Note 7 - Restructuring, Impairment and Plant Closing Costs

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Restructuring and Related Activities Disclosure [Text Block]

7. RESTRUCTURING, IMPAIRMENT AND PLANT CLOSING COSTS

As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative consisted of the following (dollars in millions):

	*Workforce reductions*			*Demolition and decommissioning*		*Non-cancelable lease and contract termination costs*		*Other restructuring costs*			*Total*
Accrued liabilities as of January 1, 2021	$	29		$	—	$	2	$	—		$	31
2021 charges for 2020 and prior initiatives		12			—		—		2			14
2021 charges for 2021 initiatives		2			—		—		—			2
2021 payments for 2020 and prior initiatives		(5	)		—		—		(2	)		(7	)
Accrued liabilities as of March 31, 2021	$	38		$	—	$	2	$	—		$	40

Details with respect to our reserves for restructuring, impairment and plant closing costs by segment and initiative are provided below (dollars in millions):

				*Performance*			*Advanced*			*Textile*			*Corporate*
	*Polyurethanes*			*Products*			*Materials*			*Effects*			*and Other*			*Total*
Accrued liabilities as of January 1, 2021	$	12		$	2		$	9		$	8		$	—		$	31
2021 charges (credits) for 2020 and prior initiatives		1			—			(1	)		—			14			14
2021 charges for 2021 initiatives		—			—			2			—			—			2
2021 payments for 2020 and prior initiatives		(2	)		(1	)		(2	)		(1	)		(1	)		(7	)
Accrued liabilities as of March 31, 2021	$	11		$	1		$	8		$	7		$	13		$	40

Current portion of restructuring reserves	$	11		$	1		$	5		$	4		$	5		$	26
Long-term portion of restructuring reserves		—			—			3			3			8			14

Details with respect to cash and noncash restructuring charges from continuing operations for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 are provided below (dollars in millions):

	*Three months*
	*ended*
	*March 31,*
	*2021*		*2020*
Cash charges:
2021 charges for 2020 and prior initiatives	$	14	$	—
2021 charges for 2021 initiatives		2		—
2020 charges for 2019 and prior initiatives		—		1
2020 charges for 2020 initiatives		—		2
Noncash charges:
Other noncash charges		8		—
Total restructuring, impairment and plant closing costs	$	24	$	3

2021 Restructuring Activities

Beginning in the first quarter of 2021, our Corporate and other segment incurred restructuring costs related to a restructuring program to optimize our global approach to leveraging shared services capabilities. In connection with this restructuring program, we recorded restructuring expense of approximately $14 million in the first quarter of 2021 related primarily to workforce reductions, and we expect to record further restructuring expenses of approximately $2 million through 2023.

Beginning in the third quarter of 2020, our Polyurethanes segment implemented a restructuring program to optimize its downstream footprint. In connection with this restructuring program, we recorded restructuring expense of approximately $1 million in the first quarter of 2021 and we expect to record further restructuring expenses of between approximately $10 million and $12 million through year end 2021.

2020 Restructuring Activities

During the first quarter of 2020, our Textile Effects segment implemented restructuring programs to rationalize and realign structurally across various functions and certain locations within the segment. In connection with these restructuring programs, we recorded restructuring expense of approximately $2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020, related primarily to workforce reductions.

HUNTSMAN INTERNATIONAL LLC 10-Q