Ashland periodically implements company-wide restructuring programs related to acquisitions, divestitures and other cost reduction programs in order to enhance profitability through streamlined operations and an improved overall cost structure.

During 2018, Ashland announced and initiated a company-wide restructuring program as a result of ongoing strategic asset plans and activities. As part of this restructuring program, Ashland announced a voluntary severance offer (VSO) to certain qualifying employees that were formally approved during 2018. Additionally, during 2018, an involuntary program for employees was also initiated as part of the restructuring program. The VSO and involuntary programs resulted in expense of $6 million and $36 million being recognized during 2019 and 2018, respectively, which were primarily recorded within the selling, general and administrative expense caption of the Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss). As of September 30, 2019, the severance reserve for the company-wide restructuring program was $7 million, respectively.

Ashland incurred $7 million and $9 million of lease abandonment charges during 2019 and 2018, respectively due to the exit from certain office facilities in conjunction with the company-wide restructuring program. The costs related to this reserve were recorded within the selling, general and administrative expense caption of the Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss) and will be paid over the remaining lease terms. As of September 30, 2019, the remaining restructuring reserve for all qualifying facility costs totaled $7 million.

The following table details at September 30, 2019, the amount of restructuring reserves related to the programs discussed above, and the related activity in these reserves during 2019. The severance reserves and facility cost reserves were primarily included in accrued expenses and other liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2019.

(In millions)	Severance costs			Facility costs			Total
Balance as of September 30, 2018	$	36		$	7		$	43
Restructuring reserve		6			7			13
Utilization (cash paid)		(35	)		(7	)		(42	)
Balance as of September 30, 2019	$	7		$	7		$	14

During 2018, Ashland incurred $16 million of asset impairment charges primarily related to restructuring activities which were recorded within the selling, general and administrative expense caption of the Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss). Of these impairment charges, $12 million was related to the sale of an office facility. Consistent with historical policies and U.S. GAAP provisions, Ashland recognized the building at fair value using Level 2 nonrecurring fair value measurements.

During 2019, Specialty Ingredients committed to a cost reduction plan within an existing manufacturing facility. As a result, Ashland incurred restructuring charges of $47 million as of September 30, 2019. These charges were recorded primarily within the cost of sales caption of the Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss) consisting of $38 million of accelerated depreciation and amortization, $5 million of severance and $4 million of plant closure costs during 2019. As of September 30, 2019, there was a restructuring reserve of $2 million related to the $4 million of plant closure costs.