SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL REPORTING POLICIES | SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL REPORTING POLICIES Fiscal Year The Company’s fiscal year ends on December 31. Unless the context indicates otherwise, whenever a particular year is referenced, it means the fiscal year ended or ending in that particular calendar year. Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand and highly liquid instruments with original maturities of three months or less that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash. The recorded amounts are presented at amortized cost within the “Cash and cash equivalents” in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets and approximate fair value. Accounts Receivable, net Trade accounts receivable are amounts due from customers for products sold or services performed in the ordinary course of business and are stated at their estimated net realizable value representing amounts expected to be collected. Allowance for credit losses is recorded upon the initial recognition of trade accounts receivable and reviewed during each reporting period over their contractual life. Allowance for credit losses is measured based on historical loss rates and the impact of current and future conditions, including an assessment of customer creditworthiness, historical payment experience, the age of outstanding receivables and collateral to the extent applicable. The Company evaluates the allowance for credit losses for the entire portfolio of trade accounts receivable on an aggregate basis due to similar risk characteristics of its customers based on similar industry and historical loss patterns. Accounts receivable balances are written off against the allowance for credit losses when the Company determines that the balances are not recoverable. Provisions for expected credit losses are recorded in “Selling, general and administrative expenses” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. At December 31, 2021 and 2020, allowance for credit losses was $6.4 million and $7.0 million, respectively. The following table summarizes the activity for the allowance for credit losses during 2021, 2020 and 2019: 2021 2020 2019 (in millions) Beginning balance $ 7.0 $ 7.5 $ 5.8 Provision for expected credit losses 1.2 0.9 3.5 Write offs (1.5) (1.4) (1.7) Foreign currency translation adjustments (0.3) — (0.1) Ending balance $ 6.4 $ 7.0 $ 7.5 Inventories Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Costs are determined on a first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) basis and include direct and certain indirect costs of materials and production. GCP provides allowances for excess, obsolete or damaged inventories based on their expected selling price, net of completion and disposal costs. Abnormal costs of production are expensed as incurred. Properties and Equipment Properties and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Depreciation expense for properties and equipment is computed using the straight-line method and charged to results of operations. Depreciation expense was $37.4 million, $37.4 million and $33.7 million, respectively, for 2021, 2020 and 2019. Interest costs are capitalized as part of the historical cost of acquiring properties and equipment that constitute major project expenditures and require a period of time to get them ready for their intended use. Fully depreciated assets are retained in properties and equipment and related accumulated depreciation accounts until they are removed from service. Cost of disposed assets, net of accumulated depreciation, are derecognized upon their retirement or at the time of disposal, and the corresponding amount, net of any proceeds from disposal, is reflected in the Company’s results of operations. Costs related to legal obligations associated with asset retirements, such as restoring a site to its original condition, are recognized as liabilities and corresponding assets at amounts equal to the net present value of estimated future cash flows that will be required to settle such liabilities. Capitalized asset costs are depreciated over the related asset’s estimated useful life. Useful lives are generally as follows: Buildings 20-40 years Information technology equipment 3-7 years Operating machinery and equipment 3-10 years Furniture and fixtures 5-10 years During 2021, 2020 and 2019, the Company recorded asset write off charges of $4.9 million, $1.1 million and $4.3 million, respectively, related to its properties and equipment in connection with its restructuring and repositioning plans. Please refer to Note 4, “Restructuring and Repositioning Expenses” for further information regarding those restructuring and repositions plans. Goodwill Goodwill arises from certain business combinations and represents the excess of a purchase price over the fair value of net tangible and identifiable intangible assets of the businesses acquired. GCP reviews its goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level on an annual basis, or more often if impairment indicators are present based on events or changes in circumstances indicating that the carrying amount of goodwill may not be fully recoverable. Recoverability is assessed at the reporting unit level which is most directly associated with the business combination that resulted in the recognition of the goodwill. GCP has determined that it has two reporting units which are its operating segments. The Company first assesses qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances indicates that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. If the Company determines, based on this assessment, that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, it performs a quantitative goodwill impairment test by comparing these amounts. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, no impairment loss is recognized. However, if the carrying amount exceeds the fair value, the goodwill of the reporting unit is impaired, and the amount of such excess is recognized as an impairment loss upon writing down goodwill to its fair value. Fair value of a reporting unit is determined based on Level 3 inputs using a combined weighted average of a market-based approach (utilizing fair value multiples of comparable publicly traded companies) and an income-based approach (utilizing discounted projected cash flows model). In applying the income-based approach, the fair value of each reporting unit is determined in accordance with the discounted projected cash flow valuation model based on the estimated projected future cash flows and terminal value discounted at the rate which reflects the weighted average costs of capital. The inputs and assumptions that are most likely to impact the reporting unit’s fair value include the discount rate, long-term sales growth rates and forecasted operating margins. In applying the market-based approach, GCP determines the reporting unit’s business enterprise fair value based on inputs and assumptions related to average revenue multiples and earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization multiples derived from its peer group which are weighted and adjusted for size, risk and growth of the individual reporting unit. Application of the goodwill impairment assessment requires judgment based on market and operational conditions at the time of the evaluation, including management’s best estimates of the reporting unit’s future business activity and the related estimates and assumptions of future cash flows from the assets that include the associated goodwill. Different estimates and assumptions of forecasted long-term sales growth rates, operating margins, future cash flows, weighted average cost of capital discount rate, as well as peer company multiples used in the valuation models could result in different estimates of the reporting unit’s fair value at each testing date. These periodic evaluations could cause management to conclude that impairment factors exist, requiring an adjustment of these assets to their then-current fair market values. Future business conditions could differ materially from the projections made by management which could result in additional adjustments and impairment charges. GCP performed its annual impairment test at October 31, 2021 and 2020 for the two reporting units. The Company performed a qualitative assessment as a part of the impairment test in 2021 and determined that it was not likely that the fair values of the reporting units were less than their carrying amounts. As such, the Company did not perform quantitative assessments and did not recognize impairment losses as a result of the analysis. The Company performed a quantitative assessment as part of the impairment test in 2020, and the fair values of the reporting units were significantly in excess of their carrying values. As such, GCP did not recognize impairment losses as a result of the analysis. If events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair values of the reporting units below their carrying values, goodwill will be evaluated for impairment between annual tests. There were no impairment losses recognized in any of the periods presented in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Intangible Assets Intangible assets with finite lives consist of customer relationships, technology, trademarks and other intangibles and are amortized over their estimated useful lives, ranging from 1 to 20 years. See Note 5, “Intangible Assets and Goodwill”. Fair value and useful life determinations are based on, among other factors, estimates of future expected cash flows, customer attrition rates, royalty cost savings and appropriate discount rates used in computing present values. GCP reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be fully recoverable based on indicators of impairment. For purposes of this test, long-lived assets are grouped with other assets and liabilities at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities. If the Company determines that indicators of potential impairment are present, it assesses the recoverability of a long-lived asset group by comparing the sum of its undiscounted future cash flows to its carrying value. The future cash flow period is based on the future service life of the primary asset within the long-lived asset group. If the carrying value of the long-lived asset group exceeds its future cash flows, the Company determines fair values of the individual net assets within the long-lived asset group to assess for potential impairment. If the aggregate fair values of the individual net assets of the group are less than their carrying values, an impairment loss is recognized for an amount in excess of the group’s aggregate carrying value over its fair value. The loss is allocated to the assets within the group based on their relative carrying values, with no asset reduced below its fair value determined in accordance with an income-based approach utilizing projected discounted cash flows model. Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets Indefinite-lived intangible assets consist mostly of trademarks. GCP reviews its indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment annually, or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts may not be fully recoverable. Indefinite-lived intangible assets are tested for impairment by performing either a qualitative evaluation or a quantitative test which requires judgment based on market and operational conditions at the time of the evaluation. GCP first assesses qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances indicates that it is more likely than not that indefinite-lived intangible assets are impaired. If GCP determines, based on this assessment, that it is more likely than not that the assets are impaired, it performs a quantitative impairment test by comparing the assets’ fair values with their carrying values. No impairment loss is recognized if the fair values exceed the carrying values. However, if the carrying values of the indefinite-lived intangible assets exceed their fair values, the amount of such excess is recognized as an impairment loss during the period identified and the assets’ carrying values are written down to their fair values. Fair values of the indefinite-lived intangible assets are determined based on Level 3 inputs using a relief-from-royalty valuation method. The inputs and assumptions that are most likely to impact the intangible assets’ fair values due to their sensitivity include the discount rate, royalty rate and long-term sales growth rates. GCP performed its annual impairment assessment related to the indefinite-lived intangible assets at October 31, 2021 and 2020. The Company performed a qualitative assessment as a part of the impairment test in 2021 and determined that it was not likely that the fair values of the indefinite-lived intangible assets were less than their carrying amounts. As such, it did not perform the quantitative assessment as a part of the impairment test and did not recognize impairment losses as a result of its analysis.The Company performed a quantitative assessment as part of the impairment test in 2020, and the fair values of the indefinite-lived intangible assets were significantly in excess of their carrying values. As such, GCP did not recognize impairment losses as a result of the analysis. If events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair values of the indefinite-lived intangible assets below their carrying values, the indefinite-lived intangible assets will be evaluated for impairment between annual tests. There were no impairment losses recognized during any of the periods presented in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Leases GCP determines at contract inception whether the contract represents or contains a lease and conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset over a period of time in exchange for consideration. For leases with terms greater than 12 months, the Company recognizes right-of-use assets and lease obligations at the lease commencement date based on a present value of lease payments over the lease term. Lease payments included in the measurement of right-of-use assets and lease obligations consist of: (1) fixed payments, including periodic rent increases and excluding any lease incentives paid or payable to the Company by a lessor, and (2) certain variable payments that depend on an index or a market rate measured on the commencement date. The Company estimates its incremental borrowing rate (“IBR”) based on the remaining lease term and remaining lease payments, as well as other information available at lease commencement since a readily determinable implicit rate is not provided in the Company’s leases. The IBR is the rate of interest that the Company would have to borrow on a collateralized basis over a similar term and amount in a similar economic environment. The Company determines the IBR for its leases by adjusting the local risk-free interest rate with a credit risk premium corresponding to the Company’s credit rating. The Company has elected to utilize a portfolio approach as it pertains to the application of the appropriate discount rates to its portfolios of leases. The weighted average discount rate for operating leases was 6.0% and 5.5%, respectively, at December 31, 2021 and 2020. Right-of-use assets for operating leases are initially measured on the lease commencement date and include any initial direct costs incurred, as well as lease obligation amounts, net of any lease incentives received from a lessor. Lease expense for operating leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term which includes: non-cancelable term during which the Company has a right to use an underlying asset, renewal options that extend the lease, are in the control of the lessor and reasonably certain to be exercised, and options to terminate the lease before the end of its non-cancelable term that are not reasonably certain to be exercised. Variable payments that are excluded from the measurement of right-of-use assets and lease obligations consist primarily of non-lease related services, the Company’s proportionate share of operating expenses for the leased facilities and certain payments related to excess mileage and usage charges for the leased vehicles and equipment. Such variable payments are recognized as lease expense in the results of operations when the obligation is incurred. The Company does not record right-of-use assets and lease obligations for leases with an initial term of 12 months or less and recognizes lease expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Finance leases are included in “Properties and equipment, net”, “Current portion of long-term debt” and “Long-term debt” in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets and are not material at December 31, 2021 and 2020. Revenue Recognition Revenue is recognized upon transfer of control of products or services promised to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for these products or services. Please refer to Note 3, “Revenue from Lessor Arrangements and Contracts with Customers” for further information on the Company’s revenue recognition policies. Income Tax As a global enterprise, GCP is subject to a complex array of tax regulations and needs to make assessments of applicable tax law and judgments in estimating its ultimate income tax liability. Income tax expense and income tax balances represent GCP’s federal, state and foreign income taxes as an independent company. GCP files a U.S. consolidated income tax return, along with foreign and state corporate income tax filings, as required. GCP ’ s deferred taxes and effective tax rate may not be comparable to those of historical periods prior to the Separation. Please refer to Note 9, “Income Taxes” for details regarding estimates used in accounting for income tax matters, including unrecognized tax benefits. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized with respect to the expected future tax consequences of events that have been recorded in the consolidated financial statements. If it is more likely than not that all or a portion of deferred tax assets will not be realized, a valuation allowance is provided against such deferred tax assets. The assessment of realization of deferred tax assets is performed based on the weight of the positive and negative evidence available to indicate whether the asset is recoverable, including tax planning strategies that are prudent and feasible. Tax benefits from an uncertain tax position are recognized only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities based on the technical merits of the position. Tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. GCP evaluates such likelihood based on relevant facts and tax law. Pension Benefits GCP’s method of accounting for actuarial gains and losses relating to its global defined benefit pension plans is referred to as “mark-to-market accounting.” In accordance with mark-to-market accounting, GCP’s pension costs consist of two elements: 1) ongoing costs recognized periodically, which include service and interest costs, expected returns on plan assets and amortization of prior service costs/credits; and 2) mark-to-market gains and losses recognized annually in the fourth quarter resulting from changes in actuarial assumptions, such as discount rates and the difference between actual and expected returns on plan assets. If a significant event occurs, such as a major plan amendment or curtailment, GCP’s pension obligations and plan assets would be remeasured at an interim period and the mark-to-market gains or losses on remeasurement would be recognized in that period. The net periodic pension costs and the defined benefit pension plan obligation are determined based on certain assumptions related to the estimated future benefits that employees earn while providing services, the amount of which cannot be completely determined until the benefit payments cease. Key assumptions used in accounting for employee benefit plans include the discount rate and the expected return on plan assets. Assumptions are determined based on Company data and appropriate market indicators in consultation with third-party actuaries and evaluated each year at the plans’ measurement date. A change in any of these assumptions would have an effect on net periodic pension costs and the defined benefit pension plan obligation. Stock-Based Compensation Expense GCP grants equity awards, including stock options, restricted stock units (the “RSUs”), PBUs with market conditions which vest upon the satisfaction of a performance condition and/or a service condition, as well as stock options with market conditions which vest upon the satisfaction of a service condition. GCP estimates the fair value of equity awards issued at the grant date. The fair value of the awards is recognized as stock-based compensation expense on a straight line basis, net of estimated forfeitures, for each separately vesting portion of the award over the employee’s requisite service period which may be a stated vesting period during which employees render services in exchange for equity instruments of the Company. Estimates related to equity award forfeitures are adjusted to their actual amounts at the end of the vesting period resulting in the recognition of cumulative stock-based compensation expense only for those awards that actually vest. The fair value of RSUs is determined based on the number of shares granted and the closing market price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. The fair value of stock options is determined using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model which incorporates the assumptions related to the risk-free rate, options’ expected term, expected stock price volatility and expected dividend yield. The risk-free rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve published at the grant date, with maturities approximating the expected term of the options. GCP estimates the expected term of the options based on the simplified method in accordance with U.S. GAAP, determined as the average term between the options’ vesting period and their contractual term. GCP estimates the expected stock price volatility based on an industry peer group’s historic stock prices over a period commensurate with the options’ expected term. The expected dividend yield is zero based on the Company’s history and expectation of not paying dividends on common shares. During 2020, GCP granted stock options with market conditions to the newly appointed CEO. Such options are expected to cliff vest in three years based on the achievement of certain targets ranging between 0% and 200% related to the Company’s common stock market price performance over a certain time period relative to the closing market price on the grant date. The fair value of stock options was determined using a Monte Carlo simulation based on the weighted-average value of options determined for each performance target and the assumptions related to the risk-free rate, options’ expected term and expected stock price volatility computed based on the methodology consistent with the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. During 2021, 2020 and 2019, the Company granted performance-based restricted stock units (“PBUs”) to certain key employees. PBUs are performance-based units which are granted by the Company with market conditions. PBUs granted in 2021 are expected to cliff vest over two years, while PBUs granted in 2020 and 2019 are expected to cliff vest over three years. All PBUs will be settled in GCP common stock. PBUs granted in 2021 are based on the following metrics: (1) a 2-year cumulative free cash flow target metric for approximately 33.3% of awards; (2) a 2 -year cumulative adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization metric for approximately 33.3% of awards; (3) the Company’s 2-year TSR relative to the performance of the Russell 3000 Specialty Building Materials Index and the peer group approved by the Board’s Compensation Committee for approximately 33.3% of awards. PBUs granted in, 2020 and 2019 are based on a three years cumulative adjusted diluted earnings per share measure that is modified, up or down, based on the Company’s total shareholder return (“TSR”) relative to the performance of the Russell 3000 Specialty Chemicals and Building Materials Indices. PBUs are remeasured during each reporting period based on their expected payout which may range between 0% to 200% based on the achievement of performance targets required for the awards’ vesting. Therefore, the stock-based compensation expense recognized for these awards during each reporting period is subject to volatility until the final payout target is determined at the end of the applicable performance period. PBUs granted during 2021, 2020 and 2019 were valued using a Monte Carlo simulation, which is commonly used for assessing the grant date fair value of equity awards with a relative TSR modifier. The risk-free rate is a continuous rate based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve published at the grant date, based on maturity commensurate with the remaining performance period (expected term) of the PBUs. Expected volatility is based on the annualized historical volatility of GCP’s stock price. Historical volatility is calculated based on a look-back period commensurate with the remaining performance period of the PBUs. Correlation coefficients are used in the Monte Carlo valuation to simulate future stock prices. This includes correlations between: (i) the Company’s stock price and the Index, and (ii) the stock price of each constituent included in the Index and the Index itself. The correlation coefficient is based on daily stock returns of the Company and the Index using a look-back period commensurate with the remaining performance period of the PBUs, or the longest available based on the Company’s trading history as a public company. The expected dividend yield is zero based on the Company’s history and expectation of not paying dividends on common shares. Stock compensation costs are included within “Selling, general and administrative expenses” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Please refer to Note 14, “Stock Incentive Plans” for further information on equity awards. Research and Development Expense Research and development (“R&D”) costs are expensed as incurred and consist primarily of personnel expenses related to development of new products and enhancements to existing products. R&D costs also include depreciation and amortization expenses related to R&D assets and expenses incurred in funding external research projects. R&D costs were $17.8 million, $17.9 million and $18.4 million for 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively and presented within “Other (income) expenses, net” in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. Restructuring and Repositioning Expenses Restructuring and reposition actions are related to streamlining operations and improving profitability. Restructuring expenses generally include severance and other employee-related costs, contract termination costs, asset impairments, facility exit costs, moving and relocation, and other related costs. For the ongoing employee benefit arrangements provided to Company employees, GCP records severance and other employee termination costs associated with restructuring actions when the likelihood of future settlement is probable and the related benefit amounts can be reasonably estimated. For the one-time employee termination benefit arrangements, a liability for the termination benefits is measured at fair value and recognized on the communication date. Asset write offs are recorded in accordance with the Company’s accounting policy on Long-Lived Assets described above. See Note 4, “Restructuring and Repositioning Expenses” for additional information. Repositioning activities generally represent major strategic or transformational actions to enhance the value and performance of the Company, improve business efficiency or optimize the Company’s footprint. Repositioning expenses include professional fees for legal, consulting, accounting and tax services, employment-related costs, such as recruitment, relocation and compensation, as well as other expenses incurred that are directly associated with the repositioning activity. Repositioning activities may also include capital expenditures. See Note 4, “Restructuring and Repositioning Expenses” for additional information. GCP recognizes restructuring and repositioning expenses in the period the related liabilities are incurred and records them in “Restructuring and repositioning expenses” or in those captions within discontinued operations, in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Restructuring expenses and repositioning expenses are excluded from segment operating income. Please refer to Note 19, “Segments” for additional details. Foreign Currency Transactions and Translation Certain transactions of the Company and its subsidiaries are denominated in currencies other than their functional currency. Foreign currency exchange gains (losses) generated from the settlement and remeasurement of these transactions are recognized in earnings and presented within “Other (income) expenses, net” in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. Net foreign currency transaction and remeasurement gains of $1.8 million and $1.5 million are reflected in “Other (income) expenses, net” for 2021 and 2020, respectively and net foreign currency transaction and remeasurement losses of $0.3 million are recorded in 2019. Assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars at current exchange rates, while revenues, costs and expenses are translated at average exchange rates during each reporting period. The resulting currency translation adjustments are included in “Accumulated other comprehensive loss” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Highly Inflationary Economies The financial statements of any subsidiaries located in countries with highly inflationary economies are remeasured based on the currency designated as the functional currency, typically the U.S. dollar. Translation adjustments recognized as a result of such remeasurements are reflected in the results of operations in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. GCP began accounting for its operations in Argentina as a highly inflationary economy effective July 1, 2018. The functional currency of the Company’s subsidiary operating in Argentina is the U.S. dollar and all remeasurement adjustments after the effective date are reflected in GCP’s results operations in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. During 2021, 2020 and 2019, the Company incurred losses of $0.3 million , $0.5 million, and $1.1 million, respectively, related to the remeasurement of these monetary net assets which are included in “Other (income) expenses, net” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Net sales generated by the Argentina subsidiary were not material to the Company’s consolidated net sales during 2021, 2020 and 2019. Monetary net assets denominated in local currency within the Company’s Argentina subsidiary were not material to GCP’s consolidated total assets at December 31, 2021 and 2020. Earnings per Share GCP computes basic earnings per share by dividing net income by the weighted average common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is determined by dividing net income by diluted weighted average shares outstanding during the period. Diluted weighted average shares reflect the dilutive effect, if any, of potential common shares which consist of employee equity awards. To the extent their effect is dilutive, employee equity awards are included in the calculation of diluted income per share based on the treasury stock method. Potential common shares are excluded from the calculation of dilutive weighted average shares outstanding if their effect would be anti-dilutive at the balance sheet date based on a treasury stock method o |