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Contingencies and Commitments | 9 Months Ended
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Sep. 30, 2017
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] |
Contingencies and Commitments | H. Contingencies and Commitments Contingencies Environmental Matters Arconic participates in environmental assessments and cleanups at more than 100 locations. These include owned or operating facilities and adjoining properties, previously owned or operating facilities and adjoining properties, and waste sites, including Superfund (Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA)) sites. A liability is recorded for environmental remediation when a cleanup program becomes probable and the costs can be reasonably estimated. As assessments and cleanups proceed, the liability is adjusted based on progress made in determining the extent of remedial actions and related costs. The liability can change substantially due to factors such as the nature and extent of contamination, changes in remedial requirements, and technological changes, among others. Arconic’s remediation reserve balance was $292 at September 30, 2017 and $308 at December 31, 2016 (of which $39 and $48, respectively, was classified as a current liability), and reflects the most probable costs to remediate identified environmental conditions for which costs can be reasonably estimated. Payments related to remediation expenses applied against the reserve were $10 and $17 in the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively. This amount includes expenditures currently mandated, as well as those not required by any regulatory authority or third party. Included in annual operating expenses are the recurring costs of managing hazardous substances and environmental programs. These costs are estimated to be approximately 1% or less of cost of goods sold. The following discussion provides details regarding the current status of the most significant reserve related to a current Arconic site. Massena West, NY—Arconic has an ongoing remediation project related to the Grasse River, which is adjacent to Arconic’s Massena plant site. Many years ago, it was determined that sediments and fish in the river contain varying levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The project, which was selected by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) in a Record of Decision issued in April 2013, is aimed at capping PCB contaminated sediments with concentration in excess of one part per million in the main channel of the river and dredging PCB contaminated sediments in the near-shore areas where total PCBs exceed one part per million. At September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the reserve balance associated with this matter was $221 and $228, respectively. Arconic is in the planning and design phase, which is expected to be completed in 2018. In the third quarter of 2017, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) sent a letter to USEPA requesting a revision to the draft design. The USEPA has not responded to the NYSDEC letter but the request has put on hold Arconic’s preparation of a final design and extended the expected submittal into 2018. Following submittal and USEPA approval of the final design, the actual remediation fieldwork is expected to commence and take approximately four years. The majority of the project funding is expected to be incurred between 2018 and 2022. Tax Pursuant to the Tax Matters Agreement entered into between Arconic and Alcoa Corporation in connection with the Separation Transaction, Arconic shares responsibility with Alcoa Corporation, and Alcoa Corporation has agreed to partially indemnify Arconic, with respect to the following matter. As previously reported, in September 2010, following a corporate income tax audit covering the 2003 through 2005 tax years, an assessment was received as a result of Spain’s tax authorities disallowing certain interest deductions claimed by a Spanish consolidated tax group owned by the Company. An appeal of this assessment in Spain’s Central Tax Administrative Court by the Company was denied in October 2013. In December 2013, the Company filed an appeal of the assessment in Spain’s National Court. On January 16, 2017, Spain’s National Court issued a decision in favor of the Company. The Spanish Tax Administration did not file an appeal within the applicable period. Based on this decision and recent confirming correspondence from the Spanish Tax Administration, the matter is now closed. The Company will not be responsible for any assessment related to the 2003 through 2005 tax years. In addition, following a corporate income tax audit of the same Spanish consolidated tax group for the 2006 through 2009 tax years, Spain’s tax authorities issued an assessment in July 2013 similarly disallowing certain interest deductions. In August 2013, Arconic filed an appeal of this second assessment in Spain’s Central Tax Administrative Court, which was denied in January 2015. Arconic filed another appeal of this second assessment in Spain’s National Court in March 2015. Spain’s National Court has not yet rendered a decision related to the assessment received in July 2013. The assessment for the 2006 through 2009 tax years is $152 (€129), including interest. Finally, the Spanish consolidated tax group had been under audit (beginning in September 2015) for the 2010 through 2013 tax years. In August 2017, the Company reached a settlement of this audit. The settlement amount is not material to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. While the 2010 through 2013 tax years are closed to audit, it is possible that the Company may receive similar assessments from Spain’s tax authorities for years subsequent to 2013. The Company believes it has meritorious arguments to support its tax position for all years and intends to vigorously litigate assessments through Spain’s court system. However, in the event the Company is unsuccessful, a portion of the assessments may be offset with existing net operating losses available to the Spanish consolidated tax group, which would be shared between Arconic and Alcoa Corporation as provided for in the Tax Matters Agreement related to the Separation Transaction. At this time, the Company is unable to reasonably predict an outcome for this matter. Reynobond PE As previously reported, on June 13, 2017, the Grenfell Tower in London, UK caught fire resulting in fatalities, injuries and damage. A French subsidiary of Arconic, Arconic Architectural Products SAS (AAP SAS), supplied a product, Reynobond PE, to its customer, a cladding system fabricator, which used the product as one component of the overall cladding system on Grenfell Tower. The fabricator supplied its portion of the cladding system to the façade installer, who then completed and installed the system under the direction of the general contractor. Neither Arconic nor AAP SAS was involved in the design or installation of the system used at the Grenfell Tower, nor did it have a role in any other aspect of the building’s refurbishment or original design. Regulatory investigations into the overall Grenfell Tower matter are being conducted, including a criminal investigation by the London Metro Police, a Public Inquiry by the British government and a consumer protection inquiry by a French public authority. AAP SAS has filed an application seeking core participant status in the Public Inquiry. In August and September 2017, two purported class action complaints were filed against Arconic and certain officers, directors and/or other parties, alleging that, in light of the Grenfell Tower fire, certain Company filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission contained false and misleading disclosures and omissions in violation of the federal securities laws. While the Company believes that these cases are without merit and intends to challenge them vigorously, there can be no assurances regarding the ultimate resolution of these matters. Given the preliminary nature of these matters and the uncertainty of litigation, the Company cannot reasonably estimate at this time the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome or the possible loss or range of losses in the event of an unfavorable outcome. The Board of Directors has also received letters, purportedly sent on behalf of shareholders, reciting allegations similar to those made in the federal court lawsuits and demanding that the Board authorize the Company to initiate litigation against members of management, the Board and others. The Board of Directors is reviewing these shareholder demand letters and considering the appropriate course of action. In addition, lawsuits are pending in state court in New York and federal court in Pennsylvania, initiated, respectively, by another purported shareholder and by the Company, concerning the shareholder’s claimed right, which the Company contests, to inspect the Company’s books and records related to the Grenfell Tower fire and Reynobond PE. Other In addition to the matters discussed above, various other lawsuits, claims, and proceedings have been or may be instituted or asserted against Arconic, including those pertaining to environmental, product liability, safety and health, employment, and tax matters. While the amounts claimed in these other matters may be substantial, the ultimate liability cannot currently be determined because of the considerable uncertainties that exist. Therefore, it is possible that the Company’s liquidity or results of operations in a period could be materially affected by one or more of these other matters. However, based on facts currently available, management believes that the disposition of these other matters that are pending or asserted will not have a material adverse effect, individually or in the aggregate, on the results of operations, financial position or cash flows of the Company. Commitments Guarantees At September 30, 2017, Arconic had outstanding bank guarantees related to tax matters, outstanding debt, workers’ compensation, environmental obligations, energy contracts, and customs duties, among others. The total amount committed under these guarantees, which expire at various dates between 2017 and 2026, was $25 at September 30, 2017. Pursuant to the Separation and Distribution Agreement between Arconic and Alcoa Corporation, Arconic was required to provide maximum potential future payment guarantees for Alcoa Corporation issued on behalf of a third party of $270 and $354 at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016. These guarantees expire at various times between 2017 and 2024, and relate to project financing for Alcoa Corporation’s aluminum complex in Saudi Arabia. Furthermore, Arconic was required to provide guarantees up to an estimated present value amount of approximately $1,660 related to two long-term supply agreements for energy for Alcoa Corporation facilities. In accordance with the Separation and Distribution Agreement, Arconic is only liable for these guaranteed amounts in the event of an Alcoa Corporation payment default. In December 2016, Arconic entered into a one-year claims purchase agreement with a bank covering claims up to $245 related to the Saudi Arabian aluminum complex and two long-term energy supply agreements. Most of the premium related to this claims purchase agreement is being paid by Alcoa Corporation. At September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the combined fair value of the three required guarantees was $35 in both periods and was included in Other noncurrent liabilities and deferred credits on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet. See Note O for further information on the guarantee related to one of the long-term supply agreements for energy for an Alcoa Corporation facility. Arconic was also required to provide guarantees of $50 related to two Alcoa Corporation energy supply contracts. These guarantees expired in March 2017. Additionally, Arconic was required to provide guarantees of $53 related to certain Alcoa Corporation environmental liabilities. Notification of a change in guarantor to Alcoa Corporation was made to the appropriate environmental agencies and as such, Arconic no longer provides these guarantees. Letters of Credit Arconic has outstanding letters of credit, primarily related to workers’ compensation and environmental obligations. The total amount committed under these letters of credit, which automatically renew or expire at various dates, primarily in 2017, was $127 at September 30, 2017. Pursuant to the Separation and Distribution Agreement, Arconic was required to retain letters of credit of $61 that had previously been provided related to both Arconic and Alcoa Corporation workers’ compensation claims which occurred prior to November 1, 2016. Alcoa Corporation’s workers’ compensation claims and letter of credit fees paid by Arconic are being billed to and are being fully reimbursed by Alcoa Corporation. Additionally, Arconic was required to provide letters of credit totaling $103 for certain Alcoa Corporation equipment leases and energy contracts. The entire $103 of outstanding letters of credit were cancelled in 2017 when Alcoa Corporation issued its own letters of credit to cover these obligations. Surety Bonds Arconic has outstanding surety bonds, primarily related to tax matters, contract performance, workers’ compensation, environmental-related matters, and customs duties. The total amount committed under these surety bonds, which expire at various dates, primarily in 2017, was $128 at September 30, 2017. Pursuant to the Separation and Distribution Agreement, Arconic was required to provide surety bonds related to Alcoa Corporation workers’ compensation claims which occurred prior to November 1, 2016 and, as a result, Arconic has $25 in outstanding surety bonds relating to these liabilities. Alcoa Corporation workers’ compensation claims and surety bond fees paid by Arconic are being billed to and are being fully reimbursed by Alcoa Corporation.

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