Acquisitions

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Acquisitions:

On October 31, 2019 (the “Acquisition Closing Date”), we completed the previously announced acquisition of a 60% interest in MRL’s Wodgina Project for a total purchase price of approximately $1.3 billion. The purchase price is comprised of $820 million in cash, subject to certain adjustments capped at $22.5 million, and the transfer of 40% interest in certain lithium hydroxide conversion assets being built by Albemarle in Kemerton, Western Australia, valued at $480 million. The cash consideration was initially funded by the 2019 Credit Facility entered into on August 14, 2019; see Note 14, “Long-Term Debt,” for further details.

In addition, we have formed an unincorporated joint venture with MRL, MARBL, for the exploration, development, mining, processing and production of lithium and other minerals (other than iron ore and tantalum) from the Wodgina Project and for the operation of the Kemerton assets. We are entitled to a pro rata portion of 60% of all minerals (other than iron ore and tantalum) recovered from the tenements and produced by the joint venture. The joint venture is unincorporated with each investor holding an undivided interest in each asset and proportionately liable for each liability; therefore our proportionate share of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses are included in the appropriate classifications in the consolidated financial statements. As part of this acquisition, MARBL Lithium Operations Pty. Ltd. (the “Manager”), an incorporated joint venture, has been formed to manage the Wodgina Project. We will consolidate our 60% ownership interest in the Manager in our consolidated financial statements.

This acquisition provides access to a high-quality hard rock lithium source, further diversifying our global lithium resource base, and strengthens our position by increasing capacity to support future market demand. In the short-term, we will idle production of the Wodgina Project until market conditions support production economics.

The results of our 60% ownership interest in MARBL are reported within the Lithium segment. Included in Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2019 is a loss of approximately $73.0 million

attributable to the joint venture from November 1, 2019 through December 31, 2019. There were no net sales attributable to the joint venture during this period. Included in Cost of goods sold and Selling, general and administrative expenses on our consolidated statements of income for the year ended December 31, 2019 is $1.0 million and $7.5 million, respectively, of costs directly related to this acquisition, primarily consisting of professional services and advisory fees, and $64.8 million of costs, included in Selling, general and administrative expenses, related to stamp duties levied on the assets purchased, with the unpaid balance recorded in Accrued expenses as of December 31, 2019. Pro forma financial information of the combined entities for periods prior to the acquisition is not presented due to the immaterial impact of the Net Sales and Net Income of the Wodgina Project on our consolidated statements of income.

Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation

The aggregate purchase price noted above was allocated to the major categories of assets and liabilities acquired based upon their estimated fair values at the Acquisition Closing Date, which were based, in part, upon third-party appraisals for certain assets. The excess of the purchase price over the preliminary estimated fair value of the net assets acquired was approximately $31.8 million and was recorded as Goodwill.

The following table summarizes the consideration paid for the joint venture and the amounts of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date, which have been allocated on a preliminary basis (in thousands):



Total purchase price:
Cash paid	$	820,000
Fair value of 40% interest in Kemerton assets	480,000
Purchase agreement completion adjustment and other adjustments	23,566
Total purchase price	$	1,323,566

Net assets acquired:
Inventories	$	33,900
Other current assets	10,695
Property, plant and equipment:
Buildings and improvements	22,200
Machinery and equipment	163,806
Mineral rights and reserves	1,046,300
Construction in progress	103,700
Other assets	1,000
Current liabilities	(10,695		)
Long-term debt^(a)	(55,806		)
Other noncurrent liabilities	(23,296		)
Total identifiable net assets	1,291,804
Goodwill	31,762
Total net assets acquired	$	1,323,566


(a)	Represents 60% ownership interest in finance lease acquired. See Note 18, “Leases,” for further information on the Company’s leases.

The allocation of the purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, including the residual amount allocated to Goodwill, is based upon preliminary information and is subject to change within the measurement-period (up to one year from the acquisition date) as additional information concerning final asset and liability valuations is obtained. The primary areas of the preliminary purchase price allocation that are not yet finalized relate to the fair value of Mineral rights and reserves and Goodwill. The fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed are based on management’s preliminary estimates and assumptions, as well as other information compiled by management, including valuations that utilize customary valuation procedures and techniques. The fair value of the mineral reserves of $1,005.3 million is determined using an excess earnings approach, which requires management to estimate future cash flows, net of capital investments in the specific operation. Management’s cash flow projections involved the use of significant estimates and assumptions with respect to the expected production of the mine over the estimated time period, sales prices, shipment volumes, and expected profit margins. The present value of the projected net cash flows represents the preliminary fair value assigned to mineral reserves. The discount rate is a significant assumption used in the valuation model.

While the Company believes that such preliminary estimates provide a reasonable basis for estimating the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, it will evaluate any necessary information prior to finalization of the amounts. During the measurement-period, the Company will adjust assets or liabilities if new information is obtained about facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date that, if known, would have resulted in revised estimated values of those assets or liabilities as of that date. The effect of measurement-period adjustments to the estimated fair values will be recognized in the reporting period in which they are determined. The impact of all changes that do not qualify as measurement-period adjustments will be included in current period earnings. If the actual results differ from the estimates and judgments used in these fair values, the amounts recorded in the consolidated financial statements could be subject to possible impairment.

Goodwill arising from the acquisition consists largely of anticipated synergies and economies of scale from the combined companies and overall strategic importance of the acquired businesses to Albemarle. The goodwill attributable to the acquisition will not be amortizable or deductible for tax purposes.

Other Acquisitions

On February 1, 2017, the Company acquired the remaining 50% interest in the Sales de Magnesio Ltda. (“Salmag”) joint venture in Chile from SQM Salar S.A. for approximately $8.3 million, net of cash acquired. In connection with the acquisition, the Company recorded a gain of $6.2 million, calculated based on the difference between the purchase price and the book value of the investment in Other expenses, net on the consolidated statements of income for the year ended December 31, 2017.

Acquisition and integration related costs for the year ended December 31, 2019 of $1.0 million and $19.7 million were included in Cost of goods sold and Selling, general and administrative expenses, respectively, on our consolidated statements of income relating to various significant projects, including the acquisition of the Wodgina Project. Included in acquisition and integration related costs on our consolidated statements of income for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 is $3.7 million and $14.3 million, respectively, in Cost of goods sold and $15.7 million and $19.6 million, respectively, in Selling, general and administrative expenses. These acquisition and integration related costs relate to various significant projects, including the Jiangxi Jiangli New Materials Science and Technology Co. Ltd. (“Jiangli New Materials”) acquisition, which contains non-routine compensation related costs negotiated specifically as a result of this acquisition that are outside of the Company’s ordinary compensation arrangements.