UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-K
 

ý ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 20162017
OR 
¨o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ________ to _______
 
Commission file number: 001-36272
 

 

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware37-1744899
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
  
1450 Centrepark Boulevard, Suite 210
West Palm Beach, Florida
33401
(Zip Code)
(Address of principal executive offices) 
 
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (561) 207-9600
 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of Each ClassName of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per shareThe New York Stock Exchange
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes  ý   No  ¨o
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Yes ¨o  No ý
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  ý   No  ¨o
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 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes.Yes  ý   No  ¨o
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 registrant’s 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. ýo
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer x
Accelerated filer o
Non-Accelerated filer o
Smaller reporting company o
Emerging growth company o
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. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act) Yes ¨o  No ý
The number of shares of common stock outstanding as of February 24, 201723, 2018 was 284,247,248.288,028,893. The aggregate market value of the common stock held by non-affiliates as of June 30, 20162017 was approximately $1.32$2.94 billion, based upon the last reported sales price for such date on the NYSE. All (i) executive officers and directors of the registrant and (ii) all persons who hold 10% or more of the registrant’s outstanding common stock have been deemed, solely for the purpose of the foregoing calculation, to be “affiliates” of the registrant.
Documents Incorporated By Reference
 
Portions of the registrant’s definitive proxy statement for its 20172018 annual meeting of stockholders, which 20172018 Proxy Statement will be filed no later than 120 days after the close of the registrant’s fiscal year ended December 31, 2016,2017, are hereby incorporated by reference in Part III of this 20162017 Annual Report on Form 10-K.





Platform Specialty Products Corporation

ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
For the year ended December 31, 2017

Table of Contents
 
GlossaryPage
   
 
    
 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
    
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
    
 
 



GLOSSARY OF DEFINED TERMS


 
Terms Definitions
Platform; Successor;
We; Us; Our; the Company
 Platform Specialty Products Corporation, a Delaware corporation, and its subsidiaries, collectively, for all periods subsequent to the MacDermid Acquisition.
Acquisitions Agriphar Acquisition, Alent Acquisition, Arysta Acquisition, CAS Acquisition, MacDermid Acquisition, OMG Acquisition and OMG Malaysia Acquisition, collectively.
Agriphar 
Percival S.A., a formerly Belgium société anonyme, and its agrochemical business, Agriphar.
Agriphar Acquisition Acquisition of a 100% interest in Agriphar, completed on October 1, 2014.
AIs Active ingredients.
Alent Alent plc, a formerly public limited company registered in England and Wales.
Alent Acquisition Acquisition of a 100% interest in Alent, completed on December 1, 2015 under the U.K. Companies Act 2006, as amended.
Amended and Restated
Credit Agreement
 Platform's Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of August 6, 2014, among, inter alia, Platform, MacDermid Holdings, LLC, MacDermid, the subsidiaries of Platform and MacDermid Holdings, LLC from time to time parties thereto, the lenders from time to time parties thereto and Barclays Bank PLC, as administrative agent and collateral agent, as amended on August 6, 2014 (Amendment No. 2), October 1, 2014 (Incremental Amendment No. 1), February 13, 2015 (Amendment No. 3), December 3, 2015 (Amendment No. 4), October 14, 2016 (Amendment No. 5) and December 6, 2016 (Amendment No. 6).
AROsAsset retirement obligations.restated from time to time.
Arysta Arysta LifeScience Limited, a formerly an Irish private limited company.
Arysta Acquisition Acquisition of a 100% interest in Arysta, completed on February 13, 2015.
Arysta Seller Nalozo, L.P., an affiliate of Nalozo S.à.r.l., who becamea Luxembourg limited liability company and the original seller in the Arysta Acquisition pursuant to an amendment to the share purchase agreement dated February 11, 2015.Acquisition.
ASC Accounting Standard Codification.
Asset-Lite, High-TouchPlatform’s philosophy and business model focused on dedicating extensive resources to research and development and highly technical customer service teams, while limiting investments in fixed assets and capital expenditures.
ASU Accounting Standards Update.
Board Platform’s board of directors.
Bribery Act The United Kingdom Bribery Act 2010.
CAS Chemtura AgroSolutions business of Chemtura.
CAS Acquisition Acquisition of a 100% interest in CAS, completed on November 3, 2014.
Chemtura Chemtura Corporation, a Delaware corporation.
Credit Facilities The First Lien Credit Facility and the Revolving Credit Facility, collectively, available under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement.
Dodd-Frank ActDodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010.
DomesticationPlatform’s change of jurisdiction of incorporation from the British Virgin Islands to Delaware on January 22, 2014.
EBITDA Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.
EPSEarnings per share.
ESPP Platform Specialty Products Corporation 2014 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, adopted by the Board on March 6, 2014 and approved by Platform’s stockholders at the annual meeting held on June 12, 2014.Plan.
E.U. European Union.
Exchange Act Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Exchange AgreementExchange Agreement, dated October 25, 2013, between Platform and the fiduciaries of the MacDermid, Incorporated Profit Sharing and Employee Savings Plan.
FASB Financial Accounting Standard Board.
FCPA Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977.
GLOSSARY OF DEFINED TERMS


TermsDefinitions
February 2015 Notes Offering Platform's private offering of $1.10 billion aggregate principal amount of 6.50% USD Notes due 2022 and €350 million aggregate principal amount of 6.00% EUR Notes due 2023, completed on February 2, 2015.
First Lien Credit Facility First lien credit facility available under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement.
Founder Entities Mariposa Acquisition, LLC and Berggruen Holdings Ltd. and its affiliates, collectively.
GAAP Generally accepted accounting principlesAccepted Accounting Principles in the United States.
GBPPlatform's Global BioSolutions Portfolio within its Agricultural Solutions segment, which includes biostimulants, innovative nutrition and biocontrol products.
GVAPPlatform’s Global Value Added Portfolio within its Agricultural Solutions segment, which includes products in the herbicides, insecticides, fungicides and seed treatment categories, based on patented or proprietary off-patent AIs.
H3 Priority Segments
Agricultural Solutions' five priority segments selected for their high growth and value potential, namely Crop Establishment, Plant Stress and Stimulation, Resistant Weed Management, Specialty Protection Niches and Crop Residue Management.
HSRA ActHart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended.
IFRSInternational Financial Reporting Standards, as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.
Initial Public OfferingInitial public offering of Platform (formerly named “Platform Acquisition Holdings Limited”) completed on the London Stock Exchange on May 22, 2013, raising net proceeds of approximately $881 million.
June 2015 Equity Offering Platform's public offering of 18,226,414 shares of its common stock at a public offering price of $26.50 per share, which closed on June 29, 2015, raising gross proceeds of approximately $483 million.
LTCBPlatform's Long Term Cash Bonus plan, established in March 2015.
MacDermid MacDermid, Incorporated, a Connecticut corporation.
MacDermid Acquisition Platform’s acquisition on October 31, 2013 of substantially all of the equity of MacDermid Holdings, LLC, which, at the time, owned approximately 97% of MacDermid. As a result, Platform became a holding company for the MacDermid business. Platform acquired the remaining 3% of MacDermid on March 4, 2014, pursuant to the terms of the Exchange Agreement.Agreement, dated October 25, 2013, between Platform and the fiduciaries of the MacDermid, Incorporated Profit Sharing and Employee Savings Plan.
MacDermid HoldingsPrinting MacDermid Holdings,Printing Solutions LLC, now known as MacDermid Graphics Solutions LLC.
GLOSSARY OF DEFINED TERMS


May 2014 Private Placement
Terms Platform's private placement of an aggregate of 15,800,000 shares of its common stock completed on May 20, 2014 at a purchase price of $19.00 per share, raising gross proceeds of approximately $300 million.
May Resale Registration StatementRegistration Statement filed on May 23, 2014 to register the resale of all of the shares sold in the May 2014 Private Placement and declared effective on June 19, 2014.
MAS HoldingsMacDermid Agricultural Solutions Holdings B.V., a company organized under the laws of the Netherlands and a subsidiary of Platform.
NAVNet asset value.
November 2014 Public OfferingPlatform's public offering of 16,445,000 shares of its common stock completed on November 17, 2014 at a public offering price of $24.50 per share, raising gross proceeds of approximately $403 million.Definitions
November 2015 Notes Offering Platform's private offering of $500 million aggregate principal amount of 10.375% USD Notes due 2021, completed on November 10, 2015.
November Resale Registration StatementRegistration statement filed on November 3, 2014 to register the resale of all of the shares sold in the October/November 2014 Private Placement and declared effective on November 10, 2014.
NYSE New York Stock Exchange.
October/November 2014 Private PlacementPlatform's private placement of an aggregate of 16,060,960 shares and 9,404,064 shares of its common stock completed on October 8, 2014 and November 6, 2014, respectively, at a price of $25.59 per share, raising aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $652 million.
OEM Original Equipment Manufacturer.
OMG OM Group, Inc. (NYSE:OMG), a Delaware corporation.
OMG Businesses OMG's Electronic Chemicals and Photomasks businesses, collectively, other than their Malaysian subsidiary acquired separately.
GLOSSARY OF DEFINED TERMS


TermsDefinitions
OMG Acquisition Platform's acquisition of the OMG Businesses completed on October 28, 2015.
OMG Malaysia OMG Electronic Chemicals (M) Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of OMG located in Malaysia, acquired separately by Platform in the OMG Malaysia Acquisition.
OMG Malaysia Acquisition Platform's acquisition of 100% interest in OMG Malaysia completed on January 31, 2016.
PCAOB Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.
PDH Platform Delaware Holdings, Inc., a subsidiary of Platform.
PDH Common Stock Shares of common stock of PDH.
PercivalPercival S.A., a société anonyme incorporated and organized under the laws of Belgium, acquired by Platform on October 1, 2014.
Pershing SquarePershing Square Capital Management, L.P.
Predecessor MacDermid and its subsidiaries, collectively, for all periods prior to the MacDermid Acquisition.
Predecessor 2012 PeriodMacDermid’s fiscal year ended December 31, 2012.
Predecessor 2013 Period Ten-month period from January 1, 2013 through October 31, 2013.
PSP 401(k) PlanPrior Senior Notes Platform Specialty Products Corporation Employee Savings & 401(k) Plan, effective January 1, 2014.Platform's 6.00% EUR Notes due 2023 and 6.50% USD Notes due 2022, collectively.
REACHProposed Separation Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006Platform's proposed separation of the European Parliamentits Agricultural Solutions and the Council dated December 18, 2006 relatingPerformance Solutions businesses which we expect to the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals, effective June 1, 2007.complete in 2018.
Retaining Holder Each Holder of an equity interest of MacDermid Holdings, LLC immediately prior to the closing of the MacDermid Acquisition, not owned by Platform, who executed a RHSA.
Revolving Credit
Facility
 Revolving Credit Facility (in U.S. Dollarsdollars or multicurrency) available under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement.
RHSA Retaining Holder Securityholders’ Agreement, dated as of October 31, 2013, entered into by and between Platform and each Retaining Holder relatingpursuant to thewhich they agreed to exchange of their respective equity interests in MacDermid Holdings, LLC for shares of PDH Common Stock.
ROICReturn on invested capital.Stock, at an exchange rate of $11.00 per share plus (i) a proportionate share of the $100 million contingent consideration and (ii) an interest in certain MacDermid pending litigation.
ROA Return on assets.
RSUs Restricted stock units issued by Platform from time to time under the 2013 Plan.
Sarbanes-OxleySarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
SEC Securities and Exchange Commission.
Security AgreementPlatform's Amended and Restated Pledge and Security Agreement, amended and restated as of October 31, 2013, as amended, supplemented and modified from time to time.
Securities Act Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Senior Notes Platform's 5.875% USD Notes due 2025, 6.00% EUR Notes due 2023 and 6.50% USD Notes due 2022, and 10.375% USD Notes due 2021, collectively.
September 2016 Equity Offering Platform's public offering of 48,787,878 shares of its common stock at a public offering price of $8.25 per share, which closed on September 21, 2016, raising gross proceeds of approximately $402.5 million.
Series A Preferred Stock Platform's 2,000,000 shares of Series A convertible preferred stock, automatically converted from ordinary shares held by the Founder Entities upon the Domestication andwhich are convertible into shares of Platform’s common stock, on a one-for-one basis, at any time at the option of the Founder Entities.
Series B Convertible Preferred Stock Platform's 600,000 shares of Series B convertible preferred stock issued to the Arysta Seller in connection with the Arysta Acquisition on February 13, 2015. As ofAcquisition. At December 31, 2016, none of the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock remainremained outstanding.
SERP Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan for executive officers of Platform.
Successor Platform and its subsidiaries, collectively, for all periods subsequent to the MacDermid Acquisition.
Successor 2013 Period Period from April 23, 2013 (inception) through December 31, 2013.
TartanTCJA Tartan Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, formed at the timeTax Cuts and Jobs Act of the MacDermid Acquisition to hold the PDH Common Stock in exchange of the MacDermid Holdings equity interests.
GLOSSARY OF DEFINED TERMS


TermsDefinitions
TSRTotal stockholder return.
U.K. Pension PlanRetirement and death benefit plans covering employees in the United Kingdom.2017.
USD Incremental Term Loan Incremental term loan under the Incremental Amendment to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement in an aggregate principal amount of $300 million used to finance the Agriphar Acquisition.
WACCWeighted Average Cost of Capital.
GLOSSARY OF DEFINED TERMS


TermsDefinitions
2013 Plan Platform Specialty Products Corporation Amended and Restated 2013 Incentive Compensation Plan adopted by the Board on October 31, 2013, as amended on December 16, 2013, and approved by Platform’s stockholders on June 12, 2014.Plan.
2015 Annual ReportPlatform's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, as filed with the SEC on March 11, 2016.
2015 Q3 Form 10-QPlatform's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2015, as filed with the SEC on November 16, 2015.
20162017 Annual Report This annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016.2017.
2016 Q1 Form 10-Q2017 Notes Offerings Platform's quarterly reportprivate offering of $550 million aggregate principal amount of 5.875% USD Notes due 2025, completed on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2016, as filed with the SECNovember 24, 2017, and tack-on private offering of $250 million aggregate principal amount of additional 5.875% USD Notes due 2025, completed on May 10, 2016.December 8, 2017, collectively.
2016 Q3 Form 10-QPlatform's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2016, as filed with the SEC on November 7, 2016.
20172018 Proxy Statement Platform’s definitive proxy statement for its 20172018 annual meeting of stockholders expected to be filed no later than 120 days after December 31, 2016.2017.
5.875% USD Notes IndentureThe indenture, dated as of November 24, 2017, governing the 5.875% USD Notes due 2025.
5.875% USD Notes due 2025Platform's 5.875% senior notes due 2023, denominated in U.S. dollars, issued in the 2017 Notes Offering.
6.00% EUR Notes due 2023 Platform’s 6.00% senior notes due 2023, denominated in Euros,euros, issued in the February 2015 Notes Offering.
6.50% USD Notes due 2022 Platform’s 6.50% senior notes due 2022, denominated in U.S. Dollars,dollars, issued in the February 2015 Notes Offering.
10.375% USD Notes IndentureThe indenture, dated November 10, 2015, as amended from time to time, governing the 10.375% USD Notes due 2021.
10.375% USD Notes due 2021 Platform's 10.375% senior notes due 2021, denominated in U.S. Dollars,dollars, issued in the November 2015 Notes Offering. As of December 31, 2017, none of the 10.375% USD Notes due 2021 remained outstanding.



Forward-Looking Statements
This 2017 Annual Report contains forward-looking statements that can be identified by words such as "expect," "anticipate," "project," "will," "should," "believe," "intend," "plan," "estimate," "predict," "believe," "seek," "continue," "outlook," "may," "might," "should," "can have," "likely," "potential," "target," and variations of such words and similar expressions. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements, beliefs, projections and expectations regarding the Proposed Separation and its anticipated benefits, costs related to the Proposed Separation, the impact of new accounting standards and accounting changes, the impact of the TCJA, our dividend policy, the effects of global economic conditions on our business and financial condition, our hedging activities, results of legal matters, our goodwill and other intangible assets, price volatility and cost environment, our liquidity, our funding sources, our capital expenditures, our debt, off-balance sheet arrangements and contractual obligations, general views about future operating results, our risk management program, our business and management strategies, future prospects, and other events or developments that we expect or anticipate will occur in the future.
Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, actions or events, and are subject to risks and uncertainties. If one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if management’s underlying beliefs and assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. Forward-looking statements regarding the anticipated impact of the TCJA on the Company's businesses consist of provisional amounts, which are based on currently available information as well as management's current interpretations, assumptions and expectations relating to the TCJA, and subject to change, possibly materially, as the Company completes its analysis. A discussion of such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, the risks set forth in Part I, Item 1A, "Risk Factors" in this 2017 Annual Report. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this 2017 Annual Report is based only on information currently available to us and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Please consult any further disclosures we make on related subjects in the Company’s Form 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K reports filed with the SEC.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This 2017 Annual Report contains the following non-GAAP financial measures: Adjusted EBITDA, operating results on a constant currency basis and organic sales growth. Non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation from, as a substitute for, or superior to performance measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. For definitions of these non-GAAP financial measures and additional information on why we present them, their respective limitations and reconciliations to the most comparable applicable GAAP measures, see "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" in the Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section in Part II, Item 7, and Note 23, Segment Information, to the Consolidated Financial Statements, all included in this 2017 Annual Report.



Part I
Item 1. Business 
Unless the context otherwise indicates or requires, all product names and trade names used in this 20162017 Annual Report are our trademarks, some of which may be registered in certain jurisdictions. Although we have omitted the “®” and “TM” trademark designations for some of these marks, all rights to such trademarks are nevertheless reserved. This 20162017 Annual Report contains additional trade names of other companies. We do not intend our use or display of such other companies’ trade names to imply a relationship with, or endorsement or sponsorship of us by, these other companies. Unless otherwise specified in this 20162017 Annual Report, all references to currency, monetary values and dollars set forth herein shall mean U.S. Dollars.dollars.
Business Overview
Platform, incorporated in Delaware in January 2014, is a global and diversified producer of high-technology specialty chemical products. Our chemistry combinesbusiness involves the blending of a number of key ingredients to produce proprietary formulations. Utilizing our strong industry insight, process know-how, and creative research and development, we partner with our customers to provide innovative and differentiated solutions that are integral to their finished products. We are presentoperate in a wide variety of attractive niche markets across multiple industries, including automotive, agriculture,agricultural, animal health, electronics, graphic arts,graphics, and offshore oil and gas production and drilling, and wedrilling. We believe that the majority of our operations hold strong positions in the product markets they serve. Our product innovations and product extensions are expected to continue to drive sales growth in both new and existing markets, while also expanding margins by continuing to offer high customer valuehigh-customer-value propositions.
As our name implies, Platform is also an acquisition vehicle with a strategy of acquiring and maintaining leadinghas strong market positions in niche segments of high-growth markets. As such, weWe continually seek opportunities to act as an acquirerenhance our growth and consolidator ofstrategic position through inorganic initiatives, focusing on specialty chemical businesses on a global basis,or assets within our existing or complementary end-markets, particularly those meeting our “Asset-Lite, High-Touch” philosophy, which involves the following core elements:
prioritizing resources to research and development;
offering highly technical sales and customer service; and
managing conservatively our investments in fixed assets and capital expenditures.investments.
We regularly review acquisition opportunities and may acquire businesses that meet our acquisition criteria when we deem it to be financially prudent.
In 2016, we achieved sales of $3.59 billion. We manage our business in two business segments: Performance Solutions and Agricultural Solutions, which are each described below under "Business Segments." Both segments share a common focus on attractive niche markets, which we believe will grow faster than the diverse end-markets each segment serves. In 2017, we serve. In 2016,achieved sales of $3.78 billion, to which our Performance Solutions business represented 49.4% of our net sales, while ourand Agricultural Solutions business represented 50.6%segments each contributed approximately 50%.Our long-term goal is to expand into other adjacent markets which fit our "Asset-Lite, High-Touch" business model and complement our existing portfolio.
For financial information about our operating segments and the geographic areas in which we do business, please see Note 22,23, Segment Information, to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this 20162017 Annual Report.
AcquisitionsProposed Separation of Agricultural Solutions
2016 ActivityIn August 2017, we announced our intention to separate our Agricultural Solutions and Performance Solutions businesses. We believe this Proposed Separation, which we expect to complete in 2018, should maximize long-term value for our stockholders by enabling investors to focus on our specific different and differentiated high-quality businesses that serve two distinct segments of the specialty chemicals industry. However, this Proposed Separation, and any related transactions that we may decide to pursue in anticipation of the Proposed Separation, remain subject to final approval by the Board, as well as a number of conditions and variables, including financial market conditions and volatility, legal, tax or regulatory requirements, the establishment of the necessary corporate infrastructure and processes, and/or the possibility of more attractive strategic options arising in the future.
Acquisitions
OMG Malaysia Acquisition - On January 31, 2016, we completed the OMG Malaysia Acquisition for approximately $124 million, net of acquired cash and closing working capital adjustments. This acquisition is included inWe acquired OMG Malaysia to further enhance our Performance Solutions business segment in which OMG Malaysia is expected to pool the experience and resources of each legacy company and unify sales strategies in order to improve processes, drive innovation, and deliver high-quality products and services at every stage of our customers' supply chains.included.


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2015 Activity
Alent Acquisition - On December 1, 2015, we completed the Alent Acquisition for approximately $1.74 billion in cash, net of acquired cash, and 18,419,738 shares of our common stock issued to Alent shareholders, including Cevian Capital II Master Fund LP, the then largest shareholder of Alent.shareholders. Legacy Alent was a global supplier of specialty chemicals and engineered materials used primarily in electronics, automotive and industrial applications, and a supplier of high performance consumable products and services. Alent's business is included in our Performance Solutions business segment which combines the legacy MacDermid operations, Alent's Enthone Surface Chemistries and Alpha Assembly Materials businesses, the OMG Businesses and OMG Malaysia.segment.
OMG Acquisition - On October 28, 2015, we completed the OMG Acquisition for a total purchase price of approximately $239 million in cash, net of acquired cash and purchase price adjustments. The acquired OMG Businesses are included in our Performance Solutions business segment. We believe the legacy OMG Businesses are in line with our business strategy of growing into niche markets. OMG’s Electronic Chemicals business is similar to the legacy MacDermid electronic chemical and surface treatment businesses, as it develops, produces and supplies chemicals for electronic and industrial applications. OMG’s Photomasks products are used by customers to produce semiconductors and related products.
Arysta Acquisition - On February 13, 2015, we completed the Arysta Acquisition for approximately $3.50 billion, consisting of $2.86 billion in cash, net of acquired cash and closing working capital and other adjustments, and the issuance of $600 million of Platform’s Series B Convertible Preferred Stock. On December 13, 2016, we settled all of our Series B Convertible Preferred Stock obligations under a certain settlement agreement entered into with the Arysta Seller in September 2016. See Note 12, Stockholders' Equity, to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this 2016 Annual Reportunder the heading "Series B Convertible Preferred Stock." The legacy Arysta business, which is included in our Agricultural Solutions business segment. Arystasegment, has a solutions-oriented business model which focuses on product innovation to address grower needs, complementing the legacy Agriphar and CAS businesses acquired in 2014.needs. We acquired Arysta to expand our presence in the agrochemical business and our offering of Crop Protection solutions, including BioSolutions and Seed Treatment products, and solutions utilizing globally managed patented and proprietary off-patent agrochemical AIs and BioSolutions, as well as off-patent agrochemical products.to growers worldwide.
2014 Activity
CAS Acquisition - On November 3, 2014, we completed the CAS Acquisition for $1.04 billion, consisting of $983 million in cash, net of acquired cash, after certain post-closing working capital and other adjustments, and 2,000,000 shares of our common stock. Legacy CAS was a niche provider of seed treatments and agrochemical products for a wide variety of crop protection applications in numerous geographies and is included in our Agricultural Solutions business segment.
Agriphar Acquisition - On October 1, 2014, we completed the Agriphar Acquisition for a purchase price of approximately €300 million ($370 million), consisting of $350 million in cash, net of acquired cash and certain post-closing working capital and other adjustments, and 711,551 restricted shares of our common stock, which will become unrestricted beginning January 2, 2018 (unless agreed otherwise in accordance with the terms of the acquisition agreement).2018.  Legacy Agriphar was a European crop protection group supported by a team of researchers and regulatory experts which provided a wide range of fungicides, herbicides and insecticides with end markets primarily across Europe. The legacy Agriphar business is included in our Agricultural Solutions business segment.



Business Segments
We generate revenue through the formulation and sale of our dynamic chemistry solutions.solutions in our two business segments: Performance Solutions and Agricultural Solutions.  In addition, our personnel follow-upwork closely with our customers on a regularan ongoing basis to ensure that the functional performance of our intricate chemical composition and function of our products arecompositions is maintained as intended and that these products are applied safely and effectively.  For example, a customer in our Performance Solutions segment will engage us to provide a multi-step technologicalchemical process solution for circuit boards that they are producing for end use in the automotive supply chain.industry in order to enhance the overall performance of that customer’s circuit boards. Customers derive value from the performance of the innovative formulation itself, as well as from the on-site technical service we provide to assure consistent process quality. Another example from our Agricultural Solutions segment is our “Aplique Bem” stewardship program which focuses on teaching growers to apply agrochemicals safely and cost-efficiently. This program, which started in Brazil in 2007 in partnership with the Institute of Agriculture, Campinas (IC) and rapidly, has since expanded into Latin America,to Bolivia, Colombia, Mexico, West Africa and Asia.Vietnam. This high quality customer service and stewardship program is also supported by our local technical teams and our local infrastructure, such as our field research stations, enabling the development of unique solutions to unmetmeet grower needs. Our specialty chemicals and processes, together with our field technical and sales staff, are seen as integral to our customer’s product performance.
We manage our business in two reportable segments: Performance Solutions and Agricultural Solutions.
Performance Solutions
Overview
Our Performance Solutions segment, which employs approximately 4,350 people, combines the legacy MacDermid operations with Alent Enthone Surface Chemistries, Alpha Assembly Materials businesses, the OMG Businesses and OMG Malaysia. By pooling these businesses, we were able to expand our product offerings, geographic footprint and market share position but also unify sales strategies for improved processes and enhanced innovative capability, allowing us to deliver high-quality products and services at every stage of our customers' supply chains.
Performance Solutions formulates and markets dynamic chemistry solutions that are used in electronics, automotive production, electronics, commercial packaging and printing, and oil and gas production drilling, commercial packaging and printing.drilling. Our products include surface and coating materials, chemicals for metal deposition,


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functional conversion coatings, electronic assembly materials, water-based hydraulic control fluids, photopolymers, and photopolymers.other specialty chemistries that modify surfaces. In conjunction with the sale of our products, the segment provides extensive technical service and support is provided to ensure superior performance.functional performance of the processes used at our customer manufacturing locations. We leverage our close customer relationships to execute our growth strategy by working directly with our customers to identify opportunities for new products. These new products are developed and created by drawing upon our significant intellectual property portfolio and technical expertise.  Our focus on constant innovation serves as a catalyst to drive specification change and to capitalize on adjacent market opportunities in our industry. We also have strong collaborative relationships with OEMs who specify to us which specialty materials, chemistries and technologies they need in their products. We also leverage these relationships to increase OEM qualificationspecification of our products. We believe that our customers place significant value on our brands, which we capitalize on through innovation, product leadership and customer service. The regional sales mix in this segment has shifted over the past several years from more industrialized nations towards emerging markets, such as Asia and South America. The combination of MacDermid, Alent, the OMG Businesses and OMG Malaysia has not only immediately expanded our product offerings, geographic footprint andsignificant market share, position but also enhanced our innovative capability as a technology-driven business which serves as a catalyst to drive specification changebrand loyalty and to capitalize on adjacent market opportunities in our industry. Our Performance Solutions segment employs approximately 4,350 personnel which operate mainly in the Americas, Asia/Pacific region and Europe.supply chain access.
Our Performance Solutions segment provides specialty chemicals tothrough the following five industries:businesses:
Assembly Solutions - representing approximately 31%34% of the segment's 20162017 net sales. As a global leader and large supplier of solder, and solder pastes and attachment materials for the electronics assembly based on 2016 net sales,industry, we develop, manufacture, and sell innovative interconnect materials, primarily in the electronics market, used to assemble printed circuit boards, integrated circuit substrates and advanced semiconductor packaging. Within this business, we also focus on the semiconductor packaging industry and offer a small water treatment product line, Fernox, used for the treatment of water in residential boiler systems, and metal reclaim products, primarily for tin used in electronic assembly.line.
Electronics Solutions - representing approximately 30%29% of the segment's 20162017 net sales. As a leading global supplier of chemical compounds to the printed circuit board fabricationelectronics interconnection industry, based on 2016 net sales, we design and formulate in this industry a complete line of proprietary, dynamic “wet” dynamic chemistries thatused by our customers use to process the surface of the printed circuit boardsboard materials and other electronic components they manufacture. Our product portfolio in this business is focused on niches,specialized consumable chemical processes, such as finalsolderable finishes, through hole metalizationconductor metallization, and circuit formation, in which we areformation. Our process chemistries comprise a small portion of the total cost to the overallof our customers’ finished product,device, but they are a critical component for maintaining the products’end product's performance. Our customer base includes companies in the following end markets: aerospace; audio visual; automotive; computers; medical devices; and telecommunications. We believe our growth in this industrybusiness will be driven by demand in telecommunication, wireless devices and computers, and the increasing use of electronics in automobiles. Our customer base includes customers in the following end markets: audio visual; automotive; computers; office equipment; telecommunications; and wireless devices. The combination of MacDermid, Alent, the OMG Businesses and OMG Malaysia has not only immediately expanded our product offerings, geographic footprint and market share position, but has also enhanced our innovative capability as a technology-driven business serving as a catalyst to drive specification change and to capitalize on adjacent market opportunities in our industry..



Industrial Solutions - representing approximately 25%26% of the segment's 20162017 net sales. As a leader inglobal supplier of industrial metal and plastic finishing chemistries, based on 2016 net sales, our dynamic chemistries in this industrychemical systems are used for finishing,depositing metals, cleaning substrates, and providing surfaceprotective coatings for a broad range of metal and non-metal surfaces.  These coatings may have functional uses, including improving wear and tear, such as hard chrome plating of shock absorbers for cars and special rotorsdrills used for oil and gas exploration, or providing corrosion resistance for appliance parts, orparts. Alternatively, our chemistries may have decorative uses,performance, such as the application of gloss finishes to componentsfor parts used in automotive interiors.  Our chemical compounds are manufactured for these surface coating applications, including cleaning, activating, polishing, electro and electroless plating, phosphatizing, stripping and coating, anti-tarnishing and rust inhibiting for metal and plastic surfaces.  Electroless plating is a method of plating metals onto a variety of base materials using chemical reduction without the application of electrical power.  Electro plating, in contrast, involves plating metals with the use of an electrical current.  Phosphatizing is the application of phosphates, such as iron and zinc, to prevent corrosion of steelinteriors or fashion finishes used on jewelry surfaces.  Our industrial customer base is highly fragmenteddiverse and includes customers in the following end markets: appliances and electronics equipment; automotive parts; industrial parts; plumbing goods; and transportation equipment.  We believe our growth in this industry will be primarily driven by increased worldwide automobile production with elevated fashion elements and content per vehicle.
GraphicGraphics Solutions - representing approximately 10%8% of the segment's 20162017 net sales. As a supplier of consumable materials used to transfer images to printed substrates, our products are used to improve print quality and printing productivity. We produce and market photopolymers through an extensive line of flexographic plates that are used in the commercial packaging and printing industries. We manufacture photopolymers usedPhotopolymers are molecules that change properties upon exposure to produce printing plates for transferring images onto commercial packaging, including packaging for consumer food products, pet food bags, corrugated boxes, labels and beverage containers. In addition, we also produce photopolymer printing plates for the flexographic and letterpress newspaper and publications markets. Our products are used to improve print quality and printing productivity.light. Flexography is a printing process that utilizes flexible printing plates made of rubber or other flexible plastics. Photopolymers are molecules that change properties upon exposure to light. Our business mix in this industry is focused on high innovation, higher cash flow businesses by offering new products. We believe growth in this business will be driven by consumer demand and advertisingmarket shifts that favor the use of our packaging products.package imaging technologies that offer a lower cost of ownership to our customers.
Offshore Solutions - representing approximately 4% of the segment's 20162017 net sales. WeAs a global supplier of specialized fluids to the offshore energy industry, we produce, market, and marketsupport water-based hydraulic control fluids for major oil and gas companies and drilling contractors for offshore deep water production and drilling applications.  Production fluids are used in the control systems that open and close critical valves for the deep water oil extraction and transportation process.  Drilling fluids are used in control systems to operate valves on the ocean floor.  Our current customer base is weighted primarily in the production area of this business, as opposed to drilling and exploration.business.  Although the recent sharp declinedeclines in oil prices has slowed the short-term growth expectations of the oil and gas industry investments have impacted the short-term growth, we believe there is significant long-term growth potential for this business as the industry stabilizes,has stabilized and as oil is produced fromcapital expenditure investments are increasing in both offshore drilling and new offshore, sub-sea wells.


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Products
Our Performance Solutions segment offers a wide range of specialty chemicals comprised of surface and coating materials, functional conversion coatings, electronic assembly materials, water-based hydraulic control fluids, and photopolymers. We review our portfolio of products regularly to identify and replace low margin products with higher margin products.  Accordingly, our product mix may frequently change depending upon customer demand, and the cost and selling prices related to any given product.  Ourtechnical system. A selection of Performance Solutions segment offers a wide range of specialty chemicals comprised of surface and coating materials, functional conversion coatings, electronic assembly materials, water-based hydraulic control fluids and photopolymers:Solutions' product offerings is presented below:
Assembly Solutions
Electronic Assembly MaterialsAssembly Solutions focuses on the development, manufacture, and sale of innovative interconnect materials, primarily into the electronic market by providing specialized fluxes, solder spheres, organic encapsulants, and die attach materials that enable successful interconnection of semiconductor devices. We also offer metal reclaim systems, primarily for tin, used in electronic assembly.
Water Treatment
Fernox is our water treatment product line used for the filtration and conditioning of water in residential boiler systems.
Electronic Solutions
Plating Products:
Products
 
Plating products are used to plate holes drilled through printed circuit boards to connect opposite sides of the board and the different layers of multi-layer printed circuit boards. Our key products include the MacuSpec, M-Copper and M-System.
Solderable
Finishes
Solderable finishing formulations are used to deposit coatings on printed circuit boards to preserve the solderability of the finished boards.
Circuit Formation ProductsCircuit formation products represent an assortment of products for defining circuit patterns and bonding conductors to insulating materials.
Semiconductor Materials & Packaging
Our Viaform product family of copper damascene chemistry is used in semiconductor plating applications for creating conductors as narrow as 10 nanometers. Our Microfab family of plating chemistry is used in wafer level packaging applications, including copper pillar, redistribution layers (RDLs), nickel, tin bump, gold bump and thru-silicon via (TSV) applications.
Functional Conversion CoatingsOur products plate various parts that are used in automotive and aerospace equipment, appliances, computer hard disks and other electronic products.
Industrial Solutions
Electroless
Nickel
Electroless nickel is applied to a variety of metal and plastic surfaces to enhance corrosion resistance, wear resistance, solderability (from Electronic Solutions), and to repair worn or over-machined surfaces in a variety of applications.
Plating
Products
The CuMac range of products for applications such as plating on aluminum wheels, plastic substrates and zinc-based die castings, and the ChromKlad and ANKOR range of hard chromium plating processes that can beare utilized in various industrial finishing applications.
Electroless Nickel:Electroless nickel is applied to a variety of metal and plastic surfaces to enhance corrosion resistance, wear resistance, solderability and to repair worn or over-machined surfaces in a variety of applications.  Legacy MacDermid was among the earliest developers of electroless nickel products, which are safer and more environmentally friendly than the products they replace.
Electronic Assembly Materials:
Our assembly material business is a leader in the development, manufacturing and sales of interconnect materials, primarily in the electronic market. Within this business, we also offer a small water treatment product line, Fernox, used for the treatment of water in residential boiler systems, and metal reclaim products, primarily for tin used in electronic assembly.
Final Finishes:Final finishes are used on printed circuit boards to preserve the solderability of the finished boards.
Circuit Formation Products:Circuit formation products represent an assortment of products for surface preparation to promote adhesion and form circuit patterns.
Oxides:Oxides are conversion coatings used in the fabrication of multilayer circuit boards.



Semiconductor Materials & Packaging:
Our Viaform product family of copper damascene chemistry used in semiconductor plating applications is used for applications down to 14 nm. Our Microfab family of plating chemistry is used in wafer level packaging applications, including copper pillar, RDL nickel, tin bump, gold bump and thru-silicon via (TSV) applications.
Pre-treatment and Cleaning Solutions:Solutions Pre-treatment and cleaning solutions are applied to prepare the surfaces of a wide variety of industrial products for additional treatment.  We have a complete line of aqueous and semi-aqueous pre-treatment and cleaning products, which are more environmentally friendly than the solvents they replace.products.
Functional Conversion Coatings:Coatings Functional conversion coatings are applied to metals to enhance corrosion resistance and paint adhesion in a wide spectrum of industrial applications where heavy duty usage and exposure to unfavorable environments are anticipated.  Our products plate various parts that are used in automotive and aerospace equipment, appliances, computer hard disks and other electronic products.
Hard-coated Films:Films Hard-coated films are used for the membrane switch in the touch screen markets.applications.
Offshore Fluids:Graphic Solutions
Solid Sheet
Printing Elements
 We offer production fluids used to operate valves for the deep water oil extraction and transportation process, and drilling fluids used to operate valves for drilling rigs on the ocean floor. Production and drilling fluids are water-based hydraulic control fluids used in subsea control systems.
Solid Sheet Printing Elements:
Solid sheet printing elements are digital and analog printing sheets, used in the flexographic printing and platemaking processes.  Our extensive line of Luxflexographic plates are used in the commercial packaging and letterpress newspaper and publication industries.
Liquid Products:
Imaging
Products
 
Liquid products are liquid photopolymers used to produce printing plates for transferring images onto commercial packaging. Our key products are MWH photopolymer, MWB 50 photopolymer, and M Stamp 40 photopolymer. We also offer products that are used in the production of liquid photopolymer plates such as substrate, coverfilms and detergents.
Printing Equipment:Offshore Solutions
Offshore
Fluids
 
We supply letterpressProduction fluids are used to operate valves for the deep water oil extraction and flexo platestransportation process, and drilling fluids are used to operate valves for drilling rigs on the newspaper industry. Printing equipmentocean floor. Production and drilling fluids are thermal plate processing systems that allow press-ready printing plates to be created without solvents. Our key products include Accent Plates and DLF dryer for coating plates, and MacDermid NAPPflex plates for newspaper plates.
water-based hydraulic fluids used in subsea control systems.


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Seasonality
The Performance Solutions segment is not subject to significant seasonality.
Agricultural Solutions
Overview
Our Agricultural Solutions segment, which employs approximately 3,300 people, consists of legacy Arysta which was combined with two additional Crop Protection chemical companies acquired in 2014, Agriphar and CAS. By combining these businesses, we were able to gain further access to the large agricultural markets globally, including the United States (through the CAS Acquisition) and Europe (through the Agriphar Acquisition). Additionally, we gained formulation expertise and wider product portfolio which allowed us to better serve our existing clients.
Agricultural Solutions specializes in the development, formulation, registration, marketing and distribution of differentiated Crop Protection solutions, including BioSolutions and Seed Treatments, for a variety of crops and applications. Our diverse Crop Protection chemicals control biotic stresses, such as diseases (fungicides), weeds (herbicides) and insects (insecticides). Our portfolio of proven BioSolutions is based on a solutions-oriented business model that focuses on product innovationcomprised of BioStimulants, which are derived from natural substances applied to plants, seeds or the soil in order to enhance yields and help crops withstand abiotic stress, such as drought or cold, and BioControl products, which perform the same task as conventional Crop Protection products with, in many cases, the added benefit of reduced chemical residues. Our solutions are offered in multiple forms, such as foliar applications (direct application to leaves), furrow treatment (treatment of soil trenches or grooves wherein seeds are sown) or Seed Treatment (seed coating prior to planting). Our products are utilized by farmers through the entire growing cycle: from burn-down through pre-emergence to pre-harvest. Our products allow us to partner with growers to address anthe ever-increasing need for higher crop yield and food quality. We offer
Our focus on specialty applications (formerly referred to growers diverse crop protection solutions from weeds (herbicides), insects (insecticides) and diseases (fungicides), in foliar and seed treatment applications. We also offer a wide variety of proven BioSolutions, including biostimulants, which stimulate plant growth and reproductive development, innovative nutrition, which optimizes the nutrition of plants, and biocontrol products, such as bioinsecticides and biofungicides, which perform the same task as conventional crop protection products without chemical residues.  We emphasize farmer economics and food safety by combining, when possible, BioSolutions with crop protection and seed treatmentagrochemicals. Our Agricultural Solutions segment employs approximately 3,300 personnel with a significant presence in high-growth regions such as Africa, South Asia, Latin America and Central and Eastern Europe.
With products to address every stage of the plant life-cycle, Agricultural Solutions aims to outperform the crop protection chemistry market by focusing on high-growth, high-value and high-differentiation (H3). In line with these objectives, in 2016, our Agricultural Solutions segment launched a "H3 Priority Segments" program, which focuses on five priority segments selected for their potential to deliver accelerated growth and sustained profitability due to their strong solutions orientation. We believe that each of these H3 Priority Segments, which are listed below, ispriority markets and differentiated local solutions) and local grower needs demands a high growthdegree of technical expertise and highcustomer proximity. Our teams of local agronomists work together with our local marketing and commercial teams to develop tailored local products primarily targeting these applications. These products and solutions consist of one or more formulated, ready to use mixtures of different active ingredients, or AIs, to solve the needs of growers in a particular crop and in a specific country. Our local teams, especially in niche markets, allow us to better understand specific market trends and farmer requirements, which enable us to better innovate and address local needs faster and more efficiently. Specialty applications include Crop Protection solutions for niche and specialty crops like fruits and vegetables, products for underserved or hard-to-control pests affecting commodity grain crops, alternative application methods like seed and soil applied technologies, and bio-based products that are used as alternatives or additions to conventional chemical applications. We believe that the markets for these specialty applications are growing faster than the rest of the Crop Protection market and offer better opportunities for attractive margins given the superior value segment that demonstrates a high potential for differentiation:



Crop Establishment:Focuses on seed treatment and in-furrow applications to protect the crop in its early stages.
Plant Stress and Stimulation:Helps the metabolismprovided to the grower. As part of the plant deal with abiotic stresses such as drought and cold, while stimulating it to enhance yields through the use of biostimulants and other solutions.
Resistant Weed Management:Develops solutions to manage weed resistance of widely used herbicides such as glyphosate.
Specialty Protection Niches:Creates solutions to fight against niche pests in underserved segments such as mites or bacteria.
Crop Residue Management:Develops standalone biocontrol solutions or combinations of biocontrol with conventional crop protection to help growers to effectively manage residue levels in fruits & vegetables and address evolving food chain requirements.
Additionally, we manage key, strategic products globally. Our global portfolio includes our Global Value Added Portfolio, or GVAP, and our Global BioSolutions Portfolio, or GBP. Our GVAP consists of agrochemicals in the herbicides, insecticides, fungicides and seed treatment categories, based on patented or proprietary off-patent AIs, including products derived from AIs for whichspecialty application focus, we have developed a strong market position due to differentiated product offerings or supply relationships.growing BioSolutions and Seed Treatment business, organically and through acquisitions. Our GBP includes biostimulants, innovative nutritionBioSolutions business is focused on BioStimulants, Innovative Nutrition products, and biocontrolBioControl products. We consider our GVAP and GBP to be key pillars for our sustainable growth in the H3 Priority Segments.  In addition, the segment offers certain non-crop products, including animal health products, such as honey bee protective miticides and certain veterinary vaccines.
Our dedicated sales force works with growers and distributors to promote the use of our solutions throughout a crop’s growth cycle, focusing on the H3 Priority Segments and also addressing selective local opportunities through tailored solutions to complete our offering and cover underserved needs in those markets.  
We remain focused on expanding our presence in worldwide targeted markets by developing or acquiring crop protection products and obtaining registrations for new products, new uses for existing products, and uses of existing products in new countries.  
Products
Our Agricultural Solutions segment offers a wide varietybroad range of proven cropCrop Protection solutions to growers comprising five major global product lines: fungicidesworldwide, across foliar, in-furrow and biofungicides; herbicides; insecticides, bioinsecticidesSeed Treatment applications. We categorize our products in three core portfolios: Crop Protection (fungicides, herbicides, and acaricides; biostimulantsinsecticides); BioSolutions; and innovative nutrition; and seed treatments:Seed Treatment.
These portfolios are each described below:
Fungicides and Biofungicides:Crop Protection 
We are one of the largest Crop Protection chemical companies by revenue. Our diverse Crop Protection chemicals control biotic stresses, such as diseases (fungicides), weeds (herbicides) and insects (insecticides).
FungicidesFungicides prevent the spread of fungi and otherfungal diseases in crops. Biofungicides perform the same task as conventional fungicides, without chemical residues.  Our fungicides and biofungicides products include Evito,, Fortix,, Proplant Kasumin and Vacciplant.Proplant.
Herbicides:Herbicides 
Herbicides are used to control unwanted plants while leaving the targeted crops to grow unharmed. We produceoffer total, non-selective and selective, herbicides with a variety of formulations for many temperate and tropical crops such as tomatoes, potatoes, soybeans, corn, wheat, oil seed rape/canola, vegetables and onions.sugar cane. Our main herbicide products are Dinamic,, Everest,, Pantera and Select.Select.


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Insecticides Bioinsecticides and Acaricides: 
Our insecticides, such as Cythrin Max,, Orthene and Talisma,, are products used against insect pests at different stages of the pest life cycle, from egg and larvae to nymph and adult. These products can have both crop and public health applications. Bioinsecticides, such as Carpovirosine, perform the same task as conventional insecticides, without chemical residues. Acaricides or miticides control a variety of mite pests on crops. These products are primarily targeted at tree fruit and nut, vine, ornamental and selected row crop applications for effective mite control programs. Our main miticide products, such as Acramite,, Floramite and Omite,, are sold globally.
Biostimulants and Innovative Nutrition:BioSolutions 
AsWe believe we are have a leaderstrong position as innovator in the high-growthBioSolutions and high-value biostimulantsBioStimulants. These products are derived from natural sources that fall into several categories described below. This portfolio is highly differentiated through innovative technologies and innovative nutrition segment, our biostimulantsmixtures and innovative nutrition portfolio includes a wide range ofprimarily protected by trade secrets.
BioStimulantsBiostimulants (biological stimulants) enhance crop vigor, yield and/or quality through physiological stimuli. Our BioStimulant products which are often tailored to meet different needs of growers.  Our biostimulants stimulate plant growthinclude Biozyme, BM Start and reproductive development. Our innovativeAppetizer.
Innovative NutritionInnovative nutrition products optimize the nutrition of plants. This portfolio is highly differentiated and primarily protectedin plants by trade secrets.enhancing nutrient availability or use efficiency. Our biostimulantInnovative Nutrition products include Biozyme, BM Startthe Poliquel line.
BioControlBioControl (biological control) products operate as conventional Crop Protection products with, in many cases, reduced residues of a synthetic origin. Our BioControl products, mainly biofungicides and Appetizer. Our innovative nutrition productsbioinsecticides, include FoltronPh-D, Carpovirusine, Vacciplant, Noctovi and Poliquel.a wide line of natural enemies and beneficial insects for Integrated Pest Management solutions in Japan.
Seed Treatments:Treatment 
As a leader in the high-growth and high-value seed treatment industry, ourOur diverse Seed Treatment portfolio encompasses pioneer products, such as Rancona and Vitavax.Vitavax. Our seed treatmentsSeed Treatments are applied before planting by coating the seed in order to protect it during germination and protect the plant during its initial growth phases. We anticipate growth in seed treatmentsSeed Treatments as a result of the increasing value of seeds and the use of higher-value genetically-modifiedGM seeds.



We consider these portfolios to be key pillars for our sustainable growth. We sell our products in specific regions and niche crop markets directly to seed breeders, growers, government entities, co-operatives, branded retailers and leading national and regional distributors. Our product offering also includes regional off-patent AIs that complementproducts are sold individually or combined within our global portfolio. In addition, we offer certain non-crop"ProNutiva" program which integrates BioSolutions with either Crop Protection or Seed Treatment products. By combining BioSolutions with conventional protection products, including animal health products, such as honey bee protective miticidesProNutiva aims at addressing the full spectrum of protection, nutrition and certain veterinary vaccines.  Apivar, a global miticideyield enhancement needs of farmers, often with lower residue levels, addressing safety concerns of end-consumers and resulting in enhanced farm economics for the protection of bees against the Varroa mite, is one of our main honey bee health products.growers.
Seasonality
The agrochemical businessOur Agricultural Solutions segment is seasonal in nature and corresponds to agricultural cycles within each region in which we operate. The geographic spread of our products can result in significant variations in earnings and cash flow during such cycles.  AgrochemicalCrop Protection and Seed Treatment chemicals and BioSolutions sales typically begin ahead of the growing season and peak in the middle of the season.  In the northern hemisphere, farmers purchase the majority of their agrochemicalCrop Protection chemical inputs during the first half of the calendar year from distributors which we start to supply during the latter partfourth quarter of the fourth quarter.previous year.  Growers in the southern hemisphere purchase the majority of their products in the second half of the year.  As a result, we have historically experienced significant fluctuations in quarterly sales. For example, due to the size of our market in Latin America, we typically generate greater net sales in the second half of the calendar year and our net sales tend to be lower during the first half of each calendar year.
Weather conditions and natural disasters such as heavy rains,drought and floods in a particular region, storms, hurricanes, tsunamis, hail, floods, tornadoes, freezing conditions drought, or fire alsoextreme heat in a particular region affect decisions by our customers and end-users about the types and amounts of agrochemical and BioSolutions products to purchase and the timing of use of such products.  For example, an early spring in Europe can bring forward sales from the second quarter into the first quarter.  The high degree of correlation between sales patterns and unpredictable weather conditions makes drawing conclusions from quarterly sales difficult.
Competitive Strengths of Platform
We believe the following competitive strengths differentiate us from our competitors and contribute to the ongoing success of both of our ongoing success:segments:
“Asset-Lite, High-Touch” Business Model. WeOur businesses are building our business through the acquisition and integration of “Asset-Lite, High-Touch” businesses. These are businesses evidenced by high margins and low capital expenditures which translates into high cash flow margins and returns on capital. Over 40% of our employees are in either technological innovation or sales and services areas; hence “high-touch.”  Our commitment to technological innovation and our extensive intellectual property portfolio enables us to develop our cutting-edge products.  In order to continue to provide innovative products and highly specialized technical service to our customers, we place a premium on maintaining an expert and qualified employee base. Our business involves the formulation of a broad range of specialty chemicals, created by blending raw materials or developing new uses for existing AIs. This model allows us to conservatively manage our investments in fixed assets to both maintain and grow the business.our businesses. Our existing fixed asset base is modern and well-maintained and, accordingly, requires low capital expenditures for maintenance.


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Industry Leading Positions. Our businesses strategically focus on acquiring and maintaining leading positions in niche sectors of high-growth markets by offering high value-added services that are indispensable to our customers. We believe our scale and global reach in product development, marketing, and formulation provides us with advantages over many of our competitors, allowing us to maintain strong market share positions and drive profitable growth. Our leadershipstrong market positions contribute to our ability to attract new customers and successfully enter new end-markets.
Broad Diversified Business.Customer Driven Innovation and Partnerships. We offer a broad range offrequently work alongside our customers and other industry participants to develop new products and servicesidentify new market opportunities. We participate in a variety of dynamic end-markets where new unmet needs are always materializing. Our large sales and technical service teams provide continuous insights that help ensure our research and development efforts are appropriately focused. Customer requirements can lead to diverse and often unrelated end-markets, ranging from agricultural, electronics, industrial, and offshore oil and gas production and drillingimproved or uniquely tailored formulations of existing product offerings or to consumer packaging and printing. Our proprietary technology, service-oriented business model, high barriersthe development of completely new products to entrysatisfy previously unmet needs. Tailoring products for specific OEMs or specific localized growing regions leads to sticky sales and significant customer switching costs have allowed uscosts. In our Agricultural Solutions business, we also frequently partner with molecule discovery focused companies to achieve stablesource new and compelling margins while protectingcomplementary AIs for our market share.portfolio. We believe the diversitythese companies value our vast knowledge of the niche end-markets we serve will enable uslocal markets, regulations and distribution channels as they look to continue our growth and maintain strong cash flow generation throughout economic cycles. The diversification will also help mitigate the impact of a downturn in any single industry, end-market or region.establish post-patent management strategies for their existing molecules.
Strong Expertise in Registration and Distribution. Product registration is complex and crucial, particularly in the agrochemical space. Our Agricultural Solutions segment has a large team of specialists dedicated to the regulatory process across various jurisdictions, and we believe we are well experiencedwell-experienced in obtaining and defending the required registrations for our products in each country in which they are sold and for each crop on which they are applied. Once obtained, these registrations provide a right to use a product for a specified crop in that country or region for a number of years. In addition, our Agricultural Solutions segment has a strong network of distributors, which currently reaches over 100 countries and jurisdictions.  Our large distribution network enables us to focus on profitable niche applications, which we believe are less sensitive to competitive pricing pressures.  This distribution network, together with our geographical footprint, also allows us to attract licensing and resale opportunities from partner companies for new products, technologies, and applications.



Comprehensive Product Offering. We provide our customers with a comprehensive offering of products that meet many of their specialty chemical needs. In many cases, we offer a full suite of products with complementary capabilities that provide a complete functional solution to the customer. We believe the ability to provide a “top-to-bottom” product offering is a significant competitive advantage over many of our smaller and regional competitors. OurWe also believe that our existing product offerings also offer many opportunities for growth in adjacent end-markets.
Performance-Driven Culture and Board with Proven Track Record. We believe we have outstanding people who can deliver superior performance under the tutelage and oversight of proven and experienced leadership. Our culture is performance focusedperformance-focused and driven by empowering team members and then holding them accountable for their outcomes. We measure people on financial results, safety, customer satisfaction and commitments, legal compliance, and environmental stewardship. We measure our performance against benchmarks and drive operational excellence through continuous improvement. Our experienced management team is complemented by an experienced Board, which includes individuals with a proven track recordrecords of successfully acquiring and managing businesses. Our business segments are also led by executives that have extensive experience in their respective fields.
Business Strategies
We aim to build a best-in-class, global formulator, marketer, and distributor of specialty chemical products. Our primary goalmeasure of success is long-term intrinsic shareholder value creation, which we hope to create value by driving cash flow per shareachieve through profitable organic sales growth while continuing to improve ourand continuous cost structure.improvement. We seek to develop and engineer new products and processes, leverage our global scale to enter new markets and optimally manage our existing portfolio of specialty chemical businesses. Our efforts are directed by the following key business strategies:
Build a Best-in-Class Specialty Chemical Company. Our goal is to build a best-in-class, global formulator, marketer and distributor of specialty chemical products. We anticipate that the fragmented nature of the specialty chemical market will continue to provide opportunities for growth through strategic acquisitions of complementary businesses.  We believe that our combined company provides a strong platform on which to grow our business and expand our market shares in key geographic markets.
Expand our Core Businesses. We believe that we can capitalize on our previous Acquisitionsexisting capabilities to further enhance our technical capabilities, sophisticated process know-how, solutions orientation, strong customer relationships and deep industry knowledge. We expect thatThe Acquisitions enhanced the Acquisitions will enhancegrowth of each of our growthsegments by extending ourtheir respective products breadth and expanding thetheir international reach. We intend to further extend many of our product offerings through the development of new applications for our existing products or through synergistic combinations, and to target those geographies with attractive market fundamentals where our strengths in marketing, portfolio development, regulation and customer education can add value for our customers.
EnhancingFocused Investment in Product Innovation. We place a strong emphasis on innovation. New products are developed and created by drawing upon our significant intellectual property portfolio and technical expertise.  Building on our core competencies in product innovation, applications development, and technical services, we intend to drive organic


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growth by reaching new high-growth markets and expanding upon our existing technologies to develop new products for existing and adjacent markets.
Leverage Customer Relationships. We intend to continue to leverage our close customer relationships to execute our growth strategy by working directly with our customers to identify opportunities for new products. We also have strong collaborative relationships with OEMs who specify which specialty materials, chemistries, and technologies they need in their products. Working directly with our customers allows us to increase OEM qualification of our products and identify opportunities to grow with our customers. Such close customer relationships also provide a solid barrier to entry for competition.
Pursue Strategic AcquisitionsInorganic Growth. Our founder, Martin E. Franklin and our Chief Executive Officer, Rakesh Sachdev have significant experience and expertise and have been highly successful in acquiring, integrating, and growing value-added businesses. We intend to pursue further acquisitionsinorganic initiatives as a way to enhance our growth and strategic position.  We intend to focus primarily on businesses or assets within our existing end-markets that share our “Asset-Lite, High-Touch” philosophy, with product offerings that provide geographic or product diversification.complementarity. We expect to achieve commercial and distribution efficiencies by expanding into related categories that can be marketed through our existing distribution channels or provide us with new distribution channels for our existing products.  We plan to only pursue acquisition opportunities that we believe meet our acquisition criteria and when we deem it to be financially prudent.
Focus on Human Capital. The success of our business depends on our ability to continue to capitalize on our technical capabilities, unique process know-how, strong customer relationships, and industry knowledge.  OurThe technical expertise and history of innovation demonstrated by theour employees we acquired in the Acquisitions reflect the specialized and highly skilled nature of our research and development personnel.  As such, we intend to focus on attracting, retaining, and developing the best human capital across all levels of our organization, which is key to our ability to successfully operate and grow our business.



Customers
We have a diverse customer base, as we sell our products either directly to end-user customers or through intermediaries, such as independent, third-party distributors, (national, regional, or local), agricultural cooperatives, retailers, and government agencies.  We also have collaborative relationships with many OEMs and industry partners, who specify to us which specialty materials,our chemistries and technologies are usedfor use in their products. The majorityproducts or grant us development rights of their intellectual property. A significant portion of our sales are through such intermediaries.
Within each segment, we rely on independent representatives and distributors to distribute our products and to assist us with the marketing and sale of certain of our products. We believe that we are able to attract new customers successfully through our international reach, coupled with our local knowledge and on-the-ground presence, which enables us to meet the needs of our customers throughcustomers. We have a global network of 5954 manufacturing sites, 12 sites that11 of which include manufacturing and research facilities, and 16 stand-alone research centers, andall supported by a direct sales force in nearly 70 countries. Our flexible manufacturing base allows for "just in time" supply chain management. We operate a relatively large number of small and medium-sized facilities located close to our customers throughout the world's major economic regions. This close proximity to our global customers' local sites enables access to all key growth markets.
We believe that our business is not materially dependent upon a single customer.  Although no customer or distributor constitutes 10% or more of our consolidated net sales, we do have some customers and distributors, the loss of which may impair our results of operations, for certain business lines, for the affected earnings periods.
Due to the relatively short cycle times in our business, our order backlog levels are minimal.
Selling & Marketing
We employ a large customer-centric sales and marketing force of professionals worldwide.  These professionals have strong technical expertise, local market knowledge and intimate customer relationships.  Our local sales and marketing teams closely monitor their market trends and maintain active dialogue with our customers to assess and understand their constantly evolving challenges.  We use this feedback from our local sales teams to anticipate future needs, respond rapidly to changing market conditions, and deliver customized, value-added solutions for our customers.  This feedback loop is an important source of new product ideas and helps guide our capital allocation decisions.decisions and research and development plans.  We leverage local market intelligence to develop new and innovative products that are then marketed by our local sales and marketing teams throughout the markets we serve.


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Performance Solutions
In our Performance Solutions segment, methods for selling and marketing our proprietary products vary slightly by geographic region.  In total, we generate business through the efforts of regional sales, technical and service personnel, and regionalas well as distributors.  In the Americas, we employ sales, administrative and service personnel to market our entire line of proprietary products.  In certain areas of the Americas, distributors also sell and service many of our products.  In Europe, sales, administrative and service representatives, who are employed by our subsidiaries located in Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and Turkey, market our proprietary products.  In the Asia-Pacific region, our local subsidiaries employ sales, administrative and service representatives to market our proprietary products through either subsidiaries or branches in Australia, mainland China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand.  In addition to regional sales and service staff, we maintain a group of global personnel focused on coordinating sales projects and obtaining design specifications for complex projects involving multiple customers within the countries where we have wholly owned subsidiaries, some of our proprietary chemistries are sold in other countries throughout Asia, Europe and South America through distributors.manufacturing supply chain.
Agricultural Solutions
In our Agricultural Solutions segment, our products are sold in over 100 countries globally and reach our grower-customers and the ultimate end-usersgrowers through a wide variety of market channels.  Our sales, marketing, and go-to-market strategies vary significantly by regionterritory and depend to a large extent on the existing distribution infrastructure and market practices in each particular region.  Depending upon the customer’s location, weWe work with national and regional distributors, retailers, co-ops, government entities and directly with growers to promote and sell our solutions.  We also have loyalty programs in place for distributors and engage in active grower education to promote our products and brands.  Because of ourOur global presence and local capabilities make us a partner of choice for other agrochemical and crop protectionCrop Protection chemical companies, who often enter into exclusive distribution rightsor license agreements with us.  SuchThese agreements give us the exclusive right to distribute or formulate their products in, or with respect to, specified territories, crops, applications, channels and formulations.
In the larger and more mature North American market, we rely more heavily on an extensive existing distribution network.  The North American distributor landscape is one of the most consolidated.  In Asia, Europe and Latin America, sales and marketing are conducted through a mix of national and regional distributors, retailers, co-ops, and growers (primarily large farmers).



Africa and Middle East represent our most unique region from a sales and marketing perspective due to relatively lower levels of existing distribution infrastructure.  In many cases, growers in this region require additional customer outreach and education as our products and the agronomic techniques to apply them are relatively new to this market.  In order to address these challenges, we have developed an extensive regional distribution network to enable us to efficiently deliver our products, and products of our distribution partners, to the growers. 
Employees
In order to ensure that we are able to continue to provide innovative products and highly technical service to our customers, we place a premium on maintaining a highly specialized and qualified employee base.  As ofAt December 31, 2016,2017, we employed approximately 7,7507,850 full-time employees in approximately 70 countries, including approximately 3,2003,400 research and development chemists, experienced technical service, and technical sales personnel.  
In addition, many of our full-time employees are employed outside the United States.  In certain countries where we operate, our employees are also members of unions or are represented by works councils as required by law.  We are required to consult and seek the consent or advice of these unions and/or works councils for any changes to our activities or employee benefits, which may impact our flexibility in managing costs and responding to market changes.benefits.
Our management believes that our relationships with our employees and collective bargaining unions are satisfactory.
Research and Development
Continued investment in research and development ensures that we remain ahead of emerging trends, delivering solutions to strengthen our leadershipstrong market positions in terms of innovation and product development in our market niches. Our research and development activities are also focused on developing products, and improving formulations and processes that will drive growth or otherwise add value to our core business operations.  We accelerate market introductions and increase the impact of our product offerings through collaboration with partners in the commercial sector (customers and value chainvalue-chain partners) and by working with distributors, OEMs, governments and local communities around the world. We plan to continue to make significant investments in a broad range of research and development efforts.
Performance Solutions
With respect to our Performance Solutions segment, researchour commitment to technological innovation and our extensive intellectual property portfolio enables us to develop differentiated products at the forefront of the technology. Research resulting in connection withnew, proprietary productsformulations is performed principally in Germany, Great Britain, India, Japan, and the United States. During 2016,2017, the segment's research and development expenses totaled $45.0 million.$46.4 million, which represented 2.5% of Performance Solutions' total net sales. Substantially all research and development activity was performed internally.
Agricultural Solutions
Within our Agricultural Solutions segment, our global and regional marketing teams conduct a rigorous process for identifying key AIs with proven technical efficacy, which can be brought to market through our formulation, marketing, and distribution capabilities, in order to address strategic gaps in our portfolio.  Our experienced regulatory team has a strong and successful track record of obtaining product registrations expeditiously to support this product strategy. During 2016,2017, the segment invested $36.4$92.5 million in product registrations and incurred $39.4 million of research and development, costs.of which $40.5 million was capitalized and $52.0 million was expensed. In 2017, research and development investments represented approximately 5% of Agricultural Solutions' total net sales.


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Competitive Environment
Our markets are consolidating, highly competitive, and subject to rapid changes in technology. Broadly speaking, we compete in the specialty chemicals market.  On a more narrow scale, we compete in markets for specialty chemicals for agrochemicals,Crop Protection, BioSolutions and Seed Treatment chemicals, and electronic applications, general metal and plastic finishing, oil and gas exploration and production, and printing. Some of our competitors may have greater financial, technical and marketing resources than we do and may be able to devote greater resources to promoting and selling certain products.
The competitive environment of each of our segments is described below:
Performance Solutions
Our Performance Solutions segment provides a broad line of proprietary chemical compounds and supporting services, and broadly competes within the specialty chemicals industry. Although competition varies by end-market and geography, our most significant competitors are Atotech Inc., The Dow Chemical Company,and DowDupont Inc., across its industrial and electronics chemicals businesses, as well as Asahi, Senju, Tamura, E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, and Flint Group. We compete primarily on the basis of quality,



technology, performance, reliability, brand, reputation, range of products and services, and service and support. We maintain extensive support, technical and testing services for our customers, and are continuously developing new products. Further consolidation within our industry or other changes in the competitive environment, such as the recent creation of DowDupont Inc., as a result of the merger of E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company and The Dow Chemical Company, could result in larger competitors that compete with us on several levels. However, weWe believe, however, that our combined abilities to manufacture, sell, service, and develop new products and applications, enable us to compete successfully both locally and internationally. Some large competitors operate globally, as we do, but most operate only locally or regionally. We also face competition from many smaller companies that specialize in particular segments of the markets in which we compete.
Agricultural Solutions
The agrochemicalCrop Protection and Seed Treatment chemical sector is a highly developed and competitive industry with a wide range of established competitors that offer a broad variety of competing products.  Our main competitors include major multinational agrochemical companies which engagemulti-national participants in basic research for AI discovery,this market, such as BASF, Bayer CropScience AG, and Syngenta AG, now owned by ChemChina, Bayer AG, BASF SE, DowDuPont and FMC, as well as a number of Japanese participants. We also face competition from a variety of off-patent agrochemical companies worldwide, including FMC Corporation, ADAMA Agricultural Solutions Ltd., United Phosphorus Ltd., and Nufarm Limited, among others.
The BioSolutions sector is a newer and less mature industrymarket than agrochemicals. Therethe Crop Protection market; however, we still face significant competition from various competitors seeking to offer competing products and solutions to our customers. As a result, the BioSolutions landscape is significantly less direct competition among providers given the highly differentiated, proprietary naturefragmented, with a large number of BioSolutions products. However, we do compete with BioSolutions providers thatsmall participants who have similardeveloped a niche product claims and offer potential functional substitutes for our products.offering as well as a range of biotech companies focusing on research addressing new or early-stage technologies. Customer education and corresponding demand creation is a critical element of competing inwithin the BioSolutions sector.sector, especially for BioStimulants and Innovative Nutrition. Customer acceptance and adoption levels may vary widely. It is a very fragmented market, with the participation of companies that do not necessarily competewidely and, in the agrochemical space.some cases, can be minimal for new and emerging technologies. Our current competitors include Stoller S.A., Novozymes Biopharma A/S, Verdesian LifeSciences LLC, Bayer CropScience AGCrop Science Inc. (AgraQuest, Inc.), Valagro SpA, BASF SE (Becker Underwood Inc.), Plant Health Care plcKoppert Biological Systems and various others.
Order Backlog
Due to the relatively short cycle times in our business, our order backlog levels are minimal.  In general, we do not formulate our products against a backlog of orders and do not consider backlog to be a significant indicator of the level of future sales activity.  Production and inventory levels are based on the level of incoming orders Potential new competitors include entry by existing Crop Protection companies as well as projectionsthe formation of future demand.  Therefore, we believe that backlog information is not material to understanding our overall business and should not be considered a reliable indicator of our ability to achieve any particular level of revenue or financial performance.new BioSolutions companies.
Raw Materials and Sourcing of Products
In our Performance Solutions segment, we useour business involves the manufacture of a varietybroad range of specialty chemicals, which we create by blending raw materials, and commoditythe incorporation of these chemicals in our manufacturinginto multi-step technological processes.  Our manufacturing operations depend upon obtaining adequate supplies of raw materials on a timely basis.  We typically purchase our major raw materials on an as-needed basis from outside sources.sources, and the raw materials that are of greatest importance to our global operations are, in most cases, obtainable from multiple sources worldwide.
In our Agricultural Solutions segment, we rely on external contract manufacturers, both domestically and internationally, to produce certain productsinputs or key components for our products.  There is limited available manufacturing capacity that meetsproduct formulations.  These inputs, which are generally a combination of technical grade AIs, semi-finished goods, inerts and packaging materials, are typically sourced close to where we ultimately formulate and sell our quality standards and regulatory requirements.  With one minor exception, we engage in no direct agrochemical AI manufacturing.products.  We source virtuallyalmost all of our AIs from third-party manufacturers, which represent a relatively limited number of key suppliers for AIs.suppliers.  We strive to maintain multiple high-quality supply sources for each AI; however, in certain instances, there is only a single registered sourcedue to the proprietary nature of AIs for importantsome of our products, where there is currently no viablefinding alternative source.new sources can be challenging. Our goal is to maximize our sourcing of raw materials especially AIs, from quality suppliers in countries with generally low manufacturing costs, such as China, Eastern Europe, and India, or markets with good raw material positions.India.


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We formulate and package our products in-house or through tolling and other third-party manufacturing and formulation arrangements.  We balance our in-house formulation with third-party arrangements to limit our exposure to utilization drop-offs, facility closures, and certain manufacturing-related environmental risks which helps us to optimize our cost structure.
Within certain portions of our BioSolutions portfolio, we manage an end-to-end supply chain.  We purchase natural raw materials, such as plant extracts and seaweed, to extract AIs for our BioSolutions products.



Patents, Trademarks and Proprietary Products
Our intellectual property and other proprietary rights are important to our business and are protected by a combination of patents, trade secrets, trademarks, data exclusivity, and other marketing exclusivity rights, exclusive or semi-exclusive manufacturing arrangements, and other non-patent strategies. We seek intellectual property and other proprietary rights in major markets and other commercially-relevant jurisdictions worldwide. We implement confidentiality procedures and contractual exclusivity and seek other rights necessary to protect our intellectual property, proprietary formulations, processes, and other product-related rights.  We rely on trade secrets and know-how confidentiality agreements to protect our processes, natural product composition/origin, and formulations. We also enter into invention or patent assignment agreements, when applicable, with our employees, consultants, contractors, and other third-parties who may be engaged in discovery or development of intellectual property and other proprietary rights. Finally, we seek to include provisions in our material transfer agreements, license and development agreements, and other agreements that provide for the transfer of intellectual property rights back to us to the greatest extent possible under the circumstances of any specific transaction and development project.
Performance Solutions
In our Performance Solutions segment, as ofat December 31, 2016,2017, we owned, had applications pending, or licensed the rights to approximately 1,8002,000 domestic and foreign patents.  The patents, we hold are important to our business andwhich have remaining lives of varying duration.  Although certain of these patents are becoming increasingly more important to our business, we believe that our ability to provide technical and testing services to our customers and meet their rapid delivery requirements is equally, if not more, important to our business.  No specific group or groups of intellectual property rights are material to our business.  However, we have many proprietary products which are not covered by patents and which are responsible for a large component of our total sales.  Further, we hold a number of domestic and foreign trade names and trademark registrations and applications for registration, which we consider to be of value in identifying our products.  We do not hold nor have we granted any franchises or concessions.franchises.
Agricultural Solutions
In our Agricultural Solutions segment, as ofat December 31, 2016,2017, we owned, had applications pending, licensed or had freedom-to-operate rights under, approximately 200800 domestic and foreign patents, and approximately 7,0006,800 product registrations.  This number includes multiple patents and applications with similar claims, filed in various countries. Where our rights to patents or applications are licensed, those rights may be exclusive or non-exclusive depending on such factors as which other AIs the product is formulated with and the field of use in which the product is applied. As part of our intellectual property strategy, we in-license or acquire patents from other agrochemicalCrop Protection chemicals and BioSolutions companies and pursue other patents not related to composition of matter, such as use extensions, formulations, mixtures and manufacturing processes. Certain of our products have multiple patents associated with their AIs, composition of matter, combinations with other AIs, methods of use, delivery technology, and manufacturing and formulation processes. We also differentiate our AIs with value-added mixtures and novel formulations, with launches prior to the expiration of the AIs' patent protection, in order to avoid a potential price erosion and loss of share. A significant portion of our patent portfolio consists of patents relating to amicarbazone, flucarbazone and fluoxastrobin, three of our key GVAP AIs. Our patents covering manufacturing processes, methods of use, and combinations with other AIs, safeners, or other adjuvants of these three GVAP AIs are scheduled to expire in commercially relevant markets at various times before the end of 2020 for amicarbazone; 2022 for flucarbazone; and 2024 for fluoxastrobin.  With respect to fluoxastrobin, we have a pending application in the United States covering a manufacturing process which we intend to file in other countries as well, which, if granted, will expire no sooner than 2036. We believe this new process will contribute to lower costs for the manufacture of fluoxastrobin, which would represent a significant competitive advantage over potential generic entrants. 
Other proprietary rights protection
Some products that have already lost patent protection but have originally been registered by a company are often referred to as proprietary off-patent products, especially if the company holds a significant share of the AI. These are often characterized by a substantial degree of differentiation through formulation and product package offerings responsive to grower needs. Proprietary off-patent products enable providers to maintain a strongersecure market position and a differentiated margin profile, which may be further enhanced by specialized market access, a strong brand, or a competitive cost position. In addition, while they are not protected by patents, proprietary off-patent products require registrations in every country for every crop and AI that will be sold. Our strong registration capabilities provide us with the ability to effectively maintain and defend our existing registrations as well as to acquire new registrations in a cost effective and timely manner.
Proprietary off-patent products can benefit from other barriers to entry designed to reward the company which first registers an AI in a certain geography, following significant investments in regulatory data to support that initial registration, with an exclusive period of sales  (“exclusive use”) and, after the exclusive use period has expired, an additional period of financial compensation from other companies which request access to the data developed by the original company (“data compensation”) to obtain a registration of that same AI in that geography.  These barriers to entry are established in multiple jurisdictions, including Brazil, Canada, the E.U. and the United States.



Our global portfolio is composed of multiple proprietary off-patent products including: acephate; amitraz; ipconazole; diflubenzuron; bifenazate; clethodim;and propargite and cypermethrin for the E.U. Many of our proprietary off-patent AIs are currently benefiting from exclusive use and data compensation provisions.
Government and Environmental Regulation
We develop, produce and market our chemical products in a number of jurisdictions throughout the world and are subject to numerousextensive federal, regional, national and local laws and regulations in the countrieseach country in which we operate. These laws and regulations govern, among other things, the Company’s manufacture, use, labeling, packaging, storage and distribution of chemicals and hazardous substances, which are subject to strict quality and regulatory standards. We are required to meet these strict standards which, in recent years, have become increasingly stringent. However, no portion of our business is subject to re-negotiation of profits or termination of material contracts or subcontracts at the election of the governments in the countries in which we operate.
We are subject to the FCPA, which prohibits U.S. persons, U.S. issuers and U.S. companies and their intermediaries from making direct or indirect improper payments in violation of law to non-U.S. government officials for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business or securing any otheran improper advantage.  Our reliance on independent distributors to sell some of our proprietary chemicals internationally demands a high degree of vigilance in maintaining our policy against participation in corrupt activity, because these distributors could be deemed to be our agents, and we could be held responsible for their actions.   We are also subject to similar anti-bribery laws in the jurisdictions in which we operate, including the 2011 Bribery Act, which also prohibits commercial bribery, solicitation of bribery, and makes it a crime for companiescertain commercial organizations to fail to prevent bribery.  These laws are complex and far-reaching in nature and, as a result, we may be required


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in the future to alter one or more of our policies or practices to be in compliance with these laws or any changes in these laws or the interpretation thereof.  As previously disclosed, in connection with the implementation of internal controls, policies and procedures at Arysta, following the acquisition of that business in 2015, we discovered that certain payments made to third-party agents in connection with Arysta’s government tender business in West Africa might have been illegal or otherwise inappropriate. We have conducted an investigation and voluntarily informed the SEC and the U.S. Department of Justice of this matter. After reviewing the matter, the SEC and the U.S. Department of Justice both advised that they had closed out the matter and declined to take any action.  We consider the matter closed.
We maintain a Business Conduct and Ethics Policy and a Foreign Corrupt Practices Act/Anti-Corruption Policy, applicable to all our directors, officers and employees. In addition, our CEO CFO and CAOCFO are bound by the provisions of a Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers. The Business Conduct and Ethics Policy, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act/Anti-Corruption Policy and the Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers were both approved by our Board and cover compliance with the FCPA and similar anti-corruption laws, as well as other legal areas applicable to our operations.
As a manufacturer and distributor of specialty chemicals and systems, we are subject to extensive U.S. and foreign laws and regulations relating to environmental protection and worker health and safety, including those governing discharges of pollutants into the air and water, the management and disposal of hazardous substances and wastes, the cleanup of contaminated properties and occupational safety and health matters.  In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the stringency of environmental regulation and enforcement of environmental standards, and the costs of compliance have risen significantly. We expect that the trend of increased regulation will continue in the future. We have and may in the future incur significant costs, including cleanup costs, fines and sanctions and third-party claims for property or natural resource damage or personal injuries as a result of past or future violations of, or liabilities under, such laws and regulations.  As of December 31, 2016, we believe we had appropriate liabilities recorded for our various environmental matters.
Our business and our customers also may be subject to significant requirements under the European Community Regulation for(EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and the Council dated December 18, 2006 relating to the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and AuthorizationRestriction of Chemicals, effective June 1, 2007 (or REACH). REACH, adopted in December 2006, imposes obligations on E.U. manufacturers and importers of chemicals and other products into the E.U. to compile and file comprehensive reports, including testing data, on each chemical substance, and perform chemical safety assessments.
Active substances and co-formulants used in plant protection products (pesticides) are generally exempt from REACH as they are considered as already registered under the Plant Protection Products Directive 91/414/EEC.  However, certain exceptions may apply that would require the active substance or co-formulant to be registered, particularly if the substance has a non-plant protection use.  While we have registered and continue to register substances as required, the registration process is lengthy and registration of certain of our substances may not be immediately effective.  The cost estimates could vary based on the number of substances requiring registration, data availability and cost.  The implementation of the REACH registration process may affect our ability to manufacture and sell certain products in the future.
As a manufacturer and distributor of Crop Protection products and BioSolutions, we are subject to extensive U.S. and foreign laws and regulations relating to environmental protection and worker health and safety, including those governing discharges of pollutants into the air and water, the management and disposal of hazardous substances and wastes, the cleanup of contaminated properties and occupational safety and health matters.  In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency (or EPA) regulates our Agricultural Solutions products under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act and related legislation such as the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996, or FQPA. In addition to EPA approval, we are required to obtain regulatory approval from the appropriate state regulatory authority in individual states. Many BioSolutions products, especially those classified as fertilizers, are not regulated at the federal level, but only at the state level. The FQPA requires a review of residue tolerances, based on assessment of aggregate risk for a single Crop Protection product and cumulative risk for Crop Protection products with similar modes of toxic action.
Governments in all countries have established legislation and systems for the review and approval of Crop Protection products. These laws require the preparation of comprehensive registration dossiers that must be submitted to the relevant authority in each country before sales can proceed. Once a Crop Protection product is registered in a country, it may generally be sold in such country for use on the crops for which it has been approved, subject to any specific use conditions. The global registration landscape is varied. Many countries have highly sophisticated registration systems and take two to four years to review a Crop Protection product before approving it for sale; in some countries, such as Brazil and India, the registration process can take longer (five to seven years). Some developing countries and countries with economies in transition base their approval on those granted in the more developed countries.
This highly-regulated environment represents both a challenge (cost, time, risk of failure or non-compliance) and an opportunity (to be more efficient and effective than our competitors).  In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the stringency of environmental regulation and enforcement of environmental standards, and the costs of compliance have risen significantly. We expect that the trend of increased regulation will continue in the future. In response to this increased government attention to environmental matters worldwide, we continue to develop proprietary products designed to reduce the discharge of pollutant materials into the environment and eliminate the use of certain targeted raw materials while enhancing the efficiency of customer chemical processes. In addition, while regulation substantially increases the time and cost associated with bringing our products to market, we believe that our management team’s significant experience in bringing our and other companies’ technologies through regional, national and local regulatory approval processes, our efficient development process, and our ability to leverage our strategic collaborations to assist with registrations, particularly in Europe and Latin America, will enable us to overcome these challenges. We have and may in the future incur significant costs, including cleanup costs, fines and sanctions and third-party claims for property or natural resource damage or personal injuries as a result of past or future violations of, or liabilities under,


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such laws and regulations.  At December 31, 2017, we believe we had appropriate liabilities recorded for our various environmental matters.
Available Information
Our internet website address is www.platformspecialtyproducts.com.  We make available free of charge, through our website, our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and all amendments to those reports filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, and proxy statements for our annual meeting of stockholders, as soon as reasonably practicable after each such material is electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC.  In addition, information



concerning purchases and sales of our equity securities by our executive officers and directors is posted on our website by the end of the business day after filing with the SEC.
You may also read and copy any document that we file, including this 20162017 Annual Report, at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for information on the operation of the Public Reference Room. In addition, the SEC maintains an Internet site at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers, including Platform, that are electronically filed with the SEC.
Our website includes the following corporate governance materials under the tab “Investor Relations—Corporate Governance:” Board of Directors Governance Principles and Code of Conduct; Insider Trading Policy; Stock Ownership Guidelines; Business Conduct and Ethics Policy;Policy - Employees/Directors; Business Conduct and Ethics Policy - Contractors/Consultants; Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers; Foreign Corrupt Practices Act/Anti-Corruption Policy; Incident Response & Whistleblower Policy; Conflict Minerals Policy and the related Form SD; Platform Data Protection and Privacy Policy; Management, Board of Directors and Committee Composition; and the charters of each committee of our Board of Directors.  These corporate governance materials are also available in print upon request by any stockholder to our Investor Relations department.
The information included on our website does not constitute part of this 20162017 Annual Report.
In addition to the information included in this Part I, Item 1, see Part II, Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, and Part II, Item 8, as well as Note 1, Background and Basis of Presentation, and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, and Note 22,23, Segment Information, to the Consolidated Financial Statements, all included in this 20162017 Annual Report, for financial and other information concerning our operating segments and the geographic areas in which we do business.
Corporate Information
Our principal executive offices are located at 1450 Centrepark Boulevard, Suite 210, West Palm Beach, Florida 33401 and our telephone number is (561) 207-9600.
Senior Management of Platform
Set forth below is certain information concerning our senior management:
Name Title
Rakesh Sachdev Chief Executive Officer
Sanjiv KhattriJohn P. ConnollyChief Financial Officer
John E. Capps Executive Vice President - General Counsel and Chief Financial OfficerSecretary
Benjamin Gliklich Executive Vice President - Operations and Strategy
John E. CappsJ. David Tolbert Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
John P. ConnollyVice President, Corporate Controller and Chief AccountingHuman Resources Officer
Scot R. Benson President - Performance Solutions
Diego Lopez Casanello President - Agricultural Solutions
Rakesh Sachdev, age 61,62, is Chief Executive Officer of Platform. Mr. Sachdev joined Platform in January 2016. Prior to joining Platform, Mr. Sachdev served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Sigma-Aldrich Corporation, or Sigma-Aldrich, beginning in 2010. Mr. Sachdev joined Sigma-Aldrich in 2008 as Chief Financial Officer and took on the additional role of Chief Administrative Officer with direct oversight of Sigma-Aldrich’s international business in 2009. He was Senior Vice President and President Asia Pacific of ArvinMeritor, Inc., or ArvinMeritor, a global supplier of engineered systems to the automotive industry, from 2007 to 2008. At ArvinMeritor, Mr. Sachdev also served in other leadership roles, including Interim Chief Financial Officer, Senior Vice President Strategy and Corporate Development and Vice President and General Manager of several of


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ArvinMeritor’s global businesses from 1999 to 2007. Prior to joining ArvinMeritor, he worked for Cummins Inc., a global manufacturer of engines and other industrial products in various leadership roles, including Chief Financial Officer for one of its largest business units, and as Managing Director of its Mexican operations. Mr. Sachdev is also a director of Regal-Beloit Corporation and Edgewell Personal Care Company and serves on the Board of Trustees of Washington University in St. Louis. Mr. Sachdev holds an M.B.A. from Indiana University, a Masters in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois and a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology in New Delhi.



Sanjiv Khattri, age 52, is Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Platform. Mr. Khattri joined Platform in September 2015. Prior to joining Platform, Mr. Khattri served as the Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President at Covanta Holding Corporation ("Covanta") from August 2010 to November 2013. Prior to joining Covanta, Mr. Khattri had a lengthy career with General Motors ("GM") and GMAC Financial Services (“GMAC”), aka Ally Financial, from 1989 until 2008, where he had significant leadership assignments in treasury, business development, controller, and special project functions, both in the United States and overseas. He was appointed Chief Financial Officer of GMAC in February 2004, and was instrumental in guiding GMAC to its evolution from a wholly-owned subsidiary of GM to a standalone diversified global financial services company, controlled by a consortium of investors led by Cerberus Capital Management, L.P. Mr. Khattri also serves as an Advisory Director of Silver Lane Advisors LLC since 2009. Mr. Khattri is also active in philanthropic activities and most recently, he retired after nine years from the board of The Global Fund for Children, a DC-based global charity focused on creating awareness and providing support to address the needs of vulnerable children and youth. Mr. Khattri has an M.B.A. from the University of Michigan and Bachelor of Engineering from Punjab University in India.
Benjamin Gliklich, age 32, is Executive Vice President - Operations and Strategy of Platform. Mr. Gliklich was appointed in this role in April 2016, after having served as Chief Operating Officer from October 2015 to April 2016; Vice President – Corporate Development, Finance and Investor Relations of Platform from January 2015 to October 2015 and as Director of Corporate Development from May 2014 to January 2015. Prior to joining Platform, Mr. Gliklich was a senior associate at General Atlantic, a global growth-oriented private equity firm. Earlier in his career, Mr. Gliklich was an associate in the investment banking division of Goldman Sachs & Co. Mr. Gliklich holds an A.B. Cum Laude from Princeton University and an M.B.A with distinction from Columbia Business School.
John E. Capps, age 52, is Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Platform. Mr. Capps joined Platform in May 2016. Prior to joining Platform, Mr. Capps was with Jarden Corporation, a Fortune 500 broad-based consumer products company, where he most recently served as Executive Vice President - Administration, General Counsel and Secretary until April 2016 when Jarden Corporation merged with Newell Brands Inc. From 2003 to 2005, Mr. Capps was with American Household, Inc. which was acquired by Jarden Corporation in January 2005. Previously, Mr. Capps worked as a private lawyer with the firm Sullivan & Cromwell LLP. Mr. Capps holds a J.D. from the University of Texas and a B.A. and M.B.A. from Vanderbilt University.
John P. Connolly, age 51,52, is Chief Financial Officer of Platform. Prior to being promoted to this role in March 2017, Mr. Connolly served as Vice President, Corporate Controller and Chief Accounting Officer of Platform. Mr. Connolly joinedsince joining Platform in August 2016. Prior toBefore joining Platform, Mr. Connolly served as Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer at Xylem Inc., a spun offspun-off water technology company from ITT Corporation, or ITT, from October 2011 to August 2016. Prior to joining Xylem Inc., Mr. Connolly spent five years at ITT during which time he held key roles as Director, Financial Planning & Analysis, and Director of Accounting. Previously, Mr. Connolly spent 10 years at IBM in roles of increasing responsibility including Manager of Financial Planning & Analysis, Controller of a software division, and Head of Pricing & Licensing Strategy across IBM’s software business, as well as seven years at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP reaching the level of Manager. Mr. Connolly is a Certified Public Accountant and holds an M.B.A. in Finance from the Lubin School of Business at Pace University.
John E. Capps, age 53, is Executive Vice President - General Counsel and Secretary of Platform. Mr. Capps joined Platform in May 2016. Prior to joining Platform, Mr. Capps was with Jarden Corporation, a Fortune 500 broad-based consumer products company, where he most recently served as Executive Vice President - Administration, General Counsel and Secretary until April 2016 when Jarden Corporation merged with Newell Brands Inc. From 2003 to 2005, Mr. Capps was with American Household, Inc. which was acquired by Jarden Corporation in January 2005. Previously, Mr. Capps worked as a private lawyer with the firm Sullivan & Cromwell LLP. Mr. Capps holds a J.D. from the University of Texas and a B.A. and M.B.A. from Vanderbilt University.
Benjamin Gliklich, age 33, is Executive Vice President - Operations and Strategy of Platform. Mr. Gliklich was appointed in this role in April 2016, after having served as Chief Operating Officer from October 2015 to April 2016; Vice President – Corporate Development, Finance and Investor Relations of Platform from January 2015 to October 2015 and as Director of Corporate Development from May 2014 to January 2015. Prior to joining Platform, Mr. Gliklich was a member of the investments team at General Atlantic, a global growth-oriented private equity firm. Earlier in his career, Mr. Gliklich worked in the investment banking division of Goldman Sachs & Co. Mr. Gliklich holds an A.B. Cum Laude from Princeton University and an M.B.A with distinction from Columbia Business School.
J. David Tolbert, age 56, is Chief Human Resources Officer of Platform. Mr. Tolbert has served in this role since December 2016, after serving as a human resources consultant to Platform from April 2016 to December 2016. Prior to joining Platform, Mr. Tolbert was with Jarden Corporation where he served as Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Corporate Risk from September 2001 to September 2014. From October 2014 to December 2015, Mr. Tolbert served as a human resources advisor for Jarden Corporation. Since 1993, Mr. Tolbert had served in various management and executive roles in the areas of human resources, administration and corporate risk for Jarden Corporation. From 1987 to 1993, Mr. Tolbert served in various human resources and operating positions at Ball Corporation. Mr. Tolbert holds a B.S. and M.B.A. from Ball State University.
Scot R. Benson, age 55,56, is President of the Performance Solutions segment of Platform.  Mr. Benson joined MacDermid in 1999.  His previous positions at MacDermid included President of MacDermid Advanced Surface Finishes and Graphics Solutions from January 2013 until February 2015.  Mr. Benson also served as President of MacDermid Graphics Solutions from 2010 to 2013. Mr. Benson attended the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point.
Diego Lopez Casanello, age 43,44, is President of the Agricultural Solutions segment of Platform. Prior to joining Platform in February 2016, Mr. Lopez Casanello served as Senior Vice President and head of the Agricultural Products Division, Asia Pacific at BASF from February 2015 to January 2016. His previous positions at BASF included Senior Vice President of the Performance Chemicals Division, North America from April 2012 to January 2015 as well as CEO and Managing Director of BASF Argentina from November 2008 to March 2012. Mr. Lopez Casanello has held numerous other roles within the Agricultural Products Division of BASF, including Head of Global Marketing for Seed Treatment, Global Manager of New Business Development and Business Director for South Europe. Mr. Lopez Casanello holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Hagen, Hagen, Germany.


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Item 1A.  Risk Factors
The ownership of our securities involves a number of risks and uncertainties.  Potential investors should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below and the other information in this 20162017 Annual Report before deciding whether to invest in our Company.  Our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected by any of these risks.  The risks described below are not the only ones facing us.  Additional risks that are currently unknown to us or that we currently consider to be immaterial may also impair our business or adversely affect our financial condition or results of operations.
Risk Related to the Proposed Separation of Agricultural Solutions
The Proposed Separation of our Agricultural Solutions business is contingent upon the satisfaction of a number of conditions and involves significant time of our management and expenses, which could disrupt or adversely affect our business.
The Proposed Separation of our Agricultural Solutions and Performance Solutions businesses is expected to be completed in 2018. However, we could be delayed or prevented from completing the Proposed Separation, or complete it on terms or conditions that are less favorable and/or different than expected, for a variety of reasons, including but not limited to:
market conditions and volatility;
inability or delays in obtaining any legal or regulatory approvals;
inability or difficulty in refinancing our Credit Facilities and other material indebtedness, including our Prior Senior Notes;
challenges in establishing infrastructure or processes; and
the possibility of more attractive strategic options arising in the future.
In addition, the terms of the 5.875% USD Notes Indenture require that certain conditions, including both secured and total leverage ratio tests, be met in order to complete the designation of the subsidiaries that comprise the Agricultural Solutions business as unrestricted subsidiaries under that indenture. In order to comply with these conditions, additional equity contributions, refinancing of both our Amended and Restated Credit Agreement and our Prior Senior Notes and certain other related financings may be required. There can be no assurance that these financing or refinancings will occur or that the conditions set forth in the 5.875% USD Notes Indenture relating to the designation of our Agricultural Solutions subsidiaries as unrestricted subsidiaries will be satisfied.
Whether or not we complete the Proposed Separation, our ongoing businesses may be adversely affected and we may be subject to certain risks and consequences as a result of pursuing the Proposed Separation, including the following:
execution of the Proposed Separation requires and will continue to require significant time and attention from management, which may distract management from the operation of our businesses and the execution of other initiatives that may have been beneficial to us;
our employees may also be distracted due to uncertainty about their future roles with us and Agricultural Solutions pending the completion of the Proposed Separation;
some of our suppliers or customers may delay or defer decisions or may end their relationships with us or our Agricultural Solutions business; and
we expect to incur incremental costs and expenses relating to the Proposed Separation, such as legal, accounting, tax and other professional fees.
We may also experience negative reactions from the financial markets if we fail to complete the Proposed Separation. Any of these factors could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and/or price of our common stock.
Failure to maintain our credit ratings could adversely affect our liquidity, capital position, borrowing costs and access to capital markets.
Our credit risk is evaluated by the major independent rating agencies. In connection with the Proposed Separation, as we are designing and implementing the transaction structure and related financings, there can be no assurance that we will be able to maintain our current credit ratings. Any actual or anticipated changes or downgrades in our credit ratings, including any announcement that our ratings are under further review for a downgrade, may impact our reputation, and adversely affect our liquidity, capital position, borrowing costs and access to capital markets.


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We may be unable to achieve some or all of the benefits that we expect to achieve from the Proposed Separation.
The Proposed Separation may not provide the results on the scope or on the scale we anticipate, and we may not realize all, or any, of the intended benefits. In addition, we will incur one-time costs and ongoing costs in connection with, or as a result of, the Proposed Separation, including costs of operating as separate companies that the two businesses will no longer be able to share.
Those costs may exceed our estimates or could negate some of the benefits we expect to realize. If we do not realize the intended benefits or if our costs exceed our estimates, our business, financial condition, results of operations and trading price may be adversely impacted.
If the Proposed Separation is completed, the trading price of our shares of common stock may decline or experience greater volatility.
If the Proposed Separation is completed, the trading price of our shares of common stock immediately following the Proposed Separation may decline or experience greater volatility as our business profile and market capitalization may no longer match some of our stockholders’ investment strategies in diversified companies, which could cause these investors to sell their shares of Platform’s common stock and/or to not invest in the Agricultural Solutions business as a separate public company. Excessive selling pressure could cause the market price of Platform’s common stock and, if publicly listed, the common stock of Agricultural Solutions, to decrease following the completion of the Proposed Separation. Similarly, following the Proposed Separation, our shares of common stock and those of the Agricultural Solutions business may collectively trade at a value less than the price at which our shares of common stock might have traded had the Proposed Separation not occurred as a result of the future performance of either us or the Agricultural Solutions business as separate companies, as well as the future stockholder base, market and trading price for our respective shares.
We may incur additional costs in connection with the Proposed Separation, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.

To the extent it becomes a public company, we may incur incremental costs in assisting the Agricultural Solutions business comply with its public reporting requirements and financial presentations as a separate business from Platform following the Proposed Separation. Fulfilling our public reporting requirements and creating additional costs for the Company in connection with the Agricultural Solutions business’ reporting requirements would likely be time-consuming and expensive. We cannot quantify or predict the increased costs to us as a result of the Proposed Separation.

In addition, other significant changes may occur in our cost structure, management, financing and business operations as a result of operating as a company separate from the Agricultural Solutions business following the Proposed Separation.

We may be subject to third-party claims in the event that Agricultural Solutions is not successful as a separate entity.
Following the Proposed Separation, we cannot guarantee that Agricultural Solutions will be successful as a separate entity. In the event that Agricultural Solutions is not successful, it is possible that third parties could assert a variety of claims against us. Depending on their nature and number, such claims could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
We could be exposed to claims from Agricultural Solutions or third parties under our agreements with Agricultural Solutions or otherwise.
In connection with the Proposed Separation, we may enter into agreements with Agricultural Solutions including, among others, a separation agreement, transition services agreement and registration rights agreement. Our agreements with Agricultural Solutions may not reflect terms that would have resulted from negotiations between unaffiliated parties and, in certain instances, may relate to the continuation of certain business arrangements among us and Agricultural Solutions in existence prior to the Proposed Separation. Such provisions may include, among other things, indemnification rights and obligations, the allocations of liabilities, payment obligations and other obligations between us and Agricultural Solutions. There can be no assurance that any remedies available under these arrangements will be sufficient to us in the event of a dispute or non-performance.
In addition, there can be no assurance that the attention we must pay, and resources we must devote, to our obligations under one or more of these agreements, or the results of any failure to perform those obligations, or claim by Agricultural Solutions that we have failed to perform those obligations, will not have a material impact on our own business performance. Under the separation agreement, Agricultural Solutions will agree to indemnify us for certain liabilities. However, third parties could seek to hold us responsible for such liabilities and there can be no assurance that the indemnity from Agricultural Solutions will be sufficient to


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fully protect us from such liabilities. The transition services agreement will provide for the performance by us of certain services for Agricultural Solutions, through and following the Proposed Separation. We will rely on Agricultural Solutions to satisfy its performance and payment obligations under these and all other agreements entered into in connection with the Proposed Separation. Agricultural Solutions' failure to satisfy such obligations may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.
The tax treatment of the Proposed Separation remains uncertain.
The tax treatment of the Proposed Separation will depend on several factors, including the settlement of inter-company balances, restructuring of outstanding debt, and the value of the Agricultural Solutions business at the time of the Proposed Separation for U.S. federal income tax and financial statement purposes.  Preliminary tax analysis indicates that it is likely that the Proposed Separation will be a taxable event. However, pending resolution of these factors, conclusion on the tax treatment of the Proposed Separation, including whether this transaction will result in any tax liabilities, remains uncertain. Further, an analysis of the impact of the recently passed TCJA as it relates to the Proposed Separation is ongoing. As described below, the TCJA significantly reforms the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and tax consequences for our business and contemplated transactions also remain uncertain.
Risks Relating to our Business
Acquisitions are an important part of our growth strategy.
Part of our key strategy is to grow through acquisitions. We have completed several acquisitions in the past and routinely review additional opportunities. This strategy presents certain risks including, without limitation, the potential for:
increasing debt levels to fund sizable acquisitions, resulting in additional liabilities, constraints and requirements on our business and financial performance;
the acquired businesses failing to provide, or delays in realizing, the benefits originally anticipated by management;
potential disruption of our businesses, tax costs or inefficiencies, inconsistencies or deficiencies in standards, controls (including internal control over financial reporting, environmental compliance and health and safety compliance), information technology systems, procedures and policies;
difficulties managing tax costs or inefficiencies associated with integrating our operations following completion of acquisitions;
difficulties in integrating the operations and systems of the acquired businesses and in realizing operating synergies by identifying and eliminating redundant operations and assets;
difficulties managing tax costs or inefficiencies associated with integrating our operations following completion of the acquisitions;
difficulties in assimilating and retaining key employees, customers, suppliers and other partners of the acquired companies;
challenges related to the lack of experience in operating in the geographical or product markets of the acquired business;
management’s attention being diverted to the integration of the acquired businesses or acceptance of the acquired technology;
rising interest rates on debt needed or dilution resulting from equity issuances to provide cash to fund the purchase price of acquisitions; and
unanticipated contract or regulatory issues and the assumption of, and exposure to, unknown or contingent liabilities of the acquired businesses.
If an acquisition is not successfully completed or integrated into our existing operations or does not result in the benefits we expect, as a result of the factors mentioned above or otherwise, our business, financial condition or results of operations may be adversely affected. In addition, failure to integrate successfully or realize the anticipated business opportunities and growth prospects from our acquisitions, including the Acquisitions, could result in unanticipated expenses and losses and may require significant financial resources that would otherwise be available for the ongoing development or expansion of our existing operations. Accordingly, in connection with any acquisition, there can be no assurance as to whether or when any benefits or cost synergies we hope to achieve will occur, or the extent to which they actually will be achieved. Finally, future business acquisitions or other material strategic initiatives, including, without limitation, the Proposed Separation, could compound the difficulty in making comparisons between prior, current and future periods because these events, which are not made in ordinary course of business, also affect our gross profit margins and our overall operating results.


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Our substantial indebtedness may adversely affect our cash flow and our ability to operate our business and fulfill our obligations under our outstanding debt.
Our substantial indebtedness could have important consequences. As ofAt December 31, 2016,2017, our total indebtedness was approximately $5.24$5.48 billion. Such substantial indebtedness could:could have the following material consequences:
require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to payments on our indebtedness, thereby reducing the availability of our cash flow to fund acquisitions, working capital, capital expenditures, dividends, research and development efforts and other general corporate purposes;
increase the amount of our interest expense, because our borrowings include instruments with variable rates of interest, which, if interest rates increase, would result in higher interest expense;
increase our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions;
limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we operate;
limit our ability to make strategic acquisitions, introduce new technologies or exploit business opportunities;



place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that have less indebtedness; and
limit, among other things, our ability to borrow additional funds.
In addition, our Credit Facilities and other agreements governing our outstanding debt contain covenants that restrict, among other things, our ability to incur additional debt, grant liens, pay cash dividends, enter new lines of business, repurchase our shares of common stock, make certain investments and engage in certain merger, consolidation or asset sale transactions. These restrictions could limit our ability to plan for or react to market conditions, meet extraordinary capital needs or otherwise take actions that we believe are in the best interest of our business. In addition, the terms of our Credit Facilities and these agreements allow us to issue and incur additional debt but only upon satisfaction of certain conditions. We anticipate that any future acquisitions we pursue as part of our growth strategy may be financed through a combination of cash on hand, operating cash flow, availability under our Credit Facilities and new capital markets offerings. If new debt is added to current debt levels, the related risks described above could increase.
Our ability to satisfy our debt obligations and to fund any planned capital expenditures, dividends and other cash needs also depends in part upon the future financial and operating performance of our subsidiaries and upon our ability to renew or refinance borrowings. Prevailing economic conditions and financial, business, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other factors, many of which beyond our control, will affect our ability to make these payments. If we are unable to make payments or refinance our debt, obtain waivers or new financing, or if holders of indebtedness elect to declare all borrowed funds due and/or to terminate their commitments for future funding, those holders could exercise their rights, including assuming control over our deposit accounts and/or commencing foreclosure proceedings against our assets, and we could be forced into bankruptcy or liquidation.
We may need to record a significantA change in our estimates and underlying assumptions regarding the future performance of our businesses could result in an impairment charge, to earnings if our goodwill or other intangible assets arising from acquisitions become impaired, which could materially adversely affect our net income.results of operations.
In accordance with GAAP, we account for our acquisitions using the purchase method of accounting and, historically, the Acquisitions have resulted in significant goodwill and other intangible assets being recognized in our Consolidated Financial Statements. In the future, these assets may become impaired, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. We are required under GAAP to review our amortizable intangible assets for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. Goodwillrecoverable, and are also required to conduct impairment tests on goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets are required to be tested for impairment annually or more frequently, if facts and circumstances warrant a review. Factors that may be considered a change in circumstances, indicatingindicate that the carrying value of our amortizable intangible assets may not be recoverable include a decline in stock price and market capitalization or slower or declining growth rates in our industry.that an other-than-temporary impairment exists. Other than the goodwill impairmentimpairments we recorded in the Agro Business reporting unit within our Agricultural Solutions segment in 2017 and the Offshore businessSolutions reporting unit within our Performance Solutions segment in 2016, there waswere no impairmentimpairments of goodwill or other intangible assets in 2017, 2016 2015 or 2014. However, in 2016, 20152015. In 2017, however, our Graphics Solutions and 2014, some of ourOffshore Solutions reporting units andwithin our Performance Solutions segment, as well as other indefinite-lived intangible assets, each had fair values that were not substantially in excess of their respective carrying values. Any requirement to record a charge to earningschanges in our financial statements duringestimates or underlying assumptions regarding the period in which any impairmentfuture performance of our indefinite-livedbusinesses could adversely affect our results of operations. Factors that could result in an impairment include, but are not limited to significant negative economic or amortizable intangibleindustry trends or competitive operating conditions; significant macroeconomic conditions that may result in a future increase in the weighted-average cost of capital used to estimate fair value; and significant changes in the nature and timing of decisions regarding assets occursor markets that do not perform consistently with our expectations, including factors we use to estimate future levels of sales, Adjusted EBITDA or cash flows. Future impairment charges, if any, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations in the periods recognized.


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We are exposed to fluctuations in currency exchange rates, which may adversely affect our operating results and may significantly affect the comparability of our results between financial periods.
We have significant operations outside the United States, the financial results of which are maintained in the local currency and then translated in U.S. dollars at applicable exchange rates for inclusion in our consolidated financial statements. The exchange rates between these currencies and the U.S. dollar have fluctuated and will likely continue to do so in the future. Changes in exchange rates between these local currencies and the U.S. dollar will affect the recorded levels of sales, profitability, assets or liabilities. In addition, translated U.S. dollar amounts reflected in our financial statements may obscure underlying financial trends that would be apparent in financial statements prepared on a constant currency basis or affect the comparability of our results between financial periods. In addition, as a result of our international operations, our business and financing arrangements are conducted in a variety of currencies resulting in transactional currency risk. Although we may employ at times a variety of techniques to mitigate the impact of exchange rate fluctuations, including a limited number of foreign currency hedging activities, we cannot guarantee that such risk management strategies will be effective, and our financial condition, or results of operations could be adversely impacted.
In addition, the June 2016 national referendum in the United Kingdom, commonly referred to as "Brexit," whereby a majority of voters elected to withdraw the United Kingdom from the E.U. caused further volatility in global stock markets and currency exchange rate fluctuations that resulted in the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against foreign currencies. The strengthening of the U.S. dollar may adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations, and expose us to gains and losses on non-U.S. currency transactions. Further, a potential devaluation of the local currencies of our customers relative to the U.S. dollar could impair their purchasing power and cause them to decrease or cancel orders or default on payment. This volatility in foreign currencies is expected to continue as the United Kingdom negotiates and executes its exit from the E.U. but it is uncertain over what time period this will occur. Any of these effects of Brexit, among others, could adversely affect our business, financial condition, or results of operations.
The failure to attract and retain key personnel, including our executive officers, or effectively manage succession, could have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
Our business involves complex operations and therefore demands a leadership team and employee workforce that is knowledgeable and expert in many areas necessary for our operations. The failure to attract and retain key personnel, or effectively manage succession, could have an adverse material impact on our result of operations. In addition, we are highly dependent on the experience and track records of our management, particularly Martin E. Franklin and Rakesh Sachdev, in successfully acquiring and managing businesses. If one or more of our executive officers were to cease to be employed by us, or if we were unable to replace them in a timely manner, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be adversely affected.
In addition, as a company focused on manufacturing and highly technical customer service, we rely on our ability to attract and retain skilled employees, including our specialized research and development, and sales and service personnel, in order to maintain our efficient production processes, drive innovation in our product offerings and maintain our deep customer relationships. The departure of a significant number of our highly skilled employees, or of one or more employees who hold key management positions, could have an adverse impact on our operations, including customers choosing to follow an employee or manager to one of our competitors.



If we fail to establish and maintain adequate internal controls over financial reporting, we may not be able to report our financial results in a timely and reliable manner, which could harm our business and impact the value of our securities.
We are required by the SEC to establish and maintain adequate internal control over financial reporting that provides reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of our financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP. We are likewise required, on a quarterly basis, to evaluate the effectiveness of our internal controls and to disclose any material changes and material weaknesses in those internal controls.
As discussed in this 20162017 Annual Report in Part II, Item 9A, we have identified material weaknesses in the past and, as of December 31, 2017, a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting and asrelated to the accounting for income taxes had not been fully remediated. As a result, we have concluded, based on management's assessment, that our internal control and procedures were ineffective as ofat December 31, 2016.2017 as it relates to the accounting for income taxes. Effective internal controls are necessary for us to provide reliable and timely financial reports and to effectively prevent fraud. If we cannot provide reliable financial reports and effectively prevent fraud, our reputation and operating results could be harmed. Likewise, if our financial statements are not filed on a timely basis as required by the SEC and the NYSE, we could face severe consequences from those authorities. Inferior internal controls could also cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, which could affect our stock price.


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Even effective internal controls have 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. In addition, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting in future periods are subject to the risk that the control may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or a deterioration in the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures.
Finally, our business strategy contemplates the acquisition of businesses and the operation of subsidiaries whose financial results are consolidated into our financial statements and operating reporting. Effective internal control over financial reporting must be established and maintained in connection with these acquisitions, if any, in order for us to produce accurate and timely financial reports. Failure to do so could result in our inability to report our financial results accurately and on a timely basis, and possibly lead to other deficiencies, which would also likely have a negative impact on our stock price.
We have identified material weaknesses in the past and we have a remaining material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting which, if not remediated, could affect the accuracy and timeliness of our financial reporting and result in misstatements in our financial statements.
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over our financial reporting, as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act. InAs previously reported, we have identified material weaknesses in the past and in connection with its evaluation related to this 20162017 Annual Report, our management has performed an evaluation ofconcluded that our internal control over financial reporting and concluded that our internal control and procedures were ineffective as of December 31, 2016 as a result of our lack of sufficient personnel with an appropriate level of accounting knowledge, experience and training commensurate with our financial reporting requirements, which resulted in material weaknesses relating to:
it relates to the accounting for acquired businesses;
the completeness, existence and accuracy related to the accounting of income taxes; and
the financial close process for the Agricultural Solutions segment to ensure the timely and complete reconciliation of accounts for the CAS and Agriphar businesses, which are part of the Agricultural Solutions segment.incomes taxes was ineffective at December 31, 2017.
A material weakness is defined as a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal controls over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.
As previously reported and discussed in this 20162017 Annual Report in Part II, Item 9A, we have taken, and continue to take, numerous steps to remediate thesethis material weaknessesweakness and improve our internal controls over financial reporting. However, there can be no assurance that the measures we have taken to date, and are continuing to take, will be sufficient to remediate thesethis material weaknessesweakness or avoid potential future material weaknesses. If our remedial measures are insufficient to address thesethis material weaknesses,weakness, or if additional material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in our internal controls are discovered or occur in the future, or if we are not able to comply with the requirements of Section 404 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 in a timely manner, our financial statements for one or more periods may contain material misstatements and we could be required to restate previously issued financial statements for past periods, which may have a material adverse effect on our stock price and our ability to access capital and lending markets.



Our substantial international operations subject us to risks not faced by domestic competitors.
Sales fromOur business involves significant international markets represent a significant portion of our net sales. Accordingly, our business isoperations which, accordingly, subject us to increasing risks related to the different legal, political, social and regulatory requirements and economic conditions of many foreign jurisdictions. Risks inherent to our international operations include the following:
fluctuations in currency values and foreign currency exchange rates;
increased credit risk and different financial conditions, which may necessitate longer payment cycles of accounts receivable or result in increased bad debt write-offs (including due to bankruptcy) or additions to reserves;
additional withholding taxes or other taxes on foreign income, tariffs, duties, export controls, import restrictions or other restrictions on foreign trade or investment, including currency exchange controls;
foreign exchange controls or other currency restrictions and limitation on the movement of funds, including the prohibition of the repatriation of funds into the United States, which may result in adverse tax consequences and tax inefficiencies;
export licenses may be difficult to obtain, and the transportation of our products may be delayed or interrupted;
general economic and political conditions in the countries in which we operate, including devaluation or fluctuations in the value of currencies, gross domestic product, interest rates, market demand, labor costs and other factors beyond our control;
unexpected adverse changes in foreign laws or foreign regulatory requirements, including in laws or regulatory requirements pertaining to employee benefits, the environment and health and safety;safety, such as China's latest environmental crackdown;
protectionist policies, which may restrict or impair the manufacturing, sales or import and export of our products;
new restrictions on access to markets, such as adverse trade policies or trade barriers;


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a lack of or inadequate infrastructure;
natural disasters or otherpolitical crises;
uncertainties as to the enforceability of contract rights and reduced protection of intellectual property rights in some countries;
expropriation of assets or forced relocations of operations;
inflation and hyperinflationary economic conditions and adverse economic effects resulting from governmental attempts to control inflation, such as imposition of wage and price controls and higher interest rates;
business cultures accepting of various levels of corruption;
the requirement to comply with a wide variety of foreign and U.S. laws and regulations that apply to international operations, including, without limitation, economic sanctions regulations, labor laws, import and export regulations, anti-corruption and anti-bribery laws;
challenges in maintaining an effective internal control environment with operations in multiple international locations, including language and cultural differences, varying levels of GAAP expertise and internal control over financial reporting in international locations and multiple financial information systems;
difficulties managing and administering an internationally dispersed business, as the management of our personnel across many countries can present legal, logistical and managerial challenges; and
labor disruptions, civil unrest, significant social, political or economic instability, wars or other armed conflict or acts of terrorism.
Should anyAny of these risks occur,could impact our ability to manufacture, source, sell or export our products or repatriate profits could be impaired.profits. We could also experience a loss of sales and profitability from our international operations, and/or a substantial impairment or loss of assets, any of which could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
In addition, we have been taking steps to increase our presence in new markets, including emerging markets and less developed countries. However, there is no guarantee that our efforts to expand sales in these markets will succeed. In these markets, we are subject to a variety of risks in addition to those described above, including global financial instability, consumers with limited or fluctuating discretionary spending, unstable governments and privatization, changes in customs or tax regimes or other government actions affecting the flow of goods and currency. Any of these risks could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.
Furthermore, some of our international operations are conducted in parts of the world that experience corruption to some degree. Although we have policies and procedures in place that are designed to promote legal and regulatory compliance (including with respect to the FCPA and the Bribery Act as further described below), our employees, suppliers, distributors and wholesalers could take actions in contravention of our policies and procedures that violate applicable anti-corruption laws or regulations. Violations of these laws, or allegations of such violations, could have a material adverse affecteffect on our reputation, or our business, financial condition, or results of operations.



The withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the E.U. may have a negative effect on global economic conditions, financial markets and our business.
We are a multinational company with worldwide operations, including significant business operations in Europe. Subsequent to Brexit, in February 2017, the British Parliament voted in favor of allowing the British government to begin negotiating the terms of the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the E.U. and in March 2017, the British government officially triggered the process to formally initiate negotiations for the terms of separation from the E. U. by April 2019. In June 2016, a majority of voters in2017, the British government began negotiations to leave the E. U. This will be either accompanied or followed by additional negotiations between the EU and the United Kingdom elected to withdraw fromconcerning the E.U. in a national referendum, commonly referred to as "Brexit." The referendum was advisory, andfuture relations between the parties, including the terms of anytrade between the parties. While the ultimate effect of Brexit are difficult to predict, the withdrawal are subject to a negotiation period that could last at least two years after the government of the United Kingdom formally initiates a withdrawal process. Nevertheless, the referendumprocess has created significant uncertainty about the future relationship between the United Kingdom and the E.U., and has given rise to calls for certain regions within the United Kingdom to preserve their place in the E.U. by separating from the United Kingdom as well as for the governments of other E.U. member states to consider withdrawal.
These developments, or the perception that any of them could occur, have had and may continue to have a material adverse effect on global economic conditions and the stability of global financial markets, and could significantly reduce global market liquidity and restrict the ability of key market participants to operate in certain financial markets. Asset valuations, currency exchange rates and credit ratings may be especially subject to increased market volatility. Lack of clarity about future United Kingdom laws and regulations as the United Kingdom determines which E.U. laws to replace or replicate in the event of a withdrawal, including


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financial laws and regulations, tax and free trade agreements, intellectual property rights, supply chain logistics, environmental, health and safety laws and regulations, immigration laws and employment laws, could decrease foreign direct investment in the United Kingdom, increase costs, depress economic activity and restrict our access to capital. If the United Kingdom and the E.U. are unable to negotiate acceptable withdrawal terms or if other E.U. member states pursue withdrawal, barrier-free access between the United Kingdom and other E.U. member states, or among the European economic area overall, could be diminished or eliminated. Any of these factors could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
We are exposed to fluctuations in currency exchange rates, which may adversely affect our operating results and may significantly affect the comparability of our results between financial periods.
We have significant operations outside the United States, the financial results of which are maintained in the local currency and then translated in U.S. Dollars at applicable exchange rates for inclusion in our consolidated financial statements. The exchange rates between these currencies and the U.S. Dollar have fluctuated and will continue to do so in the future. Changes in exchange rates between these local currencies and the U.S. Dollar will affect the recorded levels of sales, profitability, assets or liabilities. In addition, translated U.S. Dollar amounts reflected in our financial statements may obscure underlying financial trends that would be apparent in financial statements prepared on a constant currency basis or affect the comparability of our results between financial periods. Although we employ a variety of techniques to mitigate the impact of exchange rate fluctuations, including a limited number of foreign currency hedging activities, we cannot guarantee that such risk management strategies will be effective, and our financial condition, or results of operations could be adversely impacted.
In addition, the announcement of Brexit caused further volatility in global stock markets and currency exchange rate fluctuations that resulted in the strengthening of the U.S. Dollar against foreign currencies. The strengthening of the U.S. Dollar may adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations, and expose us to gains and losses on non-U.S. currency transactions. Further, a potential devaluation of the local currencies of our customers relative to the U.S. Dollar could impair their purchasing power and cause them to decrease or cancel orders or default on payment. This volatility in foreign currencies is expected to continue as the United Kingdom negotiates and executes its exit from the E.U. but it is uncertain over what time period this will occur. Any of these effects of Brexit, among others, could adversely affect our business, financial condition, or results of operations.
We have made investments in, and are expanding our business into, emerging markets and BioSolutions,less-developed countries, which exposes us to certain additional risks.
We have been taking steps to increase our presence in emerging markets.markets and less developed countries. However, there is no guarantee that our efforts to expand sales in emergingthese markets will succeed. In these markets, we may beare subject to a variety of additional risks including economies that may be dependent on only a few products (and therefore subject to significant fluctuations),global financial instability, consumers with limited or fluctuating discretionary spending on which the end users of our products depend, weak legal systems which may affect our ability to enforce our intellectual property and contractual rights, exchange controls, unstable governments and privatization, changes in customs or tax regimes, or other government actions affecting the flow of goods and currency. Accordingly, changes in any of those areas may have significant negative impacts on our business, financial condition, or results of operations.
In addition, our investments Other risks inherent in BioSolutions are riskyoperations in emerging markets include, for example, unpredictable changes in relative prices and may not be profitable. While certain BioSolutions products have beenrates of economic growth; currency exchange fluctuations; unpredictable tax policies and trade regulations; restrictions on repatriation of cash and other exchange controls; less developed and less reliable judicial and administrative systems, which can render contractual rights unenforceable; the imposition of trade sanctions, resulting in lost access to customers and suppliers in the market for years, BioSolutions as a whole is a newtargeted countries; increased prevalence of bribery and evolving area without a history againstother forms of corruption, and the costs associated with implementing and maintaining effective compliance programs; labor strikes; unsettled political, social, or economic conditions; public health issues or epidemics; war, terrorist activities, or other armed conflict; any of which to measure growth and without an established presence in most markets. BioSolutions products work most effectively when used in combination with agrochemicals and have been used as standalone applications in areas of low pest pressure. The demand for BioSolutions



products is increasingly driven by the desire to increase agricultural yield and quality, coupled with heightened public concern relating to residue on crops for human consumption and feed for animals, as well as public demand for new and innovative ways to address crop risks. As with any growing, evolving industry, there is a risk that adoption will not be as robust as we expect. In such circumstances, we may not achieve the anticipated level of returns on our investment in BioSolutions, which could materially adversely affect our reputation,business, financial condition or results of operations.
Adverse weather conditions, including those resulting from climate change and natural disasters, as well as seasonality, may negatively impact the operations and operating results of our Agricultural Solutions business.
Sales volumes for agrochemical products are subject to the sector’s dependency on weather and disease and pest infestation conditions. Adverse weather conditions and natural disasters such as drought and floods in a particular region, storms, hurricanes, tsunamis, hail, tornadoes, freezing conditions or extreme heat could have a material adverse effect on our Agricultural Solutions business. The agricultural industry, including our Agricultural Solutions business, may also be adversely affected by global climate change and its impact on weather conditions such as changes in precipitation patterns and the increased frequency of extreme weather events.
In addition, unfavorable weather conditions and natural disasters can reduce acreage planted, lead to modified crop selection by growers, and affect the incidence (or timing) of certain weeds, crop diseases or pest infestations, each of which may reduce or otherwise alter demand for our products and adversely affect our business and results of operations. Weather conditions and natural disasters also affect decisions of our distributors, direct customers, and end-users about the types and amounts of products to purchase and the timing of use of such products. Delays by growers in planting or harvesting can result in deferral of orders to a future quarter, or decisions to forgo orders altogether in a particular growing season, either of which would negatively affect our sales. Climatic and weather conditions and other variables that are difficult to forecast can lead to changes in planting and growing seasons with the result that sales of our products may vary substantially from year to year and quarter to quarter and from our internal forecasts.
In addition, our agrochemical operations are seasonal, with a greater portion of total net revenue and Adjusted EBITDA occurring in the second and fourth quarters. As a result, any factors that would negatively affect our second and fourth quarter results in any year, including severe weather conditions and natural disasters, could affect decisions by our customers and end-users about the types and amounts of agrochemicals and BioSolutions products to purchase and the timing of use of such products, which in turn could have an adverse impact on the results of operations, financial condition and results of operations of our Agricultural Solutions business for the entire year.
Volatility and increases in the price of raw materials, energy and transportation could harm our profits.
We use a variety of specialty and commodity chemicals in our formulation processes, and such formulation operations depend upon obtaining adequate supplies of raw materials on a timely basis. We typically purchase our major raw materials on a contract or as needed basis from outside sources. The availability and prices of raw materials may be subject to curtailment or change due to, among other things, the financial stability of our suppliers, suppliers’ allocations to other purchasers, interruptions in production by suppliers, new laws or regulations (for example, increasingly restrictive environmental regulations applicable to manufacturers


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in China), protectionist nationalistic trade policies and practices, changes in exchange rates and worldwide price levels (especially for raw materials derived from petrochemical based and element based feedstocks). In some cases, we are limited in our ability to purchase certain raw materials from other suppliers by our supply agreements which contain certain minimum purchase requirements.
Similarly, commodities and energy prices are subject to significant volatility caused by market fluctuations, supply and demand, currency fluctuations, production and transportation disruptions, and other world events. As we source many of our raw materials globally to help ensure quality control, if the cost of energy, shipping or transportation increases and we are unable to pass along those costs to our customers, our profit margins would be adversely impacted. Furthermore, increasing our prices to our customers could result in long-term sales declines or loss of market share if our customers find alternative suppliers or choose to reformulate their consumer products to use fewer ingredients, which could have an adverse long-term impact on our results of operations.
Our reliance on a limited base of key customers, contract manufacturers, suppliers or independent distributors could adversely affect our overall sales and profitability.
In our Performance Solutions segment, we have key customers, the loss of which may impair our results of operations for the affected earnings periods. The principal products purchased by such customers are surface finishing chemicals and solid sheet printing elements. In addition, in our Agricultural Solutions segment, we rely on unaffiliated contract manufacturers, both domestically and internationally, to produce certain products or key components of products. There is limited available manufacturing capacity that meets our quality standards and regulatory requirements. If we are unable to arrange for sufficient production capacity among our contract manufacturers or if our contract manufacturers encounter production, quality, financial, or other difficulties (including labor or geopolitical disturbances), we may encounter difficulty in meeting customer demands as the manufacture of our products may not be easily transferable to other sites. In addition, many of our products are developed or distributed through strategic partnerships. Some of our existing formulated products and others currently under development include combinations of proprietary AIs or combinations of AIs with proprietary safeners or adjuvants. Some of these proprietary AIs, safeners, and adjuvants are owned by third-parties, and the development and commercialization of such products are carried out through contractual strategic arrangements with such third-parties. We may also be dependent on a limited number of key suppliers for AIs. In addition, we generally do not have long-term supply contracts with AI suppliers for our regional portfolio. If our sources of AI supplies are terminated or affected by adverse prices or other concerns, we may not be able to identify alternate sources of AI supplies to sustain our sales volumes on commercially reasonable terms, or at all.
We also rely on independent distributors within each segment to distribute our products and to assist us with the marketing and sale of certain of our products. There can be no assurance that our distributors will focus adequate resources on selling our products to end users, or will be successful in selling our products, which could materially adversely affect our business.
If we are unable to protect our intellectual property rights, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be adversely affected.
Our success depends to a significant degree upon our ability to protect and preserve our intellectual property rights and the rights to our proprietary processes, methods, compounds and other technology. Failure to protect our existing intellectual property rights may result in the loss of valuable technologies and our competitors offering similar products, potentially resulting in the loss of one or more competitive advances and decreased sales. In addition, the laws of other countries may not protect our intellectual property rights to the same extent as the laws of the United States. In addition, a vigorous prosecution of an infringement claim is not always cost effective or practical.
In some cases, we rely upon unpatented proprietary manufacturing expertise, continuing technological innovation and other trade secrets to develop and maintain our competitive position. While we generally enter into confidentiality agreements with our employees and third-parties to protect our intellectual property, our confidentiality agreements could be breached and may not



provide meaningful protection for or adequate remedies to protect our trade secrets or proprietary manufacturing expertise in the event of unauthorized use or disclosure of information.
Despite efforts to protect our proprietary rights, existing trade secret, copyright, patent and trademark laws afford us only limited protection. Others may attempt to copy or re-engineer aspects of our products or obtain and use information that we regard as proprietary. Accordingly, we may not be able to prevent misappropriation of our products or trade secrets, or deter others from developing similar products. Further, monitoring the unauthorized use of our products and other proprietary rights is difficult. Litigation may be necessary to enforce our intellectual property rights or to determine the validity and scope of the proprietary rights of others. Litigation of this type could also result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and could significantly harm our results of operations and reputation.


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We may experience claims that our products infringe the intellectual property rights of others, which may cause us to incur unexpected costs or prevent us from selling our products.
We seek to improve our business processes and develop new products and applications. Many of our competitors have a substantial amount of intellectual property that we must continually monitor to avoid infringement. We may experience claims that our processes and products infringe issued patents (whether present or future) or other intellectual property rights belonging to others. From time to time, we oppose patent applications that we consider overbroad or otherwise invalid in order to maintain the ability to operate freely in our various business lines without the risk of being sued for patent infringement. If, however, patents are subsequently issued on any such applications by other parties, or if patents belonging to others already exist that cover our products, processes or technologies, we could experience claims of infringement or have to take other remedial or curative actions to continue our production and sales activities with respect to one or more products. Further, intellectual property litigation is expensive and time-consuming, regardless of the merits of any claim, and could divert our management’s attention from operating our business.
In addition, many of our products directly or indirectly are offered as presenting critical performance attributes, which expose us to a greater risk of product liability claims. If a person were to bring a product liability suit against one of our customers, that customer may in turn attempt to seek damage compensation from us. A person may also bring a product liability claim directly against us. A successful product liability claim or series of claims against us in excess of our insurance coverage for payments could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations. While we endeavor to protect ourselves from such claims and exposures in our contractual negotiations (including through indemnification provisions), we cannot assure you that our efforts in this regard will ultimately protect us from any such claims.
If we experience a significant disruption in our information technology systems or if we fail to implement new systems and software successfully, our business operations could be adversely affected.
We depend on information technology systems throughout the Company to control our manufacturing processes, process orders, manage inventory, process and bill shipments to and collect cash from our customers, respond to customer inquiries, contribute to our overall internal control processes, maintain records of our property, plant and equipment and record and pay amounts due to vendors and other creditors. As a part of our ongoing effort to consolidate our businesses, weWe are or will be implementing new enterprise resource planning software for our Agricultural Solutions segment and other software applications to manage certain business operations.operations going forward. As we upgrade or change systems, we may suffer interruptions in service, loss of data or reduced functionality and other problems could arise that we have not foreseen. Such problems could adversely impact our ability to provide quotes, take customer orders and otherwise run our business in a timely manner. In addition, if our new systems fail to provide accurate and increased visibility into pricing and cost structures, it may be difficult to improve or maximize our profit margins. As a result, our results of operations could be adversely affected.
Our business operations and internal control processes could also be disrupted if our information technology systems fail to perform adequately. The efficient operation of our business depends on our information technology systems, some of which are managed by third-party service providers. The failure of our information technology systems to perform as we anticipate could disrupt our business and could result in transaction errors, processing inefficiencies, and the loss of sales and customers, causing our business, financial condition and results of operations to suffer.
DataChanges in data privacy and data security considerationsprotection laws and regulations, or any failure to comply with such laws and regulations, could adversely impact our business.
Our business operations.
is subject to a wide variety of laws and regulations in the U.S. and internationally designed to protect the privacy of clients, customers, employees and other third parties. The interpretation and application of data protectionsuch laws in the U.S., Europe and elsewhere areregulations is uncertain and evolving. Itevolving and it is possible that these laws may be interpreted and applied in a manner that is inconsistent with our data practices. For example, the E.U. General Data Protection Regulation, or GDPR, which will take effect in May 2018, creates a range of new compliance obligations and increases financial penalties for non-compliance and extends the scope of the E.U. data protection law to all companies processing data of E.U. residents, regardless of the company’s location. Complying with these variousthe GDPR and other privacy and data protection laws is difficult and could cause us to incur substantial costs or require us to change our business practices in a manner adverse to our business.



In addition, if we fail to comply with these laws or regulations, we could be subject to significant litigation, monetary damages, regulatory enforcement actions or fines in one or more jurisdictions.
Despite our efforts to protect sensitive information and confidential and personal data and to comply with and implement data security measures, our facilities and systems may be vulnerable to security breaches and other data loss, including cyber-attacks. In addition, it is not possible to predict the impact on our business of the future loss, alteration or misappropriation of information in our possession related to us, our employees, former employees, customers or suppliers. Depending on their nature and scope, these threats could potentially lead to improper use of our systems and networks, manipulation and destruction of proprietary or


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key data or product non-compliance. Breaches of our security measures or the accidental loss, inadvertent disclosure, or unapproved dissemination of proprietary information or sensitive or confidential information about the Company, our employees, former employees, customers or suppliers could result in legal claims or proceedings, damage to or inaccessibility of critical systems, manufacture of defective products, production downtimes, operational disruptions and other significant costs, which could adversely affect our reputation, financial condition and results of operations.
Our net sales and gross profit have varied depending on our product, customer and geographic mix for any given period, which makes it difficult to forecast future operating results.
Our net sales and gross profit vary among our products, customers and markets, and therefore may be different in future periods from historic or current periods. Overall gross profit margins in any given period are dependent in large part on the product, customer and geographic mix reflected in that period’s net sales. Market trends, competitive pressures, commoditization of products, increased component or shipping costs, regulatory conditions, severe or adverse weather and other factors may also result in reductions in revenue or pressure on the gross profit margins of certain segments in a given period.
The varying nature of our product, customer and geographic mix between periods, including the historically seasonable nature of our agrochemical operations, has materially impacted our net sales and gross profit between periods during certain recessionary times and may lead to difficulties in measuring the potential impact of market, regulatory and other factors on our business. As a result, we may be challenged in our ability to forecast our future operating results.
Further, potential future business acquisitions can compound the difficulty in making comparisons between prior, current and future periods because acquisitions, which are not ordinary course events, also affect our gross profit margins and our overall operating results.
Adverse weather conditions, as well as seasonality, may cause fluctuations in the revenue and operating results of our Agricultural Solutions business.
Sales volumes for agrochemical products, like all agricultural products, are subject to the sector’s dependency on weather and disease and pest infestation conditions. Adverse weather conditions and natural disasters such as storms, hurricanes, tsunamis, hail, tornadoes, freezing conditions, extreme heat, drought and floods in a particular region could have a material adverse effect on our Agricultural Solutions business. The agricultural industry, including our Agricultural Solutions business, may also be adversely affected by global climate change and its impact on weather conditions such as changes in precipitation patterns and the increased frequency of extreme weather events.
In addition, our agrochemical operations are seasonal, with a greater portion of total net revenue and operating income occurring in the second and fourth quarters. As a result of seasonality, any factors that would negatively affect our second and fourth quarter results in any year, including severe weather conditions and natural disasters that affect decisions by our customers and end-users about the types and amounts of agrochemicals and BioSolutions products to purchase and the timing of use of such products, could have an adverse impact on the results of operations, financial condition and results of operations of our Agricultural Solutions business for the entire year.
Global economic conditions may adversely affect our net sales, gross profit and financial condition and result in delays or reductions in our spending, which could have a material adverse effect on us.
Our products are sold in industries that are sensitive to changes in general economic conditions, including agricultural, animal health, electronics, graphic arts,graphics, plating, and offshore oil and gas production and drilling industries. Accordingly, our net sales, gross profit and financial condition depend significantly on general economic conditions and the demand for our products and services in the markets in which we compete. In particular, weak economic conditions in parts of China and South America may have an adverse effect on our results. A delay or a reduction in customer spending due to an economic downturn would reduce demand for our products and services and, consequently, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations.



Industry and consumer trends may cause significant fluctuations in our results of operations and have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.
We believe that the specialty chemical industry in general, and the printing industry in particular, are cyclical and subject to constant and rapid technological change, product obsolescence, price erosion, evolving standards, short product lifecycles, raw material price fluctuations and changes in product supply and demand. The specialty chemical industry is currently being affected by globalization and a shift in customers’ businesses while the printing industry is currently shrinking. The trends and characteristics in these industries may cause significant fluctuations in our results of operations and have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.
Our specialty chemicals are used for a broad range of applications by our customers. Changes, including technological changes, in our customers’ products or processes may make our specialty chemicals unnecessary, which would reduce the demand for those chemicals. We have had, and may continue to have, customers that find alternative materials or processes and therefore no longer require our products, which had and may continue to have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. Similarly, demand for our products could be affected by consumer concerns regarding the health effects of ingredients as concerns continue to mount about food safety and genetically modified organisms or other product ingredients issues.
We face intenseThe high level of competition andin our failureindustries may lead to compete successfully may have an adverse effect onpricing pressure, reduced margins, or the inability of our net sales, gross profit and financial condition.products to achieve market acceptance.
We operate in intensely competitive markets that experience rapid technological developments, changes in industry standards, changes in customer requirements, and frequent new product introductions and improvements. We also encounter competition from numerous and varied competitors in all areas of our business. Many of our competitors have longer operating histories, significantly greater resources, greater brand recognition, and a larger base of customers than us in one or more of the markets in which we sell our products.do. As a result, such competitorsthey may be able to devote greater resources to the research and development, manufacturing, formulation, promotion, or sale of their products, receive greater resources and support from independent distributors, initiate or withstand substantial price competition, or more readily take advantage of acquisition or other opportunities. Further consolidationopportunities, and withstand adverse changes in conditions within ourthe relevant industry, the prices of raw materials and energy or othergeneral economic conditions, or changes in the competitive environment, such as the merger of E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company and The Dow Chemical Company, which


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could result in larger competitors that compete with us on several levels.competitors.
We compete primarily on the basis of quality, technology, performance, reliability, brand, reputation, range of products, and service and support. The competitive landscape for BioSolutions is less well-established than for agrochemicals because it is a newer and less mature area that remains in development. We compete with BioSolutions providers that have similar product claims and offer potential functional substitutes for our products. Customer education and corresponding demand creation is a critical element of competing within the BioSolutions sector. We expect our competitors to continue to develop and introduce new products and to enhance their existing products, which may cause a decline in market acceptance of our products. Our competitors may also improve their manufacturing processes or expand their manufacturing or formulation capacity, which could make it more difficult or expensive for us to compete successfully. In addition, our competitors could enter into exclusive arrangements with our existing or potential customers or suppliers, which could limit our ability or significantly increase costs, to acquire necessary raw materials or to generate sales.sales and/or significantly increase costs. At the same time, an increasing number of our products are coming off patent and are thus available to generic manufacturers to produce. As a result, we anticipate that we will continue to face new and different competitive challenges.
In addition, ourOur operating results are also influenced in part by our ability to introduce new products and services that offer distinct value to our customers.customers, particularly prior to our competitors' ability to introduce equivalent products. We seek to provide tailored products for our customers’ often unique problems, which require an ongoing level of innovation. Even where we devote significant human and financial resources to develop new technologically advanced products and services, we may not be successful in these efforts. If we are not able to continue technological innovation and successful commercial introduction of new products, our customers may turn to other producers to meet their requirements, whichrequirements. Furthermore, if our competitors are able to introduce equivalent products before we are able to bring new products to market, we may lose market shares to our competitors. Any of these factors may impact our business, financial condition, or results of operations. In addition, if we are unable to adapt to changes in market needs, our future ability to penetrate markets and sustain our market position could be adversely affected.
Chemical manufacturing is inherently hazardous and may result in accidents, which may disrupt our operations or expose us to significant losses or liabilities.
The hazards associated with chemical manufacturing and the related storage and transportation of raw materials, products and wastes are inherent in our operations.
Our research and development, manufacturing, formulating and packaging activities involve the use of hazardous materials and the generation of hazardous waste. We cannot eliminate the risk of accidental contamination, discharge or injury resulting from those materials. Also, our suppliers or contract manufacturers may use and/or generate hazardous materials in connection with



producing our products. We may be required to indemnify our suppliers, contract manufacturers or waste disposal contractors against damages and other liabilities arising out of the production, handling or storage of our products or raw materials or the disposal of related wastes. Potential risks include explosions and fires, chemical spills and other discharges or releases of toxic or hazardous substances or gases, and pipeline and storage tank leaks and ruptures. Those hazards may result in personal injury and loss of life, damage to property and contamination of the environment, which may result in a suspension of operations and the imposition of civil or criminal fines, penalties and other sanctions, cleanup costs, and claims by governmental entities or third-parties. We are dependent on the continued operation of our production facilities (including third-party manufacturing on a tolling basis), and the loss or shutdown of operations over an extended period could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, or results of operations.
Our operations currently use, and have historically used, hazardous materials and generate, and have historically generated, quantities of hazardous waste. For example, we are subject to regulatory oversight and investigation, remediation, and monitoring obligations at its current and former Superfund sites, as well as third-party disposal sites, under federal laws and their state and local analogues, including the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), as well as analogous foreign laws. In particular, we are subject to ongoing obligations at active sites in the United States and are conducting closure activities pursuant to the RCRA at several sites in the United States. The costs and liabilities associated with these issues may be substantial and may materially impact the financial health of our company.
We may incur material costs relating to environmental and health and safety requirements or liabilities, which could have a negative impact on our financial condition or results of operations.
We are subject to extensive federal, state, local and foreign environmental, health and safety laws and regulations concerning the environment and the generation, use, handling, storage, transportation, treatment and disposal of hazardous waste and other materials. Our operations bear the risk of violations of those laws and sanctions for violations such as clean-up and removal costs, long-term monitoring and maintenance costs, costs of waste disposal, fines for natural resource damage, and payments for property damage and personal injury. Additionally, those requirements, and enforcement of those requirements, may become more stringent in the future. The ultimate cost of compliance with any such requirements could be material. We have incurred, are incurring and will in the future incur, costs and capital expenditures in complying with environmental, health and safety laws and regulations.


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Although it is our policy to comply with such laws and regulations, it is possible that we have not been or may not be at all times in material compliance with all of those requirements.
At any given time, we may be involved in claims, litigation, administrative proceedings, settlements and investigations of various types in a number of jurisdictions involving potential environmental liabilities. In particular, we are currently involved in various investigations due to historic operations. Liability under some environmental laws relating to contaminated sites can be joint and several and imposed retroactively, regardless of fault or the legality of the activities that gave rise to the contamination. Some of our formulating and manufacturing facilities have an extended history of chemical formulating and manufacturing operations or other industrial activities, and contaminants have been detected at some of our sites and offsite disposal locations. Ultimate environmental costs are difficult to predict and may vary from current estimates and liabilities. The discovery of additional contaminants, the inability or failure of other liable parties to satisfy their obligations, the imposition of additional cleanup obligations, or the commencement of related third-party claims could result in significant additional costs.
Our offshore oil industry products are subject to the hazards inherent in the offshore oil production and drilling industry, and we may incur substantial liabilities or losses as a result of these hazards.
We produce water-based hydraulic control fluids for major oil companies and drilling contractors to be used for potentially hazardous offshore deep water production and drilling applications. Offshore deep water oil production and drilling are subject to hazards that include blowouts, explosions, fires, collisions, capsizing, sinking and damage or loss to pipeline, subsea or other facilities from severe weather conditions. Those hazards could result in personal injury and loss of life, severe damage to or destruction of property and equipment, pollution or environmental damage and suspension of operations. A catastrophic occurrence at a location where our products are used may expose us to substantial liability for personal injury, wrongful death, product liability or commercial claims. To the extent available, we maintain insurance coverage that we believe is customary in our industry. Such insurance does not, however, provide coverage for all liabilities, and we cannot assure you that our insurance coverage will be adequate to cover claims that may arise or that we will be able to maintain adequate insurance at rates we consider reasonable. The occurrence of a significant offshore deep water oil production or drilling event that results in liability to us that is not fully insured could have a material and adverse effect on our financial condition, or results of operations.



Certain of our products may be subject to various export control regulations and exports may require a license from the U.S. Department of State or the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Companies must comply with various laws and regulations relating to the export of products, services, and technology. In the United States, these laws include, among others, the U.S. Export Administration Regulations (EAR) administered by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), administered by the U.S. Department of State’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls. Some of our products or technology may have military or strategic applications governed by the ITAR or represent so-called “dual use” items governed by the EAR. As a result, these products may require government licenses to be exported to certain jurisdictions or persons. Any failure to comply with these laws and regulations could result in civil or criminal penalties, fines, investigations, adverse publicity and restrictions on our ability to export our products, which could result in a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations.
The recently passed comprehensive U.S. tax reform bill could adversely affect our business and financial condition.
On December 22, 2017, the TCJA, was signed into law. The TCJA significantly reforms the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The TCJA, among other things, contains significant changes to corporate taxation, including reduction of the corporate tax rate from a top marginal rate of 35% to a flat rate of 21%, limitation of the tax deduction for interest expense to 30% of adjusted earnings (except for certain small businesses), limitation of the deduction for net operating losses to 80% of current year taxable income and elimination of net operating loss carrybacks, one time taxation of offshore earnings at reduced rates regardless of whether they are repatriated, new taxes on certain foreign-sourced earnings, immediate deductions for certain new investments instead of deductions for depreciation expense over time, and modification or repeal of many business deductions and credits. We continue to examine the impact this tax reform legislation may have on our business. Notwithstanding the reduction in the corporate income tax rate, the overall impact of the TCJA is uncertain and our business and financial condition could be adversely affected. The impact of this tax reform on holders of our common stock is also uncertain and could be adverse. This 2017 Annual Report does not discuss the manner in which the TCJA might affect purchasers of our common stock. We urge stockholders and potential investors of our common stock to consult with their legal and tax advisors with respect to the TCJA and the potential tax consequences of investing in our common stock.


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Fluctuations in our tax obligations and effective tax rate may have a negative effect on our results of operations.
Our chemical products are manufactured and formulated, distributed or sold in more than 110100 countries and jurisdictions. As sucha result, we are subject to tax laws and regulations of various federal, state and local governments in the United States, as well as to tax laws and regulations outside of the United States.States, and to the continual examination of our income tax returns by the Internal Revenue Service and foreign tax authorities in those countries in which we operate. We record tax expense based on our estimates of future payments, which includeincludes reserves for uncertain tax provisions in multiple tax jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in determining our worldwide provision for income taxes, income taxes payable, and net deferred tax position. There are many transactions where the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. As a result, we expect that throughout the year there could be ongoing variability in our quarterly tax rates as events occur and exposures are evaluated. Future changes in our mix of business activities, or in tax laws or their application with respect to matters such as transfer pricing, intra-group dividends, or a restriction in tax relief allowed on interest (including both the deductibility of interest payments, and certain reductions or exemptions from withholding taxes), could increase our effective tax rate and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. Further, our effective tax rate in a given financial period may be materially impacted by changes in mix and level of earnings and by changes to existing accounting rules and regulations. Tax legislation enacted in the future, in the United States or in foreign countries and jurisdictions, could also negatively impact our current or future tax structure and effective tax rates. For example, the TCJA, recently passed in the United States as described above, or the Anti-Tax Avoidance Directive, which was adopted by the European Commission in July 2016 and which is required to be implemented by all E.U. member states by January 1, 2019, may have possible implications for, and affect the tax treatment of, the Company.
In addition, we are subject to the continual examination of our income tax returns by the Internal Revenue Service and foreign tax authorities in thosethe countries and jurisdiction in which we operate and we may be subject to assessments or audits in the future. Although we believe our tax estimates are reasonable, the final determination of tax audits and any related litigation could be materially different from that which is reflected in our historical financial statements. An audit or litigation can result in significant additional income taxes payable in the jurisdictions in which we operate which could have an adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations. Certain of our subsidiaries, primarily in our Agricultural Solutions segment, have historically received tax assessments for significant amounts from the tax authorities of the countries in which they operate, especially in Brazil. We are currently contesting tax assessments in several administrative and legal proceedings, and our challenges are at various stages. If determined adversely, these proceedings, or any additional material tax assessments that we may contest in the future, can result in significant income taxes payable in the jurisdictions in which we operate, which may have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition, or results of operations. In addition, in some jurisdictions, challenges to tax assessments require the posting of a bond or security for the contested amount, which may reduce our flexibility in operating our agrochemicals business.
Failure to comply with the FCPA and other similar anti-corruption laws could subject us to penalties and damage our reputation.
The global nature of our business, the significance of our international revenue and our focus onpresence in emerging markets create various domestic and local regulatory challenges and subject us to risks associated with our international operations. The FCPA, the Bribery Act, and other anti-corruption laws generally prohibit companies, directors, officers, employees, and their intermediaries from making corrupt payments to foreign officials for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business or securing an improper advantage. Under many of these laws, companies may also be held liable for actions taken by third-parties acting on their behalf, such as strategic or local partners or representatives. Certain anti-corruption laws, including the Bribery Act, also prohibit commercial bribery and the receipt of bribes, while others, such as the FCPA, require companies to maintain accurate books and records and adequate internal controls. Certain of the jurisdictions in which we conduct business are perceived to have a heightened risk for corruption, extortion, bribery, pay-offs, theft and other improper practices. We also count governments among our customers, which increases our risks under the FCPA, the Bribery Act and other laws. Our businesses prohibit bribery and unethical conduct, but these policies may not prevent our employees or agents from violating these laws. Failure by us or our intermediaries to comply with applicable anti-corruption laws, governmental authorities in the United States or elsewhere, as applicable, may result in civil and/or criminal penalties against us, our officers or our employees, prohibition on the conduct of our business, which could all damage our reputation and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
As previously disclosed in our 2015 Annual report, in connection with the implementation of our internal controls, policies and procedures at Arysta, following our acquisition of that business in 2015, we discovered certain payments made to third-party agents in connection with Arysta’s government tender business in West Africa which may be illegal or otherwise inappropriate. We have



engaged outside counsel and an outside accounting firm to conduct an internal investigation to review the legality of these and other payments made in Arysta’s West Africa tender business, including Arysta’s compliance with the FCPA. We contacted the SEC and the U.S. Department of Justice to voluntarily inform them of this matter and fully cooperate with their review of the matter. The SEC has advised that they have closed out the matter, and the U.S. Department of Justice has advised that they have no further requests at this time.  Our internal investigation is largely complete. There can be no assurance as to how the resulting consequences of this matter, if any, may impact our business, financial condition, or results of operations.
Our products are subject to numerous, complex government regulations dealing with the production and sale of chemicals and compliance with these regulations could require us to incur additional costs or to reformulate or discontinue certain of our products.
We our business, our products and our customers’ products are subject to regulation by many U.S. and non-U.S. supranational, national,extensive federal, state, local and local governmental authorities. Regulations includeforeign customs regulations, imports and international trade laws, export control, antitrust laws, environmental and chemicals manufacturing, global climate change, health and safety requirements and zoning and occupancy laws that regulate manufacturers generally or govern the importation, promotion and sale of our products, the operation of factories and warehouse facilities and our relationship with our customers, suppliers and competitors. Our products and manufacturing processes are also subject to ongoing reviews by certain governmental authorities.


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Numerous laws regulating the production and marketing of chemical substances governapply to us. Dozens of substances manufactured, imported, and used by us are regulated under the European Union REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals) regulation and similar laws in other jurisdictions. We will need to submit a registration for many of these substances between now and June 1, 2018, which will require time and the costs associated with these registrations could be substantial.incremental costs. Moreover, if a registration application was, or in the future is, not submitted by any applicable deadline, our ability to sell those products may be negatively impacted until the registration process has been completed. In addition, we manufacture, process and/or use substances regulatedbeing evaluated under the REACH regulation’s Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) program. Impacts of regulation under this program could include requirements to discontinue certain product lines and to reformulate others, which could materially alter our marketplace position or otherwise have a material financial effect on our revenues. We also have several product lines that currently rely on lead-based solder and many others that historically did so. Legal claims have been brought alleging harmful exposures or contamination as a result of lead-based solder, and it is possible that we may face additional claims in the future.Some
Additionally, those requirements, and enforcement of those requirements, may become more stringent in the future. The ultimate cost of compliance with any such requirements could be material. Changes in environmental and climate laws andor regulations, applicable to us have changed in recent years to impose new obligations that could also force us to reformulate or discontinue certain of our products. As one example, E.U. laws are now requiring a regulatory assessment of plant protection products which contain an active ingredient listedsuch as a “candidate for substitution”; based on this assessment, the European Commission or an individual member state may decide not to authorize the product for continued sale. To comply with these laws, we may need to alter our product lines, whichChina's latest environmental crackdown, could lead to anew or additional investment in production designs and could increase environmental compliance expenditures, for us and our suppliers. Changes in climate change concerns, or in the regulation of such concerns, including greenhouse gas emissions, could subject us to additional costs and restrictions, including increased energy and raw materials costs. Additionally, we cannot assure you that we will not be required to expend significant funds to comply with, or discharge liabilities arising in the future under, environmental laws, regulations and permits, or that we will not be exposed to material adverse effect onenvironmental, health or safety litigation. Some of our resultsformulating and manufacturing facilities have an extended history of operations.chemical formulating and manufacturing operations or other industrial activities, and contaminants have been detected at some of our sites and offsite disposal locations. Ultimate environmental costs are difficult to predict and may vary from current estimates and liabilities. The discovery of additional contaminants, the inability or failure of other liable parties to satisfy their obligations, the imposition of additional cleanup obligations, or the commencement of related third-party claims could result in significant additional costs.
Our agrochemical and BioSolutionsAgricultural Solutions products are subject to periodic technical review and approval by government authorities in each country where we wish to sell our products. The regulatory requirements are complex and vary from country to country. They are also subject to frequent changes as new data requirements arise in response to scientific developments.developments, which require the provision of new data and the conduct of more complex risk assessments. The outcome of technical reviews of existing registrations cannot be guaranteed; registrations may be modified or canceled. In addition, each country also has its own legislative process and specific requirements in order to determine if identified risks are acceptable and can be managed in the local context. Although the approval process, referred to as “registration,” varies from country to country, all processes generally mandate periodic product reviews, referred to as “re-registration,” which can often result in the requirement to generate new data and could result in either restrictions being placed on the permissible uses of the product going forward or in a refusal by the relevant government authority to grant a re-registration for the product altogether. Notably, scientific developments often result in new data requirements under these regulatory directives, laws and/or regulations, thereby impacting both the scope and timing of the process as well as the likelihood of a registration or re-registration being granted by the relevant government authority. Globally, a large number of AIs in our agrochemical products are currently or will soon be subject to such re-registration processes which may result in products having their approval for sale withdrawn in some countries. We cannot assure you that registrations willRegistrations or re-registrations may not be granted to us on a timely basis, or at all. Any delay in obtaining, or any failure to obtain or maintain those registrations, would adversely affect our ability to generate revenue from those products. In addition, since all government regulatory authorities have the right to review existing registrations at any time, the sustainability of the existing portfolio cannot be guaranteed. Existing registrations may be lost at any time, resulting in an immediate impact on sales.
Compliance with government regulations regarding the use of “conflict minerals” may result in increased costs and risks.
As part of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, the SEC has promulgated disclosure requirements regarding the use of certain minerals, known as "conflict minerals," which are mined from the Democratic Republic of Congo and adjoining countries. TheIn addition, the E.U. and other foreign jurisdictions may in the future also enact rules regardingadopted a E.U.-wide conflict minerals rule under which could potentially cover additionalmost E.U. importers of tin, tungsten, tantalum, gold and their ores will have to conduct due diligence to ensure the minerals do not originate from conflict zones and locations where minerals originate. We are currently indo not fund armed conflicts. Compliance with the process of evaluating the use of conflict minerals in the products formulatedregulation is required by the legacy Alent, the OMG Businesses and OMG Malaysia, and could incur significant costs related to implementing a process that will meet the mandates of the Dodd-Frank Act.January 1, 2021. Our material sourcing is broad-based and multi-tiered, and due to the complexity of our supply chain we may not be able to easily verify the origins of conflict minerals used in the products we



sell. AnyThe implementation of these requirements could affect the sourcing and availability of minerals used in the manufacture of our products. As a result, there may only be a limited pool of suppliers who provide conflict-free metals, and no assurance can be provided that we will be able to obtain products in sufficient quantities or at competitive prices. Future regulations may become more stringent or costly and our compliance costs and potential liabilities could increase, which may harm our business. In addition, any non-compliance with the applicable standards or regulations may result in reputational challenges, andwhich could also affect our business, financial condition, or results of operations.


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We may be unable to ensure compliance with international trade restrictions and economic sanctions laws and regulations, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.
We have operations, assets and/or make sales in countries all over the world, including countries that are or may become the target of the United States and other countries’ trade restrictions, including economic sanctions, which we refer to collectively as “Economic Sanctions Laws.” Economic Sanctions Laws are complex and change with time as international relationships and confrontations between and among nations evolve. For example, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and the U.S. State Department administer certain laws and regulations that impose penalties upon U.S. persons and entities and, in some instances, non-U.S. entities, for conducting activities or transacting business with certain countries, governments, entities, or individuals subject to U.S. Economic Sanctions Laws. GivenWe do not conduct business in any of the countries subject to such sanctions, such as Cuba, Iran, Syria or North Korea but given the breadth of our international operations and the scope of our sales globally, including via third-party distributors over whom we may have limited or no control, coupled with the complexity and ever-changing nature of Economic Sanctions Laws, there can be no assurance that we have been in the past or will at all times in the future be in full compliance. If we fail to comply with Economic Sanctions Laws, investigations and/or actions could be taken against us that could materially and adversely affect our reputation or have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations.
Risks Relating to Ownership of our Common Stock and Senior Notes
We have numerous equity instruments outstanding that could require us to issue additional shares of common stock. The future issuance of additional shares could result in significant dilution of ownership interests and have an adverse effect on our stock price.
We have a number of equity instruments outstanding that could require us to issue additional shares of our common stock. Depending on the equity instrument, these additional shares may either be issued for no additional consideration or based on a fixed amount of additional consideration. Specifically, as ofat December 31, 2016,2017, we had outstanding the following:
2,000,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock which are convertible into shares of our common stock, on a one-for-one basis, at any time at the option of the holder;
7,736,1784,812,742 exchange rights which require us to issue shares of our common stock in exchange for shares of common stock of our subsidiary, PDH, on a one-for-one basis, at any time at the option of the holder;
approximately 565,198732,197 options which are exercisable to purchase shares of our common stock, on a one-for-one basis, at any time at the option of the holder, of which 390,198557,197 shares were issued under the 2013 Plan; and
approximately 2,437,8052,943,529 RSUs which were granted to employees under our 2013 Plan. Each RSU represents a contingent right to receive one (1) share of our common stock.
We have approximately 12,298,56311,503,071 shares of our common stock currently available under the 2013 Plan, net of the outstanding RSUs and options noted above (subject to increase in accordance with the terms of such plan), and 373,434496,203 shares issued under the 2013 Plan, and an additional 4,987,2554,848,689 shares of our common stock currently available under the ESPP.
In addition, the holders of our Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to receive an annual dividend on their Series A Preferred Stock in the form of shares of our common stock. For 2016,2017, no stock dividend was declared with respect to the Series A Preferred Stock. Since December 31, 2014, the dividend amount is calculated based on the appreciated stock price compared to the highest dividend price (calculated based upon the average of the last ten trading days of the year’s volume weighted average share prices) previously used in calculating the Series A Preferred Stock dividends, which currently is $22.85. The issuance of common stock as stock dividends in the future could have a dilutive impact on, and reduce the value of, our outstanding common stock.
We may issue preferred stock in the future, and the terms of the preferred stock may reduce the value of our common stock.
Our Board is authorized to create and issue one or more additional series of preferred stock, and, with respect to each series, to determine the number of shares constituting the series and the designations and the powers, preferences and rights, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, which may include dividend rights, conversion or exchange rights, voting rights, redemption rights and terms and liquidation preferences, without stockholder approval. If we create and issue one or more additional series of preferred stock, it could affect your rights or reduce the value of our outstanding common stock. Our Board could, without stockholder approval, issue preferred stock with voting and other rights that could adversely affect the voting power of the holders of our common stock and which could have certain anti-takeover effects.


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There can be no assurance that we will declare dividends or have the available cash to make dividend payments.
To the extent we intend to pay dividends on our common stock, we will pay such dividends at such times (if any) and in such amounts (if any) as our Board determines appropriate and in accordance with applicable law. In addition, we are subject to certain restrictions in our financing arrangements which may prohibit or limit our ability to pay dividends. There is therefore no assurance that we will be able to pay dividends going forward or as to the amount of such dividends, if any.
We operate as a holding company and our principal source of operating cash is income received from our subsidiaries.
We are a holding company and do not have any material assets or operations other than ownership of equity interests of our subsidiaries. Our operations are conducted almost entirely through our subsidiaries, and our ability to generate cash to meet our obligations or to pay dividends is highly dependent on the earnings of, and receipt of funds from, our subsidiaries through dividends or intercompany loans. As a result, we are dependent on the income generated by our subsidiaries to meet our expenses and operating cash requirements. The amount of distributions and dividends, if any, which may be paid to us from each of our subsidiaries will depend on many factors, including the results of operations and financial condition, limits on dividends under applicable law, such subsidiary's constitutional documents, documents governing any indebtedness of such subsidiary, and other factors which may be outside our control. If our subsidiaries are unable to generate sufficient cash flow, we may be unable to pay our expenses or make distributions and dividends on our shares of common stock.
We are governed by Delaware law, which has anti-takeover implications.
We are governed by Delaware law. Thelaw, the application of Delaware law to uswhich may have the effect of deterring hostile takeover attempts or a change in control. In particular, Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law imposes certain restrictions on merger, business combinations and other transactions between us and holders of 15% or more of our common stock. A Delaware corporation may opt out of that provision either with an express provision in its original certificate of incorporation or in an amendment to its certificate of incorporation or by-laws approved by its stockholders. We have not opted out of this provision. Section 203 could prohibit or delay mergers or other takeover or change in control attempts and, accordingly, may discourage attempts to acquire us.us, which may negatively affect our stock price.
Volatility of our stock price could adversely affect our stockholders.
The market price of our common stock could fluctuate significantly as a result of:
quarterly variations in our operating results;
changes in the market’s expectations about our operating results;
our operating results failing to meet the expectation of management, securities analysts or investors in a particular period;
the failure to remediate identified material weaknesses;
changes in financial estimates and recommendations by securities analysts concerning our Company or our industry in general;
operating and securities price performance of companies that investors deem comparable to us;
news reports and publication of research reports relating to our business or trends in our markets;
changes in laws and regulations affecting our businesses;
announcements orof strategic developments, including the Proposed Separation, or potential future acquisitions andor other material events by us or our competitors;
sales of substantial amounts of common stock by our directors, executive officers or significant stockholders or the perception that such sales could occur;
adverse market reaction to any additional debt we incur in the future;
the failure to identify and complete acquisitions in the future or unexpected difficulties or developments related to the integration of recently completed, pending or future acquisitions;
actions by institutional stockholders;
general economic and political conditions such as recessions and acts of war or terrorism; and
the risk factors set forth in this 20162017 Annual Report and other matters discussed herein.
Fluctuations in the price of our common stock could contribute to the loss of all or part of a stockholder’s investment in our Company. Many of the factors listed above are beyond our control. These factors may cause the market price of our common


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stock to decline, regardless of the financial condition, results of operations, business or prospects of us and our subsidiaries. There can be no assurance that the market price of our common stock will not fall in the future.



Future sales, or the perception of future sales, of our common stock may depress the price of our common stock.
If we or any of our stockholders sell a large number of shares of our common stock, or if we issue a large number of shares of common stock in connection with future acquisitions, financings or other circumstances, the market price of our common stock could decline significantly. Moreover, the perception in the public market that we or our stockholders might sell shares of common stock could depress the market price of those shares.
We cannot predict the size of future issuances of our shares of common stock or the effect, if any, that future issuances or sales of our shares will have on the market price of such shares. Sales of substantial amounts of our shares, including sales by significant stockholders, and shares issued in connection with any pending or future acquisition, or the perception that such sales could occur, may adversely affect prevailing market prices for our shares of common stock. Possible sales also may make it more difficult for us to sell equity or equity-related securities in the future at a time and price we deem necessary or appropriate.
We have redeemed in the past, and may continue to redeem or repurchase, outstanding series of debt securities, which could impact the market for our Senior Notes and/or negatively affect our liquidity.
We may from time to time, in connection with the Proposed Separation or otherwise, seek to repurchase, redeem or refinance our outstanding Senior Notes in open market purchases, accelerated repurchase programs, privately negotiated transactions, tender offers, partial or full calls for redemption or otherwise. Any such repurchases or redemptions and the timing and amount thereof would depend on prevailing market conditions, liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors. Depending on such timing and amount, our liquidity could be negatively affected.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
Item 2. Properties
Our corporate offices are located in a leased facility in West Palm Beach, Florida.  At December 31, 2016,2017, our global footprint totaled approximately 9.7 million square feet,physical presence included 54 manufacturing sites, 11 of which approximately 5.6 million was owned and 4.1 million was leased. Out of our total global footprint, approximately 1.2 million square feet is located in the United States, and the remaining 8.5 million square feet represents our international locations, primarily in Asia and Europe. Our physical presence includes 59 manufacturing sites, 12 sites that include manufacturing and research facilities, and 16 stand-alone research centers.  Of our manufacturing facilities, 7 are located in the United States with the remaining international facilities located primarily in Asia and Europe. We own 34 of our manufacturing facilities, 8 of our manufacturing facilities that include research facilities and 7 of our stand-alone research centers.  In addition to the remaining manufacturing and research facilities, we lease the majority of our office, warehouse and other physical locations.  Among our two business segments, Performance Solutions utilizes approximately 61% of the global footprint and Agricultural Solutions utilizes approximately 39%.utilize 41 and 13 of our manufacturing facilities, respectively.
We believe that all of our facilities and equipment are in good condition, well-maintained, adequate for our present operations, and utilized for their intended purposes.  See Note 4,7, Property, Plant and Equipment, to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this 20162017 Annual Report for amounts invested in land, buildings, machinery, and machinery equipment, and Note 15,17, Operating Lease Commitments, to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this 20162017 Annual Report, for information about the Company’sour operating lease commitments.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
In the ordinary course of our business, we are involved in various legal disputes, investigations and claims and other legal proceedings, including, but not limited to, product liability claims, contractual disputes, premises claims, and employment, environmental, and health and safety matters. Where appropriate, we may establish liabilities for such proceedings. We also maintain insurance to mitigate certain of such risks. Although we cannot predict with certainty the ultimate resolution of lawsuits, investigations and claims asserted against us, we believe that the resolution of these claims, net of established liabilities, will not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. Due to their inherent uncertainty, however, there can be no assurance as to the ultimate outcome of current or future litigation, proceedings, investigations or claims and it is possible that a resolution of one or more such proceedings could result in fines and penalties that could adversely affect our business, financial positioncondition or results of operations.


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In addition, we are involved in various claims relating to environmental matters at a number of current and former plant sites and waste management sites. We engage or participate in remedial and other environmental compliance activities at certain of these sites. At other sites, we have been named as a “potential responsible party” (PRP) pursuant to the federal Superfund Act and/or state Superfund laws comparable to the federal law for site remediation. Based on currently available information, we do not anticipate any material losses in excess of the liabilities recorded. However, it is possible that, as additional information becomes available, the impact of an adverse determination could have a different effect. For additional information regarding environmental matters and liabilities, see Note 16,18, Contingencies, Environmental and Legal Matters, to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this 20162017 Annual Report.



From time to time, in the ordinary course of business, the Company contestswe contest tax assessments received by itsour subsidiaries in various jurisdictions. For a discussion of certain tax matters relating to Arysta in Brazil, see Note 16,18, Contingencies, Environmental and Legal Matters, to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this 20162017 Annual Report.
In March 2016, a class action lawsuit entitled Dillard v. Platform Specialty Products Corporation, et al. was filed against Platform and certain of its former and current executive officers in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida alleging material false and misleading statements relating to our business, operational and compliance policies in light of certain past business practices of Arysta's West Africa business, as disclosed herein and in the 2015 Annual Report. In June 2016, the Court appointed joint lead plaintiffs, and in July 2016, the lead plaintiffs filed an amended complaint with an expanded class period but stating substantially similar claims to those contained in the original complaint.  In September 2016, Platform filed a motion to dismiss this complaint. On December 7, 2016, the Court granted the motion to dismiss. On December 14, 2016, the parties submitted a joint stipulation of dismissal, and on December 16, 2016, the Court issued an order closing the case.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosure
Not applicable.


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Part II
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Market for our Common Stock
Our common stock is traded on the NYSE under the symbol “PAH.” As ofOn February 24, 2017,23, 2018, there were approximately 368334 registered holders of record of our common stock, par value $0.01 per share. On February 24, 2017,23, 2018, the closing price of our common stock was $13.05.$10.50.
The following table sets forth the closing high and low sales prices of our common stock as reported on the NYSE for the periods indicated:
 2016 2015 2017 2016
Period High Low High Low High Low High Low
First Quarter $12.22
 $5.55
 $27.05
 $20.71
 $13.47
 $9.83
 $12.22
 $5.55
Second Quarter 10.77
 7.99
 28.35
 24.90
 14.32
 12.11
 10.77
 7.99
Third Quarter 9.73
 8.06
 26.00
 12.06
 14.58
 10.92
 9.73
 8.06
Fourth Quarter 10.40
 7.17
 14.84
 10.12
 11.70
 9.45
 10.40
 7.17
Dividends
We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our common stock and do not intend to pay cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. We anticipate that we will retain all of our future earnings, if any, for use in the development and expansion of our business, including future acquisitions, and for general corporate purposes, including for the repayment of debt. Our Amended and Restated Credit Agreement and the indentures governing our Senior Notes also contain restrictions which may prohibit or limit our ability to pay dividends. As a holding company, our ability to pay dividends is highly dependent on receipts of funds from our subsidiaries.  See Part I, Item 1A.—Risk Factors— "We operate as a holding company and our principal source of operating cash is income received from our subsidiaries."
The holders of our Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to receive an annual dividend on their Series A Preferred Stock in the form of shares of our common stock.  For 2017, 2016 and 2015, no stock dividend was declared with respect to the Series A Preferred Stock. Since December 31, 2014, the dividend amount is calculated based on the appreciated stock price compared to the highest dividend price (calculated based upon the average of the last ten trading days of the year’s volume weighted average share prices) previously used in calculating the Series A Preferred Stock dividends. In 2014, the dividend price, which was the only dividend price used to date, was $22.85.
In addition to the restrictions described above, we may become subject to additional covenants should we incur any additional indebtedness, which may prohibit or further limit our ability to pay dividends.
Performance Graph
The following performance graph and related information shall not be deemed "soliciting material" or to be "filed" with the SEC, nor shall such information be incorporated by reference into any future filing under the Securities Act or Exchange Act, except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates it by reference into such filing.
This graph compares cumulative total stockholder return on our common stock from January 23, 2014 (first(our first day of trading on the NYSE) through December 31, 20162017 with the cumulative total return of (i) the Standard and Poor's 500 Index, and (ii) the S&P 500 Specialty Chemicals Index, assuming a $100 investment made on January 23, 2014 (our first day of trading on the NYSE).2014. The stock performance shown on this graph is based on historical data and is not indicative of, or intended to forecast, possible future performance of our common stock.


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Equity Compensation Plan Information
Information regarding our equity compensation plans, including both stockholder approved plans and plans not approved by stockholders, is incorporated by reference infrom Part III, Item 12 of Part III of this 20162017 Annual Report.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
None.
Recent Purchases of our Registered Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchases
None.


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Item 6. Selected Financial Data
Platform’s Selected Consolidated Financial Information
The following table presents selected consolidated historical financial data for us and our Predecessor as of the dates and for each of the periods indicated.  The selected consolidated historical data as ofat and for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015 and 2014, and the Successor 2013 Period have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements. The selected consolidated historical data as ofat and for the Predecessor 2013 Period has been prepared in accordance with GAAP, is unaudited and 2012 Periods have beenwas derived from audited consolidatedthe Predecessor's historical financial statements, of our Predecessor.which were not audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. The selected consolidated historical financial data presented below contain all normal recurring adjustments that, in the opinion of management, are necessary to present fairly our financial position and results of operations as ofat and for the periods presented.  The selected historical consolidated financial data included below and elsewhere in this 20162017 Annual Report are not necessarily indicative of future results and should be read in conjunction with the section entitled “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” included in Part II, Item 8 of this 20162017 Annual Report, and the section entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in Part II, Item 7 of this 20162017 Annual Report.
(amounts in millions,
except per share data)
 
Year Ended
December 31, 2016
(1)
 
Year Ended
December 31, 2015
(2)
 
Year Ended
December 31, 2014
(3)
 
Period from
Inception
(April 23, 2013) through
December 31, 2013
(4)
  
 
Period from
January 1, 2013 through
October 31, 2013
(5)
 Year Ended
December 31, 2012
($ amounts in millions,
except per share data)
 
Year Ended
December 31, 2017
(1)
 
Year Ended
December 31, 2016
(2)
 
Year Ended
December 31, 2015
(3)
 
Year Ended
December 31, 2014
 (4)
 
Period from
Inception
(April 23, 2013) through
December 31,
2013 (5)
  
 
Period from
January 1, 2013 through
October 31, 2013
(6)
 (Successor) (Successor) (Successor) (Successor)  (Predecessor) (Predecessor) (Successor) (Successor) (Successor) (Successor) (Successor)  (Predecessor)
Statement of Operations Data                          
Net sales $3,585.9
 $2,542.3
 $843.2
 $118.2
  $627.7
 $731.2
 $3,775.9
 $3,585.9
 $2,542.3
 $843.2
 $118.2
  $627.7
Gross profit 1,507.7
 991.9
 396.6
 35.7
  322.8
 355.1
 1,589.0
 1,507.7
 991.9
 396.6
 35.7
  322.8
Operating profit (loss) 253.4
 71.6
 9.5
 (195.6)  91.7
 115.1
 221.3
 253.4
 71.6
 9.5
 (195.6)  91.7
(Loss) income before income taxes,
non-controlling interests and dividends on preferred shares
 (48.1) (229.3) (30.9) (201.4)  26.5
 71.0
 (289.0) (48.1) (229.3) (30.9) (201.4)  26.5
Income tax (expense) benefit (28.6) (75.1) 6.7
 5.8
  (13.0) (24.7) (6.6) (28.6) (75.1) 6.7
 5.8
  (13.0)
Net (loss) income (76.7) (304.4) (24.2) (195.6)  13.5
 46.3
 (295.6) (76.7) (304.4) (24.2) (195.6)  13.5
Basic loss per share (0.17) (1.52) (1.94) (2.10)  n/a
 n/a
 (1.04) (0.17) (1.52) (1.94) (2.10)  n/a
Diluted loss per share (0.65) (1.52) (1.94) (2.10)  n/a
 n/a
 (1.04) (0.65) (1.52) (1.94) (2.10)  n/a
Adjusted EBITDA (7)
 820.9
 769.5
 567.7
 212.2
 27.4
  n/a
                        
 
December 31, 2016 (1)
 
December 31, 2015 (2)
 
December 31, 2014 (3)
 
December 31, 2013 (4)
  
October 31, 2013 (5)
 December 31, 2012 
December 31, 2017 (1)
 
December 31, 2016 (2)
 
December 31, 2015 (3)
 
December 31, 2014 (4)
 
December 31, 2013 (5)
  
October 31, 2013 (6)
 (Successor) (Successor) (Successor) (Successor)  (Predecessor) (Predecessor) (Successor) (Successor) (Successor) (Successor) (Successor)  (Predecessor)
Balance Sheet Data                          
Cash and cash equivalents $422.6
 $432.2
 $397.3
 $123.0
  $87.1
 $143.4
 $477.8
 $422.6
 $432.2
 $397.3
 $123.0
  $87.1
Working capital (6)
 988.5
 1,175.2
 1,355.8
 263.8
  170.1
 246.4
Working capital (8)
 1,248.8
 988.5
 1,175.2
 1,355.8
 263.8
  170.1
Total assets 10,054.1
 10,190.2
 4,547.3
 2,258.5
  1,172.0
 1,225.9
 10,252.4
 10,054.1
 10,190.2
 4,547.3
 2,258.5
  1,172.0
Total debt 5,239.0
 5,228.3
 1,405.6
 750.6
  1,107.4
 712.6
 5,479.5
 5,239.0
 5,228.3
 1,405.6
 750.6
  1,107.4
Total equity (deficit) 2,889.8
 2,273.3
 2,552.6
 1,115.1
  (200.0) 272.4
 2,860.0
 2,889.8
 2,273.3
 2,552.6
 1,115.1
  (200.0)
Comparability of the financial data within the table above is affected by the following acquisitions: OMG Malaysia in January 2016, Alent in December 2015, OMG Businesses in October 2015, Arysta in February 2015, CAS in November 2014, Agriphar in October 2014, and MacDermid in October 2013. See Note 2,4, Acquisitions of Businesses, to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this 20162017 Annual Report for additional information.Report.


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(1)
The results presented include the following significant items affecting comparability for the year ended December 31, 2017:
Goodwill impairment charge of $160 million related to our Agro Business reporting unit in our Agricultural Solutions segment;
Foreign exchange loss on foreign denominated external and internal long-term debt of $103 million;
Debt refinancing charges of $83.2 million;
Restructuring costs of $30.8 million, primarily related to severance;
(1)  Costs related to our Proposed Separation of In addition$12.1 million;
Pension plan settlement and curtailment costs of $10.5 million;
Net interest expense of $342 million, primarily related to interest charges resulting from incremental debt facilities, including term loans, bonds and revolving credit borrowings, impacted by the repricing of our term debt; and
Effective tax rate changed from (59.5)% for 2016 to (2.3)% for 2017 primarily due to the impactincreased level of goodwill impairment in 2017 as compared to 2016 for which there was no corresponding tax benefit, the benefit for the provisional estimate of the TCJA, the 2016 settlement gain of the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock which was treated as a non-taxable purchase price adjustment, and 2015 acquisitions and related valuation of intangible assets, the results presented include the following significant items affecting comparabilityfavorable reductions in foreign tax rates for the year ended December 31, 2016:changes in tax law.
(2) 
In addition to the impact of the 2016 and 2015 acquisitions and related valuation of intangible assets, the results presented include the following significant items affecting comparability for the year ended December 31, 2016:
Goodwill impairment charge of $46.6 million related to Performance Solutions' Offshore Solutions reporting unit;
Amortization of purchase price adjustmentinventory step-up of $11.7 million charged to cost of sales for the manufacturer’s profit in inventory;sales;
Acquisition and integration related costs of $33.4 million, primarily comprised of professional fees;



Restructuring costs of $31.1 million, primarily related to severance;
Net interest expense of $376 million, primarily related to interest charges resulting from incremental debt facilities, including term loans, bonds and revolving credit borrowings, used to fund the acquisitions;
Gains relating to the amendment of the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock and the related execution of a settlement agreement totaling $32.9 million and $103 million, respectively;
Foreign exchange loss on foreign denominated external and internal long-term debt of $33.9 million;
Debt refinancing charges of $19.7 million; and
Income tax expense which included a $34.3 million benefit related to the settlement of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, a $24.5 million benefit related to the impact of transaction costs, and a $24.1 million benefit related to a net change in tax reserves, partially offset by $68.4 million of expense related to a change in valuation allowances and $26.8 million of expense related to an increase in the provision for tax on undistributed foreign earnings.
(2)  In addition to the impact of the 2015 and 2014 acquisitions and related valuation of intangible assets, the results presented include the following significant items affecting comparability for the year ended December 31, 2015:
(3)
In addition to the impact of the 2015 and 2014 acquisitions and related valuation of intangible assets, the results presented include the following significant items affecting comparability for the year ended December 31, 2015:
Amortization of purchase price adjustmentinventory step-up of $76.5 million charged to cost of sales for the manufacturer’s profit in inventory;sales;
Acquisition and integration related costs of $122 million, primarily comprised of professional fees;
Restructuring costs of $25.3 million, primarily related to severance, professional and consulting fees;
Net interest expense of $214 million, primarily related to interest charges resulting from incremental debt facilities, including term loans, bonds and revolving credit borrowings, used to fund the acquisitions;
Fair value loss on foreign exchange forward contract related to the Alent Acquisition of $73.7 million charged to other expenses;expense;
Foreign exchange loss on foreign denominated external and internal long-term debt of $46.4 million; and
Income tax expense which included $72.6 million of expense related to a change in valuation allowances, $40.5 million of expense related to non-deductible transaction costs, and $27.5 million of expense related to a net change in tax reserves.
(3)  In addition to the impact of the 2014 and 2013 acquisitions and related valuation of intangible assets, the results presented include the following significant items affecting comparability for the year ended December 31, 2014:
(4)
In addition to the impact of the 2014 and 2013 acquisitions and related valuation of intangible assets, the results presented include the following significant items affecting comparability for the year ended December 31, 2014:
Amortization of purchase price adjustmentinventory step-up of $35.5 million charged to cost of sales for the manufacturer’s profit in inventory;sales;
Acquisition and integration related costs of $47.8 million, primarily comprised of professional fees;


37




Net interest expense of $37.9 million' primarily related to interest charges resulting from incremental debt facilities, including term loans, bonds and revolving credit borrowings, used to fund acquisitions; and
Non-cash mark-to-market charge related to the contingent consideration in connection with the MacDermid acquisition of $29.1 million.
(4)  The results presented include the following significant items affecting comparability in the Successor 2013 Period:
(5)
The results presented include the following significant items affecting comparability in the Successor 2013 Period:
Non-cash charge related to the preferred share dividend rights of the Founders Entities of $172 million;
Amortization of purchase price adjustmentinventory step-up of $23.9 million charged to cost of sales for the manufacturer’s profit in inventory;sales; and
Transaction related costs, primarily comprised of professional fees, of $15.2 million.
(5)  The results presented include the following significant items affecting comparability in the Predecessor 2013 Period:
(6)
The results presented include the following significant items affecting comparability in the Predecessor 2013 Period:
Transaction related costs, primarily for professional fees, and fees paid to Predecessor stockholders resulting from management fees payable in conjunction with consummation of the MacDermid Acquisition of $16.9 million; and
Deemed compensation expense related to pre-acquisition share awards of approximately $9.3 million.
(6)  Working capital is defined as current assets less current liabilities.
(7)
Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure and as such, should not be considered in isolation from, as a substitute for, or superior to performance measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. For a definition of Adjusted EBITDA and additional information on why we present this measure, its limitations and a reconciliation to the most comparable applicable GAAP measure, see "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" in the Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section included in Part II, Item 7, and Note 23, Segment Information, to the Consolidated Financial Statements, all included in this 2017 Annual Report.
(8)
Working capital is defined as current assets less current liabilities.


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Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following is a discussionThis Management's Discussion and Analysis of our financial conditionFinancial Condition and resultsResults of operations during the periods ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014.  This discussionOperations section should be read in conjunction with “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,”Data” included in Part II, Item 8 of this 20162017 Annual Report, “Selected Financial Data” included in Part II, Item 6 of this 20162017 Annual Report, and our audited Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this 20162017 Annual Report. In addition to historical information,The following “Overview” section below is a brief presentation of our business and certain significant items addressed in this discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from management’s expectations. For this purpose, any statements contained herein that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. We generally identify forward-looking statements by words such as "expect," "anticipate," "project," "will," "should," "believe," "intend," "plan," "estimate," “predict,” “believe,” “seek,” “continue,” “outlook,” “may,” “might,” “should,” “can have,” “likely,”section or the negative version of these words or comparable words. Factors that can cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements include, among others, those discussed in Part I, Item 1A.—Risk Factors and elsewhere in this 20162017 Annual Report. We urge you not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect management’s analysis, judgment, belief or expectation only asYou should read this section and the relevant portions of this 2017 Annual Report for a complete discussion of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a resultevents and items summarized below.
Overview of new information, future events or otherwise. Historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for any future period.our Business
Overview
We arePlatform, incorporated in Delaware in January 2014, is a global and diversified producer of high technology specialty chemical products.  Our chemistry combinesbusiness involves the blending of a number of key ingredients to produce proprietary formulations. Utilizing our strong industry insight, process know-how, and creative research and development, we also partner with our customers to provide innovative and differentiated solutions that are integral to their finished products. We are presentoperate in a wide variety of attractive niche markets across multiple industries, including automotive, agriculture, animal health, electronics, graphic arts,graphics, and offshore oil and gas production and drilling, and we believe that the majority of our operations hold strong positions in the product markets they serve. Our product innovations and product extensions are expected to continue to drive sales growth in both new and existing markets, while also expanding margins by continuing to offer high customer value propositions.
As our name implies, Platform is also an acquisition vehicle with a strategy of acquiring and maintaining leadingWe have strong market positions in niche segments of high-growth markets. As such, wemarkets and continually seek opportunities to act as an acquirer and consolidator of specialty chemical businesses, on a global basis, particularly those meeting our “Asset-Lite, High-Touch” philosophy, which involves prioritizing resources to research and development and offering highly technical sales and customer service, while managing conservatively our investments in fixed assets and capital expenditures. We regularly review acquisition opportunities and may acquire businesses that meet our acquisition criteria when we deem it to be financially prudent. As
We generate revenue through the formulation and sale of December 31, 2016,our dynamic chemistries and by providing highly technical service to our customers through our extensive global network of specially-trained service personnel.  Our personnel follow up closely with our customers to ensure that the functional performance of our intricate chemical composition is maintained as intended and that these products are applied safely and effectively.  Our specialty chemicals and processes, together with our field technical and sales staff, are seen as integral to our customer’s product performance. We leverage these close customer relationships to execute our growth strategy and identify opportunities for new products. These new products are developed and created by drawing upon our intellectual property portfolio and technical expertise.  We believe that our customers place significant value on our brands, which we have completed the following acquisitions: the MacDermid Acquisitioncapitalize on October 31, 2013, the Agriphar Acquisition on October 1, 2014, the CAS Acquisition on November 3, 2014, the Arysta Acquisition on February 13, 2015, the OMG Acquisition on October 28, 2015, the Alent Acquisition on December 1, 2015,through innovation, product leadership and the OMG Malaysia Acquisition on January 31, 2016.customer service.
Summary of Significant 2016 ActivitiesWe manage our business in two reportable segments: Performance Solutions and Agricultural Solutions.
Performance Solutions – Our Performance Solutions segment formulates and markets dynamic chemistry solutions that are used in automotive production, electronics, commercial packaging and printing, and offshore oil and gas production and drilling. Our products include surface and coating materials, water-based hydraulic control fluids and photopolymers. In December 2016, in accordanceconjunction with the settlement agreementsale of these products, we provide extensive technical service and release described below, as amended, we electedsupport when necessary to exercise the alternative settlement mechanism and settled allensure superior performance of their application. While our dynamic chemistries typically represent only a small portion of our obligations with respectcustomers’ costs, we believe that they are critical to our Series B Convertible Preferred Stockcustomers’ manufacturing processes and the relatedoverall product performance. Further, operational risks and switching costs make whole payment obligation, as describedit difficult for our customers to change suppliers and allow us to retain customers and maintain our market positions. The segment employs approximately 4,350 people which operate mainly in the settlement agreement,Americas, Asia/Pacific region and Europe.
Agricultural Solutions – Our Agricultural Solutions segment specializes in exchangethe development, formulation, registration, marketing and distribution of differentiated Crop Protection solutions, including BioSolutions and Seed Treatment, for a cash paymentvariety of $460 millioncrops and applications. Our diverse Crop Protection chemicals control biotic stresses, such as weeds (herbicides), insects (insecticides) and diseases (fungicides). Our portfolio of proven BioSolutions includes BioStimulants, which are derived from natural substances applied to plants, seeds or the issuancesoil in order to enhance yields and help crops withstand abiotic stress, such as drought or cold, and BioControl products, which perform the same task as conventional Crop Protection products with, in many cases, the added benefit of 5,500,000 sharesreduced chemical residues. Our solutions are offered in multiple forms, such as foliar applications (direct application to leaves), furrow treatment (treatment of our common stock upon conversion ofsoil trenches or grooves wherein seeds are sown) or Seed Treatment (seed coating prior to planting). Our products allow us to partner with growers to address the corresponding shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stockever-increasing need for higher crop yield and food quality. The segment employs approximately 3,300 people, with a significant presence in accordance with the terms of the certificate of designation of the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock. The remaining shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock were subsequently canceledhigh-growth regions such as Africa & Middle East, Asia, Latin America and retired. As of December 31, 2016, none of the shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock remain outstanding.Central and Eastern Europe.

In December 2016, we completed the repricing of $1.35 billion of existing terms loans by entering into Amendment No. 6 to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. This amendment provided for the prepayment in full of previously existing USD and EUR term loan tranches, which were not subject to the October 2016 repricing and extension (see below), with the aggregate proceeds of a new $610 million USD term loan tranche and a new EUR term loan tranche in the aggregate principal amount of €700 million. This repricing resulted in a 100 basis point reduction in the interest rate for the new USD term loan tranche and a 125 basis point reduction in the interest rate for the new EUR term loan tranche, and is expected to reduce annual interest payments by approximately $15.0 million. This transaction also shifted $425 million from USD term loans to EUR term loans further complementing Platform’s business profile and optimizing its foreign currency exposure.
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In October 2016, Our operating segments include significant foreign operations.  There are certain risks associated with our foreign operations. See Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors— "Our substantial international operations subject us to risks not faced by domestic competitors." and "We are exposed to fluctuations in currency exchange rates, which may adversely affect our operating results and may significantly affect the comparability of our results between financial periods."
Proposed Separation of Agricultural Solutions
The Proposed Separation of our Agricultural Solutions and Performance Solutions businesses. We believe this Proposed Separation, which we completed the repricingexpect to complete in 2018, should maximize long-term value for our stockholders by enabling investors to focus on our specific different and extension of approximately $1.95 billion of existing term loans by entering into Amendment No. 5 to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, which, among other things, provided for the prepayment in full of certain previously existing USD term loan tranches with the aggregate proceedsdifferentiated high-quality businesses that serve two distinct segments of the new term loan tranchespecialty chemicals industry. However, this Proposed Separation, and any related transactions that we may decide to pursue in an aggregate principal amount of $1.48 billion (less original issue discount of 0.5%) and EUR term loan tranche in an aggregate principal amount of €433 million (less original issue discount of 0.25%). The amendment effectively reduced interest rates by 50 basis points for the new U.S. Dollar denominated term loans and by 75 basis points for the new Euro denominated term loans, and is expected to reduce annual interest payments by approximately $11.0 million. Amendment No. 5 also extended maturity from June 7, 2020 to June 7, 2023; provided that if, on or prior to November 2, 2021, we have not prepaid, redeemed or otherwise retired and/or refinanced in full the 6.50% USD Notes due 2022, as permitted under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, the maturity dateanticipation of the new term loans will be November 2, 2021.
In September 2016, we entered intoProposed Separation, remain subject to final approval by the Board, as well as a settlement agreement withnumber of conditions and variables, including financial market conditions and volatility, legal, tax or regulatory requirements, the Arysta Seller whereby we agreed that from October 20, 2016 until the close of business on December 15, 2016, we may settle (i) all of our obligations with respect to our shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock in exchange for a cash payment of $1.00 and the issuance of 5,500,000 shares of our common stock upon simultaneous conversionestablishment of the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock bynecessary corporate infrastructure and processes, and/or the Arysta Seller, and (ii) for a paymentpossibility of $460 million, our obligation to pay a “make whole payment” tomore attractive strategic options arising in the Arysta Seller pursuant to a share purchase agreement among us, the Arysta Seller and certain other parties thereto, dated as of October 20, 2014, as amended.
In September 2016, we completed the September 2016 Equity Offering of 48,787,878 shares of our common stock at a public offering price of $8.25 per share. This number of shares includes 6,363,636 shares sold to the underwriters upon exercise in full of their option to purchase additional shares. The September 2016 Equity Offering resulted in gross proceeds to Platform of approximately $402.5 million, before underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses of $11.9 million.
In July 2016, we filed with the SEC a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 under which we may issue up to $1.00 billion of securities, including common stock, preferred stock and debt securities. The shelf registration statement was declared effective by the SEC on July 26, 2016.
In January 2016,we completed the OMG Malaysia Acquisition for approximately $124 million, net of acquired cash and closing working capital adjustments. This acquisition is expected to further enhance our Performance Solutions business segment in which it is included.
As previously disclosed in our 2015 Annual Report, in connection with the implementation of our internal controls, policies and procedures at Arysta, following our acquisition of that business in February 2015, we discovered certain payments made to third-party agents in connection with Arysta’s government tender business in West Africa which may be illegal or otherwise inappropriate. We have engaged outside counsel and an outside accounting firm to conduct an internal investigation to review the legality of these and other payments made in Arysta’s West Africa tender business, including Arysta’s compliance with the FCPA. We contacted the SEC and the U.S. Department of Justice to voluntarily inform them of this matter and fully cooperate with their review of the matter. The SEC has advised that they have closed out the matter, and the U.S. Department of Justice has advised that they have no further requests at this time. Our internal investigation is largely complete. Management does not believe that the amount of the payments in question, or any revenue or operating income related to those payments, are material to our business, results of operations, financial condition or liquidity.future.
Acquisitions
Consistent with our acquisition strategy, to the extent we pursue future acquisitions, we intend to focus primarily on businesses or assets within our existing end-markets with product offerings that provide geographic or product diversification, or expansioncomplementarity. We expect to achieve commercial and distribution efficiencies by expanding into related categories that can be marketed through our existing distribution channels or provide us with new distribution channels for our existing products, thereby increasing marketing and distribution efficiencies.products. Furthermore, to the extent we pursue future acquisitions, we expect that acquisition candidates would demonstrate a combination of attractive margins, strong cash flow characteristics, niche leading positions and products that generate recurring revenue. We believe the diversity of the niche-end markets we serve will enable us to continue our growth and maintain strong cash flow generation throughout economic cycles and mitigate the impact of a downturn in any single market. We will only pursue a candidate when it is deemed to be fiscally prudent and that meets our acquisition criteria. We anticipate that any future acquisitions would be financed through a combination of cash on hand, operating cash flow, availability under our Amended and Restated Credit Agreement and/or new debt or equity offerings.



2016 Activity
OMG Malaysia AcquisitionFor further information on our historical Acquisitions, see "Acquisitions" in Item 1. --BusinessOn January 31, 2016, the Company completed the OMG Malaysia Acquisition for approximately $124 million, net of acquired cash and closing working capital adjustments. OMG Malaysia is included in our Performance Solutions business segment.
We financed the OMG Malaysia Acquisition with the proceeds from our June 2015 Equity Offering.
2015 Activity
Alent AcquisitionPart I, Item I of this 2017 Annual Report, and Note 4, -- Acquisitions of BusinessesOn December 1, 2015, we completed the Alent Acquisition by acquiring all the issued shares of Alent for approximately $1.74 billion in cash and 18,419,738 shares of our common stock issued to Alent shareholders, including Cevian Capital II Master Fund LP, the then largest shareholder of Alent. Alent is a global supplier of specialty chemicals and engineered materials used primarily in electronics, automotive and industrial applications, and a supplier of high performance consumable products and services. Alent's business is included in our Performance Solutions business segment.
We financed the Alent Acquisition with (i) available cash on hand, (ii) the proceeds from the November 2015 Notes Offering of $500 million aggregate principal amount of 10.375% USD Notes due 2021, and (iii) additional borrowings of $1.05 billion (less original issue discount of 2%) through the establishment of the Alent U.S. Dollar Tranche B-3 Term Loan, approximately €300 million (less original discount of 2%) through the establishment of the Alent EURO Tranche C-2 Term Loan, and $115 million under our increased U.S. Dollar Revolving Credit Facility.
OMG Acquisition -- On October 28, 2015, we completed the OMG Acquisition for a total purchase price of approximately $239 million in cash, net of acquired cash, subject to purchase price adjustments. The acquired OMG Businesses are included in our Performance Solutions business segment. OMG’s Electronic Chemicals business is similar, to the legacy MacDermid electronic chemical and surface treatment businesses, as it develops, produces and supplies chemicals for electronic and industrial applications. OMG’s Photomasks products are used by customers to produce semiconductors and related products.
We financed the OMG Acquisition with the proceeds from our June 2015 Equity Offering.
Arysta Acquisition -- On February 13, 2015, we completed the Arysta Acquisition for approximately $3.50 billion, consisting of $2.86 billion in cash, net of acquired cash and certain post-closing working capital and other adjustments, and the issuance of $600 million of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock. On December 13, 2016, we settled all of our Series B Convertible Preferred Stock obligations under a certain settlement agreement entered into with the Arysta Seller in September 2016. See Note 12, Stockholders' Equity, to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in this 20162017 Annual ReportReport.
Summary of Significant 2017 Activities
underIn April 2017, we completed the heading "Series B Convertible Preferred Stock." The legacy Arysta business is includedrepricing of $1.93 billion of existing term loans through Amendment No. 7 to the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement which, among other things, provided for the prepayment in our Agricultural Solutions business segment. Arysta has a solutions-oriented business model which focuses on product innovation to address grower needs, complementingfull of previously existing term loans denominated in U.S. dollars and in euros with the legacy Agriphar's and CAS businesses. We acquired Arysta to expand our presenceaggregate proceeds of newly created term loans denominated in the agrochemical business and our offering of products and solutions utilizing globally managed patented and proprietary off-patent agrochemical AIs and BioSolutions, as well as off-patent agrochemical products.
We financed the Arysta Acquisition with (i) available cash on hand, (ii) the proceeds from our February 2015 Notes Offering of $1.10 billionU.S. dollars in an aggregate principal amount of 6.50% USD Notes due 2022$1.23 billion and €350 millionterm loans denominated in euros in an aggregate principal amount of 6.00% EUR Notes due 2023,€650 million. The amendment effectively reduced interest rates by 100 basis points across both the U.S. dollar and (iii) additional borrowingseuro tranches. In addition, the EURIBOR floor was reduced from 1.00% to 0.75% on the new euro denominated term loans. At the close of $500this refinancing, the reduced interest rates were expected to generate annual cash savings of approximately $20.0 million, (less original issue discountbased on foreign exchange rates then in effect.
In June 2017, MacDermid Printing and E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, now known as DowDuPont Inc. ("DuPont"), settled all outstanding litigation between them, as well as MacDermid Printing's lawsuit against Cortron. In connection with this settlement, DuPont made a payment of 1%) through the establishment$20.0 million to MacDermid Printing, and we recorded a net settlement gain of the Arysta U.S. Dollar Tranche B-2 Term Loan, €83.0 million(less original discount of 2%) through the establishment of the Arysta EURO Tranche C-1 Term Loan, and $160 million under our increased U.S. Dollar Revolving Credit Facility.$10.8 million.
2014 Activity
CAS Acquisition In October 2017-- On November 3, 2014,, we completed the CAS Acquisition for $1.04repricing of $1.40 billion consisting of $983 million in cash, net of acquired cash and certain post-closing working capital and other adjustments, 2,000,000 shares of our common stock and the assumption of certain liabilities by Platform. Legacy CAS was a niche provider of seed treatments and agrochemical products for a wide variety of crop protection applications in numerous geographies.
We financed the CAS Acquisition with a combination of available cash on hand and borrowings under an increase inexisting term loans of approximately $389 million ($256 million of which is denominated in Euro), $60.0 million under our U.S. Dollar Revolving Credit Facility and €55.0 million ($68.7 million) under our multicurrency Revolving Credit Facility pursuantthrough Amendment No. 8 to ourthe Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement.Agreement which, among other things, provided for the prepayment in full of previously existing term loans denominated in U.S. dollars and in euros with the aggregate proceeds of newly created term loans denominated in U.S. dollars in an aggregate principal amount of $680 million and term loans denominated in euros in an aggregate principal amount of €630 million. This amendment effectively reduced interest rates by 100 basis points across both the U.S. dollar and euro tranches from a combination of reduced spread and reduced EURIBOR floor from 1.00% to 0.75% on the new euro denominated term loans. At the close of this refinancing, the reduced interest rates were expected to generate annual cash savings of approximately $14.0 million, based on foreign exchange rates then in effect.


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Agriphar AcquisitionIn November 2017 -- , we completed a private offering of $550 million aggregate principal amount of 5.875% USD Notes due 2025. The proceeds from this offering were used to pay the consideration of the below-mentioned cash tender offer and consent solicitation for, as well as redemption of, any and all of our then outstanding 10.375% USD Notes due 2021, plus accrued and unpaid interest on the 10.375% USD Notes due 2021, along with fees and expenses.
In December 2017On October 1, 2014,, we completed a tack-on private offering of $250 million aggregate principal amount of additional 5.875% USD Notes due 2025. The additional notes have the same terms as, and are fungible and form a single series with, the 5.875% USD Notes due 2025 issued in November 2017. The proceeds from this offering were used to repay a portion of our existing terms loans under our Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. The 5.875% USD Notes Indenture provides that in connection with the satisfaction of certain financial covenants and other conditions, all of the then direct and indirect subsidiaries constituting our Agricultural Solutions business may be designated as unrestricted subsidiaries and, as applicable, released from their guarantees of the 5.875% USD Notes due 2025.
In December 2017, we completed the Agriphar Acquisitioncash tender offer and consent solicitation for, a purchase priceas well as the redemption of, approximately €300 million ($370 million), consisting of $350 million in cash, net of acquired cashany and certain post-closing working capital and other adjustments, and 711,551 restricted sharesall of our common stock, which will become unrestricted beginning January 2, 2018, unless agreed otherwise in accordancethen outstanding 10.375% USD Notes due 2021. The tender offer and consent solicitation, as well as the redemption, were financed with the termsproceeds of the acquisition agreement.  Legacy Agriphar was a European crop protection group supported by a teamNovember offering of researchers and regulatory experts which provided a wide range of fungicides, herbicides and insecticides with end markets primarily across Europe.5.875% USD Notes due 2025 described above.
We financed the Agriphar Acquisition with proceeds from the Incremental Amendment No. 1 and available cash on hand.
Our Business
Platform, incorporated in Delaware in January 2014, is a global diversified producer of high-technology specialty chemical products. Our chemistry combines a number of ingredients to produce proprietary formulations. We are present in a wide variety of attractive niche markets across multiple industries, including automotive, agricultural, animal health, electronics, graphic arts, and offshore oil and gas production and drilling. We believe that the majority of our operations hold strong positions in the product markets they serve. Our product innovations and product extensions are expected to continue to drive sales growth in both new and existing markets while also expanding margins by continuing to offer high customer value propositions.
We generate revenue through the formulation and sale of our dynamic chemistries and by providing highly technical service to our customers through our extensive global network of specially trained service personnel.  Our personnel work closely with our customers to ensure that the intricate chemical composition and function of our products are maintained as intended while ensuring that these products are applied safely and effectively by users globally.  For example, a customer in our Performance Solutions segment will engage us to provide a multi-step technological process solution for circuit boards that they are producing for end use in the automotive supply chain. Another example from our Agricultural Solutions segment is our “Aplique Bem” stewardship program which focuses on teaching growers to apply agrochemicals safely and efficiently. This program started in Brazil in partnership with the Institute of Agriculture, Campinas (IC) and rapidly expanded into Latin America, Africa and Asia. This high quality customer service and stewardship program is also supported by our local technical teams and our local infrastructure, such as our field research stations, enabling the development of unique solutions to unmet grower needs. Our specialty chemicals and processes, together with our field technical and sales staff, are seen as integral to our customer’s product performance.
Utilizing our strong industry insight, process know-how and creative research and development, we also partner with our customers to provide innovative and differentiated solutions that are integral to the functionality of their finished products. We leverage these close customer relationships to execute our growth strategy and identify opportunities for new products. These new products are developed and created by drawing upon our significant intellectual property portfolio and technical expertise.  We believe that our customers place significant value on our brands, which we capitalize on through innovation, product leadership and customer service.
We manage our business in two reportable segments: Performance Solutions and Agricultural Solutions.
Performance Solutions – Our Performance Solutions segment formulates and markets dynamic chemistry solutions that are used in electronics, automotive production, offshore oil and gas production and drilling, and commercial packaging and printing. Our products include surface and coating materials, water-based hydraulic control fluids and photopolymers. In conjunction with the sale of these products, we provide extensive technical service and support when necessary to ensure superior performance of their application. While our dynamic chemistries typically represent only a small portion of our customers’ costs, we believe that they are critical to our customers’ manufacturing processes and overall product performance. Further, operational risks and switching costs make it difficult for our customers to change suppliers and allow us to retain customers and maintain our market positions. The regional sales mix in this segment has shifted over the past several years from more industrialized nations towards emerging markets, such as Asia and South America. We employ approximately 4,350 personnel which operate mainly in the Americas, Asia/Pacific region and Europe. In addition, we have 13 manufacturing facilities in Asia and remain focused on further increasing our presence in the region.
Agricultural Solutions – Our Agricultural Solutions segment is based on a solutions-oriented business model that focuses on product innovation to address an ever-increasing need for higher crop yield and quality. We offer to growers diverse crop protection solutions from weeds (herbicides), insects (insecticides) and diseases (fungicides), in foliar and seed treatment applications. We also offer a wide variety of proven BioSolutions, including biostimulants, innovative nutrition and biocontrol products.  We emphasize farmer economics and food safety by combining, when possible, BioSolutions with crop protection and seed treatmentagrochemicals.  Our Global Value Added Portfolio, or GVAP, consists of agrochemicals in the herbicides, insecticides, fungicides



and seed treatment categories, based on patented or proprietary off-patent AIs. Our Global BioSolutions Portfolio, or GBP, includes biostimulants, innovative nutrition and biocontrol products. We consider our GVAP and GBP to be key pillars for our sustainable growth.  In addition, we offer regional off-patent AIs and certain non-crop products, including animal health products, such as honey bee protective miticides and certain veterinary vaccines.  We employ approximately 3,300 personnel with a significant presence on high-growth regions such as Africa, South Asia, Latin America and Central and Eastern Europe.
Our operating segments include significant foreign operations.  There are certain risks associated with our foreign operations. See Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors— "Our substantial international operations subject us to risks not faced by domestic competitors." and "We are exposed to fluctuations in currency exchange rates, which may adversely affect our operating results and may significantly affect the comparability of our results between financial periods."
Global Economic and Industry Conditions
Our products are sold in industries that we believe are sensitive to changes in general economic conditions.  Accordingly, net sales, gross profit, and financial condition depend significantly on general economic conditions and the impact of these conditions on demand for our dynamic chemistries and services in the markets in which we compete.  In particular, weak economic conditions in parts of Asia and South America may have an adverse effect on our results. Our business is also particularly impacted by demand for chemistry products utilized in the automotive, printed circuit board, offshore oil and gas production, commercial packaging, and crop protection industries. Our business may further be influenced by trends in the broader specialty chemical industry.  We believe that these industries are cyclical and subject to constant and rapid technological change, product obsolescence, price erosion, evolving standards, finite product life-cycles, raw material price fluctuations and changes in product supply and demand.
Performance Solutions - Our Performance Solutions segment is currently beingcontinues to be affected by globalization and a shift in customers’ businesses out of traditional geographic markets and into high-growth, emerging markets. The increased use of electronics, particularly in automotive and industrial applications, is expected to drive the need for new product development and demand for faster electronic processing. Continued growth in the consumption of consumer packaged goods is expected to drive increased demand for liquid plate and other packaging technologies. While demand in offshore oil production has been impacted by global economic activity and geopolitical tensions, driving sustained low oil prices, we believe our business is well positioned to recover as conditions improve.
Net sales in future periods will depend, among other factors, upon a continued general improvement in global economic conditions, our continued ability to meet unscheduled or temporary changes in demand, and our continued ability to penetrate new markets with strategic product initiatives in specific targeted markets.
Agricultural Solutions - Our Agricultural Solutions segment is supported by strong global fundamentals that create a critical need to increase crop yields. These include the need to feed a growing population with limited land and competition from biofuels, in addition to a change in dietary standards in emerging markets. These needs are met through the use of agrochemicals, including seed treatment,Seed Treatment, to protect the crop, and BioSolutions offerings (especially biostimulantsBioStimulants and innovative nutrition)Innovative Nutrition), among other technologies, for crop enhancement. The expansion of the middle class is a particularly strong catalyst for growth, particularly in Brazil, China, India, Russia and South Africa. In addition, demand growth combined with rapid urbanization has led to a continual decrease in land available per capita for production. This creates strong incentives for farmers to invest in high technology inputs (agrochemicals, seed) and equipment to maximize yields, increase productivity and protect harvests.
Despite improving macro trends for the industry, net sales in future periods can depend, among other factors, on general economic conditions, commodity prices, foreign exchange volatility, climate conditions and the development of new technologies, such as genetically modified (GM) seeds, that can partially substitute the need for agrochemicals. Disruptions in the Agrochemicals market may create additional opportunities for high value, niche applications that many of our products provide.


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Foreign Currency Exposure
For the year ended December 31,During 2017, 2016 and 2015, approximately 83%, 80% and 81%, respectively, of our net sales originated outside of the United States and were denominated in numerous currencies, including the Euro,euro, Brazilian Real, Chinese Yuan, Japanese Yen and British Pound Sterling.  For the years ended December 31, 2015Sterling, and 2014, approximately 81% and 74% of our net sales, respectively, originated outside of the United States.Japanese Yen.  Therefore, changes in foreign exchange rates in any given reporting period may positively or negatively impact our financial performance. During 2017, foreign exchange translation positively impacted net sales performance by approximately 1%.



OurIn addition, our foreign subsidiaries are subject to foreign currency risk relating to receipts from customers, payments to suppliers, and intercompany transactions that are not in their functional currency, which is typically their local currency. As a result, our foreign subsidiaries enter into foreign exchange hedges from time to time and on an on-going basis to protect against transaction exposures. We actively assess our hedging programs in order to mitigate foreign exchange risk exposures. This includes programs to hedge our foreign currency denominated balance sheet exposures as well as foreign currency anticipated cash flows. Periodically, we also enter into deal specific foreign exchange hedges to mitigate our acquisition-related foreign exchange exposure. For example,
Critical Accounting Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in connectionconformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and judgments regarding uncertainties, and as a result, may significantly impact our financial results. We base our estimates and judgments on historical experience, current conditions as well as other reasonable factors and assumptions. Several of the estimates and assumptions we are required to make relate to matters that are inherently uncertain as they pertain to future events. Actual results may differ from these estimates and assumptions and could be material to our financial statements.
We consider the accounting estimates discussed below to be critical to the understanding of our financial statements and involve difficult, subjective or complex judgments that could potentially affect reported results. See Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this 2017 Annual Report for a detailed discussion of the application of these and other accounting policies.
Revenue Recognition
We recognize revenue either upon shipment or delivery of product depending on when it is reasonably assured that both title and the risks and rewards of ownership have been passed on to our customer. Estimates for sales rebates, incentives and discounts as well as sales returns and allowances, are accounted for as a reduction of revenue when the earnings process is complete. Sales rebates, incentives and discounts are typically earned by customers based on annual sales volume targets, which vary by each of our segments. We record an estimate for these accruals based on contract terms and our historical experience with similar programs. We record an estimate for future expected sales returns based on historical experience with product returns; however, additional allowances may be required if the historical data we use to calculate these estimates does not approximate future sales returns. Differences between estimated expense and actual costs are normally immaterial and are recognized in earnings in the period such differences are determined.
On a limited and discretionary basis, we allow certain distributors within the Agricultural Solutions segment extensions of credit on a portion of our sales to them during a purchasing cycle, which remain in the distributor’s inventory. The extension of credit is not a right to return, and distributors must pay unconditionally when the extended credit period expires.
Receivables and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
We determine our allowance for doubtful accounts using a combination of factors to reduce our trade receivable balances to their estimated net realizable amount. We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts based on a variety of factors, including the length of time receivables are past due, macroeconomic trends and conditions, significant one-time events, historical experience and the financial condition of customers. In addition, we record a specific reserve for individual accounts when we become aware of specific customer circumstances, such as in the case of bankruptcy filings or deterioration in the customer’s operating results or financial position. The past due or delinquency status of a receivable is based on the contractual payment terms of the receivable. If circumstances related to the specific customer change, we adjust estimates of the recoverability of receivables as appropriate. Credit risk with respect to accounts receivable is generally diversified due to the large number of entities comprising our customer base and their dispersion across many different geographical regions. We perform ongoing credit evaluations of the financial condition of our third-party distributors and other customers and require collateral, such as letters of credit and bank guarantees, in certain circumstances. At December 31, 2017 and 2016, we did not believe that we had any significant concentrations of credit risk that could materially impact our results of operations.


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Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value with cost being determined by the first-in/first-out and average costs methods.  Inventories in excess of one year of forecasted sales are classified in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as non-current "Other assets." We regularly review inventories for obsolescence and excess quantities and calculate reserves based on historical write-offs, customer demand, product evolution, usage rates and quantities of stock on hand. Additional obsolescence reserves may be required if actual sales are less favorable than those projected.
Business Combinations
Purchase price allocations of acquisitions to tangible and intangible assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and noncontrolling interests in the acquiree are based on estimated fair value at the acquisition date. The excess of the acquisition price over those estimated fair values is recorded as goodwill. Changes to the acquisition date provisional fair values prior to the end of the measurement period, are recorded as an adjustment to the associated goodwill. Acquisition-related expenses and restructuring costs, if any, are recognized separately from the business combination and are expensed as incurred.
Goodwill
Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level annually in the fourth quarter, or when events or changes in circumstances indicate that goodwill might be impaired.  Our six reporting units are determined based upon our organizational structure in place at the date of the goodwill impairment test. During the fourth quarter of 2017, we elected to early adopt ASU No. 2017-04, “Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment” which eliminates "Step 2" from the goodwill impairment test, but still requires us to perform "Step 1" of impairment testing. In the first step of impairment testing, the fair value of each reporting unit is compared to its carrying value.  The fair value of each reporting unit is determined based on the present value of discounted future cash flows.  The discounted cash flows are prepared based upon cash flows at the reporting unit level.  The cash flow model involves significant judgments related to future growth rates, discount rates and tax rates, among other considerations from the vantage point of a market participant.  
The primary components of and assumptions used in the assessment consist of the following:
Valuation Techniques - we use a discounted cash flow analysis, which requires assumptions about short and long-term net cash flows, growth rates, as well as discount rates.  Additionally, we consider guideline company and guideline transaction information, where available, to aid in the valuation of the reporting units.
Growth Assumptions - Multi-year financial forecasts are developed for each reporting unit by considering several key business drivers such as new business initiatives, client service and retention standards, market share changes, historical performance, and industry and economic trends, among other considerations.  We typically forecast revenue and the resulting cash flows for periods of five to seven years and include an estimated terminal growth rate at the end of the forecasted period.
Discount Rate Assumptions - Discount rates are estimated based on the WACC, which combines the required return on equity and considers the risk-free interest rate, market risk premium, small stock risk premium and a company specific risk premium, with the Alent Acquisition,cost of debt, based on BBB-rated corporate bonds, adjusted using an income tax factor.
Estimated Fair Value and Sensitivities - The estimated fair value of each reporting unit is derived from the valuation techniques described above.  The estimated fair value of each reporting unit is analyzed in relation to numerous market and historical factors, including current economic and market conditions, company-specific growth opportunities, and guideline company information.
If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds the carrying value of the net assets assigned to that reporting unit, goodwill is not impaired and no further testing is required.  Beginning with the 2017 goodwill impairment test, subsequent to the early adoption of the new guidance, if the carrying value of the net assets assigned to the reporting unit exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit, the goodwill impairment loss is calculated as the difference between these amounts, limited to the amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit. For the 2016 goodwill impairment test, prior to the early adoption of the new guidance, if the carrying value of the net assets assigned to the reporting unit exceeded the fair value of the reporting unit, the second step of the impairment test was performed to determine the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill.  If the carrying value of the reporting unit’s goodwill exceeded its implied fair value, an impairment charge was recorded equal to the difference.  
During the fourth quarter of 2017, we entered into a zero-cost, deal-contingent forward purchase contract which we supplementedperformed our annual goodwill impairment test and determined that the carrying value of the Agro Business reporting unit within our Agricultural Solutions segment exceeded its fair value by $160 million. An impairment charge equal to this amount was recorded in the Statement of Operations for 2017, with a seriescorresponding benefit of foreign currency call$7.4 million attributable to non-controlling interest holders. This impairment charge was driven primarily by a reduction in the estimated fair


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value of this reporting unit based on the impact of a delayed agricultural market recovery which resulted in lower expectations for future revenue, profitability and put options,cash flows as compared to the expectations at the time of of the 2016 annual goodwill impairment test. Future impairments of this reporting unit may occur if the business continues to experience a delayed agricultural market recovery or macroeconomic conditions result in an increase in the WACC used to estimate fair value.
In addition, we determined that the excess of the fair values of the Graphics and Offshore Solutions reporting units within our Performance Solutions segment exceeded their carrying values by approximately 20% and less than 5%, respectively, in 2017. Goodwill assigned to the Graphics and Offshore Solutions reporting units totaled $223 million and $281 million, respectively, as of the assessment date. The estimated fair value of these reporting units are highly sensitive to changes in these estimates and assumptions; therefore, in some instances, changes in these assumptions may impact whether the fair value of a reporting unit is greater than its carrying value.  We performed sensitivity analysis around these assumptions in order to assess the reasonableness of the assumptions and the resulting estimated fair values.  Based on a sensitivity analysis performed for the Graphics Solutions reporting unit, a 100 basis point increase in the WACC or 100 basis decrease in the terminal growth rate, without any other changes to the valuation, would not result in the carrying value being greater than the fair value. The fair value of the Offshore Solutions reporting unit continues to remain slightly above to its carrying value following the impairment charge of $46.6 million recorded in conjunction with the annual goodwill impairment test performed in 2016. As a result, a 100 basis point increase in the WACC or 100 basis decrease in the terminal growth rate, without any other changes to the valuation, would result in the carrying value being greater than the fair value. Future impairments of these reporting units may occur if the businesses does not achieve its expected cash flows or macroeconomic conditions result in an increase in the WACC used to estimate fair value.
In 2017, we also determined that the fair values of the Surface Chemistries and Assembly Solutions reporting units within our Performance Solutions segment and the Agricultural Animal Health reporting unit within our Agricultural Solutions segment were each significantly in excess of their respective carrying values.
As noted above, a goodwill impairment charge totaling $46.6 million was recorded during 2016, related to Performance Solutions' Offshore Solutions reporting unit. This impairment charge was the result of previously weak oil prices. We experienced the impact on our results, which slightly lagged the overall industry, as this ultimately caused the industry to depress its overall investments. The fair value was determined using a combination of an income approach derived from a discounted cash flow model as well as market multiples. No impairments of goodwill were identified during the 2015.
See Note 8, Goodwill and Intangible Assets, to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this 2017 Annual Report for additional information.
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets
Indefinite-lived intangible assets are reviewed for potential impairment on an annual basis, in the fourth quarter, or more frequently when events or circumstances indicate that such assets may be impaired, by comparing their estimated fair values to their carrying values.  An impairment charge is recognized when the carrying value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds its estimated fair value.  We use the “relief from royalty” method to estimate the fair value of trade name intangible assets for impairment.  The primary assumptions used to estimate the present value of cash flows from such assets include sales projections and growth rates being applied to a prevailing market-based royalty rate, the effects of which synthetically createdare then tax effected, and discounted using the WACC from the vantage point of a forward purchase contract.market participant.  Assumptions concerning sales projections are impacted by the uncertain nature of global and local economic conditions in the various markets we serve.
No impairments of indefinite-lived intangible assets were identified during 2017, 2016 and 2015.
Long-Lived Assets Including Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Finite-lived intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, which currently range from 8 to 30 years for customer lists, 5 to 14 years for developed technology, 5 to 20 years for trade names, and up to 5 years for non-compete agreements.  If circumstances require a long-lived asset group to be tested for possible impairment, we first determine whether the estimated undiscounted pre-tax future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset plus the net proceeds expected from disposition of the asset, if any, are less than the carrying value of the asset.  When an impairment is identified, the carrying value of the asset is reduced to its estimated fair value based on a discounted cash flow approach or, when available and appropriate, to comparable market values.
No impairments of long-lived assets, including finite-lived intangible assets, were identified during 2017, 2016 and 2015.


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Employee Benefits and Pension Obligations
Amounts recognized in our audited Consolidated Financial Statements related to pension and other post-retirement benefits are determined from actuarial valuations.  Inherent in such valuations are assumptions including expected return on plan assets, discount rates at which the liabilities could be settled, rates of increase in future compensation levels, and mortality rates.  These assumptions are updated annually and are disclosed in Note 10, Pension, Post-Retirement and Post-Employment Plans, to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this 2017 Annual Report.  In accordance with GAAP, actual results that differ from the assumptions are accumulated in other comprehensive income and amortized over future periods and, therefore, affect expense recognized.
We consider a number of factors in determining and selecting assumptions for the overall expected long-term rate of return on plan assets.  We consider the historical long-term return experience of our assets, the current and expected allocation of our plan assets, and expected long-term rates of return.  We derive these expected long-term rates of return with the assistance of our investment advisors.  We base our expected allocation of plan assets on a diversified portfolio consisting of domestic and international equity securities, fixed income, real estate and alternative asset classes.  The measurement date used to determine pension and other post-retirement benefits is December 31, at which time the minimum contribution level for the following year is determined.
With respect to U.S. plans, our investment policies incorporate an asset allocation strategy that emphasizes the long-term growth of capital and acceptable asset volatility as long as it is consistent with the volatility of the relevant market indexes.  The investment policies attempt to achieve a mix of approximately 50% of plan investments for long-term growth, 49% for liability-matching assets and 1% for near-term benefit payments.  We believe this strategy is consistent with the long-term nature of plan liabilities and ultimate cash needs of the plans.  Plan assets consist primarily of corporate bond mutual funds, limited partnership interests, listed stocks and cash.  The corporate bond mutual funds held by the pension plan include primarily corporate bonds from companies from diversified industries located in the United States.  The listed stocks are investments in large-cap and mid-cap companies located in the United States.  The assets from the limited partnership investments primarily include listed stocks located in the United States.   The weighted average asset allocation of the Pension Plan was 49% fixed income mutual fund holdings, 27% equity securities, 19% limited partnership interests and managed equity funds, 4% collective investment funds and 1% cash at December 31, 2017.  ROA assumptions are determined annually based on a review of the asset mix as well as individual ROA performances, benchmarked against indexes such as the S&P 500 Index and the Russell 2000 Index.  In determining an assumed rate of return on plan assets, we consider past performance and economic forecasts for the types of investments held by the Pension Plan.  The asset allocation strategy and ROA assumptions for the non-U.S. plans are determined based on similar set of criteria adapted for local investments, inflation rates and in certain cases specific government requirements.
Stock-based Compensation
We expense employee stock-based compensation over the requisite service period based on the estimated grant-date fair value of the awards.  The fair value of RSU awards is determined using Monte Carlo simulations for market-based RSU awards, and the closing price of our common stock on the date of grant for all other RSU awards. The fair value of stock options is determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.  The assumptions used in calculating the fair value of stock-based awards represent our best estimates and involve inherent uncertainties and the application of judgment. Inputs in the model include assumptions related to stock price volatility, award terms, and judgments as to whether performance targets will be achieved.
Compensation costs for RSU awards reflects the number of awards expected to vest and is ultimately adjusted in future periods to reflect the actual number of vested awards. Compensation costs for awards with performance conditions are only recognized if and when it becomes probable that the performance condition will be achieved. The probability of vesting is reassessed at the end of each reporting period and the compensation costs are adjusted accordingly, with the cumulative effect of such a change on current and prior periods being recognized in compensation cost in the period of the change. Compensation costs for stock options and market-based RSU awards are recorded ratably over the vesting term of the options, effected for forfeitures as they occur.
Environmental Matters
We accrue for environmental matters when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the liability can be reasonably estimated based on current laws and existing technologies. The accruals are adjusted periodically as assessment and remediation efforts progress or as additional technical or legal information becomes available. Accruals for environmental liabilities are included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets in “Accrued expenses and other current liabilities” and “Other liabilities” at undiscounted amounts. Accruals for related insurance or other third-party recoveries for environmental liabilities are recorded when it is probable that a recovery will be realized and are included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as “Other current assets" and "Other assets."


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We capitalize environmental costs in instances where the costs extend the life of the property, increase its capacity, and/or mitigate or prevent contamination from future operations. Environmental costs are also capitalized in recognition of legal asset retirement obligations resulting from the acquisition, construction and/or normal operation of a long-lived asset. Costs related to environmental contamination treatment and cleanup are charged to expense. Estimated future incremental operations, maintenance and management costs directly related to remediation are accrued when such costs are probable and reasonably estimable.
Income Taxes
We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the differences between the financial statement basis and the tax bases of assets, liabilities, net operating losses and tax credit carryforwards. A valuation allowance is required to be recognized to reduce the recorded deferred tax asset to the amount that will more likely than not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income by jurisdiction during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible or when carryforwards can be utilized. We consider the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in this assessment. If these estimates and related assumptions change in the future, we may be required to record additional valuation allowances against our deferred tax assets resulting in additional income tax expense. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences and carryforwards are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date of such change. Considering that the TCJA was enacted on December 22, 2017, the effect would normally be required to be recognized in the fourth quarter of 2017. The SEC staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin 118 (“SAB 118”) to address the application of GAAP in situations where a registrant does not have the necessary information available, prepared or analyzed (including computations) in reasonable detail to complete the accounting for certain income tax effects of the TCJA.
In particular, SAB 118 clarifies that the impact of the TCJA must be accounted for and reported in one of three ways: (1) by reflecting the tax effects of the TCJA for which the accounting is complete; (2) by reporting provisional amounts for those specific income tax effects of the TCJA for which the accounting is incomplete but a reasonable estimate can be determined, with such provisional amounts (or adjustments to provisional amounts) identified in the measurement period, as defined therein, being included as an adjustment to tax expense in the period the amounts are determined; or (3) where the income tax effects cannot be reasonably estimated, no provisional amounts should be reported and the registrant should continue to apply the accounting standard for income taxes based on the provisions of the tax laws that were in effect immediately prior to the enactment of the TCJA. SAB 118 allows companies to record provisional amounts during a one year measurement period.
We are subject to income taxes in the United States and in various states and foreign jurisdictions.  Significant judgment is required in evaluating our uncertain tax positions and determining our provision for income taxes.  The first step in evaluating the tax position for recognition is to determine the amount of evidence that supports a favorable conclusion for the tax position upon audit.  In order to recognize the tax position, we must determine whether it is more likely than not that the position is sustainable. The final evaluation step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that has a more than 50% chance of being realized upon final settlement. Although we believe that the positions taken on income tax matters are reasonable, we establish tax reserves in recognition that various taxing authorities may challenge certain of those positions taken, potentially resulting in additional tax liabilities.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
A summary of recent accounting pronouncements is included in Note 3, Recent Accounting Pronouncements, to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this 2017 Annual Report.


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Results of Operations
The following table summarizes our results of operations for the years ended December 31,2017, 2016 2015 and 2014:2015: 
 Year Ended December 31,   % Change - 2017 vs 2016   % Change - 2016 vs 2015
(amounts in millions) 2016 2015 2014
($ amounts in millions) 2017 2016 Reported Constant Currency Organic 2015 Reported Constant Currency Organic
Net sales $3,585.9
 $2,542.3
 $843.2
 $3,775.9
 $3,585.9
 5% 4% 4% $2,542.3
 41% 43% 2%
Cost of sales 2,078.2
 1,550.4
 446.6
 2,186.9
 2,078.2
 5% 4% 1,550.4
 34% 36% 
Gross profit 1,507.7
 991.9
 396.6
 1,589.0
 1,507.7
 5% 5% 991.9
 52% 55% 
Selling, technical, general and administrative 1,123.3
 857.5
 360.9
 1,109.3
 1,123.3
 (1)% (2)% 857.5
 31% 33% 
Research and development 84.4
 62.8
 26.2
 98.4
 84.4
 17% 15% 62.8
 34% 35% 
Goodwill impairment 46.6
 
 
 160.0
 46.6
 (nm) (nm) 
 (nm) (nm) 
Operating profit 253.4
 71.6
 9.5
 221.3
 253.4
 (13)% (9)% 71.6
 (nm) (nm) 
Interest expense, net (375.7) (213.9) (37.9) (341.6) (375.7) (9)% (213.9) 76% 
Other income (expense) 74.2
 (87.0) (2.5)
Income tax (expense) benefit (28.6) (75.1) 6.7
Other (expense) income, net (168.7) 74.2
 (nm) (87.0) (nm) 
Loss before income taxes and non-controlling interest (289.0) (48.1) (nm) (229.3) (79)% 
Income tax expense (6.6) (28.6) (77)% (75.1) (62)% 
Net loss $(76.7) $(304.4) $(24.2) $(295.6) $(76.7) (nm) $(304.4) (75)% 
       
Adjusted EBITDA (1)
 $820.9
 $769.5
 7% 7% $567.7
 36% 38% 
In addition, other comprehensive income(nm)    Calculation not meaningful.
(1)    Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure and as such, should not be considered in isolation from, as a substitute for, or superior to performance measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. For a definition of Adjusted EBITDA and additional information on why we present this measure, its limitations and a reconciliation to the year ended December 31, 2016 of $214 million improved from 2015 by $1.01 billion driven primarily by favorable effects from changesmost comparable applicable GAAP measure, see "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" below, and Note 23, Segment Information, to the Consolidated Financial Statements, all included in foreign currency translation associated with the Brazilian Real, British Pound and Japanese Yen, partially offset by adverse effects associated with changes in the Mexican Peso and Chinese Yuan. Other comprehensive loss for the year ended December 31, 2015 of $796 million increased from 2014 by $657 million driven primarily by adverse effects from changes in foreign currency translation associated with the Brazilian Real, Euro and Chinese Yuan, partially offset by favorable effects associated with changes in the British Pound Sterling.this 2017 Annual Report.



The following table summarizes our results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 by reportable segment: 
  Year Ended December 31,
(amounts in millions) 2016 2015 2014
Performance Solutions      
Net sales $1,770.1
 $800.8
 $755.2
Cost of sales 993.3
 412.8
 369.8
Gross profit 776.8
 387.9
 385.4
Selling, technical, general and administrative 504.3
 242.6
 237.9
Research and development 45.0
 25.4
 24.1
Goodwill impairment 46.6
 
 
Operating profit $180.9
 $119.9
 $123.4
       
Agricultural Solutions      
Net sales $1,815.8
 $1,741.5
 $88.0
Cost of sales 1,085.4
 1,137.1
 76.8
Gross profit 730.4
 604.5
 11.2
Selling, technical, general and administrative 518.1
 488.5
 31.5
Research and development 39.4
 37.4
 2.1
Operating profit $172.9
 $78.6
 $(22.4)
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
InTo supplement our financial results presented in accordance with GAAP in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section, we usepresent certain non-GAAP financial operating measures, including adjusted net sales change, adjusted cost of sales change, adjusted gross profit change, adjusted selling, technical, general and administrative expense change, adjusted research and development expense change, and adjusted operating profit change, in each case adjusted to exclude the results of acquisitions, which lack year-over-year comparability due to the dates when they were acquired, and to eliminate the effects of translating results of our international locations into U.S. dollars. We have included each of these non-GAAP measures in order to provide additional information regarding our underlyingsuch as Adjusted EBITDA, operating results and comparable year-over-year performance. Such information is supplemental to information presented in accordance with GAAP and is not intended to represent a presentation in accordance with GAAP. In discussing our historical and expected future results and financial condition, we believe it is meaningful for investors to be made aware of, and to be assisted in a better understanding of, on a period-to-period comparableconstant currency basis financial amounts both including and excluding these identified items, as well as the impact of exchange rate fluctuations, on our operating results and financial conditions. We believe such additional non-GAAP information provides investors with an overall perspective of the period-to-period performance of our business. In addition, managementorganic sales growth. Management internally reviews each of these non-GAAP measures to evaluate performance on a comparative period-to-period basis in terms of absolute performance, trends, and expected future performance with respect to our business. However, investors should not considerWe believe these non-GAAP financial measures, which are each further described below, provide investors with an additional perspective on trends and underlying operating results on a period-to-period comparable basis. We also believe that investors find this information helpful in understanding the ongoing performance of our operations separate from items that may have a disproportionate positive or negative impact on our financial results in any particular period or are considered to be costs associated with our capital structure.
These non-GAAP financial measures, however, have limitations as analytical tools, and should not be considered in isolation from, or a substitute for, or superior to, the related financial information that we report in accordance with GAAP. TheseThe principal limitations of these non-GAAP financial measures is that they exclude significant expenses and income that are required by GAAP to be recorded in the Company’s financial statements, and may also not be comparable to similarly titled measures usedof other companies due to potential differences in the method of calculation between companies. In addition, these measures are subject to inherent limitations as they reflect the exercise of judgment by other companies.management about which items are excluded or included in determining these non-GAAP financial measures. Investors are encouraged to review the reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to their most comparable GAAP financial measures included in this 2017 Annual Report, and not to rely on any single financial measure to evaluate the Company’s businesses.
Adjusted EBITDA
We define Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA (earnings before interest, provision for income taxes, depreciation and amortization), excluding the impact of additional items included in earnings, which we believe are not representative or indicative of our ongoing business or are considered to be part of our capital structure. Management believes Adjusted EBITDA provides investors with a


47




more complete understanding of the long-term profitability trends of our business, and facilitates comparisons of our profitability to prior and future periods.
For a reconciliation of "Net loss attributable to common stockholders" to Adjusted EBITDA and more information about the adjustments made, see Note 23, Segment Information, to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this 2017 Annual Report.
Constant Currency
We disclose operating results from net sales through operating profit on a constant currency basis by adjusting to exclude the impact of changes due to the translation of foreign currencies of our international locations into U.S. dollars. Management believes this non-GAAP financial information facilitates period-to-period comparison in the analysis of trends in business performance, thereby providing valuable supplemental information regarding our results of operations, consistent with how we internally evaluate our financial results.
The impact of foreign currency translation is calculated by converting our current-period local currency financial results into U.S. dollars using the prior period's exchange rates and comparing these adjusted amounts to our prior period reported results. The difference between actual growth rates and constant currency growth rates represents the impact of foreign currency translation.
Organic Results
Organic sales growth is defined as net sales excluding the impact of foreign currency translation, changes due to the price of certain metals, acquisitions and/or divestitures. Management believes this non-GAAP financial measure provides investors with a more complete understanding of the underlying net sales trends by providing comparable sales over differing periods on a consistent basis.
The following tables reconcile GAAP net sales growth to organic sales growth for 2017 and 2016:
 Year ended December 31, 2017
 Reported Net Sales Growth Impact of Currency Metals Acquisitions/Disposition Organic Sales Growth
Performance Solutions6% —% (1)% —% 4%
Agricultural Solutions4% (2)% —% —% 3%
Total5% (1)% (1)% —% 4%
 Year ended December 31, 2016
 Reported Net Sales Growth Impact of Currency Metals Acquisitions/Disposition Organic Sales Growth
Performance Solutions121% 2% (2)% (120)% 1%
Agricultural Solutions4% 2% —% (3)% 3%
Total41% 2% —% (40)% 2%
NOTE: Totals may not sum due to rounding.
For 2017, metals pricing and acquisitions benefited our Performance Solutions and consolidated results by $23.6 million and $2.8 million, respectively.
For 2016, metals pricing and acquisitions benefited our Performance Solutions and consolidated results by $12.6 million and $965 million, respectively. Additionally, Agricultural Solutions and our consolidated results benefited from acquisitions and dispositions by $87.5 million and $32.1 million, respectively.
When comparing 2016 and 2015, we also presented gross profit, selling, technical, general and administrative expense, research and development expense, and operating profit on an organic basis. These results excluded the impact of foreign currency translation and were adjusted for the impact of the Alent and OMG Acquisitions in 2016 in Performance Solutions and for the impact of the Arysta Acquisition, completed in February 2015, as well as a divestiture completed in 2015, in Agricultural Solutions.


48




Year Ended December 31, 20162017 Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 20152016
As noted under Non-GAAP Financial Measures above, we present our adjusted results to exclude the impact of acquisitions which lack year-over-year comparability. For the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, we adjusted to exclude the results of the OMG Malaysia, Alent, and OMG Acquisitions within the Performance Solutions segment. However, with respect to the Arysta Acquisition within the Agricultural Solutions segment, which occurred in February 2015, we have made no adjustment to exclude Arysta's results since year-over-year comparability was only impacted by approximately 1.5 months, but rather we considered its impact within our discussion of results, as appropriate. The acquisition-related adjustments were as follows:
  Year Ended December 31, Acquisitions
(amounts in millions) 2016 2015 Net impact
Net sales $1,086.0
 $91.5
 $994.5
Cost of sales 674.0
 73.6
 600.4
Gross profit 412.0
 17.9
 394.1
Selling, technical, general and administrative 266.5
 27.0
 239.5
Research and development 25.3
 2.8
 22.5
Operating profit (loss) 120.2
 (11.9) 132.1
The adjustments for changes in foreign currency translations consisted of converting our current-period local currency financial results into U.S. Dollars using prior year's exchange rates and comparing these adjusted amounts to our prior years reported results. Our current year acquisition-adjusted activities were effected primarily by weaker British Pound Sterling, Mexican Peso, South African Rand, as well as, Mozambique New Metical, which itself depreciated over 50% during 2016. These impacts were partially offset by a significantly stronger Japanese Yen and Brazilian Real during 2016.
Net Sales
  Year Ended December 31,
 (amounts in millions) 2016 2015
Net sales $3,585.9
 $2,542.3
 Year ended December 31, Change
 ($ amounts in millions)2017 2016 Reported Constant Currency Organic
Performance Solutions$1,878.6
 $1,770.1
 6% 6% 4%
Agricultural Solutions1,897.3
 1,815.8
 4% 3% 3%
Total$3,775.9
 $3,585.9
 5% 4% 4%
NetPerformance Solutions' net sales for the year ended December 31, 2016 totaled $3.59 billion, representing2017 increased by 6% (6% on a constant currency and 4% on an increaseorganic basis). Organic sales growth was driven primarily by strength in our Assembly and Industrial Solutions businesses, which contributed approximately 3% and 2% of $1.04 billion, or 41%, as comparedgrowth to the year ended December 31, 2015.segment, respectively. Organic sales growth in Assembly Solutions reflected higher sales volume across several product lines, including solder paste. Our Industrial Solutions’ organic sales growth was driven by higher sales volume across all regions, most notably in Europe and Asia. In addition, organic sales growth in our Electronics Solutions business contributed approximately 1% of growth to the segment, driven primarily by strong performance in the Asian smart phone and memory disk markets. Organic sales growth was partially offset by continued volume declines of flexographic printing plates within our Graphics Solutions business, which reduced organic segment sales growth by approximately 1%.
Agricultural Solutions' net sales for 2017 increased by 4% (3% on a constant currency and organic basis). The organic sales increase was driven by a combination of our successful geographic expansion into various European markets, most notably in parts of Eastern Europe, Germany and UK, as well as continued volume growth, notably from our BioSolutions portfolio, and new product introductions across Europe and parts of Asia and Latin America, particularly in Japan, Brazil, Mexico and China. These gains were partially offset by declines resulting from changes in our West Africa selling strategies, pricing pressure on certain products, mostly impacting Latin America and the U.S., and lower volumes in southern Asia and North America.
Gross Profit
  Year Ended December 31, 2016
 (amounts in millions) $ Change % Change
Total change $1,043.6
 41.0 %
 - Acquisitions (994.5) (39.1)%
 - Foreign Currency Translation 53.9
 2.1 %
Change, adjusted for acquisitions and foreign currency translation $103.0
 4.1 %
 Year ended December 31, Change
 ($ amounts in millions)2017 2016 Reported Constant Currency
Gross profit       
Performance Solutions$813.8
 $776.8
 5% 5%
Agricultural Solutions775.2
 730.9
 6% 5%
Total$1,589.0
 $1,507.7
 5% 5%
        
Gross margin       
Performance Solutions43.3% 43.9% (57) bps (49) bps
Agricultural Solutions40.9% 40.3% 61 bps 95 bps
Total42.1% 42.0% 4 bps 24 bps
For the year ended December 31, 2016, adjustedPerformance Solutions' gross profit for acquisitions2017 increased by 5% on a reported and foreignconstant currency translation,basis. The constant currency increase in gross profit was primarily driven by higher net sales volume in our Assembly and Industrial Solutions businesses and $11.7 million in inventory step-up amortization in the prior year which did not recur in 2017. The increase was partially offset by higher raw material costs in our Graphics business and metals prices across our businesses. Gross margin erosion was primarily driven by declines in our Graphics Solutions business, as well as product mix and higher raw material and metals costs in our Assembly Solutions business.
Agricultural Solutions' gross profit for 2017 increased by $103 million, or 4.1%6% (5% at constant currency). The constant currency increase was largely a result of overall top line growth, particularly in the fourth quarter, an increased focus on selling higher-margin products, notably from our BioSolutions portfolio, in Europe, Latin America and North America, a change in our selling strategy of certain lower-margin businesses in West Africa, as well as new geographic expansions, primarily in Europe. Gross margin expansion was largely the result of higher-margin new product introductions, particularly in Latin America and North America, and cost savings associated with sourcing raw materials, partially offset by the pricing pressures in Latin America and the U.S.


49




Selling, Technical, General and Administrative Expense (STG&A)
  Year ended December 31,
 (amounts in millions) 2016 2015
Performance Solutions    
Net sales $1,770.1
 $800.8
 - acquisitions (1,086.0) (91.5)
 - foreign currency translation 18.3
 
Net sales, adjusted for acquisitions and foreign exchange $702.4
 $709.3
    

Agricultural Solutions    
Net sales $1,815.8
 $1,741.5
 - foreign currency translation 35.6
 
Net sales, adjusted for foreign exchange $1,851.4
 $1,741.5
 Year ended December 31, Change
 ($ amounts in millions)2017 2016 Reported Constant Currency
STG&A       
Performance Solutions$504.1
 $504.3
 —% —%
Agricultural Solutions525.3
 518.1
 1% (1)%
Corporate79.9
 100.9
 (21)% (21)%
Total$1,109.3
 $1,123.3
 (1)% (2)%
        
STG&A as % of net sales       
Performance Solutions26.8% 28.5% (165) bps (169) bps
Agricultural Solutions27.7% 28.5% (85) bps (103) bps
Total29.4% 31.3% (195) bps (204) bps
Performance Solutions' STG&A for 2017 was flat on a reported and constant currency basis, as operating cost inflation was essentially offset by realized cost savings from integration activities and lower bad debt expense.
Agricultural Solutions' STG&A for 2017 increased by 1% (decreased by 1% at constant currency). The constant currency decrease was primarily due to cost reduction initiatives in Europe and Latin America, offset by higher costs associated with non-recourse factoring programs, costs associated with the termination of a supply agreement related to the CAS Acquisition, and costs associated with expansion of certain European markets.
Corporate STG&A for 2017 decreased by 21% on a reported and constant currency basis. The decrease was primarily due to lower acquisition and integration costs associated with previous Acquisitions, and legal expenses which did not recur in 2017, partially offset by costs associated with the Proposed Separation of our Agricultural Solutions business.
Research and Development (R&D)
 Year ended December 31, Change
 ($ amounts in millions)2017 2016 Reported Constant Currency
R&D       
Performance Solutions$46.4
 $45.0
 3% 4%
Agricultural Solutions52.0
 39.4
 32% 28%
Total$98.4
 $84.4
 17% 15%
        
R&D as % of net sales       
Performance Solutions2.5% 2.5% (7) bps (5) bps
Agricultural Solutions2.7% 2.2% 57 bps 53 bps
Total2.6% 2.4% 25 bps 24 bps
Performance Solutions' R&D for 2017 increased by 3% (4% at constant currency) due to timing of various projects.
Agricultural Solutions' R&D for 2017 increased by 32% (28% at constant currency), driven primarily by investments in new development projects aimed at enhancing our product portfolio in targeted areas of focus.


50




Goodwill impairment
 Year Ended December 31,
  ($ amounts in millions)
2017 2016
Goodwill impairment   
Performance Solutions$
 $46.6
Agricultural Solutions160.0
 
Total$160.0
 $46.6
As a result of our annual goodwill impairment test in 2017, we recorded an impairment charge in the Agricultural Solutions segment of $160 million related to our Agro Business reporting unit. This charge was driven by the impact of a delayed agricultural market recovery, which resulted in lower expectations for future profitability and cash flows as compared to the expectations of the 2016 annual goodwill impairment test.
As a result of our annual goodwill impairment test in 2016, we recorded an impairment charge in the Performance Solutions segment of $46.6 million related to the Offshore Solutions reporting unit as a result of previously weak oil prices.
Operating Profit
 Year ended December 31, Change
 ($ amounts in millions)2017 2016 Reported Constant Currency
Operating profit       
Performance Solutions$263.2
 $180.9
 45% 46%
Agricultural Solutions38.0
 173.4
 (78)% (74)%
Corporate(79.9) (100.9) (21)% (21)%
Total$221.3
 $253.4
 (13)% (9)%
        
Operating Margin       
Performance Solutions14.0% 10.2% 379 bps 389 bps
Agricultural Solutions2.0% 9.5% (755) bps (711) bps
Total5.9% 7.1% (121) bps (94) bps
Performance Solutions' operating profit for 2017 increased by 45% (46% at constant currency), representing an operating margin of 14.0%. The constant currency increase was driven by top line growth in our Assembly, Industrial and Electronic Solutions businesses, the goodwill impairment charge of $46.6 million recorded in 2016 mentioned above, as well as cost savings from integration activities of approximately $18 million. The increase was partially offset by the previously noted gross margin erosion from declines in our Graphics Solutions business.
Agricultural Solutions' operating profit for 2017 decreased by 78% (74% at constant currency), representing an operating margin of 2.0%. The decrease in constant currency operating profit and margin was driven primarily by the goodwill impairment charge of $160 million. Excluding the goodwill impairment impact, operating profit increased as a result of top line growth in all regions and the gross profit improvements noted above, partially offset by higher R&D costs.


51




Other (Expense) Income, net
 Year Ended December 31,
  ($ amounts in millions)
2017 2016
Interest expense, net$(341.6) $(375.7)
Foreign exchange loss(107.5) (14.1)
Other (expense) income, net(61.2) 88.3
Total$(510.3) $(301.5)
Interest Expense, Net
For 2017 and 2016, net interest expense totaled $342 million and $376 million, respectively, representing a decrease of $34.1 million. The decrease in net interest expense is primarily due to the repricing of our term debt, which decreased the weighted average effective interest rate on our term loans from approximately 5.64% at December 31, 2016 to 4.53% at December 31, 2017.
Foreign Exchange Loss
For 2017 and 2016, foreign exchange loss totaled $108 million and $14.1 million, respectively, representing an increase of $93.4 million. The increase in foreign exchange losses is primarily due to the remeasurement of foreign denominated debt and intercompany balances to U.S. dollar and pertained primarily to the euro and British pound.
Other (expense) income, net
For 2017 and 2016, other (expense) income, net totaled $(61.2) million and $88.3 million, respectively, representing a year over year negative impact to profits of $150 million. The decrease is primarily related to the prior-year net gain of $98.0 million associated with the settlement of our Series B Convertible Preferred Stock and $61.1 million of charges in 2017 related to extinguishment of debt, partially offset by the $10.8 million net gain related to a legal settlement agreement.
Income Tax
 Year Ended December 31,
  ($ amounts in millions)
2017 2016
Income tax expense$(6.6) $(28.6)
Effective tax rate(2.3)% (59.5)%
The income tax expense for 2017 totaled $6.6 million, as compared to $28.6 million for 2016. The change in the effective tax rate is primarily attributable to the increased level of goodwill impairment in 2017 as compared to 2016 for which there was no corresponding tax benefit, the benefit for the provisional estimate of the TCJA, the 2016 settlement gain of the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock which was treated as a non-taxable purchase price adjustment, and favorable reductions in foreign tax rates for changes in tax law.
Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income
Other comprehensive income for 2017 totaled $256 million, as compared to $214 million of income in the prior year. The change was driven primarily by foreign currency translation gains associated with the euro, Canadian Dollar and Chinese Yuan, partially offset by losses primarily associated with the British Pound.
Segment Performance
Our operations are organized into two reportable segments: Performance Solutions and Agricultural Solutions. Both segments share a common focus on attractive niche markets, which we believe will grow faster than the diverse end-markets we serve. For additional information regarding our segments, see Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, under the heading "Our Business," and Note 23, Segment Information, to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in this 2017 Annual Report.


52




Adjusted EBITDA
We utilize Adjusted EBITDA as one of the measures to evaluate the performance of our operating segments. Adjusted EBITDA for each segment includes an allocation of corporate costs, such as compensation expense and professional fees. See Note 23, Segment Information, to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in this 2017 Annual Report, for more information and a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income.
 Year Ended December 31, Change
  ($ amounts in millions)
2017 2016 Reported Constant Currency
Adjusted EBITDA: 
  
    
Performance Solutions$432.7
 $401.3
 8% 8%
Agricultural Solutions388.2
 368.2
 5% 6%
Total$820.9
 $769.5
 7% 7%
For 2017 and 2016, corporate costs allocated to each segment totaled $31.4 million and $32.8 million, respectively.
Performance Solutions' Adjusted EBITDA for 2017 increased 8% on a reported and constant currency basis. The increase was primarily driven by growth of our Assembly, Industrial and Electronic Solutions businesses resulting in higher gross profits, as well as cost savings from integration synergies, partially offset by the impact of volume declines in our Graphics Solutions business.
Agricultural Solutions' Adjusted EBITDA for 2017 increased 5% (6% at constant currency). The constant currency increase was primarily driven by an increase from market expansion in Europe and new product launches in Asia and Latin America, volume growth in higher-margin products and cost reduction initiatives in Europe and Latin America. These increases were partially offset by a change in our selling strategy of certain lower-margin businesses in West Africa, and investments made in STG&A, as noted above.
Year Ended December 31, 2016 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2015
Net Sales
 Year ended December 31, Change
 ($ amounts in millions)2016 2015 Reported Constant Currency Organic
Performance Solutions$1,770.1
 $800.8
 121% 123% 1%
Agricultural Solutions1,815.8
 1,741.5
 4% 6% 3%
Total$3,585.9
 $2,542.3
 41% 43% 2%
Performance Solutions' net sales for the year ended December 31, 2016 adjusted for acquisitionsincreased by 121% (123% on a constant currency and foreign currency translation, totaled $702 million, representing a decrease of $6.8 million, or 1.0%, as1% on an organic basis) compared to the year ended December 31, 2015.prior period. The decreaseincrease in organic net sales was driven by ourgrowth in global paste solder product demand in Assembly Solutions, share gains in industrial product offerings sold into the automotive supply chain in Asia, specifically in China, and a recovery of product demand in Electronic Solutions in the second half of 2016. Organic sales growth in these businesses was partially offset by under-performance in Offshore Solutions business due to softness in the oil and gas end market as declines in oil prices resulted in reduced capital investment and project startup delays. Excluding the declines in Offshore Solutions, Performance Solutions grew revenue by $14.3 million, or 2.3%, on an organic basis. The impact of oil prices was twofold: (1) reduced demand for offshore production control and drilling fluids, and (2) reduced demand for plating chemistry sold into the supply chain for onshore oil production rigs and stripping/cleaning chemistry utilized in polyethylene terephthalate recycling. The latter relates to the Industrial Solutions side of our business and was overcome by strength in other industrial product offerings mostly sold into the automotive supply chain in Asia. Increased revenue from Electronics Solutions further combated softness in Offshore Solutions. Overall market conditions in Graphics Solutions remained fairly flat.
Agricultural Solutions' net sales for the year ended December 31, 2016 adjusted for foreignincreased by 4% (6% on a constant currency translation, totaled $1.85 billion, representingand 3% on an increase of $110 million, or 6.3%, asorganic basis) compared to the year ended December 31, 2015.prior period. The increase was driven in part by the additional 1.5 months oforganic net sales in 2016 as a result of the Arysta Acquisition on February 13, 2015. Net sales increased modestly on a comparable basis primarilywas driven by volume growth in our insecticide and herbicide businesses in Latin America and Europe, our anti-malarial insecticides in Africa, and our biosolutionsBioSolutions business. The volume growth was primarily boosted by several new product launches and continued focus on promoting proprietary brands. These effects were partially offset by lower volumes in North America, mainly due to low commodity prices, declining farmer incomes and soft demand for crop protection products, as well as our continued integration efforts to reduce volumes related to low-margin products across geographic markets. Additionally, although generic competition and low commodity prices led to some pricing pressure, overall Agricultural Solutions achieved an improvement in pricing driven primarily by Latin America and Europe.
Cost of Sales

53

  Year Ended December 31,
 (amounts in millions) 2016 2015
Cost of sales $2,078.2
 $1,550.4
Cost of sales for the year ended December 31, 2016 totaled $2.08 billion, or 58.0% of net sales, as compared to $1.55 billion, or 61.0% of net sales, for the year ended December 31, 2015, representing an increase of $528 million, or 34.0%.

 Year Ended December 31, 2016
 (amounts in millions) $ Change % Change
Total change $527.8
 34.0 %
 - Acquisitions (600.4) (38.7)%
 - Foreign Currency Translation 29.0
 1.9 %
Change, adjusted for acquisitions and foreign currency translation $(43.6) (2.8)%
For the year ended December 31, 2016, adjusted for acquisitions and foreign currency translation, cost of sales decreased by $43.6 million, or 2.8%.



 Year ended December 31,
 (amounts in millions)2016 2015
Performance Solutions   
Cost of sales$993.3
 $412.8
 - acquisitions(674.0) (73.6)
 - foreign currency translation7.7
 
Cost of sales, adjusted for acquisitions and foreign exchange$327.0
 $339.2
   

Agricultural Solutions   
Cost of sales$1,085.4
 $1,137.1
 - foreign currency translation21.3
 
Cost of sales, adjusted for foreign exchange$1,106.7
 $1,137.1
Performance Solutions' cost of sales for the year ended December 31, 2016, adjusted for acquisitions and foreign currency translation, totaled $327 million, as compared to $339 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, representing a decrease of $12.2 million, or 3.6%, due primarily to the aforementioned lower adjusted sales volume, lower material costs from achieved synergies and favorable product mix.
Agricultural Solutions' cost of sales for the year ended December 31, 2016, adjusted for foreign currency translation, totaled $1.11 billion, as compared to $1.14 billion for the year ended December 31, 2015, representing a decrease of $30.4 million, or 2.7%. In 2015, cost of sales included the impact of amortization costs as the remaining purchase accounting inventory step-ups became fully amortized during the first nine months of 2015, totaling $58.0 million, which was essentially offset by an additional 1.5 months of costs of sales in 2016 as a result of the Arysta Acquisition on February 13, 2015. On a comparable basis, cost of sales decreased as a result of lower supply prices, improved procurement trends, and product mix improvement, partially offset by higher sales volumes.
Gross Profit

 Year Ended December 31,
 (amounts in millions) 2016 2015
Gross profit $1,507.7
 $991.9
Gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2016 totaled $1.51 billion, or 42.0% of net sales, as compared to $992 million, or 39.0% of net sales, for the year ended December 31, 2015, representing an increase of $516 million, or 52.0%.
  Year Ended December 31, 2016
 (amounts in millions) $ Change % Change
Total change $515.8
 52.0 %
 - Acquisitions (394.1) (39.7)%
 - Foreign Currency Translation 24.9
 2.5 %
Change, adjusted for acquisitions and foreign currency translation $146.6
 14.8 %
For the year ended December 31, 2016, adjusted for acquisitions and foreign currency translation, gross profit increased by $146.6 million, or 14.8%.



 Year ended December 31,
 (amounts in millions)2016 2015
Performance Solutions   
Gross profit$776.8
 $387.9
 - acquisitions(412.0) (17.9)
 - foreign currency translation10.6
 
Gross profit, adjusted for acquisitions and foreign exchange$375.4
 $370.0
   

Agricultural Solutions   
Gross profit$730.4
 $604.5
 - foreign currency translation14.3
 
Gross profit, adjusted for acquisitions and foreign exchange$744.7
 $604.5
 Year ended December 31, Change
 ($ amounts in millions)2016 2015 Reported Constant Currency Organic
Gross profit         
Performance Solutions$776.8
 $387.9
 100% 103% 1%
Agricultural Solutions730.9
 604.0
 21% 23% 19%
Total$1,507.7
 $991.9
 52% 55% 12%
          
Gross margin         
Performance Solutions43.9% 48.4% (455) bps (441) bps (91) bps
Agricultural Solutions40.3% 34.7% 557 bps 554 bps 554 bps
Total42.0% 39.0% 303 bps 309 bps 381 bps
Performance Solutions' gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2016 adjusted for acquisitionsincreased by 100% (103% at constant currency and foreign currency translation, totaled $375 million, as compared to $370 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, representing1% on an increase of approximately $5.4 million or 1.5%organic basis). The increase inorganic gross profit increase was driven primarily by a 1.3% gross margin expansion resulting from lower raw material costs, some of which were achieved through synergies, andas well as favorable product mix, partially offset by lower sales volume. Asidevolume from Offshore Solutions, we achieved year-over-year growth in all product lines.Solutions. The most significant growth came from our higher-margin advanced Electronics Solutions and Industrials Solutions product lines, particularly in Asia. Collectively, these two product lines comprised approximately 65% of net sales growth during 2016, excluding Offshore, and increased as a percentage of total Performance Segment net sales by about 1.8%.
Agricultural Solutions' gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2016 adjusted for foreignincreased by 21% (23% at constant currency translation, totaled $745 million, as compared to $605 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, representingand 19% on an increase of $140 million, or 23.2%organic basis). The increase was largely a result of $58.0 million of inventory step-up amortization costs as the remaining purchase accounting inventory step-ups became fully amortized during the first nine months ofin 2015 as well as an additional 1.5 month of resultswhich did not recur in 2016 from the Arysta Acquisition on February 13, 2015. On a comparable basis, the2016. The gross profit increase was also driven by gross profit growth due to a broad increase in sales volumes, including higher relative growth in our biosolutionsBioSolutions products, which generate, on average, higher margins. In addition,margins, as well as procurement savings, driven by our ongoing integration and synergy efforts, improved gross profit year over year. These increases were partially offset by soft demand in North America, where volumes fell as a result of persisting weak market conditions.efforts. We continuecontinued to see favorable effects from improved procurement trends, product mix, the impact of our proprietary product portfolio, and growth in the niche markets in which we operate.
Selling, Technical, General and Administrative Expense (STG&A)
  Year Ended December 31,
 (amounts in millions) 2016 2015
Selling, technical, general and administrative $1,123.3
 $857.5
Selling, technical, general and administrative expense for the year ended December 31, 2016 totaled $1.12 billion, or 31.3% of net sales, as compared to $858 million, or 33.7% of net sales, for the year ended December 31, 2015, representing a decrease of 240 basis points as a percent of net sales.
  Year Ended December 31, 2016
 (amounts in millions) $ Change % Change
Total change $265.8
 31.0 %
 - Acquisitions (239.5) (27.9)%
 - Foreign Currency Translation 19.5
 2.3 %
Change, adjusted for acquisitions and foreign currency translation $45.7
 5.3 %
For the year ended December 31, 2016, adjusted for acquisitions and foreign currency translation, selling, technical, general and administrative expense increased by $45.7 million, or 5.3%. The increase was due primarily to increases in segment level costs, which are discussed below. These increases were partially offset by a decline in corporate general and administrative costs year over year. Corporate costs declined primarily due to a significant reduction in acquisition-related and restructuring costs, which



were partially offset by increases in costs associated with headcount additions, equity compensation, infrastructure spending on integration activities, and debt modification costs associated with the term loan refinancing completed in October and December 2016.
 Year ended December 31,
 (amounts in millions)2016 2015
Performance Solutions   
Selling, technical, general and administrative expense$504.3
 $242.6
 - acquisitions(266.5) (27.0)
 - foreign currency translation5.8
 
Selling, technical, general and administrative expense, adjusted for foreign exchange$243.6
 $215.6
   

Agricultural Solutions   
Selling, technical, general and administrative expense$518.1
 $488.5
 - foreign currency translation13.7
 
Selling, technical, general and administrative expense, adjusted for foreign exchange$531.8
 $488.5
 Year ended December 31, Change
 ($ amounts in millions)2016 2015 Reported Constant Currency Organic
STG&A         
Performance Solutions$504.3
 $242.6
 108% 110% 13%
Agricultural Solutions518.1
 488.5
 6% 9% 3%
Corporate100.9
 126.4
 (20)% (20)% (20)%
Total$1,123.3
 $857.5
 31% 33% 2%
          
STG&A as % of net sales         
Performance Solutions28.5% 30.3% (180) bps (177) bps 286 bps
Agricultural Solutions28.5% 28.1% 48 bps 67 bps 67 bps
Total31.3% 33.7% (240) bps (233) bps (30) bps
Performance Solutions' selling, technical, generalSTG&A for 2016 increased by 108% (110% at constant currency and administrative expense for the year ended December 31, 2016, adjusted for acquisitions and foreign currency translation, totaled $244 million, as compared to $216 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, representing13% on an increase of $28.0 million, or 13.0%organic basis). The organic increase was due primarily todriven by charges associated with integration activities as well as the allocation of the aforementionedand higher debt refinancing costs.
Agricultural Solutions' selling, technical, generalSTG&A for 2016 increased by 6% (9% at constant currency and administrative expense for the year ended December 31, 2016, adjusted for foreign currency translation, totaled $532 million, as compared to $489 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, representing3% on an increase of $43.3 million, or 8.9%organic basis). The increase was driven primarily by an additional 1.5 months of expenses in 2016 as a result of the Arysta Acquisition on February 13, 2015. On a comparable basis, the segment experienced a modest increase due to price inflation related to wages in developing markets, investments in infrastructure in support of growth in the business, and continued integration expenses.expenses, and higher costs associated with non-recourse factoring programs. The increase was largelypartially offset by savings from headcount reductions associated with synergies achieved in our operations in Africa and Europe and a decline in restructuring expenses related to the acquisitions within this segment.
Corporate STG&A for 2016 decreased by 20% on a reported, constant currency and organic basis. The decline was primarily due to a significant reduction in acquisition-related and restructuring costs, partially offset by increases in costs associated with


54




headcount additions, equity compensation, infrastructure spending on integration activities, and debt modification costs associated with the term loan refinancing completed in October and December 2016.
Research and Development Expense
  Year Ended December 31,
 (amounts in millions) 2016 2015
Research and development $84.4
 $62.8
Research and development expense for the year ended December 31, 2016 totaled $84.4 million, or 2.4% of net sales, as compared to $62.8 million, or 2.5% of net sales, for the year ended December 31, 2015, representing an increase of $21.6 million, or 34.4%.
  Year Ended December 31, 2016
 (amounts in millions) $ Change % Change
Total change $21.6
 34.4 %
 - Acquisitions (22.5) (35.8)%
 - Foreign Currency Translation 0.2
 0.3 %
Change, adjusted for acquisitions and foreign currency translation $(0.7) (1.1)%
For the year ended December 31, 2016, adjusted for acquisitions and foreign currency translation, research and development expense decreased by $0.7 million, or 1.1%.



 Year ended December 31,
 (amounts in millions)2016 2015
Performance Solutions   
Research and development expense$45.0
 $25.4
 - acquisitions(25.3) (2.8)
 - foreign currency translation0.2
 
Research and development expense, adjusted for acquisitions and foreign exchange$19.9
 $22.6
   

Agricultural Solutions   
Research and development expense$39.4
 $37.4
 - foreign currency translation
 
Research and development expense, adjusted for foreign exchange$39.4
 $37.4
 Year ended December 31, Change
 ($ amounts in millions)2016 2015 Reported Constant Currency Organic
R&D         
Performance Solutions$45.0
 $25.4
 77% 78% (12)%
Agricultural Solutions39.4
 37.4
 5% 5% (4)%
Total$84.4
 $62.8
 34% 35% (7)%
          
R&D as % of net sales         
Performance Solutions2.5% 3.2% (63) bps (64) bps (47) bps
Agricultural Solutions2.2% 2.1% 2 bps (2) bps (2) bps
Total2.4% 2.5% (12) bps (15) bps (23) bps
Performance Solutions' researchR&D for 2016 increased by 77% (78% at constant currency and development expense for the year ended December 31, 2016, adjusted for acquisitions and foreign currency translation, totaled $19.9 million, as compared to $22.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, representing a decrease of $2.7 million, or 11.9%decreased by 12% on an organic basis). The organic decrease was driven by integration activities thatwhich have reduced research and innovation-related operating costs.
Agricultural Solutions' researchR&D for 2016 increased by 5% (5% at constant currency and development expense for the year ended December 31, 2016 totaled $39.4 million, as compared to $37.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, representingdecreased by 4% on an increase of $2.0 million, or 5.3%organic basis). The increasedecrease was driven in part by an additional 1.5 monthsthe phasing of expenses in 2016 as a result of the Arysta Acquisition on February 13, 2015, as well as increased spending on early-phase projectsstudies in the segment's development pipeline, combined with some phasing on studies.pipeline.
Goodwill impairmentImpairment
 Year Ended December 31,Year Ended December 31,
(amounts in millions) 2016 2015
($ amounts in millions)
2016 2015
Goodwill impairment $46.6
 $
$46.6
 $
As aBased on the result of our annual goodwill impairment test, we recorded an impairment charge in the Performance Solutions segment of $46.6 million related to the Offshore Solutions reporting unit as a result of continuingpreviously weak oil prices. We are now experiencingexperienced the impact on our results, which slightly laglagged the overall industry, as this ultimately has caused the industry to depress its overall investments.
Operating Profit
  Year Ended December 31,
 (amounts in millions) 2016 2015
Operating profit $253.4
 $71.6
Operating profit for the year ended December 31, 2016 totaled $253 million, or 7.1% of net sales, as compared to $71.6 million, or 2.8% of net sales, for the year ended December 31, 2015, representing an increase of $182 million, or 254%.
  Year Ended December 31, 2016
 (amounts in millions) $ Change % Change
Total change $181.8
 254 %
 - Acquisitions (132.1) (184)%
 - Foreign Currency Translation 5.2
 7.3 %
Change, adjusted for acquisitions and foreign currency translation $55.0
 77 %
For the year ended December 31, 2016, adjusted for acquisitions and foreign currency translation, operating profit increased by $55 million, or 77%.



 Year ended December 31,
 (amounts in millions)2016 2015
Performance Solutions   
Operating profit$180.9
 $119.9
 - acquisitions(120.2) 11.9
 - foreign currency translation4.6
 
Operating profit, adjusted for acquisitions and foreign exchange$65.3
 $131.8
   

Agricultural Solutions   
Operating profit$172.9
 $78.6
 - foreign currency translation0.6
 
Operating profit, adjusted for foreign exchange$173.5
 $78.6
 Year ended December 31, Change
 ($ amounts in millions)2016 2015 Reported Constant Currency Organic
Operating profit         
Performance Solutions$180.9
 $119.9
 51% 55% (50)%
Agricultural Solutions173.4
 78.6
 120% 121% 134%
Corporate(100.9) (126.9) (20)% (20)% (20)%
Total$253.4
 $71.6
 253% 260% 77%
          
Operating Margin         
Performance Solutions10.2% 15.0% (475) bps (460) bps (967) bps
Agricultural Solutions9.5% 4.5% 504 bps 486 bps 486 bps
Total7.1% 2.8% 425 bps 427 bps 245 bps
Performance Solutions' operating profit for the year ended December 31, 2016 adjusted for acquisitionsincreased by 51% (55% at constant currency and foreign currency translation, totaled $65.3 million, as compared to $132 million for the year ended December 31, 2015,decreased 50% on an organic basis), representing a decreasean operating margin of $66.5 million, or 50.5%10.2%. The decrease in organic operating profit was due primarily to the 2016 Offshore


55




Solutions goodwill impairment charge of $46.6 million, combined withand higher selling, general, technical and administrativeSTG&A expenses, partially offset by increases inthe aforementioned gross profit.profit increases.
Agricultural Solutions' operating profit for the year ended December 31, 2016 adjusted for foreignincreased by 120% (121% at constant currency translation, totaled $174 million, as compared to $78.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2015,and 134% on an organic basis), representing an increaseoperating margin of $95 million, or 121%9.5%. The increase in operating profit was due in part to $58.0 million of inventory step-up amortization costs as the remaining purchase accounting inventory step-ups became fully amortized during the first nine months of 2015. On a comparable basis, operatingin 2015 which did not recur in 2016. Operating profit improvements were driven primarily by the increase in gross profits resulting from management's continued focus on sales of higher margin products.
Other (Expense) Income, net
  Year Ended December 31,
 (amounts in millions) 2016 2015
Interest expense, net $(375.7) $(213.9)
Loss on derivative contracts (12.5) (74.0)
Foreign exchange loss (14.1) (43.4)
Other income, net 100.8
 30.4
Total other expense $(301.5) $(300.9)
 Year Ended December 31,
  ($ amounts in millions)
2016 2015
Interest expense, net$(375.7) $(213.9)
Foreign exchange loss(14.1) (43.4)
Other income (expense), net88.3
 (43.6)
Total$(301.5) $(300.9)
Interest Expense, Net
Net interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2016 totaled $376 million, as compared to $214 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, representing an increase of $162 million. The increase related primarily to interest charges resulting from incremental debt facilities used to fund the Alent Acquisition, including the November 2015 Notes Offering of $500 million, borrowings of $1.05 billion, and approximately €300 million under our First Lien Credit Facility. In addition, theAcquisition. The increase was also includesdriven by a full first quarter's impact in 2016quarter of the interest expense in the first quarter of 2016 related to the incremental debt facilities used to fund the Arysta Acquisition completed on February 13, 2015.
Loss on Derivative Contracts
Loss on derivative contracts for the year ended December 31, 2016 totaled $12.5 million, as compared to $74.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, representing a decrease of $61.5 million. The decrease in loss was mainly due to a $73.7 million deal contingent forward contract settlement in 2015, partially offset by our increasing use of foreign exchange and commodities derivative contracts to better manage our market risk.



Foreign Exchange Loss
Foreign exchange losslosses for the year ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 totaled $14.1 million, as compared toand $43.4 million, for the year ended December 31, 2015,respectively, representing a decrease of $29.3 million. For the year ended December 31, 2016, losses associated withThe year-over-year change is due primarily to the remeasurement of foreign denominated externaldebt to U.S. dollar and intercompany debt related primarily to the Acquisitions totaled $33.9 million, as compared to losses totaling $46.4 million for the same period in 2015. Also contributing to this reduction were transactional foreign exchange gains on receivables and payables.intercompany balances.
Other Income (Expense), Net
Other income, net for the year ended December 31, 2016 totaled $101$88.3 million, as compared to $30.4other expense, net of $43.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, representing an increase of $70.4$132 million. The increase was primarily driven by the recognition of a gain of $103 million from the settlement agreement with the Arysta sellerSeller in 2016, which was partially offset in part by a $5.0 million loss associated with the remeasurement of the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock redemption liability and $11.3 million of expense related to the write-off of deferred financing fees and original issuance discount from the refinancing of our term loans in the fourth quarter of 2016,2016. Additionally, during 2015 there was a $73.7 million loss associated with a deal-contingent forward contract settlement in 2015, which was partially offset by a legal settlement gain totaling $17.7 million during 2015.million.
Income Tax Expense
 Year Ended December 31,Year Ended December 31,
(amounts in millions) 2016 2015
($ amounts in millions)
2016 2015
Income tax expense $(28.6) $(75.1)$(28.6) $(75.1)
Effective tax rate (59.5)% (32.8)%(59.5)% (32.8)%
The income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2016 totaled $28.6 million, as compared to $75.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. We are a U.S. based company with a statutory income tax rate of 35%.  We operate in various foreign countries, which have tax rates that are different from the U.S. statutory tax rate. Our effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2016 was (59.5)% on pre-tax losses of $48.1 million. The difference between the statutory and effective tax rates for the year ended December 31, 2016 primarily related to a $68.4 million of tax expense for an increase in valuation allowances, $25.6$29.0 million increase inon tax reserves for transaction costs, $29.0 millionexpense for earnings of foreign subsidiaries taxable in the U.S. and $26.8 million of tax expense for taxes on unremitted earnings previously treated as permanently reinvested.undistributed foreign earnings. Offsetting these items were $34.3 million of tax benefit related to the settlement gain of the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, which was treated as a non-taxable purchase price adjustment, $24.5 million for the impact of transaction costs and a $49.2$24.1 million reduction in tax reserves for prior period positions based on a reassessment of the uncertainty. The difference between the statutory and effective tax rates


56




for the year ended December 31, 2015 was the negative impact of a change in the valuation allowance ofprimarily related to $72.6 million of tax expense for an increase in valuation allowances, non-deductible transaction-related costs of $40.5 million and $27.5 million of tax expense for an increase in uncertain tax positions of $27.5 million.
We have provided deferred taxes of $29.7 millionreserves for the U.S. income tax and foreign taxes for the potential repatriation of earnings from certain foreign subsidiaries. We have not recognized a deferred tax liability for U.S. taxes or foreign taxes on the undistributed earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries. The undistributed earnings of those subsidiaries were $337 million and $390 million for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Quantification of the deferred tax liability associated with indefinitely reinvested earnings is not practicable.
Valuation allowances reflect our assessment that it is more likely than not that certain federal, state and foreign deferred tax assets, primarily net operating losses, will not be realized. The assessment of the need for a valuation allowance requires management to make estimates and assumptions about future earnings, reversal of existing temporary differences and available tax planning strategies. If actual experience differs from these estimates and assumptions, the recorded deferred tax asset may not be fully realized, resulting in an increase to income tax expense in our results of operations. The valuation allowance for deferred tax assets was $363 million and $304 million at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.uncertainties.
The change in the effective tax rate from (32.8)% for the year ended December 31, 2015 to (59.5)% for the year ended December 31, 2016 iswas attributable to athe disproportionate change in assertion with respect to APB 23,pre-tax income, the net change in tax uncertainties, the net change in valuation allowances, the settlement gain of the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock and the net change in tax reserves, and a reduced chargeexpense attributable to the valuation allowance. The disproportionate change in pre-taxundistributed foreign earnings.
Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income
Other comprehensive income also contributedfor 2016 totaled $214 million, as compared to the changeother comprehensive losses of $796 million in the effective tax rateprior year. The change was driven primarily by foreign currency translation gains associated with the Brazilian Real, British Pound, and Japanese Yen, partially offset by adverse effects associated with changes in 2016.the Mexican Peso and Chinese Yuan.



Year Ended December 31, 2015 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2014
As noted under Non-GAAP Financial Measures above, we present our adjusted results to exclude the impact of acquisitions which lack of year-over-year comparability. For the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, we adjusted to exclude the results of the Alent, OMG, CAS, Agriphar and Arysta Acquisitions. The acquisition-related adjustments were as follows:Adjusted EBITDA
  Year Ended December 31, Acquisitions
(amounts in millions) 2015 2014 Net impact
Net sales $1,832.9
 $88.0
 $1,744.9
Cost of sales 1,210.5
 76.8
 1,133.7
Gross profit 622.4
 11.2
 611.2
Selling, technical, general and administrative 508.8
 31.5
 477.3
Research and development 40.2
 2.1
 38.1
Operating profit (loss) 73.4
 (22.4) 95.8
Net Sales
  Year Ended December 31,
 (amounts in millions) 2015 2014
Net sales $2,542.3
 $843.2
Net sales for the year ended December 31, 2015 totaled $2.54 billion, representing an increase of $1.70 billion, or 202%, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2014.
  Year Ended December 31, 2015
 (amounts in millions) $ Change % Change
Total change $1,699.1
 202 %
 - Acquisitions (1,744.9) (207)%
 - Foreign Currency Translation 57.6
 6.8 %
Change, adjusted for acquisitions and foreign currency translation $11.8
 1.4 %
 Year Ended December 31, Change
  ($ amounts in millions)
2016 2015 Reported Constant Currency Organic
Adjusted EBITDA:         
Performance Solutions$401.3
 $224.3
 79% 86% 9%
Agricultural Solutions368.2
 343.4
 7% 7% 6%
Total$769.5
 $567.7
 36% 38% 8%
For the year ended December 31,2016, corporate costs allocated to each segment totaled $32.8 million. For 2015, adjustedcorporate allocations totaled $12.0 million for acquisitionsPerformance Solutions and foreign currency translation, net sales$36.0 million for Agricultural Solutions.
Performance Solutions' Adjusted EBITDA for 2016 increased by $11.8 million, or 1.4%79% (86% at constant currency and 9% on an organic basis). The organic increase in net sales was almost exclusively driven by higher demand for MacDermid's offshore production control fluids used in subsea drilling and higher umbilical fills in all regions. Demand for functional and decorative product offerings sold to customers serving automotive end markets further contributed to net sales growth and was offset by weakness in other areas; namely, volume declines in polyethylene terephthalate (or PET) recycling and the onshore oil & gas space coupled with reduced demand for electronics chemistry technologies in Asia.
At the regional level, adjusted for acquisitions and foreign currency translation, sales within MacDermid's Americas, Asia and Europe regions totaled $262 million, $244 million and $204 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to $256 million, $245 million and $197 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2014. The $6.7 million increase in net sales in the Americas was driven primarily by demand for offshore fluids used in subsea drilling both in the U.S. and Brazil coupled with year-over-year growth in product offerings sold into the automotive supply chain in the U.S. and demand for sheet photopolymer used in flexographic printing for commercial packaging in Brazil. These gainsgross margin expansion resulting from lower raw material costs, some of which were offset, in part, by reduced demand for chemistry products used in PET recycling for plastics and anti-corrosion applications in the onshore oil & gas space. In the Asia region, net sales decreased by $1.7 million due to macroeconomic factors adversely impacting printed circuit board chemistry sales in Greater China and reduced demand for sheet & liquid photopolymer used in flexographic printing. European sales increased by $6.7 million, which was driven by higher sales volume of offshore fluids in addition to functional and decorative coating core industrial chemistry products sold to customers in the automotive supply chain. The gains in Europe were partially offset by reduced demand for printing plates.
Changes in the average selling prices of MacDermid's products did not have a material impact on net sales for the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to the year ended December 31, 2014.



Cost of Sales
 Year Ended December 31,
 (amounts in millions)2015 2014
Cost of sales$1,550.4
 $446.6
Cost of sales for the year ended December 31, 2015 totaled $1.55 billion, or 61.0% of net sales, as compared to $447 million, or 53.0% of net sales, for the year ended December 31, 2014, representing an increase of $1.10 billion, or 247%.
  Year Ended December 31, 2015
 (amounts in millions) $ Change % Change
Total change $1,103.8
 247 %
 - Acquisitions (1,133.7) (254)%
 - Foreign Currency Translation 28.9
 6.5 %
Change, adjusted for acquisitions and foreign currency translation $(1.0) (0.2)%
For the year ended December 31, 2015, adjusted for acquisitions and foreign currency translation, cost of sales decreased by $1.0 million, or 0.2%, related primarily to the MacDermid business. The decrease was due in part to an amortization charge to cost of sales of $12.0 million which was incurred in 2014 related to the elimination of manufacturer’s profit in inventory recorded in purchase accounting associated with the MacDermid Acquisition, which did not recur in 2015, offset in part by an increase of $5.7 million related to higher overall sales volume for the year ended December 31 2015,achieved through synergies, as well as $2.4 million of restructuring charges incurred in 2015 related to cost saving opportunities associated with a realignment of MacDermid's footprint in the United States.
Gross Profit
  Year Ended December 31,
 (amounts in millions) 2015 2014
Gross profit $991.9
 $396.6
Gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2015 totaled $992 million, or 39.0% of net sales, as compared to $397 million, or 47.0% of net sales, for the year ended December 31, 2014, representing an increase of $595 million, or 150%.
  Year Ended December 31, 2015
 (amounts in millions) $ Change % Change
Total change $595.3
 150 %
 - Acquisitions (611.2) (154)%
 - Foreign Currency Translation 28.7
 (7.2)%
Change, adjusted for acquisitions and foreign currency translation $12.8
 3.2 %
For the year ended December 31, 2015, adjusted for acquisitions and foreign currency translation, gross profit increased by $12.8 million, or 3.2% related to the MacDermid business. The increase in gross profit was due in part to an amortization charge to cost of sales of $12.0 million which was incurred in 2014 related to the elimination of manufacturer’s profit in inventory recorded in purchase accounting associated with the MacDermid Acquisition, which did not recur in 2015 and MacDermid's increased sales volumes as compared to the same period in 2014, which contributed $6.1 million of incremental gross profit. Sales volume gains were offset, in part, by the aforementioned non-recurring restructuring charges of $2.4 million incurred in 2015.
Normalized for the above non-recurring items, the primary driver of higher gross profit delivered for the year ended December 31, 2015 in the MacDermid business was more sales in higher margin offshore fluids coupled with higher sales of industrial products sold into automotive end markets,favorable product mix, partially offset by lower electronics chemistry sales volume from Offshore Solutions.
Agricultural Solutions' Adjusted EBITDA for 2016 increased by 7% (7% at constant currency and 6% on an organic basis) due primarily to volume growth in AsiaLatin America and industrial products used in PET recycling, anticorrosion plating for onshore oil and gas rigs and industrial hardcoat film offerings.  Overall margin strength at 52.1% and 51.1% for 2015 and 2014, respectively, continues to be driven by the unique performance characteristics of productsEurope, including higher relative growth in our portfolio and the technical service capability as a technology oriented business acutely focused on being a solutions provider.



Selling, Technical, General and Administrative Expense
  Year Ended December 31,
 (amounts in millions) 2015 2014
Selling, technical, general and administrative $857.5
 $360.9
Selling, technical, general and administrative expense for the year ended December 31, 2015 totaled $858 million, or 33.7% of net sales, as compared to $361 million, or 42.8% of net sales, for the year ended December 31, 2014, representing an increase of $497 million, or 138%.
  Year Ended December 31, 2015
 (amounts in millions) $ Change % Change
Total change $496.6
 138 %
 - Acquisitions (477.3) (132)%
 - Foreign Currency Translation 17.9
 5.0 %
Change, adjusted for acquisitions and foreign currency translation $37.2
 10.3 %
For the year ended December 31, 2015, adjusted for acquisitions and foreign currency translation, selling, technical, general and administrative expense increased by $37.2 million, or 10.3%.higher margin BioSolutions products. The increase was duealso driven by favorable effects from improved procurement trends, product mix, the impact of our proprietary product portfolio, and growth in part to higher year-over year acquisition-related costs of approximately $18.8 million, as well as approximately $30.2 million of charges in connection with our integration efforts, including severance, professional and consulting fees.the certain niche markets. These increases were partially offset by a $22.3 million lower fair value adjustment to the long-term contingent consideration liability as compared to the same perioddemand in 2014. The remaining fluctuations in Selling, technical general and administrative expenses include increases due to additional investments we are making in building our corporate infrastructure in support of the demandsNorth America driven by our substantial growth, including increases in headcount and professional fees, as well as offsets provided by cost containment measures generated by the MacDermid business.
Research and Development Expense
  Year Ended December 31,
 (amounts in millions) 2015 2014
Research and development $62.8
 $26.2
Research and development expense for the year ended December 31, 2015 totaled $62.8 million, or 2.5% of net sales, as compared to $26.2 million, or 3.1% of net sales, for the year ended December 31, 2014, representing an increase of $36.6 million, or 140%.
  Year Ended December 31, 2015
 (amounts in millions) $ Change % Change
Total change $36.6
 140 %
 - Acquisitions (38.1) (145)%
 - Foreign Currency Translation 0.3
 1.1 %
Change, adjusted for acquisitions and foreign currency translation $(1.2) (4.6)%
For the year ended December 31, 2015, adjusted for acquisitions and foreign currency translation, research and development expense decreased by $1.2 million, or 4.6% remaining relatively consistent, as a percentage of net sales, during the periods presented, with slight dollar variations caused by timing, seasonality of projects within our research and development pipeline.
Operating Profit
  Year Ended December 31,
 (amounts in millions) 2015 2014
Operating profit $71.6
 $9.5



Operating profit for the year ended December 31, 2015 totaled $71.6 million, or 2.8% of net sales, as compared to $9.5 million, or 1.1% of net sales, for the year ended December 31, 2014, representing an increase of $62.1 million, or 654%.
  Year Ended December 31, 2015
 (amounts in millions) $ Change % Change
Total change $62.1
 654 %
 - Acquisitions (95.8) (1,008)%
 - Foreign Currency Translation 10.5
 111 %
Change, adjusted for acquisitions and foreign currency translation $(23.2) (244)%
For the year ended December 31, 2015, adjusted for acquisitions and foreign currency translation, operating profit decreased by $23.2 million, or 244%. The decrease in operating profit was primarily due to the higher selling, technical, general and administrative expenses of $37.2 million related in part to $45.1 million of incremental acquisition-related costs, as well as $30.2 million of restructuring and restructuring-related charges, combined with increased overhead costs related to our investment in building our corporate infrastructure in support of the significant growth we have experienced during 2015 as a result of our Acquisitions, offset in part by $22.3 million of lower mark-to-market adjustment on the contingent consideration associated with the MacDermid Acquisition. Offsetting the higher selling, technical, general and administrative expense were higher gross profits of $12.8 million, due in part to the impact of a charge to cost of sales of $12.0 million in 2014 related to the elimination of manufacturer’s profit in inventory, and $6.1 million of gross profits from MacDermid's business, driven primarily by higher sales of offshore fluids products and core industrial products sold into the automotive supply chain in the U.S. and Europe. MacDermid's continued innovation, technical service capability of their human capital and the unique performance characteristics of product offerings continue to drive gross profit dollars. Gains in its offshore fluids and the automotive sector were partially offset by lower sales volume of electronics chemistry sold in Asia, industrial hardcoat films and core industrial products sold into the onshore oil & gas production sector. Offsetting the increase in gross profit was a non-recurring restructuring charge of $2.4 million incurred in 2015.
Other (Expense) Income, net
  Year Ended December 31,
 (amounts in millions) 2015 2014
Interest expense, net $(213.9) $(37.9)
(Loss) gain on derivative contracts (74.0) 0.4
Foreign exchange loss (43.4) (2.7)
Other income (expense) income, net 30.4
 (0.2)
Total other expense $(300.9) $(40.4)
Net interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2015 totaled $214 million, as compared to $37.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, representing an increase of $176 million. The increase relates primarily to interest charges resulting from incremental debt facilities, including term loans, bonds and revolving credit borrowings, used to fund the CAS and Agriphar Acquisitions during the fourth quarter of 2014, the Arysta Acquisition in the first quarter of 2015, and the Alent Acquisition in the fourth quarter of 2015.
Loss on derivative contracts for the year ended December 31, 2015 totaled $74.0 million, as compared to a gain of $0.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, representing a change of $74.4 million. The increase relates primarily to a fair value loss of $73.7 million on a deal contingent foreign exchange contract entered into in connection with the Alent acquisition.
Foreign exchange loss for the year ended December 31, 2015 totaled $43.4 million, as compared to $2.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, representing an increase of $40.7 million. The increase relates primarily to foreign exchange losses associated with the remeasurement of foreign denominated external and intercompany debt totaling approximately $46.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2015.
Other income (expense), net for the year ended December 31, 2015 totaled $30.4 million, as compared to $(0.2) million for the year ended December 31, 2014, representing an increase of 30.6 million. The increase relates primarily to legal settlement gains of $17.7 million, including settlement of the Cookson Group plc litigation for $16.0 million, income of $6.1 million from registration



rights and technical studies, and $3.0 million from the expiration of an acquisition put option on our common stock related to the Agriphar Acquisition.
Income Tax (Expense) Benefit
  Year Ended December 31,
 (amounts in millions) 2015 2014
Income tax (expense) benefit $(75.1) $6.7
Effective tax rate (32.8)% 21.7%
The income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2015 totaled $75.1 million, as compared to an income tax benefit of $6.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. We are a U.S. based company with a statutory income tax rate of 35%.  We operate in various foreign countries, which have tax rates that are different from the U.S. statutory tax rate. Our effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2015 was (32.8)% on pre-tax losses of $229 million. The effective tax rate was negatively impacted by a change in the valuation allowance of $72.6 million, non-deductible transaction-related costs of $40.5 million and a change in uncertain tax positions of $27.5 million. For the year ended December 31, 2014, our effective tax rate was a 21.7% income tax benefit on a pre-tax loss of $30.9 million. The effective tax rate was positively effected by an adjustment to permanently reinvested earnings of $3.7 million and $7.7 million of tax on foreign operations. The effective tax rate was negatively impacted by non-deductible purchase price contingency losses of $6.6 million, non-deductible transaction costs of $6.5 million and $1.5 million for changes in uncertain tax positions.
We have provided deferred taxes of $7.1 million for the potential repatriation to the United States of earnings from certain non-U.S. subsidiaries. We have not recognized a deferred tax liability for U.S. taxes on the undistributed earnings of most of our foreign subsidiaries because those earnings have been determined to be indefinitely reinvested. The undistributed earnings of those subsidiaries were $390 million and $264 million for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Quantification of the deferred tax liability, if any, associated with indefinitely reinvested earnings is not practicable.
Valuation allowances reflect our assessment that it is more likely than not that certain state deferred tax assets and foreign net operating losses will not be realized. The assessment of the need for a valuation allowance requires management to make estimates and assumptions about future earnings, reversal of existing temporary differences and available tax planning strategies. If actual experience differs from these estimates and assumptions, the recorded deferred tax asset may not be fully realized, resulting in an increase to income tax expense in our results of operations. The valuation allowance for deferred tax assets was $304 million and $19.7 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.weaker market conditions.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As ofAt December 31, 2016,2017, our indebtedness totaled $5.24$5.48 billion, primarily as a result of our historical acquisition activity, with expected interest payments in the range of $325approximately $275 million per year over the next threetwo years. Our first significant principal debt payments, totaling $1.32$1.33 billion, are due in 2020 and represent principal payments at maturity associated with a portion of our outstanding term loans under our Amended and Restated Credit Agreement.  We anticipate sufficient cash from operations to fund interest, working capital, and other capital expenditures for the foreseeable future and have access to a $500 million lineOur primary sources of creditliquidity during 2017 were periodic borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility with current availabilityfacility and available cash generated from operations. Our primary uses of $488 million, net of letters of credit, as well ascash and cash equivalents were to fund operations, working capital, capital expenditures, and debt service obligations. We believe that our cash and cash equivalents and cash generated from operations, supplemented by our availability under variousour lines of credit, including our Revolving Credit Facility, will be sufficient to meet our working capital needs, interest payments, capital expenditures, and overdraft facilities of $72.5 million.other business requirements for at least the next twelve months. However, working capital shortfallscycles and future acquisitions may require utilization of our Revolving Credit Facility as well as proceeds from future debt and/or equity offerings.  Our long-term liquidity may be influenced by our ability to borrow additional funds, renegotiate existing debt and raise equity under terms that are favorable to us.
Our primary sources of liquidity during the 12 months ended December 31, 2016 were proceeds received from the September 2016 Equity Offering, periodic borrowings under our Revolving Credit facility, and available cash generated from operations. Our primary uses of cash and cash equivalents were operating expenses, capital expenditures, debt service obligations, and the settlement of our Series B Convertible Preferred Stock obligations, as noted below. We believe that our cash and cash equivalents, and cash generated from operations, supplemented by our availability under our Revolving Credit Facility and various lines of credit to normalize seasonality, will be sufficient to meet our working capital needs, capital expenditures and other business requirements for at least the next twelve months. At December 31, 2016, we had $423 million in cash and cash equivalents in addition to availability under our Revolving Credit Facility and various lines of credit and overdraft facilities of $561 million.



For 2016 and 2015, we generated 80% and 81%During 2017, approximately 83% of our revenue was generated from non-U.S. operations, respectively.operations. We expect to continue to generate significant revenue from non-U.S. operations and expect a substantial portion of our cash willto be predominately held predominantly by our foreign subsidiaries. We expect to manage our worldwide cash requirements considering available funds among the many subsidiaries through which we conduct business and the cost effectiveness with which those funds can be accessed. We may transfer cash from certain international subsidiaries to the United StatesU.S. and other international subsidiaries when we believe it is cost effective to do so.


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We continually review our domestic and foreign cash profile, expected future cash generation and investment opportunities, which support our current designation of a portion of these funds as being indefinitely reinvested and reassess whether there is a demonstrated need to repatriate funds held internationally. If, as a result of our review, it is determined that all or a portion of the funds require repatriation, we may be required to accrue additional U.S. or foreign taxes. Of our $423$478 million of cash and cash equivalents as ofat December 31, 2016, $3652017, $431 million was held by our foreign subsidiaries.

As of December 31, 2016, our undistributed earnings in certain foreign subsidiaries totaled $337 million for which it is impracticable to determine the impact of U.S. income or applicable foreign taxes that would be payable if such earnings were repatriated to the United States.
In December 2016, we settled all of our obligations with respect to the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock and the related make whole payment obligation in exchange for a cash payment of $460 million and the issuance of 5.5 million shares of our common stock upon conversion of the corresponding shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock. The remaining shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock were subsequently canceled and retired. See Note 12,11, Stockholders' EquityIncome Taxes, to theour Consolidated Financial Statements included in this 2016 Annual Report.
In October and December 2016, we refinanced approximately $3.31 billionfor further discussion of our term loans under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, reducing our expected annual interest expense by approximately $26 million. We also extended the maturity of approximately $1.93 billion of term debt from 2020 to 2023, conditional upon the prepayment, redemption or retirement and/or refinancing in full of our 6.50% $1.10 billion USD Senior Notes due 2022,income taxes on or prior to November 2, 2021, otherwise the maturity date would become November 2, 2021. See Note 9, Debt, Financial Guarantees and Factoring Arrangements, to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this 2016 Annual Report.
In September 2016, we completed the September 2016 Equity Offering of 48,787,878 shares of our common stock at a public offering price of $8.25 per share. This offering resulted in gross proceeds of approximately $402.5 million, before underwriting discounts and commissions, and offering expenses of $11.9 million. See Note 12, Stockholders' Equity, to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this 2016 Annual Report.remaining undistributed foreign earnings.
We may from time to time seek to retire or purchase our outstanding debt, including, but not limited to, our Senior Notes, through cash purchases and/or exchanges for equity securities, in open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. Such repurchases or exchanges, if any, will depend on prevailing market conditions, our liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions, applicable restrictions under our various financing arrangements, and other factors.



The following is a summary of our cash flows provided by (used in) operating, investing and financing activities during the periods indicated:
  Year Ended
December 31,
(amounts in millions) 2016 2015 2014
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period $432.2
 $397.3
 $123.0
Cash provided by operating activities 184.8
 320.9
 98.2
Cash used in investing activities (74.7) (4,256.5) (1,982.7)
Cash (used in) provided by financing activities (102.2) 4,001.2
 2,168.9
Exchange rate impact on cash and cash equivalents (17.5) (30.7) (10.1)
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period $422.6
 $432.2
 $397.3
       
Key operating metrics      
Days sales outstanding (DSO) (a)
      
Performance Solutions segment (c)
 71
 65
 75
Agricultural Solutions segment (d)
 140
 134
 n/a
Consolidated Platform Specialty Products 106
 96
 75
       
Days in Inventory (DII) (b)
      
Performance Solutions segment (c)
 60
 81
 81
Agricultural Solutions segment (d)
 93
 99
 n/a
Consolidated Platform Specialty Products 72
 89
 81
(a)
Calculated as the product of our net accounts receivable balance and 360 divided by our annualized sales.
(b)
Calculated as the product of our net inventory balance and 360 divided by our annualized cost of sales excluding intercompany sales.
(c)
Activity associated with the Alent and OMG Acquisitions in December and October 2015, respectively, has been excluded from the 2015 metric calculations. As a result, we have excluded associated net sales, cost of sales, accounts receivable and inventory balances of $91.5 million, $73.6 million, $194 million and $104 million, respectively, from the 2015 calculations.
(d)
For 2015, we annualized sales and cost of sales, reflective of seasonality, associated with the February 2015 Arysta Acquisition. As a result, we have added $137 million and $86.6 million to net sales and cost of sales, respectively, in the calculations for 2015.

  Year Ended December 31,
  ($ amounts in millions)
 2017 2016 2015
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period $422.6
 $432.2
 $397.3
Cash provided by operating activities 182.1
 184.8
 320.9
Cash used in investing activities (92.6) (74.7) (4,256.5)
Cash (used in) provided by financing activities (67.4) (102.2) 4,001.2
Exchange rate impact on cash and cash equivalents 33.1
 (17.5) (30.7)
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period $477.8
 $422.6
 $432.2
Year Ended December 31, 20162017 compared to the Year Ended December 31, 20152016
Operating Activities
For 2017, we generated cash flows from operating activities of $182 million, compared to $185 million in cash for 2016. Higher cash operating profits (net loss adjusted for non-cash items), which included $43.7 million of cash outflows related to a tender offer premium on our 2017 Notes Offerings, were partially offset by higher working capital requirements. The increase in working capital was due, in part, to the year endedbuildup of inventory in connection with Performance Solution's facility rationalization initiatives, as well as increases due to stronger fourth quarter sales in our Agricultural Solutions business in 2017, partially offset by the impact of a new factoring program in Europe.
Investing Activities
Net cash flows used in investing activities for 2017 totaled $92.6 million, compared to $74.7 million for 2016.  The increase was driven primarily by capital expenditures related to our Performance Solutions' facility integration initiatives and Agricultural Solutions' investments in products registration rights, which, combined, increased by $7.2 million over 2016. The increase was also driven by higher restricted cash balances of $4.7 million.
Financing Activities
Net cash flows used in financing activities for 2017 totaled $67.4 million, compared to $102 million for 2016. The decrease was driven primarily by the settlement of our make-whole obligation in 2016 related to our Series B Convertible Preferred Stock with a cash payment of $460 million to the Series B Convertible Preferred Stockholders, offset, in part, by the September 2016 Equity Offering which raised net proceeds of $392 million. In addition, for 2017, net payments on our various lines of credit, short-term debt facilities and overdraft facilities totaled $58.8 million, as compared to net draws totaling $54.0 million in 2016. Our decreased on-balance sheet factoring activity increased financing cash flows year-over-year by $40.6 million, as did the net change in our long-term debt balance,which impacted financing cash flows by $59.8 million.


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Year Ended December 31, 2016 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2015
Operating Activities
For 2016, we generated cash flows from operating activities of $185 million, compared to $321 million in cash for the year ended December 31, 2015. This year-over-year change was driven primarily by higher cash operating profits (net loss adjusted for non-cash items), partially offset by an increased use of cash in working capital as well as higher interest and tax payments. The increase in working capital, largely due to accounts payable, was primarily due to the timing of the close of the Arysta Acquisition in February 2015 and the working capital seasonality in the Agricultural Solutions segment. Typically, the segment's working capital is a use of cash at the beginning of the year and a source of cash at the end of the year.



We use days-sales-outstanding, or DSO, to measure how efficiently billings and collections of accounts receivable are managed.  DSO was 106 days for 2016 and 96 days for 2015. DSO in our Performance Solutions segment increased as a result of disproportionate sales growth in Asia, which typically has longer payment periods as a region, and was not significantly impacted by Alent and OMB acquisitions, which had similar collections experience to the legacy businesses during the period. DSO increased in our Agricultural Solutions segment as a result of disproportionate sales growth in Latin America, which typically has longer payment periods as a region, combined with sales weakness in North America, which typically has shorter payment periods as a region. We also use days-in-inventory, or DII, to measure the efficiency at realizing inventories.  For 2016 and 2015, DII was 72 days and 89 days, respectively. The decrease in Performance Solutions DII was driven primarily by the inclusion of Alent and OMG businesses in 2016, as these businesses have shorter-lived inventory and quicker turns than legacy businesses. The decrease in DII in the Agricultural Solutions segment was largely the result of supply chain initiatives associated with the continuing integration efforts between the businesses. At December 31, 2016, net inventory did not include a fair value adjustment, however, $11.7 million of fair value adjustments were recognized in our Consolidated Statement of Operations in 2016.  As of December 31, 2015, net inventory included a fair value adjustment of $11.5 million, and $76.5 million of fair value adjustments were recognized in our Consolidated Statement of Operations in 2015.  Our products generally have shelf lives that exceed one year.
Investing Activities
Net cash flows used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2016 totaled $74.7 million, compared to $4.26 billion for the year ended December 31, 2015.  During 2015, we used net cash of $4.60 billion to fund the Arysta, Alent and OMG Acquisitions.  Additional acquisition-related activity during 2015 included a $600 million release of restricted cash, partially offset by a note in the amount of $125 million issued to an unrelated third-party and an unfavorable settlement of foreign exchange contracts for $73.7 million, which effectively increased the purchase price of Alent.  There was no significant, comparable acquisition-related activity during 2016. Capital expenditures increased by approximately $8.4 million during 2016 compared to 2015, primarily in support of operational expansion, and there was a $2$2.0 million decline in investments in, and renewals of, product registrations.
Financing Activities
Net cash flows used in financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2016 totaled $102 million, compared to $4.00 billion of cash generated for the year ended December 31, 2015. The primary sources of cash from financing activity during 2016 were proceeds from Amendments No. 5 and 6 to our Amended and Restated Credit Agreement of $3.30 billion and the September 2016 Equity Offering of 48,787,878 shares of our common stock which raised net proceeds of $392 million. These proceeds were used for the refinancing of our term loans of $3.31 billion and for the settlement of our previously-disclosed make-whole obligation related to our Series B Convertible Preferred Stock with a cash payment of $460 million to the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock holders. The primary sources of cash from financing activity during 2015 were $3.92 billion from the extension of new term loans and the issuance of our Senior Notes, and $470 million as net proceeds from the June 2015 Equity Offering of 18,226,414 shares of our common stock, offset in part by $87.0 million of financing fees paid. These proceeds were used to fund our 2015 acquisition activity. Additionally, for 2016, we had net draws on our various lines of credit, short-term debt facilities, and overdraft facilities of $54.0 million, compared to net payments of $12.4 million in 2015.

Year Ended December 31, 2015 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2014
Operating Activities
For the year ended December 31, 2015, we generated cash flows from operating activities of $321 million, compared to $98.2 million in cash for the year ended December 31, 2014.  The increase in cash flows provided by operations for the year ended December 31, 2015 was primarily due to favorable changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions, which provided $206 million more cash in 2015 as compared to 2014. The largest drivers of these changes were higher accounts payable, mainly in the Agricultural Solutions segment, corresponding primarily to a conscious effort to improve our days payable outstanding, offset in part by slightly higher inventory levels at December 31, 2015. Also contributing to the higher operating cash flows were higher accrued expenses, primarily from increased accrued interest of approximately $43.0 million resulting from the February and November 2015 Notes Offerings and higher accrued income taxes. Furthermore, decreases in accounts receivable contributed approximately $62.0 million of operating cash flows from stronger collections in our Agricultural Solutions Segment. Finally, year-over-year depreciation and amortization increased by $163 million, resulting primarily from newly acquired intangible and fixed assets from our acquired businesses.



The Company’s management uses days-sales-outstanding, or DSO, to measure how efficiently it manages the billing and collection of accounts receivable.  DSO was 96 days at December 31, 2015 and 75 days at December 31, 2014.  The Company’s management also uses days-in-inventory, or DII, to calculate the efficiency at realizing inventories.  At December 31, 2015 and 2015, DII was 89 days and 81 days, respectively.  The increase in both the DSO and DII at December 31, 2015 is due to the growth of the Agricultural Solutions segment which, having a different working capital cycle than the Performance Solutions segment, now represents a more significant part of our business. At December 31, 2015, the DSO and DII were 62 days and 62 days, respectively, for the Performance Solutions segment. At December 31, 2015, net inventory included a fair value adjustment of $11.5 million, as $76.5 million was recognized in our Consolidated Statement of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2015.  As of December 31, 2014, net inventory included a fair value adjustment of $22.0 million, as $35.5 million was recognized in our Consolidated Statement of Operations.  Our products generally have shelf lives that exceed one year.
Investing Activities
Net cash flows used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2015 were $4.26 billion, compared to $1.98 billion for the year ended December 31, 2014.   During the year ended December 31, 2015, we used net cash of $4.60 billion to fund the Arysta, Alent and OMG Acquisitions, compared to net cash of $1.36 billion used during the year ended December 31, 2014 to fund the Agriphar and CAS Acquisitions.  In connection with our 2015 acquisitions, we issued a note in the amount of $125 million to an unrelated third-party; we unfavorably settled foreign exchange contracts for $73.1 million, effectively increasing the purchase price of Alent; and we released $600 million of cash from an escrow account opened in connection with the February 2015 Notes Offering and used to fund the Arysta Acquisition.  Capital expenditures increased by $29.4 million, from $18.5 million in 2014 to $47.9 million in 2015 (exclusive of $4.7 million of accrued capital expenditures) due primarily to the Arysta and Alent Acquisitions, which represented $22.4 million of the increase. In our Agricultural Solutions segment, we also invested $34.4 million in product registrations with various regulatory bodies in order to be granted distribution rights for these products.
Financing Activities
Net cash flows provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2015 were $4.00 billion, compared to cash generated of $2.17 billion for the year ended December 31, 2014.  During the year ended December 31, 2015, we generated cash totaling $470 million from the June 2015 Equity Offering of 18,226,414 shares of our common stock and $3.92 billion from term loans and publicly offered securities, which were primarily used to fund our 2015 acquisition activity. The cash inflows were partially offset by repayments of existing borrowings totaling $284 million, financing fees associated with issuing new debt totaling $87.0 million and payments on our outstanding lines of credit totaling $12.4 million.  During the year ended December 31, 2014, we generated cash totaling $1.51 billion from the issuance of shares of our common stock and $679 million from new term loans, both of which were primarily used to fund our 2014 acquisition activity.
Pension Plans
We maintain "Domestic Pension Plans," which consist of a non-contributory domestic defined benefit pension plan and a SERP plan. These plans are closed to new participants and plan benefits associated with all current participants have been frozen. As required by law, benefits already accrued as of such date were not affected. With respect to such benefits, participants continue to vest and all other retirement options, including early retirement reduction factors, continue unchanged. The assets continue to be held in trust until paid as benefits to retired participants or covered members.
We also maintain "Foreign Pension Plans," which consist of retirement and death benefit plans covering eligible employees in the United Kingdom,Taiwan and certain former employees in Germany, as well as other defined benefitlongevity plans covering employees in various foreign countries thatFrance, which have been deemed immaterial, individually and in the aggregate. The pension plan covering eligible employees in the United Kingdom, hereinafter referred to as the U.K. Pension Plan, represents the only material plan among the Foreign Pension Plans. The U.K. Pension Plan was closed to new participants and frozen for current participants on March 31, 2000. The assets continue to be held in trust until paid as benefits to retired participants or covered members. "Pension Plans" in this section and in Note 7, Pension, Post-Retirement and Post Employment Plans, to the Consolidated Financial Statements, refer collectively to our Foreign Pension Plans and Domestic Pension Plans.
The expected long-term rate of return on assets assumption is developed with reference to historical returns, forward-looking return expectations, the Domestic and Foreign Pension Plans' investment allocations, and peer comparisons. We used a long-term rate of return on plan assets of 6.5%5.9% and 2.9%2.3% for our Domestic and Foreign Pension Plans, respectively to determine our net periodic pension expense for the year ended December 31, 2016.2017. The discount rate used to value the pension obligation was developed with reference to a number of factors, including the current interest rate environment, benchmark fixed-income yields, peer comparisons, and expected future pension benefit payments. Discount rates of 4.6%3.7% and 2.8%3.0% were established for the Domestic Pension Plan and Foreign Pension Plans, respectively, at December 31, 2016,2017, compared to rates of 4.2% and 2.5%



2.3% established for those respective plans at December 31, 2015.2016. We evaluate the Pension Plans' actuarial assumptions on an annual basis, including the expected long-term rate of return on assets and discount rates. A one percent increase (decrease) in the discount rate would increase (decrease) the pension plan expense and pension benefit obligation by approximately $0.9 million and $(26.8)$(28.3) million, respectively, whereas a one percent decrease in the discount rate would (decrease) increase the pension plan expense and pension benefit obligation by approximately $(0.4) million and $34.5 million, respectively.
Our Domestic Pension Plans' investment policies incorporate an asset allocation strategy that emphasizes long-term growth of capital and acceptable asset volatility as long as such volatility remains consistent with the volatility of the indexes of relevant


59




markets.  Our investment policies attempt to achieve a mix of approximately 70%50% of plan investments for long-term growth, 49% for liability-matching assets and 30%1% for near-term benefit payments.  The weighted average asset allocation of the Domestic Pension Plans was 21%49% fixed income mutual fund holdings, 27% equity securities, 35%19% limited partnership interests and managed equity funds, 20%4% collective investment funds 19% bond mutual fund holdings and 5%1% cash at December 31, 2016.  
We have appointed an independent trustee committee to oversee the risk factors, rates of return and asset allocations associated with the U.K. Pension Plan, which materially constitutes the Foreign Pension Plans. As of December 31, 2016, 92% of the U.K. Pension Plan portfolio is held as an insurance “buy-in” policy, with the remaining 6% being held in pooled bond funds, and 2% in cash.2017.  
The Domestic Pension Plans were net underfunded by $26.6 million at December 31, 2017 compared to $36.9 million at December 31, 2016 compared to $46.0 million at December 31, 2015.2016. The improved funding position of $9.1$10.3 million was primarily driven by a $17.9$29.8 million gain on plan assets and a $6.2$3.1 million employer contribution, partially offset by $10.1 million of interest costs and $5.0$13.8 million of actuarial loss due to plan experience for the year ended December 31, 2016.and $8.8 million of interest costs.
The Foreign Pension Plans were net underfunded by $21.2 million at December 31, 2017 compared to $18.0 million at December 31, 2016, compared to $19.0 million at December 31, 2015. The improved funding position of $1.0 million was primarily due to an $11.3 million gain on plan assets andrepresenting a $6.9 million decrease in projected benefit obligation resulting from plan amendments, partially offset by $14.5 millionfunding status of actuarial loss due to assumption changes, and interest costs of $3.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2016.$3.2 million.
Unrecognized pre-tax actuarial losses associated with the pension plans recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income were $25.5 million and $34.8 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. As of December 31, 2016, $10.0 million associated with the foreign pension plans were included in "Accumulated other comprehensive loss" and is expected to be recognized during 2017.
We expect to contribute approximately $2.2 millionContributions to the Pension Plans during 2017.2018 are not expected to be material. While we do not currently anticipate any, additional future material contributions may be required in order to maintain appropriate funding levels within our plans.
Financial Borrowings
Credit Facilities
As ofAt December 31, 2016,2017, we had $5.24$5.48 billion of indebtedness, which primarily included: $1.93
$2.28 billion of Senior Notes; $3.20
$3.15 billion of term debt arrangements outstanding under our First Lien Credit Facility; $86.0and
$28.5 million of borrowings under overdraftlocal and revolving lines of credit; and $11.8 million of stand-by letters of credit (which reduce the borrowings available under our Revolving Credit Facility). credit.
Availability under our Revolving Credit Facility and various lines of credit and overdraft facilities totaled $561$606 million as ofat December 31, 2016.
Alent Acquisition
In connection with2017 (including $18.6 million of stand-by letters of credit which reduced the Alent Acquisition, in November 2015, we completed the November 2015 Notes Offering of $500 million in aggregate principal amount of 10.375% USD Notes due 2021, unless redeemed earlier. In addition, we borrowed $1.05 billionborrowings available under our U.S. Dollar tranche B-3 term loan (less original issue discount of 2%), €300 million under our Euro tranche C-2 term loan (less original issue discount of 2%), and $115 million under our multi-currency Revolving Credit Facility. In December 2016, we refinanced our U.S. Dollar tranche B-3 term loan and Euro tranche C-2 term loan. See Note 9, Debt, Financial Guarantees and Factoring Arrangements, to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this 2016 Annual Report.Facility).



Arysta Acquisition
In connection with the Arysta Acquisition, in February 2015, we completed the February Notes Offering of $1.10 billion aggregate principal amount of 6.50% USD Notes due 2022, plus original issue premium of $1.0 million, and €350 million aggregate principal amount of 6.00% EUR Notes due 2023. The 6.50% USD Notes due 2022 and the 6.00% EUR Notes due 2023 mature on February 1, 2022 and February 1, 2023, respectively, unless redeemed earlier. In addition, we borrowed $500 million under our U.S. Dollar tranche B-2 term loan (less original issue discount of 1%), €83.0 million under our Euro tranche C-1 term loan (less original issue discount of 2%), and $160 million under our U.S. Dollar Revolving Credit Facility. In October 2016, we refinanced our U.S. Dollar tranche B-2 term loan and Euro tranche C-1 term loan. See Note 9, Debt, Financial Guarantees and Factoring Arrangements, to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this 2016 Annual Report.
CAS Acquisition
In connection with the CAS Acquisition, in August 2014, we borrowed $130 million under our U.S. Dollar tranche B-1 term loan, €205 million under our Euro tranche C-1 term loan, $60.0 million under our U.S. Dollar Revolving Credit Facility, and €55.0 million under our multicurrency Revolving Credit Facility. In October 2016, we refinanced our U.S. Dollar tranche B-1 term loan and Euro tranche C-1 term loan. See Note 9, Debt, Financial Guarantees and Factoring Arrangements, to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this 2016 Annual Report.
Agriphar Acquisition
In connection with the Agriphar Acquisition, in October 2014, we borrowed $300 million under the USD Incremental Term Loan, which was subsequently refinanced in October 2016. See Note 9, Debt, Financial Guarantees and Factoring Arrangements, to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this 2016 Annual Report.
MacDermid Acquisition
In connection with the MacDermid Acquisition, in October 2013, under its First Lien Credit Agreement, MacDermid, with Platform as co-borrower, borrowed $373 million, which was subsequently refinanced in October 2016. See Note 9, Debt, Financial Guarantees and Factoring Arrangements, to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this 2016 Annual Report.Covenants
Our Credit Facilities contain various affirmative and negative covenants, including limitations on additional indebtedness, dividends and other distributions, entry into new lines of business, use of loan proceeds, capital expenditures, restricted payments, restrictions on liens, transactions with affiliates, amendments to organizational documents, accounting changes, sale and leaseback transactions, and dispositions.  In addition, ourOur Revolving Credit Facility requires compliance with certain financial covenants, including a first lien net leverage ratio of no greater than 6.25 to 1.0, of (x) consolidated indebtedness secured by a first lien minus unrestricted cash and cash equivalents of the borrowers and guarantors underas defined in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement to (y) consolidated EBITDA for the four most recent fiscal quarters, subject to a right to cure.Agreement. In addition, our Amended and Restated Credit Agreement includes certain Restricted Payment baskets, which limit select forms of payments if such payments would cause the total net leverage ratio, calculated as set forth in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, to exceed 6.00 to 1.00, and (ii) requires a prepayment percentage in the case of excess cash flow, both calculated as set forth in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, of 75% with step-downs to 50%, 25% and 0% based on the applicable first lien net leverage ratio on the prepayment date. As ofAt December 31, 2016, the Company was2017, we were in compliance with the debt covenants contained in our Credit Facilities.


60




Contractual Obligations and Commitments
We own most of our major manufacturing facilities, but we do lease certain offices, manufacturing factories, warehouse spaces and land, as well as other equipment primarily under non-cancelable operating leases.
Summarized in the table below are our obligations and commitments as ofat December 31, 2016:2017:
 Payment Due by Period Payment Due by Period
(amounts in millions) 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 Thereafter Total
($ amounts in millions)
 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 Thereafter Total
Long-term debt 
(1) 
 $32.8
 $32.8
 $32.8
 $1,321.4
 $2,444.6
 $1,371.5
 $5,235.9
 
(1) 
 $
 $
 $1,330.8
 $1,854.4
 $1,100.0
 $1,219.9
 $5,505.1
Operating leases 
(2) 
 29.6
 20.4
 13.9
 10.5
 8.8
 28.8
 112.0
 
(2) 
 33.0
 25.0
 19.6
 13.9
 12.1
 28.9
 132.5
Interest payments (net of interest rate swap effects) 
(3) 
 325.9
 324.3
 322.8
 282.6
 225.2
 89.1
 1,569.9
 
(3) 
 276.7
 276.7
 247.6
 212.2
 111.0
 155.1
 1,279.3
Long-term contingent consideration 
(4) 
 
 
 
 
 100.0
 
 100.0
 
(4) 
 
 
 
 100.0
 
 
 100.0
Principal payments on capital leases 0.9
 0.8
 0.6
 0.5
 1.1
 0.7
 4.6
 0.7
 0.6
 0.5
 0.5
 0.4
 1.6
 4.3
Purchase obligations 
(5) 
 25.8
 21.6
 
 
 
 
 47.4
 
(5) 
 72.2
 1.1
 0.2
 
 
 
 73.5
Other long term obligations 
(6) 
 
 14.9
 
 
 
 13.4
 28.3
 
(6) 
 8.9
 4.2
 
 
 
 13.3
 26.4
Total cash contractual obligations $415.0
 $414.8
 $370.1
 $1,615.0
 $2,779.7
 $1,503.5
 $7,098.1
 $391.5
 $307.6
 $1,598.7
 $2,181.0
 $1,223.5
 $1,418.8
 $7,121.1
(1) 
Reflects the principal payments on long-term debt. In the event the Company is able to prepay, redeem or otherwise retire and/or refinance in full its $1.10$1.1 billion, 6.50% USD Notes due 2022, as permitted under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, on or prior to November 2, 2021, the maturity date of approximately $1.93$1.85 billion of first lien debt will be extended to June 7, 2023 from November 2, 2021, as currently presented in the table above.
(2) 
Reflects periodic payments made in accordance with operating lease agreements.
(3) 
Amounts are based on currently applicable interest rates in the case of variable interest rate debt and associated floating and floor legs of the interest rate swaps.
(4) 
Reflects the maximum payout in 2021 of 100% of long-term contingent consideration related to the MacDermid Acquisition. As ofAt December 31, 2016,2017, the long-term contingent consideration related to the MacDermid Acquisition was valued at $75.8$79.2 million. This long-term contingent consideration is the only financial liability measured and recorded using Level 3 inputs in accordance with accounting guidance for fair value measurements and represents 78.4% of our total liabilities measured at fair value. See Note 11,13, Fair Value MeasurementsFinancial Instruments, to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this 20162017 Annual Report for additional information.
(5) 
Purchase obligations represent amounts committed under legally enforceable supply agreements and non-cancelable purchase contracts. We do not include purchase obligations that can be canceled with a nominal fee.
(6) 
Other long-term obligations consist of asset retirement obligations, or AROs.
Benefit payments related to our defined benefit plans are included in Note 7,10, Pension, Post-Retirement and Post Employment Plans, to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this 20162017 Annual Report, and are excluded from the table above.
To the extent we can reliably determine when payments will occur pertaining to our $128$90.3 million unrecognized tax benefit liabilities and $32.6$28.3 million environmental liability, the related amounts will be included in the table above.  However, due to the high degree of uncertainty regarding the timing of potential future cash flows associated with such liabilities at December 31, 2016,2017, we are unable to make a reliable estimate as to the timing of such payments, and are therefore excluded from the table above.
Off-Balance Sheet TransactionsIncome Taxes
We use customary off-balance sheet arrangements, such asrecognize deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the differences between the financial statement basis and the tax bases of assets, liabilities, net operating leaseslosses and letterstax credit carryforwards. A valuation allowance is required to be recognized to reduce the recorded deferred tax asset to the amount that will more likely than not be realized. The ultimate realization of credit, to finance our business. As a resultdeferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases,” for fiscal yearsfuture taxable income by jurisdiction during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible or when carryforwards can be utilized. We consider the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018,tax planning strategies in this assessment. If these estimates and related assumptions change in the future, we willmay be required to record leaseadditional valuation allowances against our deferred tax assets resulting in additional income tax expense. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences and right-of-use assets for all of our qualifying operating leases thatcarryforwards are currently treated as off-balance sheet transactions.



There are no other arrangements that have,expected to be recovered or are reasonably likely to have, a current or future materialsettled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date of such change. Considering that the TCJA was enacted on December 22, 2017, the effect would normally be required to be recognized in the fourth quarter of 2017. The SEC staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin 118 (“SAB 118”) to address the application of GAAP in situations where a registrant does not have the necessary information available, prepared or analyzed (including computations) in reasonable detail to complete the accounting for certain income tax effects of the TCJA.
In particular, SAB 118 clarifies that the impact of the TCJA must be accounted for and reported in one of three ways: (1) by reflecting the tax effects of the TCJA for which the accounting is complete; (2) by reporting provisional amounts for those specific income tax effects of the TCJA for which the accounting is incomplete but a reasonable estimate can be determined, with such provisional amounts (or adjustments to provisional amounts) identified in the measurement period, as defined therein, being included as an adjustment to tax expense in the period the amounts are determined; or (3) where the income tax effects cannot be reasonably estimated, no provisional amounts should be reported and the registrant should continue to apply the accounting standard for income taxes based on the provisions of the tax laws that were in effect immediately prior to the enactment of the TCJA. SAB 118 allows companies to record provisional amounts during a one year measurement period.
We are subject to income taxes in the United States and in various states and foreign jurisdictions.  Significant judgment is required in evaluating our financial condition, changesuncertain tax positions and determining our provision for income taxes.  The first step in financial condition, revenues or expenses, resultsevaluating the tax position for recognition is to determine the amount of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.evidence that supports a favorable conclusion for the tax position upon audit.  In order to recognize the tax position, we must determine whether it is more likely than not that the position is sustainable. The final evaluation step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that has a more than 50% chance of being realized upon final settlement. Although we believe that the positions taken on income tax matters are reasonable, we establish tax reserves in recognition that various taxing authorities may challenge certain of those positions taken, potentially resulting in additional tax liabilities.
SignificantRecent Accounting Policies and Critical EstimatesPronouncements
Our significantA summary of recent accounting policies are more fully describedpronouncements is included in Note 1,3, Basis of Presentation and Summary of SignificantRecent Accounting PoliciesPronouncements, to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this 20162017 Annual Report.  As disclosed in Note 1, the preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that impact the reported amounts and accompanying disclosures.  Such decisions include the selection of the appropriate accounting principles to be applied and assumptions upon which accounting estimates are based.  We apply judgment based on our understanding and analysis of the relevant circumstances to reach these decisions.  By their nature, these judgments are subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty.  Accordingly, actual results could differ significantly from the estimates applied.
Areas requiring the greatest degree of management judgment or deemed most critical to our financial reporting involve:
Revenue Recognition

We recognize revenue, including freight charged to customers, net of applicable rebates, estimates for sales returns and allowances and discounts, when the earnings process is complete. This occurs when products have been shipped to, or received by, the customer, in accordance with the terms of the agreement entered into between us and such customer, title and risk of loss has been transferred, pricing is fixed or determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured.46

On a limited and discretionary basis, we allow certain distributors within the Agricultural Solutions segment extensions of credit on a limited portion of purchases made during a purchasing cycle, which remain in the distributor’s inventory. The extension of credit is not a right to return, and distributors must pay unconditionally when the extended credit period expires.
Credit Risk Management
Our products are sold primarily to customers in the automotive, agriculture, animal health, electronics, graphic arts, and offshore oil and gas production and drilling industries.  We are exposed to certain collection risks which are subject to a variety of factors, including economic and technological changes within these industries.  As is common industry practice, we generally do not require collateral or other security as a condition of sale, rather relying on credit approval, balance limitation and monitoring procedures to control credit risk on trade accounts receivable.  For certain products used by customers on crops with growing seasons in excess of one year, it is industry practice for payment terms to exceed one year. Trade receivables related to these sales are classified as non-current assets.  We establish reserves against estimated uncollectible amounts based on historical experience and specific knowledge regarding customers’ ability to pay. Customer accounts receivable that are deemed to be uncollectible are written off when they are identified and all reasonable collections efforts have been exhausted.
Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value with cost being determined by the first-in/first-out and average costs methods.  Inventories in excess of one year of forecasted sales are classified as non-current assets. We regularly review inventories for obsolescence and excess quantities and calculate reserves based on historical write-offs, customer demand, product evolution, usage rates and quantities of stock on hand.
Stock-based Compensation
We expense employee stock-based compensation over the requisite service period based on the estimated grant-date fair value of the awards.  The fair value of RSU awards is determined using Monte Carlo simulations for market-based RSU awards, and the closing price of our common stock on the date of grant for all other RSU awards. The fair value of stock options is determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.  The assumptions used in calculating the fair value of stock-based awards represent our best estimates and involve inherent uncertainties and the application of judgment. Such assumptions include expectations related to stock price volatility, award terms, and judgments as to whether performance targets will be achieved.



CompensationResults of Operations
The following table summarizes our results of operations for 2017, 2016 and 2015: 
    % Change - 2017 vs 2016   % Change - 2016 vs 2015
($ amounts in millions) 2017 2016 Reported Constant Currency Organic 2015 Reported Constant Currency Organic
Net sales $3,775.9
 $3,585.9
 5% 4% 4% $2,542.3
 41% 43% 2%
Cost of sales 2,186.9
 2,078.2
 5% 4%   1,550.4
 34% 36%  
Gross profit 1,589.0
 1,507.7
 5% 5%   991.9
 52% 55%  
Selling, technical, general and administrative 1,109.3
 1,123.3
 (1)% (2)%   857.5
 31% 33%  
Research and development 98.4
 84.4
 17% 15%   62.8
 34% 35%  
Goodwill impairment 160.0
 46.6
 (nm) (nm)   
 (nm) (nm)  
Operating profit 221.3
 253.4
 (13)% (9)%   71.6
 (nm) (nm)  
Interest expense, net (341.6) (375.7) (9)%     (213.9) 76%    
Other (expense) income, net (168.7) 74.2
 (nm)     (87.0) (nm)    
Loss before income taxes and non-controlling interest (289.0) (48.1) (nm)     (229.3) (79)%    
Income tax expense (6.6) (28.6) (77)%     (75.1) (62)%    
Net loss $(295.6) $(76.7) (nm)     $(304.4) (75)%    
                   
Adjusted EBITDA (1)
 $820.9
 $769.5
 7% 7%   $567.7
 36% 38%  
(nm)    Calculation not meaningful.
(1)    Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure and as such, should not be considered in isolation from, as a substitute for, or superior to performance measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. For a definition of Adjusted EBITDA and additional information on why we present this measure, its limitations and a reconciliation to the most comparable applicable GAAP measure, see "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" below, and Note 23, Segment Information, to the Consolidated Financial Statements, all included in this 2017 Annual Report.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
To supplement our financial results presented in accordance with GAAP in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section, we present certain non-GAAP financial measures, such as Adjusted EBITDA, operating results on a constant currency basis and organic sales growth. Management internally reviews each of these non-GAAP measures to evaluate performance on a comparative period-to-period basis in terms of absolute performance, trends, and expected future performance with respect to our business. We believe these non-GAAP financial measures, which are each further described below, provide investors with an additional perspective on trends and underlying operating results on a period-to-period comparable basis. We also believe that investors find this information helpful in understanding the ongoing performance of our operations separate from items that may have a disproportionate positive or negative impact on our financial results in any particular period or are considered to be costs associated with our capital structure.
These non-GAAP financial measures, however, have limitations as analytical tools, and should not be considered in isolation from, or a substitute for, RSU awards reflectsor superior to, the numberrelated financial information that we report in accordance with GAAP. The principal limitations of awards expectedthese non-GAAP financial measures is that they exclude significant expenses and income that are required by GAAP to vestbe recorded in the Company’s financial statements, and is ultimately adjustedmay not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies due to potential differences in future periodsthe method of calculation between companies. In addition, these measures are subject to inherent limitations as they reflect the exercise of judgment by management about which items are excluded or included in determining these non-GAAP financial measures. Investors are encouraged to review the reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to their most comparable GAAP financial measures included in this 2017 Annual Report, and not to rely on any single financial measure to evaluate the Company’s businesses.
Adjusted EBITDA
We define Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA (earnings before interest, provision for income taxes, depreciation and amortization), excluding the impact of additional items included in earnings, which we believe are not representative or indicative of our ongoing business or are considered to be part of our capital structure. Management believes Adjusted EBITDA provides investors with a


47




more complete understanding of the long-term profitability trends of our business, and facilitates comparisons of our profitability to prior and future periods.
For a reconciliation of "Net loss attributable to common stockholders" to Adjusted EBITDA and more information about the adjustments made, see Note 23, Segment Information, to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this 2017 Annual Report.
Constant Currency
We disclose operating results from net sales through operating profit on a constant currency basis by adjusting to exclude the impact of changes due to the translation of foreign currencies of our international locations into U.S. dollars. Management believes this non-GAAP financial information facilitates period-to-period comparison in the analysis of trends in business performance, thereby providing valuable supplemental information regarding our results of operations, consistent with how we internally evaluate our financial results.
The impact of foreign currency translation is calculated by converting our current-period local currency financial results into U.S. dollars using the prior period's exchange rates and comparing these adjusted amounts to our prior period reported results. The difference between actual numbergrowth rates and constant currency growth rates represents the impact of vested awards. Compensation costsforeign currency translation.
Organic Results
Organic sales growth is defined as net sales excluding the impact of foreign currency translation, changes due to the price of certain metals, acquisitions and/or divestitures. Management believes this non-GAAP financial measure provides investors with a more complete understanding of the underlying net sales trends by providing comparable sales over differing periods on a consistent basis.
The following tables reconcile GAAP net sales growth to organic sales growth for awards with2017 and 2016:
 Year ended December 31, 2017
 Reported Net Sales Growth Impact of Currency Metals Acquisitions/Disposition Organic Sales Growth
Performance Solutions6% —% (1)% —% 4%
Agricultural Solutions4% (2)% —% —% 3%
Total5% (1)% (1)% —% 4%
 Year ended December 31, 2016
 Reported Net Sales Growth Impact of Currency Metals Acquisitions/Disposition Organic Sales Growth
Performance Solutions121% 2% (2)% (120)% 1%
Agricultural Solutions4% 2% —% (3)% 3%
Total41% 2% —% (40)% 2%
NOTE: Totals may not sum due to rounding.
For 2017, metals pricing and acquisitions benefited our Performance Solutions and consolidated results by $23.6 million and $2.8 million, respectively.
For 2016, metals pricing and acquisitions benefited our Performance Solutions and consolidated results by $12.6 million and $965 million, respectively. Additionally, Agricultural Solutions and our consolidated results benefited from acquisitions and dispositions by $87.5 million and $32.1 million, respectively.
When comparing 2016 and 2015, we also presented gross profit, selling, technical, general and administrative expense, research and development expense, and operating profit on an organic basis. These results excluded the impact of foreign currency translation and were adjusted for the impact of the Alent and OMG Acquisitions in 2016 in Performance Solutions and for the impact of the Arysta Acquisition, completed in February 2015, as well as a divestiture completed in 2015, in Agricultural Solutions.


48




Year Ended December 31, 2017 Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2016
Net Sales
 Year ended December 31, Change
 ($ amounts in millions)2017 2016 Reported Constant Currency Organic
Performance Solutions$1,878.6
 $1,770.1
 6% 6% 4%
Agricultural Solutions1,897.3
 1,815.8
 4% 3% 3%
Total$3,775.9
 $3,585.9
 5% 4% 4%
Performance Solutions' net sales for 2017 increased by 6% (6% on a constant currency and 4% on an organic basis). Organic sales growth was driven primarily by strength in our Assembly and Industrial Solutions businesses, which contributed approximately 3% and 2% of growth to the segment, respectively. Organic sales growth in Assembly Solutions reflected higher sales volume across several product lines, including solder paste. Our Industrial Solutions’ organic sales growth was driven by higher sales volume across all regions, most notably in Europe and Asia. In addition, organic sales growth in our Electronics Solutions business contributed approximately 1% of growth to the segment, driven primarily by strong performance conditions are only recognized ifin the Asian smart phone and when it becomes probable that the performance condition will be achieved.memory disk markets. Organic sales growth was partially offset by continued volume declines of flexographic printing plates within our Graphics Solutions business, which reduced organic segment sales growth by approximately 1%.
Agricultural Solutions' net sales for 2017 increased by 4% (3% on a constant currency and organic basis). The probabilityorganic sales increase was driven by a combination of vesting is reassessed at the endour successful geographic expansion into various European markets, most notably in parts of each reporting periodEastern Europe, Germany and UK, as well as continued volume growth, notably from our BioSolutions portfolio, and new product introductions across Europe and parts of Asia and Latin America, particularly in Japan, Brazil, Mexico and China. These gains were partially offset by declines resulting from changes in our West Africa selling strategies, pricing pressure on certain products, mostly impacting Latin America and the compensationU.S., and lower volumes in southern Asia and North America.
Gross Profit
 Year ended December 31, Change
 ($ amounts in millions)2017 2016 Reported Constant Currency
Gross profit       
Performance Solutions$813.8
 $776.8
 5% 5%
Agricultural Solutions775.2
 730.9
 6% 5%
Total$1,589.0
 $1,507.7
 5% 5%
        
Gross margin       
Performance Solutions43.3% 43.9% (57) bps (49) bps
Agricultural Solutions40.9% 40.3% 61 bps 95 bps
Total42.1% 42.0% 4 bps 24 bps
Performance Solutions' gross profit for 2017 increased by 5% on a reported and constant currency basis. The constant currency increase in gross profit was primarily driven by higher net sales volume in our Assembly and Industrial Solutions businesses and $11.7 million in inventory step-up amortization in the prior year which did not recur in 2017. The increase was partially offset by higher raw material costs are adjusted accordingly,in our Graphics business and metals prices across our businesses. Gross margin erosion was primarily driven by declines in our Graphics Solutions business, as well as product mix and higher raw material and metals costs in our Assembly Solutions business.
Agricultural Solutions' gross profit for 2017 increased by 6% (5% at constant currency). The constant currency increase was largely a result of overall top line growth, particularly in the fourth quarter, an increased focus on selling higher-margin products, notably from our BioSolutions portfolio, in Europe, Latin America and North America, a change in our selling strategy of certain lower-margin businesses in West Africa, as well as new geographic expansions, primarily in Europe. Gross margin expansion was largely the result of higher-margin new product introductions, particularly in Latin America and North America, and cost savings associated with sourcing raw materials, partially offset by the pricing pressures in Latin America and the U.S.


49




Selling, Technical, General and Administrative Expense (STG&A)
 Year ended December 31, Change
 ($ amounts in millions)2017 2016 Reported Constant Currency
STG&A       
Performance Solutions$504.1
 $504.3
 —% —%
Agricultural Solutions525.3
 518.1
 1% (1)%
Corporate79.9
 100.9
 (21)% (21)%
Total$1,109.3
 $1,123.3
 (1)% (2)%
        
STG&A as % of net sales       
Performance Solutions26.8% 28.5% (165) bps (169) bps
Agricultural Solutions27.7% 28.5% (85) bps (103) bps
Total29.4% 31.3% (195) bps (204) bps
Performance Solutions' STG&A for 2017 was flat on a reported and constant currency basis, as operating cost inflation was essentially offset by realized cost savings from integration activities and lower bad debt expense.
Agricultural Solutions' STG&A for 2017 increased by 1% (decreased by 1% at constant currency). The constant currency decrease was primarily due to cost reduction initiatives in Europe and Latin America, offset by higher costs associated with non-recourse factoring programs, costs associated with the cumulative effecttermination of such a changesupply agreement related to the CAS Acquisition, and costs associated with expansion of certain European markets.
Corporate STG&A for 2017 decreased by 21% on currenta reported and prior periods being recognizedconstant currency basis. The decrease was primarily due to lower acquisition and integration costs associated with previous Acquisitions, and legal expenses which did not recur in compensation cost2017, partially offset by costs associated with the Proposed Separation of our Agricultural Solutions business.
Research and Development (R&D)
 Year ended December 31, Change
 ($ amounts in millions)2017 2016 Reported Constant Currency
R&D       
Performance Solutions$46.4
 $45.0
 3% 4%
Agricultural Solutions52.0
 39.4
 32% 28%
Total$98.4
 $84.4
 17% 15%
        
R&D as % of net sales       
Performance Solutions2.5% 2.5% (7) bps (5) bps
Agricultural Solutions2.7% 2.2% 57 bps 53 bps
Total2.6% 2.4% 25 bps 24 bps
Performance Solutions' R&D for 2017 increased by 3% (4% at constant currency) due to timing of various projects.
Agricultural Solutions' R&D for 2017 increased by 32% (28% at constant currency), driven primarily by investments in the periodnew development projects aimed at enhancing our product portfolio in targeted areas of the change. Compensation costs for stock options are recorded ratably over the vesting term of the options, effected for forfeitures as they occur.focus.
Earnings (Loss) per Share
Basic earnings (loss) per share of common stock excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period.  Diluted earnings (loss) per share of common stock reflects the potential dilution that could occur if our outstanding equity instruments, under which additional shares of common stock could be issued, were exercised or converted into shares of common stock, including such effects the exercise or conversion has on earnings.  The treasury method is used to determine the dilutive impact of outstanding stock options and RSU awards, while the if-converted method is used to determine the dilutive impact of outstanding convertible securities.

Goodwill50




Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level annually, or when events or changes in circumstances indicate that goodwill might be impaired.  Our reporting units are determined based upon
 Year Ended December 31,
  ($ amounts in millions)
2017 2016
Goodwill impairment   
Performance Solutions$
 $46.6
Agricultural Solutions160.0
 
Total$160.0
 $46.6
As a result of our organizational structure in place at the date of the goodwill impairment test.  
For goodwill, a two-step impairment test is performed at the reporting unit level. In the first step of impairment testing, the fair value of each reporting unit is compared to its carrying value.  The fair value of each reporting unit is determined based on the present value of discounted future cash flows.  Excluding certain nonrecurring charges, the discounted cash flows are prepared based upon cash flows at the reporting unit level.  The cash flow model utilized in theannual goodwill impairment test involves significant judgments related to future growth rates, discount rates and tax rates, among other considerations.  If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds the carrying value of the net assets assigned to that reporting unit, goodwill is not impaired and no further testing is required.  If the carrying value of the net assets assigned to the reporting unit exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit, the second step of the impairment test is performed to determine the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill.  If the carrying value of the reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds its implied fair value,in 2017, we recorded an impairment charge is recorded equalin the Agricultural Solutions segment of $160 million related to our Agro Business reporting unit. This charge was driven by the impact of a delayed agricultural market recovery, which resulted in lower expectations for future profitability and cash flows as compared to the difference.  expectations of the 2016 annual goodwill impairment test.
During the fourth quarterAs a result of our annual goodwill impairment test in 2016, we performed our annual impairment test as of October 1, 2016 for our six reporting units which resulted inrecorded an impairment charge in the Performance Solutions segment of $46.6 million related to the Offshore Solutions reporting unit as a result of continuingpreviously weak oil prices.
Operating Profit
 Year ended December 31, Change
 ($ amounts in millions)2017 2016 Reported Constant Currency
Operating profit       
Performance Solutions$263.2
 $180.9
 45% 46%
Agricultural Solutions38.0
 173.4
 (78)% (74)%
Corporate(79.9) (100.9) (21)% (21)%
Total$221.3
 $253.4
 (13)% (9)%
        
Operating Margin       
Performance Solutions14.0% 10.2% 379 bps 389 bps
Agricultural Solutions2.0% 9.5% (755) bps (711) bps
Total5.9% 7.1% (121) bps (94) bps
Performance Solutions' operating profit for 2017 increased by 45% (46% at constant currency), representing an operating margin of 14.0%. The constant currency increase was driven by top line growth in our Assembly, Industrial and Electronic Solutions businesses, the goodwill impairment charge of $46.6 million recorded in 2016 mentioned above, as well as cost savings from integration activities of approximately $18 million. The increase was partially offset by the previously noted gross margin erosion from declines in our Graphics Solutions business.
Agricultural Solutions' operating profit for 2017 decreased by 78% (74% at constant currency), representing an operating margin of 2.0%. The decrease in constant currency operating profit and margin was driven primarily by the goodwill impairment charge of $160 million. Excluding the goodwill impairment impact, operating profit increased as a result of top line growth in all regions and the gross profit improvements noted above, partially offset by higher R&D costs.


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Other (Expense) Income, net
 Year Ended December 31,
  ($ amounts in millions)
2017 2016
Interest expense, net$(341.6) $(375.7)
Foreign exchange loss(107.5) (14.1)
Other (expense) income, net(61.2) 88.3
Total$(510.3) $(301.5)
Interest Expense, Net
For 2017 and 2016, net interest expense totaled $342 million and $376 million, respectively, representing a decrease of $34.1 million. The decrease in net interest expense is primarily due to the repricing of our term debt, which decreased the weighted average effective interest rate on our term loans from approximately 5.64% at December 31, 2016 to 4.53% at December 31, 2017.
Foreign Exchange Loss
For 2017 and 2016, foreign exchange loss totaled $108 million and $14.1 million, respectively, representing an increase of $93.4 million. The increase in foreign exchange losses is primarily due to the remeasurement of foreign denominated debt and intercompany balances to U.S. dollar and pertained primarily to the euro and British pound.
Other (expense) income, net
For 2017 and 2016, other (expense) income, net totaled $(61.2) million and $88.3 million, respectively, representing a year over year negative impact to profits of $150 million. The decrease is primarily related to the prior-year net gain of $98.0 million associated with the settlement of our Series B Convertible Preferred Stock and $61.1 million of charges in 2017 related to extinguishment of debt, partially offset by the $10.8 million net gain related to a legal settlement agreement.
Income Tax
 Year Ended December 31,
  ($ amounts in millions)
2017 2016
Income tax expense$(6.6) $(28.6)
Effective tax rate(2.3)% (59.5)%
The income tax expense for 2017 totaled $6.6 million, as compared to $28.6 million for 2016. The change in the effective tax rate is primarily attributable to the increased level of goodwill impairment in 2017 as compared to 2016 for which there was no corresponding tax benefit, the benefit for the provisional estimate of the TCJA, the 2016 settlement gain of the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock which was treated as a non-taxable purchase price adjustment, and favorable reductions in foreign tax rates for changes in tax law.
Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income
Other comprehensive income for 2017 totaled $256 million, as compared to $214 million of income in the prior year. The change was driven primarily by foreign currency translation gains associated with the euro, Canadian Dollar and Chinese Yuan, partially offset by losses primarily associated with the British Pound.
Segment Performance
Our operations are organized into two reportable segments: Performance Solutions and Agricultural Solutions. Both segments share a common focus on attractive niche markets, which we believe will grow faster than the diverse end-markets we serve. For additional information regarding our segments, see Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, under the heading "Our Business," and Note 23, Segment Information, to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in this 2017 Annual Report.


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Adjusted EBITDA
We utilize Adjusted EBITDA as one of the measures to evaluate the performance of our operating segments. Adjusted EBITDA for each segment includes an allocation of corporate costs, such as compensation expense and professional fees. See Note 23, Segment Information, to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in this 2017 Annual Report, for more information and a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income.
 Year Ended December 31, Change
  ($ amounts in millions)
2017 2016 Reported Constant Currency
Adjusted EBITDA: 
  
    
Performance Solutions$432.7
 $401.3
 8% 8%
Agricultural Solutions388.2
 368.2
 5% 6%
Total$820.9
 $769.5
 7% 7%
For 2017 and 2016, corporate costs allocated to each segment totaled $31.4 million and $32.8 million, respectively.
Performance Solutions' Adjusted EBITDA for 2017 increased 8% on a reported and constant currency basis. The increase was primarily driven by growth of our Assembly, Industrial and Electronic Solutions businesses resulting in higher gross profits, as well as cost savings from integration synergies, partially offset by the impact of volume declines in our Graphics Solutions business.
Agricultural Solutions' Adjusted EBITDA for 2017 increased 5% (6% at constant currency). The constant currency increase was primarily driven by an increase from market expansion in Europe and new product launches in Asia and Latin America, volume growth in higher-margin products and cost reduction initiatives in Europe and Latin America. These increases were partially offset by a change in our selling strategy of certain lower-margin businesses in West Africa, and investments made in STG&A, as noted above.
Year Ended December 31, 2016 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2015
Net Sales
 Year ended December 31, Change
 ($ amounts in millions)2016 2015 Reported Constant Currency Organic
Performance Solutions$1,770.1
 $800.8
 121% 123% 1%
Agricultural Solutions1,815.8
 1,741.5
 4% 6% 3%
Total$3,585.9
 $2,542.3
 41% 43% 2%
Performance Solutions' net sales for 2016 increased by 121% (123% on a constant currency and 1% on an organic basis) compared to the prior period. The increase in organic net sales was driven by growth in global paste solder product demand in Assembly Solutions, share gains in industrial product offerings sold into the automotive supply chain in Asia, specifically in China, and a recovery of product demand in Electronic Solutions in the second half of 2016. Organic sales growth in these businesses was partially offset by under-performance in Offshore Solutions due to softness in the oil and gas end market as declines in oil prices resulted in reduced capital investment and project startup delays. The impact of oil prices was twofold: (1) reduced demand for offshore production control and drilling fluids, and (2) reduced demand for plating chemistry sold into the supply chain for onshore oil production rigs and stripping/cleaning chemistry utilized in polyethylene terephthalate recycling.
Agricultural Solutions' net sales for 2016 increased by 4% (6% on a constant currency and 3% on an organic basis) compared to the prior period. The increase in organic net sales was driven by volume growth in our insecticide and herbicide businesses in Latin America and Europe, our anti-malarial insecticides in Africa, and our BioSolutions business. The volume growth was primarily boosted by several new product launches and continued focus on promoting proprietary brands. These effects were partially offset by lower volumes in North America, mainly due to low commodity prices, declining farmer incomes and soft demand for crop protection products, as well as our continued integration efforts to reduce volumes related to low-margin products across geographic markets. Additionally, although generic competition and low commodity prices led to some pricing pressure, overall Agricultural Solutions achieved an improvement in pricing driven primarily by Latin America and Europe.


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Gross Profit
 Year ended December 31, Change
 ($ amounts in millions)2016 2015 Reported Constant Currency Organic
Gross profit         
Performance Solutions$776.8
 $387.9
 100% 103% 1%
Agricultural Solutions730.9
 604.0
 21% 23% 19%
Total$1,507.7
 $991.9
 52% 55% 12%
          
Gross margin         
Performance Solutions43.9% 48.4% (455) bps (441) bps (91) bps
Agricultural Solutions40.3% 34.7% 557 bps 554 bps 554 bps
Total42.0% 39.0% 303 bps 309 bps 381 bps
Performance Solutions' gross profit for 2016 increased by 100% (103% at constant currency and 1% on an organic basis). The organic gross profit increase was driven by gross margin expansion resulting from lower raw material costs, some of which were achieved through synergies, as well as favorable product mix, partially offset by lower sales volume from Offshore Solutions. The most significant growth came from our higher-margin advanced Electronics Solutions and Industrials Solutions product lines, particularly in Asia.
Agricultural Solutions' gross profit for 2016 increased by 21% (23% at constant currency and 19% on an organic basis). The increase was largely a result of $58.0 million of inventory step-up amortization in 2015 which did not recur in 2016. The gross profit increase was also driven by a broad increase in sales volumes, including higher relative growth in our BioSolutions products, which generate, on average, higher margins, as well as procurement savings, driven by our ongoing integration and synergy efforts. We continued to see favorable effects from improved procurement trends, product mix, the impact of our proprietary product portfolio, and growth in the niche markets in which we operate.
Selling, Technical, General and Administrative Expense (STG&A)
 Year ended December 31, Change
 ($ amounts in millions)2016 2015 Reported Constant Currency Organic
STG&A         
Performance Solutions$504.3
 $242.6
 108% 110% 13%
Agricultural Solutions518.1
 488.5
 6% 9% 3%
Corporate100.9
 126.4
 (20)% (20)% (20)%
Total$1,123.3
 $857.5
 31% 33% 2%
          
STG&A as % of net sales         
Performance Solutions28.5% 30.3% (180) bps (177) bps 286 bps
Agricultural Solutions28.5% 28.1% 48 bps 67 bps 67 bps
Total31.3% 33.7% (240) bps (233) bps (30) bps
Performance Solutions' STG&A for 2016 increased by 108% (110% at constant currency and 13% on an organic basis). The organic increase was driven by charges associated with integration activities and higher debt refinancing costs.
Agricultural Solutions' STG&A for 2016 increased by 6% (9% at constant currency and 3% on an organic basis). The increase was driven primarily by a modest increase due to price inflation related to wages in developing markets, investments in infrastructure in support of growth in the business, continued integration expenses, and higher costs associated with non-recourse factoring programs. The increase was partially offset by savings from headcount reductions associated with synergies achieved in our operations in Africa and Europe and a decline in restructuring expenses related to the acquisitions within this segment.
Corporate STG&A for 2016 decreased by 20% on a reported, constant currency and organic basis. The decline was primarily due to a significant reduction in acquisition-related and restructuring costs, partially offset by increases in costs associated with


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headcount additions, equity compensation, infrastructure spending on integration activities, and debt modification costs associated with the term loan refinancing completed in October and December 2016.
Research and Development Expense
 Year ended December 31, Change
 ($ amounts in millions)2016 2015 Reported Constant Currency Organic
R&D         
Performance Solutions$45.0
 $25.4
 77% 78% (12)%
Agricultural Solutions39.4
 37.4
 5% 5% (4)%
Total$84.4
 $62.8
 34% 35% (7)%
          
R&D as % of net sales         
Performance Solutions2.5% 3.2% (63) bps (64) bps (47) bps
Agricultural Solutions2.2% 2.1% 2 bps (2) bps (2) bps
Total2.4% 2.5% (12) bps (15) bps (23) bps
Performance Solutions' R&D for 2016 increased by 77% (78% at constant currency and decreased by 12% on an organic basis). The organic decrease was driven by integration activities which have reduced research and innovation-related operating costs.
Agricultural Solutions' R&D for 2016 increased by 5% (5% at constant currency and decreased by 4% on an organic basis). The decrease was driven in part the phasing of studies in the segment's development pipeline.
Goodwill Impairment
 Year Ended December 31,
  ($ amounts in millions)
2016 2015
Goodwill impairment$46.6
 $
Based on the result of our annual goodwill impairment test, we recorded an impairment charge in the Performance Solutions segment of $46.6 million related to the Offshore Solutions reporting unit as a result of previously weak oil prices. We are now experiencingexperienced the impact on our results, which slightly laglagged the overall industry, as this ultimately has caused the industry to depress its overall investments. There
Operating Profit
 Year ended December 31, Change
 ($ amounts in millions)2016 2015 Reported Constant Currency Organic
Operating profit         
Performance Solutions$180.9
 $119.9
 51% 55% (50)%
Agricultural Solutions173.4
 78.6
 120% 121% 134%
Corporate(100.9) (126.9) (20)% (20)% (20)%
Total$253.4
 $71.6
 253% 260% 77%
          
Operating Margin         
Performance Solutions10.2% 15.0% (475) bps (460) bps (967) bps
Agricultural Solutions9.5% 4.5% 504 bps 486 bps 486 bps
Total7.1% 2.8% 425 bps 427 bps 245 bps
Performance Solutions' operating profit for 2016 increased by 51% (55% at constant currency and decreased 50% on an organic basis), representing an operating margin of 10.2%. The decrease in organic operating profit was due primarily to the 2016 Offshore


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Solutions goodwill impairment charge of $46.6 million, and higher STG&A expenses, partially offset by the aforementioned gross profit increases.
Agricultural Solutions' operating profit for the 2016 increased by 120% (121% at constant currency and 134% on an organic basis), representing an operating margin of 9.5%. The increase in operating profit was due in part to $58.0 million of inventory step-up amortization in 2015 which did not recur in 2016. Operating profit improvements were nodriven primarily by the increase in gross profits resulting from management's continued focus on sales of higher margin products.
Other (Expense) Income, net
 Year Ended December 31,
  ($ amounts in millions)
2016 2015
Interest expense, net$(375.7) $(213.9)
Foreign exchange loss(14.1) (43.4)
Other income (expense), net88.3
 (43.6)
Total$(301.5) $(300.9)
Interest Expense, Net
Net interest expense for 2016 totaled $376 million, as compared to $214 million for 2015, representing an increase of $162 million. The increase related primarily to interest charges resulting from incremental debt facilities used to fund the Alent Acquisition. The increase was also driven by a full quarter of interest expense in the first quarter of 2016 related to incremental debt facilities used to fund the Arysta Acquisition completed on February 13, 2015.
Foreign Exchange Loss
Foreign exchange losses for 2016 and 2015 totaled $14.1 million, and $43.4 million, respectively, representing a decrease of $29.3 million. The year-over-year change is due primarily to the remeasurement of foreign denominated debt to U.S. dollar and transactional foreign exchange on intercompany balances.
Other Income (Expense), Net
Other income, net for 2016 totaled $88.3 million, as compared to other impairmentsexpense, net of goodwill$43.6 million for 2015, representing an increase of $132 million. The increase was primarily driven by the recognition of a gain of $103 million from the settlement agreement with the Arysta Seller in 2016, which was partially offset by a $5.0 million loss associated with the remeasurement of the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock redemption liability and $11.3 million of expense related to the write-off of deferred financing fees and original issuance discount from the refinancing of our term loans in the fourth quarter of 2016. Additionally, during 2015 there was a $73.7 million loss associated with a deal-contingent forward contract settlement in 2015, which was partially offset by a legal settlement gain totaling $17.7 million.
Income Tax Expense
 Year Ended December 31,
  ($ amounts in millions)
2016 2015
Income tax expense$(28.6) $(75.1)
Effective tax rate(59.5)% (32.8)%
The income tax expense for 2016 totaled $28.6 million, as compared to $75.1 million for 2015. Our effective tax rate for 2016 was (59.5)% on pre-tax losses of $48.1 million. The difference between the statutory and effective tax rates for 2016 primarily related to $68.4 million of tax expense for an increase in valuation allowances, $29.0 million on tax expense for earnings of foreign subsidiaries taxable in the U.S. and $26.8 million of tax expense for undistributed foreign earnings. Offsetting these items were $34.3 million of tax benefit related to the settlement gain of the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, which was treated as a non-taxable purchase price adjustment, $24.5 million for the impact of transaction costs and a $24.1 million reduction in tax reserves for prior period positions based on a reassessment of the uncertainty. The difference between the statutory and effective tax rates


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for 2015 primarily related to $72.6 million of tax expense for an increase in valuation allowances, non-deductible transaction-related costs of $40.5 million and $27.5 million of tax expense for an increase in tax reserves for tax uncertainties.
The change in the effective tax rate from (32.8)% for 2015 to (59.5)% for 2016 was attributable to the disproportionate change in pre-tax income, the net change in tax uncertainties, the net change in valuation allowances, the settlement gain of the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock and the expense attributable to undistributed foreign earnings.
Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income
Other comprehensive income for 2016 totaled $214 million, as compared to other comprehensive losses of $796 million in the prior year. The change was driven primarily by foreign currency translation gains associated with the Brazilian Real, British Pound, and Japanese Yen, partially offset by adverse effects associated with changes in the Mexican Peso and Chinese Yuan.
Adjusted EBITDA
 Year Ended December 31, Change
  ($ amounts in millions)
2016 2015 Reported Constant Currency Organic
Adjusted EBITDA:         
Performance Solutions$401.3
 $224.3
 79% 86% 9%
Agricultural Solutions368.2
 343.4
 7% 7% 6%
Total$769.5
 $567.7
 36% 38% 8%
For 2016, corporate costs allocated to each segment totaled $32.8 million. For 2015, corporate allocations totaled $12.0 million for Performance Solutions and $36.0 million for Agricultural Solutions.
Performance Solutions' Adjusted EBITDA for 2016 increased by 79% (86% at constant currency and 9% on an organic basis). The organic increase was driven primarily by gross margin expansion resulting from lower raw material costs, some of which were achieved through synergies, as well as favorable product mix, partially offset by lower sales volume from Offshore Solutions.
Agricultural Solutions' Adjusted EBITDA for 2016 increased by 7% (7% at constant currency and 6% on an organic basis) due primarily to volume growth in Latin America and Europe, including higher relative growth in our higher margin BioSolutions products. The increase was also driven by favorable effects from improved procurement trends, product mix, the impact of our proprietary product portfolio, and growth in the certain niche markets. These increases were partially offset by lower demand in North America driven by weaker market conditions.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
At December 31, 2017, our indebtedness totaled $5.48 billion, primarily as a result of our historical acquisition activity, with expected interest payments in the range of approximately $275 million per year over the next two years. Our first significant principal debt payments, totaling $1.33 billion, are due in 2020 and represent principal payments at maturity associated with a portion of our outstanding term loans under our Amended and Restated Credit Agreement.  Our primary sources of liquidity during 2017 were periodic borrowings under our Revolving Credit facility and available cash generated from operations. Our primary uses of cash and cash equivalents were to fund operations, working capital, capital expenditures, and debt service obligations. We believe that our cash and cash equivalents and cash generated from operations, supplemented by our availability under our lines of credit, including our Revolving Credit Facility, will be sufficient to meet our working capital needs, interest payments, capital expenditures, and other business requirements for at least the next twelve months. However, working capital cycles and future acquisitions may require future debt and/or equity offerings.  Our long-term liquidity may be influenced by our ability to borrow additional funds, renegotiate existing debt and raise equity under terms that are favorable to us.
During 2017, approximately 83% of our revenue was generated from non-U.S. operations. We expect to continue to generate significant revenue from non-U.S. operations and expect a substantial portion of our cash to be held predominantly by our foreign subsidiaries. We expect to manage our worldwide cash requirements considering available funds among the many subsidiaries through which we conduct business and the cost effectiveness with which those funds can be accessed. We may transfer cash from certain international subsidiaries to the U.S. and other international subsidiaries when we believe it is cost effective to do so.


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We continually review our domestic and foreign cash profile, expected future cash generation and investment opportunities, which support our current designation of a portion of these funds as being indefinitely reinvested and reassess whether there is a demonstrated need to repatriate funds held internationally. If, as a result of our review, it is determined that all or a portion of the funds require repatriation, we may be required to accrue additional foreign taxes. Of our $478 million of cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2017, $431 million was held by our foreign subsidiaries. See Note 11, Income Taxes, to our Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of income taxes on remaining undistributed foreign earnings.
We may from time to time seek to retire or purchase our outstanding debt, including, but not limited to, our Senior Notes, through cash purchases and/or exchanges for equity securities, in open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. Such repurchases or exchanges, if any, will depend on prevailing market conditions, our liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions, applicable restrictions under our various financing arrangements, and other factors.
The following is a summary of our cash flows provided by (used in) operating, investing and financing activities during the periods indicated:
  Year Ended December 31,
  ($ amounts in millions)
 2017 2016 2015
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period $422.6
 $432.2
 $397.3
Cash provided by operating activities 182.1
 184.8
 320.9
Cash used in investing activities (92.6) (74.7) (4,256.5)
Cash (used in) provided by financing activities (67.4) (102.2) 4,001.2
Exchange rate impact on cash and cash equivalents 33.1
 (17.5) (30.7)
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period $477.8
 $422.6
 $432.2
Year Ended December 31, 2017 compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2016
Operating Activities
For 2017, we generated cash flows from operating activities of $182 million, compared to $185 million in cash for 2016. Higher cash operating profits (net loss adjusted for non-cash items), which included $43.7 million of cash outflows related to a tender offer premium on our 2017 Notes Offerings, were partially offset by higher working capital requirements. The increase in working capital was due, in part, to the buildup of inventory in connection with Performance Solution's facility rationalization initiatives, as well as increases due to stronger fourth quarter sales in our Agricultural Solutions business in 2017, partially offset by the impact of a new factoring program in Europe.
Investing Activities
Net cash flows used in investing activities for 2017 totaled $92.6 million, compared to $74.7 million for 2016.  The increase was driven primarily by capital expenditures related to our Performance Solutions' facility integration initiatives and Agricultural Solutions' investments in products registration rights, which, combined, increased by $7.2 million over 2016. The increase was also driven by higher restricted cash balances of $4.7 million.
Financing Activities
Net cash flows used in financing activities for 2017 totaled $67.4 million, compared to $102 million for 2016. The decrease was driven primarily by the settlement of our make-whole obligation in 2016 related to our Series B Convertible Preferred Stock with a cash payment of $460 million to the Series B Convertible Preferred Stockholders, offset, in part, by the September 2016 Equity Offering which raised net proceeds of $392 million. In addition, for 2017, net payments on our various lines of credit, short-term debt facilities and overdraft facilities totaled $58.8 million, as compared to net draws totaling $54.0 million in 2016. Our decreased on-balance sheet factoring activity increased financing cash flows year-over-year by $40.6 million, as did the net change in our long-term debt balance,which impacted financing cash flows by $59.8 million.


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Year Ended December 31, 2016 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2015
Operating Activities
For 2016, we generated cash flows from operating activities of $185 million, compared to $321 million in cash for 2015. This year-over-year change was driven primarily by higher cash operating profits (net loss adjusted for non-cash items), partially offset by an increased use of cash in working capital as well as higher interest and tax payments. The increase in working capital, largely due to accounts payable, was primarily due to the timing of the close of the Arysta Acquisition in February 2015 and 2014.
Within the Performance Solutions segment, we used a discounted cash flow analysis and considered guideline company and guideline transaction information, where available, to aidworking capital seasonality in the valuation of the reporting units. The discount rates used ranged from 9% to 10% and the annual long term revenue growth rates assumptions are between 2% and 6.5%.
Additionally, as of the assessment date of October 1, 2016, the excess of the fair value of the Agro Business, a reporting unit within the Agricultural Solutions segment, over its carrying valuesegment. Typically, the segment's working capital is a use of cash at the beginning of the year and a source of cash at the end of the year.
Investing Activities
Net cash flows used in investing activities for 2016 totaled $74.7 million, compared to $4.26 billion for 2015.  During 2015, we used net cash of $4.60 billion to fund the Arysta, Alent and OMG Acquisitions.  Additional acquisition-related activity during 2015 included a $600 million release of restricted cash, partially offset by a note in the amount of $125 million issued to an unrelated third-party and an unfavorable settlement of foreign exchange contracts for $73.7 million, which effectively increased the purchase price of Alent.  There was 21.7%. Goodwill assignedno significant, comparable acquisition-related activity during 2016. Capital expenditures increased by approximately $8.4 million during 2016 compared to 2015, primarily in support of operational expansion, and there was a $2.0 million decline in investments in, and renewals of, product registrations.
Financing Activities
Net cash flows used in financing activities for 2016 totaled $102 million, compared to $4.00 billion of cash generated for 2015. The primary sources of cash from financing activity during 2016 were proceeds from Amendments No. 5 and 6 to our Amended and Restated Credit Agreement of $3.30 billion and the September 2016 Equity Offering of 48,787,878 shares of our common stock which raised net proceeds of $392 million. These proceeds were used for the refinancing of our term loans of $3.31 billion and for the settlement of our previously-disclosed make-whole obligation related to our Series B Convertible Preferred Stock with a cash payment of $460 million to the Agro Business reporting unit totaled $2.08Series B Convertible Preferred Stock holders. The primary sources of cash from financing activity during 2015 were $3.92 billion from the extension of new term loans and the issuance of our Senior Notes, and $470 million as net proceeds from the June 2015 Equity Offering of 18,226,414 shares of our common stock, offset in part by $87.0 million of financing fees paid. These proceeds were used to fund our 2015 acquisition activity. Additionally, for 2016, we had net draws on our various lines of credit, short-term debt facilities, and overdraft facilities of $54.0 million, compared to net payments of $12.4 million in 2015.
Pension Plans
We maintain "Domestic Pension Plans," which consist of a non-contributory domestic defined benefit pension plan and a SERP plan. These plans are closed to new participants and plan benefits associated with all current participants have been frozen. We also maintain "Foreign Pension Plans," which consist retirement and death benefit plans covering employees in Taiwan and certain former employees in Germany, as well as longevity plans covering employees in France, which have been deemed immaterial, individually and in the aggregate.
The expected long-term rate of return on assets assumption is developed with reference to historical returns, forward-looking return expectations, the Domestic and Foreign Pension Plans' investment allocations, and peer comparisons. We used a long-term rate of return on plan assets of 5.9% and 2.3% for our Domestic and Foreign Pension Plans, respectively to determine our net periodic pension expense for 2017. The discount rate used to value the pension obligation was developed with reference to a number of factors, including the current interest rate environment, benchmark fixed-income yields, peer comparisons, and expected future pension benefit payments. Discount rates of 3.7% and 3.0% were established for the Domestic Pension Plan and Foreign Pension Plans, respectively, at December 31, 2017, compared to rates of 4.2% and 2.3% established for those respective plans at December 31, 2016. In 2015,We evaluate the excessPension Plans' actuarial assumptions on an annual basis, including the expected long-term rate of return on assets and discount rates. A one percent increase in the discount rate would increase (decrease) the pension plan expense and pension benefit obligation by approximately $0.9 million and $(28.3) million, respectively, whereas a one percent decrease in the discount rate would (decrease) increase the pension plan expense and pension benefit obligation by approximately $(0.4) million and $34.5 million, respectively.
Our Domestic Pension Plans' investment policies incorporate an asset allocation strategy that emphasizes long-term growth of capital and acceptable asset volatility as long as such volatility remains consistent with the volatility of the fair valueindexes of this reporting unit over its carrying valuerelevant


59




markets.  Our investment policies attempt to achieve a mix of approximately 50% of plan investments for long-term growth, 49% for liability-matching assets and 1% for near-term benefit payments.  The weighted average asset allocation of the Domestic Pension Plans was 16.1%. Goodwill assigned49% fixed income mutual fund holdings, 27% equity securities, 19% limited partnership interests and managed equity funds, 4% collective investment funds and 1% cash at December 31, 2017.  
The Domestic Pension Plans were underfunded by $26.6 million at December 31, 2017 compared to $36.9 million at December 31, 2016. The improved funding position of $10.3 million was primarily driven by a $29.8 million gain on plan assets and a $3.1 million employer contribution, partially offset by $13.8 million of actuarial loss due to plan experience and $8.8 million of interest costs.
The Foreign Pension Plans were underfunded by $21.2 million at December 31, 2017 compared to $18.0 million at December 31, 2016, representing a decrease in funding status of $3.2 million.
Contributions to the Agro Business reporting unit totaled $1.87 billion as ofPension Plans during 2018 are not expected to be material. While we do not currently anticipate any, additional future material contributions may be required in order to maintain appropriate funding levels within our plans.
Financial Borrowings
Credit Facilities
At December 31, 2015. The primary components2017, we had $5.48 billion of indebtedness, which primarily included:
$2.28 billion of Senior Notes;
$3.15 billion of term debt arrangements outstanding under our First Lien Credit Facility; and
$28.5 million of borrowings under local and assumptions usedrevolving lines of credit.
Availability under our Revolving Credit Facility and various lines of credit and overdraft facilities totaled $606 million at December 31, 2017 (including $18.6 million of stand-by letters of credit which reduced the borrowings available under our Revolving Credit Facility).
Covenants
Our Credit Facilities contain various affirmative and negative covenants, including limitations on additional indebtedness, dividends and other distributions, entry into new lines of business, use of loan proceeds, capital expenditures, restricted payments, restrictions on liens, transactions with affiliates, amendments to organizational documents, accounting changes, sale and leaseback transactions, and dispositions.  Our Revolving Credit Facility requires compliance with certain financial covenants, including a first lien net leverage ratio of no greater than 6.25 to 1.0, as defined in the assessment consistedAmended and Restated Credit Agreement. In addition, our Amended and Restated Credit Agreement requires a prepayment percentage in the case of the following:
Valuation Techniques - The Company uses a discountedexcess cash flow, analysis, which requires assumptions about short and long-term net cash flows, growth rates,both calculated as well as discount rates.  Additionally, the Company considers guideline company and guideline transaction information, where available, to aidset forth in the valuationAmended and Restated Credit Agreement, of 75% with step-downs to 50%, 25% and 0% based on the reporting units.applicable first lien net leverage ratio on the prepayment date. At December 31, 2017, we were in compliance with the debt covenants contained in our Credit Facilities.

Growth Assumptions - Multi-year financial forecasts are developed for each reporting unit by considering several key business drivers such as new business initiatives, client service and retention standards, market share changes, historical performance, and industry and economic trends, among other considerations.  The annual long term growth rates used in 2016 for the initial 8 year period ranged from 0.6% to 5.7% for the Agro Business. The long-term growth rate used in 2016 in determining the terminal value of the Agro Business were estimated at 3.0%.
60

The annual revenue growth rates used in 2015 for the initial 8 year period ranged from 1.3% to 7.2% for the Agro Business. The long-term growth rate used in 2015 in determining the terminal value of the Agro Business was estimated at 3.0%.



Contractual Obligations and Commitments
Discount Rate Assumptions - Discount rates were estimated based on a Weighted Average CostWe own most of Capital, or WACC.  The WACC combinesour major manufacturing facilities, but we do lease certain offices, manufacturing factories, warehouse spaces and land, as well as other equipment primarily under non-cancelable operating leases.
Summarized in the required return on equity, based on a Modified Capital Asset Pricing Model, which considers the risk-free interest rate, market risk premium, small stock risk premiumtable below are our obligations and a company specific risk premium, with the cost of debt, based on BBB-rated corporate bonds, adjusted using an income tax factor.  The calculation resulted in a WACC rate for the Agro Business of 9.0% and 10.0% for 2016 and 2015, respectively.commitments at December 31, 2017:
    Payment Due by Period
  ($ amounts in millions)
   2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 Thereafter Total
Long-term debt 
(1) 
 $
 $
 $1,330.8
 $1,854.4
 $1,100.0
 $1,219.9
 $5,505.1
Operating leases 
(2) 
 33.0
 25.0
 19.6
 13.9
 12.1
 28.9
 132.5
Interest payments (net of interest rate swap effects) 
(3) 
 276.7
 276.7
 247.6
 212.2
 111.0
 155.1
 1,279.3
Long-term contingent consideration 
(4) 
 
 
 
 100.0
 
 
 100.0
Principal payments on capital leases   0.7
 0.6
 0.5
 0.5
 0.4
 1.6
 4.3
Purchase obligations 
(5) 
 72.2
 1.1
 0.2
 
 
 
 73.5
Other long term obligations 
(6) 
 8.9
 4.2
 
 
 
 13.3
 26.4
Total cash contractual obligations   $391.5
 $307.6
 $1,598.7
 $2,181.0
 $1,223.5
 $1,418.8
 $7,121.1
(1)
Reflects the principal payments on long-term debt. In the event the Company is able to prepay, redeem or otherwise retire and/or refinance in full its $1.1 billion, 6.50% USD Notes due 2022, as permitted under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, on or prior to November 2, 2021, the maturity date of approximately $1.85 billion of first lien debt will be extended to June 7, 2023 from November 2, 2021, as currently presented in the table above.
(2)
Reflects periodic payments made in accordance with operating lease agreements.
(3)
Amounts are based on currently applicable interest rates in the case of variable interest rate debt and associated floating and floor legs of the interest rate swaps.
(4)
Reflects the maximum payout in 2021 of 100% of long-term contingent consideration related to the MacDermid Acquisition. At December 31, 2017, the long-term contingent consideration related to the MacDermid Acquisition was valued at $79.2 million. See Note 13, Financial Instruments, to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this 2017 Annual Report for additional information.
(5)
Purchase obligations represent amounts committed under legally enforceable supply agreements and non-cancelable purchase contracts. We do not include purchase obligations that can be canceled with a nominal fee.
(6)
Other long-term obligations consist of asset retirement obligations, or AROs.
Estimated Fair ValueBenefit payments related to our defined benefit plans are included in Note 10, Pension, Post-Retirement and SensitivitiePost Employment Planss - The estimated fair value of each reporting unit is derived, to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this 2017 Annual Report, and are excluded from the valuation techniques describedtable above.  The estimated fair value of each reporting unit is analyzed in relation
To the extent we can reliably determine when payments will occur pertaining to numerous marketour $90.3 million unrecognized tax benefit liabilities and historical factors, including current economic and market conditions, company-specific growth opportunities, and guideline company information.
The estimated fair value of a reporting unit is highly sensitive to changes in these estimates and assumptions; therefore, in some instances, changes in these assumptions may impact whether$28.3 million environmental liability, the fair value of a reporting unit is greater than its carrying value.  Platform performed sensitivity analysis around these assumptions in order to assess the reasonableness of the assumptions and the resulting estimated fair values.  In 2016, based on a sensitivity analysis performed for the Agro Business reporting unit, a 1% increase in WACC or a 1% decreaserelated amounts will be included in the terminal value does not result in the carrying value being greater than the fair value. In 2015, based on the sensitivity analysis performed for the Agro Business reporting unit, a 1% decrease in the terminal growth rate did not result in the carrying value exceeding its fair value, however, a 1% increase in the WACC rate would have resulted in the carrying value of the net assets to exceed their fair value, which would then make it necessary to proceedtable above.  However, due to the second stephigh degree of uncertainty regarding the impairment test.
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets
Indefinite-lived intangible assets (including our tradenames) are reviewed fortiming of potential impairment on an annual basis, in the fourth quarter as of October 1, or more frequently when events or circumstances indicate that such assets may be impaired, by comparing their estimated fair values to their carrying values.  An impairment charge is recognized when the carrying value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds its estimated fair value.  We use the “relief from royalty” method to estimate the fair value of tradename intangible assets for impairment.  The primary assumptions used to estimate the present value of cash flows from such assets include sales projections and growth rates being applied to a prevailing market-based royalty rate, the effects of which are then tax effected using a market participant corporate tax rate, and discounted using the WACC.  The WACC combines a required return on equity, based on a Modified Capital Asset Pricing Model, which considers the risk-free interest rate, market risk premium, beta, small stock risk premium, and a company specific risk premium, with the cost of debt based on BBB rated corporate bonds, adjusted using an income tax factor.  Assumptions concerning sales projections are impacted by the uncertain nature of global and local economic conditions in the various markets we serve.
Long-Lived Assets Including Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Finite-lived intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, which currently range from 8 to 30 years for customer lists, 5 to 14 years for developed technology, 5 to 20 years for tradenames, and 1 to 5 years for non-compete agreements.  If circumstances require a long-lived asset group to be tested for possible impairment, we first determine whether the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expectedassociated with such liabilities at December 31, 2017, we are unable to resultmake a reliable estimate as to the timing of such payments, and are therefore excluded from the use of the asset plus the net proceeds expected from disposition of the asset, if any, are less than the carrying value of the asset.  When an impairment is identified, the carrying value of the asset is reduced to its estimated fair value based on a discounted cash flow approach, or, when available and appropriate, based on comparable market values.table above.
Income Taxes
We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the differences between the financial statement basesbasis and the tax bases of assets, liabilities, net operating losses and tax credit carry-forwards.carryforwards. A valuation allowance is required to be recognized to reduce the recorded deferred tax asset to the amount that will more likely than not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income by jurisdiction during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible or when carry-forwardscarryforwards can be utilized. We consider the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in this assessment. If these estimates and related assumptions change in the future, we may be required to record additional valuation allowances against our deferred tax assets resulting in additional income tax expense. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences and loss carryforwards are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date of such change. Considering that the TCJA was enacted on December 22, 2017, the effect would normally be required to be recognized in the fourth quarter of 2017. The SEC staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin 118 (“SAB 118”) to address the application of GAAP in situations where a registrant does not have the necessary information available, prepared or analyzed (including computations) in reasonable detail to complete the accounting for certain income tax effects of the TCJA.



In particular, SAB 118 clarifies that the impact of the TCJA must be accounted for and reported in one of three ways: (1) by reflecting the tax effects of the TCJA for which the accounting is complete; (2) by reporting provisional amounts for those specific income tax effects of the TCJA for which the accounting is incomplete but a reasonable estimate can be determined, with such provisional amounts (or adjustments to provisional amounts) identified in the measurement period, as defined therein, being included as an adjustment to tax expense in the period the amounts are determined; or (3) where the income tax effects cannot be reasonably estimated, no provisional amounts should be reported and the registrant should continue to apply the accounting standard for income taxes based on the provisions of the tax laws that were in effect immediately prior to the enactment of the TCJA. SAB 118 allows companies to record provisional amounts during a one year measurement period.
We are subject to income taxes in the United States and numerousin various states and foreign jurisdictions.  Significant judgment is required in evaluating our uncertain tax positions and determining our provision for income taxes.  The first step in evaluating the tax position for recognition is to determine the amount of evidence that supports a favorable conclusion for the tax position upon audit.  In order to recognize the tax position, we must determine whether it is more likely than not that the position is sustainable. The final evaluation step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that has a more than 50% chance of being realized upon final settlement. Although we believe that the positions taken on income tax matters are reasonable, we establish tax reserves in recognition that various taxing authorities may challenge certain of those positions taken, potentially resulting in additional tax liabilities.
The Company accrues for non-income tax contingencies when it is probable that a liability to a taxing authority has been incurred and the amount of the contingency can be reasonably estimated.
Employee Benefits and Pension Obligations
Amounts recognized in our audited Consolidated Financial Statements related to pension and other post-retirement benefits are determined from actuarial valuations.  Inherent in such valuations are assumptions including expected return on plan assets, discount rates at which the liabilities could be settled, rates of increase in future compensation levels, and mortality rates.  These assumptions are updated annually and are disclosed in Note 7, Pension, Post-Retirement and Post-Employment Plans, to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this 2016 Annual Report.  In accordance with GAAP, actual results that differ from the assumptions are accumulated in other comprehensive income and amortized over future periods and, therefore, affect expense recognized.
We consider a number of factors in determining and selecting assumptions for the overall expected long-term rate of return on plan assets.  We consider the historical long-term return experience of our assets, the current and expected allocation of our plan assets, and expected long-term rates of return.  We derive these expected long-term rates of return with the assistance of our investment advisors.  We base our expected allocation of plan assets on a diversified portfolio consisting of domestic and international equity securities, fixed income, real estate and alternative asset classes.  The measurement date used to determine pension and other post-retirement benefits is December 31, at which time the minimum contribution level for the following year is determined.
With respect to U.S. plans, our investment policies incorporate an asset allocation strategy that emphasizes the long-term growth of capital and acceptable asset volatility as long as it is consistent with the volatility of the relevant market indexes.  The investment policies attempt to achieve a mix of approximately 70% of plan investments for long-term growth and 30% for near-term benefit payments.  We believe this strategy is consistent with the long-term nature of plan liabilities and ultimate cash needs of the plans.  Plan assets consist primarily of corporate bond mutual funds, limited partnership interests, listed stocks and cash.  The corporate bond mutual funds held by the pension plan include primarily corporate bonds from companies from diversified industries located in the United States.  The listed stocks are investments in large-cap and mid-cap companies located in the United States.  The assets from the limited partnership investments primarily include listed stocks located in the United States.   The weighted average asset allocation of the Pension Plan was 21% equity securities, 35% limited partnership interests and managed equity funds, 19% bond mutual fund holdings and 5% cash at December 31, 2016.  ROA assumptions are determined annually based on a review of the asset mix as well as individual ROA performances, benchmarked against indexes such as the S&P 500 Index and the Russell 2000 Index.  In determining an assumed rate of return on plan assets, we consider past performance and economic forecasts for the types of investments held by the Pension Plan.  The asset allocation strategy and ROA assumptions for the non-U.S. plans are determined based on similar set of criteria adapted for local investments, inflation rates and in certain cases specific government requirements.
Environmental Matters
We accrue for environmental matters when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the liability can be reasonably estimated based on current laws and existing technologies. The accruals are adjusted periodically as assessment and remediation efforts progress or as additional technical or legal information becomes available. Accruals for environmental liabilities are included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets in “Accrued expenses and other current liabilities” and “Other long-term liabilities” at undiscounted amounts. Accruals for related insurance or other third-party recoveries for environmental liabilities are recorded when it is probable that a recovery will be realized and are included in the consolidated balance sheets as “Other current assets" and "Other assets."
We capitalize environmental costs in instances where the costs extend the life of the property, increase its capacity, and/or mitigate or prevent contamination from future operations. Environmental costs are also capitalized in recognition of legal asset retirement obligations resulting from the acquisition, construction and/or normal operation of a long-lived asset. Costs related to environmental



contamination treatment and cleanup are charged to expense. Estimated future incremental operations, maintenance and management costs directly related to remediation are accrued when such costs are probable and reasonably estimable.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
A summary of recent accounting pronouncements inis included in Note 1,3, Basis of Presentation and Summary of SignificantRecent Accounting PoliciesPronouncements, to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this 2017 Annual Report.


46




Results of Operations
The following table summarizes our results of operations for 2017, 2016 and 2015: 
    % Change - 2017 vs 2016   % Change - 2016 vs 2015
($ amounts in millions) 2017 2016 Reported Constant Currency Organic 2015 Reported Constant Currency Organic
Net sales $3,775.9
 $3,585.9
 5% 4% 4% $2,542.3
 41% 43% 2%
Cost of sales 2,186.9
 2,078.2
 5% 4%   1,550.4
 34% 36%  
Gross profit 1,589.0
 1,507.7
 5% 5%   991.9
 52% 55%  
Selling, technical, general and administrative 1,109.3
 1,123.3
 (1)% (2)%   857.5
 31% 33%  
Research and development 98.4
 84.4
 17% 15%   62.8
 34% 35%  
Goodwill impairment 160.0
 46.6
 (nm) (nm)   
 (nm) (nm)  
Operating profit 221.3
 253.4
 (13)% (9)%   71.6
 (nm) (nm)  
Interest expense, net (341.6) (375.7) (9)%     (213.9) 76%    
Other (expense) income, net (168.7) 74.2
 (nm)     (87.0) (nm)    
Loss before income taxes and non-controlling interest (289.0) (48.1) (nm)     (229.3) (79)%    
Income tax expense (6.6) (28.6) (77)%     (75.1) (62)%    
Net loss $(295.6) $(76.7) (nm)     $(304.4) (75)%    
                   
Adjusted EBITDA (1)
 $820.9
 $769.5
 7% 7%   $567.7
 36% 38%  
(nm)    Calculation not meaningful.
(1)    Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure and as such, should not be considered in isolation from, as a substitute for, or superior to performance measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. For a definition of Adjusted EBITDA and additional information on why we present this measure, its limitations and a reconciliation to the most comparable applicable GAAP measure, see "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" below, and Note 23, Segment Information, to the Consolidated Financial Statements, all included in this 2017 Annual Report.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
To supplement our financial results presented in accordance with GAAP in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section, we present certain non-GAAP financial measures, such as Adjusted EBITDA, operating results on a constant currency basis and organic sales growth. Management internally reviews each of these non-GAAP measures to evaluate performance on a comparative period-to-period basis in terms of absolute performance, trends, and expected future performance with respect to our business. We believe these non-GAAP financial measures, which are each further described below, provide investors with an additional perspective on trends and underlying operating results on a period-to-period comparable basis. We also believe that investors find this information helpful in understanding the ongoing performance of our operations separate from items that may have a disproportionate positive or negative impact on our financial results in any particular period or are considered to be costs associated with our capital structure.
These non-GAAP financial measures, however, have limitations as analytical tools, and should not be considered in isolation from, or a substitute for, or superior to, the related financial information that we report in accordance with GAAP. The principal limitations of these non-GAAP financial measures is that they exclude significant expenses and income that are required by GAAP to be recorded in the Company’s financial statements, and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies due to potential differences in the method of calculation between companies. In addition, these measures are subject to inherent limitations as they reflect the exercise of judgment by management about which items are excluded or included in determining these non-GAAP financial measures. Investors are encouraged to review the reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to their most comparable GAAP financial measures included in this 2017 Annual Report, and not to rely on any single financial measure to evaluate the Company’s businesses.
Adjusted EBITDA
We define Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA (earnings before interest, provision for income taxes, depreciation and amortization), excluding the impact of additional items included in earnings, which we believe are not representative or indicative of our ongoing business or are considered to be part of our capital structure. Management believes Adjusted EBITDA provides investors with a


47




more complete understanding of the long-term profitability trends of our business, and facilitates comparisons of our profitability to prior and future periods.
For a reconciliation of "Net loss attributable to common stockholders" to Adjusted EBITDA and more information about the adjustments made, see Note 23, Segment Information, to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this 2017 Annual Report.
Constant Currency
We disclose operating results from net sales through operating profit on a constant currency basis by adjusting to exclude the impact of changes due to the translation of foreign currencies of our international locations into U.S. dollars. Management believes this non-GAAP financial information facilitates period-to-period comparison in the analysis of trends in business performance, thereby providing valuable supplemental information regarding our results of operations, consistent with how we internally evaluate our financial results.
The impact of foreign currency translation is calculated by converting our current-period local currency financial results into U.S. dollars using the prior period's exchange rates and comparing these adjusted amounts to our prior period reported results. The difference between actual growth rates and constant currency growth rates represents the impact of foreign currency translation.
Organic Results
Organic sales growth is defined as net sales excluding the impact of foreign currency translation, changes due to the price of certain metals, acquisitions and/or divestitures. Management believes this non-GAAP financial measure provides investors with a more complete understanding of the underlying net sales trends by providing comparable sales over differing periods on a consistent basis.
The following tables reconcile GAAP net sales growth to organic sales growth for 2017 and 2016:
 Year ended December 31, 2017
 Reported Net Sales Growth Impact of Currency Metals Acquisitions/Disposition Organic Sales Growth
Performance Solutions6% —% (1)% —% 4%
Agricultural Solutions4% (2)% —% —% 3%
Total5% (1)% (1)% —% 4%
 Year ended December 31, 2016
 Reported Net Sales Growth Impact of Currency Metals Acquisitions/Disposition Organic Sales Growth
Performance Solutions121% 2% (2)% (120)% 1%
Agricultural Solutions4% 2% —% (3)% 3%
Total41% 2% —% (40)% 2%
NOTE: Totals may not sum due to rounding.
For 2017, metals pricing and acquisitions benefited our Performance Solutions and consolidated results by $23.6 million and $2.8 million, respectively.
For 2016, metals pricing and acquisitions benefited our Performance Solutions and consolidated results by $12.6 million and $965 million, respectively. Additionally, Agricultural Solutions and our consolidated results benefited from acquisitions and dispositions by $87.5 million and $32.1 million, respectively.
When comparing 2016 and 2015, we also presented gross profit, selling, technical, general and administrative expense, research and development expense, and operating profit on an organic basis. These results excluded the impact of foreign currency translation and were adjusted for the impact of the Alent and OMG Acquisitions in 2016 in Performance Solutions and for the impact of the Arysta Acquisition, completed in February 2015, as well as a divestiture completed in 2015, in Agricultural Solutions.


48




Year Ended December 31, 2017 Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2016
Net Sales
 Year ended December 31, Change
 ($ amounts in millions)2017 2016 Reported Constant Currency Organic
Performance Solutions$1,878.6
 $1,770.1
 6% 6% 4%
Agricultural Solutions1,897.3
 1,815.8
 4% 3% 3%
Total$3,775.9
 $3,585.9
 5% 4% 4%
Performance Solutions' net sales for 2017 increased by 6% (6% on a constant currency and 4% on an organic basis). Organic sales growth was driven primarily by strength in our Assembly and Industrial Solutions businesses, which contributed approximately 3% and 2% of growth to the segment, respectively. Organic sales growth in Assembly Solutions reflected higher sales volume across several product lines, including solder paste. Our Industrial Solutions’ organic sales growth was driven by higher sales volume across all regions, most notably in Europe and Asia. In addition, organic sales growth in our Electronics Solutions business contributed approximately 1% of growth to the segment, driven primarily by strong performance in the Asian smart phone and memory disk markets. Organic sales growth was partially offset by continued volume declines of flexographic printing plates within our Graphics Solutions business, which reduced organic segment sales growth by approximately 1%.
Agricultural Solutions' net sales for 2017 increased by 4% (3% on a constant currency and organic basis). The organic sales increase was driven by a combination of our successful geographic expansion into various European markets, most notably in parts of Eastern Europe, Germany and UK, as well as continued volume growth, notably from our BioSolutions portfolio, and new product introductions across Europe and parts of Asia and Latin America, particularly in Japan, Brazil, Mexico and China. These gains were partially offset by declines resulting from changes in our West Africa selling strategies, pricing pressure on certain products, mostly impacting Latin America and the U.S., and lower volumes in southern Asia and North America.
Gross Profit
 Year ended December 31, Change
 ($ amounts in millions)2017 2016 Reported Constant Currency
Gross profit       
Performance Solutions$813.8
 $776.8
 5% 5%
Agricultural Solutions775.2
 730.9
 6% 5%
Total$1,589.0
 $1,507.7
 5% 5%
        
Gross margin       
Performance Solutions43.3% 43.9% (57) bps (49) bps
Agricultural Solutions40.9% 40.3% 61 bps 95 bps
Total42.1% 42.0% 4 bps 24 bps
Performance Solutions' gross profit for 2017 increased by 5% on a reported and constant currency basis. The constant currency increase in gross profit was primarily driven by higher net sales volume in our Assembly and Industrial Solutions businesses and $11.7 million in inventory step-up amortization in the prior year which did not recur in 2017. The increase was partially offset by higher raw material costs in our Graphics business and metals prices across our businesses. Gross margin erosion was primarily driven by declines in our Graphics Solutions business, as well as product mix and higher raw material and metals costs in our Assembly Solutions business.
Agricultural Solutions' gross profit for 2017 increased by 6% (5% at constant currency). The constant currency increase was largely a result of overall top line growth, particularly in the fourth quarter, an increased focus on selling higher-margin products, notably from our BioSolutions portfolio, in Europe, Latin America and North America, a change in our selling strategy of certain lower-margin businesses in West Africa, as well as new geographic expansions, primarily in Europe. Gross margin expansion was largely the result of higher-margin new product introductions, particularly in Latin America and North America, and cost savings associated with sourcing raw materials, partially offset by the pricing pressures in Latin America and the U.S.


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Selling, Technical, General and Administrative Expense (STG&A)
 Year ended December 31, Change
 ($ amounts in millions)2017 2016 Reported Constant Currency
STG&A       
Performance Solutions$504.1
 $504.3
 —% —%
Agricultural Solutions525.3
 518.1
 1% (1)%
Corporate79.9
 100.9
 (21)% (21)%
Total$1,109.3
 $1,123.3
 (1)% (2)%
        
STG&A as % of net sales       
Performance Solutions26.8% 28.5% (165) bps (169) bps
Agricultural Solutions27.7% 28.5% (85) bps (103) bps
Total29.4% 31.3% (195) bps (204) bps
Performance Solutions' STG&A for 2017 was flat on a reported and constant currency basis, as operating cost inflation was essentially offset by realized cost savings from integration activities and lower bad debt expense.
Agricultural Solutions' STG&A for 2017 increased by 1% (decreased by 1% at constant currency). The constant currency decrease was primarily due to cost reduction initiatives in Europe and Latin America, offset by higher costs associated with non-recourse factoring programs, costs associated with the termination of a supply agreement related to the CAS Acquisition, and costs associated with expansion of certain European markets.
Corporate STG&A for 2017 decreased by 21% on a reported and constant currency basis. The decrease was primarily due to lower acquisition and integration costs associated with previous Acquisitions, and legal expenses which did not recur in 2017, partially offset by costs associated with the Proposed Separation of our Agricultural Solutions business.
Research and Development (R&D)
 Year ended December 31, Change
 ($ amounts in millions)2017 2016 Reported Constant Currency
R&D       
Performance Solutions$46.4
 $45.0
 3% 4%
Agricultural Solutions52.0
 39.4
 32% 28%
Total$98.4
 $84.4
 17% 15%
        
R&D as % of net sales       
Performance Solutions2.5% 2.5% (7) bps (5) bps
Agricultural Solutions2.7% 2.2% 57 bps 53 bps
Total2.6% 2.4% 25 bps 24 bps
Performance Solutions' R&D for 2017 increased by 3% (4% at constant currency) due to timing of various projects.
Agricultural Solutions' R&D for 2017 increased by 32% (28% at constant currency), driven primarily by investments in new development projects aimed at enhancing our product portfolio in targeted areas of focus.


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Goodwill impairment
 Year Ended December 31,
  ($ amounts in millions)
2017 2016
Goodwill impairment   
Performance Solutions$
 $46.6
Agricultural Solutions160.0
 
Total$160.0
 $46.6
As a result of our annual goodwill impairment test in 2017, we recorded an impairment charge in the Agricultural Solutions segment of $160 million related to our Agro Business reporting unit. This charge was driven by the impact of a delayed agricultural market recovery, which resulted in lower expectations for future profitability and cash flows as compared to the expectations of the 2016 annual goodwill impairment test.
As a result of our annual goodwill impairment test in 2016, we recorded an impairment charge in the Performance Solutions segment of $46.6 million related to the Offshore Solutions reporting unit as a result of previously weak oil prices.
Operating Profit
 Year ended December 31, Change
 ($ amounts in millions)2017 2016 Reported Constant Currency
Operating profit       
Performance Solutions$263.2
 $180.9
 45% 46%
Agricultural Solutions38.0
 173.4
 (78)% (74)%
Corporate(79.9) (100.9) (21)% (21)%
Total$221.3
 $253.4
 (13)% (9)%
        
Operating Margin       
Performance Solutions14.0% 10.2% 379 bps 389 bps
Agricultural Solutions2.0% 9.5% (755) bps (711) bps
Total5.9% 7.1% (121) bps (94) bps
Performance Solutions' operating profit for 2017 increased by 45% (46% at constant currency), representing an operating margin of 14.0%. The constant currency increase was driven by top line growth in our Assembly, Industrial and Electronic Solutions businesses, the goodwill impairment charge of $46.6 million recorded in 2016 mentioned above, as well as cost savings from integration activities of approximately $18 million. The increase was partially offset by the previously noted gross margin erosion from declines in our Graphics Solutions business.
Agricultural Solutions' operating profit for 2017 decreased by 78% (74% at constant currency), representing an operating margin of 2.0%. The decrease in constant currency operating profit and margin was driven primarily by the goodwill impairment charge of $160 million. Excluding the goodwill impairment impact, operating profit increased as a result of top line growth in all regions and the gross profit improvements noted above, partially offset by higher R&D costs.


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Other (Expense) Income, net
 Year Ended December 31,
  ($ amounts in millions)
2017 2016
Interest expense, net$(341.6) $(375.7)
Foreign exchange loss(107.5) (14.1)
Other (expense) income, net(61.2) 88.3
Total$(510.3) $(301.5)
Interest Expense, Net
For 2017 and 2016, net interest expense totaled $342 million and $376 million, respectively, representing a decrease of $34.1 million. The decrease in net interest expense is primarily due to the repricing of our term debt, which decreased the weighted average effective interest rate on our term loans from approximately 5.64% at December 31, 2016 to 4.53% at December 31, 2017.
Foreign Exchange Loss
For 2017 and 2016, foreign exchange loss totaled $108 million and $14.1 million, respectively, representing an increase of $93.4 million. The increase in foreign exchange losses is primarily due to the remeasurement of foreign denominated debt and intercompany balances to U.S. dollar and pertained primarily to the euro and British pound.
Other (expense) income, net
For 2017 and 2016, other (expense) income, net totaled $(61.2) million and $88.3 million, respectively, representing a year over year negative impact to profits of $150 million. The decrease is primarily related to the prior-year net gain of $98.0 million associated with the settlement of our Series B Convertible Preferred Stock and $61.1 million of charges in 2017 related to extinguishment of debt, partially offset by the $10.8 million net gain related to a legal settlement agreement.
Income Tax
 Year Ended December 31,
  ($ amounts in millions)
2017 2016
Income tax expense$(6.6) $(28.6)
Effective tax rate(2.3)% (59.5)%
The income tax expense for 2017 totaled $6.6 million, as compared to $28.6 million for 2016. The change in the effective tax rate is primarily attributable to the increased level of goodwill impairment in 2017 as compared to 2016 for which there was no corresponding tax benefit, the benefit for the provisional estimate of the TCJA, the 2016 settlement gain of the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock which was treated as a non-taxable purchase price adjustment, and favorable reductions in foreign tax rates for changes in tax law.
Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income
Other comprehensive income for 2017 totaled $256 million, as compared to $214 million of income in the prior year. The change was driven primarily by foreign currency translation gains associated with the euro, Canadian Dollar and Chinese Yuan, partially offset by losses primarily associated with the British Pound.
Segment Performance
Our operations are organized into two reportable segments: Performance Solutions and Agricultural Solutions. Both segments share a common focus on attractive niche markets, which we believe will grow faster than the diverse end-markets we serve. For additional information regarding our segments, see Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, under the heading "Our Business," and Note 23, Segment Information, to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in this 2017 Annual Report.


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Adjusted EBITDA
We utilize Adjusted EBITDA as one of the measures to evaluate the performance of our operating segments. Adjusted EBITDA for each segment includes an allocation of corporate costs, such as compensation expense and professional fees. See Note 23, Segment Information, to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in this 2017 Annual Report, for more information and a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income.
 Year Ended December 31, Change
  ($ amounts in millions)
2017 2016 Reported Constant Currency
Adjusted EBITDA: 
  
    
Performance Solutions$432.7
 $401.3
 8% 8%
Agricultural Solutions388.2
 368.2
 5% 6%
Total$820.9
 $769.5
 7% 7%
For 2017 and 2016, corporate costs allocated to each segment totaled $31.4 million and $32.8 million, respectively.
Performance Solutions' Adjusted EBITDA for 2017 increased 8% on a reported and constant currency basis. The increase was primarily driven by growth of our Assembly, Industrial and Electronic Solutions businesses resulting in higher gross profits, as well as cost savings from integration synergies, partially offset by the impact of volume declines in our Graphics Solutions business.
Agricultural Solutions' Adjusted EBITDA for 2017 increased 5% (6% at constant currency). The constant currency increase was primarily driven by an increase from market expansion in Europe and new product launches in Asia and Latin America, volume growth in higher-margin products and cost reduction initiatives in Europe and Latin America. These increases were partially offset by a change in our selling strategy of certain lower-margin businesses in West Africa, and investments made in STG&A, as noted above.
Year Ended December 31, 2016 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2015
Net Sales
 Year ended December 31, Change
 ($ amounts in millions)2016 2015 Reported Constant Currency Organic
Performance Solutions$1,770.1
 $800.8
 121% 123% 1%
Agricultural Solutions1,815.8
 1,741.5
 4% 6% 3%
Total$3,585.9
 $2,542.3
 41% 43% 2%
Performance Solutions' net sales for 2016 increased by 121% (123% on a constant currency and 1% on an organic basis) compared to the prior period. The increase in organic net sales was driven by growth in global paste solder product demand in Assembly Solutions, share gains in industrial product offerings sold into the automotive supply chain in Asia, specifically in China, and a recovery of product demand in Electronic Solutions in the second half of 2016. Organic sales growth in these businesses was partially offset by under-performance in Offshore Solutions due to softness in the oil and gas end market as declines in oil prices resulted in reduced capital investment and project startup delays. The impact of oil prices was twofold: (1) reduced demand for offshore production control and drilling fluids, and (2) reduced demand for plating chemistry sold into the supply chain for onshore oil production rigs and stripping/cleaning chemistry utilized in polyethylene terephthalate recycling.
Agricultural Solutions' net sales for 2016 increased by 4% (6% on a constant currency and 3% on an organic basis) compared to the prior period. The increase in organic net sales was driven by volume growth in our insecticide and herbicide businesses in Latin America and Europe, our anti-malarial insecticides in Africa, and our BioSolutions business. The volume growth was primarily boosted by several new product launches and continued focus on promoting proprietary brands. These effects were partially offset by lower volumes in North America, mainly due to low commodity prices, declining farmer incomes and soft demand for crop protection products, as well as our continued integration efforts to reduce volumes related to low-margin products across geographic markets. Additionally, although generic competition and low commodity prices led to some pricing pressure, overall Agricultural Solutions achieved an improvement in pricing driven primarily by Latin America and Europe.


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Gross Profit
 Year ended December 31, Change
 ($ amounts in millions)2016 2015 Reported Constant Currency Organic
Gross profit         
Performance Solutions$776.8
 $387.9
 100% 103% 1%
Agricultural Solutions730.9
 604.0
 21% 23% 19%
Total$1,507.7
 $991.9
 52% 55% 12%
          
Gross margin         
Performance Solutions43.9% 48.4% (455) bps (441) bps (91) bps
Agricultural Solutions40.3% 34.7% 557 bps 554 bps 554 bps
Total42.0% 39.0% 303 bps 309 bps 381 bps
Performance Solutions' gross profit for 2016 increased by 100% (103% at constant currency and 1% on an organic basis). The organic gross profit increase was driven by gross margin expansion resulting from lower raw material costs, some of which were achieved through synergies, as well as favorable product mix, partially offset by lower sales volume from Offshore Solutions. The most significant growth came from our higher-margin advanced Electronics Solutions and Industrials Solutions product lines, particularly in Asia.
Agricultural Solutions' gross profit for 2016 increased by 21% (23% at constant currency and 19% on an organic basis). The increase was largely a result of $58.0 million of inventory step-up amortization in 2015 which did not recur in 2016. The gross profit increase was also driven by a broad increase in sales volumes, including higher relative growth in our BioSolutions products, which generate, on average, higher margins, as well as procurement savings, driven by our ongoing integration and synergy efforts. We continued to see favorable effects from improved procurement trends, product mix, the impact of our proprietary product portfolio, and growth in the niche markets in which we operate.
Selling, Technical, General and Administrative Expense (STG&A)
 Year ended December 31, Change
 ($ amounts in millions)2016 2015 Reported Constant Currency Organic
STG&A         
Performance Solutions$504.3
 $242.6
 108% 110% 13%
Agricultural Solutions518.1
 488.5
 6% 9% 3%
Corporate100.9
 126.4
 (20)% (20)% (20)%
Total$1,123.3
 $857.5
 31% 33% 2%
          
STG&A as % of net sales         
Performance Solutions28.5% 30.3% (180) bps (177) bps 286 bps
Agricultural Solutions28.5% 28.1% 48 bps 67 bps 67 bps
Total31.3% 33.7% (240) bps (233) bps (30) bps
Performance Solutions' STG&A for 2016 increased by 108% (110% at constant currency and 13% on an organic basis). The organic increase was driven by charges associated with integration activities and higher debt refinancing costs.
Agricultural Solutions' STG&A for 2016 increased by 6% (9% at constant currency and 3% on an organic basis). The increase was driven primarily by a modest increase due to price inflation related to wages in developing markets, investments in infrastructure in support of growth in the business, continued integration expenses, and higher costs associated with non-recourse factoring programs. The increase was partially offset by savings from headcount reductions associated with synergies achieved in our operations in Africa and Europe and a decline in restructuring expenses related to the acquisitions within this segment.
Corporate STG&A for 2016 decreased by 20% on a reported, constant currency and organic basis. The decline was primarily due to a significant reduction in acquisition-related and restructuring costs, partially offset by increases in costs associated with


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headcount additions, equity compensation, infrastructure spending on integration activities, and debt modification costs associated with the term loan refinancing completed in October and December 2016.
Research and Development Expense
 Year ended December 31, Change
 ($ amounts in millions)2016 2015 Reported Constant Currency Organic
R&D         
Performance Solutions$45.0
 $25.4
 77% 78% (12)%
Agricultural Solutions39.4
 37.4
 5% 5% (4)%
Total$84.4
 $62.8
 34% 35% (7)%
          
R&D as % of net sales         
Performance Solutions2.5% 3.2% (63) bps (64) bps (47) bps
Agricultural Solutions2.2% 2.1% 2 bps (2) bps (2) bps
Total2.4% 2.5% (12) bps (15) bps (23) bps
Performance Solutions' R&D for 2016 increased by 77% (78% at constant currency and decreased by 12% on an organic basis). The organic decrease was driven by integration activities which have reduced research and innovation-related operating costs.
Agricultural Solutions' R&D for 2016 increased by 5% (5% at constant currency and decreased by 4% on an organic basis). The decrease was driven in part the phasing of studies in the segment's development pipeline.
Goodwill Impairment
 Year Ended December 31,
  ($ amounts in millions)
2016 2015
Goodwill impairment$46.6
 $
Based on the result of our annual goodwill impairment test, we recorded an impairment charge in the Performance Solutions segment of $46.6 million related to the Offshore Solutions reporting unit as a result of previously weak oil prices. We experienced the impact on our results, which slightly lagged the overall industry, as this ultimately caused the industry to depress its overall investments.
Operating Profit
 Year ended December 31, Change
 ($ amounts in millions)2016 2015 Reported Constant Currency Organic
Operating profit         
Performance Solutions$180.9
 $119.9
 51% 55% (50)%
Agricultural Solutions173.4
 78.6
 120% 121% 134%
Corporate(100.9) (126.9) (20)% (20)% (20)%
Total$253.4
 $71.6
 253% 260% 77%
          
Operating Margin         
Performance Solutions10.2% 15.0% (475) bps (460) bps (967) bps
Agricultural Solutions9.5% 4.5% 504 bps 486 bps 486 bps
Total7.1% 2.8% 425 bps 427 bps 245 bps
Performance Solutions' operating profit for 2016 increased by 51% (55% at constant currency and decreased 50% on an organic basis), representing an operating margin of 10.2%. The decrease in organic operating profit was due primarily to the 2016 Offshore


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Solutions goodwill impairment charge of $46.6 million, and higher STG&A expenses, partially offset by the aforementioned gross profit increases.
Agricultural Solutions' operating profit for the 2016 increased by 120% (121% at constant currency and 134% on an organic basis), representing an operating margin of 9.5%. The increase in operating profit was due in part to $58.0 million of inventory step-up amortization in 2015 which did not recur in 2016. Operating profit improvements were driven primarily by the increase in gross profits resulting from management's continued focus on sales of higher margin products.
Other (Expense) Income, net
 Year Ended December 31,
  ($ amounts in millions)
2016 2015
Interest expense, net$(375.7) $(213.9)
Foreign exchange loss(14.1) (43.4)
Other income (expense), net88.3
 (43.6)
Total$(301.5) $(300.9)
Interest Expense, Net
Net interest expense for 2016 totaled $376 million, as compared to $214 million for 2015, representing an increase of $162 million. The increase related primarily to interest charges resulting from incremental debt facilities used to fund the Alent Acquisition. The increase was also driven by a full quarter of interest expense in the first quarter of 2016 related to incremental debt facilities used to fund the Arysta Acquisition completed on February 13, 2015.
Foreign Exchange Loss
Foreign exchange losses for 2016 and 2015 totaled $14.1 million, and $43.4 million, respectively, representing a decrease of $29.3 million. The year-over-year change is due primarily to the remeasurement of foreign denominated debt to U.S. dollar and transactional foreign exchange on intercompany balances.
Other Income (Expense), Net
Other income, net for 2016 totaled $88.3 million, as compared to other expense, net of $43.6 million for 2015, representing an increase of $132 million. The increase was primarily driven by the recognition of a gain of $103 million from the settlement agreement with the Arysta Seller in 2016, which was partially offset by a $5.0 million loss associated with the remeasurement of the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock redemption liability and $11.3 million of expense related to the write-off of deferred financing fees and original issuance discount from the refinancing of our term loans in the fourth quarter of 2016. Additionally, during 2015 there was a $73.7 million loss associated with a deal-contingent forward contract settlement in 2015, which was partially offset by a legal settlement gain totaling $17.7 million.
Income Tax Expense
 Year Ended December 31,
  ($ amounts in millions)
2016 2015
Income tax expense$(28.6) $(75.1)
Effective tax rate(59.5)% (32.8)%
The income tax expense for 2016 totaled $28.6 million, as compared to $75.1 million for 2015. Our effective tax rate for 2016 was (59.5)% on pre-tax losses of $48.1 million. The difference between the statutory and effective tax rates for 2016 primarily related to $68.4 million of tax expense for an increase in valuation allowances, $29.0 million on tax expense for earnings of foreign subsidiaries taxable in the U.S. and $26.8 million of tax expense for undistributed foreign earnings. Offsetting these items were $34.3 million of tax benefit related to the settlement gain of the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, which was treated as a non-taxable purchase price adjustment, $24.5 million for the impact of transaction costs and a $24.1 million reduction in tax reserves for prior period positions based on a reassessment of the uncertainty. The difference between the statutory and effective tax rates


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for 2015 primarily related to $72.6 million of tax expense for an increase in valuation allowances, non-deductible transaction-related costs of $40.5 million and $27.5 million of tax expense for an increase in tax reserves for tax uncertainties.
The change in the effective tax rate from (32.8)% for 2015 to (59.5)% for 2016 was attributable to the disproportionate change in pre-tax income, the net change in tax uncertainties, the net change in valuation allowances, the settlement gain of the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock and the expense attributable to undistributed foreign earnings.
Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income
Other comprehensive income for 2016 totaled $214 million, as compared to other comprehensive losses of $796 million in the prior year. The change was driven primarily by foreign currency translation gains associated with the Brazilian Real, British Pound, and Japanese Yen, partially offset by adverse effects associated with changes in the Mexican Peso and Chinese Yuan.
Adjusted EBITDA
 Year Ended December 31, Change
  ($ amounts in millions)
2016 2015 Reported Constant Currency Organic
Adjusted EBITDA:         
Performance Solutions$401.3
 $224.3
 79% 86% 9%
Agricultural Solutions368.2
 343.4
 7% 7% 6%
Total$769.5
 $567.7
 36% 38% 8%
For 2016, corporate costs allocated to each segment totaled $32.8 million. For 2015, corporate allocations totaled $12.0 million for Performance Solutions and $36.0 million for Agricultural Solutions.
Performance Solutions' Adjusted EBITDA for 2016 increased by 79% (86% at constant currency and 9% on an organic basis). The organic increase was driven primarily by gross margin expansion resulting from lower raw material costs, some of which were achieved through synergies, as well as favorable product mix, partially offset by lower sales volume from Offshore Solutions.
Agricultural Solutions' Adjusted EBITDA for 2016 increased by 7% (7% at constant currency and 6% on an organic basis) due primarily to volume growth in Latin America and Europe, including higher relative growth in our higher margin BioSolutions products. The increase was also driven by favorable effects from improved procurement trends, product mix, the impact of our proprietary product portfolio, and growth in the certain niche markets. These increases were partially offset by lower demand in North America driven by weaker market conditions.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
At December 31, 2017, our indebtedness totaled $5.48 billion, primarily as a result of our historical acquisition activity, with expected interest payments in the range of approximately $275 million per year over the next two years. Our first significant principal debt payments, totaling $1.33 billion, are due in 2020 and represent principal payments at maturity associated with a portion of our outstanding term loans under our Amended and Restated Credit Agreement.  Our primary sources of liquidity during 2017 were periodic borrowings under our Revolving Credit facility and available cash generated from operations. Our primary uses of cash and cash equivalents were to fund operations, working capital, capital expenditures, and debt service obligations. We believe that our cash and cash equivalents and cash generated from operations, supplemented by our availability under our lines of credit, including our Revolving Credit Facility, will be sufficient to meet our working capital needs, interest payments, capital expenditures, and other business requirements for at least the next twelve months. However, working capital cycles and future acquisitions may require future debt and/or equity offerings.  Our long-term liquidity may be influenced by our ability to borrow additional funds, renegotiate existing debt and raise equity under terms that are favorable to us.
During 2017, approximately 83% of our revenue was generated from non-U.S. operations. We expect to continue to generate significant revenue from non-U.S. operations and expect a substantial portion of our cash to be held predominantly by our foreign subsidiaries. We expect to manage our worldwide cash requirements considering available funds among the many subsidiaries through which we conduct business and the cost effectiveness with which those funds can be accessed. We may transfer cash from certain international subsidiaries to the U.S. and other international subsidiaries when we believe it is cost effective to do so.


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We continually review our domestic and foreign cash profile, expected future cash generation and investment opportunities, which support our current designation of a portion of these funds as being indefinitely reinvested and reassess whether there is a demonstrated need to repatriate funds held internationally. If, as a result of our review, it is determined that all or a portion of the funds require repatriation, we may be required to accrue additional foreign taxes. Of our $478 million of cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2017, $431 million was held by our foreign subsidiaries. See Note 11, Income Taxes, to our Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of income taxes on remaining undistributed foreign earnings.
We may from time to time seek to retire or purchase our outstanding debt, including, but not limited to, our Senior Notes, through cash purchases and/or exchanges for equity securities, in open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. Such repurchases or exchanges, if any, will depend on prevailing market conditions, our liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions, applicable restrictions under our various financing arrangements, and other factors.
The following is a summary of our cash flows provided by (used in) operating, investing and financing activities during the periods indicated:
  Year Ended December 31,
  ($ amounts in millions)
 2017 2016 2015
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period $422.6
 $432.2
 $397.3
Cash provided by operating activities 182.1
 184.8
 320.9
Cash used in investing activities (92.6) (74.7) (4,256.5)
Cash (used in) provided by financing activities (67.4) (102.2) 4,001.2
Exchange rate impact on cash and cash equivalents 33.1
 (17.5) (30.7)
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period $477.8
 $422.6
 $432.2
Year Ended December 31, 2017 compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2016
Operating Activities
For 2017, we generated cash flows from operating activities of $182 million, compared to $185 million in cash for 2016. Higher cash operating profits (net loss adjusted for non-cash items), which included $43.7 million of cash outflows related to a tender offer premium on our 2017 Notes Offerings, were partially offset by higher working capital requirements. The increase in working capital was due, in part, to the buildup of inventory in connection with Performance Solution's facility rationalization initiatives, as well as increases due to stronger fourth quarter sales in our Agricultural Solutions business in 2017, partially offset by the impact of a new factoring program in Europe.
Investing Activities
Net cash flows used in investing activities for 2017 totaled $92.6 million, compared to $74.7 million for 2016.  The increase was driven primarily by capital expenditures related to our Performance Solutions' facility integration initiatives and Agricultural Solutions' investments in products registration rights, which, combined, increased by $7.2 million over 2016. The increase was also driven by higher restricted cash balances of $4.7 million.
Financing Activities
Net cash flows used in financing activities for 2017 totaled $67.4 million, compared to $102 million for 2016. The decrease was driven primarily by the settlement of our make-whole obligation in 2016 related to our Series B Convertible Preferred Stock with a cash payment of $460 million to the Series B Convertible Preferred Stockholders, offset, in part, by the September 2016 Equity Offering which raised net proceeds of $392 million. In addition, for 2017, net payments on our various lines of credit, short-term debt facilities and overdraft facilities totaled $58.8 million, as compared to net draws totaling $54.0 million in 2016. Our decreased on-balance sheet factoring activity increased financing cash flows year-over-year by $40.6 million, as did the net change in our long-term debt balance,which impacted financing cash flows by $59.8 million.


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Year Ended December 31, 2016 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2015
Operating Activities
For 2016, we generated cash flows from operating activities of $185 million, compared to $321 million in cash for 2015. This year-over-year change was driven primarily by higher cash operating profits (net loss adjusted for non-cash items), partially offset by an increased use of cash in working capital as well as higher interest and tax payments. The increase in working capital, largely due to accounts payable, was primarily due to the timing of the close of the Arysta Acquisition in February 2015 and the working capital seasonality in the Agricultural Solutions segment. Typically, the segment's working capital is a use of cash at the beginning of the year and a source of cash at the end of the year.
Investing Activities
Net cash flows used in investing activities for 2016 totaled $74.7 million, compared to $4.26 billion for 2015.  During 2015, we used net cash of $4.60 billion to fund the Arysta, Alent and OMG Acquisitions.  Additional acquisition-related activity during 2015 included a $600 million release of restricted cash, partially offset by a note in the amount of $125 million issued to an unrelated third-party and an unfavorable settlement of foreign exchange contracts for $73.7 million, which effectively increased the purchase price of Alent.  There was no significant, comparable acquisition-related activity during 2016. Capital expenditures increased by approximately $8.4 million during 2016 compared to 2015, primarily in support of operational expansion, and there was a $2.0 million decline in investments in, and renewals of, product registrations.
Financing Activities
Net cash flows used in financing activities for 2016 totaled $102 million, compared to $4.00 billion of cash generated for 2015. The primary sources of cash from financing activity during 2016 were proceeds from Amendments No. 5 and 6 to our Amended and Restated Credit Agreement of $3.30 billion and the September 2016 Equity Offering of 48,787,878 shares of our common stock which raised net proceeds of $392 million. These proceeds were used for the refinancing of our term loans of $3.31 billion and for the settlement of our previously-disclosed make-whole obligation related to our Series B Convertible Preferred Stock with a cash payment of $460 million to the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock holders. The primary sources of cash from financing activity during 2015 were $3.92 billion from the extension of new term loans and the issuance of our Senior Notes, and $470 million as net proceeds from the June 2015 Equity Offering of 18,226,414 shares of our common stock, offset in part by $87.0 million of financing fees paid. These proceeds were used to fund our 2015 acquisition activity. Additionally, for 2016, we had net draws on our various lines of credit, short-term debt facilities, and overdraft facilities of $54.0 million, compared to net payments of $12.4 million in 2015.
Pension Plans
We maintain "Domestic Pension Plans," which consist of a non-contributory domestic defined benefit pension plan and a SERP plan. These plans are closed to new participants and plan benefits associated with all current participants have been frozen. We also maintain "Foreign Pension Plans," which consist retirement and death benefit plans covering employees in Taiwan and certain former employees in Germany, as well as longevity plans covering employees in France, which have been deemed immaterial, individually and in the aggregate.
The expected long-term rate of return on assets assumption is developed with reference to historical returns, forward-looking return expectations, the Domestic and Foreign Pension Plans' investment allocations, and peer comparisons. We used a long-term rate of return on plan assets of 5.9% and 2.3% for our Domestic and Foreign Pension Plans, respectively to determine our net periodic pension expense for 2017. The discount rate used to value the pension obligation was developed with reference to a number of factors, including the current interest rate environment, benchmark fixed-income yields, peer comparisons, and expected future pension benefit payments. Discount rates of 3.7% and 3.0% were established for the Domestic Pension Plan and Foreign Pension Plans, respectively, at December 31, 2017, compared to rates of 4.2% and 2.3% established for those respective plans at December 31, 2016. We evaluate the Pension Plans' actuarial assumptions on an annual basis, including the expected long-term rate of return on assets and discount rates. A one percent increase in the discount rate would increase (decrease) the pension plan expense and pension benefit obligation by approximately $0.9 million and $(28.3) million, respectively, whereas a one percent decrease in the discount rate would (decrease) increase the pension plan expense and pension benefit obligation by approximately $(0.4) million and $34.5 million, respectively.
Our Domestic Pension Plans' investment policies incorporate an asset allocation strategy that emphasizes long-term growth of capital and acceptable asset volatility as long as such volatility remains consistent with the volatility of the indexes of relevant


59




markets.  Our investment policies attempt to achieve a mix of approximately 50% of plan investments for long-term growth, 49% for liability-matching assets and 1% for near-term benefit payments.  The weighted average asset allocation of the Domestic Pension Plans was 49% fixed income mutual fund holdings, 27% equity securities, 19% limited partnership interests and managed equity funds, 4% collective investment funds and 1% cash at December 31, 2017.  
The Domestic Pension Plans were underfunded by $26.6 million at December 31, 2017 compared to $36.9 million at December 31, 2016. The improved funding position of $10.3 million was primarily driven by a $29.8 million gain on plan assets and a $3.1 million employer contribution, partially offset by $13.8 million of actuarial loss due to plan experience and $8.8 million of interest costs.
The Foreign Pension Plans were underfunded by $21.2 million at December 31, 2017 compared to $18.0 million at December 31, 2016, representing a decrease in funding status of $3.2 million.
Contributions to the Pension Plans during 2018 are not expected to be material. While we do not currently anticipate any, additional future material contributions may be required in order to maintain appropriate funding levels within our plans.
Financial Borrowings
Credit Facilities
At December 31, 2017, we had $5.48 billion of indebtedness, which primarily included:
$2.28 billion of Senior Notes;
$3.15 billion of term debt arrangements outstanding under our First Lien Credit Facility; and
$28.5 million of borrowings under local and revolving lines of credit.
Availability under our Revolving Credit Facility and various lines of credit and overdraft facilities totaled $606 million at December 31, 2017 (including $18.6 million of stand-by letters of credit which reduced the borrowings available under our Revolving Credit Facility).
Covenants
Our Credit Facilities contain various affirmative and negative covenants, including limitations on additional indebtedness, dividends and other distributions, entry into new lines of business, use of loan proceeds, capital expenditures, restricted payments, restrictions on liens, transactions with affiliates, amendments to organizational documents, accounting changes, sale and leaseback transactions, and dispositions.  Our Revolving Credit Facility requires compliance with certain financial covenants, including a first lien net leverage ratio of no greater than 6.25 to 1.0, as defined in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. In addition, our Amended and Restated Credit Agreement requires a prepayment percentage in the case of excess cash flow, both calculated as set forth in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, of 75% with step-downs to 50%, 25% and 0% based on the applicable first lien net leverage ratio on the prepayment date. At December 31, 2017, we were in compliance with the debt covenants contained in our Credit Facilities.


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Contractual Obligations and Commitments
We own most of our major manufacturing facilities, but we do lease certain offices, manufacturing factories, warehouse spaces and land, as well as other equipment primarily under non-cancelable operating leases.
Summarized in the table below are our obligations and commitments at December 31, 2017:
    Payment Due by Period
  ($ amounts in millions)
   2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 Thereafter Total
Long-term debt 
(1) 
 $
 $
 $1,330.8
 $1,854.4
 $1,100.0
 $1,219.9
 $5,505.1
Operating leases 
(2) 
 33.0
 25.0
 19.6
 13.9
 12.1
 28.9
 132.5
Interest payments (net of interest rate swap effects) 
(3) 
 276.7
 276.7
 247.6
 212.2
 111.0
 155.1
 1,279.3
Long-term contingent consideration 
(4) 
 
 
 
 100.0
 
 
 100.0
Principal payments on capital leases   0.7
 0.6
 0.5
 0.5
 0.4
 1.6
 4.3
Purchase obligations 
(5) 
 72.2
 1.1
 0.2
 
 
 
 73.5
Other long term obligations 
(6) 
 8.9
 4.2
 
 
 
 13.3
 26.4
Total cash contractual obligations   $391.5
 $307.6
 $1,598.7
 $2,181.0
 $1,223.5
 $1,418.8
 $7,121.1
(1)
Reflects the principal payments on long-term debt. In the event the Company is able to prepay, redeem or otherwise retire and/or refinance in full its $1.1 billion, 6.50% USD Notes due 2022, as permitted under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, on or prior to November 2, 2021, the maturity date of approximately $1.85 billion of first lien debt will be extended to June 7, 2023 from November 2, 2021, as currently presented in the table above.
(2)
Reflects periodic payments made in accordance with operating lease agreements.
(3)
Amounts are based on currently applicable interest rates in the case of variable interest rate debt and associated floating and floor legs of the interest rate swaps.
(4)
Reflects the maximum payout in 2021 of 100% of long-term contingent consideration related to the MacDermid Acquisition. At December 31, 2017, the long-term contingent consideration related to the MacDermid Acquisition was valued at $79.2 million. See Note 13, Financial Instruments, to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this 2017 Annual Report for additional information.
(5)
Purchase obligations represent amounts committed under legally enforceable supply agreements and non-cancelable purchase contracts. We do not include purchase obligations that can be canceled with a nominal fee.
(6)
Other long-term obligations consist of asset retirement obligations, or AROs.
Benefit payments related to our defined benefit plans are included in Note 10, Pension, Post-Retirement and Post Employment Plans, to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this 2017 Annual Report, and are excluded from the table above.
To the extent we can reliably determine when payments will occur pertaining to our $90.3 million unrecognized tax benefit liabilities and $28.3 million environmental liability, the related amounts will be included in the table above.  However, due to the high degree of uncertainty regarding the timing of potential future cash flows associated with such liabilities at December 31, 2017, we are unable to make a reliable estimate as to the timing of such payments, and are therefore excluded from the table above.
Off-Balance Sheet Transactions
We use customary off-balance sheet arrangements, such as letters of credit, non-recourse factoring arrangements, and operating leases to finance our business. For additional information regarding letters of credit and non-recourse factoring arrangements, see Note 12, Debt, Factoring and Customer Financing Arrangements, to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this 2017 Annual Report, under the headings "Lines of Credit and Other Debt Facilities" and "Accounts Receivable Factoring Arrangements." For additional information regarding operating leases, see Note 17, Operating Lease Commitments, to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this 2017 Annual Report. As a result of ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases,” "Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements" for fiscal years and "Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted." interim periods beginning in 2019, we will be required to record lease liabilities and right-of-use assets for all of our qualifying operating leases that are currently treated as off-balance sheet transactions.
There are no other arrangements that have, or are reasonably likely to have, a current or future material effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.


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Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Foreign Currency Risk
We conduct a significant portion of our business in currencies other than the U.S. Dollar,dollar, our financial reporting currency.  In 2016,2017, approximately 80%83% of our net sales were generated outside of the United States.  Generally, our foreign subsidiaries use their local currency as their functional currency; the currency in which they incur operating expenses and collect accounts receivable.  Our business is exposed to foreign currency risk from changes in the exchange rate primarily between the U.S. Dollardollar and the following currencies: Euro,euro, Brazilian Real, Chinese Yuan, Japanese Yen and British Pound Sterling.Sterling, and Japanese Yen.  As a result, our operating results could be affected by foreign currency exchange rate volatility relative to the U.S. Dollar. Our netdollar. We are not able to project, in any meaningful way, the possible effect of these foreign exchange currency losses for the year ended December 31, 2016 totaled $14.1 million.fluctuations on translated amounts or future earnings.
We actively assess our foreign exchange risk exposure and may enter into foreign exchange hedges to mitigate such risk and protect ourselves against transaction exposures. Our hedging programs include strategies to hedge our foreign currency denominated balance sheet exposures as well as foreign currency anticipated cash flows. As ofAt December 31, 2016,2017, the aggregate U.S. Dollardollar notional amount of foreign currency forward contracts, none of which were designated as hedges for accounting purposes, totaled $552$615 million. The market value of the foreign currency forward contracts at December 31, 20162017 was a $2.4$1.3 million current liability, and net realized and unrealized losses on such contracts for the year ended December 31, 20162017 totaled $9.5$9.4 million.
Our policies prohibit us from speculating in financial instruments for profit on exchange rate price fluctuations, from trading in currencies for which there are no underlying exposures, and from entering into trades for any currency to intentionally increase the underlying exposure.
Interest Rate Risk
We are also exposed to interest rate risk associated with our cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, long-term debt, and other financing commitments.  At December 31, 2016,2017, we had cash and cash equivalents of $423$478 million and total debt of $5.24$5.48 billion, including approximately $1.91$3.18 billion of variable interest rate debt based on either the one-month LIBOR or the one-month EURIBOR.  In August 2015, we entered into a series of pay-fixed, receive-floating interest rate swaps with respect to a portion of our indebtedness. The swaps effectively fix the floating rate portion of the interest payments on approximately $1.15$1.14 billion of our USD denominated debt and €282€279 million of our Euroeuro denominated debt at 1.96% and 1.20%, respectively, from September 2015 through June 2020. Our remaining $1.71 billion of variable interest rate debt remainscontinues to be subject to interest rate risk, as interest payments will fluctuate with market changes in the underlying interest rates.  A 100 basis point increase in the one-month LIBOR and one-month EURIBOR would result in a higher interest expense of approximately $7.4$6.4 million annually with respect to our remaining variable interest rate debt, inclusive of the effects of our existing interest rate swaps.debt.
Counterparty Risk
Outstanding financial derivative instruments expose us to credit loss in the event of non-performance by our counterparties.  The credit exposure related to these financial instruments is considered in the fair values of such contracts.  We review the credit ratings of our counterparties and adjust our exposure as deemed appropriate on a periodic basis.  As ofAt December 31, 2016,2017, we believe that our exposure to counterparty risk was immaterial.
Commodity Price Risk
Some raw materials and supplies are subject to price and supply fluctuations caused by market dynamics.  Our strategic sourcing initiatives are focused on mitigating the impact of commodity price risk.  Although some of our commercial agreements allow us to pass on certain unusual increases in component and raw material costs to our customers in limited situations, we may not be



fully compensated for such increased costs.  To a lesser extent, we are also are exposed to fluctuations in the prices of certain utilities and services, such as electricity, natural gas, and freight.
Periodically, we may employ forward metals contracts or other financial instruments to hedge commodity price or other price risks.  Such contracts are generally designated as normal purchases and accounted for similar to other inventory purchases.  We continue to review a full range of business options focused on strategic risk management for all raw material commodities.  Any failure by our suppliers to provide acceptable raw materials or supplies could adversely affect our production schedules and contract profitability.  We assess qualification of suppliers and continually monitor them to control risk associated with such supply base reliance. As ofAt December 31, 2016,2017, the aggregate U.S. Dollardollar notional amount of metals futures contracts to purchase and sell, none of which were designated as hedges for accounting purposes, totaled $51.9$41.5 million, which includes embedded derivatives associated with supply agreements. Net realized and unrealized losses on such contracts for the year ended December 31, 20162017 totaled $3.0$2.5 million.


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Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
See “Index to Consolidated Financial Statements” in this 20162017 Annual Report.
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As required by Rule 13a-15 under the Exchange Act, management carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our CEO and CFO, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as ofat December 31, 2016.2017. Based on this evaluation, our CEO and CFO have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as ofat December 31, 20162017 due to the previously-reported material weaknessesweakness in our internal control over financial reporting identifiedrelating to the accounting for income taxes, as described below.
In light of thesethis material weaknesses,weakness, prior to the filing of this 20162017 Annual Report, management performed additional substantive and analytical procedures, including validating the completeness and accuracy of the underlying data used to support the amounts reported in Platform'sour financial statements. These control activities and other substantive and analytical procedures have allowed us to conclude that, notwithstanding the material weaknessesweakness described below, the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this 20162017 Annual Report fairly present, in all material respects, our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows for the periods presented in conformity with GAAP. Based in part on these additional efforts, our CEO and CFO have included their Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 Sections 302 and 906 certifications as exhibits to this 20162017 Annual Report.
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act). Our internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP. Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:
pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of Platform’sour assets;
provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of Platform’sour financial statements in accordance with GAAP, and that receipts and expenditures of Platform are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors; and
provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of Platform’sour assets that could have a material effect on our 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. As required by Rule 13a-15 under the Exchange Act, management assessed the effectiveness of Platform’sour internal control over financial reporting as of December at December��31, 2016.2017. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth in the Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
A material weakness is defined as a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. In connection with the preparation of this 20162017 Annual Report, management concluded that we did not maintain a sufficient complement of personnel with an appropriate level of accounting knowledge, experience and training commensurate with our financial reporting requirements.  This material weakness resulted in the following remaining material weaknesses:
The Company did not design and maintain effective controls over the accounting for acquired businesses. Specifically, the Company did not design and maintain effective controls to evaluate the reliability of information and assumptions used in purchase accounting and in the goodwill, indefinite-lived intangible asset, and long-lived asset impairment analyses.
The Company did not design and maintain effective controls over completeness, existence and accuracy related to the accounting for income taxes.
The Company did not design and maintain effective controls over the financial close process for the Agricultural Solutions segment. Specifically, the Company did not design and maintain effective business performance review controls to assess the completeness and accuracy of financial reporting within the Agricultural Solutions segment, and did not maintain controls related to the timely and complete reconciliation of accounts for the CAS and Agriphar businesses, which are part of the Agricultural Solutions segment. 
TheseThis material weaknessesweakness resulted in the restatement of the unaudited interim financial statements previously issued in our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the periods ended March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015. The material weaknessesweakness described above


63




could result in material misstatements of our annual or interim consolidated financial statements that would not be prevented or detected.
As a result of thesethis material weaknesses,weakness, management concluded that, as ofat December 31, 2016,2017, our internal control over financial reporting was not effective.effective as it relates to the accounting for income taxes. The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as ofat December 31, 20162017 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, as stated in their report, which appears in this 20162017 Annual Report.
Management's Remediation Initiativesof Previously-Reported Material Weaknesses
OverWe have completed the coursedocumentation and testing of the 2016 fiscal year, we continuedcorrective actions described below and, at December 31, 2017, have concluded that the remediation activities completed are sufficient to take substantial measuresallow us to remediate ourconclude that the previously-reported material weaknesses. weakness related to complement of personnel, accounting for acquired businesses and Agricultural Solutions close process have been remediated. 
Complement of Personnel
We have added significant resourcesremediated this previously-reported material weakness associated with maintaining a sufficient complement of personnel with an appropriate level of accounting knowledge, experience and training commensurate with our financial reporting requirements by adding further qualified resources to our corporate and segment staff and enhancing the controllership function in the application of GAAP. our newly-acquired businesses.
Accounting for Acquired Businesses
We also completed the implementation of a global tax reporting system during the first quarter of 2016, as part of our remediation effortshave remediated this previously-reported material weakness related to the accounting for income taxes.  We planacquired businesses, and specifically to continue our ongoing remediation efforts in order to improve,the design and implement integrated processesmaintenance of effective controls to enhance our internal control over financial reporting, including:evaluate the reliability of information and assumptions used in purchase accounting and in the goodwill, indefinite-lived intangible asset, and long-lived asset impairment analysis by:
implementing a global consolidation and planning system;
implementing control processes relating to newly-acquired businesses and non-routine transactions;
implementing enhanced monitoring controls relating to the financial reporting and performance of our newly-acquired businesses; and
enhancing our financial planning and analysis function within our businesses and at the corporate level;level.
adding further qualifiedAgricultural Solutions Close Process
We have remediated this previously-reported material weakness associated with maintaining effective controls over the financial close process for the Agricultural Solutions segment by designing and maintaining effective business performance review controls to assess the completeness and accuracy of financial reporting within the Agricultural Solutions segment and the timely and complete reconciliation of accounts for the CAS and Agriphar businesses.
Management's Remediation Initiatives of the Remaining Material Weakness
Over the course of the 2017 fiscal year, we continued to take substantial measures to remediate our material weakness related to the accounting for income taxes. We have added significant resources with an appropriate level of accounting knowledge, experience and training in the application of GAAP.  We plan to continue our corporateongoing remediation efforts in order to improve, design and segment staff;implement integrated processes to enhance our internal control over the accounting for income taxes by:
improving the overall tax provision process; and
enhancing our income tax controls to include specific activities to assess the controllership function in our newly-acquired businesses.accounting for significant complex transactions and other tax related judgments.
While we believe that significant progress has been made, additional time is necessary to fully implement and demonstrate the effectiveness of these remediation initiatives and until remediated, the material weaknessesweakness described above could result in material misstatements of our annual or interim consolidated financial statements that would not be prevented or detected. We are committed to operating effective controls, and management continues to regularly assess the progress and sufficiency of the ongoing initiatives and make adjustments as and when necessary. Our remediation efforts are also subject to ongoing Audit Committee oversight.  While weOur goal is to remediate this material weakness concurrently with the filing of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.


64




believe the foregoing efforts will effectively remediate the material weaknesses mentioned above, we currently do not have an expected timetable for the execution and completion of the remediation.
Changes to Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
As required by Rule 13a-15(d) under the Exchange Act, our management, including our CEO and CFO, has evaluated the Company’s internal control over financial reporting to determine whether any changes occurred during the quarter covered by this 20162017 Annual Report have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
There have been no significant changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended December 31, 2017 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended December 31, 2016.reporting.
Item 9B. Other Information
Item 5.02. Departure1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
On February 26, 2018, Platform entered into amended change in control agreements with each of Directors or Certain Officers; Electionits executive officers and other officers who were party to existing change in control agreements, namely Rakesh Sachdev, John P. Connolly, John E. Capps, Benjamin Gliklich, J. David Tolbert, Scot R. Benson and Diego Lopez Casanello. The amendments to the existing change in control agreements were made to correct drafting and typographical errors found in these existing change in control agreements, a form of Directors; Appointmentwhich was previously filed with the SEC.  A form of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.the amended change in control agreements is attached as Exhibit 10.22 to this 2017 Annual Report, and is incorporated herein by reference.
(b) On December 21, 2016, it was announced that John L. Cordani would be resigning from his position as Vice President - Legal, effective March 2, 2017.

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Part III
Item 10.  Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Codes of Ethics
We maintain a Business Conduct and Ethics Policy applicable to all directors and employees of Platform and its subsidiaries. The Policy is located on our website at www.platformspecialtyproducts.com under “Investor Relations – Corporate Governance.”  We intend to provide disclosure of any amendment to or waiver of our Business Conduct and Ethics Policy on our website within four business days following the date of such amendment or waiver.
We also maintain a Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers applicable to our CEO CFO and principal accounting officer.CFO.  The Code of Ethics is located on our website at www.platformspecialtyproducts.com under “Investor Relations – Corporate Governance.”  We intend to provide disclosure of any amendment to or waiver of our Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers on our website within four business days following the date of such amendment or waiver.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our directors and executive officers and any persons who own more than 10% of our capital stock to file with the SEC and the NYSE various reports as to ownership of such capital stock.
Based solely upon reports and representations submitted by these persons, we believe that all Forms 3, 4 and 5 showing ownership of, and changes of ownership in, our capital stock during the 2017 fiscal year were appropriately filed with the SEC and the NYSE, except for Scot R. Benson's Form 3 filed on April 8, 2016 which was timely filed but, due to a clerical error, reported an incorrect number of performance RSUs beneficially held by Mr. Benson. A Form 5 was filed with the SEC on February 9, 2018 to correct this clerical error. The othercorrect number of performance RSUs beneficially owned by Mr. Benson was, however, reported in Platform's proxy statement filed with the SEC on April 15, 2016.
The remaining information required by Item 10, including information regarding executive officers, directors, membership and function of the Audit Committeeaudit committee of the Board and the financial expertise of its members, appearing under the headings "Executive Officers of the Company,"Company" and "Proposal 1 - Election of Directors" and "Other Matters—Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance" in the 20172018 Proxy Statement is incorporated by reference in this section. The information under the heading "Corporate Governance" in the 20172018 Proxy Statement is also incorporated by reference in this section. Platform intends to file the 20172018 Proxy Statement with the SEC no later than 120 days after December 31, 2016.2017.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
The information required by Item 11 appearing in the 20172018 Proxy Statement under the headings "Director Compensation," "Compensation Discussion and Analysis," "Report of the Compensation Committee," and "Executive Compensation"Compensation Tables" is incorporated by reference in this section. Platform intends to file the 20172018 Proxy Statement with the SEC no later than 120 days after December 31, 2016.2017.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
The information required by Item 12 appearing under the headings "Security Ownership" and "Executive Compensation Tables - Equity Compensation Plan Information" in the 20172018 Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference. Platform intends to file the 20172018 Proxy Statement with the SEC no later than 120 days after December 31, 2016.2017.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
The information appearing in the 20172018 Proxy Statement under the headings "Corporate Governance" and "Certain Relationships and Related Transactions" is incorporated by reference in this section. Platform intends to file the 20172018 Proxy Statement with the SEC no later than 120 days after December 31, 2016.2017.


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Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services
The information appearing in the 20172018 Proxy Statement under the headings "Report of the Audit Committee" and "Proposal 3 - Ratification of Independent Registered Public AccountantsAccounting Firm for 2017 Fiscal Year"2018" is incorporated by reference in this section. Platform intends to file the 20172018 Proxy Statement with the SEC no later than 120 days after December 31, 2016.2017.




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Part IV
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules 
(A) Exhibits
 
    Incorporated by Reference Included in this 2016 Annual Report
Exhibit
Nb.
 
 
Exhibit Description
 
 
Form
 
 
File Nb.
 
Exhibit
Nb.
 Filing Date 
2.1 Share Purchase Agreement, dated as of October 20, 2014, between Nalozo S.à.r.l. and Platform 8-K 001-36272 2.1 10/21/2014  
2.2 Amendment Agreement dated as of December 2, 2014, between Nalozo S.à.r.l. and Platform 8-K 001-36272 2.1 12/4/2014  
2.3 Amendment Agreement, dated as of February 11, 2015, between Nalozo S.à.r.l., Nalozo L.P. and Platform 8-K 001-36272 2.3 2/17/2015  
2.4 Amendment Agreement, dated as of October 27, 2015, between Nalozo S.à.r.l., Nalozo L.P. and Platform 8-K 001-36272 2.4 10/30/2015  
2.5 Settlement Agreement and Release, dated September 9, 2016, among Platform and MacDermid Agricultural Solutions, Inc. and Permira Advisers LLC, Nalozo S.à.r.l., and Nalozo L.P. 8-K 001-36272 2.1 9/12/2016  
2.6 Rule 2.7 Announcement, dated as of July 13, 2015 8-K 001-36272 2.1 7/13/2015  
2.7 Co-operation Agreement, dated as of July 13, 2015, by and among Platform, MacDermid Performance Acquisitions Ltd. and Alent plc 8-K 001-36272 2.2 7/13/2015  
3.1 (a) Certificate of Incorporation S-4 POS 333-192778 3.1 1/24/2014  
3.1 (b) Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation 8-K 001-36272 3.1 6/13/2014  
3.1 (c) Certificate of Designation of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock 8-K 001-36272 3.1 2/17/2015  
3.1(d) Certificate of Retirement of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock 8-K 001-36272 3.1 12/16/2016  
3.2 Amended and Restated By-laws 10-K 001-36272 3.2 3/31/2014  
4.1 Specimen Common Stock certificate S-4/A 333-192778 4.1 1/2/2014  
4.2 Indenture, dated as of February 2, 2015, among Escrow Issuer, the Trustee and the EUR Agent 8-K 001-36272 4.1 2/3/2015  
4.3 Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February 13, 2015, among Platform, the Initial Guarantors, the Trustee and the EUR Agent 8-K 001-36272 4.2 2/17/2015  
4.4 Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 20, 2015, among Platform, the Subsequent Guarantors, the other Guarantors, the Trustee, and the EUR Agent 10-K 001-36272 4.4 3/11/2016  
    Incorporated by Reference Included in this 2017 Annual Report
Exhibit
Nb.
 
 
Exhibit Description
 
 
Form
 
 
File Nb.
 
Exhibit
Nb.
 Filing Date 
2.1 
Settlement Agreement and Release, dated September 9, 2016, among Platform and MacDermid Agricultural Solutions, Inc. and Permira Advisers LLC, Nalozo S.à.r.l., and Nalozo L.P.
 8-K 001-36272 2.1 9/12/2016  
3.1 (a)  S-4 POS 333-192778 3.1 1/24/2014  
3.1 (b)  8-K 001-36272 3.1 6/13/2014  
3.2  10-K 001-36272 3.2 3/31/2014  
4.1  S-4/A 333-192778 4.1 1/2/2014  
4.2 
Indenture, dated as of February 2, 2015, among Escrow Issuer, the Trustee and the EUR Agent
 8-K 001-36272 4.1 2/3/2015  
4.3 
Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February 13, 2015, among Platform, the Initial Guarantors, the Trustee and the EUR Agent
 8-K 001-36272 4.2 2/17/2015  
4.4 
Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 20, 2015, among Platform, the Subsequent Guarantors, the other Guarantors, the Trustee, and the EUR Agent
 10-K 001-36272 4.4 3/11/2016  
4.5 
Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 26, 2016, among Platform, the Subsequent Guarantors, the Trustee, and the EUR Agent
 10-K 001-36272 4.5 3/11/2016  
4.6 
Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 13, 2016, among Platform, the Subsequent Guarantors, the Trustee and the EUR Agent
 10-Q 001-36272 4.1 8/9/2016  
4.7  8-K 001-36272 A-1 to 4.1 2/3/2015  
4.8  8-K 001-36272 A-2 to 4.1 2/3/2015  
4.9 
Indenture, dated as of November 10, 2015, among PSPC Escrow II Corp. and the Trustee
 8-K 001-36272 4.1 11/12/2015  
4.10 
Supplemental Indenture, dated as of December 1, 2015, among Platform, the Initial Guarantors and the Trustee
 8-K 001-36272 4.2 12/4/2015  
4.11 
Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 26, 2016, among Platform, the Subsequent Guarantors, and the Trustee
 10-K 001-36272 4.10 3/11/2016  
4.12 
Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 13, 2016, among Platform, the Subsequent Guarantors and the Trustee
 10-Q 001-36272 4.2 8/9/2016  


68




    Incorporated by Reference Included in this 2016 Annual Report
Exhibit
Nb.
 
 
Exhibit Description
 
 
Form
 
 
File Nb.
 
Exhibit
Nb.
 Filing Date 
4.5 Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 26, 2016, among Platform, the Subsequent Guarantors, the Trustee, and the EUR Agent 10-K 001-36272 4.5 3/11/2016  
4.6 Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 13, 2016, among Platform, the Subsequent Guarantors, the Trustee and the EUR Agent 10-Q 001-36272 4.1 8/9/2016  
4.7 Form of 6.50% senior notes due 2022 denominated in U.S. Dollars 8-K 001-36272 A-1 to 4.1 2/3/2015  
4.8 Form of 6.00% senior notes due 2023 denominated in Euro 8-K 001-36272 A-2 to 4.1 2/3/2015  
4.9 Indenture, dated as of November 10, 2015, among PSPC Escrow II Corp. and Trustee 8-K 001-36272 4.1 11/12/2015  
4.10 Supplemental Indenture, dated as of December 1, 2015, among Platform, the Initial Guarantors and the Trustee 8-K 001-36272 4.2 12/4/2015  
4.11 Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 26, 2016, among Platform, the Subsequent Guarantors, and the Trustee 10-K 001-36272 4.1 3/11/2016  
4.12 Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 13, 2016, among Platform, the Subsequent Guarantors and the Trustee 10-Q 001-36272 4.2 8/9/2016  
4.13 Form of 10.375% senior notes due 2021 8-K 001-36272 A to 4.1 11/12/2015  
10.1 Joinder Agreement, dated as of December 1, 2015, among the Alent Guarantors named therein 8-K 001-36272 10.1 12/4/2015  
†10.2 Employment Agreement, dated as of December 15, 2015, between Platform and Rakesh Sachdev (effective January 5, 2016) 8-K 001-36272 10.1 12/16/2015  
†10.3 Time and Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement by and between Platform and Rakesh Sachdev (effective January 5, 2016) 8-K 001-36272 10.2 12/16/2015  
†10.4 Letter Agreement between Platform and Sanjiv Khattri, dated as of August 12, 2015 (effective September 14, 2015) 8-K 001-36272 10.1 8/18/2015  
10.5 Severance Agreement by and between Scot R. Benson and MacDermid, dated June 6, 2013 10-Q 001-36272 10.6 5/10/2016  
10.6 MacDermid, Incorporated Employees’ Pension Plan (as amended and restated generally effective January 1, 2009) S-4 333-192778 10.6 12/11/2013  
10.7 Second Amendment to MacDermid, Incorporated Employees’ Pension Plan, 2009 Restatement (effective as of January 1, 2009) S-4/A 333-192778 10.8 1/2/2014  
10.8 Amendment No. 1, dated as of December 13, 2013, to MacDermid, Incorporated Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (as Previously Amended and Restated) S-4/A 333-192778 10.9 1/2/2014  
10.9 MacDermid, Incorporated Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, effective April 1, 1994, as amended on February 25, 2005, and as further amended on July 11, 2013 S-4/A 333-192778 10.7 1/2/2014  
    Incorporated by Reference Included in this 2017 Annual Report
Exhibit
Nb.
 
 
Exhibit Description
 
 
Form
 
 
File Nb.
 
Exhibit
Nb.
 Filing Date 
4.13  8-K 001-36272 A to 4.1 11/12/2015  
4.14 
Indenture, dated as of November 24, 2017, among Platform, the guarantors named therein and the Trustee
 8-K 001-36272 4.1 11/27/2017  
4.15  8-K 001-36272 A to 4.01 11/27/2017  
†10.1 
Employment Agreement, dated as of December 15, 2015, between Platform and Rakesh Sachdev (effective January 5, 2016)
 8-K 001-36272 10.1 12/16/2015  
†10.2 
Time and Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement by and between Platform and Rakesh Sachdev (effective January 5, 2016)
 8-K 001-36272 10.2 12/16/2015  
†10.3

  10-Q 001-36272 10.6 5/9/2017  
10.4 
MacDermid, Incorporated Employees’ Pension Plan (as amended and restated generally effective January 1, 2009)
 S-4 333-192778 10.6 12/11/2013  
10.5  S-4/A 333-192778 10.8 1/2/2014  
10.6  S-4/A 333-192778 10.21 1/2/2014  
10.7 
MacDermid, Incorporated Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, effective April 1, 1994, as amended on February 25, 2005, and as further amended on July 11, 2013
 S-4/A 333-192778 10.7 1/2/2014  
10.8  S-4/A 333-192778 10.9 1/2/2014  
†10.9  S-8 333-205340 4.2(a) 6/29/2015  
†10.10  S-8 333-205340 4.2(b) 6/29/2015  
†10.11  S-8 333-205340 4.2(c) 6/29/2015  
†10.12  S-8 333-205340 4.2(d) 6/29/2015  
†10.13  10-Q 001-36272 10.1 8/9/2016  


69




    Incorporated by Reference Included in this 2016 Annual Report
Exhibit
Nb.
 
 
Exhibit Description
 
 
Form
 
 
File Nb.
 
Exhibit
Nb.
 Filing Date 
†10.10 Platform Specialty Products Corporation Employee Savings and 401(k) Plan, effective as of January 1, 2014 S-8 333-205340 4.2(a) 6/29/2015  
†10.11 Amendment No. 2 to Platform Specialty Products Corporation Employee Savings and 401(k) Plan, dated as of September 8, 2014 S-8 333-205340 4.2(b) 6/29/2015  
†10.12 Amendment No. 3 to Platform Specialty Products Corporation Employee Savings and 401(k) Plan, dated as of November 17, 2014 S-8 333-205340 4.2(c) 6/29/2015  
†10.13 Amendment No. 4 to Platform Specialty Products Corporation Employee Savings and 401(k) Plan, dated as of February 10, 2015 S-8 333-205340 4.2(d) 6/29/2015  
†10.14 Amendment No.5 to Platform Specialty Products Corporation Employee Savings and 401(k) Plan, dated October 31, 2105 10-Q 001-36272 10.1 8/9/2016  
†10.15 Amendment No.6 to Platform Specialty Products Corporation Employee Savings and 401(k) Plan, dated April 21, 2016 10-Q 001-36272 10.2 8/9/2016  
†10.16 Platform Specialty Products Corporation Amended and Restated 2013 Incentive Compensation Plan (effective as of November 1, 2013) DEF14A 001-36272 Appendix A 4/25/2014  
†10.17 Platform Specialty Products Corporation 2014 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (effective as of March 6, 2014) DEF14A 001-36272 Appendix B 4/25/2014  
†10.18 Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement – Platform Specialty Products Corporation Amended and Restated 2013 Incentive Compensation Plan S-4 333-192778 10.11 1/2/2014  
†10.19 Form of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement – Platform Specialty Products Corporation Amended and Restated 2013 Incentive Compensation Plan 8-K 001-36272 10.2 3/25/2016  
†10.20 Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement – Platform Specialty Products Corporation Amended and Restated 2013 Incentive Compensation Plan 8-K 001-36272 10.3 3/25/2016  
10.21 Form of Long Term Cash Bonus Award Agreement – Platform Specialty Products Corporation Amended and Restated 2013 Incentive Compensation Plan 10-K 001-36272 10.2 3/11/2016  
†10.22 Form of Director and Officer Indemnification Agreement S-4/A 333-192778 10.12 1/2/2014  
†10.23 Form of Change in Control Agreement 8-K 001-36272 10.10 4/8/2016  
10.24 Interim Facility Letter, dated as of July 13, 2015, by and among Platform Specialty Products Corporation, certain of its subsidiary guarantors, Credit Suisse AG and certain of its affiliates 8-K 001-36272 10.1 7/13/2015  
    Incorporated by Reference Included in this 2017 Annual Report
Exhibit
Nb.
 
 
Exhibit Description
 
 
Form
 
 
File Nb.
 
Exhibit
Nb.
 Filing Date 
†10.14  10-Q 001-36272 10.2 8/9/2016  
†10.15  DEF14A 001-36272 Appendix A 4/25/2014  
†10.16  DEF14A 001-36272 Appendix B 4/25/2014  
†10.17 
Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement – Platform Specialty Products Corporation Amended and Restated 2013 Incentive Compensation Plan
 S-4 333-192778 10.11 1/2/2014  
†10.18 
Form of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement – Platform Specialty Products Corporation Amended and Restated 2013 Incentive Compensation Plan
 8-K 001-36272 10.2 3/25/2016  
†10.19 
Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement – Platform Specialty Products Corporation Amended and Restated 2013 Incentive Compensation Plan
 8-K 001-36272 10.3 3/25/2016  
10.20 
Form of Long Term Cash Bonus Award Agreement – Platform Specialty Products Corporation Amended and Restated 2013 Incentive Compensation Plan
 10-K 001-36272 10.24 3/11/2016  
†10.21  S-4/A 333-192778 10.12 1/2/2014  
†10.22          X
10.23 
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of October 31, 2013, among, inter alia, Platform Acquisition Holding Limited, MacDermid Holdings, LLC, Matrix Acquisition Corp., MacDermid, Incorporated (as successor to Matrix Acquisition Corp., the borrower), the subsidiaries of the borrower from time to time parties thereto, the lenders from time to time parties thereto and Credit Suisse AG, as administrative agent and as collateral agent
 S-4/A 333-192778 10.13 1/2/2014  
10.24 
Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of August 6, 2014, among, inter alia, the Company, MacDermid Holdings, LLC, MacDermid, Incorporated, the subsidiaries of the borrower from time to time parties thereto, the lenders from time to time parties thereto and Barclays Bank PLC, as administrative agent and collateral agent
 8-K 001-36272 10.1 8/8/2014  


70




    Incorporated by Reference Included in this 2016 Annual Report
Exhibit
Nb.
 
 
Exhibit Description
 
 
Form
 
 
File Nb.
 
Exhibit
Nb.
 Filing Date 
10.25 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of October 31, 2013, among, inter alia, Platform Acquisition Holding Limited, MacDermid Holdings, LLC, Matrix Acquisition Corp., MacDermid, Incorporated (as successor to Matrix Acquisition Corp., the borrower), the subsidiaries of the borrower from time to time parties thereto, the lenders from time to time parties thereto and Credit Suisse AG, as administrative agent and as collateral agent S-4/A 333-192778 10.13 1/2/2014  
10.26 Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of August 6, 2014, among, inter alia, the Company, MacDermid Holdings, LLC, MacDermid, Incorporated, the subsidiaries of the borrower from time to time parties thereto, the lenders from time to time parties thereto and Barclays Bank PLC, as administrative agent and collateral agent 8-K 001-36272 10.1 8/8/2014  
10.27 Amendment No. 2, dated as of August 6, 2014, among, inter alia, the Company, MacDermid Holdings, LLC, MacDermid, Incorporated, the subsidiaries of the borrower from time to time parties thereto, the lenders from time to time parties thereto, and Barclays Bank PLC, as administrative agent and collateral agent 8-K 001-36272 10.2 8/8/2014  
10.28 Incremental Amendment No. 1, dated as of October 1, 2014, among the Company, MacDermid, Incorporated, MacDermid Holdings, LLC, certain subsidiaries of MacDermid Holdings, LLC and Platform party thereto, Barclays Bank PLC, as collateral agent and administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto 8-K 001-36272 10.1 10/1/2014  
10.29 Amendment No.3, dated February 13, 2015, among, inter alia, Platform, Holdings, MacDermid, the subsidiaries of the borrower from time to time parties thereto, the lenders from time to time parties thereto, and Barclays Bank PLC, as administrative agent and collateral agent 8-K 001-36272 10.1 2/17/2015  
10.30 Amendment No. 4, dated December 3, 2015, among, inter alia, Platform, MacDermid, the subsidiaries of the borrowers from time to time parties thereto, the lenders from time to time parties thereto, and Barclays Bank PLC, as administrative agent and collateral agent 8-K 001-36272 10.3 12/4/2015  
10.31 Amendment No. 5, dated October 14, 2016, among, inter alios, Platform, MacDermid, the subsidiaries of the borrowers from time to time parties thereto, the lenders from time to time parties thereto, and Barclays Bank PLC, as administrative agent and collateral agent 8-K 001-36272 10.1 10/17/2016  
    Incorporated by Reference Included in this 2017 Annual Report
Exhibit
Nb.
 
 
Exhibit Description
 
 
Form
 
 
File Nb.
 
Exhibit
Nb.
 Filing Date 
10.25 
Amendment No. 2, dated as of August 6, 2014, among, inter alia, the Company, MacDermid Holdings, LLC, MacDermid, Incorporated, the subsidiaries of the borrower from time to time parties thereto, the lenders from time to time parties thereto, and Barclays Bank PLC, as administrative agent and collateral agent
 8-K 001-36272 10.2 8/8/2014  
10.26 
Incremental Amendment No. 1, dated as of October 1, 2014, among the Company, MacDermid, Incorporated, MacDermid Holdings, LLC, certain subsidiaries of MacDermid Holdings, LLC and Platform party thereto, Barclays Bank PLC, as collateral agent and administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto
 8-K 001-36272 10.1 10/1/2014  
10.27 
Amendment No.3, dated February 13, 2015, among, inter alia, Platform, Holdings, MacDermid, the subsidiaries of the borrower from time to time parties thereto, the lenders from time to time parties thereto, and Barclays Bank PLC, as administrative agent and collateral agent
 8-K 001-36272 10.1 2/17/2015  
10.28 
Amendment No. 4, dated December 3, 2015, among, inter alia, Platform, MacDermid, the subsidiaries of the borrowers from time to time parties thereto, the lenders from time to time parties thereto, and Barclays Bank PLC, as administrative agent and collateral agent
 8-K 001-36272 10.3 12/4/2015  
10.29 
Amendment No. 5, dated October 14, 2016, among, inter alios, Platform, MacDermid, the subsidiaries of the borrowers from time to time parties thereto, the lenders from time to time parties thereto, and Barclays Bank PLC, as administrative agent and collateral agent
 8-K 001-36272 10.1 10/17/2016  
10.30 
Amendment No. 6, dated December 6, 2016, among, inter alios, Platform, MacDermid, the subsidiaries of the borrowers from time to time parties thereto, the lenders from time to time parties thereto, and Barclays Bank PLC, as administrative agent and collateral agent
 8-K 001-36272 10.1 12/7/2016  
10.31 
Amendment No. 7, dated April 18, 2017, among, inter alios, Platform, MacDermid, the subsidiaries of the borrowers from time to time parties thereto, the lenders from time to time parties thereto, and Barclays Bank PLC, as administrative agent and collateral agent
 8-K 
001-36272

 10.1 4/18/2017  
10.32 
Amendment No. 8, dated October 3, 2017, among, inter alios, Platform, MacDermid, the subsidiaries of the borrowers from time to time parties thereto, the lenders from time to time parties thereto, and Barclays Bank PLC, as administrative agent and collateral agent
 8-K 
001-36272

 10.1 10/3/2017  


71




    Incorporated by Reference Included in this 2016 Annual Report
Exhibit
Nb.
 
 
Exhibit Description
 
 
Form
 
 
File Nb.
 
Exhibit
Nb.
 Filing Date 
10.32 Amendment No. 6, dated December 6, 2016, among, inter alios, Platform, MacDermid, the subsidiaries of the borrowers from time to time parties thereto, the lenders from time to time parties thereto, and Barclays Bank PLC, as administrative agent and collateral agent 8-K 001-36272 10.1 12/7/2016  
10.33 Form of Retaining Holder Securityholders Agreement S-4/A 333-192778 10.14 1/2/2014  
10.34 Advisory Services Agreement, dated October 31, 2013, by and between Platform Specialty Products Corporation and Mariposa Capital, LLC S-4/A 333-192778 10.15 1/2/2014  
10.35 Letter Agreement with respect to Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan payment, dated as of October 29, 2013, between Platform Acquisition Holdings Limited and Daniel H. Leever S-4/A 333-192778 10.16 1/2/2014  
10.36 Security Holder’s Agreement dated as of November 7, 2013 S-4/A 333-192778 10.17 1/2/2014  
10.37 Form of Option Deeds S-4/A 333-192778 10.19 1/2/2014  
10.38 Form of Interest Notice S-4/A 333-192778 10.20 1/15/2014  
10.39 Third Amendment to Amended and Restated MacDermid, Incorporated Employees’ Pension Plan, dated as of December 13, 2013 S-4/A 333-192778 10.21 1/2/2014  
†10.40 Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement – Platform Specialty Products Corporation Equity Incentive Plan S-4/A 333-192778 10.22 1/2/2014  
†10.41 Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement – Platform Specialty Products Corporation Equity Incentive Plan S-4/A 333-192778 10.23 1/2/2014  
10.42 
Amended and Restated Pledge and Security Agreement, amended and restated as of October 31, 2013, among Platform, MacDermid Holdings, LLC, MacDermid, Incorporated and the subsidiaries of the borrowers from time to time parties thereto in favor of Barclays Bank PLC, as collateral agent
 10-K 001-36272 10.25 3/31/2014  
10.43 Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of May 20, 2014, between Platform Specialty, the placement agents thereto and the Investors stated therein 8-K 001-36272 10.1 5/21/2014  
10.44 Form of registration rights agreement between Platform and the purchasers of the shares in the October/November 2014 Private Placement 8-K 001-36272 10.3 10/8/2014  
10.45 Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of February 13, 2015, between Platform and Nalozo L.P. 8-K 001-36272 10.2 2/17/2015  
14.1 Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers 10-K 001-36272 14 3/31/2014  
21.1 List of subsidiaries         X
23.1 Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP         X
24.1 Power of Attorney         X
    Incorporated by Reference Included in this 2017 Annual Report
Exhibit
Nb.
 
 
Exhibit Description
 
 
Form
 
 
File Nb.
 
Exhibit
Nb.
 Filing Date 
10.33 
Amended and Restated Pledge and Security Agreement, amended and restated as of October 31, 2013, among Platform, MacDermid Holdings, LLC, MacDermid, Incorporated and the subsidiaries of the borrowers from time to time parties thereto in favor of Barclays Bank PLC, as collateral agent
 10-K 001-36272 10.25 3/31/2014  
10.34  S-4/A 333-192778 10.14 1/2/2014  
10.35 
Advisory Services Agreement, dated October 31, 2013, by and between Platform Specialty Products Corporation and Mariposa Capital, LLC
 S-4/A 333-192778 10.15 1/2/2014  
10.36  S-4/A 333-192778 10.16 1/2/2014  
10.37  S-4/A 333-192778 10.17 1/2/2014  
10.38 
Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of May 20, 2014, between Platform Specialty, the placement agents thereto and the Investors stated therein
 8-K 001-36272 10.1 5/21/2014  
10.39  8-K 001-36272 10.3 10/8/2014  
14.1  10-K 001-36272 14.1 3/31/2014  
21.1          X
23.1          X
24.1          X
31.1          X
31.2          X
32.1*          X
101.INS XBRL Instance Document         X
101.SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document         X
101.CAL XBRL Extension Calculation Linkbase Document         X
101.DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document         X
101.LAB XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document         X
101.PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document         X


72




Incorporated by ReferenceIncluded in this 2016 Annual Report
Exhibit
Nb.
Exhibit Description
Form
File Nb.
Exhibit
Nb.
Filing Date
31.1Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002X
31.2Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002X
32.1*Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002X
101.INSXBRL Instance DocumentX
101.SCHXBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema DocumentX
101.CALXBRL Extension Calculation Linkbase DocumentX
101.DEFXBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase DocumentX
101.LABXBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase DocumentX
101.PREXBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase DocumentX
* Furnished herewith.
 This Exhibit represents a management contract or a compensatory plan.
(B) Financial Statement Schedule
Schedule II — Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves


73




SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.
 
   PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION
    
   By: /s/ John P. Connolly
     Name: John P. Connolly
     Title: Vice President, Corporate Controller and Chief AccountingFinancial Officer
   Date: March 10, 2017February 28, 2018


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 and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

                 Signature
 
 
 TitleDate
/s/ Rakesh Sachdev Director and Chief Executive OfficerMarch 10, 2017February 28, 2018
Rakesh Sachdev (Principal Executive Officer) 
    
/s/ Sanjiv KhattriExecutive Vice President and Chief Financial OfficerMarch 10, 2017
Sanjiv Khattri(Principal Financial Officer)
/s/ John P. Connolly Vice President, Corporate Controller and Chief AccountingFinancial OfficerMarch 10, 2017February 28, 2018
John P. Connolly (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) 
    
/s/ Martin E. Franklin Chairman of the BoardMarch 10, 2017February 28, 2018
Martin E. Franklin   
    
/s/ Ian G.H. Ashken DirectorMarch 10, 2017February 28, 2018
Ian G.H. Ashken   
    
/s/ Nicolas Berggruen DirectorMarch 10, 2017February 28, 2018
Nicolas Berggruen   
    
/s/ Michael F. Goss DirectorMarch 10, 2017February 28, 2018
Michael F. Goss   
    
/s/ Ryan Israel DirectorMarch 10, 2017February 28, 2018
Ryan Israel   
    
/s / E. Stanley O’Neal DirectorMarch 10, 2017February 28, 2018
E. Stanley O’Neal   




74




Index to Consolidated Financial Statements

Index to Consolidated Financial Statements Page
  
  
Consolidated Financial Statements: 
  
  Years Ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015
  
  Years Ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015
  
  December 31, 2017 and 2016
  
  Years Ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015
  
  Years Ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015
  
  
Financial Statement Schedule: 
  
 
  Years Ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015






75




Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Platform Specialty Products Corporation

Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting
In our opinion,We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Platform Specialty Products Corporation and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2017 and 2016,and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017, including the related notes and financial statement schedule listed in the accompanying index (collectively referred to as the “consolidatedfinancial statements”).We also have audited the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, 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 Platform Specialty Products Corporation and its subsidiaries atthe Company as of December 31, 20162017 and December 31, 2015,2016, and the results of theirits operations and theirits cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2016 2017in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedule listed in the accompanying indexpresents 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 did not maintain, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016,2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013)issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO)COSO because a material weaknessesweakness in internal control over financial reporting existed as of that date, relating to the Company not maintaining a sufficient complement of personnel with an appropriate level of accounting knowledge, experience and training commensurate with financial reporting requirements. This material weakness contributed to the following material weaknesses: (i) the Company did not design and maintain effective controls over the accounting for acquired businesses, specifically the effective evaluation of the reliability of information and assumptions used in purchase accounting and in the goodwill, indefinite-lived intangible asset, and long-live asset impairment analyses; (ii)as the Company did not design and maintain effective controls over the completeness, existence and accuracy related to the accounting for income taxes; and (iii) the Company did not design and maintain effective controls over the financial close process for the Agricultural Solutions segment, specifically effective business performance review controls to assess the completeness and accuracy of financial reporting within the Agricultural Solutions segment, and controls related to the timely and complete reconciliation of accounts for the CAS and Agriphar businesses, which are part of the Agricultural Solutions segment. taxes.
A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. The material weaknessesweakness referred to above areis described in Management'sManagement’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 9A. We considered thesethis material weaknesses weaknessin determining the nature, timing, and extent of audit tests applied in our audit of the 20162017 consolidated financial statements, and our opinion regarding the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting does not affect our opinion on those consolidatedfinancial statements.
Basis for Opinions
The Company'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 management's report referred to above. Our responsibility is to express opinions on these the Company’s consolidatedfinancial statements on the financial statement schedule, and on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audits which were integrated auditsaudits. 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 2016accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and 2015. 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 consolidatedfinancial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidatedfinancial 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 consolidatedfinancial 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


F-1




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.


/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Stamford, Connecticut
New York, New York
February 28, 2018

March 10, 2017We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2013.


F-2




PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In millions, except per share amounts)
 
 Year Ended December 31, Year Ended December 31,
 2016 2015 2014 2017 2016 2015
Net sales $3,585.9
 $2,542.3
 $843.2
 $3,775.9
 $3,585.9
 $2,542.3
Cost of sales 2,078.2
 1,550.4
 446.6
 2,186.9
 2,078.2
 1,550.4
Gross profit 1,507.7
 991.9
 396.6
 1,589.0
 1,507.7
 991.9
Operating expenses:  
  
  
  
  
  
Selling, technical, general and administrative 1,123.3
 857.5
 360.9
 1,109.3
 1,123.3
 857.5
Research and development 84.4
 62.8
 26.2
 98.4
 84.4
 62.8
Goodwill impairment 46.6
 
 
 160.0
 46.6
 
Total operating expenses 1,254.3
 920.3
 387.1
 1,367.7
 1,254.3
 920.3
Operating profit 253.4
 71.6
 9.5
 221.3
 253.4
 71.6
Other (expense) income:  
  
  
  
  
  
Interest expense, net (375.7) (213.9) (37.9) (341.6) (375.7) (213.9)
(Loss) gain on derivative contracts (12.5) (74.0) 0.4
Foreign exchange loss (14.1) (43.4) (2.7) (107.5) (14.1) (43.4)
Other income (expense), net 100.8
 30.4
 (0.2)
Other (expense) income, net (61.2) 88.3
 (43.6)
Total other expense (301.5) (300.9) (40.4) (510.3) (301.5) (300.9)
Loss before income taxes and non-controlling interests (48.1) (229.3) (30.9) (289.0) (48.1) (229.3)
Income tax (expense) benefit (28.6) (75.1) 6.7
Income tax expense (6.6) (28.6) (75.1)
Net loss (76.7) (304.4) (24.2) (295.6) (76.7) (304.4)
Net loss (income) attributable to the non-controlling interests 3.0
 (4.2) (5.7)
Net (income) loss attributable to the non-controlling interests (0.6) 3.0
 (4.2)
Net loss attributable to stockholders (73.7) (308.6) (29.9) (296.2) (73.7) (308.6)
Stock dividend on Founder's preferred shares 
 
 (232.7)
Gain on amendment of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock 32.9
 
 
 
 32.9
 
Net loss attributable to common stockholders $(40.8) $(308.6) $(262.6) $(296.2) $(40.8) $(308.6)
Loss per share attributable to common stockholders  
  
  
Loss per share  
  
  
Basic $(0.17) $(1.52) $(1.94) $(1.04) $(0.17) $(1.52)
Diluted $(0.65) $(1.52) $(1.94) $(1.04) $(0.65) $(1.52)
Weighted average common shares outstanding  
  
  
  
  
  
Basic 243.3
 203.2
 135.3
 286.1
 243.3
 203.2
Diluted 272.3
 203.2
 135.3
 286.1
 272.3
 203.2

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statementsstatements.



F-3




PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(In millions)
 
  Year Ended December 31,
  2016 2015 2014
Net loss $(76.7) $(304.4) $(24.2)
       
Other comprehensive income (loss)  
  
  
Foreign currency translation adjustments 204.6
 (777.1) (121.6)
       
Pension and post-retirement plans:  
  
  
Net actuarial gain (loss) arising during the period 5.9
 (14.7) (25.3)
Translation adjustment 2.5
 0.1
 0.6
Pension and post-retirement plans 8.4
 (14.6) (24.7)
Tax (expense) benefit (0.9) 3.2
 8.0
Gain (loss) on pension and post-retirement plans, net of tax 7.5
 (11.4) (16.7)
       
Unrealized (loss) gain on available for sale securities:  
  
  
Unrealized holding (loss) gain on available for sale securities (1.4) 1.7
 0.1
Tax benefit (expense) 0.6
 (0.6) 
Unrealized holding (loss) gain on available for sale securities, net of tax (0.8) 1.1
 0.1
       
Derivative financial instrument revaluation:  
  
  
Unrealized hedging gain (loss) arising during the period 2.3
 (12.5) (0.2)
Tax benefit 
 4.4
 0.1
Gain (loss) on derivative financial instrument revaluation, net of tax 2.3
 (8.1) (0.1)
       
Other comprehensive income (loss) 213.6
 (795.5) (138.3)
       
Comprehensive income (loss) 136.9
 (1,099.9) (162.5)
Comprehensive loss attributable to the non-controlling interests 1.0
 35.8
 0.7
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to stockholders 137.9
 (1,064.1) (161.8)
Stock dividend on Founder's preferred shares 
 
 (232.7)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to common stockholders $137.9
 $(1,064.1) $(394.5)
  Year Ended December 31,
  2017 2016 2015
Net loss $(295.6) $(76.7) $(304.4)
       
Other comprehensive income (loss)  
  
  
Foreign currency translation adjustments 241.1
 204.6
 (777.1)
Pension and post-retirement plans:  
  
  
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax (expense) benefit of $(2.2), ($0.9) and $3.2 for 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively 2.5
 7.5
 (11.4)
Reclassifications, net of tax expense of $2.1 for 2017, $0.0 for 2016 and 2015 8.4
 
 
Total pension and post-retirement plans 10.9
 7.5
 (11.4)
Unrealized (loss) gain on available for sale securities:  
  
  
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax benefit (expense) of $0.4, $0.6 and ($0.6) for 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively (2.2) (0.8) 1.1
Reclassifications, net of tax expense of $0.0 for 2017, 2016 and 2015 0.5
 
 
Total unrealized (loss) gain on available for sale securities (1.7) (0.8) 1.1
Derivative financial instrument revaluation:  
  
  
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications, net of tax (expense) benefit of $(4.3), $0.0 and $4.4 for 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively (4.6) (9.6) (8.1)
Reclassifications, net of tax expense of $0.0 for 2017, 2016 and 2015 10.4
 11.9
 
Total unrealized gain (loss) arising on qualified hedging derivatives 5.8
 2.3
 (8.1)
Other comprehensive income (loss) 256.1
 213.6
 (795.5)
       
Comprehensive (loss) income (39.5) 136.9
 (1,099.9)
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to the non-controlling interests (4.3) 1.0
 35.8
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to stockholders $(43.8) $137.9
 $(1,064.1)

 See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statementsstatements.



F-4




PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In millions, except share amounts)millions)
 December 31, December 31,
 2016 2015 2017 2016
Assets        
Cash and cash equivalents $422.6
 $432.2
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of
$36.7 and $14.4 at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively
 1,054.8
 1,023.0
Cash & cash equivalents $477.8
 $422.6
Accounts receivable, net 1,156.0
 1,054.8
Inventories 416.4
 484.6
 490.4
 416.4
Note receivable 
 125.0
Prepaid expenses 71.3
 72.2
 42.8
 71.3
Other current assets 106.1
 100.6
 173.6
 106.1
Total current assets 2,071.2
 2,237.6
 2,340.6
 2,071.2
Property, plant and equipment, net 460.5
 491.6
Property, plant & equipment, net 452.3
 460.5
Goodwill 4,178.9
 4,021.9
 4,201.2
 4,178.9
Intangible assets, net 3,233.3
 3,314.3
 3,137.3
 3,233.3
Other assets 110.2
 124.8
 121.0
 110.2
Total assets $10,054.1
 $10,190.2
 $10,252.4
 $10,054.1
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity  
  
Liabilities & stockholders' equity  
  
Accounts payable $383.6
 $450.3
 $461.8
 $383.6
Accrued salaries, wages and employee benefits 103.5
 78.1
Current installments of long-term debt and revolving credit facilities 116.1
 54.7
 38.9
 116.1
Accrued income taxes payable 82.5
 65.1
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 397.0
 414.2
 591.1
 583.0
Total current liabilities 1,082.7
 1,062.4
 1,091.8
 1,082.7
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations 5,122.9
 5,173.6
Long-term retirement benefits, less current portion 73.8
 80.5
Long-term deferred income taxes 663.2
 678.8
Long-term contingent consideration 75.8
 70.7
Other long-term liabilities 145.9
 205.0
Debt and capital lease obligations 5,440.6
 5,122.9
Pension and post-retirement benefits 69.0
 73.8
Deferred income taxes 579.6
 663.2
Contingent consideration 79.2
 75.8
Other liabilities 132.2
 145.9
Total liabilities 7,164.3
 7,271.0
 7,392.4
 7,164.3
Commitments and contingencies (Note 16) 

 

Redeemable preferred stock - Series B 
 645.9
Stockholders' Equity  
  
Commitments and contingencies (Note 18) 

 

Stockholders' equity  
  
Preferred stock - Series A 
 
 
 
Common stock, 400,000,000 shares authorized; 284,221,168 and 229,464,157 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. 2.8
 2.3
Common stock, 400.0 shares authorized (2017: 287.4 shares issued; 2016: 284.2 shares issued) 2.9
 2.8
Treasury stock (2017: 0.0 shares; 2016: 0.0 shares) (0.1) 
Additional paid-in capital 3,981.3
 3,520.4
 4,032.0
 3,981.3
Accumulated deficit (573.5) (532.7) (869.7) (573.5)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (674.5) (886.1) (422.0) (674.5)
Total stockholders' equity 2,736.1
 2,103.9
 2,743.1
 2,736.1
Non-controlling interests 153.7
 169.4
 116.9
 153.7
Total equity 2,889.8
 2,273.3
 2,860.0
 2,889.8
Total liabilities, redeemable preferred stock and stockholders' equity $10,054.1
 $10,190.2
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $10,252.4
 $10,054.1
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statementsstatements.


F-5

PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In millions)


 Year Ended December 31, Year Ended December 31,
 2016 2015 2014 2017 2016 2015
Cash flows from operating activities:            
Net loss $(76.7) $(304.4) $(24.2) $(295.6) $(76.7) $(304.4)
Reconciliations of net loss to net cash flows provided by operating activities:  
  
  
  
  
  
Depreciation and amortization 342.3
 251.0
 88.0
 354.2
 342.3
 251.0
Deferred income taxes (57.4) (45.5) (43.2) (126.6) (57.4) (45.5)
Manufacturer's profit in inventory adjustment 11.7
 76.5
 35.5
Unrealized foreign exchange loss 43.8
 97.3
 2.0
Non-cash fair value adjustment to contingent consideration 5.1
 6.8
 29.1
Amortization of inventory step-up 
 11.7
 76.5
Foreign exchange loss 114.0
 43.8
 97.3
Goodwill impairment 46.6
 
 
 160.0
 46.6
 
Gain on settlement agreement related to Series B Convertible Preferred Stock 
 (103.0) 
Other, net (22.9) 29.8
 7.2
 89.9
 85.2
 36.6
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:  
  
  
  
  
  
Accounts receivable (18.9) 66.7
 4.9
 (53.1) (18.9) 66.7
Inventory 70.4
 (7.3) 11.4
 (30.3) 70.4
 (7.3)
Accounts payable (67.3) 83.2
 10.9
 49.8
 (67.3) 83.2
Accrued expenses 25.4
 51.5
 (15.7) (9.2) 25.4
 51.5
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (27.0) (0.4) (20.3)
Other assets and liabilities (117.3) 15.3
 (7.7) (44.0) (116.9) 35.6
Net cash flows provided by operating activities 184.8
 320.9
 98.2
 182.1
 184.8
 320.9
Cash flows from investing activities:  
  
  
  
  
  
Capital expenditures (56.3) (47.9) (18.5) (59.4) (56.3) (47.9)
Investment in registrations of products (36.4) (34.4) 
 (40.5) (36.4) (34.4)
Proceeds from sale of assets 20.6
 25.8
 0.6
Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment 17.5
 20.6
 25.8
Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired 1.3
 (4,600.3) (1,361.8) (0.5) 1.3
 (4,600.3)
Restricted cash 
 599.7
 (600.0) (5.2) (0.5) 599.7
Note receivable 
 (125.0) 
 
 
 (125.0)
Settlement of foreign exchange contracts in connection with acquisition 
 (73.1) 
 
 
 (73.1)
Other, net (3.9) (1.3) (3.0) (4.5) (3.4) (1.3)
Net cash flows used in investing activities (74.7) (4,256.5) (1,982.7) (92.6) (74.7) (4,256.5)
Cash flows from financing activities:  
  
  
  
  
  
Debt proceeds, net of discount and premium 3,300.9
 3,921.8
 678.8
 4,142.7
 3,300.9
 3,921.8
Repayments of borrowings (3,340.1) (283.7) (9.1) (4,122.1) (3,340.1) (283.7)
Change in lines of credit, net 54.0
 (12.4) 
 (58.8) 54.0
 (12.4)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net 391.5
 469.5
 1,512.6
 1.4
 391.5
 469.5
Change in on-balance sheet factoring arrangements (3.5) (44.1) (3.9)
Payment of financing fees (1.1) (87.0) (13.2) (13.8) (1.1) (87.0)
Settlement of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock (460.0) 
 
 
 (460.0) 
Other, net (47.4) (7.0) (0.2) (13.3) (3.3) (3.1)
Net cash flows (used in) provided by financing activities (102.2) 4,001.2
 2,168.9
 (67.4) (102.2) 4,001.2
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents (17.5) (30.7) (10.1) 33.1
 (17.5) (30.7)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents (9.6) 34.9
 274.3
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 55.2
 (9.6) 34.9
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 432.2
 397.3
 123.0
 422.6
 432.2
 397.3
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $422.6
 $432.2
 $397.3
 $477.8
 $422.6
 $432.2
            
Supplemental disclosure information:  
  
  
      
Cash paid for interest $360.1
 $147.6
 $36.3
 $322.8
 $360.1
 $147.6
Cash paid for income taxes $121.2
 $73.3
 $27.5
 $145.0
 $121.2
 $73.3
Non-cash investing activities:  
  
  
Unpaid capital expenditures included in accounts payable and accrued expenses $7.1
 $4.7
 $2.4

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statementsstatements.


F-6




PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(In millions, except share and per share amounts)

 Preferred Stock Common Stock Additional Paid-in Capital Accumulated Deficit Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Total Stockholders' Equity Non-controlling Interests Total Equity (Deficit)
 Shares Amount Shares Amount
Balance at December 31, 20132,000,000
 $
 103,571,941
 $
 $1,212.0
 $(194.2) $1.3
 $1,019.1
 $96.0
 $1,115.1
Net (loss) income
 
 
 
 
 (29.9) 
 (29.9) 5.7
 (24.2)
Other comprehensive loss
 
 
 
 
 
 (131.9) (131.9) (6.4) (138.3)
Impact of Domestication
 
 
 1.0
 (1.0) 
 
 
 
 
Issuance of common shares at $11.00 per share on January 5, 2014
 
 3,959
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Issuance of common shares to Directors on 7/31/14
 
 9,242
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Issuance of common stock under ESPP
 
 11,139
 
 0.2
 
 
 0.2
 
 0.2
Exercise of warrants for common shares at $11.50 per share
 
 16,244,694
 0.2
 186.7
 
 
 186.9
 
 186.9
Issuance of common shares at $19.00 per share in connection with Private Placement Offering on May 20, 2014
 
 15,800,000
 0.2
 300.0
 
 
 300.2
 
 300.2
Issuance costs in connection with Private Placement Offering on May 20, 2014
 
 
 
 (13.8) 
 
 (13.8) 
 (13.8)
Issuance of common shares at $11.00 per share in connection with 401(k) Exchange Agreement
 
 1,670,386
 
 18.4
 
 
 18.4
 
 18.4
Issuance of common shares at $25.59 per share in connection with Private Placement Offering on October 8, 2014
 
 16,060,960
 0.2
 410.8
 
 
 411.0
 
 411.0
Issuance costs in connection with Private Placement Offering on October 8, 2014
 
 
 
 (0.3) 
 
 (0.3) 
 (0.3)
Issuance of common shares in connection with Agriphar Acquisition
 
 711,551
 
 16.6
 
 
 16.6
 
 16.6
Issuance of common shares in connection with Chemtura Acquisition
 
 2,000,000
 
 52.0
 
 
 52.0
 
 52.0
Issuance of common shares at $25.59 per share on November 6, 2014
 
 9,404,064
  
 240.6
 
 
 240.6
 
 240.6
Issuance of common shares at $24.50 per share in connection with Public Offering on Nov. 17, 2014
 
 16,445,000
 0.2
 402.7
 
 
 402.9
 
 402.9
Issuance costs in connection with Public Offering on November 17, 2014
 
 
 
 (15.1) 
 
 (15.1) 
 (15.1)
Declaration of stock dividend on Founders' preferred shares
 
 
 0.1
 (0.1) 
 
 
 
 
Recovery of short swing profits, net
 
 
 
 0.5
 
 
 0.5
 
 0.5
Equity compensation expense
 
 
 
 0.7
 
 
 0.7
 
 0.7
Conversion of PDH non-controlling interest to common shares
 
 134,044
 
 1.5
 
 
 1.5
 (1.5) 
Distribution to non-controlling interests
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (0.8) (0.8)
Balance at December 31, 20142,000,000
 $
 182,066,980
 $1.9
 $2,812.4
 $(224.1) $(130.6) $2,459.6
 $93.0
 $2,552.6
 Preferred Stock Common Stock Additional Paid-in Capital Treasury Stock Accumulated Deficit Accumulated other Comprehensive (Loss) Income Total Stockholders' Equity Non- controlling Interest Total Equity
 Shares AmountShares AmountShares Amount
Balance at December 31, 20162,000,000
 $
 284,221,168
 $2.8
 $3,981.3
 
 $
 $(573.5) $(674.5) $2,736.1
 $153.7
 $2,889.8
Net (loss) income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (296.2) 
 (296.2) 0.6
 (295.6)
Other comprehensive income, net of taxes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 252.5
 252.5
 3.6
 256.1
Exercise/ vesting of share based compensation
 
 122,769
 
 0.1
 6,618
 (0.1) 
 
 
 
 
Conversion of PDH Common Stock into common stock
 
 2,923,436
 0.1
 35.6
 
 
 
 
 35.7
 (35.7) 
Issuance of common stock under ESPP
 
 138,566
 
 1.3
 
 
 
 
 1.3
 
 1.3
Equity compensation expense
 
 
 
 11.7
 
 
 
 
 11.7
 
 11.7
Changes in non-controlling interests
 
 
 
 2.0
 
 
 
 
 2.0
 (5.3) (3.3)
Balance at December 31, 20172,000,000
 $
 287,405,939
 $2.9
 $4,032.0
 6,618
 $(0.1) $(869.7) $(422.0) $2,743.1
 $116.9
 $2,860.0

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statementsstatements.



F-7




PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (continued)
(In millions, except share and per share amounts)

 Preferred Stock Common Stock Additional
Paid-in
Capital
 Accumulated
Deficit
 Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
loss
 Total
Stockholders'
Equity
 Non-
controlling
interests
 Total equity
 Shares Amount Shares Amount 
Balance at December 31, 20142,000,000
 $
 182,066,980
 $1.9
 $2,812.4
 $(224.1) $(130.6) $2,459.6
 $93.0
 $2,552.6
Net (loss) income
 
 
 
 
 (308.6) 
 (308.6) 4.2
 (304.4)
Other comprehensive loss
 
 
 
 
 
 (755.5) (755.5) (40.0) (795.5)
Issuance of common stock to Founder Entities as stock dividend to Series A Preferred Stock declared on December 31, 2014
 
 10,050,290
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Issuance of common stock to former non-founder director for exercise of stock options
 
 75,000
 
 0.9
 
 
 0.9
 
 0.9
Conversion of PDH Common Stock into common stock
 
 578,874
 
 6.6
 
 
 6.6
 (6.6) 
Issuance of common stock under ESPP
 
 44,361
 
 0.7
 
 
 0.7
 
 0.7
Equity compensation expense
 
 
 
 0.9
 
 
 0.9
 
 0.9
Acquisition of non-controlling interest with Arysta Acquisition
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 125.4
 125.4
Issuance of common stock at $26.50 per share in June 2015 Equity Offering
 
 18,226,414
 0.2
 482.7
 
 
 482.9
 
 482.9
Issuance costs in connection with June 2015 Equity Offering
 
 
 
 (15.0) 
 
 (15.0) 
 (15.0)
Issuance of common shares to non-employee
 
 2,500
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Acquisition of remaining interest in Arysta Colombia
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (3.3) (3.3)
Issuance of common shares at $12.56 per share in connection with Alent acquisition on December 1, 2015
 
 18,419,738
 0.2
 231.2
 
 
 231.4
 
 231.4
Sale of 50.65% ownership in Arysta Toyo Green Co LTD, including maintenance sub
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (1.7) (1.7)
Distribution to non-controlling interests
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (1.6) (1.6)
Balance at December 31, 20152,000,000
 $
 229,464,157
 $2.3
 $3,520.4
 $(532.7) $(886.1) $2,103.9
 $169.4
 $2,273.3
 Preferred Stock Common Stock Additional Paid-in Capital Treasury Stock Accumulated Deficit Accumulated other Comprehensive (Loss) Income Total Stockholders' Equity Non- controlling Interest Total Equity
 Shares AmountShares AmountShares Amount
Balance at December 31, 20152,000,000
 $
 229,464,157
 $2.3
 $3,520.4
 
 $
 $(532.7) $(886.1) $2,103.9
 $169.4
 $2,273.3
Net loss
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (73.7) 
 (73.7) (3.0) (76.7)
Other comprehensive income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 211.6
 211.6
 2.0
 213.6
Issuance of common stock to former non-founder director for exercise of stock options
 
 7,642
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Conversion of PDH Common Stock into common stock
 
 325,431
 
 3.8
 
 
 
 
 3.8
 (3.8) 
Issuance of common stock under ESPP
 
 136,060
 
 0.9
 
 
 
 
 0.9
 
 0.9
Equity compensation expense
 
 
 
 7.4
 
 
 
 
 7.4
 
 7.4
Issuance of common stock at $8.25 per share in the September 2016 Equity Offering
 
 48,787,878
 0.5
 402.0
 
 
 
 
 402.5
 
 402.5
Issuance costs in connection with the September 2016 Equity Offering
 
 
 
 (11.9) 
 
 
 
 (11.9) 
 (11.9)
Series B Convertible Preferred Stock settlement
 
 5,500,000
 
 54.9
 
 
 32.9
 
 87.8
 
 87.8
Changes in non-controlling interests
 
 
 
 3.8
 
   
 
 3.8
 (10.9) (7.1)
Balance at December 31, 20162,000,000
 $
 284,221,168
 $2.8
 $3,981.3
 
 $
 $(573.5) $(674.5) $2,736.1
 $153.7
 $2,889.8

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statementsstatements.



F-8




PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (continued)
(In millions, except share and per share amounts)


 Preferred Stock Common Stock Additional Paid-in Capital Accumulated Deficit Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income Total Stockholders' Equity Non- controlling interest Total equity
 Shares AmountShares Amount
Balance at December 31, 20152,000,000
 $
 229,464,157
 $2.3
 $3,520.4
 $(532.7) $(886.1) $2,103.9
 $169.4
 $2,273.3
Net loss
 
 
 
 
 (73.7) 
 (73.7) (3.0) (76.7)
Other comprehensive income
 
 
 
 
 
 211.6
 211.6
 2.0
 213.6
Issuance of common stock to former non-founder director for exercise of stock options
 
 7,642
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Conversion of PDH Common Stock into common stock
 
 325,431
 
 3.8
 
 
 3.8
 (3.8) 
Issuance of common stock under ESPP
 
 136,060
 
 0.9
 
 
 0.9
 
 0.9
Equity compensation expense
 
 
 
 7.4
 
 
 7.4
 
 7.4
Issuance of common stock at $8.25 per share in the September 2016 Equity Offering
 
 48,787,878
 0.5
 402.0
 
 
 402.5
 
 402.5
Issuance costs in connection with the September 2016 Equity Offering
 
 
 
 (11.9) 
 
 (11.9) 
 (11.9)
Series B Convertible Preferred Stock settlement
 
 5,500,000
 
 54.9
 32.9
 
 87.8
 
 87.8
Changes in non-controlling interests
 
 
 
 3.8
 
 
 3.8
 (10.9) (7.1)
Balance at December 31, 20162,000,000
 $
 284,221,168
 $2.8
 $3,981.3
 $(573.5) $(674.5) $2,736.1
 $153.7
 $2,889.8
 Preferred Stock Common Stock Additional
Paid-in
Capital
 Treasury Stock Accumulated
Deficit
 Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
 Total
Stockholders'
Equity
 Non-
controlling
Interests
 Total Equity
 Shares Amount Shares Amount Shares Amount
Balance at December 31, 20142,000,000
 $
 182,066,980
 $1.9
 $2,812.4
 
 $
 $(224.1) $(130.6) $2,459.6
 $93.0
 $2,552.6
Net (loss) income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (308.6) 
 (308.6) 4.2
 (304.4)
Other comprehensive loss
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (755.5) (755.5) (40.0) (795.5)
Issuance of common stock to Founder Entities as stock dividend to Series A Preferred Stock declared on December 31, 2014
 
 10,050,290
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Issuance of common stock to former non-founder director for exercise of stock options
 
 75,000
 
 0.9
 
 
 
 
 0.9
 
 0.9
Conversion of PDH Common Stock into common stock
 
 578,874
 
 6.6
 
 
 
 
 6.6
 (6.6) 
Issuance of common stock under ESPP
 
 44,361
 
 0.7
 
 
 
 
 0.7
 
 0.7
Equity compensation expense
 
 
 
 0.9
 
 
 
 
 0.9
 
 0.9
Acquisition of non-controlling interest with Arysta Acquisition
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 125.4
 125.4
Issuance of common stock at $26.50 per share in June 2015 Equity Offering
 
 18,226,414
 0.2
 482.7
 
 
 
 
 482.9
 
 482.9
Issuance costs in connection with June 2015 Equity Offering
 
 
 
 (15.0) 
 
 
 
 (15.0) 
 (15.0)
Issuance of common shares to non-employee
 
 2,500
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Acquisition of remaining interest in Arysta Colombia
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (3.3) (3.3)
Issuance of common shares at $12.56 per share in connection with Alent acquisition on December 1, 2015
 
 18,419,738
 0.2
 231.2
 
 
 
 
 231.4
 
 231.4
Sale of 50.65% ownership in Arysta Toyo Green Co LTD, including maintenance subsidiary
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (1.7) (1.7)
Distribution to non-controlling interests
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (1.6) (1.6)
Balance at December 31, 20152,000,000
 $
 229,464,157
 $2.3
 $3,520.4
 
 $
 $(532.7) $(886.1) $2,103.9
 $169.4
 $2,273.3

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statementsstatements.


F-9




PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
 
1. BACKGROUND AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Description of the Company and BusinessBackground – Platform Specialty Products Corporation was incorporated in Delaware in January 2014 and its common stock, par value $0.01 per share, trades on the NYSE under the ticker symbol “PAH.”
Platform is a global and diversified producer of high-technology specialty chemical products. Platform's chemistry combinesbusiness involves the blending of a number of key ingredients to produce proprietary formulations. The Company is presentoperates in a wide variety of niche markets across multiple industries, including automotive, agricultural, animal health, electronics, graphic arts, plating,graphics, and offshore oil and gas production and drilling. Platform sells and delivers its products to customers through its sales and service workforce, regional distributors as well asand manufacturing representatives.
As its name implies, Platform is also an acquisition vehicle with a strategy of acquiring and maintaininghas leading positions in niche segments of high-growth markets. As such, theThe Company continually seeks opportunities to act as an acquirergrow and consolidator ofenhance its strategic position by pursuing inorganic initiatives, focusing on specialty chemical businesses on a global basis,or assets within its existing or complementary end-markets, particularly those meeting its “Asset-Lite, High-Touch” philosophy, which involves prioritizing resources to research and development, offering highly technical sales and customer service, and managing conservatively its investmentscapital investments. Platform regularly reviews acquisition opportunities and may acquire businesses that meet its acquisition criteria when it deems it to be financially prudent.
The Company's operations are organized into two reportable segments: Performance Solutions and Agricultural Solutions. The reporting segments represent businesses for which separate financial information is utilized by the chief operating decision maker, or CODM, for purpose of allocating resources and evaluating performance. Each of the reportable segments has its own president who reports to the CODM.
Performance Solutions – The Performance Solutions segment formulates and markets dynamic chemistry solutions worldwide which are used in fixed assetsautomotive production, electronics, commercial packaging and capital expenditures.printing, and oil and gas production and drilling. Its products include chemicals for metal deposition, functional conversion coatings, electronics assembly materials, water-based hydraulic control fluids, photopolymers, and other specialty chemistries that modify surfaces. In conjunction with the sale of its products, the segment provides extensive technical service and support to assure functional performance of the process used at its customer manufacturing locations. The segment provides specialty chemical solutions through the following five businesses: Assembly Solutions, Electronics Solutions, Industrial Solutions, Graphic Solutions and Offshore Solutions.
PrinciplesAgricultural Solutions – The Agricultural Solutions segment specializes in the development, formulation, registration, marketing and distribution of Consolidationdifferentiated Crop Protection solutions, including BioSolutions and Seed Treatments, for a variety of crops and applications. Its diverse Crop Protection chemicals control biotic stresses, such as weeds (herbicides), insects (insecticides) and diseases (fungicides). Its portfolio of proven BioSolutions is comprised of BioStimulants, which are derived from natural substances applied to plants, seeds or the soil in order to enhance yields and help crops withstand abiotic stress, such as drought or cold, and BioControl products, which perform the same task as conventional Crop Protection products with, in many cases, the added benefit of reduced chemical residues. The solutions are offered in multiple forms, such as foliar applications (direct application to leaves), furrow treatment (treatment of soil trenches or grooves wherein seeds are sown) or Seed Treatment (seed coating prior to planting). Its products allow it to partner with growers to address the ever-increasing need for higher crop yield and food quality.
Basis of Presentation – The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP and include the accounts of Platform and all of its respective controlled subsidiaries. All subsidiaries are included in the Consolidated Financial Statements for the entire period. The Company fully consolidates the income, expenses, assets, liabilities and cash flows of its subsidiaries from the date it acquires control or becomes the primary beneficiary. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated upon consolidation. In August 2017, the Company announced its intention to separate its Agricultural Solutions business into a standalone, independent company. The Agricultural Solutions business continues to be reported as part of the Company's continuing operations as the criteria for discontinued operations were not met at December 31, 2017.
Use of EstimatesIn preparing the Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with GAAP, management must undertake decisionsuse estimates and assumptions that impactaffect the reported amounts of assets and related disclosures.  Such decisions includeliabilities, the selectiondisclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the appropriate accounting principles to be appliedfinancial statements and assumptions upon which accounting estimates are based.the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. The Company applies judgment based


F-10




on its understanding and analysis of the relevant circumstances, to reach these decisions.  Byand by their nature, these judgments are subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty.  Accordingly, actual results could differ significantly from the estimates applied.  Significant items subject
Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to such estimates and assumptions include:conform to the useful lives of fixed and intangible assets, allowances for doubtful accounts and sales returns, deferred tax asset valuation allowances, inventory valuation allowances, stock-based compensation, liabilities for employee benefit obligations, environmental liabilities, income tax uncertainties, valuation of goodwill, acquisition-related contingent consideration, intangible assets and other contingencies.current year’s presentation.
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Cash and Cash Equivalents – The Company considers all highly liquid instruments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
The Company, from time to time, may be required to maintain cash deposits with certain banks with respect to certain contractual obligations. As of December 31, 2016Receivables and 2015, the Company was required to maintain restricted cash deposits of $0.9 million and $0.3 million, respectively. Restricted cash is included in "Other current assets" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Credit Risk ManagementAllowance for Doubtful AccountsPlatform's products are sold primarily to customers in the automotive, agriculture, animal health, electronics, graphic arts, and offshore oil and gas production and drilling industries.  The Company is exposeddetermines its allowance for doubtful accounts using a combination of factors to certain collection risks which are subjectreduce trade receivable balances to their estimated net realizable amount. The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts based on a variety of factors, including economicthe length of time receivables are past due, macroeconomic trends and technological changes within these industries.  As is common industry practice, the Company generally does not require collateral or other security as a condition of sale, rather relying on credit approval, balance limitation and monitoring procedures to control credit risk on trade accounts receivable.  For certain products that customers use on crops with growing seasons in excess of one year, it is industry practice for payment terms to exceed one year. Trade receivables related to these sales are classified as non-current assets. The Company establishes reserves against estimated uncollectible amounts based onconditions, significant one-time events, historical experience and specific knowledge regarding customers’ ability to pay. Customer accounts receivable that are deemed to be uncollectible are written off when they are identified and all reasonable collections efforts have been exhausted.
PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Derivatives– The Company operates internationally, with manufacturing and sales facilities in various locations around the world, and uses certain financial instruments to manage its foreign currency exposures.  To qualify a derivative as a hedge at inception and throughout the hedge period, the Company formally documents the nature and relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as its risk-management objectives and strategies for undertaking various hedge transactions, and the methodcondition of assessing hedge effectiveness. Additionally, for hedges of forecasted transactions, the significant characteristics and expected terms of a forecasted transaction are specifically identified, and the likelihood of each forecasted transactions occurring is deemed probable.  If it is determined that the forecasted transaction will not occur, the gain or loss is recognized in current earnings.  Financial instruments qualifying for hedge accounting must maintain a specified level of effectiveness between the hedging instrument and the item being hedged, both at inception and throughout the hedged period.  The Company does not engage in trading or other speculative uses of financial instruments. It is the Company's policy to disclose the fair value of derivative instruments that are subject to master netting arrangements on a gross basis in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The Company has used, and may use in the future, forward contracts and options to mitigate its exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates on third-party and intercompany forecasted transactions.  If hedge accounting is applied, the effective portion of unrealized gains and losses associated with forward contracts and the intrinsic value of option contracts are deferred as a component of other comprehensive income until the underlying hedged transactions are reported in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. For derivative contracts not designated as hedging instruments,customers. In addition, the Company records changesa specific reserve for individual accounts when it becomes aware of specific customer circumstances, such as in the net fair valuecase of bankruptcy filings or deterioration in the customer’s operating results or financial position. The past due or delinquency status of a receivable is based on the contractual payment terms of the such contracts in "(Loss) gain on derivative contracts" inreceivable. If circumstances related to the Consolidated Statementsspecific customer change, the Company adjusts estimates of Operations.
the recoverability of receivables as appropriate. Credit risk with respect to accounts receivable is generally diversified due to the large number of entities comprising the Company's customer base and its dispersion across many different geographical regions. The Company has also used, and may use in the future, contracts and options to mitigate its exposure to commodity prices in the precious metals markets.  Metal contracts that qualify as Normal Purchases are accounted for as executory contracts rather than as derivatives. Metals contracts that meet the definition of a derivative are recorded as a derivative asset or liability in the balance sheet and are subsequently marked-to-market every reporting period. The Company has not designated these derivatives as hedging instruments and, accordingly, records changes in the net fair valueperforms ongoing credit evaluations of the commodities futures contractsfinancial condition of its third-party distributors and other customers, and requires collateral, such as letters of credit and bank guarantees, in "(Loss) gain on derivative contracts" incertain circumstances. At December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Consolidated StatementsCompany did not believe that it had any significant concentrations of Operations.credit risk that could materially impact its results of operations.
Inventories – Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value with cost being determined by the first-in/first-out and average costs methods.  Inventories in excess of one year of forecasted sales are classified as non-current in "Other assets" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.Sheets as non-current "Other assets." The Company regularly reviews inventories for obsolescence and excess quantities and adjusted accordinglycalculates reserves based on historical write-offs, customer demand, product evolution, usage rates and quantities of stock on hand. Additional obsolescence reserves may be required if actual sales are less favorable than those projected.
Property, Plant and Equipment – Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation.  Equipment under capital lease arrangements is stated at the net present value of minimum lease payments.  The Company records depreciation on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of each asset.  
Estimated useful lives by asset class are as follows:
Buildings and building improvements (years) 5 to 20
Machinery, equipment and fixtures (years) 3 to 15
Computer hardware and software (years) 3 to 7
Furniture and automobiles (years) 3 to 7
Leasehold improvements 
Lesser of useful life
or lease life
  
Average useful life
(in years)
Buildings and building improvements 5 to 20
Machinery, equipment and fixtures 3 to 15
Computer hardware and software 3 to 7
Furniture and automobiles 3 to 7
Leasehold improvements 
Lesser of useful life
or lease term
Maintenance and repair costs are charged directly to expense; renewals and bettermentsimprovements which significantly extend the useful life of the asset are capitalized.capitalized and expensed over remaining useful life.  Costs and accumulated depreciation on assets retired or disposed of are removed from the accounts and any resulting gains or losses are recorded to earnings in the period of disposal.
Business Combinations The Company allocates the purchase price of acquisitions to tangible and intangible assets acquired, liabilities assumed and non-controlling interests in the acquiree based on their estimated fair values at the acquisition date. The excess of the acquisition price over those estimated fair values is recorded as goodwill. Changes to the acquisition date provisional fair values prior to the end of the measurement period, are recorded as an adjustment to the associated goodwill. Acquisition-related expenses and restructuring costs, if any, are recognized separately from the business combination and are expensed as incurred.


F-11

PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets Goodwill represents the excess of the acquisition cost over the fair value of the identifiable net assets of an acquired business.  The Company does not amortize goodwill and other intangible assets that have indefinite useful lives; rather, goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives are tested for impairment. Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level annually as of October 1,in the fourth quarter, or when events or changes in circumstances indicate that goodwill might be impaired.  The Company's reporting units are determined based upon its organizational structure in place at the date of the goodwill impairment test.  
A two-stepDuring the fourth quarter of 2017, the Company elected to early adopt ASU No. 2017-04, “Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment” which eliminates "Step 2" from the goodwill impairment test, is performed atbut still requires the reporting unit level.Company to perform "Step 1" of impairment testing. In the first step of impairment testing, the fair value of each reporting unit is compared to its carrying value.  The fair value of each reporting unit is determined using the income approach based on the present value of discounted future cash flows of those units.  Theflows.  Excluding certain nonrecurring charges, the discounted cash flows utilized in goodwill impairment testing differ from actual consolidatedare prepared based upon cash flows due to exclusion of non-recurring charges.at the reporting unit level.  The cash flow model utilized in the goodwill impairment test involves significant judgments related to future growth rates, working capital needs, discount rates and tax rates, among other considerations.  The Company relies on data developed by business unit management as well as macroeconomic data in making these calculations.  The discounted cash flow model utilizes a risk-adjusted weighted average cost of capital to discount estimated future cash flows.  Changes in these estimates can impactconsiderations from the present value of the expected cash flow that is used in determining the fair valuevantage point of a given reporting unit.market participant.  If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds the carrying value of the net assets assigned to that reporting unit, goodwill is not impaired and no further testing is required.  If the carrying value of the net assets assigned to the reporting unit exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit, the goodwill impairment loss is calculated as the difference between these amounts, limited to the amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit. Prior to the early adoption of this ASU, if the carrying value of the net assets assigned to the reporting unit exceeded the fair value of the reporting unit, the second step of the impairment test iswas performed to determine the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill.  The implied fair value of goodwill is determined by measuring the excess of the estimated fair value of the reporting unit over the estimated fair values of the individual assets, liabilities and identifiable intangibles as if the reporting unit was being acquired in a business combination.  If the carrying value of the reporting unit’s goodwill exceedsexceeded its implied fair value, an impairment charge iswas recorded equal to the difference.  
The primary components of and assumptions used in the assessment consist of the following:
Valuation Techniques - the Company uses a discounted cash flow analysis, which requires assumptions about short and long-term net cash flows, growth rates, as well as discount rates.  Additionally, it considers guideline company and guideline transaction information, where available, to aid in the valuation of the reporting units.
Growth Assumptions - Multi-year financial forecasts are developed for each reporting unit by considering several key business drivers such as new business initiatives, client service and retention standards, market share changes, historical performance, and industry and economic trends, among other considerations.
Discount Rate Assumptions - Discount rates are estimated based on the WACC, which combines the required return on equity and considers the risk-free interest rate, market risk premium, small stock risk premium and a company specific risk premium, with the cost of debt, based on rated corporate bonds, adjusted using an income tax factor.
Estimated Fair Value and Sensitivities - The estimated fair value of each reporting unit is derived from the valuation techniques described above.  The estimated fair value of each reporting unit is analyzed in relation to numerous market and historical factors, including current economic and market conditions, company-specific growth opportunities and guideline company information.
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets - Indefinite-lived intangible assets consist of certain tradenames, which are reviewed for potential impairment on an annual basis, as of October 1,in the fourth quarter, or more frequently when events or changes in circumstances indicate that indefinite-lived intangiblesuch assets mightmay be impaired.  Indefinite-lived intangible assets are reviewed for impairmentimpaired, by comparing thetheir estimated fair values of the indefinite-lived intangible assets to their carrying values.  The estimated fair values of these intangible assets are determined using the “relief from royalty” approach.  An impairment losscharge is recognized when the estimated faircarrying value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset is less thanexceeds its estimated fair value.  The Company uses the carrying value.“relief from royalty” method to estimate the fair value of trade name intangible assets for impairment.  The primary assumptions used to estimate the present value of cash flows from such assets include sales projections and growth rates being applied to a prevailing market-based royalty rate, the effects of which are then tax effected, and discounted using the WACC from the vantage point of a market participant.  Assumptions concerning sales projections are impacted by the uncertain nature of global and local economic conditions in the various markets it serves.
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets – Finite-lived intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, which currently range from 8 to 30 years for customer lists, 5 to 14 years for developed technology, 5 to 20 years for tradenamestrade names and 1up to 5 years for non-compete agreements.  The Company evaluates long-lived assets, such as property, plant and equipment and intangible assets with finite lives, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable.  If circumstances require a long-lived asset group to be tested for possible impairment, the Company first determines if the estimated undiscounted future pre-tax cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset plus net proceeds expected from disposition of the asset, if any, are less than the carrying value of the asset.  When an impairment is identified, the carrying amountvalue of the asset is reduced to its estimated fair value based on a discounted cash flow approach or, when available and appropriate, to comparable market values.
Product Registrations – Product registrations represent external costs incurred to obtain distribution rights from regulatory bodies for certain products in the Company's Agricultural Solutions segment. These costs include laboratory testing, legal, regulatory filing and other costs. Only costs associated with products that are probable of generating future cash flows are capitalized. The capitalized costs are amortized, on a straight line basis, over the useful lives of the registrations, which currently range from 12 to


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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



14 years, and are included in "Selling, technical, general and administrative" expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. Product registrations are evaluated for impairment in the same manner as other finite-lived intangible assets.
Asset Retirement Obligations (AROs) – The Company records the fair value of legal obligations associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets in the period in which they are incurred, if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made.  Upon initial recognition of a liability, the Company capitalizes the cost of the AROs by increasing the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset.  Over time, the liability is increased for changes in its present value as accretion through interest expense and the capitalized cost is depreciated over the useful life of the related asset.
Contingencies and Commitments - The Company records accruals for loss contingencies and commitments which are both probable and reasonably estimable. Significant judgment is required to determine both probability and the estimated amount of loss. The Company reviews accruals on a quarterly basis and adjusts, as necessary, to reflect the impact of negotiations, settlements, rulings, advice of legal counsel, and other current information.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Environmental Matters - The Company accrues for environmental matters when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the liability can be reasonably estimated based on current laws and existing technologies. The accruals are adjusted periodically as assessment and remediation efforts progress or as additional technical or legal information becomes available. Accruals for environmental liabilities are included onin the Consolidated Balance Sheets inas “Accrued expenses and other current liabilities” and “Other long-term liabilities” at undiscounted amounts. Accruals for related insurance or other third-party recoveries for environmental liabilities are recorded when it is probable that a recovery will be realized and are included onin the Consolidated Balance Sheets inas “Other current assets" and "Other assets."
Environmental costs are capitalized in instances where the costs extend the life of the property, increase its capacity and/or mitigate or prevent contamination from future operations. Environmental costs are also capitalized in recognition of legal asset retirement obligations resulting from the acquisition, construction and/or normal operation of a long-lived asset. Costs related to environmental contamination treatment and cleanup are charged to expense. Estimated future incremental operations, maintenance and management costs directly related to remediation are accrued when such costs are probable and reasonably estimable.
Employee BenefitsAmounts recognized in the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements related to pension and other post-retirement benefits are determined from actuarial valuations.  Inherent in such valuations are assumptions including expected return on plan assets, discount rates at which the liabilities could be settled, rates of increase in future compensation levels and mortality rates.  These assumptions are updated annually and are disclosed in Note 10, Pension, Post-Retirement and Post-Employment Plans, to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this 2017 Annual Report.  In accordance with GAAP, actual results that differ from the assumptions are accumulated in other comprehensive income and amortized over future periods and, therefore, affect expense recognized.
The Company sponsorsconsiders a varietynumber of employee benefit programs, somefactors in determining and selecting assumptions for the overall expected long-term rate of whichreturn on plan assets.  The Company considers the historical long-term return experience of its assets, the current and expected allocation of its plan assets and expected long-term rates of return.  Expected long-term rates of return are non-contributory.derived with the assistance of investment advisors.  The accounting policiesCompany bases its expected allocation of plan assets on a diversified portfolio consisting of domestic and international equity securities, fixed income, real estate and alternative asset classes.  The measurement date used to accountdetermine pension and other post-retirement benefits is December 31, at which time the minimum contribution level for these plans are as follows:the following year is determined.
RetirementDerivatives – The Company provides non-contributory defined benefit plansoperates internationally and uses certain financial instruments to domesticmanage its foreign currency exposures.  To designate a derivative for hedge accounting at inception and certain foreign employees.  The projected unit credit actuarialthroughout the hedge period, the Company formally documents the nature and relationships between hedging instrument and hedged item, as well as its risk-management objectives and strategies for undertaking various hedge transactions, and the method of assessing hedge effectiveness. Additionally, for hedges of forecasted transactions, the significant characteristics and expected terms of forecasted transactions are specifically identified, and the likelihood of each forecasted transaction occurring is useddeemed probable.  If it is determined that a forecasted transaction will not occur, a gain or loss is recognized in current earnings.  Financial instruments qualifying for financial reporting purposes.hedge accounting must maintain a specified level of effectiveness between the hedging instrument and the item being hedged, both at inception and throughout the hedged period.  The Company recognizesdoes not engage in trading or other speculative uses of financial instruments. It is the funded statusCompany's policy to disclose the fair value of derivative instruments that are subject to master netting arrangements on a gross basis in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.


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PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



The Company has used, and may use in the future, forward contracts and options to mitigate its exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates on third-party and intercompany forecasted transactions.  If hedge accounting is applied, the effective portion of unrealized gains and losses associated with forward contracts and the intrinsic value of option contracts are deferred as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income until the underlying hedged transactions are reported in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. For derivative contracts not designated as hedging instruments, the Company records changes in the net fair value of the such contracts in "Other (expense) income, net" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
The Company has also used, and may use in the future, contracts and options to mitigate its exposure to commodity prices in the precious metals markets.  Metal contracts that qualify as normal purchases are accounted for as executory contracts rather than as derivatives. Metals contracts that meet the definition of a derivative are recorded as a derivative asset or liability in the Consolidated Balance Sheets which represents the difference betweenand are subsequently marked-to-market every reporting period. The Company has not designated these derivatives as hedging instruments and, accordingly, records changes in the fair value of the plan assets andcommodities futures contracts in "Other (expense) income, net" in the projected benefit obligation. The Company’s funding policy for qualified plans is consistent with federal or other local regulations and customarily equals the amount deductible for federal and local income tax purposes.  Foreign subsidiaries contribute to other plans, which may be administered privately or by government agencies in accordance with local regulations.
401(k) - The Company also provides benefits under the PSP 401(k) Plan, for substantially all domestic employees, which consistsConsolidated Statements of two components: a discretionary profit-sharing/non-elective component, funded by the Company, and a defined contribution 401(k) component.  Under the discretionary profit-sharing/non-elective component, the Company's non-elective contributions to the PSP 401(k) Plan totaled $3.4 million, $1.5 million and $1.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and are funded during the first quarters of each subsequent year.  Under the defined contribution 401(k) component, on a yearly basis, the Company may determine to make contributions that match some or all of the participants’ contributions. For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, the Company contributed $2.8 million, $1.4 million and $0.7 million to the PSP 401(k) Plan, respectively.
Post-retirement The Company accrues for post-retirement health care benefits for U.S. employees hired prior to April 1, 1997.  The post-retirement health care plan is unfunded.Operations.
Financial Instruments – The Company’s financial instruments consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, investments, accounts payable, contingent consideration and debt.  The Company believes that the carrying value of the cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable and accounts payable are representative of their respective fair values because of thetheir short maturities of these instruments.maturities.  Available for sale equity investments are carried at fair value with net unrealized gains or losses included in "Accumulated other comprehensive loss" in the stockholders’ equity section of the Consolidated Balance Sheets.  See Note 11,13, Fair Value MeasurementsFinancial Instruments, to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Equity Securities Equity securities that have a readily determinable fair valuevalues are classified as available for sale and are carried at fair value. Unrealized holding gains and losses are included in "Accumulated other comprehensive loss" in the stockholders’ equity section of the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Equity securities which do not have readily determinable fair values are recorded at cost and are evaluated whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying values of such investments may be impaired. Equity securities are included in "Other assets" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.Sheets as "Other assets."
Equity Method InvestmentsInvestments over which the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence, but which the Company does not control, are accounted for under the equity method of accounting and are included in "Other assets" on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.Sheets as "Other assets." Significant influence generally exists when the Company holds between 20% and 50% of the voting power of another entity. Investments are initially recognized at cost. The Consolidated Financial Statements include the Company's share of net earnings or losses from the date that significant influence commences until the date that significant influence ceases. When the Company's share of losses exceeds its interest in an equity investment, the carrying amount of that interest is reduced to zero, and the recognition of further losses is discontinued, except to the extent that the Company has an obligation or has made payments on behalf of the investee.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Accounts Receivable Factoring Arrangements - Accounts receivable factoring arrangements whereby accounts receivable are transferred to third parties without recourse to the Company are accounted for by derecognizing the trade receivables upon receipt of proceeds. Accounts receivable factoring arrangements whereby accounts receivable are transferred to third parties with substantial recourse to the Company are accounting for as financings.
Foreign Currency Translation The Company’s foreign subsidiaries primarily use their local currency as their functional currency.  The assets and liabilities of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. Dollarsdollars using foreign currency exchange rates prevailing as ofat the balance sheet dates.  Revenue and expense accounts are translated at average foreign currency exchange rates for the periods presented.  Cumulative currency translation adjustments are included in "Accumulated other comprehensive loss" in the stockholders’ equity section of the Consolidated Balance Sheets.  Net gains and losses from transactions denominated in a currencycurrencies other than the functional currency of the entity are included in "Foreign exchange loss" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. 
Revenue Recognition – The Company recognizes revenue including freight chargedeither upon shipment or delivery of product depending on when it is reasonably assured that both title and the risks and rewards of ownership have been passed on to customers, net of applicablethe customer. Estimates for sales rebates, estimates forincentives and discounts, as well as sales returns and allowances, and discounts,are accounted for as a reduction of revenue when the earnings process is complete. This occurs when products have been shippedSales rebates, incentives and discounts are typically earned by customers based on annual sales volume targets, which vary by each segment. The Company records an estimate for these accruals based on contract terms and our historical experience with similar programs. An estimate for future expected sales returns is recorded based on historical experience with product returns; however, additional allowances may be required if the historical data used to or received by,calculate these estimates does not approximate future sales returns. Differences between estimated expense and actual costs are normally immaterial and are recognized in earnings in the customer, in accordance with the terms of the agreement by and between the Company andperiod such customer, title and risk of loss has been transferred, pricing is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured.differences are determined.
On a limited and discretionary basis, the Company allows certain distributors within the Agricultural Solutions segment extensions of credit on a limited portion of purchases madethe sales to them during a purchasing cycle, which remain in the distributor’s inventory. The extension of credit is not a right to return, and distributors must pay unconditionally when the extended credit period expires.
Cost of Sales – Cost of sales consists primarily of raw material costs and related purchasing and receiving costs used in the manufacturing process, direct salary and wages and related fringe benefits, packaging costs, shipping and handling costs, plant overhead and other costs associated with the manufacture and distribution of the Company’s products.  For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 , cost of sales included a manufacturer’s profit in inventory adjustment of $11.7 million, $76.5 million and $35.5 million, respectively, associated with inventory revaluations related to the various Acquisitions.
Shipping and Handling Costs Costs related to shipping and handling are recognized as incurred and included in cost of sales in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Selling, Technical, General and Administrative Expenses – Selling, technical, general and administrative expenses consist primarily of personnel and travel costs, advertising and marketing expenses, administrative expenses associated with accounting, finance, legal, human resource, amortization of intangible assets, risk management and overhead associated with these functions.F-14

PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
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Research and Development Research and development costs, which primarily relate to internal salaries, are expensed as incurred.
Income Taxes – The provision for income taxes includes federal, foreign, state and local income taxes currently payable as well as the net change inCompany recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities duringbased on the period.  Deferred income taxes are recorded at currently enacted tax rates for temporary differences between the financial reportingstatement basis and incomethe tax bases of assets, liabilities, net operating losses and liabilities.tax credit carryforwards. A valuation allowance is assessedrequired to be recognized to reduce the recorded deferred tax asset to the amount that will more likely than not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income by jurisdiction during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible or when carryforwards can be utilized. The Company considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and recorded whentax planning strategies in this assessment. If these estimates and related assumptions change in the future, the Company may be required to record additional valuation allowances against its deferred tax assets resulting in additional income tax expense. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences and carryforwards are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date of such change. Considering that the TCJA was enacted on December 22, 2017, the effect would normally be required to be recognized in the fourth quarter of 2017. The SEC staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin 118 (“SAB 118”) to address the application of GAAP in situations where a registrant does not have the necessary information available, prepared or analyzed (including computations) in reasonable detail to complete the accounting for certain income tax effects of the TCJA.
In particular, SAB 118 clarifies that the impact of the TCJA must be accounted for and reported in one of three ways: (1) by reflecting the tax effects of the TCJA for which the accounting is complete; (2) by reporting provisional amounts for those specific income tax effects of the TCJA for which the accounting is incomplete but a reasonable estimate can be determined, with such provisional amounts (or adjustments to provisional amounts) identified in the measurement period, as defined therein, being included as an adjustment to tax expense in the period the amounts are determined; or (3) where the income tax effects cannot be reasonably estimated, no provisional amounts should be reported and the registrant should continue to apply the accounting standard for income taxes based on the provisions of the tax laws that were in effect immediately prior to the enactment of the TCJA. SAB 118 allows companies to record provisional amounts during a one year measurement period.
The Company is subject to income taxes in the United States and in various states and foreign jurisdictions.  Significant judgment is required in evaluating uncertain tax positions and determining provisions for income taxes.  The first step in evaluating the tax position for recognition is to determine the amount of evidence that supports a favorable conclusion for the tax position upon audit.  In order to recognize the tax position, the Company must determine whether it is estimated that it becomes more likely than not that the full valueposition is sustainable. The final evaluation step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that has a more than 50% chance of a deferred tax asset may not be realized.  In addition, although managementbeing realized upon final settlement. Although the Company believes that itsthe positions taken on income tax matters are reasonable, the Companyit establishes tax reserves in recognition that various taxing authorities may challenge certain of those positions taken, potentially resulting in additional tax liabilities. Deferred federal and state income taxes are not provided on the undistributed earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries where management has determined that such earnings have been indefinitely reinvested.
Stock-Based Compensation Plans – Stock-based compensation expense is recognized primarily within selling, technical, general and administrative expenses and is based on the value of the portion of equity-based awards that are ultimately expected to vest. The Company expenses employee stock-based compensation over the requisite service period based on the estimated grant-date fair value of the awards.  The fair value of RSU awards is determined using Monte Carlo simulations for market-based RSU awards, and the closing price of Platform's common stock on the date of grant for all other RSU awards. The fair value of stock options is determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.  The assumptions used in calculating the fair value of stock-based awards represent the Company's best estimates and involve inherent uncertainties and the application of judgment. SuchInputs in the model include assumptions include expectations related to stock price volatility, award terms and judgments as to whether performance targets will be achieved.
Compensation costs for RSU awards reflects the number of awards expected to vest and is ultimately adjusted in future periods to reflect the actual number of vested awards. Compensation costs for awards with performance conditions are only recognized if and when it becomes probable that the performance condition will be achieved. The probability of vesting is reassessed at the
PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


end of each reporting period and the compensation costs are adjusted accordingly, with the cumulative effect of such a change on current and prior periods being recognized in compensation cost in the period of the change. Compensation costs for stock options and market-based RSUs are recorded ratably over the vesting term of the options, effected for forfeitures as they occur.
Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share – Basic earnings (loss) per common share excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period.  Diluted earnings (loss) per common share assumes the issuance of all potentially dilutive share equivalents using the if-converted or treasury stock method, provided that the effects of which are not anti-dilutive.  For stock options and RSUs, it is


F-15

PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



assumed that the proceeds will be used to buy back shares.  For stock options, such proceeds equal the average unrecognized compensation plus the assumed exercise of weighted average number of options outstanding.  For unvested RSUs, the assumed proceeds equal the average unrecognized compensation expense.
Fair Value Measurements - The Company determines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Inputs used in the valuation techniques to derive fair values are classified based on a three-level hierarchy. The basis for fair value measurements for each level within the hierarchy is described below, with Level 1 having the highest priority and Level 3 having the lowest. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:
Accounting StandardsLevel 1 – inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2 – inputs are quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in non-active markets; and model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable or whose significant valuation drivers are observable.
Level 3 – inputs to valuation models are unobservable and/or reflect the Company’s market assumptions.
The fair value hierarchy is based on maximizing the use of observable inputs and minimizing the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. Classification within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The Company transfers the fair value of an asset or liability between levels of the fair value hierarchy at the end of the reporting period during which a significant change in the inputs used to determine the fair value has occurred.
NAV Practical Expedient is the measure of fair value using the net asset value, or NAV, per share (or its equivalent) as an alternative to the fair value hierarchy discussed above.
Out of Period Adjustments
During 2017, the Company identified and corrected out-of-period errors originating in 2016 associated with income taxes. The impact of these errors was the overstatement of net loss in 2016 and the understatement of net loss in 2017 of $9.3 million.
During 2016, the Company identified and corrected out of period errors originating in 2015 associated with income taxes, specifically the tax accounting for one of Arysta’s foreign subsidiary’s net operating loss carry-forwards in which the local tax law limited their use over time. The impact of this error ($9.5 million) and other immaterial errors was the understatement of net loss in 2015 and the overstatement of net loss in 2016 of approximately $9.3 million.
As previously disclosed in the Company's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2016, the Company identified and corrected an error that effected prior periods related to the allocation of expenses to non-controlling interests. On a cumulative basis since the first quarter of 2015, the Company determined $6.1 million of expenses were not properly allocated to its non-controlling interests resulting in an overstatement of “Non-controlling interests” and “Accumulated deficit” in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets and an understatement of “Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests” and overstatement of “Net loss attributable to stockholders” in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Additionally, in connection with the preparation of the Company’s 2016 Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company identified and corrected an error in its 2015 Consolidated Financial Statements. This error was related to the original purchase accounting for the Arysta Acquisition. The Company used the foreign currency exchange rates at January 31, 2015 rather than February 13, 2015, the date of the acquisition, to translate the balance sheet. Accordingly, within the Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2016, “Goodwill” was increased by $15.1 million with a corresponding offset to “Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments” within “Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss).”
The Company evaluated the errors impacting 2017, 2016 and 2015 individually and in the aggregate in relation to the quarterly and annual periods in which they originated and the quarterly and annual periods in which they were corrected. Management concluded that these adjustments were not material to the Company’s 2017, 2016 or 2015 Consolidated Financial Statements.


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PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



3. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
Recently Adopted Accounting PronouncementsOut of Period Adjustments
Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718) - In MarchDuring 2017, the Company identified and corrected out-of-period errors originating in 2016 associated with income taxes. The impact of these errors was the overstatement of net loss in 2016 and the understatement of net loss in 2017 of $9.3 million.
During 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, “Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting.” This update changes the accounting treatment related to tax windfallCompany identified and shortfallscorrected out of period errors originating in 2015 associated with share-based awards. It also eliminatesincome taxes, specifically the requirementtax accounting for entities to estimate future forfeiture rates associated with share-based awards and stipulates the requirement that cash payments made by employers when directly withholding shares for tax-withholdings purposes should be classified as a financing activity in the statementone of cash flows. The guidance is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016 with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted this ASU as of April 1, 2016. This ASU did not have a material impact on the Company's financial statements.
Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40) - In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-05, “Customer's Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement.” This update provides explicit guidance to customers utilizing a cloud computing solution to help determine whether such an arrangement includes a software license,Arysta’s foreign subsidiary’s net operating loss carry-forwards in which case the accounting applied would be similar to that of other software license arrangements. Otherwise, the arrangement would be accounted for as a service contract.local tax law limited their use over time. The Company adopted this ASU as of January 1, 2016. This ASU did not have a material impact on the Company's financial statements.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
Other Income - Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets (Subtopic 610-20) - In February 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-05, “Other Income - Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets (Subtopic 610-20), Clarifying the Scope of Asset Derecognition Guidance and Accounting for Partial Sales of Nonfinancial Assets.” This update clarifies the scope of Subtopic 610-20, Other Income - Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets, and adds guidance for partial sales of nonfinancial assets. The guidance is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017 with early adoption permitted for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period. The Company will adopt this ASU concurrently with the adoption of ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)," and is evaluating the impact of this ASU.error ($9.5 million) and other immaterial errors was the understatement of net loss in 2015 and the overstatement of net loss in 2016 of approximately $9.3 million.
Intangibles - GoodwillAs previously disclosed in the Company's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2016, the Company identified and Other (Topic 350) - In January 2017,corrected an error that effected prior periods related to the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, “Simplifyingallocation of expenses to non-controlling interests. On a cumulative basis since the Testfirst quarter of 2015, the Company determined $6.1 million of expenses were not properly allocated to its non-controlling interests resulting in an overstatement of “Non-controlling interests” and “Accumulated deficit” in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets and an understatement of “Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests” and overstatement of “Net loss attributable to stockholders” in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Additionally, in connection with the preparation of the Company’s 2016 Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company identified and corrected an error in its 2015 Consolidated Financial Statements. This error was related to the original purchase accounting for Goodwill Impairment.” This update simplifies how an entity is required to test goodwill for impairment by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. The guidance is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted for annual goodwill tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017.Arysta Acquisition. The Company is evaluatingused the impactforeign currency exchange rates at January 31, 2015 rather than February 13, 2015, the date of the ASU.acquisition, to translate the balance sheet. Accordingly, within the Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2016, “Goodwill” was increased by $15.1 million with a corresponding offset to “Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments” within “Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss).”
Business Combinations (Topic 805) - In January,The Company evaluated the errors impacting 2017, 2016 and 2015 individually and in the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01, “Clarifying the Definition of a Business.” The amendmentsaggregate in this update provide a more robust framework to use in determining whether or not a set of assets and activities constitute a business. The amendments provide more consistency in applying the guidance, reduce the costs of application, and make the definition of a business more operable. The guidance is effective prospectively for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. This ASU may have a material impact on accounting for business and asset acquisitions if conclusions regarding whether the acquisitions represent a business are different subsequentrelation to the adoption of this ASU.quarterly and annual periods in which they originated and the quarterly and annual periods in which they were corrected. Management concluded that these adjustments were not material to the Company’s 2017, 2016 or 2015 Consolidated Financial Statements.
Income Taxes (Topic 740) - In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-16, "Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other than Inventory." This update stipulates that entities recognize the income tax consequences of intra-entity transfers of assets other than inventory when the transfer occurs.  The amendments in this guidance apply to assets other than inventory; for example, intellectual

F-16

PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


property and property, plant and equipment.  The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted in the first quarter of an annual reporting period for which financial statements have not been issued or made available for issuance. The Company is continuing to evaluate the impact of this ASU.
Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) - In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, "Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments." This update was issued to reduce the differences in the classification of certain transactions in the statement of cash flows. The update addresses eight specific cash flow issues, including debt prepayment and extinguishment costs, zero coupon bond settlement, contingent consideration payments, insurance claim settlements, company-owned life insurance receipts/payments, distributions from equity method investments, beneficial interests in securitization transactions, and separately identifiable cash flows. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The Company is continuing to evaluate the impact of the ASU.
Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326) - In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, "Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments." This update introduces new guidance for the accounting for credit losses on certain types of financial instruments, which are to be estimated based on the expected losses. It also modifies the impairment model for available-for-sale debt securities and provides for a simplified accounting model for purchased financial assets with credit deterioration since their origination. The guidance is effective on a modified retrospective basis for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019 with early adoption permitted for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company is evaluating the impact of this ASU.
Leases (Topic 842) - In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases.” The updated guidance applies to capital (or finance) and operating leases, and requires the lessee to recognize a lease liability for the obligation to make lease payments and a right-of-use asset for the right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. The lessee can make an accounting policy choice to not recognize right of use assets and lease liabilities for short-term leases (leases with a lease term of 12 months or less). The guidance is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. The Company continues to evaluate the impact of this ASU.
Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825.10) - In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-1, “Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.” This update addresses certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial assets and liabilities. Provisions of this ASU include, among others, requiring the measurement of certain equity investments at fair value, with changes in value recognized in net income, and simplifying the impairment assessment of certain equity investments. The guidance is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The guidance is effective on a modified retrospective basis, except as it relates to equity securities without a readily determinable fair value, for which it is effective on a prospective basis. Early adoption is only permitted for provisions related to the recognition of changes in fair value of financial liabilities. The Company does not expect this ASU to have a material impact on its financial statements.
Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)- In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14, “Deferral of the Effective Date,” which defers the effective date of ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)," for all entities by one year. As a result, the provisions of ASU No. 2014-09 will be effective prospectively for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017. ASU No. 2014-09 (1) removes inconsistencies and weaknesses in revenue requirements, (2) provides a more robust framework for addressing revenue issues, (3) improves comparability of revenue recognition practices across entities, industries, jurisdictions, and capital markets, (4) provides more useful information to users of financial statements through improved disclosure requirements, and (5) simplifies the preparation of financial statements by reducing the number of requirements to which an entity must refer.  The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The guidance allows for the use of either a full retrospective method or modified retrospective transition method in adopting the provisions of this ASU. The FASB has issued the following amendments and supplements to the guidance of ASU Nos. 2014-09 and 2015-14, all of which become effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017:
ASU No. 2016-08, "Principal versus Agent Considerations," issued in March 2016. This update improves the operability and understandability of the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations.
ASU No. 2016-10, "Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing," issued in April 2016. This update provides clarification on the implementation guidance defining when a good or service is separately identifiable from other promises in the contract and on contracts with licenses of intellectual property.
ASU No. 2016-12, "Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients," issued in May 2016. This update provides clarification on the collectability criterion, presentation of taxes, non-cash consideration and contract modification
PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


guidance espoused in ASU No. 2014-09. This update also clarifies the accounting treatment for completed contracts and retrospective application of the standard to prior reporting periods.3. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
The Company is currently in the process of evaluating and implementing this new guidance, as required, and at this time expects to use the modified retrospective basis starting in 2018. Platform will provide additional updates in future filings when appropriate.
Out of Period Adjustments
During 2017, the Company identified and corrected out-of-period errors originating in 2016 associated with income taxes. The impact of these errors was the overstatement of net loss in 2016 and the understatement of net loss in 2017 of $9.3 million.
During 2016, the Company identified and corrected out of period errors originating in 2015 associated with income taxes, specifically the tax accounting for one of Arysta’s foreign subsidiary’s net operating loss carry-forwards in which the local tax law limited their use over time. The impact of this error ($9.5 million) and other immaterial errors was the understatement of net loss in 2015 and the overstatement of net loss in 2016 of approximately $9.3 million.
As previously disclosed in the Company's 2016 Q3quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2016, the Company identified and corrected an error that effected prior periods related to the allocation of expenses to non-controlling interests. On a cumulative basis since the first quarter of 2015, the Company determined $6.1 million of expenses were not properly allocated to its non-controlling interests resulting in an overstatement of “Non-controlling interests” and “Accumulated deficit” in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets and an understatement of “Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests” and overstatement of “Net loss attributable to stockholders” in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations. Based on an analysis of qualitative and quantitative factors, management has concluded that this error was not material to the Company's 2015 or 2016 Consolidated Financial Statements.
Additionally, in connection with the preparation of the Company’s 2016 Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company identified and corrected an error in its 2015 Consolidated Financial Statements. This error was related to the original purchase accounting for the Arysta Acquisition. The Company used the foreign currency exchange rates as ofat January 31, 2015 rather than February 13, 2015, the date of the acquisition, to translate the balance sheet. Based on an analysis of qualitative and quantitative factors, management has concluded that this impact was not material to the Company’s 2015 and 2016 Consolidated Financial Statements. Accordingly, within the Consolidated Balance Sheet as ofat December 31, 2016, “Goodwill” was increased by $15.1 million with a corresponding offset to “Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments” within “Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss).”
The Company also identifiedevaluated the errors impacting 2017, 2016 and corrected an error related2015 individually and in the aggregate in relation to the tax accounting for one of Arysta’s foreign subsidiary’s net operating loss carry-forwardsquarterly and annual periods in which they originated and the local tax law limited their use over time. This error resultedquarterly and annual periods in an understatement of the valuation allowance on net foreign operating loss carrying-forwards of $22.4 million, $12.9 million of which should have been recorded as additional goodwill in purchase accounting, and $9.5 million which should have been recognized as income tax expense in 2015.  Based upon an analysis of qualitative and quantitative factors, management hasthey were corrected. Management concluded that this error wasthese adjustments were not material to the Company’s 20152017, 2016 or 20162015 Consolidated Financial Statements.
Misclassification

F-16

PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



3. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350) - In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, “Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment.” This ASU simplifies the testing for goodwill impairments by eliminating "Step 2" from the goodwill impairment test. Under the new guidance, goodwill impairment losses are calculated based on the "Step 1" computation with the impairment loss being equal to the amount by which a reporting unit's carrying amount exceeds its implied fair value, limited to the amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit. The guidance is effective prospectively as of January 1, 2020, with early adoption permitted. The Company elected to early adopt this guidance in connection with its 2017 annual impairment test. See Note 8, Goodwill and Intangible Assets, for more information.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) - In May 2014, the preparationFASB issued ASU 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers," as a new Topic, ASC Topic 606. The core principle of the Company’s 2016 Consolidated Financial Statements,guidance is that a company should recognize revenue to depict the Company identifiedtransfer of promised goods or services in an error in its 2015 Consolidated Financial Statements relatedamount that reflects the consideration to which the classification of a portion of inventory that was not expectedentity expects to be sold within a year that should have been reflected as a non-current asset. Based on an analysisentitled in exchange for those goods and services. The new guidance requires expanded disclosure of qualitative and quantitative factors, managementinformation about the Company's revenues from contracts with customers.
The Company assembled a project implementation team to assess the impact of the guidance by reviewing its current accounting policies and practices to identify potential differences that would result from applying the new requirements to its revenue contracts, including evaluating its performance obligations, principal versus agent considerations, contract costs, and variable consideration. The Company has completed its contract reviews and evaluation of impact and has concluded that this misclassification wasguidance will not have a material impact on its financial statements upon adoption since the timing and pattern of revenue recognition will predominantly continue to be recognized as the Company’s performance obligation to ship or deliver its products is completed and the transfer of control has passed to the Company's 2015customer in accordance with the new standard. The Company will adopt the new guidance effective January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective method.
Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) - In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, "Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments." This ASU, which will be retrospectively adopted by the Company as of January 1, 2018, was issued to reduce diversity in practice for how certain cash receipts and cash payments are classified and presented in the statement of cash flows. Upon adoption of the new guidance, the Company will retrospectively report its 2017 and 2016 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the following items:
Arrangements whereby the Company sells trade receivables to third parties without recourse and receives beneficial interests for a portion of these receivables, the proceeds of which are currently included in “Operating Activities” in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Under the new guidance, approximately $69.0 million and $3.9 million of beneficial interests will be disclosed as a non-cash activity, with cash receipts of approximately $44.3 million and $3.4 million classified as cash inflows from "Investing Activities" in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for 2017 and 2016, respectively.
Cash payments for debt prepayments and debt extinguishment costs of approximately $8.8 million and $8.4 million will be reclassified from "Operating Activities" to "Financing Activities" in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for 2017 and 2016, respectively.
Income Taxes (Topic 740) - In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-16, "Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other than Inventory." This ASU requires the recognition of income tax consequences of intra-entity transfers of assets other than inventory when the transfer occurs and removes the exception to postpone recognition until the asset has been sold to an outside party.  The guidance is effective on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of January 1, 2018. The Company does not expect this ASU to have a material impact on its financial statements.
Leases (Topic 842) - In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases.” This ASU requires lessees to recognize most leases in their balance sheets, but record expenses on their income statements in a manner similar to current accounting. For lessors, the guidance modifies the classification criteria and the accounting for sales-type and direct financing leases. The guidance is effective on a modified retrospective basis as of January 1, 2019, with early adoption permitted. The Company continues to evaluate the impact of this ASU. See Note 17, Operating Lease Commitments, to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Accordingly, within


F-17

PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) - In August 2017, the Consolidated Balance SheetFASB issued ASU No. 2017-12, “Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities.” This ASU improves the financial reporting of hedge relationships by updating hedging designation and measurement guidance. The update also simplifies the application of existing hedge accounting guidance related to assessing hedge effectiveness. The guidance is effective prospectively as of December 31, 2015, $32.9 million was corrected from “Inventories”January 1, 2019, and is applied to “Other assets.”contracts in existence at the date of adoption, with the effects of which reflected as of January 1 of the year of adoption. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is evaluating the impact of this ASU.
2.4.  ACQUISITIONS OF BUSINESSES
2016 Activity
OMG Malaysia Acquisition
On January 31, 2016, Platform completed the OMG Malaysia Acquisition for approximately $124 million, net of acquired cash and closing working capital adjustments. The Company acquired OMG Malaysia by issuing a note payable for $125 million which was offset against a note receivable from the seller of the same amount.
The Company acquired OMG Malaysia to further enhance its Performance Solutions business segment in which OMG Malaysia is included.
PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


2015 Activity
Alent Acquisition
On December 1, 2015, Platform completed the Alent Acquisition for approximately $1.74 billion in cash, net of acquired cash, and 18,419,738 shares of the Company's common stock at $12.56 per share, issued to Alent shareholders, including Cevian Capital II Master Fund LP, the then largest shareholder of Alent.shareholders.
The Company acquired Alent to expand its product capabilities and offerings and improve the geographic range in surface treatments. Legacy Alent was a global supplier of specialty chemicals and engineered materials used primarily in electronics, automotive, industrial applications, and high performance consumable products and services. Alent is included in the Company's Performance Solutions business segment.
OMG Acquisition
On October 28, 2015, Platform completed the OMG Acquisition for approximately $239 million in cash, net of acquired cash and purchase price adjustments.
The Company acquired the highly-synergistic OMG Businesses to bolster its Performance Solutions business segment. Legacy OMG’s Electronic Chemicals business developed, produced and supplied chemicals for electronic and industrial applications. Legacy OMG’s Photomasks products were used by customers to produce semiconductors and related products. The OMG Businesses are included in the Company's Performance Solutions business segment.
Arysta Acquisition
On February 13, 2015, Platform completed the Arysta Acquisition for approximately $3.50 billion, consisting of $2.86 billion in cash, net of acquired cash and closing working capital adjustments, and including Arysta Seller transaction expenses paid by Platform, and the issuance to the Arysta Seller of $600 million of Platform’s Series B Convertible Preferred Stock with a fair value of $646 million. On December 13, 2016, Platform settled all of its Series B Convertible Preferred Stock obligations under a certain settlement agreement entered into with the Arysta Seller in September 2016. See Note 12,14, Stockholders' Equity, to the Consolidated Financial Statements, under the heading "Series B Convertible Preferred Stock."
The Company acquired Arysta to expand its presence in the agrochemical business, complementing the Agriphar and CAS acquisitions.  Legacy Arysta provided products anda product offering of Crop Protection solutions, utilizing globally managed patented and proprietary off-patent agrochemical AIs and biological solutions, orincluding BioSolutions and off-patent agrochemical offerings. BioSolutions include stimulants, or biostimulants, innovative nutrition and biological control, or biocontrol, products.Seed Treatment products, to growers worldwide. Arysta is included in the Company's Agricultural Solutions business segment.
2014 Activity
CAS Acquisition

On November 3, 2014, Platform completed the CAS Acquisition for approximately $1.04 billion, consisting of $983 million in cash, net of acquired cash and certain post-closing working capital and other adjustments, and 2,000,000 shares of its common stock. Due to regulatory constraints, title to certain CAS businesses located in Russia was not transferred to Platform until the first quarter of 2015.F-18
In line with Platform's business strategy of growing into niche markets and applications, the Company acquired CAS to enter the agrochemical industry.  Legacy CAS was a niche provider of seed treatments and crop protection applications in numerous geographies across seven major product lines – adjuvants, fungicides, herbicides, insecticide, miticides, plant growth regulators and seed treatments. CAS is included in the Company's Agricultural Solutions business segment.

PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



Agriphar Acquisition
On October 1, 2014, Platform completed the Agriphar Acquisition for a purchase price of approximately €300 million ($370 million), consisting of $350 million in cash, net of acquired cash and certain post-closing working capital and other adjustments, and 711,551 restricted shares of its common stock. Such restricted shares will become unrestricted beginning January 2, 2018 unless agreed otherwise in accordance with the terms of the acquisition agreement.  The agreement also stipulates that prior to January 2, 2018, the seller may transfer (i) a maximum of 1/3 of its shares as of January 2, 2016, (ii) 1/3 of its shares as of January 2, 2017 and (iii) 1/3 of its shares as of January 2, 2018, in each case subject to the terms and provisions of a solvency letter described in the acquisition agreement.  
The Company acquired Agriphar within its crop protection vertical as it believed Agriphar’s and CAS’ businesses were very complementary in terms of product range and distribution capabilities.  Legacy Agriphar was a European crop protection group supported by a team of researchers and regulatory experts which provided a wide range of fungicides, herbicides and insecticides with end markets primarily across Europe. Agriphar is included in the Company's Agricultural Solutions business segment.
Acquisition Net Sales and Net Income (Loss)
During the year of their respective acquisitions, net sales and net income (loss) contributed by the Company's Acquisitions were as follows:
(amounts in millions) Year of Acquisition Net Sales Net Income (Loss)
($ amounts in millions)
 Year of Acquisition Net Sales Net Income (Loss)
OMG Malaysia 2016 $30.9
 $3.2
 2016 $30.9
 $3.2
Alent 2015 70.8
 (12.4) 2015 70.8
 (12.4)
OMG 2015 20.7
 (0.4) 2015 20.7
 (0.4)
Arysta 2015 1,197.0
 (86.7) 2015 1,197.0
 (86.7)
CAS 2014 61.9
 (20.5)
Agriphar 2014 26.1
 (8.3)
As the integration continued to progress for the (1)(i) OMG Malaysia, Alent, and OMG Acquisitions within the Company's Performance Solutions business segment, and the (2)(ii) Arysta CAS and Agriphar Acquisition within the Agricultural Solutions business segment, discrete results reported by the acquired companies have been impacted by the integration initiatives and have become less comparable to prior periods. Therefore, it is impracticable to report discrete Acquisition-level results beyond the initial year of acquisition.
PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Purchase Price Allocation
The following table summarizes the consideration transferred and transaction costs incurred related to its acquisitionsacquisition in 2016 and 2015 as well as the applicable amounts of identified assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the applicable acquisition date:
 (amounts in millions) OMG Malaysia Alent OMG Arysta
Consideration        
Cash, net $(1.3) $1,507.0
 $239.1
 $2,856.2
Equity instruments 
 231.4
 
 645.9
Note receivable settlement 125.0
 
 
 
Total consideration $123.7
 $1,738.4
 $239.1
 $3,502.1
         
Acquisition costs $0.5
 $29.5
 $7.4
 $30.2
         
Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed        
Accounts receivable - contractual $4.3
 $177.4
 $33.1
 $738.9
 - less uncollectible 
 (1.8) (1.6) (51.6)
Accounts receivable - fair value 4.3
 175.6
 31.5
 687.3
Inventories 6.4
 116.1
 13.2
 298.0
Other current assets 0.2
 33.3
 1.6
 126.9
Property, plant and equipment 4.7
 192.9
 35.1
 123.6
Identifiable intangible assets 43.9
 682.9
 77.9
 1,773.0
Other assets 
 38.8
 0.2
 41.0
Current liabilities (3.5) (178.9) (21.5) (581.2)
Non-current deferred tax liability (11.3) (146.1) (16.5) (518.4)
Other long-term liabilities 
 (331.1) (2.9) (120.4)
Non-controlling interest 
 
 
 (125.2)
Total identifiable net assets 44.7
 583.5
 118.6
 1,704.6
Goodwill 79.0
 1,154.9
 120.5
 1,797.5
Total purchase price $123.7
 $1,738.4
 $239.1
 $3,502.1
The purchase accounting and purchase price allocation is complete for the OMG Acquisition. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, the Company increased non-current deferred tax liabilities by $2.9 million, accrued expense by $2.5 million, environmental liabilities by $1.5 million, and reduced other long-term liabilities by $2.6 million. The collective impact of these adjustments increased goodwill by $4.4 million.
The purchase accounting and purchase price allocation is complete for the Alent Acquisition. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, the Company increased environmental and ARO liabilities by $12.9 million, non-current deferred tax liabilities by $6.5 million, non-current other liabilities by $2.8 million, short-term assets held for sale by $4.0 million, investment assets by $2.7 million and non-current deferred tax asset by $3.2 million. The collective impact of these adjustments resulted in an increase of $12.7 million in goodwill.
The purchase accounting and purchase price allocation is complete for the OMG Malaysia Acquisition. Subsequent to the initial purchase price allocation, the Company updated the valuation of inventories, identifiable intangible assets and non-current deferred tax liability. The updated valuations resulted in decreases in inventories of $0.8 million and identifiable intangible assets of $15.1 million. The collective impact of the adjustments noted above resulted in a decrease of $3.8 million in non-current deferred tax liability, with corresponding adjustments reflected in goodwill.
The measurement period adjustments noted above have had an immaterial impact on the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2016.
The Company finalized the purchase accounting and purchase price allocation for the Arysta Acquisition during the twelve months ended December 31, 2015. The finalization of third-party valuations during the fourth quarter of 2015 resulted in an increase in
PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


non-controlling interest of $101 million, an increase in property plant and equipment of $13.6 million, and an increase in identifiable intangible assets of $134 million. The collective impact of the adjustments noted above resulted in an increase of $25.7 million in non-current deferred tax liability, with corresponding adjustments reflected in goodwill.
  ($ amounts in millions)
 OMG Malaysia
Consideration  
Cash, net $(1.3)
Note receivable settlement 125.0
Total consideration $123.7
   
Acquisition costs $0.5
   
Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed  
Accounts receivable $4.3
Inventories 6.4
Other current assets 0.2
Property, plant and equipment 4.7
Identifiable intangible assets 43.9
Current liabilities (3.5)
Non-current deferred tax liability (11.3)
Total identifiable net assets 44.7
Goodwill 79.0
Total purchase price $123.7
The excess of the respective costscost of the AcquisitionsOMG Malaysia Acquisition over the net of amounts assigned to the fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed iswas recorded as goodwill and representsrepresented the value of estimated synergies and the assembled workforces resulting from the Acquisitions. Of the $3.15 billion ofAcquisition. The $79.0 million goodwill recorded in connection with the OMG Malaysia Alent, OMG and Arysta Acquisitions, $101 millionAcquisition is expected to be deductible for tax purposes as result of the OMG Malaysia and OMG Acquisitions.purposes.


F-19

PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



Identifiable intangible assets recorded in conjunction with the OMG Malaysia Alent, OMG and Arysta AcquisitionsAcquisition were as follows:
  OMG Malaysia Alent OMG Arysta Total
 (in millions) Fair Value Weighted average useful life (years) Fair Value Weighted average useful life (years) Fair Value Weighted average useful life (years) Fair Value Weighted average useful life (years) Fair Value Weighted average useful life (years)
Customer lists $41.0
 15.0
 $391.4
 14.7
 $49.0
 24.3
 $270.0
 25.0
 $751.4
 19.1
Developed technology 2.9
 5.0
 203.3
 10.0
 28.0
 10.0
 1,250.0
 12.0
 1,484.2
 11.7
Tradenames 
 
 85.8
(1) 
20.0
 0.9
 10.0
 253.0
(2) 
  339.7
 18.3
In process - research and development 
 
 2.4
(2) 

 
 
 
 
 2.4
 
     Total $43.9
 14.3
 $682.9
 13.2
 $77.9
 19.0
 $1,773.0
 14.3
 $2,577.7
 14.2
(1) Includes $81.4 million of indefinite-lived tradenames which have been excluded from the calculation of weighted average useful life.
(2) Excluded from the calculation of weighted average useful life.
  OMG Malaysia
  ($ amounts in millions)
 Fair Value Weighted average useful life (years)
Customer lists $41.0
 15.0
Developed technology 2.9
 5.0
     Total $43.9
 14.3
Unaudited Pro Forma Net Sales and Net (Loss) Income Attributable to Stockholders
2016 Activity
The acquisition of OMG Malaysia Acquisition was not material for purposes of pro forma presentation in the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.
2015 Activity
The following unaudited pro forma summary presents consolidated information of the Company as if the Alent, OMG, and Arysta Acquisitions had occurred on January 1, 2014:

 Year Ended December 31, Year Ended December 31,
(amounts in millions) 2015 2014
($ amounts in millions)
 2015
Pro forma net sales $3,582.4
 $3,559.2
 $3,582.4
Pro forma net loss attributable to stockholders (328.1) (530.8) (328.1)
In 2015, the Company incurred $35.9 million of acquisition-related expenses, net of taxes, which have been reflected inexcluded from the 2015 pro forma earningsnet loss above in order to present such pro forma net loss as if theythe Alent, OMG, and Arysta Acquisitions had been incurredoccurred on January 1, 2014.  These pro forma results have been prepared to reflect fair value adjustments to intangible assets and the related amortization expense, net of tax, from January 1, 2014, as well as the post-acquisition capital structure.
5. ACCOUNTS AND NOTES RECEIVABLE
Accounts Receivable
  December 31,
  ($ amounts in millions)
 2017 2016
Total accounts receivable, net $1,157.7
 $1,058.0
Non-current accounts receivable, net (1.7) (3.2)
Current accounts receivable, net $1,156.0
 $1,054.8
Total accounts receivables are net of an allowance for doubtful accounts of $47.6 million and $36.7 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Accounts receivables classified as non-current at December 31, 2017 and 2016 were recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as "Other assets."
Notes Receivable
On October 28, 2015, the Company extended a short-term, recourse loan of $125 million to an unrelated third-party. The loan earned interest at an annual rate of 11% from inception through its settlement in January 2016. During 2015, the Company recognized interest income on the loan of $2.4 million.


F-20

PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



2014 Activity
The following unaudited pro forma summary presents consolidated information of the Company as if the Agriphar and CAS Acquisitions had occurred on January 1, 2013:
  Year Ended December 31,
 (amounts in millions) 2014
Pro forma net sales $1,405.9
Pro forma net income attributable to stockholders 46.4
In 2014, the Company incurred $29.8 million of acquisition-related expenses, net of taxes, which have been excluded from the 2014 pro forma earnings above in order to present such pro forma earnings as if the Agriphar and CAS Acquisitions had occurred on January 1, 2013. These pro forma results have been prepared to reflect fair value adjustments to intangible assets and the related amortization expense, net of tax, from January 1, 2013, as well as the post-acquisition capital structure.
Other
During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company also acquired a business for $30.5 million, after certain post-closing working capital and other adjustments (including the assumption of approximately $0.4 million of indebtedness), within its Performance Solutions segment.  Pro forma revenue and earnings related to this business have not been presented as they were deemed not significant.
3.6.  INVENTORIES
The major components of inventory, on a net basis, were as follows:
 December 31, December 31,
(amounts in millions) 2016 2015
($ amounts in millions)
 2017 2016
Finished goods $273.8
 $340.1
 $328.9
 $273.8
Work in process 37.1
 28.5
 28.8
 37.1
Raw materials and supplies 135.9
 148.9
 149.8
 135.9
Total inventory, net 446.8
 517.5
 507.5
 446.8
Non-current inventory, net (30.4) (32.9) (17.0) (30.4)
Current inventory, net $416.4
 $484.6
 $490.4
 $416.4
Inventory classified as long-termnon-current at December 31, 20162017 and 20152016 was recorded in "Other assets" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.Sheets as "Other assets."
In connection with Platform's various acquisitions, the value of finished goods inventory was increased at the respective dates of acquisition to reflect fair value. ForDuring 2016 and 2015, the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014,Company amortized $11.7 million and $76.5 million, and $35.5 million, respectively, was chargedof the inventory step-up to "Cost of sales" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations based on the estimated inventory turnover of the various Acquisitions.
PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


4.7.  PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
The major components of property, plant and equipment were as follows:
  December 31,
 (amounts in millions) 2016 2015
Land and leasehold improvements $101.5
 $107.9
Buildings and improvements 141.8
 143.8
Machinery, equipment, fixtures and software 290.5
 276.8
Construction in process 36.7
 21.4
Assets under capital lease    
Land and buildings 7.7
 6.4
Machinery and equipment 2.7
 5.1
Total property, plant and equipment 580.9
 561.4
Accumulated depreciation and amortization (115.3) (64.3)
Accumulated amortization of capital leases (5.1) (5.5)
Property, plant and equipment, net $460.5
 $491.6
  December 31,
  ($ amounts in millions)
 2017 2016
Land and leasehold improvements $108.8
 $109.2
Buildings and improvements 149.8
 141.8
Machinery, equipment, fixtures, and software 344.6
 293.2
Construction in process 34.3
 36.7
Total property, plant and equipment 637.5
 580.9
Accumulated depreciation (185.2) (120.4)
Property, plant and equipment, net $452.3
 $460.5
For the years ended December 31,2017, 2016 2015 and 2014,2015, the Company recorded depreciation and amortization expense of $78.3 million, $75.0 million $48.9 million and $20.6$48.9 million, respectively. 


F-21

5.
PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



8.  GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Goodwill
The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by segment were as follows:
(amounts in millions) Performance Solutions Agricultural Solutions Total
Balance, December 31, 2014 $961.2
 $444.1
 $1,405.3
Addition from acquisitions 1,258.3
 1,697.1
 2,955.4
Purchase accounting adjustments 
 80.2
 80.2
Foreign currency translation (72.3) (346.7) (419.0)
($ amounts in millions)
 Performance Solutions Agricultural Solutions Total
Balance, December 31, 2015 2,147.2
 1,874.7
 4,021.9
      
Goodwill $2,147.2
 $1,874.7
 $4,021.9
Accumulated impairment losses 
 
 
 2,147.2
 1,874.7
 4,021.9
Addition from acquisitions 66.9
 
 66.9
 66.9
 
 66.9
Purchase accounting adjustments 29.7
 
 29.7
 29.7
 15.1
 44.8
Impairment write-off (46.6) 
 (46.6) (46.6) 
 (46.6)
Foreign currency translation (64.8) 156.7
 91.9
Other 
 15.1
 15.1
Balance, December 31, 2016 (*)
 $2,132.4
 $2,046.5
 $4,178.9
Foreign currency translation and other (64.8) 156.7
 91.9
Balance, December 31, 2016      
Goodwill, gross 2,179.0
 2,046.5
 4,225.5
Accumulated impairment losses (46.6) 
 (46.6)
 2,132.4
 2,046.5
 4,178.9
Impairment write-off 
 (160.0) (160.0)
Foreign currency translation and other 120.2
 62.1
 182.3
Balance, December 31, 2017      
Goodwill, gross 2,299.2
 2,108.6
 4,407.8
Accumulated impairment losses (46.6) (160.0) (206.6)
 $2,252.6
 $1,948.6
 $4,201.2
(*) Includes accumulated impairment losses totaling $46.6 million associated with the Company's Performance Solutions segment.
The Company performs its annual impairment analysis of goodwill at the reporting unit level during the fourth quarter.  Platform's goodwill impairment testing analysis varies by reporting unit, using the qualitative approach for certain reporting units and an income approach derived from a discounted cash flow model to estimateIf the fair value of othera reporting units.  Except for Offshore Solutions,unit exceeds the carrying value of the net assets assigned to that reporting unit, goodwill is not impaired and no further testing is required.  Beginning with the 2017 goodwill impairment test, subsequent to the early adoption of the new guidance, if the carrying value of the net assets assigned to the reporting unit exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit, the goodwill impairment loss is calculated as the difference between these amounts, limited to the amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit. For the 2016 goodwill impairment test, prior to the early adoption of the new guidance, if the carrying value of the net assets assigned to the reporting unit exceeded the fair value of the reporting unit, the second step of the impairment test was performed to determine the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill.  If the carrying value of the reporting unit’s goodwill exceeded its implied fair value, an impairment charge was recorded equal to the difference.  
During the fourth quarter of 2017, we performed our annual goodwill impairment test and determined that the carrying value of the Agro Business reporting unit within the Performanceour Agricultural Solutions segment exceeded its fair value by $160 million. An impairment charge equal to this amount was recorded in the Company concluded thatConsolidated Statement of Operations for 2017. This impairment charge was driven primarily by a reduction in the estimated fair valuesvalue of the remainingthis reporting units exceeded the carrying values of their net assetsunit based on the assessments usedimpact of a delayed agricultural market recovery which resulted in lower expectations for future revenue, profitability and cash flows as compared to the qualitative approach andexpectations at the projections and other assumptions used intime of the analysis. Within Offshore Solutions, the Company recorded an2016 annual goodwill impairment test.
During 2016, a goodwill impairment charge totaling $46.6 million as awas recorded, related to Performance Solutions' Offshore Solutions reporting unit. This impairment charge was the result of continuingpreviously weak oil prices. The Company is now experiencingWe experienced the impact on itsour results, which slightly laglagged the overall industry, as this ultimately has caused the industry to depress its overall investments. The fair value was determined
PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


using a combination of an income approach derived from a discounted cash flow model as well as market multiples. There was no impairmentNo impairments of goodwill in 2015 and 2014.
Withinwere identified during the Performance Solutions segment, we used a discounted cash flow analysis and considered guideline company and guideline transaction information, where available, to aid in the valuation of the reporting units. The discount rates used ranged from 9.0% to 10.0% and the annual long term revenue growth rates assumptions are between 2.0% and 6.5%.
Additionally, as of the assessment date of October 1, 2016, the excess of the fair value of the Agro Business, a reporting unit within the Agricultural Solutions segment, over its carrying value was 21.7%. Goodwill assigned to the Agro Business reporting unit totaled $2.08 billion as of the assessment date. In 2015, the excess of the fair value of this reporting unit over its carrying value was 16.1%. Goodwill assigned to the Agro Business reporting unit totaled $1.87 billion as of the assessment date. The primary components of and assumptions used in the assessment consisted of the following:
Valuation Techniques - The Company uses a discounted cash flow analysis, which requires assumptions about short and long-term net cash flows, growth rates, as well as discount rates.  Additionally, the Company considers guideline company and guideline transaction information, where available, to aid in the valuation of the reporting units.
Growth Assumptions - Multi-year financial forecasts are developed for each reporting unit by considering several key business drivers such as new business initiatives, client service and retention standards, market share changes, historical performance, and industry and economic trends, among other considerations.  The annual long term growth rates used in 2016 for the initial 8 year period ranged from 0.6% to 5.7% for the Agro Business. The long-term growth rate used in 2016 in determining the terminal value of the Agro Business was estimated at 3.0%.
The annual revenue growth rates used in 2015 for the initial 8 year period ranged from 1.3% to 7.2% for the Agro Business. The long-term growth rate used in 2015 in determining the terminal value of the Agro Business was estimated at 3.0%.
Discount Rate Assumptions - Discount rates were estimated based on a Weighted Average Cost of Capital, or WACC.  The WACC combines the required return on equity, based on a Modified Capital Asset Pricing Model, which considers the risk-free interest rate, market risk premium, small stock risk premium and a company specific risk premium, with the cost of debt, based on BBB-rated corporate bonds, adjusted using an income tax factor.  The calculation resulted in a WACC rate for the Agro Business of 9.0% and 10.0% for 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Estimated Fair Value and Sensitivities - The estimated fair value of each reporting unit is derived from the valuation techniques described above.  The estimated fair value of each reporting unit is analyzed in relation to numerous market and historical factors, including current economic and market conditions, company-specific growth opportunities, and guideline company information.
The estimated fair value of a reporting unit is highly sensitive to changes in these estimates and assumptions; therefore, in some instances, changes in these assumptions may impact whether the fair value of a reporting unit is greater than its carrying value.  Platform performed sensitivity analysis around these assumptions in order to assess the reasonableness of the assumptions and the resulting estimated fair values.  In 2016, based on a sensitivity analysis performed for the Agro Business reporting unit, a 1% increase in the WACC, or a 1% decrease in the terminal value, does not result in the carrying value being greater than the fair value. In 2015, based on the sensitivity analysis performed for the Agro Business reporting unit, a 1% decrease in the terminal growth rate did not result in the carrying value exceeding its fair value, however, a 1% increase in the WACC rate would have resulted in the carrying value of the net assets to exceed their fair value, making it necessary to proceed to the second step of the impairment test.ended December 31, 2015.
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets
The carrying value of indefinite-lived intangible assets, other than goodwill, which consists solely of tradenames,trade names, was $377$386 million and $360$377 million at December 31, 20162017 and 2015,2016, respectively. The Company found no indications of impairment related to its indefinite-lived intangible assets as a result of its annual impairment review.


F-22

PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Intangible assets subject to amortization were as follows:
 December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015 December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016
(amounts in millions) Weighted average useful life (years) Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization and Foreign Exchange Net Book Value Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization and Foreign Exchange Net Book Value
($ amounts in millions)
 Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Book Value Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Book Value
Customer lists 18.0 $1,245.9
 $(174.5) $1,071.4
 $1,297.2
 $(184.0) $1,113.2
 $1,303.3
 $(263.5) $1,039.8
 $1,245.9
 $(174.5) $1,071.4
Developed technology (1)
 11.6 2,022.1
 (254.9) 1,767.2
 2,260.9
 (440.4) 1,820.5
 2,250.7
 (557.0) 1,693.7
 2,022.1
 (254.9) 1,767.2
Tradenames 7.7 25.1
 (8.2) 16.9
 24.2
 (5.4) 18.8
Trade names 30.3
 (13.8) 16.5
 25.1
 (8.2) 16.9
Non-compete agreement 5.0 1.9
 (1.1) 0.8
 1.9
 (0.5) 1.4
 2.8
 (1.3) 1.5
 1.9
 (1.1) 0.8
Total 14.0 $3,295.0
 $(438.7) $2,856.3
 $3,584.2
 $(630.3) $2,953.9
 $3,587.1
 $(835.6) $2,751.5
 $3,295.0
 $(438.7) $2,856.3
 
(1) Includes in-process registration rights awaiting completion before amortization commences.
For the years ended December 31,2017, 2016, 2015 and 2014,2015, the Company recorded amortization expense on intangible assets of $276 million, $267 million $202 million and $67.4$202 million, respectively.
Estimated future amortization of intangible assets for each of the next five fiscal years is as follows:
(amounts in millions) Amortization Expense
2017 $266.7
($ amounts in millions)
 Amortization Expense
2018 266.5
 $282.6
2019 266.4
 282.4
2020 261.7
 277.9
2021 253.5
 269.5
2022 254.9
6.9.  LONG-TERM COMPENSATION PLANS
In June 2014, the Company's stockholders adopted the 2013 Plan, which is administered by the compensation committee of the Board, except as otherwise expressly provided in the 2013 Plan.  The Board approved a maximum of 15,500,000 shares of common stock, (subject to increase in accordance with the terms of the 2013 Plan), which were reserved and made available for issuance under the 2013 Plan.
As of December 31,For 2017, 2016 a total of 373,434 shares of common stock had been issued and 2,828,003 RSUs and options were outstanding under2015, compensation expense associated with the 2013 Plan.Company's long-term compensation plans was as follows:
  Total RSUs Stock Options
  
Equity
Classified
 Liability Classified 
Outstanding as of December 31, 2015 1,006,436
 501,634
 329,802
 175,000
Granted 2,145,066
 1,754,868
 
 390,198
Exercised/Issued (7,642) (7,642) 
 
Forfeited (140,857) (131,367) (9,490) 
Outstanding as of December 31, 2016 3,003,003
 2,117,493
 320,312
 565,198
  Year Ended December 31,
  ($ amounts in millions)
 2017 2016 2015
Equity classified RSUs $10.4
 $6.5
 $0.8
Liability classified share-based payments 0.6
 0.4
 (0.1)
Stock options 0.8
 0.5
 
Long-term cash bonus plans 
 (0.1) 0.1
Total $11.8
 $7.3
 $0.8
       
Unrecognized compensation expense for awards expected to vest $22.2
    
Weighted average remaining vesting period (months) 19.1
    


F-23

PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



At December 31, 2017, a total of 496,203 shares of common stock had been issued, and 3,500,726 RSUs and stock options were outstanding under the 2013 Plan.
  Total RSUs 
Stock Options (1)
  
Equity
Classified
 
Liability
Classified
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2016 3,003,003
 2,117,493
 320,312
 565,198
Granted 1,373,921
 1,117,719
 
 256,202
Exercised/Issued (122,769) (107,450) 
 (15,319)
Forfeited (578,429) (503,911) (634) (73,884)
Outstanding at December 31, 2017 3,675,726
 2,623,851
 319,678
 732,197
(1)        Includes 175,000 stock options not issued under the 2013 Plan.
The total fair value of RSUs which vested during 2017 was $1.4 million based on market prices on the vesting dates.
Equity Classified RSUs
For the three years ended December 31, 2016, theThe Company issuedgranted the following RSU grants following their approval byequity classified RSUs under the Board:2013 Plan:
Year of Issuance: RSUs Weighted average grant date fair value Weighted average vesting period (months) RSUs Weighted average grant date fair value Weighted average vesting period (months)
2017 1,117,719
 $16.08
 31.2
2016 1,754,868
 $10.85
 33.8 1,754,868
 10.85
 33.8
2015 453,260
 24.55
 54.6 453,260
 24.55
 54.6
2014 151,352
 26.13
 42.5
In addition toCertain of the RSUs containing service-only vesting conditions,granted during the Company has issued RSUs for which vesting is also tied toperiod contain performance or market conditions.vesting conditions in addition to a service vesting condition. RSUs granted with service or performance vesting conditions were valued at the grant date stock price. The grant date fair value of RSUs containing a market vesting condition were estimated using a Monte Carlo simulation of the performance of the Company's common stock relative to the S&P MidCap 400. Certain of thesethe RSUs with performance or market vesting conditions also contain provisions for additional share awards in the event certain performance or market conditions are met at the end of specifiedcertain applicable measurement periods. These conditions wereare generally based on ROICreturn on invested capital ("ROIC") or TSRtotal stockholder return ('TSR") targets. As
The following table provides the range of assumptions used in valuing RSUs containing market vesting conditions:
  Year Ended December 31,
  2017 2016
Weighted average expected term (years) (1)
 3.00 3.00
Expected volatility (2)
 52.1% 53.0%
Risk-free rate (3)
 1.50% 1.05%
(1)
Weighted average expected term is calculated based on the award vesting period.
(2)
Expected volatility is calculated based on a blend of the implied and historical equity volatility of an index of comparable companies over a period equal to the expected term.
(3)
Risk-free rate of return is based on an interpolation of U.S. Treasury rates to reflect an expected term of three years at the date of grant.


F-24

PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



At December 31, 2016,2017, the following equity classified RSUs were outstanding:
 December 31, 2016 December 31, 2017
Vesting Conditions: Outstanding Expected to vest Weighted average remaining service period (months) Potential additional awards Outstanding Weighted average remaining vesting period (months) Potential additional awards
Service-based 782,566
 782,566
 23.5 
 931,906
 16.9 
Performance-based 717,917
 586,200
 25.9 437,867
 947,013
 17.7 617,020
Market-based 617,010
 617,010
 30.9 1,182,109
 744,932
 21.0 1,443,238
Total 2,117,493
 1,985,776
 26.5 1,619,976
 2,623,851
 18.4 2,060,258
During 2016,In addition, the Board has approved 166,66783,333 RSUs under the 2013 Plan subject to adjustedwhich vesting is conditioned upon the achievement of certain 2018 Adjusted EBITDA performance conditions that musttargets, with a maximum payoff of 100%. This performance target will be achieved inestablished as a part of the applicable vesting year which have yet to be set. These awards also include2018 planning process. As a multiplier of zero to 100% based upon adjusted EBITDA target benchmarks. As the target adjusted EBITDA benchmarks have not yet been established,result, these RSUs have beenare and will be excluded from the above grant activity presented above. The adjusted EBITDAuntil the performance target benchmarks are expected to be established in 2017 and 2018.is set.
For all equity classified RSUs, shares are issued immediately upon satisfaction of vesting conditions.
For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, compensation expense associated with these awards totaled $6.5 million, $0.8 million and $0.8 million, respectively. Compensation expense was calculated based on the grant date market value. As of December 31, 2016, unrecognized compensation expense associated with equity classified RSUs that are expected to vest was $17.5 million.
Liability Classified Share-Based Payments
During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company granted to certain employees 329,823 RSUs that cliff vest on December 31, 2020.  These RSUs are subject to an adjustedAdjusted EBITDA performance condition and a share price market condition.  Additionally, the number of shares of common stock to be issued was limited to a maximum cash value, requiring these awards to be classified as liabilities.  As of December 31, 2016, a total of 320,312 RSUs associated with these grants remained outstanding, with unrecognized compensationCompensation expense of approximately $6.0 million, which will be amortized over the remaining 4.0 years until they vest.
For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, compensation expense (income) associated with these awards totaled $0.4 million, $(0.1) million and $0.6 million, respectively. Compensation expense was calculated based on a market value that is remeasured each reporting period. The Company currently expects all liability classified RSUs to vest.
PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Stock Options
DuringThe Company granted the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company grantedfollowing non-qualified stock options under the 2013 Plan as follows:Plan:
  Stock Options Weighted average strike price per share Weighted average grant date fair value per share
Stock options granted 390,198
 $8.05
 $4.35
Year of Issuance: Stock Options Weighted average strike price per share Weighted average grant date fair value per share
2017 256,202
 $13.30
 $6.05
2016 390,198
 8.05
 4.35
AllStock options granted during 2016 wereare subject to annual graded-vesting over a three-year period and hadhave contractual lives of ten years from the grant date. The fair value of the grants wasis calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model at the grant date. As
The following table provides the range of assumptions used in valuing stock options:
  Year Ended December 31,
  2017 2016
Weighted average expected term (years) (1)
 6.0 6.0
Expected volatility (2)
 45.0% 53.0%
Risk-free rate (3)
 2.09% 1.52% to 1.56%
Expected dividend rate —% —%
(1)
Weighted average expected term is calculated based on the simplified method for plain vanilla options.
(2)
Expected volatility is calculated based on a blend of the implied and historical equity volatility of an index of comparable companies over a period equal to the expected term.
(3)
Risk-free rate of return is based on an interpolation of U.S. Treasury rates to reflect an expected term of six years at the date of grant.


F-25

PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



At December 31, 2016,2017, there were 175,000 outstanding stock options with a weighted average exercise price of $11.50, which were considered exercisable and out-of-the-money, 110,662 outstanding stock options which were vested and 390,198in-the-money, with an aggregate intrinsic value of $0.2 million, and 446,535 outstanding stock options which were unvested, and hadwith an aggregate intrinsic value of $0.7$0.4 million.
The following table provides the range of assumptions used in valuing the stock option grants using the Black-Scholes option pricing method:
Black-Scholes Input Assumptions
Weighted average expected term (years)6.0
Expected volatility53.0%
Risk-free rate1.52% to 1.56%
Expected dividend rate—%
Fair value price per share$4.32 to $4.81
Weighted average expected term was calculated based on the simplified method for plain vanilla options as the Company had concluded that its historical share option exercise experience did not provide a reasonable basis upon which to estimate expected term and certain alternative information to assist with estimating it was not easily obtainable. Expected volatility was calculated based on a blend of the implied and historical equity volatility of an index of comparable companies. Risk-free rate of return was based on an interpolation of U.S. Treasury rates to reflect an expected term of six years at the date of grant.
For the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company recognized compensation expense associated with stock options of $0.5 million. For the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, stock option expense totaled zero. Compensation expense was calculated based on the grant date market value. As of December 31, 2016, unrecognized compensation expense associated with unvested portions of outstanding options was $1.3 million. The Company currently expects all stock options to vest.
Long-Term Cash Bonus Plan (LTCB)
During the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company established the LTCB under the 2013 Plan. As ofAt December 31, 2016,2017, the plan provided participants the potential right to receive bonuses totaling $9.8 million, a decrease of approximately $5.5 million from December 31, 2015 due to forfeitures.$6.5 million. Benefits under the plan vest over periods ranging from 36 to 62.5 months and include adjustedAdjusted EBITDA performance targets, which were subject to appropriate and equitable adjustments by the Board's compensation committee in order to reflect any subsequent acquisition, divestiture or other corporate reorganizations, as necessary. At December 31,In 2016, the Company assessed that the performance conditions associated with the LTCB were improbablenot probable of being met during the specified measurement periods.period. As a result, the Company ceased accruing compensation expense associated with these awards and reversed the previously recorded compensation expense.
For the years ended At December 31, 2016 and 2015, compensation (income) expense2017, the Company maintains that the performance conditions associated with the LTCB totaled $(0.1) millionare not probable of being met and $0.1 million, respectively.
PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Employee Stock Purchase Plan
The Company adoptedtherefore has not accrued any related expense during the ESPP in 2014. The Board approved a maximum of 5,178,815 shares of common stock, which were reserved and made available for issuance under the plan. As of December 31, 2016, a total of 191,560 shares had been issued under the ESPP and approximately 1,100 employees were eligible to participate in the ESPP.
For the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, compensation expense associated with the ESPP totaled $0.4 million and $0.1 million, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2014, such compensation expense was de minimis.year.
7.10.  PENSION, POST-RETIREMENT AND POST-EMPLOYMENT PLANS
The Company has multiple deferred compensation arrangements, as described below, which include defined benefit pension plans for certain domestic and foreign employees, a SERP for certain executive officers and a post-employment benefits programpost-retirement medical and dental plan for certain domestic employees.  Aggregate (loss)(losses) income reported in net earnings for these plans by the Company for the years ended December 31,2017, 2016 and 2015 and 2014 totaled $(12.8) million, $(4.1) million $1.0 million and $2.1$1.0 million, respectively.
Domestic Defined Benefit Pension Plan
This domestic pension plan, a non-contributory defined benefit pension plan is closed to new participants.  Pursuant to this plan, retirement benefits are provided based upon years of service and compensation levels. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, the projected benefit obligation for this pension plan was $206 million and $217 million, respectively. In 2016, the Company offered to certain eligible terminated vested plan participants an option to take an one-time lump-sum distribution in lieu of future monthly pension payments, which reduced the pension benefit obligations by approximately $22.9 million and fully settled the liabilities with the participants electing to opt for a settlement. The decrease above was partially offset by the actuarial loss caused by lower a discount rate in 2016.
An investment committee, appointed by the Board, manages the plan and its assets in accordance with the plan’s investment policies.  The Company’s investment policies incorporate an asset allocation strategy that emphasizes the long-term growth of capital and acceptable asset volatility as long as it is consistent with the volatility of the relevant market indexes.  The investment policies attempt to achieve a mix of approximately 70%50% of plan investments for long-term growth, 49% for liability-matching assets and 30%1% for near-term benefit payments.  The Company believes this strategy is consistent with the long-term nature of plan liabilities and ultimate cash needs of the plans.  Plan assets consist primarily of limited partnership interests, listed stocks, equity security funds, and a short-term Treasury bond mutual fund.  The listed stocks are investments in large-cap and mid-cap companies located in the United States.  The limited partnership funds primarily include listed stocks located in the United States.  The weighted average asset allocation of this pension plan was 21%49% fixed income mutual fund holdings, 27% equity securities, 35%19% limited partnership interests, and managed equity funds, 20%4% collective investment funds 19% bond mutual fund holdings, and 5%1% cash at December 31, 2016.  As of December 31, 2015, the weighted average asset allocation of this pension plan was 17% equity securities, 40% limited partnership interests and managed equity funds, 21% collective investment funds, 18% bond mutual fund holdings, and 4% cash.2017.
Actual pension expense and future contributions required to fund this pension plan will depend on future investment performance, changes in future discount rates, the level of Company contributions and various other factors related to the populations participating in this pension plan.  The Company evaluates the plan's actuarial assumptions on an annual basis, including the expected long-term rate of return on assets and discount rate, and adjusts the assumptions, as necessary, to ensure proper funding levels are maintained so that the plan can meet obligations as they become due.
 At December 31, 2017 and 2016, the projected benefit obligation for this pension plan was $218 million and $206 million, respectively.
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan
The Company sponsors a SERP that entitles certain executive officers to the difference between the benefits actually paid to them and the benefits they would have received under the pension plan described above were it not for certain restrictions imposed by the Internal Revenue Service Code.  Covered compensation under the SERP'sSERP includes an employee’s annual salary and bonus.  As ofAt December 31, 20162017 and 2015,2016, the projected benefit obligation underfor the SERP was $8.5 million and $7.9 million, and $13.5 million, respectively.


F-26

PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



Foreign Pension Plans
The Company has aCompany's U.K. Pension Plan, which represents retirement and death benefit plans covering employees in the U.K.  The U.K. Pension Plan iswas comprised of a defined benefit plan and a defined contribution plan.  The definedplan providing retirement and death benefit planplans to employees in the U.K., was closedtransferred to new entrants and, effective March 31, 2000, existing active members ceased accruing any further benefits exclusive of adjustments for an inflation factor.  The defined contribution plan is structured whereby the Company contributes an amount equal to a specified percentage of each employee’s contribution up to an annual maximum contribution per participant.
The measurement date used to determine U.K. Pension Plan benefits is December 31.  Effective October 13, 2014, the trustees of the U.K. Pension Plan entered into a “Buy-In” agreement with Pension Insurance Corporation plc, or PIC, to transfer the benefit obligation to PIC for approximately GBP 49.7 million.  The “Buy-in” phase of the U.K. Pension Plan is expected to convert into a "Buy-out" during 2017, at which point the obligation will be settled and a gain or loss will be recorded.

The projected benefit obligation of the U.K. Pension Plan was $72.0 million and $85.8 million at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The decrease in 2016 was primarily driven by a declining value of the British Pound Sterling against the U.S. Dollar, partially offset by an increase in value due to changes in financial assumptions caused by declining interest rates and rising inflation expectations over the year. Asas of December 31, 2016, $10.02017, in accordance with an agreement entered in to by the plan trustees in October 2014, and the related plan liabilities were settled. For 2017, the Company reclassified $9.8 million was included in "Accumulatedfrom accumulated other comprehensive loss" onincome (loss) to reflect the Consolidated Balance Sheets related to the U.K. Pension Plan, which is expected to be recognized in connection with the ”Buy-out” agreement once the benefit obligations are transferred and settled.
As of December 31, 2016, 92%settlement of the U.K. Pension Plan portfolio is held as an insurance “buy-in” policy, with the remaining 6% being held in pooled bond funds, and 2% in cash. As of December 31, 2015, 90% of the U.K. Pension Plan portfolio was held as an insurance “buy-in” policy, 9% was held in pooled bond funds, and 1% was held in cash.  An independent trustee committee, appointed by Company management and employees participating in the U.K. Pension Plan meet to assess risk factors, rates of return, and asset allocations prescribed by the committee’s investment policy statement.  In addition, an annual review is conducted to ensure that proper funding levels are maintained so the U.K. Pension Plan can meet its obligations as they become due. pension obligation.
The Company also has retirement and deathother international benefit plans, covering employeesincluding in Taiwan, and certain former employees in Germany as well as longevity plans covering employees inand France.  These plans, which are included in the tables presented below, are not significant, individually or in the aggregate, to the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows of Platform.  Information for these plans, along with the U.K. Pension Plan, is included in the tables below. The Company also has certain foreign benefit plans that do not qualify for pension accounting and are recorded in "Long-term retirement benefits, less current portion" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
flows.  Certain other foreign subsidiaries maintain benefit plans that are consistent with statutory practices, but do not meet the criteria for pension or post-retirement accounting.  These benefit plans had obligation balances of $7.7 million and $5.1 million and $6.1 million as ofat December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, which were recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as "Pension and 2015, respectively,post-retirement benefits," and arewere excluded from Retirement Benefits and from the accompanying tables of pension benefits.presented below.
Domestic Defined Benefit Post-Retirement Medical and Dental Plan
The Company sponsors defined benefit post-retirement medical and dental plans that covers all of its MacDermid domestic full-time employees, hired prior to April 1, 1997, who retire after age 55, with at least ten to twenty years of service (depending upon the date of hire).
Eligible employees receive a subsidy from the Company towards the purchase of their retiree medical benefits.  The subsidy level isbenefits based on the date of retirement from MacDermid.retirement.  The annual increase in the Company’s costs for post-retirement medical benefits is subject to a limit of 5% for those retiring prior to March 31, 1989 and 3% for those retiring after April 1, 1989..  Retirees are required to contribute to the plan costs in excess of their respective Company limits in addition to their other required contributions. The projected benefit obligation for the post-retirement plan at December 31, 20162017 comprised 31%35% retirees, 42%39% fully eligible active participants and 27%26% other participants.  The actuarial determination of the Company's accumulated benefit obligation associated with the plan for post-retirement medical benefits assumes annual cost increases of 2% and 4%, based on the date of retirement. As a result of the above mentioned plan limits, the effect of an increase in the healthcare cost trend on the Company's accumulated benefit obligation and the service and interest costs associated therewith is limited to an immaterial amount.
PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


The components of net periodic benefit cost of the Domestic and Foreign Pension Plans and Post-retirement Medical Benefits were as follows:
  Pension & SERP Benefits
  Year Ended December 31,
 (amounts in millions) 2016 2015 2014
Net periodic benefit expense: Domestic Foreign Domestic Foreign Domestic Foreign
Service cost $
 $1.8
 $
 $1.4
 $
 $0.8
Interest cost on the projected
benefit obligation
 10.1
 3.1
 6.8
 2.8
 6.9
 3.0
Expected return on plan assets (11.6) (2.6) (9.9) (2.7) (9.7) (3.5)
Amortization of prior service cost 
 0.6
 
 
 
 
Amortization of actuarial net loss 
 0.2
 
 
 
 
Plan curtailments 
 (0.1) 
 
 
 
Plan settlements 1.7
 0.2
 
 
 
 
Net periodic cost (benefit) $0.2
 $3.2
 $(3.1) $1.5
 $(2.8) $0.3
  Year Ended December 31,
  2017 2016 2015
  ($ amounts in millions)
 Domestic Foreign Domestic Foreign Domestic Foreign
Pension and SERP Benefits            
Service cost $
 $2.1
 $
 $1.8
 $
 $1.4
Interest cost on the projected benefit obligation 8.8
 2.3
 10.1
 3.1
 6.8
 2.8
Expected return on plan assets (10.1) (1.9) (11.6) (2.6) (9.9) (2.7)
Amortization of prior service cost 
 
 
 0.6
 
 
Amortization of actuarial net loss 
 0.1
 
 0.2
 
 
Plan curtailment 
 0.3
 
 (0.1) 
 
Plan settlement 
 10.2
 1.7
 0.2
 
 
Net periodic (benefit) cost $(1.3) $13.1
 $0.2
 $3.2
 $(3.1) $1.5
Post-retirement Medical Benefits            
Service cost $
 $0.1
 $
 $0.1
 $0.1
 $0.1
Interest cost on the projected benefit obligation 0.4
 0.4
 0.4
 0.2
 0.3
 0.1
Amortization of net loss
 
 0.1
 
 
 
 
Net periodic cost $0.4
 $0.6
 $0.4
 $0.3
 $0.4
 $0.2


F-27

PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


  Post-retirement Medical Benefits
  Year Ended December 31,
 (amounts in millions) 2016 2015 2014
Net periodic benefit expense: Domestic Foreign Domestic Foreign Domestic Foreign
Service cost $
 $0.1
 $0.1
 $0.1
 $0.1
 $
Interest cost on the projected benefit obligation 0.4
 0.2
 0.3
 0.1
 0.3
 
Net periodic cost $0.4
 $0.3
 $0.4
 $0.2
 $0.4
 $

The weighted average key assumptions used to determine the net periodic benefit cost of the Domestic and Foreign Pension Plan liabilitiesPlans are as follows:
 Pension and SERP Benefits Year Ended December 31,
 Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015
 2016 2015 2014 Domestic Foreign Domestic Foreign Domestic Foreign
 Domestic Foreign Domestic Foreign Domestic Foreign
Pension and SERP Benefits            
Discount rate 4.6% 2.8% 4.2% 2.5% 5.2% 4.2% 4.2% 2.3% 4.6% 2.8% 4.2% 2.5%
Rate of compensation increase 3.5% 3.3% 3.5% 2.9% 4.0% 3.4% 3.5% 3.3% 3.5% 3.3% 3.5% 2.9%
Long-term rate of return on assets 6.5% 2.9% 7.4% 2.5% 7.8% 4.2% 5.9% 2.3% 6.5% 2.9% 7.4% 2.5%
Post-retirement Medical Benefits            
Discount rate 4.2% 12.2% 4.4% 14.0% 4.2% 14.5%
  Post-retirement Medical Benefits
  Year Ended December 31,
  2016 2015 2014
  Domestic Foreign Domestic Foreign Domestic Foreign
Discount rate 4.4% 14.0% 4.2% 14.5% 5.1% 12.4%
The expected long-term rate of return on assets assumption is developed with reference to historical returns, forward-looking return expectations, the Domestic and Foreign Pension Plans' investment allocations, and peer comparisons.
The following tables summarize changes in benefit obligation, plan assets and funded status of the Company’s plans:
  Pension and SERP Benefits Post-retirement Medical Benefits
  2017 2016 2017 2016
  ($ amounts in millions)
 Domestic Foreign Domestic Foreign Domestic Foreign Domestic Foreign
Change in Benefit Obligation:                
Beginning of period balance $213.5
 $103.0
 $230.5
 $112.7
 $9.6
 $3.1
 $9.4
 $1.4
Additions 
 0.6
 
 2.7
 
 
 
 
Service cost 
 2.1
 
 1.8
 
 0.1
 0.1
 0.1
Plan amendments 
 
 
 (6.9) 
 
 
 
Interest cost 8.8
 2.3
 10.1
 3.1
 0.4
 0.4
 0.4
 0.2
Plan curtailment 
 (0.1) 
 (0.1) 
 
 
 
Employee contributions 
 
 
 
 
 
 0.3
 
Actuarial (gain) loss due to assumption change 
 (1.4) 
 14.5
 
 0.3
 
 0.5
Actuarial loss (gain) due to plan experience 13.8
 0.3
 5.0
 (2.1) 0.2
 0.9
 0.2
 0.6
Benefits and expenses paid (9.9) (6.5) (9.2) (6.6) (0.5) (0.2) (0.8) (0.1)
Settlement 
 (72.2) (22.9) (2.5) 
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation 
 6.1
 
 (13.6) 
 (0.1) 
 0.4
End of period balance $226.2
 $34.2
 $213.5
 $103.0
 $9.7
 $4.5
 $9.6
 $3.1
Change in Plan Assets:                
Beginning of period balance $176.6
 $85.0
 $184.5
 $93.7
 $
 $
 $
 $
Additions 
 0.5
 
 
 
 
 
 
Actual return on plan assets, net of expenses 29.8
 0.5
 17.9
 11.3
 
 
 
 
Employer contributions 3.1
 1.8
 6.2
 2.5
 0.5
 0.2
 0.5
 0.1
Employee contributions 
 
 
 
 
 
 0.3
 
Benefits paid (9.9) (6.5) (9.1) (6.6) (0.5) (0.2) (0.8) (0.1)
Settlement 
 (72.2) (22.9) (2.5) 
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation 
 3.9
 
 (13.4) 
 
 
 
End of period balance $199.6
 $13.0
 $176.6
 $85.0
 $
 $
 $
 $
Funded Status                
Funded status of plan $(26.6) $(21.2) $(36.9) $(18.0) $(9.7) $(4.5) $(9.6) $(3.1)


F-28

PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



The following tables summarize changes in plan assets and funded status of the Company’s pension and SERP plans:
  Pension and SERP Benefits
  Year Ended December 31,
 (amounts in millions) 2016 2015 2014
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation: Domestic Foreign Domestic Foreign Domestic Foreign
Beginning of period balance $230.5
 $112.7
 $157.6
 $88.3
 $137.4
 $73.1
Additions 
 2.7
 
 
 
 
Acquisitions 
 
 82.6
 22.6
 
 
Service cost 
 1.8
 
 1.4
 
 0.8
Plan amendments 
 (6.9) 
 8.9
 
 
Interest cost 10.1
 3.1
 6.8
 2.8
 6.9
 3.0
Plan curtailment 
 (0.1) 
 
 
 
Actuarial loss (gain) due to assumption change 
 14.5
 (11.4) 0.3
 18.1
 20.2
Actuarial loss (gain) due to plan experience 5.0
 (2.1) (0.1) 1.1
 (0.6) 1.6
Benefits and expenses paid (9.2) (6.6) (5.0) (6.6) (4.2) (4.3)
Settlement (22.9) (2.5) 
 
 
 (0.5)
Foreign currency translation 
 (13.6) 
 (6.1) 
 (5.6)
End of period balance $213.5
 $103.0
 $230.5
 $112.7
 $157.6
 $88.3
  Pension and SERP Benefits
  Year Ended December 31,
 (amounts in millions) 2016 2015 2014
Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets: Domestic Foreign Domestic Foreign Domestic Foreign
Beginning of period balance $184.5
 $93.7
 $134.0
 $94.5
 $127.0
 $88.1
Acquisitions 
 
 62.5
 8.1
 
 
Actual return on plan assets, net of expenses 17.9
 11.3
 (7.0) 3.1
 11.2
 16.0
Employer contributions 6.2
 2.5
 
 0.5
 
 0.2
Benefits paid (9.1) (6.6) (5.0) (6.6) (4.2) (3.5)
Settlement (22.9) (2.5) 
 
 
 (0.5)
Foreign currency translation 
 (13.4) 
 (5.9) 
 (5.8)
End of period balance 176.6
 85.0
 184.5
 93.7
 134.0
 94.5
Funded status of plan $(36.9) $(18.0) $(46.0) $(19.0) $(23.6) $6.2
The aggregate accumulated benefit obligation for all defined benefit pension plans was $300$244 million and $327$300 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.  At December 31, 2017, the aggregate accumulated benefit obligation and 2015,aggregate fair value of plan assets for plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets were $244 million and $209 million, respectively.  As ofAt December 31, 2016, the aggregate accumulated benefit obligation and aggregate fair value of plan assets for plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets were $228 million and $186 million, respectively.  As of December 31, 2015, the aggregate accumulated benefit obligation and aggregate fair value of plan assets for plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets were $327 million and $278 million, respectively.
PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


The following table summarizes changes in the Company’s post-retirement medical benefit obligations:
  Post-retirement Medical Benefits
  Year Ended December 31,
 (amounts in millions) 2016 2015 2014
Change in Accumulated Post-retirement Benefit: Domestic Foreign Domestic Foreign Domestic Foreign
Beginning of period balance $9.4
 $1.4
 $7.4
 $0.3
 $6.8
 $0.3
Acquisitions 
 
 2.3
 1.5
 
 
Service cost 0.1
 0.1
 
 0.1
 0.1
 
Interest cost 0.4
 0.2
 0.3
 0.2
 0.3
 
Employee contributions 0.3
 
 0.2
 
 
 
Actuarial loss (gain) due to assumption change 
 0.5
 (0.5) (0.2) 0.5
 
Actuarial loss (gain) due to plan experience 0.2
 0.6
 0.3
 (0.1) 
 
Other 
 0.4
 
 (0.3) 
 
Benefits and expenses paid (0.8) (0.1) (0.6) (0.1) (0.3) 
End of period balance $9.6
 $3.1
 $9.4
 $1.4
 $7.4
 $0.3
Amounts included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets consist of the following:
  December 31,
 (amounts in millions) 2016 2015
Prepaid pension assets    
Foreign pension $4.0
 $
Total included in other assets $4.0
 $
Other current liabilities  
  
Domestic pension $0.7
 $6.7
Foreign pension 0.6
 0.6
Domestic post-retirement medical benefits 0.6
 0.6
Foreign post-retirement medical benefits 0.2
 0.1
Total included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities $2.1
 $8.0
Retirement benefits, less current portion  
  
Domestic pension and SERP $36.2
 $39.3
Foreign pensions 21.4
 18.4
Domestic post-retirement medical benefits 9.0
 8.8
Foreign post-retirement medical benefits 2.9
 1.3
Total included in long-term retirement benefits, less current portion $69.5
 $67.8
Weighted average key assumptions used to determine the benefit obligations in the actuarial valuations of the pension and post-retirement benefit liabilities are as follows:
 Pension and SERP Benefits Pension and SERP Benefits Post-retirement Medical Benefits
 December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015 2017 2016 2017 2016
 Domestic Foreign Domestic Foreign Domestic Foreign Domestic Foreign Domestic Foreign Domestic Foreign
Discount rate 4.2% 2.3% 4.6% 2.8% 3.7% 3.0% 4.2% 2.3% 3.7% 9.9% 4.2% 12.2%
Rate of compensation increase 3.5% 3.0% 3.5% 3.4% 3.5% 3.4% 3.5% 3.0% N/A
 N/A
 N/A
 N/A
PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


  Post-retirement Medical Benefits
  December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015
  Domestic Foreign Domestic Foreign
Discount rate 4.2% 12.2% 4.4% 14.0%
(N/A) Not applicable as compensation rates are not used in the determination of benefit obligations under the post-retirement benefit plans.
Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) consist of the following:
  Pension and SERP Benefits
  Year Ended December 31,
 (amounts in millions) 2016 2015 2014
  Domestic Foreign Domestic Foreign Domestic Foreign
Net actuarial loss $(12.8) $(12.3) $(15.8) $(10.5) $(10.4) $(10.1)
Prior service costs (0.1) (0.3) 
 (8.5) 
 
Total $(12.9) $(12.6) $(15.8) $(19.0) $(10.4) $(10.1)
  Post-retirement Medical Benefits
  Year Ended December 31,
 (amounts in millions) 2016 2015 2014
  Domestic Foreign Domestic Foreign Domestic Foreign
Net actuarial (loss) gain $(0.6) $(1.1) $(0.4) $0.2
 $(0.6) $
The major categories of assets in the Company’s various defined benefit pension plans as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 are presented in the tables that follow below. Inputs used in the valuation techniques to derive fair values are classified based on a three-level hierarchy as explained in Note 11, Fair Value Measurements. The basis for fair value measurements for each level within the hierarchy is described below, with Level 1 having the highest priority, and Level 3 having the lowest. The Company’s domestic and foreign post-retirement plans are unfunded.
  Pension and SERP Benefits Post-retirement Medical Benefits
  2017 2016 2017 2016
  ($ amounts in millions)
 Domestic Foreign Domestic Foreign Domestic Foreign Domestic Foreign
 Balance Sheet                
Other assets $
 $3.6
 $
 $4.0
 $
 $
 $
 $
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 1.1
 0.7
 0.7
 0.6
 0.6
 0.2
 0.6
 0.2
Pension and post-retirement benefits 25.5
 24.1
 36.2
 21.4
 9.1
 4.3
 9.0
 2.9
 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Balance Sheet                
Net actuarial loss $(7.0) $(3.1) $(12.8) $(12.3) $(0.8) $(2.2) $(0.6) $(1.1)
Prior service costs (0.1) 
 (0.1) (0.3) N/A
 N/A
 N/A
 N/A
The amount of estimated prior service costs for the Company's Pension Plans and SERP plans that will be reclassified from "Accumulated other comprehensive loss" into net periodic cost over the next 12 months is immaterial.
The fair value of plan assets as of December 31, 2016 were classified in the fair value hierarchy as follows:
    Fair Value Measurements Using
 (amounts in millions) December 31, 2016 Quoted prices in
active markets
(Level 1)
 Significant other
observable inputs
(Level 2)
 Significant
unobservable
inputs (Level 3)
Asset Category        
Domestic equities $31.1
 $31.1
 $
 $
Mutual funds holding domestic securities 5.5
 5.5
 
 
U.S. Treasuries 4.9
 
 4.9
 
Mutual funds holding U.S. Treasury Securities 12.0
 12.0
 
 
Mutual funds holding fixed income securities 14.6
 14.6
 
 
Insurance "Buy-In" Policy (a)
 70.2
 
 
 70.2
Foreign public bonds 5.1
 
 5.1
 
Corporate bonds 1.2
 
 1.2
 
Cash and cash equivalents 15.1
 15.1
 
 
   Sub-Total 159.7
 $78.3
 $11.2
 $70.2
Assets using NAV as a practical expedient 101.9
      
Total $261.6
      

F-29

PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



The following table presents the fair value of plan assets as of December 31, 2015 were classified in the fair value hierarchy as follows:assets: 
   Fair Value Measurements Using December 31,
(amounts in millions) December 31, 2015 
Quoted prices in
active markets
(Level 1)
 
Significant other
observable inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
unobservable
inputs (Level 3)
($ amounts in millions) Classification 2017 2016
Asset Category              
Domestic equities $26.3
 $26.3
 $
 $
 Level 1 $31.8
 $31.1
Foreign equities 0.3
 0.3
 
 
 Level 1 18.3
 
Mutual funds holding domestic securities 4.9
 4.9
 
 
 Level 1 4.0
 5.5
U.S. Treasuries 5.0
 
 5.0
 
 Level 2 14.6
 4.9
Mutual funds holding U.S. Treasury Securities 11.9
 11.9
 
 
 Level 1 9.2
 12.0
Mutual funds holding fixed income securities 16.1
 16.1
 
 
 Level 1 74.6
 14.6
Insurance "Buy-In" Policy (a)
 77.2
 
 
 77.2
 Level 3 
 70.2
Foreign public bonds 2.9
 
 2.9
 
 Level 2 5.3
 5.1
Corporate bonds 1.5
 
 1.5
 
 Level 2 
 1.2
Designated benefit fund(b)
 1.3
 
 1.3
 
Cash and cash equivalents 11.2
 11.2
 
 
 Level 1 10.1
 15.1
Sub-Total 158.6
 $70.7
 $10.7
 $77.2
 167.9
 159.7
Assets using NAV as a practical expedient 119.6
      
Assets using net asset value (or NAV) as a practical expedient 44.7
 101.9
Total $278.2
       $212.6
 $261.6
(a) 
This category represents assets in the U.K. Pension Plan invested in insurance contract with PIC in connection with the “Buy-In” of the U.K. Pension Plan.Plan, which was transferred to PIC, as of December 31, 2017.
(b)
This category includes assets held in a fund with the Bank of Taiwan as prescribed by the Taiwan government in accordance with local statutory rules.
The methods and assumptions used to estimate the fair value of each category of the Company’s plan assets were as follows:
Level 1 assets include investments in publicly traded equity securities and mutual funds. These securities are actively traded and valued using quoted prices for identical securities from the market exchanges.
Level 2 assets include global fixed-income securities. The fair value of plan assets invested in fixed-income securities is generally determined using market approach pricing methodology, where observable prices are obtained by market transactions involving identical or comparable securities of issuers with similar credit ratings.
Level 3 assets include investments in pooled funds holding real estate in the United Kingdom which were valued using discounted cash flow models that consider long-term lease estimates, future rental receipts and estimated residual values. The decrease in fair value is attributable to a change in the discount rate used in the valuation model and foreign currency effects.
Assets using NAV as a practical expedient include limited partnership interests and commingled funds that are not actively traded or whose underlying investments are valued using observable marketplace inputs.
PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3).
  December 31,
 (amounts in millions) 2016 2015
Fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)    
Beginning balance $77.2
 $83.2
Changes in fair value (7.0) (6.0)
Purchases, sales and settlements(1)
 
 
Transfers into Level 3 
 
Transfers out of Level 3 
 
Ending balance $70.2
 $77.2
(1) There were no purchases, sales, or settlements, on a gross basis, for the years endedAt December 31, 2016 and 2015.
As of December 31, 2016,2017, expected future benefit payments related to the Company’s defined benefit plans were as follows:
 Pension and SERP Benefits Post-retirement Medical Benefits Total Pension and SERP Benefits Post-retirement Medical Benefits Total
(amounts in millions) Domestic Foreign 
2017 $12.1
 $5.7
 $0.7
 $18.5
($ amounts in millions)
 Domestic Foreign Post-retirement Medical Benefits Total
2018 11.2
 1.5
 0.8
 13.5
 $12.0
 $1.6
2019 12.1
 1.6
 0.8
 14.5
 12.0
 1.8
 0.8
 14.6
2020 12.0
 1.7
 0.8
 14.5
 12.2
 1.7
 0.8
 14.7
2021 12.1
 1.8
 0.8
 14.7
 12.1
 1.8
 0.8
 14.7
2022 12.7
 1.9
 0.8
 15.4
Subsequent five years 64.1
 9.8
 4.0
 77.9
 64.1
 11.1
 4.0
 79.2
Total $123.6
 $22.1
 $7.9
 $153.6
 $125.1
 $19.9
 $7.9
 $152.9
The measurement date used to determine pension and other post-retirement medical benefits was December 31, 2016,2017, at which time the minimum contribution level for the following year was determined.  The Company's expected future contribution to the pension and other post-retirement plans is $2.9$3.4 million in 2017.2018.
8.11. INCOME TAXES
Losses beforeTax Reform
On December 22, 2017, the TCJA was enacted into law in the United States. The legislation contains several key tax provisions including the reduction of the corporate income tax rate to 21% effective January 1, 2018, and a one-time transition tax on foreign earnings which have not previously been subject to tax in the United States, as well as a variety of other changes, including limitation of the tax deductibility of interest expense, limitations for the deduction for net operating losses, new taxes on certain foreign-sourced earnings, and non-controlling interests were as follows:modification or repeal of many business deductions and credits.
The SEC staff issued SAB 118 which allows companies to record provisional amounts during a one-year measurement period. At December 31, 2017, the Company has not completed its accounting for the tax effects of the enactment of the TCJA; however,


F-30
  Year Ended December 31,
 (amounts in millions) 2016 2015 2014
Domestic $(229.1) $(290.8) $(103.9)
Foreign 181.0
 61.5
 73.0
Total $(48.1) $(229.3) $(30.9)

PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



the Company estimated what it believes to be the effects of the TCJA on its existing deferred tax balances, unrecognized tax benefits and the one-time transition tax, and recorded a provisional estimate for these tax effects.
The Company recognized a provisional $46.3 million income tax benefit in 2017 as a result of remeasuring U.S. federal deferred taxes for the change in the statutory tax rate and a partial release of the U.S. federal valuation allowance due to changes in the carryforward period and limitation on the utilization of future net operating losses. The valuation allowance analysis is subject to significant judgment and may change as the Company completes its analysis of the impacts of the enactment of the TCJA. The Company also made a reasonable estimate of the impact of the one-time transition tax on foreign earnings which have not previously been subject to tax in the United States. The Company believes foreign tax credits will be utilized to offset the one-time transition tax. Significant technical analysis is required to further substantiate the foreign earnings subject to the one-time transition tax as well as the utilization of foreign tax credits. The Company will continue to review the technical tax interpretations associated with the underlying law, monitor state legislative changes, and review U.S. federal and state guidance as it is issued. These items could significantly impact the Company’s provisional estimate of the one-time transition tax.
The TCJA subjects a U.S. shareholder to tax on global intangible low-taxed income (GILTI) earned by certain foreign subsidiaries for which an entity can make an accounting policy election to either recognize deferred taxes for temporary basis differences expected to reverse as GILTI in future years or provide for the tax expense related to GILTI in the year the tax is incurred. Given the complexity of the GILTI provisions, the Company is still evaluating the effects of the GILTI provisions and has not yet determined its accounting policy. At December 31, 2017, because the Company is still evaluating the GILTI provisions and its analysis of future taxable income that is subject to GILTI, the Company is unable to make a reasonable estimate and has therefore not reflected any adjustments related to GILTI in its Consolidated Financial Statements.
The Company will continue to assess the impact of the TCJA on its business and its Consolidated Financial Statements and provide updates in subsequent filings.
Income Taxes
(Loss) income before income taxes and non-controlling interests was as follows:
  Year Ended December 31,
  ($ amounts in millions)
 2017 2016 2015
Domestic $(331.0) $(229.1) $(290.8)
Foreign 42.0
 181.0
 61.5
Total $(289.0) $(48.1) $(229.3)
Income tax expense (benefit) consisted of the following: 
 Year Ended December 31, Year Ended December 31,
(amounts in millions) 2016 2015 2014
($ amounts in millions)
 2017 2016 2015
Current:            
U.S.:            
Federal $0.1
 $0.7
 $(0.6) $(1.2) $0.1
 $0.7
State and local 0.4
 (0.2) 0.4
 1.0
 0.4
 (0.2)
Foreign 85.5
 120.1
 36.7
 133.4
 85.5
 120.1
Total current 86.0
 120.6
 36.5
 133.2
 86.0
 120.6
Deferred:  
  
  
  
  
  
U.S.:  
  
  
  
  
  
Federal 1.9
 6.4
 (18.3) (48.7) 1.9
 6.4
State and local (0.2) (5.2) 0.4
 0.4
 (0.2) (5.2)
Foreign (59.1) (46.7) (25.3) (78.3) (59.1) (46.7)
Total deferred (57.4) (45.5) (43.2) (126.6) (57.4) (45.5)
Income tax expense (benefit) $28.6
 $75.1
 $(6.7)
Income tax expense $6.6
 $28.6
 $75.1


F-31

PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



Income tax expense (benefit) differed from the amounts computed by applying the U.S. Federalfederal statutory tax ratesrate to pre-tax loss, as a result of the following:
 Year Ended December 31, Year Ended December 31,
(amounts in millions) 2016 2015 2014
($ amounts in millions)
 2017 2016 2015
U.S. federal statutory tax rate 35.0 % 35.0 % 35.0% 35.0 % 35.0 % 35.0 %
      
Taxes computed at U.S. statutory rate $(16.8) $(80.3) $(10.8) $(101.2) $(16.8) $(80.3)
State income taxes, net of federal benefit 0.1
 (3.6) 0.8
 0.9
 0.1
 (3.6)
Foreign tax on foreign operations (17.2) (25.3) (12.5) (3.9) (17.2) (25.3)
U.S. tax on foreign operations 29.0
 31.1
 4.8
 46.7
 29.0
 31.1
Net change in reserve (24.1) 27.5
 1.5
 (8.1) (24.1) 27.5
Change in valuation allowances 68.4
 72.6
 0.2
 83.2
 68.4
 72.6
Provision for tax on undistributed foreign earnings 26.8
 5.0
 (3.7) (1.0) 26.8
 5.0
Change of tax rate 11.8
 (1.0) (0.5) (19.4) 11.8
 (1.0)
Impact of transaction costs (24.5) 40.5
 6.5
 
 (24.5) 40.5
Purchase price contingency 1.3
 0.4
 6.6
Settlement of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock (34.3) 
 
 
 (34.3) 
Goodwill impairment 6.2
 
 
 53.4
 6.2
 
Provisional estimate of TCJA (46.3) 
 
Other, net 1.9
 8.2
 0.4
 2.3
 3.2
 8.6
Income tax expense (benefit) $28.6
 $75.1
 $(6.7)
Income tax expense $6.6
 $28.6
 $75.1
      
Effective tax rate (59.5)% (32.8)% 21.7% (2.3)% (59.5)% (32.8)%
As of December 31, 2015, the Company had approximately $390 million of indefinitely reinvested foreign earnings for which no U.S. income tax or foreign tax had been provided. During the fourth quarter of 2016, the Company changed its intent with regard to the indefinitely reinvested foreign earnings of certain of its foreign subsidiaries. The change was prompted by several factors including a decision to improve the Company’s overall adjusted EBITDA/debt ratio, the term loan refinancing completed in October and December 2016 - whereby the Company was able to move a portion of its debt from the United States to Europe - and the resulting need to access foreign cash to fund the related interest expense. In connection with this change, the Company has provided U.S. income tax and foreign taxes on previously unremitted earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries from 2015 and for other foreign subsidiaries forfrom 2016. The amountAt December 31, 2017, the Company maintains a deferred tax liability of deferred taxes recorded in the fourth quarter of 2016 is $29.7 million. Of this amount, $4.8$21.9 million relatesrelating to the taxes that would be incurred upon repatriation of earnings from non-U.S. subsidiaries to the U.S. The balance of $24.9 million relates to taxes includingincome and withholding taxes upon distribution of earnings from non-U.S. subsidiaries to certain foreign holding companies. TheNo additional income taxes have been provided for any remaining approximately $337 million of undistributed foreign earnings isnot subject to the transition tax, or any additional outside basis difference inherent in these entities, as these amounts continue to be indefinitely reinvested in foreign operations. Determining the Company’samount of unrecognized deferred tax liability related to any remaining undistributed foreign subsidiaries for which it is impracticable to determine the impact of U.S. income or applicable foreign taxes that would be payable if such earnings were repatriatednot subject to the United States.transition tax and additional outside basis difference in these entities (i.e., basis difference in excess of that subject to the one-time transition tax) is not practicable. Due to the changes associated with the TCJA, the Company is still evaluating its assertion for foreign earnings.


F-32

PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



The components of deferred income taxes at December 31, 20162017 and 20152016 were as follows:
 December 31, December 31,
(amounts in millions) 2016 2015
($ amounts in millions)
 2017 2016
Deferred tax assets:        
Net operating losses $323.0
 $355.7
Tax credits 62.0
 49.2
Interest carryforward 44.4
 34.2
Employee benefits 40.3
 56.2
Accrued liabilities 25.9
 50.6
Financing activities 24.3
 3.5
Goodwill 19.5
 31.4
Accounts receivable $10.4
 $8.9
 19.1
 19.8
Research and development costs 10.3
 15.2
Inventory 9.3
 6.6
 4.6
 8.5
Accrued liabilities 45.6
 34.8
Employee benefits 43.6
 27.5
Research and development costs 15.2
 11.8
Tax credits 46.2
 49.3
Net operating losses 359.7
 332.3
Goodwill 16.4
 26.8
Financing activities 4.5
 30.7
Other 39.0
 41.4
 20.7
 24.1
Total deferred tax assets 589.9
 570.1
 594.1
 648.4
Valuation allowance (363.2) (303.8) (391.7) (383.3)
Total gross deferred tax assets 226.7
 266.3
 202.4
 265.1
Deferred tax liabilities:  
  
  
  
Intangibles 710.4
 831.9
Plant and equipment 37.0
 38.6
 24.8
 33.9
Intangibles 796.9
 867.1
Undistributed foreign earnings 36.8
 7.1
 21.9
 36.8
Other 0.4
 2.9
 0.4
 6.9
Total gross deferred tax liabilities 871.1
 915.7
 757.5
 909.5
Net deferred tax liability $644.4
 $649.4
 $555.1
 $644.4
Deferred tax assets are included in "Other assets" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as "Other assets" at December 31, 2017 and 2016.
The presentation of the deferred tax balances at December 31, 2016 and 2015.
Thein the above table reflects the correction of anhave been revised to correct immaterial prior year error which overstated the valuation allowance and understated deferred tax liabilitieserrors primarily related to intangibleintangibles, interest carryforward, goodwill, other assets, by $99.8 million.employee benefits and related valuation allowances. There was no impact to net deferred tax liabilities.liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as the net impact of these adjustments was offset with a corresponding $20.1 million adjustment to related valuation allowances.
Valuation allowances reflect the Company's assessment that it is more likely than not that certain federal, state and foreign deferred tax assets, primarily net operating losses, will not be realized. The assessment of the need for a valuation allowance requires management to make estimates and assumptions about future earnings, reversal of existing temporary differences and available tax planning strategies. If actual experience differs from these estimates and assumptions, the recorded deferred tax asset may not be fully realized, resulting in an increase to income tax expense in Platform's results of operations. The valuation allowance for deferred tax assets was $363$392 million and $304$383 million at December 31, 20162017 and 2015,2016, respectively. During 2016,2017, the valuation allowance increased by $59.4$8.4 million as a result of $68.4 million of new reserves,primarily due to foreign operating losses offset by the reductions in part by net reserve deductions and other adjustments of $9.0 million. During 2015, the U.S. valuation allowance increased by $284 million as a resultfollowing enactment of $72.6 million of new reserves and $212 million other adjustments, including the correction noted above, and net deductions from the reserve.TCJA.
At December 31, 2016,2017, the Company had federal, state and foreign net operating loss carry-forwardscarryforwards of approximately $380$591 million, $777$841 million and $697$774 million, respectively. The U.S. federal net operating loss carry-forwardscarryforwards expire between the years 2021 and 2036. The U.S. federal net operating loss carry-forwards result in a deferred tax asset of $133 million. The majority of the state net operating loss carry-forwardscarryforwards expire between the years 20172018 and 2036. The state net operating loss carry-forwards result in a deferred tax asset of $37.7 million. Due to the historic and projected domestic losses, the Company has recorded a full valuation allowance against its U.S. federal and state net deferred tax assets exclusive of the indefinite lived assets.2037. The foreign tax net operating loss carry-forwardscarryforwards expire between the years 2018 through 2037 or may be carried forward indefinitely. In addition, at December 31, 2017, through 2036, with some beingthe Company had approximately $43.2 million, $17.8 million and $6.5 million of foreign tax credits, research and development credits, and other tax credits, respectively, available for carryforward. These carryforward periods range from ten years to an unlimited in utilization. This results in a deferred tax assetperiod of $189 million. A valuation allowance of $161 million has been provided against the deferred tax assets associated with certain foreign net operating loss carry-forwards because the recent results of the business units associated with the loss carry-forwards indicate that it is more likely than not that the benefits from the net operating loss carry-forwards will not be fully realized.
PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


time.
Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code, or the Code imposes an annual limitation on the amount of a corporation's U.S. federal taxable income that can be offset by net operating losses or NOLs, if it experiences an "ownership change" (as defined in the Code).change." The Company experienced ownership


F-33

PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



changes in 2013 and 2015 with respect to the acquisition of various companies. Accordingly, the use of the Company's NOLsnet operating losses generated prior to these ownership changes is subject to an annual limitation. If certain changes in the Company's ownership occur prospectively, there could be an additional annual limitation on the amount of utilizable carry-forwards.carryforwards.
In addition, at December 31, 2016, the Company had approximately $24.2 million, $16.7 million, $1.8 million and $3.5 million of foreign tax credits, research and development credits, alternative minimum tax credits and other tax credits, respectively, available for carry-forward. These carry-forward periods range from ten years to an unlimited period of time. As discussed above, a full valuation allowance has been recorded on the Company's U.S. federal and state net deferred tax assets exclusive of indefinite-lived assets.
Tax Uncertainties
The following table summarizes the activity related to the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits:
 Year Ended December 31, Year Ended December 31,
(amounts in millions) 2016 2015 2014
($ amounts in millions)
 2017 2016 2015
Unrecognized tax benefits at beginning of period $112.2
 $27.7
 $25.6
 $128.3
 $112.2
 $27.7
Additions based on current year tax positions 76.2
 20.7
 1.7
 6.5
 76.2
 20.7
Additions based upon prior year tax positions (including acquired uncertain tax positions) 1.7
 72.2
 7.4
 4.0
 1.7
 72.2
Reductions due to closed statutes (9.9) (2.9) (6.7) (6.3) (9.9) (2.9)
Reductions for prior period positions (51.9) 
 
 (38.0) (51.9) 
Reductions for settlements and payments 
 (5.5) (0.3) (4.2) 
 (5.5)
Total unrecognized tax benefits at end of period $128.3
 $112.2
 $27.7
 $90.3
 $128.3
 $112.2
As ofAt December 31, 2016,2017, the Company had $128$90.3 million of total unrecognized tax benefits, of which $40.1$39.8 million, if recognized, would impact the Company’s effective tax rate. The additionsDue to enactment of the TCJA, the Company recorded a provisional estimate for remeasuring federal unrecognized tax benefits of $28.7 million included in the current year are primarily related toreductions of prior period positions regarding acquisitions. Thedisclosure above for which the Company was alsoexpects it will be able to reduce tax attribute carryforwards upon settlement of the amountuncertain tax position. As noted previously, the Company will continue to assess the impact of the TCJA on its business and its Consolidated Financial Statements, including the impact on the U.S. unrecognized tax benefits in the fourth quarter based on a reassessment of the uncertainty for a previously identified position.benefits. Due to expected settlements and statute of limitations expirations, the Company estimates that $11.4$4.2 million of the total unrecognized benefits will reverse within the next twelve months.
The Company recognizes interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters as part of income tax (benefit) expense, (benefit), which totaled $(1.2) million, $(5.5) million and $4.9 million, for 2017, 2016 and $1.0 million, for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively. The Company's accrual for interest and penalties totaled $13.0 million and $13.3 million and $17.5 million as ofat December 31, 20162017 and 2015,2016, respectively.
As ofAt December 31, 2016,2017, the following tax years remained subject to examination by the major tax jurisdictions indicated below:
Major Jurisdictions Open Years
Belgium 20092010 through current
Brazil 20102011through current
Canada2012 through current
China 20102011 through current
France 20102011through current
Germany2013 through current
Japan 20112012 through current
Mexico 20112012 through current
Netherlands 20122013 through current
South Africa 20122013 through current
Taiwan 20112012 through current
United Kingdom 20092008 and 2015through current
United States2015 through current
The Company is subject to taxation in the United States and in various states and foreign jurisdictions. As of December 31, 2016, the Company's tax years for 2013, 2014 and 2015 are subject to examination byDuring 2017, the U.S. federal tax authorities.authorities concluded their audit of the income tax returns through the tax year ended December 31, 2014. With few exceptions,
PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


as of at December 31, 2016,2017, the Company was no longer subject to state and local or foreign examinations by tax authorities for years before 2009.2010. The Company is currently undergoing tax examinationexaminations in several foreign jurisdictions. The Company


F-34

PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



believes it has appropriately accrued for the expected outcome of uncertain tax matters and believes such liabilities represent a reasonable provision for taxes ultimately expected to be paid. However, the Company's liability may need to be adjusted as new information becomes knownavailable and as tax examinations continue to progress.
9.12. DEBT, FACTORING AND CUSTOMER FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS 
The Company’s debt and capital lease obligations consisted of the following:
    December 31,
 (amounts in millions)   2016 2015
USD Senior Notes due 2022, interest at 6.50% 
(1) 
 $1,083.2
 $1,081.1
EUR Senior Notes due 2023, interest at 6.00% 
(1) 
 362.4
 374.0
USD Senior Notes due 2021, interest at 10.375% 
(1) 
 489.0
 487.5
First Lien Credit Facility - U.S. Dollar Term Loans due 2020,
interest at the greater of 5.50% or LIBOR plus 4.50%
 
(2) 
 
 2,631.3
First Lien Credit Facility - U.S. Dollar Term Loans due 2020,
interest at the greater of 4.50% or LIBOR plus 3.50%
 
(2) 
 582.5
 
First Lien Credit Facility - U.S. Dollar Term Loans due 2021,
interest at the greater of 5.00% or LIBOR plus 4.00%
 
(2) (3) 
 1,444.2
 
First Lien Credit Facility - Euro Term Loans due 2020,
interest at the greater of 5.50% or EURIBOR plus 4.50%,
 
(2) 
 
 619.2
First Lien Credit Facility - Euro Term Loans due 2020,
interest at the greater of 4.25% or EURIBOR plus 3.25%
 
(2) 
 726.5
 
First Lien Credit Facility - Euro Term Loans due 2021,
interest at the greater of 4.75% or EURIBOR plus 3.75%
 
(2) (3) 
 450.7
 
Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility, interest at LIBOR plus 3.00%   
 
Borrowings under lines of credit 
(4) 
 86.0
 16.7
Other   14.5
 18.5
Total debt and capital lease obligations   5,239.0
 5,228.3
Less: current portion debt and capital lease obligations   (116.1) (54.7)
Total long-term debt and capital lease obligations   $5,122.9
 $5,173.6
  ($ amounts in millions)
 Maturity Date Interest Rate December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016
USD Senior Notes (1)
 2022 6.50% $1,086.1
 $1,083.2
EUR Senior Notes (1)
 2023 6.00% 415.1
 362.4
USD Senior Notes (1)
 2021 10.375% 
 489.0
USD Senior Notes (1)
 2025 5.875% 783.2
 
First Lien Credit Facility - USD Term Loans (2)
 2020 > of 4.50% or
LIBOR plus 3.50%
 
 582.5
First Lien Credit Facility - USD Term Loans (2)
 2020 > of 3.50% or
LIBOR plus 2.50%
 620.4
 
First Lien Credit Facility - USD Term Loans (2) (3)
 2021 > of 5.00% or
LIBOR plus 4.00%
 
 1,444.2
First Lien Credit Facility - USD Term Loans (2) (3)
 2021 > of 4.00% or
LIBOR plus 3.00%
 1,121.2
 
First Lien Credit Facility - Euro Term Loans (2)
 2020 > of 4.25% or EURIBOR plus 3.25% 
 726.5
First Lien Credit Facility - Euro Term Loans (2)
 2020 > of 3.25% or EURIBOR plus 2.50% 694.3
 
First Lien Credit Facility - Euro Term Loans (2) (3)
 2021 > of 4.75% or EURIBOR plus 3.75% 
 450.7
First Lien Credit Facility - Euro Term Loans (2) (3)
 2021 > of 3.50% or EURIBOR plus 2.75% 716.0
 
Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility   LIBOR plus 3.00% 
 
Borrowings under lines of credit (4)
 
   28.5
 86.0
Capital leases and other     14.7
 14.5
Total debt and capital lease obligations     5,479.5
 5,239.0
Less: current installments of long-term debt and revolving credit facilities     38.9
 116.1
Total long-term debt and capital lease obligations     $5,440.6
 $5,122.9
(1) Net of unamortized premium, discounts and debt issuance costs of $33.4 million and $37.5 million at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Weighted average effective interest rate of 7.81% and 7.79% at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
(1)
Net of unamortized premium, discounts and debt issuance costs of $35.5 million and $33.4 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Weighted average effective interest rate of 6.53% and 7.81% at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
(2) First Lien Credit Facility term loans net of unamortized discounts and debt issuance costs of $64.0$33.3 million and $81.7$64.0 million at December 31, 20162017 and 2015,2016, respectively. Weighted average effective interest rate of 4.53% and 5.64% and 6.52% as ofat December 31, 20162017 and 2015,2016, respectively, including the effects of interest rate swaps. ReferSee Note 13, Financial Instruments, to Note 10, Derivative Instruments,the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding the Company's interest rate swaps.
(3) The maturity date will extend to June 7, 2023, provided that the Company is able to prepay, redeem or otherwise retire and/or refinance in full its $1.101.10 billion, 6.50% USD Notes due 2022, as permitted under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, on or prior to November 2, 2021.
(4) Weighted average interest rate of 3.51% and 4.48% and 4.28% as ofat December 31, 2017 and 2016, and 2015, respectively.


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PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



Minimum future principal payments on long-term debt and capital lease obligations were as follows:
(amounts in millions) Long-Term Debt Capital Leases Total
2017 $32.8
 $0.9
 $33.7
($ amounts in millions)
 Long-Term Debt Capital Leases Total
2018 32.8
 0.8
 33.6
 $
 $0.7
 $0.7
2019 32.8
 0.6
 33.4
 
 0.6
 0.6
2020 1,321.4
 0.5
 1,321.9
 1,330.8
 0.5
 1,331.3
2021 
(*) 
 2,444.6
 1.1
 2,445.7
 
(*) 
 1,854.4
 0.5
 1,854.9
2022 1,100.0
 0.4
 1,100.4
Thereafter 1,371.5
 0.7
 1,372.2
 1,219.9
 1.6
 1,221.5
Total $5,235.9
 $4.6
 $5,240.5
 $5,505.1
 $4.3
 $5,509.4
(*) In the event the Company is able to prepay, redeem or otherwise retire and/or refinance in full its $1.10 billion, 6.50% USD Notes due 2022, as permitted under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, on or prior to November 2, 2021, the maturity date of approximately $1.93$1.85 billion of first lien debt will be extended to June 7, 2023 from November 2, 2021, as currently presented in the table above.2021.
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
The Company is party to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, which governs the First Lien Credit Facility and the Revolving Credit Facility (in U.S. Dollardollar or multicurrency). A portion of the Revolving Credit Facility not in excess of $30.0 million is available for the issuance of letters of credit. TheAt December 31, 2017, the maximum borrowing capacity under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement totalstotaled $500 million, which consists of (i) an aggregate principal amount of up to $250 million under the Revolving Credit Facility to be denominated in U.S. Dollars,dollars, and (ii) an aggregate principal amount of up to $250 million under the Revolving Credit Facility to be denominated in multicurrency. Current availability under the Revolving Credit Facility, net of letters of credits, totals $488 million. Loans under the Revolving Credit Facility bear interest at a rate per annum equal to 3.00% plus an adjusted eurocurrency rate, or 2.00% plus an adjusted base rate, each as calculated as set forth in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. TheApproximately $15.0 million of our total borrowing capacity of $500 million under the Revolving Credit Facility matures on June 7, 2018, and for2018. The remainder of our Revolving Credit Facility matures on June 7, 2019, representing lenders thatwho consented to an extension, June 7, 2019.extension. The Company is required to pay a quarterly commitment fee of 0.50% on the unused balance of the Revolving Credit Facility.
The Amended and Restated Credit Agreement also provides the Company the ability to incur certain amounts of additional incremental term loans in the future, subject to pro-forma compliance with a financial maintenance covenant and certain other requirements.
On October 14, 2016, theThe Company entered into Amendment No. 5,7 on April 18, 2017 and on December 6, 2016, into Amendment No. 68 on October 3, 2017 to its Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. These amendments, collectively, and among other things, refinanced the Company’s then existing U.S. Dollar tranche B, B-2 and B-3 term loans, and Euro tranche C-1 and C-2 term loans by creating new U.S. Dollardollar tranche B-4 and B-5 term loans, and new Euroeuro tranche C-3 and C-4 term loans by creating new U.S. dollar tranche B-6 and B-7 term loans and new euro tranche C-5 and C-6 term loans. The proceeds of newly created U.S. Dollardollar and Euroeuro denominated term loans, each as further described below, were used to prepay in full, and effectively reduce the interest rates of, the then existing term loans. In connection with the term loan refinancing,refinancings, the Company wrote-off $11.3$18.9 million, consisting primarily of deferred financing fees and original issuance discounts on the modification of the existing debt, which was recorded in "Other income, (expense) net""Total other expense" in the Consolidated Statement of Operations, and expensed $8.4$8.8 million of debt issuance costs, which was recorded in "Selling, technical, general and administrative" expensesexpense in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.


F-36

PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



The effects of the term loan refinancingrefinancings resulting from Amendments No. 57 and 68 were as follows:
 (amounts in millions) Balance before refinancing Refinancing Balance after refinancing
U.S. Dollar Tranche B Term Loan due 2020 $1,151.8
 $(1,151.8) $
U.S. Dollar Tranche B-2 Term Loan due 2020 491.3
 (491.3) 
U.S. Dollar Tranche B-3 Term Loan due 2020 1,034.5
 (1,034.5) 
U.S. Dollar Tranche B-4 Term Loan due 2021 
 1,475.0
 1,475.0
U.S. Dollar Tranche B-5 Term Loan due 2020 
 610.0
 610.0
Euro Tranche C-1 Term Loan due 2020 309.9
 (309.9) 
Euro Tranche C-2 Term Loan due 2020 318.3
 (318.3) 
Euro Tranche C-3 Term Loan due 2021 
 475.1
 475.1
Euro Tranche C-4 Term Loan due 2020 
 750.3
 750.3
Totals repriced first lien debt $3,305.8
 $4.6
 $3,310.4
  ($ amounts in millions)
 Balance before refinancing Refinancing Balance after refinancing
U.S. Dollar Tranche B-4 Term Loan due 2021 $1,467.6
 $(1,467.6) $
U.S. Dollar Tranche B-6 Term Loan due 2021 
 1,231.0
 1,231.0
U.S. Dollar Tranche B-5 Term Loan due 2020 603.9
 (603.9) 
U.S. Dollar Tranche B-7 Term Loan due 2020 
 680.0
 680.0
Euro Tranche C-3 Term Loan due 2021 462.3
 (462.3) 
Euro Tranche C-5 Term Loan due 2021 
 697.5
 697.5
Euro Tranche C-4 Term Loan due 2020 814.0
 (814.0) 
Euro Tranche C-6 Term Loan due 2020 
 740.0
 740.0
Totals repriced first lien debt $3,347.8
 $0.7
 $3,348.5
In connection with the October 2016April 2017 refinancing of the Company's previously-existing U.S. Dollardollar denominated B-1B-4 and B-2 and Euroeuro denominated C-1C-3 term loan tranches, Amendment No. 5 effectively reduced interest rates by 50 basis points for the U.S. Dollar denominated term loans and by 75 basis points for the Euro denominated term loans. The new U.S. Dollar tranche B-4 term loans bear interest at 4.0% per annum, plus an applicable eurocurrency rate, or 3.0% plus an applicable base rate, and the new Euro tranche C-3 term loans bear interest at 3.75% per annum, plus an applicable eurocurrency rate, in each case as calculated in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. In the event the Company is able to prepay, redeem or otherwise retire and/or refinance in full its $1.10 billion, 6.50% USD Notes due 2022, as permitted under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, on or prior to November 2, 2021, the maturity date of the term loans refinanced in the October 2016 refinancing totaling approximately $1.93 billion will be extended to June 7 2023 from November 2, 2021.
In connection with the December 2016 refinancing of the Company's previously-existing U.S. Dollar denominated B-3 and Euro denominated C-2 term loan tranches, Amendment No. 6 effectively reduced interest rates by 100 basis points for each of the new U.S. Dollardollar denominated term loans and by 125 basis points for the Euronew euro denominated term loans. In addition, the EURIBOR floor was reduced from 1.00% to 0.75% on the new euro denominated term loans. The new U.S. Dollar tranche B-5B-6 term loans bear interest at 3.5%3.00% per annum, plus an applicable eurocurrency rate, or 2.5%2.00% plus an applicable base rate, and the new Euroeuro tranche C-4C-5 term loans bear interest at 3.25%2.75% per annum, plus an applicable eurocurrency rate, in each case as calculated in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement.
Except as set forth in Amendment No. 67 and above, (i) the U.S. Dollardollar tranche B-5B-6 term loans have identical terms as the U.S. Dollardollar denominated tranche B-4B-5 term loans and (ii) the Euroeuro tranche C-4C-5 term loans have identical terms as the Euroeuro denominated tranche C-3C-4 term loans and are, in each case, otherwise subject to the provisions of the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement.
In connection with the October 2017 refinancing of the Company's previously-existing U.S. dollar denominated B-5 and euro denominated C-4 term loan tranches, Amendment No. 8 effectively reduced interest rates by 100 basis points for each of the new U.S. dollar denominated term loans and the new euro denominated term loans. In addition, the EURIBOR floor was reduced from 1.00% to 0.75% on the new euro denominated term loans. The new U.S. dollar tranche B-7 term loans bear interest at 2.50% per annum, plus an applicable eurocurrency rate, or 1.50% plus an applicable base rate, and the new euro tranche C-6 term loans bear interest at 2.50% per annum, plus an applicable eurocurrency rate, in each case as calculated in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. The new term loans mature in June 2020, which is unchanged from the refinanced U.S. dollar denominated B-5 and euro denominated C-4 term loan tranches.
Except as set forth in Amendment No. 8 and above, the U.S. dollar tranche B-7 term loans have identical terms as the U.S. dollar denominated tranche B-6 term loans and the euro tranche C-6 term loans have identical terms as the euro denominated tranche C-5 term loans and are, in each case, otherwise subject to the provisions of the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement.
The obligations incurred under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement are guaranteed by substantially all of the Company’s domestic subsidiaries, and with respect to the obligations denominated in Euros,euros, the Company and certain of its international subsidiaries. Substantially all of the Company’s domestic subsidiaries, and certain of its international subsidiaries, have also granted security interests in substantially all of their assets in connection with such guarantees, including, but not limited to, the equity interests and personal property of such subsidiaries.
Covenants, Events of Default and Provisions
The Amended and Restated Credit Agreement contains customary representations and warranties, and affirmative and negative covenants, including limitations on additional indebtedness, dividends, and other distributions, entry into new lines of business, use of loan proceeds, capital expenditures, restricted payments, restrictions on liens, transactions with affiliates, amendments to organizational documents, accounting changes, sale and leaseback transactions, and dispositions. TheIn particular, the Revolving Credit Facility also imposes a financial covenant to maintain a first lien net leverage ratio of 6.25 to 1.0, subject to a right to cure. A violation of this financial covenant can become an event of default under the Credit Facilities and result in the acceleration of all of the Company's indebtedness. Borrowings under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement are subject to mandatory prepayment from the proceeds of certain dispositions of assets and from certain insurance and condemnation proceeds, excess cash flow and debt incurrences, in each case, subject to customary carve-outs and exceptions. In addition, Amendment No. 5 also (i) amendedBorrowings under the Restricted Payments basket, as defined in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, to limit select forms of restricted payments if such payments would cause the total net leverage ratio, calculated as set forth in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, to exceed 6.00 to 1.00, and (ii) requires a prepayment percentage in the case of excess cash flow, both calculated as set forth in the


F-37

PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



and Restated Credit Agreement are also subject to mandatory prepayment provisions in the case of excess cash flow, calculated as set forth in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, of 75% with step-downs to 50%, 25% and 0% based on the applicable first lien net leverage ratio on the prepayment date.
The Amended and Restated Credit Agreement also contains customary events of default that include, among others, non-payment of principal, interest or fees, violation of certain covenants, inaccuracy of representations and warranties, failure to make payment on, or defaults with respect to, certain other material indebtedness, bankruptcy and insolvency events, material judgments and change of control provisions. Upon the occurrence of an event of default, and after the expiration of any applicable grace period, payment of any outstanding loans under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement may be accelerated and the Company's lenders could foreclose on their security interests in the Company's assets, which may have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial condition, results of operation or cash flows of the Company.
In addition, the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement contains a yield protection provision wherein the yield on any current indebtedness issued under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement would be increased to within 50 basis points of the yield on any additional incremental term loan(s), in the event the incremental term loan(s) provided an initial yield, including original issuance discounts, subject to the yield calculation provisions, as defined, is in excess of 50 basis points of the yield on existing term loan indebtedness.
As ofAt December 31, 2016,2017, the Company was in compliance with the debt covenants contained in its Credit Facilities and, in accordance with applicable debt covenants, had full availability of its unused borrowing capacity of $488$481 million, net of letters of credit, under the Revolving Credit Facility.
Senior Notes
2017 Notes Offerings
On February 2, 2015,November 24, 2017, the Company completed the February 2015 Notes Offeringa private offering of $1.10 billion$550 million aggregate principal amount of 6.50% USD Notes5.875% senior notes due FebruaryDecember 1, 2022, plus original issue premium2025, raising gross proceeds of $1.0 million, and €350 million of 6.00% EUR Notes due February 1, 2023.approximately $546 million. Interest on these notes is payable semi-annually in arrears, on FebruaryJune 1 and AugustDecember 1 of each year. On November 10, 2015,year, beginning on June 1, 2018. The proceeds from this offering were used to pay the Company completedconsideration of the November 2015 Notes Offeringcash tender offer and consent solicitation for, as well as redemption of, $500 millionany and all of the Company's then outstanding 10.375% USD Notes due May 1, 2021. Interest2021, described under "Cash Tender Offer and Redemption" below.
On December 8, 2017, the Company completed a tack-on private offering of $250 million aggregate principal amount of additional 5.875% USD Notes due 2025, raising gross proceeds of approximately $250 million. The additional notes have the same terms as, and are fungible and form a single series with, the 5.875% USD Notes due 2025 issued in November 2017. The Company used the proceeds from this offering to repay a portion of its existing terms loans under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, and, as a result, it wrote-off $2.7 million of deferred financing fees and original issuance discounts on these notes is payable semi-annuallythe modification of the existing debt, which was recorded in arrears on May 1 and November 1"Other (expense) income, net" in the Consolidated Statement of each year.Operations
Indentures
The Senior Notes are governed by indentures which provide, among other things, for customary affirmative and negative covenants, events of default, and other customary provisions. The Company also has the option to redeem the Senior Notes prior to their maturity, subject to, in certain cases, the payment of an applicable make-whole premium. The Senior Notes are unsecured and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by generally all of the Company’s domestic subsidiaries that guarantee the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement.
In addition, the 5.875% USD Notes Indenture provides that, in connection with the satisfaction of certain financial covenants and other conditions, all of the then direct and indirect subsidiaries constituting Platform's Agricultural Solutions business may be designated as unrestricted subsidiaries and, as applicable, released from their guarantees of the 5.875% senior notes due 2025. Subsequent to such "Arysta Unrestricted Designation," a sale of Platform's Agricultural Solutions business through the sale of capital stock or assets may be considered a “Qualified Arysta Equity Offering.” In general, Platform may have the right to use an aggregate amount of net cash proceeds from a Qualified Arysta Equity Offering, not to exceed 50% of such net cash proceeds, for permitted restricted payments (including dividends and repurchases of capital stock) to the extent that an equal amount of net cash proceeds is used to permanently reduce debt in accordance with the 5.875% USD Notes Indenture. In addition, after or contemporaneously with the Arysta Unrestricted Designation, any dividend or distribution of common shares of unrestricted


F-38

PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



subsidiaries constituting all or part of Platform's Agricultural Solutions business in connection with any cashless spin-off transaction shall not be considered an Asset Sale.
Cash Tender Offer and Redemption
On December 8, 2017, the Company completed the cash tender offer and consent solicitation for, as well as the redemption of, any and all of its then outstanding 10.375% USD Notes due 2021. None of the 10.375% USD Notes due 2021 remain outstanding. In connection with the cash tender offer and redemption, the Company expensed $52.8 million, consisting of a tender offer premium of $43.7 million, and the write-off of deferred financing fees and original issue premiums on the extinguishment of the existing note of $9.1 million, which was recorded in "Other (expense) income, net" in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.
Lines of Credit and Other Debt Facilities
The Company has access to various revolving lines of credit, short-term debt facilities, and overdraft facilities worldwide which are used to fund short-term cash needs. As ofAt December 31, 20162017 and 2015,2016, the aggregate principal amount outstanding under such facilities totaled $86.0$28.5 million and $16.7$86.0 million, respectively. The Company also had letters of credit outstanding of $29.5 million and $32.6 million and $40.0 million as ofat December 31, 20162017 and 2015,2016, respectively, of which $18.6 million and $11.8 million and $11.0 million as ofat December 31, 2017 and 2016, and 2015, respectively, reducereduced the borrowings available under the various facilities. As ofAt December 31, 20162017 and 2015,2016, the availability under these facilities was approximately $561$606 million and $618$561 million, respectively, net of outstanding letters of credit.
Accounts Receivable Factoring Arrangements
Off balanceOff-balance sheet arrangements
The Company has arrangements to sell trade receivables to third parties without recourse to the Company. Under these arrangements, the Company had capacity to sell approximately $256$236 million and $211$151 million of eligible trade receivables at December 31, 2017 and 2016, and 2015, respectively, of eligible trade receivables.respectively. The Company had utilized approximately $167$124 million and $105$73.9 million of these arrangements as ofat December 31, 20162017 and 2015,2016, respectively. The receivables under these arrangements are excluded from the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets and the proceeds are included in Operating Activities"Operating Activities" in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Costs associated with these programs are included in Selling, Technical, General"Selling, technical, general and Administrative expensesadministrative" expense in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations.
PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


On balanceOn-balance sheet arrangements
The Company has arrangements to sell trade receivables to a third party with recourse to the Company. Under these arrangements, the Company had capacity to sell approximately $65$71.1 million and $130$65.3 million of eligible trade receivables at December 31, 2017 and 2016, and 2015, respectively, of eligible trade receivables.respectively. The Company had utilized approximately $38.3$34.6 million and $71.1$38.3 million of these arrangements as ofat December 31, 20162017 and 2015,2016, respectively. The proceeds customer payments from these arrangements are accounted for as Financing Activities"Financing Activities" in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Costs associated with these programs are included in Interest"Interest expense, net," in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Precious Metals Contracts
Some of the Company’s subsidiaries in the United States and the Netherlands periodically enter into arrangements with financial institutions for consignment and/or purchase of precious metals. The present and future indebtedness and liability relating to such arrangements are guaranteed by the Company. The Company’s maximum guarantee liability under these arrangements is limited to an aggregate of $18.0 million.
10. DERIVATIVE13. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Derivatives and Hedging
In the normal course of business, the Company is exposed to risks relating to changes in foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates and commodity prices. Derivative financial instruments, such as foreign currency exchange forward contracts, interest rate swaps, and commodities futures contracts are used to manage the risks associated with changes in the conditions of those markets. All derivatives are recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value. The counterparties to the Company’s derivative


F-39

PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



agreements are primarily major international financial institutions. The Company continually monitors its derivative positions and the credit ratings of its counterparties and does not anticipate nonperformance by the counterparties.
Foreign Currency
The Company conducts a significant portion of its business in currencies other than the U.S. Dollar,dollar and a portion of its business in currencies other than the functional currency.currencies of its subsidiaries. As a result, the Company’s operating results are affectedimpacted by foreign currency exchange rate volatility.
As ofAt December 31, 2016,2017, the Company held foreign currency forward contracts to purchase and sell various currencies to mitigate foreign currency exposure primarily with U.S. Dollarsdollars and Euro.euro. The Company has not designated any foreign currency exchange forward contracts as eligible for hedge accounting.accounting, and as a result, changes in the fair value of foreign currency forward contracts are recorded in "Other (expense) income, net" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The total U.S. Dollar equivalentnotional value of foreign currency exchange forward contracts held at December 31, 2017 was approximately $615 million, and generally have settlement dates within one year. The total notional value of foreign currency exchange forward contracts held at December 31, 2016 was approximately $552 million, all with settlement dates within one year. The total U.S. Dollar equivalent of foreign currency exchange forward contracts held at December 31, 2015 was approximately $254 million.
The following table details the Company's significant outstanding foreign currency forward contracts as of December 31, 2016:
(in millions) Traded against USD Traded against EUR
(USD equivalent)
Currency Purchasing Selling Purchasing Selling
Euro (EUR) $208.3
 $53.8
 $
 $
Brazilian Real (BRL) 48.4
 89.8
 
 
Japanese Yen (JPY) 41.7
 25.1
 1.9
 2.3
British Pound (GBP) 25.1
 
 5.3
 
South African Rand (ZAR) 
 17.8
 
 0.3
Taiwan Dollar (TWD) 16.9
 
 
 
Other 11.9
 3.2
 
 
Total $352.3
 $189.7
 $7.2
 $2.6
The change in the net fair value of the foreign currency forward contracts is recorded in "(Loss) gain on derivative contracts" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Interest Rates
In August 2015, theThe Company entered into a series of pay-fixed, receive-floating interest rate swaps with respect to a portion of its indebtedness. The interest rate swaps effectively fix the floating base rate portion of theits interest payments on approximately $1.15$1.14 billion of the Company's USDU.S. dollar denominated debt and €282€279 million of its Euroeuro denominated debt at 1.96% and 1.20%, respectively, from September 2015 through June 2020.

Changes in the fair valuevalues of a derivativederivatives that isare designated as, and meetsmeet all the required criteria of, a cash flow hedgehedges are recorded in "Accumulated other"Other comprehensive income (loss)" and reclassified from "Accumulated other comprehensive loss" into earnings as the underlying hedged itemitems affects earnings. Amounts reclassified into earnings related to the Company's interest rate swaps are included in "Interest expense, net" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

During 2017, the Company's interest rate swaps were deemed highly effective utilizing the dollar-offset method of assessing hedge effectiveness. The Company repriced a portion of its euro denominated debt during the fourth quarter of 2017, which resulted in a mis-match of critical terms which had an immaterial effect on its results of operations. The Company expects to reclassify $2.8 million from "Accumulated other comprehensive loss" to "Interest expense, net" in its Consolidated Statement of Operations during 2018.
Commodities
As part of its risk management policy, the Company enters into commoditiescommodity futures contracts on an ongoing basis for the purpose of mitigating its exposure to fluctuations in prices of certain metals it uses in the production of its finished goods.  The Company held futures contracts to purchase and sell various metals, primarily tin and silver, for a notional amount of $42.0$31.8 million and $16.5$42.0 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.  All contracts outstanding as of at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.  Substantially all contracts outstanding at December 31, 2017 have delivery dates within the next twelve months.one year. The Company has not designated these derivatives as hedging instruments and, accordingly, records changes in the nettheir fair value of the commodities futures contractsvalues in "(Loss) gain on derivative contracts""Other (expense) income, net" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Certain subsidiaries of the Company have entered into supply agreements with a third-party that have been deemed to constitute financing agreements with embedded derivative features whose fair valuevalues are determined by the changechanges in the market valuevalues of the underlying metals between delivery date and measurement date.dates.  Amounts associated with these supply agreements, primarily related to gold and palladium, which serve as the notional valuevalues of the embedded derivative,derivatives, have been recorded in "Inventory"the Consolidated Balance Sheets as "Inventories" and "Current installments of long-term debt and revolving credit facilities" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, and totaled $9.9$9.7 million and $13.0$9.9 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016, and 2015, respectively. These balances primarily relate to purchases of gold. The fair value of these contracts has been bifurcated and recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as a derivative liability in "Accrued expenses and other current liabilities" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and totaled $0.2 million at December 31, 2016 and waswere immaterial at December 31, 2015.2017 and 2016.
Fair Value of Derivative Instruments
The following table summarizes the fair value of derivative instruments reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets:

F-40
    December 31,
 (amounts in millions)   2016 2015
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:      
  Liabilities Balance Sheet Location    
Interest rate swaps Accrued expenses and other current liabilities $10.2
 $
Interest rate swaps Other long-term liabilities 
 12.5
       
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:      
  Assets Balance Sheet Location    
Foreign exchange and metals contracts Other current assets 8.5
 1.1
Foreign exchange contracts Other assets 
 1.0
  Liabilities Balance Sheet Location  
  
Foreign exchange and metals contracts Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 10.7
 1.0
Net derivative contracts liability   $(12.4) $(11.4)
For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, the Company recorded the following realized and unrealized (losses) gains associated with derivative contracts designated as hedging instruments and made the following reclassifications from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income:

PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



 (amounts in millions) Amount of loss recognized in Other Comprehensive Income for the year ended December 31, Location of loss reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Amount of loss reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income into income for the year ended December 31,
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments: 2016 2015 2014  2016 2015 2014
Interest rate swaps $9.6
 $12.5
 $
 Interest expense, net $11.9
 $
 $
Foreign exchange contracts 
 
 0.2
 Foreign exchange loss 
 
 
Total $9.6
 $12.5
 $0.2
   $11.9
 $
 $
The interest rate swaps were deemed highly effective, with no ineffective portions, for the years ended December 31,For 2017 and 2016, and 2015. During the next twelve months, the Company expects to reclassify $10.2 million from "Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)" to "Interest expense, net" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, the Company recorded the following realized and unrealized (losses) gainslosses associated with derivative contracts not designated as hedging instruments:
 (amounts in millions) Location of (loss) gain recognized in income on derivatives Amount of (loss) gain recognized in income on derivatives for the year ended December 31,
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:  2016 2015 2014
Foreign exchange and metals contracts (Loss) gain on derivative contracts $(12.5) $(74.0) $0.4
The losses recorded for the year ended December 31, 2015 included a $73.7 million fair value loss incurred in connection with instruments entered into in order to hedge the Company's foreign currency exposure related to the Alent Acquisition.
  ($ amounts in millions)
   December 31,
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments: Location on Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations: 2017 2016
Foreign exchange and metals contracts Other (expense) income, net $(9.5) $(12.5)
Master Netting Arrangements
In the normal course of business, the Company enters into contracts with certain counterparties to purchase and sell foreign currency exchange forwards and metal futures that contain master netting arrangements, typically in the form of an International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) or similar agreements. TheAlthough the right to set-offoffset within these agreements is limited toexists under certain termination events, such as bankruptcy or default, of either party to the agreement. Itit is the Company's accounting policy not to offsetpresent derivative assets and liabilities and to reportunder such instrumentsmaster netting arrangements on a gross basis in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The following table presents recognized foreign currency exchange forwardprovides information on the Company's derivative positions at December 31, 2017 and metal future derivative contracts that are2016, subject to master netting arrangements but notas if they were presented on a net basis, allowing for the right of offset as of December 31, 2016by counterparty and 2015, withcash collateral:
  December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016
  ($ amounts in millions)
 Asset Liability Asset Liability
Gross amounts $5.5
 $6.2
 $6.3
 $8.9
Gross amount subject to offset in master netting arrangements that are not offset (1.0) (2.0) (2.5) (2.6)
Cash collateral paid 
 (0.4) 
 (1.0)
Net $4.5
 $3.8
 $3.8
 $5.3
Collateral paid to counterparties is recorded in the "Net" column representing the net impact to the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets had all set-off rights been exercised:as "Other current assets."
Fair Value Measurements
The following tables present the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
  December 31, 2016
 (amounts in millions) Amounts offset Amounts not offset Net
Financial assets Gross assets Gross liabilities offset Net amounts presented Financial instruments Cash collateral paid  
Derivative assets $6.3
 $
 $6.3
 $(2.5) $
 $3.8
  December 31, 2016
  Amounts offset Amounts not offset Net
Financial liabilities Gross liabilities Gross assets offset Net amounts presented Financial instruments Cash collateral paid  
Derivative liabilities $8.9
 $
 $8.9
 $(2.6) $(1.0) $5.3
      December 31,
 ($ amounts in millions) Balance sheet location Classification 2017 2016
Asset Category        
Foreign exchange and metals contracts not designated as hedging instruments Other current assets Level 2 5.5
 8.5
Available for sale equity securities Other assets Level 1 3.7
 5.1
Interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedging instruments Other assets Level 2 3.4
 
Available for sale equity securities Other assets Level 2 0.6
 0.6
Total     $13.2
 $14.2
         
Liability Category        
Interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedging instruments Accrued expenses and other liabilities Level 2 $2.8
 $10.2
Foreign exchange and metals contracts not designated as hedging instruments Accrued expenses and other liabilities Level 2 7.3
 10.7
Interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedging instruments Other liabilities Level 2 0.8
 
Long-term contingent consideration Contingent consideration Level 3 79.2
 75.8
Total     $90.1
 $96.7


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PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


  December 31, 2015
 (amounts in millions) Amounts offset Amounts not offset Net
Financial assets Gross assets Gross liabilities offset Net amounts presented Financial instruments Cash collateral paid  
Derivative assets $3.1
 $
 $3.1
 $(0.3) $
 $2.8
  December 31, 2015
  Amounts offset Amounts not offset Net
Financial liabilities Gross liabilities Gross assets offset Net amounts presented Financial instruments Cash collateral paid  
Derivative liabilities $1.7
 $
 $1.7
 $(1.2) $(0.9) $(0.4)
Collateral paid to counterparties is recorded in "Other current assets" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
11. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
The Company determines fair value measurements used in its Consolidated Financial Statements based upon the exit price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants exclusive of any transaction related costs, as determined by either the principal market or the most advantageous market. The principal market is the market with the greatest level of activity and volume for the asset or liability. Absent a principal market to measure fair value, the Company uses the most advantageous market, which is the market in which the Company would receive the highest selling price for the asset or pay the lowest price to settle the liability, after considering transaction related costs. However, when using the most advantageous market, transaction related costs are only considered to determine which market is the most advantageous and these costs are then excluded when applying a fair value measurement.
Inputs used in the valuation techniques to derive fair values are classified based on a three-level hierarchy. The basis for fair value measurements for each level within the hierarchy is described below, with Level 1 having the highest priority, and Level 3 having the lowest.
The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:
Level 1 – quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date.
Level 2 – quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in non-active markets; and model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable or whose significant valuation drivers are observable.
Level 3 – significant inputs to the valuation model are unobservable and/or reflect the Company’s market assumptions.
The following tables present the Company’s financial instruments, assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
    Fair Value Measurement Using:
 (amounts in millions) December 31, 2016 
Quoted prices in
active markets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
other observable
inputs (Level 2)
 
Significant
unobservable
inputs (Level 3)
Asset Category        
Cash equivalents $48.2
 $
 $48.2
 $
Available for sale equity securities 5.7
 5.1
 0.6
 
Derivatives 8.5
 
 8.5
 
Total $62.4
 $5.1
 $57.3
 $
Liability Category  
  
  
  
Derivatives $20.9
 $
 $20.9
 $
Long-term contingent consideration 75.8
 
 
 75.8
Total $96.7
 $
 $20.9
 $75.8
PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


    Fair Value Measurement Using:
 (amounts in millions) December 31, 2015 
Quoted prices in
active markets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
other observable
inputs (Level 2)
 
Significant
unobservable
inputs (Level 3)
Asset Category        
Cash equivalents $59.4
 $2.9
 $56.5
 $
Available for sale equity securities 6.6
 5.8
 0.8
 
Derivatives 2.1
 
 2.1
 
Total $68.1
 $8.7
 $59.4
 $
Liability Category  
  
  
  
Derivatives $13.5
 $
 $13.5
 $
Long-term contingent consideration 70.7
 
 
 70.7
Total $84.2
 $
 $13.5
 $70.7
The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of the Company’s financial instruments, assets and liabilities:
Cash equivalents - Cash equivalents primarily comprise certificates of deposit issued by financial institutions. These funds are not publicly traded, but historically have been highly liquid. These assets are readily convertible into known amounts of cash and are so near their maturities that there is little risk of change in value. The Company records certificates of deposit at amortized cost in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Given the relatively short maturities of these instruments, the Company believes amortized cost approximates fair value. The Company classifies these instruments as Level 2.
Available for sale equity securities- EquityAvailable for sale equity securities classified as available for saleLevel 1 assets are measured using quoted market prices at the reporting date multiplied by the quantity held and, accordingly,held. Available for sales equity securities classified as Level 1 assets. Level 2 equity securitiesassets are measured using quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets. Available for sale securities are included in "Other assets" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Derivatives - Derivative assets and liabilities include foreign currency, metals, and interest rate derivatives. The values wereare determined using pricing models based upon observable market inputs, such as market spot and futures prices on over-the-counter derivative instruments, market interest rates, and consideration of counterparty credit risk.
Long-term contingent consideration- The long-term contingent consideration represents a potential liability of up to $100 million tied to the achievement of certain Adjusted EBITDA and common stock trading price performance metrics over a seven-year period ending December 2020 which was agreed upon in connection with the MacDermid Acquisition. The common stock performance metric has been satisfied. Theestimated fair value of the Adjusted EBITDA performance metric is derived using the income approach with unobservable inputs, based on future forecasts and present value assumptions, which include a discount rate of approximately 9.5%, and expected future value of payments of $60.0 million calculated using a probability weighted Adjusted EBITDA assessment with higher probability associated with the Company achieving the maximum Adjusted EBITDA targets. The common stock performance metric has been satisfied. Changes in the estimated fair value of the long-term contingent consideration are recorded in "Selling, technical, general and administrative expenses" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Relative to the share price metric, an increase or decrease in the discount rate of 1% changes the fair value measure of the metric by approximately $1.6$1.2 million. Relative to the Adjusted EBITDA metric, an increase or a decrease in the discount rate of 1.5%, within a range of probability between 80% and 100%, changes the estimated fair value measure of the metric by approximately $3.0$2.2 million. On December 30, 2016,During 2017, the Company reached an agreement with the Retaining Holders ofonly change to the long-term contingent consideration liability which amendedwas to adjust the EBITDA performance targetsinstrument to account for the relative impact of the Alent, OMG and OMG Malaysia Acquisitions, completed subsequent to the MacDermid Acquisition, on the performance targets. This amendment did not have a material impact on theits estimated fair value of the long-term contingent consideration liability.value.
PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3):
  December 31,
 (amounts in millions) 2016 2015
Fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)    
Beginning balance $70.7
 $63.9
Changes in fair value 10.1
 6.8
Purchases, sales and settlements (515.0) 
Additions 510.0
 
Transfers into Level 3 
 
Transfers out of Level 3 
 
Ending balance $75.8
 $70.7
For the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company recorded additions of Level 3 liabilities during the third quarter of 2016 totaling $510 million associated with the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock redemption liability, which was subsequently settled on December 13, 2016. There was an increase in fair value associated with the redemption liability of $5.0 million prior to settlement that was recorded to "Other income (expense), net" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations that has been included in the above table as a change in fair value. There were no purchases, sales or settlements on a gross basis for the year ended December 31, 2015.
The Company transfers the fair value of an asset or liability between levels of the fair value hierarchy at the end of the reporting period during which a significant change in the inputs used to determine the fair value has occurred. During the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, there were no transfers between the fair value hierarchy levels.levels during 2017.
The following table presents the carrying value and estimated fair value of the Company’s long-term debt and capital lease obligations that are not carriedtotaled $5.44 billion and $5.58 billion, respectively, at fair value:
 (amounts in millions) December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015
  Carrying
Value
 Fair
Value
 Carrying
Value
 Fair
Value
USD Senior Notes, due 2022 $1,083.2
 $1,109.2
 $1,081.1
 $946.3
EUR Senior Notes, due 2023 362.4
 372.1
 374.0
 326.7
USD Senior Notes, due 2021 489.0
 555.4
 487.5
 500.0
First Lien Credit Facility - U.S. Dollar Term Loans, due 2020 582.5
 616.8
 2,631.3
 2,603.6
First Lien Credit Facility - U.S. Dollar Term Loans, due 2021 (1)
 1,444.2
 1,493.4
 
 
First Lien Credit Facility - Euro Term Loans, due 2020 726.5
 742.3
 619.2
 624.3
First Lien Credit Facility - Euro Term Loans, due 2021 (1)
 450.7
 459.2
 
 
Capital lease obligations 4.6
 4.7
 5.5
 5.3
  $5,143.1
 $5,353.1
 $5,198.6
 $5,006.2
(1) In the event the Company is able to prepay, redeem or otherwise retire and/or refinance in full its $1.10December 31, 2017, and $5.14 billion 6.50% USD Notes due 2022, as permitted under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, on or prior to November 2, 2021, the maturity date will be extended to June 7, 2023 from November 2, 2021.
Carrying$5.35 billion, respectively, at December 31, 2016. The carrying values presentednoted above include unamortized premiums, discounts and debt issuance costs.
The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate theestimated fair value of the Company’s liabilities not carried at fair value:
Long-termlong-term debt and capital lease instruments- These financial instruments areobligations is measured using quoted market prices at the reporting date multiplied by the gross carrying amount of the related debt, which excludes unamortized premiums, discounts and debt issuance costs. Such instruments are valued using Level 2 inputs.
PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements
The Company performs itsAs a result of the 2017 annual goodwill impairment test, the Agricultural Solutions segment recorded an impairment charge of goodwill as$160 million to reduce the carrying value of October 1.the Agro Business reporting unit to its fair value. As a result of the 2016 annual goodwill impairment test, the Performance Solutions segment recorded an impairment charge of $46.6 million to reduce the carrying value goodwill of the Offshore Solutions reporting unit to aits fair value of $276 million. This measurement isvalue. These measurements were performed on a non-recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) as described below:
. See Note 8, Goodwill: Offshore Solutions-Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Goodwill was valued using a discounted cash flow analysis, which requires assumptions about short and long-term net cash flows, growth rates, as well as discount rates.  Additionally,to the Company considered guideline company and guideline transaction information, where available, to aid in the valuation. Multi-year financial forecasts were developed by considering several key business drivers such as new business initiatives, client service and retention standards, market share changes, historical performance, and industry and economic trends, among other considerations.  The annual long term growth rates used in 2016Consolidated Financial Statements for the initial 5 year period ranged from (1.2)% to 3.9%. The long-term growth rate used in 2016 in determining the terminal value was estimated at 3.0%. Discount rates were estimated based on a Weighted Average Cost of Capital, or WACC.  The WACC combines the required return on equity, based on a Modified Capital Asset Pricing Model, which considers the risk-free interest rate, market risk premium, small stock risk premium and a company-specific risk premium, with the cost of debt, based on BBB-rated corporate bonds, adjusted using an income tax factor.  The calculation resulted in a WACC rate of 9.0%. The estimated fair value of the reporting unit was derived from the valuation techniques described above.  The estimated fair value was analyzed in relation to numerous market and historical factors, including current economic and market conditions, company-specific growth opportunities, and guideline companyfurther information.
12.14. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Registered Underwritten Public Offerings
On September 21, 2016, the Company completed the September 2016 Equity Offering of 48,787,878 shares of its common stock at a public offering price of $8.25 per share. This offering resulted in gross proceeds to Platform of approximately $402.5 million, before underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses of $11.9 million.
On June 29, 2015, the Company completed the June 2015 Equity Offering of 18,226,414 shares of its common stock at a public offering price of $26.50 per share. The offering resulted in gross proceeds to Platform of approximately $483 million, before underwriting discounts, commissions and offering expenses of $15.0 million.
On November 17, 2014, the Company completed the November 2014 Public Offering of 16,445,000 shares of its common stock at a public offering price of $24.50 per share. The offering resulted in gross proceeds to Platform of approximately $403 million, before underwriting discounts, commissions and offering expenses of $15.1 million.

F-42

PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



Preferred Stock
The Company is authorized to issue 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock. The Board had designated 2,000,000 of those shares as "Series A Preferred Stock." As ofAt December 31, 20162017 and 2015,2016, a total of 2,000,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock were issued and outstanding. The Board had also designated 600,000 of those shares as "Series B Convertible Preferred Stock,Stock." which were redeemable and presented in the mezzanine section of the Consolidated Balance Sheet as ofAt December 31, 2015. As of December 31,2017 and 2016, and 2015, a total of zero and 600,000all shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock respectively, were issued and outstanding. In December 2016, a portion of the shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock waseither converted with the remaining sharesor subsequently canceled and retired as explainednoted below. Shares of preferred stock have no voting rights, except in respect of any amendment to the Company's Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, that would alter or change their rights or privileges.
Series A Preferred Stock
The Founder Entities are current holders of Platform's outstanding 2,000,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock and are entitled to receive an annual dividend on such Series A Preferred Stock in the form of shares of the Company's common stock.  On December 31, 2014, the Board approved a stock dividend of 10,050,290 shares of Platform's common stock with respect to its outstanding Series A Preferred Stock, which represented 20% of the appreciation of the market price of ourthe Company's common stock over the Initial Public OfferingMay 22, 2013 initial public offering price of Platform's stock on the London Stock Exchange of $10.00 multiplied by the total Initial Public Offering shares.of shares offered in this initial public offering. The dividend price was $22.85 and the shares
PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


were issued on January 2, 2015 based on the volume weighted average price of $23.16 on December 31, 2014. Starting with fiscal year 2015, the dividend amount is calculated based on the appreciated stock price compared to the highest dividend price previously used in calculating the Series A Preferred Stock dividends. Based on the dividend price of $22.85 used in 2014, no stock dividends were declared in 2017, 2016 and 2015 with respect to the Series A Preferred Stock.
Each share of Series A Preferred Stock is convertible into one share of common stock of Platform at the option of the holder until December 31, 2020. All outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock will be automatically converted into shares of common stock on a one-for-one basis (i) in the event of a change of control of the Company following an acquisition, or (ii) upon the last day of the seventh full financial year following the MacDermid Acquisition, beingon December 31, 2020 (which may be extended by the Board for three additional years).
Series B Convertible Preferred Stock
Pursuant to the Arysta share purchaseOn December 13, 2016, in accordance with a settlement agreement the Company issued to the Arysta Seller 600,000 shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, which had a $1,000 per share liquidation preference. The fair value of these shares, at the time of the Arysta Acquisition, of $646 million was recognized as "Redeemable preferred stock – Series B" in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Under the share purchase agreement, the Arysta Seller had the ability to convert these shares, at any time, into 22,107,590 shares of Platform's common stock at a conversion price of $27.14 per share, unless previously mandatorily redeemed by the Company. Additionally, on April 20, 2017, the Company would have been required to repurchase all Series B Convertible Preferred Stock then outstanding and also pay to their holders in cash a make whole payment, corresponding to any deficit between (i) the 10-day volume weighted price of Platform’s common stock prior to such repurchase, and (ii) $27.14 per share.
Ondated September 9, 2016, the Company entered into a settlement agreement with the Arysta Seller and agreed that from October 20, 2016 until the close of business on December 15, 2016, it may settle (i) all of its obligations with respect to its shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock in exchange for a cash payment of $1.00 and the issuance of 5,500,000 shares of its common stock upon simultaneous conversion of the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock by the Arysta Seller, and (ii) for a payment of $460 million, its obligation to pay the make whole payment mentioned above.
In accordance with the settlement agreement, as amended, on December 13, 2016, the Company settled all of its obligations with respect to its then outstanding 600,000 shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, issued to the Arysta Seller in connection with the Arysta Acquisition, and the related make whole payment obligation, as described in the settlement agreement, in exchange for a cash payment of $460 million and the issuance of 5.5 million5,500,000 shares of its common stock upon conversion of the corresponding shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock. The remaining shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock were subsequently canceled and retired.
As a result of the settlement agreement, for accounting purposes, the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock had been deemed an extinguishment in exchange for the issuance of another financial instrument. TheDuring 2016, the Company recognized a gain of $103 million in "Other (expense) income, net" in the Consolidated Statement of Operations and a gain of $32.9 million in "Net income (loss)loss attributable to common stockholders." The Company elected the fair value option to measure the preferred stock redemption liability subsequent to the date of the settlement agreement as it most accurately reflected the economics of the transaction and the value of the preferred stock redemption liability. For the year ended December 31,During 2016, the Company recorded a $5.0 million loss associated with the remeasurement of the preferred stock redemption liability, which was recorded to "Other (expense) income, net" in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.
Issuance of Common Stock in Connection with Acquisitions
In connection with the Alent Acquisition, on December 2, 2015, the Company issued 18,419,738 shares of its common stock to Alent shareholders, including Cevian Capital II Master Fund LP, the then largest shareholder of Alent.shareholders. The shares were issued in reliance upon an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act set forth in Section 3(a)(10) thereof and began trading on the NYSE upon their issuance.
In connection with the Agriphar Acquisition, on October 1, 2014, the Company issued to a representative of Percival 711,551 restricted shares of our common stock, which will become unrestricted beginning January 2, 2018 unless agreed otherwise in accordance with the terms of the acquisition agreement. The seller was granted a put option to sell and transfer all of its shares back to Platform on the date that is six months from the closing of the Agriphar Acquisition, which was not exercised. As a result, the value of the option, totaling $3.0 million, was reversed and included in "Other income (expense), net" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2015.
In connection with the CAS Acquisition, on November 3, 2014, the Company issued to Chemtura 2,000,000 shares of Platform's common stock, then restricted under Rule 144.

F-43

PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



Private Placements
On October 8, 2014 and November 6, 2014, the Company completed the October/November 2014 Private Placement to certain investors of an aggregate of 16,060,960 shares and 9,404,064 shares of Platform's common stock, respectively, at a price of $25.59 per share. In the October/November 2014 Private Placement, the Company received proceeds of $652 million, gross of transaction fees and offering expenses of $0.3 million.
On May 20, 2014, the Company completed the May 2014 Private Placement to certain investors of an aggregate of 15,800,000 shares of Platform’s common stock for an aggregate consideration of $300 million, gross of transaction related costs of $13.8 million.
Warrant Mandatory Redemption
On March 4, 2014, a mandatory redemption event occurred with respect to all of the Company’s then outstanding warrants. On or after April 3, 2014, the date of the mandatory redemption fixed by the Company, holders of warrants had no further rights with respect to such warrants except to receive $0.01 per warrant. During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company issued 16,244,694 shares of common stock in connection with the exercise of 48,734,082 warrants, resulting in proceeds to the Company of $187 million. On April 3, 2014, Platform completed the mandatory redemption of the remaining 8,580 outstanding warrants for $0.01 per warrant.
Non-Controlling Interest
In connection with the MacDermid Acquisition, approximately $97.5 million was raised in new equity consisting of 8,774,527 shares of PDH Common Stock. Since October 31, 2014, all shares ofThe PDH Common Stock are convertible, is classified in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as "Non-controlling interests"at the optionDecember 31, 2017 and 2016 and will continue to be classified as such until it is fully converted into shares of the holder, intoCompany's common stock. Of the shares initially issued, 3,961,785 have been converted and a like number of shares of the Company's common stock the sale of which is subject to a contractual lock-up of 25% per year over a four-year period, which started on Octoberhave been issued through December 31, 2013. Since October 31, 2016, which corresponded to the third anniversary of the MacDermid Acquisition, all shares of PDH Common Stock, except those held by Tartan, remains subject to a contractual lock-up with respect to 25% of the total shares of PDH Common Stock initially received by their holders. Tartan members, who hold approximately 6.7 million shares of PDH Common Stock, are no longer subject to any contractual lock-up since October 31, 2016.
The PDH Common Stock is classified as a non-controlling2017. Non-controlling interest on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, totaled 3.83%, 6.01% and will continue to be until such time as it is exchanged for shares of common stock. The total number of shares of common stock originally issuable upon the exchange of PDH Common Stock pursuant to the RHSA was6.25%, respectively.
During 2017, 2016 and 2015, approximately 8.8$2.1 million, against which 1,038,349 shares have been issued as of December 31, 2016.
For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, approximately $(5.9) million $(1.4) million and $6.4$(1.4) million, respectively, of net income (loss) income has been allocated to the Retaining Holders, as included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations, representing non-controlling interest of 6.01%, 6.25% and 6.67% at December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.Operations. 
PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


13.15. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME
Changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax, for the years ended December 31,during 2017, 2016 2015 and 20142015 were as follows:
(amounts in millions)
 Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments Pension and Post-retirement Plans Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Available for Sale Securities Derivative Financial Instrument Revaluation Non-Controlling Interests Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Balance at December 31, 2013 $(0.6) $1.8
 $
 $0.1
 $
 $1.3
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net (121.6) (16.7) 0.1
 (0.1) 6.4
 (131.9)
($ amounts in millions)
 Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments Pension and Post-retirement Plans Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Available for Sale Securities Derivative Financial Instrument Revaluation Non-Controlling Interests Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income
Balance at December 31, 2014 (122.2) (14.9) 0.1
 
 6.4
 (130.6) $(122.2) $(14.9) $0.1
 $
 $6.4
 $(130.6)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications, net (777.1) (10.9) 1.1
 (8.1) 40.0
 (755.0) (777.1) (10.9) 1.1
 (8.1) 40.0
 (755.0)
Reclassifications, pretax 
 
 
 
 
 
Tax benefit reclassified 
 (0.5) 
 
 
 (0.5) 
 (0.5) 
 
 
 (0.5)
Balance at December 31, 2015 $(899.3) $(26.3) $1.2
 $(8.1) $46.4
 $(886.1) (899.3) (26.3) 1.2
 (8.1) 46.4
 (886.1)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net 204.6
 8.3
 (0.8) (9.6) (2.0) 200.5
 204.6
 8.3
 (0.8) (9.6) (2.0) 200.5
Reclassifications, pretax 
 (0.8) 
 11.9
 
 11.1
 
 (0.8) 
 11.9
 
 11.1
Tax (benefit) expense reclassified 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2016 (694.7) (18.8) 0.4
 (5.8) 44.4
 (674.5) (694.7) (18.8) 0.4
 (5.8) 44.4
 (674.5)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net 241.1
 2.5
 (2.2) (4.6) (3.6) 233.2
Reclassifications, pretax 
 10.5
 0.5
 10.4
 
 21.4
Tax (benefit) expense reclassified 
 (2.1) 
 
 
 (2.1)
Balance at December 31, 2017 $(453.6) $(7.9) $(1.3) $
 $40.8
 $(422.0)


F-44

14. EARNINGS LOSS PER SHARE
A computation of loss per share and weighted average shares of common stock outstanding for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 follows:
  Year Ended December 31,
 (amounts in millions, except per share amounts) 2016 2015 2014
Net loss attributable to common stockholders $(40.8) $(308.6) $(262.6)
Adjustments to the numerator for diluted earnings per share:      
Gain on settlement agreement related to Series B Convertible Preferred Stock (103.0) 
 
Gain on amendment of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock (32.9) 
 
Remeasurement adjustment associated with the Preferred Series B redemption liability 5.0
 
 
Loss attributed to PDH non-controlling interest (5.9) 
 
Net loss attributable to common stockholders for diluted EPS $(177.6) $(308.6) $(262.6)
       
Basic weighted average common stock outstanding 243.3
 203.2
 135.3
Conversion related to the amendment of the Series B Preferred Stock - assumed at beginning of reporting period 15.3
 
 
Settlement of preferred stock redemption liability - assumed at beginning of reporting period 5.7
 
 
Conversion of PDH non-controlling interest 8.0
 
 
Share adjustments (1)
 29.0
 
 
Dilutive weighted average common stock outstanding 272.3
 203.2
 135.3
Loss per share attributable to common stockholders:   
   
   
Basic $(0.17) $(1.52) $(1.94)
Diluted $(0.65) $(1.52) $(1.94)
       
Dividends per share paid to common stockholders $
 $
 $
PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



(1) For the years ended December 31, 2015, and 2014, no share adjustments were included in the dilutive16. LOSS PER SHARE
A computation of weighted average shares of common stock outstanding computation as their effect would have been anti-dilutive. For more information about such dilutive shares outstanding, refer to the table below.and loss per share for 2017, 2016 and 2015 follows:
  Year Ended December 31,
 ($ amounts in millions, except per share amounts) 2017 2016 2015
Net loss attributable to common stockholders $(296.2) $(40.8) $(308.6)
Numerator adjustments for diluted loss per share:      
Gain on settlement agreement related to Series B Convertible Preferred Stock 
 (103.0) 
Gain on amendment of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock 
 (32.9) 
Remeasurement adjustment associated with the Preferred Series B redemption liability 
 5.0
 
Loss allocated to PDH non-controlling interest 
 (5.9) 
Net loss attributable to common stockholders for diluted loss per share $(296.2) $(177.6) $(308.6)
       
Basic weighted average common stock outstanding 286.1
 243.3
 203.2
Denominator adjustments for diluted loss per share:      
Conversion related to the amendment of the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock - assumed at beginning of reporting period 
 15.3
 
Settlement of preferred stock redemption liability - assumed at beginning of reporting period 
 5.7
 
Conversion of PDH non-controlling interest 
 8.0
 
Share adjustments 
 29.0
 
Dilutive weighted average common stock outstanding 286.1
 272.3
 203.2
       
Loss per share attributable to common stockholders:   
   
   
Basic $(1.04) $(0.17) $(1.52)
Diluted $(1.04) $(0.65) $(1.52)
       
Dividends per share paid to common stockholders $
 $
 $
For the years ended December 31,2017, 2016 2015, and 2014,2015, the following securities were not included in the computation of diluted shares outstanding because the effect would be anti-dilutive, or because performance targets and/or market conditions were not yet met for awards contingent upon such measures.measures:
 Year Ended December 31, Year Ended December 31,
(amounts in thousands) 2016 2015 2014 2017 2016 2015
Shares contingently issuable to Founder Entities as stock dividend to Series A Preferred Stock 
 1,239
 10,453
Shares issuable for the contingent consideration 7,421
 8,553
 4,640
Shares issuable upon conversion of PDH Common Stock 
 8,318
 8,641
 5,967
 
 8,318
Shares issuable upon conversion of Series A Preferred Stock 2,000
 2,000
 2,000
 2,000
 2,000
 2,000
Shares issuable upon vesting of RSUs 842
 147
 74
Shares issuable upon vesting and exercise of stock options 51
 
 55
Shares issuable under the ESPP 3
 2
 1
Shares issuable upon conversion of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock 
 19,443
 
 
 
 19,443
Shares contingently issuable for the contingent consideration 8,553
 4,640
 1,503
Shares issuable upon conversion of the 401k exchange rights 
 
 270
Stock options 
 55
 89
RSUs 147
 74
 70
Shares issuable under the ESPP 2
 1
 
 10,702
 35,770
 23,026
Shares contingently issuable to Founder Entities as stock dividend to Series A Preferred Stock 
 
 1,239
Total shares excluded 16,284
 10,702
 35,770


F-45

PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



15.17. OPERATING LEASE COMMITMENTS 
The Company leases certain land, office space, warehouse space and equipment under agreements which are classified as operating leases for financial statement purposes. Certain of these leases provide for payment of real estate taxes, common area maintenance, insurance and certain other expenses. Lease terms may have escalating rent provisions and rent holidays which are recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. The leases expire at various dates through 2055.
Total operating lease rental expense for the years ended December 31,2017, 2016 and 2015 and 2014 was $40.2 million, $36.7 million $22.9 million and $11.3$22.9 million, respectively.
Minimum future non-cancelable operating lease commitments were as follows:
(amounts in millions) Operating Lease Commitments
($ amounts in millions) Operating Lease Commitments
Year ending December 31,    
2017 $29.6
2018 20.4
 $33.0
2019 13.9
 25.0
2020 10.5
 19.6
2021 8.8
 13.9
2022 12.1
Thereafter 28.8
 28.9
Total $112.0
 $132.5
The fixed operating lease commitments detailed above assume that the Company continues the leases through their initial lease terms.
PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


16.18. CONTINGENCIES, ENVIRONMENTAL, AND LEGAL MATTERS
Asset Retirement Obligations
The Company has recognized AROs for properties where it can make a reasonable estimate of the future expenditures necessary to satisfy the related obligations. TheWhen calculating its ARO liability, the Company considers identified legally-enforceable obligations, estimated settlement dates and appropriate discount and inflation rates in calculating the fair value of its AROs.rates.
The Company's ARO liability wereis included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as "Accrued expenses and other current liabilities" and "Other long-term liabilities" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The balances and the related changes were as follows:
 (amounts in millions) Year Ended December 31,
  2016 2015 2014
AROs, beginning of period $17.5
 $18.5
 $4.8
Acquisitions 2.7
 0.4
 13.2
Additional obligations incurred 
 
 0.5
Accretion expense 1.2
 1.0
 0.7
Remeasurements 
 (0.2) 
Payments (1.3) (0.4) (0.2)
Foreign currency translation (0.3) (1.8) (0.5)
AROs, end of period $19.8
 $17.5
 $18.5
totaled $22.3 million and $19.8 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
Environmental Liabilities
The Company is involved in various claims relating to environmental matters at a number of current and former plant sites and waste management sites. The Company engages or participates in remedial and other environmental compliance activities at certain of these sites. At other sites, it has been named as a “potentialpotential responsible party” (PRP)party pursuant to the federal Superfund Act and/or state Superfund laws comparable to the federal law for site remediation. The Company analyzes each individual site, considering the number of parties involved, the level of its potential liability or contribution relating to the other parties, the nature and magnitude of the hazardous wastes involved, the method and extent of remediation, the potential insurance coverage, the estimated legal and consulting expense with respect to each site, and the time period over which any costs would likely be incurred. Based on the abovethis analysis, the Company estimates the clean-up costs and related claims for each site. The estimates are based in part on discussions with other PRPs,potential responsible parties, governmental agencies, and engineering firms.
The Company accrues for environmental matters when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the liability can be reasonably estimated based on current laws and existing technologies. The accruals are adjusted periodically as assessment and remediation efforts progress or as additional technical or legal information becomes available. While uncertainty exists with respect to the amount and timing of its ultimate environmental liabilities, the Company does not currently anticipate any material losses in excess of the amount recorded. However, it is possible that new information about these sites, such as results of investigations, could make it necessary for the Company to reassess its potential exposure related to these environmental matters.


F-46

PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



The Company's environmental liability is included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as "Accrued expenses and other current liabilities" and "Other long-term liabilities" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets,liabilities," and totaled $28.3 million and $32.6 million and $25.7 million as ofat December 31, 20162017 and 2015,2016, respectively, primarily in connection with environmental remediation, clean-up costs, and monitoring of sites that were either closed or disposed of in prior years by Alent plc, which the Company acquired in December 2015. As of the date hereof, management does not believe it is possible to develop an estimate of the range of reasonably possible environmental loss in excess of the Company's recorded liabilities, and is unable to ascertain the ultimate aggregate amount of monetary liability or financial impact with respect to these matters.
PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Legal Proceedings
From time to time, the Company is involved in various legal proceedings in the normal course of its business. The Company believes that the resolution of these claims, to the extent not covered by insurance, will not individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. The Company's accruals for its outstanding legal proceedings are included in "Accrued expenses and other current liabilities" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, and totaled $3.7 million and $6.5 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Product liability and/or personal injury claims for, or relating to, products the Company sells under its Agricultural Solutions segment are complex in nature and have outcomes that are difficult to predict. Since these products are used in the food chain on a global basis, any such product liability or personal injury claim could lead to litigation in multiple jurisdictions. In September 2014, Agricola Colonet, SA de CV filed a complaint with the 1st Civil Court in San Quintin (Baja California) where it alleged that certain Arysta products purchased from a retail distributor in Mexico were contaminated, requiring treated crops to be destroyed. Agricola Colonet, SA de CV is seeking compensation of approximately MXN 196 million ($9.5 million, based on the MXN/USD exchange rate of 0.0482 on December 31, 2016). A related complaint was filed in June 2016 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California by Fresh Pac International, Inc., naming the Company as a defendant.  In the complaint, Fresh Pac International Inc. claims to be a distributor of produce for Agricola Colonet, SA de CV and seeks in excess of $6.0 million in damages allegedly sustained in connection with the events that appear to form the basis of the claim by Agricola Colonet SA de CV.  The Company believes that it has adequate defenses and intends to vigorously defend against these claims. Under its risk management policies, the Company maintains certain insurance policies under which such claims may be covered.
In June 2009, a private lawsuit was filed in the District Court for the City of Ulianópolis in the State of Pará, Brazil by a private individual against Arysta LifeScience do Brasil Industria Química e Agropecuária Ltda, or Arysta Brazil, and 25 other defendants and in November 2011, a claim was filed, also in the District Court for the City of Ulianópolis in the State of Pará, Brazil, against Arysta Brazil and five other defendants by the city of Ulianópolis, in each case in connection with materials sent by Arysta Brazil and others to an incineration site owned and operated by an unaffiliated third-party in the state of Pará, Brazil. In November 2011, the City of Ulianópolis also filed a claim in the District Court for the City of Ulianópolis, against Arysta Brazil and five other defendants on the same grounds. Arysta Brazil was summoned and has filed its answer in connection with both cases. Proceedings have been suspended indefinitely in order to allowfor the Pará State Attorney to conduct civil inquiries to determine the extent of contamination, and the appropriate remediation, and to identifythe potentially responsible parties. Damages sought in the private lawsuit include a penalty of BRL 50.0 million ($15.4 million, based on the BRL/USD exchange rate of 0.3071 on December 31, 2016)15.1 million), plus interest and the cost of remediation. The cost of remediation in the case brought by the cityCity of Ulianopolis was previously estimated by the cityCity to be BRL 70.9 million ($21.8 million, based on the BRL/USD exchange rate of 0.3071 on December 31, 2016)21.4 million). In addition, in March 2014 and December 2015, an aggregate number of 29 former employees of the incineration facility have brought actions in the Labor Court of Paragominas in the State of Pará, Brazil naming 80 defendants, including Arysta Brazil, seeking compensation in an aggregate amount of BRL 387 million ($118.7 million, based on the BRL/USD exchange rate of 0.3071 on December 31, 2016)117 million) for health problems allegedly contracted as a result of their employment at the incineration site.
From time to time, in the ordinary course of business, the Company contests tax assessments received by its subsidiaries in various jurisdictions. Our contested tax assessments have been most prevalent in Brazil, where the tax regime is complex, and the administrative and judicial procedures for resolving disputed tax assessments are expensive and time-consuming. In addition, short of simply paying the entire amount demanded, including penalties, interest, and attorney’s fees, it is not possible to settle disputed tax assessments other than by submission for inclusion in formal tax amnesty programs announced by the Brazilian federal or state governments from time to time at irregular intervals. The terms of such amnesty programs vary, but generally offer the possibility of reduced interest and penalties. Historically, Arysta has submitted selected contested tax matters for inclusion in such amnesty programs in Brazil, when it appeared prudent to management to do so. The Company is currently contesting several tax assessments in Brazil at various stages of the applicable administrative and judicial processes, with a combined amount at issue, including interest and penalties, of approximately BRL 83.190.6 million ($25.5 million, based on27.4 million). Brazil's tax regime is complex, and the BRL/USD exchange rate of 0.3071 on December 31, 2016).administrative and judicial procedures for resolving disputed tax assessments are expensive and time-consuming. Because tax matters in Brazil historically take many years to resolve, it is very difficult to estimate when these matters will be finally resolved. Based on management's judgments, the Company does not expect it will incur a material loss in excess of accrued liabilities.
In July 2014, a federal court jury in the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut found in favor ofAs previously disclosed, MacDermid Printing Solutions LLChas been involved in litigationvarious lawsuits with DuPont and Cortron involving MacDermid Printing's flexographic printing technology and related business. On June 27, 2017, MacDermid Printing and DuPont reached an agreement to settle and dismiss all their respective lawsuits against Cortron, Inc. The court enteredeach other, as well as MacDermid Printing's lawsuit against Cortron. In connection with the settlement, on July 14, 2017, DuPont made a judgment in the amountpayment of approximately $64.7 million. Cortron, Inc. appealed the verdict, and in August 2016 the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit issued a decision in which it reversed the District Court’s verdict with respect to certain claims, affirmed with respect to other claims, and remanded to the District Court to recalculate the damages payable$20.0 million to MacDermid Printing, Solutions LLC. Accordingly,and the amountCompany recorded a net settlement gain of the ultimate judgment is subject to further proceedings$10.8 million in "Other (expense) income, net" in the District CourtConsolidated Statement of Operations. This settlement resolves all outstanding litigation between MacDermid Printing, DuPont, and is, therefore, uncertain. All proceedsCortron. Proceeds from this litigationthe settlement agreement are subject to the pending litigation provisions of the Business Combination Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of October 10, 2013.
PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


In September 2014, the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey rendered a summary judgment in favor of MacDermid related to a patent litigation with E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company. The Court issued summary judgment rulings in favor of MacDermid finding certain E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company’s patents invalid and not infringed. These rulings summarily found against E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company on all of the patent claims asserted by E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company in this lawsuit. The ruling, however, leaves the counterclaims made by MacDermid against E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company in place. E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company appealed the summary judgment, and in August 2016 the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed the District Court’s summary judgment rulings. E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company petitioned the Court of Appeals for a review of the decision en banc, which petition was denied. A trial date for MacDermid’s counterclaims against E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company has not yet been set. All proceeds from this litigation are subject to the pending litigation provisions of the Business Combination Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of October 10, 2013.
In February 2015, MacDermid, as plaintiff, settled a litigation with Cookson Group plc, Enthone Inc., Cookson Electronics and David North, as defendants, for $25.0 million. The litigation related to certain corporate activities that occurred between MacDermid and the defendants in 2006 and 2007. On April 3, 2015, the CompanyMacDermid received part of the settlement in the amount of $16.0 million and placed the remainder, net of legal costs, into escrow for future distribution in accordance with the pending litigation provisions of the Business Combination Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of October 10, 2013.
In March 2016, a class action lawsuit entitled Dillard v. Platform Specialty Products Corporation, et al. was filed against Platform and certain of its former and current executive officers in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida alleging material false and misleading statements relating to our business, operational and compliance policies in light of certain past business practices of Arysta's West Africa business, as disclosed herein and in the 2015 Annual Report. In June 2016, the Court appointed joint lead plaintiffs, and in July 2016, the lead plaintiffs filed an amended complaint with an expanded class period but stating substantially similar claims to those contained in the original complaint.  In September 2016, Platform filed a motion to dismiss this complaint. On December 7, 2016, the Court granted the motion to dismiss. On December 14, 2016, the parties submitted a joint stipulation of dismissal, and on December 16, 2016, the Court issued an order closing the case.

F-47

17.
PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



19. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
RHSA
Immediately prior to the closing of the MacDermid Acquisition, each Retaining Holder entered into a RHSA pursuant to which they agreed to exchange their respective interests in MacDermid Holdings for shares of PDH Common Stock, at an exchange rate of $11.00 per share plus, with respect to certain equity interests of MacDermid Holdings held by the Retaining Holder, (i) a proportionate share of a contingent interest in certain pending litigation, and (ii) a proportionate share of up to $100 million of contingent purchase price payable upon the attainment of certain EBITDA and stock trading price performance metrics during the seven-year period following the closing of the MacDermid Acquisition. The resulting non-controlling interest percentage for the Retaining Holders was 3.83% and 6.01% at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
Since October 31, 2017, all outstanding shares of PDH Common Stock are convertible, at the option of the holder, into a like number of shares of the Company's common stock.
Advisory Services Agreement
The Company is party to an Advisory Services Agreement with Mariposa Capital, LLC, an affiliate of one of the Company's founder directors. Under this agreement, Mariposa Capital, LLC provides certain advisory services to the Company and is entitled to receive an annual fee equal to $2.0 million, which is accrued quarterly and payable in quarterly installments. This agreement is automatically renewed for successive one-year terms unless either party notifies the other party in writing of its intention not to renew no later than 90 days prior to the expiration of the applicable term. This agreement may only be terminated by the Company upon a vote of a majority of its directors. In the event that this agreement is terminated by the Company, the effective date of the termination will be six months following the expiration of the applicable term. Under this agreement, the Company incurred advisory fees totaling $2.0 million during 2017, 2016 and 2015.
Issuance of Common Stock to the Arysta Seller
On December 13, 2016, Platform settled all of its obligations with respect to the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock and the related make-whole payment obligation in exchange for a cash payment of $460 million and the issuance of 5.5 million shares of its common stock to the Arysta Seller or one or more of its affiliates. See Note 12,14, Stockholders' Equity, to the Consolidated Financial Statements, under the heading "Series B Convertible Preferred Stock."
RHSA
Immediately prior to the closing of the MacDermid Acquisition, each Retaining Holder entered into a RHSA pursuant to which they agreed to exchange their respective interests in MacDermid Holdings for shares of PDH Common Stock, at an exchange rate of $11.00 per share plus, with respect to certain equity interests of MacDermid Holdings held by the Retaining Holder, (i) a proportionate share of a contingent interest in certain pending litigation, and (ii) a proportionate share of up to $100 million of contingent purchase price payable upon the attainment of certain EBITDA and stock trading price performance metrics during the seven-year period following the closing of the MacDermid Acquisition. The resulting non-controlling interest percentage for the Retaining Holders was 6.01% and 6.25% as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Since October 31, 2016, which corresponded to the third anniversary of the MacDermid Acquisition, each Retaining Holder, with the exception of Tartan, remains subject to a contractual lock-up with respect to 25% of the total shares of PDH Common Stock initially received by such Retaining Holder. Tartan members, who hold approximately 6.7 million of shares of PDH common stock, are no longer subject to any contractual lock-up since October 31, 2016. In addition, until the earlier of (i) the seventh anniversary of the MacDermid Acquisition (that is October 31, 2020), and (ii) such date on which all shares of PDH Common Stock held by Tartan have been exchanged for common stock, Platform has agreed, among certain other covenants, to obtain written consent from Tartan prior to issuing additional securities, or instruments convertible, exchangeable or exercisable for securities.
PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Advisory Services Agreement
On October 31, 2013, the Company entered into an Advisory Services Agreement with Mariposa Capital, LLC, an affiliate of one of the Company's founder directors. Under this agreement, Mariposa Capital, LLC provides certain advisory services to the Company and is entitled to receive an annual fee equal to $2.0 million, payable in quarterly installments. This agreement is automatically renewed for successive one-year terms unless either party notifies the other party in writing of its intention not to renew no later than 90 days prior to the expiration of the applicable term. This agreement may only be terminated by the Company upon a vote of a majority of its directors. In the event that this agreement is terminated by the Company, the effective date of the termination will be six months following the expiration of the applicable term. Under this agreement, the Company incurred advisory fees totaling $2.0 million during each of the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014.
Registration Rights Agreements
On November 7, 2013, the Company entered into a registration rights agreement with Pershing Square on behalf of funds managed by Pershing Square pursuant to which the Company agreed to file a resale registration statement for the resale of the shares those funds own from time to time promptly after becoming eligible to utilize a Form S-3. The Company became eligible to file a registration statement on Form S-3 on January 23, 2015, and initially filed a registration statement on February 2, 2015 which was declared effective on February 20, 2015. 
On May 20, 2014, the Company completed the May 2014 Private Placement. Blue Ridge Limited Partnership, a stockholder of more than 5% of the Company's then issued and outstanding common stock, along with one of its affiliates, Blue Ridge Offshore Master Limited Partnership, purchased an aggregate 1,000,000 shares of the Company's common stock issued in the May 2014 Private Placement, at $19.00 per share. In connection with the May 2014 Private Placement, the Company granted registration rights to each investor, including Blue Ridge Limited Partnership and Blue Ridge Offshore Master Limited Partnership. Pursuant to these registration rights agreements, on May 23, 2014, the Company filed the May Resale Registration Statement to register the resale of all of the shares sold in the May 2014 Private Placement, which was amended on June 13, 2014 and declared effective on June 19, 2014.
In connection with the October/November 2014 Private Placement, Blue Ridge Limited Partnership and Blue Ridge Offshore Master Limited Partnership, stockholders of more than 5% of the Company's then issued and outstanding common stock, purchased an aggregate 1,953,888 shares of the Company's common stock, at $25.59 per share. In addition, Pershing Square, through the Pershing Square Funds, purchased 9,404,064 shares, at $25.59 per share. A partner of Pershing Square is a member of Platform’s board of directors. In connection with the October/November 2014 Private Placement, the Company entered into registration rights agreements with each investor, including Blue Ridge Limited Partnership, Blue Ridge Offshore Master Limited Partnership and Pershing Square on behalf of its funds. Pursuant to these registration rights agreements, on November 3, 2014, the Company filed the November Resale Registration Statement to register the resale of all of the shares sold in the October/November 2014 Private Placement, including the 9,404,064 shares issued to the Pershing Square’s funds upon stockholder approval on November 6, 2014. The November Resale Registration Statement was declared effective on November 10, 2014.
18.20. RESTRUCTURING
The Company continuously evaluates its operations in an effort to identify opportunities to improve profitability by leveraging existing infrastructure to reduce operating costs and respond to overall economic conditions.
Restructuring expenses were recorded as follows in each of the Company's business segments:
 Year Ended December 31, Year Ended December 31,
(amounts in millions) 2016 2015 2014
($ amounts in millions) 2017 2016 2015
Performance Solutions $25.0
 $6.9
 $1.5
 $23.5
 $25.0
 $6.9
Agricultural Solutions 6.1
 18.4
 1.5
 7.3
 6.1
 18.4
Total restructuring $31.1
 $25.3
 $3.0
 $30.8
 $31.1
 $25.3
At December 31, 20162017 and 2015,2016, the Company’s restructuring liability totaled zerowas not material.
2017 and $1.1 million, respectively, and was included in "Accrued expenses and other current liabilities" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


2016 Activity
The restructuring plans initiated within the Performance Solutions segment primarily relate to headcount reductions associated with the integration of the Alent, OMG and OMG Malaysia Acquisitions. The restructuring plans initiated within the Agricultural Solutions segment primarily relate to cost saving opportunities associated with the integration of the Arysta, CAS and Agriphar Acquisitions. There are no material additional costs expected to be incurred related to these discrete restructuring plans.activities.


F-48

PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



2015 Activity
The restructuring activity initiated by the Company's Performance Solutions segment primarily related to cost saving opportunities associated with a realignment of the segment's footprint in the United States, which included the sale of one of its legacy manufacturing sites during the third quarter of 2015, and cost saving opportunities associated with the integration of the Alent Acquisition. The restructuring plans initiated by the Company's Agricultural Solutions segment primarily related to cost saving opportunities associated with the integration of the Arysta, CAS and Agriphar Acquisitions. Both segments also incurred expenses related to several overhead cost reduction initiatives. There are no material additional costs expected to be incurred related to these discrete restructuring plans.
2014 Activity
The restructuring activity initiated in 2014 primarily related to the elimination of certain headcount positions as well as several small initiatives targeting cost reduction opportunities.activities.
Restructuring expenses were recorded as follows in the Consolidated Statements of Operations:
 Year Ended December 31, Year Ended December 31,
(amounts in millions) 2016 2015 2014
($ amounts in millions) 2017 2016 2015
Cost of sales $0.9
 $6.3
 $
 $0.9
 $0.9
 $6.3
Selling, technical, general and administrative 30.2
 19.0
 3.0
 29.9
 30.2
 19.0
Total restructuring $31.1
 $25.3
 $3.0
 $30.8
 $31.1
 $25.3
19.21. OTHER (EXPENSE) INCOME, (EXPENSE), NET
"Other (expense) income, (expense), net",net," as reported in the Consolidated Statements of Operations, consisted of the following:
  Year Ended December 31,
 (amounts in millions) 2016 2015 2014
Gain on settlement agreement related to Series B Convertible Preferred Stock $103.0
 $
 $
Loss on debt extinguishment (11.3) 
 
Non-cash change in fair value of preferred stock redemption liability (5.0) 
 
Legal settlements 
 17.7
 
Sale of intellectual property and product rights 4.4
 6.1
 
Acquisition put option settlement 
 3.0
 
Other income (expense), net 9.7
 3.6
 (0.2)
Total other income (expense), net $100.8
 $30.4
 $(0.2)
  Year Ended December 31,
 ($ amounts in millions) 2017 2016 2015
Loss on debt extinguishments $(72.3) $(11.3) $
Loss on derivative contracts (9.5) (12.5) (74.0)
Non-cash change in fair value of preferred stock redemption liability 
 (5.0) 
Gain on settlement agreement related to Series B Convertible Preferred Stock 
 103.0
 
Legal settlements 10.8
 
 17.7
Sale of intellectual property and product rights 2.2
 4.4
 6.1
Other income, net 7.6
 9.7
 6.6
Total $(61.2) $88.3
 $(43.6)
22. ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES
"Accrued expenses and other current liabilities," as reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, consisted of the following:
  December 31,
 ($ amounts in millions) 2017 2016
Accrued customer rebates and sales incentives $127.7
 $120.7
Accrued salaries, wages and employee benefits 117.0
 103.5
Accrued income taxes payable 73.1
 82.5
Accrued interest 47.8
 49.2
Other current liabilities $225.5
 $227.1
Total $591.1
 $583.0


F-49

PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



20. ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES
"Accrued expenses and other current liabilities", as reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, consisted of the following:
  December 31,
 (amounts in millions) 2016 2015
Accrued customer rebates and sales incentives $120.7
 $120.7
Factoring and customer financing arrangements 38.3
 71.1
Other current liabilities 238.0
 222.4
Total accrued expenses and other current liabilities $397.0
 $414.2
21. NOTE RECEIVABLE
On October 28, 2015, the Company extended a short-term, recourse loan of $125 million to an unrelated third-party. The loan earned interest at an annual rate of 11% from inception through its settlement in January 2016. During 2015, the Company recognized interest income on the loan of $2.4 million.
22.23. SEGMENT INFORMATION 
The Company's operations are organized into two reportable segments: Performance Solutions and Agricultural Solutions. The reporting segments represent businesses for which separate financial information is utilized by the chief operating decision maker, or CODM for purpose of allocating resources and evaluating performance. Each of the reportable segments has its own president, who reports to the CODM.
Performance Solutions – The Performance Solutions segment formulates and markets dynamic chemistry solutions that are used in automotive production, commercial packaging and printing, electronics, and oil and gas production and drilling. Its products include surface and coating materials, functional conversion coatings, electronics assembly materials, water-based hydraulic control fluids and photopolymers. Performance Solutions' products are sold worldwide. In conjunction with the sale of its products, extensive technical service and support is provided to ensure superior performance.
Within this segment, the Company provides specialty chemical solutions to the following five industries; Assembly Solutions, Electronics Solutions, Industrial Solutions, Graphic Solutions, and Offshore Solutions.
Assembly Solutions:The segment develops, manufactures and sells innovative interconnected materials, primarily in the electronics market, used to assemble printed circuit boards and advanced semiconductor packaging.
Electronics Solutions:
The segment designs and formulates a complete line of proprietary “wet” dynamic chemistries used by customers to process the surface of the printed circuit boards and other electronic components they manufacture.
Industrial SolutionsThe segment's dynamic chemistries are used for finishing, cleaning and providing surface coatings for a broad range of metal and non-metal surfaces which improve the performance or look of a component of an industrial part or process.
Graphic Solutions:The segment produces photopolymers, through an extensive line of flexographic plates, which are used to produce printing plates for transferring images onto commercial packaging, including packaging for consumer food products, pet food bags, corrugated boxes, labels and beverage containers. In addition, the segment also produces photopolymer printing plates for the flexographic and letterpress newspaper and publications markets.
Offshore Solutions:The segment produces water-based hydraulic control fluids for major oil and gas companies and drilling contractors for offshore deep water production and drilling applications.
Agricultural Solutions – The Agricultural Solutions segment is based on a solutions-oriented business model that focuses on product innovation to address an ever-increasing need for higher crop yield and quality. It offers to growers diverse crop-protection solutions from weeds (herbicides), insects (insecticides) and diseases (fungicides), in foliar and seed treatment applications. The segment also offers a wide variety of proven BioSolutions, including biostimulants, innovative nutrition and biocontrol products.  It
PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


emphasizes farmer economics and food safety by combining, when possible, BioSolutions with crop protection and seed treatmentagrochemicals.
With products to address every stage of the plant life-cycle, Agricultural Solutions aims to outperform the crop protection chemistry market by focusing on high-growth, high-value and high-differentiation (H3). In line with these objectives, in 2016, our Agricultural Solutions segment launched a "H3 Priority Segments" program, which focuses on five priority segments selected for their potential to deliver accelerated growth and sustained profitability due to their strong solutions orientation. The Company believes that each of these H3 Priority Segments is a high growthallocates resources and high value segment that demonstrates a high potential for differentiation.
These H3 Priority Segments consist of: Crop Establishment, Plant Stress and Stimulation, Resistant Weed Management, Specialty Protection Niches, and Crop Residue Management.
Crop Establishment:Focuses on seed treatment and in-furrow applications to protect the crop in its early stages.
Plant Stress and Stimulation:Helps the metabolism of the plant deal with abiotic stresses such as drought and cold, while stimulating it to enhance yields through the use of biostimulants and other solutions.
Resistant Weed Management:Develops solutions to manage weed resistance of widely used herbicides such as glyphosate.
Specialty Protection Niches:Creates solutions to fight against niche pests in underserved segments such as mites or bacteria.
Crop Residue Management:Develops standalone biocontrol solutions or combinations of biocontrol with conventional crop protection to help growers to effectively manage residue levels in fruits & vegetables and address evolving food chain requirements.
Additionally, its Global Value Added Portfolio, or GVAP, consists of agrochemicals in the fungicides, herbicides, insecticides and seed treatment categories, based on patented or proprietary off-patent AIs.  Its Global BioSolutions Portfolio, or GBP, includes biostimulants, innovative nutrition and biocontrol products. The segment considers its GVAP and GBP offerings to be key pillars for sustainable growth in the H3 Priority Segments.  In addition, the segment offers regional off-patent AIs and certain non-crop products, including animal health products, such as honey bee protective miticides and certain veterinary.
Segment Performance
The Company evaluates the performance of its operating segments based primarily on net sales and adjustedAdjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA for each segment is defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, as further adjusted for additional items included in earnings that are not considered to be representative or indicative of each segment's ongoing business.business or considered to be costs associated with the Company's capital structure. Adjusted EBITDA for each segment also includes an allocation of corporate costs, such as compensation expense and professional fees.fees, which totaled $31.4 million and $32.8 million during 2017 and 2016, respectively. During 2015, Performance Solutions and Agricultural Solutions were allocated corporate costs of $12.0 million and $36.0 million, respectively.
The following table summarizes financial information regarding each reportable segment’s results of operations for the periods presented.operations:
 Year Ended December 31, Year Ended December 31,
(amounts in millions) 2016 2015 2014 2017 2016 2015
Net Sales:            
Performance Solutions $1,770.1
 $800.8
 $755.2
 $1,878.6
 $1,770.1
 $800.8
Agricultural Solutions 1,815.8
 1,741.5
 88.0
 1,897.3
 1,815.8
 1,741.5
Consolidated net sales $3,585.9
 $2,542.3
 $843.2
Total $3,775.9
 $3,585.9
 $2,542.3
Depreciation and amortization:  
  
  
  
  
  
Performance Solutions $156.5
 $80.0
 $76.3
 $155.0
 $156.5
 $80.0
Agricultural Solutions 185.8
 171.0
 11.7
 199.2
 185.8
 171.0
Consolidated depreciation and amortization $342.3
 $251.0
 $88.0
Total $354.2
 $342.3
 $251.0
Capital expenditures and product registrations:  
  
  
Performance Solutions $29.3
 $29.3
 $17.6
Agricultural Solutions 70.6
 63.4
 64.7
Total $99.9
 $92.7
 $82.3
Adjusted EBITDA:  
  
  
  
  
  
Performance Solutions $401.3
 $224.3
 $196.2
 $432.7
 $401.3
 $224.3
Agricultural Solutions 368.2
 343.4
 16.0
 388.2
 368.2
 343.4
Consolidated adjusted EBITDA $769.5
 $567.7
 $212.2
Total $820.9
 $769.5
 $567.7
 


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PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



The following table reconciles "Net loss attributable to common stockholders" to consolidated Adjusted EBITDA:
 Year Ended December 31, Year Ended December 31,
(amounts in millions) 2016 2015 2014
($ amounts in millions) 2017 2016 2015
Net loss attributable to common stockholders $(40.8) $(308.6) $(262.6) $(296.2) $(40.8) $(308.6)
Add (subtract):      
Gain on amendment of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock (32.9) 
 
 
 (32.9) 
Stock dividend on Founder's preferred shares 
 
 232.7
Net income attributable to the non-controlling interests (3.0) 4.2
 5.7
Income tax expense (benefit) 28.6
 75.1
 (6.7)
Loss before income taxes and non-controlling interests (48.1) (229.3) (30.9)
Adjustments to reconcile to Adjusted EBITDA:  
  
  
Net income (loss) attributable to the non-controlling interests 0.6
 (3.0) 4.2
Income tax expense 6.6
 28.6
 75.1
Interest expense, net 375.7
 213.9
 37.9
 341.6
 375.7
 213.9
Depreciation expense 75.0
 48.9
 20.6
 78.3
 75.0
 48.9
Amortization expense 267.3
 202.1
 67.4
 275.9
 267.3
 202.1
EBITDA 406.8
 669.9
 235.6
Adjustments to reconcile to Adjusted EBITDA:  
  
  
Restructuring expense 31.1
 25.3
 3.0
 30.8
 31.1
 25.3
Manufacturer's profit in inventory purchase accounting adjustments 11.7
 76.5
 35.5
Amortization of inventory step-up 
 11.7
 76.5
Acquisition and integration costs 33.4
 122.4
 47.8
 4.8
 33.4
 122.4
Non-cash change in fair value contingent consideration 5.1
 6.8
 29.1
Legal settlement (2.8) (16.0) 
Foreign exchange loss on foreign denominated external and internal debt 33.9
 46.4
 1.1
Non-cash change in fair value of contingent consideration 3.4
 5.1
 6.8
Legal settlements (10.8) (2.8) (16.0)
Foreign exchange loss on foreign denominated external and internal long-term debt 102.5
 33.9
 46.4
Debt refinancing costs 83.2
 19.7
 
Fair value loss on foreign exchange forward contract 
 73.7
 (0.3) 
 
 73.7
Goodwill impairment 46.6
 
 
 160.0
 46.6
 
Gain on settlement agreement related to Series B Convertible Preferred Stock (103.0) 
 
 
 (103.0) 
Non-cash change in fair value of preferred stock redemption liability 5.0
 
 
 
 5.0
 
Debt refinancing costs 19.7
 
 
Other expense (income), net 18.9
 (3.0) 1.0
Costs related to Proposed Separation 12.1
 
 
Pension plan settlement and curtailment 10.5
 1.8
 
Other, net 17.6
 17.1
 (3.0)
Adjusted EBITDA $769.5
 $567.7
 $212.2
 $820.9
 $769.5
 $567.7
Total Net Sales by Major Country
A major country is defined as one with total net sales by geographic area based on the country where sales were generated greater than 10% of the total consolidated net sales in any of the years presented.
  Year Ended December 31,
 (amounts in millions) 2017 2016 2015
United States $654.7
 $725.4
 $474.6
Brazil 476.7
 463.0
 380.6
Other countries 2,644.5
 2,397.5
 1,687.1
Total $3,775.9
 $3,585.9
 $2,542.3


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PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



The following table sets forthLong-Lived Assets by Major Country
A major country is defined as one with long-lived assets greater than 10% of the Company's total net sales by geographic area based on the country where sales were generated:
  Year Ended December 31,
 (amounts in millions) 2016 2015 2014
United States $725.4
 $474.6
 $217.4
Foreign Net Sales:      
Brazil 463.0
 380.6
 70.9
China 330.6
 108.3
 87.8
France 227.8
 196.8
 64.3
Germany 172.9
 35.4
 22.0
Japan 145.7
 166.6
 22.9
United Kingdom 145.5
 127.3
 119.1
Other countries 1,375.0
 1,052.7
 238.8
Total Foreign Net Sales 2,860.5
 2,067.7
 625.8
Total consolidated net sales $3,585.9
 $2,542.3
 $843.2
The following table provides the Company's total long-lived assets, by geographic area:
  December 31,
 (amounts in millions) 2016 2015
United States $137.4
 $138.3
Foreign countries  
  
China 47.3
 55.1
France 47.2
 50.9
Brazil 36.9
 28.7
Germany 30.0
 33.0
United Kingdom 23.4
 33.6
Other countries 138.3
 152.0
Total foreign countries 323.1
 353.3
Total long-lived assets, net (1)
 $460.5
 $491.6
(1) net in any of the years presented. Long-lived assets represent property, plant and equipment, net.
  December 31,
 (amounts in millions) 2017 2016
United States $122.2
 $137.4
France 48.2
 47.2
China 42.0
 47.3
Other countries 239.9
 228.6
Total $452.3
 $460.5
Total assets by reportable segment as ofat December 31, 20162017 and 20152016 are not presented as they are not utilized by the CODM, for purposes of allocating resources and evaluating performance.
The following table shows the Company's external party sales by product category for the periods presented:
 Year Ended December 31, Year Ended December 31,
(amounts in millions) 2016 2015 2014 2017 2016 2015
Performance Solutions            
Assembly Solutions $554.5
 $41.1
 $
 $629.7
 $554.5
 $41.1
Electronics Solutions 525.9
 198.8
 159.9
 538.7
 525.9
 198.8
Industrial Solutions 445.0
 287.8
 336.7
 482.2
 445.0
 287.8
Graphic Solutions 171.8
 173.9
 165.9
Graphics Solutions 153.4
 171.8
 173.9
Offshore Solutions 72.9
 99.2
 92.7
 74.6
 72.9
 99.2
Performance Solutions sales 1,770.1
 800.8
 755.2
 1,878.6
 1,770.1
 800.8
Agricultural Solutions (1)
 1,815.8
 1,741.5
 88.0
      
Total consolidated net sales $3,585.9
 $2,542.3
 $843.2
Agricultural Solutions 1,873.9
 1,794.3
 1,727.9
Animal Health 23.4
 21.5
 13.6
Agricultural Solutions 1,897.3
 1,815.8
 1,741.5
Total $3,775.9
 $3,585.9
 $2,542.3
24. SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
  2017
 ($ amounts in millions, except per share amounts) 
First
Quarter
 
Second
Quarter
 
Third
Quarter
 
Fourth
Quarter
Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)        
Net sales $861.8
 $941.1
 $904.3
 $1,068.7
Gross profit 378.4
 399.9
 371.1
 439.6
Net loss attributable to stockholders (24.4) (61.1) (69.2) (141.5)
Net loss attributable to common stockholders (24.4) (61.1) (69.2) (141.5)
         
Loss per share        
Basic $(0.09) $(0.21) $(0.24) $(0.49)
Diluted (0.09) (0.21) (0.24) (0.49)


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PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



(1) Agricultural Solutions product offerings are comprised of five major global product lines: fungicides and biofungicides; herbicides; insecticides, bioinsecticides and acaricides; biostimulants and innovative nutrition; and seed treatments. However, the segment manages and reports sales on a regional basis, making it impractical to present such data by product line.
23. SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
 2016 2016
(amounts in millions, except per share amounts) 
First
Quarter
 
Second
Quarter
 
Third
Quarter
 
Fourth
Quarter
($ amounts in millions, except per share amounts) 
First
Quarter
 
Second
Quarter
 
Third
Quarter
 
Fourth
Quarter
Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)                
Net sales $823.8
 $921.6
 $890.5
 $950.0
 $823.8
 $921.6
 $890.5
 $950.0
Gross profit 356.0
 380.6
 375.1
 396.0
 356.0
 380.6
 375.1
 396.0
Net (loss) income attributable to stockholders (134.8) (8.8) 71.8
 (1.9) (134.8) (8.8) 71.8
 (1.9)
Net (loss) income attributable to common stockholders (134.8) (8.8) 104.7
 (1.9) (134.8) (8.8) 104.7
 (1.9)
Basic (loss) earnings per share attributable to common stockholders $(0.59) $(0.04) $0.45
 $(0.01)
Diluted loss per share attributable to common stockholders $(0.59) $(0.04) $(0.15) $(0.01)
        
(Loss) earnings per share        
Basic $(0.59) $(0.04) $0.45
 $(0.01)
Diluted (0.59) (0.04) (0.15) (0.01)


F-53

  2015
 (amounts in millions, except per share amounts) 
First
Quarter
 
Second
Quarter
 
Third
Quarter
 
Fourth
Quarter
Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)        
Net sales $534.8
 $675.1
 $597.3
 $735.1
Gross profit 207.1
 268.6
 242.7
 273.5
Net loss attributable to stockholders (26.7) (12.2) (140.1) (129.6)
Net loss attributable to common stockholders (26.7) (12.2) (140.1) (129.6)
Basic loss per share attributable to common stockholders $(0.14) $(0.06) $(0.66) $(0.60)
Diluted loss per share attributable to common stockholders $(0.14) $(0.06) $(0.66) $(0.60)

  2014
 (amounts in millions, except per share amounts) 
First
Quarter
 
Second
Quarter
 
Third
Quarter
 
Fourth
Quarter
Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)        
Net sales $183.7
 $189.1
 $196.8
 $273.6
Gross profit 84.2
 96.7
 103.2
 112.5
Net (loss) income attributable to stockholders (7.4) (0.4) 11.9
 (34.0)
Net (loss) income attributable to common stockholders (7.4) (0.4) 11.9
 (266.7)
Basic (loss) earnings per share attributable to common stockholders $(0.07) $
 $0.09
 $(1.59)
Diluted (loss) earnings per share attributable to common stockholders $(0.07) $
 $0.08
 $(1.59)
Schedule II

Platform Specialty Products Corporation

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves
(amounts in millions) 
Balance at
beginning of
period
 
Charges to
costs and
expense
 
Deductions
from
reserves and other (2)
 
Balance at
end of period
 
Balance at
beginning of
period
 
Charges to
costs and
expense
 
Deductions
from
reserves and other (1)
 
Balance at
end of period
Reserves against accounts receivable (1):
        
Reserves against accounts receivable:        
2017 $(36.7) $(10.0) $(0.9) $(47.6)
2016 $(14.4) $(19.0) $(3.3) $(36.7) (14.4) (19.0) (3.3) (36.7)
2015 (9.6) (9.2) 4.4
 (14.4) (9.6) (9.2) 4.4
 (14.4)
2014 (10.1) (1.2) 1.7
 (9.6)
(1)
Primarily consists of reserves for uncollectible accounts.
(2) 
Other activity consists primarily of currency translation effects.


F-54