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Summary of significant accounting policies | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract] |
Summary of significant accounting policies | Summary of significant accounting policies Organization and Basis of Presentation — Century Aluminum Company ("Century Aluminum," "Century," the "Company", "we", "us", "our" or "ours") is a holding company, whose principal subsidiaries are Century Kentucky, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, "CAKY"), Nordural ehf ("Nordural"), Century Aluminum Sebree LLC ("Century Sebree"), Century Aluminum of South Carolina ("CASC"), and Century Aluminum of West Virginia, Inc. ("Century of West Virginia"). Century Kentucky, Inc. operates a primary aluminum reduction facility in Hawesville, Kentucky ("Hawesville"). Nordural Grundartangi ehf, a subsidiary of Nordural, operates a primary aluminum reduction facility in Grundartangi, Iceland ("Grundartangi"). Century Sebree operates a primary aluminum reduction facility in Robards, Kentucky ("Sebree"). Century of West Virginia owns a primary aluminum reduction facility in Ravenswood, West Virginia ("Ravenswood"). CASC operates a primary aluminum reduction facility in Mt. Holly, South Carolina ("Mt. Holly"). We are constructing a primary aluminum facility in Helguvik, Iceland ("Helguvik" or the "Helguvik project") which is owned and would be operated through Nordural Helguvik ehf, a subsidiary of Nordural. Mt. Holly was operated as a joint venture between us and Alumax of South Carolina Inc. ("Alumax of SC") until our wholly-owned subsidiary, Berkeley Aluminum, Inc. ("Berkeley"), acquired Alumax of SC in December 2014. See Note 2 Business acquisitions for additional information about the Acquisition. Prior to the acquisition, Berkeley held a 49.7% interest in the partnership which operated Mt. Holly and a 49.7% undivided interest in the property, plant, and equipment comprising Mt. Holly. The remaining interest in the partnership and the remaining undivided interest in Mt. Holly's property, plant and equipment were owned by Alumax of SC. Alcoa managed and operated Mt. Holly pursuant to an Owners Agreement. Pursuant to the Owners Agreement, each owner furnished their own alumina, for conversion to aluminum, and was responsible for their pro rata share of the operating and conversion costs. In 2013, Century Sebree, acquired Sebree from a subsidiary of Rio Tinto Alcan, Inc. ("RTA"). In 2012, our wholly owned subsidiary, Century Aluminum Vlissingen B.V. ("Century Vlissingen") purchased a carbon anode production facility located in Vlissingen, the Netherlands ("Vlissingen"). Vlissingen restarted operations in late 2013 and supplies carbon anodes to Grundartangi. We also own a 40% stake in Baise Haohai Carbon Co., Ltd. ("BHH"), a joint venture that owns and operates a carbon anode and cathode facility located in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of south China. BHH supplies anodes to Grundartangi. Prior to our initial public offering, we were an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Glencore plc (together with its subsidiaries, "Glencore"). At December 31, 2014, based on their filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Glencore owned 41.8% of Century’s outstanding common stock and all of our outstanding Series A Convertible Preferred stock. Through its ownership of our common and preferred stock, Glencore has an overall 46.5% economic ownership of Century. Century and Glencore enter into various transactions such as the purchase and sale of primary aluminum, purchase and sale of alumina, tolling agreements and certain forward financial contracts. Principles of Consolidation — The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Century Aluminum Company and our subsidiaries, after elimination of all intercompany transactions and accounts. Our interest in the BHH joint venture are accounted for under the equity method. For BHH, we report our investment in its results of operations on a one-quarter lag. Reclassification — Certain immaterial amounts reported in previous years have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. Revenue recognition — Revenue is recognized when title and risk of loss pass to customers in accordance with contract terms. In some instances, we invoice our customers prior to physical shipment of goods. In such instances, revenue is recognized only when the customer has specifically requested such treatment and has made a commitment to purchase the product. The goods must be complete, ready for shipment and physically separated from other inventory with risk of ownership passing to the customer. We must retain no performance obligations. Cash and Cash Equivalents — Cash and cash equivalents are comprised of cash, money market funds and short-term investments having original maturities of three months or less. The carrying amount of cash equivalents approximates fair value. Accounts Receivable — The accounts receivable are net of an allowance for uncollectible accounts of $1,000 and $734 at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Inventories — Our inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market ("LCM"), using the first-in, first-out ("FIFO") method. Property, Plant and Equipment — Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost. Additions, renewals and improvements are capitalized. Asset and accumulated depreciation accounts are relieved for dispositions with resulting gains or losses included in other income – net. Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. We capitalize interest for the construction of qualifying assets. Depreciation of plant and equipment is provided for by the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives: Building and improvements 10 to 45 years Machinery and equipment 5 to 35 years Impairment of long-lived assets — We review our property, plant and equipment for potential impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of these assets (asset group) may not be recoverable. The carrying amount of the assets (asset group) is not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the assets (asset group). In that case, an impairment loss would be recognized for the amount in which the carrying amount exceeds the fair value of the assets (asset group), with the fair value determined using the anticipated cash flows discounted at a rate commensurate with the risk involved. We estimate the future cash flows using management’s assumptions about the expected future use of the assets (asset group), the remaining useful life, expenditures to maintain the service potential, market and other cost assumptions. Determination as to whether and how much an asset is impaired involves significant management judgment involving highly uncertain matters, including estimating the future sales volumes, future selling prices and cost, alternative uses for the asset, and estimated proceeds from the disposal of the asset. However, the impairment reviews and calculations are based on estimates and assumptions that take into account our business plans and long-term investment decisions at the time of such impairment reviews. We did not recognize any impairment losses on our long-lived fixed assets during 2014, 2013 or 2012. Business Acquisitions — We account for business acquisitions by applying the acquisition method in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 805 "Business Combinations." We allocate the purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values on the date of the acquisition. The difference between the fair value of the net assets acquired and the purchase price is recorded as either goodwill or a bargain purchase gain. We record the operating results of our acquired businesses in our consolidated statements of operations from the date of acquisition. Other Assets — Other assets consist primarily of Century’s investments in joint ventures, deferred financing costs, assets held in a Rabbi trust to fund the non-qualified supplemental executive retirement benefits ("SERB") pension benefit obligation, prepaid power costs, internal use software and operating maintenance supplies not expected to be consumed within the year. Our equity share of the undistributed earnings (loss) increases (decreases) the investment in the joint ventures. Deferred financing costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the life of the related financial instrument. Prior to the Acquisition, we accounted for our interest in the Mt. Holly partnership using the equity method of accounting. Additionally, our undivided interest in certain property, plant and equipment of Mt. Holly was held outside of the partnership and the undivided interest in these assets of the facility was accounted for in accordance with the ASC 810-10-45-14 "Investor Balance Sheet and Income Statement Display under the Equity Method for Investments in Certain Partnerships and Other Ventures." Accordingly, prior to the Acquisition, the undivided interest in these assets and the related depreciation were accounted for on a proportionate gross basis. Income Taxes — We account for income taxes using the asset and liability method, whereby deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effect of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. In evaluating our ability to realize deferred tax assets, we use judgment in considering the relative impact of negative and positive evidence. The weight given to the potential effect of negative and positive evidence is commensurate with the extent to which it can be objectively verified. Based on the weight of evidence, both negative and positive, if it is more likely than not that some portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized, a valuation allowance is established. Accordingly, we have a valuation allowance against all of our net federal and state deferred tax assets. We have a valuation allowance against a portion of our Icelandic and all of our Hong Kong and the Netherlands net operating loss ("NOL") deferred tax assets due to our belief that it is more likely than not that these assets will not be realized. During 2012, we removed our election to permanently reinvest foreign earnings. See Note 14 Income taxes for additional information. Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits — We sponsor defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit ("OPEB") plans for certain of our domestic hourly and salaried employees. We recognize expenses, assets and liabilities based on actuarial assumptions. We contribute to our defined benefit pension plans based upon actuarial and economic assumptions designed to achieve adequate funding of the projected benefit obligations and to meet the minimum funding requirements. In addition, we maintain the SERB plan for certain current and former executive officers. We account for these plans in accordance with ASC 715 "Compensation — Retirement Benefits." We use a measurement date of December 31 st to determine the pension and OPEB liabilities. Postemployment Benefits — We provide certain postemployment benefits to certain former and inactive employees and their dependents during the period following employment, but before retirement. These benefits include salary continuance, supplemental unemployment and disability healthcare. We recognize the estimated future cost of providing postemployment benefits on an accrual basis over the active service life of the employee. Derivatives and hedging — We enter into fixed and market priced contracts for the sale of primary aluminum and the purchase of raw materials in future periods. We also enter into fixed price financial sales contracts and put option contracts to manage our exposure to changing primary aluminum prices. Certain physical delivery and financial sales contracts for primary aluminum that are not designated cash flow hedges or do not qualify for cash flow hedge treatment are marked-to-market quarterly. Fluctuations in the London Metal Exchange ("LME") price of primary aluminum may have a significant impact on gains and losses included in our financial statements from period to period. We recognize the unrealized and realized gains and losses associated with these contracts in net gain (loss) on forward and derivative contracts. See Note 4 Fair value measurements and Note 5 Derivatives and hedging instruments for additional information about these contracts. Foreign Currency – We are exposed to foreign currency risk due to fluctuations in the value of the U.S. dollar as compared to the euro, the Icelandic krona ("ISK") and the Chinese yuan. Grundartangi and Vlissingen use the U.S. dollar as their functional currency, however a portion of the operating expenses of their respective facilities are denominated and payable in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Grundartangi’s labor costs, part of its maintenance costs and other local services are denominated in ISK and a portion of its anode costs are denominated in euros. Labor costs, maintenance costs and other local services at Vlissingen are denominated in euros. Transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency are recorded based on exchange rates at the time such transactions arise and any transaction gains and losses are reflected in other income – net in the consolidated statements of operations. As a result, an increase or decrease in the value of those currencies relative to the U.S. dollar would affect Grundartangi’s and Vlissingen's operating margins. In addition, our joint venture investment in BHH uses the Chinese yuan as its functional currency. For our joint venture investments, we record gains and losses associated with foreign currency exchange rates in equity in earnings of joint ventures. Financial Instruments — Our receivables, certain life insurance policies, payables, borrowings under our revolving credit facilities and debt related to industrial revenue bonds ("IRBs") are carried at amounts that approximate fair value. The following table provides the carrying amounts and approximate fair values (based on the last available trading data) of our 7.5% senior secured notes due 2021 (the "7.5% Notes due 2021") and our 7.5% senior unsecured notes due 2014 (the "7.5% Notes due 2014"). See Note 4 Fair value measurements for additional information about these financial instruments.
| December 31, 2014 | December 31, 2013
| Carrying amount | Fair value | Carrying amount | Fair value
7.5% Notes due 2021 | $ | 246,888 |  | $ | 256,408 |  | $ | 246,528 |  | $ | 244,375 |
7.5% Notes due 2014 | — |  | — |  | 2,603 |  | 2,487 |
Earnings per share — Basic earnings (loss) per share ("EPS") amounts are calculated by dividing earnings (loss) available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted EPS amounts assume the issuance of common stock for all potentially dilutive common shares outstanding. Our Series A Convertible Preferred Stock has similar characteristics to a "participating security" as described by ASC 260 "Earnings per Share" and we calculate the amount of net income (loss) allocated to common stockholders and basic EPS using the Two-Class Method earnings allocation formula, allocating undistributed income to our preferred shareholder consistent with their participation rights, and diluted EPS using the If-Converted Method when applicable. Our Series A Convertible Preferred Stock is a non-cumulative perpetual participating convertible preferred stock with no set dividend preferences. The holders of our convertible preferred stock do not have a contractual obligation to share in our losses. In periods where we report net losses, we do not allocate these losses to the convertible preferred stock for the computation of basic or diluted EPS. Asset Retirement Obligations — We are subject to environmental regulations which create certain legal obligations related to the normal operations of our domestic primary aluminum smelter operations. Our asset retirement obligations ("AROs") consist primarily of costs associated with the disposal of spent pot liner used in the reduction cells of our domestic facilities. AROs are recorded on a discounted basis, at the time the obligation is incurred (when the pot liner is put in service) and accreted over time for the change in the present value of the liability. We capitalize the asset retirement costs by increasing the carrying amount of the related long-lived assets and depreciating these assets over their remaining useful lives. Certain conditional asset retirement obligations ("CAROs") related to the disposal costs of fixed assets at our primary aluminum facilities have not been recorded because they have an indeterminate settlement date. CAROs are a legal obligation to perform an asset retirement activity in which the timing and (or) method of settlement are conditional on a future event that may or may not be within our control. We would recognize a CARO in the period in which sufficient information exists to reasonably estimate the fair value of the liability. These CAROs relate to the remediation of our primary aluminum facilities for certain regulated assets and hazardous material, such as landfills and asbestos and various other materials. Concentrations of Credit Risk — Financial instruments, which potentially expose us to concentrations of credit risk, consist principally of trade receivables. Our limited customer base increases our concentrations of credit risk with respect to trade receivables. We routinely assess the financial strength of our customers and collectability of our trade receivables. Use of Estimates — The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("GAAP") requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Share-Based Compensation — We measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award. We recognize the cost over the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award—the requisite service period (usually the vesting period). No compensation cost is recognized for equity instruments for which employees do not render the requisite service. The grant-date fair value of service-based share awards is equal to the closing stock price on the date of the grant. Stock option grant-date fair value is estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model adjusted for the unique characteristics of those instruments. We have not issued any stock options since 2009. If an equity award is modified after the grant date, incremental compensation cost will be recognized in an amount equal to the excess of the fair value of the modified award over the fair value of the original award immediately before the modification. We issue shares to satisfy the requirements of our share-based compensation plans. At this time, we do not plan to issue treasury shares to support our share-based compensation plans, but we may in the future. We award performance units to certain officers and employees. The performance units may be settled in cash or common stock at the discretion of the Board. These awards have historically been settled in cash, and we expect that to continue. Recently Issued Accounting Standards – We evaluate the impact of FASB Accounting Standards Updates ("ASUs") issued. When the adoption or planned adoption of recently issued ASUs will potentially have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows, we disclose the quantitative and qualitative effects of the adoption in our consolidated financial statements. In May 2014, the FASB and International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB") issued their final standard on revenue from contracts with customers. The standard, issued as ASU 2014-09 "Revenue From Contracts with Customers" by the FASB, outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. Compared with current GAAP, the ASU requires significantly expanded disclosures about revenue recognition. The ASU is effective for Century for our fiscal year 2017 and thereafter. Early adoption is not permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of adoption on our consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

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