Commitments and Contingencies

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2023

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies:

Environmental

The following activity was recorded in environmental liabilities for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 (in thousands):


Beginning balance at December 31, 2022	$	38,245
Expenditures	(3,006)

Accretion of discount	865
Additions and changes in estimates	1,869
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other	(137)
Ending balance at September 30, 2023	37,836
Less amounts reported in Accrued expenses	10,946
Amounts reported in Other noncurrent liabilities	$	26,890

Environmental remediation liabilities included discounted liabilities of $30.5 million and $30.1 million at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, discounted at rates with a weighted-average of 3.6% and 3.4%, respectively, and with the undiscounted amount totaling $58.4 million and $57.5 million at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. For certain locations where the Company is operating groundwater monitoring and/or remediation systems, prior owners or insurers have assumed all or most of the responsibility.

The amounts recorded represent our future remediation and other anticipated environmental liabilities. These liabilities typically arise during the normal course of our operational and environmental management activities or at the time of acquisition of the site, and are based on internal analysis as well as input from outside consultants. As evaluations proceed at each relevant site, changes in risk assessment practices, remediation techniques and regulatory requirements can occur, therefore such liability estimates may be adjusted accordingly. The timing and duration of remediation activities at these sites will be determined when evaluations are completed. Although it is difficult to quantify the potential financial impact of these remediation liabilities, management estimates (based on the latest available information) that there is a reasonable possibility that future environmental remediation costs associated with our past operations could represent an additional $16 million before income taxes, in excess of amounts already recorded.

We believe that any sum we may be required to pay in connection with environmental remediation matters in excess of the amounts recorded would likely occur over a period of time and would likely not have a material adverse effect upon our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows on a consolidated annual basis although any such sum could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows in a particular quarterly reporting period.

Litigation

We are involved from time to time in legal proceedings of types regarded as common in our business, including administrative or judicial proceedings seeking remediation under environmental laws, such as the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, commonly known as CERCLA or Superfund, products liability, breach of contract liability and premises liability litigation. Where appropriate, we may establish financial reserves for such proceedings. We also maintain insurance to mitigate certain of such risks. Costs for legal services are generally expensed as incurred.

As first reported in 2018, following receipt of information regarding potential improper payments being made by third-party sales representatives of our Refining Solutions business, within what is now the Ketjen segment, we investigated and voluntarily self-reported potential violations of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act to the DOJ and SEC, and also reported this conduct to the DPP. Since reporting these matters to the DOJ, SEC, and DPP, Albemarle has cooperated with these agencies in their investigations of this historical conduct. We have implemented appropriate remedial measures and strengthened our compliance program and related internal controls.

In September 2023, the Company finalized agreements to resolve these matters with the DOJ and SEC. The DPP has confirmed it will not pursue action in this matter. In connection with this resolution, which relates to conduct prior to 2018, we entered into a non-prosecution agreement with the DOJ and an administrative resolution with the SEC, pursuant to which we paid a total of $218.5 million in aggregate fines, disgorgement, and prejudgment interest to the DOJ and SEC. The resolution does not include a compliance monitorship, although the Company has agreed to certain ongoing compliance reporting obligations.

During the second quarter of 2023, the Company recorded a charge of $218.5 million in Selling, General and Administrative Expenses in its consolidated statement of operations and accrued a corresponding liability on its consolidated balance sheet for these agreements. The agreed upon amounts were paid to the DOJ and SEC in October 2023, with this matter considered finalized and no future financial obligations expected.

Indemnities

We are indemnified by third parties in connection with certain matters related to acquired and divested businesses. Although we believe that the financial condition of those parties who may have indemnification obligations to the Company is generally sound, in the event the Company seeks indemnity under any of these agreements or through other means, there can be no assurance that any party who may have obligations to indemnify us will adhere to their obligations and we may have to resort to legal action to enforce our rights under the indemnities.

The Company may be subject to indemnity claims relating to properties or businesses it divested, including properties or businesses of acquired businesses that were divested prior to the completion of the acquisition. In the opinion of management, and based upon information currently available, the ultimate resolution of any indemnification obligations owed to the Company or by the Company is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. The Company had approximately $28.6 million and $66.1 million at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, recorded in Other noncurrent liabilities, primarily related to the indemnification of certain income and non-income tax liabilities associated with the Chemetall Surface Treatment entities sold in 2017.

Other

We have contracts with certain of our customers which serve as guarantees on product delivery and performance according to customer specifications that can cover both shipments on an individual basis, as well as blanket coverage of multiple shipments under certain customer supply contracts. The financial coverage provided by these guarantees is typically based on a percentage of net sales value.