Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or U.S. GAAP. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. The Company believes the estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of these consolidated financial statements are reasonable, based upon currently available facts and known circumstances. Actual results may differ from those estimates and assumptions as a result of a number of factors, including those discussed elsewhere in this report and in its other public filings from time to time.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and wholly-owned, majority-owned and controlled subsidiaries. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. Certain reclassifications of prior year data were made in the accompanying financial statements. These reclassifications were made to conform to the current year presentation.

The Company has two joint ventures with China National Tobacco Corporation, or CNTC. CNTC is the principal operating Company under China's State Tobacco Monopoly Administration. CNTC and our subsidiary, Schweitzer-Mauduit International China, Limited, or SM-China, each own 50% of the joint ventures. The paper joint venture China Tobacco Mauduit (Jiangmen) Paper Industry Co. LTD, or CTM, produces tobacco-related papers in China. The second joint venture China Tobacco Schweitzer (Yunnan) Reconstituted Tobacco Co. LTD., or CTS, produces reconstituted tobacco leaf products. The Company uses the equity method to account for both joint ventures. Investment in equity affiliates represents the Company's investment in its China joint ventures. The Company's share of the net income of its 50% owned joint ventures in China are included in the consolidated statements of income as income from equity affiliates.

Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes revenue and the related accounts receivable when the following four criteria are met: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; (2) ownership has transferred to the customer; (3) the selling price is fixed or determinable; and (4) collection is reasonably assured based on the Company's judgment regarding the collectability of its accounts receivable. Generally, the Company recognizes revenue when it ships its manufactured product and title and risk of loss passes to its customer in accordance with the terms of sale of the product. Revenue is recorded at the time of shipment for terms designated f.o.b., or free on board, shipping point, or equivalent. For sales transactions designated f.o.b. destination, or equivalent, revenue is recorded when the product is delivered to the customer's delivery site, at which time title and risk of loss are transferred. Provisions for discounts, returns, allowances, customer rebates and other adjustments are provided for in the same period the related revenue is recorded. Deferred revenue represents advance payments from customers which are earned based upon a mutually agreed-upon amount per unit of future product sales.

Freight Costs

The cost of delivering finished goods to the Company's customers is recorded as a component of cost of products sold. Those costs include the amounts paid to a third party to deliver the finished goods. Any freight costs billed to and paid by a customer are included in revenue.

Royalty Income

Royalties from third-party patent licenses are recognized when earned, including monies received at an agreement's initiation attributable to past sales. The Company recognizes up-front payments upon receipt when it has no future performance requirement or ongoing obligation arising from its agreements and the payment is for a separate earnings process. Minimum annual royalties received in advance are deferred and are recognized in the period earned. The Company recognized $9.6 million, $11.1 million and $11.2 million of royalty income during 2015, 2014 and 2013 respectively, which is included in net sales in the consolidated statements of income.

Foreign Currency Translation

The income statements of foreign entities are translated into U.S. dollars at average exchange rates prevailing during the periods presented. The balance sheets of these entities are translated at period-end exchange rates, and the differences from historical exchange rates are reflected in a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as unrealized foreign currency translation adjustments.

Foreign currency risks arise from transactions and balances denominated in non-local currencies. Gains and losses resulting from re-measurement and settlement of such transactions and balances, included in other income (expense), net, were gains of $0.8 million, $1.5 million and $1.3 million in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Derivative Instruments

The Company is exposed to changes in foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates and commodity prices. The Company utilizes a variety of practices to manage these market risks, including where considered appropriate, derivative instruments. The Company uses derivative instruments only for risk management purposes and not for trading or speculation. All derivative instruments the Company uses are either exchange traded or are entered into with major financial institutions in order to reduce credit risk and risk of nonperformance by third parties. The Company believes the credit risks with respect to the counterparties, and the foreign currency risks that would not be hedged if the counterparties fail to fulfill their obligations under the contracts, are not material in view of its understanding of the financial strength of the counterparties.

Gains and losses on instruments that hedge firm commitments are deferred and included in the basis of the underlying hedged items. All other hedging gains and losses are included in period income or expense based on the period-end market price of the instrument and are included in the Company's operating cash flows. See Note 13. Derivatives, for additional information.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid, unrestricted investments with remaining maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents, including money market funds with no restrictions on withdrawals.

Business Combinations

The Company uses the acquisition method of accounting for business combinations. At the acquisition date, the Company records assets acquired and liabilities assumed at their respective fair market values. The Company estimates fair value using the exit price approach which is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly market. An exit price is determined from a market participant's viewpoint in the principal or most advantageous market and may result in the Company valuing assets or liabilities at a fair value that is not reflective of the Company's intended use of the assets or liabilities. Any excess consideration above the estimated fair values of the net assets acquired is recognized as goodwill on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets. The operating results of acquired businesses are included in the Company's results of operations beginning as of their effective acquisition dates. Acquisition costs are expensed as incurred and were $2.6 million, $2.6 million, and $1.1 million in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets, Goodwill and Intangible Assets

The Company evaluates the carrying value of long-lived assets, including property and equipment, goodwill and intangible assets when events and circumstances warrant a review. Goodwill is also tested for impairment annually during the fourth quarter. Goodwill may be evaluated using a qualitative evaluation and/or a two-step test at the reporting unit level. The first step compares the book value of the reporting unit to its fair value. If the book value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, we perform the second step. In the second step, we determine an implied fair value of the reporting unit's goodwill by allocating the fair value of the reporting unit to all of the assets and liabilities other than goodwill. The difference between the total fair value of the reporting unit and the fair value of all the assets and liabilities other than goodwill is the implied fair value of that goodwill. Any impairment loss is measured as the excess of the book value of the goodwill over the implied fair value of that goodwill. See Note 8. Goodwill for further discussion of the Company's annual impairment test results. During the annual testing in the fourth quarter of 2015, the estimated fair value of each of the Company's reporting units was substantially in excess of its respective carrying value.

We have acquired trade names that have been determined to have indefinite lives. We evaluate a number of factors to determine whether an indefinite life is appropriate, including the competitive environment, category share, business history, product life cycle and operating plans. Indefinite-lived intangibles are evaluated for impairment annually during the fourth quarter. Additionally, when certain events or changes in operating conditions occur, an impairment assessment is performed and indefinite-lived trade names may be adjusted to a determinable life or an impairment charge may be recorded. At December 31, 2015, the fair value of the AMS reportable segment's indefinite-lived intangibles was substantially in excess of their carrying value.

The cost of intangible assets with determinable useful lives is amortized to reflect the pattern of economic benefits consumed, which approximates a straight-line basis, over the estimated periods benefited. When certain events or changes in operating conditions occur, an impairment assessment is performed and lives of intangible assets with determinable lives may be adjusted.

The carrying value of long-lived assets is reviewed to determine if events or circumstances have changed which may indicate that the assets may be impaired or the useful life may need to be changed. Upon occurrence of such a triggering event, the Company considers internal and external factors relating to each asset group, including expectation of future profitability, undiscounted cash flows and its plans with respect to the operations. If impairment is indicated, an impairment loss is measured by the amount the net carrying value of the asset exceeds its estimated fair value.

Environmental Spending

Environmental spending is capitalized if such spending qualifies as property, plant and equipment, substantially increases the economic value or extends the useful life of an asset. All other such spending is expensed as incurred, including fines and penalties incurred in connection with environmental violations. Environmental spending relating to an existing condition caused by past operations is expensed. Liabilities are accrued when environmental assessments are probable and the costs can be reasonably estimated. Generally, timing of these accruals coincides with completion of a feasibility study or commitment to a formal plan of action.

Capitalized Software Costs

The Company capitalizes certain purchases of software and software development costs in connection with major projects of software development for internal use. These costs are included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheets and are amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life not to exceed seven years. Costs associated with business process redesign, end-user training, system start-up and ongoing software maintenance are expensed as incurred. Amortization of capitalized software was $2.0 million, $3.4 million and $4.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Accumulated amortization of capitalized software costs was $46.0 million and $60.5 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Business Tax Credits

Business tax credits represent value added tax credits receivable and similar assets, such as Imposto sobre Circulação de Mercadorias e Serviços, or ICMS, in Brazil. Business tax credits are generated when value-added taxes, or VAT, are paid on purchases. VAT and similar taxes are collected from customers on certain sales. In some jurisdictions, export sales do not require VAT collection. See Note 10. Other Assets for additional information.

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements. Under this method, we determine deferred tax assets and liabilities on the basis of the differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities by using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

The Company recognizes deferred tax assets to the extent that we believe that these assets are more likely than not to be realized. In making such a determination, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, projected future taxable income, tax-planning strategies, and results of recent operations. If we determine that we would be able to realize our deferred tax assets in the future in excess of their net recorded amount, we would make an adjustment to the deferred tax asset valuation allowance, which would reduce the provision for income taxes.

We record uncertain tax positions in accordance with ASC 740 on the basis of a two-step process in which (1) we determine whether it is more likely than not that the tax positions will be sustained on the basis of the technical merits of the position and (2) for those tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, we recognize the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50 percent likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement with the related tax authority.

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Accounting

The Company recognizes the estimated compensation cost of employees' pension and other postretirement benefits over their approximate period of service. The Company's earnings are impacted by amounts of expense recorded related to these benefits, which primarily consist of U.S. and French pension benefits and U.S. other postretirement benefits, or OPEBs. Each year's recorded expenses are estimates based on actuarial calculations of the Company's accumulated and projected benefit obligations, or PBOs, for the Company's various plans.

Suspension of additional benefits for future service is considered a curtailment, and if material, necessitates a re-measurement of plan assets and PBO. As part of a re-measurement, the Company adjusts its discount rates and other actuarial assumptions, such as retirement, turnover and mortality table assumptions, as appropriate. See Note 16. Postretirement and Other Benefits for additional information.

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income includes net income, as well as items charged and credited directly to stockholders' equity, which are excluded from net income. The Company has presented comprehensive income in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss). Reclassification adjustments of derivative instruments are presented in Net Sales in the consolidated statements of income. See Note 13. Derivatives for additional information. Amortization of accumulated pension and other post-employment benefit (OPEB) liabilities are included in the computation of net periodic pension and OPEB costs, which are more fully discussed in Note 16. Postretirement and Other Benefits.

Components of accumulated other comprehensive loss were as follows ($ in millions):



	December 31,
	2015			2014
Accumulated pension and OPEB liability adjustments, net of income tax impact of $21.9 million and $21.0 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively	$	(35.6	)	$	(38.4	)
Accumulated unrealized loss on derivative instruments, net of income tax impact of $0.3 million and $0 at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively	(21.6		)	(8.3		)
Accumulated unrealized foreign currency translation adjustments	(84.2		)	(29.8		)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	(141.4	)	$	(76.5	)

Changes in the components of accumulated other comprehensive loss were as follows ($ in millions):



	For the Years Ended December 31,
	2015								2014								2013
	Pre-tax			Tax		Net of Tax			Pre-tax			Tax		Net of Tax			Pre-tax			Tax			Net of Tax
Pension and OPEB liability adjustments	$	1.9		$	0.9	$	2.8		$	(12.7	)	$	4.4	$	(8.3	)	$	19.8		$	(6.7	)	$	13.1
Unrealized loss on derivative instruments	(13.6		)	0.3		(13.3		)	(0.4		)	0.2		(0.2		)	(4.9		)	(1.8		)	(6.7		)
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustments	(54.4		)	—		(54.4		)	(63.0		)	—		(63.0		)	4.0			—			4.0
Total	$	(66.1	)	$	1.2	$	(64.9	)	$	(76.1	)	$	4.6	$	(71.5	)	$	18.9		$	(8.5	)	$	10.4

Restricted Stock

All of the Company's restricted stock grants, including those that have been earned in the case of performance-based shares and cliff-vesting grants that are not performance based, vest upon completion of a specified period of time, typically between two and four years. The fair value of each award is equal to the share price of the Company's stock on the date of the grant. This cost is recognized over the vesting period of the respective award. A summary of outstanding restricted stock awards as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 is included in Note 17, Stockholders' Equity.

Restricted Stock Plan Performance Based Shares

The Company's long-term incentive compensation program, or LTICP, for key employees includes an equity-based award component that is provided through the Long-term Incentive Plan, or LTIP, which the Company adopted in 2015 and which replaced its previous Restricted Stock Plan, or RSP. The objectives under the LTICP are established at the beginning of a performance cycle and are intended to focus management on longer-term strategic goals. The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors designates participants in the LTICP and LTIP and determines the equity-based award opportunity in the form of restricted stock for each performance cycle, which is generally measured on the basis of a one year performance period (the measurement period). The restricted shares are considered issued and outstanding when the number of shares becomes fixed, after the annual performance is determined, and such awards vest at the end of the performance year or some predetermined period thereafter. The Company recognizes compensation expense with an offsetting credit to additional paid-in-capital over the performance period based on the fair value of the award at the date of grant, with compensation expense being adjusted cumulatively based on the number of shares expected to be earned according to the level of achievement of performance goals.

Fair Value Option

The Company has elected not to measure its financial instruments or certain commitments at fair value.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers" (Topic 606). The new guidance specifies how and when an entity will recognize revenue arising from contracts with customers and requires entities to disclose information about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. The guidance is effective for annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2016 and may be implemented using a full retrospective or a modified retrospective application. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact the adoption will have on our consolidated financial statements.

In November 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-16, "Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Determining Whether the Host Contract in a Hybrid Financial Instrument Issued in the Form of a Share is More Akin to Debt or to Equity." The update requires an entity to determine the nature of the host contract by considering all stated and implied substantive terms and features of the hybrid financial instrument, weighing each term and feature on the basis of the relevant facts and circumstances (commonly referred to as the whole-instrument approach). This guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods thereafter. Early adoption is permitted. The Company adopted this guidance as of January 1, 2016 and does not expect that its adoption will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In February 2015, FASB issued ASU No. 2015-02, "Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis." This standard modifies existing consolidation guidance for reporting organizations that are required to evaluate whether they should consolidate certain legal entities. This update is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2015, and requires either a retrospective approach to adoption or a modified retrospective approach, by recording a cumulative-effect adjustment to equity as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. Early adoption is permitted. The Company adopted this guidance as of January 1, 2016 and does not expect that its adoption will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In April 2015, FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, "Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs." This new standard requires that debt issuance costs be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of debt liabilities, consistent with treatment of debt discounts or premiums. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs would not be affected by the amendments in this Update. This ASU is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods thereafter. Early adoption is permitted. The Company adopted this standard in October 2015 in conjunction with the acquisition of the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, or Amended Credit Agreement. Adoption of ASU 2015-03 impacted the presentation of debt costs in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, including $7.4 million in costs related to the Amended Credit Agreement as well as $1.5 million of unamortized costs related to the previous credit arrangement. In accordance with the guidance provided in this Update, the consolidated balance sheet of each period presented has been adjusted to reflect the impact of applying the new guidance. Accordingly, an adjustment has been made to conform the presentation of $2.2 million of unamortized costs as of December 31, 2014 to current year presentation. Refer to Note 12, Debt, for further details of the impact of this standard on the consolidated financial statements.

In May 2015, FASB issued ASU 2015-07, "Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosures for Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (or Its Equivalent)." Currently, investments valued using the practical expedient are categorized within the fair value hierarchy. There is diversity in how certain investments measured at net asset value with future redemption dates should be categorized within the fair value hierarchy which this update addresses. If an investment has its fair value measured at net asset value per share (or its equivalent) using the practical expedient, it should not be categorized in the fair value hierarchy. Removing these types of investments from the fair value hierarchy chart eliminates the diversity in classification of these investments and ensures that all investments categorized in the fair value hierarchy are classified consistently. Investments that calculate net asset value per share (or its equivalent) without the use of the practical expedient will continue to be included in the fair value hierarchy. For public business entities, the amendments will be effective for annual periods, including interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted this guidance as of January 1, 2016 and does not expect that its adoption will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In July 2015, FASB issued ASU 2015-11, "Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory." This update requires entities to measure inventory at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Net realizable value is the estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation. Subsequent measurement is unchanged for inventory measured using LIFO or the retail inventory method. This ASU is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those years. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of the adoption on the consolidated financial statements.

In September 2015, FASB issued ASU 2015-16, "Business Combinations (Topic 805): Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments." The provisions in this Update require an entity that acquires a business to recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. The entity is also required to record, in the same period's financial statements, the effect on earnings of changes in depreciation, amortization, or other income effects, if any, as a result of the change to the provisional amounts, calculated as if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date. The amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company adopted this guidance as of January 1, 2016 and does not expect that its adoption will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In November 2015, FASB issued ASU 2015-17, "Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes", which requires that deferred tax liabilities and assets be classified entirely as non-current in a classified balance sheet. The amended guidance does not change the existing requirement that deferred tax liabilities and assets, together with any related valuation allowances, of a tax-paying component of an entity be offset and presented as a single amount, nor does it change the existing requirement that offsetting of deferred tax liabilities and assets attributable to different tax-paying components or to different tax jurisdictions is not allowed. The amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company adopted ASU 2015-17 effective December 31, 2015 on a prospective basis. Adoption of this ASU resulted in a reclassification of our net current deferred tax asset to the net non-current deferred tax asset in our Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2015. No prior periods were retrospectively adjusted.