5. VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES

        We evaluate our investments and transactions to identify variable interest entities for which we are the primary beneficiary. We hold a variable interest in the following four joint ventures for which we are the primary beneficiary:

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  Rubicon LLC manufactures products for our Polyurethanes and Performance Products segments. The structure of the joint venture is such that the total equity investment at risk is not sufficient to permit the joint venture to finance its activities without additional financial support. By virtue of the operating agreement with this joint venture, we purchase a majority of the output, absorb a majority of the operating costs and provide a majority of the additional funding.
  
  

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  Pacific Iron Products Sdn Bhd manufactures products for our Pigments segment. In this joint venture we supply all the raw materials through a fixed cost supply contract, operate the manufacturing facility and market the products of the joint venture to customers. Through a fixed price raw materials supply contract with the joint venture we are exposed to the risk related to the fluctuation of raw material pricing.
  
  

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  Arabian Amines Company manufactures products for our Performance Products segment. Prior to July 1, 2010, this joint venture was in the development stage and the total equity investment at risk was sufficient for the joint venture to finance its activities without additional support. Therefore, Arabian Amines Company was accounted for under the equity method. In July 2010, Arabian Amines Company exited the development stage, which triggered the reconsideration of Arabian Amines Company as a variable interest entity. As required in the operating agreement governing this joint venture, we purchase all of Arabian Amines Company's production and sell it to our customers. Substantially all of the joint venture's activities are conducted on our behalf. Accordingly, we concluded that we were the primary beneficiary and began consolidating Arabian Amines Company beginning July 1, 2010.
  
  

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  Sasol-Huntsman is our 50%-owned joint venture with Sasol that owns and operates a maleic anhydride facility in Moers, Germany. This joint venture manufactures products for our Performance Products segment. Prior to April 1, 2011, we accounted for Sasol-Huntsman using the equity method. In April 2011, an expansion at this facility began production, which triggered the reconsideration of this joint venture as a variable interest entity. The joint venture uses our technology and expertise, and we bear a disproportionate amount of risk of loss due to a related-party loan to Sasol-Huntsman for which we bear the default risk. As a result, we concluded that we were the primary beneficiary and began consolidating Sasol-Huntsman beginning April 1, 2011.

        Creditors of these entities have no recourse to our general credit, except in the event that we offer guarantees of specified indebtedness. See "Note 7. Debt—Direct and Subsidiary Debt." As the primary beneficiary of these variable interest entities at March 31, 2013, the joint ventures' assets, liabilities and results of operations are included in our condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

        The following table summarizes the carrying amount of our variable interest entities' assets and liabilities included in our condensed consolidated balance sheets (unaudited), before intercompany eliminations (dollars in millions):