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Commitments and contingencies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2022
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Commitments and contingencies
13.    Commitments and contingencies
Our business involves commitments and contingencies related to compliance with environmental laws and regulations, the manufacture and sale of products and litigation. The ultimate resolution of contingencies is subject to significant uncertainty, and it is reasonably possible that contingencies could be decided unfavorably for us.
Environmental laws and regulations
Our environmental liabilities are subject to changing governmental policy and regulations, discovery of unknown conditions, judicial proceedings, method and extent of remediation, existence of other potentially responsible parties and future changes in technology. We believe that known and unknown environmental matters, if not resolved favorably, could have a material effect on our financial position, liquidity and profitability. Matters to be disclosed are as follows:
Mallinckrodt indemnification
In 2010, New Mountain Capital acquired us from Covidien plc in accordance with a stock purchase agreement dated May 25, 2010. At that time, we were organized as Mallinckrodt Baker, Inc. or MBI. Pursuant to the terms of that agreement, we are entitled to various levels of indemnification with respect to environmental liabilities involving the former MBI operations. In 2013, in connection with the Covidien plc divestiture of Mallinckrodt Group S.a.r.l and Mallinckrodt LLC, together “Mallinckrodt,” and by a second amendment to the stock purchase agreement dated June 6, 2013, but effective upon the consummation of the divestiture, Covidien plc assigned its obligations as described herein to Mallinckrodt, and Mallinckrodt assumed those obligations from Covidien plc. As a result of the stock purchase agreement and assignment, Mallinckrodt is contractually obligated to indemnify and defend us for all off-site environmental liabilities (for example, Superfund or CERCLA liabilities) arising from the pre-closing disposal of chemicals or wastes by former MBI operations.
In connection with environmental liabilities arising from pre-closing noncompliance with environmental laws, Mallinckrodt is contractually obligated to reimburse us for a percentage of the total liability, with such reimbursements made through disbursements from a $30.0 million environmental escrow established at the time of the closing. Specifically, Mallinckrodt will be responsible for reimbursement of 80% of the total costs up to $40.0 million of such environmental liabilities. Mallinckrodt will then be responsible for reimbursement of 50% of the next $40.0 million of such environmental liabilities. If such environmental liabilities exceed $80.0 million in the aggregate, Mallinckrodt will be responsible for reimbursement of 100% of such liabilities up to the next $30.0 million in the aggregate. Currently, reimbursements are 80% of the amounts spent by us, with reimbursements and settlements to date exceeding $12.0 million. In addition, in connection with operation and maintenance activities required pursuant to administrative consent orders and subsequently issued remedial action permits involving our Phillipsburg, New Jersey, facility, amounts in excess of a small annual threshold are also subject to reimbursement, currently at the 80% level.
Other noteworthy matters
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has ordered us to remediate groundwater conditions near our plant in Phillipsburg, New Jersey. This matter is covered by the indemnification arrangement previously described. At December 31, 2022, our accrued obligation under this order is $2.6 million, which is calculated based on expected cash payments discounted at rates ranging from 3.8% to 4.8% between 2022 and 2045. The undiscounted amount of that obligation is $4.0 million.
In 2016, we assessed the environmental condition of our chemical manufacturing site in Gliwice, Poland. Our assessment revealed specific types of soil and groundwater contamination throughout the site. We are also monitoring the condition of a closed landfill on that site. These matters are not covered by our indemnification arrangement because they relate to an operation we subsequently acquired. At December 31, 2022, our balance sheet includes a liability of $1.0 million for remediation and monitoring costs. That liability is estimated primarily on discounted expected remediation payments and is not materially different from its undiscounted amount.
Manufacture and sale of products
Our business involves risk of product liability, patent infringement and other claims in the ordinary course of business arising from the products that we produce ourselves or obtain from our suppliers, as well as
from the services we provide. Our exposure to such claims may increase to the extent that we expand our manufacturing operations or service offerings.
We maintain insurance policies to protect us against these risks, including product liability insurance. In many cases the suppliers of products we distribute have indemnified us against such claims. Our insurance coverage or indemnification agreements with suppliers may not be adequate in all pending or any future cases brought against us. Furthermore, our ability to recover under any insurance or indemnification arrangements is subject to the financial viability of our insurers, our suppliers and our suppliers’ insurers, as well as legal enforcement under the local laws governing the arrangements.
We have entered into indemnification agreements with customers of our self-manufactured products to protect them from liabilities and losses arising from our negligence, willful misconduct or sale of defective products. To date, we have not incurred material costs to defend lawsuits or settle claims related to these indemnification provisions.
Litigation
At December 31, 2022, there was no outstanding litigation that we believe would result in material losses if decided against us, and we do not believe that there are any unasserted matters that are reasonably possible to result in a material loss.