D. Restructuring and Other Charges

Restructuring and other charges for each year in the three-year period ended December 31, 2012 were comprised of the following:


	2012			2011			2010
Asset impairments	$	40		$	150		$	139
Layoff costs		47			93			43
Other exit costs		21			61			58
Reversals of previously recorded layoff and other exit costs		(21	)		(23	)		(33	)
Restructuring and other charges	$	87		$	281		$	207

Layoff costs were recorded based on approved detailed action plans submitted by the operating locations that specified positions to be eliminated, benefits to be paid under existing severance plans, union contracts or statutory requirements, and the expected timetable for completion of the plans.

2012 Actions. In 2012, Alcoa recorded Restructuring and other charges of $87 ($73 after-tax and noncontrolling interests), which were comprised of the following components: $47 ($29 after-tax and noncontrolling interests) for the layoff of approximately 800 employees (390 in the Engineered Products and Solutions segment, 250 in the Primary Metals segment, 85 in the Alumina segment, and 75 in Corporate), including $10 ($7 after-tax) for the layoff of an additional 170 employees related to the previously reported smelter curtailments in Spain (see 2011 Actions below); $30 ($30 after-tax) in asset impairments and $6 ($6 after-tax) for lease and contract termination costs due to a decision to exit the lithographic sheet business in Bohai, China; $11 ($11 after-tax) in costs to idle the Portovesme smelter (see 2011 Actions below); $10 ($8 after-tax) in other asset impairments; a net charge of $4 ($4 after-tax and noncontrolling interests) for other miscellaneous items; and $21 ($15 after-tax and noncontrolling interests) for the reversal of a number of layoff reserves related to prior periods, including $10 ($7 after-tax) related to the smelters in Spain. The reversal related to the smelters in Spain is due to lower than expected costs based on agreements with employee representatives and the government, as well as a reduction of 55 in the number of layoffs due to the anticipation of the restart of a portion of the previously curtailed capacity based on an agreement with the Spanish government that will provide interruptibility rights (i.e. compensation for power interruptions when grids are overloaded) to the smelters during 2013. A portion of this reversal relates to layoff costs recorded at the end of 2011 (see 2011 Actions below) and a portion of this reversal relates to layoff costs recorded during 2012 (see above).

As of December 31, 2012, approximately 270 of the 800 employees were separated. The remaining separations for the 2012 restructuring programs are expected to be completed by the end of 2013. In 2012, cash payments of $16 were made against layoff reserves related to the 2012 restructuring programs.

2011 Actions. In 2011, Alcoa recorded Restructuring and other charges of $281 ($181 after-tax and noncontrolling interests), which were comprised of the following components: $127 ($82 after-tax) in asset impairments and $36 ($23 after-tax) in other exit costs related to the permanent shutdown and planned demolition of certain idled structures at two U.S. locations (see below); $93 ($68 after-tax and noncontrolling interests) for the layoff of approximately 1,600 employees (820 in the Primary Metals segment, 470 in the Global Rolled Products segment, 160 in the Alumina segment, 20 in the Engineered Products and Solutions segment, and 130 in Corporate), including the effects of planned smelter curtailments (see below); $23 ($12 after-tax and noncontrolling interests) for other asset impairments, including the write-off of the carrying value of an idled structure in Australia that processed spent pot lining and adjustments to the fair value of the one remaining foil location while it was classified as held for sale due to foreign currency movements; $20 ($8 after-tax and noncontrolling interests) for a litigation matter related to the former St. Croix location (see the Litigation section of Note N); a net charge of $5 ($4 after-tax) for other small items; and $23 ($16 after-tax) for the reversal of previously recorded layoff reserves due to normal attrition and changes in facts and circumstances, including a change in plans for Alcoa’s aluminum powder facility in Rockdale, TX.

In late 2011, management approved the permanent shutdown and demolition of certain facilities at two U.S. locations, each of which was previously temporarily idled for various reasons. The identified facilities are the smelter located in Alcoa, TN (capacity of 215 kmt-per-year) and two potlines (capacity of 76 kmt-per-year) at the smelter located in Rockdale, TX (remaining capacity of 191 kmt-per-year composed of four potlines). Demolition and remediation activities related to these actions began in 2012 and are expected to be completed in 2015 for the Tennessee smelter and in 2013 for the two potlines at the Rockdale smelter. This decision was made after a comprehensive strategic analysis was performed to determine the best course of action for each facility. Factors leading to this decision were in general focused on achieving sustained competitiveness and included, among others: lack of an economically viable, long-term power solution; changed market fundamentals; cost competitiveness; required future capital investment; and restart costs. The asset impairments of $127 represent the write off of the remaining book value of properties, plants, and equipment related to these facilities. Additionally, remaining inventories, mostly operating supplies, were written down to their net realizable value resulting in a charge of $6 ($4 after-tax), which was recorded in Cost of goods sold on the accompanying Statement of Consolidated Operations. The other exit costs of $36 represent $18 ($11 after-tax) in environmental remediation (see Note N) and $17 ($11 after-tax) in asset retirement obligations (see Note C), both triggered by the decision to permanently shut down and demolish these structures, and $1 ($1 after-tax) in other related costs.

Also, at the end of 2011, management approved a partial or full curtailment of three European smelters as follows: Portovesme, Italy (150 kmt-per-year); Avilés, Spain (46 kmt out of 93 kmt-per-year); and La Coruña, Spain (44 kmt out of 87 kmt-per-year). These curtailments were completed by the end of 2012. The curtailment of the Portovesme smelter may lead to the permanent closure of the facility, which would result in future charges, while the curtailments at the two smelters in Spain are planned to be temporary. These actions were the result of uncompetitive energy positions, combined with rising material costs and falling aluminum prices (mid-2011 to late 2011). As a result of these decisions, Alcoa recorded costs of $33 ($31 after-tax) for the layoff of approximately 650 employees. As Alcoa engaged in discussions with the respective employee representatives and governments, additional charges were recognized in 2012 (see 2012 Actions above).

As of December 31, 2012, approximately 895 of the 1,475 employees were separated. The total number of employees associated with the 2011 restructuring programs was updated to reflect changes in plans (agreement related to the smelters in Spain – see 2012 Actions above), better than expected operating performance at certain locations, and natural attrition. The remaining separations for the 2011 restructuring programs are expected to be completed by the end of 2013. In 2012 and 2011, cash payments of $23 and $24, respectively, were made against layoff reserves related to the 2011 restructuring programs.

2010 Actions. In 2010, Alcoa recorded Restructuring and other charges of $207 ($130 after-tax and noncontrolling interests), which were comprised of the following components: $127 ($80 after-tax and noncontrolling interests) in asset impairments and $46 ($29 after-tax and noncontrolling interests) in other exit costs related to the permanent shutdown and planned demolition of certain idled structures at five U.S. locations (see below); $43 ($29 after-tax and noncontrolling interests) for the layoff of approximately 875 employees (625 in the Engineered Products and Solutions segment; 75 in the Primary Metals segment; 60 in the Alumina segment; 25 in the Global Rolled Products segment; and 90 in Corporate); $22 ($14 after-tax) in net charges (including $12 ($8 after-tax) for asset impairments) related to divested and to be divested businesses (Automotive Castings, Global Foil, Transportation Products Europe, and Packaging and Consumer) for, among other items, the settlement of a contract with a former customer, foreign currency movements, working capital adjustments, and a tax indemnification; $2 ($2 after-tax and noncontrolling interests) for various other exit costs; and $33 ($24 after-tax and noncontrolling interests) for the reversal of prior periods’ layoff reserves, including a portion of those related to the Portovesme smelter in Italy due to the execution of a new power agreement (see the European Commission Matters section of Note N).

In early 2010, management approved the permanent shutdown and demolition of the following structures, each of which was previously temporarily idled for different reasons: the Eastalco smelter located in Frederick, MD (capacity of 195 kmt-per-year); the smelter located in Badin, NC (capacity of 60 kmt-per-year); an aluminum fluoride plant in Point Comfort, TX; a paste plant and cast house in Massena, NY; and one potline at the smelter in Warrick, IN (capacity of 40 kmt-per-year). This decision was made after a comprehensive strategic analysis was performed to determine the best course of action for each facility. Factors leading to this decision included current market fundamentals, cost competitiveness, other existing idle capacity, required future capital investment, and restart costs, as well as the elimination of ongoing holding costs. The asset impairments of $127 represent the write off of the remaining book value of properties, plants, and equipment related to these facilities. Additionally, remaining inventories, mostly operating supplies, were written down to their net realizable value resulting in a charge of $8 ($5 after-tax and noncontrolling interests), which was recorded in Cost of goods sold on the accompanying Statement of Consolidated Operations. The other exit costs of $46 represent $30 ($19 after-tax and noncontrolling interests) in asset retirement obligations and $14 ($9 after-tax) in environmental remediation, both triggered by the decision to permanently shut down and demolish these structures, and $2 ($1 after-tax and noncontrolling interests) in other related costs.

As of December 31, 2012, the separations associated with 2010 restructuring programs were essentially complete. In 2012 and 2011, cash payments of $3 and $7, respectively, were made against layoff reserves related to 2010 restructuring programs.

Alcoa does not include Restructuring and other charges in the results of its reportable segments. The pretax impact of allocating such charges to segment results would have been as follows:


	2012		2011			2010
Alumina	$	3	$	39		$	12
Primary Metals		20		212			145
Global Rolled Products		43		19			(11	)
Engineered Products and Solutions		13		(3	)		18
Segment total		79		267			164
Corporate		8		14			43
Total restructuring and other charges	$	87	$	281		$	207

Activity and reserve balances for restructuring charges were as follows:


	Layoff costs			Other exit costs			Total
Reserve balances at December 31, 2009	$	160		$	66		$	226
2010:
Cash payments		(93	)		(15	)		(108	)
Restructuring charges		43			53			96
Other*		(57	)		(41	)		(98	)
Reserve balances at December 31, 2010		53			63			116
2011:
Cash payments		(45	)		(9	)		(54	)
Restructuring charges		93			37			130
Other*		(24	)		(34	)		(58	)
Reserve balances at December 31, 2011		77			57			134
2012:
Cash payments		(44	)		(13	)		(57	)
Restructuring charges		47			13			60
Other*		(21	)		(5	)		(26	)
Reserve balances at December 31, 2012	$	59		$	52		$	111

Other includes reversals of previously recorded restructuring charges and the effects of foreign currency translation. In 2011, Other for other exit costs also included a reclassification of the following restructuring charges: $18 in environmental and $17 in asset retirement obligations, as these liabilities are included in Alcoa’s separate reserves for environmental remediation (see Note N) and asset retirement obligations (see Note C), respectively. In 2010, Other for other exit costs also included a reclassification of the following restructuring charges: $30 in asset retirement and $14 in environmental obligations, as these liabilities are included in Alcoa’s separate reserves for asset retirement obligations and environmental remediation, respectively.

The remaining reserves are expected to be paid in cash during 2013, with the exception of approximately $50 to $55, which is expected to be paid over the next several years for lease termination costs, special separation benefit payments, and ongoing site remediation work.