UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-K

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013

Commission file number 1-31763

 

KRONOS WORLDWIDE, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

5430 LBJ Freeway, Suite 1700

Dallas, Texas 75240-2697

(Address of principal executive offices)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (972) 233-1700

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

No securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act.

 

Indicate by check mark:

If the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes  ¨    No  x

If the Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.    Yes  ¨    No  x

Whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x     No  ¨

Whether the Registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No  ¨

If disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.    Yes  ¨    No  x

Whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).

Large accelerated filer  ¨ Accelerated filer  x Non-accelerated filer  ¨ Smaller reporting company  ¨

Whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

The aggregate market value of the 21.0 million shares of voting stock held by nonaffiliates of Kronos Worldwide, Inc. as of June 30, 2013 (the last business day of the Registrant’s most recently-completed second fiscal quarter) approximated $341.5 million.

As of February 28, 2014, 115,864,598 shares of the Registrant’s common stock were outstanding.

Documents incorporated by reference

The information required by Part III is incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s definitive proxy statement to be filed with the Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this report.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forward-Looking Information

This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Statements in this Annual Report that are not historical facts are forward-looking in nature and represent management’s beliefs and assumptions based on currently available information. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of words such as “believes,” “intends,” “may,” “should,” “could,” “anticipates,” “expects” or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategies or trends. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we do not know if these expectations will be correct. Such statements by their nature involve substantial risks and uncertainties that could significantly impact expected results. Actual future results could differ materially from those predicted. The factors that could cause actual future results to differ materially from those described herein are the risks and uncertainties discussed in this Annual Report and those described from time to time in our other filings with the SEC include, but are not limited to, the following:

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Should one or more of these risks materialize (or the consequences of such a development worsen), or should the underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from those forecasted or expected. We disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of changes in information, future events or otherwise.

 

 

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PART I

 

General

Kronos Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: KRO) (Kronos), a Delaware corporation, is a leading global producer and marketer of value-added titanium dioxide pigments, or TiO₂, a base industrial product used in a wide range of applications. We, along with our distributors and agents, sell and provide technical services for our products to over 4,000 customers in approximately 100 countries with the majority of sales in Europe and North America. We believe we have developed considerable expertise and efficiency in the manufacture, sale, shipment and service of our products in domestic and international markets.

TiO₂ is a white inorganic pigment used in a wide range of products for its exceptional ability to impart whiteness, brightness, opacity and durability. TiO₂ is a critical component of everyday applications, such as coatings, plastics and paper, as well as many specialty products such as inks, food and cosmetics. TiO₂ is widely considered to be superior to alternative white pigments in large part due to its hiding power (or opacity), which is the ability to cover or mask other materials effectively and efficiently. TiO₂ is designed, marketed and sold based on specific end-use applications.

TiO₂ is the largest commercially used whitening pigment because it has a high refractive rating, giving it more hiding power than any other commercially produced white pigment. In addition, TiO₂ has excellent resistance to interaction with other chemicals, good thermal stability and resistance to ultraviolet degradation. Although there are other white pigments on the market, we believe there are no effective substitutes for TiO₂ because no other white pigment has the physical properties for achieving comparable opacity and brightness or can be incorporated in as cost-effective a manner. Pigment extenders such as kaolin clays, calcium carbonate and polymeric opacifiers are used together with TiO₂ in a number of end-use markets. However, these products are not able to duplicate the opacity performance characteristics of TiO₂ and we believe these products are unlikely to have a significant impact on the use of TiO₂.

TiO₂ is considered a “quality-of-life” product. Demand for TiO₂ has generally been driven by worldwide gross domestic product and has generally increased with rising standards of living in various regions of the world. According to industry estimates, TiO₂ consumption has grown at a compound annual growth rate of approximately 2.9% since 1990. Per capita consumption of TiO₂ in Western Europe and the United States far exceeds that in other areas of the world, and these regions are expected to continue to be the largest consumers of TiO₂ on a per capita basis. We believe that Western Europe and North America currently account for approximately 20% and 17% of global TiO₂ consumption, respectively. Markets for TiO₂ are generally increasing in South America, Eastern Europe, the Asia Pacific region and China and we believe these are significant markets where we expect continued growth as economies in these regions continue to develop and quality-of-life products, including TiO₂, experience greater demand.

In recent years, global production capacity for TiO₂ has increased primarily due to debottlenecking existing production facilities in the western world and construction of new plants in China. However, during 2008 and 2009, several TiO₂ manufacturers permanently reduced capacity at high operating cost facilities in Europe, North America and China, in part in connection with environmental-related issues. Decreased capacity, along with the decline in customer inventories which occurred in the first half of 2009, led to industry-wide tightness in TiO₂ inventories. As a result of these factors, TiO₂ selling prices began to increase in the second half of 2009 and continued to increase throughout 2010 and 2011. As demand weakened in 2012 as a result of global economic weakness and uncertainty, TiO₂ selling prices decreased.  Demand improved in 2013, particularly in Europe, and selling prices began to stabilize.  We expect that demand for TiO₂ products will continue to increase as economic conditions improve in the various regions of the world.

At December 31, 2013, approximately 50% of our common stock was owned by Valhi, Inc. (NYSE: VHI) and approximately 30% was owned by NL Industries, Inc. (NYSE: NL). Valhi also owns approximately 83% of NL Industries’ outstanding common stock. Contran Corporation and its subsidiaries held approximately 94% of Valhi’s outstanding common stock. Substantially all of Contran’s outstanding voting stock is held by family trusts

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established for the benefit of Lisa K. Simmons and Serena Simmons Connelly, daughters of Harold C. Simmons, and their children (for which Ms. Lisa Simmons and Ms. Connelly are co-trustees) or is held directly by Ms. Lisa Simmons and Ms. Connelly or persons or entities related to them, including their step-mother Annette C. Simmons, the widow of Mr. Simmons.  Prior to his death in December 2013, Mr. Simmons served as sole trustee of the family trusts.  Under a voting agreement entered into in February 2014 by all of the voting stockholders of Contran, the size of the board of directors of Contran was fixed at five members, each of Ms. Lisa Simmons, Ms. Connelly and Ms. Annette Simmons have the right to designate one of the five members of the Contran board and the other two members of the Contran board must consist of members of Contran management.  Ms. Lisa Simmons, Ms. Connelly, and Ms. Annette Simmons each serve as members of the Contran board.  The voting agreement expires in February 2017 (unless Ms. Lisa Simmons, Ms. Connelly and Ms. Annette Simmons otherwise mutually agree), and the ability of Ms. Lisa Simmons, Ms. Connelly, and Ms. Annette Simmons to each designate one member of the Contran board is dependent upon each of their continued beneficial ownership of at least 5% of the combined voting stock of Contran.  Consequently, Ms. Lisa Simmons, Ms. Connelly and Ms. Annette Simmons may be deemed to control Contran, Valhi, NL and us.

Products and end-use markets

Including our predecessors, we have produced and marketed TiO₂ in North America and Europe, our primary markets, for over 90 years. We believe that we are the largest producer of TiO₂ in Europe with approximately one-half of our sales volumes attributable to markets in Europe. The table below shows our market share for our significant markets, Europe and North America, for the last three years.

 

We believe that we are the leading seller of TiO₂ in several countries, including Germany, with an estimated 9% share of worldwide TiO₂ sales volume in 2013. Overall, we are one of the top five producers of TiO₂ in the world.

We offer our customers a broad portfolio of products that include over 40 different TiO₂ pigment grades under the Kronos^® trademark which provide a variety of performance properties to meet customers’ specific requirements. Our major customers include domestic and international paint, plastics, decorative laminate and paper manufacturers. We ship TiO₂ to our customers in either a powder or slurry form via rail, truck and/or ocean carrier. Sales of our core TiO₂ pigments represented approximately 90% of our net sales in 2013. We and our agents and distributors primarily sell and provide technical services for our products in three major end-use markets: coatings, plastics and paper.

The following tables show our approximate sales volume by geographic region and end use for the year ended December 31, 2013:

 

Some of the principal applications for our products include the following.

TiO₂ for coatings - Our TiO₂ is used to provide opacity, durability, tinting strength and brightness in industrial coatings, as well as coatings for home interiors and exteriors, automobiles, aircraft, machines, appliances, traffic paint and other special purpose coatings. The amount of TiO₂ used in coatings varies widely depending on

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the opacity, color and quality desired. In general, the higher the opacity requirement of the coating, the greater the TiO₂ content.

TiO₂ for plastics - We produce TiO₂ pigments that improve the optical and physical properties in plastics, including whiteness and opacity. TiO₂ is used to provide opacity in items such as containers and packaging materials, and vinyl products such as windows, door profiles and siding. TiO₂ also generally provides hiding power, neutral undertone, brightness and surface durability for housewares, appliances, toys, computer cases and food packages. TiO₂’s high brightness along with its opacity, is used in some engineering plastics to help mask their undesirable natural color. TiO₂ is also used in masterbatch, which is a concentrate of TiO₂ and other additives and is one of the largest uses for TiO₂ in the plastics end-use market. In masterbatch, the TiO₂ is dispersed at high concentrations into a plastic resin and is then used by manufacturers of plastic containers, bottles, packaging and agricultural films.

TiO₂ for paper - Our TiO₂ is used in the production of several types of paper, including laminate (decorative) paper, filled paper and coated paper to provide whiteness, brightness, opacity and color stability. Although we sell our TiO₂ to all segments of the paper end-use market, our primary focus is on the TiO₂ grades used in paper laminates, where several layers of paper are laminated together using melamine resin under high temperature and pressure. The top layer of paper contains TiO₂ and plastic resin and is the layer that is printed with decorative patterns. Paper laminates are used to replace materials such as wood and tile for such applications as counter tops, furniture and wallboard. TiO₂ is beneficial in these applications because it assists in preventing the material from fading or changing color after prolonged exposure to sunlight and other weathering agents.

TiO₂ for other applications - We produce TiO₂ to improve the opacity and hiding power of printing inks. TiO₂ allows inks to achieve very high print quality while not interfering with the technical requirements of printing machinery, including low abrasion, high printing speed and high temperatures. Our TiO₂ is also used in textile applications where TiO₂ functions as an opacifying and delustering agent. In man-made fibers such as rayon and polyester, TiO₂ corrects an otherwise undesirable glossy and translucent appearance. Without the presence of TiO₂, these materials would be unsuitable for use in many textile applications.

We produce high purity sulfate process anatase TiO₂ used to provide opacity, whiteness and brightness in a variety of cosmetic and personal care products, such as skin cream, lipstick, eye shadow and toothpaste. Our TiO₂ is also found in food products, such as candy and confectionaries, and in pet foods where it is used to obtain uniformity of color and appearance. In pharmaceuticals, our TiO₂ is used commonly as a colorant in pill and capsule coatings as well as in liquid medicines to provide uniformity of color and appearance. Kronos^® purified anatase grades meet the applicable requirements of the CTFA (Cosmetics, Toiletries and Fragrances Association), USP and BP (United States Pharmacopoeia and British Pharmacopoeia) and the FDA (United States Food and Drug Administration).

Our TiO₂ business is enhanced by the following three complementary businesses, which comprised approximately 10% of our net sales in 2013:

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Manufacturing, operations and properties

We produce TiO₂ in two crystalline forms: rutile and anatase. Rutile TiO₂ is manufactured using both a chloride production process and a sulfate production process, whereas anatase TiO₂ is only produced using a sulfate production process. Manufacturers of many end-use applications can use either form, especially during periods of tight supply for TiO₂. The chloride process is the preferred form for use in coatings and plastics, the two largest end-use markets. Due to environmental factors and customer considerations, the proportion of TiO₂ industry sales represented by chloride process pigments has increased relative to sulfate process pigments, and in 2013, chloride process production facilities represented approximately 47% of industry capacity. The sulfate process is preferred for use in selected paper products, ceramics, rubber tires, man-made fibers, food products and cosmetics. Once an intermediate TiO₂ pigment has been produced by either the chloride or sulfate process, it is “finished” into products with specific performance characteristics for particular end-use applications through proprietary processes involving various chemical surface treatments and intensive micronizing (milling).

We produced 474,000 metric tons of TiO₂ in 2013, up from the 469,000 metric tons we produced in 2012. Our production amounts include our share of the output produced by our TiO₂ manufacturing joint venture discussed below in “TiO₂ Manufacturing Joint Venture.” Our average production capacity utilization rates were near full capacity in 2011, and approximately 85% and 86% of capacity in 2012 and 2013, respectively.  Our production utilization rates in 2013 were impacted by a labor lockout at our Canadian production facility that began in June 2013, as discussed below in “Employees.”  We operated our Canadian plant at approximately 15% of the plant’s capacity with non-union management employees during the lockout.

We operate four TiO₂ plants in Europe (one in each of Leverkusen, Germany; Nordenham, Germany; Langerbrugge, Belgium; and Fredrikstad, Norway). In North America, we have a TiO₂ plant in Varennes, Quebec, Canada and, through the manufacturing joint venture described below in “TiO₂ Manufacturing Joint Venture,” a 50% interest in a TiO₂ plant in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

Our production capacity in 2013 was 550,000 metric tons, approximately three-fourths of which was from the chloride production process.

The following table presents the division of our expected 2014 manufacturing capacity by plant location and type of manufacturing process:

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We own the land underlying all of our principle production facilities unless otherwise indicated in the table above.

Our production capacity has increased by approximately 17% over the past ten years due to debottlenecking programs, with only moderate capital expenditures. We believe that our annual attainable production capacity for 2014 is approximately 555,000 metric tons.  While we expect our production capacity rate to be higher in 2014 as compared to 2013, we expect that we will operate at less-than-full production capacity in 2014, due principally to the ramp-up of operations at our Canadian facility following the end of the lockout in December 2013, when the terms of a new collective bargaining agreement were reached, as well as the implementation of certain productivity-enhancing capital improvement projects at other facilities which will result in longer-than-normal maintenance shutdowns in certain instances.

We also operate two ilmenite mines in Norway pursuant to a governmental concession with an unlimited term. In addition, we operate a rutile slurry manufacturing plant in Lake Charles, Louisiana, which converts dry pigment manufactured for us at the Lake Charles TiO₂ facility into a slurry form that is then shipped to customers.

We have various corporate and administrative offices located in the U.S., Germany, Norway, Canada and Belgium and various sales offices located in the U.S., Canada, Belgium, France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

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TiO₂ Manufacturing Joint Venture

Kronos Louisiana, Inc., one of our subsidiaries, and Tioxide each own a 50% interest in a manufacturing joint venture, Louisiana Pigment Company, L.P., or LPC. LPC owns and operates a chloride-process TiO₂ plant located in Lake Charles, Louisiana. We and Huntsman share production from the plant equally pursuant to separate offtake agreements.

A supervisory committee directs the business and affairs of the joint venture, including production and output decisions. This committee is composed of four members, two of whom we appoint and two of whom Huntsman appoints. Two general managers manage the operations of the joint venture acting under the direction of the supervisory committee. We appoint one general manager and Huntsman appoints the other.

The joint venture is not consolidated in our financial statements, because we do not control it. We account for our interest in the joint venture by the equity method. The joint venture operates on a break-even basis and therefore we do not have any equity in earnings of the joint venture. We are required to purchase one half of the TiO₂ produced by the joint venture.  All costs and capital expenditures are shared equally with Huntsman with the exception of raw material and packaging costs for the pigment grades produced. Our share of net costs is reported as cost of sales as the TiO₂ is sold. See Notes 5 and 14 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Raw materials

The primary raw materials used in chloride process TiO₂ are titanium-containing feedstock (purchased natural rutile ore or slag), chlorine and coke. Chlorine is available from a number of suppliers, while petroleum coke is available from a limited number of suppliers. Titanium-containing feedstock suitable for use in the chloride process is available from a limited but increasing number of suppliers principally in Australia, South Africa, Canada, India and the United States. We purchase chloride process grade slag from Rio Tinto Iron and Titanium under a long-term supply contract that expires at the end of 2016 and from Tronox Mineral Sands (PTY) LTD under a supply contract that expires in December 2015. We purchase upgraded slag from Q.I.T. Fer et Titane Inc. (a subsidiary of Rio Tinto Iron and Titanium) under a long-term supply contract that expires at the end of 2015. We purchase natural rutile ore under contracts primarily from Iluka Resources, Limited and Sierra Rutile Limited (under a new supply contract entered into in January 2014) that expire in 2014. In the past we have been, and we expect that we will continue to be, successful in obtaining short-term and long-term extensions to these and other existing supply contracts prior to their expiration. We expect the raw materials purchased under these contracts, and contracts that we may enter into in the near term, will meet our chloride process feedstock requirements over the next several years.

The primary raw materials used in sulfate process TiO₂ are titanium-containing feedstock, primarily ilmenite or purchased sulfate grade slag and sulfuric acid. Sulfuric acid is available from a number of suppliers. Titanium-containing feedstock suitable for use in the sulfate process is available from a limited number of suppliers principally in Norway, Canada, Australia, India and South Africa. As one of the few vertically-integrated producers of sulfate process TiO₂, we operate two rock ilmenite mines in Norway, which provided all of the feedstock for our European sulfate process TiO₂ plants in 2013. We expect ilmenite production from our mines to meet our European sulfate process feedstock requirements for the foreseeable future. For our Canadian sulfate process plant, we also purchase sulfate grade slag primarily from Q.I.T. Fer et Titane Inc. (a subsidiary of Rio Tinto Iron and Titanium), under a supply contract that expires at the end of 2014. We expect the raw materials purchased under these contracts, and contracts that we may enter into in the near term, to meet our sulfate process feedstock requirements over the next several years.

Many of our raw material contracts contain fixed quantities we are required to purchase, or specify a range of quantities within which we are required to purchase. The pricing under these agreements is generally negotiated quarterly.

The following table summarizes our raw materials purchased or mined in 2013.

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Sales and marketing

Our marketing strategy is aimed at developing and maintaining strong customer relationships with new and existing accounts. Because TiO₂ represents a significant raw material cost for our customers, the purchasing decisions are often made by our customers’ senior management. We work to maintain close relationships with the key decision makers, through in-depth and frequent in-person meetings. We endeavor to extend these commercial and technical relationships to multiple levels within our customers’ organization using our direct sales force and technical service group to accomplish this objective. We believe this has helped build customer loyalty to Kronos and strengthened our competitive position. Close cooperation and strong customer relationships enable us to stay closely attuned to trends in our customers’ businesses. Where appropriate, we work in conjunction with our customers to solve formulation or application problems by modifying specific product properties or developing new pigment grades. We also focus our sales and marketing efforts on those geographic and end-use market segments where we believe we can realize higher selling prices. This focus includes continuously reviewing and optimizing our customer and product portfolios.

Our marketing strategy is also aimed at working directly with customers to monitor the success of our products in their end-use applications, evaluate the need for improvements in product and process technology and identify opportunities to develop new product solutions for our customers. Our marketing staff closely coordinates with our sales force and technical specialists to ensure that the needs of our customers are met, and to help develop and commercialize new grades where appropriate.

We sell a majority of our products through our direct sales force operating from six sales offices in Europe and one sales office in North America. We also utilize sales agents and distributors who are authorized to sell our products in specific geographic areas. In Europe, our sales efforts are conducted primarily through our direct sales force and our sales agents. Our agents do not sell any TiO₂ products other than Kronos^® brand products. In North America, our sales are made primarily through our direct sales force and supported by a network of distributors. In addition to our direct sales force and sales agents, many of our sales agents also act as distributors to service our smaller customers in all regions. We offer the same high level of customer and technical service to the customers who purchase our products through distributors as we offer to our larger customers serviced by our direct sales force.

We sell to a diverse customer base with only one customer representing 10% or more of our sales in 2013 (Behr Process Corporation – 10%). Our largest ten customers accounted for approximately 34% of sales in 2013.

Neither our business as a whole nor any of our principal product groups is seasonal to any significant extent. However, TiO₂ sales are generally higher in the second and third quarters of the year, due in part to the increase in paint production in the spring to meet demand during the spring and summer painting seasons. With certain exceptions, we have historically operated our production facilities at near full capacity rates throughout the entire year, which among other things helps to minimize our per-unit production costs. As a result, we normally will build inventories during the first and fourth quarters of each year, in order to maximize our product availability during the higher demand periods normally experienced in the second and third quarters.

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Competition

The TiO₂ industry is highly competitive. We compete primarily on the basis of price, product quality, technical service and the availability of high performance pigment grades. Since TiO₂ is not a traded commodity, its pricing is largely a product of negotiation between suppliers and their respective customers. Although certain TiO₂ grades are considered specialty pigments, the majority of our grades and substantially all of our production are considered commodity pigments with price and availability being the most significant competitive factors along with quality and customer service. During 2013, we had an estimated 9% share of worldwide TiO₂ sales volume, and based on sales volumes, we believe we are the leading seller of TiO₂ in several countries, including Germany.

Our principal competitors are E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., or Dupont; Millennium Inorganic Chemicals, Inc. (a subsidiary of National Titanium Dioxide Company Ltd.), or Cristal; Huntsman Corporation; Tronox Incorporated; and Sachtleben Chemie GmbH. The top six TiO₂ producers account for approximately 60% of the world’s production capacity.  In September 2013, Huntsman announced its intent to purchase Sachtleben’s TiO₂ business as well as certain other assets from Sachtleben’s parent company, which acquisition Huntsman has indicated it expects to be completed by June 2014.  Concurrently, Huntsman also announced its intent to spin-off the consolidated TiO₂ business within two years of the acquisition.  In October 2013, DuPont announced its intent to spin-off its TiO₂ operations into a separate publicly traded company by April 2015.

The following chart shows our estimate of worldwide production capacity in 2013:

 

DuPont has over one-half of total North American TiO₂ production capacity and is our principal North American competitor.

Over the past ten years, we and our competitors increased industry capacity through debottlenecking projects, which in part compensated for the shut down of various TiO₂ plants in France, the United States, the United Kingdom and China. In addition, in May 2011, DuPont announced a comprehensive plan to add approximately 350,000 metric tons of global capacity in the next three years.  Although overall industry demand is expected to be generally higher in 2014 as compared to 2013 as a result of improving worldwide economic conditions, we do not expect any other significant efforts will be undertaken by us or our competitors to further increase capacity for the foreseeable future, other than through debottlenecking projects. If actual developments differ from our expectations, the TiO₂ industry’s performance and that of our own could be unfavorably affected.

The TiO₂ industry is characterized by high barriers to entry consisting of high capital costs, proprietary technology and significant lead times (typically three to five years in our experience) required to construct new facilities or to expand existing capacity. In addition, we believe the suppliers of titanium-containing feedstock do not currently have the ability to supply the raw materials that would be required to operate any such new TiO₂ production capacity until they have invested in additional infrastructure required to expand their own production capacity, which we believe will take a few years to complete. We believe it is unlikely any new TiO₂ plants will be constructed in Europe or North America in the foreseeable future.

Research and development

We employ scientists, chemists, process engineers and technicians who are engaged in research and development, process technology and quality assurance activities in Leverkusen, Germany. These individuals have

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the responsibility for improving our chloride and sulfate production processes, improving product quality and strengthening our competitive position by developing new applications. Our expenditures for these activities were approximately $20 million in 2011, $19 million in 2012 and $18 million in 2013.  We expect to spend approximately $21 million on research and development in 2014.

We continually seek to improve the quality of our grades and have been successful at developing new grades for existing and new applications to meet the needs of our customers and increase product life cycles. Since 2008, we have added four new grades for pigments and other applications.

Patents, trademarks, trade secrets and other intellectual property rights

We have a comprehensive intellectual property protection strategy that includes obtaining, maintaining and enforcing our patents, primarily in the United States, Canada and Europe. We also protect our trademark and trade secret rights and have entered into license agreements with third parties concerning various intellectual property matters. We have also from time to time been involved in disputes over intellectual property.

Patents - We have obtained patents and have numerous patent applications pending that cover our products and the technology used in the manufacture of our products. Our patent strategy is important to us and our continuing business activities. In addition to maintaining our patent portfolio, we seek patent protection for our technical developments, principally in the United States, Canada and Europe. U.S. Patents are generally in effect for 20 years from the date of filing. Our U.S. patent portfolio includes patents having remaining terms ranging from one year to 18 years.

Trademarks and trade secrets - Our trademarks, including Kronos^®, are covered by issued and/or pending registrations, including in Canada and the United States. We protect the trademarks that we use in connection with the products we manufacture and sell and have developed goodwill in connection with our long-term use of our trademarks. We conduct research activities in secret and we protect the confidentiality of our trade secrets through reasonable measures, including confidentiality agreements and security procedures. We rely upon unpatented proprietary knowledge and continuing technological innovation and other trade secrets to develop and maintain our competitive position. Our proprietary chloride production process is an important part of our technology and our business could be harmed if we fail to maintain confidentiality of our trade secrets used in this technology.

Employees

As of December 31, 2013, we employed the following number of people:

(1)Excludes employees of our Louisiana joint venture.

Certain employees at each of our production facilities are organized by labor unions. In Europe, our union employees are covered by master collective bargaining agreements for the chemical industry that are generally renewed annually. Unionized employees in our Canadian production facility were covered by a collective bargaining agreement that expired June 15, 2013.  The union employees represented by the Confederation des Syndicat National (CSN) rejected our revised global offer, and we declared a lockout of unionized employees upon the expiration of the existing contract.  Effective the end of November 2013, we reached an agreement on the terms of a new collective bargaining agreement with the CSN and the unionized employees that expires in June 2018.   The unionized employees began to return to work in December 2013, and production resumed in February 2014.  Among other things, the new agreement provides for the reduction in our Canadian workforce and the freezing of the defined benefit pension plan for hourly workers effective at the end of 2013 (which was replaced with a new defined contribution benefit plan.)  These and other provisions of the new agreement are intended to reduce the operating costs of such facility going forward.  At December 31, 2013, approximately 86% of our worldwide

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workforce is organized under collective bargaining agreements.  It is possible that there could be future work stoppages or other labor disruptions that could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial position or liquidity.

Regulatory and environmental matters

Our operations and properties are governed by various environmental laws and regulations, which are complex, change frequently and have tended to become stricter over time. These environmental laws govern, among other things, the generation, storage, handling, use and transportation of hazardous materials; the emission and discharge of hazardous materials into the ground, air or water; and the health and safety of our employees. Certain of our operations are, or have been, engaged in the generation, storage, handling, manufacture or use of substances or compounds that may be considered toxic or hazardous within the meaning of applicable environmental laws and regulations. As with other companies engaged in similar businesses, certain of our past and current operations and products have the potential to cause environmental or other damage. We have implemented and continue to implement various policies and programs in an effort to minimize these risks. Our policy is to comply with applicable environmental laws and regulations at all our facilities and to strive to improve our environmental performance. It is possible that future developments, such as stricter requirements in environmental laws and enforcement policies, could adversely affect our operations, including production, handling, use, storage, transportation, sale or disposal of hazardous or toxic substances or require us to make capital and other expenditures to comply, and could adversely affect our consolidated financial position and results of operations or liquidity.

Our U.S. manufacturing operations are governed by federal, state and local environmental and worker health and safety laws and regulations. These include the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, or RCRA, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Toxic Substances Control Act and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, as amended by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act, or CERCLA, as well as the state counterparts of these statutes. Some of these laws hold current or previous owners or operators of real property liable for the costs of cleaning up contamination, even if these owners or operators did not know of, and were not responsible for, such contamination. These laws also assess liability on any person who arranges for the disposal or treatment of hazardous substances, regardless of whether the affected site is owned or operated by such person. Although we have not incurred and do not currently anticipate any material liabilities in connection with such environmental laws, we may be required to make expenditures for environmental remediation in the future.

While the laws regulating operations of industrial facilities in Europe vary from country to country, a common regulatory framework is provided by the European Union, or the EU. Germany and Belgium are members of the EU and follow its initiatives. Norway is not a member but generally patterns its environmental regulatory actions after the EU.

At our sulfate plant facilities in Germany, we recycle spent sulfuric acid either through contracts with third parties or at our own facilities. In addition, at our German locations we have a contract with a third-party to treat certain sulfate-process effluents. At our Norwegian plant, we ship spent acid to a third party location where it is used as a neutralization agent. These contracts may be terminated by either party after giving three or four years advance notice, depending on the contract.

From time to time, our facilities may be subject to environmental regulatory enforcement under U.S. and non-U.S. statutes. Typically we establish compliance programs to resolve these matters. Occasionally, we may pay penalties. To date such penalties have not involved amounts having a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity. We believe that all of our facilities are in substantial compliance with applicable environmental laws.

Our capital expenditures related to ongoing environmental compliance, protection and improvement programs, including capital expenditures which are primarily focused on increased operating efficiency but also result in improved environmental protection such as lower emissions from our manufacturing facilities, were $24.8 million in 2013 and are currently expected to be approximately $14 million in 2014.

13

 

Website and other available information

Our fiscal year ends December 31. Our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to those reports are available on our website at www.kronosww.com. These reports are available on the website, without charge, as soon as is reasonably practicable after we file or furnish them electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC. Additional information regarding us, including our Audit Committee charter, Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and our Corporate Governance Guidelines, can also be found at this website. Information contained on our website is not part of this report. We will also provide free copies of such documents upon written request. Such requests should be directed to the Corporate Secretary at our address on the cover page of this Form 10-K.

The public may read and copy any materials we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. The public may obtain information about the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. We are an electronic filer and the SEC maintains an internet website that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC at www.sec.gov.

 

Below are certain risk factors associated with our business. In addition to the potential effect of these risk factors discussed below, any risk factor which could result in reduced earnings or operating losses, or reduced liquidity, could in turn adversely affect our ability to service our liabilities or pay dividends on our common stock or adversely affect the quoted market prices for our securities.

Demand for, and prices of, certain of our products are influenced by changing market conditions for our products, which may result in reduced earnings or in operating losses.

Approximately 90% of our revenues are attributable to sales of TiO₂. Pricing within the global TiO₂ industry over the long term is cyclical and changes in economic conditions, especially in Western industrialized nations, can significantly impact our earnings and operating cash flows. Historically, the markets for many of our products have experienced alternating periods of increasing and decreasing demand. Relative changes in the selling prices for our products are one of the main factors that affect the level of our profitability. In periods of increasing demand, our selling prices and profit margins generally will tend to increase, while in periods of decreasing demand our selling prices and profit margins generally tend to decrease. In addition, pricing may affect customer inventory levels as customers may from time to time accelerate purchases of TiO₂ in advance of anticipated price increases or defer purchases of TiO₂ in advance of anticipated price decreases. Our ability to further increase capacity without additional investment in greenfield or brownfield capacity increases may be limited and as a result, our profitability may become even more dependent upon the selling prices of our products.

The demand for TiO₂ during a given year is also subject to annual seasonal fluctuations. TiO₂ sales are generally higher in the second and third quarters of the year. This is due in part to the increase in paint production in the spring to meet demand during the spring and summer painting season.

The TiO₂ industry is concentrated and highly competitive and we face price pressures in the markets in which we operate, which may result in reduced earnings or operating losses.

The global market in which we operate our business is concentrated with the top six TiO₂ producers accounting for 60% of the world’s production capacity and is highly competitive. Competition is based on a number of factors, such as price, product quality and service. Some of our competitors may be able to drive down prices for our products if their costs are lower than our costs. In addition, some of our competitors’ financial, technological and other resources may be greater than our resources and such competitors may be better able to withstand changes in market conditions. Our competitors may be able to respond more quickly than we can to new or emerging technologies and changes in customer requirements. Further, consolidation of our competitors or customers may result in reduced demand for our products or make it more difficult for us to compete with our competitors. The occurrence of any of these events could result in reduced earnings or operating losses.

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Higher costs or limited availability of our raw materials may reduce our earnings and decrease our liquidity. In addition, many of our raw material contracts contain fixed quantities we are required to purchase.

The number of sources for and availability of certain raw materials is specific to the particular geographical region in which a facility is located. For example, titanium-containing feedstocks suitable for use in our TiO₂ facilities are available from a limited number of suppliers around the world. Political and economic instability in the countries from which we purchase our raw material supplies could adversely affect their availability. If our worldwide vendors were unable to meet their contractual obligations and we were unable to obtain necessary raw materials, we could incur higher costs for raw materials or may be required to reduce production levels. We experienced significantly higher ore costs in 2012 which carried over into 2013.  Although our purchase cost of third-party feedstock ore has and continues to moderate, such reductions did not begin to be significantly reflected in our cost of sales until the third quarter of 2013.  We may also experience higher operating costs such as energy costs, which could affect our profitability. We may not always be able to increase our selling prices to offset the impact of any higher costs or reduced production levels, which could reduce our earnings and decrease our liquidity.

We have long-term supply contracts that provide for our TiO₂ feedstock requirements that currently expire through 2016.  While we believe we will be able to renew these contracts, there can be no assurance we will be successful in renewing these contracts or in obtaining long-term extensions to these contracts prior to expiration. Our current agreements (including those entered into in January 2014) require us to purchase certain minimum quantities of feedstock with minimum purchase commitments aggregating approximately $820 million in years subsequent to December 31, 2013. In addition, we have other long-term supply and service contracts that provide for various raw materials and services. These agreements require us to purchase certain minimum quantities or services with minimum purchase commitments aggregating approximately $123 million at December 31, 2013. Our commitments under these contracts could adversely affect our financial results if we significantly reduce our production and were unable to modify the contractual commitments.

Our leverage may impair our financial condition or limit our ability to operate our businesses.

As of December 31, 2013, our total consolidated debt was approximately $183.5 million, which relates primarily to a note payable to Contran entered into in 2013 (after giving effect to our new term loan entered into in February 2014, a portion of the proceeds of which were used to prepay such note payable to Contran, our consolidated debt would have been approximately $363.5 million). Our level of debt could have important consequences to our stockholders and creditors, including:

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In addition to our indebtedness, at December 31, 2013 we are party to various lease and other agreements (including feedstock ore purchase contracts as previously described) pursuant to which, along with our indebtedness, we are committed to pay approximately $472 million in 2014. Such $472 million amount reflects the impact of a new term loan we incurred in February 2014, and the application of the proceeds of such term loan, as discussed in Note 9 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.  Our ability to make payments on and refinance our debt and to fund planned capital expenditures depends on our future ability to generate cash flow. To some extent, this is subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other factors that are beyond our control. In addition, our ability to borrow funds under our or our subsidiaries’ credit facilities in the future will, in some instances, depend in part on our ability to maintain specified financial ratios and satisfy certain financial covenants contained in the applicable credit agreement.

Our business may not generate cash flows from operating activities sufficient to enable us to pay our debts when they become due and to fund our other liquidity needs. As a result, we may need to refinance all or a portion of our debt before maturity. We may not be able to refinance any of our debt in a timely manner on favorable terms, if at all, in the current credit markets. Any inability to generate sufficient cash flows or to refinance our debt on favorable terms could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.

Global climate change legislation could negatively impact our financial results or limit our ability to operate our businesses.

We operate production facilities in several countries. In many of the countries in which we operate, legislation has been passed, or proposed legislation is being considered, to limit greenhouse gases through various means, including emissions permits and/or energy taxes. In several of our production facilities, we consume large amounts of energy, primarily electricity and natural gas. To date, the permit system in effect in the various countries in which we operate has not had a material adverse effect on our financial results. However, if further greenhouse gas legislation were to be enacted in one or more countries, it could negatively impact our future results from operations through increased costs of production, particularly as it relates to our energy requirements or our need to obtain emissions permits. If such increased costs of production were to materialize, we may be unable to pass price increases onto our customers to compensate for increased production costs, which may decrease our liquidity, operating income and results of operations.

 

None

 

Information on our properties is incorporated by reference to Item 1: Manufacturing, Operations and Properties above. Our corporate headquarters is located in Dallas, Texas. See Note 15 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for information on our leases.

 

We are involved in various environmental, contractual, intellectual property, product liability and other claims and disputes incidental to our business. Information called for by this Item is incorporated by reference to Note 15 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Not applicable

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PART II

 

Our common stock is listed and traded on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol: KRO). As of February 28, 2014, there were approximately 2,440 holders of record of our common stock. The following table sets forth the high and low closing per share sales price for our common stock for the periods indicated according to Bloomberg and dividends paid during such periods. On February 28, 2014 the closing price of our common stock was $15.28.

 

In February 2014, our board of directors declared a first quarter 2014 regular quarterly dividend of $.15 per share, payable on March 20, 2014 to stockholders of record as of March 10, 2014. The declaration and payment of future dividends is discretionary, and the amount, if any, will be dependent upon our results of operations, financial condition, cash requirements for our business, the current long-term outlook for our business and other factors deemed relevant by our board. There are currently no restrictions on our ability to pay dividends, although provisions in certain credit agreements to which we are a party could in the future limit or restrict our ability to pay dividends.

In December 2010 our board of directors authorized the repurchase of up to 2.0 million shares of our common stock in open market transactions, including block purchases, or in privately-negotiated transactions at unspecified prices and over an unspecified period of time. In 2013 we repurchased 49,000 shares under the plan and 1,951,000 shares are available for repurchase.  See Note 13 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Performance graph

Set forth below is a table and line graph comparing the yearly change in our cumulative total stockholder return on our common stock against the cumulative total return of the S&P Composite 500 Stock Index and the S&P 500 Diversified Chemicals Index. The graph shows the value at December 31 of each year, assuming an original investment of $100 at December 31, 2008 and reinvestment of cash dividends and other distributions to stockholders.

 

The information contained in the performance graph shall not be deemed “soliciting material” or “filed” with the SEC, or subject to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act, except to the extent we specifically request that the material be treated as soliciting material or specifically incorporate this performance graph by reference into a document filed under the Securities Act or the Securities Exchange Act.

Equity compensation plan information

We have an equity compensation plan, which was approved by our stockholders, pursuant to which an aggregate of 200,000 shares of our common stock can be awarded to members of our board of directors. At December 31, 2013, 193,000 shares are available for award under this plan. See Note 13 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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The following selected financial data should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and Item 7 - “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

 

 

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Business overview

We are a leading global producer and marketer of value-added TiO₂.  TiO₂ is used for a variety of manufacturing applications, including plastics, paints, paper and other industrial products.  During 2013, approximately one-half of our sales volumes were sold into European markets.  We believe we are the largest producer of TiO₂ in Europe with an estimated 18% share of European TiO₂ sales volumes in 2013. In addition, we estimate we have an 18% share of North American TiO₂ sales volumes in 2013. Our production facilities are located throughout Europe and North America.

We consider TiO₂ to be a “quality of life” product, with demand affected by gross domestic product, or GDP, and overall economic conditions in our markets located in various regions of the world. Over the long-term, we expect demand for TiO₂ will grow by 2% to 3% per year, consistent with our expectations for the long-term growth in GDP. However, even if we and our competitors maintain consistent shares of the worldwide market, demand for TiO₂ in any interim or annual period may not change in the same proportion as the change in GDP, in part due to relative changes in the TiO₂ inventory levels of our customers. We believe that our customers’ inventory levels are influenced in part by their expectation for future changes in market TiO₂ selling prices as well as their expectation for future availability of product. Although certain of our TiO₂ grades are considered specialty pigments, the majority of our grades and substantially all of our production are considered commodity pigment products with price and availability being the most significant competitive factors along with quality and customer service.

The factors having the most impact on our reported operating results are:

Our key performance indicators are our TiO₂ average selling prices, our level of TiO₂ sales and production volumes and the cost of our third-party feedstock ore. TiO₂ selling prices generally follow industry trends and the selling prices will increase or decrease generally as a result of competitive market pressures.

In addition, our effective income tax rate in each of 2011 and 2012 was impacted by certain favorable and unfavorable developments discussed below.

Executive summary

We reported a net loss of $102.0 million, or $.88 per share for 2013 compared to net income of $218.5 million, or $1.89 per share for 2012.  We had a net loss in 2013 compared to net income in 2012 principally due to a loss from operations in 2013 resulting from the unfavorable effects of lower average selling prices, higher raw material costs and a litigation settlement charge in 2013.  Also negatively impacting 2013 results were unabsorbed fixed production and other costs associated with the labor lockout at our Canadian plant, and costs resulting from the terms of a new collective bargaining agreement reached with our unionized Canadian workforce, and other back-to-work expenses as further discussed below.

We reported net income of $218.5 million, or $1.89 per share for 2012, compared to net income of $321.0 million, or $2.77 per share for 2011. Our earnings per share decreased from 2011 to 2012 due to lower income from operations in 2012 as a result of the unfavorable effects of lower sales and production volumes and higher raw

20

 

material costs partially offset by higher average selling prices and the favorable effects of a lower effective income tax rate in 2012.

Our net loss in 2013 includes:

Our net income in 2012 includes an aggregate charge of $7.2 million ($4.7 million, or $.04 per share, net of income tax benefit) associated with the June 2012 redemption of the remaining €279.2 million principal amount of our 6.5% Senior Secured Notes, consisting of the call premium paid, interest from the June 14, 2012 indenture discharge date to the July 20, 2012 redemption date and the write-off of unamortized deferred financing costs and original issue discount.

Our net income in 2011 includes an income tax provision of $17.2 million for U.S. incremental income taxes ($.15 per share) on current earnings repatriated from our German subsidiary, which earnings were used to fund a portion of the redemption and repurchases of our Senior Secured Notes. In addition, our net income in 2011 includes a net charge of $3.1 million ($2.1 million, or $.02 per share, net of income tax benefit) related to the redemption and open market purchases of €120.8 million principal amount of our Senior Notes, consisting of the call premium, the write-off of unamortized deferred financing costs and original issue discount associated with the redeemed and purchased Notes.

Critical accounting policies and estimates

The accompanying “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” is based upon our Consolidated Financial Statements, which we have prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the reported period. On an ongoing basis we evaluate our estimates, including those related to the recoverability of long-lived assets, pension and other postretirement benefit obligations and the underlying actuarial assumptions related thereto, the realization of deferred income tax assets and accruals for litigation, income tax and other contingencies. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions which we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Actual results may differ significantly from previously-estimated amounts under different assumptions or conditions.

The following critical accounting policies affect our more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our Consolidated Financial Statements:

21

 

22

 

Income from operations is impacted by certain of these and other significant judgments and estimates, such as allowance for doubtful accounts, reserves for obsolete or unmarketable inventories, impairment of equity method investments and long-lived assets, defined benefit pension plans and loss accruals. In addition, net income is impacted by the significant judgments and estimates for deferred income tax asset valuation allowances and loss accruals.

Comparison of 2013 to 2012 Results of Operations

 

Industry conditions and 2013 overview – In the second quarter of 2013, we announced price increases for our TiO₂ products in all of our markets, implementation of which began in June 2013.  In the third and fourth quarters of 2013, we notified customers of additional price increases to be implemented as contract terms and market conditions allow.  As a result, after about a year of decreasing selling prices within the TiO₂ industry, our selling prices have generally stabilized.  Our average selling prices have remained stable through the last three quarters of 2013, and our average selling prices in the fourth quarter of 2013 were 1% higher as compared to the third quarter of 2013.  Demand for TiO₂ products has generally been strong in 2013, primarily in European and export markets, as customers have generally depleted their inventories in response to general global economic uncertainty.

While we operated our production facilities at full practical capacity rates in the first quarter of 2012, we operated our facilities at reduced rates during the remainder of 2012 (approximately 86% of practical capacity in the second quarter, approximately 71% in the third quarter and approximately 80% in the fourth quarter) to align production levels and inventories to current and anticipated near-term customer demand levels. We continued to operate our production facilities at reduced capacity rates in 2013 (approximately 92%, 90%, 82% and 81% of practical capacity in the first through fourth quarter periods, respectively).  Our production capacity utilization rates in the second half of 2013 were impacted by the lockout at our Canadian production facility, as discussed below.

We experienced significantly higher costs for our raw materials such as third party feedstock ore and petroleum coke in 2012.  We operate two ilmenite mines in Norway, the production from which provides all of the feedstock for our European sulfate process facilities as well as third party ilmenite ore sales.  Our cost of sales per metric ton of TiO₂ sold in the first half of 2013 was significantly higher than TiO₂ sold in the first half of 2012, as a substantial portion of the TiO₂ products we sold in the first quarter of 2012 (and a portion of the TiO₂ products we

23

 

sold in the second quarter of 2012) was produced with lower-cost feedstock ore purchased in 2011, while a substantial portion of the TiO₂ products we sold in the first quarter of 2013 (and a portion of the TiO₂ products we sold in the second quarter of 2013) was produced with higher-cost feedstock ore purchased in 2012.  We have seen some moderation in the cost of TiO₂ feedstock ore procured from third parties in 2013, but such reductions did not begin to be significantly reflected in our cost of sales until the third quarter of 2013.  As expected, our cost of sales per metric ton of TiO₂ sold in the second half of 2013 was lower than the cost of sales per metric ton of TiO₂ sold in the second half of 2012, primarily due to the lower feedstock ore costs.  If third-party feedstock ore costs reflected in our cost of sales in 2013 had been based on our current cost of third-party feedstock ore, our cost of sales for 2013 would have been approximately $218 million lower.

Net sales - Our net sales decreased 12% or $243.9 million in 2013 compared to 2012, primarily due to the net effects of a 19% decrease in average TiO₂ selling prices (which decreased net sales by approximately $375 million) and a 6% increase in sales volumes (which increased net sales by approximately $119 million). TiO₂ selling prices will increase or decrease generally as a result of competitive market pressures, changes in the relative level of supply and demand as well as changes in raw material and other manufacturing costs.

Our sales volumes increased 6% in 2013 as compared to 2012 due to increased customer demand primarily in European and certain export markets, partially offset by decreased demand in North American markets. In addition, we estimate the favorable effect of changes in currency exchange rates increased our net sales by approximately $18 million, or 1%, as compared to 2012.

Cost of sales - Cost of sales increased $204.3 million or 14% in 2013 compared to 2012 due to the net impact of higher raw materials and other production costs of approximately $115 million (primarily caused by the higher third-party feedstock ore costs), a 6% increase in sales volumes, a 1% increase in production volumes and currency fluctuations (primarily the euro).  Our cost of sales per metric ton of TiO₂ sold in the first half of 2013 was significantly higher than TiO₂ sold in the first half of 2012, as a substantial portion of the TiO₂ products we sold in the first quarter of 2012 (and a portion of the TiO₂ products we sold in the second quarter of 2012) was produced with lower-cost feedstock ore purchased in 2011, while a substantial portion of the TiO₂ products we sold in the first quarter of 2013 (and a portion of the TiO₂ products we sold in the second quarter of 2013) was produced with higher-cost feedstock ore purchased in 2012.  As expected, the cost of sales per metric ton of TiO₂ sold in the second half of 2013 was lower than the cost of sales per metric ton of TiO₂ sold in the second half of 2012 primarily due to the lower feedstock ore costs as discussed and quantified above.  Cost of sales as a percentage of net sales increased to 94% in 2013 compared to 72% in 2012 primarily due to the combined effects of higher raw materials and other production costs and the lower average TiO₂ selling prices as discussed above.  In addition, cost of sales in 2013 includes approximately $19 million of unabsorbed fixed production and other manufacturing costs associated with the lockout at the Canadian TiO₂ production facility and approximately $9 million of one-time costs resulting from the terms of the new collective bargaining agreement for our Canadian workforce, each of which were charged directly to cost of sales as discussed below.

Unionized employees in our Canadian TiO₂ production facility were covered by a collective bargaining agreement that expired June 15, 2013.  The Canadian facility represents approximately 19% of our worldwide TiO₂ production capacity.  The union employees represented by the Confederation des Syndicat National (CSN) rejected our revised global offer, and we declared a lockout of unionized employees upon the expiration of the existing contract.  Effective the end of November 2013, a new collective bargaining agreement was reached with CSN and production at the facility resumed in February 2014.  During the lockout we operated our Canadian plant at approximately 15% of the plant’s capacity with non-union management employees.  The reduction in our TiO₂ production volumes at our Canadian facility resulted in approximately $19 million of unabsorbed fixed production and other manufacturing costs that were charged directly to cost of sales.  In addition, we recognized approximately $9 million in expenses associated with reaching a new collective bargaining agreement, consisting of a net $7 million non-cash charge due to the curtailment of one of our Canadian defined benefit pension plans and our Canadian other postretirement benefit plan and approximately $2 million of severance and other back-to-work expenses.

24

 

We reduced our TiO₂ production volumes during 2012 in order to align inventory levels with lower demand, which resulted in approximately $25 million of unabsorbed fixed production costs that were charged directly to cost of sales.  

Other operating expense, net – Other operating expense in 2013 includes a litigation settlement charge of $35 million.  See Note 15 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Gross margin and income (loss) from operations - Income from operations decreased by $492.2 million from income of $359.6 million in 2012 to a loss of $132.6 million in 2013.  Income (loss) from operations as a percentage of net sales decreased to (8)% in 2013 from 18% in 2012. This decrease was driven by the decline in gross margin, which decreased to 6% in 2013 compared to 28% in 2012, and the 2013 litigation settlement charge discussed above. As discussed and quantified above, our gross margin has decreased primarily due to the net effects of lower selling prices, higher manufacturing costs (primarily raw materials), higher sales volumes, costs associated with reaching a new Canadian collective bargaining agreement and lower unabsorbed fixed costs charged directly to cost of sales.  Additionally, changes in currency exchange rates negatively affected our gross margin and income from operations.  We estimate that changes in currency exchange rates decreased income from operations by approximately $2 million in 2013 compared to 2012.

As a percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative expenses were relatively consistent at approximately 11% and 9% for 2013 and 2012 respectively.

Other non-operating income (expense) - We recognized an aggregate $7.2 million pre-tax charge in the second quarter of 2012 related to the early extinguishment of our remaining Senior Secured Notes. See Note 9 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

We recognized a $3.9 million securities transaction loss in the fourth quarter of 2012 on the sale, pursuant to a tender offer, of our 4.2 million shares of Titanium Metals Corporation (TIMET) stock for $70.0 million.  See Note 6 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

We recognized an aggregate $8.9 million pre-tax charge, consisting of the write-off of unamortized original issue discount costs and deferred financing costs, in 2013 related to the voluntary prepayment of our term loan by $290 million in the first quarter of 2013 and the remaining $100 million in the third quarter of 2013.  See Note 9 to our Condensed Financial Statements.

Interest expense decreased $7.1 million from $26.7 million in 2012 to $19.6 million in 2013 primarily due to lower average debt levels in 2013. See Note 9 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Interest and dividend income decreased $7.8 million to $1.2 million in 2013 primarily due to lower balances available for investment, principally related to our loan to Valhi which was completely repaid in December 2012.  Interest income on our loan to Valhi was $7.1 million in 2012.

Income tax expense (benefit) – We recognized an income tax benefit of $57.9 million in 2013 compared to an income tax provision of $112.3 million in 2012. This difference is primarily due to our decreased earnings in 2013.  Our income tax provision in 2012 includes a net incremental tax benefit of $3.1 million. We determined during the third quarter of 2012 that due to global changes in the business we would not remit certain dividends from our non-U.S. jurisdictions.  As a result, certain tax attributes were available for carryback to offset prior year tax expense and our provision for income taxes in the third quarter of 2012 included an incremental tax benefit of $11.1 million. During the fourth quarter of 2012 as a result of a change in circumstances related to our sale and the sale by certain of our affiliates of their shares of TIMET common stock, which sale provided an opportunity for us and other members of our consolidated U.S. federal income tax group to elect to claim foreign tax credits, we determined that we could tax-efficiently remit non-cash dividends from our non-U.S. jurisdictions before the end of the year that absent the TIMET sale would not have been considered. Our provision for income taxes in the fourth quarter of 2012 includes an incremental tax related to the non-cash dividend distributions of $8.0 million. See Note 10 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for a tabular reconciliation of our statutory income tax provision to our actual tax provision.  

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Comparison of 2012 to 2011 Results of Operations

 

Net sales - Our net sales increased 2% or $33.0 million in 2012 compared to 2011, primarily due to the net effects of a 10% increase in average TiO₂ selling prices (which increased net sales by approximately $194 million) and a 6% decrease in sales volumes (which decreased net sales by approximately $117 million). TiO₂ selling prices will increase or decrease generally as a result of competitive market pressures, changes in the relative level of supply and demand as well as changes in raw material and other manufacturing costs.

Our sales volumes decreased 6% in 2012 as compared to 2011 due to decreased customer demand in European markets partially offset by higher sales in U.S. and export markets. In addition, we estimate the unfavorable effect of changes in currency exchange rates decreased our net sales by approximately $82 million, or 4%, as compared to 2011.

Cost of sales - Cost of sales increased $221.0 million or 18% in 2012 compared to 2011 due to the net impact of higher raw materials and other production costs of approximately $331 million (primarily related to third-party feedstock ore and petroleum coke costs), a 6% decrease in sales volumes, a 15% decrease in production volumes and currency fluctuations (primarily the euro).  Cost of sales as a percentage of net sales increased to 72% in 2012 compared to 61% in 2011 primarily due to the net effects of higher raw material costs and other production costs, the unfavorable effects of unabsorbed fixed production costs resulting from reduced production volumes and higher average selling prices. The reduction in our TiO₂ production volumes during 2012, as discussed above, resulted in approximately $25 million of unabsorbed fixed production costs which were charged directly to cost of sales. Additionally, 2012 reflects the benefit of lower raw material costs in the first quarter of 2012 (as compared to current costs) as lower cost raw materials purchased at the end of 2011 were used in the first quarter 2012 production process.

Gross margin and income from operations - Income from operations decreased by $186.9 million from $546.5 million in 2011 to $359.6 million in 2012. Income from operations as a percentage of net sales decreased to 18% in 2012 from 28% in 2011. This decrease was driven by the decline in gross margin, which decreased to 28% in 2012 compared to 39% in 2011. As discussed and quantified above, our gross margin has decreased primarily due to the net effects of higher manufacturing costs (primarily raw materials), higher selling prices, lower sales volumes and unabsorbed fixed costs related to lower production volumes.  Additionally, changes in currency

26

 

exchange rates negatively affected our gross margin and income from operations.  We estimate that changes in currency exchange rates decreased income from operations by approximately $10 million in 2012 compared to 2011.

As a percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative expenses were relatively consistent at approximately 9% and 10% for 2012 and 2011 respectively.

Other non-operating income (expense) - In March 2011, we redeemed €80 million of our 6.5% Senior Secured Notes and borrowed under our European revolving credit facility in order to fund the redemption.  In the third and fourth quarters of 2011, we repurchased in open market transactions an aggregate €40.8 million principal amount of our Senior Notes.  As a result of these redemptions and open market purchases, we recognized a net $3.1 million pre-tax interest charge consisting of the call premium and the write-off of unamortized deferred financing costs and original issue discount associated with the redeemed and repurchased Senior Notes.

We recognized an aggregate $7.2 million pre-tax charge in the second quarter of 2012 related to the early extinguishment of our remaining Senior Secured Notes.  See Note 9 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

We recognized a $3.9 million securities transaction loss in the fourth quarter of 2012 on the sale, pursuant to a tender offer, of our 4.2 million shares of Titanium Metals Corporation (TIMET) stock for $70.0 million.  See Note 6 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Interest expense decreased $6.0 million from $32.7 million in 2011 to $26.7 million in 2012 primarily due to the effects of lower 2012 average debt levels of our Senior Secured Notes resulting from the March 2011 redemption and open market purchases in the third and fourth quarters of 2011.  In addition, outstanding debt in 2012 carried lower average interest rates than in 2011.  See Note 9 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Income tax provision - Our income tax provision was $112.3 million in 2012 compared to $196.1 million in 2011.  This decrease in provision for income taxes was primarily due to lower income from operations in 2012 compared to 2011.  See Note 10 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for a tabular reconciliation of our statutory income tax provision to our actual tax provision.  Some of the more significant items impacting this reconciliation are summarized below.

Effects of currency exchange rates

We have substantial operations and assets located outside the United States (primarily in Germany, Belgium, Norway and Canada).  The majority of our sales from non-U.S. operations are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, principally the euro, other major European currencies and the Canadian dollar.  A portion of our sales generated from our non-U.S. operations is denominated in the U.S. dollar.  Certain raw materials used worldwide, primarily titanium-containing feedstocks, are purchased primarily in U.S. dollars, while labor and other

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production costs are purchased primarily in local currencies.  Consequently, the translated U.S. dollar value of our non-U.S. sales and operating results are subject to currency exchange rate fluctuations which may favorably or unfavorably impact reported earnings and may affect the comparability of period-to-period operating results.  In addition to the impact of the translation of sales and expenses over time, our non-U.S. operations also generate currency transaction gains and losses which primarily relate to the difference between the currency exchange rates in effect when non-local currency sales or operating costs are initially accrued and when such amounts are settled with the non-local currency.

Overall, we estimate that fluctuations in currency exchange rates had the following effects on our sales and income from operations for the periods indicated.

 

 

Outlook

During 2013 we operated our production facilities at 86% of practical capacity.  Our production utilization rates in 2013 were impacted by the lockout at our Canadian production facility that began in June 2013, as we operated our Canadian plant at approximately 15% of the plant’s capacity with non-union management employees during the lockout.  We believe that our annual attainable production capacity for 2014 is approximately 555,000 metric tons.  While we expect our production volumes to be higher in 2014 as compared to 2013, we expect that we will operate at less-than-full production capacity for 2014, due principally to the ramp-up of operations at our Canadian facility following the end of the lockout in December 2013 as well as the implementation of certain productivity-enhancing capital improvement projects at other facilities which will result in longer-than-normal maintenance shutdowns in certain instances.  Assuming economic conditions do not deteriorate in the various regions of the world, we expect our sales volumes to be higher in 2014 as compared to 2013.  We will continue to monitor current and anticipated near-term customer demand levels and align our production and inventories accordingly.

We have seen some moderation in the cost of TiO₂ feedstock ore procured in 2013; however, these reductions did not begin to be significantly reflected in our cost of sales until the third quarter of 2013.  As expected, our cost of sales per metric ton of TiO₂ sold in the second half of 2013 was lower than the cost of sales per metric ton of TiO₂ sold in the second half of 2012, primarily due to the lower feedstock ore costs.  Given the time lag between when we procure third-party feedstock ore and when the TiO₂ product produced with such third-party feedstock is sold and recognized in our cost of sales, we expect our cost of sales per metric ton of TiO₂ sold in 2014 will be lower than the cost of sales per metric ton of TiO₂ sold in 2013.  Although the cost of feedstock ore has and continues to moderate, such reductions have been inadequate to compensate for the decline in selling prices for our

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products over the past year.  We started 2013 with selling prices 16% lower than the beginning of 2012, and our average selling prices at the end of 2013 were 7% below prices at the end of 2012 (with most of the decline during 2013 occurring in the first quarter).  In addition, our average selling prices at the end of 2013 were slightly higher as compared to our average selling prices during the year 2013.  In the second quarter of 2013, we announced price increases for our TiO₂ products in all of our markets, implementation of which began in June 2013.  In the third and fourth quarters of 2013, we notified customers of additional price increases to be implemented as contract terms and market conditions allow.  Industry data indicates that overall TiO₂ inventory held by producers has been significantly decreased and we believe most customers hold very low inventories of TiO₂ with many operating on a just-in-time basis.  As a result, lead times for delivery are increasing.  With the strong sales volumes experienced in 2013, we continue to see evidence of improvement in demand for our TiO₂ products, which we believe will support implementation of additional selling price increases in the near term.  

Overall, we expect that income from operations in 2014 will be higher as compared to 2013, as a result of:

Due to the constraints, high capital costs and extended lead time associated with adding significant new TiO₂ production capacity, especially for premium grades of TiO₂ products produced from the chloride process, we believe increased and sustained profit margins will be necessary to financially justify major expansions of TiO₂ production capacity required to meet expected future growth in demand.  As a result of customer decisions over the last year and the resulting adverse effect on global TiO₂ pricing, industry projects to increase TiO₂ production capacity have been cancelled or deferred indefinitely. Given the lead time required for such production capacity expansions, we expect a prolonged shortage of TiO₂ products will occur as economic conditions improve and global demand levels for TiO₂ continue to increase.

Our expectations for our future operating results are based upon a number of factors beyond our control, including worldwide growth of gross domestic product, competition in the marketplace, continued operation of competitors, unexpected or earlier-than-expected capacity additions or reductions and technological advances.  If actual developments differ from our expectations, our results of operations could be unfavorably affected.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Consolidated cash flows

Operating activities

Trends in cash flows as a result of our operating activities (excluding the impact of significant asset dispositions and relative changes in assets and liabilities) are generally similar to trends in our earnings.

Cash provided by operating activities was $130.4 million in 2013 compared to $76.9 million in 2012.  This $53.5 million increase was primarily due to the net effects of the following:

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Cash provided by operating activities was $76.9 million in 2012 compared to $295.6 million in 2011. This $218.7 million decrease was primarily due to the net effects of the following:

Changes in working capital are affected by accounts receivable and inventory changes. As shown below:

For comparative purposes, we have provided prior year numbers below.

 

Investing activities

Our capital expenditures were $68.6 million in 2011, $74.8 million in 2012 and $67.6 million in 2013. Capital expenditures are primarily incurred to maintain and improve the cost effectiveness of our manufacturing facilities. Our capital expenditures during the past three years include an aggregate of approximately $80.2 million ($24.8 million in 2013) for our ongoing environmental protection and compliance programs.

During 2012, we:

During 2011, we:

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Our marketable securities are discussed in Note 6 to our Consolidated Financial Statements. Our loan to Valhi is further discussed in Note 14.

Financing activities

During 2013, we:

During 2012, we:

During 2011, we:

In February 2014, our board of directors declared a first quarter 2014 regular quarterly dividend of $.15 per share, payable March 20, 2014 to stockholders of record as of March 10, 2014.

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Outstanding debt obligations and borrowing availability

At December 31, 2013, our consolidated debt comprised:

In February 2014, we entered into a new $350 million term loan.  We used $170 million of the net proceeds of this new term loan to prepay the outstanding principal balance of our note payable to Contran (along with accrued and unpaid interest through the prepayment date) and the note payable was cancelled.  The remaining $172.8 million net proceeds are available for our general corporate purposes.  See Note 9 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Our Canadian subsidiary has a Cdn. $10.0 million loan agreement for the limited purpose of issuing letters of credit.  The facility contains certain restrictive covenants which, among other things, restrict the subsidiary from incurring additional indebtedness in excess of Cdn. $35 million.

Our North American and European revolvers and our new term loan contain a number of covenants and restrictions which, among other things, restrict our ability to incur additional debt, incur liens, pay dividends or merge or consolidate with, or sell or transfer substantially all of our assets to, another entity, and contains other provisions and restrictive covenants customary in lending transactions of this type.  Certain of our credit agreements contain provisions which could result in the acceleration of indebtedness prior to their stated maturity for reasons other than defaults for failure to comply with typical financial or payment covenants.  For example, certain credit agreements allow the lender to accelerate the maturity of the indebtedness upon a change of control (as defined in the agreement) of the borrower.  In addition, certain credit agreements could result in the acceleration of all or a portion of the indebtedness following a sale of assets outside the ordinary course of business.  Our European revolving credit facility also requires the maintenance of certain financial ratios.  At both September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2013, and based on the current earnings before income tax, interest, depreciation and amortization expense (EBITDA) of the borrowers, we would not have met the financial test under the European revolver if the borrowers had any net debt outstanding at such dates.  In December 2013, the lenders under our European revolving credit facility granted a waiver until June 30, 2014 with respect to the financial test, but our ability to borrow any amounts under the facility is subject to the requirement that the borrowers maintain a specified level of EBITDA.  We are in compliance with all of our debt covenants at December 31, 2013, as amended by the waiver with respect to our European revolving credit facility discussed above.  We believe that we will be able to continue to comply with the financial covenants contained in our credit facilities through their maturity, including the requirement to maintain a specified level of EBITDA with respect to our European revolving credit facility consistent with the waiver; however if future operating results differ materially from our expectations we may be unable to maintain compliance.  We believe we have alternate sources of liquidity, including cash on hand and borrowings under our North American revolver, (which does not contain any financial maintenance covenants) in order to adequately address any compliance issues which might arise.  See Note 9 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

In addition to the outstanding indebtedness indicated above, at December 31, 2013 we had $89.1 million available for borrowing under our North American revolving credit facility, and we could borrow all such available amount without violating any of the facility’s covenants.  At December 31, 2013, we were in compliance with the minimum EBITDA requirement set forth in the waiver in respect of the European revolving credit facility discussed above, and based on the terms of the waiver, our borrowing availability under such facility was limited to 50% of the credit facility, or €60 million ($82.8 million).  Effective January 1, 2014, and in accordance with the terms of such waiver, our available borrowing under the facility increased to 75% of the credit facility, or €90 million ($124.1 million).

Our assets consist primarily of investments in operating subsidiaries, and our ability to service parent-level obligations depends in part upon the distribution of earnings of our subsidiaries, whether in the form of dividends, advances or payments on account of intercompany obligations or otherwise. Our new term loan is collateralized, by, among other things, a first priority lien on (i) 100% of the common stock of certain of our U.S. wholly-owned subsidiaries, (ii) 65% of the common stock or other ownership interest of our Canadian subsidiary (Kronos Canada,

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Inc.) and certain first-tier European subsidiaries (Kronos Titan GmbH and Kronos Denmark ApS) and (iii) a            $395.7 million unsecured promissory note issued by our wholly-owned subsidiary, Kronos International, Inc. (KII).  The term loan is also collateralized by a second priority lien on our U.S. assets which collateralize our North American revolving facility.  Our North American revolving credit facility is collateralized by, among other things, a first priority lien on the borrower’s trade receivables and inventories.  Our European revolving credit facility is collateralized by, among other things, the accounts receivable and inventories of the borrowers plus a limited pledge of all the other assets of the Belgian borrower.  See Note 9 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Liquidity

Our primary source of liquidity on an ongoing basis is cash flows from operating activities which is generally used to (i) fund working capital expenditures, (ii) repay any short-term indebtedness incurred for working capital purposes and (iii) provide for the payment of dividends. From time-to-time we will incur indebtedness, generally to (i) fund short-term working capital needs, (ii) refinance existing indebtedness or (iii) fund major capital expenditures or the acquisition of other assets outside the ordinary course of business. We will also from time-to-time sell assets outside the ordinary course of business and use the proceeds to (i) repay existing indebtedness, (ii) make investments in marketable and other securities, (iii) fund major capital expenditures or the acquisition of other assets outside the ordinary course of business or (iv) pay dividends.

The TiO₂ industry is cyclical, and changes in industry economic conditions significantly impact earnings and operating cash flows. Changes in TiO₂ pricing, production volumes and customer demand, among other things, could significantly affect our liquidity.

We routinely evaluate our liquidity requirements, alternative uses of capital, capital needs and availability of resources in view of, among other things, our dividend policy, our debt service, our capital expenditure requirements and estimated future operating cash flows. As a result of this process, we have in the past and may in the future seek to reduce, refinance, repurchase or restructure indebtedness, raise additional capital, repurchase shares of our common stock, modify our dividend policy, restructure ownership interests, sell interests in our subsidiaries or other assets, or take a combination of these steps or other steps to manage our liquidity and capital resources. Such activities have in the past and may in the future involve related companies. In the normal course of our business, we may investigate, evaluate, discuss and engage in acquisition, joint venture, strategic relationship and other business combination opportunities in the TiO₂ industry. In the event of any future acquisition or joint venture opportunity, we may consider using then-available liquidity, issuing our equity securities or incurring additional indebtedness.

Based upon our expectation for the TiO₂ industry and anticipated demands on cash resources, we expect to have sufficient liquidity to meet our short term obligations (defined as the twelve-month period ending December 31, 2014) and our long-term obligations (defined as the five-year period ending December 31, 2018, our time period for long-term budgeting).  If actual developments differ from our expectations, our liquidity could be adversely affected.

Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and marketable securities

At December 31, 2013 we had:

 

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In addition and as discussed above, in February 2014 we entered into a new $350 million term loan.  After using $170 million of the net proceeds of this new term loan to prepay the outstanding principal balance of our note payable to Contran (along with accrued and unpaid interest through the prepayment date), the remaining $172.8 million net proceeds are available for our general corporate purposes.

Stock repurchase program

In December 2010 our board of directors authorized the repurchase of up to 2.0 million shares of our common stock in open market transactions, including block purchases, or in privately-negotiated transactions at unspecified prices and over an unspecified period of time.  In 2013, we repurchased 49,000 shares under the plan and 1,951,000 shares are available for repurchase.  See Note 13 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Capital expenditures

We intend to spend approximately $68 million to maintain and improve our existing facilities during 2014, including approximately $14 million in the area of environmental compliance, protection and improvement.  The majority of our expenditures in 2014 will be to maintain and improve the cost-effectiveness of our manufacturing facilities. Our capital expenditures in the area of environmental compliance, protection and improvement include expenditures which are primarily focused on increased operating efficiency but also result in improved environmental protection, such as lower emissions from our manufacturing plants. Capital spending for 2014 is expected to be funded through cash on hand or borrowing under existing credit facilities.

Off-balance sheet financing

Other than operating lease commitments disclosed in Note 15 to our Consolidated Financial Statements, we are not party to any material off-balance sheet financing arrangements.

Related party transactions

We are party to certain transactions with related parties. See Note 14 to our Consolidated Financial Statements. It is our policy to engage in transactions with related parties on terms, in our opinion, no less favorable to us than could be obtained from unrelated parties.

Commitments and contingencies

See Notes 10 and 15 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for a description of certain income tax examinations currently underway, certain legal proceedings and other commitments.

Recent accounting pronouncements

Not applicable

Debt and other contractual commitments

As more fully described in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, we are a party to various debt, lease and other agreements which contractually and unconditionally commit us to pay certain amounts in the future. See Notes 9, 14, 15 and 16 to our Consolidated Financial Statements. The timing and amount shown for our commitments in the table below are based upon the contractual payment amount and the contractual payment date for such commitments. The following table summarizes such contractual commitments of ours and our consolidated subsidiaries as of December 31, 2013 (and as adjusted to reflect our new $350 million term loan entered into in February 2014, and the application of the net proceeds as discussed above) by the type and date of payment.

 

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The above table does not reflect:

We occasionally enter into raw material supply arrangements to mitigate the short-term impact of future increases in raw material costs. While these arrangements do not necessarily commit us to a minimum volume of purchase, they generally provide for stated unit prices based upon achievement of specified volume purchase levels. This allows us to stabilize raw material purchase prices to a certain extent, provided the specified minimum monthly purchase quantities are met.

Defined benefit pension plans

We maintain various defined benefit pension plans in the U.S., Europe and Canada. See Note 11 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Under defined benefit pension plan accounting, defined benefit pension plan expense, pension assets and accrued pension costs are each recognized based on certain actuarial assumptions.  These assumptions are principally the assumed discount rate, the assumed long-term rate of return on plan assets and the assumed increase in future compensation levels. We recognize the full funded status of our defined benefit pension plans as either an asset (for overfunded plans) or a liability (for underfunded plans) in our Consolidated Balance Sheet.

We recognized consolidated defined benefit pension plan expense of $25.8 million in 2011, $25.1 million in 2012 and $36.8 million in 2013. Included in our 2013 defined benefit plan expense is a curtailment charge of $7.3 million resulting from amendments to one of our Canadian plans.  Certain non-U.S. employees are covered by plans in their respective countries, principally in Germany, Canada and Norway.  Participation in the defined benefit pension plan in Germany was closed to new participants effective in 2005.  German employees hired beginning in 2005 participate in a new plan in which the retirement benefit is based upon the amount of employee and employer contributions to the plan, but for which in accordance with German law the employer guarantees a minimum rate of return on invested assets and a guaranteed indexed lifetime benefit payment after retirement based on the participant’s account balance at the time of retirement. In accordance with GAAP, the new pension plan is accounted for as a defined benefit plan, principally because of such guaranteed minimum rate of return and guaranteed lifetime benefit payment.  Participation in the defined benefit plan in Canada with respect to hourly workers was closed to new participants in December 2013, and existing hourly plan participants will no longer accrue additional benefits after December 2013.  Our U.S. plan was closed to new participants in 1996, and existing participants no longer accrued any additional benefits after that date.  The amount of funding requirements for these defined benefit pension plans is generally based upon applicable regulations (such as ERISA in the U.S.) and will

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generally differ from pension expense for financial reporting purposes. We made contributions to all of our plans which aggregated $25.5 million in 2011, $28.2 million in 2012 and $27.0 million in 2013.

The discount rates we use for determining defined benefit pension expense and the related pension obligations are based on current interest rates earned on long-term bonds that receive one of the two highest ratings given by recognized rating agencies in the applicable country where the defined benefit pension benefits are being paid. In addition, we receive third-party advice about appropriate discount rates and these advisors may in some cases use their own market indices. We adjust these discount rates as of each December 31 valuation date to reflect then-current interest rates on such long-term bonds. We use these discount rates to determine the actuarial present value of the pension obligations as of December 31 of that year. We also use these discount rates to determine the interest component of defined benefit pension expense for the following year.

At December 31, 2013, approximately 64%, 19%, 11% and 3% of the projected benefit obligations related to our plans in Germany, Canada, Norway and the U.S., respectively. We use several different discount rate assumptions in determining our consolidated defined benefit pension plan obligation and expense. This is because we maintain defined benefit pension plans in several different countries in Europe and North America and the interest rate environment differs from country to country.

We used the following discount rates for our defined benefit pension plans:

 

The assumed long-term rate of return on plan assets represents the estimated average rate of earnings expected to be earned on the funds invested or to be invested in the plans’ assets provided to fund the benefit payments inherent in the projected benefit obligations. Unlike the discount rate, which is adjusted each year based on changes in current long-term interest rates, the assumed long-term rate of return on plan assets will not necessarily change based upon the actual short-term performance of the plan assets in any given year. Defined benefit pension expense each year is based upon the assumed long-term rate of return on plan assets for each plan, the actual fair value of the plan assets as of the beginning of the year and an estimate of the amount of contributions to and distributions from the plan during the year. Differences between the expected return on plan assets for a given year and the actual return are deferred and amortized over future periods based either upon the expected average remaining service life of the active plan participants (for plans for which benefits are still being earned by active employees) or the average remaining life expectancy of the inactive participants (for plans for which benefits are not still being earned by active employees).

At December 31, 2013, approximately 55%, 24%, 14% and 3% of the plan assets related to our plans in the Germany, Canada, Norway and the U.S., respectively. We use several different long-term rates of return on plan asset assumptions in determining our consolidated defined benefit pension plan expense. This is because the plan assets in different countries are invested in a different mix of investments and the long-term rates of return for different investments differ from country to country.

In determining the expected long-term rate of return on plan asset assumptions, we consider the long-term asset mix (e.g. equity vs. fixed income) for the assets for each of our plans and the expected long-term rates of return for such asset components. In addition, we receive third-party advice about appropriate long-term rates of return. Such assumed asset mixes are summarized below:

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