2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Carrying Value of Long-Lived Assets

We review long-lived assets and all amortizable intangible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of these assets may not be recoverable. Recoverability is based upon current and anticipated undiscounted cash flows, and we recognize an impairment when such estimated cash flows are less than the carrying value of the asset. Measurement of the amount of impairment, if any, is based upon the difference between carrying value and fair value. Fair value is generally estimated by discounting estimated future cash flows using a discount rate commensurate with the risks involved or selling price of assets held for sale.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

We consider cash in checking accounts and cash in short-term highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash and cash equivalents.

Cost of Goods Sold

We classify the costs of manufacturing and distributing our products as cost of goods sold. Manufacturing costs include variable costs, primarily raw materials and energy, and fixed expenses directly associated with production. Manufacturing costs also include, among other things, plant site operating costs and overhead (including depreciation), production planning and logistics costs, repair and maintenance costs, plant site purchasing costs, and engineering and technical support costs. Distribution, freight and warehousing costs are also included in cost of goods sold.

Derivatives and Hedging Activities

All derivatives, whether designated in hedging relationships or not, are recorded on our balance sheets at fair value. If the derivative is designated as a fair value hedge, the changes in the fair value of the derivative and the hedged items are recognized in earnings. If the derivative is designated as a cash flow hedge, changes in the fair value of the derivative are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss, to the extent effective, and will be recognized in the income statement when the hedged item affects earnings. Changes in the fair value of the hedge in the net investment of certain international operations are recorded in other comprehensive income (loss), to the extent effective. The effectiveness of a cash flow hedging relationship is established at the inception of the hedge, and after inception we perform effectiveness assessments at least every three months. A derivative designated as a cash flow hedge is determined to be effective if the change in value of the hedge divided by the change in value of the hedged item is within a range of 80% to 125%. Hedge ineffectiveness in a cash flow hedge occurs only if the cumulative gain or loss on the derivative hedging instrument exceeds the cumulative change in the expected future cash flows on the hedged transaction. For a derivative that does not qualify or has not been designated as a hedge, changes in fair value are recognized in earnings.

Environmental Expenditures

Environmental related restoration and remediation costs are recorded as liabilities when site restoration and environmental remediation and clean-up obligations are either known or considered probable and the related costs can be reasonably estimated. Other environmental expenditures that are principally maintenance or preventative in nature are recorded when expended and incurred and are expensed or capitalized as appropriate. See “Note 21. Environmental, Health and Safety Matters.”

Equity Method Investments

We account for our equity investments where we own a non-controlling interest, but exercise significant influence, under the equity method of accounting. Under the equity method of accounting, our original cost of the investment is adjusted for our share of equity in the earnings of the equity investee and reduced by dividends and distributions of capital received, unless the fair value option is elected, in which case the investment balance is marked to fair value each reporting period and the impact of changes in fair value of the equity investment are reported in earnings. 

Foreign Currency Translation

The accounts of our operating subsidiaries outside of the U.S., unless they are operating in highly inflationary economic environments, consider the functional currency to be the currency of the economic environment in which they operate. Accordingly, assets and liabilities are translated at rates prevailing at the balance sheet date. Revenues, expenses, gains and losses are translated at a weighted average rate for the period. Cumulative translation adjustments are recorded to equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss.

If a subsidiary operates in an economic environment that is considered to be highly inflationary (100% cumulative inflation over a three-year period), the U.S. dollar is considered to be the functional currency and gains and losses from remeasurement to the U.S. dollar from the local currency are included in the statement of operations. Where a subsidiary’s operations are effectively run, managed, financed and contracted in U.S. dollars, such as certain finance subsidiaries outside of the U.S., the U.S. dollar is considered to be the functional currency.

Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are recorded in other operating (income) expense, net in our consolidated statements of operations and were gains (losses) of $9 million, $2 million and $(8) million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Income Taxes

We use the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial and tax reporting purposes. We evaluate deferred tax assets to determine whether it is more likely than not that they will be realized. Valuation allowances are reviewed on a tax jurisdiction basis to analyze whether there is sufficient positive or negative evidence to support a change in judgment about the realizability of the related deferred tax assets for each jurisdiction. These conclusions require significant judgment. In evaluating the objective evidence that historical results provide, we consider the cyclicality of businesses and cumulative income or losses during the applicable period. Cumulative losses incurred over the period limits our ability to consider other subjective evidence such as our projections for the future. Changes in expected future income in applicable jurisdictions could affect the realization of deferred tax assets in those jurisdictions.

Accounting for uncertainty in income taxes prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The application of income tax law is inherently complex. We are required to determine if an income tax position meets the criteria of more-likely-than-not to be realized based on the merits of the position under tax law, in order to recognize an income tax benefit. This requires us to make significant judgments regarding the merits of income tax positions and the application of income tax law. Additionally, if a tax position meets the recognition criteria of more-likely-than-not we are required to make judgments and apply assumptions to measure the amount of the tax benefits to recognize. These judgments are based on the probability of the amount of tax benefits that would be realized if the tax position was challenged by the taxing authorities. Interpretations and guidance surrounding income tax laws and regulations change over time. As a consequence, changes in assumptions and judgments can materially affect amounts recognized in our consolidated financial statements. See “Note 19. Income Taxes.”

During 2019, we adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2018-02, Income Statement – Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. We did not make the election to reclassify the income tax effects of the U.S. Tax Reform Act from accumulated other comprehensive loss to retained earnings. Stranded income tax effects are generally released from accumulated other comprehensive loss when an entire portfolio of the type of item related to the stranded income tax effect is liquidated, sold or extinguished.

Intangible Assets and Goodwill

Intangible assets are stated at cost (fair value at the time of acquisition) and are amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives or the life of the related agreement as follows:

Goodwill represents costs in excess of fair values assigned to the underlying net assets of acquired businesses. Goodwill is not subject to any method of amortization, but is tested for impairment annually (at the beginning of the third quarter) and when events and circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. When the fair value is less than the carrying value of the related reporting unit, we are required to reduce the amount of goodwill through a charge to earnings. Fair value is estimated using the market approach, as well as the income approach based on discounted cash flow projections. Goodwill has been assigned to reporting units for purposes of impairment testing.

During 2021, goodwill increased by approximately $115 million due to the addition of our acquired businesses as well as a net increase of approximately $2 million due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. See “Note 3. Business Combinations and Acquisitions.” During 2020, goodwill increased by approximately $259 million due to the addition of our acquired businesses, partially offset by a net decrease of approximately $2 million due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. 

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, with cost determined using LIFO, first-in first-out, and average costs methods for different components of inventory.

Leases

On January 1, 2019, we adopted the new lease standard using the optional transition method provided under ASU No. 2018-11, which allowed us to initially apply the amendments of the new lease standard at the adoption date. Upon adoption of the new lease standard, we elected the package of three practical expedient permitted under the transition guidance within the new lease standard, which among other things, allowed us to carry forward the historical lease classification on existing leases at adoption. In addition, we elected the practical expedient related to land easements, which allowed us to carry forward our accounting treatment for land easements on existing agreements. We also elected the hindsight practical expedient to determine the lease term for existing leases.

The determination of whether a contract is or contains a lease is performed at the lease inception date. Lease right-of-use assets and lease liabilities are recognized at the lease commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term, using incremental borrowing rates as the implicit rates are not readily determinable for our leases. The incremental borrowing rates are determined on a collateralized basis and vary from lease to lease depending on the country where the leased asset exists and the term of the lease arrangement. We combine lease components with non-lease components and account for them as a single lease component for all classes of underlying assets, except for leases of manufacturing and research facilities and administrative offices. For these assets, non-lease components are separated from lease components and accounted for as normal operating expenses. See “Note 9. Leases.”

Legal Costs

We expense legal costs, including those legal costs incurred in connection with a loss contingency, as incurred.

Net Income Per Share Attributable to Huntsman Corporation

Basic income per share excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net income attributable to Huntsman Corporation by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period. Diluted income per share reflects all potential dilutive common shares outstanding during the period and is computed by dividing net income attributable to Huntsman Corporation by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period increased by the number of additional shares that would have been outstanding as potential dilutive securities.

Basic and diluted income per share is determined using the following information (in millions):

Additional stock-based awards of 1.1 million, 4.3 million and 3.0 million weighted average equivalent shares of stock were outstanding during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. However, these stock-based awards were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share for the respective periods mentioned because the effect would be anti-dilutive.

Other Noncurrent Assets

Periodic maintenance and repairs applicable to major units of manufacturing facilities (a “turnaround”) are accounted for on the deferral basis by capitalizing the costs of the turnaround and amortizing the costs over the estimated period until the next turnaround.

Principles of Consolidation

Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of our wholly owned and majority owned subsidiaries and any variable interest entities for which we are the primary beneficiary. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives or lease term as follows:

Interest expense capitalized as part of plant and equipment was $11 million, $7 million and $4 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Normal maintenance and repairs of plant and equipment are charged to expense as incurred. Renewals, betterments and major repairs that materially extend the useful life of the assets are capitalized, and the assets replaced, if any, are retired.

Revenue Recognition

We generate substantially all of our revenue through product sales in the open market and long-term supply agreements in which revenue is recognized at a point in time. We recognize revenue when control of the promised goods is transferred to our customers. Control of goods usually passes to the customer at the time shipment is made. Revenue is measured as the amount that reflects the consideration that we expect to be entitled to in exchange for those goods. Sales, value add, and other taxes we collect concurrent with revenue-producing activities are excluded from revenue. Incidental items that are immaterial in the context of the contract are recognized as expense. We have elected to account for all shipping and handling activities as fulfillment costs. We have also elected to expense commissions when incurred as the amortization period of the commission asset that we would have otherwise recognized is less than one year.

Substantially all of our revenue is generated through product sales in which revenue is recognized at a point in time. At contract inception, we assess the goods and services, if any, promised in our contracts and identify a performance obligation for each promise to transfer to the customer a good or service that is distinct. In substantially all cases, a contract has a single performance obligation to deliver a promised good to the customer. Revenue is recognized when control of the product is transferred to the customer (i.e., when our performance obligation is satisfied), which typically occurs at shipment. Further, in determining whether control has transferred, we consider if there is a present right to payment and legal title, along with risks and rewards of ownership having transferred to the customer.

The amount of consideration we receive and revenue we recognize is based upon the terms stated in the sales contract, which may contain variable consideration such as discounts or rebates. We allocate the transaction price to each distinct product based on their relative standalone selling price. The product price as specified on the purchase order or in the sales contract is considered the standalone selling price as it is an observable input that depicts the price as if sold to a similar customer in similar circumstances. In order to estimate the applicable variable consideration, we use historical and current trend information to estimate the amount of discounts or rebates to which customers are likely to be entitled. Historically, actual discount or rebate adjustments relative to those estimated and included when determining the transaction price have not materially differed. Payment terms vary but are generally less than one year. As our standard payment terms are less than one year, we have elected to not assess whether a contract has a significant financing component. In the normal course of business, we do not accept product returns unless the item is defective as manufactured. We establish provisions for estimated returns based on an analysis of historical experience. See “Note 17. Revenue Recognition.”

Securitization of Accounts Receivable

Under our A/R Programs, we grant an undivided interest in certain of our trade receivables to the special purpose entities (“SPE”) in the U.S. and EU. This undivided interest serves as security for the issuance of debt. The A/R Programs provide for financing in both U.S. dollars, euros and British pounds. The amounts outstanding under our A/R Programs are accounted for as secured borrowings. See “Note 14. Debt—Direct and Subsidiary Debt—A/R Programs.”

Stock-Based Compensation

We measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award. That cost, net of estimated forfeitures, will be recognized over the period during which the employee is required to provide services in exchange for the award. See “Note 23. Stock-Based Compensation Plan.”

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Accounting Pronouncements Adopted During 2021

We adopted the following accounting pronouncements during 2021, which did not have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements: