20.	Related Parties

Exxaro

We have service level agreements with Exxaro for research and development that expire in 2017. Such service level agreements amounted to less than $1 million of expense during each of the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, which was included in “Selling, general and administrative expense” in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Additionally, we had a professional service agreement with Exxaro related to the Fairbreeze construction project which ended in January 2017. During the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, we paid less than $1 million and $1 million, respectively, to Exxaro, which was capitalized in “Property, plant and equipment, net” in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. At both March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, we had less than $1 million of related party payables, which were recorded in “Accounts payable” in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

ANSAC

We hold a membership in ANSAC, which is responsible for promoting exports of US-produced soda ash. Under the ANSAC membership agreement, Alkali’s exports of soda ash to all markets except Canada, the European community, the European Free Trade Association and the Southern African Customs Union are exclusively through ANSAC. Certain sales and marketing costs incurred by ANSAC are charged directly to us. Selling, general and administrative expenses in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations include amounts charged to us by ANSAC principally consisting of salaries, benefits, office supplies, professional fees, travel, rent and certain other costs, amounted to $1 million for each of three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016. During the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, we recorded net sales to ANSAC of $75 million and $60 million, respectively, which was included in “Net sales” in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. At March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, we had $57 million and $60 million, respectively, of related party receivables from ANSAC, which were recorded in “Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts” in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. At both March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, we had related party payables due to ANSAC of $1 million, recorded in “Accounts payable” in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Additionally, during the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, “Cost of goods sold” in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations included less than $1 million and $2 million, respectively, of charges to us by ANSAC, for freight costs incurred on our behalf. At March 31, 2017, “Accounts payable” in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets included less than $1 million of payables to ANSAC for freight costs incurred on our behalf and we did not have a liability for such costs to ANSAC at December 31, 2016.

Natron_X Technologies LLC

In connection with the Alkali Transaction, we acquired FMC’s one-third ownership interest in a joint venture, Natron_x Technologies LLC “Natron_x”. Natron_x manufactures and markets sodium-based, dry sorbents for air pollution control in electric utility and industrial boiler operations. Pursuant to an agreement with Natron_x, we purchase ground trona from a third-party vendor as an agent on its behalf (the “Supply Agreement”). We also provide certain administrative services such as accounting, technology and customer services to Natron_x under a service level agreement (the “SLA”). We are reimbursed by Natron_x for the related costs incurred under the Supply Agreement and the SLA. At March 31, 2017, we did not have an outstanding receivable related to these agreements and less than $1 million of such receivables at December 31, 2016, which were recorded in “Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts” in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

On June 30, 2016 Natron_x ceased its operations and ended deliveries of products to its customers. In September of 2016, the Natron_x Board of Directors approved the demolition of the plant located at Alkali’s Westvaco facility and other costs associated with dissolving the joint venture. At both March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, a reserve of $1 million, representing our one-third share of the estimated expenses related to the termination of the Natron_x business, including severance and other exit activities, was included in “Accrued Liabilities” in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. We do not expect to incur any additional future expenses related to the termination of the Natron_x business.