EQUITY-METHOD INVESTMENT

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]

EQUITY-METHOD INVESTMENT

EQUITY-METHOD INVESTMENT

In 2013, the Company and Eastman Chemical Company formed a joint venture (66.66% / 33.34% ownership), St. Gabriel CC Company, LLC, to design, develop, and construct an expansion of the Company’s St. Gabriel aqueous choline chloride plant. The Company contributed the St. Gabriel plant, at cost, and all continued expansion and improvements are funded by the owners. The joint venture became operational as of July 1, 2016. St. Gabriel CC Company, LLC is a Variable Interest Entity ("VIE") because the total equity at risk is not sufficient to permit the joint venture to finance its own activities without additional subordinated financial support. Additionally, voting rights (2 votes each) are not proportionate to the owners’ obligation to absorb expected losses or receive the expected residual returns of the joint venture. The Company will receive up to 2/3 of the production offtake capacity and absorbs operating expenses approximately proportional to the actual percentage of offtake. The joint venture is accounted for under the equity method of accounting since the Company is not the primary beneficiary as the Company does not have the power to direct the activities of the joint venture that most significantly impact its economic performance. The Company recognized a loss of $509, $559, and $557 for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively, relating to its portion of the joint venture’s expenses in other expense. The Company made capital contributions to the investment totaling $290, $355, and $85 for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 respectively. The carrying value of the joint venture at December 31, 2023 and 2022 was $4,076 and $4,295, respectively, and is recorded in "Other non-current assets" on the consolidated balance sheets.