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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATIONThe Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of CMC Materials, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances between the companies have been eliminated.

Use of Estimates

USE OF ESTIMATES

The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make judgments, assumptions and estimates that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. We base our estimates on historical experience, current conditions, and on various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances. However, future events are subject to change and estimates and judgments routinely require adjustment. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments

CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTSWe consider investments in all highly liquid financial instruments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Short-term investments include securities generally having maturities of 90 days to one year. We did not own any securities that were considered short-term investments as of September 30, 2020 or 2019.

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE AND ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTSTrade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the potential inability of our customers to make required payments. Our allowance for doubtful accounts is based on historical collection experience, adjusted for any specific known conditions or circumstances such as customer bankruptcies and increased risk due to economic conditions. Uncollectible account balances are charged against the allowance when we believe that it is probable that the receivable will not be recovered. Amounts charged to bad debt expense are recorded in Selling, general and administrative expenses.

Concentration of Credit Risk

CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK

Financial instruments that subject us to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of accounts receivable. We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers' financial conditions and generally do not require collateral to secure accounts receivable. Our exposure to credit risk associated with nonpayment is affected principally by conditions or occurrences within the semiconductor industry, pipeline and adjacent industries, and the global economy. We have not experienced significant losses relating to accounts receivable from individual customers or groups of customers.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

FAIR VALUES OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The recorded amounts of cash, accounts receivable, and accounts payable approximate their fair values due to their short-term, highly liquid characteristics. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received from the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") established a three-level hierarchy for disclosure based on the extent and level of judgment used to estimate fair value. Level 1 inputs consist of valuations based on quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 inputs consist of valuations based on quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in an inactive market, or other observable inputs. Level 3 inputs consist of valuations based on unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity.

Inventories

INVENTORIESInventories are recorded on the first-in, first-out (FIFO) basis and are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Finished goods and work in process inventories include material, labor and manufacturing overhead costs. We regularly review and write down the value of inventory as required for estimated obsolescence or lack of marketability.

Property, Plant and Equipment

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation is based on the following estimated useful lives of the assets using the straight-line method:


Land Improvements			10-20 years
Buildings			15-30 years
Machinery and equipment			3-20 years
Furniture and fixtures			5-10 years
Vehicles			5-8 years
Information systems			3-5 years
Assets under financing leases			The shorter of the term of the lease or estimated useful life

Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred.

Leases

LEASES

Effective October 1, 2019, the Company adopted the new lease accounting guidance which requires the recognition of a right of use asset and a corresponding lease liability for operating leases. The Company applies provisions of the guidance to operating leases with terms of more than twelve months for all lease classes except for real estate leases for which the guidance is applied to all leases. Additionally, the Company elected to account for non-lease components and lease components together as a single lease component for all asset classes. The Company’s lease transactions primarily consist of leases for facilities, equipment, and vehicles under operating leases. The Company does not have any material finance leases. Certain of the Company’s leases have an option to extend the lease term and the renewal period is included in determining the lease term for leases where the renewal option is reasonably certain to be exercised.

The new standard was adopted in our first quarter of fiscal 2020 using the modified retrospective transition method; however, we applied the optional transition adjustment that permits us to continue applying Topic 840 within the comparative periods disclosed.

Asset Retirement Obligation

ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS

Our asset retirement obligations (“AROs”) include reclamation requirements as regulated by government authorities or contractual obligations for the removal or storage of hazardous materials, decontamination or demolition of above ground storage tanks, and certain restoration and decommissioning obligations related to certain of our owned and leased properties. The Company recognizes an ARO in the period in which it is incurred, if a reasonable estimate can be made. The accounting for ARO requires estimates by management about when and how the assets will be retired, the cost of retirement obligations, discount and inflation rates used in determining fair values and the methods of remediation associated with our AROs. We generally use assumptions and estimates that reflect the most likely remediation method. Our estimated liability for AROs is revised annually, and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that a revision to the estimate is necessary.

In subsequent periods, the Company recognizes accretion expense in Cost of sales increasing the ARO balances, such that the balance will ultimately equal the expected cash flows at the time of settlement. AROs are included in Other long-term liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The Company has multiple production facilities with an indeterminate useful life and there is insufficient information available to estimate a range of potential settlement dates for the obligation. Therefore, the Company cannot reasonably estimate the fair value of the liability. When a reasonable estimate can be made, an asset retirement obligation will be recorded, and such amounts may be material to the consolidated financial statements in the period in which they are recorded.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETSWe assess the recoverability of the carrying value of long-lived assets to be held and used, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. For purposes of recognition and measurement of an impairment loss, long-lived assets are either individually identified or grouped with other assets and liabilities at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities. When a long-lived asset is considered impaired a loss is recognized based on the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the long-lived asset.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Goodwill represents the excess of the aggregate purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired in business combinations. Goodwill and Intangible assets that have indefinite lives are tested for impairment annually on September 30, or between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. The Company’s reporting units are CMP slurries, CMP pads, electronic chemicals, PIM, wood treatment, and QED.

Intangible assets that have finite lives are amortized over their respective useful lives of 2 to 20 years. Intangible assets are tested for impairment if an event occurs or circumstances change that indicates the carrying value may not be recoverable.

For each reporting unit, the Company has the option to perform either the qualitative analysis ("step zero") or a quantitative analysis ("step one"). In the event a reporting unit fails the qualitative assessment, it is required to perform the quantitative test. The goodwill impairment assessment is performed by comparing the estimated fair value of the reporting units to their carrying amounts. Estimated fair values are determined using the average of a discounted cash flows model and a market approach based on earnings before interest, taxes, and depreciation for a group of guideline comparable companies. Factors requiring significant judgment include the selection of valuation approach and assumptions related to future revenue and gross margin, discount rates, and terminal growth rates. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, the reporting unit will recognize an impairment for the lesser of either the amount by which the reporting unit's carrying amount exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit or the reporting unit’s goodwill carrying value. We used a step zero qualitative analysis for the CMP slurries reporting unit in fiscal 2018, 2019 and 2020, and for precision optics in fiscal 2019 and 2020. Aside from those previously noted, all other reporting units were assessed for goodwill impairment using a step one approach.

The Flowchem LLC (“Flowchem”) trade name, an indefinite-lived intangible asset, was assessed for impairment using a relief from royalty approach. Factors requiring significant judgment include projected revenue, royalty rates, terminal growth rates, and discount rates.

The Company provides disclosure of the potential risk of impairment when a reporting unit’s fair value exceeds its carrying value by less than ten percent.

Revenue Recognition

REVENUE RECOGNITION

Performance Obligations and Material Rights

The Company recognizes revenue using the five-step process of 1) identifying the contract, 2) identifying the performance obligation within the contract, 3) determining the transaction price, 4) allocating the transaction price to the performance obligations, and 5) recognizing the revenue as the performance obligations are satisfied through the transfer of control. A majority of the Company’s contracts have a single performance obligation which represents, in most cases, the products, equipment or services being sold to the customer. Some contracts include delivery of free product that we have concluded represents a material right.

Contracts vary in length and payment terms vary depending on the products or services offered, however, the period of time between invoicing and when payment is due is typically not significant. As a result, we do not have significant financing components. Transaction price is determined upon establishment of the contract that contains the final terms of the sale, including the description, quantity, and price of goods or services purchased. In instances where we receive consideration from a customer prior to transferring goods or services to the customer under the terms of a sales contract, we record a contract liability until the performance obligation is satisfied. Contracts with prospective tiered price discounts require judgment in determining the transaction price. For sales contracts that contain multiple performance obligations, the Company allocates the transaction price to each performance obligation identified in the contract based on relative standalone selling prices or estimates of such prices. When we invoice for products shipped under contracts with multiple performance obligations, we defer a portion of the revenue associated with the material rights on the balance sheet as a contract liability.

The Company recognizes revenue related to product sales at a point in time following the transfer of control of such products to the customer, which generally occurs upon shipment, or delivery depending on the terms of the underlying contracts. Revenue is recognized on consignment sales when control transfers to the customer, generally at the point of customer usage of the product. For services provided to customers in the pipeline and adjacent industries, including preventive maintenance, repair, and specialized isolation sealing on pipelines and training, revenue is recorded at a point in time when the services are completed as this is when right to payment and customer acceptance occurs.

Costs to Obtain and Fulfill a Contract

For certain contracts within the Performance Materials segment, commissions are paid to sales agents based upon a percentage of end-customer invoice value after funds are received by the Company from its customers. As a practical expedient, the Company does not capitalize commissions as the associated contracts are generally one year or less in duration. For shipping and handling activities performed after a customer obtains control of the goods, the Company has elected to account for these costs as activities to fulfill the promise to transfer the goods and included in Cost of sales.

Research, Development and Technical

RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND TECHNICAL

Research, development and technical costs are expensed as incurred and consist primarily of staffing costs, materials and supplies, depreciation, utilities and other facilities costs.

Legal Costs

LEGAL COSTS

Legal costs are expensed as incurred.

Income Taxes

INCOME TAXES

Current income taxes are determined based on estimated taxes payable or refundable on tax returns for the current year. Deferred income taxes are determined using enacted tax rates for the effect of temporary differences between the book and tax bases of recorded assets and liabilities. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of changes in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Provisions are made for both U.S. and any foreign deferred income tax liability or benefit. We assess whether or not our deferred tax assets will ultimately be realized and record an estimated valuation allowance on those deferred tax assets that may not be realized. We recognize the tax benefit of an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position.

The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits within the Provision for income taxes. Accrued interest and penalties are included in Other long-term liabilities.

Derivatives and Hedging

DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING

The Company is exposed to various market risks, including risks associated with interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. We enter into certain derivative transactions to mitigate the volatility associated with these exposures. We have policies in place that define acceptable instrument types we may enter into and we have established controls to limit our market risk exposure. We do not use derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. In addition, all derivatives, whether designated in hedging relationships or not, are recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value on a gross basis.

Interest Rate Swaps

During the second quarter of fiscal 2019, we entered into a floating-to-fixed interest rate swap agreement to hedge the variability in London Inter-bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) based interest payments on a portion of our outstanding variable rate debt. The fair value of our interest rate swaps is estimated using standard valuation models using market-based observable inputs over the contractual term, including one-month LIBOR-based yield curves, among others. We consider the risk of nonperformance, including counterparty credit risk, in the calculation of the fair value. We have designated these swap agreements as cash flow hedges. As cash flow hedges, unrealized gains are recognized as assets and unrealized losses are recognized as liabilities. Unrealized gains and losses are designated as effective or ineffective based on a comparison of the changes in fair value of the interest rate swaps and changes in fair value of the underlying exposures being hedged. The effective portion is recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income or loss, while the ineffective portion is recorded as a component of Interest expense. Changes in the method by which we pay interest from one-month LIBOR to another rate of interest could create ineffectiveness in the swaps, and result in amounts being reclassified from other comprehensive income into Net income. Hedge effectiveness is tested quarterly to determine if hedge treatment is appropriate. Realized gains and losses are recorded on the same financial statement line as the hedged item, which is Interest expense.

Foreign Currency Contracts Not Designated as HedgesOn a regular basis, we enter into forward foreign exchange contracts in an effort to mitigate the risks associated with currency fluctuations on certain foreign currency balance sheet exposures. These foreign exchange contracts do not qualify for hedge accounting; therefore, the gains and losses resulting from the impact of currency exchange rate movements on our forward foreign exchange contracts are recognized as Other income (expense), net in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income in the period in which the exchange rates change.

Share-Based Compensation

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION The Company’s long-term equity incentive plan authorizes the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors to provide equity-based compensation in the form of stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units (“RSUs”), and performance share units (“PSUs”) for the purpose of providing our employees, officers, and non-employee directors incentives and rewards for performance. We also have an employee stock purchase plan (“ESPP”). All grants under share-based payment plans are accounted for at fair value at the date of grant. We recognize expense on share-based awards to employees expected to vest over the service period, which is the shorter of the period until the employees’ retirement eligibility dates or the service period of the award.

Earnings Per Share

EARNINGS PER SHAREBasic earnings per share (“EPS”) is calculated by dividing Net income available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period, excluding the effects of unvested restricted stock awards with a right to receive non-forfeitable dividends, which are considered participating securities and are included in the calculation using the two-class method. Diluted EPS is calculated in a similar manner, but the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period is increased to include the weighted-average dilutive effect of "in-the-money" stock options and unvested restricted stock shares using the treasury stock method.

Effects of Recent Accounting Pronouncements

EFFECTS OF RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-02 “Leases” (Topic 842) changed the criteria for recognizing leasing transactions. The provisions of this guidance require a lessee to recognize a right of use asset and a corresponding lease liability for operating leases. Under this guidance, rental expense for operating leases, continues to be recognized on a straight-line basis over the non-cancelable lease term. As of October 1, 2019, the Company began applying the provisions of this standard prospectively for all lease transactions as of and after the effective date. The Company elected the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance within the new standard, which among other things, allowed the historical lease classification to carry forward. We did not elect the hindsight practical expedient. Upon adoption, the Company recorded a lease liability of $30,881 and a right of use asset of $30,115. The difference between the right of use asset and lease liability primarily relates to deferred rent recorded prior to adoption. The new guidance did not have a material impact on our results of operations or cash flows for the year ended September 30, 2020. Refer to Note 14 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information regarding the Company’s lease transactions.

ASU No. 2018-02 “Income Statement – Reporting Comprehensive Income” (Topic 220) allows for an optional one-time reclassification of the stranded tax effects resulting from the change in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Tax Act") from Accumulated other comprehensive income to Retained earnings. The Company adopted this standard effective October 1, 2019, which resulted in an increase of $488 to both Retained earnings and Accumulated other comprehensive loss.

Accounting Pronouncements Issued But Not Yet Adopted

ASU No. 2016-13, "Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments" (Topic 326) requires financial assets measured at amortized cost to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected using an allowance account and provides that credit losses relating to available-for-sale debt securities should be recorded through an allowance for credit losses. The guidance was amended through various ASU's subsequent to ASU 2016-13, all of which is effective for the Company beginning October 1, 2020. We are finalizing the impact of this standard on our financial statements and it is not expected to have a material impact to the Company’s results of operations or financial condition.

ASU No. 2018-13 “Fair Value Measurement” (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement provides specific guidance on various disclosure requirements in Topic 820, including removal, modification and addition to current disclosure requirements. ASU 2018-13 will be effective for us beginning October 1, 2020. We are finalizing the impact of this standard on our disclosures and do not expect the adoption to have a material impact in our disclosures.

ASU No. 2018-15 “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other—Internal-Use Software” (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force) requires an entity (customer) in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract to follow the guidance in Subtopic 350-40 to determine which implementation costs to capitalize as an asset related to the service contract and which costs to expense. ASU 2018-15 will be effective for us beginning October 1, 2020. We are finalizing the impact of this standard on our financial statements and do not expect the adoption to have a material impact.

ASU No. 2019-12 “Income Taxes” (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes was issued to simplify Topic 740 through improving consistency and removing certain exceptions to general principles. ASU 2019-12 will be effective for us beginning October 1, 2021. We are currently evaluating the impact of implementing this standard on our financial statements.

ASU No. 2020-04 “Reference Rate Reform” (Topic 848) - Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting provides optional guidance for accounting for contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by the reference rate reform, if certain criteria are met. The provisions of this standard are available for election through December 31, 2022. We are currently evaluating the impact of the reference rate reform on our contracts and the resulting impact of adopting this standard on our financial statements.