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Commitments and Contingencies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Commitments and Contingencies

Note 16 — Commitments and Contingencies

We are involved in litigation, investigations and claims arising out of the normal conduct of our business, including those relating to commercial transactions, environmental, employment and health and safety matters. While it is impossible to predict the ultimate resolution of litigation, investigations and claims asserted against us, we believe, based upon our examination of currently available information, our experience to date, and advice from legal counsel, that, after taking into account our existing insurance coverage and amounts already provided for, the currently pending legal proceedings against us will not have a material adverse impact on our consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

Environmental Matters

We have been named as a potentially responsible party (“PRP”) with respect to the below and other hazardous waste disposal sites that we do not own or possess, which are included on, or proposed to be included on, the Superfund National Priority List of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) or on equivalent lists of various state governments. Because the Federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (“CERCLA” or “Superfund”) allows for joint and several

liability in certain circumstances, we could be responsible for all remediation costs at such sites, even if we are one of many PRPs. We believe, based on the amount and nature of the hazardous waste at issue, and the number of other financially viable PRPs at each site, that our liability in connection with such environmental matters will not be material.

Lower Passaic River Study Area

Hexcel together with approximately 48 other PRPs that comprise the Lower Passaic Cooperating Parties Group (the “CPG”), are subject to a May 2007 Administrative Order on Consent (“AOC”) with the EPA requiring the CPG to perform a Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study of environmental conditions of a 17-mile stretch of the Passaic River in New Jersey (the “Lower Passaic River”). We were included in the CPG based on our operations at our former manufacturing site in Lodi, New Jersey.

 

In March 2016, the EPA issued a Record of Decision (“ROD”) setting forth the EPA’s selected remedy for the lower eight miles of the Lower Passaic River at an expected cost ranging from $0.97 billion to $2.07 billion. In August 2017, the EPA appointed an independent third-party allocation expert to make recommendations on the relative liability of approximately 120 identified non-government PRPs for the lower eight miles of the Lower Passaic River. In December 2020, the allocator issued its non-binding report on PRP liability (including Hexcel’s) to the EPA. In October 2021, the EPA released a ROD selecting an interim remedy for the upper nine miles of the Lower Passaic River at an expected additional cost ranging from $308.7 million to $661.5 million.

 

October 2016, pursuant to a settlement agreement with the EPA, Occidental Chemical Corporation (“OCC”), one of the PRPs, commenced performance of the remedial design required by the ROD for the lower eight miles of the Lower Passaic River, reserving its right of cost contribution from all other PRPs. In June 2018, OCC filed suit against approximately 120 parties, including Hexcel, in the U.S. District Court of the District of New Jersey seeking cost recovery and contribution under CERCLA related to the Lower Passaic River. In July 2019, the court granted in part and denied in part the defendants’ motion to dismiss. In August 2020, the court granted defendants’ motion for summary judgement for certain claims. Discovery for the remaining claims has been stayed indefinitely based on agreement of the parties. On February 24, 2021, Hexcel and certain other defendants filed a third-party complaint against the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission and certain New Jersey municipalities seeking recovery of Passaic-related cleanup costs incurred by defendants, as well as contribution for any cleanup costs incurred by OCC for which the court deems the defendants liable. In March 2023, the EPA issued a Unilateral Administrative Order (“UAO”) to OCC ordering OCC to commence remedial design work for the interim remedy for the cleanup of the upper nine miles of the Lower Passaic River. On March 24, 2023, OCC filed suit against Hexcel and approximately 38 other parties claiming cost recovery under CERCLA for future costs related to its compliance with the UAO. On January 5, 2024, the U.S. District Court stayed the foregoing claim initiated by OCC until the completion of the Passaic-related Consent Decree process.

On December 16, 2022, the EPA lodged a Consent Decree with the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey requesting court approval of a $150 million settlement of the EPA’s CERCLA claims against Hexcel and 83 other PRPs for costs related to alleged contamination of the upper and lower portions of the Lower Passaic River. The 84 PRPs have collectively placed $150 million in escrow, pending District Court approval of the Consent Decree. Hexcel is unable to estimate when or if the District Court will approve the Consent Decree.

Environmental remediation reserve activity for the three years ended December 31, was as follows:

(In millions)

2023

 

2022

 

2021

 

Beginning remediation accrual balance

$

0.8

 

$

2.1

 

$

2.4

 

Current period expenses

 

0.3

 

 

 

Cash expenditures

 

(0.4

)

 

(1.3

)

 

(0.3

)

Ending remediation accrual balance

$

0.7

 

$

0.8

 

$

2.1

 

 

Summary of Environmental Reserves

Our estimate of liability as a PRP and our remaining costs associated with our responsibility to remediate the Lower Passaic River and other sites are accrued in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, our aggregate environmental related accruals were $0.7 million and $0.8 million, respectively. These amounts were included in non-current liabilities.

These accruals can change significantly from period to period due to such factors as additional information on the nature or extent of contamination, the methods of remediation required, changes in the apportionment of costs among responsible parties and other actions by governmental agencies or private parties, or the impact, if any, of being named in a new matter.

Product Warranty

Warranty expense for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 and accrued warranty cost, included in “other accrued liabilities” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets were as follows:

 

 

 

Product

 

(In millions)

 

Warranties

 

Balance as of December 31, 2020

 

$

 

2.6

 

Warranty expense

 

 

 

2.0

 

Deductions and other

 

 

 

(2.1

)

Balance as of December 31, 2021

 

$

 

2.5

 

Warranty expense

 

 

 

3.3

 

Deductions and other

 

 

 

(2.7

)

Balance as of December 31, 2022

 

$

 

3.1

 

Warranty expense

 

 

 

3.3

 

Deductions and other

 

 

 

(3.6

)

Balance as of December 31, 2023

 

$

 

2.8

 

 

Purchase Obligations

At December 31, 2023, purchase commitments were $13.2 million for 2024, $8.9 million for 2025, $3.5 million for 2026, $2.9 million for 2027, $2.0 million for 2028, and $11.0 million thereafter.