Commitments and Contingencies

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

In 2019, a fire occurred at the warehouse of the wood treatment facility of our subsidiary KMG-Bernuth, Inc (“KMG-Bernuth”), in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, which processes pentachlorophenol (“penta”) for sale to customers in the U.S. and Canada. The warehouse fire, which we believe originated from non-hazardous waste materials temporarily stored in the warehouse for recycling purposes, caused no injuries. KMG-Bernuth commenced and completed cleanup with oversight from certain local, state and federal authorities. We recorded expense for the fire waste cleanup and disposal of affected inventory in Cost of sales. No expense was recorded during the three months ended December 31, 2020. Although we believe we have completed cleanup efforts related to the fire incident, there are potential other costs that cannot be reasonably estimated as of this time related to the fire incident due to the nature of federally-regulated penta-related requirements. In addition, we are working with our insurance carriers on possible recovery of losses and costs related to the fire incident, and have to date received recovery in the amount of $468. At this point we cannot reasonably estimate whether we will receive any additional insurance recoveries, or if so, the amount of such recoveries.

Separately, in connection with the acquisition of KMG Chemicals, Inc. (“Acquisition”), through KMG-Bernuth, we assumed a contingency related to the Star Lake Canal Superfund Site near Beaumont, Texas (“Star Lake”). In 2014, prior to the Acquisition, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) had notified KMG-Bernuth, that the EPA considered it to be a potentially responsible party under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended, in connection with Star Lake. The EPA has estimated that related remediation will cost approximately $22.0 million. KMG-Bernuth and seven other cooperating parties entered into an agreement with the EPA in September 2016 to complete a remedial design of the remediation actions for the site. Although KMG-Bernuth has not conceded liability with respect to Star Lake, a reserve in connection with the remediation was established, and as of December 31, 2020, the reserve remaining was $553. The remediation work will be performed under a separate future agreement. For more information regarding these plans, refer to Note 20 of “Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements” included in Item 8 of Part II of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020.

PURCHASE OBLIGATIONS

We have $21,695 of contractual commitments under an abrasive particle supply agreement through December 2022.