Basis of Financial Statements (Notes)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2023

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Basis of Financial Statements

Basis of Financial Statements

The accompanying unaudited consolidated interim financial statements were prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") for interim periods. Accordingly, certain information and footnotes required for complete financial statements under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("U.S. GAAP") have not been included. These interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto of Westlake Corporation (the "Company"), included in the annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 (the "2022 Form 10-K"), filed with the SEC on February 22, 2023. These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with the accounting principles and practices as disclosed in the notes to the consolidated financial statements of the Company for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022. The Company operates as an integrated global manufacturer and marketer of performance and essential materials and housing and infrastructure products. These products include some of the most widely used materials in the world, which are fundamental to many diverse consumer and industrial markets, including residential construction, flexible and rigid packaging, automotive products, healthcare products, materials used in turbines to generate wind energy, water treatment, coatings as well as other durable and non-durable goods. The Company's customers range from large chemical processors and plastics fabricators to small construction contractors, municipalities and supply warehouses throughout North America, Europe and Asia.

In the opinion of the Company's management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated interim financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) that are necessary for a fair statement of the Company's financial position as of June 30, 2023, its results of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, and the changes in its cash position for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022.

Results of operations and changes in cash position for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results that will be realized for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023 or any other interim period. The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncement

Leases (Topic 842): Common Control Arrangements ASU 2023-01

In March 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued accounting standards update No. 2023-01 to amend certain provisions of ASC 842 that apply to arrangements between related parties under common control. The update requires all companies to amortize leasehold improvements associated with common control leases over the asset’s useful life to the common control group regardless of the lease term. The amendment in this update is effective for all entities in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early application is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this accounting standard on the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

Liabilities - Supplier Finance Programs (ASU No. 2022-04)

In September 2022, the FASB issued accounting standards update No. 2022-04 to enhance transparency of supplier finance programs. Under the ASU, the buyer in a supplier finance program is required to disclose information about the key terms of the program, outstanding confirmed amounts as of the end of the period, a rollforward of the amount of obligations confirmed and the amount of obligations subsequently paid, and a description of where in the financial statements outstanding amounts are presented. The amendments in this update became effective for all entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years, except for the disclosure of rollforward information, which is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023. The Company adopted this accounting standard effective January 1, 2023, and the adoption did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

Business Combinations - Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers Update (ASU No.2021-08)

In October 2021, the FASB issued an accounting standards update that requires acquiring entities to recognize and measure contract assets and contract liabilities in a business combination in accordance with the accounting guidance on Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASC 606). The guidance in this update improves comparability for both the recognition and measurement of acquired revenue contracts with customers at the date of and after a business combination. The accounting standard became effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2022. The Company adopted this accounting standard effective January 1, 2023, and the standard will be applicable to future business combinations.

Inflation Reduction Act of 2022

On August 16, 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (the "IRA") was signed into law. The IRA contains several revisions to the Internal Revenue Code, including a 15% corporate minimum income tax for corporations with average annual adjusted financial statement income over a three-tax-year period in excess of $1 billion and is effective for the tax years beginning after December 31, 2022, a 1% excise tax on stock repurchases made by publicly traded U.S. corporations after December 31, 2022, and business tax credits and incentives for the development of clean energy projects and the production of clean energy. At this time, the Company does not expect the IRA will have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. The Company continues to evaluate the IRA's impact as new information and guidance becomes available.