Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Principles of Consolidation	Principles of Consolidation: The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and include the accounts of Chart Industries, Inc. and its subsidiaries. Intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.
Reclassifications	Reclassifications: On October 1, 2020, we closed on the sale of our cryobiological products business to Cryoport, Inc. (NASDAQ: CYRX). Refer to Note 3, “Discontinued Operations,” for further information. Furthermore, effective October 1, 2020, we changed our reportable segments as further discussed in Note 4, “Segment and Geographic Information. Certain reclassifications have been made to 2019 and 2018 consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income and 2018 consolidated statement of cash flows, the 2019 consolidated balance sheet and certain notes to the consolidated financial statements in order to conform to the 2020 presentation.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. These estimates may also affect the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates and assumptions.
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash, and Restricted Cash Equivalents	Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash, and Restricted Cash Equivalents: We consider all investments with an initial maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. See Note 10, “Debt and Credit Arrangements” for additional information about restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents, which are included in other current assets and other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
Accounts Receivable, Net of Allowances	Accounts Receivable, Net of Allowances: Accounts receivable includes amounts billed and currently due from customers. The amounts due are stated at their net estimated realizable value. We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts to provide for the estimated amount of receivables that will not be collected. The allowance is based upon an assessment of customer creditworthiness, historical payment experience, the age of outstanding receivables and collateral to the extent applicable. In addition, we estimate expected credit losses based on historical loss information then adjust the estimates based on current, reasonable and supportable forecast economic conditions. Past-due trade receivable balances are written off when our internal collection efforts have been unsuccessful. As a practical expedient, we do not adjust the promised amount of consideration for the effects of a significant financing component when we expect, at contract inception, that the period between our transfer of a promised product or service to a customer and when the customer pays for that product or service will be one year or less. We do not typically include extended payment terms in our contracts with customers.
Inventories	Inventories: Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value with cost being determined by the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method. We determine inventory valuation reserves based on a combination of factors. In circumstances where we are aware of a specific problem in the valuation of a certain item, a specific reserve is recorded to reduce the item to its net realizable value. We also recognize reserves based on the actual usage in recent history and projected usage in the near-term.
Unbilled Contract Revenue, Customer Advances and Billings in Excess of Contract Revenue, And Revenue Recognition	Unbilled Contract Revenue: Unbilled contract revenue represents contract assets resulting from revenue recognized over time in excess of the amount billed to the customer and the amount billed to the customer is not just subject to the passage of time. Billing requirements vary by contract but are generally structured around the completion of certain milestones. These contract assets are generally classified as current.Customer Advances and Billings in Excess of Contract Revenue: Our contract liabilities consist of advance customer payments, billings in excess of revenue recognized and deferred revenue. Our contract assets and liabilities are reported in a net position on a contract-by-contract basis at the end of each reporting period. We classify advance customer payments and billings in excess of revenue recognized as current. We classify deferred revenue as current or non-current based on the timing of when we expect to recognize revenue. The current portion of deferred revenue is included in customer advances and billings in excess of contract revenue in our consolidated balance sheets. Long-term deferred revenue is included in other long-term liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets. Revenue Recognition: Revenue is recognized when (or as) we satisfy performance obligations by transferring a promised good or service, an asset, to a customer. An asset is transferred to a customer when, or as, the customer obtains control over that asset. In most contracts, the transaction price includes both fixed and variable consideration. The variable consideration contained within our contracts with customers includes discounts, rebates, refunds, credits, price concessions, incentives, performance bonuses, penalties and other similar items. When a contract includes variable consideration, we evaluate the estimate of the variable consideration to determine whether the estimate needs to be constrained; therefore, we include the variable consideration in the transaction price only to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal of the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is subsequently resolved. Variable consideration estimates are updated at each reporting date. When a contract includes multiple performance obligations, the contract price is allocated among the performance obligations based upon the stand alone selling prices. When the period between when we transfer a promised good or service to a customer and when the customer pays for that good or service is expected, at contract inception, to be one year or less, we do not adjust for the effects of a significant financing component. For brazed aluminum heat exchangers, air cooled heat exchangers, cold boxes, liquefied natural gas fueling stations, engineered tanks, and repair services, most contracts contain language that transfers control to the customer over time. For these contracts, revenue is recognized as we satisfy the performance obligations by an allocation of the transaction price to the accounting period computed using input methods such as costs incurred. Input methods recognize revenue on the basis of the entity’s efforts or inputs to the satisfaction of a performance obligation relative to the total expected inputs to the satisfaction of that performance obligation. The costs incurred input method measures progress toward the satisfaction of the performance obligation by multiplying the transaction price of the performance obligation by the percentage of incurred costs as of the balance sheet date to the total estimated costs at completion after giving effect to the most current estimates. Timing of amounts billed on contracts varies from contract to contract and could cause significant variation in working capital needs. Revisions to estimated cost to complete that result from inefficiencies in our performance that were not expected in the pricing of the contract are expensed in the period in which these inefficiencies become known. Contract modifications can change a contract’s scope, price, or both. Approved contract modifications are accounted for as either a separate contract or as part of the existing contract depending on the nature of the modification. For standard industrial gas and LNG tanks and some products identified in the prior paragraph with contract language that does not meet the over time recognition requirements, the contract with the customer contains language that transfers control to the customer at a point in time. For these contracts, revenue is recognized when we satisfy our performance obligation to the customer. Timing of amounts billed on contracts varies from contract to contract. The specific point in time when control transfers depends on the contract with the customer, contract terms that provide for a present obligation to pay, physical possession, legal title, risk and rewards of ownership, acceptance of the asset, and bill-and-hold arrangements may impact the point in time when control transfers to the customer. We recognize revenue under bill-and-hold arrangements when control transfers and the reason for the arrangement is substantive, the product is separately identified as belonging to the customer, the product is ready for physical transfer and we do not have the ability to use the product or direct it to another customer. Incremental contract costs are expensed when incurred when the amortization period of the asset that would have been recognized is one year or less; otherwise, incremental contract costs are recognized as an asset and amortized over time as promised goods and services are transferred to a customer. When losses are expected to be incurred on a contract, we recognize the entire anticipated loss in the accounting period when the loss becomes evident. The loss is recognized when the current estimate of the consideration we expect to receive, modified to include unconstrained variable consideration instead of constrained variable consideration, is less than the current estimate of total costs for the contract. Taxes assessed by a governmental authority that are both imposed on and concurrent with a specific revenue-producing transaction, that are collected by us from a customer, are excluded from revenue. Shipping and handling fee revenues and the related expenses are reported as fulfillment revenues and expenses for all customers because we have adopted the practical expedient contained in ASC 606-10-25-18B. Therefore, all shipping and handling costs associated with outbound freight are accounted for as fulfillment costs and are included in cost of sales. Amounts billed to customers for shipping are classified as sales, and the related costs are classified as cost of sales on the consolidated statements of income. Shipping revenue of $10.6, $11.3, and $10.6 for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively, are included in sales. Shipping costs of $15.0, $15.8, and $15.2 for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively, are included in cost of sales. Cost of Sales: Manufacturing expenses associated with sales are included in cost of sales. Cost of sales includes all materials, direct and indirect labor, inbound freight, purchasing and receiving, inspection, internal transfers, and distribution and warehousing of inventory. In addition, shop supplies, facility maintenance costs, manufacturing engineering, project management, and depreciation expense for assets used in the manufacturing process are included in cost of sales on the consolidated statements of income.
Property, Plant and Equipment	Property, Plant and Equipment: Capital expenditures for property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred, whereas major improvements that extend the useful life are capitalized. The cost of applicable assets is depreciated over their estimated useful lives. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method for financial reporting purposes and accelerated methods for income tax purposes.
Lease Accounting	Lease Accounting: At lease inception, we determine if an arrangement is a lease and if it includes options to extend or terminate the lease if it is reasonably certain that the options will be exercised. Lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Operating leases are recognized as right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and are included within property, plant and equipment, net and lease liabilities are included in operating lease liabilities, current and operating lease liabilities, non-current in our consolidated balance sheet. ROU assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities were recognized on the Commencement Date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As most of our leases do not provide an implicit rate, we used our incremental borrowing rate based on the information available on the Commencement Date in determining the present value of lease payments.
Long-lived Assets	Long-lived Assets: We monitor our property, plant, equipment, and finite-lived intangible assets for impairment indicators on an ongoing basis. Assets are grouped and tested at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are available. If impairment indicators exist, we perform the required analysis and record impairment charges, if applicable. In conducting our analysis, we compare the undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated from the long-lived assets to the related net book values. If the undiscounted cash flows exceed the net book value, the long-lived assets are considered not to be impaired. If the net book value exceeds the undiscounted cash flows, an impairment loss is measured and recognized. An impairment loss is measured as the difference between the net book value and the fair value of the long-lived assets. Fair value is estimated from discounted future net cash flows (for assets held and used) or net realizable value (for assets held for sale). Changes in economic or operating conditions impacting these estimates and assumptions could result in the impairment of long-lived assets. We amortize intangible assets that have finite lives over their estimated useful lives.
Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets	Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets: Goodwill is recognized as the excess cost of an acquired entity over the net amount assigned to assets acquired and liabilities assumed. We do not amortize goodwill or indefinite-lived intangible assets, but review them for impairment annually in the fourth quarter or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that an evaluation should be completed. Goodwill is analyzed on a reporting unit basis. As previously reported in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, our reporting units, which were the same as our operating and reportable segments were Distribution and Storage Eastern Hemisphere (“D&S East”), Distribution and Storage Western Hemisphere (“D&S West”), Energy & Chemicals (“E&C”) Cryogenics and E&C FinFans. Effective October 1, 2020, we changed our reporting units, which are the same as our operating and reportable segments, to the following four segments: Cryo Tank Solutions, Heat Transfer Systems, Specialty Products and Repair, Service & Leasing. We first evaluate qualitative factors, such as macroeconomic conditions and our overall financial performance to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, including goodwill. We then evaluate how significant each of the identified factors could be to the fair value or carrying amount of a reporting unit and weigh these factors in totality in forming a conclusion of whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount (the “Step 0 Test”). If we determine that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the first step of the goodwill impairment test is not necessary. Otherwise, we would proceed to the first step of the goodwill impairment test. Alternatively, we may also bypass the Step 0 Test and proceed directly to the first step of the goodwill impairment test. Under the first step (“Step 1”), we estimate the fair value of the reporting units by considering income and market approaches to develop fair value estimates, which are weighted to arrive at a fair value estimate for each reporting unit. With respect to the income approach, a model has been developed to estimate the fair value of each reporting unit. This fair value model incorporates estimates of future cash flows, estimates of allocations of certain assets and cash flows among reporting units, estimates of future growth rates and management’s judgment regarding the applicable discount rates to use to discount such estimates of cash flows. With respect to the market approach, a guideline company method is employed whereby pricing multiples are derived from companies with similar assets or businesses to estimate fair value of each reporting unit. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds the carrying amount of the net assets assigned to that reporting unit, then goodwill is not impaired and no further testing is required. However, if the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the impairment charge is based on the excess of a reporting unit’s carrying amount over its fair value (i.e., we would measure the charge based on the result from Step 1). In order to assess the reasonableness of the calculated fair values of the reporting units, we also compare the sum of the reporting units’ fair values to the market capitalization and calculate an implied control premium (the excess of the sum of the reporting units’ fair values over the market capitalization). We evaluate the control premium by comparing it to control premiums of recent comparable transactions. If the implied control premium is not reasonable in light of this assessment, we reevaluate the fair value estimates of the reporting units by adjusting the discount rates and other assumptions as necessary. Changes to the assumptions and estimates used throughout the steps described above may result in a significantly different estimate of the fair value of the reporting units, which could result in a different assessment of the recoverability of goodwill and result in future impairment charges. With respect to indefinite-lived intangible assets, we first evaluate relevant events and circumstances to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying amount. If, in weighing all relevant events and circumstances in totality, we determine that it is more likely than not that an indefinite-lived intangible asset is not impaired, no further action is necessary. Otherwise, we would determine the fair value of indefinite-lived intangible assets and perform a quantitative impairment assessment by comparing the indefinite-lived intangible asset’s fair value to its carrying amount. We may bypass such a qualitative assessment and proceed directly to the quantitative assessment. We estimate the fair value of the indefinite-lived assets using the income approach. This may include the relief from royalty method or use of a model similar to the one described above related to goodwill which estimates the future cash flows attributed to the indefinite-lived intangible asset and then discounting these cash flows back to a present value. Under the relief from royalty method, fair value is estimated by discounting the royalty savings, as well as any tax benefits related to ownership to a present value. The fair value from either approach is compared to the carrying value and an impairment is recorded if the fair value is determined to be less than the carrying value.
Convertible Debt	Convertible Debt: We determined that the conversion option within our convertible notes due November 2024 was not clearly and closely related to the debt instrument host, however, the conversion option met a scope exception to derivative instrument accounting since the conversion feature is indexed to our common stock and meets equity classification criteria. Convertible debt instruments exempt from derivative accounting and subject to cash settlement of the conversion option are recognized by bifurcating the principal balance into a liability component and an equity component where the fair value of the liability component is estimated by calculating the present value of its cash flows discounted at an interest rate that we would have received for similar debt instruments that have no conversion rights (the “straight-debt rate”), and the equity component is the residual amount, net of tax, which creates a discount on our convertible notes due November 2024. We recognize non-cash interest accretion expense related to the carrying amount of our convertible notes due November 2024 which is accreted back to its principal amount over the expected life of the debt, which is also the stated life of the debt. Subsequent to December 31, 2020, on January 1, 2021, we will adopt ASU 2020-06, “Debt—Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging—Contracts in Entities Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40)” which, among other things, modifies the accounting for convertible debt and diluted earnings per share accounting treatment. For further discussion see the Recently Issued Accounting Standards (Not Yet Adopted) section toward the end of this section.
Financial Instruments	Financial Instruments: The fair values of cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and short-term bank debt approximate their carrying amount because of the short maturity of these instruments.
Concentration Risks	To minimize credit risk from trade receivables, we review the financial condition of potential customers in relation to established credit requirements before sales credit is extended and monitor the financial condition and payment history of customers to help ensure timely collections and to minimize losses. Additionally, for certain domestic and foreign customers, we require advance payments, letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances, and other such guarantees of payment. Certain customers also require us to issue letters of credit or performance bonds, particularly in instances where advance payments are involved, as a condition of placing the order.
Fair Value Measurements	Fair Value Measurements: We measure our financial assets and liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis using a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in the valuation methodologies. The three levels of inputs used to measure fair value are as follows: Level 1 — Valuations based on quoted prices for identical assets and liabilities in active markets. Level 2 — Valuations based on observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data. Level 3 — Valuations based on unobservable inputs reflecting our own assumptions, consistent with reasonably available assumptions made by other market participants. These valuations require significant judgment.
Derivative Financial Instruments	Derivative Financial Instruments: We utilize certain derivative financial instruments to enhance our ability to manage foreign currency risk that exists as part of ongoing business operations. Derivative instruments are entered into for periods consistent with related underlying exposures and do not constitute positions independent of those exposures. We do not enter into contracts for speculative purposes nor are we a party to any leveraged derivative instrument. We are exposed to foreign currency exchange risk as a result of transactions in currencies other than the functional currency of certain subsidiaries. We utilize foreign currency forward purchase and sale contracts to manage the volatility associated with foreign currency purchases and certain intercompany transactions in the normal course of business. Contracts typically have maturities of less than one year. Principal currencies include the U.S. dollar, the euro, the Chinese yuan, the Czech koruna, the Australian dollar, the British pound, the Canadian dollar, the Indian rupee and the Japanese yen. Our foreign currency forward contracts do not qualify as hedges as defined by accounting guidance. Foreign currency forward contracts are measured at fair value and recorded on the consolidated balance sheets as other current liabilities or assets. Changes in their fair value are recorded in the consolidated statements of income as foreign currency gains or losses. Our foreign currency forward contracts are not exchange traded instruments and, accordingly, the valuation is performed using Level 2 inputs as defined above. Gains or losses on settled or expired contracts are recorded in the consolidated statements of income as foreign currency gains or losses.
Product Warranties	Product Warranties: We provide product warranties with varying terms and durations for the majority of our products. We estimate product warranty costs and accrue for these costs as products are sold with a charge to cost of sales. Factors considered in estimating warranty costs include historical and projected warranty claims, historical and projected cost-per-claim, and knowledge of specific product issues that are outside of typical experience. Warranty accruals are evaluated and adjusted as necessary based on actual claims experience and changes in future claim and cost estimates. Business Combinations: We account for business combinations in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) ASC 805, “Business Combinations.” We recognize and measure identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values. The excess of the consideration transferred over the fair value of the net assets acquired, including identifiable intangible assets, is assigned to goodwill. As additional information becomes available, we may further revise the preliminary acquisition consideration allocation during the remainder of the measurement period, which shall not exceed twelve months from the closing of the acquisition. Identifiable finite-lived intangible assets generally consist of customer relationships, unpatented technology, patents and trademarks and trade names and are amortized over their estimated useful lives which generally range from 2 to 15 years. Identifiable indefinite-lived intangible assets generally consist of trademarks and trade names and are subject to impairment testing on at least an annual basis. We estimate the fair value of identifiable intangible assets under income approaches where the fair value models incorporate estimates of future cash flows, estimates of allocations of certain assets and cash flows, estimates of future growth rates, and management’s judgment regarding the applicable discount rates to use to discount such estimates of cash flows. We expense transaction related costs, including legal, consulting, accounting and other costs, in the periods in which the costs are incurred.
Selling, General and Administrative Costs (SG&A)	Selling, General and Administrative (“SG&A”) Expenses: SG&A expenses include selling, marketing, customer service, product management, design engineering, and other administrative expenses not directly supporting the manufacturing process, as well as depreciation expense associated with non-manufacturing assets. In addition, SG&A expenses include corporate operating expenses for executive management, accounting, tax, treasury, corporate development, human resources, information technology, investor relations, legal, internal audit and risk management.
Advertising Costs	Advertising Costs: We incurred advertising costs of $2.7, $4.0, and $3.7 for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Such costs are expensed as incurred and included in SG&A expenses in the consolidated statements of income.
Research and Development Costs	Research and Development Costs: We incurred research and development costs of $9.1, $9.2, and $8.7 for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Such costs are expensed as incurred and included in SG&A expenses in the consolidated statements of income.
Foreign Currency Translation	Foreign Currency Translation: The functional currency for the majority of our foreign operations is the applicable local currency. The translation from the applicable foreign currencies to U.S. dollars is performed for asset and liability accounts using exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date and for revenue and expense accounts using the average exchange rate during the period. The resulting translation adjustments are recorded as a component of other comprehensive income (loss) in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Certain of our foreign entities remeasure from local to functional currencies, which is then translated to the reporting currency of the Company. Remeasurement from local to functional currencies is included in cost of sales or foreign currency loss in the consolidated statements of income. Gains or losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are charged to net income in the consolidated statements of income as incurred.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes: The Company and its U.S. subsidiaries file a consolidated federal income tax return. Deferred income taxes are provided for temporary differences between financial reporting and the consolidated tax return in accordance with the liability method. A valuation allowance is provided against net deferred tax assets when conditions indicate that it is more likely than not that the benefit related to such assets will not be realized. In assessing the need for a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets, we consider all available evidence, including past operating results, estimates of future taxable income, and the feasibility of tax planning strategies. In the event that we change our determination as to the amount of deferred tax assets that can be realized, the valuation allowance will be adjusted with a corresponding impact to the provision for income taxes in the period in which such determination is made. We utilize a two-step approach for the recognition and measurement of uncertain tax positions. The first step is to evaluate the tax position and determine whether it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination by tax authorities. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that is more likely than not of being realized upon settlement. Interest and penalties related to income taxes are accounted for as income tax expense in the consolidated statements of income. We have accounted for the tax effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“Tax Act”), which was signed into law on December 22, 2017. The Tax Act, among other things, reduced the U.S. federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%, requires companies to pay a one-time transition tax on certain unrepatriated earnings of foreign subsidiaries, requires a current inclusion in U.S. federal taxable income of certain earnings of foreign corporations, and creates a new limitation on deductible interest expense. In 2017, we accounted for the tax effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act under the guidance of SAB 118, on a provisional basis. In 2018, we finalized our analyses under SAB 118. For further information, see Note 16, “Income Taxes.” We are subjected to a tax on Global Intangible Low Taxed Income (“GILTI”), which we record as a period cost as incurred.
Share-based Compensation	Share-based Compensation: We measure share-based compensation expense for share-based payments to employees and directors, including grants of employee stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units and performance units based on the grant-date fair value. The fair value of stock options is calculated using the Black-Scholes pricing model and is recognized on an accelerated basis over the vesting period. The grant-date fair value calculation under the Black-Scholes pricing model requires the use of variables such as exercise term of the option, future volatility, dividend yield, and risk-free interest rate. The fair value of restricted stock and restricted stock units is based on Chart’s market price on the date of grant and is generally recognized on an accelerated basis over the vesting period. The fair value of performance units is based on Chart’s market price on the date of grant and pre-determined performance conditions as determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors and is recognized on a straight-line basis over the performance measurement period based on the probability that the performance conditions will be achieved. We reassess the vesting probability of performance units each reporting period and adjust share-based compensation expense based on our probability assessment. Share-based compensation expense for all awards considers estimated forfeitures. During the year, we may repurchase shares of common stock from equity plan participants to satisfy tax withholding obligations relating to the vesting or payment of equity awards. All such repurchased shares are retired in the period in which the repurchases occur.
Defined Benefit Pension Plans	Defined Benefit Pension Plans: We sponsor two defined benefit pension plans including the Chart Pension Plan, which has been frozen since February 2006, and a noncontributory defined benefit plan that we acquired as part of the Hudson acquisition (the “Hudson Plan”). The Hudson Plan is closed to new participants and not considered significant to our consolidated financial statements. The funded status is measured as the difference between the fair value of the plan assets and the projected benefit obligation. The change in the funded status of the plan is recognized in the year in which the change occurs through accumulated other comprehensive loss. Our funding policy is to contribute at least the minimum funding amounts required by law. Management has chosen policies according to accounting guidance that allow the use of a calculated value of plan assets, which generally reduces the volatility of expense (income) from changes in pension liability discount rates and the performance of the pension plan’s assets.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards and Recently Adopted Accounting Standards	Recently Issued Accounting Standards (Not Yet Adopted): In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-06, “Debt—Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging—Contracts in Entities Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40).” This ASU simplifies accounting for convertible instruments by eliminating two of the three models in ASC 470-20 that require separating embedded conversion features from convertible instruments. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021. We will adopt this guidance effective January 1, 2021 under the modified retrospective adoption approach. The cumulative effect of the change will be recognized as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings at the date of adoption. As a result of the adoption, our convertible notes due November 2024 will no longer be bifurcated into separate liability and equity components in our balance sheet. Rather, the $258.8 principal amount of our convertible notes due November 2024 will be classified as a liability only. Furthermore, interest expense related to the accretion of our convertible notes due November 2024 will no longer be recognized. As further described in Note 10, “Debt and Credit Arrangements,” on December 31, 2020, we amended the Indenture governing our convertible notes due November 2024 to eliminate share settlement thus leaving us with two settlement options: (1) cash settlement or (2) cash for par and any combination of cash and shares for the excess settlement amount above the $258.8 principal amount of our convertible notes due November 2024. The guidance requires usage of the if-converted method to compute diluted earnings per share for our convertible notes due November 2024, however, based on the terms of the amended Indenture and the cessation of interest accretion expense recognition from the transition at adoption, the if-converted method was modified such that interest expense is no longer added to the numerator, and the denominator only includes incremental shares that would be issued upon conversion. In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848), Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting.” This ASU simplifies the accounting for modifying contracts (including those in hedging relationships) that refer to LIBOR and other interbank offered rates that are expected to be discontinued due to reference rate reform. The amendments in this ASU are effective for all entities as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. An entity may elect to apply the amendments for contract modifications by Topic or Industry Subtopic as of any date from the beginning of an interim period that includes or is subsequent to March 12, 2020, or prospectively from a date within an interim period that includes or is subsequent to March 12, 2020, up to the date that the financial statements are available to be issued. Once elected for a Topic or an Industry Subtopic, the amendments in this ASU must be applied prospectively for all eligible contract modifications for that Topic or Industry Subtopic. We expect application of the amendments to impact accounting for our senior secured revolving credit facility due June 2024. We are currently assessing the effect this ASU will have on our financial position, results of operations, and disclosures. Recently Adopted Accounting Standards: In January 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-01, “Investments – Equity Securities (Topic 321), Investments – Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323), and Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815).” This ASU clarifies the interactions between the measurement alternative in Topic 321, the equity method of accounting in Topic 323 and the application of guidance for certain forward contracts and purchased options that upon settlement or exercise would be accounted for under the equity method of accounting in Topic 815. This guidance is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2020. We adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2021. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or disclosures. 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.” This ASU clarifies the accounting treatment for implementation costs for cloud computing arrangements (hosting arrangements) that is a service contract. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within that fiscal year. We adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2020. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or disclosures. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-14, “Compensation – Retirement Benefits – Defined Benefit Plans – General (Subtopic 715-20): Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans.” This ASU adds, modifies and clarifies several disclosure requirements for employers that sponsor defined benefit pension or other postretirement plans. This guidance is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2020. We early adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2020. The adoption of this guidance did not have a significant impact on our annual disclosures. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement.” This ASU adds, modifies and removes several disclosure requirements relative to the three levels of inputs used to measure fair value in accordance with Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurement.” This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within that fiscal year. We adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2020. The adoption of this guidance did not impact our financial position, results of operations or disclosures. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments” and subsequently issued additional guidance that modified ASU 2016-13. ASU 2016-13 and the subsequent modifications are identified as ASC 326.” The standard requires an entity to change its accounting approach in determining impairment of certain financial instruments, including trade receivables, from an “incurred loss” to a “current expected credit loss” model. The standard will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within such fiscal years. We adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2020. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or disclosures. We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts to provide for the estimated amount of receivables that will not be collected as discussed above. In addition, we estimate expected credit losses based on historical loss information then adjust the estimates based on current, reasonable and supportable forecast economic conditions. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)” and other subsequent amendments collectively identified as ASC 842, related to leases to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by requiring the recognition of right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet. Effective January 1, 2019, (the “Commencement Date”), we adopted the new lease accounting standard using the modified retrospective transition option of applying the new standard at the adoption date for all leases with terms greater than 12 months. The adoption of the new standard resulted in the recording of operating ROU assets, primarily consisting of leased facilities and equipment and operating lease liabilities of $34.8 as of the Commencement Date. The adoption did not have a material impact on our consolidated statement of income and comprehensive income or cash flows related to existing leases as of the Commencement Date. As a result, there was no cumulative-effect adjustment. We elected certain practical expedients and as such did not reassess the following: 1) whether any expired or existing contracts are or contain leases, 2) lease classification for any expired or existing leases, 3) initial direct costs for any expired or existing leases and 4) whether existing or expired land easements are or contain leases. However, we will evaluate new or modified land easements under the new guidance after the Commencement Date. We also elected the practical expedient to not separate lease and non-lease components. In addition, we implemented internal controls and key system functionality to enable the preparation of financial information on adoption.

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Principles of Consolidation: The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and include the accounts of Chart Industries, Inc. and its subsidiaries. Intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.

Reclassifications

Reclassifications: On October 1, 2020, we closed on the sale of our cryobiological products business to Cryoport, Inc. (NASDAQ: CYRX). Refer to Note 3, “Discontinued Operations,” for further information. Furthermore, effective October 1, 2020, we changed our reportable segments as further discussed in Note 4, “Segment and Geographic Information. Certain reclassifications have been made to 2019 and 2018 consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income and 2018 consolidated statement of cash flows, the 2019 consolidated balance sheet and certain notes to the consolidated financial statements in order to conform to the 2020 presentation.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. These estimates may also affect the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates and assumptions.

Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash, and Restricted Cash Equivalents

Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash, and Restricted Cash Equivalents: We consider all investments with an initial maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. See Note 10, “Debt and Credit Arrangements” for additional information about restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents, which are included in other current assets and other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

Accounts Receivable, Net of Allowances

Accounts Receivable, Net of Allowances: Accounts receivable includes amounts billed and currently due from customers. The amounts due are stated at their net estimated realizable value. We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts to provide for the estimated amount of receivables that will not be collected. The allowance is based upon an assessment of customer creditworthiness, historical payment experience, the age of outstanding receivables and collateral to the extent applicable. In addition, we estimate expected credit losses based on historical loss information then adjust the estimates based on current, reasonable and supportable forecast economic conditions. Past-due trade receivable balances are written off when our internal collection efforts have been unsuccessful. As a practical expedient, we do not adjust the promised amount of consideration for the effects of a significant financing component when we expect, at contract inception, that the period between our transfer of a promised product or service to a customer and when the customer pays for that product or service will be one year or less. We do not typically include extended payment terms in our contracts with customers.

Inventories

Inventories: Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value with cost being determined by the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method. We determine inventory valuation reserves based on a combination of factors. In circumstances where we are aware of a specific problem in the valuation of a certain item, a specific reserve is recorded to reduce the item to its net realizable value. We also recognize reserves based on the actual usage in recent history and projected usage in the near-term.

Unbilled Contract Revenue, Customer Advances and Billings in Excess of Contract Revenue, And Revenue Recognition

Unbilled Contract Revenue: Unbilled contract revenue represents contract assets resulting from revenue recognized over time in excess of the amount billed to the customer and the amount billed to the customer is not just subject to the passage of time. Billing requirements vary by contract but are generally structured around the completion of certain milestones. These contract assets are generally classified as current.Customer Advances and Billings in Excess of Contract Revenue: Our contract liabilities consist of advance customer payments, billings in excess of revenue recognized and deferred revenue. Our contract assets and liabilities are reported in a net position on a contract-by-contract basis at the end of each reporting period. We classify advance customer payments and billings in excess of revenue recognized as current. We classify deferred revenue as current or non-current based on the timing of when we expect to recognize revenue. The current portion of deferred revenue is included in customer advances and billings in excess of contract revenue in our consolidated balance sheets. Long-term deferred revenue is included in other long-term liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets.

Revenue Recognition: Revenue is recognized when (or as) we satisfy performance obligations by transferring a promised good or service, an asset, to a customer. An asset is transferred to a customer when, or as, the customer obtains control over that asset. In most contracts, the transaction price includes both fixed and variable consideration. The variable consideration contained within our contracts with customers includes discounts, rebates, refunds, credits, price concessions, incentives, performance bonuses, penalties and other similar items. When a contract includes variable consideration, we evaluate the estimate of the variable consideration to determine whether the estimate needs to be constrained; therefore, we include the variable consideration in the transaction price only to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal of the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is subsequently resolved. Variable consideration estimates are updated at each reporting date. When a contract includes multiple performance obligations, the contract price is allocated among the performance obligations based upon the stand alone selling prices. When the period between when we transfer a promised good or service to a customer and when the customer pays for that good or service is expected, at contract inception, to be one year or less, we do not adjust for the effects of a significant financing component.

For brazed aluminum heat exchangers, air cooled heat exchangers, cold boxes, liquefied natural gas fueling stations, engineered tanks, and repair services, most contracts contain language that transfers control to the customer over time. For these contracts, revenue is recognized as we satisfy the performance obligations by an allocation of the transaction price to the accounting period computed using input methods such as costs incurred. Input methods recognize revenue on the basis of the entity’s efforts or inputs to the satisfaction of a performance obligation relative to the total expected inputs to the satisfaction of that performance obligation. The costs incurred input method measures progress toward the satisfaction of the performance obligation by multiplying the transaction price of the performance obligation by the percentage of incurred costs as of the balance sheet date to the total estimated costs at completion after giving effect to the most current estimates. Timing of amounts billed on contracts varies from contract to contract and could cause significant variation in working capital needs. Revisions to estimated cost to complete that result from inefficiencies in our performance that were not expected in the pricing of the contract are expensed in the period in which these inefficiencies become known. Contract modifications can change a contract’s scope, price, or both. Approved contract modifications are accounted for as either a separate contract or as part of the existing contract depending on the nature of the modification.

For standard industrial gas and LNG tanks and some products identified in the prior paragraph with contract language that does not meet the over time recognition requirements, the contract with the customer contains language that transfers control to the customer at a point in time. For these contracts, revenue is recognized when we satisfy our performance obligation to the customer. Timing of amounts billed on contracts varies from contract to contract. The specific point in time when control transfers depends on the contract with the customer, contract terms that provide for a present obligation to pay, physical possession, legal title, risk and rewards of ownership, acceptance of the asset, and bill-and-hold arrangements may impact the point in time when control transfers to the customer. We recognize revenue under bill-and-hold arrangements when control transfers and the reason for the arrangement is substantive, the product is separately identified as belonging to the customer, the product is ready for physical transfer and we do not have the ability to use the product or direct it to another customer.

Incremental contract costs are expensed when incurred when the amortization period of the asset that would have been recognized is one year or less; otherwise, incremental contract costs are recognized as an asset and amortized over time as promised goods and services are transferred to a customer. When losses are expected to be incurred on a contract, we recognize the entire anticipated loss in the accounting period when the loss becomes evident. The loss is recognized when the current estimate of the consideration we expect to receive, modified to include unconstrained variable consideration instead of constrained variable consideration, is less than the current estimate of total costs for the contract.

Taxes assessed by a governmental authority that are both imposed on and concurrent with a specific revenue-producing transaction, that are collected by us from a customer, are excluded from revenue.

Shipping and handling fee revenues and the related expenses are reported as fulfillment revenues and expenses for all customers because we have adopted the practical expedient contained in ASC 606-10-25-18B. Therefore, all shipping and handling costs associated with outbound freight are accounted for as fulfillment costs and are included in cost of sales. Amounts billed to customers for shipping are classified as sales, and the related costs are classified as cost of sales on the consolidated statements of income. Shipping revenue of $10.6, $11.3, and $10.6 for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively, are included in sales. Shipping costs of $15.0, $15.8, and $15.2 for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively, are included in cost of sales.

Cost of Sales: Manufacturing expenses associated with sales are included in cost of sales. Cost of sales includes all materials, direct and indirect labor, inbound freight, purchasing and receiving, inspection, internal transfers, and distribution and warehousing of inventory. In addition, shop supplies, facility maintenance costs, manufacturing engineering, project management, and depreciation expense for assets used in the manufacturing process are included in cost of sales on the consolidated statements of income.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, Plant and Equipment: Capital expenditures for property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred, whereas major improvements that extend the useful life are capitalized. The cost of applicable assets is depreciated over their estimated useful lives. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method for financial reporting purposes and accelerated methods for income tax purposes.

Lease Accounting

Lease Accounting: At lease inception, we determine if an arrangement is a lease and if it includes options to extend or terminate the lease if it is reasonably certain that the options will be exercised. Lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Operating leases are recognized as right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and are included within property, plant and equipment, net and lease liabilities are included in operating lease liabilities, current and operating lease liabilities, non-current in our consolidated balance sheet. ROU assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities were recognized on the Commencement Date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As most of our leases do not provide an implicit rate, we used our incremental borrowing rate based on the information available on the Commencement Date in determining the present value of lease payments.

Long-lived Assets

Long-lived Assets: We monitor our property, plant, equipment, and finite-lived intangible assets for impairment indicators on an ongoing basis. Assets are grouped and tested at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are available. If impairment indicators exist, we perform the required analysis and record impairment charges, if applicable. In conducting our analysis, we compare the undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated from the long-lived assets to the related net book values. If the undiscounted cash flows exceed the net book value, the long-lived assets are considered not to be impaired. If the net book value exceeds the undiscounted cash flows, an impairment loss is measured and recognized. An impairment loss is measured as the difference between the net book value and the fair value of the long-lived assets. Fair value is estimated from discounted future net cash flows (for assets held and used) or net realizable value (for assets held for sale). Changes in economic or operating conditions impacting these estimates and assumptions could result in the impairment of long-lived assets. We amortize intangible assets that have finite lives over their estimated useful lives.

Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets

Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets: Goodwill is recognized as the excess cost of an acquired entity over the net amount assigned to assets acquired and liabilities assumed. We do not amortize goodwill or indefinite-lived intangible assets, but review them for impairment annually in the fourth quarter or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that an evaluation should be completed.

Goodwill is analyzed on a reporting unit basis. As previously reported in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, our reporting units, which were the same as our operating and reportable segments were Distribution and Storage Eastern Hemisphere (“D&S East”), Distribution and Storage Western Hemisphere (“D&S West”), Energy & Chemicals (“E&C”) Cryogenics and E&C FinFans. Effective October 1, 2020, we changed our reporting units, which are the

same as our operating and reportable segments, to the following four segments: Cryo Tank Solutions, Heat Transfer Systems, Specialty Products and Repair, Service & Leasing. We first evaluate qualitative factors, such as macroeconomic conditions and our overall financial performance to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, including goodwill. We then evaluate how significant each of the identified factors could be to the fair value or carrying amount of a reporting unit and weigh these factors in totality in forming a conclusion of whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount (the “Step 0 Test”). If we determine that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the first step of the goodwill impairment test is not necessary. Otherwise, we would proceed to the first step of the goodwill impairment test.

Alternatively, we may also bypass the Step 0 Test and proceed directly to the first step of the goodwill impairment test. Under the first step (“Step 1”), we estimate the fair value of the reporting units by considering income and market approaches to develop fair value estimates, which are weighted to arrive at a fair value estimate for each reporting unit. With respect to the income approach, a model has been developed to estimate the fair value of each reporting unit. This fair value model incorporates estimates of future cash flows, estimates of allocations of certain assets and cash flows among reporting units, estimates of future growth rates and management’s judgment regarding the applicable discount rates to use to discount such estimates of cash flows. With respect to the market approach, a guideline company method is employed whereby pricing multiples are derived from companies with similar assets or businesses to estimate fair value of each reporting unit. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds the carrying amount of the net assets assigned to that reporting unit, then goodwill is not impaired and no further testing is required. However, if the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the impairment charge is based on the excess of a reporting unit’s carrying amount over its fair value (i.e., we would measure the charge based on the result from Step 1).

In order to assess the reasonableness of the calculated fair values of the reporting units, we also compare the sum of the reporting units’ fair values to the market capitalization and calculate an implied control premium (the excess of the sum of the reporting units’ fair values over the market capitalization). We evaluate the control premium by comparing it to control premiums of recent comparable transactions. If the implied control premium is not reasonable in light of this assessment, we reevaluate the fair value estimates of the reporting units by adjusting the discount rates and other assumptions as necessary.

Changes to the assumptions and estimates used throughout the steps described above may result in a significantly different estimate of the fair value of the reporting units, which could result in a different assessment of the recoverability of goodwill and result in future impairment charges.

With respect to indefinite-lived intangible assets, we first evaluate relevant events and circumstances to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying amount. If, in weighing all relevant events and circumstances in totality, we determine that it is more likely than not that an indefinite-lived intangible asset is not impaired, no further action is necessary. Otherwise, we would determine the fair value of indefinite-lived intangible assets and perform a quantitative impairment assessment by comparing the indefinite-lived intangible asset’s fair value to its carrying amount. We may bypass such a qualitative assessment and proceed directly to the quantitative assessment. We estimate the fair value of the indefinite-lived assets using the income approach. This may include the relief from royalty method or use of a model similar to the one described above related to goodwill which estimates the future cash flows attributed to the indefinite-lived intangible asset and then discounting these cash flows back to a present value. Under the relief from royalty method, fair value is estimated by discounting the royalty savings, as well as any tax benefits related to ownership to a present value. The fair value from either approach is compared to the carrying value and an impairment is recorded if the fair value is determined to be less than the carrying value.

Convertible Debt

Convertible Debt: We determined that the conversion option within our convertible notes due November 2024 was not clearly and closely related to the debt instrument host, however, the conversion option met a scope exception to derivative instrument accounting since the conversion feature is indexed to our common stock and meets equity classification criteria. Convertible debt instruments exempt from derivative accounting and subject to cash settlement of the conversion option are recognized by bifurcating the principal balance into a liability component and an equity component where the fair value of the liability component is estimated by calculating the present value of its cash flows discounted at an interest rate that we would have received for similar debt instruments that have no conversion rights (the “straight-debt rate”), and the equity component is the residual amount, net of tax, which creates a discount on our convertible notes due November 2024. We recognize non-cash interest accretion expense related to the carrying amount of our convertible notes due November 2024 which is accreted back to its principal amount over the expected life of the debt, which is also the stated life of the debt. Subsequent to December 31, 2020, on January 1, 2021, we will adopt ASU 2020-06, “Debt—Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging—Contracts in Entities Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40)” which, among other things, modifies the accounting for convertible debt and diluted earnings per share accounting treatment. For further discussion see the Recently Issued Accounting Standards (Not Yet Adopted) section toward the end of this section.

Financial Instruments

Financial Instruments: The fair values of cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and short-term bank debt approximate their carrying amount because of the short maturity of these instruments.

Concentration Risks

To minimize credit risk from trade receivables, we review the financial condition of potential customers in relation to established credit requirements before sales credit is extended and monitor the financial condition and payment history of customers to help ensure timely collections and to minimize losses. Additionally, for certain domestic and foreign customers, we require advance payments, letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances, and other such guarantees of payment. Certain customers also require us to issue letters of credit or performance bonds, particularly in instances where advance payments are involved, as a condition of placing the order.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements: We measure our financial assets and liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis using a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in the valuation methodologies. The three levels of inputs used to measure fair value are as follows:

Level 1 — Valuations based on quoted prices for identical assets and liabilities in active markets.

Level 2 — Valuations based on observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

Level 3 — Valuations based on unobservable inputs reflecting our own assumptions, consistent with reasonably available assumptions made by other market participants. These valuations require significant judgment.

Derivative Financial Instruments

Derivative Financial Instruments: We utilize certain derivative financial instruments to enhance our ability to manage foreign currency risk that exists as part of ongoing business operations. Derivative instruments are entered into for periods consistent with related underlying exposures and do not constitute positions independent of those exposures. We do not enter into contracts for speculative purposes nor are we a party to any leveraged derivative instrument. We are exposed to foreign currency exchange risk as a result of transactions in currencies other than the functional currency of certain subsidiaries. We utilize foreign currency forward purchase and sale contracts to manage the volatility associated with foreign currency purchases and certain intercompany transactions in the normal course of business. Contracts typically have maturities of less than one year. Principal currencies include the U.S. dollar, the euro, the Chinese yuan, the Czech koruna, the Australian dollar, the British pound, the Canadian dollar, the Indian rupee and the Japanese yen. Our foreign currency forward contracts do not qualify as hedges as defined by accounting guidance. Foreign currency forward contracts are measured at fair value and recorded on the consolidated balance sheets as other current liabilities or assets. Changes in their fair value are recorded in the consolidated statements of income as foreign currency gains or losses. Our foreign currency forward contracts are not exchange traded instruments and, accordingly, the valuation is performed using Level 2 inputs as defined above. Gains or losses on settled or expired contracts are recorded in the consolidated statements of income as foreign currency gains or losses.

Product Warranties

Product Warranties: We provide product warranties with varying terms and durations for the majority of our products. We estimate product warranty costs and accrue for these costs as products are sold with a charge to cost of sales. Factors considered in estimating warranty costs include historical and projected warranty claims, historical and projected cost-per-claim, and knowledge of specific product issues that are outside of typical experience. Warranty accruals are evaluated and adjusted as necessary based on actual claims experience and changes in future claim and cost estimates.

Business Combinations: We account for business combinations in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) ASC 805, “Business Combinations.” We recognize and measure identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values. The excess of the consideration transferred over the fair value of the net assets acquired, including identifiable intangible assets, is assigned to goodwill. As additional information becomes available, we may further revise the preliminary acquisition consideration allocation during the remainder of the measurement period, which shall not exceed twelve months from the closing of the acquisition.

Identifiable finite-lived intangible assets generally consist of customer relationships, unpatented technology, patents and trademarks and trade names and are amortized over their estimated useful lives which generally range from 2 to 15 years. Identifiable indefinite-lived intangible assets generally consist of trademarks and trade names and are subject to impairment testing on at least an annual basis. We estimate the fair value of identifiable intangible assets under income approaches where the fair value models incorporate estimates of future cash flows, estimates of allocations of certain assets and cash flows, estimates of future growth rates, and management’s judgment regarding the applicable discount rates to use to discount such estimates of cash flows.

We expense transaction related costs, including legal, consulting, accounting and other costs, in the periods in which the costs are incurred.

Selling, General and Administrative Costs (SG&A)

Selling, General and Administrative (“SG&A”) Expenses: SG&A expenses include selling, marketing, customer service, product management, design engineering, and other administrative expenses not directly supporting the manufacturing process, as well as depreciation expense associated with non-manufacturing assets. In addition, SG&A expenses include corporate operating expenses for executive management, accounting, tax, treasury, corporate development, human resources, information technology, investor relations, legal, internal audit and risk management.

Advertising Costs

Advertising Costs: We incurred advertising costs of $2.7, $4.0, and $3.7 for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Such costs are expensed as incurred and included in SG&A expenses in the consolidated statements of income.

Research and Development Costs

Research and Development Costs: We incurred research and development costs of $9.1, $9.2, and $8.7 for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Such costs are expensed as incurred and included in SG&A expenses in the consolidated statements of income.

Foreign Currency Translation

Foreign Currency Translation: The functional currency for the majority of our foreign operations is the applicable local currency. The translation from the applicable foreign currencies to U.S. dollars is performed for asset and liability accounts using exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date and for revenue and expense accounts using the average exchange rate during the period. The resulting translation adjustments are recorded as a component of other comprehensive income (loss) in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Certain of our foreign entities remeasure from local to functional currencies, which is then translated to the reporting currency of the Company. Remeasurement from local to functional currencies is included in cost of sales or foreign currency loss in the consolidated statements of income. Gains or losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are charged to net income in the consolidated statements of income as incurred.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes: The Company and its U.S. subsidiaries file a consolidated federal income tax return. Deferred income taxes are provided for temporary differences between financial reporting and the consolidated tax return in accordance with the liability method. A valuation allowance is provided against net deferred tax assets when conditions indicate that it is more likely than not that the benefit related to such assets will not be realized. In assessing the need for a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets, we consider all available evidence, including past operating results, estimates of future taxable income, and the feasibility of tax planning strategies. In the event that we change our determination as to the amount of deferred tax assets that can be realized, the valuation allowance will be adjusted with a corresponding impact to the provision for income taxes in the period in which such determination is made.

We utilize a two-step approach for the recognition and measurement of uncertain tax positions. The first step is to evaluate the tax position and determine whether it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination by tax authorities. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that is more likely than not of being realized upon settlement.

Interest and penalties related to income taxes are accounted for as income tax expense in the consolidated statements of income.

We have accounted for the tax effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“Tax Act”), which was signed into law on December 22, 2017. The Tax Act, among other things, reduced the U.S. federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%, requires companies to pay a one-time transition tax on certain unrepatriated earnings of foreign subsidiaries, requires a current inclusion in U.S. federal taxable income of certain earnings of foreign corporations, and creates a new limitation on deductible interest expense. In 2017, we accounted for the tax effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act under the guidance of SAB 118, on a provisional basis. In 2018, we finalized our analyses under SAB 118. For further information, see Note 16, “Income Taxes.” We are subjected to a tax on Global Intangible Low Taxed Income (“GILTI”), which we record as a period cost as incurred.

Share-based Compensation

Share-based Compensation: We measure share-based compensation expense for share-based payments to employees and directors, including grants of employee stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units and performance units based on the grant-date fair value. The fair value of stock options is calculated using the Black-Scholes pricing model and is recognized on an accelerated basis over the vesting period. The grant-date fair value calculation under the Black-Scholes pricing model requires the use of variables such as exercise term of the option, future volatility, dividend yield, and risk-free interest rate. The fair value of restricted stock and restricted stock units is based on Chart’s market price on the date of grant and is generally recognized on an accelerated basis over the vesting period. The fair value of performance units is based on Chart’s market price on the date of grant and pre-determined performance conditions as determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors and is recognized on a straight-line basis over the performance measurement period based on the probability that the performance conditions will be achieved. We reassess the vesting probability of performance units each reporting period and adjust share-based compensation expense based on our probability assessment. Share-based compensation expense for all awards considers estimated forfeitures.

During the year, we may repurchase shares of common stock from equity plan participants to satisfy tax withholding obligations relating to the vesting or payment of equity awards. All such repurchased shares are retired in the period in which the repurchases occur.

Defined Benefit Pension Plans

Defined Benefit Pension Plans: We sponsor two defined benefit pension plans including the Chart Pension Plan, which has been frozen since February 2006, and a noncontributory defined benefit plan that we acquired as part of the Hudson acquisition (the “Hudson Plan”). The Hudson Plan is closed to new participants and not considered significant to our consolidated financial statements.

The funded status is measured as the difference between the fair value of the plan assets and the projected benefit obligation. The change in the funded status of the plan is recognized in the year in which the change occurs through accumulated other comprehensive loss. Our funding policy is to contribute at least the minimum funding amounts required by law. Management has chosen policies according to accounting guidance that allow the use of a calculated value of plan assets, which generally reduces the volatility of expense (income) from changes in pension liability discount rates and the performance of the pension plan’s assets.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards and Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

Recently Issued Accounting Standards (Not Yet Adopted): In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-06, “Debt—Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging—Contracts in Entities Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40).” This ASU simplifies accounting for convertible instruments by eliminating two of the three models in ASC 470-20 that require separating embedded conversion features from convertible instruments. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021. We will adopt this guidance effective January 1, 2021 under the modified retrospective adoption approach. The cumulative effect of the change will be recognized as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings at the date of adoption. As a result of the adoption, our convertible notes due November 2024 will no longer be bifurcated into separate liability and equity components in our balance sheet. Rather, the $258.8 principal amount of our convertible notes due November 2024 will be classified as a liability only. Furthermore, interest expense related to the accretion of our convertible notes due November 2024 will no longer be recognized. As further described in Note 10, “Debt and Credit Arrangements,” on December 31, 2020, we amended the Indenture governing our convertible notes due November 2024 to eliminate share settlement thus leaving us with two settlement options: (1) cash settlement or (2) cash for par and any

combination of cash and shares for the excess settlement amount above the $258.8 principal amount of our convertible notes due November 2024. The guidance requires usage of the if-converted method to compute diluted earnings per share for our convertible notes due November 2024, however, based on the terms of the amended Indenture and the cessation of interest accretion expense recognition from the transition at adoption, the if-converted method was modified such that interest expense is no longer added to the numerator, and the denominator only includes incremental shares that would be issued upon conversion.

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848), Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting.” This ASU simplifies the accounting for modifying contracts (including those in hedging relationships) that refer to LIBOR and other interbank offered rates that are expected to be discontinued due to reference rate reform. The amendments in this ASU are effective for all entities as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. An entity may elect to apply the amendments for contract modifications by Topic or Industry Subtopic as of any date from the beginning of an interim period that includes or is subsequent to March 12, 2020, or prospectively from a date within an interim period that includes or is subsequent to March 12, 2020, up to the date that the financial statements are available to be issued. Once elected for a Topic or an Industry Subtopic, the amendments in this ASU must be applied prospectively for all eligible contract modifications for that Topic or Industry Subtopic. We expect application of the amendments to impact accounting for our senior secured revolving credit facility due June 2024. We are currently assessing the effect this ASU will have on our financial position, results of operations, and disclosures.

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards: In January 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-01, “Investments – Equity Securities (Topic 321), Investments – Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323), and Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815).” This ASU clarifies the interactions between the measurement alternative in Topic 321, the equity method of accounting in Topic 323 and the application of guidance for certain forward contracts and purchased options that upon settlement or exercise would be accounted for under the equity method of accounting in Topic 815. This guidance is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2020. We adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2021. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or disclosures.

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.” This ASU clarifies the accounting treatment for implementation costs for cloud computing arrangements (hosting arrangements) that is a service contract. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within that fiscal year. We adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2020. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or disclosures.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-14, “Compensation – Retirement Benefits – Defined Benefit Plans – General (Subtopic 715-20): Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans.” This ASU adds, modifies and clarifies several disclosure requirements for employers that sponsor defined benefit pension or other postretirement plans. This guidance is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2020. We early adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2020. The adoption of this guidance did not have a significant impact on our annual disclosures.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement.” This ASU adds, modifies and removes several disclosure requirements relative to the three levels of inputs used to measure fair value in accordance with Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurement.” This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within that fiscal year. We adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2020. The adoption of this guidance did not impact our financial position, results of operations or disclosures.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments” and subsequently issued additional guidance that modified ASU 2016-13. ASU 2016-13 and the subsequent modifications are identified as ASC 326.” The standard requires an entity to change its accounting approach in determining impairment of certain financial instruments, including trade receivables, from an “incurred loss” to a “current expected credit loss” model. The standard will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within such fiscal years. We adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2020. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or disclosures. We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts to provide for the estimated amount of receivables that will not be collected as discussed

above. In addition, we estimate expected credit losses based on historical loss information then adjust the estimates based on current, reasonable and supportable forecast economic conditions.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)” and other subsequent amendments collectively identified as ASC 842, related to leases to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by requiring the recognition of right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet. Effective January 1, 2019, (the “Commencement Date”), we adopted the new lease accounting standard using the modified retrospective transition option of applying the new standard at the adoption date for all leases with terms greater than 12 months. The adoption of the new standard resulted in the recording of operating ROU assets, primarily consisting of leased facilities and equipment and operating lease liabilities of $34.8 as of the Commencement Date. The adoption did not have a material impact on our consolidated statement of income and comprehensive income or cash flows related to existing leases as of the Commencement Date. As a result, there was no cumulative-effect adjustment.

We elected certain practical expedients and as such did not reassess the following: 1) whether any expired or existing contracts are or contain leases, 2) lease classification for any expired or existing leases, 3) initial direct costs for any expired or existing leases and 4) whether existing or expired land easements are or contain leases. However, we will evaluate new or modified land easements under the new guidance after the Commencement Date. We also elected the practical expedient to not separate lease and non-lease components. In addition, we implemented internal controls and key system functionality to enable the preparation of financial information on adoption.