PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

		December 31,
	Useful Lives	2014			2013
		($ in millions)
Land and improvements to land	10-20 Years	$	157.3		$	156.2
Buildings and building equipment	10-30 Years	212.1			205.0
Machinery and equipment	3-15 Years	1,846.1			1,835.4
Leasehold improvements		2.6			2.5
Construction in progress		43.6			47.8
Property, plant and equipment		2,261.7			2,246.9
Accumulated depreciation		(1,330.7		)	(1,259.1		)
Property, plant and equipment, net		$	931.0		$	987.8

The weighted average useful life of machinery and equipment at December 31, 2014 was 10 years. Depreciation expense was $124.5 million, $120.7 million and $104.4 million for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.  Interest capitalized was $0.2 million, $1.1 million and $7.4 million for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.  Maintenance and repairs charged to operations amounted to $125.0 million, $134.7 million and $124.4 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

The consolidated statements of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, included a $(0.5) million, $7.9 million and $17.4 million, respectively, (decrease) increaseto capital expenditures, with the corresponding change to accounts payable and accrued liabilities, related to purchases of property, plant and equipment included in accounts payable at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012.

During 2013 and 2012 we entered into sale/leaseback transactions for caustic soda barges, bleach trailers and chlorine, caustic soda and bleach railcars. In 2013 and 2012 we received proceeds from the sales of $35.8 million and $4.4 million, respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012.

During 2014 and 2013, assets of zero and $4.2 million, respectively, were acquired under capital leases and are included in machinery and equipment as of December 31, 2014 and 2013.