NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Nature of Operations International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Registrant,” “IFF,” “the Company,” “we,” “us” and “our”) is a leading creator and manufacturer of tastes and scents (including cosmetic active ingredients) used to impart or improve taste and scent in a wide variety of consumer products. Our products are sold principally to manufacturers of perfumes and cosmetics, hair and other personal care products, soaps and detergents, cleaning products, dairy, meat and other processed foods, beverages, snacks and savory foods, sweet and baked goods, and pharmaceutical and oral care products.

Fiscal Year End The Company has historically operated on a 52/53 week fiscal year generally ending on the Friday closest to the last day of the year. For ease of presentation, December 31 is used consistently throughout the financial statements and notes to represent the period-end date. The 2018, 2017 and 2016 fiscal years were 52 week periods. For the 2018, 2017 and 2016 fiscal years, the actual closing dates were December 28, December 29, and December 30, respectively.

Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and accompanying disclosures. These estimates are based on management’s best knowledge of current events and actions the Company may undertake in the future. Actual results may ultimately differ from estimates.

Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. and those of its subsidiaries. Significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. To the extent a subsidiary is not wholly owned, any related noncontrolling interests are included as a separate component of Shareholders’ Equity.

Revenue Recognition Revenue from contracts with customers is recognized when the contract or purchase order has received approval and commitment from both parties, has the rights of the parties and payment terms (which can vary by customer) identified, has commercial substance, and collectability of consideration is probable.

For the Company's Flavors, Fragrances Compounds and Frutarom products, revenue is recognized for the majority of contracts when the Company satisfies its performance obligation by transferring control of the goods to the customer. Revenue is recognized over time for a small number of contracts, and the amount of revenue recognized is based on the extent of progress towards completion of the promised goods, using the output method.

For the Company's Fragrances Ingredients products, revenue is recognized for the majority of contracts when the Company satisfies its performance obligation by transferring control of the goods to the customer.

Sales are reduced, at the time revenue is recognized, for applicable discounts, rebates and sales allowances based on historical experience. Related accruals are included in Other current liabilities in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet.

The Company considers shipping and handling activities undertaken after the customer has obtained control of the related goods as a fulfillment activity. Net sales include shipping and handling charges billed to customers. Cost of goods sold includes all costs incurred in connection with shipping and handling.

Foreign Currency Translation The Company translates the assets and liabilities of non-U.S. subsidiaries into U.S. dollars at year-end exchange rates. Income and expense items are translated at average exchange rates during the year. Cumulative translation adjustments are shown as a separate component of Shareholders’ Equity.

Research and Development Research and development (“R&D”) expenses relate to the development of new and improved tastes or scents, technical product support and compliance with governmental regulation. All research and development costs are expensed as incurred.

Cash Equivalents Cash equivalents include highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less at date of purchase.

Restricted Cash Restricted cash is comprised of cash or cash equivalents which has been placed into an account that is restricted for a specific use and from which the Company cannot withdraw the cash on demand.

Accounts Receivable The Company sells certain accounts receivable on a non-recourse basis to unrelated financial institutions under “factoring” agreements that are sponsored, solely and individually, by certain customers. The Company accounts for these transactions as sale of receivables, removes the receivables sold from its financial statements, and records cash proceeds when received by the Company. The beneficial impact on cash provided by operations from participating in these programs decreased approximately $16.9 million in 2018, compared to an increase of approximately $7.6 million and $34 million in 2017 and 2016, respectively. The cost of participating in these programs was immaterial to our results in all periods.

Inventories Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (on a weighted-average basis) or net realizable value. Our inventories consisted of the following:



	December 31,
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)	2018		2017
Raw materials	$	568,916	$	326,140
Work in process	48,819		16,431
Finished goods	460,802		306,877
Total	$	1,078,537	$	649,448

Long-Lived Assets

Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis, principally over the following estimated useful lives: buildings and improvements, 10 to 40 years; machinery and equipment, 3 to 20 years; information technology hardware and software, 3 to 7 years; and leasehold improvements which are included in buildings and improvements, the estimated life of the improvements or the remaining term of the lease, whichever is shorter.

Finite-Lived Intangible Assets Finite-lived intangible assets include customer relationships, patents, trade names, technological know-how and other intellectual property valued at acquisition and amortized on a straight-line basis over the following estimated useful lives: customer relationships, 11 - 23 years; patents, 11 years; trade names, 14 - 28 years; and technological know-how, 5 - 28 years.

The Company reviews long-lived assets for impairment when events or changes in business conditions indicate that their full carrying value may not be recovered. An estimate of undiscounted future cash flows produced by an asset or group of assets is compared to the carrying value to determine whether impairment exists. If assets are determined to be impaired, the loss is measured based on an estimate of fair value using various valuation techniques, including a discounted estimate of future cash flows.

Goodwill Goodwill represents the difference between the total purchase price and the fair value of identifiable assets and liabilities acquired in business acquisitions.

In assessing the potential for impairment of goodwill, management uses the most current actual and forecasted operating data available and current market-based assumptions in accordance with the criteria in Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 350. The Company has identified five reporting units: (1) Flavor Compounds, (2) Fragrance Compounds, (3) Fragrance Ingredients, (4) Cosmetic Actives Ingredients and (5) Frutarom. These reporting units were determined based on the level at which the performance is measured and reviewed by segment management. In the case of Frutarom, the reporting unit determination is preliminary and is subject to change.

The Company performs an annual goodwill impairment test for its reporting units by assessing the fair value of the reporting units based on discounted cash flows. If a reporting unit’s carrying amount exceeds its fair value, the Company will record an impairment charge based on that difference, and the impairment charge will be limited to the amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. The Company completed its annual goodwill impairment test as of November 30, 2018, which indicated no impairment of goodwill as the estimated fair values substantially exceeded the carrying values of each of these reporting units, except for the recently acquired Frutarom reporting unit for which the fair value is expected to approximate the carrying value.

Income Taxes The Company accounts for taxes under the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred income taxes are recognized for temporary differences between the financial statement and tax return bases of assets and liabilities, based on enacted tax rates and other provisions of the tax law. The effect of a change in tax laws or rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized as income in the period in which such change is enacted. Future tax benefits are recognized to the extent that the realization of such benefits is more likely than not, and a valuation allowance is established for any portion of a deferred tax asset that management believes may not be realized.

The Company recognizes uncertain tax positions that it has taken or expects to take on a tax return. Pursuant to accounting requirements, the Company first determines whether it is “more likely than not” its tax position will be sustained if the relevant tax authority were to audit the position with full knowledge of all the relevant facts and other information. For those tax positions that meet this threshold, the Company measures the amount of tax benefit based on the largest amount of tax benefit that it has a greater than 50% chance of realizing in a final settlement with the relevant authority. Those tax positions failing to qualify for initial recognition are recognized in the first interim period in which they meet the more likely than not standard. The Company maintains a cumulative risk portfolio relating to all of its uncertainties in income taxes in order to perform this analysis, but the evaluation of its tax positions requires significant judgment and estimation in part because, in certain cases, tax law is subject to varied interpretation, and whether a tax position will ultimately be sustained may be uncertain.

Interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits are recognized as a component of income tax expense.

U.S. Tax Reform

On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted comprehensive tax legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”) that significantly revised the U.S. tax code effective January 1, 2018 by, among other things, lowering the corporate income tax rate from a top marginal rate of 35% to a flat 21%, limiting deductibility of interest expense and performance based incentive compensation, transitioning to a territorial system and creating new taxes associated with global operations.

In the fourth quarter of 2017, the Company recorded approximately $139.2 million in charges related to the impact of the Tax Act. Given the significant complexity of the Tax Act, anticipated guidance from the U.S. Treasury about implementing the Tax Act and the potential for additional guidance from the SEC or the FASB, the amount recorded by the Company in the fourth quarter of 2017 was provisional and has been adjusted during 2018. The impact of the Tax Act was finalized in the fourth quarter of 2018.

During the first quarter of 2018, the Company recorded an additional charge of $0.6 million to adjust an accrual related to withholding taxes on planned repatriations. During the second quarter of 2018, the Company paid the first installment of the “toll charge”. During the third quarter of 2018, the Company recorded a benefit of $8.0 million to adjust the provisional “toll charge” required from the transition to the new territorial tax system, and a benefit of $0.2 million to adjust the remeasurement of net deferred tax assets as a result of U.S. tax reform. During the fourth quarter, the Company completed its final assessment under SAB 118, and recorded an additional charge of $32.8 million to adjust an accrual related to the U.S. state impact and foreign withholding taxes on planned repatriations. The charge in the fourth quarter of 2018 is consistent with the Company's need to repatriate funds for debt repayment purposes.

Retirement Benefits Current service costs of retirement plans and postretirement health care and life insurance benefits are accrued. Prior service costs resulting from plan improvements are amortized over periods ranging from 10 to 20 years.

Financial Instruments Derivative financial instruments are used to manage interest and foreign currency exposures. The gain or loss on the hedging instrument is recorded in earnings at the same time as the transaction being hedged is recorded in earnings. The associated asset or liability related to the open hedge instrument is recorded in Prepaid expenses and Other current assets or Other current liabilities, as applicable.

The Company records all derivative financial instruments on the balance sheet at fair value. Changes in a derivative’s fair value are recognized in earnings unless specific hedge criteria are met. If the derivative is designated as a fair value hedge, the changes in the fair value of the derivative and of the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk are recognized in Net income. If the derivative is designated as a cash flow hedge, the effective portions of changes in the fair value of the derivative are recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI") in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet and are subsequently recognized in Net income when the hedged item affects earnings. Ineffective portions of changes in the fair value of cash flow hedges, if any, are recognized as a charge or credit to earnings.

Software Costs The Company capitalizes direct internal and external development costs for certain significant projects associated with internal-use software and amortizes these costs over 7 years. Neither preliminary evaluation costs nor costs associated with the software after implementation are capitalized. Costs related to projects that are not significant are expensed as incurred.

Net Income Per Share Under the two-class method, earnings are adjusted by accretion amounts to redeemable noncontrolling interests recorded at redemption value. The adjustments represent in-substance dividend distributions to the noncontrolling interest holders as the holders have a contractual right to receive a specified amount upon redemption. As a result, earnings are adjusted to reflect this in-substance distribution that is different from other common shareholders. In addition, the Company has unvested share based payment awards with a right to receive nonforfeitable dividends and thus are considered participating securities which are required to be included in the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share.

Basic earnings (loss) per share represents the amount of earnings for the period available to each share of common stock outstanding during the period. Basic earnings (loss) per share includes the effect of issuing shares of common stock assuming (i) the prepaid stock purchase contracts (“SPC”) are converted into the minimum number of common stock under the if-converted method, and (ii) an adjustment to earnings (loss) to reflect adjustments made to record the redeemable value of redeemable non-controlling interests. Diluted earnings (loss) per share also includes the effect of issuing shares of common stock, assuming (i) stock options and warrants are exercised, (ii) restricted stock units are fully vested under the treasury stock method, and (iii) the incremental effect of the prepaid stock purchase contracts (“SPC”) converted into the maximum number of common stock under the if-converted method.

Stock-Based Compensation Compensation cost of all stock-based awards is measured at fair value on the date of grant and recognized over the service period for which awards are expected to vest. The cost of such stock-based awards is principally recognized on a straight-line attribution basis over their respective vesting periods, net of estimated forfeitures.

Financing Costs Costs incurred in the issuance of debt are deferred and amortized as part of interest expense over the stated life of the applicable debt instrument. Unamortized deferred financing costs relating to debt are presented as a reduction in the amount of debt outstanding on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Unamortized deferred financing costs relating to the revolving credit facility are recorded in Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Redeemable Non-controlling Interests Non-controlling interests in subsidiaries that are redeemable for cash or other assets outside of the Company’s control are classified as mezzanine equity, outside of equity and liabilities, at the greater of the carrying value or the redemption value. The increases or decreases in the estimated redemption amount are recorded with corresponding adjustments against Capital in excess of par value and are reflected in the computation of earnings per share using the two-class method.

Adoption of Highly Inflationary Accounting in Argentina U.S. GAAP requires the use of highly inflationary accounting for countries whose cumulative three-year inflation rate exceeds 100 percent. In the second quarter of 2018, the Argentine peso rapidly devalued relative to the U.S. dollar, which along with increased inflation, indicated that the three-year cumulative inflation rate in that country exceeded 100 percent as of July 1, 2018. As a result, the Company adopted highly inflationary accounting as of the beginning of the third quarter of 2018 for its subsidiary in Argentina. Under highly inflationary accounting, the functional currency of the Company's subsidiary in Argentina became the U.S. dollar, and its results for the third and fourth quarter have been recorded on that basis. The net effect of the adoption of the U.S. dollar as the functional currency did not result in a material change to the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet or the Consolidated Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income. For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company's Argentina subsidiary represented less than 3% of the Company’s consolidated net sales and less than 1% of its consolidated total assets as of December 31, 2018.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In October 2018, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2018-16, “Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Inclusion of the Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR") Overnight Index Swap ("OIS") Rate as a Benchmark Interest Rate for Hedge Accounting Purposes." The ASU allows for the use of the OIS rate based on the SOFR as a U.S. benchmark interest rate for purposes of applying hedge accounting under ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on its Consolidated Financial Statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 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).” The ASU aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software (and hosting arrangements that include an internal-use software license). This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on its Consolidated Financial Statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-14, "Compensation - Retirement Benefits - Defined Benefit Plans (Subtopic 715-20)", which modifies the disclosure requirements on company-sponsored defined benefit plans. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020 on a retrospective basis to all periods presented. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on its Consolidated Financial Statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, "Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820)", which modifies, removes and adds certain disclosure requirements on fair value measurements. The ASU is effective for all entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. The amendments on changes in unrealized gains and losses, the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements and the narrative description of measurement uncertainty should be applied prospectively for only the most recent interim or annual period presented in the initial fiscal year of adoption. All other amendments should be applied retrospectively to all periods presented upon their effective date. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on its Consolidated Financial Statements.

In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-07, "Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718)" intended to reduce cost and complexity and to improve financial reporting for nonemployee share-based payments. This guidance expands the scope of Topic 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation which currently only includes share-based payments to employees to include share-based payments issued to nonemployees for goods or services. This guidance is effective for public companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within that fiscal year. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on its Consolidated Financial Statements.

In February 2018, FASB issued ASU 2018-02, "Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income" which allows for a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Act, in addition to requiring certain disclosures about stranded tax effects. This guidance is effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with an election to adopt early. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this guidance may have on its Consolidated Financial Statements.

In August 2017, FASB issued ASU 2017-12, "Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities" which eliminates the requirement to separately measure and present hedge ineffectiveness and aligns the presentation of hedge gains and losses with the underlying hedge item. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. The amended presentation and disclosure requirements are to be applied prospectively while the amendments to cash flow and net investment hedge relationships are to be applied on a modified retrospective basis. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on its Consolidated Financial Statements.

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, "Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting" which clarifies changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award that require an entity to apply modification accounting. This guidance is effective for the current year. The Company has determined that this guidance does not have an impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements as it is not the Company's practice to modify the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award after it has been granted.

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, "Compensation - Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost" which requires employers who present a measure of operating income in their statement of income to include only the service cost component of net periodic pension cost and postretirement costs in operating expenses. This guidance is effective for 2018, and as required, has been applied on a full retrospective basis. The impact of the adoption of this standard on January 1, 2018 was a decrease in operating profit by approximately $28.8 million and $14.4 million for the fiscal year 2017 and 2016, respectively, and corresponding increases in Other (income) expense, net as presented in the Company's Consolidated Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income for the respective periods. There was no impact to Net income or Net Income per share in either period. See Note 16 of the Consolidated Financial Statements for further details.

The new guidance also limits the amount of net periodic benefit cost eligible for capitalization to assets. The new guidance permits only the service cost component of net periodic benefit cost to be eligible for capitalization. The Company applied the practical expedient that permits the use of amounts previously disclosed as the basis for retrospective application and, as provided under the practical expedient, has not presented the income statement impact based on the capitalization of the applicable costs.

In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, "Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash" which requires the statement of cash flows to explain the change during the period in the total cash, cash equivalents and amounts generally described as restricted cash. Amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning and ending total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. Retrospective presentation is required. The company retroactively applied this new guidance as of December 30, 2017, the first day of the Company’s 2018 fiscal year

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, "Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments" which requires changes to the classification of certain activities within the statement of cash flows. This guidance is effective for the current year, and the Company has determined that this adoption does not have an impact on its Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, "Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments", with subsequent amendments, which requires issuers to measure expected credit losses for financial assets based on historical experience, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. As such, an entity will use forward-looking information to estimate credit losses. The guidance is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for the fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this guidance may have on its consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, "Leases (Topic 842)", with subsequent amendments, which requires changes to the accounting for leases and supersedes existing lease guidance, including ASC 840 - Leases. Among other things, ASU 2016-02 requires recognition of a right-of-use asset and a liability for future lease payments for contracts that meet the definition of a lease and also requires disclosure of certain information about leasing arrangements. ASU 2016-02 is effective January 1, 2019. On July 30, 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements, which, among other things, allows companies to elect an optional transition method to apply the new lease standard through a cumulative-effect adjustment in the period of adoption. The Company adopted the standard on December 29, 2018, the first day of its 2019 year, using the optional transition method. The Company has made substantial progress in executing its implementation plan. It is in the process of revising its controls and processes to address the lease standard and has substantially completed the implementation and data input for the lease accounting software tool that it will use post adoption. The Company is electing certain practical expedients including the expedient that allows it to carry forward prior lease classifications under ASC 840. Adoption of the standard is expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated statement of financial position due to the addition of lease assets and liabilities related to operating leases. ASU 2016-02 also requires expanded disclosure regarding the amounts, timing and uncertainties of cash flows related to a company’s lease portfolio. The Company is evaluating these disclosure requirements and is incorporating the collection of relevant data into its existing financial reporting processes in preparation for disclosure in 2019. The Company does not expect ASU 2016-02 to have a material impact on its annual results of operations and/or cash flows.

Revenue Recognition - Adoption of ASC 606

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers", with subsequent amendments, that provides for a comprehensive model to be used in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers (ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers) (the “Revenue Standard”). Under the Revenue Standard, revenue is recognized to reflect the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. Companies have the option to apply the new guidance under a retrospective approach to each prior reporting period presented or a modified retrospective approach with the cumulative effect of initially applying the new guidance recognized at the date of initial application within the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The new Revenue Standard became effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and the Company has adopted the new revenue standard using the modified retrospective approach on December 30, 2017, the first day of the Company’s 2018 fiscal year.

The Company creates and manufactures flavors and fragrances. Approximately 90% of its products, principally flavor compounds and fragrance compounds, are customized to customer specifications and have no alternative use other than the sale to the specific customer (“Compounds products”). The remaining revenue is derived largely from ingredients products that, generally, are commodity products with alternative uses and not customized (“Ingredients products”).

With respect to the vast majority of the Company’s contracts for Compounds products, the Company currently recognizes revenue on the transfer of control of the product at a point in time as the Company does not have an “enforceable right to payment for performance to date” (as set out in the Revenue Standard). With respect to a small number of contracts for the sale of Compounds, the Company has an “enforceable right to payment for performance to date” and as the products do not have an alternative use, the Company recognizes revenue for these contracts over time and records a contract asset using the output method. The output method recognizes revenue on the basis of direct measurements of the value to the customer of the goods or services transferred to date relative to the remaining goods or services promised under the contract.

With respect to the Company’s contracts related to Ingredients products, the Company currently recognizes revenue on the transfer of control of the product at a point in time as such products generally have alternative uses and the Company does not have an “enforceable right to payment for performance to date.”

As the Company adopted the Revenue Standard using the modified retrospective method effective the first day of its 2018 fiscal year, results for its 2018 fiscal year are presented under the Revenue Standard while prior period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with our historic accounting under ASC Topic 605, which required that revenue was accounted for when the earnings process was complete.

The Company recorded a net increase to retained earnings of $2.1 million as of the first day of its 2018 fiscal year due to the cumulative impact of adopting the Revenue Standard. In connection with the adjustment to retained earnings, the Company also recorded an increase of $4.4 million in contract assets (which are included in Prepaid expenses and other assets), a decrease of $1.7 million in inventory, and an increase in taxes payable of $0.6 million.

The impact to revenues, gross profit and net income for the year ended December 31, 2018 were reductions of $4.0 million, $2.6 million and $1.9 million, respectively, as a result of applying the Revenue Standard as compared to the amounts that would have been recognized under ASC Topic 605.

Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes revenue when control of the promised goods is transferred to its customers in an amount that reflects the consideration it expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods. Sales, value add, and other taxes the Company collects are excluded from revenues. The Company receives payment in accordance with standard customer terms.

The following table presents the Company's revenues disaggregated by product categories:



	December 31,
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)	2018		2017^(a)		2016(a)
Flavor Compounds	$	1,990,985	$	1,632,166	$	1,496,525
Fragrance Compounds	1,496,493		1,424,612		1,303,653
Ingredients	490,061		341,941		316,172
Total revenues	$	3,977,539	$	3,398,719	$	3,116,350

_______________________


(a)	Prior period amounts have not been adjusted based on the modified retrospective method.

The following table presents our revenues disaggregated by region, based on the region of our customers:



	December 31,
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)	2018		2017^(a)		2016^(a)
Europe, Africa and Middle East	$	1,396,315	$	1,065,596	$	964,931
Greater Asia	991,015		903,546		880,040
North America	1,010,126		901,821		769,081
Latin America	580,083		527,756		502,298
Total revenues	$	3,977,539	$	3,398,719	$	3,116,350

_______________________


(a)	Prior period amounts have not been adjusted based on the modified retrospective method.

Flavor and Fragrance Compounds Revenues

The Company accounts for a contract when it has approval and commitment from both parties, the rights of the parties and payment terms (which vary by customer) are identified, the contract has commercial substance, and collectability of consideration is probable. Consistent with our past practice, the amount of revenue recognized is adjusted at the time of sale for expected discounts and rebates (“Variable Consideration”).

The Company generates revenues primarily by manufacturing customized taste and scent compounds for the exclusive use of our customers. The Company combines the shipment of goods with their manufacture to account for both shipment and manufacture as the sole performance obligation.

With respect to the vast majority of the Company’s contracts for Compounds products, the Company recognizes a sale at the point in time when it ships the product from its manufacturing facility to its customer, as this is the time when control of the goods has transferred to the customer. The amount of consideration received and revenue recognized is impacted by the Variable Consideration the Company has agreed with its customers. The Company estimates Variable Consideration amounts for each customer based on the specific agreement, an analysis of historical volumes and the current activity with that customer. The Company reassesses its estimates of Variable Consideration at each reporting date throughout the contract period and updates the estimate until the uncertainty is resolved. During the current period, changes to estimates of Variable Consideration have been immaterial.

With respect to a small number of contracts for the sale of Compounds products, the Company recognizes revenue over time as it manufactures customized compounds that do not have an alternative use and for which the contracts provide the Company with an enforceable right to payment, including a reasonable profit, at all times during the contract term commencing with the manufacturing of the goods. When revenue is recognized over time, the amount of revenue recognized is based on the extent of progress towards completion of the promised goods. The Company generally uses the output method to measure progress for its contracts as this method reflects the transfer of goods to the customer. Once customization begins, the manufacturing process is generally completed within a two week period. Due to the short time frame for production, there is little estimation uncertainty in the process. In addition, due to the customized nature of the Company's products, returns are not material.

Ingredients Revenues

The Company generates revenues primarily by manufacturing Ingredients products for the use of our customers. The Company combines the shipment of goods with their manufacture to account for both shipment and manufacture as the sole performance obligation.

Generally, the Company recognizes a sale at the time when it ships the product from their manufacturing facility to their customer, as this is the point when control of the goods or services has transferred to the customer. The amount of consideration received and revenue recognized is impacted by discounts offered to its customers. The Company estimates discounts based on an analysis of historical experience and current activity. The Company assesses its estimates of discounts at each reporting date throughout the contract period and updates its estimates until the uncertainty has been resolved. During the current period, changes to estimates of discounts have been immaterial.

Contract Asset and Accounts Receivable

The following table reflects the balances in our contract assets and accounts receivable for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017:

Reclassifications

As discussed above, the Company has reclassified certain components of net periodic benefit expense (income) to Other income (expense), net.

December 31,

(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

Receivables (included in Trade receivables)

Contract asset - Short term