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Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Policies)
6 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Presentation of Comprehensive Income

In March 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued accounting standards update (“ASU”) 2013-5, Parent’s Accounting for the Cumulative Translation Adjustment upon Derecognition of Certain Subsidiaries or Groups of Assets within a Foreign Entity or of an Investment in a Foreign Entity (“ASU 2013-5”), which addresses the treatment of the cumulative translation adjustment into net income when a parent either sells its investment in a foreign entity or no longer holds controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or group of assets within a foreign entity. ASU 2013-5 is effective prospectively for periods beginning after December 15, 2013; however early adoption is permitted. The Company has not yet determined the impact, if any, that ASU 2013-5 will have on the consolidated financial statements.

On January 1, 2012, the Company adopted the required guidance under ASU 2011-05, Presentation of Comprehensive Income (“ASU 2011-05”), which changed the presentation requirements of comprehensive income by increasing the prominence of items reported in other comprehensive income. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on Tronox Incorporated’s consolidated financial statements. During 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-12, which deferred certain requirements of ASU 2011-05. The Company has not adopted such deferred requirements.

Accounting for Cumulative Translation Adjustment

During 2013, the Company adopted ASU 2013-2, Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, which requires the presentation of the effects on the line items of net income of significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income, if the item is required under U.S. GAAP to be reclassified to net income in its entirety in the same reporting period. The adoption of this guidance did not have a significant impact on the consolidated financial statements.

 
Foreign Currency  

Foreign Currency

The U.S. dollar is the functional currency for the Company’s operations, except for its South African and European operations. The Company determines the functional currency of each subsidiary based on a number of factors, including the predominant currency for revenues, expenditures and borrowings. Foreign currency transaction gains or losses are recognized in the period incurred and are included in “Other income (expense)” on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

The Rand is the functional currency of the Company’s South African operations, and the Euro is the functional currency for the Company’s European operations. As such, translation adjustments resulting from translating the functional currency financial statements into U.S. dollar equivalents are reflected as a separate component on the Consolidated Statements of Other Comprehensive Income (Loss). When the subsidiary’s functional currency is the U.S. dollar, such as the Company’s Australian operations, adjustments from the remeasurement of foreign currency monetary assets and liabilities are presented in “Other income (expense)” on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Gains and losses on intercompany foreign currency transactions that are not expected to be settled in the foreseeable future are reported by the Company in the same manner as translation adjustments.

Cash and Cash Equivalents  

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. At December 31, 2012 and 2011, total cash and cash equivalents was $716 million and $154 million, respectively, of which $50 million and $62 million, respectively, was held within the United States.

Accounts Receivable  

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable are reflected at their net realizable values, reduced by an allowance for doubtful accounts to allow for expected credit losses. The allowance is estimated by management, based on factors such as age of the related receivables and historical experience, giving consideration to customer profiles. The Company generally does not charge interest on accounts receivable, nor require collateral; however, certain operating agreements have provisions for interest and penalties that may be invoked, if deemed necessary. Accounts receivable are aged in accordance with contract terms and are written off when deemed uncollectible.

See Note 6 for additional information regarding accounts receivable.

Inventories  

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of actual cost or market, net of allowances for obsolete and slow-moving inventory. The cost of finished goods inventories is determined using the first-in, first-out method. Carrying values include material costs, labor and associated indirect manufacturing expenses. Costs for materials and supplies, excluding ore, are determined by average cost to acquire. Raw materials are carried at actual cost.

The Company periodically reviews its inventory for obsolescence or inventory that is no longer marketable for its intended use, and records any write-down equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and its estimated net realizable value based on assumptions about alternative uses, market conditions and other factors.

See Note 7 for additional information regarding inventories.

Property, Plant and Equipment, Net  

Property, Plant and Equipment, Net

Property, plant and equipment, net is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred, except that costs of replacements or renewals that improve or extend the lives of existing properties are capitalized.

Depreciation—Property, plant and equipment is depreciated over its estimated useful life by the straight-line method. Useful lives for certain property, plant and equipment are as follows:

 

Buildings

     10—40 years   

Land improvements

     10—20 years   

Machinery and equipment

     3— 25 years   

Furniture and fixtures

     10 years   

Retirements and Sales—The cost and related accumulated depreciation and amortization are removed from the respective accounts upon retirement or sale of property, plant and equipment. Any resulting gain or loss is included in “Cost of goods sold” or “Selling, general, and administrative expenses” on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Interest Capitalized—The Company capitalizes interest costs on major projects that require an extended period of time to complete. See Note 12 for additional information regarding capitalized interest.

See Note 8 for additional information regarding property, plant and equipment.

Mineral Leaseholds  

Mineral Leaseholds, Net

The Company is engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties. Mineral property acquisition costs are capitalized in accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations (“ASC 805”) as tangible assets when management has determined that probable future benefits consisting of a contribution to future cash inflows have been identified and adequate financial resources are available or are expected to be available as required to meet the terms of property acquisition and anticipated exploration and development expenditures. Mineral leaseholds are depreciated over their useful lives as determined under the units of production method.

Mineral property exploration costs are expensed as incurred. When it has been determined that a mineral property can be economically developed as a result of establishing proven and probable reserves, the costs incurred to develop such property through the commencement of production are capitalized.

Intangible Assets, Net  

Intangible Assets, Net

Intangible assets are stated at cost less accumulated amortization. The Company amortizes intangibles on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, which range from 5 to 20 years.

Recoverability of Long-Lived Assets  

Recoverability of Long-Lived Assets

The Company evaluates the recoverability of the carrying value of long-lived assets (property, plant and equipment, mineral leaseholds and intangible assets) whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Under such circumstances, the Company assesses whether the projected undiscounted cash flows of its long-lived assets are sufficient to recover the existing unamortized cost of its long-lived assets. If the undiscounted projected cash flows are not sufficient, the Company calculates the impairment amount by discounting the projected cash flows using its weighted-average cost of capital. The amount of the impairment is written off against earnings in the period in which the impairment is determined.

Asset Retirement Obligations  

Asset Retirement Obligations

To the extent a legal obligation exists, an asset retirement obligation (“ARO”) is recorded at its estimated fair value, and accretion expense is recognized over time as the discounted liability is accreted to its expected settlement value. Fair value is measured using expected future cash outflows discounted at the Company’s credit-adjusted risk-free interest rate.

Environmental Remediation and Other Contingencies  

Environmental Remediation and Other Contingencies

In accordance with ASC 450 Contingencies (“ASC 450”) and ASC 410, Asset Retirement and Environmental Obligations (“ASC 410”), the Company recognizes a loss and records an undiscounted liability when litigation has commenced or a claim or assessment has been asserted, or, based on available information, commencement of litigation or assertion of a claim or assessment is probable, and the associated costs can be reasonably estimated. Estimates of environmental liabilities, which include the cost of investigation and remediation, are based on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, the stage of investigation, the stage of the remedial design, evaluation of existing remediation technologies, presently enacted laws and regulations as well as prior experience in remediation of contaminated sites. In future periods, a number of factors could change the Company’s estimate of environmental remediation costs, such as changes in laws and regulations, or changes in their interpretation or administration or relevant cleanup levels; revisions to the remedial design; unanticipated construction problems; identification of additional areas or volumes of contaminated soils and groundwater; the availability of information to estimate probable but previously inestimable obligations; and changes in costs of labor, equipment and technology.

To the extent costs of investigation and remediation have been incurred and are recoverable from federal, state, or other governmental agencies and have been incurred or are recoverable under certain insurance policies or from other parties and such recoveries are deemed probable, the Company records a receivable for the estimated amounts recoverable (undiscounted). Receivables are reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheets in either “Accounts receivable” or as a component of “Other Long-Term Assets,” depending on the estimated timing of collection.

Self Insurance  

Self Insurance

The Company is self-insured for certain levels of general and vehicle liability, property, workers’ compensation and health care coverage. The cost of these self-insurance programs is accrued based upon estimated fully developed settlements for known and anticipated claims. Any resulting adjustments to previously recorded reserves are reflected in current operating results. The Company does not accrue for general or unspecific business risks.

Revenue Recognition  

Revenue Recognition

Revenue is recognized when risk of loss and title to the product is transferred to the customer. All amounts billed to a customer in a sales transaction related to shipping and handling represent revenues earned and are reported as net sales.

Cost of Goods Sold  

Cost of Goods Sold

Cost of goods sold includes the costs of purchasing, manufacturing and distributing products, including raw materials, energy, labor, depreciation and other production costs. Costs incurred by the Company for shipping and handling are reported in “Cost of goods sold” on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Receiving, distribution, freight and warehousing costs are also included in “Cost of goods sold” on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses  

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses include costs related to marketing, sales, agent commissions, research and development, legal and administrative functions such as human resources, information technology, investor relations, accounting, treasury, and tax compliance. Costs include expenses for salaries and benefits, travel and entertainment, promotional materials and professional fees.

Research and Development  

Research and Development

Research and development costs were $9 million, $9 million, less than $1 million and $6 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, eleven months ended December 31, 2011, one month ended January 31, 2011 and year ended December 31, 2010, respectively, and were expensed as incurred.

Pension and Postretirement Benefits  

Pension and Postretirement Benefits

The Company provides pension and postretirement benefits for qualifying employees worldwide, which are accounted for in accordance with ASC 715, Compensation—Retirement Benefits (“ASC 715”). See Note 20 for additional information regarding pension and postretirement benefits.

Share-based Compensation  

Share-based Compensation

The Company accounts for its share-based compensation in accordance with ASC 718, Compensation-Share-Based Compensation (“ASC 718”).

Liability Restricted Share Awards—Certain restricted share awards have been classified as liability awards and were re-measured to fair value at each reporting date. The restricted share awards classified as liabilities contained only a service condition and had graded vesting provisions.

Equity Restricted Share Awards—The fair value of equity instruments is measured based on the average share price on the grant date and is recognized over the vesting period. The restricted share awards contain service, market and/or performance conditions. For awards containing only a service condition, the Company has elected to recognize compensation costs using the straight-line method over the requisite service period for the entire award. For awards containing a market condition, the fair value of the award is measured using the lattice model. For awards containing a performance condition, the fair value of the award is equal to the average share price but compensation expense is not recognized until the Company concludes that it is probable that the performance condition will be met. The Company reassesses the probability each quarter.

Options—The Black-Scholes option pricing model is utilized to measure the fair value of options. Options generally contain only service conditions and have graded vesting provisions. The Company has elected to recognize compensation costs using the straight-line method over the requisite service period for the entire award.

Income Taxes  

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for taxes in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes (“ASC 740”). The Company has operations in several countries around the world and is subject to income and similar taxes in these countries. The estimation of the amounts of income taxes involves the interpretation of complex tax laws and regulations and how foreign taxes affect domestic taxes, as well as the analysis of the realizability of deferred tax assets, tax audit findings and uncertain tax positions. Although the Company believes its tax accruals are adequate, differences may occur in the future, depending on the resolution of pending and new tax matters.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. A valuation allowance is provided against a deferred tax asset when it is more likely than not that all or some portion of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. The Company periodically assesses the likelihood that it will be able to recover its deferred tax assets and reflects any changes in its estimates in the valuation allowance, with a corresponding adjustment to earnings or other comprehensive income (loss), as appropriate. ASC 740 requires that all available positive and negative evidence be weighted to determine whether a valuation allowance should be recorded.

The amount of income taxes the Company pays is subject to ongoing audits by federal, state and foreign tax authorities, which may result in proposed assessments. The Company’s estimate for the potential outcome for any uncertain tax issue is highly judgmental. The Company assesses its income tax positions and records tax benefits for all years subject to examination based upon its evaluation of the facts, circumstances and information available at the reporting date. For those tax positions for which it is more likely than not that a tax benefit will be sustained, the Company records the amount that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon settlement with a taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. Interest and penalties are accrued as part of tax expense, where applicable. If the Company does not believe that it is more likely than not that a tax benefit will be sustained, no tax benefit is recognized.

Fair value measurement  

Fair value measurement

The Company accounts for its financial assets and liabilities in accordance with ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, (“ASC 820”). In measuring fair value on a recurring basis, the Company utilizes valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs, to the extent possible, and considers counterparty credit risk in its assessment of fair value.

Fair Value Measurements  

In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-04, Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRS (“ASU 2011-04”), which changes certain fair value measurement and disclosure requirements, clarifies the application of existing fair value measurement and disclosure requirements and provides consistency to ensure that U.S. GAAP and IFRS fair value measurement and disclosure requirements are described in the same way. ASU 2011-04 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.