Commitments and Contingencies

The Company is involved from time to time in various litigations, claims and administrative proceedings arising out of the ordinary conduct of its business. Amounts recorded for identified contingent liabilities are estimates, which are reviewed periodically and adjusted to reflect additional information when it becomes available. Subject to the uncertainties inherent in estimating future costs for contingent liabilities, management believes that any liability which may result from these legal matters would not have a material adverse effect on the Company's business or financial condition.

Non-affiliate Leases

The Company leases certain manufacturing, warehousing and other facilities and equipment under operating leases. The leases on most of the properties contain renewal provisions. Future minimum rental payments required under non-affiliate operating leases that have initial or remaining non-cancelable lease terms in excess of one year at December 28, 2013 are presented in the following table:



In thousands	Gross Minimum Rental Payments
2014	$	14,141
2015	12,660
2016	11,910
2017	11,441
2018	9,067
Thereafter	20,098
Total	$	79,317

Rent expense (net of sub-lease income), including incidental leases, was $15.4 million, $14.5 million and $8.3 million for the Successor during the fiscal year ended December 28, 2013, the fiscal year ended December 29, 2012 and the eleven months ended December 31, 2011, respectively. For the one month ended January 28, 2011, rent expense for the Predecessor was $0.9 million. These expenses are generally recognized on a straight-line basis over the life of the lease.

In the third quarter of 2011, the Company's state-of-the-art spunmelt line in Waynesboro, Virginia commenced commercial production. The plant expansion increased capacity to meet demand for nonwoven materials in the hygiene and healthcare applications in the U.S. The line was principally funded by a seven year equipment lease with a capitalized cost of $53.6 million. From the commencement of the lease to its fourth anniversary date, the Company will make annual lease payments of $8.3 million. From the fourth anniversary date to the end of the lease term, the Company's annual lease payments may change, as defined in the lease agreement. The aggregate monthly lease payments under the agreement, subject to adjustment, are expected to approximate $58 million. The lease includes covenants, events of default and other provisions that requires us to maintain certain financial ratios and other requirements.

Environmental

The Company is subject to a broad range of federal, foreign, state and local laws and regulations relating to pollution and protection of the environment. The Company believes that it is currently in substantial compliance with applicable environmental requirements and does not currently anticipate any material adverse effect on its operations, financial or competitive position as a result of its efforts to comply with environmental requirements. Some risk of environmental liability is inherent, however, in the nature of the Company’s business and, accordingly, there can be no assurance that material environmental liabilities will not arise.

Financing Obligation

As a result of the acquisition of Fiberweb, the Company acquired a manufacturing facility in Old Hickory, Tennessee, the assets of which included a utility plant used to generate steam for use in its manufacturing process. Upon completion of its construction in 2011, the utility plant was sold to a unrelated third-party and subsequently leased back by Fiberweb for a period of 10 years. The transaction was appropriately accounted for by Fiberweb under International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") as a sale-leaseback whereby the assets were excluded from the balance sheet and monthly lease payments were recorded as rent expense.

The Company determined that current accounting guidance under GAAP disallowed sale-leaseback treatment if there was continuing involvement with the property. As a result, the transaction is not accounted for as a sale-leaseback, but as a direct financing lease under GAAP, recognizing the assets as part of property, plant and equipment and a related financing obligation as a long-term liability. Cash payments to the lessor are allocated between interest expense and amortization of the financing obligation. At the end of the lease term, the Company will recognize the sale of the utility plant, however, no gain or loss will be recognized as the financing obligation will equal the expected carrying value of the assets. At December 28, 2013, the outstanding balance of the financing obligation was $20.1 million.

Purchase Commitments

At December 28, 2013, the Company had purchase commitments of $106.2 million, of which $73.4 million related to the purchase of raw materials in the normal course of business. The remaining $32.8 million related to capital projects, primarily associated with the plan to relocate the Company's Nanhai, China manufacturing facilities and the warehouse expansion project at the Company's Old Hickory, Tennessee manufacturing facilities.