new production line, while requiring a fraction of the capital investment. Our increased production capacity will be supported by investments to extend our ilmenite mines and through long-term contracts with our suppliers.

Competition in the TiO2 pigment market is based primarily on product performance (both product design and quality consistency), supply capability, price, and technical service. Our major competitors within higher-performance pigments include: Tronox Holdings plc, Venator Materials plc, Kronos Worldwide, Inc., and INEOS AG. Beyond multi-national suppliers, the only other large producer of TiO2 pigment is the Chinese producer, the Lomon-Billions Group. The other TiO2 pigment producers are fragmented, mostly utilizing the sulfate production process, and competing in the general purpose, lower-performance pigment market. Over the next few years, we believe that the announced added effective capacity in China is expected to be somewhat offset by capacity shutdowns at marginal producers.

Raw Materials

The primary raw materials used in the manufacture of TiO2 pigment are titanium-bearing ores, chlorine, calcined petroleum coke, and energy. We source titanium-bearing ores from a number of suppliers around the globe, who are primarily located in Australia and Africa. To ensure proper supply volume and to minimize pricing volatility, we generally enter into contracts in which volume is requirement-based and pricing is determined by a range of mechanisms structured to help us achieve competitive cost. We typically enter into a combination of long-term and medium-term supply contracts and source our raw materials from multiple suppliers across different regions and from multiple sites per supplier. Furthermore, we typically purchase multiple grades of ore from each supplier to limit our exposure to any single supplier for any single grade of ore in any given time period. Historically, we have not experienced any problems renewing such contracts for raw materials or securing our supply of titanium-bearing ores.

We play an active role in ore source development around the globe, especially for those ores which can only be used by us, given the capability of our unique process technology. Supply chain flexibility allows for ore purchase and use optimization to manage short-term demand fluctuations and provides long-term competitive advantage. Our process technology and ability to use lower-grade ilmenite ore gives us the flexibility to alter our ore mix to low-cost configuration based on sales, demand, and projected ore pricing. Lastly, we have taken steps to optimize routes for distribution and increase storage capacity at our production facilities.

Transporting chlorine, one of our primary raw materials, can be costly. To reduce our need to transport chlorine, we have a chlor-alkali production facility run by a third party that is co-located at our New Johnsonville, Tennessee site. Calcined petroleum coke is an important raw material input to our process. We source calcined petroleum coke from well-established suppliers in North America and China, typically under contracts that run multiple years to facilitate materials and logistics planning through the supply chain. Distribution efficiency is enhanced through the use of bulk ocean, barge, and rail transportation modes. Energy is another key input cost in the TiO2 pigment manufacturing process, representing approximately 10% of the production cost. We have access to natural gas-based energy at our U.S. and Mexico TiO2 pigment production facilities and our Florida and Georgia minerals plants, supporting advantaged energy costs given the low cost of shale gas in the U.S.


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The Chemours Company

Sales, Marketing, and Distribution

We sell the majority of our products through a direct sales force. In 2018, we launched our Ti-Pure™ Value Stabilization (“TVS”) strategy, which we believe to be foundational to maintain and grow our Titanium Technologies business. Our TVS strategy establishes a commercial framework that allows us to focus on enhancing durable, value-oriented customer relationships, while providing access to a predictable and reliable supply of high-quality TiO2. Customers can purchase Ti-PureTM TiO2 through our Chemours Assured Value Agreements (“AVA”). As an alternative, in 2019, we launched a new, innovative channel, Ti-PureTM Flex, which provides customers the unique ability to purchase Ti-Pure™ TiO2 via our web-based portal, the first of its kind in the industry. To further expand our reach beyond these sales channels, we also utilize third-party sales agents and distributors.

TiO2 pigment represents a significant raw material cost for our direct customers, and as a result, purchasing decisions are often made by our customers’ senior management teams. TiO2 pigment, however, is only a small fraction of the cost when considering certain end-use applications, especially in segments with larger value chain players, such as specialty coatings, plastics, and laminates applications. Our sales organization works to develop and maintain close relationships with key decision-makers in our value chain. In addition to close purchasing relationships, our sales and technical service teams work together to develop relationships with all layers of our customers’ organizations to ensure that we meet our customers’ commercial and technical requirements. When appropriate, we collaborate closely with customers to solve formulation or application problems by modifying product characteristics or developing new product grades.

To ensure an efficient distribution, we have a large fleet of railcars, which are predominantly used for outbound distribution of products in the U.S. and Canada. A dedicated logistics team, along with external partners, continually optimizes the assignment of our transportation equipment to product lines and geographic regions in order to maximize utilization and maintain an efficient supply chain.

Customers

Globally, we serve approximately 600 customers through our Titanium Technologies segment. In 2019, our 10 largest Titanium Technologies customers accounted for approximately 40% of the segment’s net sales, and one Titanium Technologies customer represented more than 10% of the segment’s net sales. Our larger customers are typically served through direct sales and tend to have medium-term to long-term contracts. We serve our small-size and mid-size customers through a combination of our direct sales and distribution network. Our direct customers in the Titanium Technologies segment are producers of decorative coatings, automotive and industrial coatings, polyolefin masterbatches, PVC, engineering polymers, laminate paper, coatings paper, and coated paperboard. We focus on developing long-term partnerships with key market participants in each of these sectors. We also deliver a high level of technical service to satisfy our customers’ specific needs, which helps us maintain strong customer relationships.

Seasonality

The demand for TiO2 pigment is subject to seasonality due to the influence of weather conditions and holiday seasons on some of our applications, such as decorative coatings. As a result, our TiO2 pigment sales volume is typically lowest in the first quarter, highest in the second and third quarters, and moderate in the fourth quarter. This pattern applies to the entire TiO2 pigment market, but may vary by region, country, or application. It can also be altered by economic or other demand cycles.


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The Chemours Company

Intellectual Property

Intellectual property, including trade secrets, certain patents, trademarks, copyrights, know-how, and other proprietary rights, is a critical part of maintaining our technology leadership and competitive edge. Our business strategy is to file patent and trademark applications globally for proprietary new product and applicationapplications development technologies. We hold many patents, particularly in

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The Chemours Company

our Fluoroproducts segment, as described herein. These patents, including various patents that will expire from 2017 through 2034,in varying years into the 2030s, in the aggregate, are believed to be of material importance to our business. However, we believe that no single patent (or related group of patents) is material in relation to our business as a whole. Our Chemical Solutions segment is a manufacturing and application development technology leader in a majority of the markets in which it participates. Trade secrets are one of the key elements of our intellectual property security in the Chemical Solutions segment, as most of the segment’s manufacturing and applications development technologies are no longer under patent coverage. In addition, particularly in our Titanium Technologies segment, we hold significant intellectual property in the form of trade secrets, and, while we believe that no single trade secret is material in relation to our combined business as a whole, we believe theythat our trade secrets are material in the aggregate. Unlike patents, trade secrets do not have a predeterminedpre-determined validity period, but are valid indefinitely, so long as their secrecy is maintained. We work actively on a global basis to create, protect, and enforce our intellectual property rights. The protection afforded by these patents and trademarks varies based on country, scope of individual patent, and trademark coverage, as well as the availability of legal remedies in each country. Although certain proprietary intellectual property rights are important to theour success, of our company, we do not believe that we are materially dependentmaterially-dependent on any particular patent or trademark. We believe that securing our intellectual property is critical to maintaining our technology leadership and our competitive position, especially with respect to new technologies or the extensions of existing technologies. Our proprietary process technology is alsocan be a source of incremental income through licensing arrangements.

Our Fluoroproducts segment is a technology leader in the markets in which it participates. We have one of the largest patent portfolios in the fluorine derivatives industry. In our Fluoroproducts segment’s intellectual property portfolio, we consider our Freon™, Opteon™, Teflon™, Viton™, NafionTM, and Krytox™ trademarks to be valuable assets. Our Titanium Technologies segment in particular relies upon unpatented proprietary knowledge, and continuing technological innovation, and other trade secrets to develop and maintain our competitive position in this space.sector. Our proprietary chloride production process is an important part of our technology, and our business could be harmed if our trade secrets are not maintained in confidence. In our Titanium Technologies segment’s intellectual property portfolio, we consider our trademarktrademarks Ti-Pure™ and BaiMaxTM to be a valuable assetassets and have registered thisthe Ti-PureTM trademark in a number of countries.

Our Fluoroproducts segment iscountries and the technology leader in the markets in which it participates.  We have one of the largest patent portfolios in the fluorine derivatives industry.  In our Fluoroproducts intellectual property portfolio, we consider our Freon™, Opteon™, Teflon™, Viton™, NafionBaiMaxTM and Krytox™ trademarks to be valuable assets.trademark in China.

Our Chemical Solutions segment is a manufacturing and application development technology leader in a majority of the markets in which it participates.  Trade secrets are one of the key elements of our intellectual property security in Chemical Solutions as most of the segment’s manufacturing and application development technologies are no longer under patent coverage.

At separation,the Separation, certain of our subsidiaries entered into an intellectual property cross-license agreement with DuPont, pursuant to which (i) DuPont has agreedlicenses to license to Chemoursus certain patents, know-how, and technical information owned by DuPont or its affiliates andwhich are necessary or useful in Chemours’our business, and (ii) Chemours has agreed towe license to DuPont certain patents owned by Chemoursus or itsour affiliates andwhich are necessary or useful in DuPont’s business. In most circumstances, the licenses are perpetual, irrevocable, sublicenseablesub-licensable (in connection with the party’s business), assignable (in connection with a sale of the applicable portion of a party’s business or assets, subject to certain exceptions) worldwide licenses in connection with the current operationoperations of the businesses and, with respect to specified products and fields of use, future operationoperations of such businesses, subject to certain limitations with respect to specified products and fields of use.

Research and Development

We perform research and development activities in all of our segments with the majority of our efforts focused in the Fluoroproducts segment.  The Fluoroproducts segment efforts center on developing new sustainable fluorochemicals as well as determining new applications and formulations for fluoropolymers that meet customers’ technical requirements.  In Titanium Technologies and Chemical Solutions, our efforts are focused on process technology to reduce cost and maintain safety and stewardship standards.  The table below sets forth the last three years of research and development expense by segment:

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

(Dollars in millions)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Titanium Technologies

 

$

27

 

 

$

33

 

 

$

47

 

Fluoroproducts

 

 

46

 

 

 

50

 

 

 

79

 

Chemical Solutions

 

 

7

 

 

 

14

 

 

 

17

 

Total

 

$

80

 

 

$

97

 

 

$

143

 

Backlog

 

Backlog

In general, the Company doeswe do not manufacture itsour products against a backlog of orders and doesdo not consider backlog to be a significant indicator of the level of our future sales activity. ProductionOur production and inventory levels are based on the level of incoming orders, as well as projections of future demand. Therefore, the Company believeswe believe that backlog information is not material to understanding its

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The Chemours Company

our overall business and should not be considered a reliable indicator of the Company’sour ability to achieve any particular level of revenuenet sales or financial performance.

Environmental Matters

Information related to environmental matters is included in several areas of this report: (1) Annual Report on Form 10-K, including: (i) Item 1A - Risk Factors (2) ; (ii) Item 3 – Legal Proceedings – Environmental Proceedings, (3) , under the heading “Environmental Proceedings”; (iii) Item 7 - Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations; and, (4) Notes(iv) “Note 3 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” and 20“Note 22 – Commitments and Contingent Liabilities” to the Consolidated Financial Statements.Statements.


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The Chemours Company

Available Information

Chemours is

We are subject to the reporting requirements under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.1934 (the “Exchange Act”). Consequently, the Company iswe are required to file reports and information with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)(“SEC”), including reports on the following forms: annual reportAnnual Reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reportsQuarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, current reportsCurrent Reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.Act.

The public may read and copy any materials the Company files with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549.  The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.  The SEC also maintains an Internet site at http://www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC.

The Company’s annual reportOur Annual Reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reportsQuarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, current reportsCurrent Reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports are also accessible on the Company’sour website at http://www.chemours.com by clicking on the section labeled “Investor Relations”,Relations,” then on “Filings & Reports”“Financials” and then on “SEC Filings”.Filings.”  These reports are made available, without charge, as soon as it is reasonably practicable after the Company fileswe file or furnishesfurnish them electronically with the SEC.SEC at http://www.sec.gov.

Employees

We have approximately 7,000 employees, approximately 21%14% of whom are represented by unions or works councils. Management believes that its relations with its employees and labor organizations are good.  There have been no strikes or work stoppages in any of our locations in recent history.


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The Chemours Company

 

Item 1A. RISK FACTORS

The company’s

Our operations could be affected by various risks, many of which are beyond our control. Based on current information, we believe that the following identifies the most significant risk factors that could affect our business, results of operations, or financial condition. Past financial performance may not be a reliable indicator of future performance, and historical trends should not be used to anticipate results or trends in future periods. See “Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Lookingour “Forward-looking Statements” for more details.

Risks Related to Our Business

Conditions in the global economy and global capital markets may adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows.

Our business and operating results may in the future be adversely affected by global economic conditions, including instability in credit markets, declining consumer and business confidence, fluctuating commodity prices and interest rates, volatile exchange rates, and other challenges such as the changing financial regulatory environment that could affect the global economy.  Our customers may experience deterioration of their businesses, cash flow shortages, and difficulty obtaining financing.  As a result, existing or potential customers may delay or cancel plans to purchase products and may not be able to fulfill their obligations to us in a timely fashion.  Further, suppliers could experience similar conditions, which could impact their ability to supply materials or otherwise fulfill their obligations to us.  Because we have significant international operations, there are a large number of currency transactions that result from international sales, purchases, investments and borrowings.  Also, our effective tax rate may fluctuate because of variability in geographic mix of earnings, changes in statutory rates, and taxes associated with repatriation of non-U.S. earnings.  Future weakness in the global economy and failure to manage these risks could adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows in future periods.

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The Chemours Company

 

Market conditions, as well as global and regional economic downturns that adversely affect the demand for the end-use products that contain TiO2, fluoroproducts or our other products, could adversely affect the profitability of our operations and the prices at which we can sell our products, negatively impacting our financial results.

Our revenue and profitability is largely dependent on the TiO2 industry and the industries that are end users of our fluoroproducts.  TiO2 and our fluoroproducts, such as refrigerants and resins, are used in many “quality of life” products for which demand historically has been linked to global, regional and local GDP and discretionary spending, which can be negatively impacted by regional and world events or economic conditions.  Such events are likely to cause a decrease in demand for our products and, as a result, may have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.  The future profitability of our operations, and cash flows generated by those operations, will also be affected by the available supply of our products in the market.

Our reported results could be adversely affected by currency exchange rates and currency devaluation could impair our competitiveness.

Due to our international operations, we transact in many foreign currencies, including but not limited to the Euro, Brazilian real, Mexican peso and Japanese yen.  As a result, we are subject to the effects of changes in foreign currency exchange rates.  During times of a strengthening U.S. dollar, our reported net revenues and operating income will be reduced because the local currency will be translated into fewer U.S. dollars.  During periods of local economic crisis, local currencies may be devalued significantly against the U.S. dollar, potentially reducing our margin.  For example, unfavorable movement in the Euro has negatively impacted our results of operations since the second half of 2014, and further decline of the Euro could affect future periods.  Currently, Chemours does not hedge on a transactional basis.  There can be no assurance that any hedging action in the future will lessen the adverse impact of a variation in currency rates.  Also, actions to recover margins may result in lower volume and a weaker competitive position, which may have an adverse effect on our profitability.  For example, in Titanium Technologies, a substantial portion of our manufacturing is located in the U.S. and Mexico, while our TiO2 is delivered to customers around the world.  Furthermore, our ore cost is principally denominated in U.S. dollars.  Accordingly, in periods when the U.S. dollar or Mexican Peso strengthen against other local currencies such as the Euro, our costs are higher relative to our competitors who operate largely outside of the United States, and the benefits we realize from having lower costs associated with our manufacturing process are reduced, impacting our profitability.

If we are unable to execute our cost reduction plans successfully, our total operating costs may be greater than expected, which may adversely affect our profitability.

We have announced a transformation plan that includes a number of cost saving measures.  We have implemented a number of these measures and have realized a portion of the anticipated benefits.  While we continue to search for opportunities to reduce our costs and expenses to improve operating profitability without jeopardizing the quality of our products or the effectiveness of our operations, our success in achieving targeted cost and expense reductions depends upon a number of factors such as timing of execution, market condition, and regulatory and local requirements and approvals.  If we do not successfully execute on our cost reduction initiatives or if we experience delays in completing the implementation of these initiatives, our results of operations or financial condition could be adversely affected.

Our results of operations could be adversely affected by litigation and other commitments and contingencies.

We face risks arising from various unasserted and asserted legal claims, investigationinvestigations and litigation matters, such as product liability claims, patent infringement claims, antitrust claims, and claims for third partythird-party property damage or personal injury stemming from alleged environmental actions (which may concern regulated or unregulated substances) or other torts, including, as discussed below, litigation related to the production and use of PFOA (collectively, perfluorooctanoic acids and its salts, including the ammonium salt) by DuPont prior to the separation.torts. We have noted a nationwide trend in purported mass tort and class actions against chemical manufacturers generally seeking relief such as medical monitoring, property damages, off-site remediation, and punitive damages arising from alleged environmental actions (which may concern regulated or unregulated substances) or other torts without claiming present personal injuries. We also have noted a trend in public and private nuisance suits being filed on behalf of states, counties, cities, and utilities alleging harm to the general public.public and damages to natural resources. Various factors or developments can lead to changes in current estimates of liabilities such as a final adverse judgment, significant settlementthese nationwide trends or changes in applicable law. A future adverse ruling or unfavorable developmentthe actions could result in future charges that could have a material adverse effect on us. An adverse outcome in any one or more of these matters could be material to our financial results and/or stock price, and could adversely impact the value of any of our brands that are associated with any such matters. As discussed below, we are a named defendant and/or indemnifying and defending DuPont in litigation related to the production and use of perfluorooctanoic acids and its salts, including the ammonium salt (“PFOA”); hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (“HFPO Dimer Acid,” sometimes referred to as “GenX” or “C3 Dimer Acid”); Aqueous Film Forming Foam (“AFFF”); perfluorinated and polyfluorinated compounds (“PFAS”); and other compounds.

We have received inquiries, government investigations, directives, multiple lawsuits, and other actions related to PFOA, GenX, AFFF, and PFAS as discussed in more detail in Note 20“Note 22 – Commitments and Contingent Liabilities” to the Consolidated Financial Statements DuPont is. These or other governmental inquiries or lawsuits could lead to our incurring liability for damages or other costs, a criminal or civil proceeding, the named defendant in approximately 3,500 lawsuits alleging that the respective plaintiffs were exposed to PFOA in drinking water as a resultimposition of DuPont’s use of PFOA at the Washington Works plant in Parkersburg, West Virginia.  These personal injury lawsuits were consolidated in multi-district litigation in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio (the “MDL”). As of December 31, 2016, three cases have gone to trialfines and resulted in a jury verdict in favor of the plaintiff, and severalpenalties, and/or other cases have been settled.  Although we,

15


The Chemours Company

through DuPont, are pursuing appeals of the cases that resulted in a jury verdict, there can be no assurance that any such appeal succeeds.  On February 11, 2017, DuPont entered into an agreement in principle with plaintiffs’ counsel representing the MDL plaintiffs providing for a global settlement of all cases and claims in the MDL, including all filed and unfiled personal injury cases and claims that are part of the plaintiffs’ counsel’s claim inventory,remedies, as well as cases that have been triedrestrictions on or added costs for our business operations going forward, including in the form of restrictions on discharges at our Fayetteville Works site in Fayetteville, North Carolina (“Fayetteville”) or otherwise. Additional lawsuits or inquiries also could be instituted related to a jury verdict (the “MDL Settlement”).  The total settlement amount is $670.7 million dollarsthese or other compounds in cash, half of which will be paid by Chemoursthe future. Accordingly, the existing lawsuits and half paid by DuPont. DuPont’s payment would not be subjectinquiries, and any such additional litigation, relating to indemnificationour existing operations, PFOA, HFPO Dimer Acid, AFFF, PFAS and other perfluorinated and polyfluorinated compounds, or reimbursement by Chemours, and Chemours has accrued $335 millionother compounds associated with this matter at December 31, 2016. In exchange for payment of the total settlement amount, DuPont and Chemours will receive a complete release of all claims by the settling plaintiffs.  The MDL Settlement was entered into solely by way of compromise and settlement and is not in any way an admission of liabilityour products or fault by DuPont or Chemours. The MDL Settlement is not subject to court approval; however, the MDL Settlement may not proceed in certain conditions, including a walk-away right that enables DuPont to terminate the MDL Settlement if more than a specified number of plaintiffs determine not to participate. If the MDL Settlement does not proceed, any cases stayed or additional lawsuits may go to trial or appeal. An adverse ruling at trial or on appealoperations, could result in us incurring additional costs and liabilities.  There could also be new lawsuits filed related to DuPont’s use of PFOA, its manufacture of PFOA, or its customers use of DuPont products that may not be within the scope of the MDL Settlement. Any such new litigation could also result in us incurring additional costs and liabilities, which may be material to our financial results. If such litigation described above were to occur and if significant unfavorable outcomes in a number of cases were to result, losses, if incurred, in excess of amounts accrued at December 31, 2016 could, in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on us.

In the ordinary course of business, we may make certain commitments, including representations, warranties, and indemnities relating to current and past operations, including those related to divested businesses, and issue guarantees of third partythird-party obligations. Additionally, we aremay be required to indemnify DuPont with regard to liabilities allocated to, or assumed by us, under each of the separation agreement, the employee matters agreement, the tax matters agreement, and the intellectual property cross-license agreement that were executed prior to the spin-off.Separation. These indemnification obligations to date have included defense costs associated with certain litigation matters as well as certain damages awards, settlements, and penalties. In connection with MDL Settlement mentioned above,On August 24, 2017, we and DuPont entered into an amendment to the separation agreement concerning future PFOA litigation and Chemours agreed, subject to and following the completion ofcosts not covered by the MDL Settlement to a limited sharing of potential future PFOA liabilities (i.e., “indemnifiable losses,” as defineddetailed in the separation agreement between DuPont“Note 22 – Commitments and Chemours) for a period of five years. During that five-year period, Chemours would annually pay future PFOA liabilities up to $25 million and, if such amount is exceeded, DuPont would pay any excess amount upContingent Liabilities” to the next $25 million (which payment will not be subject to indemnification by Chemours), with Chemours annually bearing any further excess liabilities under the terms of the separation agreement. After the five-year period, this limited sharing agreement would expire, Consolidated Financial Statements. Future PFOA-related costs and Chemours’ indemnification obligations under the separation agreement would continue unchanged.  Chemours has also agreed that, upon the MDL Settlement becoming effective, it will not contest its liability to DuPont under the separation agreement for PFOA liabilities on the basis of ostensible defenses generally applicable to the indemnification provisions under the separation agreement, including defenses relating to punitive damages, fines or penalties or attorneys’ fees, and waives any such defenses with respect to PFOA liabilities.  Chemours has, however, retained defenses as to whether any particular PFOA claim is within the scope of the indemnification provisions of the separation agreement. As we are required to make payments, such paymentssettlements could be significant and could exceed the amounts we have accrued with respect thereto, adversely affecting our results of operations. In addition, in the event that DuPont seeks indemnification for adverse trial rulings or outcomes, these indemnification claims could materially adversely affect our financial condition. Disputes between Chemourswith DuPont and DuPont many alsoothers which may arise with respect to indemnification matters including disputes based on matters of law or contract interpretation.  If and to the extent these disputes arise, theyinterpretation, could materially adversely affect us.

For further information about the Company’s litigation and other commitments and contingencies, see Item 3. Legal Proceedings and our Note 20 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report.12


The Chemours Company

We are subject to extensive environmental and health and safety laws and regulations that may result in unanticipated loss or liability related to our current and past operations, and that may result in significant additional compliance costs or obligations, which in either case, could reduce our profitability.

Our operations and production facilities are dependent upon attainment and renewal of requisite operating permits and are subject to extensive environmental and health and safety laws, regulations, and regulationsenforcements at national, international, and local levels in numerous jurisdictions relating to pollution, protection of the environment, climate change, transporting and storing raw materials and finished products, and storing and disposing of hazardous wastes.wastes, and product content and other safety concerns. Such laws include, in the U.S., the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA, often referred to as Superfund), the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and similar state and global laws for management and remediation of hazardous materials, the Clean Air Act (CAA) and the Clean Water Act, for protection of air and water resources, the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), and in the EU, the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), for regulation of chemicals in commerce and reporting of potential known adverse effects and numerous local, state, federal and foreign laws and regulations governing materials transport and packaging.  but are not limited to:

U.S.-based regulations, such as the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (“CERCLA,” often referred to as “Superfund”), the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (“RCRA”) and similar state and global laws for management and remediation of hazardous materials, the Clean Air Act (“CAA”) andClean Water Act (“CWA”) and similar state and global laws for the protection of air and water resources, and the Toxic Substances Control Act (“TSCA”);

Foreign-based chemical control regulations, such as the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals (“REACH”) in the EU, the Chemical Substances Control Law (“CSCL”) in Japan, MEP Order No. 7 in China, and the Toxic Chemical Substance Control Act (“TCSCA”) in Taiwan for the production and distribution of chemicals in commerce and reporting of potential adverse effects;

The EU Emissions Trading System and similar local and global laws for regulating greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions; and,

Numerous local, state, federal, and foreign laws, regulations, and enforcements governing materials transport and packaging.

If we are found to be in violation of these laws, regulations, or regulations,enforcements, which may be subject to change based on legislative, scientific, or other factors, we may incur substantial costs, including fines, damages, criminal or civil sanctions, remediation costs, reputational harm, loss of sales or market access, or experience interruptions in our operations. We

16


The Chemours Company

also may be subject to changes in our operations and production based on increased regulation or other changes to, or restrictions imposed by, any such additional regulations. Any operational interruptions or plant shutdowns may result in delays in production, or may cause us to incur additional costs to develop redundancies in order to avoid interruptions in our production cycles. In addition, the manner in which adopted regulations (including environmental and safety regulations) are ultimately implemented may affect our products, the demand for and public perception of our products, the reputation of our brands, our market access, and our results of operations. In the event of a catastrophic incident involving any of the raw materials we use or chemicals we produce, we could incur material costs as a result of addressing the consequences of such event and future reputational costs associated with any such event.

As a result of our operations, including the operations of divested businesses and certain discontinued operations, we could incur substantial costs, including remediation and restoration costs.  The

Our costs of complying with complex environmental laws, regulations, and regulations,enforcements, as well as internal voluntary programs, are significant and will continue to be significant for the foreseeable future. This includesThese laws, regulations, and enforcements may change and could become more stringent over time, which could result in significant additional compliance costs, increased costs of purchased energy or other raw materials, investments in, or restrictions on, our operations, or installation or modification of GHG emitting equipment. As a result of our current and historic operations, including the operations of divested businesses and certain discontinued operations, we also expect to continue to incur costs for environmental investigation and remediation activities at a number of our current or former sites and third-party disposal locations. However, the ultimate costs under environmental laws and the timing of these costs are difficult to accurately predict. While we establish accruals in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), the ultimate actual costs and liabilities may vary from the accruals because the estimates on which the accruals are based depend on a number of factors (many of which are outside of our control), including the nature of the matter and any associated third-party claims, the complexity of the site, site geology, the nature and extent of contamination, the type of remedy, the outcome of discussions with regulatory agencies and other Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)(“PRPs”) at multi-party sites, and the number and financial viability of other PRPs. See “Environmental Matters” within Item 7 - Management’s Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and “Note 22 – Commitments and Contingent Liabilities” to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information and Note 20 toinformation. We also could incur significant additional costs as a result of additional contamination that is discovered or remedial obligations imposed in the Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report.future.

There is also a risk that one or more of our manufacturing processes, key raw materials, or one or more of our products may be found to have, or be characterized or perceived as having, a toxicological or health-related impact on the environment or on our customers or employees or unregulated emissions, which could potentially result in usour incurring liability in connection with such characterization and the associated effects of any toxicological or health-related impact. If such a discovery or characterization occurs, we may incur increased costs in order to comply with new regulatory requirements or as a result of litigation. In addition, the relevant materials or products, including products of our customers incorporating our materials or products, may be recalled, phased-out, or banned. Changes in laws, science or regulations, or their interpretation, and our customers’ perception of such changes or interpretations may also affect the marketability of certain of our products.

The markets for many of our products have seasonally affected sales patterns.

The demand for TiO2, certain of our fluoroproducts and certain of our other products during a given year is subject to seasonal fluctuations.  As a result of seasonal fluctuations, our operating cash flow may be negatively impacted due to demand fluctuations.  In particular, because TiO2 is widely used in coatings, demand is higher in the painting seasons of spring and summer.  Because certain fluoroproducts are used in refrigerants, such products are in higher demand in the spring and summer in the Northern Hemisphere.  We may be adversely affected by anticipated or unanticipated changes in regional weather conditions.  For example, poor weather conditions in a region can lead to an abbreviated painting season, which can depress consumer sales of paint products that use TiO2, which could have a negative effect on our cash position.

Failure to maintain effective internal controls could adversely affect our ability to meet our reporting requirements.

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”) requires, among other things, that we maintain effective internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures. One key aspect of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act is that we must perform system and process evaluation and testing of our internal control over financial reporting to allow management and our independent registered public accounting firm to report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, as required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, with auditor attestation of the effectiveness of our internal controls.  If we are not able to comply with the requirements of Section 404 in a timely manner, or if we or our independent registered public accounting firm identify deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting that are deemed to be material weaknesses, the market price of our common shares could decline and we could be subject to penalties or investigations by the NYSE, the SEC or other regulatory authorities, which would require additional financial and management resources.

Effective internal controls are necessary for us to provide reasonable assurance with respect to our financial reports, and to effectively prevent fraud.  Internal controls over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements because of inherent limitations, including the possibility of human error, the circumvention or overriding of controls, or fraud.  Therefore, even effective internal controls can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements.  If we cannot provide reasonable assurance with respect to our financial reports and effectively prevent fraud, our operating results could be harmed.  In addition, if we fail to maintain the effectiveness of our internal controls, including any failure to implement required new or improved controls, or if we experience delay in the implementation of new or enhanced system, procedures and controls, or if we

1713


The Chemours Company

 

experience difficultiesFor example, in theirMay 2016, the European Chemicals Agency (“ECHA”) accepted a proposal from France’s competent authority under REACH to change the classification of TiO2. ECHA’s Committee for Risk Action (“RAC”) provided the opinion that the evidence meets the criteria under the EU’s Classification, Labeling and Packaging (“CLP”) Regulation to classify TiO2 as a Category 2 Carcinogen (suspected human carcinogen) by inhalation. To implement this opinion, the EU Commission (“EC”) presented a draft of the full 14th Adaptation to Technical Progress (“ATP”), including a proposed classification (with notes) for the powder form of TiO2 as a Category 2 Carcinogen by inhalation, as a delegated act for scrutiny by EU Council and Parliament. The scrutiny period ended in February 2020, with publication to follow shortly thereafter. Publication will then be followed by an 18-month implementation our business and operating results could be harmed, we could fail to meet our reporting obligations, and there could be a material adverse effect on our stock price.

Effectsperiod before the act comes into enforcement. Upon publication of price fluctuations in energy and raw materials, our raw materials contractsthe act and our inability to renew such contracts, could have a significant impact on our earnings.

Our manufacturing processes consume significant amountssubsequent review of energy and raw materials, the costs of which are subject to worldwide supply and demand as well as other factors beyond our control.  Variations in the cost of energy, which primarily reflect market prices for oil and natural gas, and for raw materials may significantly affect our operating results from period to period.  Additionally, consolidation in the industries providing our raw materials may have an impact on the cost and availability of such materials.  To the extentadditional regulatory measures enacted, we do not have fixed price contracts with respect to specific raw materials, we have no control over the costs of raw materials and such costs may fluctuate widely for a variety of reasons, including changes in availability, major capacity additions or reductions, or significant facility operating problems.  

When possible, we have purchased, and we plan to continue to purchase, raw materials, including titanium bearing ores and fluorspar, through negotiated medium- or long-term contracts to minimize the impact of price fluctuations.  To the extent that we have been able to achieve favorable pricing in our existing negotiated long-term contracts, we may not be able to renew such contracts at the current prices, or at all, and this may adversely impact our cash flow from operations.  However, to the extent that the prices of raw materials that we utilize significantly decline, we may be bound by the terms of our existing long-term contracts and obligated to purchase such raw materials at higher prices as compared to other market participants.

We attempt to offset the effects of higher energy and raw material costs through selling price increases, productivity improvements, and cost reduction programs.  However, the outcome of these efforts is largely determined by existing competitive and economic conditions, and may be subject to increased requirements for TiO2 product labeling, importing operations, and certain downstream use applications associated with TiO2. This could increase our costs associated with our TiO2 manufacturing and handling processes.

In June 2019, the Member States Committee of ECHA also voted to list HFPO Dimer Acid as a time delay betweenSubstance of Very High Concern. The vote was based on Article 57(f) – equivalent level of concern having probable serious effects to the increase in our raw materials costs and our abilityenvironment. This identification does not impose immediate regulatory restriction or obligations, but may lead to increase prices,a future authorization or restriction of the substance, which could vary significantly depending on the market served.  If we are not able to fully offset the effects of higher energy or raw material costs, it could have a material adverse effect on our financial results.

Hazards associated with chemical manufacturing, storage and transportation could adversely affect our results of operations.

There are hazards associated with chemical manufacturing and the related storage and transportation of raw materials, products and wastes. These hazards could lead to an interruption or suspension of operations and have an adverse effect on the productivity and profitabilityour results of a particular manufacturing facility or on us as a whole.  While we endeavor to provide adequate protection for the safe handling of these materials, issues could be created by various events, including natural disasters, severe weather events, acts of sabotage and performance by third parties, and as a result we could face the following potential hazards:

piping and storage tank leaks and ruptures;

mechanical failure;

employee exposure to hazardous substances; and

chemical spills and other discharges or releases of toxic or hazardous substances or gases.

These hazards may cause personal injury and loss of life, damage to property and contamination of the environment, which could lead to government fines and penalties, work stoppage injunctions, claims and lawsuits by injured persons, damage to our public reputation and brands, loss of sales and market access, customer dissatisfaction, and diminished product acceptance.  If such actions are determined adversely to us or there is an associated economic impact to our business, we may have inadequate insurance or cash flow to offset any associated costs.  Such outcomes could adversely affect ouroperations, financial condition, and resultscash flows. In September 2019, Chemours filed an application with the EU Court of operations.Justice for the annulment of the decision of ECHA to list HFPO Dimer Acid as a Substance of Very High Concern.

The businesses in which we compete are highly competitive. This competition may adversely affectIf our intellectual property were compromised or copied by competitors, or if our competitors were to develop similar or superior intellectual property or technology, our results of operations and operating cash flows.could be negatively affected.

Each of the businesses in which we operate is highly competitive. Competition in the performance chemicals industry is based on a number of factors such as price, product quality, and service. We face significant competition from major international and regional competitors. Some of our competitors have announced plans to expand their chloride capacity. Additionally, our Titanium Technologies business competes with numerous regional producers, including producers in China, whichwho have expanded their readily availablereadily-available production capacity during the previous five years. Additionally, theThe risk of substitution of these Chinese producers by our customers could increase as theythese Chinese producers expand their use of chloride production technology. Some competitors have announced plans to expand their chloride capacity.

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The Chemours Company

Our resultsSimilarly, we compete with various producers in our Fluoroproducts business, and the risk of operations and financial condition could be seriously impactedsubstitution of these producers by business disruptions and security breaches, including cybersecurity incidents.

Business and/or supply chain disruptions, plant downtime and/or power outages and information technology system and/or network disruptions, regardless of cause including acts of sabotage, employee error or other actions, geo-political activity, weather events and natural disasters could seriously harm our operations as well as the operations of our customers and suppliers.  Failurecould increase if these producers develop better capabilities to effectively prevent, detect and recover from security breaches, including attacks on information technology and infrastructure by hackers, viruses, breaches duemanufacture products similar to employee error or actions or other disruptions could result in misuse of our assets, business disruptions, loss of property including trade secrets and confidential business information, legal claims or proceedings, reporting errors, processing inefficiencies, negative media attention, loss of sales and interference with regulatory compliance.  Like most major corporations, we have been and expect to be the target of industrial espionage, including cyber-attacks, from time to time.  We have determined that these attacks have resulted, and could result in the future, in unauthorized parties gaining access to certain confidential business information, and have included the obtaining of trade secrets and proprietary information related to the chloride manufacturing process for TiO2 by third parties.  Although we do not believe that we have experienced any material losses to date related to these breaches, there can be no assurance that we will not suffer any such losses in the future.  We plan to actively manage the risks within our control that could lead to business disruptions and security breaches.  As these threats continue to evolve, particularly around cybersecurity, we may be required to expend significant resources to enhance our control environment, processes, practices and other protective measures.  Despite these efforts, such events could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.specialty fluoropolymers.

If our intellectual property were compromised or copied by competitors, or if our competitors were to develop similar or superior intellectual property or technology, our results of operations could be negatively affected.

Intellectual property rights, including patents, trade secrets, confidential information, trademarks, and tradenames are important to our business. We endeavor to protect our intellectual property rights in key jurisdictions in which our products are produced or used and in jurisdictions into which our products are imported. Our success depends to a significant degree upon our ability to protect and preserve our intellectual property rights. However, we may be unable to obtain protection for our intellectual property in key jurisdictions. Although we own and have applied for numerous patents and trademarks throughout the world, we may have to rely on judicial enforcement of our patents and other proprietary rights. Our patents and other intellectual property rights may be challenged, invalidated, circumvented, and rendered unenforceable or otherwise compromised. A failure to protect, defend, or enforce our intellectual property could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Similarly, third parties may assert claims against us and our customers and distributors alleging our products infringe upon third partythird-party intellectual property rights.

We also rely materially upon unpatented proprietary technology, know-how, and other trade secrets to maintain our competitive position. While we maintain policies to enter into confidentiality agreements with our employees and third parties to protect our proprietary expertise and other trade secrets, these agreements may not be enforceable or, even if legally enforceable, we may not have adequate remedies for breaches of such agreements. We also may not be able to readily detect breaches of such agreements. The failure of our patents or confidentiality agreements to protect our proprietary technology, know-how, or trade secrets could result in significantly lower revenues, reduced profit margins, or loss of market share.

If we must take legal action to protect, defend, or enforce our intellectual property rights, any suits or proceedings could result in significant costs and diversion of resources and management’s attention, and we may not prevail in any such suits or proceedings. A failure to protect, defend, or enforce our intellectual property rights could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.


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The Chemours Company

Restrictions under the intellectual property cross-license agreement could limit our ability to develop and commercialize certain products and/or prosecute, maintain, and enforce certain intellectual property.

We depend to a certain extent on DuPont to prosecute, maintain, and enforce certain of the intellectual property licensed under the intellectual property cross-license agreement. Specifically, DuPont is responsible for filing, prosecuting, and maintaining patents that DuPont licenses to us. DuPont also has the first right to enforce such patents, trade secrets, and the know-how licensed to us by DuPont. If DuPont fails to fulfill its obligations or chooses to not enforce the licensed patents, trade secrets, or know-how under the intellectual property cross-license agreement, we may not be able to prevent competitors from making, using, and selling competitive products (unlessunless we are able to effectively exercise our secondary rights to enforce such patents, trade secrets, and know-how).know-how.

In addition, our restrictions under the intellectual property cross-license agreement could limit our ability to develop and commercialize certain products. For example, the licenses granted to us under the agreement may not extend to all new products, services, and businesses that we may enter in the future. These limitations and restrictions may make it more difficult, time consuming

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The Chemours Company

time-consuming, or expensive for us to develop and commercialize certain new products and services, or may result in certain of our products or services being later to market than those of our competitors.

If we are unable to innovate and successfully introduce new products, or new technologies or processes reduce the demand for our products or the price at which we can sell products, our profitability could be adversely affected.

Our industries and the end-use markets into which we sell our products experience periodic technological changechanges and product improvement.improvements, as well as changes in mandates on or regulation of products and services. Our future growth will depend on our ability to gauge the direction of commercial and technological progress in key end-use markets, and on our ability to fund and successfully develop, manufacture, and market products in such changing end-use markets.markets, and our ability to adapt to changing regulations. We must continue to identify, develop, and market innovative products or enhance existing products on a timely basis to maintain our profit margins and our competitive position. We may be unable to develop new products or technology,technologies, either alone or with third parties, or license intellectual property rights from third parties on a commercially competitivecommercially-competitive basis. If we fail to keep pace with the evolving technological innovations in our end-use markets on a competitive basis, including with respect to innovation with regard to the development of alternative uses for, or application of, products developed that utilize such end-use products, our financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected. We cannot predict whether technological innovations will, in the future, result in a lower demand for our products or affect the competitiveness of our business. We may be required to invest significant resources to adapt to changing technologies, markets, customer behaviors and demands, competitive environments, and laws, and regulations.regulations, or enforcements. We cannot anticipate market acceptance of new products or future products. In addition, we may not achieve our expected benefits associated with new products developed to meet new laws, regulations, or regulationsenforcements if the implementation of such laws, regulations, or enforcements is delayed, and we may face competition from illegal or counterfeit products in regulated markets.

Our results of operations and financial condition could be seriously impacted by business disruptions and security breaches, including cybersecurity incidents.

Business and/or supply chain disruptions, plant downtime, power outages, and/or information technology system and network disruptions, regardless of cause, including acts of sabotage, employee error or other actions, geo-political activity, military actions, and terrorism (including cyberterrorism) could seriously harm our operations, as well as the operations of our customers and suppliers. Further, the nature of our business dictates that we maintain significant concentrations of physical assets in certain geographical locations, some of which may be prone to weather-related events and natural disasters (which could be exacerbated by climate change). Such events could also seriously harm our operations, as well as the operations of our customers and suppliers, and accordingly, we continue to study the long-term implications of changing climate parameters on plant siting, operational issues, and water availability. Any of the aforementioned disruptions and/or events could have a negative impact on our business, results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows.

Failure to effectively prevent, detect, and recover from security breaches, including attacks on information technology and infrastructure by hackers, viruses, breaches due to employee error or other actions, or other disruptions, could result in misuse of our assets, business disruptions, loss of property including trade secrets and confidential business information, legal claims or proceedings, reporting errors, processing inefficiencies, negative media attention, loss of sales, and interference with regulatory compliance. Like most major corporations, we have been, and expect to be the target of industrial espionage, including cyberattacks, from time to time. We have determined that these attacks have resulted, and could result in the future, in unauthorized parties gaining access to certain confidential business information, and have included the obtaining of trade secrets and proprietary information related to the chloride manufacturing process for TiO2 pigment by third parties. Although we do not believe that we have experienced any material losses to date related to these breaches, there can be no assurance that we will not suffer any such losses in the future. We plan to actively manage the risks within our control that could lead to business disruptions and security breaches. As these threats continue to evolve, particularly around cybersecurity, we may be required to expend significant resources to enhance our control environment, processes, practices, and other protective measures. Despite these efforts, such events could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, or results of operations.

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The Chemours Company

Our information technology is provided by a combination of internal and external services and service providers, and we rely on information technology in many aspects of our business, including internal and external communications, and the management of our accounting, finance, and supply chain functions. Further, our business involves the use, storage, and transmission of information about customers, suppliers, and employees. As we become more dependent on information technology to conduct our business, and as the number and sophistication of cyberattacks increases, the risks associated with cybersecurity, information security, and data privacy also increase. Failure to maintain effective internal control over our information technology and infrastructure could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, or results of operations, and/or have a material adverse impact on our stock price.

Preparedness plans pertaining to the physical- and cyber-related aspects of our business have been developed and detail the actions needed in the event of unforeseen events or severe weather. These measures have historically been in place, and such activities and associated costs are driven by normal operational preparedness. However, there can be no assurance that such measures will be effective for a particular event that we may experience.

Our ability to make future strategic decisions regarding our manufacturing operationsare subject to regulatory, environmental, political, legal, and economic risks, and to a certain extent may be subject to consents or cooperation from DuPont under the agreements entered into between us and DuPont as part of the Separation. These could adversely affect our ability to execute our future strategic decisions and our results of operations and financial condition.

One of the ways we may improve our business is through the expansion or improvement of our facilities. Construction of additions or modifications to facilities involves numerous regulatory, environmental, political, legal, and economic uncertainties that are beyond our control, and are subject to various start-up risks and consent to operate. Difficulties in obtaining any of the requisite licenses, permits, and authorizations from governmental or regulatory authorities could increase the total cost, delay, jeopardize, or prevent the construction or opening of such facilities. Our expansion or improvement projects may also require the expenditure of significant amounts of capital, and financing may not be available on economically acceptable terms, or at all. As a result, these projects may not be completed on schedule, at the budgeted cost, or at all, which may adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows. Moreover, our revenue may not increase immediately upon the expenditure of funds on a particular project or may be negatively impacted by regulatory or other developments relating to the chemicals we use or manufacture. As a result, we may not be able to realize our expected investment return, which could also adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows.

We periodically assess our manufacturing operations in order to manufacture and distribute our products in the most efficient manner. Based on our assessments, we may make strategic decisions regarding our manufacturing operations such as capital improvements to modernize certain units, move manufacturing or distribution capabilities from one plant or facility to another plant or facility, discontinue manufacturing or distributing certain products, or close or divest all or part of a manufacturing plant or facility, some of which have significant shared services and lease agreements with DuPont. These agreements may adversely impact our ability to make these strategic decisions regarding our manufacturing operations. Further, if such agreements are terminated or revised, we would have to assess and potentially adjust our manufacturing operations, the closure or divestiture of all or part of a manufacturing plant or facility that could result in future charges that could be significant.

If our long-lived assets become impaired, we may be required to record a significant charge to earnings.

We have a significant amount of long-lived assets on our consolidated balance sheets. Under GAAP, we review our long-lived assets for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. Factors that may be considered a change in circumstances, indicating that the carrying value of our long-lived assets may not be recoverable, include, but are not limited to, changes in the industrial, economic, political, and social landscapes in which we operate, as well as competition or other factors leading to a reduction in expected long-term sales or profitability. We may be required to record a significant non-cash charge in our financial statements during the period in which any impairment of our long-lived assets is determined, negatively impacting our results of operations.

In March 2018, a civil association in Mexico filed a complaint against the government authorities involved in the permitting process of our new Mining Solutions facility under construction in Gomez Palacio, Durango, Mexico. The claimant sought and obtained a suspension from the district judge to stop our construction work. The suspension was subsequently lifted on appeal, and the matter is before the Supreme Court of Mexico. A second similar complaint was filed in September 2019 and, again, a suspension of construction was granted. We have filed an appeal. In the event that the suspension of construction is ultimately upheld, we would incur $26 million of contract termination fees with a third-party services provider. Additionally, at December 31, 2019, we had $144 million long-lived assets under construction at the facility, $7 million of other related prepaid costs, and $51 million of our goodwill assigned to the Mining Solutions reporting unit. While we currently believe these amounts are recoverable, any future assessment that could potentially deem the facility to be impaired would result in a non-cash charge that negatively impacts our results of operations.


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The Chemours Company

Our operations could be materially impacted in the event of a failure of our information technology infrastructure.

We currently use an enterprise resource planning (“ERP”) software platform that is no longer supported; however, we are able to pay for extended, customer-specific support, which can be costly. We are currently evaluating our options to upgrade or switch this platform. Any systems failure, accident, or security breach could result in significant costs or disruptions to our operations, which could have a material adverse effect on our business. Further, such improvements and upgrades are often complex, costly, and time-consuming. We may experience challenges integrating any new ERP software platform with our existing technology systems, or may uncover problems with our existing technology systems. Any unsuccessful attempt to upgrade or switch our ERP software platform could result in outages, a disruption to our operations and our ability to serve our customers, and/or damage to our reputation.

Hazards associated with chemical manufacturing, storage, containment, and transportation could adversely affect our results of operations.

There are hazards associated with chemical manufacturing and the related storage, containment, and transportation of raw materials, products, and wastes. These hazards could lead to an interruption or suspension of operations and have an adverse effect on the productivity and profitability of a particular manufacturing facility or on us as a whole. While we endeavor to provide adequate protection for the safe-handling of these materials, issues could be created by various events, including unforeseen accidents or defects, natural disasters, severe weather events, acts of sabotage, military actions, terrorism, and performance by third parties, and as a result, we could face the following potential hazards:

piping and storage tank leaks and ruptures;

mechanical failure;

employee exposure to hazardous substances; and,

chemical spills and other discharges or releases of toxic or hazardous substances or gases.

These hazards may cause personal injury and loss of life, damage to property, contamination of the environment, and damage to natural resources, which could lead to government fines and penalties, remedial obligations, work stoppage injunctions, claims and lawsuits by injured persons, damage to our public reputation and brands, loss of sales and market access, customer dissatisfaction, and diminished product acceptance. If such actions are determined adversely to us or there is an associated economic impact to our business, we may have inadequate insurance or cash flows to offset any associated costs. Such outcomes could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

Our success depends on our ability to attract and retain key employees, and to identify and develop talented personnel to succeed our senior management and other employees.

Our success depends on the performance of our senior management team and other key employees. If we are unable to attract, retain, identify, and develop such individuals, whether due to technical, geographical, social, or other misalignment, our results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows could be adversely affected. Further, if we are unable to effectively plan for the succession of our senior management team, our results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows could be adversely affected, as we may be unable to realize our business strategy. While our ongoing personnel practices identify a succession process for our key employees, including our senior management team, we cannot guarantee the effectiveness of this process, the continuity of highly-qualified individuals serving in all of our key positions at particular moments in time, and/or the completeness of any knowledge transfer at the time of succession.

In addition, we expect to experience significant turnover at an operations level due to the demographics of our general workforce. Accordingly, we cannot guarantee the completeness of any knowledge transfer at the time of departure, or the continuity of key processes and/or internal controls over our financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures.

Operating as a multi-national corporation presents risks associated with global and regional economic downturns and global capital market conditions as well as risks resulting from changes to regional regulatory requirements (including environmental standards).

Our business and operating results may in the future be adversely affected by global economic conditions, including instability in credit markets, declining consumer and business confidence, fluctuating commodity prices and interest rates, volatile exchange rates, and other challenges, such as tariffs on international trade and a changing financial regulatory environment that could affect the global economy. Such global economic conditions may be further affected by physical risks that stem from a number of root causes, including natural disasters and/or travel-based restrictions that may be driven by geo-political activities, military actions, terrorism, and the spread of pandemics, such as the novel coronavirus.


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The Chemours Company

Our customers may experience deterioration of their businesses, shortages in cash flows, and difficulty obtaining financing. As a result, existing or potential customers may delay or cancel plans to purchase products and may not be able to fulfill their obligations to us in a timely fashion. Further, suppliers could experience similar conditions, which could impact their ability to supply materials or otherwise fulfill their obligations to us. Because we have significant international operations, there are a large number of currency transactions that result from our international sales, purchases, investments, and borrowings. Also, our effective tax rate may fluctuate because of variability in our geographic mix of earnings, changes in statutory rates, and taxes associated with the repatriation of our non-U.S. earnings. Future weakness in the global economy and failure to manage these risks could adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows in future periods.

In addition to the general risks associated with operating in the global economy, our revenue and profitability are largely dependent on the TiO2 pigment industry and the industries that are the end-users of our fluoroproducts. TiO2 pigment and our fluoroproducts, such as refrigerants and resins, are used in many “quality of life” products for which demand historically has been linked to global, regional, and local GDP and discretionary spending, which can be negatively impacted by regional and world events, or economic conditions. Such events, which may or may not impact all of our businesses at the same time or to the same degree, are likely to cause a decrease in the demand for our products and, as a result, may have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. The future profitability of our operations, and cash flows generated by those operations, will also be affected by the available supply of our products in the market. Our future Ti-PureTM demand growth may be below average global GDP growth rates if our sales into developed markets outpace our sales into emerging markets. In addition, because demand for our fluorochemicals is driven in part by industry needs to comply with certain mandated environmental regulations (such as markets for refrigerants and foams with low GWP), changes in, the elimination of, or lack of enforcement of such environmental regulations in the U.S., the EU, or other jurisdictions can also negatively impact demand for such products and, as a result, our results of operations and financial condition.

Our reported results could be adversely affected by currency exchange rates and currency devaluation could impair our competitiveness.

Due to our international operations, we transact in many foreign currencies, including, but not limited to, the euro, the Mexican peso, the Chinese yuan, and the Japanese yen. As a result, we are subject to the effects of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. During times of a strengthening U.S. dollar, our reported net sales and operating income will be reduced because the local currency will be translated into fewer U.S. dollars. During periods of local economic crisis, local currencies may be devalued significantly against the U.S. dollar, potentially reducing our margin. For example, depreciation of the euro against the U.S. dollar has historically negatively impacted our results of operations, and further decline of the euro could affect future periods.

We enter into certain of our qualifying foreign currency forward contracts under a cash flow hedge program to mitigate the risks associated with fluctuations in the euro against the U.S. dollar for forecasted U.S. dollar-denominated inventory purchases for certain of our international subsidiaries. There can be no assurance that any hedging action will lessen the adverse impact of a variation in currency rates. Also, actions to recover margins may result in lower volume and a weaker competitive position, which may have an adverse effect on our profitability. For example, in our Titanium Technologies segment, a substantial portion of our manufacturing is delayed.located in the U.S. and Mexico, while our TiO2 pigment is delivered to customers around the world. Furthermore, our ore cost is principally denominated in U.S. dollars. Accordingly, in periods when the U.S. dollar or Mexican peso strengthen against other local currencies, such as the euro, our costs are higher relative to some of our competitors who operate largely outside of the U.S., and the benefits we realize from having lower costs associated with our manufacturing process are reduced, impacting our profitability.

Effects of price fluctuations in energy and raw materials, our raw materials contracts, and our inability to renew such contracts, could have a significant impact on our earnings.

Our manufacturing processes consume significant amounts of energy and raw materials, the costs of which may be subject to worldwide supply and demand factors, global trade regulations and tariffs, GHG emissions-based regulations, and other factors beyond our control. Variations in the cost of energy, which primarily reflect market prices for oil and natural gas, and for raw materials may significantly affect our operating results from period to period. Additionally, consolidation in the industries providing our raw materials may have an impact on the cost and availability of such materials. To the extent we do not have fixed price contracts with respect to specific raw materials, we have no control over the costs of raw materials and such costs may fluctuate widely for a variety of reasons, including changes in availability, major capacity additions or reductions, or significant facility operating problems.

When possible, we have purchased, and we plan to continue to purchase, raw materials, including titanium-bearing ores and fluorspar, through negotiated medium-term or long-term contracts to minimize the impact of price fluctuations. To the extent that we have been able to achieve favorable pricing in our existing negotiated long-term contracts, we may not be able to renew such contracts at the current prices, or at all, and this may adversely impact our profitability and cash flows from operations. However, to the extent that the prices of the raw materials that we utilize significantly decline, we may be bound by the terms of our existing long-term contracts and obligated to purchase such raw materials at higher prices as compared to other market participants.


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The Chemours Company

We attempt to offset the effects of higher energy and raw materials costs through selling price increases, productivity improvements, and cost reduction programs. However, the outcome of these efforts is largely determined by existing competitive and economic conditions, and may be subject to a time delay between the increase in our raw materials costs and our ability to increase prices, which could vary significantly depending on the market served. If we are not able to fully offset the effects of higher energy or raw materials costs, there could be a material adverse effect on our financial results.

In connection with our separation,Separation, we were required to assume, and indemnify DuPont for, certain liabilities. As we aremay be required to make payments pursuant to these indemnities to DuPont, we may need to divert cash to meet those obligations and our financial results could be negatively affected. In addition, DuPont’s obligation to indemnify us for certain liabilities may not be sufficient to insure us against the full amount of liabilities for which it will be allocated responsibility, and DuPont may not be able to satisfy its indemnification obligations in the future.

Pursuant to the separation agreement, the employee matters agreement, the tax matters agreement, and the intellectual property cross-license agreement, we entered into with DuPont prior to the spin-off,Separation, we were required to assume, and indemnify DuPont for, certain liabilities. These indemnification obligations to date have included, among other items, defense costs associated with certain litigation matters as well as certain damages awards, settlement amounts, and penalties. In connection with MDL Settlement described above under “Our results of operations could be adversely affected by litigationin “Note 22 – Commitments and other commitmentsContingent Liabilities” to the Consolidated Financial Statements, we and contingencies”, DuPont and Chemours agreed, subjectentered into an amendment to and following the completion of the MDL Settlement, to a limited sharing of potential future PFOA liabilities (i.e., “indemnifiable losses,” as defined in the separation agreement between DuPont and Chemours) for a period of five years. During that five-year period, Chemours would annually pay futureconcerning PFOA liabilities up to $25 million and, if such amount is exceeded, DuPont would pay any excess amount up to the next $25 million (which payment will not be subject to indemnification by Chemours), with Chemours annually bearing any further excess liabilities undercosts, the terms of the separation agreement. After the five-year period, this limited sharing agreement would expire,which are also described in “Note 22 – Commitments and Chemours’ indemnification obligations under the separation agreement would continue unchanged.  Chemours has also agreed that, upon the MDL Settlement becoming effective, it will not contest its liability to DuPont under the separation agreement for PFOA liabilities on the basis of ostensible defenses generally applicableContingent Liabilities” to the indemnification provisions under the separation agreement, including defenses relating to punitive damages, fines or penalties or attorneys’ fees, and waives any such defenses with respect to PFOA liabilities.  Chemours has, however, retained defenses as to whether any particular PFOA claim is within the scope of the indemnification provisions of the separation agreement. Consolidated Financial Statements. Payments pursuant to these indemnities, whether relating to PFOA costs or otherwise, may be significant and could negatively impact our business, particularly indemnities relating to our actions that could impact the tax-free nature of the distribution. In addition, in the event that DuPont seeks indemnification for adverse trial rulings or outcomes, these indemnification claims could materially adversely affect our financial condition.

Disputes between Chemourswith DuPont and DuPontothers which may also arise with respect to indemnification matters, including disputes based on matter of law or contract interpretation.  If and to the extent these disputes arise, theyinterpretation, could materially adversely affect us. As described in “Note 22 – Commitments and Contingent Liabilities” to the Consolidated Financial Statements, we have filed a lawsuit against DuPont regarding indemnification matters. As further described in “Note 22 – Commitments and Contingent Liabilities” to the Consolidated Financial Statements, multiple lawsuits have been filed by third parties containing allegations that DuPont’s separation of Chemours was fraudulent.

Third parties could also seek to hold us responsible for any of the liabilities of the DuPont businesses. DuPont has agreed to indemnify us for such liabilities, but such indemnity from DuPont may not be sufficient to protect us against the full amount of such liabilities, and DuPont may not be able to fully satisfy its indemnification obligations. Moreover, even if we ultimately succeed in recovering from DuPont any amounts for which we are held liable, we may be temporarily required to bear these losses ourselves. Each of these risks could negatively affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows. See Note 20“Note 22 – Commitments and Contingent Liabilities” to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.

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The Chemours Company

In connection with our separation,Separation, we were required to enter into numerous separation-relatedSeparation-related and commercial agreements with our former parent company, DuPont, which may not reflect optimal or commercially beneficial terms to Chemours.us.

Commercial agreements we entered into with DuPont in connection withprior to the separationSeparation were negotiatedformed in the context of the separationSeparation while we were still a wholly-owned subsidiary of DuPont. Accordingly, during the period in which the terms of those agreements were negotiated,formed, we did not have an independent board of directors or management independent of DuPont. Certain commercial agreements, having long terms and commercially advantageouscommercially-advantageous cancellation and assignment rights to DuPont, may not include adjustments for changes in industry and market conditions. There is a risk that the pricing and other terms under these agreements may not be commercially beneficial and may not be able to be renegotiatedchanged in the future. The terms relate to, among other things, the allocation of assets, liabilities, rights, and obligations, including the provision of products and services and the sharing and operation of property, manufacturing, office, and laboratory sites, and other commercial rights and obligations between DuPont and us.

We may be unable to make, on a timely or cost-effective basis, the changes necessary to operate efficiently as an independent company.

There is a risk that, since separating from DuPont, we are more susceptible to market fluctuations and other adverse events than we would have been if we were still a part of DuPont’s organizational structure.  As part of DuPont, we were able to enjoy certain benefits from DuPont’s operating diversity, purchasing power and opportunities to pursue integrated strategies with DuPont’s other businesses.  As an independent, publicly traded company, we do not have similar diversity or integration opportunities and do not have similar purchasing power or access to capital markets.  Additionally, as part of DuPont, we were able to leverage the DuPont historical market reputation and performance and brand identity to recruit and retain key personnel to run our business.  As an independent, publicly traded company, we do not have the same historical market reputation and performance or brand identity as DuPont and it may be more difficult for us to recruit or retain such key personnel.

Our ability to make future strategic decisions regarding our manufacturing operations are subject to regulatory, environmental, political, legal and economic risks, and to certain extent may be subject to consents or cooperation from DuPont under the agreements entered into between us and DuPont as part of the separation. These could adversely affect our ability to execute our future strategic decisions and our results of operations and financial condition.

One of the ways we may improve our business is through the expansion or improvement of our existing facilities, such as the expansion of our Altamira TiO2 facility and the planned expansions for our OpteonTM refrigerant and our Mining Solutions facility.  Construction of additions or modifications to facilities involves numerous regulatory, environmental, political, legal and economic uncertainties that are beyond our control.  Such expansion or improvement projects may also require the expenditure of significant amounts of capital, and financing may not be available on economically acceptable terms or at all.  As a result, these projects may not be completed on schedule, at the budgeted cost, or at all.  Moreover, our revenue may not increase immediately upon the expenditure of funds on a particular project.  As a result, we may not be able to realize our expected investment return, which could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

We periodically assess our manufacturing operations in order to manufacture and distribute our products in the most efficient manner.  Based on our assessments, we may make strategic decisions regarding our manufacturing operations such as capital improvements to modernize certain units, move manufacturing or distribution capabilities from one plant or facility to another plant or facility, discontinue manufacturing or distributing certain products or close or divest all or part of a manufacturing plant or facility, some of which have significant shared services and lease agreements with DuPont.  These agreements may adversely impact our ability to take these strategic decisions regarding out manufacturing operations. Further, if such agreements are terminated or revised, we would have to assess and potentially adjust our manufacturing operations, the closure or divestiture of all or part of a manufacturing plant or facility that could result in future charges that could be significant.

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The Chemours Company

 

Our customers, prospective customers, suppliers, or other companies with whom we conduct business, or regulators may need assurances that our financial stability is sufficient to satisfy their requirements for doingrespective business or continuing to do business with them.regulatory requirements.

Some of our customers, prospective customers, suppliers, or other companies with whom we conduct business, or regulators may need assurances that our financial stability is sufficient to satisfy their requirements for doingrespective business or continuing to do business with them,regulatory requirements, and may require us to provide additional credit support, such as letters of credit or other financial guarantees. Any failure of parties to be satisfied with our financial stability could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.


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The Chemours Company

We are a holding company that is dependent on cash flows from our operating subsidiaries to fund our debt obligations, capital expenditures, and ongoing operations.

All of our operations are conducted, and all of our assets are owned, by our operating companies, which are our subsidiaries. We intend to continue to conduct our operations at the operating companies and any future subsidiaries. Consequently, our cash flowflows and our ability to meet our obligations or make cash distributions depends upon the cash flowflows of our operating companies and any future subsidiaries, and the payment of funds by our operating companies and any future subsidiaries in the form of dividends or otherwise. The ability of our operating companies and any future subsidiaries to make any payments to us depends on their earnings, the terms of their indebtedness, including the terms of any credit facilities, and legal restrictions regarding the transfer of funds.

Our debt is generally the exclusive obligation of The Chemours Company and our guarantor subsidiaries.subsidiaries, as described in “Note 20 – Debt” to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Because a significant portion of our operations are conducted by nonguarantornon-guarantor subsidiaries, our cash flowflows and our ability to service indebtedness, including our ability to pay the interest on our debt when due and principal of such debt at maturity, are dependent to a large extent upon cash dividends and distributions or other transfers from such nonguarantornon-guarantor subsidiaries. Any payment of dividends, distributions, loans, or advances by our nonguarantornon-guarantor subsidiaries to us could be subject to restrictions on dividends or repatriation of earnings under applicable local law, monetary transfer restrictions, and foreign currency exchange regulations in the jurisdictions in which our subsidiaries operate, and any restrictions imposed by the current and future debt instruments of our nonguarantornon-guarantor subsidiaries. In addition, payments to us by our subsidiaries are contingent upon our subsidiaries’ earnings.

Our subsidiaries are separate legal entities and, except for our guarantor subsidiaries, have no obligation, contingent or otherwise, to pay any amounts due on our debt or to make any funds available for those amounts, whether by dividends, loans, distributions, or other payments, and do not guarantee the payment of interest on, or principal of, our debt. Any right that we have to receive any assets of any of our subsidiaries that are not guarantors upon the liquidation or reorganization of any such subsidiary, and the consequent right of holders of the outstanding notes to realize proceeds from the sale of their assets, will be structurally subordinated to the claims of that subsidiary’s creditors, including trade creditors and holders of debt issued by that subsidiary.

If our long-lived assets become impaired, we may be required to record a significant charge to earnings.

We have a significant amount of long-lived assets on our consolidated balance sheet.  Under U.S. GAAP, we review our long-lived assets for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable.  Factors that may be considered a change in circumstances, indicating that the carrying value of our long-lived assets may not be recoverable, include, but are not limited to, changes in the industries in which we operate, particularly the impact of a downturn in the global economy, as well as competition or other factors leading to reduction in expected long-term sales or profitability.  We may be required to record a significant noncash charge in our financial statements during the period in which any impairment of our long-lived assets is determined, negatively impacting our results of operations.

Our failure to comply with the anti-corruption laws of the United StatesU.S. and various international jurisdictions could negatively impact our reputation and results of operations.

Doing business on a global basis requires us to comply with the laws and regulations of the U.S. government and those of various international and sub-national jurisdictions, and our failure to successfully comply with these rules and regulations may expose us to liabilities. These laws and regulations apply to companies, individual directors, officers, employees, and agents, and may restrict our operations, trade practices, investment decisions, and partnering activities. In particular, our international operations are subject to U.S. and foreign anti-corruption laws and regulations, such as the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (the “FCPA”(“FCPA”), the United KingdomU.K. Bribery Act 2010 (the “Bribery(“Bribery Act”), as well as other anti-corruption laws of the various jurisdictions in which we operate. The FCPA, the Bribery Act, and other laws prohibit us and our officers, directors, employees, and agents acting on our behalf from corruptly offering, promising, authorizing, or providing anything of value to foreign officials for the purposes of influencing official decisions or obtaining or retaining business or otherwise obtaining favorable treatment. Our global operations may expose us to the risk of violating, or being accused of violating, the foregoing or other anti-corruption laws. Such violations could be punishable by criminal fines, imprisonment, civil penalties, disgorgement of profits, injunctions, and exclusion from government contracts, as well as other

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remedial measures. Investigations of alleged violations can be very expensive, disruptive, and damaging to our reputation. Although we have implemented anti-corruption policies and procedures, since the separation, there can be no guarantee that these policies, procedures, and training will effectively prevent violations by our employees or representatives in the future. Additionally, we face a risk that our distributors and other business partners may violate the FCPA, the Bribery Act, or similar laws or regulations. Such violations could expose us to FCPA and Bribery Act liability and/or our reputation may potentially be harmed by their violations and resulting sanctions and fines.


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The Chemours Company

We could be subject to changes in our tax rates and the adoption of tax legislation or exposure to additional tax liabilities that may adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows.

We are subject to taxes in the U.S. and non-U.S. jurisdictions where our subsidiaries are organized. Due to economic and political conditions, tax rates in various jurisdictions may be subject to significant change. Our future effective tax rates could be affected by changes in the mix of earnings in countries with differing statutory tax rates, changes in the valuation of deferred tax assets and liabilities, and changes in tax laws or their interpretations. Our tax returns and other tax matters are subject to examination by local tax authorities and governmental bodies. We regularly assess the likelihood of an adverse outcome resulting from these examinations to determine the adequacy of our provision for taxes. There can be no assurance as to the outcome of these examinations. If our effective tax rates were to increase, or if the ultimate determination of the taxes owed by us is for an amount in excess of amounts previously accrued, our operating results, financial condition, and cash flows could be adversely affected.

Failure to meet some or all of our key financial and non-financial targets could negatively impact the value of our business and adversely affect our stock price.

From time to time, we may announce certain key financial and non-financial targets that are expected to serve as benchmarks for our performance for a given time period, including goals for our future net sales growth, adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, adjusted earnings per share, free cash flows, return on invested capital, corporate responsibility, and/or sustainability. Our failure to meet one or more of these key targets may negatively impact our results of operations, stock price, and stockholder returns. The factors influencing our ability to meet these key targets include, but are not limited to, changes in the global economic environment, changes in our competitive landscape, including our relationships with new or existing customers, our ability to introduce new products, applications, or technologies, our undertaking of an acquisition, joint venture, or other strategic arrangement, the outcome of any new or existing litigation, our failure to comply with new or existing laws or regulations, and other factors described within this Item 1A – Risk Factors, many of which are beyond our control.

Risks Related to Our Indebtedness

Our significantcurrent level of indebtedness could adversely affect our financial condition, and we could have difficulty fulfilling our obligations under our indebtedness, which may have a material adverse effect on us.

As of December 31, 2016,2019, we had approximately $3.6$4.2 billion of indebtedness. At December 31, 2016,2019, together with the guarantors, we had approximately $1.4$1.3 billion of indebtedness outstanding under our senior secured indebtedness outstanding,credit facilities, and had an additional $750$800 million of capacity under the revolving credit facility (“Revolving Credit Facility, all ofFacility”) capacity, which would be senior secured indebtedness, if drawn.drawn (collectively, the “Senior Secured Credit Facilities”). Our significantcurrent level of indebtedness increases the risk that we may be unable to generate cash sufficient to pay amounts due in respect of our indebtedness. The level of our indebtedness could have other important consequences on our business, including:

making it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations with respect to indebtedness;

making it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations with respect to indebtedness;

increasing our vulnerability to adverse changes in general economic, industry and competitive conditions;

increasing our vulnerability to adverse changes in general economic, industry, and competitive conditions;

requiring us to dedicate a significant portion of our cash flow from operations to make payments on our indebtedness, thereby reducing the availability of our cash flow to fund working capital and other general corporate purposes;

requiring us to dedicate a significant portion of our cash flows from operations to make payments on our indebtedness, thereby reducing the availability of our cash flows to fund working capital and other general corporate purposes;

limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we operate;

limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we operate;

restricting us from capitalizing on business opportunities;

restricting us from capitalizing on business opportunities;

placing us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that have less debt;

placing us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that have less debt;

limiting our ability to borrow additional funds for working capital, acquisitions, debt service requirements, execution of our business strategy or other general corporate purposes;

limiting our ability to borrow additional funds for working capital, acquisitions, debt service requirements, execution of our business strategy, or other general corporate purposes;

limiting our ability to enter into certain commercial arrangements because of concerns of counterparty risks; and

limiting our ability to enter into certain commercial arrangements because of concerns of counterparty risks; and,

limiting our ability to adjust to changing market conditions and placing us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that have less debt.

limiting our ability to adjust to changing market conditions and placing us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that have less debt.

The occurrence of any one or more of these circumstances could have a material adverse effect on us.

Despite our significant level of indebtedness, we may be able to incur substantially more debt and enter into other transactions which could further exacerbate the risks to our financial condition described above.

Notwithstanding our significant level of indebtedness, we may be able to incur significant additional indebtedness in the future, including additional secured indebtedness that would be effectively senior to the notes (including up to $750 million of available capacity under the Revolving Credit Facility).  Although the indenture that governs the notes and the credit agreement that governs the Senior Secured Credit Facilities contain restrictions on our ability to incur additional indebtedness and to enter into certain types of other transactions, these restrictions are subject to a number of significant qualifications and exceptions.  Additional indebtedness incurred in compliance with these restrictions, including secured indebtedness, could be substantial.  These restrictions also do not prevent us from incurring obligations, such as trade payables, that do not constitute indebtedness as defined under our debt instruments.  To the extent such new debt is added to our current debt levels, the substantial leverage risks described in the immediately preceding risk factor would increase.

We may need additional capital in the future and may not be able to obtain it on favorable terms.

Our industry is capital intensive, and we may require additional capital in the future to finance our growth and development, implement further marketing and sales activities, fund ongoing research and development activities and meet general working capital needs.  Our capital requirements will depend on many factors, including acceptance of and demand for our products, the extent to which we invest in new technology and research and development projects, and the status and timing of these developments, as well as general availability of capital from debt and/or equity markets.

However, debt or equity financing may not be available to us on terms we find acceptable, if at all.  Also, regardless of the terms of our debt or equity financing, our agreements and obligations under the tax matters agreement may limit our ability to issue stock. For a

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The Chemours Company

more detailed discussion, see risk factor “We agreed to numerous restrictions to preserve the tax-free treatment of the transactions in the U.S., which may reduce our strategic and operating flexibility.”  If we are unable to raise additional capital when needed, our financial condition could be materially and adversely affected.

Additionally, our failure to maintain the credit ratings on our debt securities, including the notes, could negatively affect our ability to access capital and could increase our interest expense on future indebtedness.  We expect the credit rating agencies to periodically review our capital structure and the quality and stability of our earnings.  Deterioration in our capital structure or the quality and stability of our earnings could result in a downgrade of the credit ratings on our debt securities.  Any negative rating agency actions could constrain the capital available to us, reduce or eliminate available borrowing to us and could limit our access to and/or increase the cost of funding our operations.  If, as a result, our ability to access capital when needed becomes constrained, our interest costs could increase, which could have material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

Our variable rate indebtedness subjects us to interest rate risk, which could cause our indebtedness service obligations to increase significantly.

Our borrowings under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities are at variable rates and expose us to interest rate risk.  As a result, if interest rates increase, our debt service obligations under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities or other variable rate debt would increase even though the amount borrowed remained the same, and our net income and cash flows, including cash available for servicing our indebtedness, would correspondingly decrease.  As of December 31, 2016, we had approximately $1.4 billion of our outstanding debt at variable interest rates.

We may be unable to service our indebtedness, including the notes.

Our ability to make scheduled payments on and to refinance our indebtedness, including theon our outstanding notes, depends on and is subject to our financial and operating performance, which in turn is affected by general and regional economic, financial, competitive, business, and other factors (many of which are beyond our control), including the availability of financing in the international banking and capital markets. We cannot be certain that our business will generate sufficient cash flowflows from operations or that future borrowings will be available to us in an amount sufficient to enable us to service our debt, including the outstanding notes, to refinance our debt, or to fund our other liquidity needs.


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The Chemours Company

If we are unable to meet our debt service obligations or to fund our other liquidity needs, we will need to restructure or refinance all or a portion of our debt, including the outstanding notes. Failure to successfully restructure or refinance our debt could cause us to default on our debt obligations and would impair our liquidity. Our ability to restructure or refinance our debt will depend on the condition of the capital markets and our financial condition at such time. Any refinancing of our indebtedness could be at higher interest rates and may require us to comply with more onerous covenants that could further restrict our business operations.

Moreover, in the event of a default of our debt service obligations, the holders of the applicable indebtedness, including theholders of our outstanding notes and the Senior Secured Credit Facilities, could elect to declare all the funds borrowed to be due and payable, together with accrued and unpaid interest. We cannot be certain that our assets or cash flows would be sufficient to fully repay borrowings under our outstanding debt instruments if accelerated upon an event of default. First, a default in our debt service obligations in respect of the outstanding notes would result in a cross defaultcross-default under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities. The foregoing would permit the lenders under the Revolving Credit Facility to terminate their commitments thereunder and cease making further loans, and would allow the lenders under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities to declare all loans immediately due and payable and to institute foreclosure proceedings against their collateral, which could force us into bankruptcy or liquidation. Second, any event of default or declaration of acceleration under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities or anycertain other agreements relating to our outstanding indebtedness under which the total amount of outstanding indebtedness exceeds $100 million could also result in an event of default under the indenture governing the outstanding notes, and any event of default or declaration of acceleration under any other of our outstanding indebtedness may also contain a cross-default provision. Any such default, event of default, or declaration of acceleration could materially and adversely affect our results of operationoperations and financial condition.

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See “Note 20 – Debt” to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion related to our indebtedness.

Despite our current level of indebtedness, we may incur substantially more debt and enter into other transactions, which could further exacerbate the risks to our financial condition described above.

Notwithstanding our current level of indebtedness, we may incur significant additional indebtedness in the future, including additional secured indebtedness (including the $800 million under the Revolving Credit Facility) that would be effectively senior to our outstanding notes. Although the indenture that governs the outstanding notes and the credit agreement that governs the Senior Secured Credit Facilities contain restrictions on our ability to incur additional indebtedness and to enter into certain types of other transactions, these restrictions are subject to a number of significant qualifications and exceptions. Additional indebtedness incurred in compliance with these restrictions, including additional secured indebtedness, could be substantial. These restrictions also do not prevent us from incurring obligations, such as trade payables, that do not constitute indebtedness as defined under our debt instruments. To the extent such new debt is added to our current debt levels, the substantial leverage risks described in the immediately preceding risk factor would increase.

We may need additional capital in the future and may not be able to obtain it on favorable terms.

Our industry is capital intensive, and we may require additional capital in the future to finance our growth and development, implement further marketing and sales activities, fund ongoing R&D activities, make investments driven by environmental compliance, and meet general working capital needs. Our capital requirements will depend on many factors, including acceptance of and demand for our products, the extent to which we invest in new technology and R&D projects, and the status and timing of these developments, as well as the general availability of capital from debt and/or equity markets. However, debt or equity financing may not be available to us on terms we find acceptable, if at all. If we are unable to raise additional capital when needed, our financial condition could be materially and adversely affected.

Additionally, our failure to maintain the credit ratings on our debt securities, including the outstanding notes, could negatively affect our ability to access capital and could increase our interest expense on future indebtedness. We expect the credit rating agencies to periodically review our capital structure and the quality and stability of our earnings. Deterioration in our capital structure or the quality and stability of our earnings could result in a downgrade of our overall credit ratings and our debt securities. Any negative rating agency actions could constrain the capital available to us, reduce or eliminate available borrowing to us, and could limit our access to and/or increase the cost of funding our operations. If, as a result, our ability to access capital when needed becomes constrained, our interest costs could increase, which could have material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows.

Our variable rate indebtedness subjects us to interest rate risk, which could cause our indebtedness service obligations to increase significantly.

Our borrowings under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities are at variable rates and expose us to interest rate risk. As a result, if interest rates increase, our debt service obligations under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities or other variable rate debt would increase, even though the amount borrowed would remain the same, and our net income and cash flows, including cash available for servicing our indebtedness, would correspondingly decrease. As of December 31, 2019, we had approximately $1.3 billion of our outstanding debt under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities at variable interest rates.

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The Chemours Company

 

The agreements governing our indebtedness restrict our current and future operations, particularly our ability to respond to changes or to take certain actions.

The agreements governing our indebtedness, including the outstanding notes, contain, and the agreements governing future indebtedness and future debt securities may contain, significant restrictive covenants and, in the case of the Revolving Credit Facility, financial maintenance and negative covenants that will limit our operations, including our ability to engage in activities that may be in our long-term best interests. These restrictive covenants may limit us, and our restricted subsidiaries, from taking, or give rights to the holders of our indebtedness in the event of the following actions:

incurring additional indebtedness and guaranteeing indebtedness;

incurring additional indebtedness and guaranteeing indebtedness and other obligations;

paying dividends or making other distributions in respect of, or repurchasing or redeeming, our capital stock;

paying dividends or making other distributions in respect of, or repurchasing or redeeming, our capital stock;

making acquisitions or other investments;

making acquisitions or other investments;

prepaying, redeeming or repurchasing certain indebtedness;

prepaying, redeeming, or repurchasing certain indebtedness;

selling or otherwise disposing of assets;

selling or otherwise disposing of assets;

selling stock of our subsidiaries;

selling stock of our subsidiaries;

incurring liens;

incurring liens;

entering into transactions with affiliates;

entering into transactions with affiliates;

entering into agreements restricting our subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends;

entering into agreements restricting our subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends;

entering into transactions that result in a change of control of us; and

entering into transactions that result in a change of control of us; and,

consolidating, merging, or selling all or substantially all of our assets.

consolidating, merging or selling all or substantially all of our assets.

Our failure to comply with those covenants could result in an event of default that, if not cured or waived, could result in the acceleration of some or all of our indebtedness, which could lead us to bankruptcy, reorganization, or insolvency.


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The Chemours Company

Risks Related to the Separation

We may be unable to achieve some or all of the benefits that we expected to achieve from our separation from DuPont.

As an independent, publicly-traded company, we continue to, among other things, focus our financial and operational resources on our specific business, growth profile and strategic priorities, design and implement corporate strategies and policies targeted to our operational focus and strategic priorities, guide our processes and infrastructure to focus on our core strengths, implement and maintain a capital structure designed to meet our specific needs and more effectively respond to industry dynamics, all of which are benefits we expected to achieve from our separation. However, we may be unable to fully achieve some or all of these benefits.  For example, in order to position ourselves for the separation and distribution, we undertook a series of strategic, structural and process realignment and restructuring actions within our operations.  These actions may not provide the benefits we expected, and could lead to disruption of our operations, loss of, or inability to recruit, key personnel needed to operate and grow our businesses following the separation and distribution, weakening of our internal standards, controls or procedures and impairment of our key customer and supplier relationships.  If we fail to achieve some or all of the benefits that we expected to achieve as an independent company, or do not achieve them in the time we expected, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

If the distribution, in connection with the Separation, together with certain related transactions, were to fail to qualify for non-recognition treatment for U.S. federal income tax purposes, then we could be subject to significant tax and indemnification liability and stockholders receiving our common stock in the distribution could be subject to significant tax liability.

DuPont received a ruling from the IRSU.S. Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) substantially to the effect that, among other things, the distribution in connection with the Separation qualified as a tax-free transaction under Section 355 and Section 368(a)(1)(D) of the Internal Revenue Code (the Code)of 1986, as amended (“IRC”). The tax-free nature of the distribution was conditioned on the continued validity of the IRS Ruling, as well as on receipt of a tax opinion, in form and substance acceptable to DuPont, substantially to the effect that, among other things, the distribution would qualify as a tax-free transaction under Section 355 and Section 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code,IRC, and certain transactions related to the transfer of assets and liabilities to us in connection with the separationSeparation and distribution would not result in the recognition of any gain or loss to us, DuPont, us or our stockholders. The IRS Ruling and the tax opinion relied on certain facts, assumptions, and undertakings, and certain representations from DuPontus and us,DuPont, regarding the past and future conduct of both respective businesses and other matters, and the tax opinion relies on the IRS Ruling. Notwithstanding the IRS Ruling and the tax opinion, the IRS could determine that the distribution or such related transactions should be treated as a taxable transaction if it determines that any of these facts, assumptions, representations, or

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The Chemours Company

undertakings were not correct, or that the distribution should be taxable for other reasons, including if the IRS were to disagree with the conclusions in the tax opinion that are not covered by the IRS Ruling.

If the distribution ultimately was determined to be taxable, then a stockholder of DuPont that received shares of our common stock in the distribution would be treated as having received a distribution of property in an amount equal to the fair market value of such shares on the distribution date and could incur significant income tax liabilities. Such distribution would be taxable to such stockholder as a dividend to the extent of DuPont’s current and accumulated earnings and profits. Any amount that exceeded DuPont’s earnings and profits would be treated first as a non-taxable return of capital to the extent of such stockholder’s tax basis in its shares of DuPont stock with any remaining amount being taxed as a capital gain. DuPont would recognize a taxable gain in an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the shares of our common stock held by DuPont on the distribution date over DuPont’s tax basis in such shares. In addition, if certain related transactions fail to qualify for tax-free treatment under U.S. federal, state, and/or local tax law, and/or foreign tax law, we and DuPont could incur significant tax liabilities under U.S. federal, state, and/or local tax law, and/or foreign tax law.

Generally, taxes resulting from the failure of the separationSeparation and distribution or certain related transactions to qualify for non-recognition treatment under U.S. federal, state, and/or local tax law, and/or foreign tax law, would be imposed on DuPont or DuPont’s stockholders and, under the tax matters agreement that we entered into with DuPont prior to the spin-off,Separation, DuPont is generally obligated to indemnify us against such taxes to the extent that we may be jointly, severally, or secondarily liable for such taxes. However, under the terms of the tax matters agreement, we are also generally responsible for any taxes imposed on DuPont that arise from the failure of the distribution to qualify as tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes within the meaning of Section 355 of the CodeIRC or the failure of such related transactions to qualify for tax-free treatment, to the extent such failure to qualify is attributable to actions, events, or transactions relating to our or our affiliates’, stock, assets, or business, or any breach of our or our affiliates’ representations, covenants, or obligations under the tax matters agreement (or any other agreement we enter into in connection with the separationSeparation and distribution), the materials submitted to the IRS or other governmental authorities in connection with the request for the IRS Ruling or other tax rulings or the representation letter provided to counsel in connection with the tax opinion. Events triggering an indemnification obligation under the agreement include events occurring after the distribution that cause DuPont to recognize a gain under Section 355(e) of the Code.IRC. Such tax amounts could be significant. To the extent we are responsible for any liability under the tax matters agreement, there could be a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows in future reporting periods.

We are subject to continuing contingent tax-related liabilities of DuPont.

There are several significant areas where the liabilities of DuPont may become our obligations. For example, under the CodeIRC and the related rules and regulations, each corporation that was a member of DuPont’s consolidated tax reporting group during any taxable period or portion of any taxable period ending on or before the effective time of the distribution is jointly and severally liable for the U.S. federal income tax liability of the entire consolidated tax reporting group for such taxable period. In connection with the separationSeparation and distribution, we entered into a tax matters agreement with DuPont that allocates the responsibility for prior period taxes of DuPont’s consolidated tax reporting group between us and DuPont. If DuPont were unable to pay any prior period taxes for which it is responsible, however, we could be required to pay the entire amount of such taxes, and such amounts could be significant. Other provisions of federal, state, local, or foreign law may establish similar liability for other matters, including laws governing tax-qualified pension plans, as well as other contingent liabilities.

We agreed to numerous restrictions to preserve the tax-free treatment of the transactions in the U.S., which may reduce our strategic and operating flexibility.

Our ability to engage in significant equity transactions could be limited or restricted in order to preserve, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the tax-free nature of the distribution by DuPont.  Even if the distribution otherwise qualifies for tax-free treatment under Section 355 of the Code, the distribution may result in corporate-level taxable gain to DuPont under Sections 355(e) and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code if 50 percent or more, by vote or value, of shares of our stock or DuPont’s stock are acquired or issued as part of a plan or series of related transactions that includes the distribution.  The process for determining whether an acquisition or issuance triggering these provisions has occurred is complex, inherently factual and subject to interpretation of the facts and circumstances of a particular case.  Any acquisitions or issuances of our stock or DuPont’s stock within a two-year period after the distribution generally are presumed to be part of such a plan, although we or DuPont, as applicable, may be able to rebut that presumption.  Accordingly, under the tax matters agreement entered into prior to the spin-off, for the two-year period following the distribution, we are prohibited, except in certain circumstances, from:

entering into any transaction resulting in the acquisition of 40 percent or more of our stock or substantially all of our assets, whether by merger or otherwise;

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merging, consolidating or liquidating;

issuing equity securities beyond certain thresholds;

repurchasing our capital stock; or

ceasing to actively conduct our business.

These restrictions may limit our ability to pursue certain strategic transactions or other transactions, including our transformation plans that we may believe to otherwise be in our best interests or that might increase the value of our business.  In addition, under the tax matters agreement, we are required to indemnify DuPont against any such tax liabilities as a result of the acquisition of our stock or assets, even if we do not participate in or otherwise facilitate the acquisition.

Risks Related to Our Common Stock

Our stock price could become more volatile and investments could lose value.

The market price of our common stock and the number of shares traded each day has experienced significant fluctuations since our separation from DuPont and may continue to fluctuate significantly.  

The market price for our common stock may be affected by a number of factors, including, but not limited to:

our quarterly or annual earnings, or those of other companies in our industry;

our quarterly or annual earnings, or those of other companies in our industry;

actual or anticipated fluctuations in our operating results;

actual or anticipated fluctuations in our operating results;

changes in earnings estimates by securities analysts or our ability to meet those estimates or our earnings guidance;

changes in earnings estimates by securities analysts or our ability to meet those estimates or our earnings guidance;

anticipated or actual outcomes or resolutions of legal or other contingencies;

anticipated or actual outcomes or resolutions of legal or other contingencies;

the operating and stock price performance of other comparable companies;

the operating and stock price performance of other comparable companies;

credit rating agency actions;

a change in our dividend or stock repurchase activities;

a change in our dividend or stock repurchase activities;

changes in applicable rules and regulations and the reputation of our business;

changes in rules or regulations applicable to our business;

the announcement of new products by us or our competitors;

the announcement of new products by us or our competitors;

overall market fluctuations and domestic and worldwide economic conditions; and,

other factors described in this Item 1A – Risk Factors, and elsewhere within this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

overall market fluctuations and domestic and worldwide economic conditions; and

other factors described in these “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Form 10-K.

A significant drop or rise in our stock price could expose us to costly and time-consuming litigation, which could result in substantial costs and divert management’s attention and resources, resulting in an adverse effect on our business. As further described in “Note 22 – Commitments and Contingent Liabilities” to the Consolidated Financial Statements, lawsuits have been filed alleging that Chemours and certain of its officers have violated the Exchange Act of 1934.

We cannot guarantee the timing or amount of our dividends and/or paymentour share repurchases, which are subject to a number of dividends onuncertainties that may affect the price of our common stock in the future.stock.

The declaration, payment, and amount of any dividenddividends, and/or the decision to purchase common stock under our share repurchase programs are subject to the sole discretion of our board of directors and, in the context of our financial policy and capital allocation strategy, will depend upon many factors, including our financial condition, operating results, cash flows, and relevant prospects, our capital requirements and access to capital markets, covenants associated with certain of our debt obligations, legal requirements, and other factors that our board of directors may deem relevant, and there can be no assurances that we will continue to pay a dividend or repurchase our common shares in the future.

The reduction or elimination of our dividends or share repurchase programs could adversely affect the price of our common stock. Additionally, any repurchases of our common stock will reduce the amount of our common stock outstanding. There can be no assurances that any share repurchase activity will increase stockholder value due to market fluctuations in the price of our common stock, which may reduce the price of our common stock to levels below the repurchase price. Although our share repurchase programs are designed to enhance long-term shareholder value, short-term fluctuations in the market price of our common stock could reduce the program’s overall effectiveness.

A stockholder’s percentage of ownership in us may be diluted in the future.

A stockholder’s percentage ownership in usour common stock may be diluted because of equity issuances for acquisitions, capital market transactions, or otherwise, including, without limitation, equity awards that we may be granting to our directors, officers, and employees. Such issuances may have a dilutive effect on our earnings per share, which could adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

In addition, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation authorizes us to issue, without the approval of our stockholders, one or more classes or series of preferred stock having such designation, powers, preferences, and relative participating, optional, and other special rights, including preferences over our common stock with respect to dividends and distributions, as our board of directors generally may determine. The terms of one or more classes or series of preferred stock could dilute the voting power or reduce the value of our common stock. For example, we could grant the holders of preferred stock the right to elect some number of our directors in all events or on the happening of specified events or to veto specified transactions. Similarly, the repurchase or redemption rights or liquidation preferences we could assign to holders of preferred stock could affect the residual value of our common stock.

2725


The Chemours Company

 

Certain provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated by-laws, and of Delaware law, may prevent or delay an acquisition of us, which could decrease the trading price of the common stock.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated by-laws contain, and Delaware law contains, provisions that are intended to deter coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids by making such practices or bids unacceptably expensive to the bidder and to encourage prospective acquirers to negotiate with our board of directors rather than to attempt a hostile takeover. These provisions include, among others:

the inability of our stockholders to act by written consent;

the inability of our stockholders to act by written consent;

the limited ability of our stockholders to call a special meeting;

the limited ability of our stockholders to call a special meeting;

rules regarding how stockholders may present proposals or nominate directors for election at stockholder meetings;

rules regarding how stockholders may present proposals or nominate directors for election at stockholder meetings;

the right of our board of directors to issue preferred stock without stockholder approval;

the right of our board of directors to issue preferred stock without stockholder approval;

the ability of our directors, and not stockholders, to fill vacancies (including those resulting from an enlargement of the board of directors) on our board of directors; and

the ability of our directors, and not stockholders, to fill vacancies (including those resulting from an enlargement of the board of directors) on our board of directors; and,

the requirement that stockholders holding at least 80% of our voting stock are required to amend certain provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated by-laws.

the requirement that stockholders holding at least 80 percent of our voting stock are required to amend certain provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated by-laws.

In addition, we are subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporations Law (the DGCL)(“DGCL”). Section 203 of the DGCL provides that, subject to limited exceptions, persons that (without prior board of directors approval) acquire, or are affiliated with a person that acquires, more than 15 percent15% of the outstanding voting stock of a Delaware corporation shall not engage in any business combination with that corporation, including by merger, consolidation, or acquisitions of additional shares, for a three-year period following the date on which that person or its affiliate becomes the holder of more than 15 percent15% of the corporation’s outstanding voting stock.

We believe these provisions will protect our stockholders from coercive or otherwise unfair takeover tactics by requiring potential acquirers to negotiate with our board of directors and by providing our board of directors with more time to assess any acquisition proposal. These provisions are not intended to make us immune from takeovers. However, these provisions will apply even if an acquisition proposal or offer may be considered beneficial by some stockholders and could delay or prevent an acquisition that our board of directors determines is not in our best interests andand/or our stockholders’.stockholders. These provisions may also prevent or discourage attempts to remove and replace incumbent directors.

Several of the agreements that we have entered into with DuPont require DuPont’s consent to any assignment by us of our rights and obligations, or a change of control of us, under the agreements. The consent rights set forth in these agreements might discourage, delay, or prevent a change of control that a stockholder may consider favorable.

In addition, an acquisition or further issuance of our stock could trigger the application of Section 355(e) of the Code.IRC. Under the tax matters agreement executed prior to the spin-off,Separation, we would be required to indemnify DuPont for the tax imposed under Section 355(e) of the CodeIRC resulting from an acquisition or issuance of its stock, even if it did not participate in or otherwise facilitate the acquisition, and this indemnity obligation might discourage, delay, or prevent a change of control that a stockholder may consider favorable. Please seeSee the risk factor, If“If the distribution, in connection with the Separation, together with certain related transactions, were to fail to qualify for non-recognition treatment for U.S. federal income tax purposes, then we could be subject to significant tax and indemnification liability and stockholders receiving our common stock in the distribution could be subject to significant tax liability.liability” for further information.

Item 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

2826


The Chemours Company

 

Item 2. PROPERTIESPROPERTIES

Chemours

Our Production Facilities and Technical Centers

Our corporate headquarters is located in Wilmington, Delaware, and we maintain a global network of production facilities and technical centers located in cost-effective and strategic locations. We also use contract manufacturing and joint venture partners in order to provide regional access or to lower manufacturing costs, as appropriate.

The following chart listssets forth our production facilities as ofat December 31, 2016:2019.

 

Production Facilities

Titanium TechnologiesRegion

 

Fluoroproducts

 

Chemical Solutions

 

Shared Locations

North America

DeLisle, MS

New Johnsonville, TN

Starke, FL (Mine)

El Dorado, AR 1

Elkton, MD 1

Louisville, KY

Fayetteville, NC

Deepwater, NJ

Corpus Christi, TX

LaPorte, TX 2

Washington, WV

Maitland, Canada

Pascagoula, MS

Memphis, TN

Belle, WV 3

Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA)

Mechelen, Belgium

Villers St. Paul, France 1

Dordrecht, Netherlands

Latin America

Altamira, Mexico

Barra Mansa, Brazil 2

Asia Pacific

Kuan Yin, Taiwan

Changshu, China

Shanghai, China 4

SiChuan, China 4

Chiba, Japan 4

Shimizu, Japan 4

1

Site is leased from third party.

2

Site is leased from DuPont.

3

Shared facility between the Chemical Solutions and Fluoroproducts segments.

4

Sites with joint venture equity affiliates.

We have technical centers and R&D facilities located at a number of our production facilities. We also maintain standalone technical centers to serve our customers and provide technical support. The following chart lists our standalone technical centers as of December 31, 2016:

Technical Centers

Region

Titanium Technologies

Fluoroproducts

Chemical Solutions

 

Shared Locations

North America

 

El Dorado, Arkansas (1)

Elkton, Maryland (1)

Louisville, Kentucky

Fayetteville, North Carolina

Deepwater, New Jersey

Parlin, New Jersey (2)

Corpus Christi, Texas

LaPorte, Texas (2)

Washington, West Virginia

 

Akron, OH 2Memphis, Tennessee

 

DeLisle, Mississippi

New Johnsonville, Tennessee

Starke, Florida (Mine & Mineral Separation)

Folkston, Georgia (Mine)

Offerman, Georgia (Mineral Separation)

 

Wilmington, DE (All Segments) 2, 3Pascagoula, Mississippi (4)

Belle, West Virginia (4)

EMEA

Kallo, Belgium 1Europe, the Middle East, and Africa

 

Mechelen, Belgium1

Meyrin, Switzerland 2Villers St. Paul, France (1)

Dordrecht, Netherlands

 

 

 

 

Latin America

 

Barra Mansa, Brazil 2(2)

Manaus, Brazil (1)

Monterrey, Mexico City,(1)

Altamira, Mexico1

Asia Pacific

Changshu, China

Shanghai, China (3)

Sichuan, China (3)

Chiba, Japan (3)

Shimizu, Japan (3)

Kuan Yin, Taiwan

(1)

Site is leased from a third party.

(2)

Site is leased from DuPont.

(3)

Site with joint venture equity affiliates.

(4)

Shared site between the Chemical Solutions and Fluoroproducts segments.

We have technical centers and R&D facilities located at a number of our production facilities. We also maintain stand-alone technical centers to serve our customers and provide technical support.

The following chart sets forth our stand-alone technical centers at December 31, 2019.

Technical Centers

Region

Fluoroproducts

Chemical Solutions

Titanium Technologies

Shared Locations

North America

Deepwater, New Jersey

 

 

 

 

 

Newark, Delaware

(All Segments)

Wilmington, Delaware

(All Segments) (2,4)

Europe, the Middle East, and Africa

Mechelen, Belgium

Meyrin, Switzerland (2)

Kallo, Belgium (1)

Latin America

Mexico City, Mexico (1)

 

Asia Pacific

 

Shanghai, China (1)

Shimizu, Japan (3)

 

Utsonomyia, Japan 2

 

 

 

Shanghai, China2

(All Segments) (1)

1

Leased(1)

Site is leased from a third party.

2

Leased(2)

Site is leased from DuPont.

3

(3)

Site with joint venture equity affiliates.

(4)

There are two facilitiesmultiple sites at this location.

29

27


The Chemours Company

 

Chemours’Our plants and equipment are maintained and in good operating condition. Chemours believes it hasWe believe that we have sufficient production capacity for itsour primary products to meet demand in 2017. Properties2020. Our properties are primarily owned by Chemours;us; however, certain properties are leased, as noted in the preceding tables.

Chemours recognizes

We recognize that the security and safety of itsour operations are critical to itsour employees community, and to the future of Chemours.communities, as well as our future. Physical security measures have been combined with process safety measures, administrative procedures, and emergency response preparedness into an integrated security plan. Prior to the separation, DuPont conductedWe conduct vulnerability assessments at our operating facilities in the U.S. and high priority, as well as high-priority sites worldwide, and identifiedas a result, identify and implementedimplement the appropriate measures to protect these facilities from physical and cyber-attacks. Chemours intends to conduct similar vulnerability assessments periodically in the future. Chemours iscyberattacks. We are partnering with carriers, including railroad, shipping, and trucking companies, to secure chemicals in transit.

 

Item 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Legal Proceedings

The Company is

We are subject to various legal proceedings, including, but not limited to, product liability, patent infringement, antitrust claimsintellectual property, personal injury, commercial, contractual, employment, governmental, environmental, anti-trust, and claims for property damage or personal injury.other such matters that arise in the ordinary course of business. Information regarding certain of these matters is set forth below and in Note 20“Note 22 – Commitments and Contingent Liabilities” to the Consolidated Financial Statements.Statements.

Litigation

PFOA: Environmental and Litigation Proceedings

For purposes of this report, the term PFOA“PFOA” means, collectively, perfluorooctanoic acid and its salts, including the ammonium salt, and does not distinguish between the two forms. Information related to this and other litigation matters is included in Note 20“Note 22 – Commitments and Contingent Liabilities” to the Consolidated Financial Statements.Statements.

Fayetteville, North Carolina

The following actions related to Fayetteville, as discussed in “Note 22 – Commitments and Contingent Liabilities” to the Consolidated Financial Statements, are filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Southern Division:

Carey et al. vs. E. I. DuPont de Nemours and Company (7:17-cv-00189-D; 7:17-cv-00197-D; and, 7:17-cv-00201-D);

Cape Fear Public Utility Authority vs. The Chemours Company FC, LLC et al. and Brunswick County v. DowDuPont et al. (7:17-cv-00195-D and 7:17-cv-00209-D); and,

Dew et al. vs. E. I. DuPont de Nemours and Company et al. (17:18-cv-00030-D).

Environmental Proceedings

LaPorte, Plant, LaPorte, Texas

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)(“EPA”) conducted a multimedia inspection at the DuPont LaPorte, Texas facility in January 2008. DuPont, the EPA, and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) began discussions in the fall of 2011 relating to the management of certain materials in the facility’s waste water treatment system, hazardous waste management, flare, and air emissions. These negotiations continue. Chemours operatesWe operate a fluoroproducts production facility at this site.

Dordrecht, Netherlands

The Company hasA Proposed Consent Agreement and Final Order (“CAFO”) was received requests from the Labor Inspectorate (ISZW)EPA in January 2020, alleging CAA Section 112(r) violations at the LaPorte, Texas site.The alleged violations are under the CAA’s chemical accident prevention provisions (40 CFR Part 68), and the EPA states that it is seeking a civil penalty of $0.6 million for negotiation purposes.We are reviewing the draft CAFO and the alleged violations, and will respond to the EPA. At this time, we believe a loss is reasonably possible. 


28


The Chemours Company

Dordrecht, Netherlands

We have complied with requests from the local environmental agency (OZHZ)(“DCMR,” formerly under the jurisdiction of “OZHZ”), the Labor Inspectorate (“iSZW”), the Inspectorate for Environment and Transportation (“ILT”), and the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM)Water Authority (“RWS”) in the Netherlands for information and documents regarding the Dordrecht site’s operations. The Company hasWe have complied with the requests.requests, and the agencies have published several reports between 2016 and 2018, all of them publicly available. The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (“RIVM”) has also published several reports with respect to PFOA and GenX. In December 2018, DCMR imposed a €1 million fine after undertaking waste water tests, which detected low levels of PFOA. DCMR continued taking samples and has imposed three additional fines between January and May 2019, each of which was €0.25 million. We understandhave appealed all the fines, and we believe that somewe have valid defenses to prevail. We continue to cooperate with all authorities in responding to information requests.

Louisville, Kentucky

In October 2019, we received a $0.15 million fine from the Federal Rail Administration (“FRA”) based on the results of an investigation of our Antimony Pentachloride railcar shipments, fleet, commodity code accuracy, and condition of valves. We are continuing to investigate this matter and have submitted a response to the requestsFRA in December 2019.

Fayetteville, North Carolina

In February 2019, we received a Notice of Violation (“NOV”) from OZHZ are part of a preliminary investigation initiated by a public prosecutor, althoughthe EPA alleging certain TSCA violations at Fayetteville. Matters raised in the NOV could have the potential to affect operations at Fayetteville. We responded to the EPA in March 2019, asserting that we have not received noticeviolated environmental laws. At this time, management does not believe that it intendsa loss is probable related to pursue such action.the matters in this NOV. Further discussion related to this matter is included in “Note 22 – Commitments and Contingent Liabilities” to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Item 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Information regarding mine safety and other regulatory actions at the Company’sour surface minemines in Starke, Florida and Folkston, Georgia and our mineral sands separation facility in Offerman, Georgia is included in Exhibit 95 to this report.Annual Report on Form 10-K.

INFORMATION ABOUT OUR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

The following is a list of thesets forth our executive officers and a summary of their professional experience:experience.

Mark P. Vergnano, age 59,62, serves as our President and Chief Executive Officer.Officer (“CEO”). Prior to joining Chemours, he held roles of increasing responsibility at E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company.DuPont. In October 2009, Mr. Vergnano was appointed Executive Vice President of DuPont and was responsible for multiple businesses and functions, including the businesses in the Chemours segment: DuPont Chemicals &and Fluoroproducts and Titanium Technologies. In June 2006, he was named Group Vice President of DuPont Safety &and Protection. In October 2005, he was named Vice President and General Manager - Surfaces and Building Innovations. In

30


The Chemours Company

February 2003, he was named Vice President and General Manager -Nonwovens.– Nonwovens. Prior to that, he had several assignments in manufacturing, technology, marketing, sales, and business strategy. Mr. Vergnano joined DuPont in 1980 as a process engineer. Mr. Vergnano was appointed Chairman of the National Safety Council in 2017 and has served on its board of directors since 2007. He has also served on the board of directors of the National Safety Council since 2007, the American Chemistry Council since 2015 and was appointed Chairman in 2019, and he has served on the board of directors of Johnson Controls International plc since 2016. He previously served on the board of directors of Johnson Controls, Inc. from 2011 to 2016.

Mark E. Newman, age 53,56, serves as our Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (“COO"). Mr. Newman was appointed Senior Vice President and COO in June 2019, prior to which time he had served as our Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.Officer (“CFO”) since November 2014. Mr. Newman joined Chemours in November 2014 from SunCoke Energy, Inc. (“SunCoke”), where he was SunCoke Energy’sSunCoke’s Senior Vice President and Chief Financial OfficerCFO and led its financial, strategy, business development, and information technology functions. Mr. Newman joined SunCoke’s leadership team in March 2011 to help drive SunCoke’s separation from its parent company, Sunoco, Inc. He led SunCoke through an initial public offering and championed a major restructuring of SunCoke, which resulted in the initial public offering of SunCoke Energy Partners, L.P. in January 2013, creating the first coke-manufacturing master limited partnership. Prior to joining SunCoke, Mr. Newman served as Vice President Remarketing &and Managing Director of SmartAuction, Ally Financial Inc. (previously, the General Motors Acceptance Corporation). Mr. Newman began his career at the General Motors Company in 1986 as an Industrial Engineer and progressed through several financial and operational leadership roles within the global automaker, including Vice President and Chief Financial OfficerCFO of Shanghai General Motors Limited; Assistant Treasurer of General Motors Corporation; and, Vice President – North America and CFO. Mr. Newman has served on the board of Altria Group, Inc. since February 2018.

29


The Chemours Company

Sameer Ralhan, age 46, serves as our Senior Vice President, CFO, and Treasurer. Mr. Ralhan was appointed Senior Vice President and CFO.CFO in June 2019. Mr. Ralhan joined Chemours in November 2014 and has held several positions of increasing responsibility in strategy, mergers and acquisitions (“M&A”), finance, and treasury. He served as Vice President, Business Finance and Treasurer from 2018 to 2019, and Vice President, Business Finance and Head of M&A from 2016 to 2018. He also served as Treasurer and Head of M&A from 2015 to 2016, and Head of M&A from 2014 to 2015. Prior to joining Chemours, Mr. Ralhan served as a Managing Director in the Global Natural Resources Group of Goldman Sachs & Co. During his tenure at Goldman Sachs and Co., from 2007 to 2014, he advised companies in the chemicals, industrials, and basic materials sectors on M&A, portfolio transformations, corporate finance matters, and capital markets transactions. Mr. Ralhan also served as an associate in the investment banking group of Bank of America Securities, LLC from 2004 to 2007. Mr. Ralhan began his career as a Chemical Engineer and brings chemicals industry operating experience from his time (1998 – 2002) at Aspen Technology, Inc., where, as an advanced process control engineer, he executed manufacturing process improvement and operational enhancement initiatives for several global chemical and petrochemical companies.

E. Bryan Snell

Edwin C. Sparks, age 60,46, serves as our President -– Fluoroproducts and President – Chemical Solutions. Mr. Sparks was appointed to these roles in October 2019 and April 2018, respectively. Previously, he served as Director of Corporate Strategy from 2017 to 2018 and Global Planning Director – Titanium Technologies from 2016 to 2017. He also served as the Asia Pacific Business Director – Titanium Technologies from 2015 to 2016, based in Singapore. Prior to joining Chemours, he held leadership positions of increasing scope in the DuPont Titanium Technologies business, with responsibilities including sales, marketing, operations, strategy, and technology. Mr. Sparks joined DuPont in 1994 as a process engineer.

Bryan Snell, age 63, serves as our President – Titanium Technologies. Mr. Snell was appointed President - Titanium Technologies in May 2015. Previously, he served as Planning Director - DuPont Performance Chemicals (2014-2015).from 2014 to 2015. Prior to that, he held leadership positions in DuPont Titanium Technologies, including Planning Director (2011-12from 2011 to 2012 in Wilmington, DEDelaware and 2012-13from 2012 to 2013 in Singapore)Singapore, and Global Sales and Marketing Director (2008-2010).from 2008 to 2010. Mr. Snell served as Regional Operations Director - DuPont Coatings and Color Technologies Platform in 2007 and 2008. He was postedbased in Taiwan from 2002 to 2006, in the roles of Plant Manager -Kuan– Kuan Yin Plant and Asia/Asia Pacific Regional Director, DuPont Titanium Technologies. Mr. Snell joined DuPont in 1978 as a process engineer and has experience in nuclear and petrochemical operations, as well as sales, business strategy, and M&A.

Paul Kirsch, age 53, serves as our President - Fluoroproducts. Mr. Kirsch joined Chemours in June 2016 from Henkel AG & Company, where he served as Senior Vice President of supply chain and operations for three years. Prior to that, he was President of the automotive, metals, and aerospace division of Henkel AG & Company KGaA. He also served as Co-Chairman of a Henkel-BASF joint venture. Before joining Henkel in 2009, Mr. Kirsch spent nearly 25 years in various engineering, operations, and business development roles of increasing responsibility within the automotive and telematics industries. He was Vice President of Hughes Telematics, where his responsibilities included business development, quality, and strategic planning. He also served as Vice President of XM Satellite Radio, where he was responsible for growing and running the automotive business of the Washington, DC–based firm. Mr. Kirsch started his career at Delphi in 1985, where he worked for nearly 19 years, in both regional and global roles ranging from product engineer to director of engineering for Asia Pacific to director of mergers and acquisitions, as well as general director of sales, marketing, and strategic planning.acquisitions.

Christian W. Siemer, age 58, serves as our President - Chemical Solutions.  He moved to this role in July 2014. Mr. Siemer joined DuPont in 2010 as the Managing Director of Clean Technologies, a business unit of DuPont Sustainable Solutions focused on process technology development and licensing.  He led the successful acquisition of MECS Inc., the global leader in technology for the production of sulfuric acid.  Mr. Siemer began his career in 1980 with Stauffer Chemicals as a process engineer. Following Stauffer’s acquisition by ICI plc, Mr. Siemer moved through a range of commercial roles and overseas assignments managing portfolios of international industrial and specialty chemical businesses.

David C. Shelton, age 53,56, serves as our Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary. In 2011,Prior to Chemours, Mr. Shelton was appointed Associate General Counsel for DuPont in 2011 and was responsible for the USU.S. Commercial team, -which included the business lawyers and paralegals counseling all the DuPont business units, with the exception of Agriculture. Mr. Shelton wasalso served as the Commercial attorneyAttorney to a variety of DuPont businesses including the Performance Materials platform, which he advised on international assignment in Geneva, and the businesses now comprising the DuPont Chemicals and Fluoroproducts business unit. Prior to that, Mr. Shelton advised the company on environmental and remediation matters as part of the environmental legal team. Mr. Shelton joined DuPont in 1996, after seven years in private practice as a litigator in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Beth Albright

Susan M. Kelliher, age 50,53, serves as our Senior Vice President Human Resources.  Mrs. AlbrightResources and Health Services. Ms. Kelliher joined DuPontChemours in October 20142017 from Day & Zimmermann,Albemarle Corporation (“Albemarle”), where she served as Senior Vice President – Human Resources for the global specialty chemical company. Prior to Albemarle, she served as Vice President – Human Resources at Hewlett Packard, where she held the positiona number of Senior Vice-President Human Resources since May 2011.  Priorleadership positions on global teams including Imaging and Printing and Global Sales and Enterprise Marketing from 2007 to her experience at Day & Zimmermann, Mrs. Albright was the Global2012. Before joining Hewlett Packard, Ms. Kelliher served as Vice President Human Resources for Tekni-Plex, whichCymer, Inc. (“Cymer”), where she joined in July 2009.led the people function. She joined Rohm and Haas in 2000 and held variousCymer from The Home Depot where, from 2004 to 2007, she was the Vice President – Human Resources supporting global businesses, technology, manufacturingfor the growth engines of the company – Business Development and staff functions.  In 1995 she joined FMCHome Services including responsibility for due diligence and integration for the company’s acquisitions. From 2000 to 2004, Ms. Kelliher served as siteSenior Director of Human Resources manager at a manufacturing sitefor Corporate Business Development and progressed intoInternational Operations for the corporate office.  Mrs. Albright beganRaytheon Company (“Raytheon”). Prior to Raytheon, she served as the Director of Human Resources – Western Region for YUM! Brands, Pizza Hut division from 1995 to 2000. Ms. Kelliher started her career with Fluor Daniel Constructionat Mobil Oil, where her career progressed through a variety of assignments including support for new ventures in their Industrial Relations department in 1989.

31


The Chemours CompanyEurope, Russia, and Africa from 1990 to 1995.

 

Erich Parker, age 65,68, serves as our Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications and Chief Brand Officer. Mr. Parker was appointed Creative Director and Global Director of Corporate Communications of DuPont in 2010. He led the initiative to develop corporate positioning and its creative expression through branded content and program sponsorship with large international news media outlets. In 2008, Mr. Parker was appointed Communications Leader for DuPont’s Safety and Protection Platform. Prior to joining DuPont, Mr. Parker was principal of his own public relations and marketing communications firm based in Washington, D.C.,District of Columbia and New York. Mr. Parker has also served as Executive Vice President of Association &and Issues Management; Director of Communications for the American Academy of Actuaries; founding publisher and Executive Editor of the magazine, Contingencies; and, Public Affairs Aide for Renewable Energy to the Secretary of Energy, U.S. Department of Energy.

3230


The Chemours Company

 

PART II

Item 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS, AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters

The Company’s

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange Inc. (symbol CC).(“NYSE”) under the symbol, “CC.”  The number of record holders of our common stock was 54,32245,310 at February 14, 2017.

10, 2020. Holders of the Company’sour common stock are entitled to receive dividends when they are declared by theour board of directors. Dividends on common stockdirectors, and dividends are generally declared and paid on a quarterly basis. The Stock Transfer Agentstock transfer agent and Registrarregistrar is Computershare Trust Company, N.A.

The Company’s stock began trading on July 1, 2015.  The quarterly high and low trading stock prices and dividends per common share for 2016 and 2015 are shown below:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Per Share

 

 

 

 

Market Prices

 

 

Dividend

 

 

 

 

High

 

 

Low

 

 

Declared

 

 

2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fourth Quarter

 

$

27.29

 

 

$

14.41

 

 

$

0.03

 

 

Third Quarter

 

 

16.08

 

 

 

5.82

 

 

 

0.03

 

 

Second Quarter

 

 

10.83

 

 

 

6.99

 

 

 

0.03

 

 

First Quarter

 

 

7.84

 

 

 

3.06

 

 

 

0.03

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fourth Quarter

 

$

8.80

 

 

$

4.58

 

 

$

0.03

 

 

Third Quarter

 

 

16.68

 

 

 

5.94

 

 

 

0.55

 

(1)

1

Dividend was declared prior to our separation from DuPont and paid on September 11, 2015 to our stockholders of record as of August 3, 2015.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities

Not Applicable.

None.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Not Applicable.

332017 Share Repurchase Program

On November 30, 2017, our board of directors approved a share repurchase plan authorizing the purchase of shares of our issued and outstanding common stock in an aggregate amount not to exceed $500 million, plus any associated fees or costs in connection with our share repurchase activity (the “2017 Share Repurchase Program”). Under the 2017 Share Repurchase Program, shares of our common stock were purchased in the open market from time to time, subject to management’s discretion, as well as general business and market conditions. Our 2017 Share Repurchase Program became effective on November 30, 2017, and was announced to the public on December 1, 2017. On May 31, 2018, we completed the aggregate $500 million in authorized purchases of our issued and outstanding common stock under the 2017 Share Repurchase Program, which amounted to a cumulative 10,085,647 shares purchased at an average share price of $49.58 per share. All common shares purchased under the 2017 Share Repurchase Program are held as treasury stock and are accounted for using the cost method.

2018 Share Repurchase Program

On August 1, 2018, our board of directors approved a share repurchase program authorizing the purchase of shares of our issued and outstanding common stock in an aggregate amount not to exceed $750 million, plus any associated fees or costs in connection with our share repurchase activity (the “2018 Share Repurchase Program”). On February 13, 2019, our board of directors increased the authorization amount of the 2018 Share Repurchase Program from $750 million to $1.0 billion. Under the 2018 Share Repurchase Program, shares of our common stock can be purchased on the open market from time to time, subject to management’s discretion, as well as general business and market conditions. Our 2018 Share Repurchase Program became effective on August 1, 2018, was announced to the public on August 2, 2018, and will continue through the earlier of its expiration on December 31, 2020, or the completion of repurchases up to the approved amount. The program may be suspended or discontinued at any time. All common shares purchased under the 2018 Share Repurchase Program are expected to be held as treasury stock and accounted for using the cost method.

As of December 31, 2019, we have purchased a cumulative 15,245,999 shares of our issued and outstanding common stock under the 2018 Share Repurchase Program, which amounted to $572 million at an average share price of $37.52 per share. There were no share repurchases under the 2018 Share Repurchase Program for the three months ended December 31, 2019. The aggregate amount of our common stock that remained available for purchase under the 2018 Share Repurchase Program at December 31, 2019 was $428 million.


31


The Chemours Company

 

Stock Performance Graph

The following graph presents the cumulative total shareholder returnstockholder returns for the Company’sour common stock compared with the Standard & Poor’s (S&P)(“S&P”) MidCap 400 and the S&P MidCap 400 Chemical and S&P SmallCap 600 indices since our separationSeparation from DuPont on July 1, 2015.2015, the date that our common stock began “regular-way” trading on the NYSE.

 

The graph assumes that the values of Chemours’our common stock, the S&P MidCap 400 index, and the S&P MidCap 400 Chemical index and the S&P SmallCap 600 index were each $100 on July 1, 2015, the date that Chemours’ common stock began “regular-way” trading on the New York Stock Exchange, and that all dividends were reinvested.  On January 29, 2016, Chemours moved from the S&P MidCap 400 index to the S&P SmallCap 600 index.  On January 3, 2017, Chemours moved from S&P SmallCap 600 index to the S&P MidCap 400 index.

3432


The Chemours Company

 

Item 6. SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

The following table presents Chemours’ selected historical consolidated financial data.

The selected historical consolidated financial data for each of the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017, and as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 was derived from the audited consolidated financial statements included in the Consolidated Financial Statements of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The selected historical consolidated financial data for each of the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, and for the years endedas of December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015 and 2014 arewas derived from audited information contained in Chemours’ consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report. The selected historical consolidated financial data as of and for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 are derived from Chemours’our audited consolidated financial statements not included in this Annual Report.Report on Form 10-K.

The selected historical consolidated financial data for the periods ended December 31, 2012 through 2014 and for the first six months of the year ended December 31, 2015 include certainincludes expenses of DuPont that were allocated to Chemoursus for certain corporate functions, including information technology, research and development,R&D, finance, legal, insurance, compliance, and human resources activities. These costs may not be representative of the futureour actual costs Chemours will incur as an independent, publicly tradedpublicly-traded company. In addition, Chemours’our selected historical consolidated financial informationdata does not reflect changes that Chemours expectsrelated to experience in the future as a result of Chemours’ separationour Separation from DuPont, including changes in Chemours’our cost structure, personnel needs, tax structure, capital structure, financing, and business operations. Consequently, the financial information included hereherein may not necessarily reflect what Chemours’our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows would have been had itwe been an independent, publicly tradedpublicly-traded company during the periods presented. Accordingly, these historical results should not be relied upon as an indicator of Chemours’our future performance.

For a better understanding of our financial results, this section should be read in conjunction with “Management’sItem 7 – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”Operations and the Consolidated Financial Statements.

The following table sets forth our selected historical consolidated financial statementsdata as of and accompanying notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, and 2015.

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data)

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

 

2012

 

Summary of operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

$

5,400

 

 

$

5,717

 

 

$

6,432

 

 

$

6,859

 

 

$

7,365

 

Restructuring and asset related charges, net

 

 

170

 

 

 

333

 

 

 

21

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

36

 

(Loss) income before income taxes

 

 

(11

)

 

 

(188

)

 

 

550

 

 

 

576

 

 

 

1,485

 

(Benefit from) provision for income taxes

 

 

(18

)

 

 

(98

)

 

 

149

 

 

 

152

 

 

 

427

 

Net income (loss) attributable to Chemours

 

 

7

 

 

 

(90

)

 

 

400

 

 

 

423

 

 

 

1,057

 

Basic earnings (loss) per share of common stock 1

 

 

0.04

 

 

 

(0.50

)

 

 

2.21

 

 

 

2.34

 

 

 

5.84

 

Diluted earnings (loss) per share of common stock 1

 

 

0.04

 

 

 

(0.50

)

 

 

2.21

 

 

 

2.34

 

 

 

5.84

 

Financial position at year end:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Working capital 2

 

 

782

 

 

 

835

 

 

 

543

 

 

 

474

 

 

 

601

 

Total assets

 

 

6,060

 

 

 

6,298

 

 

 

5,959

 

 

 

5,580

 

 

 

5,309

 

Borrowings and capital lease obligations, net 3

 

 

3,544

 

 

 

3,954

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

1

 

General:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

 

 

338

 

 

 

519

 

 

 

604

 

 

 

438

 

 

 

432

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

284

 

 

 

267

 

 

 

257

 

 

 

261

 

 

 

266

 

Dividends per common share 4

 

 

0.12

 

 

 

0.58

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Summary consolidated statements of operations data

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

$

5,526

 

 

$

6,638

 

 

$

6,183

 

 

$

5,400

 

 

$

5,717

 

Restructuring, asset-related, and other charges

 

 

87

 

 

 

49

 

 

 

57

 

 

 

170

 

 

 

333

 

(Loss) income before income taxes

 

 

(124

)

 

 

1,155

 

 

 

912

 

 

 

(11

)

 

 

(188

)

(Benefit from) provision for income taxes

 

 

(72

)

 

 

159

 

 

 

165

 

 

 

(18

)

 

 

(98

)

Net (loss) income attributable to Chemours

 

 

(52

)

 

 

995

 

 

 

746

 

 

 

7

 

 

 

(90

)

Basic (loss) earnings per share of common stock (1,2)

 

 

(0.32

)

 

 

5.62

 

 

 

4.04

 

 

 

0.04

 

 

 

(0.50

)

Diluted (loss) earnings per share of common stock (1,2)

 

 

(0.32

)

 

 

5.45

 

 

 

3.91

 

 

 

0.04

 

 

 

(0.50

)

Summary consolidated balance sheets data

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Working capital, net (3)

 

$

1,236

 

 

$

1,584

 

 

$

1,845

 

 

$

782

 

 

$

835

 

Total assets

 

 

7,258

 

 

 

7,362

 

 

 

7,293

 

 

 

6,060

 

 

 

6,298

 

Debt, net (4)

 

 

4,160

 

 

 

3,972

 

 

 

4,112

 

 

 

3,544

 

 

 

3,954

 

Other summary consolidated financial data

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of property, plant, and equipment

 

$

481

 

 

$

498

 

 

$

411

 

 

$

338

 

 

$

519

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

311

 

 

 

284

 

 

 

273

 

 

 

284

 

 

 

267

 

Dividends per share of common stock (5,6)

 

 

1.00

 

 

 

0.67

 

 

 

0.29

 

 

 

0.12

 

 

 

0.58

 

1

(1)

For 2012-2014,the first six months of the year ended December 31, 2015, pro forma earnings per share was calculated based on 180,996,833180,966,833 shares of Chemoursour common stock that were distributed to DuPontDuPont’s shareholders on July 1, 2015. The same number of shares was used to calculate basic and diluted earnings per share since no Chemoursnone of our equity awards were outstanding prior to the separation.Separation.

2

Current(2)

In periods where the Company incurs a net loss, the impact of potentially dilutive securities is excluded from the calculation of earnings per share as its inclusion would have an anti-dilutive effect.

(3)

Defined as current assets minus current liabilities. CurrentOur current assets include cash and cash equivalents of $943 million, $1.2 billion, $1.6 billion, $902 million, and $366 million at December 31, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively.  Years prior to 2015 do not include any cash, as Chemours’ needs were provided by its former parent, DuPont.

3

(4)

Amounts as ofat December 31, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, and 2015 include unamortized debt issuance costs and discount of $36 million, $45 million, $49 million, $47 million, and $60 million, respectively.

4

(5)

Dividends per share of common sharestock for the year ended December 31, 2015 includes the following: (i) dividends of an aggregate amount of $100 million declared prior to the Separation by our then-board of directors (consisting of DuPont employees), which was paid on September 11, 2015 to our stockholders of record as of August 3, 2015; and, (ii) dividends of $0.03 per share declared after the Separation by our independent board of directors, which was paid on December 14, 2015 to our shareholders of record as of November 13, 2015.

dividend of an aggregate amount of $100 million declared prior to separation by our then-board of directors (consisting of DuPont employees), which was paid on September 11, 2015 to our stockholders of record as of August 3, 2015, and

dividend of $0.03 per share declared after separation by our independent board of directors which was paid on December 14, 2015 to our stockholders of record as of November 13, 2015.

(6)

Dividends per share of common stock for the year ended December 31, 2017 includes a $0.17 per share dividend declared in December 2017, which was paid on March 15, 2018 to our shareholders of record as of February 15, 2018. In the third quarter of 2018, we increased our quarterly dividend declared to $0.25 per share. Our quarterly dividends declared in 2019 remained at $0.25 per share.

 

35

33


The Chemours Company

 

Item 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OFOF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Introduction

This Management’s discussionDiscussion and analysis, which we refer to as “MD&A”,Analysis of our resultsFinancial Condition and Results of operations and financial conditionOperations (“MD&A”) supplements the consolidated financial statementsConsolidated Financial Statements and the related notes thereto included elsewhere herein to help provide an understanding of our financial condition, changes in our financial condition, and the results of our operations.  Theoperations for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 and the changes therein. For the year ended December 31, 2017, and changes from the year ended December 31, 2017 to the year ended December 31, 2018, management’s discussion and analysis presented below referpertaining to our financial condition, changes in our financial condition, and the results of our operations have been omitted from this MD&A and may be found in Item 7 – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations as included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.

Our forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and expectations of future events that may not be accurate or realized. These statements, as well as our historical performance, are not guarantees of future performance. Forward-looking statements also involve risks and uncertainties that are beyond our control. Additionally, there may be other risks and uncertainties that we are unable to identify at this time or that we do not currently expect to have a material impact on our business. Factors that could cause or contribute to these differences include, but are not limited to, the risks, uncertainties, and other factors discussed within Item 1A – Risk Factors.

This MD&A should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statementsConsolidated Financial Statements and the related notes thereto included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Overview

Chemours isOverview

We are a leading, global provider of performance chemicals that are key inputs in end-products and processes in a variety of industries. We deliver customized solutions with a wide range of industrial and specialty chemical products for markets, including plastics and coatings, refrigeration and air conditioning, general industrial, electronics, mining, and oil refining. PrincipalOur principal products include titanium dioxide, refrigerants, industrial fluoropolymer resins, sodium cyanide, performance chemicals and a portfolio of miningintermediates, and industrial chemicals including sodium cyanide.

Chemours managesTiO2 pigment. We manage and reportsreport our operating results through three reportable segments: Fluoroproducts, Chemical Solutions, and Titanium Technologies. Our Fluoroproducts segment is a leading, global provider of fluoroproducts, including refrigerants and industrial fluoropolymer resins. Our Chemical Solutions segment is a leading, North American provider of industrial chemicals used in gold production, industrial, and consumer applications. Our Titanium Technologies Fluoroproductssegment is a leading, global provider of TiO2 pigment, a premium white pigment used to deliver whiteness, brightness, opacity, and Chemical Solutions.  Our positionprotection in a variety of applications.

Recent Developments

Fayetteville Works, Fayetteville, North Carolina

In February 2019, we entered into a final Consent Order with eachthe North Carolina Department of these businesses reflectsEnvironmental Quality (“NC DEQ”) and Cape Fear River Watch, a non-profit organization. The final Consent Order comprehensively addressed certain legal and environmental matters at our Fayetteville Works site in Fayetteville, North Carolina (“Fayetteville”) and was accepted by the strong value propositionNorth Carolina Superior Court for Bladen County.

In connection with the Consent Order, a thermal oxidizer (“TO”) became fully operational at the site in December 2019, and we provideswitched to the permitted operating scenario for the TO on December 31, 2019 as required by the Consent Order. The TO is designed to reduce aerial PFAS emissions from Fayetteville, and, within 90 days of installation, we, along with the North Carolina Division of Air Quality, will conduct testing to confirm whether the TO is destroying 99.99% of all PFAS air emissions routed to it, utilizing a 2017 baseline.

In the fourth quarter of 2019, we completed and submitted our customersCape Fear River PFAS Loading Reduction Plan - Supplemental Information Report and Corrective Action Plan (“CAP”) to NC DEQ. The Supplemental Information Report provides information to support the evaluation of potential remedial options to reduce PFAS loadings to surface waters, including interim alternatives. The CAP describes potential remediation activities to address PFAS in on-site groundwater and surface waters at the site, in accordance with the requirements of the Consent Order and the North Carolina groundwater standards, and builds on the previous submissions to NC DEQ. In the fourth quarter of 2019, based on the Consent Order, CAP, and our long historyplans, we accrued an additional $132 million related to the estimated cost of on-site remediation.

See “Note 22 – Commitments and reputation inContingent Liabilities” to the chemical industryConsolidated Financial Statements for safety, quality and reliability.further information about environmental remediation at Fayetteville.

On July 1, 2015, DuPont


34


The Chemours Company

Netherlands Pension Plan

In the fourth quarter of 2019, we completed the previously announced spin-off of Chemours by distributing Chemours’ common stock, on a pro rata basis, to DuPont’s stockholders of record as of the close of business on June 23, 2015 (the Record Date).  Each holder of DuPont common stock received one share of Chemours’ common stock for every five shares of DuPont’s common stock held on the Record Date.  The Separation was completed pursuantsettlement transaction related to a separation agreementsignificant portion of our Netherlands pension plan. The future risk, responsibility, and several other agreements with DuPont, including an employee matters agreement, a tax matters agreement, a transition services agreement and an intellectual property cross-license agreement, each of which was filedadministration associated with the SEC as$932 million of inactive participants’ vested pension benefits was transferred to a third-party asset management company via an exhibit toirrevocable transaction in December 2019, thereby eliminating our Current Report on Form 8-K on July 1, 2015.  These agreements govern the relationship among Chemours and DuPont following the Separation and provide for the allocation of various assets, liabilities, rights and obligations.  These agreements also include arrangements for transition services provided by DuPont to Chemours, which was substantially completed during 2016.

Basis of Presentation

Prior to July 1, 2015, Chemours operations were included in DuPont’s financial results in different legal forms, including but not limited to wholly-owned subsidiaries for which Chemours was the sole business, components of legal entities in which Chemours operated in conjunction with other DuPont businesses and a majority owned joint venture.  For periods prior to July 1, 2015, the consolidated financial statements, included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, have been prepared from DuPont’s historical accounting records and are presented on a stand-alone basis as if the business operations had been conducted independently from DuPont.  The consolidated financial statements include the historical operations, assets and liabilities of the legal entities that are considered to comprise the Chemours business, including certain environmental remediation and litigation obligations of DuPont and its subsidiaries that Chemours may be required to indemnify pursuantexposure to the separation-related agreements executed prior topension liabilities and formally effecting the Separation.  Allsettlement. The cumulative loss associated with the inactive participants’ vested pension benefits was recognized in earnings, resulting in a charge of the allocations and estimates$380 million recognized in other expense, net in the consolidated financial statements priorof operations. At December 31, 2019, the projected benefit obligations associated with the plan’s active employees remained on our consolidated balance sheet.

2019 Restructuring Program

In an effort to better align our cost structure with market opportunities, we recorded net severance charges of $22 million during the year ended December 31, 2019. Impacted employees are subject to our customary involuntary termination benefits. The majority of the employees separated from the Company during the fourth quarter of 2019, and the majority of the associated severance payments will be made by the end of 2020.

Also, in the third quarter of 2019, we announced plans to exit the Methylamines and Methylamides business at our Belle, West Virginia manufacturing plant, which culminated in our completed exit and sale of the business to Belle Chemical Company, a subsidiary of Cornerstone Chemical Company, in the fourth quarter of 2019. As a result, for the year ended December 31, 2019, we recorded accelerated depreciation of $34 million, which is reflected as a component of restructuring, asset-related, and other charges in the consolidated statement of operations. Upon completion of the sale, we also recorded an additional pre-tax loss on sale of $2 million, net of a benefit from working capital adjustments, in other expense, net in the consolidated statements of operations. Both of the aforementioned charges relate to Chemical Solutions, and we do not expect to incur additional charges related to our exit of the Methylamines and Methylamides business.

Accounts Receivable Securitization Facility

In July 1, 20152019, we, through a wholly-owned special purpose entity, entered into an accounts receivable securitization facility (“Securitization Facility”) to enhance our liquidity. The original borrowings amounted to $125 million, which, along with available cash, was used to pay down our then outstanding revolving loan.  At December 31, 2019, our net borrowings under the Securitization Facility were $110 million.

Capital Allocation

For the year ended December 31, 2019, we returned $486 million in cash to our shareholders by purchasing $322 million in our issued and outstanding common stock under our 2018 Share Repurchase Program, and through the payment of $164 million in cash dividends, thereby fulfilling our goal of returning the majority of our free cash flows to shareholders.

At December 31, 2019, the aggregate amount of our common stock that remained available for purchase under the 2018 Share Repurchase Program was $428 million.


35


The Chemours Company

Results of Operations and Business Highlights

Results of Operations

The following table sets forth our results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Net sales

 

$

5,526

 

 

$

6,638

 

Cost of goods sold

 

 

4,463

 

 

 

4,667

 

Gross profit

 

 

1,063

 

 

 

1,971

 

Selling, general, and administrative expense

 

 

548

 

 

 

657

 

Research and development expense

 

 

80

 

 

 

82

 

Restructuring, asset-related, and other charges

 

 

87

 

 

 

49

 

Total other operating expenses

 

 

715

 

 

 

788

 

Equity in earnings of affiliates

 

 

29

 

 

 

43

 

Interest expense, net

 

 

(208

)

 

 

(195

)

Loss on extinguishment of debt

 

 

 

 

 

(38

)

Other (expense) income, net

 

 

(293

)

 

 

162

 

(Loss) income before income taxes

 

 

(124

)

 

 

1,155

 

(Benefit from) provision for income taxes

 

 

(72

)

 

 

159

 

Net (loss) income

 

 

(52

)

 

 

996

 

Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

Net (loss) income attributable to Chemours

 

$

(52

)

 

$

995

 

Per share data

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic (loss) earnings per share of common stock

 

$

(0.32

)

 

$

5.62

 

Diluted (loss) earnings per share of common stock

 

 

(0.32

)

 

 

5.45

 

Net Sales

The following table sets forth the impacts of price, volume, and currency on our net sales for the year ended December 31, 2019.

Year Ended December 31,

Change in net sales from prior period

2019

Price

(2

)%

Volume

(14

)%

Currency

(1

)%

Total change in net sales

(17

)%

Our net sales decreased by $1.1 billion (or 17%) to $5.5 billion for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared with net sales of $6.6 billion for the same period in 2018. The components of the decrease in our net sales by segment for the year ended December 31, 2019 were as follows:  in our Fluoroproducts segment, price declined 2% and volume was down 4%; in our Chemical Solutions segment, price declined 4% and volume was down 7%; and, in our Titanium Technologies segment, price declined 1% and volume was down 24%. Unfavorable currency movements also added a 1% headwind to net sales in our Fluoroproducts and Titanium Technologies segments.

The drivers of these changes for each of our segments are based on assumptions that management believes are reasonable.discussed further under the heading “Segment Reviews” within this MD&A.

Cost of Goods Sold

Our cost of goods sold (“COGS”) decreased by $204 million (or 4%) to $4.5 billion for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared with COGS of $4.7 billion for the same period in 2018. The decrease in our COGS for the year ended December 31, 2019 was primarily attributable to lower net sales volumes, as well as lower distribution, freight, and logistics expenses. These decreases were partially offset by operational headwinds in our Fluoroproducts segment, and higher raw materials costs and lower fixed cost absorption in our Titanium Technologies segment. Additionally, during the year ended December 31, 2019, we incurred $150 million for environmental remediation activities related to Fayetteville.


36


The Chemours Company

 

Recent DevelopmentsSelling, General, and Administrative Expense

Transformation Plan

AfterOur selling, general, and administrative (“SG&A”) expense decreased by $109 million (or 17%) to $548 million for the separationyear ended December 31, 2019, compared with SG&A expense of $657 million for the same period in 2015, Chemours announced a plan2018. The decrease in our SG&A expense for the year ended December 31, 2019 was primarily attributable to transformlower performance-related compensation costs, as well as costs incurred for our 2018 debt transactions, which did not recur in 2019. The year ended December 31, 2018 also included the company by reducing structural costs, growing market positions, optimizing its portfolio, refocusing investments, and enhancing its organization. Chemours expectsaccrual of $63 million for estimated liabilities associated with ongoing environmental matters at Fayetteville. These comparative decreases for the transformation plan to deliver $500 million of incremental Adjusted EBITDA improvement over 2015 through 2017.  Based on our anticipated cost reduction and growth initiatives, we expect that our cost savings of approximately $350 million and approximately $150 million in improvements from growth initiatives will also improve our pre-tax earnings by similar amounts through 2017. Through year-end 2016, we achieved approximately $200 million in cost savings, and we continue to implement additional cost reduction initiatives in order to realize our target of reducing structural costs. These improvements will beyear ended December 31, 2019 are partially offset by $18 million incurred during the impactfirst quarter of divestitures completed during 2016 (discussed under “Chemical Solutions Portfolio Optimization Actions” below), unfavorable price2019, in connection with the approved final Consent Order to settle certain legal and mix of fluoropolymer products,environmental matters at Fayetteville.  

Research and may also be impacted by market factors.  Results of our transformation actions are also discussed inDevelopment Expense

Our R&D expense was largely unchanged at $80 million for the Results of Operations, Segment Reviewsyear ended December 31, 2019 and Outlook sections of this MD&A.  $82 million for the year ended December 31, 2018.

Chemical Solutions Portfolio Optimization Actions

On June 13, 2016, the Company entered into an asset purchase agreement with Veolia North America (“Veolia”), pursuant to which Veolia agreed to acquire Chemours’ Sulfur Products business (“Sulfur business”) of its Chemical Solutions segment for a purchase price of $325 million in cash, subject to customary working capitalRestructuring, Asset-related, and Other Charges

Our restructuring, asset-related, and other adjustments, of which approximately $10charges amounted to $87 million was received in May 2016. The Company completedand $49 million for the sale on July 29, 2016years ended December 31, 2019 and received2018, respectively.

For the remaining proceeds of approximately $311 million, net of estimated working capital adjustments.

On April 22, 2016, the Company entered into a Stock and Asset Purchase Agreement with Lanxess, pursuant to which Lanxess agreed to acquire Chemours’ Clean & Disinfect product line (the “C&D business”) by acquiring certain Chemours’ subsidiaries and assets comprising the C&D business for a purchase price of $230 million in cash, subject to customary working capitalyear ended December 31, 2019, our restructuring, asset-related, and other adjustments. The Company completed the sale on August 31, 2016 and received $223charges were primarily attributable to $22 million of cash, net of working capital adjustments and approximately $2 million of cash transferred.

On March 1, 2016, the Company completed the sale of its aniline facilityemployee separation charges incurred in Beaumont, Texas to The Dow Chemical Company (Dow) for a cash proceeds of approximately $140 million. As part of this transaction, Chemours also entered into a supply agreementconnection with an initial two-year term to supply Dow with its additional aniline requirements from Chemours’ Pascagoula, Mississippi production facility.

The Company expects to use the proceeds from the above sales to fund our future capital expenditures.

Settlement of PFOA MDL Litigation

As previously reported, approximately 3,500 lawsuits have been filed in various federal and state courts in Ohio and West Virginia alleging personal injury from exposure to perfluorooctanoic acid and its salts, including the ammonium salt (“PFOA”), in drinking water as a result of the historical manufacture or use of PFOA at the Washington Works plant outside Parkersburg, West Virginia.  That plant was previously owned and/or operated by the performance chemicals segment of DuPont and is now owned and/or operated by Chemours.  These personal injury lawsuits were consolidated in multi-district litigation in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio (the “MDL”). See Item 3. Legal Proceedings and our Note 20 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report.

On February 11, 2017, DuPont entered into an agreement in principle with plaintiffs’ counsel representing the MDL plaintiffs providing for a global settlement of all cases and claims in the MDL, including all filed and unfiled personal injury cases and claims that are part of the plaintiffs’ counsel’s claim inventory,2019 Restructuring Program, as well as cases that have been tried$34 million of accelerated depreciation recorded in conjunction with our exit of the Methylamines and Methylamides business at our Belle, West Virginia manufacturing plant. We also recognized $20 million in decommissioning and dismantling-related charges, primarily attributable to the demolition and removal of certain unused buildings at our Chambers Works site in Deepwater, New Jersey, as well as $9 million of accelerated depreciation associated with the discontinuation of the titanium tetrachloride product line at our New Johnsonville, Tennessee site.

For the year ended December 31, 2018, our restructuring, asset-related, and other charges were primarily attributable to employee separation and other charges incurred in connection with our 2017 restructuring program of $27 million, and employee separation charges of $5 million for our 2018 restructuring program. In addition, we recognized $13 million in decommissioning and dismantling-related charges, primarily attributable to the demolition and removal of certain unused buildings at our Chambers Works site in Deepwater, New Jersey, and an asset-related charge of $4 million for a goodwill impairment in our Chemical Solutions segment.

Equity in Earnings of Affiliates

Our equity in earnings of affiliates decreased by $14 million (or 33%) to $29 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared with equity in earnings of affiliates of $43 million for the same period in 2018. The decrease in our equity in earnings of affiliates for the year ended December 31, 2019 was primarily attributable to global semiconductor and automotive market softness for our equity method investees in the Fluoroproducts segment.

Interest Expense, Net

Our interest expense, net increased by $13 million (or 7%) to $208 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared with interest expense, net of $195 million for the same period in 2018. The increase in our interest expense, net for the year ended December 31, 2019 was primarily attributable to a jury verdict (the “MDL Settlement”).  The total settlement amount is $670.7 million dollarsreduction in interest income earned on lower cash halfand cash equivalents balances, as well as less interest capitalized following the completion or stoppage of which will be paidcertain of our large-scale construction projects. These increases were partially offset by Chemours and half paid by DuPont.  DuPont’s payment would not be subject to indemnification or reimbursement by Chemours, and Chemours has accrued $335 million associated with this matter atlower interest expense following our 2018 debt transactions.

Loss on Extinguishment of Debt

For the year ended December 31, 2016.  In exchange for payment2019, we did not extinguish any of our outstanding debt.

For the total settlement amount, DuPontyear ended December 31, 2018, we recognized a combined loss on extinguishment of debt of $38 million in connection with the amendment and Chemours will receiverestatement of our credit agreement, and our tender offers to purchase any and all of our outstanding euro-denominated 6.125% senior unsecured notes due May 2023 and a complete releaseportion of all claims by the settling plaintiffs.  The MDL Settlement was entered into solely by way of compromise and settlement and is not in any way an admission of liability or fault by DuPont or Chemours.  The MDL Settlement is not subject to court approval; however, the MDL Settlement may not proceed in certain conditions, including a walk-away right that enables DuPont to terminate the MDL Settlement if more than a specified number of plaintiffs determine not to participate.our outstanding U.S. dollar-denominated 6.625% senior unsecured notes due May 2023.


37


The Chemours Company

 

DuPont and Chemours have also agreed, subject to and following the completion of the MDL Settlement, to a limited sharing of potential future PFOA liabilities (i.e.Other Income (Expense), “indemnifiable losses,” as defined in the separation agreement between DuPont and Chemours) for a period of five years. During that five-year period, Chemours would annually pay future PFOA liabilities up to $25 million and, if such amount is exceeded, DuPont would pay any excess amount up to the next $25 million (which payment will not be subject to indemnification by Chemours), with Chemours annually bearing any further excess liabilities under the terms of the separation agreement. After the five-year period, this limited sharing agreement would expire, and Chemours’ indemnification obligations under the separation agreement would continue unchanged.  Chemours has also agreed that, upon the MDL Settlement becoming effective, it will not contest its liability to DuPont under the separation agreement for PFOA liabilities on the basis of ostensible defenses generally applicable to the indemnification provisions under the separation agreement, including defenses relating to punitive damages, fines or penalties or attorneys’ fees, and waives any such defenses with respect to PFOA liabilities. Chemours has, however, retained defenses as to whether any particular PFOA claim is within the scope of the indemnification provisions of the separation agreement.Net

Our Results and Business Highlights

Net sales for the year ended December 31, 2016 were $5.4 billion, a decreaseother income, net decreased by $455 million to other expense, net of 6% from $5.7 billion for the year ended December 31, 2015. These decreases were driven primarily by the portfolio changes from divestitures in the Chemical Solutions segment and lower average selling price for TiO2, partially offset by volume increase in in the Fluoroproducts segment due to growth in OpteonTM and volume increase in Titanium Technologies segment.

We recognized net income of $7$293 million for the year ended December 31, 20162019, compared with other income, net of $162 million for the same period in 2018. The decrease in our other income, net for the year ended December 31, 2019 was primarily attributable to $368 million in non-operating pension and other post-retirement employee benefit loss, which is inclusive of a $380 million expense recognized upon settlement of the portion of our Netherlands pension plan pertaining to inactive participants’ vested pension benefits. We also experienced a decrease in miscellaneous income, which is primarily attributable to $26 million lower EU fluorinated greenhouse gas (“F-Gas”) quota authorization sales.  The comparative decrease in our other income, net lossis also reflective of $90a $42 million gain on the sale of our Linden, New Jersey site during the year ended December 31, 2018. These decreases were partially offset by recognition of a previously deferred non-cash gain of $9 million during the year ended December 31, 2019. The gain, which was associated with the sale of our Repauno site in Gibbstown, New Jersey, had been deferred until certain environmental obligations were fulfilled.

Provision for (Benefit from) Income Taxes

Our benefit from income taxes amounted to $72 million for the year ended December 31, 2015.2019, representing an effective tax rate of 58%. Our resultsprovision for the year reflect $254 million of net gain on sale of assets and business in the Chemical Solutions segment, improvements from cost reductions initiatives and strong Fluoroproducts performance, offset by $335 million litigation accrual relatedincome taxes amounted to the PFOA MDL Settlement and $119 million of asset impairment charges in the Chemicals Solutions and Corporate and Other segments.

Our Adjusted EBITDA was $822$159 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 compared with $5732018, representing an effective tax rate of 14%.

The $231 million decrease in our provision for income taxes for the year ended December 31, 2015. Our 2016 results reflect margin improvements2019, when compared with the same period in Titanium Technologies, improved2018, was primarily attributable to reduced profitability in Fluoroproducts, including growth in OpteonTM sales, and improvementsthe geographic mix of our earnings. In addition, our benefit from cost reductions initiatives, partially offset by the impact of divestitures within the Chemical Solutions segment.

Results of Operations

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

Net sales

 

$

5,400

 

 

$

5,717

 

 

$

6,432

 

 

Cost of goods sold

 

 

4,290

 

 

 

4,762

 

 

 

5,072

 

 

Gross profit

 

 

1,110

 

 

 

955

 

 

 

1,360

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expense 1

 

 

934

 

 

 

632

 

 

 

685

 

 

Research and development expense

 

 

80

 

 

 

97

 

 

 

143

 

 

Restructuring and asset related charges, net

 

 

170

 

 

 

333

 

 

 

21

 

 

Goodwill impairment

 

 

 

 

 

25

 

 

 

 

 

Total expenses

 

 

1,184

 

 

 

1,087

 

 

 

849

 

 

Equity in earnings of affiliates

 

 

29

 

 

 

22

 

 

 

20

 

 

Interest expense, net

 

 

(213

)

 

 

(132

)

 

 

 

 

Other income, net

 

 

247

 

 

 

54

 

 

 

19

 

 

(Loss) income before income taxes

 

 

(11

)

 

 

(188

)

 

 

550

 

 

(Benefit from) provision for income taxes

 

 

(18

)

 

 

(98

)

 

 

149

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

 

7

 

 

 

(90

)

 

 

401

 

 

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

Net income (loss) attributable to Chemours

 

$

7

 

 

$

(90

)

 

$

400

 

 

1

Includes $335 million litigation accrual related to the PFOA MDL Settlement (see Note 20 to the Consolidated Financial Statements).

Net sales

For the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015:  Net salesincome taxes for the year ended December 31, 2016 were $5.4 billion, a decrease of approximately 6% compared to $5.7 billion2019 included $14 million in windfall benefit from our share-based payments, which was partially offset by an $8 million valuation allowance on certain foreign subsidiary earnings and certain foreign tax credits. Our provision for income taxes for the year ended December 31, 2015.  The decrease2018 included $14 million in net sales for the year ended

38


The Chemours Company

December 31, 2016 was driven by: i) portfolio changeswindfall benefit from divestitures and lower selling prices resultingour share-based payments, a $15 million benefit from the impact of lower raw materials costs on contractual pass-through terms in the Chemical Solutions segment and ii) lower selling prices for TiO2 year over year in the Titanium Technologies segment.  These decreases were partially offset by improvements in the Fluoroproducts segment due to growth in Opteon™ and volume increase in Titanium Technologies due to higher demand in Europe and the United States.

For the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:  Net sales for the year ended December 31, 2015 were of $5.7 billion, a decrease of approximately 11% compared to $6.4 billion for the year ended December 31, 2014. The decrease in net sales was primarily due to continued pressure on TiO2 prices and the negative impact of foreign currency, partially offset by price increases in Fluoroproducts and volume growth in Chemical Solutions portfolio.

The table below shows the impact of price, volume, currency and portfolio changes on net sales for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014.

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

Change in net sales from prior period

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Price

 

 

(3

)%

 

 

(5

)%

Volume

 

 

2

%

 

 

(1

)%

Currency

 

 

(1

)%

 

 

(4

)%

Portfolio / Other

 

 

(4

)%

 

 

(1

)%

Total Change

 

 

(6

)%

 

 

(11

)%

For detailed discussion of net sales, see the Segment Review section of this MD&A.

Cost of goods sold

For the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015:  Cost of goods sold (COGS) decreased by 10% to $4.3 billion for the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to $4.8 billion for the year ended December 31, 2015. The decreases were primarily driven by lower operating costs, including lower raw materials and overhead costs, and improvement in plant utilization, which decreased COGS by approximately 7%, and portfolio changes in our Chemical Solutions segment, which also decreased COGS by approximately 4%.  These decreases were partially offset by inventory write-downs in the Chemical Solutions segment of $10 million as a result of the reactive metals solution plant shutdown, $5 million assets write-off related to the Mining Solutions business of our Chemical Solutions segment, and approximately $10 million increase in performance related compensation accruals.

For the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:  COGS decreased 6% during the year ended December 31, 2015 in comparison with the year ended December 31, 2014.  Approximately 4% of the decrease was driven by lower production costs from lower costs of raw materials, lower employee benefits and the impact of global headcount reduction as a result of our transformation plan.  The decrease was due to lower sales volume and mix, as well slightly favorable currency impact.

Selling, general and administrative expense

For the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015:  Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expense increased 48% to $934 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to $632 million for the year ended December 31, 2015.  The increase in SG&A was primarily driven by the $335 million litigation accrual related to the PFOA MDL Settlement.  In addition, the increase in SG&A includes an increase in performance related compensation accruals of approximately $36 million, higher transaction costs incurred primarily in connection with the sale of the C&D and Sulfur businesses of approximately $10 million and other legal settlements and related costs of $16 million.  These increases were partially offset by lower pension costs and cost reduction initiatives, including the global workforce reduction and other initiatives in connection with the transformation plan, which contributed to an approximate 15% reduction in SG&A.

For the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:  SG&A expense decreased 8% to $632 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 in comparison with the year ended December 31, 2014.  This decrease is primarily driven by the cost reduction initiatives implemented during the year, such as the global workforce reduction and other initiatives in connection with the transformation plan, as well as lower employee benefits (including pension), slightly offset by $17 million of transactions, legal and other related charges and approximately $4 million higher stock-based compensation charges primarily related to the converted DuPont awards.

39


The Chemours Company

Research and development expense

For the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015:  Research and development (R&D) expense decreased by $17 million or 18% for the year ended December 31, 2016 in comparison with the year ended December 31, 2015.  Reductions in R&D spend were primarily driven by decisions to focus on fewer higher return projects. The global workforce reduction initiative also impacted the R&D function and contributed to the overall decrease.

For the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:  R&D expense decreased by $46 million or 32% for the year ended December 31, 2015 in comparison with the year ended December 31, 2014. Reductions in R&D spend were primarily driven by decisions to either delay or terminate projects following our separation from DuPont. The global workforce reduction initiative also impacted the R&D function and contributed to the decrease in R&D expense.

Restructuring and asset related charges, net

For the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015: We recorded pre-tax charges of approximately $170 million in connection with the various restructuring activities implemented since 2015.  This included $45 million of decommissioning, dismantling and other related charges, which consisted of $30 million related to the Edge Moor manufacturing plant closure in the Titanium Technology segment, $7 million related to the production lines shutdown in the Fluoroproducts segment, and $8 million related to the reactive metals solution (“RMS”) manufacturing facility plant closure in the Chemicals Solutions segment.  Also, during 2016, we recorded $119 million of asset impairment charges, which consisted of $48 million related to the aniline facility in Pascagoula, Mississippi and $58 million asset impairment charges in connection with the sale of the Sulfur business, both of which are in the Chemical Solutions segment, and $13 million in connection with the sale of our corporate headquarters building in the U.S. included in Corporate and Other.

For the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014: We recorded pre-tax charges of approximately $333 million for employee separation and other asset related charges in connection with various restructuring activities during the year. This cost included $112 million severance charges from our global workforce reduction, $140 million related to our capacity optimization in our Titanium Technologies segment, including the closure of our Edge Moor production facility, $21 million of Fluoroproducts restructuring activities, $57 million of restructuring relating to our Chemical Solutions segment, and impairment charges.

Refer to Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information related to “Restructuring and asset related charges, net”.

Interest expense, net

For the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015:  We incurred interest expense of $213 million and $132 million for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.  Interest expense was higher in 2016 because the long-term debt was issued in May 2015 and was outstanding for the entirety of the 2016 fiscal year.  In addition, we recorded approximately $4 million of non-cash write off of unamortized debt issuance costs attributable to the reduction in our revolver commitment in connection with the February 2016 amendment to our credit agreement.  These increases were partially offset by approximately $10 million of net gain on debt extinguishment in 2016.

For the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:  We incurred interest expense of $132 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 related to our financing transactions completed in May 2015 in connection with the separation.  There was no comparable expense in 2014.

Refer to Note 19 to the Consolidated Financial Statements and the Liquidity and Capital Resources section of this MD&A for additional information related to our indebtedness.

Other income, net

For the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015:  For the year ended December 31, 2016, other income, net increased by $193 million when compared to the year ended December 31, 2015. This increase includes a $254 million gain on sale primarily in connection with the sale of our C&D business and the sale of our aniline facility in Beaumont, Texas, partially offset by foreign currency exchange losses of approximately $57 million driven by continued strengthening of the U.S. dollar primarily against the Mexican peso compared to a foreign currency exchange gain of $19 million in 2015, which was mainly driven by the net gain from foreign currency forward contracts.

40


The Chemours Company

For the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:  For the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to the year ended December 31, 2014, other income, net increased by $35 million.  This change is comprisedrelease of a $42 million gain on foreign exchange forward contracts, lower foreign currency exchange losses of approximately $23 million driven by the continued strengthening of the U.S. dollar versus the Mexican peso, the Euro and other currencies, and additional technology and licensing income of approximately $11 million.  These increases were offset by a loss on sale of assets and businesses of $9 million in 2015 compared to the gain of $40 million recognized in 2014.  

Refer to Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for details of “Other income, net”.

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes

For the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015:  For the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, Chemours recorded a tax benefit of $18 million with an effective income tax rate of 164% and $98 million with an effective tax rate of approximately 52%, respectively.  The $80 million decrease in tax benefit and the corresponding change in the effective income tax rate were primarily due to a $50 million valuation allowance recorded on U.S.against our foreign tax credits, the Company’s geographical mix of earnings as well as the gain on the sale of assets and business, which resulted in tax expense and a corresponding change in the effective incomenet $10 million benefit from certain other provisions of U.S. tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2016 as compared to the same period in 2015; offset by the tax benefit on the $335 million PFOA MDL Settlement accrual (see Note 20 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information).

For the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:  For the year ended December 31, 2015, Chemours recorded a tax benefit of $98 million with an effective income tax rate of approximately 52%.  For the year ended December 31, 2014, Chemours recorded a tax provision of $149 million with an effective tax rate of approximately 27%.  The $247 million decrease in the tax provision was related to the $738 million decrease in income before income taxes.  This decrease in income before income taxes was primarily due to continued pressure on TiO2 prices, soft demand conditions for certain fluoropolymers products, and restructuring and asset impairment charges.  Although the earnings in our foreign operations remained consistent for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, the earnings in the U.S. were impacted by the aforementioned factors.  The mix of geographical earnings resulted in the effective tax rates varying between 2015 and 2014.

Segment Reviews

The following table represents Chemours’ total consolidated Adjusted EBITDA by segment:reform.

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

(Dollars in millions)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Titanium Technologies

 

$

466

 

 

$

326

 

 

$

723

 

Fluoroproducts

 

 

445

 

 

 

300

 

 

 

282

 

Chemical Solutions

 

 

39

 

 

 

29

 

 

 

17

 

Corporate and Other

 

 

(128

)

 

 

(82

)

 

 

(146

)

Total

 

$

822

 

 

$

573

 

 

$

876

 

Corporate costs and certain legal and environmental expenses that are not allocated to the segments and foreign exchange gains and losses are reflected in Corporate and Other.Segment Reviews

Adjusted EBITDA represents ourearnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (“Adjusted EBITDA”) is the primary measure of segment performance used by our Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”) and is defined as income (loss) before income taxes, excluding the following:

interest expense, depreciation and amortization,

interest expense, depreciation, and amortization;

non-operating pension and other postretirement employee benefit costs, which represent the component of net periodic pension costs (income) excluding service component,

non-operating pension and other post-retirement employee benefit costs, which represents the component of net periodic pension (income) costs excluding the service cost component;

exchange losses (gains) included in “other income, net” of the statement of operations,

exchange (gains) losses included in other income (expense), net;

employee separation, asset-related charges and other charges, net,

restructuring, asset-related, and other charges;

asset impairments, 

asset impairments;

losses (gains) on sale of business or assets, and

(gains) losses on sales of assets and businesses; and,

other items not considered indicative of our ongoing operational performance and expected to occur infrequently.

other items not considered indicative of our ongoing operational performance and expected to occur infrequently.

41


The Chemours Company

 

A reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income (loss) attributable to Chemours for the years ended December 31, 2016, 20152019 and 20142018 is included in Non-GAAPthe “Non-GAAP Financial Measures in Item 7 and in Note 24 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Titanium TechnologiesMeasures” section of this MD&A.

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

(Dollars in millions)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Segment Net Sales

 

$

2,364

 

 

$

2,392

 

 

$

2,937

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

 

466

 

 

 

326

 

 

 

723

 

Adjusted EBITDA Margin

 

 

20

%

 

 

14

%

 

 

25

%

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

Change in segment net sales from prior period

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Price

 

 

(3

)%

 

 

(12

)%

Volume

 

 

2

%

 

 

(2

)%

Currency

 

 

%

 

 

(5

)%

Portfolio / Other

 

 

%

 

 

%

Total Change

 

 

(1

)%

 

 

(19

)%

2016 versus 2015:  Net sales decreasedThe following table sets forth our Adjusted EBITDA by $28 million or 1%segment for the yearyears ended December 31, 2016 compared with the same period in 2015. The decrease in net sales was primarily due to lower average selling prices for TiO2 year over year, partially offset by an increase in TiO2 sales volume due to higher demand in Europe2019 and the United States.  Our sales volume in 2016 was in line with seasonal and historical trends.

Adjusted EBITDA increased by $140 million or 43% during the year ended December 31, 2016 in comparison with same period in 2015.  The increase in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily driven by productivity improvement initiatives including the impact of the Edge Moor plant shut-down and global headcount reductions, which increased Adjusted EBITDA by approximately 69%. The productivity improvement initiatives resulted in lower raw materials and lower plant operating costs.  The increase was partially offset by lower average selling price year-over-year, which decreased adjusted EBITDA by approximately 30%, and higher performance related compensation accruals.

2015 versus 2014:  Net sales decreased by $545 million or 19% for the year ended December 31, 2015 compared with the same period in 2014, due primarily to lower selling prices and the continued unfavorable effect of foreign currency primarily against the Euro.  Oversupply in the global titanium dioxide industry and weak demand continue to put downward pressure on pricing in all regions.

Adjusted EBITDA decreased by 55% during the year ended December 31, 2015 in comparison with same period in 2014.  Adjusted EBITDA margin also decreased during the year ended December 31, 2015 in comparison with the same period in 2014.  The decreases were primarily driven by lower sales and margin which contributed to an approximately 39% decrease in Adjusted EBITDA due to lower prices, and unfavorable effects of foreign currency which contributed to an approximately 19% decrease in Adjusted EBITDA.  Partially offsetting these decreases were productivity improvement initiatives, which resulted in lower raw materials, energy and plant operating costs, as well as the impact of our cost reduction programs, which included certain Titanium Technology plant shut-downs and global headcount reductions.

Fluoroproducts2018.

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

(Dollars in millions)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Segment Net Sales

 

$

2,264

 

 

$

2,230

 

 

$

2,327

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

 

445

 

 

 

300

 

 

 

282

 

Adjusted EBITDA Margin

 

 

20

%

 

 

13

%

 

 

12

%

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

(Dollars in millions)

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Fluoroproducts

 

$

578

 

 

$

783

 

Chemical Solutions

 

 

80

 

 

 

64

 

Titanium Technologies

 

 

505

 

 

 

1,055

 

Segment Adjusted EBITDA

 

 

1,163

 

 

 

1,902

 

Corporate and Other

 

 

(143

)

 

 

(162

)

Total Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

1,020

 

 

$

1,740

 

42


38


The Chemours Company

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

Change in segment net sales from prior period

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Price

 

 

(1

)%

 

 

2

%

Volume

 

 

4

%

 

 

%

Currency

 

 

(1

)%

 

 

(4

)%

Portfolio / Other

 

 

(1

)%

 

 

(2

)%

Total Change

 

 

1

%

 

 

(4

)%

2016 versus 2015:  Net sales increased $34 million or 2% for the year ended December 31, 2016 compared with the same period in 2015. Stronger demand for Opteon™ refrigerant in both Europe and the United States delivered a significant increase in volume over the prior year, partially offset by lower volume over the prior year due to the phase down of HCFCs refrigerants (i.e., Freon™) as stipulated by the Montreal Protocol and by lower selling prices for fluoropolymer products due to competitive pricing pressure. For the year ended December 31, 2016, unfavorable foreign currency impact, primarily against the Euro, Brazilian real and Mexican peso resulted in an overall decrease in net sales.

Adjusted EBITDA increased by $145 million or 48% for the year ended December 31, 2016 in comparison with same periods in 2015, due primarily to margin improvements and cost reductions from cost savings initiatives.  Margin improvement from fluorochemicals sales, including growth in Opteon™ but excluding currency impact, contributed an increase of approximately 41% in the year ended December 31, 2016, and other cost reduction initiatives contributed an increase of approximately 20% for the year ended December 31, 2016.  In addition, we incurred approximately $22 million or approximately 7% of costs in 2015 due to plant outages in certain of our manufacturing facilities in the United States that did not recur in 2016. These improvements were partially offset by lower selling price and unfavorable product mix of fluoropolymers, and higher performance related compensation accruals. Overall unfavorable currency in the year ended December 31, 2016 also resulted in a decrease in adjusted EBITDA by approximately 6%.

2015 versus 2014:  Net sales decreased by $97 million or 4% for the year ended December 31, 2015 compared with the same period in 2014.  Net sales were unfavorably impacted by foreign currency exchange rates, primarily related to the Euro, Brazilian real, and Japanese yen, and continued weaker demand for industrial resins.  Favorable product mix with strong Opteon™ refrigerant adoption delivered increased prices and steady overall volumes over the prior year.

Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin increased during the year ended December 31, 2015 in comparison with the same periods in 2014.  Both increases were primarily due to product mix and cost reduction efforts including global headcount reductions during the second half of 2015.

Chemical Solutions

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

(Dollars in millions)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Segment Net Sales

 

$

772

 

 

$

1,095

 

 

$

1,168

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

 

39

 

 

 

29

 

 

 

17

 

Adjusted EBITDA Margin

 

 

5

%

 

 

3

%

 

 

1

%

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

Change in segment net sales from prior period

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Price

 

 

(7

)%

 

 

(5

)%

Volume

 

 

(3

)%

 

 

2

%

Currency

 

 

%

 

 

(3

)%

Portfolio / Other

 

 

(19

)%

 

 

%

Total Change

 

 

(29

)%

 

 

(6

)%

2016 versus 2015:  Net sales decreased by $323 million or 29% for the year ended December 31, 2016 compared with the same period in 2015. These decreases were due to a portfolio change resulting from the sale of our aniline facility in Beaumont, Texas, our C&D business and our Sulfur business, and the impact of RMS plant shutdown in September 2016. In addition, sales decreased due to lower selling prices resulting from the impact of lower raw materials costs on contractual pass-through terms, and lower sales volume substantially across all business units during the year except Sulfur.

43


The Chemours CompanyFluoroproducts

 

Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin increased duringThe following table sets forth the year ended December 31, 2016 in comparison with same period in 2015. Despite the decreases in net sales, Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted EBITDA margin increased due primarily toamounts for our Fluoroproducts segment for the cost reduction efforts, includingyears ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

(Dollars in millions)

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Segment net sales

 

$

2,648

 

 

$

2,862

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

 

578

 

 

 

783

 

Adjusted EBITDA margin

 

 

22

%

 

 

27

%

The following table sets forth the global headcount reductions implemented in 2015,impacts of price, volume, and improvement in plant operating costs.

2015 versus 2014:  Netcurrency on our Fluoroproducts segment’s net sales decreased by $73 million or 6%, for the year ended December 31, 20152019.

Year Ended December 31,

Change in segment net sales from prior period

2019

Price

(2

)%

Volume

(4

)%

Currency

(1

)%

Total change in segment net sales

(7

)%

Segment Net Sales

Our Fluoroproducts segment’s net sales decreased by $214 million (or 7%) to $2.6 billion for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared with segment net sales of $2.9 billion for the same period in 2014,2018. The decrease in segment net sales for the year ended December 31, 2019 was primarily attributable to decreases in volume and price of 4% and 2%, respectively. Illegal imports of legacy HFC refrigerants into the EU, in violation of the EU’s F-gas regulations, impacted both volume and price during the year ended December 31, 2019. Volumes also declined due to lower prices based on contractual pass-through terms, changesdemand for our legacy base refrigerants and polymers, which was driven by softness in global markets, primarily the mix of products sold as well as the unfavorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates including the Mexican peso, Canadian dollarautomotive and the Euro.electronics markets. These decreases were partially offset by volume increases from the continued adoption of OpteonTM products in cyanidemobile applications and sulfurgrowth in high-grade Fluoropolymers sales. Unfavorable currency movements added a 1% headwind to the segment’s net sales during the year ended December 31, 2019.

Segment Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin

Segment Adjusted EBITDA decreased by $205 million (or 26%) to $578 million and segment Adjusted EBITDA margin decreased by approximately 500 basis points to 22% for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared with segment Adjusted EBITDA of $783 million and segment Adjusted EBITDA margin of 27% for the same period in 2018. The decreases in segment Adjusted EBITDA and segment Adjusted EBITDA margin for the year ended December 31, 2019 were primarily attributable to the aforementioned decreases in the price and volume and unfavorable currency movements in the segment’s net sales. We also experienced increased costs during the year ended December 31, 2019 due to strong demand.the start-up of our new OpteonTM refrigerants facility in Corpus Christi, Texas, and unplanned outages at certain facilities. Additionally, our F-gas quota authorization sales decreased by $26 million when compared to the year ended December 31, 2018.

The segment’s operating results for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 included $22 million and $34 million, respectively, of additional costs for process waste water treatment at Fayetteville. We expect to continue to incur these costs as we actively work with the NC DEQ to resolve the suspension of our National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit.


39


The Chemours Company

Chemical Solutions

The following table sets forth the net sales, Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted EBITDA margin increased duringamounts for our Chemical Solutions segment for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

(Dollars in millions)

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Segment net sales

 

$

533

 

 

$

602

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

 

80

 

 

 

64

 

Adjusted EBITDA margin

 

 

15

%

 

 

11

%

The following table sets forth the impacts of price, volume, and currency on our Chemical Solutions segment’s net sales for the year ended December 31, 2015 in comparison2019.

Year Ended December 31,

Change in segment net sales from prior period

2019

Price

(4

)%

Volume

(7

)%

Currency

%

Total change in segment net sales

(11

)%

Segment Net Sales

Our Chemical Solutions segment’s net sales decreased by $69 million (or 11%) to $533 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared with segment net sales of $602 million for the same period in 2014.2018. The slight increasedecrease in segment net sales for the year ended December 31, 2019 was primarily attributable to decreases in volume and price of 7% and 4%, respectively, which were driven by operational issues at a key customer mine in Mining Solutions and lower prices for certain Performance Chemicals and Intermediates products, mainly driven by mix and raw material cost pass-throughs as stipulated in certain contracts.

Segment Adjusted EBITDA was driven primarilyand Adjusted EBITDA Margin

Segment Adjusted EBITDA increased by lower R&D expense and cost reduction efforts, including the global headcount reductions, during the second half of 2015.  

2017 Outlook

With our transformation plan on track, we are targeting an additional $150$16 million of structural costs reductions in 2017.  These cost savings are expected(or 25%) to be generated from a combination of actions taken during 2016, including facilities closures, headcount reductions, and procurement and productivity enhancements, and additional actions that may be taken in 2017.  Based on our anticipated cost reduction and growth initiatives, we continue to expect cost savings of approximately $350$80 million and segment Adjusted EBITDA margin increased by approximately $150400 basis points to 15% for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared with segment Adjusted EBITDA of $64 million and segment Adjusted EBITDA margin of 11% for the same period in improvements from growth initiatives that together will also improve our pre-tax earnings by similar amounts through 2017 over 2015. These improvements will be2018. The increases in segment Adjusted EBITDA and segment Adjusted EBITDA margin for the year ended December 31, 2019 were primarily attributable to increased license income and lower cost of goods sold, partially offset by the impactaforementioned decreases in net sales.


40


The Chemours Company

Titanium Technologies

The following table sets forth the net sales, Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted EBITDA margin amounts for our Titanium Technologies segment for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

(Dollars in millions)

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Segment net sales

 

$

2,345

 

 

$

3,174

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

 

505

 

 

 

1,055

 

Adjusted EBITDA margin

 

 

22

%

 

 

33

%

The following table sets forth the impacts of divestitures completed during 2016, unfavorable price, volume, and mixcurrency on our Titanium Technologies segment’s net sales for the year ended December 31, 2019.

Year Ended December 31,

Change in segment net sales from prior period

2019

Price

(1

)%

Volume

(24

)%

Currency

(1

)%

Total change in segment net sales

(26

)%

Segment Net Sales

Our Titanium Technologies segment’s net sales decreased by $829 million (or 26%) to $2.3 billion for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared with segment net sales of fluoropolymer products, and may also be impacted$3.2 billion for the same period in 2018. The decrease in segment net sales for the year ended December 31, 2019 was primarily attributable to a 24% decrease in volume, driven by market factors.  

For 2017, we believe that those cost reductions from our transformation plan, along with growth from Opteon™, an improving pricing environment forlower TiPureTM TiO2net sales volumes due to market destocking and share loss. Price declined modestly by 1%, primarily due to customer, regional, and the benefitschannel mix, but remained largely stable as a result of our newest line atTVS strategy. We also experienced a 1% headwind from unfavorable currency movements.

Segment Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin

Segment Adjusted EBITDA decreased by $550 million (or 52%) to $505 million and segment Adjusted EBITDA margin decreased by approximately 1,100 basis points to 22% for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared with segment Adjusted EBITDA of $1.1 billion and segment Adjusted EBITDA margin of 33% for the same period in 2018. The decreases in segment Adjusted EBITDA and segment Adjusted EBITDA margin for the year ended December 31, 2019 were primarily attributable to the aforementioned decreases in segment net sales volume associated with market destocking and share loss, as well as margin compression due to higher costs for certain raw materials and lower fixed cost absorption as we reduced production rates to match reduced customer demand.

Corporate and Other

Corporate costs and certain legacy legal and environmental expenses, stock-based compensation costs, and foreign exchange gains and losses arising from the remeasurement of balances in currencies other than the functional currency of our Altamira facilitylegal entities are reflected in Corporate and Other.

Corporate and Other costs decreased by $19 million (or 12%) to $143 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared with Corporate and Other costs of $162 million for the same period in 2018. The decrease in Corporate and Other costs for the year ended December 31, 2019 was primarily attributable to lower performance-related compensation and lower costs for certain legacy legal matters.


41


The Chemours Company

2020 Outlook

Our 2020 results will be partially offsetdriven by headwindsthe following expectations: (i) 2020 volume for our Titanium Technologies segment will continue to recover as we further execute our TVS strategy; (ii) there will be continued transition to OpteonTM refrigerants in our Fluoroproducts segment, which will be offset by the impacts of illegal imports of legacy HFC refrigerants into the EU in violation of the region’s F-gas regulations; and, EBITDA lost from divestitures. Therefore, we expect(iii) there will be continued demand for Mining Solutions products in our Adjusted EBITDA to be in line with our transformation plan goals.Chemical Solutions segment. We expect that our capital expenditures towill be at approximately $450 million driven in large part by expenditures associated with our new Opteon™ plant under construction in Corpus Christi and our anticipated Mining Solutions expansion.  $400 million.

Our outlook for 2020 reflects our current visibility and expectations based on market factors, such as currency movements, TiO2 pricingmacro-economic factors, and end-market demand. In particular, end-market demand may be impacted by factors beyond our control, such as the recent spread of the novel coronavirus. Our ability to meet our expectations are subject to numerous risks, including, but not limited to, those described in Item 1A – Risk Factors.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Prior to the separation on July 1, 2015, transfers of cash to and from DuPont’s cash management system were reflected in DuPont Company Net Investment in the historical Consolidated Balance Sheets, Statements of Cash Flows and Statements of Changes in DuPont Company Net Investment.  DuPont funded our cash needs through the date of the separation.  Chemours has a historical pattern of seasonality, with working capital use of cash in the first half of the year, and a working capital source of cash in the second half of the year.

Chemours’Our primary sourcesources of liquidity isare cash generated from operations, available cash, receivables securitization, and borrowings under theour debt financing arrangements, aswhich are described below.in further detail in “Note 20 – Debt” to the Consolidated Financial Statements. We believe these sources are sufficient to fund our planned operations and to meet our interest, dividend, and contractual obligations. Our financial policy seeks to deleverage by using free cash flow to repay outstanding borrowings,to: (i) selectively invest forin organic and inorganic growth to enhance our portfolio, including certain strategic capital investments, andinvestments; (ii) return cash to shareholders through dividend payments.dividends and share repurchases; and, (iii) maintain appropriate leverage by using free cash flows to repay outstanding borrowings. Subject to approval by our board of directors, we may raise additional capital or borrowings from time to time, or seek to refinance our existing debt. There can be no assurances that future capital or borrowings will be available to us, and the cost and availability of new capital or borrowings could be materially impacted by market conditions. Further, the decision to refinance our existing debt is based on a number of factors, including general market conditions and our ability to refinance on attractive terms at any given point in time. Any attempts to raise additional capital or borrowings, or refinance our existing debt, could cause us to incur significant charges. Such charges could have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

Chemours’

Our operating cash flow generation is driven by, among other things, the general global economic conditions generallyat any point in time and thetheir resulting impactimpacts on demand for our products, raw materialmaterials and energy prices, and industry-specific issues, such as production capacity and utilization. Chemours hasWe have generated strong operating cash flowflows through various industry and economic cycles, evidencing the operating strength of our businesses. Over the industry cycles in recent years, cash flows from operating activities increased in years leading up to the historical peak profitability achieved in 2011, and have decreased annually since that time. Despite the challenging market conditions in the TiO2 industry since the historical peak, we anticipate that through our cost reduction efforts and growth initiatives, our operations will provide sufficient liquidity to implement the transformation plan and support cash needs for the business.

While we were a wholly-owned subsidiary of DuPont, our then-board of directors, consisting of DuPont employees, declared a dividend of an aggregate amount of $100 million for the third quarter of 2015, which was paid on September 11, 2015 to our stockholders of record as of August 3, 2015.  On September 1, 2015, our independent board of directors declared a dividend of $0.03

44


The Chemours Company

 

per share, which was paid on December 14, 2015 toIn May 2018, we completed our stockholders of record on November 13, 2015.  During 2016,$500 million 2017 Share Repurchase Program. On August 1, 2018, our board of directors also declaredincreased our quarterly dividendscash dividend to $0.25 per share. Additionally, on August 1, 2018, our board of $0.03 perdirectors approved the 2018 Share Repurchase Program, which authorizes us to purchase shares of our issued and outstanding common stock in an aggregate amount not to exceed $750 million, plus any fees or costs in connection with our share which were paid in each quarter duringrepurchase activity. On February 13, 2019, our board of directors increased the year.

authorization amount of the 2018 Share Repurchase Program to $1.0 billion. The separation agreements set forth a process to true-up cash2018 Share Repurchase Program became effective on August 1, 2018 and working capital transferred to us from DuPont at separation.  In January 2016, Chemours and DuPont entered into an agreement, contingent uponwill continue through the credit agreement amendment described herein, which provided forearlier of its expiration on December 31, 2020, or the extinguishmentcompletion of payment obligations of cash and working capital true-ups previously contemplated in the separation agreements.  As a result, Chemours was not required to make any payments to DuPont, nor did DuPont make any payments to Chemours relatedrepurchases up to the separation true-up mechanism.  In addition, the agreement set forth an advance payment of approximately $190 million, which was paid to Chemours in February 2016, for certain specified goods and services that Chemours expects to provide to DuPont through mid-2017 under existing agreements with Chemours.  Approximately $58approved amount. To date, we have repurchased $572 million of our common stock under the prepayment amount remained outstanding as of December 31, 2016.2018 Share Repurchase Program.

Over

We anticipate making significant payments for interest, capital expenditures, environmental remediation costs and investments, dividends, and other actions over the next 12 months, Chemours expects to have significant interest, capital expenditure and restructuring payments.  Wewhich we expect to fund these payments through cash generated from operations, available cash, receivables securitization, and borrowings under the revolving credit facility.borrowings. We further anticipate that our operations and existing debt financing arrangements will provide us with sufficient liquidity over the next 12 months. The availability under our Revolving Credit Facilityrevolving credit facility is subject to the last 12 months of our consolidated EBITDA, as defined underin the amended and restated credit agreement.agreement, which is discussed further in “Note 20 – Debt” to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

As of

At December 31, 2016 and 2015,2019, we had $678 million and $271 million, respectively, oftotal cash and cash equivalents onof $943 million, of which, $839 million was held by our balance sheetforeign subsidiaries. All of the cash and cash equivalents held by our foreign subsidiaries all of which is readily convertible into currencies used in our operations, including the U.S. dollar. CashThe cash and earnings of our foreign subsidiaries are generally used to finance their operations and capital expenditures. At December 31, 2016 and 2015,2019, management believed that sufficient liquidity was available in the United States,U.S., which includes borrowing capacity under our revolving credit facility, and it is our intention to indefinitely reinvest undistributedthe historical pre-2018 earnings of our foreign subsidiaries. Beginning in 2018, management asserts that only certain foreign subsidiaries outside of the United States. No deferred tax liabilities have been recognized with regardare indefinitely reinvested. See “Note 9 – Income Taxes” to the approximately $678 million and $271 million of cash ofConsolidated Financial Statements for further information related to our foreign subsidiaries as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and undistributed earnings. The potential tax implications of the repatriation of unremitted earnings are driven by facts at the time of distribution, therefore, it is not practicable to estimate the income tax liabilities that might be incurred if such cash and earnings were repatriated to the United States.positions.


42


The Chemours Company

Cash FlowFlows

The following table sets forth a summary of the net cash provided by (used for) our operating, investing, and financing activities.activities for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

(Dollars in millions)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Cash provided by operating activities

 

$

594

 

 

$

182

 

 

$

505

 

 

$

650

 

 

$

1,140

 

Cash provided by (used for) investing activities

 

 

357

 

 

 

(497

)

 

 

(560

)

Cash (used for) provided by financing activities

 

 

(396

)

 

 

687

 

 

 

55

 

Cash used for investing activities

 

 

(483

)

 

 

(487

)

Cash used for financing activities

 

 

(419

)

 

 

(993

)

 

Cash Provided by Operating Activities

Cash provided by

We received $650 million and $1.1 billion in cash flows from our operating activities improved by $412 millionfor the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The decrease in our operating cash inflows for the year ended December 31, 2016 compared2019 was primarily attributable to the same perioda decrease in 2015, due primarilyour net income, despite reduction in our finished products inventories to overall improvements in the results of operations and working capital.  In addition, we received an advance payment of $190 million from DuPont in February 2016 of which approximately $132 million was utilizedalign with decreased sales volumes during the year ended December 31, 2016. Partially offsetting these increases are interest2019 when compared to the prior year. We also made cash payments in 2016for certain raw materials purchases that occurred during the fourth quarter of approximately $220 million versus approximately $1222018.

Investing Activities

We used $483 million in 2015, and restructuring payments of approximately $68 million in 2016 versus $39 million in 2015.

Cash provided by operatingcash flows for our investing activities decreased by $323 millionduring the year ended December 31, 2019. Our investing cash outflows for the year ended December 31, 2015 compared with2019 were primarily attributable to purchases of property, plant, and equipment amounting to $481 million, as well as $10 million in total cash consideration payments for the same periodacquisition of Southern Ionics Minerals, LLC. These investing cash outflows were partially offset by proceeds from the sales of assets and businesses of $9 million, which were primarily attributable to $4 million received from the sale of our Oakley, California site and $2 million received from the sale of our Methylamines and Methylamides business.

We used $487 million in 2014, due to lower earnings than the prior year, payments on restructuringcash flows for our investing activities and interest payments on our 2015 financing transactions.

Cash Provided by (Used for) Investing Activities

Cash provided by investing activitiesduring the year ended December 31, 2016 includes2018. Our investing cash outflows for the $140year ended December 31, 2018 were primarily attributable to purchases of property, plant, and equipment amounting to $498 million, and $37 million in total cash consideration payments for the acquisition of ICOR International, Inc. These investing cash outflows were partially offset by proceeds from the sales of assets and businesses of $46 million, which were primarily attributable to the sale of our anilineLinden, New Jersey site for $39 million.

Financing Activities

We used $419 million in cash flows for our financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2019. Our financing cash outflows for the year ended December 31, 2019 were primarily attributable to our capital allocation activities, resulting in $486 million of cash returned to shareholders through our 2018 Share Repurchase Program and through cash dividends paid. In addition, we made $30 million in payments for withholding taxes on certain of our vested stock-based compensation awards. We also drew $150 million on our revolving credit facility for general corporate purposes. We subsequently repaid the revolver borrowing in Beaumont, Texas, $321full, primarily using the $125 million proceeds originally received from the Securitization Facility, as well as available cash. During the year ended December 31, 2019, we also repaid a net $15 million of the borrowings from the Securitization Facility. The Securitization Facility is further described in “Note 20 – Debt” to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

We used $993 million in cash flows for our financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2018. Our financing cash outflows for the year ended December 31, 2018 were primarily attributable to the following: $679 million in debt repayments and $29 million in “make-whole” premium payments in connection with our debt refinancing activities, as well as scheduled principal repayments; $644 million for purchases of our issued and outstanding common stock under our share repurchase programs; and, $148 million for payments of cash dividends. These financing cash outflows were partially offset by $520 million in net proceeds from the saleissuance of the Sulfur business and $223 million net proceeds from the sale of the C&D business (see Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional details), as well as $22 million proceeds from a sale of land in Repauno, New Jersey. These cash inflows were offset by capital expenditures during the period of $338 million.  Our capital expenditures decreased by approximately $181 million when compared to the same period in 2015our euro-denominated 4.000% senior unsecured notes due toMay 2026.

45

43


The Chemours Company

 

lower spending primarily fromCurrent Assets

The following table sets forth the completioncomponents of our Altamira plant expansion in April 2016 and no separation-related expenditures incurred during 2016.

Cash used for investing activities decreased $63 million for the year endedcurrent assets at December 31, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014 primarily as a result of a $85 million decrease in capital expenditures of which $80 million relates to the expansion of Titanium Technologies’ Altamira plant in Mexico2019 and approximately $50 million from other on-going and expansion activities, partially offset by increase in separation-related capital expenditures of $45 million.  In addition, we realized approximately $42 million of net gain from foreign exchange contract settlements entered into in 2015 after the separation and no similar realized gains or losses were incurred prior to the separation.  The decreases in cash used for investing activities are partially offset by incremental investments made to our unconsolidated affiliate in China and lower sales proceeds due to lesser business and asset sale activities during 2015. 

Cash (Used for) Provided by Financing Activities

During 2016, utilizing our available cash, we repurchased and repaid a portion of our senior secured term loans with an aggregate principal amount of $105 million for $104 million in cash, a portion of our 2023 Notes with an aggregate principal amount of $192 million for $182 million in cash, and a portion of our Euro Notes with an aggregate principal amount of $73 million for $68 million in cash. These senior loan repurchases were in addition to our quarterly required repayments on the senior secured term loans equivalent to 1% per annum of its original principal. We also declared and paid approximately $22 million of dividends to our shareholders, equivalent to $0.12 per share.

Cash provided by financing activities increased by $632 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014, due primarily from the proceeds from our financing transactions offset by the net transfers to DuPont in connection with the separation. Through June 30, 2015, DuPont managed Chemours’ cash and financing arrangements and all excess cash generated through earnings was deemed remitted to DuPont and all sources of cash were deemed funded by DuPont.  Prior to the separation on July 1, 2015, Chemours remitted approximately $3.4 billion to DuPont in the form of a dividend, using cash received from issuance of debt.  See Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

Current Assets2018.

 

 

December 31,

 

 

December 31,

 

 

December 31,

 

(Dollars in millions)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

902

 

 

$

366

 

 

$

943

 

 

$

1,201

 

Accounts and notes receivable - trade, net

 

 

807

 

 

 

859

 

Accounts and notes receivable, net

 

 

674

 

 

 

861

 

Inventories

 

 

767

 

 

 

972

 

 

 

1,079

 

 

 

1,147

 

Prepaid expenses and other

 

 

77

 

 

 

104

 

 

 

81

 

 

 

84

 

Total current assets

 

$

2,553

 

 

$

2,301

 

 

$

2,777

 

 

$

3,293

 

 

AccountsOur accounts and notes receivable, - trade,net decreased by $187 million (or 22%) to $674 million at December 31, 2019, compared with accounts and notes receivable, net of $861 million at December 31, 2018. The decrease in our accounts and notes receivable, net at December 31, 2016 decreased by $52 million compared2019 was primarily attributable to December 31, 2015 primarily due to lower net sales in the fourth quarter of 2016 over2019 versus the same period in 2018, as well as the timing of payments from our customers.

Our inventories decreased by $68 million (or 6%) to $1.1 billion at December 31, 2019, compared with inventories of $1.1 billion at December 31, 2018. The decrease in our inventories at December 31, 2019 was primarily attributable to a decrease in our finished products inventories, in order to align with decreased sales volumes across all segments, and changes to our last-in, first-out inventory reserve balances. These decreases were partially offset by an increase in our raw materials inventories, driven by the strategic acquisition of ore in our Titanium Technologies segment.

Our prepaid expenses and other assets were largely unchanged at $81 million and $84 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Current Liabilities

The following table sets forth the components of our current liabilities at December 31, 2019 and 2018.

 

 

December 31,

 

(Dollars in millions)

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Accounts payable

 

$

923

 

 

$

1,137

 

Short-term and current maturities of long-term debt

 

 

134

 

 

 

13

 

Other accrued liabilities

 

 

484

 

 

 

559

 

Total current liabilities

 

$

1,541

 

 

$

1,709

 

Our accounts payable decreased by $214 million (or 19%) to $923 million at December 31, 2019, compared with accounts payable of $1.1 billion at December 31, 2018. The decrease in our accounts payable at December 31, 2019 was primarily attributable to our decline in net sales volumes during the year ended December 31, 2019, as well as the timing of our inventory purchases in the fourth quarter of 2015, including impact2018.

Our short-term and current maturities of divested businesses, $22long-term debt increased by $121 million of accounts receivable disposed in connection with the sale of C&D and Sulfur businesses, and unfavorable currency translation of approximately $2 million.

Inventories(or greater than 100%) to $134 million at December 31, 2016 decreased $2052019, compared with short-term and current maturities of long-term debt of $13 million compared to December 31, 2015. The decrease was due to the continued effort to reduce inventory on hand as well as due to the lower raw material and production costs. In addition, we recorded approximately $10 million of inventory write-down in the Chemical Solutions segment during 2016 as a result of the previously announced RMS restructuring, and approximately $17 million of inventory disposed in connection with the sale of our aniline facility in Beaumont, Texas, sale of C&D and Sulfur businesses, and approximately $23 million of unfavorable currency translation.

Prepaid expenses and other current assets at December 31, 2016 decreased compared to2018. The increase in our short-term and current maturities of long-term debt at December 31, 2015 due2019 was primarily attributable to $110 million net borrowings under the saleSecuritization Facility, $6 million for financed insurance premiums, and $5 million for the current portion of finance lease liabilities and financing obligations.

Our other accrued liabilities decreased by $75 million (or 13%) to $484 million at December 31, 2019, compared with other accrued liabilities of $559 million at December 31, 2018. The decrease in our other accrued liabilities at December 31, 2019 was primarily attributable to lower accrued compensation and employee-related costs, payments of certain accrued expenses, and changes in the expected timing of payments related to accrued environmental costs. These decreases were partially offset by balance sheet recognition of our aniline facility in Beaumont, Texas in February 2016, which was previously classified as assets held-for-sale for approximately $46 million and included in this account asoperating lease liabilities upon the adoption of the new leasing standard on January 1, 2019. As of December 31, 2015.2019, the current portion of our operating lease liabilities amounted to $66 million.

46

Credit Facilities and Notes

See “Note 20 – Debt” to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a summary of our debt arrangements.


44


The Chemours Company

 

Current Liabilities

 

 

December 31,

 

 

December 31,

 

(Dollars in millions)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Accounts payable

 

$

884

 

 

$

973

 

Short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt

 

 

15

 

 

 

39

 

Other accrued liabilities

 

 

872

 

 

 

454

 

Total current liabilities

 

$

1,771

 

 

$

1,466

 

Accounts payable decreased by $89 million compared to December 31, 2015 due to lower inventories and timing of payments to vendors, as well as impact of divested businesses and favorable currency translation of approximately $20 million.

Other accrued liabilities increased primarily due to a $335 million litigation accrual related to the PFOA MDL Settlement.  In addition, we received advance payment from DuPont in February 2016 and approximately $58 million of this liability remains outstanding as of December 31, 2016. Also, our performance related compensation accruals increased by approximately $42 million in line with the improvements in our business results.

Credit Facilities and Notes

On May 12, 2015, Chemours entered into certain financing transactions in connection with the Distribution and in recognition of the assets contributed to us by DuPont in anticipation of the separation.  The proceeds from the financing transactions were used to fund a cash distribution to DuPont of $3.4 billion and a distribution in kind of Notes with an aggregate principal amount of $507 million.  See Note 19 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of these transactions.

The credit agreement provided for a seven-year senior secured term loan (the “Term Loan Facility”) in a principal amount of $1.5 billion repayable in equal quarterly installments at a rate of one percent of the original principal amount per year, with the balance payable on the final maturity date.  The Term Loan Facility was issued with a $7 million original issue discount and bears interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 3.00%, with a 0.75% LIBOR floor.  The proceeds from the Term Loan Facility were used to fund a portion of the distribution to DuPont, along with related fees and expenses.

Prior to an amendment in February 2016, the credit agreement also provided for a five-year $1.0 billion senior secured revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”).  In February 2016, an amendment to the Revolving Credit Facility reduced the capacity to $750 million beginning in the first quarter of 2016 and amended certain covenants (see Debt Covenants discussion included herein).  The proceeds of any loans made under the Revolving Credit Facility can be used to finance capital expenditures, acquisitions, working capital needs and for other general corporate purposes.  Availability under the Revolving Credit Facility is subject to certain covenant limitations. At December 31, 2016, the facility had full borrowing capacity of $750 million, from which we have $132 million letters of credit issued and outstanding under this facility.

Chemours’ obligations under the Term Loan Facility and Revolving Credit Facility (collectively, the Senior Secured Credit Facilities) are guaranteed on a senior secured basis by all of its material domestic subsidiaries, subject to certain agreed upon exceptions.  The obligations under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities are also, subject to certain agreed upon exceptions, secured by a first priority lien on substantially all of Chemours and its material wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries’ assets, including 100% of the stock of domestic subsidiaries and 65% of the stock of certain foreign subsidiaries.

Additionally, on May 12, 2015, Chemours issued approximately $2,503 million aggregate principal of senior unsecured notes (the “Notes”) in a private placement.  The 2023 notes (the “2023 Notes”) with an aggregate principal amount of $1,350 million bear interest at a rate of 6.625% per annum and will mature on May 15, 2023 with all principal paid at maturity.  The 2025 notes (the “2025 Notes”) with an aggregate principal amount of $750 million bear interest at a rate of 7.000% per annum and will mature on May 15, 2025 with all principal paid at maturity.  The 2023 euro notes (the “Euro Notes”) with an aggregate principal amount of €360 million bear interest at a rate of 6.125% per annum and will mature on May 15, 2023 with all principal paid at maturity.  Interest on the Notes is payable semi-annually in cash in arrears on May 15 and November 15 of each year, which commenced on November 15, 2015.  The Notes were offered in the U.S. to persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers in reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act, and outside the U.S. to non-U.S. persons in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act.  In connection with the issuance of the Notes, Chemours entered into a registration rights agreement, in which Chemours agreed to file with the SEC a registration statement for the exchange of the Notes for new registered notes with identical terms.  On March 18, 2016, Chemours filed a registration statement on Form S-4 with respect to the exchange offer.  The registration statement was declared effective on

47


The Chemours CompanySupplier Financing

 

April 12, 2016, and the exchange offer was completed on May 19, 2016.  In addition, on May 5, 2016, the Euro Notes were listed for trading on the Global Exchange Market of the Irish Stock Exchange.

Each series of Notes is or will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, by Chemours’ existing and future domestic subsidiaries that guarantee (the Guarantors) the Senior Secured Credit Facilities or that guarantee other indebtedness of Chemours or any guarantor in an aggregate principal amount in excess of $75 million (the Guarantees). The Notes are unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of Chemours. The Guarantees are unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of the Guarantors. The Notes rank equally in right of payment to all of Chemours’ existing and future unsecured unsubordinated debt and senior in right of payment to all of Chemours’ existing and future debt that is by its terms expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Notes. The Notes are subordinated to indebtedness under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities as well as any future secured debt to the extent of the value of the assets securing such debt.  Chemours’ is obligated to offer to purchase the Notes at a price of (a) 101 percent of their principal amount, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase, upon the occurrence of certain change of control events and (b) 100 percent of their principal amount, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase, with the proceeds from certain asset dispositions. These restrictions and prohibitions are subject to certain qualifications and exceptions set forth in the Indenture, including without limitation, reinvestment rights with respect to the proceeds of asset dispositions.  Chemours is permitted to redeem some or all of the 2023 Notes and Euro Notes by paying a “make-whole” premium prior to May 15, 2018, and on or after May 15, 2018 and thereafter at specified redemption prices. Chemours also may redeem some or all of the 2025 Notes on or after May 15, 2020 at specified redemption prices.  Chemours also may redeem some or all of the 2023 Notes and Euro Notes by means other than a redemption, including tender offer and open market repurchases.

Debt Covenants

Chemours is subject to certain debt covenants that, among other things, limit Chemours and certain of Chemours’ subsidiaries to incur indebtedness, pay dividends or make other distributions, prepay, redeem or repurchase certain debt, make loans and investments, sell assets, incur liens, enter into transactions with affiliates and consolidate or merge.  These covenants are subject to a number of exceptions and qualifications set forth in the respective agreements.

In December 2016, we entered into a third amendment to the credit agreement to change certain covenants and allow the Company to enter into a sale and leaseback transaction for its corporate headquarters building located in Wilmington, Delaware. These transactions are expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2017, and we expect to receive approximately $32 million proceeds.  The amendment requires us to use the proceeds from the sale to repay a portion of the term loans.

In February 2016, we proactively pursued a second amendment to the credit agreement in order to ensure that we would retain adequate liquidity and sufficient cushion in the event of an unexpected, further significant decline in TiO2 pricing. The second amendment also provided further flexibility by allowing us to include, on a pro forma basis, future benefits of cost savings initiatives in the calculation of financial covenants that rely on consolidated EBITDA for an additional year, and increased the amount of the applicable cost savings benefits that could be utilized in the covenant calculation. In addition, the second amendment replaced the total net leverage ratio with the senior secured net leverage ratio and modified the minimum required levels of the interest expense coverage ratio. These changes were designed to allow us to have full access to the revolving credit facility, provide flexibility to execute our transformation plan through 2017 and provide additional cushion in the event of an unexpected, further significant decline in TiO2 pricing. Furthermore, the amendment reduced the size of the revolving credit facility by $250 million to $750 million. With the on-going efforts to improve working capital usage as a part of our transformation plan, we believe that $750 million of revolver access will be sufficient to meet our working capital and other cash needs over the next 12 months.

In September 2015, in connection with the Companys transformation plan announced in August 2015, we undertook a first amendment to the credit agreement to allow pro forma inclusion of future benefits from cost savings initiatives in the calculation of financial covenants that rely on consolidated EBITDA beginning from the quarter ended September 30, 2015. Since the revolver availability in any quarter is determined by the cushion remaining in the financial maintenance covenants at the end of the previous quarter, this amendment increased our access to the revolving credit facility.

The credit agreement, as amended, contains financial covenants which, solely with respect to the revolving credit facility, require us not to exceed a maximum senior secured net leverage ratio of 3.50 to 1.00 each quarter through December 31, 2016, 3.00 to 1.00 through June 30, 2017 and further decreasing by 0.25 to 1.00 every subsequent six months to 2.00 to 1.00 by January 1, 2019 and thereafter.  We are also required to maintain a minimum interest coverage ratio of 1.75 to 1.00 each quarter through June 30, 2017 and further increasing by 0.25 to 1.00 every subsequent six months to 3.00 to 1.00 by January 1, 2019 and thereafter.  In addition, the credit agreement contains customary affirmative and negative covenants that, among other things, limit or restrict us and our subsidiaries’ ability, subject to certain exceptions, to incur liens, merge, consolidate or sell, transfer or lease assets, make investments, pay dividends, transact with subsidiaries and incur indebtedness.  The credit agreement also contains customary representations and

48


The Chemours Company

warranties and events of default.  The senior secured credit facilities and the senior unsecured notes contain events of default customary for these types of financings, including cross default and cross acceleration provisions to material indebtedness of Chemours. We were in compliance with our debt covenants as of December 31, 2016. 

In the event of default under the revolving credit facility, our lenders under the revolving credit facility can terminate their commitments thereunder, cease making further revolving loans and accelerate outstanding revolving loans. This would allow the lenders under the revolving credit facility to declare the outstanding term loans to be immediately due and payable and to institute foreclosure proceedings against the collateral securing the credit facility, which could force us into bankruptcy or liquidation. Any event of default or declaration of acceleration under the credit agreement also may result in an event of default under the indenture governing the notes. Any such default, event of default or declaration of acceleration could materially and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. Please see the section titled “Risks Related to our Indebtedness” of the “Risk Factors” section for additional detail.

Maturities

Chemours has required principal payments related to the Term Loan Facility of $15 million in each year from 2017 to 2021, with the remaining balance due at maturity.  Debt maturities related to the Term Loan Facility and the Notes in 2022 and beyond will be $3,513 million.

In addition, following the end of each fiscal year commencing on the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company is also required to make additional principal repayments, depending on leverage levels as defined in the credit agreement, equivalent to up to 50% of excess cash flow based on certain leverage targets with stepdowns to 25% and 0% as actual leverage decreases to below 3.00 to 1.00 leverage target.

Supplier Financing

In 2015, we entered into a global paying services agreementagreements with aseveral financial institution.institutions. Under this agreement,these agreements, the financial institution actsinstitutions act as theour paying agent for Chemoursagents with respect to accounts payable due to our suppliers who elect to participate in the program. The agreement allowsagreements allow our suppliers to sell their receivables to one of the participating financial institutioninstitutions at the discretion of both parties on terms that are negotiated between them.the supplier and the respective financial institution. Our obligations to our suppliers, including the amounts due and scheduled payment dates, are not impacted by our suppliers’ decisions to sell their receivables under this program. At December 31, 2016,2019 and 2018, the total payment instructions from Chemours were $134 million.us amounted to $106 million and $210 million, respectively. Pursuant to their agreement with one of the financial institution,institutions, certain suppliers may elect to getbe paid early at their discretion. The available capacity under this programthese programs can vary based on the number of investors and/or financial institutions participating in this programthese programs at any point ofin time.

Capital Expenditures

Our operations are capital intensive, requiring ongoing investment to upgrade or enhance existing operations and to meet environmental and operational regulations. Our capital requirements have consisted, and are expected to continue to consist, primarily of:

ongoing capital expenditures, such as those required to maintain equipment reliability, the integrity and safety of our manufacturing sites, and to comply with environmental regulations;

investments in our existing facilities to help support the introduction of new products and de-bottleneck to expand capacity and grow our business; and,

investments in projects to reduce future operating costs and enhance productivity.

The following table sets forth our ongoing and expansion capital expenditures, such as those requiredincluding environmental capital expenditures, for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

(Dollars in millions)

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Fluoroproducts

 

$

201

 

 

$

274

 

Chemical Solutions

 

 

40

 

 

 

75

 

Titanium Technologies

 

 

121

 

 

 

91

 

Corporate and Other (1)

 

 

119

 

 

 

58

 

Total purchases of property, plant, and equipment

 

$

481

 

 

$

498

 

(1)

Includes $83 million and $41 million during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, related to our capital expenditures for our new R&D facility on the Science, Technology, and Advanced Research campus of the University of Delaware in Newark, Delaware (“Chemours Discovery Hub”).

Our capital expenditures decreased by $17 million (or 3%) to maintain equipment reliability,$481 million for the integrityyear ended December 31, 2019, compared with capital expenditures of $498 million for the same period in 2018. Our capital expenditures for the year ended December 31, 2019 included the continued construction and safetycompletion of our manufacturing sitesnew R&D facility on the Science, Technology, and to comply with environmental regulations;

investmentsAdvanced Research campus of the University of Delaware in our existing facilities to help support introductionNewark, Delaware, as well as preparation of a new products and de-bottleneck to expand capacity and grow our business; and

investmentminerals sands mine site in projectsJesup, Georgia. We also invested in a thermal oxidizer to reduce future operating costsaerial PFAS emissions from Fayetteville, which is further discussed in “Note 22 – Commitments and enhance productivity.Contingent Liabilities” to the Consolidated Financial Statements. These increases are more than offset by capital expenditures for the year ended December 31, 2018 that did not recur, whether to the same magnitude or at all, in 2019. Such expenditures included the completion of our OpteonTM refrigerants plant in Corpus Christi, Texas, as well as progress on our planned Mining Solutions plant in Mexico prior to its construction suspension, which is further discussed in “Note 22 – Commitments and Contingent Liabilities” to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

49


45


The Chemours Company

 

Contractual Obligations

The following table summarizes ongoing and expansion capital expenditures (which includes environmental capital expenditures), as well as expendituressets forth information related to our separation from DuPont, for the years endedsignificant contractual obligations at December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014:2019.

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

(Dollars in millions)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Titanium Technologies

 

$

105

 

 

$

255

 

 

$

365

 

Fluoroproducts

 

 

120

 

 

 

142

 

 

 

133

 

Chemical Solutions

 

 

104

 

 

 

117

 

 

 

106

 

Corporate & Other

 

 

9

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

 

Total Capital Expenditures 1

 

$

338

 

 

$

519

 

 

$

604

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Payments Due In

 

(Dollars in millions)

 

Total

 

 

2020

 

 

2021 - 2022

 

 

2023 - 2024

 

 

2025 and

Beyond

 

Long-term debt obligations (1)

 

$

4,036

 

 

$

122

 

 

$

26

 

 

$

934

 

 

$

2,954

 

Interest on long-term debt obligations (1)

 

 

1,046

 

 

 

203

 

 

 

401

 

 

 

309

 

 

 

133

 

Operating leases

 

 

379

 

 

 

82

 

 

 

115

 

 

 

64

 

 

 

118

 

Financing leases

 

 

76

 

 

 

9

 

 

 

16

 

 

 

16

 

 

 

35

 

Purchase obligations (2):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Raw materials

 

 

1,290

 

 

 

160

 

 

 

303

 

 

 

257

 

 

 

570

 

Utilities

 

 

1,055

 

 

 

113

 

 

 

162

 

 

 

153

 

 

 

627

 

Other

 

 

107

 

 

 

64

 

 

 

30

 

 

 

13

 

 

 

 

Total purchase obligations

 

 

2,452

 

 

 

337

 

 

 

495

 

 

 

423

 

 

 

1,197

 

Other liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Workers’ compensation (3)

 

 

24

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

12

 

Asset retirement obligations (3)

 

 

61

 

 

 

7

 

 

 

21

 

 

 

11

 

 

 

22

 

Environmental remediation (3)

 

 

406

 

 

 

74

 

 

 

111

 

 

 

86

 

 

 

135

 

Legal settlements (3)

 

 

20

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

5

 

Employee separation charges

 

 

15

 

 

 

15

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other (3)

 

 

170

 

 

 

27

 

 

 

18

 

 

 

21

 

 

 

104

 

Total other liabilities

 

 

696

 

 

 

130

 

 

 

161

 

 

 

127

 

 

 

278

 

Total contractual obligations

 

$

8,685

 

 

$

883

 

 

$

1,214

 

 

$

1,873

 

 

$

4,715

 

 

1

Includes separation-related capital expenditures of $66 million and $21 million for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Our capital expenditures, excluding separation-related spending, declined in 2016 as we finished the expansion of our Altamira production facility.  We expect our capital expenditures in 2017 to be at approximately $450 million driven in large part by expenditures associated with our new Opteon™ plant under construction in Corpus Christi and our anticipated Mining Solutions expansion.  We are targeting to return to approximately $350 million of capital expenditures per year following the completion of the new facilities.  For further detail related to our environmental capital expenditures, please see the Environmental Matters section of this MD&A.

Contractual Obligations

Information related to the Company’s significant contractual obligations is summarized in the table below.

 

 

Total at

 

 

Payments Due In

 

(Dollars in millions)

 

December 31,

2016

 

 

2017

 

 

2018 - 2019

 

 

2020 - 2021

 

 

2022 and

Beyond

 

Long-term debt obligations 1

 

$

3,588

 

 

$

15

 

 

$

30

 

 

$

30

 

 

$

3,513

 

Interest payments on long-term debt obligations 1

 

 

1,339

 

 

 

200

 

 

 

398

 

 

 

396

 

 

 

345

 

Operating leases

 

 

259

 

 

 

62

 

 

 

99

 

 

 

55

 

 

 

43

 

Purchase obligations 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Raw material obligations

 

 

1,244

 

 

 

97

 

 

 

153

 

 

 

144

 

 

 

850

 

Utility obligations

 

 

673

 

 

 

98

 

 

 

143

 

 

 

129

 

 

 

303

 

Other

 

 

341

 

 

 

89

 

 

 

128

 

 

 

87

 

 

 

37

 

Total purchase obligations

 

 

2,258

 

 

 

284

 

 

 

424

 

 

 

360

 

 

 

1,190

 

Other liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Workers’ compensation

 

 

36

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

15

 

 

 

7

 

 

 

8

 

Asset retirement obligations

 

 

43

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

39

 

Environmental remediation

 

 

278

 

 

 

71

 

 

 

104

 

 

 

55

 

 

 

48

 

Legal settlements 3

 

 

348

 

 

 

337

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

3

 

Employee separation costs

 

 

34

 

 

 

31

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other 4

 

 

56

 

 

 

29

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

19

 

Total other liabilities

 

 

795

 

 

 

476

 

 

 

132

 

 

 

70

 

 

 

117

 

Total contractual obligations 5

 

$

8,239

 

 

$

1,037

 

 

$

1,083

 

 

$

911

 

 

$

5,208

 

1(1)

To calculate payments due for principal and interest, we assumed that interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, and outstanding borrowings under our credit facilities were unchanged from December 31, 20162019 through their dates of maturity.

 

2(2)

Represents enforceable and legally bindinglegally-binding agreements to purchase goods and/or services that specify fixed or minimum quantities;quantities, fixed minimum or variable price provisions;provisions, and the approximate timing of the agreement.

 

3(3)

Includes $335 million litigation accrual related to the PFOA MDL Settlement (see Note 20 to the Consolidated Financial Statements).

4

Includes expected contributions and benefitsRepresents reasonable estimates of future cash payments in excess of plan assets to be made to fundfor our pension and other long-term employee benefit plans. Actual payments will depend on several factors, including investment performance and discount rates, and may also be affected by changes in applicable local requirements.  See Note 22 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

5

Due to uncertainty regarding the completion of tax audits and possible outcomes, we are unable to determine the timing of payments related to unrecognized tax benefits.  See Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.contractual obligations.

50


The Chemours Company

Off Balance Sheet Arrangements

Information with respect to Chemours’ guarantees is included in Note 20 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.  

Historically, Chemours haswe have not made significant payments to satisfy guarantee obligations; however, Chemours believes it haswe believe we have the financial resources to satisfy these guarantees in the event required.


46


The Chemours Company

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Note“Note 3 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” to the Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report for a summary of our recent accounting pronouncements.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Chemours’

Our significant accounting policies are more fully described in Note“Note 3 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” to the Consolidated Financial Statements.Statements. Management believes that the application of these policies on a consistent basis enables the Companyus to provide the users of theour financial statements with useful and reliable information about the Company’sour operating results and financial condition.

The preparation of theour consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts, including, but not limited to, receivable and inventory valuations, impairment of tangible and intangible assets, long-term employee benefit obligations, income taxes, restructuring liabilities, environmental matters, and litigation. Management’s estimates are based on historical experience, facts, and circumstances available at the time, and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable. The Company reviewsWe review these matters and reflectsreflect changes in estimates as appropriate. Management believes that the following represents some of the more critical judgment areas in the applicationsapplication of the Company’sour accounting policies, which could have a material effect on the Company’sour financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

Goodwill

GoodwillProvision for (Benefit from) Income Taxes

The provision for (benefit from) income taxes is testeddetermined using the asset and liability approach of accounting for impairment at least annually on October 1; however, impairment testsincome taxes. Under this approach, deferred taxes represent the future tax consequences expected to occur when the reported amounts of assets and liabilities are performed more frequently when eventsrecovered or paid. The provision for (benefit from) income taxes represents income taxes paid or payable for the current year, plus the change in deferred taxes during the year. Deferred taxes result from differences between the financial and tax bases of our assets and liabilities and are adjusted for changes in circumstances indicate that the asset may be impaired.  Impairment exists when carrying value exceeds fair value.  Goodwill is evaluated for impairment at the reporting unit level, which is defined as one level below our operating segments with the exception of Titanium Technologies, which is both an operating segment and a reporting unit.  A reporting unit is the level at which discrete financial information is available and reviewed by business management on a regular basis.

The Company evaluates goodwill for impairment using a two-step process.  The first step is utilizing a discounted cash flow methodology to calculate the fair value of its reporting units; and where market comparables are available, the Company includes EBITDA multiples as part of the reporting unit valuation analysis.  Key assumptions used in the discounted cash flows include projected cash flows, growth rates, discount rates, tax rates and terminal values.  Factors consideredtax laws when changes are enacted. Valuation allowances are recorded to reduce deferred tax assets when it is more-likely-than-not that a tax benefit will not be realized. In evaluating the ability to realize deferred tax assets, we rely on, in developing cash flowsorder of increasing subjectivity, taxable income in prior carryback years, the future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, tax planning strategies, and EBITDA projections include: 1) macroeconomic conditions; 2) industryforecasted taxable income using historical and market considerations; 3) costsprojected future operating results.

The breadth of raw materials, labor orour operations and the global complexity of tax regulations require assessments of uncertainties and judgments in estimating the taxes that we will ultimately pay. The final taxes paid are dependent upon many factors, including negotiations with taxing authorities in various jurisdictions, outcomes of tax litigation, and resolutions of disputes arising from federal, state, and international tax audits in the normal course of business. A liability for unrecognized tax benefits is recorded when management concludes that the likelihood of sustaining such positions upon examination by taxing authorities is less than more-likely-than-not. It is our policy to include accrued interest related to unrecognized tax benefits in other costs having a negative effect on earningsincome (expense), net and cash flows; 4) overall financial performance; and 5) other relevant entity-specific events.  The discount rate used representsincome tax-related penalties in the weighted average cost of capitalprovision for (benefit from) income taxes.

With respect to U.S. tax reform, while we have completed our analysis within the applicable measurement period, pursuant to Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 as issued by the SEC, we account for the reporting units consideringtax impacts of new provisions based on interpretation of existing statutory law, including proposed regulations issued by the risks and uncertainty inherent in the cash flows of the reporting units and in the internally developed forecasts.  The second step of the quantitative test is required if the first step of the quantitative test indicates a potential impairment. The second step is performed by comparing the implied fair value of a reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying amount of its goodwill. If the carrying amount of goodwill is greater than its implied fair value, an impairment loss is recorded.

Based on the evaluation performed in 2016, no impairment of goodwill was recorded as the estimated fair value of each reporting unit, for which goodwill is recorded, substantially exceeded the reporting unit’s carrying amount, indicating that none of the Company’s goodwill was impaired.  In 2015, in connection with the strategic evaluation of the Chemical Solutions portfolioU.S. Treasury and the resulting changesIRS. While there can be no assurances as to the reporting units in the third quartereffect of 2015, the Chemical Solutions segments recorded a $25 million pre-tax impairment charge related to its Sulfur reporting unit.  Sulfur reporting unit was disposed through the sale of its assets and business during 2016 (see Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statementsany final regulations on our provision for further details).

The determination of whether or not goodwill is impaired involves a significant level of judgment in the assumptions underlying the approach used to determine the estimated fair value of our reporting units.  Chemours believes that assumptions and rates used in the impairment assessment are reasonable.  However, these assumptions are judgmental and variations in any assumptions could result in materially different calculations of fair value.  The Company(benefit from) income taxes, we will continue to evaluate goodwill on an annual basisthe impacts as of October 1,any issued regulations become final and whenever events or changes in circumstances, suchadjust our estimates, as significant adverse changes in operating results, market conditions orappropriate.

51

See “Note 9 – Income Taxes” to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information related to our income tax positions.


47


The Chemours Company

 

changes in management’s business strategy, indicate that there may be a probable indicator of impairment.  It is possible that the assumptions used by management related to the evaluation may change or that actual results may vary significantly from management’s estimates.

Long-lived Assets

Assessment of potential impairment of property, plant and equipment and other intangible assets is an integral part of Chemours’ normal ongoing review of operations.  Chemours evaluates

We evaluate the carrying value of our long-lived assets to be held and used when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. For the purposes of recognition or measurement of an impairment loss,charge, the assessment is performed on the asset or asset group at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other groups of assets and liabilities. To determine the level at which the assessment is performed, Chemours considerswe consider factors such as revenue dependency, shared costs, and the extent of vertical integration. The carrying value of a long-lived asset is considered impaired when the total projected undiscounted cash flows from the use and eventual disposition of the asset or asset group are separately identifiable and are less than its carrying value. In that event, a loss is recognized based on the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the long-lived asset. The fair value methodology used is an estimate of fair market value, which is made based on prices of similar assets or other valuation methodologies, including present value techniques. Long-lived assets to be disposed of other than by sale are classified as held for use until their disposal. Long-lived assets to be disposed of by sale are classified as held for sale and are reported at the lower of their carrying amount or fair market value, less costthe estimated costs to sell. Depreciation is discontinued for any long-lived assets classified as held for sale.

Testing

The testing for potential impairment of these assets is significantly dependent on numerous assumptions and reflects management’s best estimates at a particular point in time. The dynamic economic environments in which Chemours’our segments operate, and key economic and business assumptions with respect to projected selling prices, market growth, and inflation rates, can significantly affectimpact the outcome of our impairment tests. Estimates based on these assumptions may differ significantly from actual results. Changes in the factors and assumptions used in assessing potential impairments can have a significant impact on the existence and magnitude of impairments, as well as the time in which such impairments are recognized. In addition, Chemourswe continually reviews itsreview our diverse portfolio of assets to ensure that they are achieving their greatest potential and are aligned with Chemours’our growth strategy. Strategic decisions involving a particular group of assets may trigger an assessment of the recoverability of the related assets. Such an assessment could result in impairment losses.  During 2016, Chemours

No impairment charges were recognized on our long-lived assets during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.

Goodwill

The excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair value of the net assets acquired in a business combination, including any identified intangible assets, is recorded as goodwill. We test our goodwill for impairment at least annually on October 1; however, these tests are performed more frequently when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset may be impaired. Goodwill is evaluated for impairment at the reporting unit level, which is defined as an operating segment, or one level below an operating segment. A reporting unit is the level at which discrete financial information is available and reviewed by business management on a $48 million pre-tax assetregular basis. An impairment exists when the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value. The amount of impairment loss recognized in the consolidated statements of operations is equal to the excess of a reporting unit’s carrying value over its fair value, which is limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit.

The fair values of our Pascagoula Aniline facility, $58 million pre-tax assetreporting units were determined by using a combination of income-based and/or market-based valuation techniques. These valuation models incorporated a number of assumptions and judgments surrounding general market and economic conditions, short and long-term revenue growth rates, gross margins and prospective financial information surrounding future reporting unit cash flows. Projections are based on internal forecasts of future business performance and are based on growth assumptions which exclude business growth opportunities not yet fully realized. Discount rate and market multiple assumptions were determined based on relevant peer companies in the chemicals sector.

As of October 1, 2019, we performed our annual goodwill impairment in connection withtests for all reporting units. Based upon the saleresults of our annual goodwill impairment tests, no adjustments to the carrying value of goodwill were necessary during the year ended December 31, 2019.  

The estimated fair value of the Sulfur businessFluoropolymers reporting unit was determined by utilizing a discount rate of 9.84% and $13a market multiple of 7.3 times Adjusted EBITDA, resulting in an estimated fair value 30% higher than its carrying value. Fluoropolymers has $56 million pre-tax asset impairment in connection withof goodwill. Changing the saleweighting of the Company’s corporate headquarters building.  During 2015,market and income approaches used for Fluoropolymers could result in a maximum reduction of the excess of estimated fair value over carrying value to 17%. Assuming all other factors remain the same, a 200-basis point increase in the discount rate would decrease the excess of estimated fair value over carrying value to 17%; a 1% decrease in the long-term growth rate would decrease the excess of estimated fair value over carrying value to 24%; and, a 15% decrease in the market multiple assumption would decrease the excess of estimated fair value over carrying value to 20%. Under each of these sensitivity scenarios, the Fluoropolymers reporting unit's fair value exceeded its carrying value.

The estimated fair value of the Mining Solutions reporting unit was determined by utilizing a discount rate of 11.09%, resulting in an estimated fair value 17% higher than its carrying value. Mining Solutions has $51 million of goodwill. Assuming all other factors remain the same, it would take more than a 110-basis point increase in the discount rate to cause the estimated fair value to fall below the unit’s carrying value; and, a 1% decrease in the long-term growth rate would decrease the excess of estimated fair value over carrying value to 5%.


48


The Chemours recordedCompany

Our determination of the fair value of the Mining Solutions reporting unit considered further delays and additional costs of construction for our new Mining Solutions facility under construction in Gomez Palacio, Durango, Mexico. The construction-in-process for this facility represents a $45 million pre-tax assetsignificant portion of the total carrying value of Mining Solutions, and, in the event that the facility was unable to be completed, the impairment of the RMS facility. All charges, exceptrelated long-lived assets would significantly decrease the carrying value of the reporting unit. As a result, an impairment of the reporting unit’s goodwill would become less likely.

Employee Benefits

The amounts recognized in our consolidated financial statements related to pension and other long-term employee benefits plans are determined from actuarial valuations. Inherent in these valuations are assumptions including, but not limited to, the expected returns on plan assets, discount rates at which liabilities are expected to be settled, rates of increase in future compensation levels, and mortality rates. These assumptions are updated annually and are disclosed in “Note 27 – Long-term Employee Benefits” to the Consolidated Financial Statements. In accordance with GAAP, actual results that differed from the assumptions are accumulated and amortized over future periods and therefore, affect expense recognized and obligations recorded in future periods.

We use discount rates that are developed by matching the expected cash flows of each benefit plan to various yield curves constructed from a portfolio of high-quality, fixed income instruments provided by the plan’s actuary as of the measurement date. As of December 31, 2019, the weighted-average discount rate was 1.4%.

The expected long-term rates of return on plan assets are determined by performing a detailed analysis of historical and expected returns based on the strategic asset allocation of the underlying asset class applicable to each country. We also consider our historical experience with the pension funds’ asset performance. The expected long-term rates of return on plan assets are assumptions and not what is expected to be earned in any one particular year. The weighted-average long-term rates of return on plan assets assumptions used for determining our net periodic pension expense for 2019 was 4.1%.

A 50 basis point increase in the discount rate would result in a decrease of $4 million to the net periodic benefit cost for 2020, while a 50 basis point decrease in the discount rate would result in an increase of approximately $5 million. A 50 basis point increase in the expected return on plan assets assumption would result in a decrease of approximately $3 million to the net periodic benefit cost for 2020, while a 50 basis point decrease in the expected return on plan assets assumption would result in an increase of approximately $3 million.

In the fourth quarter of 2019, we, through our wholly-owned subsidiary Chemours Netherlands B.V., completed a settlement transaction related to a significant portion of our Netherlands pension plan. We transferred the future risk and administration associated with the $932 million of inactive participants’ vested pension benefits to a third-party asset management company in the Netherlands. The irrevocability of the transaction was contingent upon non-objection by the Dutch National Bank, which was received in October 2019. Following the receipt of non-objection, the responsibility for the corporate headquarters building impairment (which is recordedassociated pension obligation was transferred to the third-party asset management company in CorporateDecember 2019, thereby eliminating our exposure to the pension liabilities and Other), are recordedformally effecting the settlement. At the time of settlement, a remeasurement of plan assets and projected benefit obligations was performed, resulting in a $158 million decrease to net pension assets and increase to accumulated other comprehensive loss on the consolidated balance sheet. The cumulative loss associated with the inactive participants’ vested pension benefits was then immediately reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss and recognized in earnings, resulting in a charge of $380 million recognized in other expense, net in the Chemical Solutions segment.  Referconsolidated statements of operations. At December 31, 2019, the projected benefit obligations associated with the plan’s active employees remained on our consolidated balance sheet.

Litigation

We accrue for litigation matters when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the liability can be reasonably estimated. Litigation liabilities and expenditures included in our consolidated financial statements include litigation matters that are liabilities of DuPont and its subsidiaries, which we may be required to Notes 7, 13 and 15indemnify pursuant to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information relatedSeparation-related agreements executed prior to the Separation. Disputes between us and DuPont may arise with respect to indemnification of these charges.matters, including disputes based on matters of law or contract interpretation. If, and to the extent these disputes arise, they could materially adversely affect our results of operations. Legal costs such as outside counsel fees and expenses are charged to expense in the period services are received.


49


The Chemours Company

Environmental Liabilities and Expenditures

Chemours accrues

We accrue for environmental remediation activitiescosts when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and a reasonable estimate of the liability can be made. Where the available information is sufficient to estimate the amount of liability, that estimate has been used. Where the information is only sufficient to establish a range of probable liability, and no point within the range is more likely than any other, the lower end of the range has been used. Estimated liabilities are determined based uponon existing remediation laws and technologies.technologies and our planned remedial responses, which are derived from in-depth environmental studies, sampling, testing, and other analyses. Inherent uncertainties exist in such evaluations, primarily due to unknown environmental conditions, changing governmental regulations and legal standards regarding liability, and emerging remediation technologies. These accruals are adjusted periodically as remediation efforts progress and as additional technology, regulatory, and legal information become available.

Environmental liabilities and expenditures include claims for matters that are liabilities of DuPont and its subsidiaries, that Chemourswhich we may be required to indemnify pursuant to the separation-relatedSeparation-related agreements executed prior to the separation.Separation. Accrued liabilities are undiscounted and do not include claims against third parties.  These liabilities are included in “Other accrued liabilities” and “Other liabilities” in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Costs related to environmental remediation are charged to expense in the period incurred, in “Cost of goods sold” ofthat the Consolidated Statement of Operations.associated liability is accrued. Other environmental costs are also charged to expense in the period incurred, unless they increase the value of the property or reduce or prevent contamination from future operations, in which case, they are capitalized and amortized.

Litigation

Chemours accrues for litigation matters when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the liability can be reasonably estimated.  Litigation liabilities and expenditures included in the consolidated financial statements represent litigation

52


The Chemours CompanyEnvironmental Matters

 

matters that are liabilities of DuPont and its subsidiaries, that Chemours may be required to indemnify pursuant to the separation-related agreements executed prior to the Distribution.  Disputes between Chemours and DuPont may arise with respect to indemnification of these matters, including disputes based on matters of law or contract interpretation.  If and to the extent these disputes arise, they could materially adversely affect Chemours’ results of operations.  Legal costs such as outside counsel fees and expenses are charged to expense in the period services are received.

Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes is determined using the asset and liability approach of accounting for income taxes. Under this approach, deferred taxes represent the future tax consequences expected to occur when the reported amounts of assets and liabilities are recovered or paid. The provision for income taxes represents income taxes paid or payable for the current year plus the change in deferred taxes during the year. Deferred taxes result from differences between the financial and tax basis of Chemours’ assets and liabilities and are adjusted for changes in tax rates and tax laws when changes are enacted. Valuation allowances are recorded to reduce deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that a tax benefit will not be realized.  In evaluating the ability to realize deferred tax assets, the Company relies on, in order of increasing subjectivity, taxable income in prior carryback years, the future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, tax planning strategies and forecasted taxable income using historical and projected future operating results.

The breadth of Chemours’ operations and the global complexity of tax regulations require assessments of uncertainties and judgments in estimating the taxes that Chemours will ultimately pay. The final taxes paid are dependent upon many factors, including negotiations with taxing authorities in various jurisdictions, outcomes of tax litigation and resolution of disputes arising from federal, state and international tax audits in the normal course of business.  A liability for unrecognized tax benefits is recorded when management concludes that the likelihood of sustaining such positions upon examination by taxing authorities is less than “more likely than not”.  It is Chemours’ policy to include accrued interest related to unrecognized tax benefits in other income, net and income tax related penalties to be included in the provision for income taxes.

Prior to July 1, 2015, income taxes as presented herein attribute current and deferred income taxes of DuPont to Chemours’ stand-alone financial statements in a manner that is systematic, rational, and consistent with the asset and liability method prescribed by Accounting Standards Codification 740, Income Taxes (ASC 740), issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB). Accordingly, Chemours’ income tax provision was prepared following the separate return method. The separate return method applies ASC 740 to the stand-alone financial statements of each member of the consolidated group as if the group member were a separate taxpayer and a stand-alone enterprise. As a result, actual tax transactions included in the consolidated financial statements of DuPont may not be included in the separate combined financial statements of Chemours. Similarly, the tax treatment of certain items reflected in the separate combined financial statements of Chemours may not be reflected in the consolidated financial statements and tax returns of DuPont; therefore, such items as net operating losses, credit carryforwards, and valuation allowances may exist in the stand-alone financial statements that may or may not exist in DuPont’s consolidated financial statements.

The taxable income (loss) of various Chemours entities, prior to July 1, 2015, was included in DuPont’s consolidated tax returns, where applicable, in jurisdictions around the world. As such, separate income tax returns were not prepared for many Chemours’ entities. Consequently, income taxes currently payable are deemed to have been remitted to DuPont, in cash, in the period the liability arose and income taxes currently receivable are deemed to have been received from DuPont in the period that a refund could have been recognized by Chemours had Chemours been a separate taxpayer.   As described in Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the operations comprising Chemours are in various legal entities which have no direct ownership relationship. Consequently, no provision has been made for income taxes on unremitted earnings of subsidiaries and affiliates.  Unremitted earnings of subsidiaries outside the U.S. are considered to be reinvested indefinitely.

Employee Benefits

The amounts recognized in the consolidated financial statements related to pension and other long-term employee benefits plans are determined from actuarial valuations.  Inherent in these valuations are assumptions including expected return on plan assets, discount rates at which liabilities could have been settled, rate of increase in future compensation levels, and mortality rates.  These assumptions are updated annually and are disclosed in Note 22 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.  In accordance with U.S. GAAP, actual results that differed from the assumptions are accumulated and amortized over future periods and therefore, affect expense recognized and obligations recorded in future periods.

Chemours generally utilizes discount rates that are developed by matching the expected cash flows of each benefit plan to various yield curves constructed from a portfolio of high quality, fixed income instruments provided by the plan’s actuary as of the measurement date.  As of December 31, 2016, the weighted average discount rate was 1.8%.

53


The Chemours Company

Expected long-term rate of return on assets is determined by performing a detailed analysis of historical and expected returns based on the strategic asset allocation of the underlying asset class applicable to each country.  We also consider our historical experience with the pension fund asset performance. The expected long-term rate of return is an assumption and not what is expected to be earned in any one particular year. The weighted average long-term rate of return assumption used for determining net periodic pension expense for 2016 was 5.7%.

A 50 basis point increase in the discount rate would result in a decrease of approximately $6 million to the net periodic benefit cost for 2017, while a 50 basis point decrease in the discount rate would result in an increase of approximately $5 million.  A 50 basis point increase in the expected return on asset assumption would result in a decrease of approximately $6 million to the net periodic benefit cost for 2017, while a 50 basis point decrease in the expected return on asset assumption would result in an increase of approximately $6 million.

Prior to separation, certain of Chemours’ employees participated in defined benefit pension and other post-employment benefit plans (the Plans) sponsored by DuPont and accounted for by DuPont in accordance with accounting guidance for defined benefit pension and other post-employment benefit plans.  Substantially all expenses related to these plans were allocated in shared entities and reported within costs of goods sold, selling, general and administrative expenses and research and development expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.  Chemours considered all plans to be part of a multi-employer plan with DuPont prior to January 1, 2015.

In connection with the spin-off, Chemours retained the existing Netherlands pension plan and an agreement was executed in 2015 to ensure continuance of the plan for both DuPont and Chemours employees and retirees.  As a result of that agreement, Chemours now accounts for the Netherlands plan as a multiple employer plan.  Additionally, in 2015, Chemours formed new pension plans in Taiwan, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Japan, Korea and Mexico that mirror the plans historically operated by DuPont in these countries.  The new plans are accounted for under the single employer method.

Environmental Matters

Consistent with our Chemours values and our Environment, Health, Safety, and Safety (EHS) Policy, Chemours isCorporate Responsibility policy, we are committed to preventing releases to the environment at our manufacturing sites to keep our people and communities safe, and to be good stewards of the environment. Chemours isWe are also subject to environmental laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment. We believe that, as a general matter, our policies, standards, and procedures are properly designed to prevent unreasonable risk of harm to people and the environment, and that our handling, manufacture, use, and disposal of hazardous substances are in accordance with applicable environmental laws and regulations.

Environmental Expenses and Capital Expenditures

Chemours incurs

We incur costs for pollution abatement activities including waste collection and disposal, installation and maintenance of air pollution controls and wastewaterwaste water treatment, emissions testing and monitoring, and obtaining permits. Annual expenses charged to current operations include environmental operating costs and the increaseincreases in the remediation accrualaccruals (further described below), if any, during the period reported.  We expect expenses

The charges described in 2017 will be comparable or withinthis section include $201 million accrued for costs associated with the historical range.proposed Consent Order between us and the NC DEQ, which is further described in “Note 22 – Commitments and Contingent Liabilities” to the Consolidated Financial Statements. These accrued liabilities represent on-site remediation, off-site groundwater remediation, and toxicology studies related to Fayetteville.

Annual expenditures in the near future are also not expected to vary significantly from the expenditures incurred during the past few years. However, longer term,

Our environmental remediation expenditures are subject to considerable uncertainty and may fluctuate significantly. In the U.S., additional capital expenditures associated with ongoing operations (further described below) are expected to be required over the next decade for treatment, storage, and disposal facilities for solid and hazardous waste and for compliance with the Clean Air Act (CAA)(“CAA”). Until all CAA regulatory requirements are established and known, considerable uncertainty will remain regarding estimates for our future capital and remediation expenditures.

Environmental Capital Expenditures

 

For the years ended December 31, 20162019, 2018, and 2015, Chemours2017, we spent approximately $13$101 million, $57 million, and $27$15 million, respectively, on environmental capital projects that were either required by law or necessary to meet Chemours’our internal environmental objectives. We currently estimateThe increases in our environmental capital expenditures for environmental-relatedthe years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 when compared with the same period in 2017 were primarily attributable to new capital projects to be approximately $18 millionat Fayetteville. We expect further increases in 2017, whichthese capital expenditures over the near-term, while in the longer-term, our capital expenditures for environmental matters will be funded byvary based on the success of our operating cash flows.

Management does not believe that the costs to comply withdeployed solutions, changes in our operations, technological advancements, developments in environmental requirements, and the year over year changes, if any, in environmental expenses will have a material impact on Chemours’ financial position, results of operations or cash flows.stakeholder expectations.

54


50


The Chemours Company

 

Environmental Remediation

Mainly

In large part, because of past operations, operations of predecessor companies, or past disposal practices, we, like many other similar companies, have clean-up responsibilities and associated remediation costs, and are subject to claims by other parties, including claims for matters that are liabilities of DuPont and its subsidiaries that Chemourswe may be required to indemnify pursuant to the separation-related agreements executed prior to the separation.Separation.

Chemours accrues

We accrue for clean-up activities consistent with the policy as described under “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” within this MD&A and in Note“Note 3 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” to the Consolidated Financial Statements.Statements. Our environmental reserve includesliabilities include estimated costs, including certain accruable costs associated with on-site capital projects, related to a number of sites for which it is probable that environmental remediation will be required, whether or not subject to enforcement activities, as well as those obligations that result from environmental laws such as the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA, often referred to as Superfund), the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)CERCLA, RCRA, and similar federal, state, federallocal, and foreign laws. These laws require certain investigative, remediation, and restoration activities at sites where Chemours conductswe conduct or once conducted operations or at sites where Chemours-generatedour generated waste was disposed. At December 31, 20162019 and 2015, we recorded2018, our consolidated balance sheets included environmental remediation accrualsliabilities of $278$406 million and $297$291 million, respectively, relating to these matters, which, as discussed in management’s opinion, is appropriate based on existing factsfurther detail below, included $201 million and circumstances.  $75 million, respectively, for Fayetteville.

The following table summarizessets forth the activities in our remediation accruals.accruals for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.

 

 

December 31,

 

 

December 31,

 

(Dollars in millions)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Balance at January 1

 

$

297

 

 

$

302

 

Balance at January 1,

 

$

291

 

 

$

253

 

Increase in remediation accrual

 

 

200

 

 

 

101

 

Remediation payments

 

 

(63

)

 

 

(43

)

 

 

(85

)

 

 

(63

)

Increase in remediation accrual

 

 

44

 

 

 

38

 

Currency translation adjustment

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at December 31

 

$

278

 

 

$

297

 

Balance at December 31,

 

$

406

 

 

$

291

 

 

Our estimated liability for environmental remediation covered approximately 212 sites.  211 sites at December 31, 2019 and 2018.

The following table below reflectssets forth our estimated environmental liability by site category:category.

 

 

 

December 31, 2016

 

 

December 31, 2015

 

Site Category

 

Number of Sites

 

 

Remediation Accrual

 

 

Number of Sites

 

 

Remediation Accrual

 

Chemours-owned 1

 

 

29

 

 

$

219

 

 

 

29

 

 

$

231

 

Multi-Party Superfund / Non-Owned 2

 

 

86

 

 

 

59

 

 

 

88

 

 

 

66

 

Closed or settled

 

 

97

 

 

 

 

 

 

95

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

212

 

 

$

278

 

 

 

212

 

 

$

297

 

(Dollars in millions)

 

December 31, 2019

 

 

December 31, 2018

 

Site category

 

Number of Sites

 

 

Remediation Accrual

 

 

Number of Sites

 

 

Remediation Accrual

 

Chemours-owned (1)

 

 

25

 

 

$

327

 

 

 

25

 

 

$

204

 

Multi-party Superfund/non-owned (2)

 

 

86

 

 

 

79

 

 

 

86

 

 

 

87

 

Closed or settled

 

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

 

100

 

 

 

 

Total sites

 

 

211

 

 

$

406

 

 

 

211

 

 

$

291

 

 

1(1)

Includes remediation accrual of divested or sold sites where certain environmental obligations were retained by Chemoursus in accordance with the related sale agreements.

 

2(2)

Sites not owned by Chemours,us, including sites previously owned by DuPont and sites owned by a third party, where remediation obligations are imposed by Superfund Lawlaws such as CERCLA or similar state laws.

 

As part of our legacy as a former subsidiary of DuPont, we are cleaning upcleaning-up historical impacts to soil and groundwater that have occurred in the past at the 2925 sites that we own. These operating and former operating sites make up approximately 80% of our remediation reserve.liabilities at December 31, 2019.

In addition, we inherited

We were also assigned numerous clean-up obligations from our DuPont, legacy in approximatelywhich pertain to 86 sites.  We are meeting our obligations to clean-up those sites, including sites previously owned by DuPont and sites that Chemourswe or DuPont never owned or operated. We are meeting our obligations to clean up those sites. The majority of these never-owned sites are multi-party Superfund sites that Chemours,we, through DuPont, hashave been notified of potential liability under CERCLA or similar state laws and which, in some cases, may represent a small fraction of the total waste that was allegedly disposed of at a site. These sites represent approximately 20% of our remediation reserve.liabilities at December 31, 2019. Included in the 86 is approximately 35sites are 36 inactive sites wherefor which there has been no known investigation, clean-up, or monitoring activity, and no remediation obligation is imposed or required; as such, no remediation accrual isliabilities are recorded.

The remaining approximately 97100 sites, which are either multi-party Superfund sites and other sites not owned by Chemours,us, are either already closed or settled, or sites for and which Chemours doeswe do not believe it haswe have clean-up responsibility based on current information.

55


The Chemours Company

OurWith the exception of Fayetteville, our remediation portfolio is relatively mature, with many of our sites under active clean-up moving towards final completion.

51


The belowChemours Company

The following graph illustratessets forth the number of remediation sites by site clean-up phase and theour remediation reserveliabilities by site clean-up phase as of December 31, 2016.2019 and 2018.

1

The number(1)

Number of sites included in the chart dodoes not include the 3536 inactive sites wherefor which there has been no known investigation, clean-up, or monitoring activity.activities as of December 31, 2019 and 2018.

(2)

Dollars in millions.

(3)

As of December 31, 2019, related to Fayetteville, Investigation included $155 million for on-site remediation, and Active Remediation included $46 million for off-site groundwater remediation. As of December 31, 2018, Investigation included $75 million related to Fayetteville.

As remediation efforts progress, sites move from the investigation phase (Investigation)(“Investigation”) to the active clean-up phase (“Active Remediation”), and as construction is completed at active clean-ups (Active Remediation),Active Remediation sites, those sites move to the ongoingoperation, maintenance, and monitoring (OM&M)(“OM&M”), or closure phase. As final clean-upsclean-up activities for some significant sites are completed over the next several years, we expect our annual expenses related to these active sites to decline over time. The time-frametime frame for a site to go through all phases of remediation (investigation(Investigation and active clean-up)Active Remediation) may take about 15 to 20 years, followed by several years of OM&M activities. Remediation activities, including OM&M activities, vary substantially in duration and cost from site to site. These activities, and their associated costs, depend on the mix of unique site characteristics, evolving remediation technologies, and diverse regulatory requirements, as well as the presence or absence of other potentially responsible parties.Potentially Responsible Parties (“PRPs”). In addition, for claims that Chemourswe may be required to indemnify DuPont pursuant to the separation-related agreements, Chemours, throughwe and DuPont hasmay have limited available information for certain sites or isare in the early stages of discussions with regulators. For these sites, in particular there may be considerable variability between the clean-up activities that are currently being undertaken or planned and the ultimate actions that could be required. Therefore, considerable uncertainty exists with respect to environmental remediation costs, and, under adverse changes in circumstances, although deemed remote, the potential liability may range up to approximately $535$530 million above the amount accrued at December 31, 2016.2019. In general, uncertainty is greatest and the range of potential liability is widest in the investigationInvestigation phase, and narrowsnarrowing over time as regulatory agencies approve site remedial plans,plans. As a result, uncertainty is reduced, and sites ultimately sites move into OM&M, whereas needed. As more sites advance from investigationInvestigation to active clean-upActive Remediation to OM&M or closure, the upper end of the range of potential liability is expected to decrease over time.

Some remediation sites will achieve site closure and will require no further action to protect people and the environment and comply with laws and regulations. At certain sites, we expect that there will continue to be some level of remediation activity due to on-going monitoring and/or operations & maintenanceongoing OM&M of remedial systems. In addition, portfolio changes, such as an acquisition or divestiture, or notification as a potentially responsible partyPRP for a multi-party Superfund site, could result in additional remediation activity and potentially additional accrual.

Management does not believe that any loss, in excess of amounts accrued, related to remediation activities at any individual site will have a material impact on our financial position results of operations or cash flows atfor any given year, as such obligation can be satisfied or settled over many years.

5652


The Chemours Company

 

Significant Environmental Remediation Sites

While there are many remediation sites that contribute to theour total accrued environmental remediation accrual,liabilities at December 31, 2019 and 2018, the following table sets forth the sites that are among the most significant:significant.

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

December 31,

 

(Dollars in millions)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Beaumont, Texas

 

$

12

 

 

$

12

 

 

Chambers Works, New Jersey

 

 

24

 

 

 

20

 

 

Chambers Works, Deepwater, New Jersey

 

$

20

 

 

$

18

 

East Chicago, Indiana

 

 

20

 

 

 

19

 

 

 

 

17

 

 

 

21

 

Fayetteville Works, Fayetteville, North Carolina

 

 

201

 

 

 

75

 

Pompton Lakes, New Jersey

 

 

77

 

 

 

87

 

 

 

 

43

 

 

 

45

 

USS Lead, East Chicago, Indiana

 

 

21

 

 

 

15

 

 

 

 

13

 

 

 

15

 

All Other Sites

 

 

124

 

 

 

144

 

 

Balance at December 31

 

$

278

 

 

$

297

 

 

All other sites

 

 

112

 

 

 

117

 

Total accrued environmental remediation

 

$

406

 

 

$

291

 

The five sites listed above represent more than 50%72% and 60% of our reservetotal accrued environmental remediation liabilities at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. For these five sites, we expect to spend, in the aggregate, approximately $104$115 million over the next three years. For all other sites, we expect to spend approximately $71$68 million over the next three years.

Beaumont Works, Beaumont, Texas

Beaumont Works began operations in 1954 in Beaumont, Jefferson County, Texas.  Over the years, Beaumont Works has produced a number of basic chemicals and elastomer products including acrylonitrile, ammonia, methanol, methyl methacrylate, caprolactam, Hypalon® synthetic rubber, Nordel® hydrocarbon rubber and blended tetraethyl lead with halo-carbon solvent/stabilizers. As of December 31, 2016, with sale of the aniline production unit to Dow in 2016, Chemours has no on-going manufacturing operations on the site. Dow and Lucite remain as long-term manufacturing tenants.

As site owner, Chemours remains responsible for remediation of historical chemical releases from past operations and is conducting this work under a RCRA hazardous waste post-closure permit and Compliance Plan (CP) issued by the State of Texas. The hazardous waste permit includes provisions to manage wastes and to investigate and mitigate releases. The CP is a component of the permit and includes mitigation and monitoring requirements, including a groundwater remediation system that was installed in 1991 to control chemical migration and protect adjacent water bodies. In addition, several solid waste management unit closures have been conducted and areas of past release addressed through interim measures to protect people and the environment. Over the years, extensive site studies have been completed and a final investigation report (Affected Property Assessment Report, or APAR, under the Texas Risk Reduction Program) for the entire site was approved by the State in 2014. Chemours is currently in the process of completing a remedial action plan (RAP) that will address all remaining historical solid waste management units and areas of concern identified in these studies, and expects to have this RAP approved in 2017.

The remediation accrual for Beaumont addresses remaining work identified in the RAP under review by the State as well as post-closure care and monitoring and on-going operation of the groundwater remediation system. A portion of the accrual also addresses an outstanding Natural Resource Damage claim by state and federal trustees directed to impacts on marshlands within the plant property.

Chambers Works, Deepwater, New Jersey

The Chambers Works complex is located on the eastern shore of the Delaware River in Deepwater, Salem County, New Jersey. The site comprises the former Carneys Point Works in the northern area and the Chambers Works manufacturing area in the southern area. Site operations began in 1892 when the former Carneys Point smokeless gunpowder plant was constructed at the northern end of Carneys Point. Site operations began in the manufacturing area around 1914 and included the manufacture of dyes, aromatics, elastomers, CFCs,chlorofluorocarbons, and tetraethyl lead. Chemours continuesWe continue to manufacture a variety of fluorochemicals and finished products at Chambers Works. In addition, three tenants operate processes at Chambers Works including steam/electricity generation, industrial gas production, and the manufacture of intermediate chemicals. As a result of over 100 years of continuous industrial activity, site soils and groundwater have been impacted by chemical releases.

In response to identified groundwater contamination, a groundwater interceptor well system (IWS)(“IWS”) was installed in 1970, which was designed to contain contaminated groundwater and restrict off-site migration. Additional remediation is being completed under a Federalfederal RCRA Corrective Action Permit.permit. The site has been studied extensively over the years, and more than 25 remedial actions have been completed to date and engineering and institutional controls put in place to ensure protection of people and the environment. In the fourth quarter of 2017, a site perimeter sheet pile barrier intended to more efficiently contain groundwater was completed.

Remaining work beyond continued operation of the IWS and groundwater monitoring includes completion of a site perimeter sheet pile barrier intended to more efficiently contain groundwater, completion of various targeted studies onsiteon site and in adjacent water

57


The Chemours Company

bodies to close investigation data gaps, andas well as selection and implementation of final remedies under RCRA Corrective Action for various solid waste management units and areas of concern not yet addressed through interim measures.

East Chicago, Indiana

East Chicago is a former manufacturing facility that we previously owned by Chemours in East Chicago, Lake County, Indiana. The approximatelyapproximate 440-acre site is bounded to the south by the East Brancheast branch of the Grand Calumet River, to the east and north by residential and commercial areas, and to the west by industrial areas, including a former lead processing facility. The inorganic chemicals unit on site produced various chloride, ammonia, and zinc products and inorganic agricultural chemicals beginning in 1892 until 1986. Organic chemical manufacturing began in 1944, consisting primarily of chlorofluorocarbons production. Current operations, including support activities, now cover 28 acres of the Site. The remaining business was sold to W.R. Grace Company (Grace)(“Grace”) in early 2000, and Grace operates the unit as a tenant.2000. Approximately 172 acres of the site were never developed and are managed by The Nature Conservancy for habitat preservation.

A comprehensive evaluation of soil and groundwater conditions at the Sitesite was performed as part of the RCRA corrective actionCorrective Action process. Studies of historical site impacts began in 1983 in response to preliminary CERCLA actions undertaken by EPA. USEPAthe U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”). The EPA eventually issued an Administrative Order on Consent for the Sitesite in 1997. The order specified that remediation work be performed under RCRA Corrective Action authority. Work has proceeded under the RCRA Corrective Action process since that time.

53


The Chemours Company

Subsequent investigations included the preparation of initial environmental site assessments and multiple phases of investigation. In 2002, as an interim remedial measure, two 2,000-foot-long2,000-foot long permeable reactive barrier treatment walls were installed along the northern property boundary to address migration of chemicals in groundwater. Since that time, the investigation process has been completed and approved by the EPA, and work is in progress to define the final remedy for the site.site was issued by the EPA in July 2018.

On June 29, 2018, we sold the East Chicago, Indiana site to a third party for $1 million. In connection with the sale, the buyer agreed to assume all costs associated with environmental remediation activities at the site in excess of $21 million, which will remain our responsibility. At the time of the sale, we had accrued the full $21 million, of which $17 million remained as of December 31, 2019. We will reimburse the buyer through a series of progress payments to be made at defined intervals as certain tasks are completed.

Fayetteville Works, Fayetteville, North Carolina

Fayetteville is located southeast of the City of Fayetteville in Cumberland and Bladen counties, North Carolina. The facility encompasses approximately 2,200 acres, which were purchased by DuPont in 1970, and are bounded to the east by the Cape Fear River and to the west by North Carolina Highway 87. Currently, the site manufactures plastic sheeting, fluorochemicals, and intermediates for plastics manufacturing. A former manufacturing area, which was sold in 1992, produced nylon strapping and elastomeric tape. DuPont sold its Butacite® and SentryGlas® manufacturing units to Kuraray America, Inc. in September 2014. In July 2015, upon our separation from DuPont, we became the owner of the Fayetteville land assets along with fluoromonomers, Nafion® membranes, and the related polymer processing aid manufacturing units. A polyvinyl fluoride resin manufacturing unit remained with DuPont.

Beginning in 1996, several stages of site investigation were conducted under NC DEQ oversight, as required by the facility's hazardous waste permit. In addition, the site has voluntarily agreed to agency requests for additional investigations of the potential release of “PFAS” (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) beginning with “PFOA” (collectively, perfluorooctanoic acids and its salts, including the ammonium salt) in 2006. As a result of detection of the polymerization processing aid hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (“HFPO Dimer Acid,” sometimes referred to as “GenX” or “C3 Dimer Acid”) in on-site groundwater wells during our investigations in 2017, the NC DEQ issued a Notice of Violation (“NOV”) on September 6, 2017 alleging violations of North Carolina water quality statutes and requiring further response. Since that time, and in response to three additional NOVs issued by NC DEQ and pursuant to the Consent Order (as discussed below), we have worked cooperatively with the agency to investigate and address releases of PFAS to on-site and off-site groundwater and surface water.

As discussed in “Note 22 – Commitments and Contingent Liabilities” to the Consolidated Financial Statements, as well as “Recent Developments” within this MD&A, we and the NC DEQ have filed a final Consent Order that comprehensively addressed various issues, NOVs, and court filings made by the NC DEQ regarding Fayetteville and resolved litigations filed by the NC DEQ and Cape Fear River Watch, a non-profit organization. In connection with the Consent Order, a thermal oxidizer became fully operational at the site in December 2019 to reduce aerial PFAS emissions from Fayetteville.

In the fourth quarter of 2019, we completed and submitted our Cape Fear River PFAS Loading Reduction Plan - Supplemental Information Report and CAP to NC DEQ. The Supplemental Information Report provides information to support the evaluation of potential remedial options to reduce PFAS loadings to surface waters, including interim alternatives. The CAP describes potential remediation activities to address PFAS in on-site groundwater and surface waters at the site, in accordance with the requirements of the Consent Order and the North Carolina groundwater standards, and builds on the previous submissions to NC DEQ. The NC DEQ has made the CAP available for public review and comment until March 6, 2020.

In the fourth quarter of 2019, based on the Consent Order, CAP, and our plans, we accrued an additional $132 million related to the estimated cost of on-site remediation.

Pompton Lakes, New Jersey

During the twentieth20th century, blasting caps, fuses, and related materials were manufactured at Pompton Lakes, Passaic County, New Jersey. Operating activities at the site were ceased in the mid-1990s. PrimaryThe primary contaminants in the soil and sediments are lead and mercury. Ground waterGroundwater contaminants include volatile organic compounds. Under the authority of the EPA and NJDEP,the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (“NJ DEP”), remedial actions at the site are focused on investigating and cleaning upcleaning-up the area. Ground waterGroundwater monitoring at the site is on-going,ongoing, and Chemours haswe have installed and continuescontinue to install vapor mitigation systems at residences within the ground watergroundwater plume. In addition, Chemours iswe are further assessing ground watergroundwater conditions. In JuneSeptember 2015, the EPA issued a modification to the site’s RCRA permit that requires Chemoursus to dredge mercury contamination from a 36-acre area of the lake and remove sediment from two other areas of the lake near the shoreline. The remediation activities commenced when permits and implementation plans were approved in May 2016.2016, and work on the lake dredging project is now complete. In April 2019, Chemours submitted a revised Corrective Measures Study (“CMS”) proposing actions to address on-site soils impacted from past operations that exceed applicable clean-up criteria.  That CMS is currently under review by EPA and NJ DEP.


54


The Chemours Company

U.S. Smelter and Lead Refinery, Inc., East Chicago, Indiana

The U.S. Smelter and Lead Refinery, Inc. (USS Lead), East Chicago, Indiana

The (“USS LeadLead”) Superfund Sitesite is located in the Calumet neighborhood of East Chicago, Lake County, Indiana. The site includes the former USS Lead facility along with nearby commercial, municipal, and residential areas. The primary compounds of interest are lead and arsenic which may be found in soils within the impacted area. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)EPA is directing and organizing remediation on this site, and Chemours iswe are one of a number of parties working cooperatively with the EPA on the safe and timely completion of this work. DuPont’s former East Chicago manufacturing facility was located adjacent to the site, and DuPont assigned responsibility for the site to Chemoursus in the 2015 separation agreement.

The USS Lead Superfund site was listed on the National Priorities List (NPL) in 2009. To facilitate negotiations with potentially responsible parties,PRPs, the EPA divided the residential part of the USS Lead Superfund Sitesite into three zones, referred to as Zone 1, Zone 2, and Zone 3. The division into three zones resulted in Atlantic Richfield Co. (“Atlantic Richfield”) and DuPont entering into an agreement in 2014 with the EPA and the State of Indiana to reimburse the EPA’s costs to implement cleanupclean-up in Zone 1 and Zone 3. AccordingMore recently, in March 2017, we and three other parties – Atlantic Richfield, DuPont, and the U.S. Metals Refining Co. (“US Metals”) – entered into an administrative order on consent to its website, EPA is continuing its effortsreimburse the EPA’s costs to identify additional parties who might be potentially responsible for the cleanupclean-up a portion of Zone 2. Once itIn March 2018, the EPA issued a Unilateral Administrative Order for the remainder of the Zone 2 work to five parties, including us, Atlantic Richfield, DuPont, U.S. Metals, and USS Lead Muller Group, and these parties entered into an interim allocation agreement to perform that work. As of the end of 2019, the required work in Zone 3 has concludedbeen completed, and Zone 2 is nearly complete. There is uncertainty as to whether these efforts, EPAparties will engage in negotiations with all known viablebe able to agree on a final allocation for Zone 2 and/or the other Zones, and liable parties.whether any additional PRPs may be identified.

The environmental accrual is based onfor USS Lead continues to include completion of the remaining obligations under the 2012 Record of Decision (“ROD”) and Statement of Work, currentlywhich principally encompasses completion of Zone 1. The EPA released a proposed amendment to the 2012 ROD for a portion of Zone 1 in placeDecember 2018 (following its August 2018 Feasibility Study Addendum), with its recommended option based on future residential use. However, the proposed amendment was sent out for Zones 1public comment with the EPA’s statement that the remedy basis and 3.  EPAcost may change based on community input on future land use. The EPA’s final decision was expected in 2019, but has announced its intent to reconsider the RODnot yet been released. We expect that our future costs for Zone 1 will be contingent on this remedy decision, as well as any final allocation between PRPs.

New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Directives and Litigation

In March 2019, the resultNJ DEP issued two Directives and filed four lawsuits against Chemours and other defendants. Further discussion related to these matters is included in “Note 22 – Commitments and Contingent Liabilities” to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Climate Change

In 2018, we issued our inaugural Corporate Responsibility Commitment (“CRC”) Report, which expresses our corporate responsibility commitment – an extension of our growth strategy – as 10 ambitious goals targeted for completion by 2030.  Built on the pillars of Inspired People, Shared Planet, and an Evolved Portfolio, our Shared Planet pillar underlines our commitment to deliver essential solutions responsibly, without causing harm to the Earth.  With a focus on the responsible treatment of climate, water, and waste, our Shared Planet goals are comprised of the following:

Reduce greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions intensity by 60%;

Advance our plan to become carbon positive by 2050;

Reduce air and water process emissions of fluorinated organic chemicals by 99% or more; and,

Reduce our landfill volume intensity by 70%.

We are committed to improving our resource efficiency, to acting on opportunities to reduce our GHG emissions, to enhancing the eco-efficiency of our supply chain, and to encouraging our employees to reduce their own environmental footprints. We understand that review could increase or decrease Chemours’ future obligations.  In addition, there is uncertaintymaintaining safe, sustainable operations has an impact on us, our communities, the environment, and our collective future. We continue to invest in R&D to develop safer, cleaner, and more efficient products and processes that help our customers and consumers reduce both their GHGs and their overall environmental footprint. We value collaboration to drive change and commit to working with policymakers, our value chain, and other organizations to encourage collective action for reducing GHGs.

PFOA

See our discussion under the outlook for Zone 2 given EPA’s stated objectiveheading “PFOA” in “Note 22 – Commitments and Contingent Liabilities” to identify additional parties.  As such, Chemours’ obligation for work in Zone 2 cannot be estimated at this time.the Consolidated Financial Statements.

58


55


The Chemours Company

 

Climate ChangeGenX

Chemours believes that climate change is an important global issue that presents risks and opportunities. Chemours continuously evaluates opportunities for existing and new product and service offerings in light

On June 26, 2019 the Member States Committee of the anticipated demandsEuropean Chemicals Agency (“ECHA”) voted to list HFPO Dimer Acid as a Substance of Very High Concern. The vote was based on Article 57(f) – equivalent level of concern having probable serious effects to the environment. This identification does not impose immediate regulatory restriction or obligations, but may lead to a low-carbon economy.  Our new, low GWP products are anticipated to reduce greenhouse gas contentfuture authorization or restriction of refrigerants by 90 million metric tons carbon dioxide equivalent in the U.S. and greater than 300 million metric tons worldwide by 2025.

We continue to monitor legislative and regulatory developments to control or limit greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.  Depending onsubstance. On September 24, 2019, Chemours filed an application with the scope and content, changes could affect Chemours’ energy source and supply choices, as well as increase the costEU Court of energy and raw materials derived from fossil fuels.  Such efforts are also expected to provide the business community with greater certaintyJustice for the regulatory future, help guide investment decisions, and drive growth in demand for low-carbon and energy-efficient products, technologies, and services.  Similarly, demand is expectedannulment of the decision of ECHA to grow for products that facilitate adaptation tolist HFPO Dimer Acid as a changing climate.Substance of Very High Concern.

Several of Chemours facilities in the EU are regulated under the EU Emissions Trading Scheme.  In 2015, China announced a national cap and trade program to be implemented in 2017.  Similarly, South Korea implemented its emission trading scheme on January 1, 2015.  In the EU, U.S. and Japan, policy efforts to reduce the GHG emissions associated with gases used in refrigeration and air conditioning are creating market opportunities for new solutions to lower GHG emissions.

Delaware Chancery Court Lawsuit

In May 2010, the EPA launched2019, we filed a phased-in schemelawsuit in Delaware Chancery Court (“Chancery Court”) against DowDuPont, Inc., Corteva, Inc., and DuPont concerning DuPont’s contention that it is entitled to regulate GHG emissions firstunlimited indemnity from large stationary sources under the existing Clean Air Act permitting requirements administered by state and local authorities.  As a result, large capital investments may be requiredus for specified liabilities that DuPont assigned to install Best Available Control Technology on major new or modified sources of GHG emissions.  This type of GHG emissions regulation by the EPA,us in the absencespin-off. The lawsuit requests that the Chancery Court enter a declaratory judgment limiting DuPont’s indemnification rights against us and the transfer of liabilities to us to the actual “high-end (maximum) realistic exposures” it stated in connection with the spin-off, or, in additionthe alternative, requiring the return of the approximate $4 billion dividend DuPont extracted from us in connection with the spin-off. In response, DuPont has filed a Motion to federal legislation, could result in more costly, less efficient facility-by-facility controls versus a federal program that incorporates policies that provide an economic balance that does not severely distort markets.  In 2015,Dismiss the EPA promulgated regulations for carbon dioxide emissions from new and reconstructed/modified Electric Generating Units (EGUs) and for carbon dioxide emissions from existing EGUs that would be based on individual state emission reduction programs.  If these or similar regulations are enacted, they may affectlawsuit seeking to have the long term price and supply of electricity and natural gas and demand for products that contribute to energy efficiency and renewable energy.  Chemours, as well as our suppliers and customers, could bedispute heard in a competitive disadvantage bynon-public arbitration rather than the added costsChancery Court. Many of complying with a variety of state-specific requirements.  However, the precise impact of these regulations is uncertain duepotential litigation liabilities discussed in “Note 22 – Commitments and Contingent Liabilities” to the anticipated legal challenges to this regulatory approach.

PFOA

See discussion under “PFOA” in Note 20 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.Statements are at issue in the lawsuit.


56


The Chemours Company

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We prepare our consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP. To supplement our financial information presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, we provide the following non-GAAP financial measures “Adjusted EBITDA”– Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted Earnings per Share (“EPS”), “Adjusted Net Income”Free Cash Flows (“FCF”), and “Free Cash Flow”,Return on Invested Capital (“ROIC”) – in order to clarify and provide investors with a better understanding of the company’sour performance when analyzing changes in our underlying business between reporting periods and provide for greater transparency with respect to supplemental information used by management in its financial and operational decision making.decision-making. We utilize Adjusted EBITDA as the primary measure of segment profitability used by our Chief Operating Decision Maker (CODM).CODM.

Adjusted EBITDA is defined as income (loss) before income taxes, excluding the following:

interest expense, depreciation and amortization,

interest expense, depreciation, and amortization;

non-operating pension and other postretirement employee benefit costs, which represent the components of net periodic pension costs (income) excluding service cost component,

non-operating pension and other post-retirement employee benefit costs, which represents the components of net periodic pension (income) costs excluding the service cost component;

exchange losses (gains) included “other income, net” of the statements of operations,

exchange (gains) losses included in other income (expense), net;

restructuring, asset-related charges and other charges, net,

restructuring, asset-related, and other charges;

asset impairments,

asset impairments;

losses (gains) on sale of business or assets, and

(gains) losses on sales of business or assets; and,

other items not considered indicative of our ongoing operational performance and expected to occur infrequently.

59


The Chemours Company

 

Adjusted net income (loss)Net Income is defined as our net income (loss) attributable to Chemoursor loss, adjusted for items excluded from Adjusted EBITDA, except interest expense, depreciation, and amortization, and certain provision for (benefit from) income taxes.  Free Cash Flowtax amounts. Adjusted EPS is presented on a diluted basis and is calculated by dividing Adjusted Net Income by the weighted-average number of our common shares outstanding, accounting for the dilutive impact of our stock-based compensation awards. FCF is defined as our cash flows provided by (used for) operating activities, less cash used for purchases of property, plant, and equipment as disclosedshown in our consolidated statements of cash flows. ROIC is defined as Adjusted Earnings before Interest and Taxes (“EBIT”), divided by the Consolidated Statementsaverage of Cash Flows.our invested capital, which amounts to net debt plus equity.

We believe the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures, when used in conjunction with GAAP financial measures, is a useful financial analysis tool that can assist investors in assessing the company’sour operating performance and underlying prospects. This analysis should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. In the future, we may incur expenses similar to those eliminated in this presentation. Our presentation of Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted EPS, FCF, and Free Cash FlowROIC should not be construed as an inference that our future results will be unaffected by unusual or infrequently occurring items. The non-GAAP financial measures we use may be defined differently from measures with the same or similar names used by other companies. This analysis, as well as the other information provideprovided in this annual reportAnnual Report on Form 10-K, should be read in conjunction with the company’s financial statementsConsolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included in this report.

57


The Chemours Company

The following table reconcilessets forth a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted Net Income, discussed aboveand Adjusted EPS to our net income (loss) attributable to Chemours for the periods presented:years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

(Dollars in millions)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Net income (loss) attributable to Chemours

 

$

7

 

 

$

(90

)

 

$

400

 

Non-operating pension and other postretirement employee benefit

   (income) costs

 

 

(20

)

 

 

(3

)

 

 

22

 

Exchange losses (gains)

 

 

57

 

 

 

(19

)

 

 

66

 

Restructuring charges

 

 

51

 

 

 

285

 

 

 

21

 

Asset related charges 1

 

 

124

 

 

 

73

 

 

 

 

(Gains) losses on sale of business or assets

 

 

(254

)

 

 

9

 

 

 

(40

)

Transaction costs 2

 

 

19

 

 

 

9

 

 

 

 

Legal and other charges 3

 

 

359

 

 

 

8

 

 

 

 

Benefit from income taxes relating to reconciling items 4

 

 

(156

)

 

 

(129

)

 

 

(16

)

Adjusted Net Income

 

 

187

 

 

 

143

 

 

 

453

 

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

Interest expense, net

 

 

213

 

 

 

132

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

284

 

 

 

267

 

 

 

257

 

All remaining provision for income taxes 4

 

 

138

 

 

 

31

 

 

 

165

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

822

 

 

$

573

 

 

$

876

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Net (loss) income attributable to Chemours

 

$

(52

)

 

$

995

 

Non-operating pension and other post-retirement employee benefit cost (income) (1)

 

 

368

 

 

 

(27

)

Exchange losses (gains), net

 

 

2

 

 

 

(1

)

Restructuring, asset-related, and other charges (2)

 

 

87

 

 

 

49

 

Loss on extinguishment of debt

 

 

 

 

 

38

 

Gain on sales of assets and businesses (3)

 

 

(10

)

 

 

(45

)

Transaction costs (4)

 

 

3

 

 

 

9

 

Legal and environmental charges (5)

 

 

175

 

 

 

82

 

Other charges

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

Adjustments made to income taxes (6)

 

 

 

 

 

(41

)

Benefit from income taxes relating to reconciling items (7)

 

 

(154

)

 

 

(26

)

Adjusted Net Income

 

 

419

 

 

 

1,034

 

Net income attributable to non-controlling interests

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

Interest expense, net

 

 

208

 

 

 

195

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

311

 

 

 

284

 

All remaining provision for income taxes

 

 

82

 

 

 

226

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

1,020

 

 

$

1,740

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding - basic

 

 

164,816,839

 

 

 

176,968,554

 

Dilutive effect of our employee compensation plans (8)

 

 

2,428,184

 

 

 

5,603,467

 

Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding - diluted (8)

 

 

167,245,023

 

 

 

182,572,021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Per share data

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic (loss) earnings per share of common stock

 

$

(0.32

)

 

$

5.62

 

Diluted (loss) earnings per share of common stock (8)

 

 

(0.32

)

 

 

5.45

 

Adjusted basic earnings per share of common stock

 

 

2.54

 

 

 

5.85

 

Adjusted diluted earnings per share of common stock (8)

 

 

2.51

 

 

 

5.67

 

1

(1)

The year ended December 31, 20162019 includes $48a $380 million pre-tax asset impairmentsettlement loss related to a significant portion of our Pascagoula Aniline facility, $58 million pre-tax asset impairment in connection withNetherlands pension plan, specific to the salevested pension benefits of the Sulfur business, $13 million pre-tax asset impairment in connection with the sale of the Company’s corporate headquarters building and other asset write-offs. The year ended December 31, 2015 includes $25 million of goodwill impairment and $45 million asset impairment of RMS facility. All charges, except for the corporate headquarters building impairment (which is recorded in Corporate and Other), are recorded in the Chemical Solutions segment.  Refer to Notes 7, 13, 14 and 15inactive participants. See “Note 27 – Long-term Employee Benefits” to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information related to these charges.further details.

 

2

(2)

Includes accounting, legalrestructuring, asset-related, and bankers transaction fees incurred relatedother charges, which are discussed in further detail in “Note 7 – Restructuring, Asset-related, and Other Charges” to the Company’s strategic initiatives, which includes pre-sale transaction costs incurred in connection with the sales of the C&D and Sulfur businesses (see Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements)Statements.

 

3

Includes litigation settlements, water treatment accruals and $335(3)

The year ended December 31, 2019 included a non-cash gain of $9 million litigation accrual related to the PFOA MDL Settlement (see Note 20 tosale of the Consolidated Financial Statements),Company’s Repauno, New Jersey site. The year ended December 31, 2018 included gains of $3 million and lease termination charges.$42 million associated with the sales of our East Chicago, Indiana and Linden, New Jersey sites, respectively.

 

4

Total (benefit from)(4)

Includes costs associated with our debt transactions, as well as accounting, legal, and bankers’ transaction costs incurred in connection with our strategic initiatives.

(5)

Legal charges pertains to litigation settlements, PFOA drinking water treatment accruals, and other legal charges. Environmental charges pertains to estimated liabilities associated with on-site remediation, off-site groundwater remediation, and toxicology studies related to Fayetteville. The year ended December 31, 2019 included $168 million in additional charges for the approved final Consent Order associated with certain matters at Fayetteville. The year ended December 31, 2018 included $63 million in additional charges for the estimated liability associated with Fayetteville. See “Note 22 – Commitments and Contingent Liabilities” to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further detail.

(6)

Includes the removal of certain discrete income tax impacts within our provision for income taxes, reconcilessuch as the benefit from windfalls on our share-based payments, historical valuation allowance adjustments, unrealized gains and losses on foreign exchange rate changes, and other discrete income tax items.

(7)

The income tax impacts included in this caption are determined using the applicable rates in the taxing jurisdictions in which income or expense occurred and represents both current and deferred income tax expense or benefit based on the nature of the non-GAAP financial measure.

(8)

In periods where the Company incurs a net loss, the impact of potentially dilutive securities is excluded from the calculation of EPS under GAAP, as its inclusion would have an anti-dilutive effect. As such, with respect to the amount reportedGAAP measure of diluted EPS, the impact of potentially dilutive securities is excluded from our calculation for the year ended December 31, 2019. With respect to the non-GAAP measure of adjusted diluted EPS, the impact of potentially dilutive securities is included in our calculation for both of the consolidated statement of operationsperiods presented above, as Adjusted Net Income was in a net income position for the years ended December 31, 2016, 20152019 and 2014.2018.

 

6058


The Chemours Company

 

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of FCF to our cash flows provided by operating activities for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

(Dollars in millions)

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Cash flows provided by operating activities

 

$

650

 

 

$

1,140

 

Less: Purchases of property, plant, and equipment

 

 

(481

)

 

 

(498

)

Free Cash Flows

 

$

169

 

 

$

642

 

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of invested capital, net, a component of ROIC, to our total debt, equity, and cash and cash equivalents amounts for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

(Dollars in millions)

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Adjusted EBITDA (1)

 

$

1,020

 

 

$

1,740

 

Less: Depreciation and amortization

 

 

(311

)

 

 

(284

)

Adjusted EBIT

 

 

709

 

 

 

1,456

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total debt

 

 

4,160

 

 

 

3,972

 

Total equity

 

 

695

 

 

 

1,020

 

Less: Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

(943

)

 

 

(1,201

)

Invested capital, net

 

$

3,912

 

 

$

3,791

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average invested capital (2)

 

$

4,102

 

 

$

3,717

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Return on Invested Capital

 

 

17

%

 

 

39

%

(1)

See the preceding tables for a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income (loss) attributable to Chemours for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.

(2)

Average invested capital is based on a five-quarter trailing average of invested capital, net.

59


The Chemours Company

Item 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVEQUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

We are exposed to changes in foreign currency exchange rates because of our global operations. As a result, we have assets, liabilities, and cash flows denominated in a variety of foreign currencies. We are also exposed to changes in the prices of certain commodities that we use in production. Changes in these rates and commodity prices may have an impact on our future cash flowflows and earnings. We manage these risks through normal operating and financing activities and, when deemed appropriate, through the use of derivative financial instruments. We do not enter into derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.

By using derivative financial instruments, we are subject to credit and market risk. The fair market valuevalues of the derivative financial instruments isare determined by using valuation models whose inputs are derived using market observable inputs, and reflects the asset or liability position as of the end of each reporting period. When the fair value of a derivative contract is positive, the counterparty owes us, thus creating a receivable risk for us. We are exposed to counterparty credit risk in the event of non-performance by counterparties to our derivative agreements. We minimize counterparty credit (or repayment) risk by entering into transactions with major financial institutions of investment grade credit rating.ratings.

Foreign Currency Risks

Fluctuations in the value of the U.S. dollar compared to foreign currencies may impact Chemours’ earnings.  In 2016 and 2015, Chemours entered

We enter into foreign currency forward contracts to minimize the volatility in our earnings related to the foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from remeasuringthe remeasurement of our monetary assets and liabilities that Chemours holds which are denominated in non-functional currencies.currencies, and any gains and losses from the foreign currency forward contracts are intended to be offset by any gains or losses from the remeasurement of the underlying monetary assets and liabilities. These derivatives are stand-alone and, except as described below, have not been designated as a hedge. As ofAt December 31, 2016,2019, we had open16 foreign exchangecurrency forward contracts outstanding, with an aggregate gross notional U.S. dollar equivalent of $530 million, the fair value of which amounted to less than $1 million. At December 31, 2018, we had 20 foreign currency forward contracts outstanding, with an aggregate gross notional U.S. dollar equivalent of $503 million, the fair value of which amounted to less than $1 million. We recognized a net loss of $2 million, and net gains of $3 million and $4 million for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively, within other income (expense), net related to our non-designated foreign currency forward contracts.

We enter into certain of our qualifying foreign currency forward contracts under a cash flow hedge program to mitigate the risks associated with fluctuations in the euro against the U.S. dollar for forecasted U.S. dollar-denominated inventory purchases in certain of our international subsidiaries that use the euro as their functional currency. At December 31, 2019, we had 150 foreign currency forward contracts outstanding under our cash flow hedge program with an aggregate notional U.S. dollar equivalent of $518$124 million, the fair value of which amounted to $2$1 million of net unrealized loss.  Chemoursgain. At December 31, 2018, we had 75 foreign currency forward contracts outstanding under our cash flow hedge program with an aggregate notional U.S. dollar equivalent of $143 million, the fair value of which amounted to $3 million of net unrealized gain. We recognized a net losspre-tax gains of $15$6 million and a net gain of $42$10 million for the years ended December 31, 20162019 and 2015, respectively.

Prior to 2015, Chemours participated in DuPont’s foreign currency hedging program to reduce earnings volatility associated with remeasurement of foreign currency denominated net monetary assets.  DuPont formally documented2018, respectively, on our cash flow hedge within accumulated other comprehensive loss. For the hedge relationships, including identification of the hedging instrumentsyears ended December 31, 2019 and hedged items, the risk management objectives2018, $10 million and strategies for undertaking the hedge transactions, and the methodologies used to assess effectiveness and measure ineffectiveness.  Realized gains and losses on derivative instruments of DuPont were allocated by DuPont to Chemours based on projected exposure.  Chemours recognized its allocable share of the gains and losses on DuPont’s derivative financial instruments in earnings when the forecasted purchases occurred for natural gas hedges and when the forecasted sales occurred for foreign currency hedges.  The impact of Chemours’ participation in the foreign currency hedging program was a gain of $4 million in 2014.of gain was reclassified to the cost of goods sold from accumulated other comprehensive loss, respectively.

In a hypothetical adverse change in the market prices or rates that existed at December 31, 2016, a 10% increase in the U.S. dollar against

We designated our outstanding hedged contracts on foreign currencies, such as the Euro and Chinese yuan, at the currency exchange rates as of December 31, 2016 would increase our net loss by approximately $8 million, while a 10% depreciation of the U.S. Dollar against the same hedged currencies would decrease our net loss by approximately $9 million.

Beginning in July 2015, Chemours designated its €360 million Euro noteseuro-denominated debt as a hedge of itsour net investmentsinvestment in certain of itsour international subsidiaries that use the Euroeuro as their functional currency in order to reduce the volatility in stockholders’ equity caused by the changes in foreign currency exchange rates of the Euroeuro with respect to the U.S. dollar. Chemours uses the spot method to measure the effectivenessWe recognized pre-tax gains of the$20 million and $32 million, and a pre-tax loss of $86 million on our net investment hedge. Under this method, for each reporting period, the change in the carrying value of the Euro notes due to remeasurement of the effective portion is reported inhedge within accumulated other comprehensive loss infor the Consolidated Balance Sheetyears ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and the remaining change in the carrying value of the ineffective portion, if any, is recognized in “Other income, net” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.  Chemours evaluates the effectiveness of its net investment hedge at the beginning of every quarter.2017, respectively.

Chemours’

Our risk management programs and the underlying exposureexposures are closely correlated, such that the potential loss in value for the risk management portfolio described above would be largely offset by changethe changes in the value of the underlying exposure.exposures. See Note 21“Note 26 – Financial Instruments” to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Chemours’

Our sales are not dependent on any single customer. As ofAt December 31, 20162019 and 2015, no2018, one individual customer balance represented more than five percentapproximately 5% and 8% of Chemours’our total outstanding receivables balance.  Creditaccounts and notes receivable balance, respectively. Any credit risk associated with Chemours’ receivablesour accounts and notes receivable balance is representative of the geographic, industry, and customer diversity associated with Chemours’our global businesses.

61


The Chemours Company

As a result of our customer base being widely dispersed, we do not believe our exposure to credit-related losses related to our business as of December 31, 20162019 and 20152018 was material.

Chemours

We also maintainsmaintain strong credit controls in evaluating and granting customer credit. As a result, itwe may require that customers provide some type of financial guarantee in certain circumstances. LengthThe length of terms for customer credit varies by industry and region.

60


The Chemours Company

Commodities Risk

A portion of our products and raw materials are commodities whose prices fluctuate as market supply and demand fundamentals change. Accordingly, product margins and the level of our profitability tend to fluctuate with the changes in the business cycle. Chemours triesWe try to protect against such instability through various business strategies. These include provisions in sales contracts allowing us to pass on higher raw materialmaterials costs through timely price increases and formula price contracts to transfer or share commodity price risk. ChemoursWe did not have any commodity derivative financial instruments in place as of December 31, 20162019 and 2015.2018.

Item 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

The financial statements and supplementary data required by this Item are included8 – Financial Statements and Supplementary Data is incorporated by reference herein commencing on page F-1 of this Annual Report.as set forth in Item 15(a)(1) – Consolidated Financial Statements.

Item 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None.

Item 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company maintains

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures designed to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed in the Company’sour reports filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Exchange Act) is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission.SEC. These controls and procedures also provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in such reports is accumulated and communicated to management, including its Chief Executive Officer (CEO)our CEO and Chief Financial Officer (CFO),CFO, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.

As of December 31, 2016, the Company’s2019, our CEO and CFO, together with management, conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company’sour disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act. Based on that evaluation, the CEO and CFO have concluded that these disclosure controls and procedures are effective at the reasonable assurance level.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes in the Company’sour internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarteryear ended December 31, 20162019 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’sour internal control over financial reporting.

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

The Company has

We have completed itsan evaluation of itsour internal control over financial reporting and hashave concluded that the Company’sour internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 20162019 (see Management’s“Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial ReportingReporting” on page F-2)F-2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements).

Item 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

 

6261


The Chemours Company

 

PART III

ITEMItem 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Except for information concerning executive officers, which is included in Part I of this annual reportAnnual Report on Form 10-K under the caption “Executive“Information About Our Executive Officers, of the Registrant”, the information about the Company’sour directors required by this Item 10 – Directors, Executive Officers, and Corporate Governance is contained under the caption “Proposal 1 - Election of Directors” in the Company’s definitive proxy statement for its 2017our 2020 annual meeting of stockholders (2017(the “2020 Proxy Statement)Statement”), which the Company anticipateswe anticipate filing with the Securities and Exchange CommissionSEC within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year to which this report relates, and is incorporated herein by reference.

Information regarding the Company’s Audit Committee,our audit committee, code of ethics, and compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act is contained in the 20172020 Proxy Statement under the captions “Corporate Governance”,Governance,” “Board Structure and Committee Composition”Composition,” and “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” and is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM

Item 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information required by this Item 11 – Executive Compensation is contained in the 20172020 Proxy Statement under the captions “Executive Compensation”,Compensation,” “Director Compensation”,Compensation,” “Compensation Committee Report”Report,” and “Compensation Committee Interlocks, and Insider Participation” and is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM

Item 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The information required by this Item 12 – Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters and not otherwise set forth below is contained in the 20172020 Proxy Statement under the caption “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” and is incorporated herein by reference.

Securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2016

 

(shares in thousands, except per share)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plan Category

 

Number of securities to be

issued upon Exercise of

Outstanding Options,

Warrants and Rights 1

 

 

Weighted Average Exercise

Price of Outstanding Options,

Warrants and Rights 2

 

 

Number of Securities

Remaining Available for Future

Issuance Under Equity

Compensation Plans 3

 

Equity compensation plans approved

   by security holders

 

 

11,088

 

 

$

13.72

 

 

 

7,806

 

(Shares in thousands)

 

December 31, 2019

 

Plan Category

 

Number of Securities to be Issued Upon Exercise of Outstanding Options, Warrants, and Rights

(1)

 

 

Weighted-average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options, Warrants, and Rights

(2)

 

 

Number of Securities Remaining Available for Future Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans

(3)

 

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

 

 

7,100

 

 

$

20.92

 

 

 

13,900

 

1

(1)

Includes the approximate number of outstanding stock options, restricted stock units (“RSUs”), and performance stockshare units granted under the Company’s Equity and Incentive Plan.(“PSUs”).

2

(2)

Represents the weighted averageweighted-average exercise price of the outstanding stock options only. NoRSUs and PSUs do not have associated exercise price related to the restricted stock units and performance stock units.  prices.

3

(3)

Reflects the approximate shares available for issuance pursuant to theThe Chemours Company 2017 Equity and Incentive Plan (the “2017 Plan”), which was approved by our former parent prior to separation while thestockholders on April 26, 2017 and replaces The Chemours Company was a wholly-owned subsidiary of DuPont (see Note 23 to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information).Equity and Incentive Plan. The maximum number of shares of stock reserved for the grant or settlement of awards under the plan shall be 13,500,000 plus the number of shares of stock of the converted DuPont awards.  The aggregate number of shares of stock granted during any fiscal year to any single individual (other than with regard to converted DuPont awards) shall not exceed 3,000,000 shares.2017 Plan is 19,000,000.

ITEM

The information required by this Item 13 – Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence is contained in the 20172020 Proxy Statement under the captions “Director Independence” and “Certain Relationships and Transactions” and is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM

Item 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

The information required by this Item 14 – Principal Accounting Fees and Services is contained in the 20172020 Proxy Statement under the captions “Proposal 3 - Ratification of Selection of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm”,Firm,” “Fees Paid to Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm”Firm,” and “Audit Committee’s Pre-ApprovalPre-approval Policies and Procedures” and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

6362


The Chemours Company

 

PARTPART IV

ITEMItem 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

(a)(1) Consolidated Financial Statements

See the Index“Index to the Consolidated Financial Statements” commencing on page F-1 of this report.Annual Report on Form 10-K.

(a)(2) Financial Statement Schedules

See Schedule II listed below.

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

(Dollars in millions)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Accounts Receivable - Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at beginning of period

 

$

4

 

 

$

4

 

 

$

7

 

Additions charged to expenses

 

 

1

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

1

 

Deductions from reserves 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4

)

Currency translation

 

 

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

 

$

5

 

 

$

4

 

 

$

4

 

Deferred Tax Assets - Valuation Allowance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at beginning of period

 

$

 

 

$

36

 

 

$

26

 

Net charges to income tax expense

 

 

50

 

 

 

 

 

 

10

 

Release of valuation allowance 2

 

 

 

 

 

(36

)

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

 

$

50

 

 

$

 

 

$

36

 

1

Bad debt write-offs were less than $1 for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015.

2

Release of the valuation allowance during 2015 was related to tax loss carryforward incurred prior to July 1, 2015 that is attributable to DuPont’s tax periods pursuant to the tax matters agreement.  The adjustment was recorded in the “DuPont Company Net Investment” of the Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the year ended December 31, 2015.

Schedules not listed above have been omitted because they are not required, not applicable, or the required information is otherwise included.

(a)(3) Exhibits

See the Exhibit List“Exhibit Index” beginning on page 6664 of this report.Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

ITEMItem 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY.

The Company has elected not to include a Form 10-K summary under this Item 16.SUMMARY

 

64None.

63


The Chemours Company

 

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

THE CHEMOURS COMPANY

(Registrant)

Date:

February 17, 2017

By:

/s/ Mark E. Newman

Mark E. Newman

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

(As Duly Authorized Officer and Principal Financial Officer)

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant in the capacities and on the dates indicated:

Signature

Title(s)

Date

/s/ Mark P. Vergnano

President, Chief Executive Officer, and  

February 17, 2017

Mark P. Vergnano

Director

(Principal Executive Officer)

/s/ Mark E. Newman

Senior Vice President and Chief

February 17, 2017

Mark E. Newman

Financial  Officer

(Principal Financial Officer)

/s/ Amy P. Trojanowski

Vice President and Controller

February 17, 2017

Amy P. Trojanowski

(Principal Accounting Officer)

/s/ Richard H. Brown

Chairman of the Board

February 17, 2017

Richard H. Brown

/s/ Curtis V. Anastasio

Director

February 17, 2017

Curtis V. Anastasio

/s/ Bradley J. Bell

Director

February 17, 2017

Bradley J. Bell

/s/ Mary B. Cranston

Director

February 17, 2017

Mary B. Cranston

/s/ Curtis J. Crawford

Director

February 17, 2017

Curtis J. Crawford

/s/ Dawn L. Farrell

Director

February 17, 2017

Dawn L. Farrell

/s/ Stephen D. Newlin

Director

February 17, 2017

Stephen D. Newlin

65


The Chemours Company

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit

Number

 

Description

 

 

 

2.1

 

Separation Agreement by and between E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company and the Chemours Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on July 1, 2015).

2.1(1)

Amendment No. 1, dated August 24, 2017, to the Separation Agreement, dated as of July 1, 2015, by and between E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company and The Chemours Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on August 25, 2017).

3.1

 

Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on July 1, 2015).

3.2

 

Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on July 1, 2015).

10.14.1

 

Second Amended and Restated Transition Services Agreement by and between E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company and The Chemours Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on July 1, 2015).

10.2

Tax Matters Agreement by and between E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company and The Chemours Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on July 1, 2015).

10.3

Employee Matters Agreement by and between E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company and The Chemours Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on July 1, 2015).

10.4

Third Amended and Restated Intellectual Property Cross-License Agreement by and among E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, The Chemours Company FC and The Chemours Company TT, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on July 1, 2015).

10.5*

Offer of Employment Letter between Mark E. Newman and E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, dated October 14, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Amendment No. 2 to Form 10, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on April 21, 2015).

10.6*

Offer of Employment Letter between Elizabeth Albright and E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, dated September 25, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s Amendment No. 2 to Form 10, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on April 21, 2015).

10.7

Indenture, dated May 12, 2015 by and among The Chemours Company, The Guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, Elavon Financial Services Limited, as Registrar and Transfer Agent for the Euro Notes (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Company’s Amendment No. 3 to Form 10, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on May 13, 2015).

10.84.1(1)

 

First Supplemental Indenture, dated May 12, 2015, by and among The Chemours Company, the Guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Company’s Amendment No. 3 to Form 10, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on May 13, 2015).

10.94.1(2)

 

Second Supplemental Indenture, dated May 12, 2015, by and among The Chemours Company, the Guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Company’s Amendment No. 3 to Form 10, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on May 13, 2015).

10.104.1(3)

 

Third Supplemental Indenture, dated May 12, 2015, by and among The Chemours Company, the Guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, Elavon Financial Services Limited, UK Branch, as Paying Agent for the Euro Notes and Elavon Financial Services Limited, as Registrar and Transfer Agent for the Euro Notes (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the Company’s Amendment No. 3 to Form 10, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on May 13, 2015).

10.114.1(4)

 

Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 6, 2018, among The Chemours Company, the Guarantors named therein, U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, Elavon Financial Services DAC, UK Branch, as paying agent, and Elavon Financial Services DAC, as registrar and transfer agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on June 6, 2018).

4.1(5)

Specimen 6.625% Notes due 2023 (included in Exhibit 10.8)4.1(1)).

10.124.1(6)

 

Specimen 7.000% Notes due 2025 (included in Exhibit 10.9)4.1(2)).

10.134.1(7)

 

Specimen 6.125% Notes due 2023 (included in Exhibit 10.10)4.1(3)).

66


The Chemours Company

Exhibit

Number

Description

10.14(1)4.2

 

Credit Agreement,Indenture (for senior debt securities), dated as of May 12, 201523, 2017, by and amongbetween The Chemours Company certain Guarantors party thereto and

JPMorgan Chase U.S. Bank N.A.,National Association, as administrative agenttrustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.144.1 to the Company’s Amendment No. 3 toCurrent Report on Form 10,8-K, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on May 13, 2015)23, 2017).

10.14(2)4.2(1)

 

Amendment No. 1 to the Credit AgreementFirst Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 23, 2017, by and among The Chemours Company, the lendersguarantors named therein and issuing banks theretoU.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the U.S. Securities and JPMorgan ChaseExchange Commission on May 23, 2017).

4.2(2)

Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 6, 2018, among The Chemours Company, the Guarantors named therein, U.S. Bank N.A.,National Association, as administrativetrustee, Elavon Financial Services DAC, UK Branch, as paying agent, and Elavon Financial Services DAC, as registrar and transfer agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on June 6, 2018).

4.2(3)

Specimen 5.375% Senior Note due 2027 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on May 23, 2017).

4.2(4)

Specimen 4.000% Senior Note Due 2026 (included in Exhibit 4.2(2)).

4.3

Description of common stock.

10.1

Second Amended and Restated Transition Services Agreement by and between E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company and The Chemours Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on September 28,July 1, 2015).

10.14(3)10.2

 

Amendment No. 2Tax Matters Agreement by and between E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company and The Chemours Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on July 1, 2015).

10.3

Employee Matters Agreement by and between E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company and The Chemours Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on July 1, 2015).

10.4

Third Amended and Restated Intellectual Property Cross-License Agreement by and among E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, The Chemours Company FC and The Chemours Company TT, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on July 1, 2015).

10.14

Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated February 19, 2016 by andas of April 3, 2018, among The Chemours Company, the lendersLenders and issuing banksIssuing Banks party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agentAdministrative Agent (incorporated by reference to ItemExhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on February 23, 2016).

10.14(4)

Amendment No.April 3, to the Credit Agreement dated December 19, 2016 by and among The Chemours Company, the lenders and issuing banks thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent.

10.15

Registration Rights Agreement, dated May 12, 2015, by and among The Chemours Company, certain Guarantors party thereto and Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as representatives of the Dollar purchases and Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC and J.P Morgan Securities plc, as representatives of the Euro Purchasers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to the company’s Amendment No. 3 to Form 10, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on May 13, 2015)2018).

10.16*

 

The Chemours Company Equity and Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Form S-8 (File No. 333-205391, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on July 1, 2015).

10.17*

 

The Chemours Company Retirement Savings Restoration Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on July 1, 2015).

64


The Chemours Company

10.18*Exhibit

Number

 

Description

10.18*

The Chemours Company Management Deferred Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Form S-8 (File No. 333-205393), as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on July 1, 2015).

10.19*10.19(1)*

 

The Chemours Company Stock Accumulation and Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Form S-8 (File No. 333-205392), as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on July 1, 2015).

10.19(2)*

The Chemours Company Stock Accumulation and Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on May 4, 2018).

10.20*

 

The Chemours Company Senior Executive Severance Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 to the company’s Amendment No. 3 to Form 10, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on May 13, 2015).

10.21*

 

Form of Option Award Terms under the Company’s Equity and Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 to the company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2015).

10.22*

 

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Terms under the Company’s Equity and Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to the company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2015).

10.23*

 

Form of Stock Appreciation Right Terms under the Company’s Equity and Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 to the company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2015).

10.24*10.24(1)*

 

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Terms for Non-Employee Directors under the Company’s Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 to the company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2015).

10.24(2)*

Form of Deferred Stock Unit Terms for Non-Employee Directors under the Company’s Equity and Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on May 4, 2018).

10.25*

 

Form of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Terms for August 2015 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25 to the company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2015).

10.26*

 

Form of Performance Share Unit Award Terms under the Company’s Equity and Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.26 to the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015).

10.27*

 

Form of Cash Performance Award Terms under the Company’s Equity and Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.27 to the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015).

10.28*

 

Form of Indemnification Agreement for officers and directors (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.28 to the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015).

10.29*10.30

 

Termination Agreement dated July 21, 2016 between Chemours International Operations Sarl and Thierry Vanlancker (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on July 22, 2016).

67


The Chemours Company

Exhibit

Number

Description

10.30

Letter Agreement dated January 28, 2016 by and between The Chemours Company and E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (incorporated by reference to Item 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on February 23, 2016).

10.31*

 

Form of Option Award Terms under the Company’s Equity Incentive Plan for grantees located in the U.S. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.31 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016).

10.32*

 

Form of Option Award Terms under the Company’s Equity Incentive Plan for grantees located outside the U.S. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.32 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016).

10.33*

 

Form of Award Terms of Time-Vested Restricted Stock Units under the Company’s Equity Incentive Plan for grantees located in the U.S. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.33 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016).

10.34*

 

Form of Award Terms of Time-Vested Restricted Stock Units under the Company’s Equity Incentive Plan for grantees located outside the U.S. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.34 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016).

10.35*

 

Form of Award Terms of Performance Share Units under the Company’s Equity Incentive Plan.Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.35 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016).

12.110.36*

 

Computation of Ratio of EarningsSeparation Agreement and Release between Paul Kirsch and the Company effective October 31, 2019, dated October 3, 2019.

10.37*

The Chemours Company 2017 Equity and Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Fixed Charges forExhibit 10.1 to the Company.Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on May 1, 2017).

21

 

Subsidiaries of the RegistrantRegistrant.

23

 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting FirmFirm.

31.1

 

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of the Company’s Principal Executive Officer.

31.2

 

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of the Company’s Principal Financial Officer.

32.1

 

Section 1350 Certification of the company’s Principal Executive Officer. The information contained in this Exhibit shall not be deemed filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission nor incorporated by reference in any registration statement filed by the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

32.2

 

Section 1350 Certification of the company’s Principal Financial Officer. The information contained in this Exhibit shall not be deemed filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission nor incorporated by reference in any registration statement filed by the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

95

 

Mine Safety DisclosuresDisclosures.

101.INS

 

XBRL Instance DocumentDocument.

101.SCH

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema DocumentDocument.

65


The Chemours Company

Exhibit

Number

Description

101.CAL

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase DocumentDocument.

101.DEF

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase DocumentDocument.

101.LAB

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase DocumentDocument.

101.PRE

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase DocumentDocument.

104

The cover page from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, which has been formatted in Inline XBRL and included within Exhibit 101.

 

* Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

66


The Chemours Company

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

THE CHEMOURS COMPANY

(Registrant)

Date:

February 14, 2020

By:

/s/ Sameer Ralhan

Sameer Ralhan

Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

(As Duly Authorized Officer and Principal Financial Officer)

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant in the capacities and on the dates indicated:

Signature

Title(s)

Date

/s/ Mark P. Vergnano

President, Chief Executive Officer, and  

February 14, 2020

Mark P. Vergnano

Director

(Principal Executive Officer)

/s/ Sameer Ralhan

Senior Vice President,

February 14, 2020

Sameer Ralhan

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

(Principal Financial Officer)

/s/ Matthew S. Abbott

Vice President and Controller

February 14, 2020

Matthew S. Abbott

(Principal Accounting Officer)

/s/ Richard H. Brown

Chairman of the Board

February 14, 2020

Richard H. Brown

/s/ Curtis V. Anastasio

Director

February 14, 2020

Curtis V. Anastasio

/s/ Bradley J. Bell

Director

February 14, 2020

Bradley J. Bell

/s/ Mary B. Cranston

Director

February 14, 2020

Mary B. Cranston

/s/ Curtis J. Crawford

Director

February 14, 2020

Curtis J. Crawford

/s/ Dawn L. Farrell

Director

February 14, 2020

Dawn L. Farrell

/s/ Erin N. Kane

Director

February 14, 2020

Erin N. Kane

/s/ Sean D. Keohane

Director

February 14, 2020

Sean D. Keohane

 

 

 

68



The Chemours Company

Index to the Consolidated Financial StatementsINDEX TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

 

Page

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

F-2

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

F-3

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2016, 20152019, 2018, and 2014201

F-4

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014

F-5

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2016 and 20157

 

F-6

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders EquityComprehensive Income (Loss) for the years ended December 31, 2016, 20152019, 2018, and 20142017

 

F-7

Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2019 and 2018

F-8

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders Equity for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017

F-9

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2016, 20152019, 2018, and 20142017

 

F-8F-10

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

 

F-9F-11

 

 


F-1


The Chemours Company

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The company’sCompany’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The company’sCompany’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:

 

i.(i)

pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company;Company;

 

ii.(ii)

provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and that receipts and expenditures of the companyCompany are being made only in accordance with authorization of management and directors of the company;Company; and,

 

iii.(iii)

provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisitions, useuses, or dispositiondispositions of the company’sCompany’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

 

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

 

Management assessed the effectiveness of the company’sCompany’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016,2019, based on criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control-IntegratedControl - Integrated Framework (2013). Based on its assessment and those criteria, management concluded that the companyCompany maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016.2019.

 

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, has audited the effectiveness of the company’sCompany’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016,2019, as stated in theirits report, which is presented on the following page.

 

/s/ Mark P. Vergnano

 

/s/ Mark E. NewmanSameer Ralhan

 

Mark P. Vergnano

 

Mark E. NewmanSameer Ralhan

 

President and

Chief Executive Officer

 

Senior Vice President, and

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

 

February 17, 201714, 2020


F-2


Report of Independent RegisteredRegistered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of The Chemours Company:Company

In our opinion,Opinions on the consolidated financial statements listed inFinancial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We have audited the accompanying index present fairly, in all material respects, the financial positionconsolidated balance sheets of The Chemours Company and its subsidiaries at(the “Company”) as of December 31, 20162019 and 2015,2018, and the resultsrelated consolidated statements of their operations, of comprehensive income (loss), of stockholders’ equity and theirof cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 20162019, including the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). We also have audited the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2019 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  In addition, in our opinion the financial statement schedule listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(2) presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016,2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations ofCOSO.

Change in Accounting Principle

As discussed in Note 3 to the Treadway Commission (COSO). consolidated financial statements, the Company changed the manner in which it accounts for leases in 2019.

Basis for Opinions

The Company’sCompany's management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, and financial statement schedule, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express opinions on thesethe Company’s consolidated financial statements on the financial statement schedule, and on the Company’sCompany's internal control over financial reporting based on our audits (which was an integrated auditaudits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in 2016). accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.

Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence supportingregarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements, assessingstatements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, andas well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statement presentation.statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

 



Critical Audit Matters

The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (i) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to theconsolidated financial statements and (ii) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.

Accrued Liabilities Associated with the Fayetteville Works Site

As described in Note 22 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company is cooperating with a variety of ongoing inquiries and investigations from federal, state, and local authorities, regulators, and other governmental entities with respect to the discharge of hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (“HFPO Dimer Acid,” sometimes referred to as “GenX” or “C3 Dimer Acid”) and other perfluorinated and polyfluorinated compounds (“PFAS”) from the Company’s Fayetteville Works site in North Carolina (“Fayetteville”) into the Cape Fear River, site surface water, groundwater, and air emissions. The Company’s accruals for these off-site and on-site remedial activities as of December 31, 2019 were $201 million. The Company’s estimated liability for off-site replacement drinking water supplies is based on management’s assessment of the current facts and circumstances for this matter, which is subject to various assumptions that include the number of affected surrounding properties, response rates to the Company’s offer, the type of water treatment systems selected, the cost of the selected water treatment systems, and any related operation, maintenance, and monitoring (“OM&M”) requirements, and other charges contemplated by the Consent Order with the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (“Consent Order”). The Company’s estimated liability for the on-site remediation activities that are probable and estimable is based on the Corrective Action Plan (“CAP”) and management’s assessment of the current facts and circumstances, which are subject to various assumptions including the transport pathways (being pathways by which PFAS reaches the Cape Fear River) which will require remedial actions, the types of site surface water and on-site remedies and treatment systems selected and implemented, the estimated cost of such potential remedies and treatment systems, and any related OM&M requirements, and other charges contemplated by the Consent Order and CAP.

The principal considerations for our determination that performing procedures relating to liabilities associated with Fayetteville is a critical audit matter are there was significant judgment by management to estimate the ultimate costs expected to be incurred under environmental regulations, the Consent Order, and the CAP which in turn led to significant auditor judgment, subjectivity and effort in performing procedures to assess management’s judgments, including assumptions related to the number of affected surrounding properties, the type of water treatment systems selected, the cost of the selected water treatment systems, transport pathways which will require remedial actions, the types of site surface water and on-site remedies and treatment systems selected and implemented, and the estimated cost of such potential remedies and treatment systems and any related OM&M requirements. Additionally, the audit effort involved the use of professionals with specialized skill and knowledge to assist in performing these procedures and evaluating the audit evidence obtained.

Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our overall opinion on the consolidated financial statements. These procedures included testing the effectiveness of controls relating to management’s determination and valuation of the liabilities related to Fayetteville, as well as the related financial statement disclosures. These procedures also included, among others, (i) testing the reasonableness of management’s assumptions used to estimate the ultimate costs, including the number of affected surrounding properties, the type and cost of water treatment systems selected, transport pathways which will require remedial actions, the types of site surface water and on-site remedies and treatment systems selected and implemented, and the estimated cost of such potential remedies and treatment systems and any related OM&M requirements, (ii) obtaining and evaluating responses to letters of audit inquiry from legal counsel, and (iii) evaluating the sufficiency of the Company’s disclosures related to the matter. Professionals with specialized skill and knowledge were used to assist us in evaluating the estimated costs resulting from the Consent Order and CAP.

Goodwill Impairment Assessment - Mining Solutions and Fluoropolymers Reporting Units

As described in Notes 3 and 15 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company’s consolidated goodwill balance was $153 million as of December 31, 2019, of which the goodwill associated with the Mining Solutions and Fluoropolymers reporting units was $51 million and $56 million, respectively. Management tests its goodwill for impairment at least annually on October 1; however, these tests are performed more frequently when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset may be impaired. As previously disclosed by management, in addition to the annual impairment test performed on October 1, management determined trigger events occurred during 2019 that required certain reporting units’ goodwill to be tested for impairment prior to the annual test. An impairment exists when the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value. When performing a quantitative impairment assessment, management weights the results of an income-based valuation technique, the discounted cash flows method, and a market-based valuation technique, the guideline public companies method, to determine the reporting units’ fair values. Such techniques require significant judgment and assumptions by management relating to short and long-term revenue growth rates, gross margins, discount rates, market multiples, and prospective financial information surrounding future reporting unit cash flows.



The principal considerations for our determination that performing procedures relating to the goodwill impairment assessments related to the Mining Solutions and Fluoropolymers reporting units is a critical audit matter are there was significant judgment by management when developing the fair value measurements of the reporting units. This in turn led to a high degree of auditor effort in performing procedures to evaluate the significant assumptions used in management’s interim and annual impairment assessments, including short and long-term revenue growth rates, gross margins, discount rates, and market multiples. In addition, the audit effort involved the use of professionals with specialized skill and knowledge to assist in performing these procedures and evaluating the audit evidence obtained.

Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our overall opinion on the consolidated financial statements. These procedures included testing the effectiveness of controls relating to management’s goodwill impairment assessments, including controls over the valuation of the Company’s reporting units. These procedures also included, among others, testing management’s process for developing the fair value estimates; evaluating the appropriateness of the discounted cash flow models and the guideline public companies models; testing the completeness, accuracy, and relevance of underlying data used in the models; and evaluating the significant assumptions used by management, including short and long-term revenue growth rates, gross margins, discount rates, and market multiples. Evaluating management’s assumptions related to short and long-term revenue growth rates, gross margins, discount rates, and market multiples involved evaluating whether the assumptions used by management were reasonable considering (i) the current and past performance of the respective reporting unit, (ii) the consistency with external market and industry data, and (iii) whether these assumptions were consistent with evidence obtained in other areas of the audit. Professionals with specialized skill and knowledge were used to assist in the evaluation of the Company’s discounted cash flow models, the guideline public companies models, and certain significant assumptions.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

February 17, 201714, 2020

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2014.

 

F-3



The Chemours Company

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Dollars in millions, except per share)share amounts)

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

Net sales

 

$

5,400

 

 

$

5,717

 

 

$

6,432

 

 

Cost of goods sold

 

 

4,290

 

 

 

4,762

 

 

 

5,072

 

 

Gross profit

 

 

1,110

 

 

 

955

 

 

 

1,360

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expense

 

 

934

 

 

 

632

 

 

 

685

 

 

Research and development expense

 

 

80

 

 

 

97

 

 

 

143

 

 

Restructuring and asset related charges, net

 

 

170

 

 

 

333

 

 

 

21

 

 

Goodwill impairment

 

 

 

 

 

25

 

 

 

 

 

Total expenses

 

 

1,184

 

 

 

1,087

 

 

 

849

 

 

Equity in earnings of affiliates

 

 

29

 

 

 

22

 

 

 

20

 

 

Interest expense, net

 

 

(213

)

 

 

(132

)

 

 

 

 

Other income, net

 

 

247

 

 

 

54

 

 

 

19

 

 

(Loss) income before income taxes

 

 

(11

)

 

 

(188

)

 

 

550

 

 

(Benefit from) provision for income taxes

 

 

(18

)

 

 

(98

)

 

 

149

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

 

7

 

 

 

(90

)

 

 

401

 

 

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

Net income (loss) attributable to Chemours

 

$

7

 

 

$

(90

)

 

$

400

 

 

Per share data

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings (loss) per share of common stock

 

$

0.04

 

 

$

(0.50

)

 

$

2.21

 

1

Diluted earnings (loss) per share of common stock

 

$

0.04

 

 

$

(0.50

)

 

$

2.21

 

1

Dividends per share of common stock

 

$

0.12

 

 

$

0.58

 

 

N/A

 

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Net sales

 

$

5,526

 

 

$

6,638

 

 

$

6,183

 

Cost of goods sold

 

 

4,463

 

 

 

4,667

 

 

 

4,438

 

Gross profit

 

 

1,063

 

 

 

1,971

 

 

 

1,745

 

Selling, general, and administrative expense

 

 

548

 

 

 

657

 

 

 

626

 

Research and development expense

 

 

80

 

 

 

82

 

 

 

81

 

Restructuring, asset-related, and other charges

 

 

87

 

 

 

49

 

 

 

57

 

Total other operating expenses

 

 

715

 

 

 

788

 

 

 

764

 

Equity in earnings of affiliates

 

 

29

 

 

 

43

 

 

 

33

 

Interest expense, net

 

 

(208

)

 

 

(195

)

 

 

(214

)

Loss on extinguishment of debt

 

 

 

 

 

(38

)

 

 

(1

)

Other (expense) income, net

 

 

(293

)

 

 

162

 

 

 

113

 

(Loss) income before income taxes

 

 

(124

)

 

 

1,155

 

 

 

912

 

(Benefit from) provision for income taxes

 

 

(72

)

 

 

159

 

 

 

165

 

Net (loss) income

 

 

(52

)

 

 

996

 

 

 

747

 

Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

1

 

Net (loss) income attributable to Chemours

 

$

(52

)

 

$

995

 

 

$

746

 

Per share data

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic (loss) earnings per share of common stock

 

$

(0.32

)

 

$

5.62

 

 

$

4.04

 

Diluted (loss) earnings per share of common stock

 

 

(0.32

)

 

 

5.45

 

 

 

3.91

 

 

1

On July 1, 2015, E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company distributed 180,966,833 shares of Chemours’ common stock to holders of its common stock.  Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share for the year ended December 31, 2014 was calculated using the shares distributed on July 1, 2015.  Refer to Note 10 for information regarding the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share.

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.


F-4


The Chemours Company

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

(Dollars in millions)

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

 

Pre-Tax

 

 

Tax

 

 

After-Tax

 

 

Pre-Tax

 

 

Tax

 

 

After-Tax

 

 

Pre-Tax

 

 

Tax

 

 

After-Tax

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(11

)

 

$

18

 

 

$

7

 

 

$

(188

)

 

$

98

 

 

$

(90

)

 

$

550

 

 

$

(149

)

 

$

401

 

Other comprehensive income (loss):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized gain on net

   investment hedge

 

 

14

 

 

 

 

 

 

14

 

 

 

8

 

 

 

 

 

 

8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cumulative translation

   adjustments

 

 

(73

)

 

 

 

 

 

(73

)

 

 

(304

)

 

 

 

 

 

(304

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Defined benefit plans, net:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

 

(17

)

 

 

5

 

 

 

(12

)

 

 

(11

)

 

 

1

 

 

 

(10

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prior service credit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

24

 

 

 

(4

)

 

 

20

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of foreign

   exchange rates

 

 

15

 

 

 

(3

)

 

 

12

 

 

 

33

 

 

 

(8

)

 

 

25

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reclassifications to net

   income 1:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization of prior service cost

 

 

(1

)

 

 

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization of loss

 

 

23

��

 

 

(6

)

 

 

17

 

 

 

16

 

 

 

(3

)

 

 

13

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Settlements

 

 

5

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Curtailment gain

 

 

(2

)

 

 

 

 

 

(2

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Defined benefit plans, net

 

 

23

 

 

 

(5

)

 

 

18

 

 

 

66

 

 

 

(14

)

 

 

52

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive loss

 

 

(36

)

 

 

(5

)

 

 

(41

)

 

 

(230

)

 

 

(14

)

 

 

(244

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive (loss) income

 

 

(47

)

 

 

13

 

 

 

(34

)

 

 

(418

)

 

 

84

 

 

 

(334

)

 

 

550

 

 

 

(149

)

 

 

401

 

Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Chemours

 

$

(47

)

 

$

13

 

 

$

(34

)

 

$

(418

)

 

$

84

 

 

$

(334

)

 

$

549

 

 

$

(149

)

 

$

400

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

 

Pre-tax

 

 

Tax

 

 

After-tax

 

 

Pre-tax

 

 

Tax

 

 

After-tax

 

 

Pre-tax

 

 

Tax

 

 

After-tax

 

Net (loss) income

 

$

(124

)

 

$

72

 

 

$

(52

)

 

$

1,155

 

 

$

(159

)

 

$

996

 

 

$

912

 

 

$

(165

)

 

$

747

 

Other comprehensive income (loss):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hedging activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized gain (loss) on net

investment hedge

 

 

20

 

 

 

(5

)

 

 

15

 

 

 

32

 

 

 

(8

)

 

 

24

 

 

 

(86

)

 

 

24

 

 

 

(62

)

Unrealized gain on cash flow hedge

 

 

6

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

5

 

 

 

10

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reclassifications to net income - cash

flow hedge

 

 

(10

)

 

 

1

 

 

 

(9

)

 

 

(4

)

 

 

1

 

 

 

(3

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hedging activities, net

 

 

16

 

 

 

(5

)

 

 

11

 

 

 

38

 

 

 

(8

)

 

 

30

 

 

 

(86

)

 

 

24

 

 

 

(62

)

Cumulative translation

adjustment

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

(75

)

 

 

 

 

 

(75

)

 

 

200

 

 

 

 

 

 

200

 

Defined benefit plans:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additions to accumulated other comprehensive loss:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (loss) gain

 

 

(144

)

 

 

31

 

 

 

(113

)

 

 

(115

)

 

 

29

 

 

 

(86

)

 

 

24

 

 

 

(5

)

 

 

19

 

Prior service benefit

 

 

5

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of foreign

exchange rates

 

 

7

 

 

 

 

 

 

7

 

 

 

8

 

 

 

 

 

 

8

 

 

 

(38

)

 

 

 

 

 

(38

)

Reclassifications to net income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization of prior service gain

 

 

(2

)

 

 

 

 

 

(2

)

 

 

(2

)

 

 

 

 

 

(2

)

 

 

(2

)

 

 

 

 

 

(2

)

Amortization of actuarial loss

 

 

18

 

 

 

(4

)

 

 

14

 

 

 

16

 

 

 

(4

)

 

 

12

 

 

 

24

 

 

 

(6

)

 

 

18

 

Settlement loss

 

 

383

 

 

 

(91

)

 

 

292

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Defined benefit plans, net

 

 

267

 

 

 

(65

)

 

 

202

 

 

 

(93

)

 

 

25

 

 

 

(68

)

 

 

8

 

 

 

(11

)

 

 

(3

)

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

285

 

 

 

(70

)

 

 

215

 

 

 

(130

)

 

 

17

 

 

 

(113

)

 

 

122

 

 

 

13

 

 

 

135

 

Cumulative effect of adopting ASU No. 2018-02

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(9

)

 

 

(9

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

 

 

161

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

163

 

 

 

1,025

 

 

 

(151

)

 

 

874

 

 

 

1,034

 

 

 

(152

)

 

 

882

 

Less: Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

Comprehensive income attributable to Chemours

 

$

161

 

 

$

2

 

 

$

163

 

 

$

1,024

 

 

$

(151

)

 

$

873

 

 

$

1,033

 

 

$

(152

)

 

$

881

 

 

1

These other comprehensive income (loss) components are included in the computation of net periodic benefit costs.  Refer to Note 22 for further information.

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.


F-5


The Chemours Company

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Dollars in millions, except per share amount)amounts)

 

 

December 31,

 

 

December 31,

2016

 

 

December 31,

2015

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

902

 

 

$

366

 

 

$

943

 

 

$

1,201

 

Accounts and notes receivable - trade, net

 

 

807

 

 

 

859

 

Accounts and notes receivable, net

 

 

674

 

 

 

861

 

Inventories

 

 

767

 

 

 

972

 

 

 

1,079

 

 

 

1,147

 

Prepaid expenses and other

 

 

77

 

 

 

104

 

 

 

81

 

 

 

84

 

Total current assets

 

 

2,553

 

 

 

2,301

 

 

 

2,777

 

 

 

3,293

 

Property, plant and equipment

 

 

7,997

 

 

 

9,015

 

Property, plant, and equipment

 

 

9,413

 

 

 

8,992

 

Less: Accumulated depreciation

 

 

(5,213

)

 

 

(5,838

)

 

 

(5,854

)

 

 

(5,701

)

Net property, plant and equipment

 

 

2,784

 

 

 

3,177

 

Property, plant, and equipment, net

 

 

3,559

 

 

 

3,291

 

Operating lease right-of-use assets

 

 

294

 

 

 

 

Goodwill and other intangible assets, net

 

 

170

 

 

 

176

 

 

 

174

 

 

 

181

 

Investments in affiliates

 

 

136

 

 

 

136

 

 

 

162

 

 

 

160

 

Other assets

 

 

417

 

 

 

508

 

 

 

292

 

 

 

437

 

Total assets

 

$

6,060

 

 

$

6,298

 

 

$

7,258

 

 

$

7,362

 

Liabilities and equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

884

 

 

$

973

 

 

$

923

 

 

$

1,137

 

Short-term borrowings and current maturities of long-term debt

 

 

15

 

 

 

39

 

Short-term and current maturities of long-term debt

 

 

134

 

 

 

13

 

Other accrued liabilities

 

 

872

 

 

 

454

 

 

 

484

 

 

 

559

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

1,771

 

 

 

1,466

 

 

 

1,541

 

 

 

1,709

 

Long-term debt, net

 

 

3,529

 

 

 

3,915

 

 

 

4,026

 

 

 

3,959

 

Operating lease liabilities

 

 

245

 

 

 

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

132

 

 

 

234

 

 

 

118

 

 

 

217

 

Other liabilities

 

 

524

 

 

 

553

 

 

 

633

 

 

 

457

 

Total liabilities

 

 

5,956

 

 

 

6,168

 

 

 

6,563

 

 

 

6,342

 

Commitments and contingent liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock (par value $0.01 per share; 810,000,000 shares authorized;

shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2016: 182,600,533

and 2015: 181,069,751)

 

 

2

 

 

 

2

 

Common stock (par value $0.01 per share; 810,000,000 shares authorized;

188,893,478 shares issued and 163,574,243 shares outstanding at December 31, 2019;

187,204,567 shares issued and 170,780,474 shares outstanding at December 31, 2018)

 

 

2

 

 

 

2

 

Treasury stock, at cost (25,319,235 shares at December 31, 2019;

16,424,093 shares at December 31, 2018)

 

 

(1,072

)

 

 

(750

)

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

789

 

 

 

775

 

 

 

859

 

 

 

860

 

Accumulated deficit

 

 

(114

)

 

 

(115

)

Retained earnings

 

 

1,249

 

 

 

1,466

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

(577

)

 

 

(536

)

 

 

(349

)

 

 

(564

)

Total Chemours stockholders’ equity

 

 

100

 

 

 

126

 

 

 

689

 

 

 

1,014

 

Noncontrolling interests

 

 

4

 

 

 

4

 

Non-controlling interests

 

 

6

 

 

 

6

 

Total equity

 

 

104

 

 

 

130

 

 

 

695

 

 

 

1,020

 

Total liabilities and equity

 

$

6,060

 

 

$

6,298

 

 

$

7,258

 

 

$

7,362

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.


The Chemours Company

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

 

 

Common Stock

 

 

Treasury Stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

 

Amount

 

 

Shares

 

 

Amount

 

 

Additional

Paid-in

Capital

 

 

(Accumulated

Deficit)

Retained

Earnings

 

 

Accumulated

Other

Comprehensive

(Loss) Income

 

 

Non-controlling

Interests

 

 

Total Equity

 

Balance at

January 1, 2017

 

 

182,600,533

 

 

$

2

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

$

789

 

 

$

(114

)

 

$

(577

)

 

$

4

 

 

$

104

 

Common stock issued - compensation plans

 

 

569,263

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercise of stock options, net

 

 

2,173,238

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

31

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

31

 

Purchases of treasury stock, at cost

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,386,406

 

 

 

(116

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(116

)

Stock-based compensation expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

29

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

29

 

Cancellation of unissued stock awards withheld to cover taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(12

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(12

)

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

746

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

747

 

Dividends ($0.29 per share)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(53

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(53

)

Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

135

 

 

 

 

 

 

135

 

Balance at

December 31, 2017

 

 

185,343,034

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

2,386,406

 

 

 

(116

)

 

 

837

 

 

 

579

 

 

 

(442

)

 

 

5

 

 

 

865

 

Common stock issued - compensation plans

 

 

783,346

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercise of stock options, net

 

 

1,078,187

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

16

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

16

 

Purchases of treasury stock, at cost

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

14,050,098

 

 

 

(634

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(634

)

Shares issued under employee stock purchase plan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(12,411

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock-based compensation expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

24

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

24

 

Cancellation of unissued stock awards withheld to cover taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(17

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(17

)

Cumulative effect of adopting ASU No. 2018-02

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9

 

 

 

(9

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

995

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

996

 

Dividends ($0.67 per share)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(117

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(117

)

Other comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(113

)

 

 

 

 

 

(113

)

Balance at

December 31, 2018

 

 

187,204,567

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

16,424,093

 

 

 

(750

)

 

 

860

 

 

 

1,466

 

 

 

(564

)

 

 

6

 

 

 

1,020

 

Common stock issued - compensation plans

 

 

1,098,542

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercise of stock options, net

 

 

590,369

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9

 

Purchases of treasury stock, at cost

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8,895,142

 

 

 

(322

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(322

)

Stock-based compensation expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

19

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

19

 

Cancellation of unissued stock awards withheld to cover taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(30

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(30

)

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(52

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(52

)

Dividends ($1.00 per share)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(164

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(164

)

Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

215

 

 

 

 

 

 

215

 

Balance at

December 31, 2019

 

 

188,893,478

 

 

$

2

 

 

 

25,319,235

 

 

$

(1,072

)

 

$

859

 

 

$

1,249

 

 

$

(349

)

 

$

6

 

 

$

695

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.


The Chemours Company

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Dollars in millions)

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Cash flows from operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (loss) income

 

$

(52

)

 

$

996

 

 

$

747

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by (used for) operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

311

 

 

 

284

 

 

 

273

 

Gain on sales of assets and businesses

 

 

(10

)

 

 

(45

)

 

 

(22

)

Equity in earnings of affiliates, net

 

 

(3

)

 

 

18

 

 

 

(33

)

Loss on extinguishment of debt

 

 

 

 

 

38

 

 

 

1

 

Amortization of debt issuance costs and issue discounts

 

 

9

 

 

 

11

 

 

 

13

 

Deferred tax (benefit) provision

 

 

(165

)

 

 

23

 

 

 

83

 

Asset-related charges

 

 

43

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

3

 

Stock-based compensation expense

 

 

19

 

 

 

24

 

 

 

29

 

Net periodic pension cost (income)

 

 

381

 

 

 

(18

)

 

 

(22

)

Defined benefit plan contributions

 

 

(19

)

 

 

(15

)

 

 

(38

)

Other operating charges and credits, net

 

 

(2

)

 

 

(7

)

 

 

12

 

Decrease (increase) in operating assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts and notes receivable, net

 

 

191

 

 

 

47

 

 

 

(88

)

Inventories and other operating assets

 

 

116

 

 

 

(284

)

 

 

(146

)

(Decrease) increase in operating liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable and other operating liabilities

 

 

(169

)

 

 

64

 

 

 

(172

)

Cash provided by operating activities

 

 

650

 

 

 

1,140

 

 

 

640

 

Cash flows from investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of property, plant, and equipment

 

 

(481

)

 

 

(498

)

 

 

(411

)

Acquisition of business, net

 

 

(10

)

 

 

(37

)

 

 

 

Proceeds from sales of assets and businesses, net

 

 

9

 

 

 

46

 

 

 

39

 

Proceeds from life insurance policies

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign exchange contract settlements, net

 

 

(2

)

 

 

2

 

 

 

2

 

Cash used for investing activities

 

 

(483

)

 

 

(487

)

 

 

(370

)

Cash flows from financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from issuance of debt, net

 

 

 

 

 

520

 

 

 

495

 

Proceeds from revolving loan

 

 

150

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Repayments on revolving loan

 

 

(150

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from accounts receivable securitization facility

 

 

128

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Debt repayments

 

 

(37

)

 

 

(679

)

 

 

(27

)

Payments related to extinguishment of debt

 

 

 

 

 

(29

)

 

 

(1

)

Payments of debt issuance costs

 

 

 

 

 

(12

)

 

 

(6

)

Payments on finance leases

 

 

(3

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of treasury stock, at cost

 

 

(322

)

 

 

(644

)

 

 

(106

)

Proceeds from exercised stock options, net

 

 

9

 

 

 

16

 

 

 

31

 

Payments related to tax withholdings on vested stock awards

 

 

(30

)

 

 

(17

)

 

 

(12

)

Payments of dividends

 

 

(164

)

 

 

(148

)

 

 

(22

)

Cash (used for) provided by financing activities

 

 

(419

)

 

 

(993

)

 

 

352

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

 

(6

)

 

 

(15

)

 

 

32

 

(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

(258

)

 

 

(355

)

 

 

654

 

Cash and cash equivalents at January 1,

 

 

1,201

 

 

 

1,556

 

 

 

902

 

Cash and cash equivalents at December 31,

 

$

943

 

 

$

1,201

 

 

$

1,556

 

Supplemental cash flows information

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid during the year for:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest, net of amounts capitalized

 

$

204

 

 

$

206

 

 

$

208

 

Income taxes, net of refunds

 

 

85

 

 

 

75

 

 

 

79

 

Non-cash investing and financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Changes in property, plant, and equipment included in accounts payable

 

$

85

 

 

$

37

 

 

$

(14

)

Obligations incurred under build-to-suit lease arrangement

 

 

40

 

 

 

47

 

 

 

8

 

Purchases of treasury stock not settled by year-end

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10

 

Non-cash financing arrangements

 

 

11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred payments related to acquisition of business

 

 

15

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends accrued but not yet paid

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

31

 

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

F-6F-10


The Chemours Company

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

Years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014

(Dollars in millions)

 

 

Common Stock

 

 

DuPont

Company

Net

 

 

Additional

Paid-In

 

 

Accumulated

Other

Comprehensive

 

 

Noncontrolling

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

 

Amount

 

 

Investment

 

 

Capital

 

 

Income (Loss)

 

 

Interests

 

 

Deficit

 

 

Total

 

Balance at

   December 31, 2013

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

$

3,195

 

 

$

 

 

$

19

 

 

$

3

 

 

$

 

 

$

3,217

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

400

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

401

 

Net transfers from

   DuPont

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

55

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

55

 

Balance at

   December 31, 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,650

 

 

 

 

 

 

19

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,673

 

Net income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

25

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(115

)

 

 

(90

)

Other comprehensive

   loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(244

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(244

)

Issuance of common

   stock at separation

 

 

180,966,833

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock issued -

   compensation plans

 

 

102,918

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Establishment of pension

   plans, net and related

   accumulated other

   comprehensive income

   (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

268

 

 

 

 

 

 

(311

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(43

)

Dividends

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(100

)

 

 

(5

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(105

)

Non-cash debt exchange

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(507

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(507

)

Cash provided at

   separation by DuPont

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

247

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

247

 

Net transfers to

   DuPont

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3,583

)

 

 

769

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,814

)

Stock-based

   compensation expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13

 

Balance at

   December 31, 2015

 

 

181,069,751

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

775

 

 

 

(536

)

 

 

4

 

 

 

(115

)

 

 

130

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7

 

 

 

7

 

Common stock issued -

   compensation plans

 

 

583,859

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(16

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(6

)

 

 

(22

)

Other comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(41

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(41

)

Stock-based

   compensation expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

19

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

19

 

Exercise of stock options

 

 

946,923

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11

 

Balance at

   December 31, 2016

 

 

182,600,533

 

 

$

2

 

 

$

 

 

$

789

 

 

$

(577

)

 

$

4

 

 

$

(114

)

 

$

104

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

F-7


The Chemours Company

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Dollars in millions)

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

7

 

 

$

(90

)

 

$

401

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash provided by operating

   activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

284

 

 

 

267

 

 

 

257

 

Amortization of deferred financing costs and issuance discount

 

 

20

 

 

 

8

 

 

 

 

Other operating charges and credits, net

 

 

52

 

 

 

7

 

 

 

18

 

(Gain) loss on sale of assets and businesses

 

 

(254

)

 

 

9

 

 

 

(40

)

Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of dividends received of $18, $23

   and $19

 

 

(12

)

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

Deferred tax benefits

 

 

(111

)

 

 

(198

)

 

 

(22

)

Asset related charges

 

 

124

 

 

 

206

 

 

 

 

Decrease (increase) in operating assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts and notes receivable - trade, net

 

 

5

 

 

 

(64

)

 

 

4

 

Inventories and other operating assets

 

 

147

 

 

 

19

 

 

 

(29

)

Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable and other operating liabilities

 

 

332

 

 

 

18

 

 

 

(85

)

Cash provided by operating activities

 

 

594

 

 

 

182

 

 

 

505

 

Investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

 

 

(338

)

 

 

(519

)

 

 

(604

)

Proceeds from sales of assets, net

 

 

708

 

 

 

12

 

 

 

32

 

Foreign exchange contract settlements

 

 

(12

)

 

 

42

 

 

 

 

Investment in affiliates

 

 

(1

)

 

 

(32

)

 

 

(8

)

Other investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20

 

Cash provided by (used for) investing activities

 

 

357

 

 

 

(497

)

 

 

(560

)

Financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from issuance of debt, net

 

 

 

 

 

3,491

 

 

 

 

Debt repayments

 

 

(381

)

 

 

(10

)

 

 

 

Dividends paid

 

 

(22

)

 

 

(105

)

 

 

 

Debt issuance costs

 

 

(4

)

 

 

(79

)

 

 

 

Proceeds from exercised stock options

 

 

11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash provided at separation by DuPont

 

 

 

 

 

247

 

 

 

 

Net transfers (to) from DuPont

 

 

 

 

 

(2,857

)

 

 

55

 

Cash (used for) provided by financing activities

 

 

(396

)

 

 

687

 

 

 

55

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

 

 

(19

)

 

 

(6

)

 

 

 

Increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

536

 

 

 

366

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

 

 

366

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

 

$

902

 

 

$

366

 

 

$

 

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid during the year for:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest, net of amounts capitalized

 

$

208

 

 

$

103

 

 

$

 

Income taxes, net of refunds

 

$

50

 

 

$

53

 

 

$

 

Non-cash change in property, plant and equipment included in accounts

   payable

 

$

(12

)

 

$

45

 

 

$

(11

)

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

F-8


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share)share amounts and par values)

 

Note 1. Background and Description of the Business

The Chemours Company (Chemours(“Chemours,” or the Company)“Company”) is a leading, global provider of performance chemicals that are key inputs in end-products and processes in a variety of industries. The Company delivers customized solutions with a wide range of industrial and specialty chemicalchemicals products for markets, including plastics and coatings, refrigeration and air conditioning, general industrial, electronics, mining, and oil refining. PrincipalThe Company’s principal products include titanium dioxide (TiO2), refrigerants, industrial fluoropolymer resins, sodium cyanide, and performance chemicals & intermediates.and intermediates, and titanium dioxide (“TiO2”) pigment. Chemours consists of threemanages and reports its operating results through 3 reportable segments: Fluoroproducts, Chemical Solutions, and Titanium Technologies. The Fluoroproducts segment is a leading, global provider of fluoroproducts, including refrigerants and industrial fluoropolymer resins. The Chemical Solutions segment is a leading, North American provider of industrial chemicals used in gold production, industrial, and consumer applications. The Titanium Technologies Fluoroproductssegment is a leading, global producer of TiO2 pigment, a premium white pigment used to deliver whiteness, brightness, opacity, and Chemical Solutions.protections in a variety of applications.

Chemours is globally operated withhas manufacturing facilities, sales centers, administrative offices, and warehouses located throughout the world. Chemours’ operations are primarily located in the United States (U.S.)U.S., Canada, Mexico, Brazil, the Netherlands, Belgium, China, Taiwan, Japan, Switzerland, Singapore, Hong Kong, India, and France. As ofAt December 31, 2016, Chemours has 262019, the Company operated 30 major production facilities globally, fiveof which, 20 were dedicated to Fluoroproducts, 1 was dedicated to Chemical Solutions, 7 were dedicated to Titanium Technologies, 18 dedicated to Fluoroproducts, two dedicated to Chemical Solutions and one that supports2 supported multiple Chemours segments.

Effective prior to the opening of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)

Chemours began operating as an independent company on July 1, 2015 (the Distribution Date), E. I.“Separation Date”) after separating from E.I. DuPont de Nemours and Company (DuPont) completed the previously announced separation of the businesses comprising DuPont’s Performance Chemicals reporting segment, and certain other assets and liabilities, into Chemours, a separate and distinct public company.(“DuPont”) (the “Separation”). The separation was completed by way of a distribution of all of the then-outstanding shares of common stock of Chemours through a dividend in kind of Chemours’ common stock (par value $0.01) to holders of DuPont common stock (par value $0.30) as of the close of business on June 23, 2015 (the Record Date) (the transaction referred to herein as the Distribution).

On the Distribution Date, each holder of DuPont’s common stock received one share of Chemours’ common stock for every five shares of DuPont’s common stock held on the Record Date.  The separationSeparation was completed pursuant to a separation agreement and other agreements with DuPont, including an employee matters agreement, a tax matters agreement, a transition services agreement, and an intellectual property cross-license agreement. These agreements govern the relationship between Chemours and DuPont following the separationSeparation and provided for the allocation of various assets, liabilities, rights, and obligations.  These agreements also include arrangements for transition services to be provided byobligations at the Separation Date. On August 31, 2017, DuPont to Chemours that were substantially completed during 2016.a merger with The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”). Following their merger, DuPont and Dow engaged in a series of reorganization steps and, in 2019, separated into three publicly-traded companies named Dow Inc., DuPont de Nemours, Inc., and Corteva, Inc. (“Corteva”).

Unless the context otherwise requires, references in these Notesherein to the Consolidated Financial Statements to “we”, “us”,“The Chemours Company,” “Chemours,” “the Company,” “our Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our”, “Chemours” and the “Company” refer to The Chemours Company and its consolidated subsidiaries after giving effectsubsidiaries. References herein to the Distribution.“DuPont” refer to E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, which is now a subsidiary of Corteva.

 

Note 2. Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordanceconformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles in(“GAAP”). In the U.S. (GAAP).opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal, recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial position and results of operations have been included for the periods presented herein. The notes that follow are an integral part of the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Chemours did not operate as a separate, stand-alone entity for all periods included within these consolidated financial statements.  Prior

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the separation on July 1, 2015, Chemours operations were included in DuPont’s financial results in different legal forms, including but not limited to wholly-owned subsidiaries forcurrent period presentation, the effect of which, Chemours was the sole business, components of legal entities in which Chemours operated in conjunction with other DuPont businesses and a majority owned joint venture.  For periods prior to July 1, 2015, the accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared from DuPont’s historical accounting records and are presented on a stand-alone basis as if the business operations had been conducted independently from DuPont.  Prior to January 1, 2015, aside from a Japanese entity that is a dual-resident for U.S. federal income tax purposes, there was no direct ownership relationship among all the other various legal entities comprising Chemours.  Prior to July 1, 2015, DuPont and its subsidiaries’ net investments in these operations is shown in lieu of Stockholders’ Equity in the consolidated financial statements.  The consolidated financial statements include the historical operations, assets and liabilities of the legal entities that are considered to comprise the Chemours business, including certain environmental remediation and litigation obligations of DuPont and its subsidiaries that Chemours may be required to indemnify pursuant to the separation-related agreements executed prior to the spin-off.

All of the allocations and estimates in the consolidated financial statements prior to July 1, 2015 are based on assumptions that management believes are reasonable.  Therefore, the results of operations and cash flows prior to July 1, 2015 included herein may not be indicative of the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of Chemours in the future or if Chemours had been a separate, stand-alone entity during the periods presented.

F-9


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share)

The net transfers from DuPont on the Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity include a non-cash contribution from DuPont of $109 for the year ended December 31, 2015.  This non-cash contribution occurred during physical separation activities at shared production facilities in the U.S. prior to the separation and certain assets identified at separation.  It was determined that assets previously managed by other DuPont businesses would be transferred to and managed by Chemours.

Comprehensive income as of December 31, 2016 includes an out of period adjustment of $31 million relating to 2015 cumulative translation adjustments with corresponding adjustment to other current assets.  This adjustment is not material to the Company’s consolidated financial statements taken as a whole.statements.

 

Note 3. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

These

Preparation of Financial Statements

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP.  The significant accounting policies described below, together with the other notes that follow, are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

Preparation of Financial Statements

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP, which requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, andthe disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses including allocations of costs as discussed above, during the reporting period. Management’s estimates are based on historical experience,experiences, facts, and circumstances available at the time and various other assumptions that we believemanagement believes are reasonable. Actual results could differ from those estimates.


F-11


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts and par values)

Principles of Consolidation and Combination

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Chemours and its subsidiaries, andas well as entities in which a controlling interest is maintained. For those consolidated subsidiaries in which the Company’s ownership is less than 100%, the outside shareholders’ interests are shown as noncontrollingnon-controlling interests. Investments in companies in which Chemours, directly or indirectly, owns 20% to 50% of the voting stock, or has the ability to exercise significant influence over the operating and financial policies of the investee, are accountingaccounted for using the equity method of accounting. As a result, Chemours’ share of the earnings or losses of such equity affiliates is included in the Consolidated Statementsconsolidated statements of Operationsoperations, and Chemours’ share of such equity affiliatesaffiliates’ equity is included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.consolidated balance sheets.

The financial statementsCompany assesses the requirements related to the consolidation of any variable interest entity (“VIE”), including a qualitative assessment of power and economics that considers which entity has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance, and has the right to receive any benefits or the obligation to absorb any losses of the VIE. No such VIE was consolidated by the Company for the periods prior to the separation on July 1, 2015 include the combined assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses of Chemours.  We eliminated allpresented.

All intercompany accounts and transactions were eliminated in the preparation of the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue

Chemours recognizes revenue using a five-step model resulting in revenue being recognized as performance obligations within a contract have been satisfied. The steps within that model include: (i) identifying the existence of a contract with a customer; (ii) identifying the performance obligations within the contract; (iii) determining the contract’s transaction price; (iv) allocating the transaction price to the contract’s performance obligations; and, (v) recognizing revenue as the contract’s performance obligations are satisfied. A contract with a customer exists when: (i) the Company enters into an enforceable agreement that defines each party’s rights regarding the goods or services to be transferred, and the related payment terms; (ii) the agreement has commercial substance; and, (iii) it is recognizedprobable that the Company will collect the consideration to which it is entitled to in the exchange. A performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer a distinct good or service, or a series of distinct goods or services to a customer. The transaction price is the customary amount of consideration that the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for a transfer of the promised goods or services to a customer, excluding any amounts collected by the Company on behalf of third parties (e.g., sales and use taxes). Judgment is required to apply the principles-based, five-step model for revenue recognition. Management is required to make certain estimates and assumptions about the Company’s contracts with its customers, including, among others, the nature and extent of its performance obligations, its transaction price amounts and any allocations thereof, the critical events which constitute satisfaction of its performance obligations, and when control of any promised goods or services is transferred to its customers.

The Company’s revenue from contracts with customers is reflected in the earnings process is complete.  Revenue forconsolidated statements of operations as net sales, the vast majority of which represents product sales is recognized when productsthat consist of a single performance obligation. Product sales to customers are shipped to the customermade under a purchase order (“PO”), or in certain cases, in accordance with the terms of a master services agreement (“MSA”) or similar arrangement, which documents the agreement,rights and obligations of each party to the contract. When a customer submits a PO for product or requests product under an MSA, a contract for a specific quantity of distinct goods at a specified price is created, and the Company’s performance obligation under the contract is satisfied when control of the product is transferred to the customer, which is indicated by shipment of the product and the transfer of title and the risk of loss have been transferred, collectability is reasonably assured and pricing is fixed or determinable.  Revenue associated with advance payments are recorded as deferred revenue and are recognized as shipments are made and title, ownership and risk of loss pass to the customer. Accruals are madeRevenue is recognized on consignment sales when control transfers to the customer, generally at the point of customer usage of the product. The transaction price for product sales returns and other allowancesis generally the amount specified in the PO or in the request under an MSA; however, as is common in Chemours’ industry, the Company offers variable consideration in the form of rebates, volume discounts, early payment discounts, pricing based on historical experience.  Cash sales incentivesformulas or indices, price matching, and guarantees to certain customers. Such amounts are accounted for as a reductionincluded in sales and noncash sales incentives are recorded as a charge to cost of goods sold at the timeCompany’s estimated transaction price using either the revenueexpected value method or selling expense,the most-likely amount, depending on the nature of the incentive, is recorded. Amounts billedvariable consideration included in the contract. The Company regularly assesses its customers’ creditworthiness, and product sales are made based on established credit limits. Payment terms for the Company’s invoices are typically less than 90 days.

The Company also licenses the right to access certain of its trademarks to customers under specified terms and conditions in certain arrangements, which is recognized as a component of net sales in the consolidated statements of operations. Under such arrangements, the Company may receive a royalty payment for shippinga trademark license that is entered into on a stand-alone basis or incorporated into an overall product sales arrangement. Royalty income is generally based on customer sales and handling feesrecognized under the sales-based exception as the customer sale occurs. When minimum guaranteed royalty amounts are included in net sales and costs incurred by Chemoursthe transaction price, the Company recognizes royalty income ratably over the license period for the deliveryminimum amount. When there is no consideration specified for the use of goods are classified as cost of goods sold in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.  Taxes on revenue-producing transactions are excluded from net sales.  Licensing and royalty incomeCompany’s trademark, the entire transaction price is recognized in connection with the transfer of control of product. Royalty income resulting from the right to use the Company’s technology is considered outside the scope of revenue recognition under GAAP as it is not a part of the Company’s ongoing major or central activities, and is recognized as a component of other income (expense), net in the consolidated statements of operations in accordance with agreed uponagreed-upon terms whenat the point or points in time that performance obligations are satisfied, the amount is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured.satisfied.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents generally include cash, time deposits or highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.

F-10F-12


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share)share amounts and par values)

 

ReceivablesConsistent with the fact that the vast majority of the Company’s payment terms are less than 90 days from the point at which control of the promised goods or services is transferred, no adjustments have been made for the effects of a significant financing component. Additionally, the Company has elected to recognize the incremental costs associated with obtaining contracts as an expense when incurred if the amortization period of the assets that the Company would have recognized is one year or less. Amounts billed to customers for shipping and handling fees are considered a fulfillment cost and are included in net sales, and the costs incurred by the Company for the delivery of goods are classified as a component of the cost of goods sold in the consolidated statements of operations.

Research and Development Expense

Research and development (“R&D”) costs are expensed as incurred. R&D expenses include costs (primarily consisting of employee costs, materials, contract services, research agreements, and other external spend) relating to the discovery and development of new products, enhancement of existing products, and regulatory approval of new and existing products.

Provision for (Benefit from) Income Taxes

The provision for (benefit from) income taxes is determined using the asset and liability approach of accounting for income taxes. Under this approach, deferred taxes represent the future tax consequences expected to occur when the reported amounts of assets and liabilities are recovered or paid. The provision for (benefit from) income taxes represents income taxes paid or payable for the current year, plus the change in deferred taxes during the year. Deferred taxes result from differences between the financial and tax bases of Chemours’ assets and liabilities and are adjusted for changes in tax rates and tax laws when changes are enacted. The Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities are presented on a net basis by jurisdictional filing group. Net deferred tax assets are presented as a component of other assets, while net deferred tax liabilities are presented as a component of deferred income taxes on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. Valuation allowances are recorded to reduce deferred tax assets when it is more-likely-than-not that a tax benefit will not be realized.

Chemours recognizes income tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not threshold and accrues any interest related to unrecognized income tax positions as a component of other income (expense), net in the consolidated statements of operations. Income tax-related penalties are included in the provision for (benefit from) income taxes.

Earnings Per Share

Chemours presents both basic earnings per share and diluted earnings per share. Basic earnings per share excludes dilution and is computed by dividing the total net income (loss) attributable to Chemours by the weighted-average number of shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share reflects the dilution that could occur if the Company’s outstanding stock-based compensation awards, including any unvested restricted shares, were vested and exercised, thereby resulting in the issuance of common stock as determined under the treasury stock method. In periods where the Company incurs a net loss, stock-based compensation awards are excluded from the calculation of earnings per share as their inclusion would have an anti-dilutive effect.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents generally include cash, time deposits, or highly-liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.

Accounts and Notes Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Receivables

Accounts and notes receivables are recognized net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. The allowance for doubtful accounts reflects the best estimate of losses inherent in Chemours’ accounts and notes receivable portfolio, which is determined on the basis of historical experience, specific allowances for known troubled accounts, and other available evidence. Accounts and notes receivable are written offwritten-off when management determines that they are uncollectible.

Inventories

Chemours’ U.S. inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market.  Inventoriesmarket, as inventories held at substantially all U.S. locations are valued using the last-in, first-out (LIFO)(“LIFO”) method. InventoriesChemours’ non-U.S. inventories are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value, as inventories held outside the U.S. are determined byvalued using the average cost method. ElementsThe elements of cost in inventories include raw materials, direct labor, and manufacturing overhead. Stores and supplies are valued at the lower of cost or market, whichever is lower; costnet realizable value. Cost is generally determined by the average cost method. Approximately 48%


F-13


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts and 54% of inventory is on a LIFO basis as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The remainder is accounted for using the average cost method.par values)

Property, Plant, and Equipment

Property, plant, and equipment is carried at cost and is depreciated using the straight-line method.  Property, plant and equipment placed in service prior to 1995 is depreciated under the sum-of-the-years’ digits method or other substantially similar methods. Substantially all equipment and buildings are depreciated over useful lives ranging from 15 to 25 years. Capitalizable costs associated with computer software for internal use are amortized on a straight-line basis over five to seven years. When assets are surrendered, retired, sold, or otherwise disposed of, their gross carrying values and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the consolidated balance sheetsheets and are included in determiningthe determination of any gain or loss on such disposals.

Repair and maintenance costs that materially add to the value of the asset or prolong its useful life are capitalized and depreciated based on thetheir extension to the asset’s useful life. Capitalized repair and maintenance costs are recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets in “Other assets”.consolidated balance sheets as a component of other assets.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

The excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair value of the net assets acquired, including identified intangibles, in a business combination is recorded as goodwill.  Goodwill is tested for impairment annually on October 1; however, these tests are performed more frequently when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset may be impaired.  Goodwill is evaluated for impairment at the reporting unit level, which is defined as one level below operating segment except for Titanium Technologies, which is both an operating segment and a reporting unit.  A reporting unit is the level at which discrete financial information is available and reviewed by business management on a regular basis.  The Company utilizes an income approach (or discounted cash flow method) and market approach to calculate the fair value of its reporting units.

Definite-lived intangible assets, such as purchased and licensed technology, patents, trademarks, and customer lists are amortized over their estimated useful lives, generally for periods ranging from five to 20 years.  The reasonableness of the useful lives of these assets is continually evaluated.

Impairment of Long-LivedLong-lived Assets

Chemours evaluates the carrying value of its long-lived assets to be held and used when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. For the purposes of recognition or measurement of an impairment loss,charge, the assessment is performed on the asset or asset group at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other groups of assets and liabilities. To determine the level at which the assessment is performed, Chemours considers factors such as revenue dependency, shared costs, and the extent of vertical integration.

The carrying value of a long-lived asset is considered impaired when the total projected undiscounted cash flows from the use and eventual disposition of anthe asset or asset group are separately identifiable and are less than its carrying value. In that event, a loss is recognized based on the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the long-lived asset. The fair value methodology used is an estimate of fair market value, which is made based on prices of similar assets or other valuation methodologies, including present value techniques. Long-lived assets to be disposed of by means other than by sale are classified as held for use until their

F-11


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share)

disposal. Long-lived assets to be disposed of by sale are classified as held for sale and are reported at the lower of carrying amount or fair market value, less the estimated cost to sell. Depreciation is discontinued for any long-lived assets classified as held for sale.

Research

Goodwill and DevelopmentOther Intangible Assets

Research

The excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair value of the net assets acquired in a business combination, including any identified intangible assets, is recorded as goodwill. Chemours tests its goodwill for impairment at least annually on October 1; however, these tests are performed more frequently when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset may be impaired. Goodwill is evaluated for impairment at the reporting unit level, which is defined as an operating segment, or one level below an operating segment. A reporting unit is the level at which discrete financial information is available and developmentreviewed by business management on a regular basis. An impairment exists when the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value. The amount of impairment loss recognized in the consolidated statements of operations is equal to the excess of a reporting unit’s carrying value over its fair value, which is limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit.

Chemours has the option to first qualitatively assess whether it is more-likely-than-not that an impairment exists for a reporting unit. Such qualitative factors include, among other things, prevailing macroeconomic conditions, industry and market conditions, changes in costs associated with raw materials, labor, or other inputs, the Company’s overall financial performance, and certain other entity-specific events that impact Chemours’ reporting units. When performing a quantitative test, the Company weights the results of an income-based valuation technique, the discounted cash flows method, and a market-based valuation technique, the guideline public companies method, to determine its reporting units’ fair values.

Definite-lived intangible assets, such as purchased and licensed technology, patents, trademarks, and customer lists, are amortized over their estimated useful lives, generally for periods ranging from five to 20 years. The reasonableness of the useful lives of these assets is periodically evaluated.

F-14


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts and par values)

Asset Retirement Obligations

Chemours records its asset retirement obligations at their fair value at the time the liability is incurred. Fair value is measured using the expected future cash outflows discounted at Chemours’ credit-adjusted, risk-free interest rate, which is considered to be a Level 3 input within the fair value hierarchy. Accretion expense is recognized as an operating expense within the cost of goods sold in the consolidated statements of operations using the credit-adjusted, risk-free interest rate in effect when the liability was recognized. The associated asset retirement costs are expensedcapitalized as incurred.  Researchpart of the carrying amount of the long-lived asset and development expenses include costs (primarily consistingare depreciated over the estimated remaining useful life of employee costs, materials, contract services, research agreements,the asset, generally for periods ranging from two to 25 years.

Insurance

Chemours insures for certain risks where permitted by law or regulation, including workers’ compensation, vehicle liability, and employee-related benefits. Liabilities associated with these risks are estimated in part by considering any historical claims experience, demographic factors, and other external spend) relating toactuarial assumptions. For certain other risks, the discoveryCompany uses a combination of third-party insurance and developmentself-insurance, reflecting its comprehensive review of new products, enhancement of existing productsrelevant risks. A receivable for an insurance recovery is generally recognized when the loss has occurred and regulatory approval of new and existing products.collection is considered probable.

Environmental Liabilities and Expenditures

Litigation

Chemours accrues for remediation activitieslegal matters when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and a reasonable estimatethe amount of the liability can be made.reasonably estimated. Litigation-related liabilities and expenditures included in the consolidated financial statements include legal matters that are liabilities of DuPont and its subsidiaries, which Chemours may be required to indemnify pursuant to the Separation-related agreements executed prior to the Separation. Legal costs, such as outside counsel fees and expenses, are charged to expense in the period that services are rendered.

Environmental Liabilities and Expenditures

Chemours accrues for environmental remediation matters when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the liability can be reasonably estimated. Where the available information is sufficient to estimate the amount of liability, that estimate has been used.  Where the information is only sufficient to establish a range of probable liability, and no point within the range is more likely than any other, the lower end of the range has been used.

Estimated liabilities are determined based uponon existing remediation laws and technologies.technologies and our planned remedial responses, which are derived from in-depth environmental studies, sampling, testing, and analyses. Inherent uncertainties exist in such evaluations, primarily due to unknown environmental conditions, changing governmental regulations and legal standards regarding liability, and emerging remediation technologies. These accruals are adjusted periodically as remediation efforts progress and as additional technology,technological, regulatory, and legal information becomebecomes available.

Environmental liabilities and expenditures includedinclude claims for matters that are liabilities of DuPont and its subsidiaries, thatwhich Chemours may be required to indemnify pursuant to the separation-relatedSeparation-related agreements executed prior to the separation.Separation. Accrued liabilities are undiscounted and do not include claims against third parties.  These liabilitiesparties, and are included in “Otherother accrued liabilities”liabilities and “Other liabilities” inother liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.consolidated balance sheets.

Costs related to environmental remediation are charged to expense in the period incurred, in “Costthat the associated liability is accrued and are reflected as a component of the cost of goods sold”sold in the consolidated statements of the Consolidated Statement of Operations.operations. Other environmental costs are also charged to expense in the period incurred, unless they increaseextend the valueuseful life of the property, increase the property’s capacity, and/or reduce or prevent contamination from future operations, in which case they are capitalized and amortized.

Asset Retirement Obligations

Treasury Stock

Chemours records asset retirement obligations at fair value ataccounts for repurchases of the timeCompany’s common stock as treasury stock using the liability is incurred.  Fair value is measured using expected future cash outflows discounted at Chemours’ credit-adjusted risk-free interest rate, which are considered level 3 inputs. Accretion expense is recognized as an operating expense classified withincost method, whereby the entire cost of goods sold on the Consolidated Income Statements using the credit-adjusted risk-free interest rate in effect when the liability was recognized.  The associated asset retirement obligations are capitalizedacquired common stock is recorded as part of the carrying amount of the long-lived asset and depreciated over the estimated remaining useful life of the asset, generally for periods ranging from two to 25 years.treasury stock.

Litigation

Chemours accrues for litigation matters when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the liability can be reasonably estimated.  Litigation liabilities and expenditures included in the consolidated financial statements represent litigation matters that are liabilities of DuPont and its subsidiaries, that Chemours may be required to indemnify pursuant to the separation-related agreements executed prior to the separation.  Legal costs such as outside counsel fees and expenses are charged to expense in the period services are received.

Insurance

Chemours insures certain risks where permitted by law or regulation, including workers’ compensation, vehicle liability and employee related benefits.  Liabilities associated with these risks are estimated in part by considering historical claims experience, demographic factors and other actuarial assumptions.  For other risks, the Company uses a combination of insurance and self-insurance, reflecting comprehensive reviews of relevant risks. A receivable for an insurance recovery is generally recognized when the loss has occurred and collection is considered probable.

Prior to the separation, Chemours was a participant in DuPont’s self-insurance program where permitted by law or regulation, including workers’ compensation, vehicle liability and employee related benefits.  Liabilities associated with these risks are estimated in part by considering historical claims experience, demographic factors, and other actuarial assumptions.  For other risks, a

F-12F-15


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share)share amounts and par values)

 

combination of insurance and self-insurance is used, reflecting comprehensive reviews of relevant risks.  The annual cost was allocated to all of the participating businesses using methodologies deemed reasonable by management.  All obligations pursuant to these plans have historically been obligations of DuPont.  As such, these obligations were not included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, with the exception of self-insurance liabilities related to workers compensation, vehicle liability and employee related benefits.

Defined Benefit Plans

We have defined benefit plans covering certain of our employees outside the U.S., which are generally required by local regulations. The benefits, which primarily relate to pension, are accrued over the employees’ service periods. We use actuarial methods and assumptions in the valuation of defined benefit obligations and the determination of net periodic pension income or expense. Differences between actual and expected results or changes in the value of defined benefit obligations and plan assets, if any, are not recognized in earnings as they occur but rather systematically over subsequent periods.

Stock-based Compensation

Chemours’ stock-based compensation consists of stock options, restricted sharestock units (RSUs)(“RSUs”), and performance share units (PSUs)(“PSUs”) awarded to employees and non-employee directors. Stock options and PSUs are measured at their fair value on the grant date or date of modification, as applicable. We recognizeRSUs are measured at the stock price on the grant date or date of modification, as applicable. The Company recognizes compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period.  The numberand/or performance period, as applicable. Forfeitures of awards ultimately expectedare accounted as a reduction in stock-based compensation expense in the period such awards are forfeited.

Derivatives

In the ordinary course of business, Chemours enters into contractual arrangements (i.e., derivatives) to vestreduce its exposure to foreign currency risks. The Company has established a derivative program to be utilized for financial risk management, which currently includes the following risk management strategies: (i) foreign currency forward contracts, which are used to minimize the volatility in the Company’s earnings related to foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from the remeasurement of its monetary assets and liabilities that are denominated in non-functional currencies; (ii) foreign currency forward contracts, which are used to mitigate the risks associated with fluctuations in the euro against the U.S. dollar for forecasted U.S. dollar-denominated inventory purchases in certain of the Company’s international subsidiaries that use the euro as their functional currency; and, (iii) euro-denominated debt, which is determined byused to reduce the volatility in stockholders’ equity resulting from changes in foreign currency exchange rates of the euro with respect to the U.S. dollar for certain of the Company’s international subsidiaries that use the euro as their functional currency. The Company’s derivative program reflects varying levels of an estimated forfeiture rate. The estimated forfeiture rate isexposure coverage and time horizons based on historical dataan assessment of risk. The derivative program operates within Chemours’ financial risk management policies and guidelines, and the Company does not enter into derivative financial instruments for the employee group awarded options and expected employee turnover rates, which management reevaluates each period.trading or speculative purposes.

Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes is determined usingCompany’s foreign currency forward contracts that are used as a net monetary assets and liabilities hedge are not part of a cash flow hedge program or a fair value hedge program, and have not been designated as a hedge. For these instruments, any gains and losses resulting from the asset and liability approachrevaluation of accounting for income taxes. Under this approach, deferred taxes represent the future tax consequences expected to occur when the reported amounts ofderivative assets and liabilities are recovered or paid. The provision for income taxes represents income taxes paid or payable for the current year plus the change in deferred taxes during the year. Deferred taxes result from differences between the financial and tax basis of Chemours’ assets and liabilities and are adjusted for changes in tax rates and tax laws when changes are enacted.  Valuation allowances are recorded to reduce deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that a tax benefit will not be realized.

Chemours recognizes income tax positions that meet the more likely than not threshold and accrues interest related to unrecognized income tax positions, which is includedrecognized in other income (expense), net in our Consolidated Statementsthe consolidated statements of Operations.  Income tax related penalties are includedoperations during the period in the provision for income taxes.

Chemours does not provide for income taxes on undistributed earnings of all foreign subsidiaries thatwhich they occurred, and any such gains or losses are intended to be indefinitely reinvested.

Prior to separation, income taxes presented attributed currentoffset by any gains or losses on the underlying asset or liability. For the Company’s foreign currency forward contracts that have been designated under a cash flow hedge program, any gains and deferred income taxeslosses resulting from the revaluation of DuPont to Chemours’ stand-alone financial statementsderivative assets and liabilities are recognized as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss on the consolidated balance sheets during the period in a manner that is systematic, rational,which they occurred, and consistent with the asset and liability method prescribed by ASC 740, Income Taxes (ASC 740). Accordingly, Chemours’ income tax provision was prepared following the separate return method.  The separate return method applies ASC 740are reclassified to the stand-alone financialcost of goods sold in the consolidated statements of each memberoperations during the period in which the underlying transactions affect earnings, or when it becomes probable that the forecasted transactions will not occur. Changes due to remeasurement of the Company’s euro-denominated debt instruments, which are designated as a net investment hedge, are included in accumulated other comprehensive loss on the consolidated group as ifbalance sheets. Chemours’ uses the group member werespot method to evaluate the effectiveness of its net investment hedge.

Derivative assets and liabilities are reported on a separate taxpayer and a stand-alone enterprise.gross basis on the consolidated balance sheets.

Foreign Currency Translation

Chemours identifies its separate and distinct foreign entities and groups them into two categories: (1)(i) extensions of the parent (U.S. dollar functional currency); and, (2)(ii) self-contained (local functional currency). If a foreign entity does not align with either category, factors are evaluated, and a judgment is made to determine the functional currency. Chemours changes the functional currency of its separate and distinct foreign entities only when significant changes in economic facts and circumstances clearly indicate clearly that the functional currency has changed.

During the periods covered by the consolidated financial statements, part of the ChemoursChemours’ business operated within foreign entities. For foreign entities where the U.S. dollar is the functional currency, all foreign currency-denominated asset and liability amounts are remeasured into U.S. dollars at end-of-period exchange rates, except for inventories;with the exception of inventories, prepaid expenses;expenses, property, plant, and equipment;equipment, goodwill, and other intangible assets. These aforementioned assets which are remeasured at historical exchange rates. Foreign currency-denominated incomerevenue and expensesexpense amounts are remeasuredmeasured at average exchange rates in effect during the period, except forwith the exception of expenses related to any balance sheet amounts remeasured

F-13


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share)

at historical exchange rates. Exchange gains and losses arising from remeasurement of foreign currency-denominated monetary assets and liabilities are included in other income (expense), net in the consolidated statements of operations in the period in which they occur.occurred.


F-16


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts and par values)

For foreign entities where the local currency is the functional currency, assets and liabilities denominated in local currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at end-of-period exchange rates, and the resulting translation adjustments are reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income in equity.loss on the consolidated balance sheets. Assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the functional currency are remeasured into the functional currency prior to translation into U.S. dollars, and the resulting exchange gains or losses are included in other income (expense), net in the consolidated statements of operations in the period in which they occur.  Incomeoccurred. Revenues and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at average exchange rates in effect during the period.

Beginning in 2015, when the Chemours operations were legally and operationally separated within DuPont in anticipation

Defined Benefit Plans

Due to local regulations outside of the separation,U.S., Chemours has defined benefit plans covering certain of Chemours foreign entities set their local currency asits employees. The benefits of these plans, which primarily relate to pension, are accrued over the functional currency.

Derivatives

Chemours enters into forward currency exchange contracts to minimize volatilityemployees’ service periods. The Company uses actuarial methods and assumptions in the valuation of its defined benefit obligations and the determination of any net periodic pension income or expense. Any differences between actual and expected results, or changes in the value of defined benefit obligations and plan assets, if any, are not recognized in earnings related to the foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from remeasuring net monetary assets that Chemours holds whichas they occur. Rather, they are denominated in non-functional currencies.  Chemours does not hold or issue financial instruments for speculative or trading purposes.  The derivative assets and liabilities are reported on a gross basis in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.  All gains and losses resulting from the revaluation of the derivative assets and liabilities aresystematically recognized in other income, net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations during the period in which they occurred.  Please refer to Note 21 for additional information.over subsequent periods.

Fair Value Measurement

Fair value is defined as the exit price, the price that would be received to sell an asset or transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Under the accounting for fair value measurements and disclosures, a fair value hierarchy was established that prioritizesto prioritize the inputs to valuation techniquesinputs used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted, quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities (Level(i.e., Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level(i.e., Level 3 measurements). A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

Chemours usesapplies the following valuation techniques to measurehierarchy in measuring the fair value forvalues of its assets and liabilities:

(a)  

Level 1—1 – Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities;

(b)  

Level 2—2 – Significant other observable inputs (e.g., quoted prices for similar items in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar items in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable, such as interest rate and yield curves, and market-corroborated inputs); and,

(c)  

Level 3—3 – Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, which are valued based on management’s estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Accounting Guidance Issued and Not Yet Adopted

Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments

In May 2014,June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB)(“FASB”) issued ASU No. 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 606)." The objective326): Measurement of this standard update is to remove inconsistent practices with regard to revenue recognition between US GAAP and IFRS. The standard intends to improve comparability of revenue recognition practices across entities, industries, jurisdictions and capital markets. The provisions of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“ASU No. 2014-09 will be2016-13”). The amendments in this update affect loans, debt securities, trade receivables, and any other financial assets that have the contractual right to receive cash, which, for the Company, primarily consists of accounts and notes receivable, net. ASU No. 2016-13 requires an entity to recognize expected credit losses rather than incurred losses for financial assets. For public entities, the amendments are effective for interim and annual periodsfiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, with2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years, and early adoption permitted for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016.is permitted. The Company plansdoes not expect the impact of adopting this guidance to adopt ASU 2014-09 asbe material to its financial position, results of January 1, 2018.  Subsequent to the issuance of ASU No. 2014-09, the FASB has issued multiple updates in connection with Topic 606.  These updates affect the guidance contained within ASU 2014-09operations, and will be assessed as part of the Company's revenue recognition project plan.cash flows.

F-14


F-17


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share)share amounts and par values)

 

The Company’s project plan includes a three-phase approach to implementing this standard update. Phase one, the assessment phase, is currently in process and is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2017.  In connection with this initial phase, the Company is currently performing the following activities: conducting internal surveys of its businesses to initially identify a set of applicable revenue recognition changes related to the new standard update, holding revenue recognition workshops with sales and business unit finance leadership highlighting the impacts of the new standard update, and reviewing a representative sample of revenue arrangements across all businesses to assess and validate the impact of the new guidance.  Once completed, the Company will pursue the second phase of the project, where the objectives will be to establish and document key accounting policies, assess disclosure, business process and control impacts, and determine an initial quantitative impact resulting from the new standard update.  Lastly, phase three’s objectives will comprise of effectively implementing the new standard update and embedding the new accounting treatment into the Company’s business processes and controls to support the financial reporting requirements.Recently Adopted Accounting Guidance

The Company is still evaluating the impact that the new standard update will have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and will be unable to quantify its impact until the third phase of the project has been completed.  The method of adoption has not yet been determined and is also not expected to be finalized until the third phase of the project plan has been completed.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment”, which eliminates the requirement to determine the fair value of individual assets and liabilities of a reporting unit to measure goodwill impairment. Under the amendments, goodwill impairment testing will be performed by comparing the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying amount and recognizing an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value, but not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit. The guidance is effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and should be applied on a prospective basis. Early adoption is permitted for annual or interim goodwill impairment testing performed after January 1, 2017. The Company plans to adopt this guidance in 2017.Leases

In August 2016, the FASB issued various updates to the Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments”, which clarifies and amends certain cash receipts and cash payments presentation and classification in the statement of cash flows.  The guidance is effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years.  The amendments should be applied using a retrospective transition method (unless impractical to do so) to each period presented and earlier application is permitted.  Chemours is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this guidance but does not expect the adoption will have a significant impact on its cash flows.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, “LeasesLeases (Topic 842) (“ASU No. 2016-02”), which supersedes the leases requirements in Topic 840. The core principle of Topic 842ASU No. 2016-02 is that a lessee should recognize on the balance sheet the lease assets and lease liabilities that arise from leases in accordanceall lease arrangements with FASB Concepts Statement No. 6, Elementsterms greater than 12 months. Recognition of Financial Statements, and, therefore, recognition of thosethese lease assets and lease liabilities represents an improvement overa change from previous GAAP, which did not require lease assets and lease liabilities to be recognized for operating leases.

The Company adopted ASU No. 2016-02 on January 1, 2019 using the modified retrospective transition method, which did not require the Company to adjust comparative periods. Operating leases are included in operating lease right-of-use assets, other accrued liabilities, and operating lease liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. Finance leases are included in property, plant, and equipment, net, short-term and current maturities of long-term debt, and long-term debt, net, on the consolidated balance sheets. The Company’s lease assets and lease liabilities are recognized on the lease commencement date in an amount that represents the present value of future lease payments. The Company’s incremental borrowing rate, which is based on information available at the adoption date for existing leases and the commencement date for leases commencing after the adoption date, is used to determine the present value of lease payments.

The most significant impact of the Company’s adoption of ASU No. 2016-02 was the recognition of $333 of operating lease right-of-use assets and $349 of operating lease liabilities on its consolidated balance sheets at January 1, 2019. Operating lease right-of-use assets were reduced by $16 due to a tenant improvement allowance on a lease of office space. The Company’s adoption of ASU No. 2016-02 did not have any impact to the Company’s consolidated statements of operations, or its consolidated statements of cash flows. Further, there was no impact on the Company’s covenant compliance under its current debt agreements as a result of the adoption of ASU No. 2016-02.

The Company elected the package of practical expedients included in this guidance, which allowed it to not reassess: (i) whether any expired or existing contracts contain leases; (ii) the lease classification for any expired or existing leases; and, (iii) the initial direct costs for existing leases. A qualitative disclosure alongThe Company combines lease components with specific quantitative disclosuresnon-lease components for all classes of assets, except for certain manufacturing facilities. The Company also elected the practical expedient to not assess whether existing or expired land easements contain a lease.

The Company does not recognize short-term leases on its consolidated balance sheets, and will recognize those lease payments in the consolidated statements of operations on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Certain leases contain variable payments which are based on usage or operating costs, such as utilities and maintenance.  These payments are not included in the measurement of the right-of-use asset or lease liability due to uncertainty of the payment amount and are recorded as lease expense in the period incurred. Leases with the options to extend their term or terminate early are reflected in the lease term when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise such options.

Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-15, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other – Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract (“ASU No. 2018-15”), which aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software. Pursuant to the amendments, the Company, when acting as a customer to a cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract, is required to provide enough informationfollow the guidance in Subtopic 350-40 to supplementdetermine the amounts recorded inimplementation costs to capitalize as an asset related to the financial statements so that users can understand more aboutservice contract and the nature of an entity’s leasing activities.  Lessees and lessors are requiredcosts to recognize and measure leases atexpense. Upon adoption, the beginning ofCompany had the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach, which includes a number of optional practical expedients that entities mayoption to elect to apply.  The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years.  Early application ofwhether it applies the amendments in this update is permitted forunder ASU No. 2018-15 retrospectively, or prospectively to all entities.  Chemours is currently evaluatingimplementation costs incurred after the impactdate of adopting this guidanceadoption. The Company adopted ASU No. 2018-15 on January 1, 2019 using the prospective adoption method, the effect of which, was not material to its financial position, results of operations, and debt covenants.or cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2019.

Recently Adopted Accounting Guidance

Changes to Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans

In March 2016,August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, “Compensation - Stock 2018-14, Compensation (Topic 718)”.  The update sets forth areas–Retirement Benefits – Defined Benefit Plans – General (Subtopic 715-20): Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for simplification within several aspects of the accounting for shared-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows.  The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal periods, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2016.  Chemours adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2017 and the adoption did not have a significant impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and of cash flows.

In April 2015, the FASB issued Defined Benefit Plans (“ASU No. 2015-05, “Customer’s Accounting2018-14”). This update removes disclosures that are no longer considered cost beneficial, clarifies the specific requirements of certain disclosures, and adds new disclosure requirements that are considered relevant for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement”,employers that sponsor defined benefit pension or other postretirement plans. The Company adopted ASU No. 2018-14 on December 31, 2019 using retrospective application, the effect of which, provides guidance about whether a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license.  The customer should account for the software license element of the arrangement consistent with the acquisition of other software licenses.  If the cloud computingwas not material to its financial statement disclosures.

F-15

F-18


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share)share amounts and par values)

 

arrangement doesNote 4. Acquisitions and Divestitures

Divestiture of Methylamines and Methylamides

In December 2019, the Company entered into an asset purchase agreement with Belle Chemical Company (“Belle”), a subsidiary of Cornerstone Chemical Company, whereby Belle agreed to acquire the Methylamines and Methylamides business of Chemours’ Chemical Solutions segment for a negligible purchase price, subject to customary working capital and other adjustments, but not includeto exceed a software license,loss on sale of $2. The Company completed the customer should accountsale and, in December 2019, subsequent to working capital adjustments, received cash proceeds of $2. Prior to the completion of the sale, in the second half of 2019, the Company recorded accelerated depreciation of $34, which was recorded as a component of restructuring, asset-related, and other charges in the consolidated statements of operations. Upon completion of the sale, the Company also recorded an additional pre-tax loss on sale of $2, net of a benefit from working capital adjustments, in other expense, net in the consolidated statements of operations.

Acquisition of Southern Ionics Minerals, LLC.

In August 2019, the Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, The Chemours Company FC, LLC, entered into a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement to acquire all of the outstanding stock of Southern Ionics Minerals, LLC (“SIM”), for an estimated total consideration of approximately $25, which included customary working capital and other adjustments made within a specified time period. SIM is a privately-held minerals exploration, mining, and manufacturing company headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. SIM mines and processes titanium and zirconium mineral sands, and this acquisition expands Chemours’ flexibility and scalability to internally source ore in the Company’s Titanium Technologies segment. The aggregate purchase price of $25 included an upfront payment of $10, an additional installment payment of $10, and contingent considerations with an estimated fair value of $5. The Company accounted for the arrangementacquisition of SIM as a service contract.  This guidance is effective for annual periods, including interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2015,business combination, and early adoption is permitted.  Chemours adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2016 prospectively toas such, all arrangements entered into or materially modified after the effective date. assets acquired and liabilities assumed were recorded at their estimated fair values.

The adoption did not have a significant impact on our financial position or results of operations.

In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-02, “Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendmentspurchase consideration has been primarily assigned to the Consolidation Analysis”.property, plant, and equipment of the acquired business, and there is 0 goodwill associated with the transaction. These amounts were subject to further adjustment during the applicable measurement period as additional information was obtained, including the finalization of a third-party appraisal. The amendments modifyCompany completed its assessment during the evaluationfourth quarter of whether limited partnerships2019, and similar legal entities are variable interest entities (VIEs) or voting interest entities and eliminate the presumption that a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership.  no subsequent adjustments were made to these amounts.

The amendment is effective for public business entities for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015.  Chemours adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2016 and the adoption did not change ourCompany’s consolidated entities, and therefore had no impact on the Company’s financial position,statements include SIM’s results of operations and cash flows.

Infrom August 2014,1, 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, “Presentationdate of Financial Statements – Going Concern”. The update requires management to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about a company’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. The update is effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual periods and interim periods thereafter. Early adoption is permitted. Chemours adopted the guidance effectiveacquisition, through December 31, 2016. No disclosure was considered necessary as of December 31, 2016 as a result of management’s evaluation.

Note 4. Relationship with DuPont2019. Net sales and Related Entities

Priornet income (loss) attributable to Chemours contributed by SIM during this period were not material to the separation, Chemours sold finished goods to DuPont andCompany’s or its non-Chemours businesses.  Related party sales to DuPont recorded by Titanium Technologies Fluoroproducts and Chemical Solutionssegment’s results of operations. Acquisition-related expenses amounted to less than $1 for the year ended December 31, 2015 were $2, $34 and $21, respectively, and for the year ended December 31, 2014 were $0, $45 and $65, respectively.  Subsequent to the separation, beginning on July 1, 2015, transactions with DuPont businesses were not considered related party transactions.

Also prior to the separation, DuPont incurred significant corporate costs for services provided to Chemours as well as other DuPont businesses.  These costs included expenses for information systems, accounting, other financial services such as treasury and audit, purchasing, human resources, legal, facilities, engineering, corporate research and development, corporate stewardship, marketing and business analysis support.  A portion of these costs benefited multiple or all DuPont businesses, including Chemours, and were allocated to Chemours and its reportable segments using methods based on proportionate formulas involving total costs or other various allocation methods that management considered consistent and reasonable.  Other Chemours corporate costs are not allocated to the reportable segments2019 and are reported in Corporate and Other.

The allocated leveraged functional service expenses and general corporate expenses included in the Consolidated Statementsas a component of Operations were $238 and $492 for the years December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and were recorded within cost of goods sold, selling, general, and administrative expense in the consolidated statements of operations.

Acquisition of ICOR International, Inc.

In April 2018, the Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, The Chemours Company FC, LLC, entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement (“SPA”) to acquire all of the outstanding stock of ICOR International, Inc. (“ICOR”), a closely-held private company that produces, sells, and researchdistributes replacement refrigerant gases for use in commercial, industrial, and development expense for $23, $205automotive refrigerant applications. Pursuant to the terms of the SPA, the Company paid $37 in total consideration at closing in the all-cash acquisition, which included customary working capital and $10, respectively,other adjustments made within a specified time period. The acquisition of ICOR complements the Company’s existing portfolio of product offerings within the Fluoroproducts segment, as well as provides the Company with access to ICOR’s established customer base and assembled workforce.

The Company accounted for the year ended December 31, 2015,acquisition of ICOR as a business combination, and $32, $411as such, all assets acquired and $49, respectively, forliabilities assumed were recorded at their estimated fair values. The excess of the year ended December 31, 2014.  Subsequent toconsideration transferred over the separation on July 1, 2015, transactions with DuPont businesses were not considered related party transactions.  Accordingly, no costs from DuPont were allocated to Chemours after July 1, 2015.

Cash Management and Financing

The separation agreement sets forth a process to true-up cash and working capital transferred to us from DuPont at separation.  In January 2016, Chemours and DuPont entered into an agreement, contingent uponfair value of the credit agreement amendment (described in Note 19), which provided for the extinguishment of payment obligations of cash and working capital true-ups previously contemplated in the separation agreement.  As a result, Chemours is no longer required to make any payments to DuPont, nor will DuPont make any payments to Chemours.

In addition, the agreement set forth an advance payment by DuPont of approximately $190, which Chemours received in February 2016, for certain specified goods and services that Chemours expects to provide to DuPont through mid-2017 under existing agreements with Chemours.  The advance paymentidentifiable net assets acquired was recorded as deferred liability included ingoodwill within the Fluoroproducts segment, which represents the expected future benefits arising from the assembled workforce and other accrued liabilitiessynergies to be realized from the acquisition of ICOR. The Company elected to treat the acquisition of ICOR as an asset acquisition under the Internal Revenue Code, and as such, expects that all of the Consolidated Balance Sheets and approximately $58 remains outstanding as of December 31, 2016.related goodwill will be deductible for federal income tax purposes.

F-16

F-19


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share)share amounts and par values)

 

Tax Matters AgreementThe following table sets forth the Company’s fair value estimates of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the acquisition of ICOR, which were finalized during the fourth quarter of 2018.

 

 

Fair Value At

Acquisition Date

 

 

Measurement Period

Adjustments

 

 

Adjusted

Fair Value

 

 

Weighted-average

Useful Life

(in Years)

 

Assets acquired:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable - trade

 

$

4

 

 

$

 

 

$

4

 

 

 

 

 

Inventories

 

 

8

 

 

 

 

 

 

8

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant, and equipment

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

Identifiable intangible asset:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Customer relationships (1)

 

 

20

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

22

 

 

 

5

 

Total assets acquired

 

 

33

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

35

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities assumed:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

Other accrued liabilities

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities assumed

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

Total identifiable net assets acquired

 

 

31

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

33

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill (1)

 

 

6

 

 

 

(2

)

 

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets acquired

 

$

37

 

 

$

 

 

$

37

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

During the third quarter of 2018, the Company recorded a measurement period adjustment to its customer relationships based on an ongoing analysis associated with the preparation of a third-party appraisal.

The tax matters agreement thatfair value of ICOR’s customer relationships was determined using the excess earnings method, which is a discounted cash flows approach. This method takes into account significant unobservable inputs and is a Level 3 fair value measurement within the fair value hierarchy. The use of this valuation methodology requires management to make various assumptions, including, but not limited to, assumptions about future profitability, cash flows, and discount rates applicable to the acquired business and, where applicable, market participants. These assumptions are based on management’s best estimates and include considerations related to management’s knowledge and experience, historical trends, general economic conditions, and other situational factors.

The Company’s consolidated financial statements include ICOR’s results of operations from April 2, 2018, the date of acquisition, through December 31, 2018, as well as the year ended December 31, 2019. Net sales and net income (loss) attributable to Chemours contributed by ICOR during these periods were not material to the Company’s or its Fluoroproducts segment’s results of operations. Acquisition-related expenses amounted to less than $1 at December 31, 2018, and DuPontare included as a component of selling, general, and administrative expense in the consolidated statements of operations.

Sale of Land in Linden, New Jersey

In March 2016, the Company entered into governsan agreement to sell a 210-acre plot of land that formerly housed a DuPont manufacturing site located in Linden, New Jersey. The land was assigned to Chemours in connection with its separation from DuPont, and the parties’ respective rights, responsibilitiesCompany completed the sale in March 2018 for a gain of $42 and obligationsnet cash proceeds of $39. As part of the sales agreement, the buyer agreed to assume certain costs associated with respectongoing environmental remediation activities at the site amounting to tax liabilities and benefits, tax attributes, the preparation and filing$3, which have been reflected as a component of tax returns, the control of auditsprepaid expenses and other tax proceedings and other matters regarding taxes.  In general, underon the agreement, DuPont isconsolidated balance sheets. Chemours remains responsible for any U.S. federal, statecertain other ongoing environmental remediation activities at the site, which were previously accrued as a component of other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets.


F-20


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts and local taxes (and any related interest, penalties or audit adjustments) reportable onpar values)

Note 5. Net Sales

Disaggregation of Net Sales

The following table sets forth a consolidated, combined or unitary return that includes DuPont or anydisaggregation of its subsidiariesthe Company’s net sales by geographic region and segment and product group for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Net sales by geographic region (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

North America:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fluoroproducts

 

$

1,104

 

 

$

1,143

 

Chemical Solutions

 

 

313

 

 

 

341

 

Titanium Technologies

 

 

727

 

 

 

894

 

Total North America

 

 

2,144

 

 

 

2,378

 

Asia Pacific:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fluoroproducts

 

 

673

 

 

 

675

 

Chemical Solutions

 

 

61

 

 

 

81

 

Titanium Technologies

 

 

809

 

 

 

964

 

Total Asia Pacific

 

 

1,543

 

 

 

1,720

 

Europe, the Middle East, and Africa:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fluoroproducts

 

 

666

 

 

 

825

 

Chemical Solutions

 

 

23

 

 

 

18

 

Titanium Technologies

 

 

474

 

 

 

842

 

Total Europe, the Middle East, and Africa

 

 

1,163

 

 

 

1,685

 

Latin America (2):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fluoroproducts

 

 

205

 

 

 

219

 

Chemical Solutions

 

 

136

 

 

 

162

 

Titanium Technologies

 

 

335

 

 

 

474

 

Total Latin America

 

 

676

 

 

 

855

 

Total net sales

 

$

5,526

 

 

$

6,638

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales by segment and product group

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fluoroproducts:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fluorochemicals

 

$

1,318

 

 

$

1,497

 

Fluoropolymers

 

 

1,330

 

 

 

1,365

 

Chemical Solutions:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mining solutions

 

 

268

 

 

 

289

 

Performance chemicals and intermediates

 

 

265

 

 

 

313

 

Titanium Technologies:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Titanium dioxide and other minerals

 

 

2,345

 

 

 

3,174

 

Total net sales

 

$

5,526

 

 

$

6,638

 

(1)

Net sales are attributable to countries based on customer location.

(2)

Latin America includes Mexico.

Substantially all of the Company’s net sales are derived from goods and services transferred at a point in time.


F-21


The Chemours and/or any of its subsidiariesCompany

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts and par values)

Contract Balances

The Company’s assets and liabilities from contracts with customers constitute accounts receivable - trade, deferred revenue, and customer rebates. An amount for any periods or portions thereof ending on oraccounts receivable - trade is recorded when the right to consideration under a contract becomes unconditional. An amount for deferred revenue is recorded when consideration is received prior to the dateconclusion that a contract exists, or when a customer transfers consideration prior to the Company satisfying its performance obligations under a contract. Customer rebates represent an expected refund liability to a customer based on a contract. In contracts with customers where a rebate is offered, it is generally applied retroactively based on the achievement of a certain sales threshold. As revenue is recognized, the Company estimates whether or not the sales threshold will be achieved to determine the amount of variable consideration to include in the transaction price.

The following table sets forth the Company’s contract balances from contracts with customers at December 31, 2019 and 2018.

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Accounts receivable - trade, net (1)

 

$

602

 

 

$

790

 

Customer rebates

 

 

72

 

 

 

79

 

(1)

Accounts receivable - trade, net includes trade notes receivable of less than $1 and $2 at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, and is net of allowances for doubtful accounts of $5 at December 31, 2019 and 2018. Such allowances are equal to the estimated uncollectible amounts.

The Company’s deferred revenue balances at December 31, 2019 and 2018 were not significant. Additionally, changes in the Company’s deferred revenue balances resulting from additions for advance payments and deductions for amounts recognized in net sales during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, were not significant. For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, the amount of revenue recognized from performance obligations satisfied in prior periods (e.g., due to changes in transaction price) was not significant.

There were 0other contract asset balances or capitalized costs associated with obtaining or fulfilling customer contracts at December 31, 2019 and 2018.

Remaining Performance Obligations

Certain of the separationCompany’s MSA or other arrangements contain take-or-pay clauses, whereby customers are required to purchase a fixed minimum quantity of product during a specified period, or pay the Company for such orders, even if not requested by the customer. The Company considers these take-or-pay clauses to be an enforceable contract, and as such, the legally-enforceable minimum amounts under such an arrangement are considered to be outstanding performance obligations on contracts with an original expected duration greater than one year. At December 31, 2019 and 2018, Chemours is responsiblehad $83 and $119 of remaining performance obligations, respectively. The Company expects to recognize approximately 69% of its remaining performance obligations as revenue in 2020, an approximate additional 16% in 2021, and the balance thereafter. The Company applies the practical expedient and does not include remaining performance obligations that have original expected durations of one year or less, or amounts for any U.S. federal, state, local and foreign taxes (and any related interest, penaltiesvariable consideration allocated to wholly-unsatisfied performance obligations or audit adjustments)wholly-unsatisfied distinct goods that form part of a single performance obligation, if any. Amounts for contract renewals that are imposed on Chemours and/or any of its subsidiaries for all tax periods, whether before or after the date of the separation.not yet exercised by December 31, 2019 and 2018 are also excluded.

 

Note 5.6. Research and Development Expense

Research and development

The following table sets forth the Company’s R&D expense directly incurred by Chemours was $80, $87 and $94segment for the years ended December 31, 2016, 20152019, 2018, and 2014, respectively.  Research and development expense for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 includes $10 and $49, respectively, which represents an assignment of costs associated primarily with DuPont’s Corporate Central Research and Development long-term research activities.  This assignment was based on the cost of research projects for which Chemours was determined to be the sponsor or co-sponsor.  All research services previously provided by DuPont’s Central Research and Development to Chemours were specifically requested by Chemours, covered by service-level agreements and billed based on usage.  DuPont research and development services were no longer used after the separation on July 1, 2015.

Note 6. Restructuring and Asset Related Charges, Net

For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, Chemours recorded charges for employee separation and asset related charges as follows:2017.

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Restructuring Related Charges:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Employee Separation Charges

 

$

4

 

 

$

137

 

 

$

18

 

Decommissioning and other charges, net - Restructuring

 

 

47

 

 

 

18

 

 

 

 

Asset Related Charges - Restructuring

 

 

 

 

 

133

 

 

 

3

 

Total restructuring charges, net

 

 

51

 

 

 

288

 

 

 

21

 

Asset Related Charges - Impairment 1

 

 

119

 

 

 

45

 

 

 

 

Total restructuring and asset related charges, net

 

$

170

 

 

$

333

 

 

$

21

 

1

Impairment charges for the year ended December 31, 2016 include $48 of impairment charges related to the aniline facility in Pascagoula, Mississippi (see Note 13 for further information), $58 of impairment charges in connection with the sale of the Sulfur business (see Note 7 for further information), and $13 of impairment charges in connection with the sale of the Company’s corporate headquarters building (see Note 15 for further information).  Impairment charges for the year ended December 31, 2015 represent asset impairment related to the reactive metals manufacturing facility (see Note 13 for further information).

F-17


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share)

The charges related to the restructuring programs impacted segment earnings for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 are as follows:

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Plant and product line closures 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Titanium Technologies

 

$

30

 

 

$

140

 

 

$

 

Fluoroproducts

 

 

7

 

 

 

24

 

 

 

 

Chemical Solutions

 

 

8

 

 

 

12

 

 

 

 

Sub-total

 

 

45

 

 

 

176

 

 

 

 

Global restructuring 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Titanium Technologies

 

 

2

 

 

 

33

 

 

 

3

 

Fluoroproducts

 

 

4

 

 

 

54

 

 

 

16

 

Chemical Solutions

 

 

 

 

 

25

 

 

 

 

Sub-total

 

 

6

 

 

 

112

 

 

 

19

 

Total

 

$

51

 

 

$

288

 

 

$

19

 

1

Includes charges related to employee separation, decommissioning and dismantling costs, and asset related charges in connection with the restructuring activities.

2

Includes approximately $24 related to corporate overhead functions that was allocated to the segments for the year ended December 31, 2015.

Plant and product line closures

Titanium Technologies Plant and Product Line Closures: In August 2015, the Company announced the closure of its Edge Moor, Delaware manufacturing site located in the U.S.  The Edge Moor plant produced TiO2 product for use in the paper industry and other applications where demand had steadily declined, resulting in underused capacity at the plant.  In addition, the Company permanently shut down one underused TiO2 production line at its New Johnsonville, Tennessee plant.  The Company stopped production at Edge Moor in September 2015 and immediately began decommissioning the plant.  These actions resulted in the write-off of substantially all of the Edge Moor plant asset carrying value in 2015.

As a result, for the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company recorded charges of approximately $140, which consisted of employee separation costs of $11, property, plant and equipment and other asset impairment charges of $115, and decommission costs and other charges of $14.  For the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company recorded additional charges of approximately $30, which relates to decommissioning, dismantling and removal activities. The Company substantially completed the dismantling and removal activities in January 2017.

Fluoroproducts Restructuring:  Also, in August 2015, in an effort to improve the profitability of the Fluoroproducts segment, management approved the shutdown of certain production lines of the segment’s manufacturing facilities in the U.S.  As a result, for the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company recorded restructuring charges of approximately $21, which consist of property, plant and equipment accelerated depreciation of $18, employee separation costs of $2, and decommissioning and other costs of $1.  For the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company recorded additional charges of approximately $7, which relates to decommissioning, dismantling and removal activities.  The Company expects to incur additional charges of approximately $3 for decommissioning, dismantling and removal costs in 2017, which will be expensed as incurred.

RMS Plant Closure:  In the fourth quarter of 2015, the Company announced the completion of the strategic review of its RMS business and the decision to stop production at the Niagara Falls, New York site. The Niagara Falls plant has approximately 200 employees and contractors impacted by this action. The production stopped in September 2016 and the Company immediately began decommissioning the plant.

As a result, for the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company recorded approximately $12 of employee separation costs.  For the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company recorded approximately $8, which consist of contract termination charges of $2 and decommissioning and other related charges of $6. Additional restructuring charges of approximately $9 for decommissioning and site redevelopment are expected to be incurred in 2017.  Impairment of RMS related assets were recorded in the third quarter of 2015 (see Note 13 for further information).

F-18


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share)

2015 Global restructuring

In November 2015, Chemours announced an additional global workforce reduction of approximately 430 positions. This action is part of ongoing efforts to streamline and simplify the structure of the organization worldwide and to reduce costs. As a result of these actions, the Company recorded approximately $48 of employee separation costs during the fourth quarter of 2015. The associated headcount reductions were completed as of December 31, 2016, and all related payments are expected to be completed in 2017.

In June 2015, in light of continued weakness in the global titanium dioxide market cycle and continued foreign currency impacts due to the strengthening of the U.S. dollar, Chemours implemented a restructuring plan to reduce and simplify its cost structure.  This plan resulted in a global workforce reduction of more than 430 positions.  As a result, we recorded a pre-tax charge of $64 for employee separation costs in the year ended December 31, 2015.  All actions associated with this charge were completed as of December 31, 2016.

In 2014, Chemours implemented a restructuring plan to increase productivity and recorded a pre-tax charge of $19 related to this initiative.  The charge consisted of $16 related to employee separation costs and $3 for asset shut-down costs.  All actions associated with this charge were completed as of December 31, 2015.

The following table shows the change in the employee separation related liability account associated with the restructuring programs:

 

 

Titanium

Technologies

Site Closures

 

 

Fluoroproducts       Lines

Shutdown

 

 

Chemical

Solutions Site

Closures

 

 

2015 Global

Restructuring

 

 

Total

 

Year ended December 31, 2014

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

Charges to income for the year ended December 31, 2015 1

 

 

11

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

12

 

 

 

112

 

 

 

137

 

Charges to liability accounts:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Payments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(39

)

 

 

(39

)

Net currency translation and other adjustment 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year ended December 31, 2015

 

$

11

 

 

$

2

 

 

$

12

 

 

$

73

 

 

$

98

 

Charges (credits) to income for the year ended

   December 31, 2016 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2

)

 

 

6

 

 

 

4

 

Charges to liability accounts:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Payments

 

 

(7

)

 

 

(1

)

 

 

(1

)

 

 

(59

)

 

 

(68

)

Net currency translation and other adjustment 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2016

 

$

4

 

 

$

1

 

 

$

8

 

 

$

21

 

 

$

34

 

1

Due to unexpected resignations of certain employees at the Company’s Niagara site during 2016, approximately $2 of employee separation charges, related to the RMS plant closure, were reversed to income during the year ended December 31, 2016.

2

Amounts include net currency translation adjustment of less than $1 for the period presented and rounding differences.

There are no significant outstanding liabilities related to the decommissioning and other restructuring related charges.

Note 7. Sales of Assets and Businesses

On June 13, 2016, the Company entered into an asset purchase agreement with Veolia North America (“Veolia”), pursuant to which Veolia agreed to acquire the Sulfur business of Chemours’ Chemical Solutions segment for a purchase price of $325 in cash, subject to customary working capital and other adjustments, of which approximately $10 was received in May 2016.  The Company completed the sale and received the remaining proceeds of approximately $311 on July 29, 2016, net of estimated working capital adjustments.  Prior to the completion of the sale, in the second quarter of 2016, the Company recorded an impairment loss of approximately $58 in “Restructuring and asset related charges, net” of the Consolidated Statement of Operations.  When the sale was completed, the Company also recorded an additional pre-tax loss on sale of approximately $4, net of a benefit from contract adjustments, in “Other income, net” in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. The net book value of the assets and liabilities disposed were $342 and $11, respectively.

F-19


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share)

On April 22, 2016, the Company entered into a stock and asset purchase agreement with LANXESS Corporation, (“Lanxess”), pursuant to which Lanxess agreed to acquire the C&D business of Chemours’ Chemical Solutions segment by acquiring certain Chemours’ subsidiaries and assets for a purchase price of $230 in cash, subject to customary working capital and other adjustments.  The Company completed the sale and received proceeds of $223 on August 31, 2016, net of working capital adjustments and approximately $2 of cash transferred.  As a result, for the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company recorded a pre-tax gain of approximately $169 in “Other income, net” in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.  The net book values of the assets and liabilities disposed were $48 (including goodwill of $13) and $6, respectively, and the Company incurred approximately $9 of transaction and other related charges.

In November 2015, the Company signed a definitive agreement to sell its aniline facility in Beaumont, Texas to The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”), and the net book value of the related asset group (including goodwill) was classified as assets held-for-sale at December 31, 2015 included in “Prepaid expenses and other” of the Consolidated Balance Sheet.  The transaction closed on March 1, 2016 and Chemours received $140 in cash from Dow.  The net book value of the assets disposed was $41 (including goodwill of $4), and the Company incurred approximately $11 of transaction and other related charges.  As a result of this transaction, for the year ended December 31, 2016, Chemours recognized a pre-tax gain in the Chemical Solutions segment of approximately $88 recorded in “Other income, net” in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

The aggregate amount and major components of assets and liabilities disposed during the year ended December 31, 2016 are as follows:

 

 

December 31, 2016

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivables

 

$

22

 

Inventories

 

 

17

 

Total current assets

 

 

39

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

 

298

 

Goodwill

 

 

17

 

Other assets

 

 

136

 

Less: Impairment loss

 

 

(58

)

Total non-current assets, net

 

 

393

 

Total assets

 

 

432

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

 

17

 

Total liabilities

 

 

17

 

Net assets disposed

 

$

415

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Fluoroproducts

 

$

48

 

 

$

50

 

 

$

48

 

Chemical Solutions

 

 

2

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

3

 

Titanium Technologies

 

 

29

 

 

 

28

 

 

 

29

 

Corporate and Other

 

 

1

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

1

 

Total research and development expense

 

$

80

 

 

$

82

 

 

$

81

 

 

 

Note 8. Other Income (Expense), Net

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Leasing, contract services and miscellaneous income 1

 

$

35

 

 

$

25

 

 

$

17

 

Royalty income 2

 

 

15

 

 

 

19

 

 

 

28

 

Gain (loss) on sale of assets and businesses 3

 

 

254

 

 

 

(9

)

 

 

40

 

Exchange (losses) gains, net 4

 

 

(57

)

 

 

19

 

 

 

(66

)

Total other income, net

 

$

247

 

 

$

54

 

 

$

19

 

1

Miscellaneous income includes accrued interest related to unrecognized tax benefits.

2

Royalty income is primarily for technology and trademark licensing.  

3

The twelve months ended December 31, 2016 includes a gain on sale of C&D business and aniline factory; and a loss on sale of Sulfur business.  See Note 7 for further details.  

4

Exchange losses, net includes gains and losses on foreign currency forward contracts.  See Note 21 for additional information.  

F-20


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share)

Note 9. Income Taxes

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

(Dollars in millions)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Current tax expense:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. federal

 

$

 

 

$

37

 

1

$

85

 

U.S. state and local

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

1

 

13

 

International

 

 

93

 

 

 

62

 

 

 

73

 

Total current tax expense

 

 

93

 

 

 

100

 

 

 

171

 

Deferred tax (benefit) expense:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. federal

 

 

(101

)

 

 

(187

)

 

 

(20

)

U.S. state and local

 

 

(17

)

 

 

(14

)

 

 

(3

)

International

 

 

7

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

1

 

Total deferred tax benefit

 

 

(111

)

 

 

(198

)

 

 

(22

)

Total (benefit from) provision for income taxes

 

$

(18

)

 

$

(98

)

 

$

149

 

1

Recorded pursuant to the tax matters agreement.

The significant components of deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:

(Dollars in millions)

 

December 31,

2016

 

 

December 31,

2015

 

Deferred tax assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Environmental and other reserves

 

$

150

 

 

$

158

 

Litigation reserves

 

 

149

 

 

 

22

 

Stock compensation and accrued employee benefits

 

 

35

 

 

 

42

 

Other assets and other accrued liabilities

 

 

27

 

 

 

35

 

Tax loss carryforwards

 

 

95

 

 

 

124

 

Total deferred tax assets

 

 

456

 

 

 

381

 

Valuation allowance

 

 

(50

)

 

 

 

Total deferred tax assets, net

 

 

406

 

 

 

381

 

Deferred tax liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pension and other liabilities

 

 

(16

)

 

 

(7

)

Property, plant and equipment

 

 

(441

)

 

 

(530

)

Inventories and other assets

 

 

(40

)

 

 

(31

)

Total deferred tax liabilities

 

 

(497

)

 

 

(568

)

Net deferred tax liability

 

$

(91

)

 

$

(187

)

F-21


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share)

An analysis of the Company’s effective tax rate is as follows:

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

(Dollars in millions)

 

$

 

 

%

 

 

$

 

 

%

 

 

$

 

 

%

 

Statutory U.S. federal income tax rate

 

$

(4

)

 

 

35.0

%

 

$

(66

)

 

 

35.0

%

 

$

192

 

 

 

35.0

%

State income taxes, net of federal benefit

 

 

(16

)

 

 

150.4

%

 

 

(10

)

 

 

5.1

%

 

 

6

 

 

 

1.0

%

Lower effective tax rate on international

   operations-net

 

 

(61

)

 

 

552.5

%

 

 

(23

)

 

 

12.0

%

 

 

(53

)

 

 

(9.6

)%

Depletion

 

 

(6

)

 

 

51.2

%

 

 

(6

)

 

 

3.4

%

 

 

(8

)

 

 

(1.5

)%

Goodwill

 

 

5

 

 

 

(47.9

)%

 

 

6

 

 

 

(3.2

)%

 

 

 

 

 

%

Exchange losses (gains)

 

 

4

 

 

 

(39.1

)%

 

 

(1

)

 

 

0.5

%

 

 

15

 

 

 

2.7

%

Provision to return and other adjustments

 

 

6

 

 

 

(57.9

)%

 

 

 

 

 

%

 

 

 

 

 

%

Permanent items

 

 

3

 

 

 

(27.3

)%

 

 

1

 

 

 

(0.5

)%

 

 

(5

)

 

 

(0.9

)%

Valuation allowance

 

 

50

 

 

 

(451.6

)%

 

 

 

1

 

%

 

 

11

 

 

 

2.0

%

Section 199 domestic manufacturing

   deduction

 

 

 

 

 

(—

)%

 

 

 

 

 

%

 

 

(4

)

 

 

(0.7

)%

Other, net

 

 

1

 

 

 

(1.7

)%

 

 

1

 

 

 

(0.2

)%

 

 

(5

)

 

 

(0.9

)%

Total effective tax rate

 

$

(18

)

 

 

163.6

%

 

$

(98

)

 

 

52.1

%

 

$

149

 

 

 

27.1

%

1

Release of the valuation allowance during 2015 was related to tax loss carryforward incurred prior to July 1, 2015 that is attributable to DuPont’s tax periods pursuant to the tax matters agreement and did not impact the effective tax rate as the adjustment was recorded in the “DuPont Company Net Investment” of the Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the year ended December 31, 2015.

(Loss) income before income taxes for U.S. and international operations was:

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

(Dollars in millions)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

U.S. (including exports)

 

$

(481

)

 

$

(492

)

 

$

244

 

International

 

 

470

 

 

 

304

 

 

 

306

 

Total (loss) income before income taxes

 

$

(11

)

 

$

(188

)

 

$

550

 

Chemours recorded a tax benefit of $18 for the year ended December 31, 2016, a tax benefit of $98 for the year ended December 31, 2015 and a tax provision of $149 for the year ended December 31, 2014.  The $80 decrease in tax benefits and the corresponding change in the effective income tax rates were primarily due to a $50 valuation allowance recorded on U.S. foreign tax credits, the Company’s geographical mix of earnings as well as the gain on the sale of assets and business, which resulted in a tax expense and a corresponding change in the effective income tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2016 as compared to the same period in 2015; offset by the tax benefit on the $335 PFOA MDL Settlement accrual (see Note 20).

The decrease in state income tax provision and the corresponding decrease in the state effective tax rate, net of federal tax benefit, for the year ended December 31, 2016 when compared to 2015 and 2014 is due to the tax benefit recognized as a result of changes in state tax law which decreased apportionment in states where the Company has significant operations as well as the state benefit of the litigation accruals discussed above.  The tax benefit from international operations is primarily driven by Chemours’ overall geographic mix of earnings as well as gains on foreign divestitures that were not subject to tax.  In comparing the impact of foreign operations on our overall effective tax rate from 2015 to 2016, the significant driver of the change in the benefit is a reduction in the pre-tax loss within the US while income from foreign operations has increased over the prior period.

The Company recorded a valuation allowance of $50 as of December 31, 2016 on its U.S. foreign tax credits based on available positive and negative evidence.  For the three years ended December 31, 2016, the Company has incurred pre-tax losses in the U.S., which limit the ability to consider other subjective evidence such as the Company’s projections for future growth. The amount of the foreign tax credits that are considered realizable, however, could be adjusted if estimates of future taxable income during the carryforward period increase or if objective negative evidence in the form of cumulative losses is no longer present.  Exchange gains (losses) principally reflect the impact of non-taxable gains and losses resulting from remeasurement of foreign currency-denominated monetary assets and liabilities.  Depletion represents the tax benefit from the percentage depletion deductions taken pursuant to

F-22


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share)share amounts and par values)

 

Section 613Note 7. Restructuring, Asset-related, and Other Charges

The following table sets forth the components of the Code.  Goodwill representsCompany’s restructuring, asset-related, and other charges by category for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017.

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Restructuring and other charges:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Employee separation charges

 

$

21

 

 

$

14

 

 

$

23

 

Decommissioning and other charges

 

 

23

 

 

 

31

 

 

 

33

 

Total restructuring and other charges

 

 

44

 

 

 

45

 

 

 

56

 

Asset-related charges (1)

 

 

43

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

1

 

Total restructuring, asset-related, and other charges

 

$

87

 

 

$

49

 

 

$

57

 

(1)

Asset-related charges for the year ended December 31, 2019 included $34 for accelerated depreciation in connection with the Company’s exit of the Methylamines and Methylamides business at its Belle, West Virginia manufacturing plant, and $9 for accelerated depreciation in connection with its closure of the titanium tetrachloride production line at its New Johnsonville, Tennessee manufacturing plant. Asset-related charges for the year ended December 31, 2018 included $4 for a pre-tax goodwill impairment charge in the Company’s Chemical Solutions segment.

The following table sets forth the impacts of the Company’s restructuring programs to segment earnings for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017.

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Restructuring and other charges:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plant and product line closures:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fluoroproducts

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

3

 

Chemical Solutions

 

 

2

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

17

 

Titanium Technologies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4

 

Corporate and Other

 

 

18

 

 

 

9

 

 

 

 

Total plant and product line closures

 

 

20

 

 

 

13

 

 

 

24

 

2017 Restructuring Program:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fluoroproducts

 

 

2

 

 

 

9

 

 

 

 

Chemical Solutions

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

Titanium Technologies

 

 

1

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

Corporate and Other

 

 

 

 

 

15

 

 

 

32

 

Total 2017 Restructuring Program

 

 

3

 

 

 

27

 

 

 

32

 

2018 Restructuring Program:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate and Other

 

 

(1

)

 

 

5

 

 

 

 

Total 2018 Restructuring Program

 

 

(1

)

 

 

5

 

 

 

 

2019 Restructuring Program:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fluoroproducts

 

 

7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chemical Solutions

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Titanium Technologies

 

 

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate and Other

 

 

9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total 2019 Restructuring Program

 

 

22

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total restructuring and other charges

 

 

44

 

 

 

45

 

 

 

56

 

Asset-related charges:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chemical Solutions

 

 

34

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

 

Titanium Technologies

 

 

9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate and Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

Total asset-related charges

 

 

43

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

1

 

Total restructuring, asset-related, and other charges

 

$

87

 

 

$

49

 

 

$

57

 

F-23


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts and par values)

Plant and Product Line Closures

Fluoroproducts

In August 2015, in an effort to improve the profitability of the Company’s Fluoroproducts segment, management approved the closure of certain production lines in the segment’s U.S. manufacturing plants. For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company recorded additional decommissioning and dismantling-related charges of $3 for certain of these production lines. At December 31, 2017, the Company had substantially completed all actions related to the restructuring activities for certain of its production lines, which amounted to $17 in the aggregate, excluding asset-related charges. 

Chemical Solutions

In the fourth quarter of 2015, the Company announced its completion of the strategic review of its Reactive Metals Solutions (“RMS”) business and the decision to stop production at its Niagara Falls, New York manufacturing plant. The Company recorded additional decommissioning and dismantling-related charges of $2, $4, and $17 for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively. The Company expects to incur approximately $5 in additional restructuring charges for similar activities through 2021. As of December 31, 2019, the Company incurred, in the aggregate, $37 in restructuring charges related to these activities, excluding asset-related charges.

In the third quarter of 2019, in an effort to improve the profitability of the Company’s Chemical Solutions segment, the Company announced plans to exit its Methylamines and Methylamides business at its Belle, West Virginia manufacturing plant, which culminated in the completed exit and sale of the business in the fourth quarter of 2019. As a result, for the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company recorded accelerated depreciation of $34. We do not expect to incur additional charges related to the exit of the Methylamines and Methylamides business. Refer to “Note 4 – Acquisitions and Divestitures” for further details.

Titanium Technologies

In August 2015, the Company announced the closure of its Edge Moor, Delaware manufacturing plant. The Edge Moor plant produced TiO2 pigment for use in the paper industry and certain other applications where demand had steadily declined, resulting in under-used capacity at the plant. In addition, the Company permanently closed 1 under-used TiO2 pigment production line at its New Johnsonville, Tennessee plant. The Company stopped production at its Edge Moor plant in September 2015, and immediately began decommissioning the plant. For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company recorded additional decommissioning and dismantling-related charges of $4. The Company completed these activities in 2017, which amounted to $60 in the aggregate, excluding asset-related charges. The Company sold the land where the plant was located for $10 in the first quarter of 2017.

In December 2019, in an effort to improve the profitability of the Company’s Titanium Technologies segment, management approved the discontinuation of the titanium tetrachloride production line at the Company’s New Johnsonville, Tennessee site. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company recorded accelerated depreciation of $9. The Company does not expect to incur material decommissioning and dismantling-related charges related to the discontinuation of this production line.

Corporate and Other

In the first quarter of 2018, the Company began a project to demolish and remove several dormant, unused buildings at its Chambers Works site in Deepwater, New Jersey, which were assigned to Chemours in connection with its separation from DuPont and never used in Chemours’ operations. For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company incurred $18 and $9, respectively, in decommissioning and dismantling-related charges associated with these efforts. The Company expects to incur approximately $6 in additional restructuring charges related to its Chambers Works site through the end of 2021. As of December 31, 2019, the Company incurred, in the aggregate, $27 in restructuring charges related to these activities.


F-24


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts and par values)

2017 Restructuring Program

In 2017, the Company announced certain restructuring activities designed to further the cost savings and productivity improvements outlined under management’s transformation plan. These activities include, among other efforts: (i) outsourcing and further centralizing certain business process activities; (ii) consolidating existing, outsourced third-party information technology (“IT”) providers; and, (iii) implementing various upgrades to the Company’s current IT infrastructure. In connection with these corporate function efforts, the Company recorded $3, $18, and $14 in restructuring-related charges for years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively.

In 2017, the Company also announced a voluntary separation program (“VSP”) for certain eligible U.S. employees in an effort to better manage the anticipated future changes to its workforce. Employees who volunteered for and were accepted under the VSP were entitled to receive certain financial incentives above the Company’s customary involuntary termination benefits to end their employment with Chemours after providing a mutually agreed-upon service period. Approximately 300 employees separated from the Company through the end of 2018. An accrual representing the majority of these termination benefits, amounting to $18, was recognized in the fourth quarter of 2017. The remaining $9 of incremental, one-time financial incentives under the VSP were recognized over the period each participating employee continued to provide service to Chemours.

The Company recorded charges of $3, $27, and $32 for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively, for its 2017 program. The cumulative amount incurred, in the aggregate, for the Company’s 2017 program amounted to $62 at December 31, 2019. The Company has substantially completed all actions related to this program.

2018 Restructuring Program

In the fourth quarter of 2018, management initiated a restructuring program of the Company’s corporate functions and recorded the related estimated severance costs of $5. The Company has substantially completed all actions related to this program.

2019 Restructuring Program

In the third quarter of 2019, management initiated a severance program of the Company’s corporate functions and businesses. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company recorded the related estimated severance costs of $22, which it believes to be substantially complete for this program. The majority of employees separated from the Company during the fourth quarter of 2019, and the majority of the associated payments will be made by the end of 2020.

The following table sets forth the change in the Company’s employee separation-related liabilities associated with its restructuring programs for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.

 

 

Chemical

Solutions Site

Closures

 

 

Titanium

Technologies

Site Closures

 

 

2015 Global

Restructuring

Program

 

 

2017

Restructuring

Program

 

 

2018

Restructuring

Program

 

 

2019 Restructuring Program

 

 

Total

 

Balance at January 1, 2018

 

$

2

 

 

$

1

 

 

$

1

 

 

$

23

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

27

 

Charges to income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

14

 

Payments

 

 

(2

)

 

 

(1

)

 

 

 

 

 

(22

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(25

)

Balance at December 31, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

10

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

16

 

(Credits) charges to income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

22

 

 

 

20

 

Payments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(9

)

 

 

(4

)

 

 

(8

)

 

 

(21

)

Balance at December 31, 2019

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

1

 

 

$

 

 

$

14

 

 

$

15

 

At December 31, 2019 and 2018, there were no significant outstanding liabilities related to the Company’s decommissioning and other restructuring-related charges.


F-25


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts and par values)

Note 8. Other Income (Expense), Net

The following table sets forth the components of the Company’s other income (expense), net for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017.

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Leasing, contract services, and miscellaneous income (1)

 

$

51

 

 

$

79

 

 

$

30

 

Royalty income (2)

 

 

16

 

 

 

10

 

 

 

24

 

Gain on sales of assets and businesses (3)

 

 

10

 

 

 

45

 

 

 

22

 

Exchange (losses) gains, net (4)

 

 

(2

)

 

 

1

 

 

 

3

 

Non-operating pension and other post-retirement employee benefit (loss) income (5)

 

 

(368

)

 

 

27

 

 

 

34

 

Total other (expense) income, net

 

$

(293

)

 

$

162

 

 

$

113

 

(1)

Leasing, contract services, and miscellaneous income includes European Union fluorinated greenhouse gas quota authorization sales of $41, $67, and $15 for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively.

(2)

Royalty income for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 is primarily from technology licensing. Royalty income for the year ended December 31, 2017 is primarily from technology and trademark licensing.

(3)

For the year ended December 31, 2019, gain on sale includes a $9 non-cash gain associated with the sale of the Company’s Repauno, New Jersey site.For the year ended December 31, 2018, gain on sale includes a $3 gain and a $42 gain associated with the sales of the Company’s East Chicago, Indiana and Linden, New Jersey sites, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2017, gain on sale includes a gain of $13 associated with the sale of the Company’s land in Repauno, New Jersey that was previously deferred and realized upon meeting certain milestones, and a $12 gain associated with the sale of the Company’s Edge Moor, Delaware plant site, net of certain losses on other disposals.

(4)

Exchange gains (losses), net includes gains (losses) on the Company’s foreign currency forward contracts that have not been designated as a cash flow hedge.

(5)

The year ended December 31, 2019 includes a $380 settlement loss related to a significant portion of the Company’s Netherlands pension plan, specific to the vested pension benefits of the inactive participants. See “Note 27 – Long-term Employee Benefits” for further details.

Note 9. Income Taxes

The following table sets forth the components of the Company’s provision for (benefit from) income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017.

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Current tax expense (benefit):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. federal

 

$

13

 

 

$

23

 

 

$

(8

)

U.S. state and local

 

 

(1

)

 

 

4

 

 

 

1

 

International

 

 

79

 

 

 

110

 

 

 

89

 

Total current tax expense

 

 

91

 

 

 

137

 

 

 

82

 

Deferred tax expense (benefit):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. federal

 

 

(77

)

 

 

20

 

 

 

60

 

U.S. state and local

 

 

(5

)

 

 

3

 

 

 

6

 

International

 

 

(81

)

 

 

(1

)

 

 

17

 

Total deferred tax (benefit) expense

 

 

(163

)

 

 

22

 

 

 

83

 

Total (benefit from) provision for income taxes

 

$

(72

)

 

$

159

 

 

$

165

 


F-26


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts and par values)

The following table sets forth the components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31, 2019 and 2018.

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Deferred tax assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Environmental and other liabilities

 

$

99

 

 

$

80

 

Accrued litigation

 

 

37

 

 

 

28

 

Stock-based compensation and accrued employee benefits

 

 

29

 

 

 

28

 

Other assets and other accrued liabilities

 

 

6

 

 

 

8

 

Tax attribute carryforwards

 

 

96

 

 

 

29

 

Operating lease liability

 

 

75

 

 

 

 

Foreign tax credit carryforwards

 

 

18

 

 

 

18

 

Total deferred tax assets

 

 

360

 

 

 

191

 

Less: Valuation allowance

 

 

(10

)

 

 

(2

)

Total deferred tax assets, net

 

 

350

 

 

 

189

 

Deferred tax liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pension and other liabilities

 

 

(7

)

 

 

(35

)

Property, plant, and equipment

 

 

(320

)

 

 

(313

)

Operating lease asset

 

 

(71

)

 

 

 

Inventories and other assets

 

 

(30

)

 

 

(12

)

Total deferred tax liabilities

 

 

(428

)

 

 

(360

)

Deferred tax liability, net

 

$

(78

)

 

$

(171

)

The following table sets forth an analysis of the Company’s effective tax rates for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017.

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

 

$

 

 

%

 

 

$

 

 

%

 

 

$

 

 

%

 

Statutory U.S. federal income tax rate

 

$

(26

)

 

 

21.0

%

 

$

243

 

 

 

21.0

%

 

$

319

 

 

 

35.0

%

State income taxes, net of federal benefit

 

 

(7

)

 

 

5.6

%

 

 

7

 

 

 

0.6

%

 

 

7

 

 

 

0.7

%

Lower effective tax rate on international operations, net

 

 

(28

)

 

 

22.7

%

 

 

(44

)

 

 

(3.8

)%

 

 

(149

)

 

 

(16.3

)%

Depletion

 

 

(5

)

 

 

4.0

%

 

 

(6

)

 

 

(0.5

)%

 

 

(8

)

 

 

(0.9

)%

Exchange (gains) losses

 

 

(7

)

 

 

5.6

%

 

 

(4

)

 

 

(0.3

)%

 

 

5

 

 

 

0.6

%

Provision to return and other adjustments

 

 

(4

)

 

 

3.2

%

 

 

(9

)

 

 

(0.8

)%

 

 

6

 

 

 

0.6

%

Valuation allowance

 

 

8

 

 

 

(6.5

)%

 

 

(15

)

 

 

(1.3

)%

 

 

(33

)

 

 

(3.6

)%

Net impact of U.S. tax reform

 

 

 

 

 

%

 

 

(10

)

 

 

(0.9

)%

 

 

39

 

 

 

4.3

%

Stock-based compensation

 

 

(14

)

 

 

11.4

%

 

 

(14

)

 

 

(1.2

)%

 

 

(20

)

 

 

(2.2

)%

Executive compensation limitation

 

 

9

 

 

 

(7.3

)%

 

 

4

 

 

 

0.3

%

 

 

6

 

 

 

0.7

%

R&D credit

 

 

(6

)

 

 

4.8

%

 

 

(5

)

 

 

(0.4

)%

 

 

(1

)

 

 

(0.1

)%

Uncertain tax positions

 

 

7

 

 

 

(5.6

)%

 

 

2

 

 

 

0.2

%

 

 

(6

)

 

 

(0.7

)%

Other, net

 

 

1

 

 

 

(0.8

)%

 

 

10

 

 

 

0.9

%

 

 

 

 

 

%

Total effective tax rate

 

$

(72

)

 

 

58.1

%

 

$

159

 

 

 

13.8

%

 

$

165

 

 

 

18.1

%

The following table sets forth the Company’s income (loss) before income taxes for its U.S. and international operations for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017.

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

U.S. operations (including exports)

 

$

(375

)

 

$

114

 

 

$

(306

)

International operations

 

 

251

 

 

 

1,041

 

 

 

1,218

 

Total (loss) income before income taxes

 

$

(124

)

 

$

1,155

 

 

$

912

 

F-27


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts and par values)

U.S. Tax Reform

With respect to U.S. tax reform, while management has completed its analysis within the applicable measurement period, pursuant to Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 as issued by the SEC, the Company accounts for the tax impacts of new provisions based on interpretation of existing statutory law, including proposed regulations issued by the U.S. Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”). While there can be no assurances as to the effect of any final regulations on the non-deductible goodwill associated with asset salesCompany’s provision for (benefit from) income taxes, management will continue to evaluate the impacts as any issued regulations become final and adjust our estimates, as appropriate.

At December 31, 2019, management believed that took placesufficient liquidity was available in 2016.  In 2015, the goodwill adjustment was the tax impact of reallocations based on Chemours’ new business reporting units and impairment charges, as described in Note 14.  In addition, Chemours is entitled toU.S. As a domestic manufacturing deduction relating to income from certain qualifying domestic production activities pursuant to Section 199 of the Code in tax years 2014, as well as a one-time tax benefit recognized in 2014 relating to a tax accounting method change.  Due to net operating losses in 2015 and 2016,result, the Company is indefinitely reinvested with respect to the historical unremitted pre-2018 Earnings and Profits (“E&P”) of its foreign subsidiaries, which was approximately $440 at December 31, 2019. Management asserts that it is indefinitely reinvested with respect to current year earnings from certain foreign subsidiaries, and therefore, has not computing a benefit relatedrecorded deferred tax liabilities with respect to Section 199 in those years.  Consistent withearnings. At December 31, 2019, deferred tax liabilities for foreign subsidiaries that are not indefinitely reinvested were not material to the discussion in Note 2, the pre-spin effectiveCompany’s consolidated financial statements. The potential tax rate stated herein may not be indicativeimplications of the repatriation of unremitted earnings are driven by the facts at the time of distribution; however, due to U.S. tax reform and the U.S. Transition Tax, the incremental cost to repatriate earnings is not expected to be material if a distribution is made in the future effectiveas there are minimal foreign withholding taxes in the applicable foreign jurisdictions.

Other Matters

For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company recorded $5 of valuation allowance on certain foreign subsidiary earnings and $3 of valuation allowance on certain foreign tax rate of Chemours as a result of the separation from DuPont.credits.

Under the tax laws of various jurisdictions in which the Company operates, deductions or credits that cannot be fully utilized for tax purposes during the current year may be carried forward or back, subject to statutory limitations, to reduce taxable income or taxes payable in the future or prior years. At December 31, 2016,2019, the Company’s U.S federal and state tax losses are $42,amounted to $13, which substantially expire in 2035.between 2036 and 2038. The Company also hashad U.S. foreign tax credit carryforwards of $50, of$18, which $27 expire in 2025 and $23 expire in 2026, and $24 in R&D tax credits, which are fully offset by a valuation allowance.expire between 2035 and 2039. Lastly, the Company hashad foreign net operating losses of $3, which substantially expire between 20252026 and 2026.2029.

At December 31, 2016, the Company deemed approximately $2,100 of unremitted earnings of subsidiaries outside the U.S. as indefinitely reinvested. No deferred tax liability has been recognized with regard to the remittance of such earnings. It is not practical to estimate the income tax liability that might be incurred if such earnings were remitted to the U.S.

Each year, Chemours and/or its subsidiaries filesfile income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various states and non-U.S. jurisdictions.

The following table sets forth the Company’s significant jurisdictions’ tax returns that are subject to examination by their respective taxing authorities infor the open years listed:listed.

 

Jurisdiction

 

Open Years

China

 

2015 through 2019

2011 through 2016India

 

2015 through 2019

Mexico

 

20112013 through 2016

2019

Netherlands

 

2015 through 2019

2012 through 2016Singapore

 

2015 through 2019

Switzerland

2015 through 2019

Taiwan

 

20142015 through 2016

2019

United StatesU.S.

 

2015 through 2016

2019


F-28


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts and par values)

Positions challenged by the taxing authorities may be settled or appealed by Chemours and/or DuPont in accordance with the tax matters agreement. As a result, income tax uncertainties are recognized in the Company’s consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting for income taxes, when applicable.  Although it is difficult to predict

The following table sets forth the timing, we estimate that approximately $6 ofchange in the Company’s unrecognized income tax benefits excludingfor the impact relating to accrued interest and penalties, could be resolved within the next twelve months as a result of an accounting method change request filed with the Internal Revenue Service in the fourth quarter of 2016. We are not aware of any other matters that would result in significant changes to the amount of unrecognized income tax benefits reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as ofyears ended December 31, 2016.2019, 2018, and 2017.

As previously discussed in Note 3, prior to the separation, Chemours was included in DuPont’s consolidated income tax returns, and Chemours’ income taxes for those periods are computed and reported herein under the “separate return method”. Use

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Balance at January 1,

 

$

2

 

 

$

 

 

$

6

 

Gross amounts of decreases in unrecognized tax benefits as a result of adjustments to tax provisions taken during the prior period

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(6

)

Gross amounts of increases in unrecognized tax benefits as a result of tax positions taken during the current period

 

 

7

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

Reduction to unrecognized tax benefits as a result of a lapse of the applicable statute of limitations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at December 31,

 

$

9

 

 

$

2

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total unrecognized tax benefits, if recognized, that would impact the effective tax rate

 

$

9

 

 

$

2

 

 

$

 

Total amount of interest and penalties recognized in the consolidated statements of operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total amount of interest and penalties recognized in the consolidated balance sheets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The following table sets forth a rollforward of the separate return method may result in differences when the sum of the amounts allocated to stand-alone tax provisions are compared with amounts presented in the consolidated financial statements. In that event, the relatedCompany’s deferred tax assets and liabilities could be significantly different from those presented hereinasset valuation allowance for these periods.  Certain tax attributes, e.g. net operating loss carryforwards, which were actually reflected in DuPont’s consolidated financial statements may or may not exist at the stand-alone Chemours level. Chemours’ consolidated financial statements do not reflect any amounts due to DuPont for income tax related matters prior to separation as it is assumed that all such amounts due to DuPont were settled onyears ended December 31, of each year.2019, 2018, and 2017.

F-23

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Balance at January 1,

 

$

2

 

 

$

17

 

 

$

50

 

Net charges to income tax expense

 

 

8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Release of valuation allowance

 

 

 

 

 

(15

)

 

 

(33

)

Balance at December 31,

 

$

10

 

 

$

2

 

 

$

17

 


F-29


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share)

The following table shows the change in our unrecognized tax benefit.

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

(Dollars in millions)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Total unrecognized tax benefits as of January 1

 

$

7

 

 

$

39

 

 

$

26

 

Gross amounts of decreases in unrecognized tax benefits as a

   result of adjustments to tax provisions taken during the

   prior period

 

 

(1

)

 

 

 

 

 

(1

)

Gross amounts of increases in unrecognized tax benefits as a

   result of tax positions taken during the current period

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15

 

Reduction to unrecognized tax benefits as a result of a lapse

   of the applicable statute of limitations

 

 

 

 

 

(32

)

1

 

(1

)

Total unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31

 

$

6

 

 

$

7

 

 

$

39

 

Total unrecognized tax benefits, if recognized, that would

   impact the effective tax rate

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

39

 

Total amount of interest and penalties recognized in the

   Consolidated Statements of Operations

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

1

 

2

 

Total amount of interest and penalties recognized in the

   Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8

 

1

Reduction to the unrecognized tax benefits represents DuPont’s responsibilities for uncertain income tax positions recorded prior to July 1, 2015 pursuant to the tax matters agreement.  The reduction was recorded in “DuPont Company Net Investment” of the Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the year ended December 31, 2015.

The following is a rollforward of the deferred tax asset valuation allowance for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015share amounts and 2014.par values)

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

(Dollars in millions)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Balance at beginning of period

 

$

 

 

$

36

 

 

$

26

 

Net charges to income tax expense

 

 

50

 

 

 

 

 

 

10

 

Release of valuation allowance 1

 

 

 

 

 

(36

)

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

 

$

50

 

 

$

 

 

$

36

 

1

Release of the valuation allowance during 2015 was related to tax loss carryforward incurred prior to July 1, 2015 that is attributable to DuPont’s tax periods pursuant to the tax matters agreement.  The adjustment was recorded in the “DuPont Company Net Investment” of the Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the year ended December 31, 2015.

Note 10. Earnings Per Share of Common Stock

The following table below shows a reconciliationsets forth the reconciliations of the numeratornumerators and denominatordenominators for the Company’s basic and diluted earnings per share calculations for the periods indicated.years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017.

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

Numerator:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss) attributable to Chemours

 

$

7

 

 

$

(90

)

 

$

400

 

 

Denominator:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average number of common shares

   outstanding- Basic

 

 

181,621,422

 

 

 

180,993,623

 

 

 

180,966,833

 

1

Dilutive effect of the Company’s employee

   compensation plans 2

 

 

1,795,078

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding -

   Diluted 2

 

 

183,416,500

 

 

 

180,993,623

 

 

 

180,966,833

 

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Numerator:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (loss) income attributable to Chemours

 

$

(52

)

 

$

995

 

 

$

746

 

Denominator:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding - basic

 

 

164,816,839

 

 

 

176,968,554

 

 

 

184,844,106

 

Dilutive effect of the Company’s employee compensation plans (1)

 

 

 

 

 

5,603,467

 

 

 

6,139,885

 

Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding - diluted (1)

 

 

164,816,839

 

 

 

182,572,021

 

 

 

190,983,991

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic (loss) earnings per share of common stock

 

$

(0.32

)

 

$

5.62

 

 

$

4.04

 

Diluted (loss) earnings per share of common stock (1)

 

 

(0.32

)

 

 

5.45

 

 

 

3.91

 

 

1(1)

For 2014, pro formaIn periods where the Company incurs a net loss, the impact of potentially dilutive securities is excluded from the calculation of earnings per share was calculated based on 180,966,833 shares of Chemours common stock that were distributed to DuPont shareholders on July 1, 2015.

as its inclusion would have an anti-dilutive effect.

F-24

The following table sets forth the average number of stock options that were anti-dilutive and, therefore, were not included in the Company’s diluted earnings per share calculations for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017.

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Average number of stock options

 

 

2,206,609

 

 

 

393,016

 

 

 

43,072

 

Note 11. Accounts and Notes Receivable, Net

The following table sets forth the components of the Company’s accounts and notes receivable, net at December 31, 2019 and 2018.

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Accounts receivable - trade, net (1)

 

$

602

 

 

$

790

 

VAT, GST, and other taxes (2)

 

 

59

 

 

 

56

 

Other receivables (3)

 

 

13

 

 

 

15

 

Total accounts and notes receivable, net

 

$

674

 

 

$

861

 

(1)

Accounts receivable - trade, net includes trade notes receivable of less than $1 and $2 at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, and is net of allowances for doubtful accounts of $5 at December 31, 2019 and 2018. Such allowances are equal to the estimated uncollectible amounts.

(2)

Value added tax (“VAT”) and goods and services tax (“GST”) for various jurisdictions.

(3)

Other receivables consist of derivative instruments, advances, and other deposits.

Accounts and notes receivable are carried at amounts that approximate fair value. Bad debt expense amounted to less than $1 for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, and $1 for the year ended December 31, 2017.

F-30


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share)share amounts and par values)

Note 12. Inventories

The following table sets forth the components of the Company’s inventories at December 31, 2019 and 2018.

 

2

Diluted earnings (loss) per share is calculated using net income (loss) available to common shareholders divided by diluted weighted average shares of common shares outstanding during each period, which includes unvested restricted shares. Diluted earnings per share considers the impact of potentially dilutive securities except in periods in which there is a loss because the inclusion of the potential common shares would have an antidilutive effect.  Chemours had no equity awards outstanding prior to the spin-off.

The following average number of stock options were antidilutive and, therefore, were not included in the diluted earnings per share calculation:

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Average number of stock options

 

 

5,820,499

 

 

 

8,358,894

 

 

 

 

Note 11. Accounts and Notes Receivable – Trade, Net

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Accounts receivable—trade, net 1

 

$

742

 

 

$

757

 

VAT, GST and other taxes 2

 

 

46

 

 

 

68

 

Leases receivable—current

 

 

 

 

 

13

 

Other receivables 3

 

 

19

 

 

 

21

 

Total

 

$

807

 

 

$

859

 

1

Accounts receivable – trade is net of allowances of $5 and $4 as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.  Allowances are equal to the estimated uncollectible amounts.

2

Value Added Tax (VAT) and Goods and Services Tax (GST).

3

Other receivables consist of notes receivable, advances and other deposits.

Accounts and notes receivable are carried at amounts that approximate fair value.  Bad debt expense was $7, $1 and $1 for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Note 12. Inventories

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Finished products

 

$

532

 

 

$

613

 

Semi-finished products

 

 

150

 

 

 

172

 

Raw materials, stores and supplies

 

 

285

 

 

 

433

 

Subtotal

 

 

967

 

 

 

1,218

 

Adjustment of inventories to LIFO basis

 

 

(200

)

 

 

(246

)

Total

 

$

767

 

 

$

972

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Finished products

 

$

589

 

 

$

701

 

Semi-finished products

 

 

189

 

 

 

195

 

Raw materials, stores, and supplies

 

 

559

 

 

 

476

 

Inventories before LIFO adjustment

 

 

1,337

 

 

 

1,372

 

Less: Adjustment of inventories to LIFO basis

 

 

(258

)

 

 

(225

)

Total inventories

 

$

1,079

 

 

$

1,147

 

 

Inventory values, before LIFO adjustment, are generally determined by the average cost method, which approximates current cost. Inventories are valued usingunder the LIFO method at substantially all of the Company’s U.S. locations, which comprised $465$674 and $657 or 48%$622 (or50% and 54%45%) of inventories before the LIFO adjustments at December 31, 20162019 and December 31, 2015,2018, respectively. The remainder of the Company’s inventory held in international locations and certain U.S. locations is valued usingunder the average cost method.

 

Note 13. Property, Plant, and Equipment, Net

F-25

The following table sets forth the components of the Company’s property, plant, and equipment, net at December 31, 2019 and 2018.

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Equipment

 

$

7,595

 

 

$

7,344

 

Buildings (1)

 

 

1,174

 

 

 

914

 

Construction-in-progress

 

 

493

 

 

 

579

 

Land

 

 

115

 

 

 

119

 

Mineral rights

 

 

36

 

 

 

36

 

Property, plant, and equipment

 

 

9,413

 

 

 

8,992

 

Less: Accumulated depreciation

 

 

(5,854

)

 

 

(5,701

)

Total property, plant, and equipment, net

 

$

3,559

 

 

$

3,291

 

(1)

At December 31, 2019, buildings includes $95 in connection with the financed portion of the Chemours Discovery Hub, which was considered a build-to-suit lease asset of $55 at December 31, 2018. Refer to note “Note 14 – Leases” for further details.

Property, plant, and equipment, net included gross assets under finance leases of $68 and $7 at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. In the second quarter of 2019, a subsidiary of the Company renegotiated the terms of an existing Fluoroproducts supply contract with Changshu 3F Zhonghao New Chemical Materials Co., Ltd., a related party and equity method investee, to improve the long-term supply security and competitiveness relative to not-in-kind competition of its low global warming potential foam offering. The renegotiated supply contract resulted in the recognition of a finance lease asset and a corresponding finance lease liability, both of which amounted to $62.

Interest expense capitalized as part of property, plant, and equipment, net amounted to $10, $17, and $9 for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively.

Depreciation expense amounted to $304, $276, and $269 for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively.


F-31


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share)share amounts and par values)

 

Note 13. Property, Plant and Equipment

Chemours’ property, plant and equipment consisted of:14. Leases

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Equipment

 

$

6,748

 

 

$

7,327

 

Buildings

 

 

814

 

 

 

737

 

Construction in progress

 

 

293

 

 

 

804

 

Land

 

 

106

 

 

 

111

 

Mineral rights

 

 

36

 

 

 

36

 

Total

 

 

7,997

 

 

 

9,015

 

Accumulated depreciation

 

 

(5,213

)

 

 

(5,838

)

Net property, plant and equipment

 

$

2,784

 

 

$

3,177

 

DepreciationThe Company leases certain office space, equipment, railcars, tanks, barges, tow boats, and warehouses. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the consolidated balance sheets, and lease expense amountedis recognized over the term of these leases on a straight-line basis. The Company’s leases have remaining terms of up to $281, $264 and $254 for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.  Property, plant and equipment includes gross assets under capital17 years. Some leases of $5equipment contain immaterial amounts of residual value guarantees.

The following table sets forth the Company’s lease assets and $7lease liabilities and their balance sheet location at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.  Interest expense capitalized as part2019.

 

 

Balance Sheet Location

 

December 31, 2019

 

Lease assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating lease right-of-use assets

 

Operating lease right-of-use assets

 

$

294

 

Finance lease assets

 

Property, plant, and equipment, net (Note 13)

 

 

58

 

Total lease assets

 

 

 

$

352

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lease liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating lease liabilities

 

Other accrued liabilities (Note 19)

 

$

66

 

Finance lease liabilities

 

Short-term and current maturities of long-term debt (Note 20)

 

 

5

 

Total current lease liabilities

 

 

 

 

71

 

Non-current:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating lease liabilities

 

Operating lease liabilities

 

 

245

 

Finance lease liabilities

 

Long-term debt, net (Note 20)

 

 

54

 

Total non-current lease liabilities

 

 

 

 

299

 

Total lease liabilities

 

 

 

$

370

 

The following table sets forth the components of property, plant and equipment was $18 and $21the Company’s lease cost for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015.  Chemours did not incur interest in the year ended December 31, 2014.2019.

During

 

 

Year Ended

 

 

 

December 31, 2019

 

Operating lease cost

 

$

99

 

Short-term lease cost

 

 

5

 

Variable lease cost

 

 

16

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finance lease cost:

 

 

 

 

Amortization of lease assets

 

 

5

 

Interest on lease liabilities

 

 

2

 

Total lease cost

 

$

127

 

The following table sets forth the third quarter of 2016, the Company evaluated the carrying value of its aniline manufacturing facility in Pascagoula, Mississippi for recoverability given current business plans.  The evaluation performed indicated that the carrying amount of this asset group was not recoverable when comparedcash flows related to the expected undiscounted cash flows.  Based on management’s assessment ofCompany’s leases for the fair value of the asset group, the Company determined that the carrying value of the Pascagoula aniline asset group exceeded its fair value and as a result, a $48 pre-tax impairment charge was recorded in the Chemical Solutions segment, which represents an impairment of substantially all of the remaining net book value of the Pascagoula aniline asset group.

During the third quarter of 2015, in connection with the strategic evaluation of the Chemical Solutions portfolio, excluding cyanides, the Company determined that the carrying value of the RMS manufacturing facility of the Chemical Solutions segment may not be recoverable given the strategic decision to discontinue investment in the business.  An impairment evaluation was performed which indicated that the carrying amount of this asset group in the U.S. was not recoverable when compared to the expected undiscounted cash flows.  Based on management’s assessment of the fair value of the asset group, the Company determined that the carrying value of that asset group exceeded the fair value and as a result, a $45 pre-tax impairment charge was recorded in the Chemical Solutions segment, which represents an impairment of substantially all of the remaining net book value of the RMS asset group.

The fair value of the asset groups were determined using an income approach based on the present value of the estimated future cash flows. The key assumptions used included growth rates and cash flow projections, discount rate, tax rate and an estimated terminal value.  The amount was recorded in “restructuring and asset related charges, net” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Refer to Note 6 for additional information.year ended December 31, 2019.

 

 

 

Year Ended

 

 

 

December 31, 2019

 

Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:

 

 

 

 

Operating cash flows from operating leases

 

$

101

 

Operating cash flows from finance leases

 

 

2

 

Financing cash flows from finance leases

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-cash lease liabilities activity:

 

 

 

 

Leased assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities

 

$

48

 

Leased assets obtained in exchange for new finance lease liabilities

 

 

62

 

F-26


F-32


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share)share amounts and par values)

The following table sets forth the weighted-average term and weighted-average discount rate for the Company’s leases at December 31, 2019.

December 31, 2019

Weighted-average remaining lease term (years):

Operating leases

8.5

Finance leases

9.2

Weighted-average discount rate:

Operating leases

5.10

%

Finance leases

5.90

%

The following table sets forth the Company’s lease liabilities’ maturities for the next five years and thereafter.

 

 

As of December 31, 2019

 

 

 

Operating Leases

 

 

Finance Leases

 

 

Total

 

2020

 

$

82

 

 

$

9

 

 

$

91

 

2021

 

 

66

 

 

 

8

 

 

 

74

 

2022

 

 

49

 

 

 

8

 

 

 

57

 

2023

 

 

35

 

 

 

8

 

 

 

43

 

2024

 

 

29

 

 

 

8

 

 

 

37

 

Thereafter

 

 

118

 

 

 

35

 

 

 

153

 

Total lease payments

 

 

379

 

 

 

76

 

 

 

455

 

Less: Imputed interest

 

 

68

 

 

 

17

 

 

 

85

 

Present value of lease liabilities

 

$

311

 

 

$

59

 

 

$

370

 

Prior to the adoption of ASU No. 2016-02, the following table set forth the Company’s lease liabilities’ maturities for the subsequent five years and thereafter.

 

 

As of December 31, 2018

 

 

 

Operating Leases

 

 

Finance Leases

 

 

Total

 

2019

 

$

92

 

 

$

 

 

$

92

 

2020

 

 

70

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

72

 

2021

 

 

59

 

 

 

 

 

 

59

 

2022

 

 

42

 

 

 

 

 

 

42

 

2023

 

 

27

 

 

 

 

 

 

27

 

Thereafter

 

 

134

 

 

 

 

 

 

134

 

Total lease payments

 

$

424

 

 

$

2

 

 

$

426

 


F-33


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts and par values)

The Chemours Discovery Hub

In October 2017, Chemours executed a build-to-suit lease agreement to construct a new 312,000-square-foot research and development facility on the Science, Technology, and Advanced Research campus of the University of Delaware (“UD”) in Newark, Delaware (“Chemours Discovery Hub”). Chemours was deemed to be the owner for accounting purposes during construction of the facility. Construction was completed in the fourth quarter of 2019, and, upon its completion, Chemours evaluated whether a sale occurred for purposes of sale-leaseback accounting treatment. The Company determined that this transaction did not qualify for sale-leaseback accounting, and, as a result, the leasing arrangement is considered to be a financing transaction. At completion of the construction, the build-to-suit lease liability was reclassified as a financing obligation within long-term debt, net, and the build-to-suit lease asset was capitalized in property, plant and equipment, net. At December 31, 2019, a financing obligation of $95 and property, plant, and equipment of $95 are recorded on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.

The following table sets forth the Company’s minimum future payments due for the next five years and thereafter related to the Chemours Discovery Hub financing obligation.

 

 

December 31, 2019

 

2020

 

$

6

 

2021

 

 

7

 

2022

 

 

7

 

2023

 

 

7

 

2024

 

 

7

 

Thereafter

 

160

 

Total payments

 

$

194

 

 

Note 14.15. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, Net

Goodwill:

Goodwill

The following table summarizessets forth the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment:

 

 

Titanium

Technologies

 

 

Fluoroproducts

 

 

Chemical

Solutions

 

 

Total

 

Balance as of December 31, 2014

 

$

13

 

 

$

85

 

 

$

100

 

 

$

198

 

Impairment charge

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(25

)

 

 

(25

)

Currency translation and other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(7

)

 

 

(7

)

Balance as of December 31, 2015

 

$

13

 

 

$

85

 

 

$

68

 

 

$

166

 

Sale of business 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(13

)

 

 

(13

)

Currency translation and other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2016

 

$

13

 

 

$

85

 

 

$

55

 

 

$

153

 

1

Represents goodwill disposed in connection with the sale of the C&D business (See Note 7).

Accumulated impairment losses as of December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 included in goodwill are $25, $25 and $0, respectively.

The Company has three operating segments: Titanium Technologies, Fluoroproducts and Chemical Solutions (see Note 24).  The Company defines its reporting units as one level below the operating segments except for Titanium Technologies, which is an operating segment and a reporting unit.  The Company tested the goodwill attributable for each of reporting units within the operating segments for impairment as of October 1, 2016 and concluded that the estimated fair value of each reporting unit, for which goodwill is recorded, substantially exceeded the reporting unit’s carrying value, indicating that none of the Company’s goodwill was impaired.

In October 2016, the Fluoroproductsby segment leader announced a new organizational structure change to better manage the business and drive accountability. The change in the organizational structure also changed the reporting units of Fluoroproducts segment to Fluorochemicals and Fluoropolymers effective November 1, 2016.  Prior to this change, the Fluoroproducts segment’s reporting units were Fluorochemicals, Industrial Resins and Diversified Technologies, which were tested for annual impairment as of October 1, 2016.  The reporting unit change did not result in any impairment based on a separate impairment evaluation performed at the effective date of the change, as estimated fair value of the new reporting unit substantially exceeded its carrying value.

In 2015, in connection with the strategic evaluation of the Chemical Solutions portfolio and the resulting changes to the reporting units in the third quarter of 2015, the Chemical Solutions segments recorded a $25 pre-tax impairment charge related to its Sulfur reporting unit.  Sulfur reporting unit was disposed through the sale of its assets and business during 2016 (see Note 7).

The Company evaluates goodwill for impairment using a two-step process. The first step is utilizing a discounted cash flow methodology to calculate the fair value of its reporting units; and where market comparables are available, the Company considers EBITDA multiples as part of the reporting unit valuation analysis.  Key assumptions used in the discounted cash flows include projected growth rates, discount rates, tax rates and terminal values.  Factors considered in developing cash flows and EBITDA projections include: 1) macroeconomic conditions; 2) industry and market considerations; 3) costs of raw materials and labor or other costs; 4) overall financial performance; and 5) other relevant entity-specific events.  The discount rate used represents the weighted average cost of capital for the reporting units considering the risksyears ended December 31, 2019 and uncertainty inherent in the cash flows of the reporting units and in the internally developed forecasts. The second step of the quantitative test is required if the first step of the quantitative test indicates a potential impairment. The second step is performed by comparing the implied fair value of a reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying amount of its goodwill.  If the carrying amount of goodwill is greater than its implied fair value, an impairment loss is recorded.  The use of these unobservable inputs results in the fair value estimate being classified as a Level 3 asset measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis subsequent to its original recognition.2018.

The determination of whether or not goodwill is impaired involves a significant level of judgment in the assumptions underlying the approaches’ used to determine the estimated fair value of our reporting units.  Chemours believes that assumptions and rates used in the impairment assessment are reasonable.  However, these assumptions are judgmental and variations in any assumptions could result in materially different calculations of fair value.  The Company will continue to evaluate goodwill on an annual basis as of October 1, and whenever events or changes in circumstances, such as significant adverse changes in operating results, market conditions or changes in management’s business strategy, indicate that there may be a probable indicator of impairment.  It is possible that the

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Fluoroproducts:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at January 1,

 

$

89

 

 

$

85

 

Acquisition of business

 

 

 

 

 

4

 

Balance at December 31,

 

 

89

 

 

 

89

 

Chemical Solutions:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at January 1,

 

 

51

 

 

 

55

 

Goodwill impairment

 

 

 

 

 

(4

)

Balance at December 31,

 

 

51

 

 

 

51

 

Titanium Technologies:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at January 1,

 

 

13

 

 

 

13

 

Balance at December 31,

 

 

13

 

 

 

13

 

Total goodwill

 

$

153

 

 

$

153

 

F-27

F-34


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share)share amounts and par values)

 

assumptions used by management relatedChemours consists of 3 operating segments: Fluoroproducts, Chemical Solutions, and Titanium Technologies. The Company defines its reporting units as one level below these operating segments, with the exception of the Titanium Technologies segment, which is both an operating segment and a reporting unit. The Company tested the goodwill balances attributable to each of its reporting units for potential impairment on October 1, 2019 and 2018, the evaluation may change ordates of Chemours’ annual goodwill assessment, and concluded that actual results may vary significantly from management’s estimates.$4 of goodwill associated with the Performance Chemicals and Intermediates reporting unit in the Chemical Solutions segment was impaired at October 1, 2018. NaN further goodwill impairments were recorded for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, as the fair values of the Company’s other reporting units that carry goodwill exceeded each respective reporting unit’s carrying amount on October 1, 2019 and 2018.

The total accumulated impairment losses included in the Company’s goodwill balance at December 31, 2019 and 2018 amounted to $4.

Other Intangible Assets, Net: Net

The following table summarizessets forth the gross carrying amounts and accumulated amortization of the Company’s other intangible assets by major class:class at December 31, 2019 and 2018.

 

 

December 31, 2016

 

 

December 31, 2015

 

 

December 31, 2019

 

 

December 31, 2018

 

 

Cost

 

 

Accumulated

Amortization

 

 

Net

 

 

Cost

 

 

Accumulated

Amortization

 

 

Net

 

 

Cost

 

 

Accumulated

Amortization

 

 

Net

 

 

Cost

 

 

Accumulated

Amortization

 

 

Net

 

Customer lists

 

$

9

 

 

$

(7

)

 

$

2

 

 

$

10

 

 

$

(8

)

 

$

2

 

 

$

9

 

 

$

(8

)

 

$

1

 

 

$

9

 

 

$

(8

)

 

$

1

 

Customer relationships

 

 

22

 

 

 

(8

)

 

 

14

 

 

 

22

 

 

 

(3

)

 

 

19

 

Patents

 

 

19

 

 

 

(18

)

 

 

1

 

 

 

19

 

 

 

(17

)

 

 

2

 

 

 

19

 

 

 

(19

)

 

 

 

 

 

19

 

 

 

(19

)

 

 

 

Purchased trademarks

 

 

5

 

 

 

(2

)

 

 

3

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

(2

)

 

 

3

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

(3

)

 

 

2

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

(3

)

 

 

2

 

Purchased and licensed technology

 

 

3

 

 

 

(2

)

 

 

1

 

 

 

8

 

 

 

(6

)

 

 

2

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

(3

)

 

 

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

(3

)

 

 

 

Other 1

 

 

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

10

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

(2

)

 

 

1

 

Total

 

$

46

 

 

$

(29

)

 

$

17

 

 

$

45

 

 

$

(35

)

 

$

10

 

Other (1)

 

 

10

 

 

 

(6

)

 

 

4

 

 

 

10

 

 

 

(4

)

 

 

6

 

Total other intangible assets, net

 

$

68

 

 

$

(47

)

 

$

21

 

 

$

68

 

 

$

(40

)

 

$

28

 

 

1  (1)

Represents non-cash favorable supply contracts acquired in connection with the sale of the Sulfur business and recognized during the third quarter of 2016 based on the present value of the difference between their contractual cash flows and estimated cash flows had the contracts been executed at a determinable market price. These contract intangibles will be amortized to cost of goods sold over the remaining life of the supply contracts through 2021.

 

The aggregate pre-tax amortization expense for definite-lived intangible assets was $3, $3$7, $6, and $3$4 for the years ended December 31, 2016, 20152019, 2018, and 2014,2017, respectively. The estimated aggregate pretaxpre-tax amortization expense for 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 20212024 is $4, $3, $3, $3$7, $7, $5, $1, and less than $1, respectively. Definite-lived intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives, generally for periods ranging from 5five to 20 years. The reasonableness of the useful lives of these assets is continuallyperiodically evaluated. There are noThe Company does not have any indefinite-lived intangible assets.

 

 

Note 15. Other Assets

 

 

December 31, 2016

 

 

December 31, 2015

 

Leases receivable - non-current 1

 

$

 

 

$

125

 

Capitalized repair and maintenance costs

 

 

145

 

 

 

149

 

Pension assets 2

 

 

159

 

 

 

138

 

Advances and deposits

 

 

 

 

 

11

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

41

 

 

 

47

 

Asset held for sale

 

 

29

 

 

 

 

Miscellaneous 3

 

 

43

 

 

 

38

 

Total

 

$

417

 

 

$

508

 

1

Relates to Sulfur business which was included in the assets disposed in 2016. See Direct Financing Leases below.

2

Pension assets represent the funded status of certain of the Company’s long-term employee benefit plans.

3

Miscellaneous includes deferred financing fees related to the Revolving Credit Facility of $13 and $19 as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Asset Held for Sale

In December 2016, the Company’s corporate headquarters building located in Wilmington, Delaware, was classified as held for sale in connection with a sale agreement entered into in January 2017.  The transaction is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2017, and the Company expects to receive approximately $32 proceeds, subject to customary closing adjustments. As a result, the Company recorded approximately $13 pre-tax impairment charge for the year ended December 31, 2016.  The Company intends to lease a portion of the building subject to the completion of the sale.

Direct Financing Leases

Prior to the sale of the Sulfur business, Chemours had constructed fixed assets on land that it leased from third parties at two of its facilities in the U.S. (Borderland and Morses Mill).  Management has analyzed these arrangements and determined these assets

F-28F-35


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share)share amounts and par values)

 

represent direct financing leases, whereby Chemours was the lessor of this equipment.  Lease receivables were recorded, which represent the balanceNote 16. Investments in Affiliates

The Company holds investments in companies where it, directly or indirectly, owns 20% to 50% of the minimum future lease payments.  voting stock, or has the ability to exercise significant influence over the operating and financial policies of the investee.

The current portionfollowing table sets forth the carrying value, jurisdiction, and ownership percentages of lease receivables was previously includedthe Company’s investments in accountsaffiliates at December 31, 2019 and notes receivable - trade,2018.

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2019

 

 

December 31, 2018

 

Investee

 

Jurisdiction

 

Carrying Value

 

 

Ownership

 

 

Carrying Value

 

 

Ownership

 

Chemours-Mitsui Fluorochemicals Company, Ltd.

 

Japan

 

$

96

 

 

50.0%

 

 

$

94

 

 

50.0%

 

The Chemours Chenguang Fluoromaterials Company Limited

 

China

 

 

33

 

 

50.0%

 

 

 

36

 

 

50.0%

 

Changshu 3F Zhonghao New Chemical Materials Co., Ltd.

 

China

 

 

33

 

 

10.0%

 

 

 

30

 

 

10.0%

 

 

 

 

 

$

162

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

160

 

 

 

 

 

The following table sets forth the changes in the Company’s investments in affiliates for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017.

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Balance at January 1,

 

$

160

 

 

$

173

 

 

$

136

 

Equity in earnings of affiliates

 

 

29

 

 

 

43

 

 

 

33

 

Dividends

 

 

(28

)

 

 

(58

)

 

 

 

Currency translation and other

 

 

1

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

4

 

Balance at December 31,

 

$

162

 

 

$

160

 

 

$

173

 

The Company engages in transactions with its equity method investees in the ordinary course of business. For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017, net as shown in sales to the Company’s equity method investees amounted to $135, $143, and $99, respectively, and purchases from the Company’s equity method investees amounted to $249, $125, and $87, respectively.

Note 11 and17. Other Assets

The following table sets forth the long-term portion was previously included incomponents of the Company’s other assets as shown above.  These lease receivables were includedat December 31, 2019 and 2018.

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Capitalized repair and maintenance costs

 

$

148

 

 

$

178

 

Pension assets (1)

 

 

59

 

 

 

174

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

40

 

 

 

46

 

Miscellaneous

 

 

45

 

 

 

39

 

Total other assets

 

$

292

 

 

$

437

 

(1)

Pension assets represent the funded status of certain of the Company’s long-term employee benefit plans. During the year ended December 31, 2019, pension assets decreased primarily due to the Company’s settlement of a significant portion of the Netherlands pension plan, specific to the vested pension benefits of the inactive participants. See “Note 27 – Long-term Employees Benefits” for further details.  


F-36


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in the sale of the Sulfur business that was completed in August 2016 (see Note 7).millions, except per share amounts and par values)

 

Note 18. Accounts Payable

 

Note 16. Accounts PayableThe following table sets forth the components of the Company’s accounts payable at December 31, 2019 and 2018.

 

 

December 31,

 

 

December 31, 2016

 

 

December 31, 2015

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Trade payables

 

$

858

 

 

$

945

 

 

$

901

 

 

$

1,111

 

VAT and other payables

 

 

26

 

 

 

28

 

 

 

22

 

 

 

26

 

Total

 

$

884

 

 

$

973

 

Total accounts payable

 

$

923

 

 

$

1,137

 

 

Note 19. Other Accrued Liabilities

 

Note 17. Other Accrued LiabilitiesThe following table sets forth the components of the Company’s other accrued liabilities at December 31, 2019 and 2018.

 

 

 

December 31, 2016

 

 

December 31, 2015

 

Compensation and other employee-related costs

 

$

154

 

 

$

109

 

Employee separation costs 1

 

 

31

 

 

 

76

 

Accrued litigation 2

 

 

342

 

 

 

11

 

Environmental remediation 2

 

 

71

 

 

 

68

 

Income taxes

 

 

39

 

 

 

32

 

Customer rebates

 

 

53

 

 

 

53

 

Deferred revenue 3

 

 

76

 

 

 

20

 

Accrued interest

 

 

21

 

 

 

21

 

Miscellaneous 4

 

 

85

 

 

 

64

 

Total

 

$

872

 

 

$

454

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Compensation and other employee-related costs

 

$

52

 

 

$

108

 

Employee separation costs (1)

 

 

15

 

 

 

16

 

Accrued litigation (2)

 

 

10

 

 

 

11

 

Environmental remediation (2)

 

 

74

 

 

 

139

 

Income taxes

 

 

65

 

 

 

87

 

Customer rebates

 

 

72

 

 

 

79

 

Deferred revenue

 

 

7

 

 

 

6

 

Accrued interest

 

 

21

 

 

 

21

 

Operating lease liabilities (3)

 

 

66

 

 

 

 

Miscellaneous (4)

 

 

102

 

 

 

92

 

Total other accrued liabilities

 

$

484

 

 

$

559

 

 

1(1)

See Note 6 for further information.

Represents the current portion of accrued employee separation costs related to the Company’s restructuring activities.

 

2(2)

AccruedRepresents the current portions of environmental remediation and accrued litigation, includes $335 litigation accrual relatedwhich are discussed further in “Note 22 – Commitments and Contingent Liabilities.” With respect to the PFOA MDL Settlement.  See Note 20 for further discussion of accrued litigationCompany’s ongoing matters at Fayetteville, environmental remediation includes $20 and environmental remediation.

$75 at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

 

3(3)

Deferred revenue includes $58 prepayment by DuPont for specified goodsRepresents the current portion of the Company’s operating lease liabilities, which is discussed further in “Note 3 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” and services, which Chemours expects to provide through mid-2017.

“Note 14 – Leases.”

 

4(4)

Miscellaneous primarily includes accrued utility expenses, property taxes, an accrued indemnification liability, the current portion of the Company’s asset retirement obligations, (see Note 20) and other miscellaneous expenses.


F-37


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts and par values)

Note 20. Debt

The following table sets forth the components of the Company’s debt at December 31, 2019 and 2018.

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Senior secured term loans:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tranche B-2 U.S. dollar term loan due May 2025

 

$

884

 

 

$

893

 

Tranche B-2 euro term loan due May 2025

(€344 at December 31, 2019 and €347 at December 31, 2018)

 

 

383

 

 

 

396

 

Senior unsecured notes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.625% due May 2023

 

 

908

 

 

 

908

 

7.000% due May 2025

 

 

750

 

 

 

750

 

4.000% due May 2026

(€450 at December 31, 2019 and 2018)

 

 

501

 

 

 

513

 

5.375% due May 2027

 

 

500

 

 

 

500

 

Securitization Facility

 

 

110

 

 

 

 

Finance lease liabilities

 

 

59

 

 

 

2

 

Financing obligation (1)

 

 

95

 

 

 

55

 

Other

 

 

6

 

 

 

 

Total debt

 

 

4,196

 

 

 

4,017

 

Less: Unamortized issue discounts

 

 

(8

)

 

 

(10

)

Less: Unamortized debt issuance costs

 

 

(28

)

 

 

(35

)

Less: Short-term and current maturities of long-term debt

 

 

(134

)

 

 

(13

)

Total long-term debt, net

 

$

4,026

 

 

$

3,959

 

 

(1)

At December 31, 2019, financing obligation includes $95 in connection with the financed portion of the Chemours Discovery Hub, which was considered a build-to-suit lease liability of $55 at December 31, 2018. Refer to “Note 14 – Leases” for further details.

Senior Secured Credit Facilities

On April 3, 2018, the Company amended and restated its credit agreement (“Credit Agreement”) that provides for a seven-year, senior secured term loan facility and a five-year, $800 senior secured revolving credit facility (“Revolving Credit Facility”) (collectively, the “Senior Secured Credit Facilities”). The Senior Secured Credit Facilities are subject to a springing maturity in the event that the senior unsecured notes due in May 2023 are not redeemed, repaid, modified, and/or refinanced within the 91-day period prior to their maturity date.

The senior secured term loan facility under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities provides for a class of term loans, denominated in U.S. dollars, in an aggregate principal amount of $900 (“Dollar Term Loan”) and a class of term loans, denominated in euros, in an aggregate principal amount of €350 (“Euro Term Loan”) (collectively, the “Term Loans”). The Dollar Term Loan bears a variable interest rate equal to, at the election of the Company, adjusted LIBOR plus 1.75% or adjusted base rate plus 0.75%, subject to an adjusted LIBOR or an adjusted base rate floor of 0.00% or 1.00%, respectively. The Euro Term Loan bears a variable interest rate equal to adjusted EURIBOR plus 2.00%, subject to an adjusted EURIBOR floor of 0.50%. The Term Loans will mature on April 3, 2025, and are subject to acceleration in certain circumstances.

F-38


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts and par values)

The proceeds of any loans made under the Revolving Credit Facility can be used for working capital needs and other general corporate purposes, including permitted acquisitions, as defined in the Credit Agreement. The Revolving Credit Facility bears a variable interest rate range based on the Company’s total net leverage ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement, between (i) a 0.25% and a 1.00% spread for adjusted base rate loans, and (ii) a 1.25% and a 2.00% spread for LIBOR and EURIBOR loans. In addition, the Company is required to pay a commitment fee on the average daily unused amount of the Revolving Credit Facility within an interest rate range based on its total net leverage ratio, between 0.10% and 0.25%. The Revolving Credit Facility will mature on April 3, 2023, and is subject to acceleration in certain circumstances.

During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company borrowed and subsequently repaid $150 under the Revolving Credit Facility.There were 0 borrowings outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility at December 31, 2019 and 2018. Issued and outstanding letters of credit under the Revolving Credit Facility amounted to $103 and $104 at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. At December 31, 2019, the effective interest rates on the Dollar Term Loan and the Euro Term Loan were 3.6% and 2.5%, respectively, and commitment fees on the Revolving Credit Facility were assessed at a rate of 0.20% per annum. In connection with the issuance of the Senior Secured Credit Facilities, the Company incurred a loss on debt extinguishment of $3 for the year ended December 31, 2018.

Under the Credit Agreement, solely with respect to the Revolving Credit Facility, the Company is required to maintain a senior secured net leverage ratio not to exceed 2.00 to 1.00 in each quarter, through the date of maturity. In addition, the Credit Agreement contains customary affirmative and negative covenants that, among other things, limit or restrict the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ ability, subject to certain exceptions, to incur additional indebtedness or liens, pay dividends, and engage in certain transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, asset sales, or investments, outside of specified carve-outs. The Credit Agreement also contains customary representations and warranties and events of default. The Company was in compliance with its debt covenants at December 31, 2019 and 2018.

The Company’s obligations under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities are guaranteed on a senior secured basis by all of its material domestic subsidiaries, which are also guarantors of the Company’s outstanding notes, subject to certain exceptions. The obligations under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities are also, subject to certain exceptions, secured by a first priority lien on substantially all of the Company’s assets and substantially all of the assets of its wholly-owned, material domestic subsidiaries, including 100% of the stock of certain of its domestic subsidiaries and 65% of the stock of certain of its foreign subsidiaries.

Senior Unsecured Notes

Senior Unsecured Notes due May 2023 and May 2025

On May 12, 2015, Chemours issued an aggregate principal amount of $2,503 in senior unsecured notes consisting of an aggregate principal amount of $1,350 6.625% senior unsecured notes due May 2023, denominated in U.S. dollars (the “2023 Dollar Notes”), an aggregate principal amount of €360 6.125% senior unsecured notes due May 2023, denominated in euros (the “2023 Euro Notes”), and an aggregate principal amount of $750 7.000% senior unsecured notes due May 2025, denominated in U.S dollars (the “2025 Notes”) (collectively, the “Original Notes”). The Original Notes required or require, as applicable, payment of principal at maturity and payments of interest semi-annually in cash and in arrears on May 15 and November 15 of each year. The proceeds from the Original Notes were issued to fund a cash distribution to DuPont in connection with the Separation. As discussed in more detail below, the Company purchased or redeemed, as applicable, all of the outstanding 2023 Euro Notes and a $250 aggregate principal amount of the 2023 Dollar Notes during the year ended December 31, 2018.

The Original Notes were or are, as applicable, fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, on a senior unsecured unsubordinated basis, by each of Chemours’ existing and future direct or indirect domestic restricted subsidiaries that (i) incurs or guarantees indebtedness under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities, or (ii) guarantees certain other indebtedness of the Company or any guarantor in an aggregate principal amount in excess of$75. The Original Notes were or are, as applicable, unsecured and unsubordinated by Chemours and its guarantor subsidiaries. The Original Notes ranked or rank, as applicable, equally in right of payment to all of Chemours’ existing and future unsecured unsubordinated debt and senior in right of payment to all of its existing and future debt that is by its terms expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Original Notes. The Original Notes were or are, as applicable, subordinated to indebtedness under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities as well as any future secured debt to the extent of the value of the assets securing such debt.

F-39


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts and par values)

Pursuant to the terms of the indenture governing the Original Notes, the Company was or is, as applicable, obligated to offer to purchase the Original Notes at a price of (i) 101% of their principal amount, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, up to, but not including, the date of purchase, upon the occurrence of certain change of control events, and (ii) 100% of their principal amount, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, up to, but not including, the date of purchase, with the proceeds from certain asset dispositions. These restrictions and prohibitions were or are, as applicable, subject to certain qualifications and exceptions set forth in the indenture governing the Original Notes, including without limitation, reinvestment rights with respect to the proceeds of asset dispositions.

Chemours is permitted to currently redeem some or all of the 2023 Dollar Notes at specified redemption prices, and may redeem some or all of the 2025 Notes on or after May 15, 2020 at specified redemption prices. Chemours may also redeem some or all of the 2023 Dollar Notes or the 2025 Notes by means other than a redemption, including tender offer or open market purchases. Pursuant to the terms of the tax matters agreement entered into at the time of the Separation, the Company’s ability to pre-pay, pay down, redeem, retire, or otherwise acquire the 2025 Notes is limited in the absence of obtaining certain tax opinions.

Senior Unsecured Notes Due May 2027

On May 23, 2017, Chemours issued a $500 aggregate principal amount of 5.375% senior unsecured notes due May 2027 (the “2027 Notes”). The 2027 Notes require payment of principal at maturity and interest semi-annually in cash and in arrears on May 15 and November 15 of each year. The Company received proceeds of $489, net of an original issue discount of $5 and underwriting fees and other related expenses of $6, which are deferred and amortized to interest expense using the effective interest method over the term of the 2027 Notes. A portion of the net proceeds from the 2027 Notes was used to pay the $335 accrued for the global settlement of the multi-district “PFOA MDL Settlement,” as discussed in “Note 22 – Commitments and Contingent Liabilities.” The remaining proceeds from the 2027 Notes were available for general corporate purposes.

The 2027 Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, on a senior unsecured unsubordinated basis by each of Chemours’ existing and future direct and indirect domestic restricted subsidiaries that (i) incurs or guarantees indebtedness under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities, or (ii) guarantees certain other indebtedness of Chemours or any guarantor in an aggregate principal amount in excess of$100. The guarantees of the 2027 Notes will rank equally with all other senior indebtedness of the guarantors. The 2027 Notes rank equally in right of payment to all of Chemours’ existing and future unsecured unsubordinated debt and are senior in right of payment to all of its existing and future debt that is by its terms expressly subordinated in right of payment to the 2027 Notes. The 2027 Notes are subordinated to indebtedness under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities as well as any future secured debt to the extent of the value of the assets securing such debt, and structurally subordinated to the liabilities of any non-guarantor subsidiaries.

Pursuant to the terms of the indenture governing the 2027 Notes, Chemours may redeem the 2027 Notes, in whole or in part, at an amount equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount plus a specified “make-whole” premium and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase prior to February 15, 2027. Chemours may also redeem some or all of the 2027 Notes by means other than a redemption, including tender offer and open market repurchases. Chemours is obligated to offer to purchase the 2027 Notes at a price of 101% of the principal amount, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, up to, but not including, the date of purchase, upon the occurrence of certain change of control events.

Senior Unsecured Notes due May 2026

On June 6, 2018, the Company issued an aggregate principal amount of €450 4.000% senior unsecured notes due May 2026, denominated in euros (the “2026 Euro Notes”). The 2026 Euro Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, on a senior unsecured unsubordinated basis, by each of the Company’s existing and future direct and indirect domestic restricted subsidiaries that (i) incurs or guarantees indebtedness under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities, or (ii) guarantees certain other indebtedness of the Company or any guarantor in an aggregate principal amount in excess of$100. The 2026 Euro Notes require payment of principal at maturity and payments of interest semi-annually in cash and in arrears on May 15 and November 15 of each year.

F-40


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts and par values)

Pursuant to the terms of the indenture governing the 2026 Euro Notes, the Company is obligated to offer to purchase the 2026 Euro Notes at a price of 101% of the principal amount, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, up to, but not including, the date of purchase, upon the occurrence of certain change of control events. Prior to May 15, 2021, the Company may redeem the 2026 Euro Notes (i) in whole or in part, at an amount equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount plus a specified “make-whole” premium, and (ii) on one or more occasions, up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes, with the net cash proceeds of one or more equity offerings at a price equal to 104% of the principal amounts of such notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, up to, but excluding, the redemption date. The guarantees of the 2026 Euro Notes will rank equally with all other senior indebtedness of the guarantors. The 2026 Euro Notes rank equally in right of payment to all of the Company’s existing and future unsecured unsubordinated debt and are senior in right of payment to all of its existing and future debt that is, by its terms, expressly subordinated in right of payment to the 2026 Euro Notes. The 2026 Euro Notes are subordinated to indebtedness under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities, as well as any future secured debt to the extent of the value of the assets securing such debt, and are structurally subordinated to the liabilities of any non-guarantor subsidiaries.

The Company received net proceeds of €445 from the offering of the 2026 Euro Notes, which, together with cash on hand, were used to purchase or redeem, as the case may be, all of the outstanding 2023 Euro Notes and a $250 aggregate principal amount of the 2023 Dollar Notes pursuant to the Tender Offers (defined below) and the redemption of the 2023 Euro Notes, as well as pay for any fees and expenses in connection therewith. In connection with the concurrent redemption of the 2023 Euro Notes and issuance of the 2026 Euro Notes, the Company incurred a loss on extinguishment of $35 for the year ended December 31, 2018.

2023 Notes Tender Offers and Redemption of the 2023 Euro Notes

On May 21, 2018, the Company commenced 2 all-cash tender offers to purchase: (i) up to $250 of the outstanding 2023 Dollar Notes, for a purchase price of $1,052.50 per $1,000.00 of principal amount through an early tender deadline of June 4, 2018, and $1,022.50 per $1,000.00 of principal amount thereafter, through June 18, 2018, the tender expiration date, plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon (the “Dollar Tender Offer”); and, (ii) any and all of the outstanding 2023 Euro Notes (collectively, the “2023 Notes”), for a purchase price of €1,048.75 per €1,000.00 of principal amount through an early tender deadline of June 4, 2018, and €1,018.75 per €1,000.00 of principal amount thereafter, through June 18, 2018, the tender expiration date, plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon (the “Euro Tender Offer”) (collectively, the “Tender Offers”).

The Company completed the Dollar Tender Offer on June 6, 2018 for an aggregate purchase price of $264, inclusive of an early participation premium of $13 and accrued interest of $1. The Company completed the Euro Tender Offer on June 8, 2018 for an aggregate purchase price of €310, inclusive of an early participation premium of €14 and accrued interest of €1. In connection with the Euro Tender Offer, the Company received consents from the holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the 2023 Euro Notes to amend certain provisions of the indenture governing the 2023 Euro Notes, thereby allowing the Company to call and redeem the remaining 2023 Euro Notes outstanding upon two business days’ notice to the noteholders. On June 8, 2018, the Company completed the redemption of the remaining outstanding 2023 Euro Notes that were not purchased pursuant to the Euro Tender Offer. The Tender Offers and the redemption of the 2023 Euro Notes were funded with the proceeds from the offering of the 2026 Euro Notes and cash on hand.

Accounts Receivable Securitization Facility

On July 12, 2019, the Company, through a wholly-owned special purpose entity (“SPE”), executed an agreement with a bank for an accounts receivable securitization facility (“Securitization Facility”) for the purpose of enhancing the Company’s liquidity. Under the Securitization Facility, certain of the Company’s subsidiaries will sell their accounts receivable to the SPE, which is a non-guarantor subsidiary. In turn, the SPE may transfer undivided ownership interests in such receivables to the bank in exchange for cash. The Securitization Facility permits the SPE to borrow up to a total of $125, with an option to increase to $200. The bank has a first priority security interest in all receivables held by the SPE, and the SPE has not granted a security interest to anyone else. At December 31, 2019, receivables held by the SPE totaled $176.

Because the SPE maintains effective control over the accounts receivable, transfers of the ownership interests to the bank do not meet the criteria to account for the transfers as true sales. As a result, the Company accounted for the transfers under the Securitization Facility as collateralized borrowings. Cash received from the bank is a short-term obligation of the Company, which is fully-collateralized by all receivables held by the SPE. The Securitization Facility is subject to interest charges against both the amount of outstanding borrowings and the amount of available but undrawn commitments. The Securitization Facility bears a variable interest rate on outstanding borrowings and a fixed commitment fee on the average daily undrawn amount. During the year ended December 31, 2019, the weighted average interest rate on the outstanding borrowings under the Securitization Facility was 2.0%. Borrowings under the Securitization Facility are classified in its consolidated balance sheets as a component of its current liabilities due to the short-term nature of the obligation. Borrowings and repayments under the Securitization Facility amounted to $128 and $18, respectively. Net borrowings of $110 remained outstanding as of December 31, 2019.

F-41


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts and par values)

Other

During the third quarter of 2019, the Company entered into a financing arrangement, by which an external financing company funded certain of the Company’s annual insurance premiums for $11.  During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company made payments of $5 to the financing company, and the remaining $6 is to be repaid within the next twelve months.

Maturities

The Company has required quarterly principal payments related to the Senior Secured Credit Facilities equivalent to 1.00% per annum through December 2024, with the balance due at maturity. Also, following the end of each fiscal year commencing on the year ended December 31, 2019, on an annual basis, the Company is required to make additional principal payments depending on leverage levels, as defined in the amended and restated credit agreement, equivalent to up to 50% of excess cash flows based on certain leverage targets with step-downs to 25% and 0% as actual leverage decreases to below a 3.50 to 1.00 leverage target.

The following table sets forth the Company’s debt principal maturities for the next five years and thereafter.

 

 

Year Ended

 

 

 

December 31,

 

2020

 

$

122

 

2021

 

 

13

 

2022

 

 

13

 

2023

 

 

921

 

2024

 

 

13

 

Thereafter (1)

 

 

2,954

 

Total principal maturities on debt

 

$

4,036

 

(1)

The Senior Secured Credit Facilities are subject to a springing maturity in the event that the senior unsecured notes due in May 2023 are not redeemed, repaid, modified, and/or refinanced within the 91-day period prior to their maturity date

Debt Fair Value

The following table sets forth the estimated fair values of the Company’s senior debt issues, which are based on quotes received from third-party brokers, and are classified as Level 2 financial instruments in the fair value hierarchy. The carrying value of the Securitization Facility approximates its fair value based on its short-term nature and maturity.

 

 

December 31, 2019

 

 

December 31, 2018

 

 

 

Carrying Value

 

 

Fair Value

 

 

Carrying Value

 

 

Fair Value

 

Senior secured term loans:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tranche B-2 U.S. dollar term loan due May 2025

 

$

884

 

 

$

865

 

 

$

893

 

 

$

862

 

Tranche B-2 euro term loan due May 2025

(€344 at December 31, 2019 and €347 at December 31, 2018)

 

 

383

 

 

 

378

 

 

 

396

 

 

 

394

 

Senior unsecured notes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.625% due May 2023

 

 

908

 

 

 

917

 

 

 

908

 

 

 

918

 

7.000% due May 2025

 

 

750

 

 

 

755

 

 

 

750

 

 

 

761

 

4.000% due May 2026

(€450 at December 31, 2019 and 2018)

 

 

501

 

 

 

455

 

 

 

513

 

 

 

487

 

5.375% due May 2027

 

 

500

 

 

 

450

 

 

 

500

 

 

 

454

 

Securitization Facility

 

 

110

 

 

 

110

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total senior debt

 

 

4,036

 

 

$

3,930

 

 

 

3,960

 

 

$

3,876

 

Less: Unamortized issue discounts

 

 

(8

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(10

)

 

 

 

 

Less: Unamortized debt issuance costs

 

 

(28

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(35

)

 

 

 

 

Total senior debt, net

 

$

4,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

3,915

 

 

 

 

 


F-42


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts and par values)

 

Note 21. Other Liabilities

 

Note 18. Other LiabilitiesThe following table sets forth the components of the Company’s other liabilities at December 31, 2019 and 2018.

 

 

 

December 31, 2016

 

 

December 31, 2015

 

Environmental remediation 1

 

$

208

 

 

$

223

 

Employee-related costs 2

 

 

113

 

 

 

108

 

Employee separation costs 3

 

 

3

 

 

 

23

 

Accrued litigation 1

 

 

53

 

 

 

58

 

Asset retirement obligations 1

 

 

41

 

 

 

41

 

Deferred revenue

 

 

5

 

 

 

11

 

Miscellaneous 4

 

 

101

 

 

 

89

 

Total

 

$

524

 

 

$

553

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Environmental remediation (1)

 

$

332

 

 

$

152

 

Employee-related costs (2)

 

 

113

 

 

 

130

 

Accrued litigation (1)

 

 

50

 

 

 

53

 

Asset retirement obligations

 

 

54

 

 

 

51

 

Deferred revenue

 

 

8

 

 

 

7

 

Miscellaneous (3)

 

 

76

 

 

 

64

 

Total other liabilities

 

$

633

 

 

$

457

 

 

1(1)

See Note 20 for further details onRepresents the long-term portions of environmental remediation asset retirement obligations and accrued litigation.

litigation, which are discussed further in “Note 22 – Commitments and Contingent Liabilities.” With respect to the Company’s ongoing matters at Fayetteville, environmental remediation includes $181 at December 31, 2019. There were 0 amounts included in other liabilities for such matters at December 31, 2018.

 

2(2)

See Note 22 for further details onEmployee-related costs primarily represent liabilities associated with the Company’s long-term employee benefits.

benefit plans.

 

3

See Note 6 for further information.

4(3)

Miscellaneous primarily includes an accrued indemnification liability.

liability of $41 and $46 at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

F-29


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share)

Note 19. Debt

Long-term debt was comprised of the following at December 31, 2016 and 2015:

 

 

December 31, 2016

 

 

December 31, 2015

 

Long-term debt:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Senior secured term loan

 

$

1,372

 

 

$

1,493

 

Senior unsecured notes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.625%, due May 2023

 

 

1,158

 

 

 

1,350

 

7.00%, due May 2025

 

 

750

 

 

 

750

 

6.125%, due May 2023 (€295 at December 31, 2016; €360 at

   December 31, 2015)

 

 

308

 

 

 

395

 

Other

 

 

3

 

 

 

26

 

Total

 

 

3,591

 

 

 

4,014

 

Less: Unamortized issue discount on senior secured term loan

 

 

5

 

 

 

7

 

Less: Unamortized debt issuance costs

 

 

42

 

 

 

53

 

Less: Short-term borrowings and current maturities

 

 

15

 

 

 

39

 

Long-term debt, net

 

$

3,529

 

 

$

3,915

 

Senior Secured Credit Facilities

On May 12, 2015, Chemours entered into a credit agreement that provides for a seven-year senior secured term loan (the Term Loan Facility) in a principal amount of $1,500 repayable in equal quarterly installments at a rate of one percent of the original principal amount per year, with the balance payable on the final maturity date.  The Term Loan Facility was issued with a $7 original issue discount and bears interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 3.00%, with a 0.75% LIBOR floor. The proceeds from the Term Loan Facility were used to fund a portion of the distribution to DuPont, along with related fees and expenses.

The credit agreement also provided for a five-year senior secured revolving credit facility (the Revolving Credit Facility), which has been reduced to $750 as part of the amendment completed on February 19, 2016 (discussed below).  The proceeds of any loans made under the Revolving Credit Facility can be used for capital expenditures, acquisitions, working capital needs and other general corporate purposes.  No borrowings were outstanding under our Revolving Credit Facility but had $132 and $129 in letters of credit issued and outstanding under this facility at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.  The Revolving Credit Facility bears variable interest of a range based on our total net leverage ratio between (a) 0.50% and 1.25% for base rate loans and (b) 1.50% and 2.25% for LIBOR loans.  The applicable margins were 1.00% for base rate loans and 2.00% for LIBOR loans as of December 31, 2016 and 1.25% for base rate loans and 2.25% for LIBOR loans as of December 31, 2015. In addition, we are required to pay a commitment fee on the average daily unused amount of the Revolving Credit Facility at a rate based on our total net leverage ratio, between 0.20% and 0.35%.  As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, commitment fees were assessed at a rate of 0.30% and 0.35%, respectively.

In September 2015, in connection with the Company’s transformation plan announced in August 2015, Chemours and its Revolving Credit Facility lenders entered into an amendment to the Revolving Credit Facility that modified the consolidated EBITDA definition in the covenant calculation to include pro forma benefits from future cost savings initiatives in the calculation of financial covenants that rely on consolidated EBITDA beginning from the quarter ended September 30, 2015. Since the revolver availability in any quarter is determined by the cushion remaining in the financial maintenance covenants at the end of the previous quarter, this amendment increased the Company’s access to the revolving credit facility.

In February 2016, Chemours and its Revolving Credit Facility lenders entered into a second amendment to the Revolving Credit Facility that (a) replaced the total net leverage ratio financial covenant with senior secured net leverage ratio; (b) reduced the minimum required levels of interest expense coverage ratio covenant; (c) increased the limits and extended the time horizon for inclusion of pro forma benefits of announced cost reduction initiatives into consolidated EBITDA definition for the purposes of calculating financial maintenance covenants; and (d) reduced the revolver availability from $1,000 to $750. As a result of this amendment, the Company recorded a charge of approximately $4 to write off a proportionate amount of unamortized debt issuance costs attributable to the reduction in revolver commitment, which was included in “Interest expense, net”.

F-30


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share)

In December 2016, Chemours entered into a third amendment to the credit agreement to change certain covenants and allow the Company to enter into a sale and leaseback transaction for the sale of its corporate headquarters building located in Wilmington, Delaware.  The amendment requires the Company to use the proceeds from sale to repay portion of the term loans.  These transactions are expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2017, and the Company expects to receive approximately $32 proceeds, subject to customary closing adjustments.

Fees and expenses incurred in connection with the amendments were approximately $3 and $1 for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, which were primarily capitalized in “Other assets” of the Consolidated Balance Sheets and will be amortized to interest expense on a straight-line basis over the remaining term of the Revolving Credit Facility.

The credit agreement, as amended, contains financial covenants which, solely with respect to the Revolving Credit Facility, require Chemours not to exceed a maximum senior secured net leverage ratio of 3.50 to 1.00 each quarter through December 31, 2016, 3.00 to 1.00 through June 30, 2017 and further decreasing by 0.25 to 1.00 every subsequent six months to 2.00 to 1.00 by January 1, 2019 and thereafter. Chemours is also required to maintain a minimum interest coverage ratio of 1.75 to 1.00 each quarter through June 30, 2017 and further increasing by 0.25 to 1.00 every subsequent six months to 3.00 to 1.00 by January 1, 2019 and thereafter.  In addition, the credit agreement contains customary affirmative and negative covenants that, among other things, limit or restrict Chemours and its subsidiaries’ ability, subject to certain exceptions, to incur liens, merge, consolidate or sell, transfer or lease assets, make investments, pay dividends, transact with subsidiaries and incur indebtedness.  The credit agreement also contains customary representations and warranties and events of default.  Chemours was in compliance with its debt covenants as of December 31, 2016.

Chemours’ obligations under the senior secured credit facilities are guaranteed on a senior secured basis by all of its material domestic subsidiaries, subject to certain agreed upon exceptions.  The obligations under the senior secured credit facilities are also, subject to certain agreed upon exceptions, secured by a first priority lien on substantially all of Chemours and its material wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries’ assets, including 100% of the stock of domestic subsidiaries and 65% of the stock of certain foreign subsidiaries.

Senior Unsecured Notes

On May 12, 2015, Chemours issued senior unsecured notes (the “Notes”) with an aggregate principal of approximately $2,503 in a private placement, which comprise of $1,350 aggregate principal amount issued at an interest rate of 6.625% per annum and will mature on May 15, 2023 (the “2023 Notes”), $750 aggregate principal amount issued at an interest rate of 7.000% per annum and will mature on May 15, 2025 (the “2025 Notes”) and €360 aggregate principal amount issued at an interest rate of 6.125% and will mature on May 15, 2023 (the “Euro Notes”).  The Notes require payment of principal at maturity and interest semi-annually in cash and in arrears on May 15 and November 15 of each year.

The proceeds from the Notes were used to fund the cash and in-kind distributions to DuPont and to pay related fees and expenses.  The in-kind distribution to DuPont of $507 aggregate principal amount of Chemours 2025 Notes were exchanged by DuPont with third parties for certain DuPont notes.

In connection with the issuance of the Notes, Chemours entered into a registration rights agreement, in which Chemours agreed to file with the SEC, a registration statement for the exchange of the Notes for new registered notes with identical terms.  On March 18, 2016, Chemours filed a registration statement on Form S-4 with respect to the exchange offer.  The registration statement was declared effective on April 12, 2016, and the exchange offer was completed on May 19, 2016.  In addition, on May 5, 2016, the Euro Notes were listed for trading on the Global Exchange Market of the Irish Stock Exchange.

Each series of Notes is or will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, by Chemours’ existing and future domestic subsidiaries that guarantee (the Guarantors) the Senior Secured Credit Facilities or that guarantee other indebtedness of Chemours or any guarantor in an aggregate principal amount in excess of $75 (the Guarantees). The Notes are unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of Chemours. The Guarantees are unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of the Guarantors. The Notes rank equally in right of payment to all of Chemours’ existing and future unsecured unsubordinated debt and senior in right of payment to all of Chemours’ existing and future debt that is by its terms expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Notes. The Notes are subordinated to indebtedness under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities as well as any future secured debt to the extent of the value of the assets securing such debt.  Chemours’ is obligated to offer to purchase the Notes at a price of (a) 101 percent of their principal amount, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase, upon the occurrence of certain change of control events and (b) 100 percent of their principal amount, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase, with the proceeds from certain asset dispositions. These restrictions and prohibitions are subject to certain qualifications and exceptions set

F-31


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share)

forth in the Indenture, including without limitation, reinvestment rights with respect to the proceeds of asset dispositions.  Chemours is permitted to redeem some or all of the 2023 Notes and Euro Notes by paying a “make-whole” premium prior to May 15, 2018, and on or after May 15, 2018 and thereafter at specified redemption prices.  Chemours may redeem some or all of the 2025 Notes on or after May 15, 2020 at specified redemption prices. Chemours may also redeem some or all of the 2023 Notes and Euro Notes by means other than a redemption, including tender offer and open market repurchases.

Term Loans and Notes Repayments

During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company repurchased or repaid portions of its senior secured term loans (“Term Loans”), 2023 Notes and Euro Notes with aggregate principal and cash payment amounts as follows:

 

 

Year Ended December 31, 2016

 

 

 

Aggregate Principal

 

 

Cash Payment

 

Term Loans 1

 

$

105

 

 

$

104

 

2023 Notes

 

 

192

 

 

 

182

 

Euro Notes

 

 

73

 

 

 

68

 

 

 

$

370

 

 

$

354

 

1 The Term Loans aggregate principal amounts exclude the required quarterly installment repayments equivalent to $15 per year.

For the year ended December 31, 2016, we recorded in “Interest expense, net” of the Consolidated Statements of Operations a net gain on extinguishment of debt of $10, net of approximately $5 charges related to the write-off of deferred financing costs associated with the extinguished debt.

Maturities

Chemours has required quarterly principal payments related to the Term Loan Facility equivalent to 1.00% per annum through March 2022, with the balance due at maturity.  Term Loan principal maturities over the next five years are $15 in each year from 2017 to 2021.  Debt maturities related to the Term Loan Facility and the Notes in 2022 and beyond will be $3,513.

In addition, following the end of each fiscal year commencing on the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company is also required to make additional principal repayments, depending on leverage levels as defined in the credit agreement, equivalent to up to 50% of excess cash flow based on certain leverage targets with stepdowns to 25% and 0% as actual leverage decreases to below 3.00 to 1.00 leverage target.

Debt Fair Value

The fair values of the Term Loan Facility, the 2023 notes, the 2025 notes and the 2023 Euro notes at December 31, 2016 were approximately $1,370, $1,149, $739 and $305, respectively.  The estimated fair values of the Term Loan Facility and the Notes are based on quotes received from third party brokers, and are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

 

 

Note 20.22. Commitments and Contingent Liabilities

Guarantees

Asset Retirement Obligations

 

(a)

Obligations for Equity Affiliates and Others

Chemours has directly guaranteed variousrecorded asset retirement obligations, which are inclusive of customers, supplierscosts related to closure, reclamation, and other third parties.  Atremoval for mining operations in the production of TiO2 in the Titanium Technologies segment; cap, cover, and post-closure maintenance of landfills in all segments; and, shipment and disposal of stored waste in all segments.

The following table sets forth the activity in the Company’s asset retirement obligations for the years ended December 31, 20162019 and December 31, 2015, Chemours had directly guaranteed less than $1 and $8 of such obligations, respectively.  These represent the maximum potential amount of future (undiscounted) payments that Chemours could be required to make under the guarantees in the event of default by the guaranteed parties. No amounts were accrued at December 31, 2016 and 2015.2018.

Chemours assesses the payment and performance risk by assigning default rates based on the duration of the guarantees. These default rates are assigned based on the external credit rating of the counterparty or through internal credit analysis and historical default

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Balance at January 1,

 

$

57

 

 

$

48

 

Accretion expense

 

 

7

 

 

 

10

 

Settlements and payments

 

 

(3

)

 

 

(1

)

Balance at December 31,

 

$

61

 

 

$

57

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current portion

 

$

7

 

 

$

6

 

Non-current portion

 

 

54

 

 

 

51

 

F-32F-43


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share)share amounts and par values)

 

history for counterparties that do not have published credit ratings. For counterparties without an external rating or available credit history, a cumulative average default rate is used.

(b)

Operating Leases

Chemours uses various leased facilities and equipment in its operations.  The terms for these leased assets vary depending on the lease agreement.  Future minimum lease payments (including residual value guarantee amounts) under non-cancelable operating leases are $62, $53, $46, $23 and $31 for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021, respectively, and $43 for the years thereafter.  Net rental expense under operating leases was $68, $83 and $75 during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Asset Retirement Obligations

Chemours has recorded asset retirement obligations primarily associated with closure, reclamation and removal costs for mining operations related to the production of TiO2 in the Titanium Technologies segment.  A summary of the changes in asset retirement obligations is as follows:Litigation Overview

 

(Dollars in millions)

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Beginning balance

 

$

42

 

 

$

43

 

Accretion expense

 

 

2

 

 

 

1

 

Settlements/payments

 

 

(1

)

 

 

(2

)

Ending balance

 

$

43

 

 

$

42

 

Current portion

 

$

2

 

 

$

1

 

Non-current portion

 

$

41

 

 

$

41

 

Litigation

In addition to the matters discussed below, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries, from time to time, are subject to various lawsuits, claims, assessments, and proceedings with respect to product liability, intellectual property, personal injury, commercial, contractual, employment, governmental, environmental, anti-trust, and other such matters that arise in the ordinary course of business. In addition, Chemours, by virtue of its status as a subsidiary of DuPont prior to the separation, is subject to or required, under the separation-related agreements executed prior to the separation, to indemnify DuPont against various pending legal proceedings arising out of the normal course of the Chemours business including product liability, intellectual property, commercial, environmental and antitrust lawsuits.proceedings. It is not possible to predict the outcomeoutcomes of these various lawsuits, claims, assessments, or proceedings. Except for the PFOA litigation for which a separate assessment is provided in this Note,as noted below, while management believes it is reasonably possible that Chemours could incur losses in excess of the amounts accrued, if any, for the aforementioned proceedings, it does not believe any such loss would have a material impact on Chemours’the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations, or liquidity.  With respect to the litigation matters discussed below, including PFOA multi-district litigation (“MDL”), management’s estimate of the probability of loss in excess of the amounts accrued, if any, is addressed individually for each matter.  In the event that DuPont seeks indemnification for adverse trial rulings or outcomes for any such matter relating to PFOA, these indemnification claims could materially adversely affect Chemours’ financial condition.  Disputescash flows. Additional disputes between Chemours and DuPont may also arise with respect to indemnification matters, including disputes based on matters of law or contract interpretation. If and to the extent these disputes arise, they could materially adversely affect Chemours.

The Company accrues for litigation matters when it is probable that a liability has been incurred, and the amount of the liability can be reasonably estimated. Legal costs such as outside counsel fees and expenses are recognized in the period in which the expense was incurred. Management believes the Company’s litigation accruals are appropriate based on the facts and circumstances for each matter, which are discussed in further detail below.

The following table sets forth the components of the Company’s accrued litigation at December 31, 2019 and 2018.

(a)

Asbestos

 

 

December 31, 2019

 

 

December 31, 2018

 

Asbestos

 

$

34

 

 

$

37

 

PFOA

 

 

20

 

 

22

 

All other matters

 

 

6

 

 

5

 

Total accrued litigation

 

$

60

 

 

$

64

 

The following table sets forth the current and long-term components of the Company’s accrued litigation and their balance sheet locations at December 31, 2019 and 2018.

 

 

Balance Sheet Location

 

December 31, 2019

 

 

December 31, 2018

 

Accrued Litigation:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current accrued litigation

 

Other accrued liabilities (Note 19)

 

$

10

 

 

$

11

 

Long-term accrued litigation

 

Other liabilities (Note 21)

 

 

50

 

 

 

53

 

Total accrued litigation

 

 

 

$

60

 

 

$

64

 

Fayetteville Works, Fayetteville, North Carolina

For information regarding the Company’s ongoing litigation and environmental remediation matters at its Fayetteville Works site in Fayetteville, North Carolina (“Fayetteville”), refer to “Fayetteville Works, Fayetteville, North Carolina” under the “Environmental Overview” within this “Note 22 – Commitments and Contingent Liabilities”.


F-44


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts and par values)

Asbestos

In the Separation, DuPont assigned its asbestos docket to Chemours. At December 31, 20162019 and 2015,2018, there were approximately 1,9001,100 and 1,300 lawsuits and 2,200 lawsuits, respectively, pending against DuPont alleging personal injury from exposure to asbestos. These cases are pending in state and federal court in numerous jurisdictions in the U.S. and are individually set for trial. A small number of cases are pending outside of the U.S. Most of the actions were brought by contractors who worked at sites between 1950the 1950s and the 1990s. A small number of cases involve similar allegations by DuPont employees.  A limited number of the cases were brought byemployees or household members of contractors or DuPont employees. Finally, certain lawsuits allege personal injury as a result of exposure to DuPont products.

 

At December 31, 20162019 and 2015,2018, Chemours had an accrual of $41$34 and $44$37 related to this matter,these matters, respectively. Chemours reviews this estimate and related assumptions quarterly.  Management believes that the likelihood is remote that Chemours would incur losses in excess of the amounts accrued in connection with this matter.

F-33


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share)

 

Benzene

 

(b)

Benzene

In the separation,Separation, DuPont assigned its Benzenebenzene docket to Chemours. At December 31, 20162019 and 2015,2018 there are 27were 16 and 2919 cases pending against DuPont alleging benzene-related illnesses.illnesses, respectively. These cases consist of premises matters involving contractors and deceased former employees who claim exposure to benzene while working at DuPont sites primarily in the 1960s through the 1980s, and product liability claims based on alleged exposure to benzene found in trace amounts in aromatic hydrocarbon solvents used to manufacture DuPont products such as paints, thinners, and reducers.

Through DuPont, Chemours has received a claim by Phillips66 for indemnity and defense for three matters arising at a former DuPont / Conoco Texas site. Phillips66 seeks reimbursement for its settlement and fees in one matter and assumption of the defense in two matters.

A benzene case (Hood v. DuPont) was tried to a verdict in Texas state court on October 20, 2015.  Plaintiffs alleged that Mr. Hood’s Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML) was the result of 24 years of occupational exposure to trace benzene found in DuPont automotive paint products and that DuPont negligently failed to warn him that its paints, reducers and thinners contained benzene that could cause cancer or leukemia.  The jury found in the Plaintiffs favor awarding $6.9 in compensatory damages and $1.5 in punitive damages.  In March 2016, acting on the Company’s motion, the Court struck the punitive award.  Through DuPont, Chemours has filed an appeal on the remaining award based upon substantial errors made at the trial court level. Plaintiffs have filed a cross appeal. 

Management believes that a loss is reasonably possible relatedas to these matters;the docket as a whole; however, given the evaluation of each Benzenebenzene matter is highly fact drivenfact-driven and impacted by disease, exposure, and other factors, a range of such losses cannot be reasonably estimated at this time.

(c)

PFOA

Prior to the fourth quarter of 2014, the performance chemicals segment of DuPont made

PFOA

Chemours does not, and has never, used “PFOA” (collectively, perfluorooctanoic acids and its salts, including the ammonium salt) as a polymer processing aid and/or sold it as a commercial product. Prior to the Separation, the performance chemicals segment of DuPont made PFOA at its Fayetteville plant (Fayetteville, North Carolina) and used PFOA as a processing aid in the manufacture of fluoropolymers and fluoroelastomers at certain sites, including: Washington Works, (Parkersburg,Parkersburg, West Virginia),Virginia; Chambers Works, (Deepwater,Deepwater, New Jersey),Jersey; Dordrecht Works, (Netherlands),Netherlands; Changshu Works, (China),China; and, Shimizu, (Japan).Japan. These sites are now owned and/or operated by Chemours.

At December 31, 2019 and 2018, Chemours recordedmaintained accruals of $349$20 and $20$22, respectively, related to the PFOA matters discussed below at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Inunder the fourth quarter of 2016, the Company recorded an approximately $335 accrual related to the PFOA MDL settlement, which is furtherLeach Settlement as discussed below.

The These accruals also include charges relatedrelate to DuPont’s obligations under agreements with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)(“EPA”) and voluntary commitments to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP)(“NJ DEP”). These obligations and voluntary commitments include surveying, sampling, and testing drinking water in and around certain companyCompany sites, and offering treatment or an alternative supply of drinking water if tests indicate the presence of PFOA in drinking water at or greater than the state or the national Health Advisory. A provisional health advisory level was set in 2009 at 0.4 parts per billion (ppb) that includes PFOA in drinking water.  In May 2016, the EPA announced a health advisory level of 0.07 ppb that includes PFOA in drinking water.  As a result, we recorded an additional $4 in the second quarter of 2016 based on management’s best estimate of the impact of the new health advisory level on the company’s obligations to the EPA, which have expanded the testing and water supply commitments previously established.  Based on prior testing, the Company has initiated additional testing and treatment in certain additional locations in and around Chambers Works and Washington Works plants.advisory. The Company will continue to work with the EPA and other authorities regarding the extent of work that may be required with respect to these matters.

Drinking Water Actions

Leach Settlement

In August 2001,2004, DuPont settled a class action captioned Leach v. DuPont was, filed in West Virginia state court, alleging that approximately 80,000 residents living near the Washington Works facility had suffered, or may suffer, deleterious health effects from exposure to PFOA in drinking water.

DuPont and attorneys for Among the class reached a settlement in 2004 that binds about 80,000 residents. In 2005, DuPont paid the plaintiffs’ attorneys’ fees and expenses of $23 and made a payment of $70, which class counsel designated to fund a community health project. Chemours, throughterms, DuPont funded a series of health studies which were completed in October 2012 by an independent science panel of experts (the (“C8 Science Panel). The studies were conducted in communities exposed to PFOAPanel”) to evaluate available scientific

F-34


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share)

evidence on whether any probable link exists, as defined in the settlement agreement, between exposure to PFOA and human disease.

The C8 Science Panel found probable links, as defined in the settlement agreement, between exposure to PFOA and pregnancy-induced hypertension, including preeclampsia, kidney cancer, testicular cancer, thyroid disease, ulcerative colitis, and diagnosed high cholesterol.

In May 2013, a panel Under the terms of three independent medical doctors released its initial recommendations for screening and diagnostic testing of eligible class members. In September 2014, the medical panel recommended follow-up screening and diagnostic testing three years after initial testing, based on individual results. The medical panel has not communicated its anticipated schedule for completion of its protocol. Throughsettlement, DuPont Chemours is obligated to fund up to $235 for a medical monitoring program for eligible class members and in addition,pay the administrative costcosts associated with the program, including class counsel fees. In January 2012, Chemours, through DuPont, put $1 in an escrow account to fund medical monitoring as required by the settlement agreement. The court-appointed Director of Medical Monitoring has establishedimplemented the program to implement the medical panel’s recommendations and the registration process, as well as eligibility screening, is ongoing. Diagnostic screening and testing has begun andis ongoing with associated payments to service providers are being disbursed from an escrow account which the escrow account.Company replenishes pursuant to the settlement agreement. As of December 31, 2016, less than $12019, approximately $1.7 has been disbursed from the escrow account related to medical monitoring. While it is reasonably possible that the Company will incur additional costs related to the medical monitoring program, such costs cannot be reasonably estimated due to uncertainties surrounding the level of participation by eligible class members and the scope of testing.

In addition, under the Leach settlement agreement, DuPont must continue to provide water treatment designed to reduce the level of PFOA in water to six6 area water districts and private well users. At separation, this obligation was assigned to Chemours, which is included in the accrual amounts recorded as of December 31, 2016.

Class members may pursue personal injury claims against DuPont onlyand $20 and $22 was accrued for those human diseases for which the C8 Science Panel determined a probable link exists. At December 31, 2016 and 2015, there were approximately 3,500 lawsuits filed in various federal and state courts in Ohio and West Virginia, an increase of approximately 600 over year end 2014.  These lawsuits are consolidated in an MDL in Ohio federal court.  Based on the information currently available to the Company, the majority of the lawsuits allege personal injury claims associated with high cholesterol and thyroid disease from exposure to PFOA in drinking water. There are 30 lawsuits alleging wrongful death.

Although the majority of the plaintiffs in the MDL allege multiple diseases, the table below approximates the number of plaintiffs in each of the six probable link disease categories.

Alleged Injury

Approximate Number of Plaintiffs

Kidney cancer

200

Testicular cancer

70

Ulcerative colitis

300

Preeclampsia

200

Thyroid disease

1,430

High cholesterol

1,340

In the third quarter of 2014, six plaintiffs from the MDL were selected for individual bellwether trials.

Settlement of MDL between DuPont and MDL Plaintiffs

On February 11, 2017, DuPont entered into an agreement in principle with plaintiffs’ counsel representing the MDL plaintiffs providing for a global settlement of all cases and claims in the MDL, including all filed and unfiled personal injury cases and claims that are part of the plaintiffs’ counsel’s claim inventory, as well as cases that have been tried to a jury verdict (the “MDL Settlement”).  The total settlement amount is $670.7 million dollars in cash, half of which will be paid by Chemours and half paid by DuPont.  DuPont’s payment would not be subject to indemnification or reimbursement by Chemours, and Chemours has accrued $335 million associated with this matterthese matters at December 31, 2016.  In exchange for payment of the total settlement amount, DuPont2019 and Chemours will receive a complete release of all claims by the settling plaintiffs.  The MDL Settlement was entered into solely by way of compromise and settlement and is not in any way an admission of liability or fault by DuPont or Chemours.  The MDL Settlement is not subject to court approval; however, the MDL Settlement may not proceed in certain conditions, including a walk-away right that enables DuPont to terminate the MDL Settlement if more than a specified number of plaintiffs determine not to participate. In connection with the MDL Settlement, DuPont and MDL plaintiffs’ counsel have sought a stay (the “Stay of MDL Litigation”) of all judicial proceedings related to this action in the federal district court and in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. If the MDL Settlement is terminated or otherwise does not proceed, additional lawsuits may go to trial or appeal.2018, respectively.

F-35F-45


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share)share amounts and par values)

 

LitigationPFOA Leach Class Personal Injury

Further, under the Leach settlement, class members may pursue personal injury claims against DuPont only for those diseases for which the C8 Science Panel determined a probable link exists. Approximately 3,500 lawsuits were subsequently filed in various federal and Procedural Posture Prior to Staystate courts in Ohio and West Virginia and consolidated in multi-district litigation (“MDL”) in Ohio federal court. These were resolved in March 2017 when DuPont entered into an agreement settling all MDL cases and claims, including all filed and unfiled personal injury cases and claims that were part of MDL Litigation

All six bellwetherthe plaintiffs’ counsel’s claims inventory, as well as cases in the MDL have now been tried, resolved, appealed or otherwise addressed.  Two bellwether cases have been tried.  The first case (Bartlett v. DuPont / kidney cancer) was tried to a jury verdict (“MDL Settlement”) for $670.7 in October 2015.  The jury found in favor of the plaintiff, awarding $1.1 in damages for negligencecash, with half paid by Chemours, and $0.5 for emotional distress.  The jury found that DuPont’s conduct did not warrant punitive damages.  A second case (Freeman v. DuPont / testicular cancer) was tried to verdict in July 2016.  The jury found in favor of the plaintiff awarding $5.1 in compensatory damages and $0.5 in punitive damages and attorneys’ fees.  Plaintiff’s counsel alleges that they are entitled to at least $6.9 in attorneys’ fees and costs for the Freeman trial.  Absent the Stay of MDL Litigation, the Court would make a determination after post-trial submissionshalf paid by the parties. The Court’s determination would be subject to appeal.  Court rulings made before and during both trials resulted in several significant grounds for appeal and an appeal to the Sixth Circuit has been filed for the first case.  Oral argument on the appeal of the first case was held in December 2016.  The Company, through DuPont, is pursuing post-trial motions and appeals for the second case.DuPont.

Three bellwether PFOA cases were settled in 2016 as trial approached. These cases (Wolf v. DuPont / ulcerative colitis, Dowdy v. DuPont / kidney cancer, Baker v. DuPont / kidney cancer) were settled for amounts well below the incremental cost of preparing for trials.  To date, the settlements have been individually and in aggregate immaterial to the Company.  The final case (Pugh v. DuPont / ulcerative colitis) was removed from the bellwethers when it was determined that the plaintiff did not suffer from the alleged disease.

The trial court announced that, starting in May 2017, 40 individual plaintiff trials will be scheduled for a 12-month period.  Following the conclusion of the six bellwether cases, on July 19, 2016, the court moved two of the 40 matters (Vigneron v. DuPont / testicular cancer and Moody v. DuPont / testicular cancer) forward and set the cases for trial on November 14, 2016 and January 17, 2017, respectively.  The trial court’s multi-year plan pertains only to the approximately 270 cases claiming cancer.  Based on the current plan, the remaining cases, comprising approximately 93% of the docket, will remain inactive.

The November 2016 trial (Vigneron v. DuPont / testicular cancer) resulted in a verdict in favor of the Plaintiff for $2 in compensatory damages, $10.5 in punitive damages, and attorney’s fees and costs.  Absent the Stay of MDL Litigation, the Company, through DuPont, will pursue post-trial motions and appeals.  The January 2017 trial (Moody v. DuPont / testicular cancer) commenced in the first quarter of 2017 but was stayed pendingConcurrently with the MDL Settlement, and its implementation.

A confidential mediation process was established by the court early in this MDL.

Chemours, through DuPont, denies the allegations in these lawsuits and is defending itself vigorously.  The MDL Settlement was entered into solely by way of compromise and settlement and is not in any way an admission of liability or fault by DuPont or Chemours. No other claims in the MDL have been settled or resolved during the periods presented.

Settlement between DuPont and Chemours related to MDL

DuPont and Chemours have also agreed subject to and following the completion of the MDL Settlement, to a limited sharing of potential future PFOA liabilities (i.e., “indemnifiablecosts (indemnifiable losses, as defined in the separation agreement between DuPont and Chemours) for a period of five years. During that five-year period, Chemours wouldwill annually pay future PFOA liabilitiescosts up to $25 million and, if such amount is exceeded, DuPont wouldwill pay any excess amount up to the next $25 million (which payment will not be subject to indemnification by Chemours), with Chemours annually bearing any further excess liabilitiescosts under the terms of the separation agreement. After the five-year period, this limited sharing agreement wouldwill expire, and Chemours’ indemnification obligations under the separation agreement wouldwill continue unchanged. Chemours has also agreed that upon the MDL Settlement becoming effective, it will not contest its liabilityindemnification obligations to DuPont under the separation agreement for PFOA liabilitiescosts on the basis of ostensible defenses generally applicable to the indemnification provisions under the separation agreement, including defenses relating to punitive damages, fines or penalties, or attorneys’ fees, and waives any such defenses with respect to PFOA liabilities.costs. Chemours has, however, retained other defenses, including as to whether any particular PFOA claim is within the scope of the indemnification provisions of the separation agreement.

 

PFOA Summary

While it is probable that the Company will incur costs related to the medical monitoring program discussed above, such costs cannot be reasonably estimated due to uncertainties surrounding the level of participation by eligible class members and the scope of testing.

Chemours has accrued $335 million associated withall MDL lawsuits were dismissed or resolved through the MDL Settlement, at December 31, 2016.  the MDL Settlement did not resolve PFOA personal injury claims of plaintiffs who did not have cases or claims in the MDL or personal injury claims based on diseases first diagnosed after February 11, 2017. Since the resolution of the MDL, approximately 61 personal injury cases have been filed and are pending in West Virginia or Ohio courts alleging status as a Leach class member. These cases are consolidated before the MDL court. A 2-plaintiff trial commenced in January 2020, and a 6-plaintiff trial is scheduled for June 2020.

F-36

State of Ohio

In February 2018, the State of Ohio initiated litigation against DuPont regarding historical PFOA emissions from the Washington Works site. Chemours is an additional named defendant. Ohio alleges damage to natural resources and fraudulent transfer in the spin-off that created Chemours and seeks damages including remediation and other costs and punitive damages.

PFAS

DuPont and Chemours have received governmental and regulatory inquiries and have been named in other litigations, including class actions, brought by individuals, municipalities, businesses and water districts alleging exposure to and/or contamination from perfluorinated and polyfluorinated compounds (“PFAS”), including PFOA. Many actions include an allegation of fraudulent transfer in the spin-off that created Chemours. Chemours has declined DuPont’s requests for indemnity for fraudulent transfer claims.

In January 2020, Chemours received a letter informing it that the U.S. Department of Justice, Consumer Protection Branch, and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania are considering whether to open a criminal investigation under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and asking that it retain its documents regarding PFAS and food contact applications. Based upon the letter, we are presently unable to predict the duration, scope, or result of any potential governmental, criminal, or civil proceeding that may result, the imposition of fines and penalties, and/or other remedies. We are also unable to develop a reasonable estimate of a possible loss or range of losses, if any.


F-46


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share)share amounts and par values)

 

If the MDL SettlementAqueous Film Forming Foam Matters

Chemours does not, proceed, anyand has never, manufactured aqueous film forming foam (“AFFF”). DuPont and Chemours have been named in 154 matters, involving AFFF, which is used to extinguish hydrocarbon-based (i.e., Class B) fires and subject to U.S. military specifications. Most matters have been transferred to or filed directly into a multidistrict litigation (“AFFF MDL”) in South Carolina federal court or identified by a party for transfer. The matters pending in the AFFF MDL allege damages as a result of contamination, in most cases stayeddue to migration from military installations or additionalairports, or personal injury from exposure to AFFF. Plaintiffs seek to recover damages for investigating, monitoring, remediating, treating, and otherwise responding to the contamination. Others have claims for personal injury, property diminution and punitive damages.

There are 8 AFFF lawsuits may gocurrently pending outside the AFFF MDL that have not been designated by a party for inclusion in the MDL. These matters are: 

Valero Refining (“Valero”) has six pending state court lawsuits filed commencing in June 2019 regarding its Tennessee, Texas, Oklahoma, California, and Louisiana facilities. These lawsuits allege that several defendants that designed, manufactured, marketed, and/or sold AFFF or PFAS incorporated into AFFF have caused Valero to trial incur damages and costs including remediation, AFFF disposal, and replacement. Valero also alleges fraudulent transfer. 

In August 2019, a putative class action was filed in Alaska state court seeking class status for property owners whose groundwater has been contaminated by AFFF use at Fairbanks International Airport, a nearby fire training facility, and other state operations.Damages sought include cost of remediation, monitoring, medical monitoring, diminution of property value, cost of replacement water, and punitive damages. Plaintiffs also allege fraudulent transfer.

In September 2019, a lawsuit alleging personal injury resulting from exposure to AFFF in Long Island drinking water was filed by 4 individuals in New York state court.Plaintiffs also allege violation of New York Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act and seek compensatory and punitive damages, and medical monitoring.

State Natural Resource Damages Matters

In addition to the State of New Jersey actions (as detailed below) and the State of Ohio action (as detailed above), the states of Vermont, New Hampshire, New York, and Michigan have filed lawsuits against defendants, including DuPont and Chemours, relating to the alleged contamination of state natural resources with PFAS compounds either from AFFF and/or appeal. An adverse ruling at trialother unidentified sources. These lawsuits seek damages including costs to investigate, clean up, restore, treat, monitor, or otherwise respond to contamination to natural resources. The lawsuits include counts for fraudulent transfer.

Other PFAS Matters

DuPont has also been named in approximately 51 lawsuits pending in New York courts, which are not part of the Leach class, brought by individual plaintiffs alleging negligence and other claims in the release of PFAS, including PFOA, into drinking water, and seeking medical monitoring, compensatory, and punitive damages against current and former owners and suppliers of a manufacturing facility in Hoosick Falls, New York. NaN other lawsuits in New York have been filed by a business seeking to recover its losses and by nearby property owners and residents in a putative class action seeking medical monitoring, compensatory and punitive damages, and injunctive relief.

In May 2017, the Water Works and Sewer Board of the Town of Centre, Alabama filed suit against numerous carpet manufacturers located in Dalton, Georgia and suppliers and former suppliers, including DuPont, in Alabama state court. The complaint alleges negligence, nuisance, and trespass in the release of PFAS, including PFOA, into a river leading to the town’s water source, and seeks compensatory and punitive damages.

In February 2018, the New Jersey-American Water Company, Inc. (“NJAW”) filed suit against DuPont and Chemours in New Jersey federal court alleging that discharges in violation of the New Jersey Spill Compensation and Control Act (“Spill Act”), were made into groundwater utilized in the NJAW Penns Grove water system. NJAW alleges that damages include costs associated with remediating, operating, and maintaining its system, and attorney fees.

In October 2018, a putative class action was filed in Ohio federal court against 3M, DuPont, Chemours, and other defendants seeking class action status for U.S. residents having a detectable level of PFAS in their blood serum. The complaint seeks declaratory and injunctive relief, including the establishment of a “PFAS Science Panel.”

F-47


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts and par values)

In December 2018, the owners of a dairy farm filed a lawsuit in Maine state court against numerous defendants including DuPont and Chemours alleging that their dairy farm was contaminated by PFAS, including perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (“PFOS”) and PFOA present in treated municipal sewer sludge used in agricultural spreading applications on appeal could resulttheir farm. The complaint asserts negligence, trespass, and other tort and state statutory claims and seeks damages.

In May 2019, a putative class action was filed in our incurring additionalDelaware state court against two electroplating companies alleging that they are responsible for PFAS contamination, including PFOA and PFOS, in drinking water and the environment in the nearby community. The suit also names 3M, DuPont, and Chemours, asserting they sold PFAS containing materials to the electroplating companies. The putative class of residents alleges negligence, nuisance, trespass, and other claims and seeks medical monitoring, personal injury and property damages, and punitive damages.

Commencingin August 2019, 8 Long Island water suppliers filed lawsuits in New York federal court against defendants including DuPont and Chemours regarding alleged PFAS, PFOA, and PFOS contamination through releases from industrial and manufacturing facilities and business locations where PFAS-contaminated water was used for irrigation andsites where consumer products were disposed. The complaints allege products liability, negligence, nuisance, trespass, and fraudulent transfer. Plaintiffs seek declaratory and injunctive relief as well as compensatory andpunitive damages. 

In November 2019, 30 residents filed a lawsuit in New Jersey state court against DuPont, Chemours, and other defendants alleging that they are responsible for PFAS contamination including PFOA and PFOS in groundwater and drinking water.  Plaintiffs have claims for medical monitoring, property value diminution, trespass, and punitive damages. 

In November 2019, the City of Rome, Georgia filed suit against numerous carpet manufacturers located in Dalton, Georgia, suppliers, DuPont, and Chemours in Georgia state court alleging negligence, nuisance, and trespass in the release of perfluorinated compounds, including PFOA, into a river leading to the town’s water source. City of Rome alleges damages to property and lost profits, and expenses for abatement and remediation and punitive damages.

In December 2019, a putative class action was filed in Georgia state court on behalf of customers of the Rome, Georgia water division and the Floyd County, Georgia water department against numerous carpet manufacturers located in Dalton, Georgia, suppliers, DuPont, and Chemours in Georgia state court alleging negligence and nuisance and related to the release of perfluorinated compounds, including PFOA, into a river leading to their water sources.  Damages sought include compensatory damages for increased water surcharges as well as punitive damages and injunctive relief for abatement and remediation.

New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Directives and Litigation

In March 2019, the NJ DEP issued two Directives and filed 4 lawsuits against Chemours and other defendants. The Directives are: (i) a state-wide PFAS Directive issued to DuPont, DowDuPont, DuPont Specialty Products USA (“DuPont SP USA”), Solvay S.A., 3M, and Chemours seeking a meeting to discuss future costs for PFAS related costs incurred by the NJ DEP and establishing a funding source for such costs by the Directive recipients, and information relating to historic and current use of certain PFAS compounds; and, (ii) a Pompton Lakes Natural Resources Damages (“NRD”) Directive to DuPont and Chemours demanding $0.1 to cover the cost of preparation of a natural resource damage assessment plan and access to related documents.

The lawsuits filed in New Jersey state courts by the NJ DEP are: (i) in Salem County, against DuPont, 3M, and Chemours primarily alleging clean-up and removal costs and liabilities,damages and natural resource damages under the Spill Act, the Water Pollution Control Act (“WPCA”), the Industrial Site Recovery Act (“ISRA”), and common law regarding past and present operations at Chambers Works, a site assigned to Chemours at separation; (ii) in Middlesex County, against DuPont, DuPont SP USA, 3M, and Chemours primarily alleging clean-up and removal costs and damages and natural resource damages under the Spill Act, ISRA, WPCA, and common law regarding past and present operations at Parlin, a DuPont owned site; (iii) in Gloucester County, against DuPont and Chemours primarily alleging clean-up and removal costs and damages and natural resource damages under the Spill Act, WPCA, and common law regarding past operations at Repauno, a non-operating remediation site assigned to Chemours at separation which are difficulthas been sold; and (iv) in Passaic County, against DuPont and Chemours primarily alleging clean-up and removal costs and damages and natural resource damages under the Spill Act, WPCA, and common law regarding past operations at Pompton Lakes, a non-operating remediation site assigned to estimate beyond accruedChemours at separation. The alleged pollutants listed in the Salem County and Middlesex County matters above include PFAS. Each lawsuit also alleges fraudulent transfer.

DuPont requested that Chemours defend and indemnify it in these matters. Chemours has accepted the defense while reserving rights and declining DuPont’s demand as to matters under ISRA, fraudulent transfer, or involving other DuPont entities.


F-48


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts and involve significant uncertainty due to the uniqueness of the individual MDL plaintiff’s claimspar values)

PFOA and the defenses to those claims, both as to potential liability and damages on an individual claim basis, and numerous unsettled legal issues, among other factors, such as general versus specific causation, lack of specific fact discovery allowed to date on vast majority of the cases, lack of validation of basic facts associated with plaintiffs and related claims, and the three cases tried to verdict to date did not inform of the many salient facts and legal issues needed for assessment of the other cases.  The appellate courts will rule on matters that have been tried.  The Company believes there are strong common and individual grounds for appealing these verdicts and, if any such verdict is overturned, any subsequent verdict relying on such overturned ruling would likely also be overturned.  The trials and appeals of the MDL matters will occur over the course of many years.  Significant unfavorable outcomes in a number of cases in the MDL could have a material adverse effect on Chemours’ consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.PFAS Summary

There could also be new lawsuits filed related to DuPont’s use of PFOA, its manufacture of PFOA, or its customers use of DuPont products that may not be within the scope of the MDL Settlement. Any such new litigation could also result in Chemours incurring additional costs and liabilities.  

Management believes that it is reasonably possible that the Company could incur losses related to other PFOA and/or PFAS matters in excess of amounts accrued, but any such losses are not estimable at this time.  time due to various reasons, including, among others, that such matters are in their early stages and have significant factual issues to be resolved.

(d)

U.S. Smelter and Lead Refinery, Inc.

Five

U.S. Smelter and Lead Refinery, Inc.

There are six lawsuits, including twoone putative class actions, were filedaction in which class certification was denied, pending against DuPont by area residents concerning the U.S. Smelter and Lead Refinery multi-party Superfund site in East Chicago, Indiana. ThreeSeveral of the lawsuits allege that Chemours is now responsible for DuPont environmental liabilities. The lawsuits include allegations for personal injury damages, damages under the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensationproperty diminution, and Liability Act (“CERCLA”) and damages under the Fair Housing Act (“FHA”).other damages. At separation, DuPont assigned Chemours its former plant site, which is located south of the residential portion of the Superfund area, and its responsibility for the environmental remediation at the Superfund site. DuPont has requested that Chemours defend and indemnify it, and Chemours has agreed to do so under a reservation of rights.  Management believes a loss is reasonably possible, but not estimable at this time.time due to various reasons including, among others, that such matters are in their early stages and have significant factual issues to be resolved.

Securities Litigation

Commencing in October 2019, two putative class action complaints were filed in Delaware federal court alleging that Chemours and certain of its officers violated the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 by making materially false and misleading statements and omissions in public disclosures regarding environmental liabilities assigned to Chemours in connection with its spin-off from DuPont. The complaints seek a class of purchasers of Chemours stock between February 16, 2017 and August 1, 2019 and allege compensatory damages and fees. The Company believes the allegations are without merit and intends to vigorously defend against them. In January 2020, the court appointed a lead plaintiff for the consolidated litigation and set a schedule providing for the filing of a consolidated amended complaint in March 2020.

Management believes that it is not possible at this time to reasonably assess the outcome of this litigation or to estimate the loss or range of loss as the matter is in the early stages with significant issues to be resolved. If the Company were not to prevail in the litigation, the impact could be material to the Company’s results of operations, financial position, and cash flows.

Mining Solutions Facility Construction Stoppage

In March 2018, a civil association in Mexico filed a complaint against the government authorities involved in the permitting process of the Company’s new Mining Solutions facility under construction in Gomez Palacio, Durango, Mexico. The claimant sought and obtained a suspension from the district judge to stop the Company’s construction work. The suspension was subsequently lifted on appeal, and the matter is before the Supreme Court of Mexico. A second similar complaint was filed in September 2019 and, again, a suspension of construction was granted. Chemours has filed an appeal. In the event that the suspension of construction is ultimately upheld, the Company would incur $26 of contract termination fees with a third-party services provider.

At December 31, 2019 the Company had $144 long-lived assets under construction at the facility, $7 of other related prepaid costs, and $51 of the Company’s goodwill assigned to the Mining Solutions reporting unit.  Management believes these amounts are recoverable as of December 31, 2019.


F-49


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts and par values)

Environmental Overview

Chemours, by virtue of its status as a subsidiary of DuPont priordue to the separation,terms of the Separation-related agreements with DuPont, is subject to contingencies pursuant to environmental laws and regulations that in the future may require further action to correct the effects on the environment of prior disposal practices or releases of chemical substances, by Chemours or other parties. Chemours accrues for environmental remediationwhich are attributable to DuPont’s activities consistent with the policy set forth in Note 3.before it spun-off Chemours. Much of this liability results from CERCLA, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, CompensationResource Conservation and LiabilityRecovery Act, (CERCLA, often referred to as Superfund), RCRA and similar state and global laws. These laws require Chemours to undertake certain investigative, remediation, and restoration activities at sites where Chemours conducts or once conducted operations or at sites where Chemours-generated waste was disposed. The accrual also includes estimated costs related to a number of sites identified for which it is probable that environmental remediation will be required, but which are not currently the subject of enforcement activities.

At December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Consolidated Balance Sheets included

Chemours accrues for remediation activities when it is probable that a liability relatinghas been incurred and a reasonable estimate of the liability can be made. Where the available information is sufficient to these mattersestimate the amount of $278liability, that estimate has been used. Where the available information is only sufficient to establish a range of probable liability, and $297, respectively, which, in management’s opinion,no point within the range is appropriatemore likely than any other, the lower end of the range has been used. Estimated liabilities are determined based on existing factsremediation laws and circumstances. technologies and the Company’s planned remedial responses, which are derived from in-depth environmental studies, sampling, testing, and analyses. Inherent uncertainties exist in such evaluations, primarily due to unknown environmental conditions, changing governmental regulations regarding liability, and emerging remediation technologies. These accruals are adjusted periodically as remediation efforts progress and as additional technological, regulatory, and legal information becomes available. Environmental liabilities and expenditures include claims for matters that are liabilities of DuPont and its subsidiaries, which Chemours may be required to indemnify pursuant to the separation-related agreements. These accrued liabilities are undiscounted and do not include claims against third parties. Costs related to environmental remediation are charged to expense in the period that the associated liability is accrued.

The following table sets forth the components of the Company’s environmental remediation liabilities at December 31, 2019 and 2018, and for the five sites that are deemed the most significant by management, including Fayetteville as further discussed below.

 

 

December 31, 2019

 

 

December 31, 2018

 

Chambers Works, Deepwater, New Jersey

 

$

20

 

 

$

18

 

East Chicago, Indiana

 

 

17

 

 

 

21

 

Fayetteville Works, Fayetteville, North Carolina

 

 

201

 

 

 

75

 

Pompton Lakes, New Jersey

 

 

43

 

 

 

45

 

USS Lead, East Chicago, Indiana

 

 

13

 

 

 

15

 

All other sites

 

 

112

 

 

 

117

 

Total accrued environmental remediation

 

$

406

 

 

$

291

 

The following table sets forth the current and long-term components of the Company’s environmental remediation liabilities and their balance sheet locations at December 31, 2019 and 2018.

 

 

Balance Sheet Location

 

December 31, 2019

 

 

December 31, 2018

 

Environmental Remediation:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current environmental remediation

 

Other accrued liabilities (Note 19)

 

$

74

 

 

$

139

 

Long-term environmental remediation

 

Other liabilities (Note 21)

 

 

332

 

 

 

152

 

Total environmental remediation

 

 

 

$

406

 

 

$

291

 


F-50


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts and par values)

The time-frame for a site to go through all phases of remediation (investigation and active clean-up) may take about 15 to 20 years, followed by several years of on-going maintenance and monitoring (“OM&M”)&M activities. Remediation activities, including OM&M activities, vary substantially in duration and cost from site to site. These activities, and their associated costs, depend on the mix of unique site characteristics, evolving remediation technologies, and diverse regulatory requirements, as well as the presence or absence of other potentially responsible parties. In addition, for claims that Chemours may be required to indemnify DuPont pursuant to the separation-relatedSeparation-related agreements, Chemours, through DuPont, has limited available information for certain sites or is in the early stages of discussions with regulators. For these sites in particular, there may be considerable variability between the clean-up activities that are currently being undertaken or planned and the ultimate actions that could be required. Therefore, considerable uncertainty exists with respect to environmental remediation costs and, under adverse changes in circumstances, although deemed remote, the potential liability may range up to approximately $535$530 above the amount accrued at December 31, 2016.2019.

 

For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015,2019, 2018, and 2014,2017, Chemours incurred environmental remediation expenses of $44, $38,$200, $101, and $59,$48, respectively.

F-37

Fayetteville Works, Fayetteville, North Carolina

Fayetteville has been in operation since the 1970s and is located next to the Cape Fear River southeast of the City of Fayetteville, North Carolina. Hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (“HFPO Dimer Acid,” sometimes referred to as “GenX” or “C3 Dimer Acid”) is manufactured at Fayetteville. The Company has operated the site since its separation from DuPont in 2015.

The Company believes that discharges from Fayetteville to the Cape Fear River, site surface water, groundwater, and air emissions have not impacted the safety of drinking water in North Carolina. The Company is cooperating with a variety of ongoing inquiries and investigations from federal, state, and local authorities, regulators, and other governmental entities.

Consent Order with North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (“NC DEQ”)

In September 2017, the NC DEQ issued a 60-day notice of intent to suspend the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (“NPDES”) permit for Fayetteville, and the State of North Carolina filed an action in North Carolina state court regarding site discharges, seeking a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction, as well as other relief, including abatement and site correction. The state court entered a partial consent order resolving NC DEQ’s motion for a temporary restraining order.

In November 2017, NC DEQ informed the Company that it was suspending the NPDES permit for Fayetteville. The Company thereafter commenced the capture and separate disposal of all process wastewater from Fayetteville related to the Company’s own operations.

In June 2018, the North Carolina Legislature enacted legislation (i) granting the governor the authority, in certain circumstances, to require a facility with unauthorized PFAS discharges to cease operations, and (ii) granting the governor the authority, in certain circumstances, to direct the NC DEQ secretary to order a PFAS discharger to establish permanent replacement water supplies for parties whose water was contaminated by the discharge.

In July 2018, Cape Fear River Watch (“CFRW”), a non-profit organization, sued NC DEQ in North Carolina state court, seeking to require NC DEQ to take additional actions at Fayetteville. On August 29, 2018, CFRW sued the Company in North Carolina federal court for alleged violations of the Clean Water Act (“CWA”) and the Toxic Substances Control Act (“TSCA”), seeking declaratory and injunctive relief and penalties.

In February 2019, the North Carolina Superior Court for Bladen County approved a Consent Order (“CO”) between NC DEQ, CFRW and the Company, resolving the State’s and CFRW’s lawsuits and other matters (including Notices of Violation (“NOVs”) issued by the State). Under the terms of the CO, Chemours paid $13 in March 2019 to cover a civil penalty and investigative costs and agreed to certain compliance measures (with stipulated penalties for failures to do so), including the following:

Install a thermal oxidizer to control all PFAS in process streams from certain processes at Fayetteville at an efficiency of 99.99%;

Develop, submit, and implement, subject to approval from NC DEQ and CFRW, a plan for interim actions that are economically and technologically feasible to achieve the maximum PFAS reduction from Fayetteville to the Cape Fear River within a two-year period;

Develop and implement, subject to approval, a Corrective Action Plan that complies with North Carolina’s groundwater standards and guidance provided by NC DEQ.  At a minimum, the Corrective Action Plan must require Chemours to reduce the total loading of PFAS originating from Fayetteville to surface water by at least 75% from baseline, as defined by the CO; and,

Provide and properly maintain permanent drinking water supplies, including via whole-building filtration units and reverse osmosis (“RO”) units to qualifying surrounding properties with private drinking water wells.

F-51


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share)share amounts and par values)

 

BasedThe following table sets forth the components of the Company’s accrued environmental remediation liabilities related to PFAS at Fayetteville at December 31, 2019 and 2018.

 

 

December 31, 2019

 

 

December 31, 2018

 

On-site remediation

 

$

155

 

 

$

10

 

Off-site groundwater remediation

 

 

46

 

 

 

65

 

Total accrued liabilities

 

$

201

 

 

$

75

 

The following table sets forth the current and long-term components of the Company’s accrued environmental remediation liabilities related to PFAS at Fayetteville and their balance sheet locations at December 31, 2019 and 2018.

 

 

Balance Sheet Location

 

December 31, 2019

 

 

December 31, 2018

 

Current accrued liabilities

 

Other accrued liabilities (Note 19)

 

$

20

 

 

$

75

 

Long-term accrued liabilities

 

Other liabilities (Note 21)

 

 

181

 

 

 

 

Total accrued liabilities

 

 

 

$

201

 

 

$

75

 

Emissions to air

Fayetteville operates multiple permitted air discharge stacks, blowers, and vents as part of its manufacturing activities. A thermal oxidizer (“TO”) became fully operational at the site on existingDecember 27, 2019, and Chemours switched to the permitted operating scenario for the TO on December 31, 2019 as set forth in the CO. The TO is designed to reduce aerial PFAS emissions from Fayetteville, and, within 90 days of installation, Chemours and North Carolina Division of Air Quality will conduct testing to confirm whether the TO is destroying 99.99% of all PFAS air emissions routed to it, utilizing a 2017 baseline. Environmental costs are capitalized and subsequently depreciated if the costs extend the useful life of the property, increase the property’s capacity, and/or reduce or prevent contamination from future operations. 

Off-site replacement drinking water supplies

The CO requires the Company to provide permanent replacement drinking water supplies, including via connection to public water supply, whole building filtration units and/or RO units, to qualifying surrounding residents, businesses, schools, and public buildings with private drinking water wells. The qualifying area residents whose drinking water wells have tested above the state provisional health goal of 140 parts per trillion (ppt) for GenX may be eligible for public water or a whole building filtration system. Area residents whose drinking water wells have tested above 10 ppt for GenX or other perfluorinated compounds (“Table 3 Compounds”) are eligible for three under-sink RO units.  The Company provides bottled drinking water to a residence when it becomes eligible for a replacement drinking water supply, and continues to provide delivery of bottled drinking water to these homeowners until the eligible supply is established or installed.

The Company’s estimated liability for off-site replacement drinking water supplies is based on management’s assessment of the current facts and circumstances management doesfor this matter, which are subject to various assumptions that include, but are not believe thatlimited to, the number of affected surrounding properties, response rates to the Company’s offer, the type of water treatment systems selected (i.e., whole building filtration or RO units), the cost of the selected water treatment systems, and any loss, in excess of amountsrelated operation, maintenance, and monitoring (“OM&M”) requirements, assessed fines and penalties, and other charges contemplated by the CO. For off-site drinking water supplies, OM&M is accrued related to remediation activities at any individual site will have a material impactfor 20 years on an undiscounted basis based on the Company’s financial position, resultscurrent plans under the CO. It is estimated that $46 of operations or cash flows at any given year, as such obligation candisbursements related to off-site replacement drinking water supplies will be satisfied or settledmade over many years.approximately 20 years.

 


Note 21. Financial Instruments

Derivative Instruments

Objectives and Strategies for Holding Derivative Instruments

In the ordinary course of business, Chemours enters into contractual arrangements (derivatives) to reduce its exposure to foreign currency risks. The Company has established a derivative program to be utilized for financial risk management.  This program reflects varying levels of exposure coverage and time horizons based on an assessment of risk.  The derivative program has procedures consistent with Chemours’ financial risk management policies and guidelines.

Foreign Currency Forward Contracts

Chemours uses foreign currency forward contracts to reduce its net exposure, by currency, related to non-functional currency-denominated monetary assets and liabilities of its operations so that exchange gains and losses resulting from exchange rate changes are minimized.  These derivative instruments are not part of a cash flow hedge program or a fair value hedge program, and have not been designated as a hedge.  Although all of the forward contracts are subject to an enforceable master netting agreement, Chemours has elected to present the derivative assets and liabilities on a gross basis in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.   No collateral has been required for these contracts.  All gains and losses resulting from the revaluation of the derivative assets and liabilities are recognized in other income, net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations during the period in which they occurred.

At December 31, 2016, there were 45 forward exchange currency contracts outstanding with an aggregate gross notional value of $518.  Chemours recognized a net loss of $15 for the year ended December 31, 2016 and a net gain of $42 for the year ended December 31, 2015, which is recorded in “other income, net” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Net Investment Hedge - Foreign Currency Borrowings

Beginning on July 1, 2015, Chemours designated its €360 million Euro notes (see Note 19) as a hedge of its net investments in certain of its international subsidiaries that use the Euro as functional currency in order to reduce the volatility in stockholders’ equity caused by the changes in foreign currency exchange rates of the Euro with respect to the U.S. Dollar.  Chemours uses the spot method to measure the effectiveness of the net investment hedge. Under this method, for each reporting period, the change in the carrying value of the Euro notes due to remeasurement of the effective portion is reported in accumulated other comprehensive loss in the Consolidated Balance Sheet and the remaining change in the carrying value of the ineffective portion, if any, is recognized in other income, net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Chemours evaluates the effectiveness of its net investment hedge quarterly at the beginning of each quarter.  Chemours did not record any ineffectiveness for the year ended December 31, 2016.  The Company recognized a gain of $14 and $8 for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 on its net investment hedges within accumulated other comprehensive income.

F-38F-52


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share)share amounts and par values)

 

Fair ValueOn-site surface water and groundwater remediation

Abatement and remediation measures already taken by Chemours, including the capture and separate disposal of Derivative Instrumentsits operations’ process wastewater and other interim actions, have addressed and abated nearly all PFAS discharges from the Company’s continuing operations at Fayetteville. However, the Company continues to have active dialogue with NC DEQ and other stakeholders regarding the potential remedies that are both economically and technologically feasible to achieve the CO objectives related to site surface water and groundwater.

In the fourth quarter of 2019, the Company completed and submitted its Cape Fear River PFAS Loading Reduction Plan - Supplemental Information Report and Corrective Action Plan (“CAP”) to NC DEQ. The Supplemental Information Report provides information to support the evaluation of potential remedial options to reduce PFAS loadings to surface waters, including interim alternatives. The CAP describes potential remediation activities to address PFAS in on-site groundwater and surface waters at the site, in accordance with the requirements of the CO and the North Carolina groundwater standards, and builds on the previous submissions to NC DEQ. The NC DEQ has made the CAP available for public review and comment until March 6, 2020.

The Company’s estimated liability for the remediation activities that are probable and estimable is based on the CAP and management’s assessment of the current facts and circumstances, which are subject to various assumptions including the transport pathways (being pathways by which PFAS reaches the Cape Fear River) which will require remedial actions, the types of site surface water and on-site remedies and treatment systems selected and implemented, the estimated cost of such potential remedies and treatment systems, and any related OM&M requirements, and other charges contemplated by the CO.

The CAP also addresses remediation of on-site groundwater and proposes an interim action of extraction of groundwater from existing monitoring wells and treatment prior to discharge. Chemours also proposes to simultaneously proceed with detailed design and engineering of a permanent on-site groundwater treatment system alternative, including collection of extensive pre-design data, while holding a final decision on which alternative should be selected, with approval by NC DEQ, until that design and engineering work is complete (approximately two years). The actual cost of a permanent on-site groundwater treatment system primarily depends on the determination of certain significant design details, notably the actual barrier wall installation method (i.e., slurry wall vs. steel sheets), configuration of extraction wells, and extraction rates.

Accordingly, in the fourth quarter of 2019, based on the CO, the CAP, and management’s plans, which are based on current regulations and technology, the Company accrued an additional $132 related to the estimated cost of on-site remediation. The incremental estimated remediation liability, based on current potential remedial options, is primarily comprised of $42 of construction costs, which are projected to be paid through 2025, and $88 of related OM&M requirements, which is projected to be paid over a period of approximately 20 years. The final costs of any selected remediation will depend primarily on the final approved design and actual labor and material costs.

It is possible that issues relating to site discharges in various transport pathways, the selection of remediation alternatives to achieve PFAS loading reductions, or the operating effectiveness of the TO could result in further litigation and/or regulatory demands with regards to Fayetteville, including potential permit modifications. It is also possible that, as additional data is collected on the transport pathways and dialogue continues with NC DEQ and other stakeholders, the type or extent of remediation actions required to achieve the objectives committed to in the CO may change (increase or decrease). If such issues arise, or if the CO is amended, an additional loss is reasonably possible, but not estimable at this time.


F-53


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts and par values)

Other matters related to Fayetteville

The Company has responded to grand jury subpoenas, produced witnesses before a grand jury and for interviews with government investigators and attorneys, and met with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina and the Environment and Natural Resources Division of the U.S. Department of Justice regarding their ongoing investigation into a potential violation of the CWA. We are presently unable to predict the duration, scope or result of any potential criminal or civil proceeding, including whether fines, penalties, and/or other remedies will be imposed. As such, management believes that it is not possible at this time to reasonably assess the outcome of this matter or to estimate the loss or range of losses, if any, that could result from this matter.

A Notice of Violation (NOV) was received from the EPA in February 2019 alleging certain TSCA violations at Fayetteville. Matters raised in the NOV could have the potential to affect operations at Fayetteville. The Company responded to the EPA in March 2019 asserting that the Company has not violated environmental laws. At this time, management does not believe that a loss is probable related to the matters in this NOV.

In 2019, civil actions have been filed against DuPont and Chemours in North Carolina federal court relating to discharges from Fayetteville. These actions include a consolidated action brought by public water suppliers seeking damages and injunctive relief, a consolidated purported class action seeking medical monitoring, and property damage and/or other monetary and injunctive relief on behalf of the putative classes of property owners and residents in areas near or that draw drinking water from the Cape Fear River, and an action by private well owners seeking compensatory and punitive damages. Ruling on the Company’s motions in April 2019, the court dismissed the medical monitoring, injunctive demand, and many other alleged causes of actions in these lawsuits. It is possible that additional litigation may be filed against the Company and/or DuPont concerning the discharges.

It is not possible at this point to predict the timing, course, or outcome of all governmental and regulatory inquiries and notices and litigation, and it is reasonably possible that these matters could materially affect the Company’s financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. In addition, local communities, organizations, and federal and state regulatory agencies have raised questions concerning HFPO Dimer Acid and other perfluorinated and polyfluorinated compounds at certain other manufacturing sites operated by the Company. It is possible that additional developments similar to those described above and centering on Fayetteville could arise in other locations.

Sale of East Chicago, Indiana

On June 29, 2018, the Company sold its East Chicago, Indiana site to a third party for $1. In connection with the sale, the buyer has agreed to assume all costs associated with environmental remediation activities at the site in excess of $21, which will remain the responsibility of Chemours. At the time of the sale, the Company had accrued the full $21, and will reimburse the buyer through a series of progress payments to be made at defined intervals as certain tasks are completed. The Company recognized a gain of $3 on the sale, which includes the purchase price of $1, plus $2 in environmental remediation liabilities that were assumed by the buyer on the occurrence of the sale.

Sale of Potomac River, West Virginia

On September 27, 2018, the Company sold its Potomac River, West Virginia site to a third party for $4. In connection with the sale, the buyer has agreed to assume certain future environmental remediation costs, and Chemours has retained $4 in existing environmental remediation liabilities, which is a component of all other sites in the significant sites table below presentsabove. The Company recognized a $3 gain on the sale, which was deferred and will be recognized as the Company completes certain environmental remediation activities at the site.

Sale of Oakley, California

On September 9, 2019, the Company sold its Oakley, California site to a third party for $7, of which $4 was received at closing with receipt of the remaining $3 of proceeds contingent upon the completion of certain future environmental remediation activities at the site. In connection with the sale, Chemours has retained $10 in existing environmental remediation liabilities, which is a component of all other sites in the significant sites table above. The Company recognized a $2 gain on the sale, which was deferred and will be recognized as the Company completes certain environmental remediation activities at the site.


F-54


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts and par values)

Note 23. Equity

Share Repurchase Program

On November 30, 2017, the Company’s board of directors approved a share repurchase program authorizing the purchase of shares of Chemours’ issued and outstanding common stock in an aggregate amount not to exceed $500, plus any associated fees or costs in connection with the Company’s share repurchase activity (the “2017 Share Repurchase Program”). Under the 2017 Share Repurchase Program, shares of Chemours’ common stock were purchased on the open market from time to time, subject to management’s discretion, as well as general business and market conditions. The Company’s 2017 Share Repurchase Program became effective on November 30, 2017. On May 31, 2018, the Company completed the aggregate $500 in authorized purchases of Chemours’ issued and outstanding common stock under the 2017 Share Repurchase Program, which amounted to a cumulative 10,085,647 shares purchased at an average share price of $49.58 per share. All common shares purchased under the 2017 Share Repurchase Program are held as treasury stock and are accounted for using the cost method.

On August 1, 2018, the Company’s board of directors approved a share repurchase program authorizing the purchase of shares of Chemours’ issued and outstanding common stock in an aggregate amount not to exceed $750, plus any associated fees or costs in connection with the Company’s share repurchases activity (“2018 Share Repurchase Program”). On February 13, 2019, the Company’s board of directors increased the authorization amount of the 2018 Share Repurchase Program from $750 to $1,000. Under the 2018 Share Repurchase Program, shares of Chemours’ common stock can be purchased on the open market from time to time, subject to management’s discretion, as well as general business and market conditions. The Company’s 2018 Share Repurchase Program became effective on August 1, 2018 and will continue through the earlier of its expiration on December 31, 2020, or the completion of repurchases up to the approved amount. The program may be suspended or discontinued at any time. All common shares purchased under the 2018 Share Repurchase Program are expected to be held as treasury stock and accounted for using the cost method.

During 2019, the Company purchased an aggregate 8,895,142 shares of Chemours’ issued and outstanding common stock under the 2018 Share Repurchase Program, which amounted to $322 at an average share price of $36.24 per share. During 2018, the Company purchased an aggregate 6,350,857 shares of Chemours’ issued and outstanding common stock under the 2018 Share Repurchase Program, which amounted to $250 at an average share price of $39.31 per share. The aggregate amount of Chemours’ common stock that remained available for purchase under this program at December 31, 2019 was $428.

Note 24. Stock-based Compensation

The Company’s stock-based compensation expense amounted to $19, $24, and $29 for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively.

On April 26, 2017, Chemours’ stockholders approved The Chemours Company 2017 Equity and Incentive Plan (the “2017 Plan”), which provides for grants to certain employees, independent contractors, or non-employee directors of the Company of different forms of awards, including stock options, RSUs, and PSUs. The 2017 Plan replaced The Chemours Company Equity and Incentive Plan (the “Prior Plan”), which was adopted by the Company at Separation. As a result, 0 further grants will be made under the Prior Plan.

A total of 19,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock may be subject to awards granted under the 2017 Plan, less 1 share for every one share that was subject to an option or stock appreciation right granted after December 31, 2016 under the Prior Plan, and one-and-a-half shares for every one share that was subject to an award other than an option or stock appreciation right granted after December 31, 2016 under the Prior Plan. Any shares that are subject to options or stock appreciation rights will be counted against this limit as 1 share for every one share granted, and any shares that are subject to awards other than options or stock appreciation rights will be counted against this limit as one-and-a-half shares for every one share granted. Awards that were outstanding under the Prior Plan remain outstanding under the Prior Plan in accordance with their terms. Shares underlying awards granted under the Prior Plan after December 31, 2016 that are forfeited, cancelled, or that otherwise do not result in the issuance of shares, will be available for issuance under the 2017 Plan. At December 31, 2019, approximately 13,900,000 shares of equity and incentive plan reserve are available for grants under the 2017 Plan.

The Chemours Compensation Committee determines the long-term incentive mix, including stock options, RSUs, and PSUs, and may authorize new grants annually.

F-55


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts and par values)

Stock Options

During 2019, 2018, and 2017, Chemours granted non-qualified stock options to certain of its employees, which will serially vest over a three-year period and expire 10 years from the date of grant. The fair values of the Company’s stock options are based on the Black-Scholes valuation model.

The following table sets forth the weighted-average assumptions used at the respective grant dates to determine the fair values of the Company’s stock option awards granted during the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017.

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Risk-free interest rate

 

 

2.53

%

 

 

2.65

%

 

 

2.14

%

Expected term (years)

 

 

6

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

6

 

Volatility

 

 

48.05

%

 

 

47.56

%

 

 

44.49

%

Dividend yield

 

 

2.81

%

 

 

1.42

%

 

 

0.35

%

Fair value per stock option

 

$

13.66

 

 

$

20.47

 

 

$

15.21

 

The Company determined the dividend yield by dividing the expected annual dividend on the Company's stock by the option exercise price. A historical daily measurement of volatility is determined based on the average volatility of peer companies adjusted for the Company’s debt leverage. The risk-free interest rate is determined by reference to the yield on an outstanding U.S. Treasury note with a term equal to the expected life of the option granted. The expected life is determined using a simplified approach, calculated as the mid-point between the graded vesting period and the contractual life of the award.

The following table sets forth Chemours’ stock option activity for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017.

 

 

Number of

Shares

(in Thousands)

 

 

Weighted-average Exercise Price

(per Share)

 

 

Weighted-average

Remaining Contractual Term (in Years)

 

 

Aggregate

Intrinsic Value

(in Thousands)

 

Outstanding, December 31, 2016

 

 

7,969

 

 

$

13.72

 

 

 

5.08

 

 

$

66,668

 

Granted

 

 

878

 

 

 

34.84

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercised

 

 

(2,173

)

 

 

14.36

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forfeited

 

 

(47

)

 

 

20.55

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expired

 

 

(30

)

 

 

12.29

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding, December 31, 2017

 

 

6,597

 

 

$

15.72

 

 

 

5.11

 

 

$

226,524

 

Granted

 

 

495

 

 

 

48.41

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercised

 

 

(1,073

)

 

 

14.69

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forfeited

 

 

(46

)

 

 

37.77

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expired

 

 

(3

)

 

 

18.80

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding, December 31, 2018

 

 

5,970

 

 

$

18.45

 

 

 

4.80

 

 

$

72,108

 

Granted

 

 

836

 

 

 

36.48

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercised

 

 

(590

)

 

 

14.56

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forfeited

 

 

(110

)

 

 

39.06

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expired

 

 

(50

)

 

 

22.12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding, December 31, 2019

 

 

6,056

 

 

$

20.92

 

 

 

4.71

 

 

$

19,087

 

Exercisable, December 31, 2019

 

 

4,620

 

 

$

16.23

 

 

 

3.79

 

 

$

18,630

 

The aggregate intrinsic values in the table above represent the total pre-tax intrinsic value (the difference between the Company's closing stock price on the last trading day at the end of the year and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money options) that would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their in-the-money options at year-end. The amount changes based on the fair market value of the Company’s stock. The total intrinsic value of all options exercised for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017 amounted to $2, $37, and $49, respectively.

F-56


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts and par values)

For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017, the Company recorded $9, $8, and $7 in stock-based compensation expense specific to its non-qualified stock options, respectively. At December 31, 2019, there was $8 of unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to stock options, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.83 years.

Restricted Stock Units

Chemours grants RSUs to key management employees that generally vest over a three-year period and, upon vesting, convert 1-for-one to Chemours’ common stock. The fair value of all stock-settled RSUs is based on the market price of the underlying common stock as of the grant date. RSUs vest contingent upon a time-based vesting condition and do not have explicit performance conditions.

The following table sets forth non-vested RSUs at December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017.

 

 

Number of Shares

(in Thousands)

 

 

Weighted-average

Grant Date

Fair Value

(per Share)

 

Non-vested, December 31, 2016

 

 

2,316

 

 

$

11.23

 

Granted

 

 

214

 

 

 

36.68

 

Vested

 

 

(1,316

)

 

 

11.46

 

Forfeited

 

 

(49

)

 

 

14.27

 

Non-vested, December 31, 2017

 

 

1,165

 

 

$

15.34

 

Granted

 

 

135

 

 

 

48.35

 

Vested

 

 

(1,034

)

 

 

14.86

 

Forfeited

 

 

(19

)

 

 

30.94

 

Non-vested, December 31, 2018

 

 

247

 

 

$

34.22

 

Granted

 

 

439

 

 

 

26.89

 

Vested

 

 

(110

)

 

 

24.98

 

Forfeited

 

 

(30

)

 

 

33.90

 

Non-vested, December 31, 2019

 

 

546

 

 

$

29.95

 

The Company recorded stock-based compensation expense specific to its RSUs of $7 for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, and $14 for the year ended December 31, 2017. At December 31, 2019, there was $10 of unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to RSUs, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 0.88 years.

F-57


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts and par values)

Performance Share Units

Chemours grants PSUs to key senior management employees which, upon vesting, convert 1-for-one to Chemours’ common stock if specified performance goals, including certain market-based conditions, are met over the three-year performance period specified in the grant, subject to exceptions through the respective vesting period of three years. Each grantee is granted a target award of PSUs, and may earn between 0% and 250% of the target amount depending on the Company’s performance against stated performance goals.

The following table sets forth non-vested PSUs at 100% of target amounts at December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017.

 

 

Number of Shares

(in Thousands)

 

 

Weighted-average

Grant Date

Fair Value

(per Share)

 

Non-vested, December 31, 2016

 

 

803

 

 

$

6.10

 

Granted

 

 

211

 

 

 

40.30

 

Vested

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forfeited

 

 

(27

)

 

 

16.62

 

Non-vested, December 31, 2017

 

 

987

 

 

$

12.94

 

Granted

 

 

139

 

 

 

52.34

 

Vested

 

 

(19

)

 

 

24.16

 

Non-vested, December 31, 2018

 

 

1,107

 

 

$

17.71

 

Granted

 

 

240

 

 

 

44.38

 

Vested (1)

 

 

(761

)

 

 

5.07

 

Forfeited

 

 

(57

)

 

 

43.35

 

Non-vested, December 31, 2019

 

 

529

 

 

$

39.53

 

(1)

During the year ended December 31, 2019, approximately 1,520,000 PSUs granted in 2016 to the Company’s key senior management employees vested, based on the attainment of certain performance- and market-based conditions.  Of the 1,520,000 PSUs that vested during the year ended December 31, 2019, approximately 680,000 non-issued shares were cancelled to cover the employee portion of income taxes related to such awards.

A portion of the fair value of Chemours’ derivative assets and liabilities withinPSUs was estimated at the fair value hierarchy, as described in Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

 

 

Fair Value Using Level 2 Inputs

 

 

 

Balance Sheet Location

 

December 31,

2016

 

 

December 31,

2015

 

Asset derivatives:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency forward contracts

 

Accounts and notes receivable - trade, net

 

$

2

 

 

$

2

 

Total asset derivatives

 

 

 

$

2

 

 

$

2

 

Liability derivatives:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency forward contracts

 

Other accrued liabilities

 

$

4

 

 

$

2

 

Total liability derivatives

 

 

 

$

4

 

 

$

2

 

We classify our foreign currency forward contracts in Level 2 as the valuation inputs aregrant date based on quoted prices andthe probability of satisfying the market-based conditions associated with the PSUs using the Monte Carlo valuation method, which assesses the probabilities of various outcomes of market observable dataconditions. The other portion of similar instruments. For derivative assets and liabilities, standard industry models are used to calculate the fair value of the various financial instrumentsPSUs is based on significant observablethe fair market inputs, suchvalue of the Company’s stock at the grant date, regardless of whether the market-based condition is satisfied. The per unit weighted-average fair value at the date of grant for PSUs granted during the year ended December 31, 2019 was $44.38. The fair value of each PSU grant is amortized monthly into compensation expense based on its respective vesting conditions over a three-year period. Compensation cost is incurred based on the Company’s estimate of the final expected value of the award, which is adjusted as foreign exchange ratesrequired for the portion based on the performance-based condition. The Company assumes that forfeitures will be minimal and implied volatilities obtainedrecognizes forfeitures as they occur, which results in a reduction in compensation expense. As the payout of PSUs includes dividend equivalents, no separate dividend yield assumption is required in calculating the fair value of the PSUs.

For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017, the Company recorded $3, $9, and $8 in stock-based compensation expense specific to its PSUs, respectively. At December 31, 2019, based on the Company’s assessment of its performance goals, approximately 600,000 additional shares may be awarded under the 2017 Plan.


F-58


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts and par values)

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

On January 26, 2017, the Company’s board of directors approved The Chemours Company Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”), which was approved by Chemours’ stockholders on April 26, 2017. Under the ESPP, a total of 7,000,000 shares of Chemours’ common stock are reserved and authorized for issuance to participating employees, as defined by the ESPP, which excludes executive officers of the Company. The ESPP provides for consecutive 12-month offering periods, each with 2 purchase periods in March and September within those offering periods. The initial offering period under the ESPP began on October 2, 2017. Participating employees are eligible to purchase the Company’s common stock at a discounted rate equal to 95% of its fair value on the last trading day of each purchase period.

To date, the Company has executed open market transactions to purchase the Company’s common stock on behalf of its ESPP participants, which amounted to 120,714 shares. During the year ended December 31, 2018, an additional 12,411 shares were issued from various market sources. Market inputs are obtained from well-establishedthe Company’s treasury stock to ESPP participants. The total amount of Chemours’ common stock received by employees in connection with the ESPP amounted to $4 at December 31, 2019.

Note 25. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

The following table sets forth the components of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes, for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and recognized vendors of market data and subjected to tolerance and quality checks.2017.

 

 

Net Investment

Hedge

 

 

Cash Flow

Hedge

 

 

Cumulative

Translation

Adjustment

 

 

Employee

Benefits

 

 

Total

 

Balance at January 1, 2017

 

$

22

 

 

$

 

 

$

(358

)

 

$

(241

)

 

$

(577

)

Other comprehensive (loss) income

 

 

(62

)

 

 

 

 

 

200

 

 

 

(3

)

 

 

135

 

Balance at December 31, 2017

 

 

(40

)

 

 

 

 

 

(158

)

 

 

(244

)

 

 

(442

)

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

15

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

(75

)

 

 

(68

)

 

 

(122

)

Balance at December 31, 2018

 

 

(25

)

 

 

6

 

 

 

(233

)

 

 

(312

)

 

 

(564

)

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

15

 

 

 

(4

)

 

 

2

 

 

 

202

 

 

 

215

 

Balance at December 31, 2019

 

$

(10

)

 

$

2

 

 

$

(231

)

 

$

(110

)

 

$

(349

)

 

Note 26. Financial Instruments

 

Derivative Instruments

Net Monetary Assets and Liabilities Hedge – Foreign Currency Forward Contracts

At December 31, 2019, the Company had 16 foreign currency forward contracts outstanding with an aggregate gross notional U.S. dollar equivalent of $530, and an average maturity of one month. At December 31, 2018, the Company had 20 foreign currency forward contracts outstanding with an aggregate gross notional U.S. dollar equivalent of $503, and an average maturity of one month. Chemours recognized a net loss of $2, and net gains of $3 and $4 for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively, which were recorded in other income (expense), net in the consolidated statements of operations.

Cash Flow Hedge – Foreign Currency Forward Contracts

At December 31, 2019, the Company had 150 foreign currency forward contracts outstanding under Chemours’ cash flow hedge program with an aggregate notional U.S. dollar equivalent of $124, and an average maturity of five months. At December 31, 2018, the Company had 75 foreign currency forward contracts outstanding under Chemours’ cash flow hedge program with an aggregate notional U.S. dollar equivalent of $143, and an average maturity of four months. The Company recognized pre-tax gains of $6 and $10 for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, on its cash flow hedge within accumulated other comprehensive loss. For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, $10 and $4 of gain was reclassified to the cost of goods sold from accumulated other comprehensive loss, respectively.

The Company expects to reclassify an approximate $3 of net gain from accumulated other comprehensive loss to the cost of goods sold over the next 12 months, based on current foreign currency exchange rates.

F-59


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts and par values)

Net Investment Hedge – Foreign Currency Borrowings

The Company recognized pre-tax gains of $20 and $32, and a pre-tax loss of $86 for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively, on its net investment hedges within accumulated other comprehensive loss. NaN amounts were reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss for the Company’s net investment hedges during the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017.

Fair Value of Derivative Instruments

The following table sets forth the fair value of the Company’s derivative assets and liabilities, and their level within the fair value hierarchy, at December 31, 2019 and 2018.

 

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

Balance Sheet Location

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Asset derivatives:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency forward contracts

not designated as a hedging instrument

 

Accounts and notes receivable, net

 

$

1

 

 

$

1

 

Foreign currency forward contracts

designated as a cash flow hedge

 

Accounts and notes receivable, net

 

 

1

 

 

 

3

 

Total asset derivatives

 

 

 

$

2

 

 

$

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liability derivatives:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency forward contracts

not designated as a hedging instrument

 

Other accrued liabilities

 

$

1

 

 

$

1

 

Total liability derivatives

 

 

 

$

1

 

 

$

1

 

The Company’s foreign currency forward contracts are classified as Level 2 financial instruments within the fair value hierarchy as the valuation inputs are based on quoted prices and market observable data of similar instruments. For derivative assets and liabilities, standard industry models are used to calculate the fair value of the various financial instruments based on significant observable market inputs, such as foreign exchange rates and implied volatilities obtained from various market sources. Market inputs are obtained from well-established and recognized vendors of market data, and are subjected to tolerance and/or quality checks.

F-60


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts and par values)

Summary of Derivative Instruments

The following table sets forth the pre-tax changes in fair value of the Company’s derivative assets and liabilities for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017.

 

 

Gain (Loss) Recognized In

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated Other

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

Cost of Goods Sold

 

 

Other Income (Expense), Net

 

 

Comprehensive

Loss

 

2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency forward contracts not designated as a hedging instrument

 

$

 

 

$

(2

)

 

$

 

Foreign currency forward contracts designated as a cash flow hedge

 

 

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

6

 

Euro-denominated debt designated as a net investment hedge

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency forward contracts not designated as a hedging instrument

 

$

 

 

$

3

 

 

$

 

Foreign currency forward contracts designated as a cash flow hedge

 

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

10

 

Euro-denominated debt designated as a net investment hedge

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

32

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency forward contracts not designated as a hedging instrument

 

$

 

 

$

4

 

 

$

 

Euro-denominated debt designated as a net investment hedge

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(86

)

Note 22. Long-Term27. Long-term Employee Benefits

Plans Covering Employees in the U.S.

Chemours sponsors a variety of employee benefit plans which cover substantially all U.S. employees.  Prior to July 1, 2015, U.S. employees generally participated in DuPont’s primary pension plan, the Retirement Savings Plan and certain other long-term employee benefit plans. In conjunction with the separation on July 1, 2015, Chemours employees stopped participating in DuPont plans and became participants in newly established Chemours plans. DuPont retained all liabilities related to its U.S. plans post-separation.

On July 1, 2015, Chemours established a defined contribution plan, similar in design to the DuPont Retirement Savings plan, which covered all eligible U.S. employees. The purpose of the Planplan is to encourage employees to save for their future retirement needs. The plan is a tax qualifiedtax-qualified contributory profit sharingprofit-sharing plan, with cash or deferred arrangement, and any eligible employee of Chemours may participate. Chemours matches 100% of the first 6% of the employee’s contribution election.election, and the plan’s matching contributions vest immediately upon contribution. Chemours may also provide an additional discretionary retirement savings contribution to eligible employees’ compensation. The amount of this contribution, if any, is at the sole discretion of the Company.  The plan’s matching contributions vest immediately upon contribution.  TheCompany, and the discretionary contribution vests for employees with at least three years of service. From time to time, Chemours provides additional discretionary retirement savings contributions to eligible employees’ compensation.

In lieu of a defined benefit plan like DuPont’s primary pension plan, Chemours provides an enhanced 401(k) contribution for employees who previously participated in DuPont’s pension plan. The enhanced benefits consist of an additional contribution of 1% to 7% of the employee’s eligible compensation, depending onupon the employee’s length of service with DuPont at the time of separation.the Separation. The plan will continue for a period up to 2019, subject to early termination.enhancement ended in 2019.

Plans Covering Employees Outside the U.S.

Pension coverage for employees of Chemours non-U.S. subsidiaries is provided, to the extent deemed appropriate, through separate plans established after separation and comparable to the DuPont plans in those countries. Obligations under such plans are funded by depositing funds with trustees, covered by insurance contracts or are unfunded.

Participation in the Plans

Prior to July 1, 2015, Chemours participated in DuPont’s U.S. and non-U.S. plans, except for the plans in the Netherlands and Taiwan, as though they were participants in a multi-employer plan with the other businesses of DuPont.  The following table presents the

F-39F-61


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share)share amounts and par values)

 

multi-employerPlans Covering Employees Outside the U.S.

Pension coverage for employees of Chemours’ non-U.S. subsidiaries is provided, to the extent deemed appropriate, through separate plans established after the Separation and comparable to the DuPont plans in those countries. Obligations under such plans are either funded by depositing funds with trustees, covered by insurance contracts, or unfunded.

In the fourth quarter of 2019, the Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Chemours Netherlands B.V., completed a settlement transaction related to a significant portion of its Netherlands pension expense allocatedplan. The Company transferred the future risk and administration associated with the $932 of its inactive participants’ vested pension benefits to a third-party asset management company in the Netherlands. The irrevocability of the transaction was contingent upon non-objection by DuPont to Chemoursthe Dutch National Bank, which was received in October 2019. Following the receipt of non-objection, the responsibility for the plansassociated pension obligation was transferred to the third-party asset management company in which Chemours participated priorDecember 2019, thereby eliminating the Company’s exposure to separation.the pension liabilities and formally effecting the settlement. At the time of settlement, a remeasurement of plan assets and projected benefit obligations was performed, resulting in a $158 decrease to net pension assets and increase to accumulated other comprehensive loss on the consolidated balance sheet. The allocationcumulative loss associated with the inactive participants’ vested pension benefits was then immediately reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss and recognized in earnings, resulting in a charge of cost was based on active employee headcount and is included$380 recognized in other expense, net in the Consolidated Statementconsolidated statements of Operations.  These amounts do not represent cash payments to DuPont or DuPont’s plans.operations. At December 31, 2019, the projected benefit obligations associated with the plan’s active employees remained on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.

 

 

 

EIN / Pension

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

Plan Name

 

Number

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

DuPont Pension and Retirement Plan (U.S.)

 

51-0014090/001

 

$

 

 

$

48

 

 

$

51

 

All other U.S. and non-U.S. Plans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

(1

)

Single and Multiple Employer Plans

Beginning inThe following table sets forth the first quarter of 2015, Chemours has accounted for the plans covering its employees in the Netherlands and Taiwan as a multiple employer plan and a single employer plan, respectively.  In the third quarter of 2015, in connection with the separation, additional plans in Germany, Belgium, Japan, Korea, Mexico and Switzerland were established.  As of December 31, 2015, these plans were all accounted for as single employer plans.

TheCompany’s net periodic benefit costs for the pension income and amounts recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2016, 20152019, 2018, and 2014 were as follows:2017.

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Net periodic pension cost (income):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service cost

 

$

14

 

 

$

16

 

 

$

 

Interest cost

 

 

19

 

 

 

19

 

 

 

 

Expected return on plan assets

 

 

(63

)

 

 

(83

)

 

 

 

Amortization of actuarial loss

 

 

23

 

 

 

16

 

 

 

 

Amortization of prior service (credit) cost

 

 

(1

)

 

 

4

 

 

 

 

Curtailment gain

 

 

(2

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Settlement loss

 

 

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net periodic pension income

 

$

(5

)

 

$

(28

)

 

$

 

Changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other

   comprehensive loss (income):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

17

 

 

$

11

 

 

$

 

Amortization of actuarial loss

 

 

(28

)

 

 

(16

)

 

 

 

Prior service credit

 

 

 

 

 

(24

)

 

 

 

Amortization of prior service credit (cost) and curtailment gain

 

 

3

 

 

 

(4

)

 

 

 

Effect of foreign exchange rates

 

 

(15

)

 

 

(33

)

 

 

 

Total benefit recognized in other comprehensive income

 

$

(23

)

 

$

(66

)

 

$

 

Total recognized in net periodic pension income and other

   comprehensive income

 

$

(28

)

 

$

(94

)

 

$

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Net periodic pension cost (income):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service cost

 

$

13

 

 

$

14

 

 

$

16

 

Interest cost

 

 

17

 

 

 

16

 

 

 

16

 

Expected return on plan assets

 

 

(48

)

 

 

(58

)

 

 

(75

)

Amortization of prior service gain

 

 

(2

)

 

 

(2

)

 

 

(2

)

Amortization of actuarial loss

 

 

18

 

 

 

12

 

 

 

22

 

Settlement loss

 

 

383

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

Net periodic pension cost (income)

 

 

381

 

 

 

(18

)

 

 

(22

)

Changes in plan assets and benefit obligations

recognized in other comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss (gain)

 

 

144

 

 

 

115

 

 

 

(24

)

Amortization of actuarial loss

 

 

(18

)

 

 

(16

)

 

 

(24

)

Prior service gain

 

 

(5

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization of prior service gain

 

 

2

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

2

 

Settlement loss

 

 

(383

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of foreign exchange rates

 

 

(7

)

 

 

(8

)

 

 

38

 

(Benefit) cost recognized in other comprehensive income

 

 

(267

)

 

 

93

 

 

 

(8

)

Total net periodic pension income and cost (benefit) recognized in other comprehensive income

 

$

114

 

 

$

75

 

 

$

(30

)

 

The following table sets forth the pre-tax amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss are summarized below:for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017.

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Net loss

 

$

336

 

 

$

363

 

 

$

 

 

$

151

 

 

$

419

 

 

$

329

 

Prior service credit

 

 

(11

)

 

 

(16

)

 

 

 

 

 

(14

)

 

 

(10

)

 

 

(11

)

Total amount recognized in accumulated other

comprehensive loss

 

$

325

 

 

$

347

 

 

$

 

 

$

137

 

 

$

409

 

 

$

318

 

 

The estimated pre-tax net loss and prior service credit for the defined benefit pension plans that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into net periodic benefit cost during 2017 are $16 and $2, respectively.

F-40F-62


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share)share amounts and par values)

 

SummarizedThe following table sets forth summarized information on the Company’s pension benefit plans is as follows:at December 31, 2019 and 2018.

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

December 31,

 

Change in benefit obligation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Change in benefit obligation:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Benefit obligation at beginning of year

 

$

1,103

 

 

$

 

 

$

1,168

 

 

$

1,177

 

Assumption and establishment of pension plans

 

 

 

 

 

1,332

 

Service cost

 

 

14

 

 

 

16

 

 

 

13

 

 

 

14

 

Interest cost

 

 

19

 

 

 

19

 

 

 

17

 

 

 

16

 

Plan participants’ contributions

 

 

2

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

2

 

Actuarial loss (gain)

 

 

69

 

 

 

(76

)

Actuarial loss

 

 

313

 

 

 

45

 

Benefits paid

 

 

(36

)

 

 

(39

)

 

 

(37

)

 

 

(46

)

Plan Amendments

 

 

 

 

 

(24

)

Curtailments

 

 

(3

)

 

 

 

Settlements & transfers

 

 

(12

)

 

 

(6

)

Other events

 

 

(2

)

 

 

 

Plan amendments

 

 

(5

)

 

 

 

Settlements and transfers

 

 

(945

)

 

 

2

 

Currency translation

 

 

(49

)

 

 

(121

)

 

 

(19

)

 

 

(42

)

Benefit obligation at end of year

 

 

1,105

 

 

 

1,103

 

 

 

507

 

 

 

1,168

 

Change in plan assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in plan assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year

 

 

1,137

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,268

 

 

 

1,363

 

Assumption and establishment of pension plans

 

 

 

 

 

1,297

 

Actual return on plan assets

 

 

113

 

 

 

(7

)

Actual return (loss) on plan assets

 

 

217

 

 

 

(17

)

Employer contributions

 

 

16

 

 

 

16

 

 

 

19

 

 

 

15

 

Plan participants’ contributions

 

 

2

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

2

 

Benefits paid

 

 

(36

)

 

 

(39

)

 

 

(37

)

 

 

(46

)

Settlements & transfers

 

 

(12

)

 

 

(6

)

Settlements and transfers

 

 

(945

)

 

 

2

 

Currency translation

 

 

(51

)

 

 

(126

)

 

 

(24

)

 

 

(51

)

Fair value of plan assets at end of year

 

 

1,169

 

 

 

1,137

 

 

 

500

 

 

 

1,268

 

Funded status at end of year

 

$

64

 

 

$

34

 

Total funded status at end of year

 

$

(7

)

 

$

100

 

 

The following table sets forth the net amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as ofCompany’s consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 20162019 and 2015 consist of:2018.

 

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Noncurrent assets

 

$

159

 

 

$

138

 

Current liabilities

 

 

(1

)

 

 

(2

)

Noncurrent liabilities

 

 

(94

)

 

 

(102

)

Net amount recognized

 

$

64

 

 

$

34

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Non-current assets

 

$

59

 

 

$

174

 

Current liabilities

 

 

(2

)

 

 

(1

)

Non-current liabilities

 

 

(64

)

 

 

(73

)

Total net amount recognized

 

$

(7

)

 

$

100

 

 

The accumulated benefit obligation for all pension plans was $1,042$445 and $1,030$1,106 as of December 31, 20162019 and 2015,2018, respectively.


F-63


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts and par values)

The following tables set forth information relatesrelated to the Company’s pension plans with projected and accumulated benefit obligations in excess of the fair value of plan assets at December 31, 20162019 and 2015:2018.

 

Pension plans with projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets at December 31,

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

December 31,

 

Pension plans with projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Projected benefit obligation

 

$

183

 

 

$

194

 

 

$

178

 

 

$

177

 

Accumulated benefit obligation

 

 

152

 

 

 

158

 

 

 

150

 

 

 

149

 

Fair value of plan assets

 

 

87

 

 

 

93

 

 

 

111

 

 

 

103

 

F-41


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share)

 

Pension plans with accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets at December 31,

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

December 31,

 

Pension plans with accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Projected benefit obligation

 

$

179

 

 

$

190

 

 

$

178

 

 

$

177

 

Accumulated benefit obligation

 

 

151

 

 

 

157

 

 

 

150

 

 

 

149

 

Fair value of plan assets

 

 

84

 

 

 

90

 

 

 

111

 

 

 

103

 

 

Assumptions

The Company generally utilizes discount rates that are developed by matching the expected cash flows of each benefit plan to various yield curves constructed from a portfolio of high quality,high-quality, fixed income instruments provided by the plan’s actuaryplans’ actuaries as of the measurement date. The expected rate of return on plan assets reflects economic assumptions applicable to each country.

The following tables set forth the assumptions that have been used to determine the Company’s benefit obligations and net benefit cost:cost at December 31, 2019 and 2018.

 

Weighted average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations

at December 31,

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Discount rate

 

 

1.8

%

 

 

2.4

%

Rate of compensation increase1

 

 

2.5

%

 

 

2.6

%

 

 

December 31,

 

Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Discount rate

 

 

1.4

%

 

 

2.0

%

Rate of compensation increase (1)

 

 

2.6

%

 

 

2.5

%

 

1(1)

The rate of compensation increase represents the single annual effective salary increase that an average plan participant would receive during the participant’s entire career at Chemours.

 

 

December 31,

 

Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net benefit cost

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Discount rate

 

 

2.0

%

 

 

1.9

%

Rate of compensation increase (1)

 

 

2.5

%

 

 

2.5

%

Expected return on plan assets

 

 

4.1

%

 

 

4.1

%

(1)

The rate of compensation increase represents the single annual effective salary increase that an average plan participant would receive during the participant’s entire career at Chemours.

 

Weighted average assumptions used to determine net benefit cost

for the years ended December 31,

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Discount rate

 

 

2.4

%

 

 

1.7

%

Rate of compensation increase

 

 

2.5

%

 

 

3.9

%

Expected return on plan assets

 

 

5.7

%

 

 

7.2

%


F-64


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts and par values)

Plan Assets

Each pension plan’s assets are invested through either an insurance vehicle, a master trust fund, or a stand-alone pension fund. The strategic asset allocation for the trust fundeach plan is selected by management, together with the pension board, where appropriate, reflecting the results of comprehensive asset and liability modeling. For assets under its control, Chemours establishes strategic asset allocation percentage targets and appropriate benchmarks for significant asset classes with the aim of achieving a prudent balance between return and risk. Strategic asset allocations in countries are selected in accordance with the laws and practices of those countries.

The weighted average targetfollowing table sets forth the weighted-average allocation for Chemours’the Company’s pension plan assets is summarized as follows:at December 31, 2019 and 2018.

 

 

December 31,

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

2.5

%

 

 

2.7

%

 

 

8

%

 

 

5

%

U.S. and non-U.S. equity securities

 

 

41.6

%

 

 

42.3

%

 

 

52

%

 

 

45

%

Fixed income securities

 

 

55.9

%

 

 

55.0

%

 

 

40

%

 

 

50

%

Total

 

 

100.0

%

 

 

100.0

%

Total weighted-average allocation

 

 

100

%

 

 

100

%

 

Fixed income securities include corporate issued, government issuedcorporate-issued, government-issued, and asset backedasset-backed securities. Corporate debt investments encompass a range of credit risk and industry diversification.

Fair value calculations may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values. Furthermore, although Chemours believes its valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different fair value measurement at the reporting date.

F-42


F-65


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share)share amounts and par values)

 

The table below presentsfollowing tables set forth the fair values of Chemours’the Company’s pension assets by level within the fair value hierarchy as described in Note 3, as ofat December 31, 20162019 and 2015.2018.

 

 

Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2016

 

 

Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2019

 

 

Total

 

 

Level 1

 

 

Level 2

 

 

Total

 

 

Level 1

 

 

Level 2

 

Asset Category:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Asset category:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Debt - government issued

 

$

433

 

 

$

8

 

 

$

425

 

 

$

150

 

 

$

9

 

 

$

141

 

Debt - corporate issued

 

 

142

 

 

 

76

 

 

 

66

 

 

 

51

 

 

 

47

 

 

 

4

 

Debt - asset backed

 

 

42

 

 

 

25

 

 

 

17

 

U.S. and non U.S. equities

 

 

502

 

 

 

28

 

 

 

474

 

U.S. and non-U.S. equities

 

 

102

 

 

 

101

 

 

 

1

 

Mututal funds

 

 

135

 

 

 

 

 

 

135

 

Derivatives - asset position

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

28

 

 

 

 

 

 

28

 

Derivatives - liability position

 

 

(32

)

 

 

 

 

 

(32

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

77

 

 

 

77

 

 

 

 

 

 

41

 

 

 

41

 

 

 

 

Other

 

 

7

 

 

 

 

 

 

7

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,174

 

 

$

214

 

 

$

960

 

Pension trust payables, net 1

 

 

(5

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

1,169

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total pension assets before pension receivables

 

 

509

 

 

$

200

 

 

$

309

 

Pension trust payables, net (1)

 

 

(9

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total pension assets

 

$

500

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1(1)

Payables are primarily for investment securities purchased.investments purchased and received but not yet paid.

 

 

Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2015

 

 

Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2018

 

 

Total

 

 

Level 1

 

 

Level 2

 

 

Total

 

 

Level 1

 

 

Level 2

 

Asset Category:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Asset category:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Debt - government issued

 

$

465

 

 

$

7

 

 

$

458

 

 

$

487

 

 

$

3

 

 

$

484

 

Debt - corporate issued

 

 

148

 

 

 

60

 

 

 

88

 

 

 

130

 

 

 

33

 

 

 

97

 

Debt - asset backed

 

 

33

 

 

 

 

 

 

33

 

U.S. and non U.S. equities

 

 

460

 

 

 

37

 

 

 

423

 

U.S. and non-U.S. equities

 

 

264

 

 

 

263

 

 

 

1

 

Mututal funds

 

 

296

 

 

 

 

 

 

296

 

Derivatives - asset position

 

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

9

 

 

 

 

 

 

9

 

Derivatives - liability position

 

 

(16

)

 

 

 

 

 

(16

)

 

 

(5

)

 

 

 

 

 

(5

)

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

40

 

 

 

40

 

 

 

 

 

 

67

 

 

 

67

 

 

 

 

Other

 

 

6

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

12

 

 

 

8

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

1,140

 

 

$

148

 

 

$

992

 

Pension trust payables, net 1

 

 

(3

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

1,137

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total pension assets before pension receivables

 

 

1,260

 

 

$

374

 

 

$

886

 

Pension trust receivables, net (1)

 

 

8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total pension assets

 

$

1,268

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1(1)

PayablesReceivables are primarily for investment securities purchased.income earned but not yet received.

For pension plan assets classified as Level 1 instruments within the fair value hierarchy, total fair value is either the price of the most recent trade at the time of the market close or the official close price, as defined by the exchange on which the asset is most actively traded on the last trading day of the period, multiplied by the number of units held without consideration of transaction costs.

For pension benefit plan assets classified as Level 2 instruments within the fair value hierarchy, where the security is frequently traded in less active markets, fair value is based on the closing price at the end of the period; where the security is less frequently traded, fair value is based on the price a dealer would pay for the security or similar securities, adjusted for any terms specific to that asset or liability. Market inputs are obtained from well-established, and recognized vendors of market data and subjected to tolerance andand/or quality checks. For derivative assets and liabilities, standard industry models are used to calculate the fair value of the various financial instruments based on significant observable market inputs, such as foreign exchange rates, commodity prices, swap rates, interest rates, and implied volatilities obtained from various market sources.

F-43


F-66


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share)share amounts and par values)

 

Cash Flow

Flows – Defined Benefit PlanPlans

DuPont

Employer Contributions

For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017, Chemours contributed on behalf of Chemours, $35$19, $15, and $38, respectively, to its pension plans other thandefined benefit plans.

Of the principalcontributions made in 2017, $10 relates to the settlement of the U.S. Pension Restoration Plan (“U.S. PRP”), which was a supplemental pension plan in 2014.for certain U.S. employees. The liability associated with the U.S. PRP was transferred to Chemours from DuPont contributed, on behalfat the Separation Date, at which point the plan ceased accepting new participants. In October 2017, the Company made a cash payment of Chemours, $66$10 to its other long-term employee benefit plans in 2014.  DuPont contributed, on behalf of Chemours, $38settle the remaining liability attributable to the remaining participants in the first half of 2015 to its pension and other long-term benefit plans and Chemours contributed $8 during 2015 to its pension plans.  Chemours contributed $16 during 2016. U.S. PRP.

Chemours expects to contribute $15$18 to its pension plans in 2017.2020.

Estimated future benefit payments

Future Benefit Payments

The following table sets forth the benefit payments that are expected to be paid by the plans over the next five years and the five years thereafter as of December 31, 2016:2019.

 

2017

 

$

52

 

2018

 

 

40

 

2019

 

 

42

 

2020

 

 

43

 

2021

 

 

43

 

2022 - 2026

 

 

232

 

 

 

Year Ended

 

 

 

December 31,

 

2020

 

$

13

 

2021

 

 

9

 

2022

 

 

10

 

2023

 

 

13

 

2024

 

 

15

 

2025 to 2029

 

 

87

 

 

Cash Flows – Defined Contribution Plan

DuPont’s contributions to

Employer Contributions

For the plan on behalf of Chemours were allocated in the amounts of $52 for the yearyears ended December 31, 2014. In addition, DuPont contributed on behalf of Chemours about $26 to its defined contribution plans for the first half of 2015.  From July 1 to December 31, 2015,2019, 2018, and 2017, Chemours contributed $28 to its defined contribution plan.  For the year ended December 31, 2016, Chemours contributed $44$34, $51, and$45, respectively, to its defined contribution plan.

 

 

Note 23. Stock-based Compensation

Total stock-based compensation cost included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations was $20, $17 and $7 for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.  The income tax benefits related to stock-based compensation arrangements were $8, $7 and $3 for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Stock-based compensation expense in prior years and until separation on July 1, 2015 was allocated to Chemours based on the portion of DuPont’s incentive stock program in which Chemours employees participated.  Adopted at separation, the Chemours Company Equity and Incentive Plan grants certain employees, independent contractors, or non-employee directors of the Company different forms of awards, including stock options, restricted share units (RSUs) and performance share units (PSUs).  The equity and incentive plan has maximum shares reserve of 13,500,000 for the grant of equity awards plus the number of shares of converted awards (described below). As of December 31, 2016, 7,806,040 shares of equity and incentive plan reserve are still available for grants.  Chemours Compensation Committee determines the long-term incentive mix, including stock options PSU and RSU, and may authorize new grants annually.

In accordance with the employee matters agreement between DuPont and Chemours, certain executives and employees were entitled to receive equity compensation awards of Chemours in replacement of previously outstanding awards granted under various DuPont stock incentive plans prior to the separation. In connection with the spin-off, these awards were converted into new Chemours equity awards using a formula designed to preserve the intrinsic value of the awards immediately prior to the July 1, 2015 spin-off.  At the date of conversion, total intrinsic value of the converted options was $18.  As a result of the conversion of these awards, we recorded an approximate $3 incremental charge in the third quarter of 2015.  The terms and conditions of the DuPont awards were replicated and as necessary, adjusted to ensure that the vesting schedule and economic value of the awards was unchanged by the conversion.  Subject to vesting condition of the award, a retirement eligible employee retains any granted awards upon retirement provided the employee has rendered at least six months of service following the grant date.  

F-44F-67


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share)

Stock Options

Chemours granted non-qualified options to employees in July 2015 representing replacement of previously granted performance stock unit awards at DuPont.  The July 2015 grant will cliff vest March 1, 2018share amounts and expire 10 years from date of grant.  Other than those options, Chemours’ expense related to stock options was entirely related to options granted to replace outstanding option awards from DuPont that were converted to Chemours options on July 1, 2015.  During 2016, Chemours granted non-qualified options to certain of its employees, which will serially vest over a three-year period and expire 10 years from the date of grant.par values)

The fair value related to stock options granted was determined using Black-Scholes option pricing model and the weighted average assumptions are shown in the table below:

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Risk-free interest rate

 

 

1.46

%

 

 

1.50

%

Expected term (years)

 

 

6.00

 

 

 

5.40

 

Volatility

 

 

60.00

%

 

 

42.00

%

Dividend yield

 

 

2.14

%

 

 

6.90

%

Fair value per stock option

 

$

3.41

 

 

$

3.17

 

The Company determined the dividend yield by dividing the expected annual dividend on the Company’s stock by the option exercise price. A historical daily measurement of volatility is determined based on Chemours peer companies’ average volatility adjusted for the Company’s debt leverage. The risk-free interest rate is determined by reference to the yield on an outstanding U.S. Treasury note with a term equal to the expected life of the option granted. The expected term is determined using a simplified approach, calculated as the midpoint between the vesting period and the contractual life of the award.  After the separation, the simplified approach was used due to the Company’s lack of historical experience upon which to estimate the expected lives of the options.  

The following table summarizes Chemours stock option activity for the year ended December 31, 2016.

 

 

Number of

Shares

(in thousands)

 

 

Weighted Average Exercise Price

(per share)

 

 

Weighted Average

Remaining Contractual Term (years)

 

 

Aggregate

Intrinsic Value

(in thousands)

 

Outstanding, December 31, 2015

 

 

8,284

 

 

$

14.66

 

 

 

4.82

 

 

$

 

Granted

 

 

1,435

 

 

 

5.73

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercised

 

 

(947

)

 

 

12.17

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forfeited

 

 

(447

)

 

 

15.53

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expired

 

 

(356

)

 

 

5.82

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding, December 31, 2016

 

 

7,969

 

 

$

13.72

 

 

 

5.08

 

 

$

66,668

 

Exercisable, December 31, 2016

 

 

3,912

 

 

$

14.04

 

 

 

3.25

 

 

$

31,487

 

The aggregate intrinsic values in the table above represent the total pre-tax intrinsic value (the difference between the Company’s closing stock price on the last trading day of December 31, 2015 and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money options) that would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their in-the-money options at quarter end.  The amount changes based on the fair market value of the Company’s stock.  Total intrinsic value of options exercised for year ended December 31, 2015 was insignificant.

As of December 31, 2016, there was $3,762 of unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to stock options that is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.64 years.

Restricted Share Units

At the time of separation, in accordance with the employee matters agreement, the Company issued RSUs that serially vest over a three-year period and, upon vesting, convert one-for-one to Chemours common stock to replace similar DuPont awards. Under the

F-45


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share)

existing awards, a retirement eligible employee retains any granted awards upon retirement provided the employee has rendered at least six months of service following the grant date. Additional RSUs were also granted to key senior management employees with a performance condition.  These RSUs vest on the third anniversary of the date of grant subject to the satisfaction of the performance condition. The fair value of all stock-settled RSUs is based upon the market price of the underlying common stock as of the grant date.

Non-vested awards of RSUs, both with and without performance feature, as of December 31, 2016 are shown below.  The weighted average grant date fair value of RSUs granted and converted during 2016 was $6.20.

 

 

Number of Shares

(in thousands)

 

 

Weighted Average

Grant Date

Fair Value

(per share)

 

Nonvested, December 31, 2015

 

 

2,349

 

 

$

14.87

 

Granted

 

 

1,003

 

 

 

6.20

 

Vested

 

 

(829

)

 

 

14.74

 

Forfeited

 

 

(207

)

 

 

15.09

 

Nonvested, December 31, 2016

 

 

2,316

 

 

$

11.23

 

As of December 31, 2016, there was $12,128 of unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to RSUs that is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.54 years.

Performance Share Units

During 2016, Chemours issued PSUs to key senior management employees which, vest and convert one-for-one to Chemours’ common stock to the extent specified performance goals, including certain market-based conditions, are met over the three year performance period specified in the grant, subject to exceptions.  Each grantee is granted a target award of PSUs, and may earn between 0% and 200% of the target amount depending on the Company’s performance against the performance goals. During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company recorded stock-based compensation related to PSUs as a component of selling, general and administrative expense of approximately $2.  There were no PSUs granted prior to 2016.

The following table provides compensation costs for stock-based compensation related to PSUs:

 

 

Number of Shares

(in thousands)

 

 

Weighted Average

Grant Date

Fair Value

(per share)

 

Nonvested, December 31, 2015

 

 

 

 

$

 

Granted

 

 

825

 

 

 

6.10

 

Vested

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forfeited

 

 

(22

)

 

 

6.10

 

Nonvested, December 31, 2016

 

 

803

 

 

$

6.10

 

A portion of the fair value of PSUs was estimated at the grant date based on the probability of satisfying the market-based conditions associated with the PSUs using the Monte Carlo valuation method, which assesses probabilities of various outcomes of market conditions.  The other portion of the fair value of the PSUs is based on the fair market value of the Company’s stock at the grant date, regardless of whether the market-based condition is satisfied.  The per unit weighted average fair value at the date of grant for PSUs granted during the period ended December 31, 2016 was $6.10.  The fair value of each PSU grant is amortized monthly into compensation expense on a straight-line basis over their respective vesting periods over 36 months. The accrual of compensation costs is based on our estimate of the final expected value of the award, and is adjusted as required for the portion based on the performance-based condition. The Company assumes that forfeitures will be minimal, and recognizes forfeitures as they occur, which results in a reduction in compensation expense.  As the payout of PSUs includes dividend equivalents, no separate dividend yield assumption is required in calculating the fair value of the PSUs.

F-46


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share)

 

Note 24.28. Geographic and Segment Information

Geographic Information

 

The following table sets forth the geographic locations of the Company’s net sales and property, plant, and equipment, net as of, and for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017.

 

 

For and As of the Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

 

Net Sales 1

 

 

Net Property,

Plant and

Equipment

 

 

Net Sales 1

 

 

Net Property,

Plant and

Equipment

 

 

Net Sales 1

 

 

Net Property,

Plant and

Equipment

 

North America 2

 

$

2,288

 

 

$

1,861

 

 

$

2,570

 

 

$

2,184

 

 

$

2,759

 

 

$

2,273

 

Asia Pacific

 

 

1,315

 

 

 

129

 

 

 

1,393

 

 

 

136

 

 

 

1,548

 

 

 

140

 

EMEA 3

 

 

1,081

 

 

 

278

 

 

 

977

 

 

 

308

 

 

 

1,190

 

 

 

372

 

Latin America 4

 

 

716

 

 

 

516

 

 

 

777

 

 

 

549

 

 

 

935

 

 

 

523

 

Total

 

$

5,400

 

 

$

2,784

 

 

$

5,717

 

 

$

3,177

 

 

$

6,432

 

 

$

3,308

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

 

Net Sales (1)

 

 

Property, Plant, and Equipment, Net

 

 

Net Sales (1)

 

 

Property, Plant, and Equipment, Net

 

 

Net Sales (1)

 

 

Property, Plant, and Equipment, Net

 

North America

 

$

2,144

 

 

$

2,533

 

 

$

2,378

 

 

$

2,279

 

 

$

2,255

 

 

$

2,018

 

Asia Pacific

 

 

1,543

 

 

 

121

 

 

 

1,720

 

 

 

124

 

 

 

1,593

 

 

 

131

 

Europe, the Middle East, and Africa

 

 

1,163

 

 

 

294

 

 

 

1,685

 

 

 

293

 

 

 

1,506

 

 

 

302

 

Latin America (2)

 

 

676

 

 

 

611

 

 

 

855

 

 

 

595

 

 

 

829

 

 

 

557

 

Total

 

$

5,526

 

 

$

3,559

 

 

$

6,638

 

 

$

3,291

 

 

$

6,183

 

 

$

3,008

 

1

(1)

Net sales are attributed to countries based on customer location.

2

Includes net sales in Canada of $125, $140 and $147 in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Includes net property, plant and equipment in Canada of $11, $13 and $14 in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

3

EMEA includes Europe, Middle East and Africa.

4(2)

Latin America includes Mexico.

Segment Information

Chemours’ operations are classified into threeconsist of 3 reportable segments namely:based on similar economic characteristics, the nature of products and production processes, end-use markets, channels of distribution, and regulatory environments: Fluoroproducts, Chemical Solutions, and Titanium Technologies, Fluoroproducts and Chemical Solutions.Technologies. Corporate costs and certain legal and environmental expenses, that are not aligned with the segmentsstock-based compensation expenses, and foreign exchange gains and losses arising from the remeasurement of balances in currencies other than the functional currency of the Company’s legal entities are reflected in Corporate and Other.

The Titanium Technologies segment is the leading global producer of TiO2, a premium white pigment used

Segment net sales include transfers to deliver opacity. The Fluoroproducts segment is a leading global provider of fluoroproducts, such as refrigerants and industrial fluoropolymer resins. The Chemical Solutions segment is a leading North American provider of industrial and specialty chemicals, which includes cyanides, sulfur products and performance chemicals and intermediates, used in gold production, oil refining, agriculture, industrial polymers and other industries.  Chemours operates globally in substantially all of its product lines.

another reportable segment. Certain products are transferred between segments on a basis intended to reflect, as nearly as practicable, the market value of the products. These product transfers were limited and were not significant for each of the periods presented. Depreciation and amortization includes depreciation on research and developmentR&D facilities and amortization of other intangible assets, excluding write-downany write-downs of assets. Segment net assets includesinclude net working capital, net property, plant, and equipment, and other noncurrentnon-current operating assets and liabilities of the segment. This is the measure of segment assets reviewed by the Company’s Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”).

Adjusted EBITDAearnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (“Adjusted EBITDA”) is the primary measure of segment profitability used by the CODM and is defined as income (loss) before income taxes, excluding the following:

interest expense, depreciation and amortization,

interest expense, depreciation, and amortization;

non-operating pension and other postretirement employee benefit costs, which represent the components of net periodic costs (income) excluding service cost component,

non-operating pension and other post-retirement employee benefit costs, which represent the components of net periodic pension (income) costs excluding the service cost component;

exchange losses (gains) included in “other income, net” of the statement of operations,

exchange (gains) losses included in other income (expense), net;

restructuring, asset-related charges and other charges, net,

restructuring, asset-related, and other charges;

asset impairments, 

asset impairments;

losses (gains) on sale of business or assets, and

(gains) losses on sales of assets and businesses; and,

other items not considered indicative of our ongoing operational performance and expected to occur infrequently.

other items not considered indicative of the Company’s ongoing operational performance and expected to occur infrequently.

F-47

F-68


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share)share amounts and par values)

 

All periods presented reflectThe following table sets forth certain summary financial information for the current definitionCompany’s reportable segments as of, Adjusted EBITDA.and for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017.

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

Titanium

Technologies

 

 

Fluoroproducts

 

 

Chemical

Solutions

 

 

Corporate and

Other

 

 

Total

 

 

Fluoroproducts

 

 

Chemical

Solutions

 

 

Titanium

Technologies

 

 

Segment Total

 

 

2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales to external customers

 

$

2,364

 

 

$

2,264

 

 

$

772

 

 

$

 

 

$

5,400

 

 

$

2,648

 

 

$

533

 

 

$

2,345

 

 

$

5,526

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

 

466

 

 

 

445

 

 

 

39

 

 

 

(128

)

 

 

822

 

 

 

578

 

 

 

80

 

 

 

505

 

 

 

1,163

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

119

 

 

 

101

 

 

 

30

 

 

 

34

 

 

 

284

 

 

 

136

 

 

 

22

 

 

 

121

 

 

 

279

 

 

Equity in earnings of affiliates

 

 

 

 

 

26

 

 

 

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

29

 

 

 

29

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

29

 

 

Total assets

 

 

2,582

 

 

 

574

 

 

 

2,291

 

 

 

5,447

 

 

Net assets

 

 

1,513

 

 

 

1,400

 

 

 

292

 

 

 

(3,101

)

 

 

104

 

 

 

2,283

 

 

 

495

 

 

 

1,296

 

��

 

4,074

 

 

Investments in affiliates

 

 

 

 

 

116

 

 

 

 

 

 

20

 

 

 

136

 

 

 

162

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

162

 

 

Purchases of plant, property and equipment

 

 

105

 

 

 

120

 

 

 

104

 

 

 

9

 

 

 

338

 

2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of property, plant, and equipment

 

 

201

 

 

 

40

 

 

 

121

 

 

 

362

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales to external customers

 

$

2,392

 

 

$

2,230

 

 

$

1,095

 

 

$

 

 

$

5,717

 

 

$

2,862

 

 

$

602

 

 

$

3,174

 

 

$

6,638

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

 

326

 

 

 

300

 

 

 

29

 

 

 

(82

)

 

 

573

 

 

 

783

 

 

 

64

 

 

 

1,055

 

 

 

1,902

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

125

 

 

 

88

 

 

 

52

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

267

 

 

 

117

 

 

 

20

 

 

 

119

 

 

 

256

 

 

Equity in earnings of affiliates

 

 

 

 

 

21

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

22

 

 

 

43

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

43

 

 

Total assets

 

 

2,744

 

 

 

623

 

 

 

2,354

 

 

 

5,721

 

 

Net assets

 

 

1,659

 

 

 

1,567

 

 

 

839

 

 

 

(3,935

)

 

 

130

 

 

 

2,309

 

 

 

506

 

 

 

1,487

 

 

 

4,302

 

 

Investments in affiliates

 

 

 

 

 

127

 

 

 

 

 

 

9

 

 

 

136

 

 

 

160

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

160

 

 

Purchases of plant, property and equipment

 

 

255

 

 

 

142

 

 

 

117

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

519

 

2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of property, plant, and equipment

 

 

274

 

 

 

75

 

 

 

91

 

 

 

440

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales to external customers

 

$

2,937

 

 

$

2,327

 

 

$

1,168

 

 

$

 

 

$

6,432

 

 

$

2,654

 

 

$

571

 

 

$

2,958

 

 

$

6,183

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

 

723

 

 

 

282

 

 

 

17

 

 

 

(146

)

 

 

876

 

 

 

669

 

 

 

57

 

 

 

862

 

 

 

1,588

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

125

 

 

 

83

 

 

 

48

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

257

 

 

 

109

 

 

 

18

 

 

 

118

 

 

 

245

 

 

Equity in earnings of affiliates

 

 

 

 

 

20

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20

 

 

 

33

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

33

 

 

Total assets

 

 

2,311

 

 

 

581

 

 

 

2,502

 

 

 

5,394

 

 

Net assets

 

 

1,748

 

 

 

1,480

 

 

 

782

 

 

 

(337

)

 

 

3,673

 

 

 

1,842

 

 

 

460

 

 

 

1,785

 

 

 

4,087

 

 

Investments in affiliates

 

 

 

 

 

124

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

124

 

 

 

173

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

173

 

 

Purchases of plant, property and equipment

 

 

365

 

 

 

133

 

 

 

106

 

 

 

 

 

 

604

 

Purchases of property, plant, and equipment

 

 

249

 

 

 

65

 

 

 

65

 

 

 

379

 

 

 

TotalThe following table sets forth a reconciliation for instances in which the above summary financial information for the Company’s reportable segments does not sum to consolidated amounts. A reconciliation of Segment Adjusted EBITDA reconciles to total consolidated net (loss) incomeresults can be found in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as follows:table immediately thereafter.

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

(Loss) income before income taxes

 

$

(11

)

 

$

(188

)

 

$

550

 

Interest expense, net

 

 

213

 

 

 

132

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

284

 

 

 

267

 

 

 

257

 

Non-operating pension and other postretirement employee benefit

   (income) costs

 

 

(20

)

 

 

(3

)

 

 

22

 

Exchange losses (gains)

 

 

57

 

 

 

(19

)

 

 

66

 

Restructuring charges

 

 

51

 

 

 

285

 

 

 

21

 

Asset related charges1

 

 

124

 

 

 

73

 

 

 

 

(Gains) losses on sale of assets and businesses

 

 

(254

)

 

 

9

 

 

 

(40

)

Transaction costs2

 

 

19

 

 

 

9

 

 

 

 

Legal and other charges3

 

 

359

 

 

 

8

 

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

822

 

 

$

573

 

 

$

876

 

1

The year ended December 31, 2016 includes $48 pre-tax asset impairment of our Pascagoula Aniline facility (see Note 13), $58 pre-tax asset impairment in connection with the sale of the Sulfur business (see Note 7), $13 pre-tax asset impairment in connection with the sale of the Company’s corporate headquarters building (see Note 15) and other asset write-offs. The year ended December 31, 2015 includes $25 of goodwill impairment (see Note 14) and $45 asset impairment of RMS facility (see Note 13). All charges, except for the corporate headquarters building impairment (which is included in Corporate and Other), are recorded in the Chemical Solutions segment.

2

Includes accounting, legal and bankers transaction fees incurred related to the Company’s strategic initiatives, which includes pre-sale transaction costs incurred in connection with the sales of the C&D and Sulfur businesses (see Note 7).

Year Ended December 31,

 

Segment Total

 

 

Corporate and Other

 

 

Total Consolidated

 

2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

279

 

 

 

32

 

 

 

311

 

Total assets

 

 

5,447

 

 

 

1,811

 

 

 

7,258

 

Net assets

 

 

4,074

 

 

 

(3,379

)

 

 

695

 

Purchases of property, plant, and equipment

 

 

362

 

 

 

119

 

 

 

481

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

256

 

 

 

28

 

 

 

284

 

Total assets

 

 

5,721

 

 

 

1,641

 

 

 

7,362

 

Net assets

 

 

4,302

 

 

 

(3,282

)

 

 

1,020

 

Purchases of property, plant, and equipment

 

 

440

 

 

 

58

 

 

 

498

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

245

 

 

 

28

 

 

 

273

 

Total assets

 

 

5,394

 

 

 

1,899

 

 

 

7,293

 

Net assets

 

 

4,087

 

 

 

(3,222

)

 

 

865

 

Purchases of property, plant, and equipment

 

 

379

 

 

 

32

 

 

 

411

 

F-48F-69


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share)share amounts and par values)

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of Segment Adjusted EBITDA to the Company’s consolidated net income (loss) before income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017.

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Segment Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

1,163

 

 

$

1,902

 

 

$

1,588

 

Corporate and Other Adjusted EBITDA

 

 

(143

)

 

 

(162

)

 

$

(166

)

Interest expense, net

 

 

(208

)

 

 

(195

)

 

 

(214

)

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

(311

)

 

 

(284

)

 

 

(273

)

Non-operating pension and other post-retirement employee benefit (cost) income (1)

 

 

(368

)

 

 

27

 

 

 

34

 

Exchange (losses) gains, net

 

 

(2

)

 

 

1

 

 

 

3

 

Restructuring, asset-related, and other charges (2)

 

 

(87

)

 

 

(49

)

 

 

(57

)

Loss on extinguishment of debt

 

 

 

 

 

(38

)

 

 

(1

)

Gain on sales of assets and businesses (3)

 

 

10

 

 

 

45

 

 

 

22

 

Transaction costs (4)

 

 

(3

)

 

 

(9

)

 

 

(3

)

Legal and environmental charges (5)

 

 

(175

)

 

 

(82

)

 

 

(9

)

Other charges

 

 

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

(12

)

(Loss) income before income taxes

 

$

(124

)

 

$

1,155

 

 

$

912

 

3

(1)

The year ended December 31, 2019 includes a $380 settlement loss related to a significant portion of the Company’s Netherlands pension plan, specific to the vested pension benefits of the inactive participants. See “Note 27 – Long-term Employee Benefits” for further details.

(2)

Includes restructuring, asset-related, and other charges, which are discussed in further detail in “Note 7 – Restructuring, Asset-related, and Other Charges.”

(3)

The year ended December 31, 2019, included a non-cash gain of $9 associated with the sale of the Company’s Repauno, New Jersey site. The year ended December 31, 2018, included gains of $3 and $42 associated with the sales of the Company’s East Chicago, Indiana and Linden, New Jersey sites, respectively. The year ended December 31, 2017 included gains of $13 and $12 associated with the sale of the Company’s land in Repauno, New Jersey that was previously deferred and realized upon meeting certain milestones, and for the sale of its Edge Moor, Delaware plant site, respectively, net of certain losses on other disposals.

(4)

Includes costs associated with the Company’s debt transactions, as well as accounting, legal, and bankers’ transaction costs incurred in connection with the Company’s strategic initiatives.

(5)

Legal charges pertains to litigation settlements, PFOA drinking water treatment accruals, and $335 litigation accrualother legal charges. Environmental charges pertains to estimated liabilities associated with on-site remediation, off-site groundwater remediation, and toxicity studies related to Fayetteville. The year ended December 31, 2019 included $168 in additional charges for the PFOA MDL Settlement (see Note 20),approved final Consent Order associated with certain matters at Fayetteville. The year ended December 31, 2018 included $63 in additional charges for the estimated liability associated with Fayetteville. See “Note 22 – Commitments and lease termination charges.Contingent Liabilities” for further details.

 

Net

The following table sets forth the Company’s net sales to external customers by product group were as follows:for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017.

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Titanium dioxide

 

$

2,364

 

 

$

2,392

 

 

$

2,937

 

Fluoropolymers

 

 

1,171

 

 

 

1,246

 

 

 

1,326

 

Fluorochemicals

 

 

1,093

 

 

 

984

 

 

 

1,001

 

Performance chemicals and intermediates

 

 

383

 

 

 

551

 

 

 

621

 

Mining solutions 1

 

 

262

 

 

 

301

 

 

 

314

 

Sulfur

 

 

127

 

 

 

243

 

 

 

233

 

Total net sales to external customers

 

$

5,400

 

 

$

5,717

 

 

$

6,432

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Fluorochemicals

 

$

1,318

 

 

$

1,497

 

 

$

1,378

 

Fluoropolymers

 

 

1,330

 

 

 

1,365

 

 

 

1,276

 

Mining solutions

 

 

268

 

 

 

289

 

 

 

261

 

Performance chemicals and intermediates

 

 

265

 

 

 

313

 

 

 

306

 

Titanium dioxide and other minerals

 

 

2,345

 

 

 

3,174

 

 

 

2,958

 

Divested businesses (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4

 

Total net sales

 

$

5,526

 

 

$

6,638

 

 

$

6,183

 

1

Previously known(1)

Inclusive of the Company’s C&D and Sulfur businesses, as Cyanides product group,well as its Aniline facility in Beaumont, Texas, which was renamed to Mining Solutions effective for the year ended December 31,were all sold in 2016.

 

 

Note 25. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes, consisted of:

 

 

Currency

Translation

Adjustment

 

 

Net Investment

Hedge

 

 

Employee

Benefits

 

 

Total

 

Balance at December 31, 2013

 

$

19

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

19

 

Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2014

 

 

19

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

19

 

Assumption and establishment of pension plans, net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(311

)

 

 

(311

)

Other comprehensive (loss) income

 

 

(304

)

 

 

8

 

 

 

52

 

 

 

(244

)

Balance at December 31, 2015

 

 

(285

)

 

 

8

 

 

 

(259

)

 

 

(536

)

Other comprehensive (loss) income

 

 

(73

)

 

 

14

 

 

 

18

 

 

 

(41

)

Balance at December 31, 2016

 

$

(358

)

 

$

22

 

 

$

(241

)

 

$

(577

)

Note 26. Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

The following is a summary of the quarterly results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015.

 

 

For the three months ended

 

 

 

 

 

2016

 

March 31

 

 

June 30

 

 

September 30

 

 

December 31

 

 

Full Year

 

Net Sales

 

$

1,297

 

 

$

1,383

 

 

$

1,398

 

 

$

1,322

 

 

$

5,400

 

Cost of goods sold

 

 

1,095

 

 

 

1,116

 

 

 

1,056

 

 

 

1,024

 

 

 

4,290

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

 

70

 

 

 

(41

)

 

 

234

 

 

 

(273

)

 

 

(11

)

Net income (loss)

 

 

51

 

 

 

(18

)

 

 

204

 

 

 

(230

)

 

 

7

 

Net income (loss) attributable to Chemours

 

 

51

 

 

 

(18

)

 

 

204

 

 

 

(230

)

 

 

7

 

Basic earnings (loss) per share

 

 

0.28

 

 

 

(0.10

)

 

 

1.12

 

 

 

(1.26

)

 

 

0.04

 

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

 

 

0.28

 

 

 

(0.10

)

 

 

1.11

 

 

 

(1.26

)

 

 

0.04

 

F-49F-70


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share)share amounts and par values)

Note 29. Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

The following table sets forth a summary of the Company’s quarterly results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.

 

 

For the three months ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

2015

 

March 31

 

 

June 30

 

 

September 30

 

 

December 31

 

 

Full Year

 

Net Sales

 

$

1,363

 

 

$

1,508

 

 

$

1,486

 

 

$

1,360

 

 

$

5,717

 

2019

 

March 31,

 

 

June 30,

 

 

September 30,

 

 

December 31,

 

 

Full Year (1),

 

Net sales

 

$

1,376

 

 

$

1,408

 

 

$

1,390

 

 

$

1,353

 

 

$

5,526

 

Cost of goods sold

 

 

1,111

 

 

 

1,282

 

 

 

1,222

 

 

 

1,147

 

 

 

4,762

 

 

 

1,080

 

 

 

1,085

 

 

 

1,096

 

 

 

1,203

 

 

 

4,463

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

 

58

 

 

 

(18

)

 

 

(107

)

 

 

(121

)

 

 

(188

)

 

 

107

 

 

 

133

 

 

 

91

 

 

 

(454

)

 

 

(124

)

Net income (loss)

 

 

43

 

 

 

(18

)

 

 

(29

)

 

 

(86

)

 

 

(90

)

 

 

94

 

 

 

96

 

 

 

76

 

 

 

(317

)

 

 

(52

)

Net income (loss) attributable to Chemours

 

 

43

 

 

 

(18

)

 

 

(29

)

 

 

(86

)

 

 

(90

)

 

 

94

 

 

 

96

 

 

 

76

 

 

 

(317

)

 

 

(52

)

Basic earnings (loss) per share 1

 

 

0.24

 

 

 

(0.10

)

 

 

(0.16

)

 

 

(0.48

)

 

 

(0.50

)

Diluted earnings (loss) per share 1

 

 

0.24

 

 

 

(0.10

)

 

 

(0.16

)

 

 

(0.48

)

 

 

(0.50

)

Basic earnings (loss) per share of common stock

 

 

0.56

 

 

 

0.58

 

 

 

0.46

 

 

 

(1.94

)

 

 

(0.32

)

Diluted earnings (loss) per share of common stock

 

 

0.55

 

 

 

0.57

 

 

 

0.46

 

 

 

(1.94

)

 

 

(0.32

)

 

1

On July 1, 2015, E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company distributed 180,966,833 shares of Chemours’ common stock to holders of its common stock.  Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share for all periods prior to July 1, 2015 were calculated using the shares distributed on July 1, 2015.  Refer to Note 10 for information regarding the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share.

 

 

For the Three Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

2018

 

March 31,

 

 

June 30,

 

 

September 30,

 

 

December 31,

 

 

Full Year (1),

 

Net sales

 

$

1,730

 

 

$

1,816

 

 

$

1,628

 

 

$

1,464

 

 

$

6,638

 

Cost of goods sold

 

 

1,193

 

 

 

1,259

 

 

 

1,151

 

 

 

1,064

 

 

 

4,667

 

Income before income taxes

 

 

381

 

 

 

323

 

 

 

269

 

 

 

182

 

 

 

1,155

 

Net income

 

 

297

 

 

 

282

 

 

 

275

 

 

 

142

 

 

 

996

 

Net income attributable to Chemours

 

 

297

 

 

 

281

 

 

 

275

 

 

 

142

 

 

 

995

 

Basic earnings per share of common stock

 

 

1.63

 

 

 

1.58

 

 

 

1.56

 

 

 

0.83

 

 

 

5.62

 

Diluted earnings per share of common stock

 

 

1.58

 

 

 

1.53

 

 

 

1.51

 

 

 

0.81

 

 

 

5.45

 

*

The summation of the quarterly data(1)

Individual quarters may not footsum to full year amounts due to rounding.

 

Note 27.30. Guarantor Condensed Consolidating Financial Information

The following guarantor condensed consolidating financial information is included in accordance with Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X (Rule 3-10)(“Rule 3-10”) in connection with the issuancesubsidiary guarantees of the “Notes” (collectively, the 2023 Dollar Notes, the 2025 Notes, the 2026 Euro Notes, and the 2027 Notes), in each case, issued by The Chemours Company (the “Parent Issuer”). TheAs of the dates indicated, each series of the Notes arewas fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, on a senior unsecured unsubordinated basis, in each case, subject to certain exceptions, by the same group of subsidiaries of the Parent Issuer and by certain subsidiaries (together, the “Guarantor Subsidiaries”). Each of the Guarantor Subsidiaries is 100% owned by the Company. None of the other subsidiaries of the Company, either direct or indirect, guarantee the Notes (together, the “Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries”). ThePursuant to the indentures governing the Notes, the Guarantor Subsidiaries excluding the Parent Issuer, will be automatically released from those guarantees upon the occurrence of certain customary release provisions.

The following condensed consolidating financial information is presented to comply with the Company’s requirements under Rule 3-10:

the Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014;

the consolidating statements of comprehensive income (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017;

the Consolidating Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2016 and 2015;

the consolidating balance sheets at December 31, 2019 and 2018; and,

the Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014.

the consolidating statements of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017.

As discussed in Note 2, Chemours did not operate as a separate, stand-alone entity for the full period covered by consolidated financial statements.  Prior to our spin-off on July 1, 2015, Chemours operations were included in DuPont’s financial results in different legal forms, including but not limited to wholly-owned subsidiaries for which Chemours was the sole business, components of legal entities in which Chemours operated in conjunction with other DuPont businesses and a majority owned joint venture.  For periods prior to July 1, 2015, the condensed consolidated financial information has been prepared from DuPont’s historical accounting records and are presented on a stand-alone basis as if the business operations had been conducted independently from DuPont.

The following guarantor condensed consolidating financial information is presented using the equity method of accounting for the Company’s investments in 100% ownedits wholly-owned subsidiaries. Under the equity method, the investments in subsidiaries are recorded at cost and adjusted for ourthe Company’s share of the subsidiariesits subsidiaries’ cumulative results of operations, capital contributions, distributions, and other equity changes. The elimination entries principally eliminate investments in subsidiaries and intercompany balances and transactions. The financial information in this footnoteincluded herein may not necessarily be indicative of the financial positions, results of operations, or cash flows of the Company’s subsidiaries had they operated as independent entities, and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements presented and otherthe related notes related thereto contained in this Annual Report.thereto.

As discussed in Note 7, the Company entered into a stock and asset purchase agreement with Lanxess, pursuant to which Lanxess acquired the Company’s C&D business comprise of certain assets and subsidiaries of the Company, including International Dioxide, Inc., which was a guarantor subsidiary.

F-50F-71


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share)share amounts and par values)

 

Condensed Consolidating StatementsStatements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

Year Ended December 31, 2016

 

 

Parent Issuer

 

 

Guarantor Subsidiaries

 

 

Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries

 

 

Eliminations and Adjustments

 

 

Consolidated

 

Net sales

$

 

 

$

3,749

 

 

$

3,222

 

 

$

(1,571

)

 

$

5,400

 

Cost of goods sold

 

 

 

 

3,218

 

 

 

2,615

 

 

 

(1,543

)

 

 

4,290

 

Gross profit

 

 

 

 

531

 

 

 

607

 

 

 

(28

)

 

 

1,110

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

21

 

 

 

794

 

 

 

139

 

 

 

(20

)

 

 

934

 

Research and development expense

 

 

 

 

77

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

80

 

Restructuring and asset related charges, net

 

 

 

 

168

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

170

 

Total expenses

 

21

 

 

 

1,039

 

 

 

144

 

 

 

(20

)

 

 

1,184

 

Equity in earnings of affiliates

 

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

25

 

 

 

 

 

 

29

 

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(100

)

 

 

 

Interest (expense) income, net

 

(211

)

 

 

(3

)

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

(213

)

Intercompany interest income (expense), net

 

60

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

(64

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income, net

 

20

 

 

 

193

 

 

 

54

 

 

 

(20

)

 

 

247

 

(Loss) income before income taxes

 

(52

)

 

 

(310

)

 

 

479

 

 

 

(128

)

 

 

(11

)

(Benefit from) provision for income taxes

 

(59

)

 

 

(52

)

 

 

100

 

 

 

(7

)

 

 

(18

)

Net income (loss)

 

7

 

 

 

(258

)

 

 

379

 

 

 

(121

)

 

 

7

 

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss) attributable to Chemours

$

7

 

 

$

(258

)

 

$

379

 

 

$

(121

)

 

$

7

 

Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Chemours

$

(34

)

 

$

(255

)

 

$

321

 

 

$

(66

)

 

$

(34

)

 

Year Ended December 31, 2019

 

 

Parent Issuer

 

 

Guarantor Subsidiaries

 

 

Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries

 

 

Eliminations and Adjustments

 

 

Consolidated

 

Net sales

$

 

 

$

3,357

 

 

$

3,656

 

 

$

(1,487

)

 

$

5,526

 

Cost of goods sold

 

 

 

 

3,068

 

 

 

2,882

 

 

 

(1,487

)

 

 

4,463

 

Gross profit

 

 

 

 

289

 

 

 

774

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,063

 

Selling, general, and administrative expense

 

19

 

 

 

406

 

 

 

141

 

 

 

(18

)

 

 

548

 

Research and development expense

 

 

 

 

73

 

 

 

7

 

 

 

 

 

 

80

 

Restructuring, asset-related, and other charges

 

 

 

 

74

 

 

 

13

 

 

 

 

 

 

87

 

Total other operating expenses

 

19

 

 

 

553

 

 

 

161

 

 

 

(18

)

 

 

715

 

Equity in earnings of affiliates

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

29

 

 

 

 

 

 

29

 

Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries

 

73

 

 

 

(3

)

 

 

 

 

 

(70

)

 

 

 

Interest (expense) income, net

 

(209

)

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

(208

)

Intercompany interest income (expense), net

 

41

 

 

 

16

 

 

 

(57

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income (expense), net

 

21

 

 

 

122

 

 

 

(417

)

 

 

(19

)

 

 

(293

)

(Loss) income before income taxes

 

(93

)

 

 

(129

)

 

 

169

 

 

 

(71

)

 

 

(124

)

Benefit from income taxes

 

(41

)

 

 

(28

)

 

 

(2

)

 

 

(1

)

 

 

(72

)

Net (loss) income

 

(52

)

 

 

(101

)

 

 

171

 

 

 

(70

)

 

 

(52

)

Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (loss) income attributable to Chemours

$

(52

)

 

$

(101

)

 

$

171

 

 

$

(70

)

 

$

(52

)

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Chemours

$

163

 

 

$

(101

)

 

$

371

 

 

$

(270

)

 

$

163

 

F-51F-72


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share)share amounts and par values)

 

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

Year Ended December 31, 2015

 

 

Parent Issuer

 

 

Guarantor Subsidiaries

 

 

Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries

 

 

Eliminations and Adjustments

 

 

Consolidated

 

Net sales

$

 

 

$

4,044

 

 

$

3,269

 

 

$

(1,596

)

 

$

5,717

 

Cost of goods sold

 

 

 

 

3,708

 

 

 

2,650

 

 

 

(1,596

)

 

 

4,762

 

Gross profit

 

 

 

 

336

 

 

 

619

 

 

 

 

 

 

955

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

15

 

 

 

426

 

 

 

204

 

 

 

(13

)

 

 

632

 

Research and development expense

 

 

 

 

95

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

97

 

Restructuring and asset related charges, net

 

 

 

 

295

 

 

 

38

 

 

 

 

 

 

333

 

Goodwill impairment

 

 

 

 

25

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

25

 

Total expenses

 

15

 

 

 

841

 

 

 

244

 

 

 

(13

)

 

 

1,087

 

Equity in earnings of affiliates

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

21

 

 

 

 

 

 

22

 

Equity in (net loss) earnings of subsidiaries

 

(47

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

47

 

 

 

 

Interest expense, net

 

(131

)

 

 

(1

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(132

)

Intercompany interest income (expense), net

 

44

 

 

 

 

 

 

(44

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income (expense), net

 

13

 

 

 

92

 

 

 

(31

)

 

 

(20

)

 

 

54

 

(Loss) income before income taxes

 

(136

)

 

 

(413

)

 

 

321

 

 

 

40

 

 

 

(188

)

(Benefit from) provision for income taxes

 

(46

)

 

 

(89

)

 

 

40

 

 

 

(3

)

 

 

(98

)

Net (loss) income

 

(90

)

 

 

(324

)

 

 

281

 

 

 

43

 

 

 

(90

)

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling

   interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (loss) income attributable to Chemours

$

(90

)

 

$

(324

)

 

$

281

 

 

$

43

 

 

$

(90

)

Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to

   Chemours

$

(334

)

 

$

(324

)

 

$

29

 

 

$

295

 

 

$

(334

)

 

Year Ended December 31, 2018

 

 

Parent Issuer

 

 

Guarantor Subsidiaries

 

 

Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries

 

 

Eliminations and Adjustments

 

 

Consolidated

 

Net sales

$

 

 

$

3,974

 

 

$

4,484

 

 

$

(1,820

)

 

$

6,638

 

Cost of goods sold

 

 

 

 

3,112

 

 

 

3,380

 

 

 

(1,825

)

 

 

4,667

 

Gross profit

 

 

 

 

862

 

 

 

1,104

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

1,971

 

Selling, general, and administrative expense

 

33

 

 

 

485

 

 

 

163

 

 

 

(24

)

 

 

657

 

Research and development expense

 

 

 

 

76

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

82

 

Restructuring, asset-related, and other charges

 

 

 

 

46

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

49

 

Total other operating expenses

 

33

 

 

 

607

 

 

 

172

 

 

 

(24

)

 

 

788

 

Equity in earnings of affiliates

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

43

 

 

 

 

 

 

43

 

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

 

1,155

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,157

)

 

 

 

Interest (expense) income, net

 

(210

)

 

 

5

 

 

 

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

(195

)

Loss on extinguishment of debt

 

(38

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(38

)

Intercompany interest income (expense), net

 

47

 

 

 

10

 

 

 

(57

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income (expense), net

 

25

 

 

 

199

 

 

 

(40

)

 

 

(22

)

 

 

162

 

Income before income taxes

 

946

 

 

 

471

 

 

 

888

 

 

 

(1,150

)

 

 

1,155

 

(Benefit from) provision for income taxes

 

(50

)

 

 

98

 

 

 

111

 

 

 

 

 

 

159

 

Net income

 

996

 

 

 

373

 

 

 

777

 

 

 

(1,150

)

 

 

996

 

Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

Net income attributable to Chemours

$

996

 

 

$

373

 

 

$

776

 

 

$

(1,150

)

 

$

995

 

Comprehensive income attributable to Chemours

$

873

 

 

$

375

 

 

$

637

 

 

$

(1,012

)

 

$

873

 

F-52F-73


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share)share amounts and par values)

 

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Year Ended December 31, 2014

 

Year Ended December 31, 2017

 

Parent Issuer

 

 

Guarantor Subsidiaries

 

 

Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries

 

 

Eliminations and Adjustments

 

 

Consolidated

 

Parent Issuer

 

 

Guarantor Subsidiaries

 

 

Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries

 

 

Eliminations and Adjustments

 

 

Consolidated

 

Net sales

$

 

 

$

4,593

 

 

$

3,722

 

 

$

(1,883

)

 

$

6,432

 

$

 

 

$

3,887

 

 

$

4,030

 

 

$

(1,734

)

 

$

6,183

 

Cost of goods sold

 

 

 

 

3,863

 

 

 

3,093

 

 

 

(1,884

)

 

 

5,072

 

 

 

 

 

3,084

 

 

 

3,045

 

 

 

(1,691

)

 

 

4,438

 

Gross profit

 

 

 

 

730

 

 

 

629

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

1,360

 

 

 

 

 

803

 

 

 

985

 

 

 

(43

)

 

 

1,745

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

 

 

 

429

 

 

 

256

 

 

 

 

 

 

685

 

Selling, general, and administrative expense

 

36

 

 

 

449

 

 

 

179

 

 

 

(38

)

 

 

626

 

Research and development expense

 

 

 

 

127

 

 

 

16

 

 

 

 

 

 

143

 

 

 

 

 

74

 

 

 

7

 

 

 

 

 

 

81

 

Restructuring and asset related charges, net

 

 

 

 

11

 

 

 

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

21

 

Total expenses

 

 

 

 

567

 

 

 

282

 

 

 

 

 

 

849

 

Restructuring, asset-related, and other charges

 

 

 

 

56

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

57

 

Total other operating expenses

 

36

 

 

 

579

 

 

 

187

 

 

 

(38

)

 

 

764

 

Equity in earnings of affiliates

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20

 

 

 

 

 

 

20

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

33

 

 

 

 

 

 

33

 

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

 

400

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(400

)

 

 

 

 

849

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(849

)

 

 

 

Interest (expense) income, net

 

(220

)

 

 

3

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

(214

)

Loss on extinguishment of debt

 

(1

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1

)

Intercompany interest income (expense), net

 

64

 

 

 

 

 

 

(64

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income (expense), net

 

 

 

 

80

 

 

 

(61

)

 

 

 

 

 

19

 

 

29

 

 

 

139

 

 

 

(21

)

 

 

(34

)

 

 

113

 

Income before income taxes

 

400

 

 

 

243

 

 

 

306

 

 

 

(399

)

 

 

550

 

 

685

 

 

 

366

 

 

 

749

 

 

 

(888

)

 

 

912

 

Provision for income taxes

 

 

 

 

75

 

 

 

76

 

 

 

(2

)

 

 

149

 

(Benefit from) provision for income taxes

 

(62

)

 

 

117

 

 

 

114

 

 

 

(4

)

 

 

165

 

Net income

 

400

 

 

 

168

 

 

 

230

 

 

 

(397

)

 

 

401

 

 

747

 

 

 

249

 

 

 

635

 

 

 

(884

)

 

 

747

 

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling

interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

Net income attributable to Chemours

$

400

 

 

$

168

 

 

$

229

 

 

$

(397

)

 

$

400

 

$

747

 

 

$

249

 

 

$

634

 

 

$

(884

)

 

$

746

 

Comprehensive income attributable to

Chemours

$

400

 

 

$

168

 

 

$

229

 

 

$

(397

)

 

$

400

 

$

881

 

 

$

253

 

 

$

828

 

 

$

(1,081

)

 

$

881

 

F-53F-74


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share)share amounts and par values)

 

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets

Year Ended December 31, 2016

 

Year Ended December 31, 2019

 

Parent Issuer

 

 

Guarantor Subsidiaries

 

 

Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries

 

 

Eliminations and Adjustments

 

 

Consolidated

 

Parent Issuer

 

 

Guarantor Subsidiaries

 

 

Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries

 

 

Eliminations and Adjustments

 

 

Consolidated

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$

 

 

$

224

 

 

$

678

 

 

$

 

 

$

902

 

$

 

 

$

104

 

 

$

839

 

 

$

 

 

$

943

 

Accounts and notes receivable - trade, net

 

 

 

 

299

 

 

 

508

 

 

 

 

 

 

807

 

Accounts and notes receivable, net

 

 

 

 

53

 

 

 

621

 

 

 

 

 

 

674

 

Intercompany receivable

 

3

 

 

 

1,050

 

 

 

46

 

 

 

(1,099

)

 

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

1,023

 

 

 

180

 

 

 

(1,205

)

 

 

 

Inventories

 

 

 

 

341

 

 

 

476

 

 

 

(50

)

 

 

767

 

 

 

 

 

552

 

 

 

612

 

 

 

(85

)

 

 

1,079

 

Prepaid expenses and other

 

 

 

 

38

 

 

 

32

 

 

 

7

 

 

 

77

 

 

 

 

 

60

 

 

 

15

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

81

 

Total current assets

 

3

 

 

 

1,952

 

 

 

1,740

 

 

 

(1,142

)

 

 

2,553

 

 

2

 

 

 

1,792

 

 

 

2,267

 

 

 

(1,284

)

 

 

2,777

 

Property, plant and equipment

 

 

 

 

6,136

 

 

 

1,861

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,997

 

Property, plant, and equipment

 

 

 

 

7,207

 

 

 

2,206

 

 

 

 

 

 

9,413

 

Less: Accumulated depreciation

 

 

 

 

(4,285

)

 

 

(928

)

 

 

 

 

 

(5,213

)

 

 

 

 

(4,697

)

 

 

(1,157

)

 

 

 

 

 

(5,854

)

Net property, plant and equipment

 

 

 

 

1,851

 

 

 

933

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,784

 

Property, plant, and equipment, net

 

 

 

 

2,510

 

 

 

1,049

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,559

 

Operating lease right-of-use assets

 

 

 

 

273

 

 

 

21

 

 

 

 

 

 

294

 

Goodwill and other intangible assets, net

 

 

 

 

156

 

 

 

14

 

 

 

 

 

 

170

 

 

 

 

 

160

 

 

 

14

 

 

 

 

 

 

174

 

Investments in affiliates

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

136

 

 

 

 

 

 

136

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

162

 

 

 

 

 

 

162

 

Investment in subsidiaries

 

3,258

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3,258

)

 

 

 

Investments in subsidiaries

 

4,077

 

 

 

148

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4,225

)

 

 

 

Intercompany notes receivable

 

1,150

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,150

)

 

 

 

 

1,250

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,250

)

 

 

 

Other assets

 

13

 

 

 

178

 

 

 

226

 

 

 

 

 

 

417

 

 

7

 

 

 

140

 

 

 

145

 

 

 

 

 

 

292

 

Total assets

$

4,424

 

 

$

4,137

 

 

$

3,049

 

 

$

(5,550

)

 

$

6,060

 

$

5,336

 

 

$

5,023

 

 

$

3,658

 

 

$

(6,759

)

 

$

7,258

 

Liabilities and equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

$

 

 

$

573

 

 

$

311

 

 

$

 

 

$

884

 

$

 

 

$

528

 

 

$

395

 

 

$

 

 

$

923

 

Short-term borrowings and current

maturities of long-term debt

 

15

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15

 

Short-term and current maturities of long-term debt

 

13

 

 

 

11

 

 

 

110

 

 

 

 

 

 

134

 

Intercompany payable

 

762

 

 

 

46

 

 

 

291

 

 

 

(1,099

)

 

 

 

 

720

 

 

 

138

 

 

 

345

 

 

 

(1,203

)

 

 

 

Other accrued liabilities

 

21

 

 

 

718

 

 

 

133

 

 

 

 

 

 

872

 

 

21

 

 

 

294

 

 

 

171

 

 

 

(2

)

 

 

484

 

Total current liabilities

 

798

 

 

 

1,337

 

 

 

735

 

 

 

(1,099

)

 

 

1,771

 

 

754

 

 

 

971

 

 

 

1,021

 

 

 

(1,205

)

 

 

1,541

 

Long-term debt, net

 

3,526

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,529

 

 

3,876

 

 

 

150

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,026

 

Operating lease liabilities

 

 

 

 

233

 

 

 

12

 

 

 

 

 

 

245

 

Intercompany notes payable

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,150

 

 

 

(1,150

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,250

 

 

 

(1,250

)

 

 

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

 

 

59

 

 

 

73

 

 

 

 

 

 

132

 

 

17

 

 

 

45

 

 

 

56

 

 

 

 

 

 

118

 

Other liabilities

 

 

 

 

428

 

 

 

96

 

 

 

 

 

 

524

 

 

 

 

 

551

 

 

 

82

 

 

 

 

 

 

633

 

Total liabilities

 

4,324

 

 

 

1,827

 

 

 

2,054

 

 

 

(2,249

)

 

 

5,956

 

 

4,647

 

 

 

1,950

 

 

 

2,421

 

 

 

(2,455

)

 

 

6,563

 

Commitments and contingent liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Chemours stockholders’ equity

 

100

 

 

 

2,310

 

 

 

991

 

 

 

(3,301

)

 

 

100

 

 

689

 

 

 

3,073

 

 

 

1,231

 

 

 

(4,304

)

 

 

689

 

Noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

4

 

Non-controlling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

6

 

Total equity

 

100

 

 

 

2,310

 

 

 

995

 

 

 

(3,301

)

 

 

104

 

 

689

 

 

 

3,073

 

 

 

1,237

 

 

 

(4,304

)

 

 

695

 

Total liabilities and equity

$

4,424

 

 

$

4,137

 

 

$

3,049

 

 

$

(5,550

)

 

$

6,060

 

$

5,336

 

 

$

5,023

 

 

$

3,658

 

 

$

(6,759

)

 

$

7,258

 

F-54F-75


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share)share amounts and par values)

 

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets

Year Ended December 31, 2015

 

Year Ended December 31, 2018

 

Parent Issuer

 

 

Guarantor Subsidiaries

 

 

Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries

 

 

Eliminations and Adjustments

 

 

Consolidated

 

Parent Issuer

 

 

Guarantor Subsidiaries

 

 

Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries

 

 

Eliminations and Adjustments

 

 

Consolidated

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$

 

 

$

95

 

 

$

271

 

 

$

 

 

$

366

 

$

 

 

$

239

 

 

$

962

 

 

$

 

 

$

1,201

 

Accounts and notes receivable - trade, net

 

 

 

 

344

 

 

 

515

 

 

 

 

 

 

859

 

Accounts and notes receivable, net

 

 

 

 

297

 

 

 

564

 

 

 

 

 

 

861

 

Intercompany receivable

 

3

 

 

 

459

 

 

 

54

 

 

 

(516

)

 

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

1,057

 

 

 

91

 

 

 

(1,150

)

 

 

 

Inventories

 

 

 

 

493

 

 

 

501

 

 

 

(22

)

 

 

972

 

 

 

 

 

483

 

 

 

749

 

 

 

(85

)

 

 

1,147

 

Prepaid expenses and other

 

 

 

 

49

 

 

 

52

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

104

 

 

 

 

 

58

 

 

 

26

 

 

 

 

 

 

84

 

Total current assets

 

3

 

 

 

1,440

 

 

 

1,393

 

 

 

(535

)

 

 

2,301

 

 

2

 

 

 

2,134

 

 

 

2,392

 

 

 

(1,235

)

 

 

3,293

 

Property, plant and equipment

 

 

 

 

7,070

 

 

 

1,945

 

 

 

 

 

 

9,015

 

Property, plant, and equipment

 

 

 

 

6,870

 

 

 

2,122

 

 

 

 

 

 

8,992

 

Less: Accumulated depreciation

 

 

 

 

(4,899

)

 

 

(939

)

 

 

 

 

 

(5,838

)

 

 

 

 

(4,591

)

 

 

(1,110

)

 

 

 

 

 

(5,701

)

Net property, plant and equipment

 

 

 

 

2,171

 

 

 

1,006

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,177

 

Property, plant, and equipment, net

 

 

 

 

2,279

 

 

 

1,012

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,291

 

Goodwill and other intangible assets, net

 

 

 

 

151

 

 

 

25

 

 

 

 

 

 

176

 

 

 

 

 

167

 

 

 

14

 

 

 

 

 

 

181

 

Investments in affiliates

 

 

 

 

9

 

 

 

127

 

 

 

 

 

 

136

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

160

 

 

 

 

 

 

160

 

Investment in subsidiaries

 

3,105

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3,105

)

 

 

 

Investments in subsidiaries

 

4,487

 

 

 

11

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4,498

)

 

 

 

Intercompany notes receivable

 

1,150

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,150

)

 

 

 

 

1,150

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,150

)

 

 

 

Other assets

 

19

 

 

 

275

 

 

 

214

 

 

 

 

 

 

508

 

 

17

 

 

 

154

 

 

 

274

 

 

 

(8

)

 

 

437

 

Total assets

$

4,277

 

 

$

4,046

 

 

$

2,765

 

 

$

(4,790

)

 

$

6,298

 

$

5,656

 

 

$

4,745

 

 

$

3,852

 

 

$

(6,891

)

 

$

7,362

 

Liabilities and equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

$

 

 

$

637

 

 

$

336

 

 

$

 

 

$

973

 

$

 

 

$

637

 

 

$

500

 

 

$

 

 

$

1,137

 

Short-term borrowings and current

maturities of long-term debt

 

15

 

 

 

24

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

39

 

Current maturities of long-term debt

 

13

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13

 

Intercompany payable

 

202

 

 

 

54

 

 

 

260

 

 

 

(516

)

 

 

 

 

698

 

 

 

92

 

 

 

360

 

 

 

(1,150

)

 

 

 

Other accrued liabilities

 

21

 

 

 

287

 

 

 

146

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

454

 

 

21

 

 

 

341

 

 

 

198

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

559

 

Total current liabilities

 

238

 

 

 

1,002

 

 

 

742

 

 

 

(516

)

 

 

1,466

 

 

732

 

 

 

1,070

 

 

 

1,058

 

 

 

(1,151

)

 

 

1,709

 

Long-term debt, net

 

3,913

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

3,915

 

 

3,902

 

 

 

57

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,959

 

Intercompany notes payable

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,150

 

 

 

(1,150

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,150

 

 

 

(1,150

)

 

 

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

 

 

173

 

 

 

61

 

 

 

 

 

 

234

 

 

8

 

 

 

143

 

 

 

82

 

 

 

(16

)

 

 

217

 

Other liabilities

 

 

 

 

456

 

 

 

97

 

 

 

 

 

 

553

 

 

 

 

 

372

 

 

 

85

 

 

 

 

 

 

457

 

Total liabilities

 

4,151

 

 

 

1,633

 

 

 

2,050

 

 

 

(1,666

)

 

 

6,168

 

 

4,642

 

 

 

1,642

 

 

 

2,375

 

 

 

(2,317

)

 

 

6,342

 

Commitments and contingent liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Chemours stockholders’

equity

 

126

 

 

 

2,413

 

 

 

711

 

 

 

(3,124

)

 

 

126

 

 

1,014

 

 

 

3,103

 

 

 

1,471

 

 

 

(4,574

)

 

 

1,014

 

Noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

4

 

Non-controlling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

6

 

Total equity

 

126

 

 

 

2,413

 

 

 

715

 

 

 

(3,124

)

 

 

130

 

 

1,014

 

 

 

3,103

 

 

 

1,477

 

 

 

(4,574

)

 

 

1,020

 

Total liabilities and equity

$

4,277

 

 

$

4,046

 

 

$

2,765

 

 

$

(4,790

)

 

$

6,298

 

$

5,656

 

 

$

4,745

 

 

$

3,852

 

 

$

(6,891

)

 

$

7,362

 

F-55F-76


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share)share amounts and par values)

 

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows

 

Year Ended December 31, 2019

 

 

Parent Issuer

 

 

Guarantor Subsidiaries

 

 

Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries

 

 

Eliminations and Adjustments

 

 

Consolidated

 

Cash flows from operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash provided by (used for) operating activities

$

140

 

 

$

(892

)

 

$

1,684

 

 

$

(282

)

 

$

650

 

Cash flows from investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of property, plant, and equipment

 

 

 

 

(403

)

 

 

(78

)

 

 

 

 

 

(481

)

Intercompany investing activities

 

 

 

 

26

 

 

 

(398

)

 

 

372

 

 

 

 

Acquisition of business, net

 

 

 

 

(10

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(10

)

Proceeds from sales of assets and businesses, net

 

 

 

 

7

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

9

 

Proceeds from life insurance policies

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

Foreign exchange contract settlements, net

 

 

 

 

(2

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2

)

Cash used for investing activities

 

 

 

 

(381

)

 

 

(474

)

 

 

372

 

 

 

(483

)

Cash flows from financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from revolving loan

 

150

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

150

 

Repayments on revolving loan

 

(150

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(150

)

Proceeds from accounts receivable securitization facility

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

128

 

 

 

 

 

 

128

 

Debt repayments

 

(13

)

 

 

(5

)

 

 

(19

)

 

 

 

 

 

(37

)

Payments on finance leases

 

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

(2

)

 

 

 

 

 

(3

)

Purchases of treasury stock, at cost

 

(322

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(322

)

Intercompany financing activities (1)

 

380

 

 

 

1,144

 

 

 

(1,434

)

 

 

(90

)

 

 

 

Proceeds from exercised stock options, net

 

9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9

 

Payments related to tax withholdings on vested stock awards

 

(30

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(30

)

Payments of dividends

 

(164

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(164

)

Cash (used for) provided by financing activities

 

(140

)

 

 

1,138

 

 

 

(1,327

)

 

 

(90

)

 

 

(419

)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(6

)

 

 

 

 

 

(6

)

Decrease in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

 

 

(135

)

 

 

(123

)

 

 

 

 

 

(258

)

Cash and cash equivalents at January 1,

 

 

 

 

239

 

 

 

962

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,201

 

Cash and cash equivalents at December 31,

$

 

 

$

104

 

 

$

839

 

 

$

 

 

$

943

 

(1)

During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company received $1,034 in collections on its accounts receivable sold into the SPE under the Securitization Facility, which, inclusive of net borrowings, led to a total of $1,144 received by the SPE and distributed to the Guarantor Subsidiaries during the period.


 

Year Ended December 31, 2016

 

 

Parent Issuer

 

 

Guarantor Subsidiaries

 

 

Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries

 

 

Eliminations and Adjustments

 

 

Consolidated

 

Operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash (used for) provided by operating activities

$

(176

)

 

$

355

 

 

$

415

 

 

$

 

 

$

594

 

Investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

 

 

 

 

(233

)

 

 

(105

)

 

 

 

 

 

(338

)

Proceeds from sales of assets, net

 

 

 

 

591

 

 

 

117

 

 

 

 

 

 

708

 

Intercompany investing activities

 

 

 

 

(560

)

 

 

 

 

 

560

 

 

 

 

Foreign exchange contract settlements

 

 

 

 

(12

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(12

)

Investment in affiliates

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

 

 

 

(1

)

Cash (used for) provided by investing activities

 

 

 

 

(214

)

 

 

11

 

 

 

560

 

 

 

357

 

Financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Intercompany short-term borrowings, net

$

560

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

(560

)

 

$

 

Debt repayments

 

(369

)

 

 

(12

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(381

)

Dividends paid

 

(22

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(22

)

Debt issuance costs

 

(4

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4

)

Proceeds from issuance of stock options

 

11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11

 

Cash provided by (used for) financing activities

 

176

 

 

 

(12

)

 

 

 

 

 

(560

)

 

 

(396

)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(19

)

 

 

 

 

 

(19

)

Increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

 

 

129

 

 

 

407

 

 

 

 

 

 

536

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

 

 

 

 

95

 

 

 

271

 

 

 

 

 

 

366

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

$

 

 

$

224

 

 

$

678

 

 

$

 

 

$

902

 

F-56F-77


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share)share amounts and par values)

 

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows

 

Year Ended December 31, 2015

 

 

Parent Issuer

 

 

Guarantor Subsidiaries

 

 

Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries

 

 

Eliminations and Adjustments

 

 

Consolidated

 

Operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash (used for) provided by operating activities

$

(119

)

 

$

171

 

 

$

121

 

 

$

9

 

 

$

182

 

Investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

 

 

 

 

(292

)

 

 

(227

)

 

 

 

 

 

(519

)

Proceeds from sales of assets, net

 

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

12

 

Intercompany investing activities

 

 

 

 

(202

)

 

 

 

 

 

202

 

 

 

 

Foreign exchange contract settlements

 

 

 

 

42

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

42

 

Investment in affiliates

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(32

)

 

 

 

 

 

(32

)

Cash used for investing activities

 

 

 

 

(446

)

 

 

(253

)

 

 

202

 

 

 

(497

)

Financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from issuance of debt, net

 

3,489

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,491

 

Intercompany short-term borrowings, net

 

202

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(202

)

 

 

-

 

Debt repayments

 

(8

)

 

 

(2

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(10

)

Dividends paid

 

(105

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(105

)

Debt issuance costs

 

(79

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(79

)

Cash provided at separation by DuPont

 

 

 

 

87

 

 

 

160

 

 

 

 

 

 

247

 

Net transfers (to) from DuPont

 

(3,380

)

 

 

283

 

 

 

249

 

 

 

(9

)

 

 

(2,857

)

Cash provided by financing activities

 

119

 

 

 

370

 

 

 

409

 

 

 

(211

)

 

 

687

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(6

)

 

 

 

 

 

(6

)

Increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

 

 

95

 

 

 

271

 

 

 

 

 

 

366

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

$

 

 

$

95

 

 

$

271

 

 

$

 

 

$

366

 

 

Year Ended December 31, 2018

 

 

Parent Issuer

 

 

Guarantor Subsidiaries

 

 

Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries

 

 

Eliminations and Adjustments

 

 

Consolidated

 

Cash flows from operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash (used for) provided by operating activities

$

(159

)

 

$

10

 

 

$

1,289

 

 

$

 

 

$

1,140

 

Cash flows from investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of property, plant, and equipment

 

 

 

 

(390

)

 

 

(108

)

 

 

 

 

 

(498

)

Acquisition of business, net

 

 

 

 

(37

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(37

)

Proceeds from sales of assets and businesses, net

 

 

 

 

46

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

46

 

Intercompany investing activities

 

 

 

 

(153

)

 

 

(999

)

 

 

1,152

 

 

 

 

Foreign exchange contract settlements, net

 

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

Cash used for investing activities

 

 

 

 

(532

)

 

 

(1,107

)

 

 

1,152

 

 

 

(487

)

Cash flows from financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from issuance of debt, net

 

520

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

520

 

Debt repayments

 

(679

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(679

)

Payments related to extinguishment of debt

 

(29

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(29

)

Payments of debt issuance costs

 

(12

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(12

)

Purchases of treasury stock, at cost

 

(644

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(644

)

Intercompany financing activities

 

1,152

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,152

)

 

 

 

Proceeds from exercised stock options, net

 

16

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

16

 

Payments related to tax withholdings on vested restricted stock units

 

(17

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(17

)

Payments of dividends

 

(148

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(148

)

Cash provided by (used for) financing activities

 

159

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,152

)

 

 

(993

)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(15

)

 

 

 

 

 

(15

)

(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

 

 

(522

)

 

 

167

 

 

 

 

 

 

(355

)

Cash and cash equivalents at January 1,

 

 

 

 

761

 

 

 

795

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,556

 

Cash and cash equivalents at December 31,

$

 

 

$

239

 

 

$

962

 

 

$

 

 

$

1,201

 

F-57F-78


The Chemours Company

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in millions, except per share)share amounts and par values)

 

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows

 

Year Ended December 31, 2014

 

 

Parent Issuer

 

 

Guarantor Subsidiaries

 

 

Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries

 

 

Eliminations and Adjustments

 

 

Consolidated

 

Operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash provided by operating activities

$

 

 

$

302

 

 

$

208

 

 

$

(5

)

 

$

505

 

Investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

 

 

 

 

(287

)

 

 

(317

)

 

 

 

 

 

(604

)

Proceeds from sales of assets, net

 

 

 

 

30

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

32

 

Investment in affiliates

 

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(8

)

 

 

 

 

 

(8

)

Other investing activities

 

 

 

 

20

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20

 

Cash used for investing activities

 

 

 

 

(237

)

 

 

(323

)

 

 

 

 

 

(560

)

Financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net transfers (to) from DuPont

 

 

 

 

(65

)

 

 

115

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

55

 

Cash (used for) provided by financing activities

 

 

 

 

(65

)

 

 

115

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

55

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

Year Ended December 31, 2017

 

 

Parent Issuer

 

 

Guarantor Subsidiaries

 

 

Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries

 

 

Eliminations and Adjustments

 

 

Consolidated

 

Cash flows from operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash (used for) provided by operating activities

$

(132

)

 

$

603

 

 

$

169

 

 

$

 

 

$

640

 

Cash flows from investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of property, plant, and equipment

 

 

 

 

(327

)

 

 

(84

)

 

 

 

 

 

(411

)

Proceeds from sales of assets and businesses, net

 

 

 

 

39

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

39

 

Intercompany investing activities

 

 

 

 

220

 

 

 

 

 

 

(220

)

 

 

 

Foreign exchange contract settlements, net

 

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

Cash used for investing activities

 

 

 

 

(66

)

 

 

(84

)

 

 

(220

)

 

 

(370

)

Cash flows from financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Intercompany short-term borrowings, net

 

(220

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

220

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from issuance of debt, net

 

495

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

495

 

Debt repayments

 

(27

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(27

)

Payments related to extinguishment of debt

 

(1

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1

)

Payments of debt issuance costs

 

(6

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(6

)

Purchases of treasury stock, at cost

 

(106

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(106

)

Proceeds from exercised stock options, net

 

31

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

31

 

Payments related to tax withholdings on vested restricted stock units

 

(12

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(12

)

Payments of dividends

 

(22

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(22

)

Cash provided by financing activities

 

132

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

220

 

 

 

352

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

32

 

 

 

 

 

 

32

 

Increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

 

 

537

 

 

 

117

 

 

 

 

 

 

654

 

Cash and cash equivalents at January 1,

 

 

 

 

224

 

 

 

678

 

 

 

 

 

 

902

 

Cash and cash equivalents at December 31,

$

 

 

$

761

 

 

$

795

 

 

$

 

 

$

1,556

 

 

F-58

F-79