BUSINESS DESCRIPTION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

BUSINESS DESCRIPTION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract]

Property, Plant and Equipment, Estimated Useful Lives

Depreciation of plant and equipment is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets as follows:

Buildings	15-25years
Equipment	2-28 years

Summary of Goodwill

The Company had goodwill in the amount of $441,361 and $439,811 as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, subject to the provisions of ASC 350, “Intangibles-Goodwill and Other.”

Goodwill at January 1, 2017	$	439,811
Goodwill as a result of the Acquisitions – see Note 2		1,550
Goodwill at December 31, 2017	$	441,361

	December 31, 2017		December 31, 2016
Human Nutrition & Health	$	405,334	$	404,187
Animal Nutrition & Health		12,137		11,734
Specialty Products		22,662		22,662
Industrial Products		1,228		1,228
Total	$	441,361	$	439,811

Intangible Assets, Estimated Useful Lives

The following intangible assets with finite lives are stated at cost and are amortized either on an accelerated basis or on a straight-line basis over the following estimated useful lives:

	Amortization Period (in years)
Customer relationships and lists		10
Trademarks & trade names		5 - 17
Developed technology		5
Regulatory registration costs		5 - 10
Patents & trade secrets		15 - 17
Other		3 - 18