Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting and Financial Reporting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans

The Company recognizes expenses related to stock-based compensation payment transactions in which it receives employee services in exchange for (a) equity instruments of the Company or (b) liabilities that are based on the fair value of the Company’s equity instruments or that may be settled by the issuance of equity instruments. Stock-based compensation cost for restricted stock units (RSUs) and share settled performance based units (PBUs) are measured based on the high/low average of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. Cash settled performance based units (CSPBU) are remeasured at the end of each reporting period based on the closing fair market value of the Company’s common stock. Stock-based compensation cost for stock options is estimated at the grant date based on each option’s fair value as calculated by the Black-Scholes-Merton ("BSM") option pricing model. The Company recognizes stock-based compensation cost as expense ratably on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period.

Principles of Consolidation

The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Grace and entities as to which Grace exercises control over operating and financial policies. Grace consolidates the activities of variable interest entities in circumstances where management determines that Grace is the primary beneficiary of the variable interest entity. Intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated in consolidation. Investments in affiliated companies in which Grace can significantly influence operating and financial policies are accounted for under the equity method, unless Grace's investment is deemed to be temporary, in which case the investment is accounted for under the cost method.

Operating Segments

Grace reports financial results of each of its operating segments that engage in business activities that generate revenues and expenses, and whose operating results are regularly reviewed by Grace's Chief Executive Officer.

Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Entities

Grace conducts certain of its business through joint ventures with unaffiliated third parties. For joint ventures in which Grace has a controlling financial interest, Grace consolidates the results of such joint ventures in the Consolidated Financial Statements. Grace recognizes a liability for cumulative amounts due to the third parties based on the financial results of the joint ventures, and deducts the amount of income attributable to noncontrolling interests in the measurement of its consolidated net income.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the Consolidated Financial Statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses for the periods presented. Actual amounts could differ from those estimates, and the differences could be material. Changes in estimates are recorded in the period identified. Grace's accounting measurements that are most affected by management's estimates of future events are:

• Contingent liabilities, which depend on an assessment of the probability of loss and an estimate of ultimate resolution cost, such as asbestos-related matters and litigation (see Note 2), income taxes (see Note 10), and environmental remediation (see Note 13);

• Pension and postretirement liabilities that depend on assumptions regarding participant life spans, future inflation, discount rates and total returns on invested funds (see Note 11);

• Realization values of net deferred tax assets, which depend on projections of future taxable income; and

• Recoverability of goodwill, which depends on assumptions used to value reporting units, such as observable market inputs, projections of future cash flows and weighted average cost of capital.

Revenue Recognition

Grace recognizes revenue when all of the following criteria are satisfied: risk of loss and title transfer to the customer; the price is fixed and determinable; persuasive evidence of a sales arrangement exists; and collectability is reasonably assured. Risk of loss and title transfers to customers are based on individual contractual terms which generally specify the point of shipment. Terms of delivery are generally included in customer contracts of sale, order confirmation documents and invoices.

Certain customer arrangements include conditions for volume rebates. Grace accrues a rebate allowance and reduces recorded sales for anticipated selling price adjustments at the time of sale. Grace regularly reviews rebate accruals based on actual and anticipated sales patterns.

Cash Equivalents

Cash equivalents consist of liquid instruments and investments with maturities of three months or less when purchased. The recorded amounts approximate fair value.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. The method used to determine cost is first-in/first-out, or "FIFO." Market values for raw materials are based on current cost and, for other inventory classifications, net realizable value. Inventories are evaluated regularly for salability, and slow moving and/or obsolete items are adjusted to expected salable value. Inventory values include direct and certain indirect costs of materials and production. Abnormal costs of production are expensed as incurred.

Long Lived Assets

Properties and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation of properties and equipment is generally computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the asset. Estimated useful lives range from 20 to 40 years for buildings, 3 to 7 years for information technology equipment, 3 to 10 years for operating machinery and equipment, and 5 to 10 years for furniture and fixtures. Interest is capitalized in connection with major project expenditures. Fully depreciated assets are retained in properties and equipment and related accumulated depreciation accounts until they are removed from service. In the case of disposals, assets and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and the net amount, less any proceeds from disposal, is charged or credited to earnings. Obligations for costs associated with asset retirements, such as requirements to restore a site to its original condition, are accrued at net present value and amortized along with the related asset.

Other intangible assets with finite lives consist of technology, customer lists, trademarks and other intangibles and are amortized over their estimated useful lives, ranging from 1 to 30 years.

Grace 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. No impairment charge was required in 2013 or 2012; however, there were impairment charges related to certain restructuring activities in 2011 (see Note 14).

Goodwill

Goodwill arises from certain business combinations. Grace reviews its goodwill for impairment on an annual basis at October 31 and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be fully recoverable. Recoverability is assessed at the reporting unit level most directly associated with the business combination that generated the goodwill. For the purpose of measuring impairment under the provisions of ASC 350 "Intangibles—Goodwill and Other", Grace has identified its reporting units at one level below its operating segments. Grace has evaluated its goodwill annually with no impairment charge required in any of the periods presented.

Income Taxes

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.

Grace records a liability for income tax contingencies when it is more likely than not that a tax position it has taken will not be sustained upon audit. Grace evaluates such likelihood based on relevant facts and tax law. Grace adjusts its recorded liability for income tax matters due to changes in circumstances or new uncertainties, such as amendments to existing tax law. Grace's ultimate tax liability depends upon many factors, including negotiations with taxing authorities in the jurisdictions in which it operates, outcomes of tax litigation, and resolution of disputes arising from federal, state, and foreign tax audits. Due to the varying tax laws in each jurisdiction senior management, with the assistance of local tax advisors as necessary, assesses individual matters in each jurisdiction on a case-by-case basis. Grace researches and evaluates its income tax positions, including why it believes they are compliant with income tax regulations, and these positions are documented internally.

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.

Currency Translation

Assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries (other than those located in countries with highly inflationary economies) 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 translation adjustments are included in "accumulated other comprehensive loss" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The financial statements of any subsidiaries located in countries with highly inflationary economies are remeasured as if the functional currency were the U.S. dollar; the remeasurement creates translation adjustments that are reflected in net income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

On February 8, 2013, the Venezuelan government announced that, effective February 13, 2013, the official exchange rate of the bolivar to U.S. dollar would devalue from 4.3 to 6.3. As a result of this currency devaluation, Grace incurred a charge to net income of $8.5 million in the 2013 first quarter. Of this amount, $1.6 million is included in segment operating income.

Financial Instruments

Grace uses commodity forward, swap and/or option contracts and currency forward and/or option contracts to manage exposure to fluctuations in commodity prices and currency exchange rates. Grace does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading purposes. Derivative instruments are recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as either assets or liabilities at their fair value. For derivative instruments designated as fair value hedges, changes in the fair values of the derivative instruments closely offset changes in the fair values of the hedged items in "other expense, net" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. For derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges, if the derivative instruments qualify for hedge accounting pursuant to ASC 815, the effective portion of any hedge is reported as "accumulated other comprehensive income" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets until it is cleared to earnings during the same period in which the hedged item affects earnings. The ineffective portion of all hedges, and changes in the fair values of derivative instruments that are not designated as hedges, are recorded in current period earnings. Cash flows from derivative instruments are reported in the same category as the cash flows from the items being hedged.

Investment

Certain amounts in prior years' Consolidated Financial Statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. Such reclassifications have not materially affected previously reported amounts in the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Certain pension costs previously reported as a separate line item in the Consolidated Statements of Operations are now reported in "cost of goods sold" and in "selling, general and administrative expenses” based upon the functions of the employees to which the pension costs relate. Grace has revised its accounting such that a portion of the defined benefit pension expense has been and will continue to be capitalized into inventories prior to being reported in "cost of goods sold." See "Change in Accounting Principle Regarding Pension Benefits" for further discussion related to the change in pension accounting.

Certain prior period amounts related to borrowings and repayments under credit arrangements reported as financing activities on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows have been revised. These amounts were originally presented on a net basis and are now being presented on a gross basis. Grace concluded that these revisions were not material to the prior-year Consolidated Financial Statements.

New Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-05 "Presentation of Comprehensive Income". This update is intended to improve the comparability, consistency, and transparency of financial reporting and to increase the prominence of items reported in other comprehensive income. The new disclosure requirements are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-12 "Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05". This update defers certain paragraphs of ASU 2011-05 pertaining to reclassification adjustments out of accumulated other comprehensive income. This deferral is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. Grace continues to report its Consolidated Statement of Other Comprehensive Income as a separate financial statement, immediately following the Consolidated Statement of Operations to comply with the updates that have not been deferred. In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-02 "Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income", which further clarifies these disclosure requirements. This update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2012, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. Grace adopted this update in the 2013 first quarter, and it did not have a material effect on the Consolidated Financial Statements.

In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-11 "Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities". This update is intended to improve the comparability of statements of financial position prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and IFRS, requiring both gross and net information about offsetting assets and liabilities. The new requirements are effective for fiscal years beginning on or after January 1, 2013, and for interim periods within those fiscal years. In January 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-01 "Clarifying the Scope of Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities", which clarifies these disclosure requirements. These standards are effective for fiscal years beginning on or after January 1, 2013, and for interim periods within those fiscal years. Grace adopted these standards for the 2013 first quarter, and they did not have a material effect on the Consolidated Financial Statements.

In July 2012, the FASB issued ASU 2012-02 "Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment". This update is intended to simplify how entities test indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment, by allowing an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform a quantitative impairment test. The new requirements are effective for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. Grace adopted this standard for the 2012 fourth quarter, and it did not have a material effect on the Consolidated Financial Statements.

In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-11 "Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists". This update is intended to improve the consistency surrounding the presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward exists, requiring the unrecognized tax benefit to be presented as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward. The new requirements are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2013, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. Grace will adopt this standard for the 2014 first quarter, and does not expect it to have a material effect on the Consolidated Financial Statements.