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Pension and Other Postretirement Healthcare Benefits
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2025
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]  
Pension and Other Postretirement Healthcare Benefits Pension and Other Postretirement Healthcare Benefits
The following provides information regarding our U.S. and foreign plans:
U.S. Plans
Pension and Postretirement Healthcare Plans— Tronox has one main U.S. defined benefit plan: the U.S. Qualified Plan. The U.S. Qualified Plan is a funded noncontributory qualified benefit plan which is in accordance with the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”) and the Internal Revenue Code. We made contributions into funds managed by a third party, and those funds are held exclusively for the benefit of the plan participants. Benefits under the U.S. Qualified Plan were generally calculated based on years of service and final average pay. The U.S. Qualified Plan was frozen and closed to new participants on June 1, 2009. We also maintain one postretirement healthcare plan - the U.S. retiree welfare plan.

International Plans
Pension Plans — Tronox has international defined benefit commitments primarily in the United Kingdom ("U.K. DB Scheme") and Saudi Arabia. The U.K. DB Scheme is a funded qualified defined benefit plan in the United Kingdom, which is frozen with no additional benefits accruing to the participants. Benefits under the U.K. DB Scheme are generally calculated based on years of credit service and final compensation when benefits ceased to accrue as defined under the plan provisions. During the year ended December 31, 2025, the trustees of the U.K. DB Scheme executed a bulk annuity buy-in for the plan with a third-party insurer for approximately GBP 30 million (approximately $40 million at the December 31, 2025 rate). As a result of this transaction, the U.K. DB Scheme obligations are now fully insured. We also maintain a Saudi Arabia Cristal End of Service Benefit plan which provides end of service benefits to qualifying participants. End of service benefits are based on years of service and the reasons for which a participant's services to the Company are terminated.
Multiemployer Pension Plan - In prior periods, we maintained a defined benefit plan in the Netherlands (the “Netherlands Plan”) to provide defined pension benefits to qualifying employees of Tronox Pigments (Holland) B.V. and its related companies. During 2014, the Netherlands Plan was replaced with a multiemployer plan, the Netherlands Contribution Plan (the "CDC Plan") effective January 1, 2015. Under the CDC Plan, employees earn benefits based on their pensionable salaries each year determined using a career average benefit formula. The collective bargaining agreement between us and the participants require us to contribute 19.8% of the participants’ pensionable salaries into a pooled fund administered by the industry-wide PGB. The pensionable salary is the annual income of employees subject to a cap, which is adjusted each year to reflect the current requirements of the Netherlands’ Wages and Salaries Tax Act of 1964. Our obligation under this plan is limited to the fixed percentage contribution we make each year. The employees are entitled to any returns generated from the investment activities of the fund.
The following table outlines the details of our participation in the CDC Plan for the year ended December 31, 2025. The CDC disclosures provided herein are based on the fund’s 2024 annual report, which is the most recently available public information. Based on the total plan assets and accumulated benefit obligation information in the plan’s annual report, the zone status was green as of December 31, 2024. A green zone status indicates that the plan was at least 80 percent funded. The “FIP/RP Status Pending/Implemented” column indicates whether a financial improvement plan (FIP) or a rehabilitation plan (RP) is either pending or has been implemented. As of December 31, 2025, we are not aware of any financial improvement or rehabilitation plan being implemented or pending. The last column lists the expiration date of the collective-bargaining agreement to which the plan is subject.
Pension Protection Act
Zone Status
Tronox Contributions
Pension
Fund
EIN/Pension
Plan
Number
20252024
FIP/RP
Pending/
Implemented
20252024
Surcharge
Imposed
Expiration
date of
Collective-
Bargaining
Agreement
PGBNAN/AGreenNo$$No
12/31/2027*
*-A new collective bargaining agreement has been preliminarily negotiated with the new term expected to be for another five years.
On the basis of the information available in the CDC Plan 2024 annual report, our contribution does not constitute more than 5 percent of the total contribution to the plan by all participants. During 2025, the fund did not impose any surcharge on us.

Postretirement Healthcare Plans — We also maintain postretirement healthcare plans in South Africa (the "South African Plan") and Brazil (the "Brazil Medical Plan"). The South African Plan provides medical and dental benefits to certain South African employees, retired employees and their registered dependents. The South African Plan provides benefits as follows: (i) members employed before March 1, 1994 receive 100% post-retirement and death-in-service benefits; (ii) members employed on or after March 1, 1994 but before January 1, 2002 receive 2% per year of completed service subject to a maximum of 50% post-retirement and death-in-service benefits; and, (iii) members employed on or after January 1, 2002 receive no post-retirement and death-in-service benefits. The Brazil Medical Plan provides post-employment medical benefits to employees who contributed to the medical plan while employed. Retirees receiving a benefit under the plan are required to pay a contribution that varies based on the coverage level elected.

Pension and Postretirement Benefit Costs / Obligations
Benefit Obligations and Funded Status — The following provides a reconciliation of beginning and ending benefit obligations, beginning and ending plan assets, funded status, and balance sheet classification of our U.S. and international pension plans and other post-retirement benefit plans ("OPEB") as of and for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024. The benefit obligations and plan assets associated with our principal benefit plans are measured on December 31.
PensionsOther Post Retirement Benefit Plans
December 31December 31
2025202420252024
USInternational USInternationalUSInternationalUSInternational
Change in benefit obligations:
Benefit obligation, beginning of year$185 $147 $199 $163 $$18 $$24 
Service cost— — — — — 
Interest cost10 10 — — 
Net actuarial (gains) losses(8)(13)— (8)— (6)
Plan amendments(2)
— — — — — — — 
Foreign currency rate changes— — (2)— — (3)
Benefits paid(18)(9)(16)(11)— (1)— (1)
Benefit obligation, end of year (1)
178 157 185 147 16 18 
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year171 92 176 109 — — — — 
Actual return on plan assets18 (2)11 (9)— — — — 
Employer contributions— — — — 
Benefits paid(18)(9)(16)(11)— (1)— (1)
Foreign currency rate changes— — (2)— — — — 
Fair value of plan assets, end of year171 91 171 92 — — — — 
Net underfunded status of plans$(7)$(66)$(14)$(55)$(1)$(16)$(1)$(18)
Classification of amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets:
Other long-term assets$— $$— $$— $— $— $— 
Accrued liabilities(1)(8)— (8)— (1)— (1)
Pension and postretirement healthcare benefits(6)(59)(14)(53)(1)(15)(1)(17)
Total liabilities(7)(67)(14)(61)(1)(16)(1)(18)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (income) 54 21 57 11 — (6)— — 
Total$47 $(45)$43 $(44)$(1)$(22)$(1)$(18)
________________
(1)     Since the benefits under the U.S Qualified Plan and the U.K. DB Scheme are frozen, the projected benefit obligation and accumulated benefit obligation are the same.
(2)     Relates to a plan amendment entered into during 2025 related to the Brazil Medical Plan.

Contributions
At a minimum, Tronox contributes to its pension plans to comply with local regulatory requirements (e.g., ERISA in the United States). Discretionary contributions in excess of the local minimum requirements are made based on many factors, including long-term projections of the plans' funded status, the economic environment, potential risk of overfunding, pension insurance costs and alternative uses of the cash. Changes to these factors can impact the timing of discretionary contributions from year to year. Pension contributions for its US and international plans were approximately $4 million in 2025 and are currently expected to be approximately $10 million in 2026.
The following table provides information for pension plans where the accumulated benefit obligation exceeds the fair value of the plan assets:
Pensions
2025
US International
Projected benefit obligation (PBO)$176 $67 
Accumulated benefit obligation (ABO)$176 $45 
Fair value of plan assets$170 $— 

Expected Benefit Payments — The following table shows the expected cash benefit payments for the next five years and in the aggregate for the years 2031 through 2035:
202620272028202920302031-2035
Pensions - US$20 $18 $17 $17 $16 $67 
Pensions - International$15 $10 $11 $11 $12 $63 
Other Post Retirement Benefit Plans - US $— $— $— $— $— $
Other Post Retirement Benefit Plans - International$— $$$$$

Retirement and Postretirement Healthcare Expense — The table below presents the components of net periodic cost associated with the U.S. and foreign plans recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for 2025, 2024, and 2023:
PensionsOther Postretirement Benefit Plans
Year Ended December 31,Year Ended December 31,
202520242023202520242023
Net periodic cost:
Service cost$$$$$$
Interest cost(1)
18 17 18 
Expected return on plan assets(1)
(19)(20)(20)— — — 
Net amortization of actuarial loss(1)
— — — — 
Total net periodic cost
$$$$$$

(1) Recorded in Other (expense) income, net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Assumptions — 

The following weighted average assumptions were used to determine net periodic cost:
Pension
202520242023
USInternationalUSInternationalUSInternational
Discount rate5.76 %5.30 %5.42 %4.45 %5.70 %4.70 %
Expected return on plan assets7.50 %5.85 %7.50 %5.00 %7.50 %4.00 %
OPEB
202520242023
USInternationalUSInternationalUSInternational
Discount rate5.95 %11.68 %5.95 %11.20 %5.62 %10.59 %
Expected return on plan assetsN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A
The following weighted average assumptions were used in estimating the actuarial present value of benefit obligations:
Pensions
202520242023
USInternationalUSInternationalUSInternational
Discount rate5.52 %4.86 %5.76 %5.30 %5.42 %4.45 %
Rate of compensation increase N/A4.75 %N/A4.75 %N/A4.76 %
OPEB
202520242023
USInternationalUSInternationalUSInternational
Discount rate5.95 %10.42 %5.95 %11.53 %5.95 %10.50 %
Rate of compensation increaseN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A
For the U.S. Qualified Plan, at both December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the mortality assumption was determined using the Society of Actuaries' the generational projection scale (i.e. MP-2021) and base table (i.e. Pri-2012).
Expected Return on Plan Assets — In forming the assumption of the U.S. and international long-term rate of return on plan assets, we considered the expected earnings on funds already invested, earnings on contributions expected to be received in the current year, and earnings on reinvested returns. The long-term rate of return estimation methodology for the Company's pension plans is based on a capital asset pricing model using historical data and a forecasted earnings model. An expected return on plan assets analysis is performed which incorporates the current portfolio allocation, historical asset-class returns, and an assessment of expected future performance using asset-class risk factors.
Discount Rate — The 2025 and 2024 rates were selected based on the results of a cash flow matching analysis, which projected the expected cash flows of the plans using a yield curves model developed from a universe of Aa-graded U.S. currency corporate bonds (obtained from Bloomberg) with BVAL scores of 6 or greater.
Plan Assets — The investments of the U.S. and International pension plans are managed to meet the future expected benefit liabilities of the plan over the long term by investing in diversified portfolios consistent with prudent diversification and historical and expected capital market returns. Tronox's U.S. and international pension plans’ weighted-average asset allocations at December 31, 2025 and 2024, and the target asset allocation ranges, by major asset category, are as follows:
December 31,
20252024
USInternationalUSInternational
ActualTargetActualTargetActualTargetActualTarget
Equity securities40 %40 %— %— %48 %48 %— %— %
Debt securities57 57 — — 48 48 38 38 
Real estate— — — — — — 
Other100 100 62 62 
Total100 %100 %100 %100 %100 %100 %100 %100 %
The fair values of pension investments as of December 31, 2025 are summarized below:
Fair Value Measurement at December 31, 2025 Using:
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Total
Asset category:
Equities securities:
Global equity securities $34 (1)$— $— $34 
Global commingled equity funds33 (2)— — 33 
Debt securities:
US government bonds 58 (3)— — 58 
US corporate bonds— 38 (4)— 38 
Foreign corporate bonds — (4)— 
Real Estate:
Property/ real estate fund — (5)— 
Other:
Insurance contracts — — 91 (7)91 
Cash & cash equivalents(6)— — 
Total at fair value$131 $40 $91 $262 
________________
(1)For global equity securities, this category is comprised of shares of common stock in both U.S. and international companies from a diverse set of industries and size. Common stock is valuated at the closing market price reported on a U.S. or international exchange where the security is actively traded. Equity securities are classified within level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.
(2)Global commingled equity funds are comprised of managed funds that invest in common stock of both U.S. and international companies shares from a diverse set of industries and size. Common stock are valued at the closing market price reported on a U.S. or international exchange where the security is actively traded. These funds are classified within level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.
(3)For US and foreign government bonds, this category includes U.S. treasuries, U.S. federal agency obligations and international government debt. The fair value of these investments are based on observable quoted prices on active exchanges, which are level 1 inputs.
(4)For US corporate bonds and foreign corporate bonds, this category is comprised of corporate bonds of U.S. and foreign companies from a diverse set of industries and size. The fair values for the U.S. and foreign corporate bonds are determined using quoted prices of similar securities in active markets and observable data or broker or dealer quotations. The fair values for these investments are classified as level 2 within the valuation hierarchy.
(5)For property / real estate funds, this category includes real estate properties, partnership equities and investments in operating companies. The fair value of the assets is determined using discounted cash flows by estimating an income stream for the property plus a reversion into a present value at a risk adjusted rate. Yield rates and growth assumptions utilized are derived from market transactions as well as other financial and industry data. The fair value of these investments are classified as level 2 in the valuation hierarchy.
(6)Cash and cash equivalents include cash and short-interest bearing investments with maturities of three months or less. Investments are valued at cost plus accrued interest. Cash and cash equivalents are classified within level 1 of the valuation hierarchy.
(7)For insurance contracts, the fair value is estimated as the cost of purchasing equivalent annuities on terms consistent with those currently available in the market. The contracts are with highly rated insurance companies and are classified within level 3 of the valuation hierarchy. The following table summarizes changes in fair value of the pension plan assets classified as level 3 for the year ended December 31, 2025:
Insurance Contracts
Balance, December 31, 2024$53 
Actual return on plan assets
Purchases, sales, settlements31 
Transfers in/out of Level 3 — 
Foreign currency translation
Balance, December 31, 2025$91 
The fair values of pension investments as of December 31, 2024 are summarized below:
Fair Value Measurement at December 31, 2024, Using:
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Total
Asset category:
Equities securities:
Global equity securities$46 
(1)
$— $— $46 
Global commingled equity funds36 
(2)
— — 36 
Debt securities:
US government bonds50 
(3)
— — 50 
Foreign government bonds17 
(3)
— — 17 
US corporate bonds— 31 (4)— 31 
Foreign corporate bonds— 19 (4)— 19 
Real Estate:
Property/ real estate fund— (5)— 
Other:
Insurance contracts— — 53 (7)53 
Cash & cash equivalents10 (6)— — 10 
Total at fair value$159 $51 $53 $263 
________________
(1)For global equity securities, this category is comprised of shares of common stock in both U.S. and international companies from a diverse set of industries and size. Common stock is valuated at the closing market price reported on a U.S. or international exchange where the security is actively traded. Equity securities are classified within level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.
(2)Global commingled equity funds are comprised of managed funds that invest in common stock of both U.S. and international companies shares from a diverse set of industries and size. Common stock are valued at the closing market price reported on a U.S. or international exchange where the security is actively traded. These funds are classified within level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.
(3)For US and foreign government bonds, this category includes U.S. treasuries, U.S. federal agency obligations and international government debt. The fair value of these investments are based on observable quoted prices on active exchanges, which are level 1 inputs.
(4)For US corporate bonds and foreign corporate bonds, this category is comprised of corporate bonds of U.S. and foreign companies from a diverse set of industries and size. The fair values for the U.S. and foreign corporate bonds are determined using quoted prices of similar securities in active markets and observable data or broker or dealer quotations. The fair values for these investments are classified as level 2 within the valuation hierarchy.
(5)For property / real estate funds, this category includes real estate properties, partnership equities and investments in operating companies. The fair value of the assets is determined using discounted cash flows by estimating an income stream for the property plus a reversion into a present value at a risk adjusted rate. Yield rates and growth assumptions utilized are derived from market transactions as well as other financial and industry data. The fair value of these investments are classified as level 2 in the valuation hierarchy.
(6)Cash and cash equivalents include cash and short-interest bearing investments with maturities of three months or less. Investments are valued at cost plus accrued interest. Cash and cash equivalents are classified within level 1 of the valuation hierarchy.
(7)For insurance contracts, the fair value is estimated as the cost of purchasing equivalent annuities on terms consistent with those currently available in the market. The contracts are with highly rated insurance companies and are classified within level 3 of the valuation hierarchy. The following table summarizes changes in fair value of the pension plan assets classified as level 3 for the year ended December 31, 2024:
Insurance Contracts
Balance, December 31, 2023$63 
Actual return on plan assets(4)
Purchases, sales, settlements(5)
Transfers in/out of Level 3— 
Foreign currency translation(1)
Balance, December 31, 2024$53 
Defined Contribution Plans
U.S. Savings Investment Plan
In 2006, we established the U.S. Savings Investment Plan (the “SIP”), a qualified defined contribution plan under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. Under the SIP, our regular full-time and part-time employees contribute a portion of their earnings, and we match these contributions up to a predefined threshold. Our matching contribution is 100% of the first 6% of employee contributions. Effective January 1, 2013, we established a profit sharing contribution at 6% of employees’ pay (“discretionary contribution”). A discretionary contribution of 6% was made for 2025, 2024 and 2023. Our matching contribution to the SIP vests immediately; however, our discretionary contribution is subject to vesting conditions that must be satisfied over a three-year vesting period. Contributions under the SIP, including our match, are invested in accordance with the investment options elected by plan participants. Compensation expenses associated with our matching contribution to the SIP was $5 million, $5 million and $4 million during 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively, which was included in “Selling, general and administrative expenses” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Compensation expense associated with our discretionary contribution was $5 million in 2025, $4 million in 2024 and $5 million in 2023, which was included in “Selling, general and administrative expenses” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
U.S. Benefit Restoration Plan
In 2006, we established the U.S. Benefit Restoration Plan (the “BRP”), a nonqualified defined contribution plan, for employees whose eligible compensation is expected to exceed the IRS compensation limits for qualified plans. Under the BRP, participants can contribute up to 20% of their annual compensation and incentive. Our matching contribution under the BRP is the same as the SIP. Our matching contribution under this plan vests immediately to plan participants. Contributions under the BRP, including our match, are invested in accordance with the investment options elected by plan participants. Compensation expense associated with our matching contribution to the BRP was $1 million, $1 million and $1 million during 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively, which was included in “Selling, general and administrative expenses” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
South Africa Defined Contribution Plans
Tronox Mineral Sands Proprietary Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, participates in several defined contribution plans which are registered in the Republic of South Africa and are governed by the South African Pension Funds Act of 1956. These plans provide retirement and other benefits to all permanent employees, and where applicable, retired employees and their dependents. The Company contributes a range of 10% to 15% (depending on the plan) of the employees' predefined pre-tax pensionable earnings. Compensation expense associated with these plans was $8 million, $8 million, and $8 million during 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively, which was included in both "Costs of goods sold" and "Selling, general and administrative expenses" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.