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Pension and Postretirement Expense (Notes)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Pension and Postretirement Expense [Abstract]  
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block] Pension and Non-Pension Postretirement Benefit Plans
The Company sponsors defined benefit pension plans covering certain U.S. associates and certain non-U.S. associates primarily in Netherlands, Germany, Canada and Belgium. Benefits under these plans are generally based on eligible compensation and / or years of credited service. Retirement benefits in other foreign locations are primarily structured as defined contribution plans. During 2009, the Company implemented a change in its U.S. retirement benefits to shift to a defined contribution platform. Benefits under the defined benefit U.S. pension plan were frozen and the Company added an annual Company contribution to the U.S. defined contribution plan for eligible participants. Effective March 1, 2018, the Canadian pension plan was frozen to new entrants.
Certain active participants in the Company’s German defined benefit pension plan relate to the Held for Sale Business. These employees will transfer with the Held for Sale business at closing and therefore, the pension liability and expense associated with these employees is included within discontinued operations. As the Company’s German defined benefit pension plan is unfunded, there is no impact on the Company’s Pension Plan assets. See below table for a summary of the pension liability and expense amounts included in discontinued operations.
Pension Benefits
Successor
December 31, 2020December 31, 2019
Discontinued OperationsU.S.
Plans		Non-U.S.
Plans		U.S.
Plans		Non-U.S.
Plans
Benefit obligation$— $36 $— $29 
Pension Benefits
SuccessorPredecessor
Year ended December 31, 2020July 2, 2019 through December 31, 2019January 1, 2019 through July 1, 2019Year ended December 31, 2018
Discontinued OperationsU.S.
Plans		Non-U.S.
Plans		U.S.
Plans		Non-U.S.
Plans		U.S.
Plans		Non-U.S.
Plans		U.S.
Plans		Non-U.S.
Plans
Net expense$— $5 $— $ < 1$— $6 $— $1 
The Company also provides non-pension postretirement benefit plans to certain U.S. associates, to Canadian associates, to Brazilian associates and to certain associates in the Netherlands. The U.S. benefit primarily consists of a life insurance benefit for a grandfathered group of retirees, for which premiums are paid by the Company. Effective December 31, 2018, this life insurance benefit was transferred to a third party financial institution, which moved the liability from the Company to the third party. The Canadian plans provide retirees and their dependents with medical and life insurance benefits, which are supplemental benefits to the respective provincial healthcare plan in Canada. The Brazilian plan became effective in 2012 as a result of a change in certain regulations, and provides retirees that contributed towards coverage while actively employed with access to medical benefits, with the retiree being responsible for 100% of the premiums. In 2014, the
plan was amended such that 100% of the premiums of active employees are paid by the Company. The Netherlands’ plan provides a lump sum payment at retirement for grandfathered associates.
The following table presents the change in benefit obligation, change in plan assets and components of funded status for the Company’s defined benefit pension and non-pension postretirement benefit plans for the year ended December 31, 2020, the Successor period from July 2, 2019 through December 31, 2019, and the Predecessor period January 1, 2019 through July 1, 2019:
 Pension Benefits
SuccessorPredecessor
 December 31, 2020July 2, 2019 through December 31, 2019January 1, 2019 through July 1, 2019
 U.S.
Plans		Non-U.S.
Plans		U.S.
Plans		Non-U.S.
Plans		U.S.
Plans		Non-U.S.
Plans
Change in Benefit Obligation
Benefit obligation at beginning of period$225 $688 $228 $678 $216 $583 
Service cost2 18 2 8 2 7 
Interest cost6 6 3 4 4 4 
Actuarial losses17 43 3 12 14 93 
Foreign currency exchange rate changes— 61 — (8)— (3)
Benefits paid(15)(13)(8)(6)(8)(6)
Expenses paid from assets(3)— (3)— — — 
Employee contributions— 1 — — — — 
Benefit obligation at end of period$232 $804 $225 $688 $228 $678 
Benefit obligation at end of period - discontinued operations— 36 — 29 — 29 
Benefit obligation at end of period - continuing operations$232 $768 $225 $659 $228 $649 
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of period$197 $483 $196 $470 $185 $404 
Actual return on plan assets18 58 10 9 19 60 
Foreign currency exchange rate changes— 45 — (5)— (2)
Employer contributions— 40 2 15 — 14 
Benefits paid(15)(13)(8)(6)(8)(6)
Expenses paid from assets(3)— (3)— — — 
Employee contributions— 1 — — — — 
Fair value of plan assets at end of period197 614 197 483 196 470 
Funded status of the plan at end of period$(35)$(190)$(28)$(205)$(32)$(208)
Funded status of the plan at end of period - discontinued operations— (36)— (29)— (29)
Funded status of the plan at the end of period - continuing operations$(35)$(154)$(28)$(176)$(32)$(179)
Non-Pension Postretirement Benefits
SuccessorPredecessor
December 31, 2020July 2, 2019 through December 31, 2019January 1, 2019 through July 1, 2019
U.S.
Plans		Non-U.S.
Plans		U.S.
Plans		Non-U.S.
Plans		U.S.
Plans		Non-U.S.
Plans
Change in Benefit Obligation
Benefit obligation at beginning of period$— $13 $— $17 $— $13 
Interest cost— 1 — — — — 
Actuarial (gains) losses — (1)— (4)— 4 
Foreign currency exchange rate changes— (1)— — — — 
Plan settlements— — — — — — 
Benefit obligation at end of period$— $12 $— $13 $— $17 
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of period$— $— $— $— $— $— 
Employer contributions— — — — — — 
Plan settlements— — — — — — 
Fair value of plan assets at end of period— — — — — — 
Funded status of the plan at end of period$— $(12)$— $(13)$— $(17)
 
 Pension BenefitsNon-Pension Postretirement Benefits
 December 31, 2020December 31, 2019December 31, 2020December 31, 2019
 U.S.
Plans		Non-U.S.
Plans		U.S.
Plans		Non-U.S.
Plans		U.S.
Plans		Non-U.S.
Plans		U.S.
Plans		Non-U.S.
Plans
Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets consists of:
Noncurrent assets$— $52 $— $8 $— $— $— $— 
Other current liabilities— (6)— (5)— (1)— (1)
Long-term pension and post employment benefit obligations(35)(236)(28)(208)— (11)— (12)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss— — — — — — — — 
Net amounts recognized$(35)$(190)$(28)$(205)$— $(12)$— $(13)
Net amounts recognized - discontinued operations— (36)— (29)— — — — 
Net amounts recognized - continued operations$(35)$(154)$(28)$(176)$— $(12)$— $(13)
Accumulated benefit obligation$232 $757 $225 $648 
Accumulated benefit obligation for funded plans232 525 225 446 
Pension plans with underfunded or non-funded accumulated benefit obligations:
Aggregate projected benefit obligation(1)
$232 $258 $225 $224 
Aggregate accumulated benefit obligation232 250 225 216 
Aggregate fair value of plan assets197 16 197 13 
Pension plans with projected benefit obligations in excess of plan assets:
Aggregate projected benefit obligation$232 $285 $225 $287 
Aggregate fair value of plan assets197 42 197 74 
(1)Aggregate projected benefit obligation related to the Company’s Held for Sale Business was $36 at December 31, 2020 and is included in the table above with the Company’s continuing operations.
The foreign currency impact reflected in these rollforward tables are primarily for changes in the euro versus the U.S. dollar.
The Pension Protection Act of 2006 (the “2006 PPA”) provides for minimum funding levels on U.S. plans, and plans not meeting the minimum funding requirement may be subject to certain restrictions.
Following are the components of net pension and postretirement expense (benefit) recognized for the year ended December 31, 2020, the Successor period July 2, 2019 through December 31, 2019, the Predecessor period January 1, 2019 through July 1, 2019 and the year ended December 31, 2018:
 Pension Benefits
 U.S. Plans
SuccessorPredecessor
December 31, 2020July 2, 2019 through December 31, 2019January 1, 2019 through July 1, 2019Year Ended December 31, 2018
 
Service cost$2 $2 $2 $3 
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation6 3 4 7 
Expected return on assets(12)(7)(6)(14)
Unrealized actuarial loss(1)
11 — 1 11 
Net expense (benefit) $7 $(2)$1 $7 
Non-U.S. Plans
SuccessorPredecessor
December 31, 2020July 2, 2019 through December 31, 2019January 1, 2019 through July 1, 2019Year Ended December 31, 2018
Service cost$18 $8 $7 $17 
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation6 4 4 10 
Expected return on assets(13)(6)(6)(13)
Unrealized actuarial (gain) loss(1)
(2)9 39 (26)
Net expense (benefit)(2)
$9 $15 $44 $(12)
 Non-Pension Postretirement Benefits
 U.S. Plans
SuccessorPredecessor
December 31, 2020July 2, 2019 through December 31, 2019January 1, 2019 through July 1, 2019Year Ended December 31, 2018
 
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation$— $— $— $— 
Unrealized actuarial loss(1)
— — — — 
Net (benefit) expense$— $— $— $— 
Non-U.S. Plans
SuccessorPredecessor
December 31, 2020July 2, 2019 through December 31, 2019January 1, 2019 through July 1, 2019Year Ended December 31, 2018
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation$1 $— $— $1 
Unrealized actuarial(gain) loss(1)
(1)(4)4 2 
Net (benefit) expense$— $(4)$4 $3 
(1)Upon the application of fresh start accounting, the Company’s pension and other non-pension postretirement liabilities were remeasured as of the Predecessor period July 1, 2019. As a result, for the Predecessor period January 1, 2019 through July 1, 2019, total unrealized actuarial losses of $44 were recorded to “Reorganization, net” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations, $5 of which relate to the Company’s Held for Sale business.
(2)Net expense (benefit) related to the Company’s Held for Sale Business was $5, $<1, $6 and $1 for the year ended December 31, 2020, the Successor period from July 2, 2019 to December 31, 2019, the Predecessor period from January 1, 2019 through July 1, 2020 and the year ended December 31, 2018, respectively, and is included in the table above.

Determination of actuarial assumptions
The Company’s actuarial assumptions are determined based on the demographics of the population, target asset allocations for funded plans, regional economic trends, statutory requirements and other factors that could impact the benefit obligation and plan assets. For our European plans, most assumptions are set by country, as the plans within these countries have similar demographics, and are impacted by the same regional economic trends and statutory requirements.
The discount rates selected reflect the rate at which pension obligations could be effectively settled. The Company selects the discount rates based on cash flow models using the yields of high-grade corporate bonds or the local equivalent with maturities consistent with the Company’s anticipated cash flow projections. The Company’s pension and OPEB liabilities and related service and interest cost are calculated using a split-rate interest discounting methodology, whereby expected future cash flows related to these liabilities are discounted using multiple interest rates on a forward curve that correspond to the timing of the expected cash flows.
The expected rates of future compensation level increases are based on salary and wage trends in the chemical and other similar industries, as well as the Company’s specific long-term compensation targets by country. Input is obtained from the Company’s internal Human Resources group and from outside actuaries. These rates include components for wage rate inflation and merit increases.
The expected long-term rates of return on plan assets are determined based on the plans’ current and projected asset mix. To determine the expected overall long-term rate of return on assets, the Company takes into account the rates on long-term debt investments held within the portfolio, as well as expected trends in the equity markets, for plans including equity securities. Peer data and historical returns are reviewed and the Company consults with its actuaries, as well as the Plan’s investment advisors, to confirm that the Company’s assumptions are reasonable.
The weighted average rates used to determine the benefit obligations were as follows for the year ended December 31, 2020, the Successor period July 2, 2019 through December 31, 2019, and the Predecessor period January 1, 2019 through July 1, 2019:
 Pension Benefits
SuccessorPredecessor
 December 31, 2020July 2, 2019 through December 31, 2019January 1, 2019 through July 1, 2019
 
U.S.
Plans
Non-U.S.
Plans
U.S.
Plans
Non-U.S.
Plans
U.S.
Plans
Non-U.S.
Plans
Discount rate2.2 %0.8 %3.1 %1.2 %3.3 %1.3 %
Rate of increase in future compensation levels— 3.6 %— 3.4 %— 3.4 %
Non-Pension Postretirement Benefits
SuccessorPredecessor
December 31, 2020July 2, 2019 through December 31, 2019January 1, 2019 through July 1, 2019
U.S.
Plans
Non-U.S.
Plans
U.S.
Plans
Non-U.S.
Plans
U.S.
Plans
Non-U.S.
Plans
Discount rate— %4.6 %— %5.2 %— %6.9 %
Rate of increase in future compensation levels— — — — — — 
The weighted average assumed health care cost trend rates are as follows:
Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year— %6.8 %— %5.7 %— %6.2 %
Rate to which the cost trend rate is assumed to decline (the ultimate trend rate)— %4.5 %— %4.0 %— %4.0 %
Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate— 2040— 2040— 2040
The weighted average rates used to determine net periodic pension expense (benefit) were as follows for the year ended December 31, 2020, the Successor period July 2, 2019 through December 31, 2019, the Predecessor period January 1, 2019 through July 1, 2019 and the year ended December 31, 2018:
 Pension Benefits
 U.S. PlansNon-U.S. Plans
SuccessorPredecessorSuccessorPredecessor
December 31, 2020July 2, 2019 through December 31, 2019January 1, 2019 through July 1, 2019Year Ended December 31, 2018December 31, 2020July 2, 2019 through December 31, 2019January 1, 2019 through July 1, 2019Year Ended December 31, 2018
 
Discount rate3.1 %3.3 %4.1 %3.5 %1.2 %1.3 %1.9 %1.9 %
Rate of increase in future compensation levels— — — — 3.4 %3.4 %2.3 %2.4 %
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets6.6 %6.6 %6.6 %6.7 %3.1 %2.6 %3.1 %3.1 %
Non-Pension Postretirement Benefits
U.S. PlansNon-U.S. Plans
SuccessorPredecessorSuccessorPredecessor
December 31, 2020July 2, 2019 through December 31, 2019January 1, 2019 through July 1, 2019Year Ended December 31, 2018December 31, 2020July 2, 2019 through December 31, 2019January 1, 2019 through July 1, 2019Year Ended December 31, 2018
Discount rate— %— %4.1 %3.2 %5.2 %6.9 %6.3 %5.3 %
Rate of increase in future compensation levels— — — — — — — — 
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets— — — — — — — — 
A one-percentage-point change in the assumed health care cost trend rates would change the projected benefit obligation for international non-pension postretirement benefits by approximately $2 and service cost and interest cost by $1. The impact on U.S. plans is negligible.
Pension Investment Policies and Strategies
The Company’s investment strategy for the assets of its North American defined benefit pension plans is to maximize the long-term return on plan assets using a mix of equities, fixed income and alternative investments with a prudent level of risk. Risk tolerance is established through careful consideration of plan liabilities, plan funded status and expected timing of future cash flow requirements. The investment portfolio contains a diversified blend of equity, fixed-income and alternative investments. For U.S. plans, equity investments are also diversified across U.S. and international stocks, as well as growth, value and small and large capitalization investments, while the Company’s Canadian plan includes a blend of Canadian securities with U.S. and other foreign investments. The alternative investments are allocated in a diversified fund structure with exposure to a variety of hedge fund strategies. Investment risk and performance is measured and monitored on an ongoing basis through periodic investment portfolio reviews, annual liability measurements and periodic asset and liability studies. As plan funded status changes, adjustments to the diversified portfolio may be considered to reduce funded status volatility and better match the duration of plan liabilities.
The Company periodically reviews its target allocation of North American plan assets among the various asset classes. The targeted allocations are based on anticipated asset performance, discussions with investment professionals and on the projected timing of future benefit payments.
The Company observes local regulations and customs governing its European pension plans in determining asset allocations, which generally require a blended weight leaning toward more fixed income securities, including government bonds.
Actual
Target 2020
 20202019
Weighted average allocations of U.S. pension plan assets at December 31:   
Equity securities32 %35 %35 %
Debt securities55 %53 %55 %
Cash, short-term investments and other13 %12 %10 %
Total100 %100 %100 %
Weighted average allocations of non-U.S. pension plan assets at December 31:  
Equity securities22 %22 %23 %
Debt securities76 %75 %77 %
Cash, short-term investments and other2 %3 %— %
Total100 %100 %100 %
Fair Value of Plan Assets
Fair value is the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Fair value measurement provisions establish a fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. This guidance describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:
 
•Level 1: Inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.
 
•Level 2: Pricing inputs are other than quoted prices in active markets included in Level 1, which are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reported date.
 
•Level 3: Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and are developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. For example, inputs derived through extrapolation or interpolation that cannot be corroborated by observable market data.

    Certain investments measured at net asset value (“NAV”), as a practical expedient for fair value, have been excluded from the fair value hierarchy.
The following table presents U.S. pension plan investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2020 and 2019:
 Fair Value Measurements Using
 20202019
 
Quoted
Prices in
Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)		Unobserv-able
Inputs
(Level 3)		Total
Quoted
Prices in
Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)		Unobserv-able
Inputs
(Level 3)		Total
Large cap equity funds (1)
$— $35 $— $35 $— $37 $— $37 
Small/mid cap equity funds (1)
— 5 — 5 — 6 — 6 
International equity funds (1)
— 25 — 25 — 27 — 27 
Fixed income securities (1)
— 107 — 107 — 103 — 103 
Cash equivalents (2)
— 2 — 2 — 2 — 2 
$— $174 $— $174 $— $175 $— $175 
Investments measured at fair value using net asset value as a practical expedient:
Other funds (3)
$23 $22 
Total$197 $197 

The following table presents non-U.S. pension plan investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2020 and 2019:
Fair Value Measurements Using
20202019
Quoted
Prices in
Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)		Unobserv-able
Inputs
(Level 3)		Total
Quoted
Prices in
Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)		Unobserv-able
Inputs
(Level 3)		Total
Pooled insurance products with fixed income guarantee (1)
$— $15 $— $15 $— $13 $— $13 
Cash equivalents (2)
— — — — — 1 — 1 
$— $15 $— $15 $— $14 $— $14 
Investments measured at fair value using net asset value as a practical expedient:
Other international equity funds (3)
$135 $108 
Other fixed income securities (3)
464 361 
Total$614 $483 
(1)Level 2 equity and fixed income securities are primarily in pooled asset and mutual funds and are valued based on underlying net asset value multiplied by the number of shares held. The underlying asset values are based on observable inputs and quoted market prices.
(2)Cash equivalents represent investment in a collective short term investment fund, which is a cash sweep for uninvested cash that earns interest monthly. For these investments, book value is assumed to equal fair value due to the short duration of the investment term.
(3)Represents investments in commingled funds with exposure to a variety of hedge fund strategies, which are not publicly traded and have ongoing redemption restrictions. The Company’s interest in these investments is measured at net asset value per share as a practical expedient for fair value, which is derived from the underlying asset values in these funds, only some of which represent observable inputs and quoted market prices.
Projections of Plan Contributions and Benefit Payments
The Company expects to make contributions totaling $36 to its defined benefit pension plans in 2021.
Estimated future plan benefit payments as of December 31, 2020 are as follows:
 Pension Benefits
Non-Pension
Postretirement Benefits 
Year
U.S.
Plans
Non-U.S.
Plans
U.S.
Plans
Non-U.S.
Plans
2021$17 $16 $— $1 
202216 16 — — 
202315 17 — — 
202415 19 — — 
202515 17 — — 
2026-2030
64 118 — 2 
Defined Contribution Plans
The Company sponsors a number of defined contribution plans for its associates, primarily in the U.S., Canada, Europe and in the Asia-Pacific region. Full-time associates are generally eligible to participate immediately and may make pre-tax and after-tax contributions subject to plan and statutory limitations. For certain plans, the Company has the option to make contributions above the match provided in the plan based on financial performance.
As previously discussed, U.S retirement income benefits are provided under the Company's defined contribution plan (the “401(k) Plan”). This plan allows eligible associates to make pre-tax contributions from 1% to 15% of eligible earnings for associates who meet the IRS definition of a highly compensated employee and up to 25% for all other associates up to the federal limits for qualified plans. Associates contributing to the 401(k) are eligible to receive matching contributions from the Company at 100% on contributions of up to 5% of eligible earnings. An additional matching contribution may be made if the Company achieves specified annual financial targets established at the beginning of each plan year. In addition, the Company makes an annual retirement contribution ranging from 3% to 7% of eligible compensation depending on years of benefit service. All associates who are actively employed on the last day of the year are eligible for the true-up match and annual retirement contribution, unless otherwise determined by collective bargaining agreements. Effective January 2, 2018, the 401(k) Plan added the option for eligible participants to make after-tax contributions to a Roth 401(k).
The Company incurred expense for contributions under its defined contribution plans of $14, $6, $7 and $17 during the year ended December 31, 2020, the Successor period July 2, 2019 through December 31, 2019, the Predecessor period January 1, 2019 through July 1, 2019 and the year ended December 31, 2018, respectively.
Non-Qualified and Other Retirement Benefit Plans
The Company provides key executives in some locations with non-qualified benefit plans that provide participants with an opportunity to elect to defer compensation or to otherwise provide supplemental retirement benefits in cases where executives cannot fully participate in the defined benefit or defined contribution plans because of plan or local statutory limitations. Most of the Company's supplemental benefit plans are unfunded and benefits are paid from the general assets of the Company. The liabilities related to defined benefit supplemental benefits are included in the previously discussed defined benefit pension disclosures.
The Company maintains a non-qualified defined contribution plan (the “SERP”) that provides annual employer credits to eligible U.S. associates of 5% of eligible compensation above the IRS limit for qualified plans. The Company can also make discretionary credits under the SERP; however, no participant contributions are permitted. The account credits are made annually to an unfunded phantom account, in the following calendar year. Certain executives also previously earned benefits under U.S. non-qualified executive supplemental plans that were frozen prior to 2010.
The Company’s liability for these non-qualified benefit plans was $4 and $5 at December 31, 2020 and 2019, and is included in “Other long-term liabilities” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The Company’s German subsidiaries offer a government subsidized early retirement program to eligible associates called Altersteilzeit or ATZ Plans. The German government provides a subsidy in certain cases where the participant is replaced with a qualifying candidate. The Company had liabilities for these arrangements of $3 and $2 at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The Company incurred expense for these plans of $1, less than $1, less than $1 and $1 for the year ended December 31, 2020, the Successor period July 2, 2019 through December 31, 2019, the Predecessor period January 1, 2019 through July 1, 2019 and the year ended December 31, 2018, respectively.
Also included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at both December 31, 2020 and 2019 are other post-employment benefit obligations relating to long-term disability and for liabilities relating to European jubilee benefit plans of $4