Commitments and Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies

15. Commitments and Contingencies Land LeaseThe Company operates a plant in Corpus Christi, Texas. The facility is located in the Rincon Industrial Park on approximately 15 acres of land, with 13 acres leased from the Port of Corpus Christi Authority (the "Port") and approximately two acres owned by the Company. The lease payment is subject to an adjustment every 5 years for what the Port calls the "equalization valuation". This is used as a means of equalizing rentals on various Port lands and is determined solely at the discretion of the Port. The Company and the Port executed an amended lease agreement on July 11, 2000, which extended the expiration date of the lease to June 30, 2027.

Minimum future rental payments under this and other immaterial leases as of December 31, 2011 for the next five years ending December 31 and in total thereafter are as follows:

Years Ending December 31,
(In thousands)
2012	$	63
2013		63
2014		61
2015		54
2016		54
Thereafter		623
Total minimum lease payments	$	918

Rent expense under these leases was approximately $63,000, $276,000 and $321,000 for the years ended 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

ContingenciesThere are claims arising in the normal course of business that are pending against the Company. While it is not feasible to predict or determine the outcome of any case, it is the opinion of management that the ultimate dispositions will have no material effect on the consolidated financial statements of the Company.

The Company believes that it is in compliance with all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the discharge of substances into the environment, and it does not expect that any material expenditure for environmental control facilities will be necessary in order to continue such compliance.