XML 248 R15.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.23.1
Commitments and contingencies
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2023
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Commitments and contingencies
7.    Commitments and contingencies
Our business involves commitments and contingencies related to compliance with environmental laws and regulations, the manufacture and sale of products and litigation. The ultimate resolution of contingencies is subject to significant uncertainty, and it is reasonably possible that contingencies could be decided unfavorably for us.
Environmental laws and regulations
Our environmental liabilities are subject to changing governmental policy and regulations, discovery of unknown conditions, judicial proceedings, method and extent of remediation, existence of other potentially responsible parties and future changes in technology. We believe that known and unknown environmental matters, if not resolved favorably, could have a material effect on our financial position, liquidity and profitability. Matters to be disclosed are as follows:
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has ordered us to remediate groundwater conditions near our plant in Phillipsburg, New Jersey. At March 31, 2023, our accrued obligation under this order is $2.6 million, which is calculated based on expected cash payments discounted at rates ranging from 3.4% to 4.7% between 2023 and 2045. The undiscounted amount of that obligation is $3.9 million. We are indemnified against any losses incurred in this matter as stipulated through the agreement referenced in our Annual Report.
In 2016, we assessed the environmental condition of our chemical manufacturing site in Gliwice, Poland. Our assessment revealed specific types of soil and groundwater contamination throughout the site. We are also monitoring the condition of a closed landfill on that site. These matters are not covered by our indemnification arrangement because they relate to an operation we subsequently acquired. At March 31, 2023, our balance sheet includes a liability of $1.0 million for remediation and monitoring costs. That liability is estimated primarily on discounted expected remediation payments and is not materially different from its undiscounted amount.
Manufacture and sale of products
Our business involves risk of product liability, patent infringement and other claims in the ordinary course of business arising from the products that we produce ourselves or obtain from our suppliers, as well as from the services we provide. Our exposure to such claims may increase to the extent that we expand our manufacturing operations or service offerings.
We maintain insurance policies to protect us against these risks, including product liability insurance. In many cases the suppliers of products we distribute have indemnified us against such claims. Our insurance coverage or indemnification agreements with suppliers may not be adequate in all pending or any future cases brought against us. Furthermore, our ability to recover under any insurance or indemnification arrangements is subject to the financial viability of our insurers, our suppliers and our suppliers’ insurers, as well as legal enforcement under the local laws governing the arrangements.
We have entered into indemnification agreements with customers of our self-manufactured products to protect them from liabilities and losses arising from our negligence, willful misconduct or sale of defective products. To date, we have not incurred material costs to defend lawsuits or settle claims related to these indemnification provisions.
Litigation
At March 31, 2023, there was no outstanding litigation that we believe would result in material losses if decided against us, and we do not believe that there are any unasserted matters that are reasonably possible to result in a material loss.