Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Note 7 - Restructuring, Impairment and Plant Closing Costs

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Note 7 - Restructuring, Impairment and Plant Closing Costs
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2024
Notes to Financial Statements  
Restructuring and Related Activities Disclosure [Text Block]

7. RESTRUCTURING, IMPAIRMENT AND PLANT CLOSING COSTS 

 

As of  March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, accrued restructuring costs by type of cost consisted of the following (dollars in millions):

 

   

Workforce reductions

   

Other restructuring costs

   

Total

 

Accrued liabilities as of January 1, 2024

  $ 27     $     $ 27  

Charges

    6       2       8  

Payments

    (15 )     (2 )     (17 )

Accrued liabilities as of March 31, 2024

  $ 18     $     $ 18  

 

Details with respect to our reserves for restructuring, impairment and plant closing costs by segment are provided below (dollars in millions):

 

           

Performance

   

Advanced

   

Corporate

         
   

Polyurethanes

   

Products

   

Materials

   

and other

   

Total

 

Accrued liabilities as of January 1, 2024

  $ 8     $ 7     $ 4     $ 8     $ 27  

Charges

    2             6             8  

Payments

    (7 )     (2 )     (4 )     (4 )     (17 )

Accrued liabilities as of March 31, 2024

  $ 3     $ 5     $ 6     $ 4     $ 18  
                                         

Current portion of restructuring reserves

  $ 3     $ 5     $ 3     $ 4     $ 15  

Long-term portion of restructuring reserves

                3             3  

 

Details with respect to cash and noncash restructuring charges from continuing operations for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 are provided below (dollars in millions):

 

   

Three months

 
   

ended

 
   

March 31,

 
   

2024

   

2023

 

Cash charges (credits)

  $ 8     $ (7 )

Noncash charges:

               

Accelerated depreciation

    3        

Total restructuring, impairment and plant closing costs (credits)

  $ 11     $ (7 )

 

Restructuring Activities

 

Beginning in the first quarter of 2024, our Advanced Materials segment implemented a restructuring program to optimize the segment’s manufacturing processes and cost structure in the U.S. to better align with future market opportunities. In connection with this restructuring program, we recorded net restructuring expense of approximately $8 million in the three months ended March 31, 2024, primarily related to workforce reductions and accelerated depreciation. We expect to record further restructuring expenses of approximately $11 million through 2025, primarily related to accelerated depreciation.

 

Beginning in the fourth quarter of 2022, we implemented a restructuring program to further realign our cost structure with additional restructuring in Europe. This program is associated with all of our segments and includes exiting and consolidating certain facilities, workforce relocation to lower cost locations and further personnel rationalization. In connection with this restructuring program, we recorded net restructuring expense of approximately $2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, primarily related to site closures. During the first quarter of 2023, we evaluated the then current developments of this program and related anticipated cash costs, and we recorded a net restructuring credit of approximately $8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, primarily to adjust restructuring reserves that were no longer required for certain workforce reductions. We expect to record further restructuring expenses of approximately $3 million through the first half of 2025.

 

Beginning in the first quarter of 2021, our Corporate function implemented a restructuring program to optimize our global approach to leveraging shared services capabilities. During the second quarter of 2022, this program was further expanded to include additional geographies. During the three months ended March 31, 2024, we recorded net restructuring expense of approximately nil. During the first quarter of 2023, we evaluated the then current developments of this program and related anticipated cash costs, and we recorded a net restructuring credit of approximately $5 million for the three months ended  March 31, 2023, primarily to adjust restructuring reserves that were no longer required for certain workforce reductions. We expect to record further restructuring expenses of approximately $1 million through 2024.

 

Beginning in the second quarter of 2020, our Advanced Materials segment implemented restructuring programs in connection with our 2020 acquisition of CVC Thermoset Specialties, the alignment of the segment’s commercial organization and optimization of the segment’s manufacturing processes. In connection with these restructuring programs, we recorded net restructuring expense of approximately nil and $2 million in the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, primarily related to a site closure and accelerated depreciation. We expect to record further restructuring expenses of approximately $1 million through the first half of 2024.

 

Beginning in the third quarter of 2020, our Polyurethanes segment implemented a restructuring program to optimize its downstream footprint. During the second quarter of 2022, this optimization program was further expanded to include the entire Polyurethanes business. In connection with this restructuring program, we recorded net restructuring expense of approximately $2 million in the three months ended  March 31, 2023, primarily related to workforce reductions.