XML 37 R27.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.19.1
Commitments and Contingencies
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2019
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Commitments and Contingencies
Commitments and Contingencies
Cryovac Transaction Commitments and Contingencies
Refer to Part II, Item 8, Note 18, “Commitments and Contingencies,” to our audited Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 for a description of the Settlement agreement (as defined therein).
Novipax Complaint
On March 31, 2017, a complaint was filed in the Superior Court of the State of Delaware against Sealed Air Corporation, Cryovac Inc., Sealed Air Corporation (US) and Sealed Air (Canada) Co./Cie. (individually and collectively the “Company”) styled Novipax Holdings LLC and Novipax LLC v. Sealed Air Corporation, Cryovac Inc., Sealed Air Corporation (US) and Sealed Air (Canada) Co. / Cie. (the “Complaint”). The Complaint alleges claims for fraud, breach of contract, and unjust enrichment relating to the plaintiff’s acquisition of the Company’s North America foam trays and absorbent pads business in 2015 for $75.6 million. The relief sought includes unspecified monetary damages, exemplary damages, rescission or recessionary damages, reasonable attorneys’ fees and pre-judgment and post-judgment interest. Depositions commenced in January 2019. The case presently is calendared for trial to commence on June 17, 2019. 
The Company has been defending against the action vigorously and intends to continue to do so. Given the inherent uncertainties of litigation, the Company is unable to predict the outcome of this case and cannot reasonably estimate a potential range of loss at this time. However, if the ultimate outcome is adverse to the Company, it could have a material effect on the Company’s financial results. 
Environmental Matters
We are subject to loss contingencies resulting from environmental laws and regulations, and we accrue for anticipated costs associated with investigatory and remediation efforts when an assessment has indicated that a loss is probable and can be reasonably estimated. These accruals are not reduced by potential insurance recoveries, if any. We do not believe that it is reasonably possible that our liability in excess of the amounts that we have accrued for environmental matters will be material to our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets or Statements of Operations. Environmental liabilities are reassessed whenever circumstances become better defined or remediation efforts and their costs can be better estimated.
We evaluate these liabilities periodically based on available information, including the progress of remedial investigations at each site, the current status of discussions with regulatory authorities regarding the methods and extent of remediation and the apportionment of costs among potentially responsible parties. As some of these issues are decided (the outcomes of which are subject to uncertainties) or new sites are assessed and costs can be reasonably estimated, we adjust the recorded accruals, as necessary. We believe that these exposures are not material to our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets or Statements of Operations. We believe that we have adequately reserved for all probable and estimable environmental exposures.
Guarantees and Indemnification Obligations
We are a party to many contracts containing guarantees and indemnification obligations. These contracts primarily consist of:
indemnities in connection with the sale of businesses, primarily related to the sale of Diversey. Our indemnity obligations under the relevant agreements may be limited in terms of time, amount or scope. As it relates to certain income tax related liabilities, the relevant agreements may not provide any cap for such liabilities, and the period in which we would be liable would lapse upon expiration of the statute of limitation for assessment of the underlying taxes. Because of the conditional nature of these obligations and the unique facts and circumstances involved in each particular agreement, we are unable to reasonably estimate the potential maximum exposure associated with these items;
product warranties with respect to certain products sold to customers in the ordinary course of business. These warranties typically provide that products will conform to specifications. We generally do not establish a liability for product warranty based on a percentage of sales or other formula. We accrue a warranty liability on a transaction-specific basis depending on the individual facts and circumstances related to each sale. Both the liability and annual expense related to product warranties are immaterial to our consolidated financial position and results of operations; and
licenses of intellectual property by us to third parties in which we have agreed to indemnify the licensee against third-party infringement claims.
As of March 31, 2019, the Company has no reason to believe a loss exceeding amounts already recognized would be incurred.