EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS [Abstract]

Change in benefit obligation

The actuarial recorded liabilities for such unfunded postretirement benefits are as follows:

Change in benefit obligation:

	2016			2015
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	958		$	1,111
Initial adoption of new plan		444			-
Service cost with interest to end of year		66			54
Interest cost		48			36
Participant contributions		5			5
Benefits paid		(9	)		(6	)
Actuarial gain		(101	)		(242	)
Benefit obligation at end of year	$	1,411		$	958

Change in plan assets

Change in plan assets:

	2016			2015
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	-		$	-
Employer (reimbursement)/contributions		4			1
Participant contributions		5			5
Benefits paid		(9	)		(6	)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	-		$	-

Amounts recognized in consolidated balance sheet

Amounts recognized in consolidated balance sheet:

	2016			2015
Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation	$	(1,411	)	$	(958	)
Fair value of plan assets		-			-
Funded status		(1,411	)		(958	)
Unrecognized prior service cost		N/A			N/A
Unrecognized net (gain)/loss		N/A			N/A
Net amount recognized in consolidated balance sheet (after ASC 715) (included in other long-term obligations)	$	1,411		$	958
Accrued postretirement benefit cost (included in other long-term obligations)	$	N/A		$	N/A

Components of net periodic benefit cost

Components of net periodic benefit cost:

	2016			2015			2014
Service cost with interest to end of year	$	66		$	54		$	57
Interest cost		48			36			48
Amortization of prior service credit/(cost)		57			(18	)		(18	)
Amortization of (gain)/loss		(10	)		-			6
Total net periodic benefit cost	$	161		$	72		$	93

Estimated future employer contributions and benefit payments

Estimated future employer contributions and benefit payments are as follows:

Year
2017	$	88
2018		106
2019		96
2012		90
2021		88
Years 2022-2026		581

Pension fund disclosure

Pension Fund	EIN/Pension Plan Number		Pension Plan Protection Act Zone Status		FIP/RP Status Pending/ Implemented	Contributions of Balchem Corporation									Surcharge  Imposed	Expiration Dateof Collective-Bargaining Agreement
			2016	2015		2016			2015			2014
Central States, Southeast and Southwest Areas Pension Fund		36-6044243	Red as of 1/1/2016	Red as of 1/1/2015	Implemented		$	576		$	515		$	498	No	5/31/2017