10-Q 1 body-10q.htm BODY OF 10Q body-10q.htm


 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)
[X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2010

OR

[   ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission file number 001-13255

SOLUTIA INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

DELAWARE
43-1781797
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

575 MARYVILLE CENTRE DRIVE, P.O. BOX 66760, ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI
63166-6760
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)

(314) 674-1000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding twelve months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes  X   No      

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).   Yes   X      No      

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See definition of “accelerated filer”, “large accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (Check one):

Large Accelerated Filer   X   Accelerated Filer       Non-Accelerated Filer        Smaller Reporting Company ­___ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company).

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes      No   X  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Section 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by Court.  Yes  X    No ___

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

 
Class
 
Outstanding at
September 30, 2010
 
Common Stock, $0.01 par value
    121,779,159  

 
 
 
 

 
 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SOLUTIA INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
                         
Net Sales
  $ 511     $ 435     $ 1,461     $ 1,162  
Cost of goods sold
    353       296       996       818  
Gross Profit
    158       139       465       344  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    62       53       194       156  
Research, development and other operating expenses, net
    8       8       15       14  
Operating Income
    88       78       256       174  
Interest expense
    (35 )     (31 )     (109 )     (90 )
Other income (loss), net
    2       (1 )     15       (3 )
Loss on debt extinguishment
    --       --       (89 )     (8 )
Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Tax Expense
    55       46       73       73  
Income tax expense
    7       13       26       17  
Income from Continuing Operations
    48       33       47       56  
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, net of tax
    2       (2 )     (13 )     (173 )
Net Income (Loss)
    50       31       34       (117 )
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
    2       2       3       3  
Net Income (Loss) attributable to Solutia
  $ 48     $ 29     $ 31     $ (120 )
                                 
Basic and Diluted Income (Loss) per Share attributable to Solutia:
                               
Income from Continuing Operations attributable to Solutia
  $ 0.38     $ 0.26     $ 0.37     $ 0.52  
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, net of tax
    0.02       (0.02 )     (0.11 )     (1.69 )
Net Income (Loss) attributable to Solutia
  $ 0.40     $ 0.24     $ 0.26     $ (1.17 )


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(Dollars in millions)
(Unaudited)

   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
                         
Net Income (Loss)
  $ 50     $ 31     $ 34     $ (117 )
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):
                               
Currency translation adjustments
    92       28       3       47  
Pension settlement charge
    --       6       1       26  
Unrealized (loss) gain on derivative instruments
    (4 )     --       (4 )     4  
Realized loss on derivative instruments
    2       --       4       --  
Actuarial loss arising during the period
    --       (8 )     --       (8 )
Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss
    --       (1 )     2       1  
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
    140       56       40       (47 )
Comprehensive Income attributable to noncontrolling interest
    2       2       3       3  
Comprehensive Income (Loss) attributable to Solutia
  $ 138     $ 54     $ 37     $ (50 )

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 
 
- 1 -

 
 

  SOLUTIA INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

   
September 30,
2010
   
December 31,
2009
 
             
ASSETS
           
Current Assets:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 181     $ 243  
Trade receivables, net of allowances of $3 in 2010 and $2 in 2009
    263       260  
Miscellaneous receivables
    69       80  
Inventories
    278       247  
Prepaid expenses and other assets
    27       37  
Current assets of discontinued operations
    16       30  
Total Current Assets
    834       897  
Net Property, Plant and Equipment
    900       919  
Goodwill
    744       511  
Net Identified Intangible Assets
    955       803  
Other Assets
    108       136  
Total Assets
  $ 3,541     $ 3,266  
                 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Current Liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 154     $ 161  
Accrued liabilities
    262       202  
Short-term debt, including current portion of long-term debt
    --       28  
Current liabilities of discontinued operations
    26       62  
Total Current Liabilities
    442       453  
Long-Term Debt
    1,513       1,264  
Postretirement Liabilities
    347       411  
Environmental Remediation Liabilities
    250       260  
Deferred Tax Liabilities
    211       179  
Non-current Liabilities of Discontinued Operations
    25       --  
Other Liabilities
    106       99  
                 
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 8)
               
                 
Shareholders’ Equity:
               
Common stock at $0.01 par value; (500,000,000 shares authorized, 122,529,368 and 121,869,293 shares issued in 2010 and 2009, respectively)
    1        1  
Additional contributed capital
    1,627       1,612  
Treasury shares, at cost (750,209 in 2010 and 430,203 in 2009)
    (6 )     (2 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (231 )     (237 )
Accumulated deficit
    (750 )     (781 )
Total Shareholders’ Equity attributable to Solutia
    641       593  
Equity attributable to noncontrolling interest
    6       7  
Total Shareholders’ Equity
    647       600  
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
  $ 3,541     $ 3,266  

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 
 
- 2 -

 
 

SOLUTIA INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
(Dollars in millions)
(Unaudited)
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
           
Net income (loss)
  $ 34     $ (117 )
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operations:
               
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax
    13       173  
Depreciation and amortization
    84       78  
Pension obligation related expense less than contributions
    (59 )     (24 )
Other postretirement benefit obligation related expense less than contributions
    (7 )     (8 )
Amortization of deferred debt issuance costs and debt discount
    7       15  
Deferred income taxes
    (13 )     3  
Other charges:
               
Non-cash loss on deferred debt issuance cost and debt discount write-off
    80       8  
Other charges, including restructuring expenses
    27       16  
Changes in assets and liabilities:
               
Income taxes payable
    11       6  
Trade receivables
    7       (43 )
Inventories
    (24 )     59  
Accounts payable
    (22 )     (18 )
Environmental remediation liabilities
    (10 )     (14 )
Restricted cash for environmental remediation and other legacy payments
    --       24  
Other assets and liabilities
    83       (37 )
Cash Provided by Operations – Continuing Operations
    211       121  
Cash Provided by (Used in) Operations – Discontinued Operations
    (26 )     60  
Cash Provided by Operations
    185       181  
                 
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
               
Property, plant and equipment purchases
    (28 )     (27 )
Acquisition payments
    (371 )     (2 )
Property disposals
    3       3  
Cash Used in Investing Activities – Continuing Operations
    (396 )     (26 )
Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities – Discontinued Operations
    (3 )     16  
Cash Used in Investing Activities
    (399 )     (10 )
                 
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
               
Net change in lines of credit
    --       (13 )
Proceeds from long-term debt obligations
    1,144       70  
Payment of long-term debt obligations
    (908 )     (83 )
Net change in long-term revolving credit facilities
    --       (181 )
Proceeds from stock issuance
    --       119  
Proceeds from short-term debt obligations
    --       22  
Payment of short-term debt obligations
    (16 )     (15 )
Debt issuance costs
    (27 )     (4 )
Purchase of treasury shares
    (4 )     (2 )
Other
    (13 )     (5 )
Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities
    176       (92 )
                 
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash
    (24 )     --  
                 
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
    (62 )     79  
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS:
               
Beginning of period
    243       32  
End of period
  $ 181     $ 111  
                 
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
               
Cash payments for interest
  $ 75     $ 83  
Cash payments for income taxes, net of refunds
  $ 28     $ 9  
                 
Non-Cash Investing Activities:
               
Capital expenditures included in accounts payable
  $ 7     $ 2  

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
 
 
- 3 -

 
 
SOLUTIA INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(Dollars in millions)

   
Equity attributable to Solutia
             
   
Common
Stock
   
Additional Contributed Capital
   
Treasury Stock
   
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
   
Accumulated Deficit
   
Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
   
Total Shareholders’ Equity
 
Beginning Balance – January 1, 2009
  $ 1     $ 1,474     $ --     $ (286 )   $ (668 )   $ 8     $ 529  
Comprehensive income:
                                                       
Net loss
    --       --       --       --       (159 )     --       (159 )
Accumulated currency adjustments
    --       --       --       (37 )     --       --       (37 )
Unrealized gain on derivative instruments
    --       --       --       4       --       --       4  
Amortization of net actuarial loss
    --       --       --       2       --       --       2  
Dividends attributable to noncontrolling interest
    --       --       --       --       --       (2 )     (2 )
Treasury stock purchases
    --       --       (1 )     --       --       --       (1 )
Share-based compensation expense
    --       6       --       --       --       --       6  
Ending Balance – March 31, 2009
    1       1,480       (1 )     (317 )     (827 )     6       342  
Comprehensive income:
                                                       
Net income
    --       --       --       --       10       1       11  
Accumulated currency adjustments
    --       --       --       56       --       --       56  
Pension settlement charge
    --       --       --       20       --       --       20  
Issuance of common stock
    --       119       --       --       --       --       119  
Treasury stock purchases
    --       --       (1 )     --       --       --       (1 )
Share-based compensation expense
    --       5       --       --       --       --       5  
Ending Balance – June 30, 2009
    1       1,604       (2 )     (241 )     (817 )     7       552  
Comprehensive income:
                                                       
Net income
    --       --       --       --       29       2       31  
Accumulated currency adjustments
    --       --       --       28       --       --       28  
Pension settlement charge
    --       --       --       6       --       --       6  
Actuarial loss arising during the period
    --       --       --       (8 )     --       --       (8 )
Amortization of net actuarial gain
    --       --       --       (1 )     --       --       (1 )
Dividends attributable to noncontrolling interest
    --       --       --       --       --       (3 )     (3 )
Share-based compensation expense
    --       4       --       --       --       --       4  
Ending Balance – September 30, 2009
  $ 1     $ 1,608     $ (2 )   $ (216 )   $ (788 )   $ 6     $ 609  
                                                         
Beginning Balance – January 1, 2010
  $ 1     $ 1,612     $ (2 )   $ (237 )   $ (781 )   $ 7     $ 600  
Comprehensive income:
                                                       
Net income (loss)
    --       --       --       --       (58 )     1       (57 )
Accumulated currency adjustments
    --       --       --       (35 )     --       --       (35 )
Pension settlement charge
    --       --       --       1       --       --       1  
Amortization of net actuarial loss
    --       --       --       1       --       --       1  
Treasury stock purchases
    --       --       (1 )     --       --       --       (1 )
Share-based compensation expense
    --       4       --       --       --       --       4  
Ending Balance – March 31, 2010
    1       1,616       (3 )     (270 )     (839 )     8       513  
Comprehensive income:
                                                       
Net income
    --       --       --       --       41       --       41  
Accumulated currency adjustments
    --       --       --       (54 )     --       --       (54 )
Realized loss on derivative instruments
    --       --       --       2       --       --       2  
Amortization of net actuarial loss
    --       --       --       1       --       --       1  
Share-based compensation expense
    --       5       --       --       --       --       5  
Ending Balance – June 30, 2010
    1       1,621       (3 )     (321 )     (798 )     8       508  
Comprehensive income:
                                                       
Net income
    --       --       --       --       48       2       50  
Accumulated currency adjustments
    --       --       --       92       --       --       92  
Realized loss on derivative instruments
    --       --       --       2       --       --       2  
Unrealized loss on derivative instruments
    --       --       --       (4 )     --       --       (4 )
Dividends attributable to noncontrolling interest
    --       --       --       --        --       (4 )     (4 )
Treasury stock purchases
    --       --       (3 )     --       --       --       (3 )
Share-based compensation expense
    --       6       --       --       --       --       6  
Ending Balance – September 30, 2010
  $ 1     $ 1,627     $ (6 )   $ (231 )   $ (750 )   $ 6     $ 647  

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
- 4 -

 
SOLUTIA INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts or otherwise noted)
(Unaudited)

1.  Basis of Presentation and Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

Unless the context requires otherwise, the terms “Solutia”, “Company”, “we”, and “our” in this report refer to Solutia Inc. and its subsidiaries. The accompanying consolidated financial statements have not been audited but have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and with instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X.  Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements.  Therefore, this Report on Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with Solutia’s Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.  In the opinion of management, these unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments necessary to present fairly our financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods reported.  Financial information for the first nine months of fiscal year 2010 should not be annualized due to the seasonality of our business.

Reclassifications
 
We reclassified $8 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 from interest expense to loss on debt extinguishment to conform to the 2010 presentation.  The reclassification had no impact to reported net income (loss) for the respective period.

Accounting Policies

Inventory Valuation

Inventories are stated at cost or market, whichever is less, with cost being determined using standards, which approximate actual cost.  Variances, exclusive of unusual volume and operating performance, are capitalized into inventory when material. Standard cost includes direct labor and raw materials, and manufacturing overhead based on normal capacity.  Effective January 1, 2010, the cost of all consolidated inventories is determined using the FIFO method.  For further detail, see Note 5 – Detail of Certain Balance Sheet Accounts.

2.  Acquisitions and Divestitures

Acquisitions

On April 30, 2010, Solutia purchased 100% of the shares of Novomatrix Pte. Ltd. (“Novomatrix”) for $73, subject to a working capital adjustment. Novomatrix is a leader in branding, marketing, and distributing performance window films catering to the premium segment in the automotive and architectural markets.  The Novomatrix acquisition allows us to support our growth strategy for our Performance Films reporting segment by expanding our product offerings and global footprint into key emerging regions through Novomatrix’s well-established network in Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

On June 1, 2010, Solutia purchased 100% of the shares of Etimex Solar GmbH (“Vistasolar”) for $294 and $3 of incremental working capital, which is subject to a final working capital adjustment.  Vistasolar is a leading supplier of ethylene vinyl acetate (“EVA”) encapsulants to the photovoltaic market and enables us to expand our Advanced Interlayers product portfolio into each of the dominant photovoltaic encapsulant technologies.
 
The Novomatrix and Vistasolar acquisitions were accounted for as business combinations, and accordingly, the assets and liabilities of the acquired entities were recorded at their estimated fair value.  The purchase price allocations recorded in the second quarter 2010 are subject to adjustments, principally driven by the working capital true-up mechanism.  Possible other adjustments to recorded fair value may include those relating to: (i) completion of valuation reports associated with fixed assets and identified intangible assets, (ii) deferred tax assets and liabilities and (iii) adjustments to the amount of recorded goodwill. The following table summarizes the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of both acquisitions.

 
- 5 -

 
SOLUTIA INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts or otherwise noted)
(Unaudited)

 

   
Novomatrix
   
Vistasolar
 
   
April 30, 2010
   
June 1, 2010
 
Assets:
           
Trade receivables
  $ 2     $ 10  
Miscellaneous receivables
    1       --  
Inventories
    10       3  
Property, plant and equipment
    --       16  
Identified intangible assets
    50       119  
Goodwill
    24       187  
Total assets acquired
  $ 87     $ 335  
Liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 4     $ 2  
Accrued liabilities
    2       1  
Postretirement liabilities
    --       1  
Deferred tax liabilities
    8       34  
Total liabilities assumed
  $ 14     $ 38  

Goodwill resulting from both acquisitions is not deductible for tax purposes. See Note 4 – Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets for further information, including allocation of goodwill by segment.  Goodwill largely consists of expected growth synergies through the application of each company’s innovative technologies and expansion of distribution channels in emerging markets in addition to cost synergies resulting from manufacturing and supply chain work process improvements.
 
The following table presents the weighted average life in years and the gross carrying value of the identified intangible assets included in net identified intangible assets within the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position on the date of acquisition for the Novomatrix and Vistasolar acquisitions.  The fair value of the identified intangible assets was determined using Level 3 inputs as defined by U.S. GAAP under the fair value hierarchy, which included valuation reports prepared by third party appraisal firms.
 

   
Novomatrix
   
Vistasolar
 
   
April 30, 2010
   
June 1, 2010
 
   
Weighted Average
Life in Years
   
Carrying Value
   
Weighted Average
Life in Years
   
Carrying Value
 
Technology
    --     $ --       20     $ 25  
Customer relationships
    17       29       25       81  
Other
    5       1       3       5  
Trademarks
    N/A       20       N/A       8  
Total identified intangible assets
    17     $ 50       23     $ 119  
                                 
 Total weighted average life in years     22                          
 


 
 
- 6 -

 
SOLUTIA INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts or otherwise noted)
(Unaudited)
 
Effective May 1, 2010 and June 1, 2010, results from the operations of Novomatrix and Vistasolar, respectively, have been included in our Consolidated Statement of Operations.  We have incurred $7 of acquisition related costs, including legal and accounting fees related to both acquisitions, for the nine months ended September 30, 2010.  These costs were recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses during the first half of the year.  The following table shows the net sales for both acquisitions that were included in our Consolidated Statement of Operations since the date of acquisition.  As each of the acquisitions was integrated into existing operating segments which utilize a shared cost structure, it is not practical to calculate the net income and net income per share attributable to each since the date of acquisition.
 

   
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2010
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2010
 
   
Novomatrix
   
Vistasolar
   
Novomatrix
   
Vistasolar
 
Net sales
  $ 10     $ 24     $ 17     $ 31  
 
The following pro forma financial information presents the combined results of operations of Solutia as if the Novomatrix and Vistasolar acquisitions had occurred at the beginning of the periods presented.  The pro forma results below are not necessarily indicative of what actually would have occurred had the acquisitions been in effect for the periods presented and should not be taken as representation of our future consolidated results of operations.  Pro forma results are as follows:
 

   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
Net sales
  $ 511     $ 462     $ 1,516     $ 1,226  
Net income (loss)
  $ 50     $ 32     $ 45     $ (119 )
Net income (loss) per basic and dilutive share
  $ 0.42     $ 0.27     $ 0.38     $ (1.16 )
Net income (loss) attributable to Solutia
  $ 48     $ 30     $ 42     $ (122 )
Net income (loss) attributable to Solutia per basic and dilutive share
  $ 0.40     $ 0.25     $ 0.35     $ (1.19 )
 
Divestitures
 
Plastic Products

On September 1, 2010, we sold the remaining portion of our plastic products business, which is based in Europe, for $3.  We recognized a loss of $5 in research, development and other operating expenses, net related to this sale in Unallocated and Other.

On August 28, 2009, we entered into an agreement to sell the North American portion of our plastic products business for $2 effective August 1, 2009.  We recognized a loss of $5 in research, development and other operating expenses, net related to this sale in Unallocated and Other.

Primary Accelerators

On April 22, 2010, due to overcapacity within the industry, a disadvantaged cost position and increasing pressure from Far Eastern producers, we made the decision to exit our Primary Accelerators business and to cease manufacturing of SANTOCURE® primary accelerator products at the Monsanto Company (“Monsanto”) facility in Antwerp, Belgium, where we operated as a guest.  Our decision to exit this business is consistent with our strategy of focusing on businesses that are leaders in their global markets and that have sustainable competitive advantages.  In the third quarter 2010, we ceased manufacturing of these products, which had previously been included in our Technical Specialties reportable segment.  Accordingly, we have reported the results of Primary Accelerators as a discontinued operation and restated prior periods to reflect this presentation.
 
 
- 7 -

 
SOLUTIA INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts or otherwise noted)
(Unaudited)

A summary of the net sales and income (loss) from discontinued operations related to our Primary Accelerators business is as follows:
 
   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
Primary Accelerators:
                       
Operating results:
                       
Net sales
  $ 12     $ 13     $ 46     $ 35  
Loss before income taxes
  $ (5 )   $ (3 )   $ (46 )   $ (6 )
Income tax benefit
    (7 )     (1 )     (16 )     (2 )
Income (Loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax
  $ 2     $ (2 )   $ (30 )   $ (4 )

Included in the results of discontinued operations are $6 and $44 of pre-tax expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 related to the shutdown of this business.  The shutdown expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 include $6 for impairment of long-lived assets using a Level 3 fair value measurement as defined by U.S. GAAP under the fair value hierarchy, which was recorded in the second quarter.  We anticipate recognizing severance related expenses of $1 to $3 in the next six to twelve months to complete the shutdown of this business. There can be no assurance as to what the ultimate expenses will be.

The assets and liabilities of our Primary Accelerators business, classified as discontinued operations, consist of the following:

   
September 30,
2010
   
December 31,
2009
 
             
Assets:
           
Trade receivables, net
  $ 7     $ 8  
Miscellaneous receivables
    2       2  
Inventories
    7       10  
Current assets of discontinued operations
  $ 16     $ 20  
                 
Liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 2     $ 8  
Accrued liabilities
    23       4  
Current liabilities of discontinued operations
  $ 25     $ 12  
                 
Other liabilities
  $ 25     $ --  
Non-current liabilities of discontinued operations
  $ 25     $ --  
 
Integrated Nylon

On June 1, 2009, we sold substantially all the assets and certain liabilities, including environmental remediation liabilities and pension liabilities of active employees, of our Integrated Nylon business to S.K. Capital Partners II, L.P. (the “Buyer”) resulting in the realization of a loss of $76, which was recorded in income (loss) from discontinued operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.  On April 20, 2010, we entered into a settlement agreement that resolved all outstanding matters with Lyondell Chemical Company (“Lyondell”), a guest that operated at the Integrated Nylon Alvin, Texas plant, in exchange for payment by us of $17.  Separately, we entered into an agreement with the Buyer whereby our liability for indirect residual costs at the plant is settled in exchange for a payment by us of $4.  During 2009, we accrued for our estimate of such settlements.  Each settlement became effective upon Lyondell’s emergence from bankruptcy protection on April 30, 2010.  Based on the terms of the settlements, we recognized a gain of $17 in the second quarter 2010 in income (loss) from discontinued operations.  Of the total $21 in settlements, we paid $20 in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 with the remaining $1 to be paid in the fourth quarter of 2010.

 
 
- 8 -

 
SOLUTIA INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts or otherwise noted)
(Unaudited)

A summary of the net sales and income (loss) from discontinued operations related to our Integrated Nylon business is as follows:
 
   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
Integrated Nylon:
                       
Operating results:
                       
Net sales
  $ --     $ --     $ --     $ 370  
Income (Loss) before income taxes
  $ --     $ --     $ 17     $ (187 )
Income tax benefit
    --       --       --       (17 )
Income (Loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax
  $ --     $ --     $ 17     $ (170 )

The 2009 operating results of our Integrated Nylon business reflect adjustments to our interest expense associated with debt which would be repaid using anticipated sales proceeds which were not previously allocated to the results of this business.  Conversely, certain corporate expenses are excluded from the operating results which had previously been allocated to Integrated Nylon.

The carrying amounts of all assets and liabilities associated with our Integrated Nylon business have been classified as current in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position and consist of the following:

   
September 30,
2010
   
December 31,
2009
 
             
Assets:
           
Miscellaneous receivables
  $ --     $ 10  
Assets of discontinued operations
  $ --     $ 10  
                 
Liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  $ --     $ 29  
Accrued liabilities
    1       21  
Liabilities of discontinued operations
  $ 1     $ 50  

Resins

On January 31, 2003, we sold the resins, additives and adhesives business to UCB S.A.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2009, changes related to tax audits from 2000 through 2004 for our 100% owned subsidiary, Solutia Deutschland GmbH, resulted in a reduction in previously unrecognized tax benefits of $1.  Accordingly, an income tax benefit equal to this amount was recognized in income (loss) from discontinued operations.

3.  Share-Based Compensation

On April 21, 2010, at our annual meeting of stockholders, our stockholders approved amendments to our 2007 Management Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2007 Management Plan”).  The amendments, among other things, increase the number of shares reserved for issuance under the 2007 Management Plan by 3,640,000 shares, to a total amount of 10,840,000 shares.

Stock Options

We granted options to purchase a total of 987,374 shares of common stock to eligible employees under our 2007 Management Plan during the nine months ended September 30, 2010.  No options were granted under our 2007 Non-Employee Director Stock Compensation Plan (“2007 Director Plan”) during the nine months ended September 30, 2010.  The options granted (i) have an exercise price of not less than 100 percent of the fair market value of the common stock on the grant date, (ii) substantially all become exercisable in four equal installments on the first, second, third and fourth anniversary of the grant date, subject to the employee’s continued employment and (iii) expire on the tenth anniversary of the grant date.  No options to purchase shares of common stock were granted under the 2007 Management Plan or 2007 Director Plan during the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

 
 
- 9 -

 
SOLUTIA INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts or otherwise noted)
(Unaudited)

We determine the fair value of stock options at the grant date using a Black-Scholes model, which requires us to make several assumptions including risk-free interest rate, expected dividends and volatility.  The risk-free rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect for the expected term of the options at the time of grant.  The dividend yield on our common stock is assumed to be zero since we do not pay dividends and have no current plans to do so.  Our historical volatility data and employee stock option exercise patterns were not considered in determining the volatility data and expected life assumptions.  Instead, volatility assumptions were based on (i) historical volatilities of the stock of comparable chemical companies whose shares are traded using daily stock price returns over a term equivalent to the expected term of the options and (ii) implied volatility.  The expected life of each option was determined based on a simplified assumption that the option will be exercised evenly from the time it becomes exercisable to expiration.

The weighted average fair value of options granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was determined based on the following weighted average assumptions:

   
September 30,
2010
 
       
Expected volatility
    37.10 %
Expected term (in years)
    6.3  
Risk-free rate
    3.19 %
Weighted average grant date fair value
  $ 7.13  

A summary of stock option information as of September 30, 2010 is as follows:

   
Options
   
Weighted Average
Exercise Price
   
Weighted Average
Remaining
Contractual Life
   
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value (a)
 
                         
Vested or Expected to Vest at September 30, 2010
    2,655,473     $ 17.13       8.1     $ --  
Exercisable at September 30, 2010
    1,189,734     $ 17.29       7.4     $ --  

(a)
Intrinsic value for stock options is calculated based on the difference between the exercise price of the underlying awards and the quoted market price of our common stock as of the reporting date. If the exercise price of the underlying awards is higher than the quoted market price of our common stock as of the reporting date, the intrinsic value of the award is $0.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, we recognized $2 and $4 of compensation expense related to our stock options, respectively.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, we recognized $1 and $5 of compensation expense related to our stock options, respectively, of which $1 was allocated to discontinued operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.  Pre-tax unrecognized compensation expense for stock options, net of estimated forfeitures, was $7 as of September 30, 2010 which will be recognized as expense over a remaining weighted average period of 1.9 years.

Restricted Stock Awards

We granted 608,940 shares of restricted stock awards with a weighted average grant date fair value of $18.91 per share to certain employees under our 2007 Management Plan during the nine months ended September 30, 2010.  Half of the 2007 Management Plan shares granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 vest upon completion of a service condition and the remaining half of the shares vest based upon the attainment of certain performance and market conditions (“Performance Shares”).  The service condition shares vest 100 percent in April 2014 and the Performance Shares vest in April 2013 if attainment of the performance and market conditions is achieved. The actual vesting of the Performance Shares could range from zero to 175 percent of the targeted number of shares depending upon actual performance.  We granted 2,412,859 shares of restricted stock awards under the 2007 Management Plan during the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

 
 
- 10 -

 
SOLUTIA INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts or otherwise noted)
(Unaudited)

We granted 36,447 shares of restricted stock awards as initial or annual equity retainers with a weighted average grant date fair value of $16.95 per share to our non-employee directors under the 2007 Director Plan during the nine months ended September 30, 2010.  Included in this grant are 6,227 shares, representing an initial equity retainer, that vest in three equal installments on the anniversary of the grant.  The remaining balance of the shares, representing annual equity retainers, vests in three equal installments, with the first installment vesting as of the date of the grant and the remaining vesting equally on the first and second anniversary of the grant date.  We granted 56,938 shares of restricted stock awards under the 2007 Director Plan during the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, we recognized $4 and $11 of compensation expense, respectively, related to our restricted stock awards.  During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, we recognized $3 and $10 of compensation expense related to our restricted stock awards, respectively, of which $1 was allocated to discontinued operations.  Pre-tax unrecognized compensation expense for restricted stock awards, net of estimated forfeitures, was $20 as of September 30, 2010 which will be recognized as expense over a remaining weighted average period of 1.9 years.

4.  Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill

Goodwill by reportable segment is as follows:
 
   
Advanced Interlayers
   
Performance Films
   
Technical Specialties
   
Total
 
Balance at December 31, 2009
  $ 205     $ 159     $ 147     $ 511  
Acquisitions
    187       24       --       211  
Currency fluctuations
    21       1       --       22  
Balance at September 30, 2010
  $ 413     $ 184     $ 147     $ 744  

The goodwill recognized during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 in the Advanced Interlayers and Performance Films reportable segments relates to the Vistasolar and Novomatrix acquisitions, respectively, as discussed in Note 2 - Acquisitions and Divestitures.

Identified Intangible Assets

Identified intangible assets are summarized in aggregate as follows:

   
September 30, 2010
   
December 31, 2009
 
   
Estimated
Useful
Life in
Years
   
Gross
Carrying
Value
   
Accumulated
Amortization
   
Net
Carrying
Value
   
Estimated
Useful
Life in
Years
   
Gross
Carrying
Value
   
Accumulated
Amortization
   
Net
Carrying
Value
 
                                                 
Amortizable intangible assets:
                                               
Customer relationships
 
13 to 27
    $ 610     $ (50 )   $ 560    
23 to 27
    $ 491     $ (34 )   $ 457  
Technology
 
5 to 26
      227       (26 )     201    
5 to 26
      202       (19 )     183  
Trade names
  25       13       (1 )     12     25       13       (1 )     12  
Patents
  13       5       (1 )     4     13       5       (1 )     4  
Other
 
3 to 5
      6       (1 )     5     --       --       --       --  
Non-amortizable intangible assets:
                                                               
Trademarks
            173       --       173               147       --       147  
Total identified intangible assets
          $ 1,034     $ (79 )   $ 955             $ 858     $ (55 )   $ 803  
 

 
 
- 11 -

SOLUTIA INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts or otherwise noted)
(Unaudited)
 
 
Amortization expense and its allocation to cost of goods sold and selling, general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Operations follow:
 
   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
                         
Cost of goods sold
  $ 3     $ 2     $ 8     $ 7  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    7       5       17       15  
Total
  $ 10     $ 7     $ 25     $ 22  

We expect to recognize amortization expense for intangible assets of approximately $35, $38, $38, $37 and $37 for the years ending December 31, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively.

5.  Detail of Certain Balance Sheet Accounts

Components of inventories are as follows:

Inventories
 
September 30,
2010
   
December 31,
2009
 
             
Finished goods
  $ 166     $ 130  
Goods in process
    40       47  
Raw materials and supplies
    72       69  
Inventories, at FIFO cost
  $ 278       246  
Excess of LIFO over FIFO cost
            1  
Total Inventories
          $ 247  

On January 1, 2010 we changed our method of accounting for inventories in the United States, excluding supplies, from determining cost using the LIFO method to determining cost using the FIFO method.  All of our other operations will continue to be valued at cost, determined by the FIFO method.  We believe this change is preferable as the FIFO method better reflects the current value of inventories on the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position.  Furthermore, the application of the FIFO method provides a uniform costing method across our global operations.  Prior financial statements have not been retroactively adjusted due to immateriality. The cumulative effect of the change in accounting principle of $1 was recorded as an increase to cost of goods sold as of January 1, 2010.
 
Components of property, plant, and equipment are as follows:

Property, Plant and Equipment
 
September 30,
2010
   
December 31,
2009
 
             
Land
  $ 35     $ 33  
Leasehold improvements
    10       10  
Buildings
    213       211  
Machinery and equipment
    784       758  
Construction in progress
    40       35  
Total property, plant and equipment
    1,082       1,047  
Less:  Accumulated depreciation
    (182 )     (128 )
Net Property, Plant, and Equipment
  $ 900     $ 919  

Components of accrued liabilities are as follows:

Accrued Liabilities
 
September 30,
2010
   
December 31,
2009
 
             
Wages and benefits
  $ 64     $ 24  
Foreign currency and interest rate hedge agreements
    18       7  
Restructuring reserves
    6       13  
Environmental remediation liabilities
    31       31  
Accrued income taxes payable
    24       19  
Accrued selling expenses
    17       20  
Accrued interest
    17       8  
Other
    85       80  
Total Accrued Liabilities
  $ 262     $ 202  
 
 
 
- 12 -

 
SOLUTIA INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts or otherwise noted)
(Unaudited)
 
6.  Income Taxes

Income Tax Expense

We recorded net income tax expense of $7 and $26 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively, and net income tax expense of $13 and $17 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, respectively.  Our income tax expense or benefit is affected by changes in the mix of income and losses in the tax jurisdictions in which we operate, unrecognized tax benefits and discrete items.

For the three months ended September 30, 2010, we recognized a tax benefit of $2 due to the effective settlement of a tax position taken in a prior year and an additional $2 due to the reevaluation of a similar tax position not yet settled.  In the second quarter of 2010, a tax benefit of $6 was recognized for a change in a valuation allowance of an ex-U.S. entity.  In the first quarter of 2009, a tax benefit of $10 was recognized due to developments in case law changing the technical merits of a tax position.  

For both of the periods of 2010 and 2009, we recorded income tax expense on ex-U.S. earnings but a full valuation allowance against the tax benefit on losses experienced in the U.S.

Unrecognized Tax Benefits

The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits, inclusive of interest and penalties, at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 was $148 and $155, respectively.  Included in the balance at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 were $50 and $54, respectively, of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would impact the effective tax rate.  The decrease in the amounts is mainly the result of the closure of tax audits, statute of limitation expirations offset by tax positions with respect to events in the current year and the effect of currency exchange rate fluctuations.  

We file income tax returns in the U.S. and various states and foreign jurisdictions.  With few exceptions, we are no longer subject to U.S. federal, state and local, or non-U.S. income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2002.  It is reasonably possible that due to the resolution of federal, state and foreign examinations and appeals, and the expiration of various statutes of limitation within the next 12 months our unrecognized tax benefits that would impact the effective tax rate will decrease by a range of $0 to $16 and our unrecognized tax benefits that would not impact the effective tax rate will decrease by a range of $0 to $3.

7.  Restructuring Reserves

In an effort to maintain competitiveness across our businesses and the geographic areas in which we operate and to enhance the efficiency and cost effectiveness of our support operations, we periodically initiate certain restructuring activities which result in charges for costs associated with exit or disposal activities, severance and/or impairment of long-lived assets.  A summary of these activities for the periods presented are as follows:

Cologne Facility Closure

In the fourth quarter 2009, we announced the sale of our customer list and technology related to select products in our PERKACIT® ultra accelerators product line within our Technical Specialties reportable segment (“Thiurams Sale”).  As part of the Thiurams Sale, we entered into an agreement with the buyer to produce the select products through March 31, 2010 (“Tolling Agreement”) for $4.  At the end of the Tolling Agreement, we ceased manufacturing at the Akzo Nobel facility in Cologne, Germany (“Cologne Facility”) where we operated as a guest.  A summary of the charges and changes in estimate associated with this project during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and cumulative charges through September 30, 2010 are as follows:
 
 
- 13 -

SOLUTIA INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts or otherwise noted)
(Unaudited)
 
 
   
Contract
Termination
Payments
   
Employment
Reductions
   
Other
Restructuring
Costs
   
Total
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2010:
                       
Cost of goods sold
  $ --     $ --     $ 1     $ 1  
                                 
Nine Months Ended and Cumulative through September 30, 2010:
                               
Cost of goods sold
  $ 2     $ 2     $ 2     $ 6  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    --       1       --       1  
Total
  $ 2     $ 3     $ 2     $ 7  

To complete the closure process, based on current information, we expect to incur charges of approximately $1 as an increase to cost of goods sold for other costs including demolition.  There can be no assurance as to what the ultimate charges will be.

General Corporate

In the fourth quarter of 2008, we initiated a general corporate restructuring targeted to increase the efficiency and cost effectiveness of our support operations.  Throughout 2009, this project expanded in scope to include a reduction in operational personnel in order to more appropriately match our organization with current production levels.  There were no costs incurred in the three months ended September 30, 2010 related to this project.  A summary of the employee reduction charges associated with this project during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and cumulative charges through September 30, 2010 are as follows:

   
Advanced
Interlayers
   
Performance
Films
   
Technical
Specialties
   
Unallocated
and Other
   
Total
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010:
                             
Cost of goods sold
  $ --     $ 1     $ --     $ --     $ 1  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    --       --       1       1       2  
Total
  $ --     $ 1     $ 1     $ 1     $ 3  
                                         
Cumulative through September 30, 2010:
                                       
Cost of goods sold
  $ 3     $ 2     $ 1     $ 1     $ 7  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    12       3       3       14       32  
Research, development and other operating
expenses, net
    1       --       --       --       1  
Total
  $ 16     $ 5     $ 4     $ 15     $ 40  

In addition to the cumulative employee reduction charges recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses, we incurred $1 of charges for future contractual payments related to the relocation of certain regional support operations from Singapore to Shanghai, China.  We do not expect to incur any additional restructuring charges for this project.

Ruabon Facility Closure

Due to overcapacity within the industry, a disadvantaged cost position and increasing pressure from Far Eastern producers, we ceased the manufacturing of certain rubber chemicals at our facility in Ruabon, United Kingdom (“Ruabon Facility”) in the third and fourth quarters of 2008 with an expected final closure of the plant in 2014.  There were no costs incurred related to this project in the three months ended September 30, 2010.  A summary of the charges associated with this project within our Technical Specialties reportable segment during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and cumulative charges and changes in estimates through September 30, 2010 as recorded in cost of goods sold are as follows:
 
 
- 14 -

SOLUTIA INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts or otherwise noted)
(Unaudited)
 
 
   
Contract
Termination
Payments
   
Employment
Reductions
   
Other
Restructuring
Costs
   
Total
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010:
                       
Charges taken
  $ --     $ --     $ 2     $ 2  
                                 
Cumulative through September 30, 2010:
                               
Charges taken
  $ 10     $ 9     $ 6     $ 25  
Changes in estimates (a)
    (5 )     --       --       (5 )
Total
  $ 5     $ 9     $ 6     $ 20  


(a)
We reduced the contract termination payment reserve by $5 due to a renegotiation of the lease and operating agreement with our third party operator.  The new lease and operating agreement, which is effective from September 1, 2009 through December 31, 2013, reduced the services to be provided and increased certain fees allowing the contract to provide an economic benefit.

To complete the closure process, based on current information, we expect to incur an additional $3 in charges as an increase to cost of goods sold for other restructuring costs including demolition.

Restructuring Summary

A summary of all restructuring activity during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 is as follows:

   
Contract
Termination
Payments
   
Employment
Reductions
   
Impairment of
Long-Lived
Assets
   
Other
Restructuring
Costs
   
Total
 
                               
Balance at December 31, 2009
  $ 2     $ 15     $ --     $ --     $ 17  
Charges taken
    1       4       --       1       6  
Amounts utilized
    (1 )     (7 )     --       (1 )     (9 )
Currency fluctuations
    --       (1 )     --       --       (1 )
Balance at March 31, 2010
    2       11       --       --       13  
Charges taken
    1       2       --       2       5  
Amounts utilized
    --       (6 )     --       (2 )     (8 )
Changes in estimates
    1       --       --       --       1  
Currency fluctuations
    (1 )     --       --       --       (1 )
Balance at June 30, 2010
    3       7       --       --       10  
Charges taken
    --       --       --       1       1  
Amounts utilized
    --       (2 )     --       (1 )     (3 )
Balance at September 30, 2010
  $ 3     $ 5     $ --     $ --     $ 8  

We expect $6 of restructuring liabilities as of September 30, 2010 to be utilized within the next twelve months.

8.  Commitments and Contingencies

Litigation

We are a party to legal proceedings, which have arisen in the ordinary course of business and involve claims for monetary damages.  As of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, we accrued approximately $3 and $2, respectively, for legal costs to defend ourselves in legal matters.

Except for the potential effect of an unfavorable outcome with respect to our Legacy Tort Claims Litigation, it is our opinion that the aggregate of all claims and lawsuits will not have a material adverse impact on our consolidated financial statements.
 
 
 
- 15 -

 
SOLUTIA INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts or otherwise noted)
(Unaudited)
 
Legacy Tort Claims Litigation

Pursuant to the Amended and Restated Settlement Agreement effective February 28, 2008, entered into by Solutia and Monsanto in connection with our emergence from Chapter 11 (the “Monsanto Settlement Agreement”), Monsanto is responsible to defend and indemnify Solutia for any Legacy Tort Claims as that term is defined in the agreement, while Solutia retains responsibility for tort claims arising out of exposure occurring after our spinoff from Pharmacia Corporation (“Pharmacia”) (the former Monsanto Company which is now a 100% owned subsidiary of Pfizer, Inc.), which occurred on September 1, 1997 (the “Solutia Spinoff”).  Solutia or its 100% owned subsidiary, Flexsys, have been named as defendants in the following actions, and have submitted the matters to Monsanto as Legacy Tort Claims.  However, to the extent these matters relate to post Solutia Spinoff exposure or such matters are not within the meaning of “Legacy Tort Claims” within the Monsanto Settlement Agreement, we would potentially be liable.

Putnam County, West Virginia Litigation: In December 2004, a purported class action lawsuit was filed in the Circuit Court of Putnam County, West Virginia against Flexsys, Pharmacia, Monsanto and Akzo Nobel (Solutia is not a named defendant) alleging exposure to dioxin from Flexsys’ Nitro, West Virginia facility, which is now closed.  The relevant production activities at the facility occurred during Pharmacia’s ownership and operation of the facility and well prior to the creation of the Flexsys joint venture between Pharmacia (whose interest was subsequently transferred to us in the Solutia Spinoff) and Akzo Nobel.  The plaintiffs are seeking damages for loss of property value, medical monitoring and other equitable relief.

Beginning in February 2008, Flexsys, Monsanto, Pharmacia, Akzo Nobel and another third party were named as defendants in approximately seventy-five individual lawsuits, and Solutia was named in two individual lawsuits, filed in various state court jurisdictions by residents or former residents of Putnam County, West Virginia.  The largely identical complaints allege that the residents were exposed to potentially harmful levels of dioxin particles from the Nitro facility.  Plaintiffs did not specify the amount of their alleged damages in their complaints.  In 2009, over fifty additional nearly identical complaints were filed by individual plaintiffs in the Putnam County area, which named Solutia and Flexsys as defendants.

The claims in this matter concern alleged conduct occurring while Flexsys was a joint venture of Solutia and Akzo Nobel, and any potential damages in these cases would be evenly apportioned between Solutia and Akzo Nobel.

Escambia County, Florida Litigation: In June 2008, a group of approximately fifty property owners and business owners in the Pensacola, Florida area filed a lawsuit in the Circuit Court for Escambia County, Florida against Monsanto, Pharmacia, Solutia and the plant manager at Solutia's former Pensacola plant, which was included in the sale of our Integrated Nylon business.  The lawsuit, entitled John Allen, et al. v. Monsanto Company, et al., alleges that the defendants are responsible for elevated levels of PCBs in the Escambia River and Escambia Bay due to past and allegedly continuing releases of PCBs from the Pensacola plant. The plaintiffs seek: (1) damages associated with alleged decreased property values caused by the alleged contamination and (2) remediation of the alleged contamination in the waterways.  Plaintiffs did not specify the amount of their alleged damages in their complaint.  Plaintiffs have subsequently amended their complaint to add additional plaintiffs to the litigation, such that 111 property and business owners are now named as plaintiffs.

St. Clair County, Illinois and Related Litigation: In February 2009, a purported class action lawsuit was filed in the Circuit Court of St. Clair County, Illinois against Solutia, Pharmacia, Monsanto and two other unrelated defendants alleging the contamination of the plaintiff’s property from PCBs, dioxins, furans and other alleged hazardous substances emanating from the defendants’ facilities in Sauget, Illinois (including our W.G. Krummrich site in Sauget, Illinois).  The proposed class action is comprised of residents who live within a two-mile radius of the Sauget facilities.  The plaintiffs are seeking damages for medical monitoring and the costs associated with remediation and removal of alleged contaminants from their property.  This action is one of several lawsuits (primarily filed by the same plaintiffs’ counsel) over the past year regarding alleged historical contamination from the W.G. Krummrich site.

 
 
- 16 -

 
SOLUTIA INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts or otherwise noted)
(Unaudited)
 
In addition to the purported class action lawsuit, twenty additional individual lawsuits have been filed since February 2009 against the same defendants (including Solutia) comprised of claims from over one thousand individual residents of Illinois who claim they suffered illnesses and/or injuries as well as property damages as a result of the same PCB’s, dioxins, furans and other alleged hazardous substances allegedly emanating from the defendants’ facilities in Sauget.  In June 2010, a group of approximately 1,200 plaintiffs also filed wrongful death claims in a lawsuit in St. Clair County arising out of alleged contamination from the defendants’ facilities. Moreover, four additional individual lawsuits comprised of claims from twelve plaintiffs were filed between January and April 2010 in Madison County, Illinois, alleging the plaintiffs suffered illnesses resulting from exposure to benzene, PCBs, dioxins, furans and other hazardous substances.  Lastly, in June 2010, a second purported class action lawsuit was filed in the Circuit Court of St. Louis City, Missouri against the same defendants alleging the contamination of the plaintiffs’ property from PCBs, dioxins, furans and other alleged hazardous substances emanating from the defendants’ facilities in Sauget, Illinois and from our now-closed Queeny plant in St. Louis.  The plaintiffs are seeking damages for medical monitoring and the costs associated with remediation and removal of alleged contaminants from their property.  The proposed class members include residents exclusively within the state of Missouri.

Upon assessment of the terms of the Monsanto Settlement Agreement and other defenses available to us, we believe the probability of an unfavorable outcome to us on the Putnam County, West Virginia; Escambia County, Florida; and St. Clair County, Illinois and related litigation against us is remote and, accordingly, we have not recorded a loss contingency.  Nonetheless, if it were subsequently determined these matters are not within the meaning of “Legacy Tort Claims,” as defined in the Monsanto Settlement Agreement, or other defenses to us were unsuccessful, it is reasonably possible we would be liable for an amount which cannot be estimated but which could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial statements.

Solutia Inc. Employees’ Pension Plan Litigation

Starting in October 2005, separate purported class action lawsuits were filed by current or former participants in our U.S. pension plan (“U.S. Plan”), which were ultimately consolidated in September 2006 into a single case.  The Consolidated Class Action Complaint alleged three separate causes of action against the U.S. Plan: (1) the U.S. Plan violates ERISA by terminating interest credits on prior plan accounts at the age of 55; (2) the U.S. Plan is improperly backloaded in violation of ERISA; and (3) the U.S. Plan is discriminatory on the basis of age.  In September 2007, the court dismissed the plaintiffs’ second and third claims, and by consent of the parties, certified a class action against the U.S. Plan only with respect to plaintiffs’ claim that the U.S. Plan violates ERISA by allegedly terminating interest credits on prior plan accounts at the age of 55.  On June 11, 2009, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois entered a summary judgment in favor of the U.S. Plan on the sole remaining claim against the U.S. Plan.  The district court entered its final appealable judgment in the case on September 29, 2009, and plaintiffs appealed the decision to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals.  The Seventh Circuit held oral argument on the appeal in April 2010, and affirmed the decision of the district court in favor of the defendants in July 2010.

Medicare Reimbursement Litigation

In December 2009, the Department of Justice (“DOJ”), on behalf of the United States government, filed suit in the United States District Court, Northern District of Alabama (in a case captioned United States of America v. Stricker, et al.), against Solutia, Monsanto, Pharmacia and the attorneys and law firms who represented the plaintiffs in Abernathy v. Solutia Inc., et al. (“Abernathy”) lawsuit arising out of PCB contamination in Anniston, Alabama.   The DOJ alleges the defendants failed to reimburse Medicare for medical expenses paid to Abernathy settlement recipients who were Medicare beneficiaries.  Specifically, the DOJ claims that approximately 907 claimants who received payments for medical treatment under the Abernathy settlement were Medicare beneficiaries who received “conditional” payments from Medicare for the same treatment.  The DOJ alleges that the conditional payments were subject to reimbursement if a primary payer had responsibility to cover the treatment at issue, but no reimbursement was made to the government by any of the Abernathy participants.  The DOJ is seeking recovery of these allegedly unpaid reimbursements from the defendants who paid into the Abernathy settlement fund, as well as the plaintiffs’ counsel who represented the Medicare recipients and were responsible for the distribution of the settlement funds.  The DOJ did not specify the amount of damages – either generally from the defendants or specifically from Solutia – which the government seeks in this case.

 
 
- 17 -

 
SOLUTIA INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts or otherwise noted)
(Unaudited)
 

Solutia and the other defendants filed motions to dismiss in February 2010.  In September 2010, the district court granted the defendants’ motions, finding the DOJ failed to file the action within the applicable statute of limitations.  As a result, judgment was entered in favor of the defendants, and Solutia and the other defendants were dismissed from the case.

Resolution of Tax Indemnification

During the second quarter 2010, we received a favorable settlement in a tax indemnification case related to income taxes we paid on a business for periods prior to our acquisition.  The settlement resulted in an $8 gain recorded in other income (loss), net within Unallocated and Other during the nine months ended September 30, 2010.

Environmental Liabilities

In the ordinary course of business, we are subject to numerous environmental laws and regulations covering compliance matters or imposing liability for the costs of, and damages resulting from, cleaning up sites, past spills, disposals and other releases of hazardous substances.  We have incurred, and we may in the future incur, liabilities to investigate and clean up waste or contamination at our current facilities, properties adjacent to our current facilities or facilities operated by third parties at where we may have disposed of waste or other materials.  Under some circumstances, the scope of our liability may extend to damages to natural resources for which we have accrued $2, exclusive of the balances noted below.  In almost all cases, our potential liability arising from historical contamination is based on operations and other events occurring at our facilities or as a result of their operation prior to the Solutia Spinoff.

Further, under terms of the Monsanto Settlement Agreement, we have agreed to share responsibility with Monsanto for the environmental remediation at certain locations outside our plant boundaries in Anniston, Alabama and Sauget, Illinois which were also incurred prior to the Solutia Spinoff (the “Shared Sites”).  Under this cost-sharing arrangement, we are responsible for the funding of environmental liabilities at the Shared Sites from February 28, 2008 (the “Effective Date”) up to a total of $325.  Thereafter, if needed, we and Monsanto will share responsibility equally.  From the Effective Date through September 30, 2010, we have made cash payments of $21 toward remediation of the Shared Sites after exhaustion of the special purpose entity funds and have accrued an additional $166 to be paid over the life of the Shared Sites remediation activity.

Reserves for environmental remediation that we believe to be probable and estimable are recorded appropriately as current and long-term liabilities in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position.  These reserves include liabilities expected to be paid out within fifteen years.  The amounts charged to pre-tax earnings for environmental remediation and related charges are included in cost of goods sold and are summarized below:

   
Total
 
Balance at December 31, 2009
  $ 291  
Net charges taken
    3  
Amounts utilized
    (7 )
Currency fluctuations
    (1 )
Balance at March 31, 2010
    286  
Net charges taken
    3  
Amounts utilized
    (6 )
Balance at June 30, 2010
    283  
Net charges taken
    2  
Amounts utilized
    (5 )
Currency fluctuations
    1  
Balance at September 30, 2010
  $ 281  
 
 
- 18 -

SOLUTIA INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts or otherwise noted)
(Unaudited)
 
 
   
September 30, 2010
   
December 31, 2009
 
Environmental Remediation Liabilities, current
  $ 31     $ 31  
Environmental Remediation Liabilities, long-term
    250       260  
Total
  $ 281     $ 291  
 
In addition to accrued environmental liabilities, there are costs which have not met the definition of probable, and accordingly, are not recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position.  These loss contingencies are monitored regularly for a change in fact or circumstance that would require an accrual adjustment.  These matters involve significant unresolved issues, including the interpretation of applicable laws and regulations, the outcome of negotiations with regulatory authorities and alternative methods of remediation. Because of these uncertainties, the potential liability for existing environmental remediation may range up to two times the amount recorded.
 
Except as noted below, we believe that these matters, when ultimately resolved, which may be over an extended period of time, will not have a material adverse effect on our Consolidated Statement of Financial Position, but could have a material adverse effect on our Consolidated Statement of Operations in any given period.  Our significant sites are described in more detail below:

Anniston, Alabama:  On Aug. 4, 2003, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama approved a Revised Partial Consent Decree, pursuant to which Pharmacia and Solutia are obligated to perform, among other things, residential cleanup work and a remedial investigation/feasibility study (“RI/FS”) as a result of PCB contamination from our Anniston plant, which occurred prior to the Solutia Spinoff.  The residential cleanup is proceeding and should be completed by the end of 2010, with the implementation in 2011 of an interim institutional control program to address future changes to residential properties.  Some level of remediation of non-residential properties and creek floodplains and/or sediment will be required in the future and we have accrued for this liability based upon our understanding of the level and extent of contamination in these areas, the remedial effort likely to be required by various governmental organizations and estimated costs associated with similar remediation projects.  We may recover some of our investigation and remediation costs from parties, against whom we filed a cost recovery action in July 2003 but because the eventual outcome of these proceedings is uncertain, our environmental liability at September 30, 2010 does not incorporate this potential reimbursement.  State and Federal Natural Resource Damage Trustees have asserted a claim for potential natural resource damage but have yet to undertake an assessment as to the nature and extent of such damages.  As of September 30, 2010, we have accrued $111 for all environmental remediation projects in the Anniston, Alabama area which represents our best estimate of the final cost liability.  Timing of the remediation will not be established until we complete the RI/FS, a Record of Decision is issued by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“USEPA”), and a consent decree is negotiated and entered by the court to cover the selected remediation for each of the operable units of this site, which will take several years.

Sauget, Illinois:  A number of industrial facilities, including our W.G. Krummrich plant, have operated and disposed of waste in Sauget, Illinois.  Areas of contamination from these industrial operations, which for our W.G. Krummrich plant occurred prior to the Solutia Spinoff, have been classified as part of either the Sauget Area 1 Sites or the Sauget Area 2 Sites.  We conducted a RI/FS for the Sauget Area 1 Sites under an Administrative Order on Consent issued on January 21, 1999.  Although an extensive removal action for one of the Sauget Area 1 Sites was conducted under a Unilateral Administrative Order issued on May 31, 2000, the cost and timing of any additional required remedial actions will be established only after a Record of Decision is issued by the USEPA and a consent decree is negotiated and entered by the court to cover the selected remediation, which is expected within the next two years.  We have an agreement with two other potentially responsible parties (“PRPs”) to enter into an allocation proceeding upon issuance of the Record of Decision to resolve our respective shares of the liability for the Sauget Area 1 Sites and we are pursuing a cost recovery lawsuit against one additional PRP.  We, in coordination with 19 other PRPs, were also required to conduct a RI/FS for the Sauget Area 2 Sites under an Administrative Order on Consent issued effective November 24, 2000.  We submitted the revised RI/FS report with other PRPs based on interim allocations and have agreed, upon issuance of the Record of Decision, to participate in an allocation proceeding to fully resolve each PRPs’ share of the liability for the investigation and remediation costs.  An interim groundwater remedy has been installed pursuant to a Unilateral Administrative Order issued on October 3, 2002.  We anticipate that the USEPA will issue a Record of Decision sometime in 2011.  Our ultimate exposure at these sites will depend on the final remedial actions to be taken and on the level of contribution from other PRPs.  In addition, several PRPs, including Solutia and Pharmacia, received in June 2009 from the U.S. Department of Interior, on behalf of various federal and state natural resource trustees, a notice of intent to perform and an invitation to cooperate in a natural resource damage assessment from the Sauget Industrial Corridor.  Our best estimate of the ultimate cost of all remedial measures that will be required at the Sauget, Illinois area sites is $69 which we have accrued as of September 30, 2010.

 
 
- 19 -

 
 
SOLUTIA INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts or otherwise noted)
(Unaudited)
 
W. G. Krummrich Site:  We entered into a Consent Order under the U.S. Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, as amended, effective May 3, 2000, to investigate and remediate soil and groundwater contamination from our manufacturing operations at the W.G. Krummrich plant, which occurred prior to the Solutia Spinoff.  We conducted an extensive corrective measures study and a Final Decision was issued by the USEPA in February 2008 setting out the required corrective measures to be completed.  Due to the complexity of the contamination issues at this site, certain of the corrective measures will be performed in phases with the final remediation approach and timing for some of the corrective measures being determined only after investigation and pilot testing phases are completed.  Our best estimate of the ultimate cost of all corrective measures that will be required at the W.G. Krummrich Site is $26, which we have accrued as of September 30, 2010.

We also have accruals for remedial obligations at several of our current or former manufacturing sites which we have owned or operated since the Solutia Spinoff.  Our best estimate of the ultimate cost of all corrective measures that will be required at these sites is $75 which we have accrued as of September 30, 2010.

Environmental Agency Enforcement Actions

On March 3, 2009, the USEPA issued a Notice of Violation (“NOV”), Administrative Order (“AO”) and Reporting Requirement (“RR”) to Solutia concerning alleged violations of the Clean Air Act arising out of an inspection conducted at our manufacturing facility in Springfield, Massachusetts.  The NOV describes the USEPA’s findings alleging violations of the plant’s Title V and state operating permits related to emissions of volatile organic compounds.  The AO orders Solutia to comply with its Title V permit and the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants, Subpart OOO (Amino/Phenolic Resins), Subpart UU (Equipment Leaks), and General Provisions.  The RR requires Solutia to submit additional information regarding certain storage vessels and associated equipment.  On March 23, 2009, Solutia met with the USEPA to confer on this NOV, AO and RR.  Submittals of the requested information under the RR were made as required.  The USEPA informed Solutia at the meeting that it had not yet made any decisions as to whether it will take enforcement action or what type of action it will take with respect to this matter, and we have entered into a tolling agreement with the United States that provides the USEPA time to evaluate its case.  The amount of a potential loss, if any, is not currently estimable.

9.  Derivatives and Risk Management

Our business operations give rise to market risk exposures that result from changes in foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates and certain commodity prices.  To manage the volatility relating to these exposures, we periodically enter into various derivative transactions that enable us to alleviate the adverse effects of financial market risk.  We evaluate hedge effectiveness at inception and on an ongoing basis.  If a derivative is no longer expected to be effective or if the hedged transaction is no longer probable of occurring, hedge accounting is discontinued.  Hedge ineffectiveness, if any, is recorded into earnings.

 Our approved policies and procedures do not permit the purchase or holding of any derivative financial instruments for trading purposes.  Management of counterparty credit risk is achieved through diversification and credit rating reviews of the firms with whom we transact.

Interest Rate Risk

We occasionally enter into interest rate swap contracts to manage interest rate exposures.  In 2008, we entered into interest rate swap agreements with a total notional amount of $800 (“2008 Swaps”) in order to secure a fixed interest rate on a portion of our then existing floating interest rate term debt.  Through February 2009, we designated the 2008 Swaps as cash flow hedges and any changes in fair value were recorded to accumulated other comprehensive loss, a component of shareholders’ equity.  Thereafter, and as more fully described below, we discontinued hedge accounting on the 2008 Swaps because these derivatives were no longer expected to be effective.

 
 
- 20 -

 
 
SOLUTIA INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts or otherwise noted)
(Unaudited)
 

The 2008 Swaps have declining total notional amounts of $800 to $150 which are operational from April 2010 through February 2014.  Because these derivatives were no longer expected to be effective, we discontinued hedge accounting in February 2009 and all subsequent changes in fair value are recognized as interest expense in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

After assessing existing interest rate market conditions and to neutralize the impact to earnings, we entered into offsetting interest rate swap agreements that are operational beginning August 2010 with total notional amounts, operational dates and other terms that effectively mirror the 2008 Swaps.  Further, to mitigate the exposure to variable interest rates on the $850 million term debt which was borrowed in the first quarter 2010, we entered into interest rate swap agreements with a total notional amount of $600 (“2010 Swaps”) that are operational beginning in July 2010 in order to secure a fixed interest rate on a portion of the floating interest rate term debt.  The total notional amount of the 2010 Swaps declines to $200 through December 2015.  The 2010 Swaps were designated as cash flow hedges and therefore any changes in fair value were recorded to accumulated other comprehensive loss.

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk

We use foreign currency derivative instruments to manage the volatility associated with foreign currency purchases of materials and other assets and liabilities created in the normal course of business and to protect against exposure related to intercompany financing transactions.  These risks are hedged primarily through the use of forward exchange contracts and purchased options with maturities of less than 18 months.  We have chosen not to designate these instruments as hedges to allow the changes in the fair value of these instruments to largely offset the remeasurement of the underlying assets and liabilities in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. As of September 30, 2010, we had currency forward contracts to purchase and sell $128 of currencies comprised principally of the Euro, U.S. Dollar and Malaysian Ringgit.

Commodity Price Risk

We periodically enter into a limited number of commodity forward contracts in order to reduce cash flow exposure to changes in the price of certain raw materials and energy resources.  In 2009, we entered into commodity forward contracts related to our Integrated Nylon business.  At September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, we had no such contracts outstanding requiring fair value treatment.

Our derivatives recorded at their respective fair values at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position are summarized as follows:

 
September 30, 2010
 
 
Asset Derivatives
 
Liability Derivatives
 
 
Consolidated Statement
of Financial Position
Presentation
 
Fair Value
 
Consolidated Statement
of Financial Position
Presentation
 
Fair Value
 
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
               
Interest rate contracts
Miscellaneous Receivables
  $ --  
Accrued Liabilities
  $ 4  
 
Other Assets
    --  
Other Liabilities
    --  
   Total interest rate contracts
      --         4  
                     
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
                   
Interest rate contracts
Miscellaneous Receivables
  $ --  
Accrued Liabilities
  $ 14  
 
Other Assets
    5  
Other Liabilities
    22  
   Total interest rate contracts
      5         36  
Foreign exchange contracts
Miscellaneous Receivables
    2  
Accrued Liabilities
    --  
Total
    $ 7       $ 40  
 
 
 
- 21 -

SOLUTIA INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts or otherwise noted)
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
December 31, 2009
 
 
Asset Derivatives
 
Liability Derivatives
 
 
Consolidated Statement
of Financial Position
Presentation
 
Fair Value
 
Consolidated Statement
of Financial Position
Presentation
 
Fair Value
 
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
               
Interest rate contracts
Miscellaneous Receivables
  $ --  
Accrued Liabilities
  $ 6  
 
Other Assets
    --  
Other Liabilities
    14  
   Total interest rate contracts
      --         20  
Foreign exchange contracts
Miscellaneous Receivables
    2  
Accrued Liabilities
    1  
Total
    $ 2       $ 21  
 

 
A summary of the gains and losses on our derivative instruments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 included in the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Consolidated Statement of Financial Position is as follows:

   
Change in Unrealized
 Gain (Loss)
Recognized in
Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Loss
   
Amount of Gain (Loss)
Recognized in Income
 
Consolidated Statement of
Operations Presentation
   
Three months ended September 30
   
Three months ended September 30
   
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
   
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
                         
Interest rate contracts
  $ (4 )   $ --     $ --     $ --  
Interest expense
                                   
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
                                 
Interest rate contracts
  $ --     $ --     $ (5 )   $ (3 )
Interest expense (a)
Foreign exchange contracts
    --       --       3       1  
Other income (loss), net
Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
    --       --       (2 )     (2 )  
Total derivatives
  $ (4 )   $ --     $ (2 )   $ (2 )  
 
(a) – We reclassified $2 of losses from accumulated other comprehensive loss to interest expense during the three months ended September 30, 2010 related to the 2008 Swaps.
 
 
- 22 -

SOLUTIA INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts or otherwise noted)
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
   
Change in Unrealized
 Gain (Loss)
Recognized in
Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Loss
   
Amount of Gain (Loss)
Recognized in Income
 
Consolidated Statement of
Operations Presentation
   
Nine months ended September 30
   
Nine months ended September 30
   
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
   
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
                         
Interest rate contracts
  $ (4 )   $ 4     $ --     $ --  
Interest expense
                                   
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
                                 
Interest rate contracts
  $ --     $ --     $ (21 )   $ 1  
Interest expense (b)
Foreign exchange contracts
    --       --       7       17  
Other income (loss), net
Commodity contracts
    --       --       --       (1 )
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, net of tax
Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
    --       --       (14 )     17    
Total derivatives
  $ (4 )   $ 4     $ (14 )   $ 17    
 
(b) – We reclassified $4 of losses from accumulated other comprehensive loss to interest expense during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 related to the 2008 Swaps.

As of September 30, 2010, deferred losses of $10 related to 2008 and 2010 swaps currently classified in accumulated other comprehensive loss are expected to be reclassified into earnings as interest expense over the next twelve months.

10.  Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The following tables present our assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis and are categorized using the fair value hierarchy. The fair value hierarchy has three levels based on the reliability of the inputs used to determine fair value.

         
Fair Value Measurements at September 30, 2010
 
   
Total
   
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
   
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
   
Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Assets:
                       
Derivatives – Foreign Exchange (a)
  $ 2     $ --     $ 2     $ --  
Derivatives – Interest Rates (b)
    5       --       5       --  
Total
  $ 7     $ --     $ 7     $ --  
                                 
Liabilities:
                               
Derivatives – Interest Rates (b)
  $ 40     $ --     $ 40     $ --  
Total
  $ 40     $ --     $ 40     $ --  

 
 
- 23 -

SOLUTIA INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts or otherwise noted)
(Unaudited)
 
 
         
Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2009
 
   
Total
   
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
   
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
   
Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Assets:
                       
Derivatives – Foreign Exchange (a)
  $ 2     $ --     $ 2     $ --  
Total
  $ 2     $ --     $ 2     $ --  
                                 
Liabilities:
                               
Derivatives – Foreign Exchange (a)
  $ 1     $ --     $ 1     $ --  
Derivatives – Interest Rates (b)
    20       --       20       --  
Total
  $ 21     $ --     $ 21     $ --  
 
(a)
Includes foreign currency forward contracts valued using an income approach based on the present value of the difference between the forward rate and contract rate, multiplied by the notional amount.
(b)
Includes interest rate swaps valued using counterparty quotes, which use discounted cash flows and the then-applicable forward interest rates.

The carrying amounts of cash, trade receivables, accounts payable and short-term debt approximate their fair values at both September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, due to the short maturity of these instruments.  The estimated fair value of our long-term debt at September 30, 2010 is $1,575 compared to the carrying amount of $1,513.  The estimated fair value of our long-term debt at December 31, 2009 was $1,309 compared to the carrying amount of $1,276 (including current portion of long-term debt).  The fair values are estimated by various banks based upon trading levels on the date of measurement.

11.  Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits

Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, our principal pension and healthcare and other benefit costs for continuing operations are as follows:

   
Pension Benefits
 
   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
Service costs for benefits earned
  $ 1     $ 1     $ 2     $ 2  
Interest costs on benefit obligation
    15       15       38       45  
Assumed return on plan assets
    (15 )     (15 )     (40 )     (44 )
Amortization of net actuarial loss
    3       1       8       2  
Settlement Charges
    --       6       1       6  
Total
  $ 4     $ 8     $ 9     $ 11  
 

 
   
Healthcare and Other Benefits
 
   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
Service costs for benefits earned
  $ --     $ 1     $ 2     $ 3  
Interest costs on benefit obligation
    2       4       7       11  
Assumed return on plan assets
    (1 )     (2 )     (4 )     (4 )
Amortization of net actuarial gain
    (3 )     (2 )     (6 )     (5 )
Total
  $ (2 )   $ 1     $ (1 )   $ 5  

 
 
- 24 -

 
SOLUTIA INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts or otherwise noted)
(Unaudited)
 
Settlements

For the nine months ended September 30, 2010 we recorded a settlement charge of $1 resulting from the significant amount of lump sum distributions in Belgium associated with a reduction of personnel.  We recorded a settlement charge of $6 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 resulting from the significant amount of lump sum distributions in the U.S. associated with a reduction of salaries and union personnel in 2009.  These reductions were driven by restructuring activities as more fully discussed in Note 7 – Restructuring Reserves.  As a result of the assumption of the Nylon Pension Plan by the Buyer, we recognized a settlement charge of $20 in income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax during the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

Employer Contributions

 According to current IRS funding rules, we are required to contribute $36 to our U.S. pension plans, collectively, in 2010.  In the nine months ended September 30, 2010, we satisfied this requirement via a $50 contribution, inclusive of a $14 voluntary contribution.  We also expect to be required to fund approximately $12 in pension contributions to our foreign pension plans in 2010, of which $9 has been contributed in the nine months ended September 30, 2010.

12.  Debt Obligations

In the first quarter of 2010, we issued $300 of 7.875 percent notes due 2020 (“2020 Notes”), which resulted in net proceeds to us of $292, after deducting underwriting discounts and fees.  In addition, we extinguished our existing $1.2 billion senior secured term loan facility (“2014 Term Loan”) and $350 senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility (“2013 Revolver”), replacing them with a $1,150 senior secured credit facility (“Credit Facility”).  The Credit Facility consists of an $850 term loan maturing in 2017 (“2017 Term Loan”) and a $300 revolving credit facility maturing in 2015 (“2015 Revolver”).  As a result of the early extinguishment of our 2014 Term Loan and 2013 Revolver, we incurred an $80 non-cash charge related to the write-off of deferred debt issuance costs on our 2014 Term Loan and 2013 Revolver and a $9 prepayment penalty for the early extinguishment of the 2014 Term Loan.  These amounts were recorded in loss on debt extinguishment for the nine months ended September 30, 2010.

In the third quarter 2010, we made a $30 principal payment on the 2017 Term Loan, of which $28 was voluntary.  Our long-term debt consisted of the following as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009:

   
September 30,
2010
   
December 31,
2009
 
             
2017 Term Loan
  $ 818     $ --  
2014 Term Loan
    --       876  
8.75% 2017 Notes
    400       400  
7.875% 2020 Notes
    300       --  
Total principal amount
    1,518       1,276  
Less: Unamortized debt discount
    (5 )     --  
Less: Current portion of long-term debt
    --       (12 )
Total
  $ 1,513     $ 1,264  

We had no short-term borrowings at September 30, 2010 and $16 at December 31, 2009, comprised of other lines of credit.

The weighted average interest rate on our total debt outstanding was 6.4 percent and 7.7 percent at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively.  Our weighted average interest rate on short-term debt outstanding was 2.1 percent at December 31, 2009.

 
 
- 25 -

 
SOLUTIA INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts or otherwise noted)
(Unaudited)

The $400 of 8.75 percent notes due in 2017 (“2017 Notes”) were issued at par and require semi-annual interest payments.  The 2020 Notes were issued at 99.5 percent of par and require semi-annual interest payments.  Our current subsidiaries CPFilms Inc., Flexsys America L.P., Flexsys America Co., Monchem International, Inc., Solutia Inter-America, Inc., Solutia Overseas, Inc., S E Investment LLC and future subsidiaries as defined by the 2017 Notes and 2020 Notes (collectively “The Notes”), subject to certain exceptions are guarantors (“Note Guarantors”) of The Notes as of September 30, 2010.  Solutia Business Enterprises Inc., a previous guarantor of the 2017 Notes, 2020 Notes and 2017 Term Loan, was merged into Solutia Inc. during the second quarter of 2010.

The 2017 Term Loan was issued at 99.5 percent of the principal amount bearing interest at LIBOR plus 3.25 percent with a 1.50 percent LIBOR floor.  We are required to pay 1 percent of the principal of the 2017 Term Loan annually via quarterly payments. The 2015 Revolver bears interest, at our option, at LIBOR plus 3.50 percent with no LIBOR floor or the prime rate plus 2.50 percent with no prime rate floor. LIBOR-based interest for the 2017 Term Loan and 2015 Revolver is payable on the last day of each relevant interest period (defined as one, two, three or six months or other periods available to all lenders under each facility) and, in the case of any interest period longer than three months, on each successive date three months after the first day of such interest period.  Prime-based interest for the 2015 Revolver is payable quarterly in arrears. CPFilms Inc., Flexsys America L.P., Flexsys America Co., Monchem International, Inc., Solutia Inter-America, Inc., Solutia Overseas, Inc. and future subsidiaries, as defined by the Credit Facility, subject to certain exceptions (the “Credit Facility Guarantors”), are guarantors of our obligations under the Credit Facility.  The Credit Facility and related guarantees are secured by liens on substantially all of our and the Credit Facility Guarantors’ present and future assets.

The Credit Facility and The Notes include a number of customary covenants and events of default, including the maintenance of certain financial covenants that restrict our ability to, among other things, incur additional debt; make certain investments; pay dividends, repurchase stock, sell certain assets or merge with or into other companies; enter into new lines of business; and prepay, redeem or exchange our debt.  The Credit Facility also includes the maintenance of the following financial covenants: (i) total leverage ratio and (ii) fixed charge coverage ratio as defined by the Credit Facility.  We were in compliance with all applicable covenants as of September 30, 2010.

13.  Segment Data

We are a global manufacturer and marketer of a variety of high-performance chemical-based materials, which are used in a broad range of consumer and industrial applications.   Our operations are managed and reported in three reportable segments, consisting of Advanced Interlayers (formerly Saflex), Performance Films (formerly CPFilms) and Technical Specialties.  The reportable segment name changes in the first quarter of 2010 did not affect the organizational structure, financial results or the composition of the products within each reportable segment.

The Advanced Interlayers reportable segment is a global manufacturer of interlayers for laminated glass and encapsulants for the photovoltaic market.  The Performance Films reportable segment is a manufacturer of performance films for after-market applications which add functionality to glass.  The Technical Specialties reportable segment is a global manufacturer of specialties such as chemicals for the rubber, solar energy, process manufacturing and aviation industries.  The major products by reportable segment are as follows:
 

Reportable Segment
   
Products
Advanced Interlayers
 
SAFLEX® plastic interlayer and encapsulants
VISTASOLAR® ethyl vinyl acetate encapsulants
Specialty intermediate Polyvinyl Butyral resin and plasticizer
Performance Films
 
LLUMAR®, VISTA®, GILA®, V-KOOL®, HUPER OPTIK®, ENERLOGIC®, and FORMULAONE® professional and retail window films
FLEXVUEÔ precision coated films and other enhanced polymer films for industrial customers
Technical Specialties
 
CRYSTEX® insoluble sulphur
SANTOFLEX® antidegradants
PERKACIT® ultra accelerators
THERMINOL® heat transfer fluids
SKYDROL® aviation hydraulic fluids
SKYKLEEN® brand of aviation solvents
 

 
 
- 26 -

 
SOLUTIA INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts or otherwise noted)
(Unaudited)

The performance of our operating segments is evaluated based on segment profit, defined as earnings before interest expense, loss on debt extinguishment, income taxes, depreciation and amortization less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests. Segment profit includes selling, general and administrative, research, development and other operating expenses, gains and losses from asset dispositions and restructuring charges, net income attributable to noncontrolling interests and other income and expense items that can be directly attributable to the segment.  Certain operations, expenses and other items that are managed outside the reportable segments are reported as Unallocated and Other.  Unallocated and Other is comprised of corporate expenses, adjustments to our LIFO valuation reserve, adjustments to our environmental remediation liabilities, equity earnings from affiliates, other income and expense items including currency gains/losses, gains and losses from asset dispositions and restructuring charges that are not directly attributable to the reportable segments in addition to operating segments that do not meet the quantitative threshold for determining reportable segments.  There were no inter-segment sales in the periods presented below.

Operating results for each segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 are as follows:

 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
2010
   
2009
 
2010
 
2009
 
 
Net
Sales
   
Profit
(Loss)
   
Net
Sales
   
Profit
(Loss)
 
Net
Sales
   
Profit
(Loss)
 
Net
Sales
   
Profit
(Loss)
 
                                           
Reportable Segments:
                                         
    Advanced Interlayers
$ 212     $ 48     $ 182     $ 45   $ 606     $ 139   $ 475     $ 98  
Performance Films
  73       13       53       11     198       40     141       24  
Technical Specialties
  224       80       196       75     647       237     531       197  
Reportable Segment Totals
  509       141       431       131     1,451       416     1,147       319  
Unallocated and Other
  2       (24 )     4       (29 )   10       (64 )   15       (73 )
Total
  511       117       435       102     1,461       352     1,162       246  
                                                           
Reconciliation to Consolidated Totals:
                                                         
    Depreciation and amortization
          (29 )             (27 )           (84 )           (78 )
    Interest expense
          (35 )             (31 )           (109 )           (90 )
    Loss on debt extinguishment
          --               --             (89 )           (8 )
    Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
          2               2             3             3  
Consolidated Totals:
                                                 
Net Sales
$ 511           $ 435         $ 1,461         $ 1,162        
Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes
        $ 55             $ 46           $ 73           $ 73  

Assets as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 for each segment are as follows:
   
September 30, 2010
   
December 31, 2009
 
Assets by Segment:
           
    Advanced Interlayers
  $ 1,601     $ 1,305  
    Performance Films
    693       598  
    Technical Specialties
    894       883  
Reportable Segment totals
    3,188       2,786  
Reconciliation to consolidated totals:
               
    Discontinued Operations
    16       30  
    Unallocated and Other
    337       450  
Consolidated totals
  $ 3,541     $ 3,266  


 
 
- 27 -

 
SOLUTIA INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts or otherwise noted)
(Unaudited)
 
14.  Earnings (Loss) Per Share

The following table presents the net income (loss) used in the computation of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share and reconciles weighted average number of shares used in the basic earnings (loss) per share calculation to the weighted average number of shares used to compute diluted earnings (loss) per share.


   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
(Shares in millions)
 
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
                         
Consolidated Statement of Operations:
                       
Income from continuing operations
  $ 48     $ 33     $ 47     $ 56  
Less: Net Income attributable to noncontrolling interest
    2       2       3       3  
Income from continuing operations attributable to Solutia
    46       31        44       53  
Income (Loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax
    2       (2 )     (13 )     (173 )
Net Income (Loss) attributable to Solutia
  $ 48     $ 29     $ 31     $ (120 )
                                 
Weighted average number of shares outstanding used for basic earnings (loss) per share
    119.1       118.4       118.8       102.4  
Non-vested restricted shares
    0.9       0.2       1.0       0.2  
Stock options
    --       --       --       --  
Warrants
    --       --       --       --  
Weighted average number of shares outstanding and common equivalent shares used for diluted earnings (loss) per share
    120.0       118.6       119.8       102.6  

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, the following shares were not included in the computation of earnings (loss) per share since the result would have been anti-dilutive.

 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
(Shares in millions)
2010
 
2009
 
2010
 
2009
Non-vested restricted shares
0.3
 
0.6
 
0.2
 
1.2
Stock options
2.8
 
2.3
 
2.4
 
2.5
Warrants
4.5
 
4.5
 
4.5
 
4.5

15. Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements

In accordance with SEC regulation S-X Rule 3-10 “Financial Statements of Guarantors and Issuers of Guaranteed Securities Registered or Being Registered,” we are providing condensed consolidating financial statements as The Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a joint and several basis.

The following consolidating financial statements present, in separate columns, financial information for:  (i) Solutia, on a parent-only basis, carrying its investment in subsidiaries under the equity method; (ii) Note Guarantors on a combined basis (“Guarantors”), carrying investments in subsidiaries which do not guarantee the debt (the “Non-Guarantors”) under the equity method; (iii) Non-Guarantors on a combined basis; (iv) eliminating entries and (v) consolidated totals as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009.  The eliminating entries primarily reflect intercompany transactions, such as interest income and expense, accounts receivable and payable, advances, short and long-term debt, royalties and profit in inventory eliminations.
 
 
- 28 -

 
SOLUTIA INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts or otherwise noted)
(Unaudited)

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
Three Months Ended September 30, 2010

   
Parent-Only
Solutia
   
Guarantors
   
Non-
Guarantors
   
Eliminations
   
Consolidated Solutia
 
                               
Net Sales
  $ 122     $ 108     $ 447     $ (166 )   $ 511  
Cost of goods sold
    107       71       346       (171 )     353  
Gross Profit
    15       37       101       5       158  
                                         
Selling, general, and administrative expenses
    19       14       29       --       62  
Research, development and other operating expenses, net
    3       1       4       --       8  
                                         
Operating Income (Loss)
    (7 )     22       68       5       88  
                                         
Equity earnings from affiliates
    73       39       --       (112 )     --  
Interest expense
    (35 )     (1 )     (43 )     44       (35 )
Other income, net
    17       15       21       (51 )     2  
                                         
Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Tax Expense
    48       75       46       (114 )     55  
Income tax expense
    --       --       7       --       7  
Income from Continuing Operations
    48       75       39       (114 )     48  
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax
    --       --       2       --       2  
Net Income
    48       75       41       (114 )     50  
Net Income attributable to noncontrolling interest
    --       --       2       --       2  
Net Income attributable to Solutia
  $ 48     $ 75     $ 39     $ (114 )   $ 48  

 
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
Three Months Ended September 30, 2009

   
Parent-Only
Solutia
   
Guarantors
   
Non-
Guarantors
   
Eliminations
   
Consolidated Solutia
 
                               
Net Sales
  $ 113     $ 92     $ 383     $ (153 )   $ 435  
Cost of goods sold
    95       59       302       (160 )     296  
Gross Profit
    18       33       81       7       139  
                                         
Selling, general, and administrative expenses
    24       10       19       --       53  
Research, development and other operating expenses, net
    7       1       --       --       8  
                                         
Operating Income (Loss)
    (13 )     22       62       7       78  
                                         
Equity earnings from affiliates
    61       24       --       (85 )     --  
Interest expense
    (32 )     --       (36 )     37       (31 )
Other income (loss), net
    13       18       17       (49 )     (1 )
                                         
Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Tax Expense
    29       64       43       (90 )     46  
Income tax expense
    --       --       13       --       13  
Income from Continuing Operations
    29       64       30       (90 )     33  
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax
    --       --       (2 )     --       (2 )
Net Income
    29       64       28       (90 )     31  
Net Income attributable to noncontrolling interest
    --       --       2       --       2  
Net Income attributable to Solutia
  $ 29     $ 64     $ 26     $ (90 )   $ 29  


 
 
- 29 -

 
SOLUTIA INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts or otherwise noted)
(Unaudited)
 
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010

   
Parent-Only
Solutia
   
Guarantors
   
Non-
Guarantors
   
Eliminations
   
Consolidated Solutia
 
                               
Net Sales
  $ 357     $ 322     $ 1,308     $ (526 )   $ 1,461  
Cost of goods sold
    310       206       1,017       (537 )     996  
Gross Profit
    47       116       291       11       465  
                                         
Selling, general, and administrative expenses
    75       42       77       --       194  
Research, development and other operating expenses, net
    8       3       4       --       15  
                                         
Operating Income (Loss)
    (36 )     71       210       11       256  
                                         
Equity earnings from affiliates
    209       106       --       (315 )     --  
Interest expense
    (109 )     (1 )     (114 )     115       (109 )
Other income, net
    38       38       76       (137 )     15  
Loss on debt extinguishment
    (88 )     --       (1 )     --       (89 )
                                         
Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Tax Expense
    14       214       171       (326 )     73  
Income tax expense
    --       --       30       (4 )     26  
Income from Continuing Operations
    14       214       141       (322 )     47  
Income (Loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax
    17       --       (30 )     --       (13 )
Net Income
    31       214       111       (322 )     34  
Net Income attributable to noncontrolling interest
    --       --       3       --       3  
Net Income attributable to Solutia
  $ 31     $ 214     $ 108     $ (322 )   $ 31  

 
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009

   
Parent-Only
Solutia
   
Guarantors
   
Non-
Guarantors
   
Eliminations
   
Consolidated Solutia
 
                               
Net Sales
  $ 297     $ 256     $ 1,027     $ (418 )   $ 1,162  
Cost of goods sold
    260       161       828       (431 )     818  
Gross Profit
    37       95       199       13       344  
                                         
Selling, general, and administrative expenses
    73       29       54       --       156  
Research, development and other operating expenses, net
    10       2       2       --       14  
                                         
Operating Income (Loss)
    (46 )     64       143       13       174  
                                         
Equity earnings from affiliates
    129       30       --       (159 )     --  
Interest expense
    (90 )     (1 )     (117 )     118       (90 )
Other income (loss), net
    30       50       53       (136 )     (3 )
Loss on debt extinguishment
    --       --       (8 )     --       (8 )
                                         
Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Tax Expense
    23       143       71       (164 )     73  
Income tax expense
    --       --       17       --       17  
Income from Continuing Operations
    23       143       54       (164 )     56  
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax
    (143 )     (10 )     (20 )     --       (173 )
Net Income (Loss)
    (120 )     133       34       (164 )     (117 )
Net Income attributable to noncontrolling interest
    --       --       3       --       3  
Net Income (Loss) attributable to Solutia
  $ (120 )   $ 133     $ 31     $ (164 )   $ (120 )

 
 
 
- 30 -

 
SOLUTIA INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts or otherwise noted)
(Unaudited)

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
September 30, 2010

   
Parent-Only
Solutia
   
Guarantors
   
Non-
Guarantors
   
Eliminations
   
Consolidated
Solutia
 
ASSETS
                             
Current Assets:
                             
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 125     $ 5     $ 51     $ --     $ 181  
Trade receivables, net
    28       49       186       --       263  
Intercompany receivables
    120       455       357       (932 )     --  
Miscellaneous receivables
    12       --       57       --       69  
Inventories
    64       51       206       (43 )     278  
Prepaid expenses and other assets
    8       1       8       10       27  
Current assets of discontinued operations
    --       --       16       --       16  
Total Current Assets
    357       561       881       (965 )     834  
                                         
Net Property, Plant and Equipment
    177       137       586       --       900  
Investments in Affiliates
    2,272       591       903       (3,766 )     --  
Goodwill
    150       191       403       --       744  
Net Identified Intangible Assets
    188       312       455       --       955  
Intercompany Advances
    322       526       1,727       (2,575 )     --  
Other Assets
    55       3       50       --       108  
Total Assets
  $ 3,521     $ 2,321     $ 5,005     $ (7,306 )   $ 3,541  
                                         
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
                                       
Current Liabilities:
                                       
Accounts payable
  $ 44     $ 19     $ 91     $ --     $ 154  
Intercompany payables
    615       5       312       (932 )     --  
Accrued liabilities
    126       16       121       (1 )     262  
Intercompany short-term debt
    22       --       416       (438 )     --  
Current liabilities of discontinued operations
    1       --       25       --       26  
Total Current Liabilities
    808       40       965       (1,371 )     442  
                                         
Long-Term Debt
    1,513       --       --       --       1,513  
Intercompany Long-Term Debt
    11       23       2,103       (2,137 )     --  
Postretirement Liabilities
    243       2       102       --       347  
Environmental Remediation Liabilities
    232       2       16       --       250  
Deferred Tax Liabilities
    20       10       181       --       211  
Non-current Liabilities of Discontinued Operations
    --       --       25       --       25  
Other Liabilities
    53       6       47       --       106  
                                         
Shareholders’ Equity:
                                       
Common stock
    1       --       --       --       1  
Additional contributed capital
    1,627       2,238       1,560       (3,798 )     1,627  
Treasury stock
    (6 )     --       --       --       (6 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (231 )     --       --       --       (231 )
Accumulated deficit
    (750 )     --       --       --       (750 )
Total Shareholders’ Equity attributable to Solutia
    641       2,238       1,560       (3,798 )     641  
Equity attributable to noncontrolling interest
    --       --       6       --       6  
Total Shareholders’ Equity
    641       2,238       1,566       (3,798 )     647  
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
  $ 3,521     $ 2,321     $ 5,005     $ (7,306 )   $ 3,541  

 
 
 
- 31 -

 
SOLUTIA INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts or otherwise noted)
(Unaudited)

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
December 31, 2009

   
Parent-Only
Solutia
   
Guarantors
   
Non-
Guarantors
   
Eliminations
   
Consolidated
Solutia
 
ASSETS
                             
Current Assets:
                             
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 104     $ 1     $ 138     $ --     $ 243  
Trade receivables, net
    27       43       190       --       260  
Intercompany receivables
    188       357       326       (871 )     --  
Miscellaneous receivables
    7       2       71       --       80  
Inventories
    65       35       176       (29 )     247  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    24       1       7       5       37  
Current assets of discontinued operations
    10       --       20       --       30  
Total Current Assets
    425       439       928       (895 )     897  
                                         
Net Property, Plant and Equipment
    182       142       595       --       919  
Investments in Affiliates
    2,064       421       52       (2,537 )     --  
Goodwill
    150       191       170       --       511  
Net Identified Intangible Assets
    194       320       289       --       803  
Intercompany Advances
    153       552       1,259       (1,964 )     --  
Other Assets
    92       4       40       --       136  
Total Assets
  $ 3,260     $ 2,069     $ 3,333     $ (5,396 )   $ 3,266  
                                         
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
                                       
Current Liabilities:
                                       
Accounts payable
  $ 48     $ 13     $ 100     $ --     $ 161  
Intercompany payables
    578       18       275       (871 )     --  
Accrued liabilities
    85       5       120       (8 )     202  
Short-term debt, including current portion of long-term debt
    12       --       16       --       28  
Intercompany short-term debt
    --       --       778       (778 )     --  
Current liabilities of discontinued operations
    50       --       12       --       62  
Total Current Liabilities
    773       36       1,301       (1,657 )     453  
                                         
Long-Term Debt
    1,264       --       --       --       1,264  
Intercompany Long-Term Debt
    19       23       1,144       (1,186 )     --  
Postretirement Liabilities
    304       3       104       --       411  
Environmental Remediation Liabilities
    242       1       17       --       260  
Deferred Tax Liabilities
    20       10       149       --       179  
Other Liabilities
    45       7       47       --       99  
                                         
Shareholders’ Equity:
                                       
Common stock
    1       --       --       --       1  
Additional contributed capital
    1,612       1,989       564       (2,553 )     1,612  
Treasury stock
    (2 )     --       --       --       (2 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (237 )     --       --       --       (237 )
Accumulated deficit
    (781 )     --       --       --       (781 )
Total Shareholders’ Equity attributable to Solutia
    593       1,989       564       (2,553 )     593  
Equity attributable to noncontrolling interest
    --       --       7       --       7  
Total Shareholders’ Equity
    593       1,989       571       (2,553 )     600  
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
  $ 3,260     $ 2,069     $ 3,333     $ (5,396 )   $ 3,266  
 

 
 
- 32 -

 
SOLUTIA INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts or otherwise noted)
(Unaudited)
 
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
Nine Months ended September 30, 2010

   
Parent-Only
Solutia
   
Guarantors
   
Non-
Guarantors
   
Eliminations
   
Consolidated Solutia
 
                               
Cash Provided by (Used in) Operations
  $ (82 )   $ 124     $ 143     $ --     $ 185  
                                         
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
                                       
Property, plant and equipment purchases
    (5 )     (4 )     (19 )     --       (28 )
Acquisition payments
    --       (1 )     (370 )     --       (371 )
Property disposals
    (3 )     --       3       --       --  
Cash Used in Investing Activities
    (8 )     (5 )     (386 )     --       (399 )
                                         
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
                                       
Proceeds from long-term debt obligations
    1,144       --       --       --       1,144  
Payments of long-term debt obligations
    (908 )     --       --       --       (908 )
Payment of short-term debt obligations
    --       --       (16 )     --       (16 )
Debt issuance costs
    (27 )     --       --       --       (27 )
Purchase of treasury shares
    (4 )     --       --       --       (4 )
Other
    (9 )     --       (4 )     --       (13 )
Changes in investments and advances from (to) affiliates
    (85 )     (115 )     200       --       --  
Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities
    111       (115 )     180       --       176  
                                         
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash
    --       --       (24 )     --       (24 )
                                         
Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents
    21       4       (87 )     --       (62 )
                                         
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS:
                                       
Beginning of year
    104       1       138       --       243  
End of year
  $ 125     $ 5     $ 51     $ --     $ 181  

 
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009
 
   
Parent-Only
Solutia
   
Guarantors
   
Non-
Guarantors
   
Eliminations
   
Consolidated Solutia
 
                               
Cash Provided by (Used in) Operations
  $ (197 )   $ 185     $ 193     $ --     $ 181  
                                         
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
                                       
Property, plant and equipment purchases
    (18 )     (2 )     (13 )     --       (33 )
Acquisition payments
    (1 )     (1 )     --       --       (2 )
Property disposals
    24       --       1       --       25  
Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities
    5       (3 )     (12 )     --       (10 )
                                         
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
                                       
Net change in lines of credit
    (2 )     --       (11 )     --       (13 )
Proceeds from short-term debt obligations
    --       --       22       --       22  
Payments of short-term debt obligations
    --       --       (15 )     --       (15 )
Proceeds from long-term debt obligations
    --       --       70       --       70  
Payments of long-term debt obligations
    (9 )     --       (74 )     --       (83 )
Net change in long-term revolving credit facility
    (175 )     --       (6 )     --       (181 )
Debt issuance costs
    --       --       (4 )     --       (4 )
Proceeds from stock issuance
    119       --       --       --       119  
Purchase of treasury shares
    (2 )     --       --       --       (2 )
Other
    --       --       (5 )     --       (5 )
Changes in investments and advances from (to) affiliates
    306       (144 )     (162 )     --       --  
Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities
    237       (144 )     (185 )     --       (92 )
                                         
Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents
    45       38       (4 )     --       79  
                                         
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS:
                                       
Beginning of period
    --       1       31       --       32  
End of period
  $ 45     $ 39     $ 27     $ --     $ 111  
 
 
 
- 33 -

 
 

 
Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

This section includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  These forward-looking statements include all statements regarding expected future financial position, results of operations, profitability, cash flows and liquidity.  Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements herein include, among others, our ability to comply with the terms of our financing agreements; our ability to reduce our overall leveraged position; general economic, business and market conditions; customer acceptance of new products; raw material and energy costs or shortages; limited access to capital resources; currency and interest rate fluctuations; increased competitive and/or customer pressure; gain or loss of significant customers; compression of credit terms with suppliers; exposure to product liability and other litigation; changes in cost of environmental remediation obligations and other environmental liabilities; changes in accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (“U.S. GAAP”); ability to implement cost reduction initiatives in a timely manner; geopolitical instability and changes in pension and other postretirement assumptions.

Overview

We are a leading global manufacturer and marketer of high-performance chemical-based materials that are used across a variety of automotive, construction, industrial and consumer applications.  We report our operations in three segments: Advanced Interlayers (formerly Saflex), Performance Films (formerly CPFilms) and Technical Specialties.  The reportable segment name changes in the first quarter of 2010 did not affect the organizational structure, financial results or the composition of the products within each reportable segment. Through our Advanced Interlayers segment, we produce Polyvinyl Butyral (“PVB”) and Ethyl Vinyl Acetate (“EVA”) used in the manufacture of laminated glass for automotive, architectural and solar applications in addition to the manufacture of specialized technical films for use in a wide variety of industrial applications.  Our Performance Films segment manufactures, markets and distributes custom-coated window films for aftermarket automotive and architectural applications.  Technical Specialties is our specialty chemicals segment, which includes the manufacture and sale of specialty chemicals for the rubber, solar energy, process manufacturing and aviation industries.  The major products by reportable segment are as follows:

Reportable Segment
   
Products
Advanced Interlayers
 
SAFLEX® plastic interlayer and encapsulants
VISTASOLAR® ethyl vinyl acetate encapsulants
Specialty intermediate Polyvinyl Butyral resin and plasticizer
Performance Films
 
LLUMAR®, VISTA®, GILA®, V-KOOL®, HUPER OPTIK®, ENERLOGIC®, and FORMULAONE® professional and retail window films
FLEXVUEÔ precision coated films and other enhanced polymer films for industrial customers
Technical Specialties
 
CRYSTEX® insoluble sulphur
SANTOFLEX® antidegradants
PERKACIT® ultra accelerators
THERMINOL® heat transfer fluids
SKYDROL® aviation hydraulic fluids
SKYKLEEN® brand of aviation solvents

See Note 13 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for further information regarding our reportable segments.

Significant Third Quarter 2010 Events

In the third quarter 2010, we ceased production of our Primary Accelerators products previously manufactured at the Monsanto Company facility in Antwerp, Belgium, where we operated as a guest.  Our decision to exit this business is consistent with our strategy of focusing on businesses that are leaders or have the potential to be leaders in their respective markets coupled with a sustainable competitive advantage.  This step further refines our product portfolio to remain the global leader in the manufacture and supply of high-quality rubber chemicals that have a competitive advantage in the market.  In conjunction with the shutdown in the third quarter, we reported the results of Primary Accelerators as a discontinued operation and restated prior periods to reflect this presentation.

 
- 34 -

 

Also in the third quarter 2010, we initiated certain expansion plans in the key growth regions of Asia and South America, which were previously announced.  Specifically, construction of a second polyvinyl butyral (PVB) manufacturing line and a new ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) production line at our Suzhou plant commenced.  Finally, we have engaged in a feasibility study to explore the potential addition of a PVB resin plant in the Asia Pacific region.  The results of the study are expected by the end of the year and, assuming positive results and pending approval, construction would begin soon thereafter.

With respect to our product offerings, we announced the introduction of several new Advanced Interlayers products including our advanced acoustic PVB interlayer targeted for the European Architectural market, our advanced solar-absorbing PVB interlayer for the global automotive glazing market and our advanced encapsulant designed to prevent corrosion in solar cells.  Also in the third quarter 2010, our aviation hydraulic fluid, manufactured and sold by our Technical Specialties segment, achieved full approval by Boeing for use in all its prior and current aircraft.

Third quarter foreign currency fluctuation impact:  As a global manufacturer and marketer, our operations outside the United States are subject to fluctuations in currency values.  For most of our ex-U.S. operations, the local currency has been used as the functional currency, which requires a translation into U.S. dollars at current or average exchange rates.  In the third quarter 2010, due primarily to an 11 percent weakening of the U.S. dollar spot rate versus the Euro spot rate as compared to the June 30, 2010 spot rate, the translation of our balance sheet accounts from the respective functional currencies into U.S. dollars resulted in an unrealized gain of $92 million in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss).  The effects of translation of the balance sheet accounts as of a reporting date are not reflected in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.  In comparison, in the third quarter of 2009, the translation of our balance sheet accounts generated an unrealized gain of $28 million in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) also due to the weakening of the U.S. dollar spot rates versus the Euro and other currencies’ spot rates as of September 30, 2009.

With respect to the Consolidated Statement of Operations, movements in the average exchange rates of the Euro to U.S. dollar impact our financial results, which are discussed elsewhere in Management’s Discussion and Analysis.  Our full year net sales generally change in the range of $4 million to $5 million for every 0.01 change in value of the Euro to the U.S. dollar. Our full year earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) generally change in the range of $0.4 million to $0.5 million for every 0.01 change in value of the Euro to the U.S. dollar.  A decline in the value of the Euro to the U.S. dollar has a negative impact on sales and EBITDA.  Our full year 2010 outlook utilizes the September 30, 2010 Euro to USD spot rate of 1.36 for the remainder of 2010.

Below are the spot and average Euro to U.S. dollar currency translation rates for the periods noted:

   
September 30,
   
June 30,
   
September 30,
   
June 30,
 
   
2010
   
2010
   
2009
   
2009
 
                         
Spot rate
    1.36       1.23       1.47       1.41  
                                 
                                 
   
Three Months Ended September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
      2010       2009       2010       2009  
                                 
Average rate
    1.27       1.41       1.32       1.36  
                                 

Summary Results of Operations: In the third quarter 2010, we reported net sales of $511 million, a 17 percent increase as compared to $435 million reported in the third quarter 2009.  The increase was driven by higher sales volumes and the impact of the Vistasolar and Novomatrix acquisitions, partially offset by unfavorable currency exchange rate fluctuations.  Our third quarter 2010 gross profit of $158 million was 14 percent higher versus the same period in 2009 as higher net sales, as described above, and lower restructuring charges were partially offset by higher raw material prices and, to a lesser extent, higher annual incentive costs.  Our gross profit margin decreased to 31 percent in the third quarter of 2010 as compared to 32 percent for the same period in 2009 due to higher raw material prices as partially offset by net margin improvement on higher sales volumes and the positive impact from the Novomatrix and Vistasolar acquisitions.  Selling, general and administrative expenses were $62 million in the third quarter 2010 as compared to $53 million in the same period in 2009.  This increase is predominantly due to the return of employee incentives temporarily suspended in 2009, higher stock compensation expense and the inclusion of expenses associated with our Novomatrix and Vistasolar Acquisition.  As a percentage of sales, selling, general and administrative expenses were essentially unchanged for the third quarter 2010 as compared to the same period in 2009.

 
 
- 35 -

 

Cash provided by operations – continuing operations for the first nine months of 2010 was $211 million as compared to $121 million for the same period in 2009.  The increase is primarily attributable to higher operating income and lower interest payments, partially offset by higher pension contributions, higher cash paid for taxes, higher working capital requirements and the absence of reimbursement for environmental remediation.  Working capital requirements on continuing operations were higher for the first nine months of 2010 as compared to the same period in 2009 on significantly higher sales.

Outlook
 
    In the third quarter 2010, we experienced continued improvement in sales volumes as compared to the first and second quarters of 2010 across predominately all of our product offerings.  Consistent with normal seasonal trends, we expect sales volumes to slow in the fourth quarter.  We are premising average selling prices generally consistent with the levels experienced in the third quarter 2010 and utilizing the September 30 Euro to U.S. dollar spot rate of 1.36 for the fourth quarter of 2010.  Aggregating these assumptions and excluding sales from discontinued operations from both periods, we expect full year revenue growth in the range of 15 percent – 20 percent versus 2009.

With respect to profitability, we are premising raw material costs consistent with the third quarter 2010.  Further, in anticipation of sales volumes declining in the fourth quarter 2010, management will continue to focus on minimization of working capital requirements and expects lower inventory balances as compared to current levels.  This initiative will result in reduced utilization in our manufacturing facilities and lower fixed cost absorption.  Overall, we expect operating margins from continuing operations for the fourth quarter to be modestly lower as compared to the results delivered through the first three quarters of 2010 but, on a full year basis, higher than 2009.

Our incremental earnings premised in 2010 will generate additional operating cash, which will be partially offset by higher spending for new product and growth-related capital spending, higher tax payments due to the enhanced earnings profile and higher environmental remediation outflows due to the exhaustion of a restricted fund dedicated for this purpose.  We are currently anticipating generating cash from operations less capital spending for the full year 2010 in the range of $210 million – $225 million from continuing operations.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

There were no changes in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 with respect to our critical accounting policies, as presented in Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of our 2009 Form 10-K filed on February 17, 2010.

Results of Operations—Third Quarter 2010 Compared with Third Quarter 2009

Consolidated Results

(dollars in millions)
 
Three Months
Ended
September 30, 2010
   
Three Months
Ended
September 30, 2009
   
Increase
(Decrease)
   
%
Increase
(Decrease)
 
                         
Net Sales
  $ 511     $ 435     $ 76       17 %
                                 
Operating Income:
                               
Reportable Segment Profit
  $ 141     $ 131     $ 10       8 %
Unallocated and Other
    (24 )     (29 )     5       18 %
Less:   Depreciation and Amortization
    (29 )     (27 )                
Less:   Other (Income) Loss and Net Income attributable to Noncontrolling interest included in Segment Profit and Unallocated and Other
    --       3                  
                                 
Operating Income
  $ 88     $ 78     $ 10       13 %
Charges included in Operating Income
  $ (6 )   $ (16 )                

 
 
- 36 -

 

The increase in net sales in the third quarter 2010 resulted from higher sales volumes of $55 million or 12 percent and the impact of the Vistasolar and Novomatrix acquisitions of $34 million or 8 percent, partially offset by the effect of unfavorable exchange rate fluctuations of $13 million or 3 percent.  Higher sales volumes were realized by all of our reporting segments due to increased demand across the global construction, automotive and industrial sectors most significantly in North America and the Asia Pacific region. The unfavorable currency impact was driven most notably by the increased strength of the U.S. dollar versus the Euro, in comparison to the same period in 2009, due to our strong market positions in Europe by the Advanced Interlayers and Technical Specialties reporting segments. Higher selling prices experienced by Technical Specialties in response to higher raw material costs were offset by lower selling prices in the Advanced Interlayers reporting segment where 2010 contract prices are slightly lower than the same period in 2009.  

The increase in operating income in the third quarter 2010 resulted from higher net sales, the impact of the Novomatrix and Vistasolar acquisitions and decreased charges as further described below in the Summary of Events Affecting Comparability section, partially offset by the return of certain employee incentives suspended during 2009 as well as higher raw material and energy costs, predominately in our Advanced Interlayers and Technical Specialties reporting segments.

Advanced Interlayers

(dollars in millions)
 
Three Months
Ended
September 30, 2010
   
Three Months
Ended
September 30, 2009
   
Increase
(Decrease)
   
%
Increase
(Decrease)
 
                         
Net Sales
  $ 212     $ 182     $ 30       16 %
                                 
Segment Profit
  $ 48     $ 45     $ 3       7 %
     Charges included in Segment Profit
  $ --     $ (2 )                

The increase in net sales in the third quarter 2010 resulted from higher sales volumes of $19 million or 10 percent and the impact of the Vistasolar acquisition of $24 million or 13 percent, partially offset by unfavorable currency exchange rate fluctuations of $9 million or 5 percent and lower average selling prices of $4 million or 2 percent. Higher sales volumes were due to increased demand, primarily in the global automotive market across most world areas, partially offset by lower sales into the European architectural market.  The unfavorable currency impact was driven most notably by the increased strength of the U.S. dollar versus the Euro, in comparison to the same period in 2009, due to our strong market positions in Europe. The decrease in selling prices is the consequence of declines in 2010 annual contract prices with major customers.

The increase in segment profit in the third quarter 2010 resulted primarily from higher net sales and the impact of the Vistasolar acquisition, partially offset by increased raw material costs and higher incentive expense.

Performance Films

(dollars in millions)
 
Three Months
Ended
September 30, 2010
   
Three Months
Ended
September 30, 2009
   
Increase
(Decrease)
   
%
Increase
(Decrease)
 
                         
Net Sales
  $ 73     $ 53     $ 20       38 %
                                 
Segment Profit
  $ 13     $ 11     $ 2       18 %
     Charges included in Segment Profit
  $ --     $ (1 )                

The increase in net sales in the third quarter 2010 resulted from higher sales volumes of $10 million or 19 percent and the impact of the Novomatrix acquisition of $10 million or 19 percent.  Higher sales volumes were experienced across all global markets due mainly to improved demand in the global automotive markets as well as industrial coatings and electronic sectors.  The most significant improvement was in the Asia Pacific region, partially driven by our Novomatrix acquisition.

The increase in segment profit in the third quarter 2010 resulted primarily from higher net sales, the impact of the Novomatrix acquisition, partially offset by higher selling costs on products, including those associated with our Novomatrix acquisition, and higher incentive expense.

 
 
- 37 -

 
 
Technical Specialties

(dollars in millions)
 
Three Months
Ended
September 30, 2010
   
Three Months
Ended
September 30, 2009
   
Increase
(Decrease)
   
%
Increase
(Decrease)
 
                         
Net Sales
  $ 224     $ 196     $ 28       14 %
                                 
Segment Profit
  $ 80     $ 75     $ 5       7 %
     Charges included in Segment Profit
  $ (1 )   $ --                  

The increase in net sales in the third quarter 2010 resulted from higher sales volumes of $28 million or 14 percent and higher average selling prices of $4 million or 2 percent, partially offset by unfavorable currency exchange rate fluctuations of $4 million or 2 percent. The higher sales volumes were experienced by nearly all major products within Technical Specialties due to strengthening demand in the global automotive and industrial markets, most significantly in Europe and the Asia Pacific region. Higher average selling prices were experienced by all our major rubber chemical products after general price increases in the third quarter 2010. The unfavorable exchange rate fluctuations occurred primarily as a result of the strengthening U.S. dollar in relation to the Euro in comparison to the third quarter 2009, due to our strong market positions in Europe.

The increase in segment profit in comparison to the third quarter 2009 resulted primarily from higher sales as discussed above, partially offset by higher raw material and energy costs and higher incentive expense.

Unallocated and Other

(dollars in millions)
 
Three Months
Ended
September 30, 2010
   
Three Months
Ended
September 30, 2009
   
Increase
(Decrease)
   
%
Increase
(Decrease)
 
                         
Components of Unallocated and Other
                       
    Other Operations Segment Profit
  $ (5 )   $ (6 )            
    Corporate Expenses
    (13 )     (10 )            
    Share-Based Compensation Expense
    (6 )     (4 )            
    Other Unallocated (Expense) Gain, net
    --       (9 )            
Unallocated and Other results
  $ (24 )   $ (29 )   $ 5       17 %
                                 
Charges Included in Unallocated and Other Results
                               
    Other Operations Segment Profit
  $ (5 )   $ (6 )                
    Corporate Expenses
    --       (1 )                
    Share-Based Compensation Expense
    --       --                  
    Other Unallocated (Expense) Gain, net
    --       (6 )                
Total Charges included in Unallocated and Other results
  $ (5 )   $ (13 )   $ 8    
N.M.
 

Net losses on Unallocated and Other results decreased $5 million in the third quarter 2010 as compared to the same period in 2009 primarily due to lower net charges described in the Summary of Events Affecting Comparability section, partially offset by higher Corporate Expenses and Share-Based Compensation Expense.  Corporate Expenses increased in 2010 due to higher employee incentives temporarily suspended during 2009.

Interest Expense

(dollars in millions)
 
Three Months
Ended
September 30, 2010
   
Three Months
Ended
September 30, 2009
   
Increase
(Decrease)
   
%
Increase
(Decrease)
 
                         
Interest Expense
  $ 35     $ 31     $ 4       13 %

For the quarter ended September 30, 2010, our average debt balance was $1.5 billion compared to $1.2 billion for the same period in 2009.  Our average interest rate dropped from 7.2 percent for the quarter ended September 30, 2009 to 6.4 percent for the same period in 2010 as a result of the restructuring of our debt facility as further discussed in Note 12 in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. Further, we experienced lower amortization of debt issue costs of $3 million in 2010 versus 2009 due to the debt restructuring which occurred in the first quarter 2010.  Finally, we realized $2 million of additional losses on our interest rate swap agreements in the third quarter 2010 as compared to the same period in 2009.  The 2010 losses include $2 million of losses reclassified out of Other Comprehensive Loss.
 
 
- 38 -

 
Income Tax Expense

(dollars in millions)
 
Three Months
Ended
September 30, 2010
   
Three Months
Ended
September 30, 2009
   
Increase
(Decrease)
 
%
Increase
(Decrease)
                     
Income Tax Expense
  $ 7     $ 13     $ (6 )
N.M.

Our income tax expense or benefit is affected by changes in the mix of income and losses in the tax jurisdictions in which we operate, unrecognized tax benefits and discrete items.  The decrease in income tax expense for the three months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the same period in 2009 is primarily attributable to tax benefits of $4 million in 2010, as further discussed in Note 6 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements, and lower income from ex-U.S. operations.  No tax expense was recorded on income from U.S. operations for the three months ended September 30, 2010 where net operating losses are available.  For the three months ended September 30, 2009, we experienced a loss from U.S. operations but no income tax benefit was recognized as a full valuation allowance has been provided against the U.S. deferred tax assets.

Discontinued Operations

(dollars in millions)
 
Three Months
Ended
September 30, 2010
   
Three Months
Ended
September 30, 2009
   
Increase
(Decrease)
 
%
Increase
(Decrease)
                     
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, net of tax
  $ 2     $ (2 )  $
4
 
N.M.

Income (Loss) from discontinued operations consists of the results of Primary Accelerators.  The increase is due to a tax benefit recognized in the third quarter 2010 related to the cessation of operations of Primary Accelerators as compared to operating losses experienced in the same period in 2009.

Summary of Events Affecting Comparability

Charges and gains recorded in the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 and other events affecting comparability have been summarized and described in the table and accompanying footnotes below (dollars in millions):

 
- 39 -

 
 
2010 Events

Increase/(Decrease)
 
Advanced
Interlayers
   
Performance
Films
   
Technical
Specialties
   
Unallocated/
Other
   
Consolidated
   
                                 
Impact on:
                               
Cost of goods sold
  $ --     $ --     $ 1     $ --     $ 1  
(a)
Research, development and other operating expenses
    --       --       --       5       5  
(b)
Operating Income Impact
  $ --     $ --     $ (1 )   $ (5 )     (6 )  
Income tax impact
                                    (2 )
(c)
After-tax Income Statement Impact
                                  $ (4 )  

(a)
Restructuring costs related to the closure of our Cologne facility ($1 million pre-tax and after-tax).
(b)
Loss on the sale of European Plastic Products ($5 million pre-tax and $3 after-tax).
(c)
Income tax impact has been provided on gains and charges at the tax rate in the jurisdiction in which they have been or will be realized.

2009 Events

Increase/(Decrease)
 
Advanced
Interlayers
   
Performance
Films
   
Technical
Specialties
   
Unallocated/
Other
   
Consolidated
   
                                 
Impact on:
                               
Cost of goods sold
  $ 1     $ --     $ --     $ --     $ 1  
(a)
      --       --       --       4       4  
(b)
      --       --       --       1       1  
(c)
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    1       1       --       1       3  
(a)
      --       --       --       2       2  
(b)
Research, development and other operating expenses
    --       --       --       5       5  
(d)
Operating Income Impact
  $ (2 )   $ (1 )   $ --     $ (13 )     (16 )  
Income tax impact
                                    (1 )
(e)
After-tax Income Statement Impact
                                  $ (15 )  

(a)
Severance and retraining costs related to the general corporate restructuring ($4 million pre-tax and $3 million after-tax).
(b)
Net pension plan settlements, as more fully described in Note 11 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements ($6 million pre-tax and after-tax).
(c)
Impairment of intangible assets related to the sale of North American Plastic Products ($1 million pre-tax and post-tax).
(d)
Loss on the sale of North America Plastic Products ($5 million pre-tax and after-tax).
(e)
Income tax impact has been provided on gains and charges at the tax rate in the jurisdiction in which they have been or will be realized.

 
- 40 -

 
 
Results of Operations—Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 Compared with Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009

Consolidated Results

(dollars in millions)
 
Nine Months
Ended
September 30, 2010
   
Nine Months
Ended
September 30, 2009
   
Increase
(Decrease)
   
%
Increase
(Decrease)
 
                         
Net Sales
  $ 1,461     $ 1,162     $ 299       26 %
                                 
Operating Income:
                               
Reportable Segment Profit
  $ 416     $ 319     $ 97       30 %
Unallocated and Other
    (64 )     (73 )     9       12 %
Less:   Depreciation and Amortization
    (84 )     (78 )                
Less:   Other (Income) Loss and Net Income attributable to Noncontrolling interest included in Segment Profit and Unallocated and Other
    (12 )     6                  
                                 
Operating Income
  $ 256     $ 174     $ 82       47 %
Net Charges included in Operating Income
  $ (26 )   $ (17 )                

The increase in net sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 resulted from higher sales volumes of $281 million or 25 percent and the impact of the Vistasolar and Novomatrix acquisitions of $48 million or 4 percent, partially offset by lower selling prices of $20 million or 2 percent and the effect of unfavorable exchange rate fluctuations of $10 million or 1 percent. Higher sales volumes were realized by all of our reporting segments due to the strengthening demand across the global construction, automotive and industrial sectors, most significantly in Europe and the Asia Pacific region. The unfavorable currency impact was driven most notably by the increased strength of the U.S. dollar versus the Euro, in comparison to the same period in 2009, due to our strong market positions in Europe by the Advanced Interlayers and Technical Specialties reporting segments.  Selling prices were lower in the Advanced Interlayers and Technical Specialties reporting segments on increased pricing pressure as driven by relatively low industry utilization experienced throughout 2009.

The increase in operating income for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 resulted from higher net sales, the impact of the Novomatrix and Vistasolar acquisitions, improved utilization and higher gains on foreign currency, offset partially by increased charges as further described below in the Summary of Events Affecting Comparability section, higher raw material and energy costs, predominately in our Advanced Interlayers reporting segment, and the return of certain employee incentives suspended during 2009.

Advanced Interlayers

(dollars in millions)
 
Nine Months
Ended
September 30, 2010
   
Nine Months
Ended
September 30, 2009
   
Increase
(Decrease)
   
%
Increase
(Decrease)
 
                         
Net Sales
  $ 606     $ 475     $ 131       28 %
                                 
Segment Profit
  $ 139     $ 98     $ 41       42 %
     Net Charges included in Segment Profit
  $ --     $ (11 )                

The increase in net sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 resulted from higher sales volumes of $117 million or 25 percent and the impact of the Vistasolar acquisition of $31 million or 7 percent, partially offset by unfavorable currency exchange rate fluctuations of $8 million or 2 percent and lower average selling prices of $9 million or 2 percent. Higher sales volumes were due to increased demand, primarily in the global automotive market, most significantly in Europe and the Asia Pacific region.  The unfavorable currency impact was driven by the increased strength of the U.S. dollar versus the Euro, in comparison to the same period in 2009, due to our strong market positions in Europe. The decrease in selling prices is in response to increased pricing pressure in the automotive and construction sectors as driven by relatively low industry utilization experienced throughout 2009.

The increase in segment profit for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 resulted from higher net sales, the impact of the Vistasolar acquisition and lower charges as compared to the same period in 2009 described in detail in the Summary of Events Affecting Comparability section, partially offset by increased raw material and energy costs and higher incentive expense.

 
- 41 -

 
 
Performance Films

(dollars in millions)
 
Nine Months
Ended
September 30, 2010
   
Nine Months
Ended
September 30, 2009
   
Increase
(Decrease)
   
%
Increase
(Decrease)
 
                         
Net Sales
  $ 198     $ 141     $ 57       40 %
                                 
Segment Profit
  $ 40     $ 24     $ 16       67 %
     Charges included in Segment Profit
  $ (2 )   $ (4 )                

The increase in net sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 resulted from higher sales volumes of $40 million or 28 percent and the impact of the Novomatrix acquisition of $17 million or 12 percent. Higher sales volumes were experienced across all global markets mainly due to improved demand in the global automotive, industrial coatings and electronic sectors, most significantly in the automotive sector in the Asia Pacific region, partially impacted by our recent Novomatrix acquisition.

The increase in segment results in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 resulted primarily from increased net sales and the impact of the Novomatrix acquisition, partially offset by higher manufacturing costs, higher selling costs on products including those associated with our Novomatrix acquisition and higher incentive expense.
 

Technical Specialties

(dollars in millions)
 
Nine Months
Ended
September 30, 2010
   
Nine Months
Ended
September 30, 2009
   
Increase
(Decrease)
   
%
Increase
(Decrease)
 
                         
Net Sales
  $ 647     $ 531     $ 116       22 %
                                 
Segment Profit
  $ 237     $ 197     $ 40       20 %
     Net (Charges) Gains included in Segment Profit
  $ (10 )   $ 14                  

The increase in net sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 resulted from higher sales volumes of $129 million or 24 percent, partially offset by unfavorable currency exchange rate fluctuations of $2 million and lower average selling prices of $11 million or 2 percent. The higher sales volumes were experienced predominately by our THERMINOL® heat transfer fluid, SANTOFLEX® antidegradants and CRYSTEX® insoluable sulfur due to strengthening demand in the global automotive and industrial markets most significantly in Europe and the Asia Pacific region. The unfavorable currency impact was driven most notably by the increased strength of the U.S. dollar versus the Euro in comparison to the same period in 2009.  Lower average selling prices were experienced primarily within our SANTOFLEX® antidegradants and THERMINOL® heat transfer fluids due to market pricing pressures.

The increase in segment profit for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 resulted primarily from higher net sales, as discussed above, and improved utilization, partially offset by higher charges as compared to the same period in 2009 described in the Summary of Events Affecting Comparability section and higher incentive expense.
 
 
- 42 -

 
 
Unallocated and Other

(dollars in millions)
 
Nine Months
Ended
September 30, 2010
   
Nine Months
Ended
September 30, 2009
   
Increase
(Decrease)
   
%
Increase
(Decrease)
 
                         
Components of Unallocated and Other
                       
    Other Operations Segment Profit (Loss)
  $ (4 )   $ (10 )            
    Corporate Expenses
    (43 )     (33 )            
    Share-Based Compensation Expense
    (15 )     (13 )            
    Other Unallocated Expense, net
    (2 )     (17 )            
Unallocated and Other results
  $ (64 )   $ (73 )   $ 9       12 %
                                 
Net Charges Included in Unallocated and Other
                               
    Other Operations Segment Profit (Loss)
  $ (5 )   $ (8 )                
    Corporate Expenses
    (1 )     (2 )                
   Share-Based Compensation Expense
    --       --                  
   Other Unallocated (Expense) Gain, net
    --       (6 )                
Net Charges included in Unallocated and Other results
  $ (6 )   $ (16 )   $ 10       63 %
                                 

Net losses on Unallocated and Other results decreased $9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the same period in 2009 due to lower net charges described in the Summary of Events Affecting Comparability section, the return to profitability of our Other Operations segment, and lower Other Unallocated Expense, net partially offset by higher Corporate Expenses.  Our return to profitability for our Other Operations Segment, prior to its sale in September, was driven by improved demand coupled with lower operational expenses. Lower Other Unallocated Expense, net is primarily due to $4 million in gains on foreign currency exposure recognized in 2010 compared to $6 million of losses for the same period in 2009.  Higher Corporate Expenses are due to employee incentives that were temporarily suspended during 2009.

Interest Expense

(dollars in millions)
 
Nine Months
Ended
September 30, 2010
   
Nine Months
Ended
September 30, 2009
   
Increase
(Decrease)
   
%
Increase
(Decrease)
 
                         
Interest Expense
  $ 109     $ 90     $ 19       21 %

For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, our average debt balance was $1.5 billion compared to $1.3 billion for the same period in 2009.  Our average interest rate dropped from 7.5 percent for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 to 6.7 percent for the same period in 2010 as a result of the restructuring of our debt facility as further discussed in Note 12 in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.  Further, we experienced lower amortization of debt issue costs of $8 million in 2010 versus 2009 due to the debt restructuring in the first quarter.  Finally, we realized $21 million of losses on our interest rate swap agreements in 2010 compared to $1 million of gains in the same period in 2009.  The 2010 losses include $17 million in fair value declines experienced in the first seven months of the year and $4 million of losses reclassified out of Other Comprehensive Loss.
  
Loss on Debt Extinguishment

(dollars in millions)
 
Nine Months
Ended
September 30, 2010
   
Nine Months
Ended
September 30, 2009
   
Increase
(Decrease)
 
%
Increase
(Decrease)
 
                       
Loss on Debt Extinguishment
  $ 89     $ 8     $ 81  
N.M.
 

The increase in the loss on debt extinguishment for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 is the result of the early extinguishment of our 2014 Term Loan and 2013 Revolver as compared to the loss in the comparable period in 2009 related to our German term debt as discussed in the Summary of Events Affecting Comparability section above. As a result of the early retirement of our 2014 Term Loan and 2013 Revolver, we incurred a $9 million prepayment penalty and an $80 million non-cash charge related to the write-off of deferred debt issuance costs related to the facilities.

 
 
- 43 -

 
 
Income Tax Expense

(dollars in millions)
 
Nine Months
Ended
September 30, 2010
   
Nine Months
Ended
September 30, 2009
   
Increase
(Decrease)
 
%
Increase
(Decrease)
                     
Income Tax Expense
  $ 26     $ 17     $ 9  
N.M.
 
    Our income tax expense or benefit is affected by changes in the mix of income and losses in the tax jurisdictions in which we operate, unrecognized tax benefits and discrete items.  The increase in income tax expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the same period in 2009 is primarily attributable to a higher income from ex-U.S. operations, partially offset by a reduced ex-U.S. effective tax rate resulting from a change in the mix of income and losses in the tax jurisdictions in which we operate.  As further discussed in Note 6 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements, tax benefits and/or discrete items totaling $10 million were recognized in each of the 2010 and 2009 periods.  Our U.S. operations experienced pre-tax losses in both periods of 2010 and 2009 but no income tax benefit was recognized as a full valuation allowance has been provided against the U.S. deferred tax assets.

Discontinued Operations
 

(dollars in millions)
 
Nine Months
Ended
September 30, 2010
   
Nine Months
Ended
September 30, 2009
   
Increase
(Decrease)
 
%
Increase
(Decrease)
                     
Integrated Nylon business
  $ 17     $ (170 )        
 
Primary Accelerators business     (30  )     (4)            
Other     --                   
Loss from Discontinued Operations, net of tax     (13)       (173)      $ 160     N.M.
 
Loss from discontinued operations consists of the results of Integrated Nylon, Primary Accelerators and other previously divested or discontinued operations.  As described in Note 2 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements, we sold Integrated Nylon in June 2009 at a $76 million loss with operating results through the sale resulting in a loss of $94 million while we recognized a gain of $17 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 on settlement of contingent liabilities associated with the Alvin, Texas plant included in the sale of Integrated Nylon.  Our loss related to Primary Accelerators increased as a result of an increase in charges related to the shutdown of that business.
 
Summary of Events Affecting Comparability

Charges and gains recorded in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 and other events affecting comparability have been summarized and described in the table and accompanying footnotes below (dollars in millions):

 
 
 
- 44 -

 
 
2010 Events

Increase/(Decrease)
 
Advanced
Interlayers
   
Performance
Films
   
Technical
Specialties
   
Unallocated/
Other
   
Consolidated
   
                                 
Impact on:
                               
Cost of goods sold
    --       1       --       --       1  
(a)
      --       --       2       --       2  
(b)
      --       --       6       --       6  
(c)
      --       1       --       --       1  
(d)
Selling, general and administrative
expenses
    --       --       1       2       3  
(a)
      --       --       1       --       1  
(c)
      --       --       --       7       7  
(e)
Research, development and other
operating expenses
    --       --       --       5       5  
(f)
Operating Income Impact
    --       (2 )     (10 )     (14 )     (26 )  
Other income (loss), net
    --       --       --       8       8  
(g)
Loss on debt extinguishment
    --       --       --       (89 )     (89 )
(h)
Pre-tax Income Statement Impact
  $ --     $ (2 )   $ (10 )   $ (95 )     (107 )  
Income tax impact
                                    (6 )
(i)
After-tax Income Statement Impact
                                  $ (101 )  

(a)
Severance, pension settlement and retraining costs related to the general corporate restructuring ($4 million pre-tax and after-tax).
(b)
Restructuring costs related to the closure of our Ruabon facility ($2 million pre-tax and after-tax).
(c)
Restructuring costs related to the closure of our Cologne facility ($7 million pre-tax and $5 million after-tax).
(d)
Inventory step-up related to the Novomatrix Acquisition ($1 million pre-tax and after-tax).
(e)
Acquisition costs related to our agreement to purchase Vistasolar and Novomatrix ($7 million pre-tax and $6 million after-tax).
(f)
Loss on the sale of European Plastic Products ($5 million pre-tax and $3 million after-tax).
(g)
Gain on settlement of tax indemnification case ($8 million pre-tax and after-tax).
(h)
Charges related to the early extinguishment of our 2014 Term Loan and 2013 Revolver ($89 million pre-tax and $88 million after-tax).
(i)
Income tax impact has been provided on gains and charges at the tax rate in the jurisdiction in which they have been or will be realized.


 
- 45 -

 
 
2009 Events

Increase/(Decrease)
 
Advanced
Interlayers
   
Performance
Films
   
Technical
Specialties
   
Unallocated/
Other
   
Consolidated
   
                                 
Impact on:
                               
Cost of goods sold
  $ (2 )   $ --     $ (3 )   $ (1 )   $ (6 )
(a)
      3       1       --       1       5  
(b)
      5       --       --       --       5  
(c)
      --       --       (3 )     --       (3 )
(d)
      --       --       --       4       4  
(e)
      --       --       --       1       1  
(f)
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    (4 )     --       (9 )     (3 )     (16 )
(a)
      9       3       1       7       20  
(b)
      --       --       --       2       2  
(e)
Research, development and other operating expenses
    (1 )     --       --       --       (1 )
(a)
      1       --       --       --       1  
(b)
      --       --       --       5       5  
(g)
Operating Income Impact
    (11 )     (4 )     14       (16 )     (17 )  
                                           
Loss on debt extinguishment
    --       --       --       (8 )     (8 )
(h)
Pre-tax Income Statement Impact
  $ (11 )   $ (4 )   $ 14     $ (24 )     (25 )  
Income tax impact
                                    (3 )
(i)
After-tax Income Statement Impact
                                  $ (22 )  
 
(a)
Gain related to the reduction in the 2008 annual incentive plan ($23 million pre-tax and $20 million after-tax).
(b)
Severance and retraining costs related to the general corporate restructuring ($26 million pre-tax and $21 million after-tax).
(c)
Charges related to the closure of the SAFLEX® plastic interlayer production line at the Trenton Facility ($5 million pre-tax and after-tax).
(d)
Net gains related to the closure of the Ruabon Facility ($3 million pre-tax and $2 million after-tax).
(e)
Net pension plan settlements, as more fully described in Note 12 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements ($6 million pre-tax and after-tax).
(f)
Impairment of intangible assets related to the sale of North American Plastic Products ($1 million pre-tax and after-tax).
(g)
Loss on the sale of North American Plastic Products ($5 million pre-tax and after-tax).
(h)
Charges related to the repayment of the German term loan to write-off unamortized debt issuance costs and debt discount ($8 million pre-tax and $6 million after-tax).
(i)
Income tax impact has been provided on gains and charges at the tax rate in the jurisdiction in which they have been or will be realized.

Financial Condition and Liquidity
 
As of September 30, 2010, our total liquidity was $451 million which was comprised of $270 million in availability under our revolving credit facility and $181 million in cash.

In the first quarter 2010, we extinguished our existing senior term loan facility and our existing revolving credit facility, the latter of which was limited to the amount of the borrowing base and calculated as a percentage of allowable inventory and trade receivables, replacing them with our Credit Facility consisting of a $850 million term loan ("2017 Term Loan") and a new $300 million revolving credit facility that does not depend upon a working capital borrowing base (“2015 Revolver”).  The impact of this refinancing was an increase in revolver availability of approximately $130 million.  Also in the first quarter 2010, we completed the sale of the 2020 Notes, resulting in an increase to liquidity of $292 million.  Proceeds from this offering, along with cash on hand, were used to fund our acquisitions of Vistasolar and Novomatrix for $297 million and $73 million, respectively, in the second quarter.  As of September 30, 2010, we had no draws against our 2015 Revolver but availability was reduced by letters of credit of $30 million.
 
Our Credit Facility allows for a reduction in the interest rate when our Net Leverage Ratio, as defined by our agreement but generally equal to the Leverage Ratio as adjusted for the incorporation of unrestricted cash, falls below 2.50.  Based on our September 30, 2010 balance sheet position, our Net Leverage Ratio fell below this benchmark resulting in a reduction of 25 basis points on prospective interest rates beginning in the fourth quarter 2010 for both the 2017 Term Loan and the 2015 Revolver.  Calculation of this ratio and resulting changes in the interest rate are performed on a quarterly basis.

For the remainder of 2010, our anticipated use of cash includes fulfillment of our interest, foreign pension, environmental, restructuring, as more fully described in Note 7 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements, and tax obligations, in addition to certain capital expenditures for innovative initiatives, capacity expansion and productivity enhancement and for maintenance and safety requirements.  Further, to the extent it is necessary to fund certain seasonal demands of our operations, an additional use of cash may be needed for working capital.  New sources of liquidity may include additional lines of credit, financing other assets, customer receivables and/or asset sales, all of which are allowable, with certain limitations, under our existing credit agreements.

 
- 46 -

 
 
In summary, we expect that our cash on hand, coupled with future cash flows from operations and other sources of liquidity, including our 2015 Revolver, to provide sufficient liquidity to allow us to meet our projected cash requirements.

Debt Covenants

Our Credit Facility includes a number of customary covenants and events of default, including the maintenance of certain financial covenants that restrict our ability to, among other things, incur additional debt; make certain investments; pay dividends, repurchase stock, sell certain assets or merge with or into other companies; and enter into new lines of business.  The financial covenants for all measurement periods for the year ended December 31, 2010 are a Leverage Ratio and a Fixed Charge Ratio.  Below is a summary of our actual performance under these financial covenants as of September 30, 2010 along with a summary of the contractually agreed to financial covenants for the remaining measurement period in 2010.
 
 
 
September 30, 2010
 
December 31, 2010
 
Actual
 
Covenant
 
Covenant
           
Max Leverage Ratio
2.78
 
4.50
 
4.50
Min Fixed Charge Ratio
3.19
 
1.35
 
1.35

We were in compliance with all applicable covenants as of September 30, 2010.  See Note 12 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for additional information on our debt covenants.
 
Cash Flows - Continuing Operations

Our cash flows from continuing operations attributable to operating, investing and financing activities, as reflected in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, are summarized in the following table:


Cash Flow Summary – Continuing Operations
(dollars in millions)
 
Nine Months
Ended
September 30, 2010
   
Nine Months
Ended
September 30, 2009
   
Increase
(Decrease)
 
                   
Cash provided by operating activities
  $ 211     $ 121     $ 90  
Cash used in investing activities
    (396 )     (26 )     (370 )
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    176       (92 )     268  
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
    (24 )     --       (24 )
Net change in cash for period attributable to continuing operations
  $ (33 )   $ 3     $ (36 )

Operating activities:  The increase in cash provided by operating activities is primarily attributable to higher operating income and lower interest payments as partially offset by higher payments on our ex-US income taxes, higher payments on our postretirement obligations, higher working capital requirements and the absence of reimbursements for environmental remediation.  Furthermore, in the first quarter 2010, we contributed $50 million to our U.S. pension plans, which satisfies our minimum funding requirement for 2010 and a portion of the 2011 minimum funding requirements, as compared to a contribution of $20 million in the first nine months of 2009.  Working capital requirements were higher in the first nine months of 2010 as compared to the same period in 2009 on significantly higher sales.  Conversely, the first nine months of 2009 working capital requirements differed from our historical pattern of a seasonal increase, as it reflected the decline in demand across the global construction, automotive and industrial sectors experienced throughout the global economy along with an uncertainty on the timing of a recovery.   Finally, in the first nine months of 2009, we received $24 million from a restricted cash fund that was established upon our emergence from bankruptcy, as reimbursement for payments on our environmental remediation liabilities.  With the exhaustion of this fund in 2009, cash on hand was used to satisfy these requirements in the first nine months of 2010.
 
Investing activities:  Cash used in investing activities increased for the first nine months in 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 due to the acquisitions of Novomatrix and Vistasolar for $73 million and $297 million, respectively.  Further, capital expenditures increased slightly for the first nine months in 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 as new growth capital projects were initiated in 2010 upon the emergence of a more stable economic environment.  Capital investment is expected to increase in the fourth quarter 2010.
 
 
- 47 -

 
 
Financing activities:  During the first quarter 2010 we completed the refinancing of our 2014 Term Loan and 2013 Revolver, along with the issuance of the 2020 Notes, which resulted in an extension of our debt maturities, greater strategic and operational flexibility and net proceeds of $234 million, after a principal reduction in our term debt of $30 million and deducting $34 million in debt issuance costs and prepayment penalty.  These net proceeds were used to partially fund our acquisition of Novomatrix and Vistasolar in the second quarter 2010.  We used excess cash provided by operations to fully repay our short-term borrowings of $16 million in the second quarter 2010 and to prepay $28 million of our required principal payments on our Term Loan in the third quarter 2010.  During the first nine months of 2009, we used $119 million in cash provided by the sale of common stock, along with proceeds received on the sale of our Integrated Nylon business and cash provided by operations, to fully repay our 2013 Revolver along with $9 million on our 2014 Term Loan.

Working Capital – Continuing Operations

Working capital used for continuing operations is summarized as follows:

Working Capital – Continuing Operations
(dollars in millions)
 
September 30,
2010
   
December 31,
2009
     
Increase
(Decrease)
 
                     
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 181     $ 243          
Trade receivables, net
    263       260          
Inventories
    278       247          
Other current assets
    96       117          
  Total current assets
  $ 818     $ 867          
                         
Accounts payable
  $ 154     $ 161          
Accrued liabilities
    262       202          
Short-term debt, including current maturities of long-term debt
    --       28          
  Total current liabilities
  $ 416     $ 391          
                         
Working Capital
  $ 402     $ 476      $
(74)
 

Our working capital used for continuing operations decreased in the first nine months of 2010 primarily due to a net decrease in cash and cash equivalents and an increase in our accrued liabilities as partially offset by higher inventory balances.  In the first and second quarters of 2010, our cash and cash equivalents decreased partially due to a devaluation of cash held by our ex-U.S. subsidiaries, whose balances were unusually high to partially hedge foreign currency movements on the Vistasolar and Novomatrix acquisitions denominated in local currencies, along with the utilization of excess cash necessary to fund the closing of these acquisitions.  Further, in the first quarter 2010, we used excess cash from operations to prepay our 2010 full year U.S. pension contributions, including a $14 million voluntary contribution, and in the third quarter 2010, we prepaid certain debt principal payments on our Term Debt through 2013.  Higher accrued liabilities are predominantly associated with annual incentive plans typically paid in the first quarter of each year, but were cancelled in 2009, and higher accrued losses on foreign currency and interest rate hedge agreements.  Higher inventory balances are predominantly due to the acquisition of Vistasolar and Novomatrix along with the seasonal requirements of certain of our products.

From time to time we sell trade receivables without recourse to third parties.  These trade receivables were removed from our Consolidated Statement of Financial Position and reflected as cash provided by operating activities in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows at the time of sale to the third party.  Uncollected trade receivables sold under these arrangements and removed from the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position were $7 million and $8 million at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively.  The average monthly amounts of trade receivables sold were $10 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010.

Cash Flows - Discontinued Operations

Cash Flow Summary – Discontinued Operations
(dollars in millions)
 
Nine Months
Ended
September 30, 2010
   
Nine Months
Ended
September 30, 2009
   
Increase
(Decrease)
 
                   
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities
  $ (26 )   $ 60     $ (86 )
Cash provided by (used in) investing activities
    (3 )     16       (19 )
Net change in cash for period attributable to discontinued operations
  $ (29 )   $ 76     $ (105 )
 
 
 
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Cash used in operating activities on discontinued operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 is comprised of $8 million in cash used to operate Primary Accelerators, which ceased manufacturing in the third quarter 2010, and $18 million of settlement payments related to contingent liabilities associated with the sale of Integrated Nylon.  For the same period in 2009, cash provided by Primary Accelerators was $2 million and cash provided by Integrated Nylon was $58 million.  Throughout 2009 and up to the date of sale of Integrated Nylon on June 1, 2009, we aggressively worked to monetize the required working capital balances which accounts for the significant provision of cash.  Cash used in investing activities in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 is comprised of settlement payments to the buyer of Integrated Nylon, as more fully discussed in Note 2 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.  Cash provided by investing activities in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 is predominantly comprised of funds received on the sale of Integrated Nylon as partially offset by minimum required capital expenditures.

Pension Funding

According to current IRS funding rules, we are required to contribute $36 million to our U.S. pension plans, collectively, in 2010.  In the first quarter 2010, we satisfied this requirement via a $50 million contribution, inclusive of a $14 million voluntary contribution which will reduce our 2011 minimum funding requirement by a similar amount.   We also expect to fund approximately $12 million in pension contributions to our foreign pension plans in 2010, of which $9 million was contributed in the nine months ended September 30, 2010.  Actual contributions to the plans for the full year may differ as a result of a variety of factors, including future changes in actuarial assumptions, legislative changes to pension funding laws, market conditions and whether we choose to make additional voluntary contributions or to contribute our common stock rather than cash to the plans.

Contingencies

See Note 8 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for a summary of our contingencies as of September 30, 2010.

Item 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK FACTORS

There have been no material changes in market risk exposures during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 that affect the disclosures presented in the information appearing under “Derivative Financial Instruments” as presented in our 2009 Form 10-K.

Item 4.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

During the period covered by this Form 10-Q, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”)).  Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this Form 10-Q, our disclosure controls and procedures are effective.  Further, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the quarterly period ended September 30, 2010 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.


 
 
- 49 -

 

PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION


ITEM 1.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to Note 8 included in Part I, Item 1 Financial Statements (unaudited) – Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and the Significant 2010 Events section of Part I, Item 2 Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.  Also please refer to Note 17 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.
 

 
 
- 50 -

 


ITEM 2.  UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

(c ) Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer

 
 
 
 
 
Period
 
 
 
Total Number of
Shares
Purchased (1)
   
 
 
 
Average Price Paid
Per Share (2)
   
Total Number of
Shares Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Plans or Programs
   
Approximate Dollar
Value (in millions)
that May Yet Be
Purchased Under the
Plans or Programs
 
July 1-31, 2010
    194,238     $ 15.28       0     $ 0  
August 1-31, 2010
    490     $ 15.23       0     $ 0  
September 1-30, 2010
    0     $ 0.00       0     $ 0  
Total
    194,728     $ 15.28       0     $ 0  

 
(1)
Shares surrendered to the Company by employees to satisfy individual tax withholding obligations upon vesting of previously issued shares of restricted common stock.
 
(2)
Average price paid per share reflects the closing price of Solutia common stock on the business date the shares were surrendered by the employee stockholders to satisfy individual tax withholding obligations upon vesting of restricted common stock.

ITEM 5.  OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS

 
See the Exhibit Index at page 53 of this report.

 
 
- 51 -

 


SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

   
 SOLUTIA INC.
 
   
 (Registrant)
 
 
   
/s/Timothy J. Spihlman
 
   
(Vice President and Controller)
 
   
(On behalf of the Registrant and as
 
   
Principal Accounting Officer
 



Dated: October 28, 2010



 
 
- 52 -

 


EXHIBIT INDEX

These Exhibits are numbered in accordance with the Exhibit Table of Item 601 of Regulation S-K.

EXHIBIT
NUMBER
 
 
DESCRIPTION
31.1
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101.INS
 
XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL
 
XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB
 
XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE
 
XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document



- 53 -