**UNITED STATES**

**SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION**

**Washington, D.C. 20549**

 

**FORM 10-Q**

 

**x****     ****QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934**

 

**For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2011**

 

**Or**

 

**o****        ****TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934**

 

**Commission file number 333-109686**

 

**Rockwood Specialties Group, Inc.**

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

| **Delaware**                      | ** ** | **52-2277390**        |
|-----------------------------------|------------|-----------------------|
| (State or   other jurisdiction of |       | (I.R.S.   Employer    |
| incorporation   or organization)  |       | Identification   No.) |

 

**7101 Muirkirk Road, Beltsville, Maryland 20705**

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

 

**(301) 470-3366**

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. x  Yes o  No

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). o  Yes o  No

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

| Large   accelerated filer o                |   | Accelerated   filer o         |
|-------------------------------------------------|--------|------------------------------------|
|                                            |   |                               |
| Non-accelerated   filer x                  |   | Smaller   reporting company o |
| (Do not   check if a smaller reporting company) |   |                               |

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). o Yes x No

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

 

The Registrant’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share, is not publically traded. As of May 9, 2011, there were 1,910 outstanding shares of common stock of the Registrant, all of which is held by its parent company Rockwood Specialties International, Inc.

 

 

 

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**TABLE OF CONTENTS**

 

**FORM 10-Q**

 
|    | PART I-   FINANCIAL INFORMATION                                                                      |
|---------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Item 1  | Financial   Statements (Unaudited)                                                                        |
|    | Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for   the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 |
|    | Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of   March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010              |
|    | Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for   the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 |
|    | Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity for the   three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010     |
|    | Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements                                                      |
| Item 2  | Management’s   Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations              |
| Item 3  | Quantitative   and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk                                              |
| Item 4  | Controls and Procedures                                                                                   |
|    |                                                                                                      |
|    | PART II-   OTHER INFORMATION                                                                         |
| Item 1  | Legal Proceedings                                                                                         |
| Item 1A | Risk Factors                                                                                              |
| Item 2  | Unregistered   Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds                                             |
| Item 3  | Defaults Upon   Senior Securities                                                                         |
| Item 4  | (Removed and Reserved)                                                                                    |
| Item 5  | Other Information                                                                                         |
| Item 6  | Exhibits                                                                                                  |
|    |                                                                                                      |
|    | Signatures                                                                                                |

 

2

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**PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION**

 

**Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited).**

 

**ROCKWOOD SPECIALTIES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES**

**CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS**

**(Dollars in millions)**

**(Unaudited)**

 
| ** **                                                       | ** ** | **Three months ended** | ** ** |
|------------------------------------------------------------------|------------|----------------------------------|------------|
| ** **                                                       | ** ** | **March 31,**               | ** ** |
| ** **                                                       | ** ** | **2011**                         | ** ** | **2010** | ** ** |
| Net sales                                                        |       | $                                | 914.0      |   | $ | 778.4 |   |
| Cost of products sold                                            |       | 592.9                            |       | 522.5 |   |
| Gross profit                                                     |       | 321.1                            |       | 255.9 |   |
| Selling, general and administrative expenses                     |       | 180.6                            |       | 164.9 |   |
| Restructuring and other severance costs                          |       | 1.0                              |       | 0.4 |   |
| Asset write-downs and other                                      |       | 0.1                              |       | 1.8 |   |
| Operating income                                                 |       | 139.4                            |       | 88.8 |   |
| Other expenses, net:                                             |       |                             |       |   |   |
| Interest expense, net (a)                                        |       | (23.0                            | )          | (41.8 | ) |
| Loss on early extinguishment/modification of debt                |       | (16.2                            | )          | — |   |
| Foreign exchange gain on financing activities, net               |       | 2.0                              |       | 0.3 |   |
| Other, net                                                       |       | —                           |       | 0.5 |   |
| Other expenses, net                                              |       | (37.2                            | )          | (41.0 | ) |
| Income from continuing operations before taxes                   |       | 102.2                            |       | 47.8 |   |
| Income tax provision                                             |       | 28.8                             |       | 15.7 |   |
| Income from continuing operations                                |       | 73.4                             |       | 32.1 |   |
| Income from discontinued operations, net of tax                  |       | 0.2                              |       | 4.6 |   |
| Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax              |       | 114.5                            |       | — |   |
| Net income                                                       |       | 188.1                            |       | 36.7 |   |
| Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest        |       | (10.1                            | )          | 0.2 |   |
| Net income attributable to Rockwood Specialties Group, Inc. |       | $                                | 178.0      |   | $ | 36.9 |   |
|                                                             |       |                             |       |   |   |
| Amounts attributable to Rockwood Specialties Group, Inc.:   |       |                             |       |   |   |
| Income from continuing operations                                |       | $                                | 63.3       |   | $ | 32.3 |   |
| Income from discontinued operations                              |       | 114.7                            |       | 4.6 |   |
| Net income                                                       |       | $                                | 178.0      |   | $ | 36.9 |   |
|                                                             |       |                             |       |   |   |
|                                                                  |       |
| (a) Interest expense, net includes:                         |       |                             |       |   |   |
| Interest expense on debt, net                                    |       | $                                | (28.0      | ) | $ | (42.3 | ) |
| Mark-to-market gains on interest rate swaps                      |       | 6.3                              |       | 2.1 |   |
| Deferred financing costs                                         |       | (1.3                             | )          | (1.6 | ) |
| Total                                                            |       | $                                | (23.0      | ) | $ | (41.8 | ) |

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

3

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**ROCKWOOD SPECIALTIES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES**

**CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS**

**(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)**

**(Unaudited)**

** **
| ** **                                                                                       | ** ** | **March 31,** | ** ** | **December 31,** | ** ** |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------|--------------------|------------|-----------------------|------------|
| ** **                                                                                       | ** ** | **2011**           | ** ** | **2010**              | ** ** |
| **ASSETS**                                                                                       |       |               |       |                  |       |
| Current assets:                                                                                  |       |               |       |                  |       |
| Cash and cash equivalents                                                                        |       | $                  | 187.7      |                  | $          | 303.2 |   |
| Accounts receivable, net                                                                         |       | 540.4              |       | 436.8                 |       |
| Inventories                                                                                      |       | 576.8              |       | 541.8                 |       |
| Deferred income taxes                                                                            |       | 22.5               |       | 82.7                  |       |
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets                                                        |       | 67.3               |       | 79.1                  |       |
| Assets of discontinued operations                                                                |       | —             |       | 154.1                 |       |
| Total current assets                                                                             |       | 1,394.7            |       | 1,597.7               |       |
| Property, plant and equipment, net                                                               |       | 1,622.4            |       | 1,566.9               |       |
| Goodwill                                                                                         |       | 927.5              |       | 877.1                 |       |
| Other intangible assets, net                                                                     |       | 594.1              |       | 587.6                 |       |
| Deferred debt issuance costs, net of accumulated amortization of $16.2   and $15.7, respectively |       | 18.8               |       | 17.2                  |       |
| Deferred income taxes                                                                            |       | 18.6               |       | 18.3                  |       |
| Other assets                                                                                     |       | 44.9               |       | 38.5                  |       |
| Total assets                                                                                     |       | $                  | 4,621.0    |                  | $          | 4,703.3 |   |
| **LIABILITIES**                                                                                  |       |               |       |                  |       |
| Current liabilities:                                                                             |       |               |       |                  |       |
| Accounts payable                                                                                 |       | $                  | 237.1      |                  | $          | 249.6 |   |
| Income taxes payable                                                                             |       | 38.8               |       | 20.2                  |       |
| Accrued compensation                                                                             |       | 152.9              |       | 165.2                 |       |
| Accrued expenses and other current liabilities                                                   |       | 225.6              |       | 208.1                 |       |
| Deferred income taxes                                                                            |       | 2.7                |       | 2.6                   |       |
| Long-term debt, current portion                                                                  |       | 60.2               |       | 465.7                 |       |
| Liabilities of discontinued operations                                                           |       | —             |       | 27.6                  |       |
| Total current liabilities                                                                        |       | 717.3              |       | 1,139.0               |       |
| Long-term debt                                                                                   |       | 1,728.0            |       | 1,695.3               |       |
| Pension and related liabilities                                                                  |       | 423.1              |       | 399.6                 |       |
| Deferred income taxes                                                                            |       | 99.9               |       | 77.9                  |       |
| Other liabilities                                                                                |       | 108.9              |       | 102.5                 |       |
| Total liabilities                                                                                |       | 3,077.2            |       | 3,414.3               |       |
| **EQUITY**                                                                                       |       |               |       |                  |       |
| Rockwood Specialties Group, Inc. stockholder’s equity:                                 |       |               |       |                  |       |
| Common stock ($0.01 par value, 5,000 shares authorized, 1,910 shares   issued and outstanding)   |       | —             |       | —                |       |
| Paid-in capital                                                                                  |       | 1,044.0            |       | 1,044.0               |       |
| Accumulated other comprehensive income                                                           |       | 194.5              |       | 135.7                 |       |
| Accumulated deficit                                                                              |       | (2.1               | )          | (180.1                | )          |
| Total Rockwood Specialties Group, Inc. stockholder’s equity                            |       | 1,236.4            |       | 999.6                 |       |
| Noncontrolling interest                                                                          |       | 307.4              |       | 289.4                 |       |
| Total equity                                                                                     |       | 1,543.8            |       | 1,289.0               |       |
| Total liabilities and equity                                                                     |       | $                  | 4,621.0    |                  | $          | 4,703.3 |   |

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

4

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**ROCKWOOD SPECIALTIES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES**

**CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS**

**(Dollars in millions)**

**(Unaudited)**

** **
| ** **                                                                                                               | ** ** | **Three months ended** | ** ** |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------|----------------------------------|------------|
| ** **                                                                                                               | ** ** | **March 31,**               | ** ** |
| ** **                                                                                                               | ** ** | **2011**                         | ** ** | **2010** | ** ** |
| **CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:**                                                                                |       |                             |       |   |   |
| Net income                                                                                                               |       | $                                | 188.1      |   | $ | 36.7 |   |
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating   activities:                                      |       |                             |       |   |   |
| Income from discontinued operations, net of tax                                                                          |       | (0.2                             | )          | (4.6 | ) |
| Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax                                                                      |       | (114.5                           | )          | — |   |
| Depreciation and amortization                                                                                            |       | 65.4                             |       | 65.2 |   |
| Deferred financing costs amortization                                                                                    |       | 1.3                              |       | 1.6 |   |
| Loss on early extinguishment/modification of debt                                                                        |       | 16.2                             |       | — |   |
| Foreign exchange gain on financing activities, net                                                                       |       | (2.0                             | )          | (0.3 | ) |
| Fair value adjustment of derivatives                                                                                     |       | (6.3                             | )          | (2.1 | ) |
| Bad debt provision                                                                                                       |       | 0.2                              |       | (0.5 | ) |
| Stock-based compensation                                                                                                 |       | 2.9                              |       | 2.6 |   |
| Deferred income taxes                                                                                                    |       | 5.7                              |       | 4.3 |   |
| Asset write-downs and other                                                                                              |       | 0.1                              |       | 1.8 |   |
| Changes in assets and liabilities, net of the effect of foreign currency   translation and acquisitions:                 |       |                             |       |   |   |
| Accounts receivable                                                                                                      |       | (84.4                            | )          | (55.9 | ) |
| Inventories                                                                                                              |       | (14.5                            | )          | (10.2 | ) |
| Prepaid expenses and other assets                                                                                        |       | 11.9                             |       | (1.6 | ) |
| Accounts payable                                                                                                         |       | (7.4                             | )          | (14.3 | ) |
| Income taxes payable                                                                                                     |       | 17.1                             |       | 2.7 |   |
| Accrued expenses and other liabilities                                                                                   |       | (14.0                            | )          | 41.8 |   |
| Net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations                                                       |       | 65.6                             |       | 67.2 |   |
| Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities of discontinued   operations                                         |       | (1.8                             | )          | 1.7 |   |
| **Net cash provided by operating activities**                                                                            |       | 63.8                             |       | 68.9 |   |
| **CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:**                                                                                |       |                             |       |   |   |
| Acquisitions, including transaction fees and payments for prior   acquisitions, net of cash acquired                     |       | —                           |       | (1.2 | ) |
| Capital expenditures                                                                                                     |       | (54.2                            | )          | (34.3 | ) |
| Proceeds on sale of assets                                                                                               |       | 0.2                              |       | 0.1 |   |
| Net cash used in investing activities of continuing operations                                                           |       | (54.0                            | )          | (35.4 | ) |
| Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities of discontinued   operations, representing net sale proceeds in 2011 |       | 305.7                            |       | (0.9 | ) |
| **Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities**                                                                  |       | 251.7                            |       | (36.3 | ) |
| **CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:**                                                                                |       |                             |       |   |   |
| Repayment of Titanium Dioxide Pigments revolving credit facility                                                         |       | —                           |       | (14.3 | ) |
| Prepayment of senior secured debt                                                                                        |       | (408.9                           | )          | — |   |
| Repayment of senior secured debt                                                                                         |       | (7.0                             | )          | (12.9 | ) |
| Payments on other long-term debt                                                                                         |       | (0.6                             | )          | (1.1 | ) |
| Loan repayment to Viance noncontrolling shareholder                                                                      |       | (2.0                             | )          | — |   |
| Deferred financing costs                                                                                                 |       | (5.3                             | )          | (0.3 | ) |
| Fees related to early extinguishment/modification of debt                                                                |       | (12.1                            | )          | — |   |
| Distribution to noncontrolling shareholder                                                                               |       | (0.5                             | )          | — |   |
| **Net cash used in financing activities**                                                                                |       | (436.4                           | )          | (28.6 | ) |
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents                                                             |       | (11.2                            | )          | 4.9 |   |
| Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents                                                                     |       | (132.1                           | )          | 8.9 |   |
| Less net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents from   discontinued operations                                 |       | (16.6                            | )          | 0.8 |   |
| (Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents from continuing   operations                                            |       | (115.5                           | )          | 8.1 |   |
| Cash and cash equivalents of continuing operations, beginning of period                                                  |       | 303.2                            |       | 286.2 |   |
| Cash and cash equivalents of continuing operations, end of period                                                        |       | $                                | 187.7      |   | $ | 294.3 |   |
|                                                                                                                     |       |                             |       |   |   |
| Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:                                                                       |       |                             |       |   |   |
| Interest paid                                                                                                            |       | $                                | 28.5       |   | $ | 31.8 |   |
| Income taxes paid, net of refunds                                                                                        |       | 5.9                              |       | 8.6 |   |
| Non-cash investing and financing activities:                                                                             |       |                             |       |   |   |
| Acquisition of capital equipment                                                                                         |       | 14.6                             |       | 8.2 |   |
| Fees related to early extinguishment/modification of debt                                                                |       | 1.0                              |       | — |   |

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

5

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**ROCKWOOD SPECIALTIES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES**

**CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY**

**(Dollars in millions)**

**(Unaudited)**

 
| ** **                                    | ** ** | **2011**               | ** ** | **2010**           | ** ** |
|-----------------------------------------------|------------|------------------------|------------|--------------------|------------|
| ** **                                    | ** ** | **Rockwood**           | ** ** | ** **         | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** | **Rockwood** | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** |
| ** **                                    | ** ** | **Specialties**        | ** ** | ** **         | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** | **Specialties** | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** |
| ** **                                    | ** ** | **Group, Inc.**   | ** ** | ** **         | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** | **Group, Inc.** | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** |
| ** **                                    | ** ** | **Stockholder’s** | ** ** | **Noncontrolling** | ** ** | **Total** | ** ** | **Stockholder’s** | ** ** | **Noncontrolling** | ** ** | **Total** | ** ** |
| ** **                                    | ** ** | **Equity**             | ** ** | **Interest**       | ** ** | **Equity** | ** ** | **Equity** | ** ** | **Interest** | ** ** | **Equity** | ** ** |
|                                          |       |                   |       |               |       |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Balance at January 1                     |       | $                      | 999.6      |               | $          | 289.4 |   | $ | 1,289.0 |   | $ | 832.0 |   | $ | 290.0 |   | $ | 1,122.0 |   |
|                                          |       |                   |       |               |       |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Net income (loss)                             |       | 178.0                  |       | 10.1               |       | 188.1 |   | 36.9 |   | (0.2 | ) | 36.7 |   |
| Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax |       | 58.8                   |       | 0.6                |       | 59.4 |   | (64.8 | ) | — |   | (64.8 | ) |
| Comprehensive loss                            |       | 236.8                  |       | 10.7               |       | 247.5 |   | (27.9 | ) | (0.2 | ) | (28.1 | ) |
| Distribution to noncontrolling shareholder    |       | —                 |       | (0.5               | )          | (0.5 | ) | — |   | — |   | — |   |
| Foreign currency translation                  |       | —                 |       | 7.8                |       | 7.8 |   | — |   | (7.2 | ) | (7.2 | ) |
| Balance at March 31                      |       | $                      | 1,236.4    |               | $          | 307.4 |   | $ | 1,543.8 |   | $ | 804.1 |   | $ | 282.6 |   | $ | 1,086.7 |   |

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

6

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**ROCKWOOD SPECIALTIES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES**

**Notes To Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)**

 

**1.  DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:**

 

***Business Description, Background***— Rockwood Specialties Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries is a global developer, manufacturer and marketer of high value-added specialty chemicals and advanced materials used for industrial and commercial purposes. Unless otherwise indicated, any references to “we,” “our,” “us,” the “Company” or “Rockwood” refer to Rockwood Specialties Group, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries. The Company is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Rockwood Holdings, Inc. (“Holdings”).

 

***Basis of Presentation***— The accompanying condensed financial statements of Rockwood are presented on a consolidated basis. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

The interim condensed consolidated financial statements included herein are unaudited. The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations for the full year. The condensed consolidated financial statements are presented based upon accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”), except that certain information and footnote disclosures, normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, have been condensed or omitted. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto contained in the Company’s 2010 Form 10-K. In the opinion of management, this information contains all adjustments necessary, consisting of normal and recurring accruals, for a fair presentation of the results for the periods presented.

 

The Company’s noncontrolling interest represents the total of the noncontrolling party’s interest in certain investments (principally the Titanium Dioxide Pigments venture and the Viance, LLC timber treatment joint venture) that are consolidated but less than 100% owned.

 

The Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to reflect discontinued operations for all periods presented as a result of the sale of the plastic compounding business in January 2011. See Note 3, “Discontinued Operations,” for further details.

 

Unless otherwise noted, all balance sheet-related items which are denominated in Euros are translated at the March 31, 2011 exchange rate of €1.00 = $1.4158.

 

***Stock-Based Compensation***— Under the 2008 Amended and Restated Stock Purchase and Option Plan of Rockwood Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the “Plan”) Holdings granted stock options, restricted stock and other stock-based awards to the Company’s employees and directors and allowed employees and directors to purchase shares of its common stock. However, Holdings no longer issues equity awards under this Plan. In April 2009, Holdings adopted the 2009 Stock Incentive Plan (the “New Plan”; together with the Plan, the “Plans”), which has 11,000,000 authorized shares. All equity awards granted after this date will be awarded under the New Plan.

 

The aggregate compensation cost for stock options, restricted stock units and Holdings’ Board of Director stock grants recorded under the Plans caused income from continuing operations before taxes to decrease by $2.9 million and $2.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The total tax benefit recognized related to stock options was $0.2 million and $0.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

 

In December 2010, Holdings approved 263,055 market-based restricted stock unit awards to its management and key employees which will vest on January 1, 2014 as long as the employee continues to be employed by the Company on this date and upon the achievement of certain performance targets approved by the Holdings’ Compensation Committee. In January 2011, the performance targets that formed the basis for vesting of these restricted stock units were set. As a result, the Company recognized compensation cost beginning in January 2011. A portion of the share units vest based on the percentage change in the price of the Holdings’ common stock over the award period January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2013. The remaining portion vest based upon Holdings’ total shareholder return as compared to the total shareholder return for the Dow Jones U.S. Chemical Index for the period January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2013.

 

***Recent Accounting Standards***—The following represents the impact of recently issued accounting standards:

 

In October 2009, the FASB issued an accounting update that addressed the accounting for multiple-deliverable arrangements to enable vendors to account for products or services separately rather than as a combined unit. In addition, the amendments in this update

 

7

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significantly expand the disclosures related to a vendor’s multiple-deliverable arrangements. This update is effective for the Company in its first quarter beginning January 1, 2011. This update did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

 

**2.  COMPREHENSIVE INCOME:**

 

Comprehensive income includes net income and the other comprehensive income components which include unrealized gains and losses from foreign currency translation and from certain intercompany transactions that are of a long-term investment nature, pension-related adjustments that are recorded directly into a separate section of equity in the balance sheets and net investment and foreign exchange cash flow hedges. Foreign currency translation amounts and intercompany foreign currency loans are not adjusted for income taxes since they relate to indefinite length investments in non-U.S. subsidiaries.

 

Comprehensive income (loss) is summarized as follows:

 
| ** **                                                                          | ** ** | **Three months ended** | ** ** |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------|----------------------------------|------------|
| ** **                                                                          | ** ** | **March 31,**               | ** ** |
| **($ in millions)**                                                       | ** ** | **2011**                         | ** ** | **2010** | ** ** |
| Net income                                                                          |       | $                                | 188.1      |   | $ | 36.7 |   |
| Pension related adjustments, net of tax                                             |       | (1.7                             | )          | 2.0 |   |
| Foreign currency translation (a)                                                    |       | 23.5                             |       | (28.3 | ) |
| Intercompany foreign currency loans                                                 |       | 45.2                             |       | (46.9 | ) |
| Net investment hedges, net of tax                                                   |       | (9.9                             | )          | 8.4 |   |
| Foreign exchange contracts, net of tax                                              |       | 2.3                              |       | — |   |
| Comprehensive income (loss)                                                         |       | 247.5                            |       | (28.1 | ) |
| Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest                 |       | (10.7                            | )          | 0.2 |   |
| Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Rockwood Specialties   Group, Inc. |       | $                                | 236.8      |   | $ | (27.9 | ) |

 

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(a)                Includes $10.1 million reclassified to net income in the three months ended March 31, 2011 related to the sale of the plastic compounding business in January 2011.

 

**3.  DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS:**

 

On January 7, 2011, the Company completed the sale of its plastic compounding business. As of December 31, 2010, this business met the criteria for being reported as a discontinued operation. The plastic compounding business, which manufactured specialty plastic compounds for the wire and cable industry, medical applications and other uses, comprised substantially all of the assets of the Company’s former Specialty Compounds segment. The Company’s financial statements have been reclassified to reflect the plastic compounding business as discontinued operations for all periods presented.

 

Operating results of the discontinued operations of the plastic compounding business for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 are as follows:

 
| ** **                                   | ** ** | **Three Months Ended** | ** ** |
|----------------------------------------------|------------|----------------------------------|------------|
| ** **                                   | ** ** | **March 31,**               | ** ** |
| **($ in millions)**                | ** ** | **2011**                         | ** ** | **2010** | ** ** |
| Net sales                                    |       | $                                | 3.9        |   | $ | 55.5 |   |
| Cost of products sold                        |       | 3.4                              |       | 44.7 |   |
| Gross profit                                 |       | 0.5                              |       | 10.8 |   |
| Selling, general and administrative expenses |       | 0.3                              |       | 4.4 |   |
| Gain on sale of business                     |       | (197.2                           | )          | — |   |
| Income before taxes                          |       | 197.4                            |       | 6.4 |   |
| Income tax provision                         |       | 82.7                             |       | 1.8 |   |
| Net income                                   |       | $                                | 114.7      |   | $ | 4.6 |   |

 

Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2011 includes the net gain on the sale of the plastic compounding business of $114.5 million (net of taxes of $82.7 million, a portion of which will be offset through the utilization of net operating losses of $76.5 million). The valuation allowance related to these net operating losses was reversed in the fourth quarter of 2010 as a benefit to income taxes in continuing operations. In addition, net income includes $0.2 million and $4.6 million for the three months ended

 

8

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March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, from operating the plastic compounding business that was sold on January 7, 2011.

 

The carrying value of the assets and liabilities of the plastic compounding business included as discontinued operations in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2010 are as follows:

 
| **($ in millions)**                  | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** |
|------------------------------------------------|------------|------------|------------|
| **ASSETS**                                     |       |       |       |
| Cash and cash equivalents                      |       | $          | 16.6       |   |
| Accounts receivable, net                       |       | 32.9       |       |
| Inventories                                    |       | 18.0       |       |
| Property, plant and equipment, net             |       | 63.0       |       |
| Other intangible assets, net                   |       | 16.2       |       |
| Other assets                                   |       | 7.4        |       |
| Total assets                                   |       | $          | 154.1      |   |
| **LIABILITIES**                                |       |       |       |
| Accounts payable                               |       | $          | 25.1       |   |
| Accrued compensation                           |       | 1.8        |       |
| Accrued expenses and other current liabilities |       | 0.7        |       |
| Total liabilities                              |       | $          | 27.6       |   |

 

**4.  SEGMENT INFORMATION:**

 

Rockwood operates in four reportable segments according to the nature and economic characteristics of its products and services as well as the manner in which the information is used internally by the Company’s key decision maker, who is the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. The four segments are: (1) Specialty Chemicals, which consists of the surface treatment and fine chemicals business lines; (2) Performance Additives, which consists of color pigments and services, timber treatment chemicals and clay-based additives; (3) Titanium Dioxide Pigments; and (4) Advanced Ceramics.

 

Items that cannot be readily attributed to individual segments have been classified as “Corporate and other.” Corporate and other operating loss primarily represents payroll, professional fees and other operating expenses of centralized functions such as treasury, tax, legal, internal audit and consolidation accounting as well as the cost of operating the Company’s central offices (including some costs maintained based on legal or tax considerations). The primary components of Corporate and other, in addition to operating loss, are interest expense on external debt (including the amortization of deferred financing costs), foreign exchange losses or gains, and mark-to-market gains or losses on derivatives. Major components within the reconciliation of income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes (described more fully below) include systems/organization establishment expenses, interest expense on external debt, foreign exchange losses or gains, and refinancing expenses related to external debt. Corporate and other identifiable assets primarily represent deferred financing costs that have been capitalized in connection with corporate external debt financing, deferred income tax assets and cash balances maintained in accordance with centralized cash management techniques. The Corporate and other classification also includes the results of operations, assets (primarily real estate) and liabilities (including pension and environmental) of legacy businesses formerly belonging to Dynamit Nobel, the wafer reclaim business and the rubber/thermoplastics compounding business. The wafer reclaim business works with semiconductor manufacturers to refurbish used test wafers and return them to the manufacturer for reuse in test and process monitor applications. The rubber/thermoplastics compounding business is active in the automotive market, with products made of rubber, thermoplastic and polyurethane materials.

 

Summarized financial information for each of the reportable segments is provided in the following table:

 
| ** **                                 | ** ** | ** **    | ** ** | ** **      | ** ** | **Titanium** | ** ** | ** **   | ** ** | ** **         | ** ** | ** **       | ** ** |
|--------------------------------------------|------------|---------------|------------|-----------------|------------|--------------|------------|--------------|------------|--------------------|------------|------------------|------------|
| ** **                                 | ** ** | **Specialty** | ** ** | **Performance** | ** ** | **Dioxide**  | ** ** | **Advanced** | ** ** | **Corporate**      | ** ** | ** **       | ** ** |
| **($ in millions)**              | ** ** | **Chemicals** | ** ** | **Additives**   | ** ** | **Pigments** | ** ** | **Ceramics** | ** ** | **and other** | ** ** | **Consolidated** | ** ** |
| **Three months ended March 31, 2011** |       |          |       |            |       |         |       |         |       |               |       |             |       |
| Net sales                                  |       | $             | 333.3      |            | $          | 192.8        |       | $            | 226.6      |               | $          | 154.1            |       | $ | 7.2 |   | $ | 914.0 |   |
| Total Adjusted EBITDA                      |       | 86.9          |       | 34.9            |       | 54.7         |       | 48.3         |       | (18.2              | )          | 206.6            |  (a)  |
| **Three months ended March 31, 2010** |       |          |       |            |       |         |       |         |       |               |       |             |       |
| Net sales                                  |       | $             | 289.6      |            | $          | 177.2        |       | $            | 181.1      |               | $          | 124.7            |       | $ | 5.8 |   | $ | 778.4 |   |
| Total Adjusted EBITDA                      |       | 73.8          |       | 29.5            |       | 30.7         |       | 37.0         |       | (14.1              | )          | 156.9            |  (a)  |

 

9

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| ** **                    | ** ** | ** **    | ** ** | ** **      | ** ** | **Titanium** | ** ** | ** **   | ** ** | ** **         | ** ** | ** **                | ** ** | ** **                | ** ** |
|-------------------------------|------------|---------------|------------|-----------------|------------|--------------|------------|--------------|------------|--------------------|------------|---------------------------|------------|---------------------------|------------|
| ** **                    | ** ** | **Specialty** | ** ** | **Performance** | ** ** | **Dioxide**  | ** ** | **Advanced** | ** ** | **Corporate**      | ** ** | ** **                | ** ** | ** **                | ** ** |
| **($ in millions)** | ** ** | **Chemicals** | ** ** | **Additives**   | ** ** | **Pigments** | ** ** | **Ceramics** | ** ** | **and other** | ** ** | **Eliminations (b)** | ** ** | **Consolidated (c)** | ** ** |
| Identifiable assets as of:    |       |          |       |            |       |         |       |         |       |               |       |                      |       |                      |       |
| March 31, 2011           |       | $             | 2,218.9    |            | $          | 766.4        |       | $            | 981.3      |               | $          | 894.6                     |       | $                         | 179.3      |   | $ | (419.5 | ) | $ | 4,621.0 |   |
| December 31, 2010        |       | 2,107.7       |       | 759.4           |       | 897.4        |       | 828.8        |       | 376.2              |       | (420.3                    | )          | 4,549.2                   |       |
|                               |            |               |            |                 |            |              |            |              |            |                    |            |                           |            |                           |            |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |

 

----

(a)                This amount does not include $0.2 million and $8.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, of Adjusted EBITDA from discontinued operations of the former plastic compounding business which was sold on January 7, 2011.

 

(b)               Amounts contained in the “Eliminations” column represent the individual subsidiaries’ retained interest in their cumulative net cash balance (deposits less withdrawals) included in the corporate centralized cash system and within the identifiable assets of the respective segment. These amounts are eliminated as the corporate centralized cash system is included in the Corporate and other segment’s identifiable assets.

 

(c)                This amount does not include $154.1 million of identifiable assets as of December 31, 2010 from the plastic compounding business sold on January 7, 2011. Total identifiable assets including these amounts were $4,703.3 million as of December 31, 2010.

 

Geographic information regarding net sales based on seller’s location and long-lived assets are described in Note 3, “Segment Information,” in the Company’s 2010 Form 10-K.

 

On a segment basis, the Company defines Adjusted EBITDA as operating income excluding depreciation and amortization, certain non-cash gains and charges, certain other special gains and charges deemed by senior management to be non-recurring gains and charges and certain items deemed by senior management to have little or no bearing on the day-to-day operating performance of its business segments and reporting units. The adjustments made to operating income directly correlate with the adjustments to net income in calculating Adjusted EBITDA on a consolidated basis pursuant to the senior secured credit agreement, which reflects management’s interpretations thereof. The indenture governing the senior subordinated notes, due in 2014 (“2014 Notes”) and the facility agreement related to the Titanium Dioxide Pigments venture excludes certain adjustments permitted under the senior credit agreement. Senior management uses Adjusted EBITDA on a segment basis as the primary measure to evaluate the ongoing performance of the Company’s business segments and reporting units. Because the Company views Adjusted EBITDA on a segment basis as an operating performance measure, the Company uses income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes as the most comparable U.S. GAAP measure.

 
| ** **                                                | ** ** | ** **    | ** ** | ** **      | ** ** | **Titanium** | ** ** | ** **   | ** ** | ** **         | ** ** | ** **       | ** ** |
|-----------------------------------------------------------|------------|---------------|------------|-----------------|------------|--------------|------------|--------------|------------|--------------------|------------|------------------|------------|
| ** **                                                | ** ** | **Specialty** | ** ** | **Performance** | ** ** | **Dioxide**  | ** ** | **Advanced** | ** ** | **Corporate**      | ** ** | ** **       | ** ** |
| **($ in millions)**                             | ** ** | **Chemicals** | ** ** | **Additives**   | ** ** | **Pigments** | ** ** | **Ceramics** | ** ** | **and other** | ** ** | **Consolidated** | ** ** |
| **Three months ended March 31, 2011**                |       |          |       |            |       |         |       |         |       |               |       |             |       |
| Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes     |       | $             | 49.0       |            | $          | 15.1         |       | $            | 38.7       |               | $          | 24.8             |       | $ | (25.4 | ) | $ | 102.2 |   |
| Interest expense, net (a)                                 |       | 9.6           |       | 2.5             |       | (1.1         | )          | 6.2          |       | 5.8                |       | 23.0             |       |
| Depreciation and amortization                             |       | 19.4          |       | 14.2            |       | 17.1         |       | 13.4         |       | 1.3                |       | 65.4             |       |
| Restructuring and other severance costs                   |       | 0.9           |       | 0.1             |       | —       |       | —       |       | —             |       | 1.0              |       |
| Systems/organization establishment expenses               |       | 0.1           |       | 0.2             |       | —       |       | —       |       | —             |       | 0.3              |       |
| Acquisition and disposal costs                            |       | 0.1           |       | —          |       | —       |       | —       |       | —             |       | 0.1              |       |
| Loss on early extinguishment/modification of debt         |       | 7.7           |       | 1.7             |       | —       |       | 4.0          |       | 2.8                |       | 16.2             |       |
| Asset write-downs and other                               |       | 0.1           |       | —          |       | —       |       | —       |       | —             |       | 0.1              |       |
| Foreign exchange (gain) loss on financing activities, net |       | (0.1          | )          | 1.0             |       | —       |       | (0.1         | )          | (2.8               | )          | (2.0             | )          |
| Other                                                     |       | 0.1           |       | 0.1             |       | —       |       | —       |       | 0.1                |       | 0.3              |       |
| Total Adjusted EBITDA (b)                                 |       | $             | 86.9       |            | $          | 34.9         |       | $            | 54.7       |               | $          | 48.3             |       | $ | (18.2 | ) | $ | 206.6 |   |
| **Three months ended March 31, 2010**                |       |          |       |            |       |         |       |         |       |               |       |             |       |
| Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes     |       | $             | 39.8       |            | $          | 4.6          |       | $            | 8.2        |               | $          | 16.7             |       | $ | (21.5 | ) | $ | 47.8 |   |
| Interest expense, net (a)                                 |       | 16.4          |       | 7.7             |       | 4.6          |       | 8.2          |       | 4.9                |       | 41.8             |       |
| Depreciation and amortization                             |       | 18.6          |       | 14.7            |       | 17.7         |       | 12.6         |       | 1.6                |       | 65.2             |       |
| Restructuring and other severance costs                   |       | 0.1           |       | 0.2             |       | —       |       | —       |       | 0.1                |       | 0.4              |       |
| Systems/organization establishment expenses               |       | 0.4           |       | 0.2             |       | 0.2          |       | 0.1          |       | —             |       | 0.9              |       |
| Acquisition and disposal costs                            |       | 0.1           |       | —          |       | —       |       | —       |       | 0.1                |       | 0.2              |       |
| Asset write-downs and other                               |       | —        |       | 1.8             |       | —       |       | —       |       | —             |       | 1.8              |       |
| Foreign exchange (gain) loss on financing activities, net |       | (1.0          | )          | 0.1             |       | —       |       | (0.6         | )          | 1.2                |       | (0.3             | )          |
| Other                                                     |       | (0.6          | )          | 0.2             |       | —       |       | —       |       | (0.5               | )          | (0.9             | )          |
| Total Adjusted EBITDA (b)                                 |       | $             | 73.8       |            | $          | 29.5         |       | $            | 30.7       |               | $          | 37.0             |       | $ | (14.1 | ) | $ | 156.9 |   |

 

10

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(a)                Includes gains of $6.3 million and $2.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, representing the movement in the mark-to-market valuation of the Company’s interest rate and cross-currency swaps.

 

(b)               This amount does not include $0.2 million and $8.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, of Adjusted EBITDA from discontinued operations of the former plastic compounding business which was sold on January 7, 2011.

 

The summary of segment information above includes “Adjusted EBITDA,” a financial measure used by the Company’s chief decision maker and senior management to evaluate the operating performance of each segment.

 

*Items excluded from Adjusted EBITDA*

 

Certain items are added to or subtracted from income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes to derive Adjusted EBITDA, as defined below. These items include the following:

 

·                  *Restructuring and other severance costs*:  Restructuring and other severance costs of $1.0 million and $0.4 million were recorded in the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. See Note 15, “Restructuring and Other Severance Costs,” for further details.

 

·                  *Systems/organization establishment expenses*: For the three months ended March 31, 2011, expenses of $0.3 million were recorded primarily related to costs incurred in conjunction with a business acquired in the Performance Additives segment. For the three months ended March 31, 2010, expenses of $0.9 million were recorded primarily related to costs incurred in conjunction with reorganizing certain business functions within the Specialty Chemicals segment and the integration of the Titanium Dioxide Pigments venture completed in September 2008.

 

·                  *Loss on early extinguishment/modification of debt*:  For the three months ended March 31, 2011, the Company recorded a charge of $16.2 million comprised of related fees of $13.1 million and the write-off of deferred financing costs of $3.1 million in connection with the refinancing of the senior secured credit facility and the repayment of the senior secured term loans in February 2011.

 

·                  *Asset write-downs and other*: The Company recorded $0.1 million and $1.8 million in the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, related to asset write-downs and other. The asset write-downs and other of $1.8 million recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2010 related to the elimination of a duplicate manufacturing facility in the Performance Additives segment.

 

·                  *Foreign exchange (gain) loss, net*:  For the three months ended March 31, 2011, foreign exchange gains of $2.0 million were recorded due to the impact of the weaker Euro as of March 31, 2011 versus December 31, 2010, in connection with non-operating Euro-denominated transactions.

 

·                  *Other*: For the three months ended March 31, 2010, the Company recorded income of $0.9 million primarily related to a gain recorded on the sale of an investment previously accounted for under the equity method in the Specialty Chemicals segment and the reversal of a reserve covering legacy obligations assumed in connection with the acquisition of the Dynamit Nobel businesses in 2004.

 

**5.  VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES:**

 

**Viance LLC Joint Venture**

 

In January 2007, Chemical Specialties, Inc. (“CSI”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company within the Timber Treatment Chemicals business of the Performance Additives segment, and Rohm and Haas Company (a subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company) completed the formation of Viance, LLC (“Viance”), a joint venture that provides an extensive range of advanced wood treatment technologies and services to the global wood treatment industry. The Company has concluded that Rockwood is the primary beneficiary of Viance and as such has consolidated the joint venture and reported Rohm and Haas’ interest as noncontrolling interest. This conclusion was made as Rockwood has the obligation to absorb losses of Viance that could potentially be significant to Viance and/or the right to receive benefits from Viance that could potentially be significant to Viance. In addition, CSI has the power to direct the activities of Viance that most significantly impact Viance’s performance, as Viance does not own manufacturing facilities. As a result, Viance primarily relies on CSI to provide product and distribution requirements through a supply agreement.

 

11

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At March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, no consolidated assets of the Company were pledged as collateral for any joint venture obligations and the general creditors of the joint venture had no recourse against the Company. The partners have provided $4.0 million of short-term financing to the venture. However, this financing is not subordinated and management believes that such financing could have been readily obtained externally. All intercompany accounts, balances and transactions have been eliminated. Viance’s assets can only be used to settle direct obligations of Viance.

 

The carrying values of the assets and liabilities of the Viance joint venture included in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets are as follows:

 
| ** **                                     | ** ** | **March 31,** | ** ** | **December 31,** | ** ** |
|------------------------------------------------|------------|--------------------|------------|-----------------------|------------|
| ** **                                     | ** ** | **2011**           | ** ** | **2010**              | ** ** |
| **ASSETS**                                     |       |               |       |                  |       |
| Current assets:                                |       |               |       |                  |       |
| Cash and cash equivalents                      |       | $                  | 10.0       |                  | $          | 6.6 |   |
| Accounts receivable, net                       |       | 8.7                |       | 7.1                   |       |
| Inventories                                    |       | 1.3                |       | 0.8                   |       |
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets      |       | 3.3                |       | 9.8                   |       |
| Total current assets                           |       | 23.3               |       | 24.3                  |       |
| Property, plant and equipment, net             |       | 1.7                |       | 1.9                   |       |
| Other intangible assets, net                   |       | 70.0               |       | 71.6                  |       |
| Other assets                                   |       | 1.7                |       | 1.7                   |       |
| Total assets                                   |       | $                  | 96.7       |                  | $          | 99.5 |   |
| **LIABILITIES**                                |       |               |       |                  |       |
| Current liabilities:                           |       |               |       |                  |       |
| Accounts payable                               |       | $                  | 0.9        |                  | $          | 0.9 |   |
| Income taxes payable                           |       | 0.1                |       | 0.1                   |       |
| Accrued compensation                           |       | 1.0                |       | 1.1                   |       |
| Accrued expenses and other current liabilities |       | 5.2                |       | 6.1                   |       |
| Long-term debt, current portion                |       | —             |       | 2.0                   |       |
| Total current liabilities                      |       | 7.2                |       | 10.2                  |       |
| Deferred income taxes                          |       | 0.1                |       | 0.1                   |       |
| Other liabilities                              |       | 0.9                |       | 0.9                   |       |
| Total liabilities                              |       | $                  | 8.2        |                  | $          | 11.2 |   |

 

**Titanium Dioxide Pigments Venture**

 

In September 2008, the Company completed the formation of a Titanium Dioxide Pigments venture with Kemira Oyj (“Kemira”) that focuses on specialty titanium dioxide pigments. The venture includes the combination of the Company’s titanium dioxide pigments and functional additives businesses, including its production facility in Duisburg, Germany, and Kemira’s titanium dioxide business, including Kemira’s titanium dioxide plant in Pori, Finland. The Company has not identified significant variable interests in this venture and accordingly has concluded that this venture does not meet the definition of a variable interest entity (“VIE”). The Company owns 61% of the venture and consolidates it based on the “voting interest” model given its majority ownership and ability to control decision making. Kemira only has certain “protective rights” to limit Rockwood’s control.

 

In conjunction with this venture, there is a power plant that is legally owned and operated by a Finnish power cooperative (“PVO”). Kemira is a cooperative participant and has an indirect interest in the power plant via ownership of a special share class. The venture utilizes the majority of power supplied. This power plant was determined to be a VIE as the equity holders of the power plant as a group (including Kemira) lack the ability to influence decision making since PVO effectively controls the power plant. It was determined that Rockwood and Kemira jointly form the primary beneficiary of the power plant. The venture has a long-term agreement expiring in August 2018 to purchase steam and electricity (“energy”) from Kemira. Due to the terms of this agreement under which Kemira has the risks and benefits of the majority of the expected life of the power plant, the Company concluded that Kemira is the party most closely associated with the venture and therefore is the primary beneficiary within the related party group. Accordingly, the Company does not consolidate the power plant. The venture purchased $10.9 million and $9.9 million of energy from Kemira in the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Minimum annual payments under the energy agreement are approximately $17.0 million. In connection with this energy arrangement, the venture has approximately $30.3 million 

 

12

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(including a contractual advance of $16.0 million made in 2009) of non-interest bearing notes receivable from Kemira that are due in August 2028. The carrying value of the notes receivable were $5.8 million at March 31, 2011. Interest is imputed at an effective rate of 8.96%. The fair value of the note receivable is approximately $10 million at March 31, 2011. Apart from routine payables to Kemira or PVO in connection with this agreement, no results or balances of the power plant are reflected in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

**Other**

 

Rockwood’s Specialty Chemicals segment has several unconsolidated ventures. Two of these ventures do not fit the criteria for classification as a VIE as they are financially self-sustaining, “50/50” ventures both as to control and economics. Other ventures manufacture and market products in China and an additional venture is a service provider at a key manufacturing facility. As the parties share risks and benefits disproportionate to their voting interests, the Company has concluded that these ventures are VIEs. However, the Company has also concluded that it should not consolidate these VIEs as it is not the primary beneficiary. The Company does not have the power and/or ability to direct the activities most affecting venture performance due to governance structure and significant expertise provided and/or functions performed by its venture partners. As of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, Rockwood’s aggregate net investment in these ventures was $16.5 million and $14.1 million, respectively. This investment is classified as “Other assets” in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet and represents Rockwood’s approximate exposure to losses on these investments. Rockwood does not guarantee debt for or have other financial support obligations to these ventures.

 

**6.  DERIVATIVES:**

 

The Company is exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. The Company manages its exposure to these market risks through regular operating and financing activities and, from time to time, through the use of derivatives. When used, derivatives are employed as risk management tools and not for trading purposes.

 

**Interest Rate Risk**

 

After hedging, the Company had $858.9 million (the majority of which was subject to a Libor floor of 1.00%) and $908.9 million of variable rate debt outstanding as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively. Any borrowings under the senior secured revolving credit facility and the Titanium Dioxide Pigments venture revolving credit facility are at a variable rate. As of March 31, 2011, there were no outstanding borrowings under the senior secured revolving credit facility or the Titanium Dioxide Pigments venture revolving credit facility. Although we are not required under the terms of any of our long-term debt facilities to hedge, or otherwise protect against interest rate fluctuation in our variable rate debt, we have entered into interest rate swaps to manage our exposure to changes in interest rates related to variable-rate debt. As of March 31, 2011, these contracts cover notional amounts of €220.0 million (at interest rates of 1.40%) and were originally entered into to effectively convert all of the obligations under the Titanium Dioxide Pigments term loan facility to fixed rate obligations. These contracts will mature in June 2013. As of December 31, 2010, these contracts cover notional amounts of €488.8 million (at interest rates ranging from 1.40% to 4.416%) and were originally entered into to effectively convert a portion of the senior secured credit obligations and all of the obligations under the Titanium Dioxide Pigments term loan facility to fixed rate obligations. The Company has not applied hedge accounting for these interest rate swaps and has recorded the mark-to-market of these derivatives as a component of interest expense in its Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company may in the future consider adjusting the amounts covered by these derivative contracts to better suit its capital structure. The Company may allow all or a portion of these swaps to lapse, enter into replacement swaps or settle these swaps prior to expiration. In February 2011, an interest rate swap with a notional amount of €262.9 million ($354.6 million based on the exchange rate in effect on the date of the payment) was terminated resulting in a payment of €10.8 million ($14.6 million based on the exchange rate in effect on the date of the payment).

 

**Foreign Currency Risk**

 

In October 2010, the Company entered into foreign currency forward contracts to manage its exposure to fluctuations in currency rates on cash flows on certain forecasted sales denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of a legal entity in its Specialty Chemicals segment. These foreign currency forward contracts hedge the exposure to movements in foreign exchange rates for forecasted transactions for twelve months, and expire in December 2011. As of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company had notional amounts outstanding for these foreign currency forward contracts of $9.4 million and $12.5 million, respectively. The instruments are designated as foreign exchange cash flow hedges and are effective at generating offsetting changes in the fair value or cash flows of the hedged item or transaction.

 

In January 2011, the Company entered into foreign currency forward contracts to manage its exposure to fluctuations in currency rates on cash flows on certain forecasted sales denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of the Titanium Dioxide Pigments segment. These foreign currency forward contracts hedge the exposure to movements in foreign exchange rates for 

 

13

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forecasted transactions for twelve months and expire in December 2011. As of March 31, 2011, the Company had notional amounts outstanding for these foreign currency forward contracts of $27.0 million. The instruments are designated as foreign exchange cash flow hedges and are effective at generating offsetting changes in the fair value or cash flows of the hedged item or transaction.

 

The Company designated a portion of its Euro-denominated debt that is recorded on its U.S. books as a net investment hedge of its Euro-denominated investments (Euro debt of €85.5 million at March 31, 2011; $121.1 million). As a result, any foreign currency gains and losses resulting from the Euro-denominated debt discussed above are accounted for as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income.

 

The following table provides the fair value and balance sheet location of the Company's derivative instruments as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010:

 
| ** **                                              | ** ** | ** **                                     | ** ** | **Asset Derivatives**          | ** ** | **Liability Derivatives**      | ** ** |
|---------------------------------------------------------|------------|------------------------------------------------|------------|-------------------------------------|------------|-------------------------------------|------------|
| ** **                                              | ** ** | ** **                                     | ** ** | **Fair Value as of** | ** ** | **Fair Value as of** | ** ** |
| ** **                                              | ** ** | ** **                                     | ** ** | **March 31,**                  | ** ** | **December 31,**               | ** ** | **March 31,** | ** ** | **December 31,** | ** ** |
| **($ in millions)**                           | ** ** | **Balance Sheet Location**           | ** ** | **2011**                            | ** ** | **2010**                            | ** ** | **2011** | ** ** | **2010** | ** ** |
| **Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments:**      | ** ** | ** **                                     |       |                                |       |                                |       |   |   |   |   |
| Foreign exchange contracts                              |       | Prepaid expenses and other current assets      |       | $                                   | 2.6        |                                | $          | — |   | $ | — |   | $ | — |   |
|                                                    |       | Accrued expenses and other current liabilities |       | —                              |       | —                              |       | — |   | 0.5 |   |
| Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments     |       |                                           |       | $                                   | 2.6        |                                | $          | — |   | $ | — |   | $ | 0.5 |   |
|                                                    |       |                                           |       |                                |       |                                |       |   |   |   |   |
| **Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments:**  | ** ** | ** **                                     |       |                                |       |                                |       |   |   |   |   |
| Interest rate swaps                                     |       | Prepaid expenses and other current assets      |       | $                                   | 0.2        |                                | $          | — |   | $ | — |   | $ | — |   |
|                                                    |       | Other assets                                   |       | 3.1                                 |       | —                              |       | — |   | — |   |
|                                                    |       | Accrued expenses and other current liabilities |       | —                              |       | —                              |       | — |   | 18.6 |   |
|                                                    |       | Other liabilities                              |       | —                              |       | —                              |       | — |   | 0.9 |   |
| Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments |       |                                           |       | $                                   | 3.3        |                                | $          | — |   | $ | — |   | $ | 19.5 |   |
| Total derivatives                                       | ** ** | ** **                                     |       | $                                   | 5.9        |                                | $          | — |   | $ | — |   | $ | 20.0 |   |

 

The following table provides the gains and losses reported in “Other Comprehensive Income” (“OCI”) within Equity for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010:

 
| ** **                                          | ** ** | **Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in** | ** ** |
|-----------------------------------------------------|------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------|
| ** **                                          | ** ** | **OCI on Derivatives and Other Financial**      | ** ** |
| ** **                                          | ** ** | **Instruments (Effective Portion)**                            | ** ** |
| ** **                                          | ** ** | **Three months ended March 31,**                     | ** ** |
| **($ in millions)**                            | ** ** | **2011**                                                                 | ** ** | **2010** | ** ** |
| **Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships:** |       |                                                                     |       |   |   |
| Foreign exchange contracts                          |       | $                                                                        | 3.0        |   | $ | — |   |
|                                                |       |                                                                     |       |   |   |
| **Net Investment Hedging Relationships:**           |       |                                                                     |       |   |   |
| Euro-denominated debt                               |       | $                                                                        | (9.9       | ) | $ | 8.4 |   |

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2011, gains of $0.3 million were reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into income. There were no gains or losses reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into income for the three months ended March 31, 2010.

 

14

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The following table provides the gains reported in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010:

 
| ** **                                             | ** ** | **Amount of Gain**                                | ** ** | ** **                                 | ** ** |
|--------------------------------------------------------|------------|-------------------------------------------------------------|------------|--------------------------------------------|------------|
| ** **                                             | ** ** | **Recognized in Income on Derivatives** | ** ** | **Location of Gain**             | ** ** |
| ** **                                             | ** ** | **Three months ended March 31,**        | ** ** | **Recognized in Income on** | ** ** |
| **($ in millions)**                          | ** ** | **2011**                                                    | ** ** | **2010**                                   | ** ** | **Derivatives** | ** ** |
| **Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments:** | ** ** | ** **                                                  | ** ** | ** **                                 | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** |
| Interest rate contracts                                |       | $                                                           | 6.3        |                                       | $          | 1.0 |   | Interest expense |   |
| Cross-currency interest rate swaps                     |       | —                                                      |       | 1.1                                        |       | Interest expense |   |
| Total derivatives                                      |       | $                                                           | 6.3        |                                       | $          | 2.1 |   |   |   |

 

**7.  FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:**

 

The Company follows a fair value measurement hierarchy to measure assets and liabilities. As of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are derivatives and marketable securities. In addition, the Company measures its pension plan assets at fair value (see Note 15, “Employee Benefit Plans” in the Company’s 2010 Form 10-K for further details). The Company’s financial assets and liabilities are measured using inputs from the three levels of the fair value hierarchy. The three levels are as follows:

 

Level 1 —    Inputs are unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date.

 

Level 2 —    Inputs are directly or indirectly observable, which include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

 

Level 3 —    Inputs are unobservable inputs that are used to measure fair value to the extent observable inputs are not available. The Company does not have any financial assets or liabilities that are classified as Level 3 inputs as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010.

 

In accordance with the fair value hierarchy, the following table provides the fair value of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that are required to be measured at fair value as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010:

 
| ** **                      | ** ** | **As of**                  | ** ** | **Fair Value Measurements** | ** ** |
|---------------------------------|------------|---------------------------------|------------|---------------------------------------|------------|
| **($ in millions)**   | ** ** | **March 31, 2011**    | ** ** | **Level 1**                      | ** ** | **Level 2** | ** ** | **Level 3** | ** ** |
| Assets                          | ** ** | ** **                      | ** ** | ** **                            | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** |
| Marketable securities (a)       |       | $                               | 9.3        |                                  | $          | 9.3 |   | $ | — |   | $ | — |   |
| Interest rate swaps (b)         |       | 3.3                             |       | —                                |       | 3.3 |   | — |   |
| Foreign exchange contracts (b)  |       | 2.6                             |       | —                                |       | 2.6 |   | — |   |
| Total assets at fair value      |       | $                               | 15.2       |                                  | $          | 9.3 |   | $ | 5.9 |   | $ | — |   |
|                            |       |                            |       |                                  |       |   |   |   |   |
| ** **                      | ** ** | **As of**                  | ** ** | **Fair Value Measurements** | ** ** |
| **($ in millions)**   | ** ** | **December 31, 2010** | ** ** | **Level 1**                      | ** ** | **Level 2** | ** ** | **Level 3** | ** ** |
| Assets                          | ** ** | ** **                      | ** ** | ** **                            | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** |
| Marketable securities (a)       |       | $                               | 154.5      |                                  | $          | 154.5 |   | $ | — |   | $ | — |   |
| Total assets at fair value      |       | $                               | 154.5      |                                  | $          | 154.5 |   | $ | — |   | $ | — |   |
|                            |       |                            |       |                                  |       |   |   |   |   |
| Liabilities                     | ** ** | ** **                      | ** ** | ** **                            | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** |
| Interest rate swaps (b)         |       | $                               | 19.5       |                                  | $          | — |   | $ | 19.5 |   | $ | — |   |
| Foreign exchange contracts (b)  |       | 0.5                             |       | —                                |       | 0.5 |   | — |   |
| Total liabilities at fair value |       | $                               | 20.0       |                                  | $          | — |   | $ | 20.0 |   | $ | — |   |

 

15

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(a)              These primarily represent money market funds with an original maturity of three months or less.

 

(b)              See Note 6, “Derivatives,” for further details of the Company’s derivative instruments.

 

The fair values of marketable securities are based on unadjusted quoted market prices from various financial information service providers and securities exchanges. The fair values of derivatives are based on quoted market prices from various banks for similar instruments. The valuation of these instruments reflects the contractual terms of the derivatives, including the period to maturity, and uses observable market-based inputs, including forward curves.

 

**Counter-party risk**—The Company manages counter-party risk by entering into derivative contracts with only major financial institutions of investment grade quality and by limiting the amount of exposure to each financial institution. The Company has considered credit adjustments in its determination of the fair value of its derivative assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 based on market participant assumptions. In addition, based on the credit evaluation of each counter-party institution to its derivative assets as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company believes the carrying values to be fully realizable.

 

**Debt**—The Company estimates that its debt under the senior secured credit facilities and Titanium Dioxide Pigments venture facility agreement, based on current interest rates and terms, approximates fair value. Based on quoted market values at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company estimates the fair value of its 2014 Notes approximated $567.1 million and $547.6 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the principal carrying amount of the 2014 Notes was $554.1 million and $534.7 million, respectively.

 

**Cash and Cash Equivalents**—All highly liquid instruments and money market funds with an original maturity of three months or less are considered to be cash equivalents. The carrying amount approximates fair value because of the short maturities of these instruments.

 

**8.  INVENTORIES:**

 

Inventories are comprised of the following:

 
| ** **                    | ** ** | **March 31,** | ** ** | **December 31,** | ** ** |
|-------------------------------|------------|--------------------|------------|-----------------------|------------|
| **($ in millions)** | ** ** | **2011**           | ** ** | **2010**              | ** ** |
| Raw materials                 |       | $                  | 176.7      |                  | $          | 181.6 |   |
| Work-in-process               |       | 88.4               |       | 79.9                  |       |
| Finished goods                |       | 304.2              |       | 272.6                 |       |
| Packaging materials           |       | 7.5                |       | 7.7                   |       |
| Total                         |       | $                  | 576.8      |                  | $          | 541.8 |   |

 

**9.  GOODWILL:**

 

Below are goodwill balances and activity by segment:

 
| ** **                      | ** ** | **Specialty** | ** ** | **Advanced** | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** |
|---------------------------------|------------|---------------|------------|--------------|------------|------------|------------|
| **($ in millions)**   | ** ** | **Chemicals** | ** ** | **Ceramics** | ** ** | **Total**  | ** ** |
| Balance, December 31, 2010 |       | $             | 618.5      |         | $          | 258.6      |       | $ | 877.1 |   |
| Foreign exchange                |       | 35.0          |       | 15.4         |       | 50.4       |       |
| Balance, March 31, 2011    |       | $             | 653.5      |         | $          | 274.0      |       | $ | 927.5 |   |

 

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**10.  OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET:**

 

Other intangible assets, net consist of:

 
| ** **                              | ** ** | **As of March 31, 2011** | ** ** | **As of December 31, 2010** | ** ** |
|-----------------------------------------|------------|----------------------------------------------|------------|-------------------------------------------------|------------|
| ** **                              | ** ** | **Gross**                                    | ** ** | ** **                                      | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** | **Gross** | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** |
| ** **                              | ** ** | **Carrying**                                 | ** ** | **Accumulated**                                 | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** | **Carrying** | ** ** | **Accumulated** | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** |
| **($ in millions)**           | ** ** | **Amount**                                   | ** ** | **Amortization**                                | ** ** | **Net** | ** ** | **Amount** | ** ** | **Amortization** | ** ** | **Net** | ** ** |
| Patents and other intellectual property |       | $                                            | 386.3      |                                            | $          | (168.8 | ) | $ | 217.5 |   | $ | 369.5 |   | $ | (154.2 | ) | $ | 215.3 |   |
| Trade names and trademarks              |       | 138.2                                        |       | (40.5                                           | )          | 97.7 |   | 131.4 |   | (37.2 | ) | 94.2 |   |
| Customer relationships                  |       | 373.8                                        |       | (153.3                                          | )          | 220.5 |   | 360.4 |   | (140.4 | ) | 220.0 |   |
| Supply agreements                       |       | 62.4                                         |       | (19.6                                           | )          | 42.8 |   | 60.4 |   | (17.6 | ) | 42.8 |   |
| Other                                   |       | 49.4                                         |       | (33.8                                           | )          | 15.6 |   | 45.8 |   | (30.5 | ) | 15.3 |   |
| Total                                   |       | $                                            | 1,010.1    |                                            | $          | (416.0 | ) | $ | 594.1 |   | $ | 967.5 |   | $ | (379.9 | ) | $ | 587.6 |   |

 

Amortization of other intangible assets was $19.3 million and $20.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

 

Estimated amortization expense for each of the five succeeding fiscal years is as follows:

 
| **($ in millions)**  | ** ** | **Amortization** | ** ** |
|--------------------------------|------------|------------------|------------|
| **Year ending**** ** | ** ** | **Expense**      | ** ** |
| 2011                           |       | $                | 81.1       |   |
| 2012                           |       | 77.7             |       |
| 2013                           |       | 74.5             |       |
| 2014                           |       | 67.8             |       |
| 2015                           |       | 61.6             |       |
|                                |            |                  |            |  |

 

**11.  LONG-TERM DEBT:**

 

Long-term debt and loans payable are summarized as follows:

 
| ** **                                                                                 | ** ** | **March 31,** | ** ** | **December 31,** | ** ** |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------|--------------------|------------|-----------------------|------------|
| **($ and €   in millions)**                                            | ** ** | **2011**           | ** ** | **2010**              | ** ** |
| Senior secured credit facilities - term loans                                              |       | $                  | 850.0      |                  | $          | 1,260.0 |   |
| 2014 Notes (€250.1 and $200.0 as of March 31, 2011 and   December 31, 2010) |       | 554.1              |       | 534.7                 |       |
| Titanium Dioxide Pigments venture term loans (€220.0)                                 |       | 311.5              |       | 294.4                 |       |
| Capitalized lease obligations (€28.9 and €29.4, respectively)                    |       | 41.0               |       | 39.4                  |       |
| Other loans                                                                                |       | 31.6               |       | 32.5                  |       |
|                                                                                       |       | 1,788.2            |       | 2,161.0               |       |
| Less current maturities                                                                    |       | (60.2              | )          | (465.7                | )          |
|                                                                                       |       | $                  | 1,728.0    |                  | $          | 1,695.3 |   |

 

On February 10, 2011, the Company completed a refinancing of its senior secured credit facility and entered into a new senior secured credit agreement comprised of an $850.0 million term loan and a $180.0 million revolving credit facility, and repaid $408.9 million of existing term loans. In connection with this transaction, the Company recorded a charge of $16.2 million in the first quarter of 2011 comprised of related fees of $13.1 million and the write-off of deferred financing costs of $3.1 million.

 

**12.  INCOME TAXES:**

 

The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 was 28.2% and 32.8%, respectively. The income tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2011 was favorably impacted by a beneficial foreign earnings mix. For the three months ended March 31, 2010, the Company had domestic losses that were not tax benefited due to the recording of additional valuation allowances offset by a beneficial foreign earnings mix.

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2011, the Company decreased its worldwide valuation allowances by $2.8 million. The 

 

17

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following table reflects the activity in the valuation allowance for worldwide net operating losses and other deferred income tax assets:

 
| ** **                                  | ** ** | **Valuation** | ** ** |
|---------------------------------------------|------------|---------------|------------|
| **($ in millions)**               | ** ** | **Allowance** | ** ** |
| Balance as of December 31, 2010        |       | $             | 81.4       |   |
| Decrease as reflected in income tax expense |       | 2.5           |       |
| Other (a)                                   |       | (5.3          | )          |
| Balance as of March 31, 2011           |       | $             | 78.6       |   |

 

----

(a)                Primarily related to discontinued operations and the mark-to-market of the Company’s Euro-denominated debt.

 

In the three months ended March 31, 2011, based on the Company’s policy and review of available information, including the Company’s steady-state analysis, it was determined that there was not sufficient positive evidence of future taxable income to release the U.S. federal valuation allowance that has been recorded. During the three months ended March 31, 2011, the Company’s net U.S. federal deferred tax assets and liabilities were maintained at a zero level, other than a noncurrent deferred tax liability relating to goodwill with an indefinite reversal period.

 

Unrecognized tax benefits at March 31, 2011 were $26.4 million, all of which if recognized, would impact the effective tax rate. The Company had accrued $8.9 million for interest and penalties as of March 31, 2011. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in its income tax provision.

 

The Company is currently under audit in certain jurisdictions and during the next twelve months, it is reasonably possible that resolution of these audits could result in a benefit of up to $3.1 million or a cost of up to $5.2 million. Audit outcomes and the timing of audit settlements are subject to significant uncertainty.

 

The Company is subject to taxation in the U.S., various states, and foreign jurisdictions. The Company’s tax filings in the Company’s major jurisdictions are open to investigation by tax authorities; in the U.S. from 2006, in the U.K. from 2008 and in Germany from 2005.

 

**13.  EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS:**

 

The Company’s overall unfunded position in its defined benefit plans as of March 31, 2011 is $440.2 million and the funded status of our plans is 38%. However, 82% of the Company’s unfunded position is concentrated in plans mostly in Germany, where funding is neither legally required nor customary. When only the plans that have funding requirements are considered, the unfunded portion is $78.0 million, and the funded status is 77%. The funding of the Company’s pension plans was in compliance with local requirements as of March 31, 2011. Almost all of the Company’s pension obligations are long-term in nature. The Company’s annual cash outflows to meet funding requirements and benefit obligations historically have not significantly exceeded its pension expense. Such cash outflows were less than pension expense in 2010 and the three months ended March 31, 2011. The measurement of our pension obligations and plan assets is dependent on a variety of actuarial assumptions and is performed annually. Therefore, the funded status as of December 31, 2011 could differ significantly.

 

The following table represents the net periodic benefit costs and related components:

 
| ** **                         | ** ** | **Three months ended** | ** ** |
|------------------------------------|------------|----------------------------------|------------|
| ** **                         | ** ** | **March 31,**               | ** ** |
| **($ in millions)**      | ** ** | **2011**                         | ** ** | **2010** | ** ** |
| Service cost                       |       | $                                | 2.2        |   | $ | 2.0 |   |
| Interest cost                      |       | 8.3                              |       | 8.6 |   |
| Expected return on assets          |       | (4.2                             | )          | (3.8 | ) |
| Amortization of actuarial losses   |       | 0.6                              |       | 0.6 |   |
| Amortization of prior service cost |       | 0.2                              |       | 0.2 |   |
| Total pension cost                 |       | $                                | 7.1        |   | $ | 7.6 |   |

 

18

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**14.  RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER SEVERANCE COSTS:**

 

The Company records restructuring liabilities that represent charges incurred in connection with consolidations and cessations of certain of its operations, including operations from acquisitions, as well as headcount reduction programs. These charges consist primarily of severance and facility closure costs. Severance charges are based on various factors including the employee’s length of service, contract provisions, salary levels and local governmental legislation. At the time a related charge is recorded, the Company calculates its best estimate based upon detailed analysis. Although significant changes are not expected, actual costs may differ from these estimates.

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2011, the Company recorded $1.0 million of restructuring charges, primarily related to severance costs and facility closure costs in connection with the future consolidation of its North American Surface Treatment business in the Specialty Chemicals segment.

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2010, the Company expensed $0.1 million of restructuring charges. “Restructuring and other severance costs” in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations also included other severance-related costs of $0.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 related to headcount reductions undertaken throughout the Company.

 

All restructuring actions still in progress as of March 31, 2011 are expected to be substantially complete by the end of 2011, except for the North American Surface Treatment restructuring action described above. However, payouts of certain liabilities resulting from these actions will take place over several years. In particular, as of March 31, 2011, restructuring liabilities of $5.5 million includes $1.8 million in the Corporate and other segment related to an unexpired lease in connection with the 2006 restructuring of the Wafer Reclaim business. Management believes that the majority of the remaining $3.7 million obligation will be utilized in 2011. Selected information for outstanding liabilities from recent restructuring actions is as follows:

 
| ** **                                             | ** ** | **Severance/** | ** ** | **Facility** | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** |
|--------------------------------------------------------|------------|----------------|------------|--------------|------------|------------|------------|
| **($ in millions)**                          | ** ** | **Relocation** | ** ** | **Closure**  | ** ** | **Total**  | ** ** |
| Liability balance, December 31, 2010              |       | $              | 2.7        |         | $          | 2.1        |       | $ | 4.8 |   |
| Restructuring charge in 2011                           |       | 0.5            |       | 0.5          |       | 1.0        |       |
| Restructuring charge in 2011 - Discontinued operations |       | 0.6            |       | —       |       | 0.6        |       |
| Utilized                                               |       | (0.8           | )          | (0.3         | )          | (1.1       | )          |
| Foreign exchange and other                             |       | 0.1            |       | 0.1          |       | 0.2        |       |
| Liability balance, March 31, 2011                 |       | $              | 3.1        |         | $          | 2.4        |       | $ | 5.5 |   |

 

Restructuring reserves by segment are as follows:

 
| ** **                    | ** ** | **March 31,** | ** ** | **December 31,** | ** ** |
|-------------------------------|------------|--------------------|------------|-----------------------|------------|
| **($ in millions)** | ** ** | **2011**           | ** ** | **2010**              | ** ** |
| Specialty Chemicals           |       | $                  | 2.7        |                  | $          | 2.2 |   |
| Performance Additives         |       | 0.2                |       | 0.2                   |       |
| Advanced Ceramics             |       | 0.5                |       | 0.5                   |       |
| Corporate and other           |       | 2.1                |       | 1.9                   |       |
|                          |       | $                  | 5.5        |                  | $          | 4.8 |   |

 

**15.      COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES:**

 

***Legal Proceedings***—The Company is involved in various legal proceedings, including commercial, intellectual property, product liability, regulatory and environmental matters of a nature considered normal to its business. The Company accrues for amounts related to these matters if it is probable that a liability has been incurred and an amount can be reasonably estimated. The Company discloses such matters when there is at least a reasonable possibility that a material loss may have been incurred.

 

**Advertising Matter**

 

On March 3, 2009, Osmose, Inc. (“OI”) filed an action against Viance, the joint venture in the Timber Treatment Chemicals business, Rockwood Holdings, Inc., and certain individuals, in the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Georgia, claiming that recent advertisements by Viance comparing its ACQ product and OI’s MCQ product were false and misleading in violation of the Lanham Act, constituted unfair competition, violated the Georgia Deceptive Trade Practices Act, were defamatory and that Viance tortiously interfered with OI’s business relationships. OI is seeking damages, including their attorney’s fees and costs and punitive damages. OI

 

19

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also sought a temporary restraining order (“TRO”) and a preliminary injunction prohibiting Viance from continuing to make certain claims in advertisements related to their MCQ product. On March 20, 2009, the district court granted Osmose’s motion for a TRO. Viance raised certain counterclaims related to OI’s advertisements and both parties’ claims were heard. In September 2009, the district court issued a preliminary injunction prohibiting Viance from making certain claims related to MCQ in its advertisements and denied Viance’s request for a preliminary injunction related to certain claims in Osmose’s advertisements, which Viance subsequently appealed. The U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit heard oral arguments on May 20, 2010 and rendered its decision on July 30, 2010 remanding in part, affirming in part, and vacating in part the preliminary injunction. The trial court entered an order revising the preliminary injunction and an order lifting the stay and commencing discovery. In April 2011, the parties executed a settlement agreement and the resolution of this matter did not have a material effect on the Company’s business or financial condition.

 

**Lanxess Matter**

 

On January 18, 2010, Lanxess Deutschland GmbH filed suit in the District Court of Satakunta, Finland against Sachtleben Pigments Oy (“Sachtleben”), a subsidiary of the Company’s Titanium Dioxide Pigments venture, claiming breach of contract in connection with Sachtleben’s termination of a supply agreement with plaintiff. In October 2010, the Court held a hearing to determine the proper jurisdiction for this matter and later issued its decision in favor of the plaintiff ruling that the case will be heard in the District Court of Satakunta and not in arbitration. In January 2011, Lanxess filed its statement specifying its claims for damages in the amount of €3.2 million plus accrued interest and legal fees. The Company will continue to vigorously defend this matter. The Company believes Sachtleben has meritorious defenses against the plaintiff’s claims. Although Sachtleben does not believe that resolution of this matter will have a material adverse effect on its business or financial condition, the Company cannot predict the ultimate outcome of this litigation, and the resolution of this matter may have a material adverse effect on its results of operations or cash flows in any quarterly or annual reporting period.

 

**Former Glass Sealants Business**

 

A subsidiary in the Specialty Chemicals segment formerly manufactured sealants for insulating glass. This subsidiary has been named as a defendant in several lawsuits relating to alleged defective sealants that were raised prior to and after the sale of this business in 2003. Pursuant to the sale and purchase agreement with respect to this divested business, this subsidiary may be required to pay damage claims asserted by the various plaintiffs. Although the Company expects its subsidiary to have coverage under its product liability insurance policies should damages ultimately be awarded or agreed to, in such an event, its insurance may not cover such claims and, if not, its subsidiary may not have sufficient cash flow to pay these claims. Although the Company does not believe that resolution of these matters will have a material adverse effect on its business or financial condition, the Company cannot predict the ultimate outcome of these claims or possible range of loss, if any, and the resolution of one or more of these claims may have a material adverse effect on its results of operations or cash flows in any quarterly or annual reporting period.

 

**Inspector General Subpoena**

 

In February 2010, a subsidiary of the Company received a subpoena from the Inspector General of the Department of Defense (“DOD”) seeking information related to a product in the Timber Treatment Chemicals business in the Performance Additives segment. This subsidiary has and will continue to comply with the requests of the DOD to provide the relevant information. The Company cannot predict the likelihood of further legal action or estimate the loss or possible range of loss, if any, in connection with this matter.

 

**Other Matters**

 

Although the Company expects to continue to pay legal fees in connection with the above matters and other legal actions such as chromated copper arsenate and other product liability matters, based on currently available facts, the Company does not believe that any other individual action will have a material adverse effect on the financial condition, results of operations or liquidity of the Company.

 

Reserves in connection with product liability matters do not individually exceed $1.8 million and in the aggregate $4.0 million as of March 31, 2011. The Company’s reserve estimates are based on available facts, including damage claims and input from its internal and external legal counsel, past experience, and, in some instances where defense costs are being paid by its insurer, known insurance recoveries. The Company is unable to estimate the amount or range of any potential incremental charges should facts and circumstances change and may in the future revise its estimates based on new information becoming available. Further, the Company cannot predict the outcome of any litigation or the potential for future litigation.

 

***Indemnity Matters***—The Company is indemnified by third parties in connection with certain matters related to acquired businesses. Although the Company has no reason to believe that the financial condition of those parties who may have indemnification obligations to the Company is other than sound, in the event the Company seeks indemnity under any of these agreements or through

 

20

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other means, there can be no assurance that any party who may have obligations to indemnify the Company will adhere to their obligations and the Company may have to resort to legal action to enforce its rights under the indemnities. In cases where the Company’s indemnification claims to such third parties are uncontested, the Company expects to realize recoveries within the short term.

 

**Pension Receivable Matter**

 

Rockwood’s pension liability includes defined benefit obligations to employees of a previously divested company which cannot legally be transferred to the owners under local law. The owner of the business had agreed to indemnify the Company for these obligations, however, such company has filed for bankruptcy. Accordingly, the Company has recorded a reserve of €4.9 million ($6.9 million) against our related receivable of €5.4 million ($7.6 million) due from the current owner. The Company cannot predict the ultimate outcome of this matter. The Company does not believe this matter will have a material effect on its results of operations or cash flows in any quarterly or annual reporting period.

 

In addition, the Company may be subject to indemnity claims relating to properties or businesses it divested. The Company has agreed to indemnify the buyer of its former plastic compounding business, Electronics business, Groupe Novasep segment and pool and spa chemicals business. For example, the Company is required to indemnify the buyer of its Electronics business for certain known and unknown environmental actions which may arise in the future that relate to the period prior to the closing.

 

In the opinion of management, and based upon information currently available, the ultimate resolution of any indemnification obligations owed to the Company or by the Company is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows, but may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations or cash flow in any quarterly or annual reporting period.

 

***Safety, Health and Environmental Matters***

 

**General**

 

The Company is subject to extensive environmental, health and safety laws in the United States, the European Union (“EU”) and elsewhere at the international, national, state, and local levels. Many of these laws impose requirements relating to clean up of contamination, and impose liability in the event of damage to human beings, natural resources or property, and provide for substantial fines, injunctions and potential criminal sanctions for violations. Other laws require post-closure reclamation of landfills and surface mining sites for damage resulting from normal operation of these facilities. The products, including the raw materials handled, are also subject to rigorous industrial hygiene regulations and investigation. The nature of the Company’s operations exposes it to risks of liability for breaches of these laws and regulations as a result of the production, storage, transportation and sale of materials that can cause contamination or personal injury when released into the environment. Environmental laws are subject to change and have tended to become stricter over time. Such changes in environmental laws, or the enactment of new environmental laws, could result in materially increased capital, operating and compliance costs.

 

**Safety, Health and Environmental Management Systems**

 

The Company is committed to achieving and maintaining compliance with all applicable safety, health and environmental (“SHE”) legal requirements. The Company’s subsidiaries have developed policies and management systems that are intended to identify the SHE legal requirements applicable to their operations, enhance compliance with such requirements, ensure the safety of the Company’s employees, contractors, community neighbors and customers and minimize the production and emission of wastes and other pollutants. Although SHE legal requirements are constantly changing, these SHE management systems are designed to assist the Company in meeting its compliance goals and minimizing overall risk.

 

**SHE Capital Expenditures**

 

The Company will incur future costs for capital improvements and general compliance under SHE laws. For the year ended December 31, 2010, the capital expenditures for SHE matters totaled $19.2 million, excluding costs to maintain and repair pollution control equipment. For 2011, the Company estimates capital expenditures for compliance with SHE laws to be at similar levels; however, because capital expenditures for these matters are subject to changes in existing and new SHE laws, the Company cannot provide assurance that its recent expenditures will be indicative of future amounts required to comply with these laws.

 

**Regulatory Developments**

 

Greenhouse gases have increasingly become the subject of international, national, state and local attention. On September 22, 2009,

 

21

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the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) passed its final greenhouse gas monitoring and reporting rule that required certain facilities in the U.S. to record their greenhouse gases beginning January 1, 2010 and begin reporting these measurements on September 30, 2011. Currently, no facilities are required to report under this program; however, two facilities may be subject to these rules as production demand increases. The Company does not believe, based upon currently available information, that this rule will have a material impact on its results of operations. However, further legislation of greenhouse gases and carbon dioxide has been proposed in the U.S. and other jurisdictions. Certain European facilities are subject to different carbon emission trading schemes imposed by local governments, e.g. U.K. and Germany. Any such laws may directly and indirectly have a material adverse impact on our results of operations, such as through higher costs for energy and certain raw materials and additional capital expenditures to comply with such laws.

 

The Company is also subject to the Homeland Security Agency’s regulations, which address chemical plant safety, the Kyoto Protocol, which relates to the emission of greenhouse gases and the European Union Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Directive, which relates to environmental permitting programs for individual facilities. In addition, legislation was recently introduced in Congress seeking to reform the Toxic Control Substances Act, which among other things, would require manufacturers to develop and submit additional safety data for each chemical it produces, similar to REACH. The Company does not believe, based upon currently available information, that these regulations will have a material adverse impact on its results of operations, financial position or liquidity.

 

**Environmental Liabilities**

 

Environmental laws have a significant effect on the nature and scope of any clean-up of contamination at current and former operating facilities, the costs of transportation and storage of chemicals and finished products and the costs of the storage and disposal of wastes. In addition, “Superfund” statutes in the United States as well as statutes in other jurisdictions impose strict, joint and several liability for clean-up costs on the entities that generated waste and/or arranged for its disposal at contaminated third party sites, as well as the past and present owners and operators of contaminated sites. All responsible parties may be required to bear some or all clean-up costs regardless of fault, legality of the original disposal or ownership of the disposal site.

 

22

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The following table provides a list of the Company’s present and former facilities with environmental contamination or reclamation obligations for which the Company has reserved for at March 31, 2011:

 
| **Country**     | ** ** | **Location**              | ** ** | **(a)** | ** ** | **(b)** | ** ** | **(c)** | ** ** | **(d)** | ** ** | **(e)** |
|-----------------|------------|---------------------------|------------|---------|------------|---------|------------|---------|------------|---------|------------|---------|
| Brazil          |       | Diadema                   |       |    |       |    |       | X       |       |    |       |    |
| Chile           |       | Salar de Atacama          |       |    |       |    |       |    |       | X       |       |    |
| China           |       | Shenzhen                  |       |    |       |    |       | X       |       |    |       |    |
| Finland         |       | Kipsikorpi                |       |    |       |    |       |    |       | X       |       |    |
|            |       | Pori                      |       |    |       |    |       |    |       | X       |       |    |
| France          |       | Clichy                    |       |    |       |    |       |    |       |    |       | X       |
|            |       | Sens                      |       | X       |       |    |       |    |       |    |       |    |
| Germany         |       | Duisburg                  |       | X       |       |    |       |    |       | X       |       |    |
|            |       | Empelde                   |       | X       |       |    |       |    |       |    |       | X       |
|            |       | Hainhausen                |       | X       |       |    |       |    |       |    |       |    |
|            |       | Liebenau                  |       |    |       |    |       | X       |       |    |       |    |
|            |       | Schwarzheide              |       |    |       |    |       |    |       | X       |       |    |
|            |       | Marktredwitz              |       |    |       | X       |       |    |       |    |       |    |
|            |       | Plochingen                |       |    |       | X       |       |    |       |    |       |    |
|            |       | Stadeln                   |       | X       |       | X       |       |    |       |    |       |    |
|            |       | Troisdorf                 |       | X       |       | X       |       | X       |       |    |       |    |
| Italy           |       | Turin                     |       | X       |       |    |       |    |       |    |       |    |
| The Netherlands |       | Oss                       |       | X       |       |    |       |    |       |    |       |    |
| United Kingdom  |       | Barrow-in   Furness       |       | X       |       |    |       |    |       |    |       |    |
|            |       | Birtley                   |       |    |       |    |       | X       |       | X       |       |    |
|            |       | Kidsgrove                 |       |    |       |    |       | X       |       |    |       |    |
| United States   |       | Beltsville, MD            |       | X       |       |    |       | X       |       |    |       |    |
|            |       | East St.   Louis, IL |       |    |       |    |       | X       |       |    |       |    |
|            |       | Easton, PA                |       |    |       |    |       | X       |       |    |       |    |
|            |       | Gonzales, TX              |       |    |       |    |       | X       |       |    |       |    |
|            |       | Harrisburg, NC            |       | X       |       |    |       | X       |       |    |       |    |
|            |       | Kings Mountain,   NC      |       |    |       |    |       |    |       | X       |       |    |
|            |       | Laurens, SC               |       |    |       | X       |       |    |       |    |       |    |
|            |       | Middletown, NY            |       | X       |       |    |       | X       |       |    |       | X       |
|            |       | New   Johnsonville, TN    |       |    |       | X       |       | X       |       |    |       |    |
|            |       | Pineville, NC             |       |    |       |    |       |    |       |    |       | X       |
|            |       | Silver Peak, NV           |       | X       |       |    |       |    |       | X       |       |    |
|            |       | Sunbright, VA             |       | X       |       |    |       |    |       |    |       | X       |
|            |       | Valdosta, GA              |       | X       |       |    |       |    |       |    |       |    |

 

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(a)                The Company is currently operating groundwater monitoring and/or remediation systems at these locations.

 

(b)               The Company is currently operating groundwater monitoring and/or remediation systems at these locations for which prior owners or insurers have assumed responsibility.

 

(c)               The Company is currently conducting investigations into additional possible soil and/or groundwater contamination at these locations.

 

(d)               The Company has land restoration obligations relating to manufacturing, landfill activities or surface mining at these locations.

 

(e)                The Company is responsible for liabilities related to environmental matters at these closed, currently planned for closure, or formerly-owned facilities.

 

The Company is also responsible for environmental matters at some of its former off-site disposal locations owned by third parties. These sites are considered Superfund sites as defined by the EPA or state regulatory authority. The Company is a potentially responsible party or*de minimis* participant at the following Superfund locations: Augusta, GA, Niagara Falls, NY and South Gate, CA and has reserves for these matters totaling $0.1 million at March 31, 2011.

 

23

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Although the Company cannot provide assurances in this regard, the Company does not believe that these issues will have a material adverse effect on its business or financial condition, but may have a material adverse effect on the results of operations or cash flows in any given quarterly or annual reporting period. Nonetheless, the discovery of contamination arising from present or historical industrial operations at some of the Company’s or its predecessor’s former and present properties and/or at sites where the Company and its predecessor disposed wastes could expose the Company to cleanup obligations and other damages in the future.

 

***Environmental Reserves***

 

The Company has established financial reserves relating to anticipated environmental cleanup obligations, site reclamation and remediation and closure costs, which are reviewed at least quarterly based on currently available information. Liabilities are recorded when potential liabilities are either known or believed to be probable and can be reasonably estimated. In the event that the Company establishes a financial reserve in connection with site remediation costs, the Company records a reserve for the estimated cost of the remediation, even though the costs of the remediation will likely be spread out over many years. The Company does not include unasserted claims in its reserves.

 

The Company’s liability estimates are based upon available facts, existing technology, indemnities from third parties, past experience and, in some instances, insurance recoveries where the remediation costs are being paid by its insurers, and are generated by several means, including State-mandated schedules, environmental consultants and internal experts, depending on the circumstances. On a consolidated basis, the Company has accrued $51.9 million and $49.8 million for environmental liabilities as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, most of which were classified as other non-current liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Of these accruals, $28.2 million and $27.5 million as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, represent liabilities discounted using discount rates ranging from 4.2% to 7.5%, with the undiscounted amount of these reserves equaling $53.8 million and $38.7 million, respectively.

 

Included in the environmental liabilities are reclamation obligations of $22.1 million and $21.7 million as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively. These obligations primarily relate to post-closure reclamation of landfills in the Titanium Dioxide Pigments segment and surface mining sites within the Fine Chemicals business in the Specialty Chemicals segment.

 

The Company’s remediation liabilities are payable over periods of up to 30 years. At a number of the sites described above, the extent of contamination has not yet been fully investigated or the final scope of remediation is not yet determinable and could potentially affect the range. The Company estimates that the potential range for such environmental matters as of March 31, 2011 is from $51.9 million to $79.1 million. For the three months ended March 31, 2011, the Company recorded charges of $1.3 million to increase its environmental liabilities and made payments of $1.1 million for reclamation and remediation costs, which reduced its environmental liabilities. For the three months ended March 31, 2011, the recurring cost of managing hazardous substances for ongoing operations is $12.8 million.

 

The Company believes these accruals are adequate based on currently available information. The Company may incur losses in excess of the amounts accrued; however, based on currently available information, it does not believe the additional amount of potential losses would have a material effect on its results of operations or financial condition, but may have a material effect on the results of operations or cash flows in any given quarterly or annual reporting period. The Company does not believe that any known individual environmental matter would have a material effect on its results of operations or financial condition. The Company is unable to estimate the amount or range of any potential incremental charges should facts and circumstances change and may in the future revise its estimates based on new information becoming available.

 

The Company is obligated to undertake soil remediation at two facilities in Europe in the event manufacturing operations are discontinued there at some future date. In addition, in the event that manufacturing operations are discontinued at any of the Company’s other facilities with known contamination, regulatory authorities may impose more stringent requirements on the Company including soil remediation. The Company does not contemplate any such action occurring in the foreseeable future, as these facilities’ remaining lives are indefinite. Given the indeterminate useful life of these facilities and the corresponding indeterminate settlement date of any soil remediation obligations, the Company does not have sufficient information to estimate a range of potential settlement dates for its obligations. Consequently, the Company cannot employ a present value technique to estimate fair value and, accordingly, has not accrued for any environmental-related costs to remediate soil at these facilities.

 

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**16.  CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION:**

 

As described in Note 11, “Long-Term Debt,” the Company issued the 2014 Notes in November 2004. The following consolidating financial statements present the results of operations, financial condition and cash flows in separate columns of the parent company (Rockwood Specialties Group, Inc.), which is the issuer of the 2014 Notes, guarantor subsidiaries, elimination adjustments and consolidated totals.

 

**ROCKWOOD SPECIALTIES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES**

**CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS**

**THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2011**

**(Dollars in millions)**

 
| ** **                                                              | ** ** | **Parent**  | ** ** | **Guarantor**    | ** ** | **Non-Guarantor** | ** ** | ** **       | ** ** |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------|-------------|------------|------------------|------------|-------------------|------------|------------------|------------|
| ** **                                                              | ** ** | **Company** | ** ** | **Subsidiaries** | ** ** | **Subsidiaries**  | ** ** | **Consolidated** | ** ** |
| Net sales                                                               |       | $           | —     |             | $          | 153.5             |       | $                | 760.5      |   | $ | 914.0 |   |
| Cost of products sold                                                   |       | —      |       | 106.6            |       | 486.3             |       | 592.9            |       |
| Gross profit                                                            |       | —      |       | 46.9             |       | 274.2             |       | 321.1            |       |
| Selling, general and administrative expenses                            |       | —      |       | 44.0             |       | 136.6             |       | 180.6            |       |
| Restructuring and other severance costs                                 |       | —      |       | 0.5              |       | 0.5               |       | 1.0              |       |
| Asset write-downs and other                                             |       | —      |       | —           |       | 0.1               |       | 0.1              |       |
| Operating income                                                        |       | —      |       | 2.4              |       | 137.0             |       | 139.4            |       |
| Other income (expenses), net:                                           |       |        |       |             |       |              |       |             |       |
| Intergroup interest, net                                                |       | 25.6        |       | (5.1             | )          | (20.5             | )          | —           |       |
| Interest expense, net                                                   |       | (22.3       | )          | (0.3             | )          | (0.4              | )          | (23.0            | )          |
| Loss on early extinguishment/modification of debt                       |       | (1.0        | )          | (4.9             | )          | (10.3             | )          | (16.2            | )          |
| Intergroup other, net                                                   |       | 113.0       |       | (108.9           | )          | (4.1              | )          | —           |       |
| Foreign exchange gain (loss) on financing activities, net               |       | 3.7         |       | (0.1             | )          | (1.6              | )          | 2.0              |       |
| Other, net                                                              |       | —      |       | —           |       | —            |       | —           |       |
| Other income (expenses), net                                            |       | 119.0       |       | (119.3           | )          | (36.9             | )          | (37.2            | )          |
| Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes                   |       | 119.0       |       | (116.9           | )          | 100.1             |       | 102.2            |       |
| Income tax (benefit) provision                                          |       | (0.7        | )          | 1.0              |       | 28.5              |       | 28.8             |       |
| Income (loss) from continuing operations                                |       | 119.7       |       | (117.9           | )          | 71.6              |       | 73.4             |       |
| Income from discontinued operations, net of tax                         |       | —      |       | 0.2              |       | —            |       | 0.2              |       |
| Gain (loss) on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax              |       | 40.9        |       | 103.2            |       | (29.6             | )          | 114.5            |       |
| Net income (loss)                                                       |       | 160.6       |       | (14.5            | )          | 42.0              |       | 188.1            |       |
| Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest                  |       | —      |       | —           |       | (10.1             | )          | (10.1            | )          |
| Net income (loss) attributable to Rockwood Specialties Group, Inc. |       | $           | 160.6      |             | $          | (14.5             | )          | $                | 31.9       |   | $ | 178.0 |   |

 

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**ROCKWOOD SPECIALTIES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES**

**CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS**

**THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2010**

**(Dollars in millions)**

 
| ** **                                                              | ** ** | **Parent**  | ** ** | **Guarantor**    | ** ** | **Non-Guarantor** | ** ** | ** **       | ** ** |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------|-------------|------------|------------------|------------|-------------------|------------|------------------|------------|
| ** **                                                              | ** ** | **Company** | ** ** | **Subsidiaries** | ** ** | **Subsidiaries**  | ** ** | **Consolidated** | ** ** |
| Net sales                                                               |       | $           | —     |             | $          | 140.5             |       | $                | 637.9      |   | $ | 778.4 |   |
| Cost of products sold                                                   |       | —      |       | 98.3             |       | 424.2             |       | 522.5            |       |
| Gross profit                                                            |       | —      |       | 42.2             |       | 213.7             |       | 255.9            |       |
| Selling, general and administrative expenses                            |       | —      |       | 40.2             |       | 124.7             |       | 164.9            |       |
| Restructuring and other severance costs                                 |       | —      |       | —           |       | 0.4               |       | 0.4              |       |
| Asset write-downs and other                                             |       | —      |       | —           |       | 1.8               |       | 1.8              |       |
| Operating income                                                        |       | —      |       | 2.0              |       | 86.8              |       | 88.8             |       |
| Other income (expenses), net:                                           |       |        |       |             |       |              |       |             |       |
| Intergroup interest, net                                                |       | 39.7        |       | (14.1            | )          | (25.6             | )          | —           |       |
| Interest expense, net                                                   |       | (35.3       | )          | (0.5             | )          | (6.0              | )          | (41.8            | )          |
| Intergroup other, net                                                   |       | —      |       | 4.4              |       | (4.4              | )          | —           |       |
| Foreign exchange gain (loss) on financing activities, net               |       | 1.4         |       | (0.3             | )          | (0.8              | )          | 0.3              |       |
| Other, net                                                              |       | —      |       | —           |       | 0.5               |       | 0.5              |       |
| Other income (expenses), net                                            |       | 5.8         |       | (10.5            | )          | (36.3             | )          | (41.0            | )          |
| Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes                   |       | 5.8         |       | (8.5             | )          | 50.5              |       | 47.8             |       |
| Income tax provision                                                    |       | 0.2         |       | 0.6              |       | 14.9              |       | 15.7             |       |
| Net income (loss) from continuing operations                            |       | 5.6         |       | (9.1             | )          | 35.6              |       | 32.1             |       |
| Income from discontinued operations, net of tax                         |       | —      |       | 3.6              |       | 1.0               |       | 4.6              |       |
| Net income (loss)                                                       |       | 5.6         |       | (5.5             | )          | 36.6              |       | 36.7             |       |
| Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest                    |       | —      |       | —           |       | 0.2               |       | 0.2              |       |
| Net income (loss) attributable to Rockwood Specialties Group, Inc. |       | $           | 5.6        |             | $          | (5.5              | )          | $                | 36.8       |   | $ | 36.9 |   |

 

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**ROCKWOOD SPECIALTIES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES**

**CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET**

**MARCH 31, 2011**

**(Dollars in millions)**

 
| ** **                                                            | ** ** | **Parent**  | ** ** | **Guarantor**    | ** ** | **Non-Guarantor** | ** ** | ** **       | ** ** | ** **       | ** ** |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------|------------|-------------|------------|------------------|------------|-------------------|------------|------------------|------------|------------------|------------|
| ** **                                                            | ** ** | **Company** | ** ** | **Subsidiaries** | ** ** | **Subsidiaries**  | ** ** | **Eliminations** | ** ** | **Consolidated** | ** ** |
| **ASSETS**                                                            |       |        |       |             |       |              |       |             |       |             |       |
| Current assets:                                                       |       |        |       |             |       |              |       |             |       |             |       |
| Cash and cash equivalents                                             |       | $           | —     |             | $          | 56.7              |       | $                | 131.0      |             | $          | — |   | $ | 187.7 |   |
| Accounts receivable, net                                              |       | —      |       | 82.7             |       | 457.7             |       | —           |       | 540.4            |       |
| Inventories                                                           |       | —      |       | 110.1            |       | 466.7             |       | —           |       | 576.8            |       |
| Deferred income taxes                                                 |       | (1.1        | )          | 13.1             |       | 10.5              |       | —           |       | 22.5             |       |
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets                             |       | 0.3         |       | 9.8              |       | 57.2              |       | —           |       | 67.3             |       |
| Total current assets                                                  |       | (0.8        | )          | 272.4            |       | 1,123.1           |       | —           |       | 1,394.7          |       |
| Property, plant and equipment, net                                    |       | —      |       | 227.9            |       | 1,394.5           |       | —           |       | 1,622.4          |       |
| Investment in subsidiary                                              |       | 1,348.5     |       | 91.0             |       | —            |       | (1,439.5         | )          | —           |       |
| Goodwill                                                              |       | —      |       | 17.1             |       | 910.4             |       | —           |       | 927.5            |       |
| Intergroup receivable                                                 |       | 1,773.1     |       | 178.9            |       | 3,860.3           |       | (5,812.3         | )          | —           |       |
| Other intangible assets, net                                          |       | —      |       | 76.6             |       | 517.5             |       | —           |       | 594.1            |       |
| Deferred debt issuance costs, net                                     |       | 1.1         |       | 3.8              |       | 13.9              |       | —           |       | 18.8             |       |
| Deferred income taxes                                                 |       | —      |       | —           |       | 18.6              |       | —           |       | 18.6             |       |
| Other assets                                                          |       | —      |       | 1.0              |       | 43.9              |       | —           |       | 44.9             |       |
| Total assets                                                          |       | $           | 3,121.9    |             | $          | 868.7             |       | $                | 7,882.2    |             | $          | (7,251.8 | ) | $ | 4,621.0 |   |
| **LIABILITIES**                                                       |       |        |       |             |       |              |       |             |       |             |       |
| Current liabilities:                                                  |       |        |       |             |       |              |       |             |       |             |       |
| Accounts payable                                                      |       | $           | —     |             | $          | 38.3              |       | $                | 198.8      |             | $          | — |   | $ | 237.1 |   |
| Income taxes payable                                                  |       | 4.0         |       | 0.2              |       | 34.6              |       | —           |       | 38.8             |       |
| Accrued compensation                                                  |       | —      |       | 17.0             |       | 135.9             |       | —           |       | 152.9            |       |
| Accrued expenses and other current liabilities                        |       | 15.2        |       | 100.5            |       | 109.9             |       | —           |       | 225.6            |       |
| Deferred income taxes                                                 |       | —      |       | —           |       | 2.7               |       | —           |       | 2.7              |       |
| Long-term debt, current portion                                       |       | 8.5         |       | —           |       | 51.7              |       | —           |       | 60.2             |       |
| Total current liabilities                                             |       | 27.7        |       | 156.0            |       | 533.6             |       | —           |       | 717.3            |       |
| Long-term debt                                                        |       | 1,395.6     |       | —           |       | 332.4             |       | —           |       | 1,728.0          |       |
| Pension and related liabilities                                       |       | —      |       | 13.6             |       | 409.5             |       | —           |       | 423.1            |       |
| Intergroup payable                                                    |       | 2.4         |       | 832.7            |       | 4,977.2           |       | (5,812.3         | )          | —           |       |
| Deferred income taxes                                                 |       | 10.8        |       | 3.5              |       | 85.6              |       | —           |       | 99.9             |       |
| Other liabilities                                                     |       | 10.7        |       | 24.8             |       | 73.4              |       | —           |       | 108.9            |       |
| Total liabilities                                                     |       | 1,447.2     |       | 1,030.6          |       | 6,411.7           |       | (5,812.3         | )          | 3,077.2          |       |
| **EQUITY**                                                            |       |        |       |             |       |              |       |             |       |             |       |
| Rockwood Specialties Group, Inc. stockholder’s equity:      |       |        |       |             |       |              |       |             |       |             |       |
| Common stock                                                          |       | —      |       | 190.6            |       | 164.7             |       | (355.3           | )          | —           |       |
| Paid-in capital                                                       |       | 1,044.0     |       | 498.6            |       | 585.6             |       | (1,084.2         | )          | 1,044.0          |       |
| Accumulated other comprehensive income                                |       | 66.5        |       | 8.9              |       | 119.1             |       | —           |       | 194.5            |       |
| Retained earnings (deficit)                                           |       | 564.2       |       | (860.0           | )          | 293.7             |       | —           |       | (2.1             | )          |
| Total Rockwood Specialties Group, Inc. stockholder’s equity |       | 1,674.7     |       | (161.9           | )          | 1,163.1           |       | (1,439.5         | )          | 1,236.4          |       |
| Noncontrolling interest                                               |       | —      |       | —           |       | 307.4             |       | —           |       | 307.4            |       |
| Total equity                                                          |       | 1,674.7     |       | (161.9           | )          | 1,470.5           |       | (1,439.5         | )          | 1,543.8          |       |
| Total liabilities and equity                                          |       | $           | 3,121.9    |             | $          | 868.7             |       | $                | 7,882.2    |             | $          | (7,251.8 | ) | $ | 4,621.0 |   |

 

27

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**ROCKWOOD SPECIALTIES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES**

**CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET**

**DECEMBER 31, 2010**

**(Dollars in millions)**

 
| ** **                                                            | ** ** | **Parent**  | ** ** | **Guarantor**    | ** ** | **Non-Guarantor** | ** ** | ** **       | ** ** | ** **       | ** ** |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------|------------|-------------|------------|------------------|------------|-------------------|------------|------------------|------------|------------------|------------|
| ** **                                                            | ** ** | **Company** | ** ** | **Subsidiaries** | ** ** | **Subsidiaries**  | ** ** | **Eliminations** | ** ** | **Consolidated** | ** ** |
| **ASSETS**                                                            |       |        |       |             |       |              |       |             |       |             |       |
| Current assets:                                                       |       |        |       |             |       |              |       |             |       |             |       |
| Cash and cash equivalents                                             |       | $           | 1.5        |             | $          | 50.0              |       | $                | 251.7      |             | $          | — |   | $ | 303.2 |   |
| Accounts receivable, net                                              |       | —      |       | 72.2             |       | 364.6             |       | —           |       | 436.8            |       |
| Inventories                                                           |       | —      |       | 106.3            |       | 435.5             |       | —           |       | 541.8            |       |
| Deferred income taxes                                                 |       | 68.5        |       | 5.7              |       | 8.5               |       | —           |       | 82.7             |       |
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets                             |       | 3.2         |       | 14.4             |       | 61.5              |       | —           |       | 79.1             |       |
| Assets of discontinued operations                                     |       | —      |       | 65.6             |       | 88.5              |       | —           |       | 154.1            |       |
| Total current assets                                                  |       | 73.2        |       | 314.2            |       | 1,210.3           |       | —           |       | 1,597.7          |       |
| Property, plant and equipment, net                                    |       | —      |       | 228.6            |       | 1,338.3           |       | —           |       | 1,566.9          |       |
| Investment in subsidiary                                              |       | 1,355.8     |       | 91.0             |       | —            |       | (1,446.8         | )          | —           |       |
| Goodwill                                                              |       | —      |       | 17.9             |       | 859.2             |       | —           |       | 877.1            |       |
| Intergroup receivable                                                 |       | 1,855.6     |       | 183.7            |       | 3,812.3           |       | (5,851.6         | )          | —           |       |
| Other intangible assets, net                                          |       | —      |       | 79.7             |       | 507.9             |       | —           |       | 587.6            |       |
| Deferred debt issuance costs, net                                     |       | 1.5         |       | 3.4              |       | 12.3              |       | —           |       | 17.2             |       |
| Deferred income taxes                                                 |       | 6.8         |       | (0.9             | )          | 12.4              |       | —           |       | 18.3             |       |
| Other assets                                                          |       | —      |       | 1.0              |       | 37.5              |       | —           |       | 38.5             |       |
| Total assets                                                          |       | $           | 3,292.9    |             | $          | 918.6             |       | $                | 7,790.2    |             | $          | (7,298.4 | ) | $ | 4,703.3 |   |
| **LIABILITIES**                                                       |       |        |       |             |       |              |       |             |       |             |       |
| Current liabilities:                                                  |       |        |       |             |       |              |       |             |       |             |       |
| Accounts payable                                                      |       | $           | —     |             | $          | 35.0              |       | $                | 214.6      |             | $          | — |   | $ | 249.6 |   |
| Income taxes payable                                                  |       | —      |       | —           |       | 20.2              |       | —           |       | 20.2             |       |
| Accrued compensation                                                  |       | —      |       | 56.4             |       | 108.8             |       | —           |       | 165.2            |       |
| Accrued expenses and other current liabilities                        |       | 31.9        |       | 66.4             |       | 109.8             |       | —           |       | 208.1            |       |
| Deferred income taxes                                                 |       | —      |       | —           |       | 2.6               |       | —           |       | 2.6              |       |
| Long-term debt, current portion                                       |       | 375.1       |       | —           |       | 90.6              |       | —           |       | 465.7            |       |
| Liabilities of discontinued operations                                |       | —      |       | 15.9             |       | 11.7              |       | —           |       | 27.6             |       |
| Total current liabilities                                             |       | 407.0       |       | 173.7            |       | 558.3             |       | —           |       | 1,139.0          |       |
| Long-term debt                                                        |       | 1,380.4     |       | —           |       | 314.9             |       | —           |       | 1,695.3          |       |
| Pension and related liabilities                                       |       | —      |       | 13.6             |       | 386.0             |       | —           |       | 399.6            |       |
| Intergroup payable                                                    |       | 2.3         |       | 867.3            |       | 4,982.0           |       | (5,851.6         | )          | —           |       |
| Deferred income taxes                                                 |       | 13.5        |       | (4.4             | )          | 68.8              |       | —           |       | 77.9             |       |
| Other liabilities                                                     |       | 10.6        |       | 19.7             |       | 72.2              |       | —           |       | 102.5            |       |
| Total liabilities                                                     |       | 1,813.8     |       | 1,069.9          |       | 6,382.2           |       | (5,851.6         | )          | 3,414.3          |       |
| **EQUITY**                                                            |       |        |       |             |       |              |       |             |       |             |       |
| Rockwood Specialties Group, Inc. stockholder’s equity:      |       |        |       |             |       |              |       |             |       |             |       |
| Common stock                                                          |       | —      |       | 190.6            |       | 164.7             |       | (355.3           | )          | —           |       |
| Paid-in capital                                                       |       | 1,044.0     |       | 492.7            |       | 598.8             |       | (1,091.5         | )          | 1,044.0          |       |
| Accumulated other comprehensive income                                |       | 31.4        |       | 10.9             |       | 93.4              |       | —           |       | 135.7            |       |
| Retained earnings (deficit)                                           |       | 403.7       |       | (845.5           | )          | 261.7             |       | —           |       | (180.1           | )          |
| Total Rockwood Specialties Group, Inc. stockholder’s equity |       | 1,479.1     |       | (151.3           | )          | 1,118.6           |       | (1,446.8         | )          | 999.6            |       |
| Noncontrolling interest                                               |       | —      |       | —           |       | 289.4             |       | —           |       | 289.4            |       |
| Total equity                                                          |       | 1,479.1     |       | (151.3           | )          | 1,408.0           |       | (1,446.8         | )          | 1,289.0          |       |
| Total liabilities and equity                                          |       | $           | 3,292.9    |             | $          | 918.6             |       | $                | 7,790.2    |             | $          | (7,298.4 | ) | $ | 4,703.3 |   |

 

28

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**ROCKWOOD SPECIALTIES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES**

**CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS**

**THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2011**

**(Dollars in millions)**

 
| ** **                                                                                               | ** ** | **Parent**  | ** ** | **Guarantor**    | ** ** | **Non-Guarantor** | ** ** | ** **       | ** ** |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------|-------------|------------|------------------|------------|-------------------|------------|------------------|------------|
| ** **                                                                                               | ** ** | **Company** | ** ** | **Subsidiaries** | ** ** | **Subsidiaries**  | ** ** | **Consolidated** | ** ** |
| **CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:**                                                                |       |        |       |             |       |              |       |             |       |
| Net income (loss)                                                                                        |       | $           | 160.6      |             | $          | (14.5             | )          | $                | 42.0       |   | $ | 188.1 |   |
| Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used   in) operating activities:     |       |        |       |             |       |              |       |             |       |
| Income from discontinued operations, net of tax                                                          |       | —      |       | (0.2             | )          | —            |       | (0.2             | )          |
| (Gain) loss on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax                                               |       | (40.9       | )          | (103.2           | )          | 29.6              |       | (114.5           | )          |
| Depreciation and amortization                                                                            |       | —      |       | 11.6             |       | 53.8              |       | 65.4             |       |
| Deferred financing costs amortization                                                                    |       | 0.1         |       | 0.2              |       | 1.0               |       | 1.3              |       |
| Loss on early extinguishment/modification of debt                                                        |       | 1.0         |       | 4.9              |       | 10.3              |       | 16.2             |       |
| Foreign exchange (gain) loss on financing activities, net                                                |       | (3.7        | )          | 0.1              |       | 1.6               |       | (2.0             | )          |
| Fair value adjustment of derivatives                                                                     |       | (2.1        | )          | —           |       | (4.2              | )          | (6.3             | )          |
| Bad debt provision                                                                                       |       | —      |       | —           |       | 0.2               |       | 0.2              |       |
| Stock-based compensation                                                                                 |       | —      |       | 2.4              |       | 0.5               |       | 2.9              |       |
| Deferred income taxes                                                                                    |       | (0.9        | )          | 0.6              |       | 6.0               |       | 5.7              |       |
| Asset write-downs and other                                                                              |       | —      |       | —           |       | 0.1               |       | 0.1              |       |
| Changes in assets and liabilities, net of the effect of foreign currency   translation and acquisitions: |       |        |       |             |       |              |       |             |       |
| Accounts receivable                                                                                      |       | —      |       | (10.5            | )          | (73.9             | )          | (84.4            | )          |
| Inventories                                                                                              |       | —      |       | (3.7             | )          | (10.8             | )          | (14.5            | )          |
| Prepaid expenses and other assets                                                                        |       | (0.3        | )          | 4.2              |       | 8.0               |       | 11.9             |       |
| Accounts payable                                                                                         |       | —      |       | 4.4              |       | (11.8             | )          | (7.4             | )          |
| Income taxes payable                                                                                     |       | 3.4         |       | 0.2              |       | 13.5              |       | 17.1             |       |
| Accrued expenses and other liabilities                                                                   |       | (12.2       | )          | (12.2            | )          | 10.4              |       | (14.0            | )          |
| Intercompany operating activities, net                                                                   |       | (7.0        | )          | (0.1             | )          | 7.1               |       | —           |       |
| Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities of continuing   operations                           |       | 98.0        |       | (115.8           | )          | 83.4              |       | 65.6             |       |
| Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities of discontinued   operations                         |       | —      |       | (3.0             | )          | 1.2               |       | (1.8             | )          |
| **Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities**                                                  |       | 98.0        |       | (118.8           | )          | 84.6              |       | 63.8             |       |
| **CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:**                                                                |       |        |       |             |       |              |       |             |       |
| Capital expenditures                                                                                     |       | —      |       | (8.6             | )          | (45.6             | )          | (54.2            | )          |
| Proceeds on sale of assets                                                                               |       | —      |       | —           |       | 0.2               |       | 0.2              |       |
| Net cash used in investing activities of continuing operations                                           |       | —      |       | (8.6             | )          | (45.4             | )          | (54.0            | )          |
| Net cash provided by investing activities of discontinued operations,   representing net sale proceeds   |       | —      |       | 225.9            |       | 79.8              |       | 305.7            |       |
| **Net cash provided by investing activities**                                                            |       | —      |       | 217.3            |       | 34.4              |       | 251.7            |       |
| **CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:**                                                                |       |        |       |             |       |              |       |             |       |
| Prepayment of senior secured debt                                                                        |       | (375.4      | )          | —           |       | (33.5             | )          | (408.9           | )          |
| Repayment of senior secured debt                                                                         |       | (0.7        | )          | —           |       | (6.3              | )          | (7.0             | )          |
| Payments on other long-term debt                                                                         |       | —      |       | —           |       | (0.6              | )          | (0.6             | )          |
| Loan repayment to Viance noncontrolling shareholder                                                      |       | —      |       | —           |       | (2.0              | )          | (2.0             | )          |
| Deferred financing costs                                                                                 |       | (5.3        | )          | —           |       | —            |       | (5.3             | )          |
| Fees related to early extinguishment/modification of debt                                                |       | (12.1       | )          | —           |       | —            |       | (12.1            | )          |
| Distribution to noncontrolling shareholder                                                               |       | —      |       | —           |       | (0.5              | )          | (0.5             | )          |
| Intercompany financing related activity                                                                  |       | 231.0       |       | (94.3            | )          | (136.7            | )          | —           |       |
| **Net cash used in financing activities**                                                                |       | (162.5      | )          | (94.3            | )          | (179.6            | )          | (436.4           | )          |
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents                                             |       | (2.1        | )          | —           |       | (9.1              | )          | (11.2            | )          |
| Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents                                                     |       | (1.5        | )          | 4.2              |       | (134.8            | )          | (132.1           | )          |
| Less net decrease in cash and cash equivalents from discontinued   operations                            |       | —      |       | (2.5             | )          | (14.1             | )          | (16.6            | )          |
| (Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents from continuing   operations                            |       | (1.5        | )          | 6.7              |       | (120.7            | )          | (115.5           | )          |
| Cash and cash equivalents of continuing operations, beginning of period                                  |       | 1.5         |       | 50.0             |       | 251.7             |       | 303.2            |       |
| Cash and cash equivalents of continuing operations, end of period                                        |       | $           | —     |             | $          | 56.7              |       | $                | 131.0      |   | $ | 187.7 |   |

 

29

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**ROCKWOOD SPECIALTIES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES**

**CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS**

**THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2010**

**(Dollars in millions)**

 
| ** **                                                                                               | ** ** | **Parent**  | ** ** | **Guarantor**    | ** ** | **Non-Guarantor** | ** ** | ** **       | ** ** |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------|-------------|------------|------------------|------------|-------------------|------------|------------------|------------|
| ** **                                                                                               | ** ** | **Company** | ** ** | **Subsidiaries** | ** ** | **Subsidiaries**  | ** ** | **Consolidated** | ** ** |
| **CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING   ACTIVITIES:**                                                              |       |        |       |             |       |              |       |             |       |
| Net income (loss)                                                                                        |       | $           | 5.6        |             | $          | (5.5              | )          | $                | 36.6       |   | $ | 36.7 |   |
| Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net   cash provided by operating activities:               |       |        |       |             |       |              |       |             |       |
| Income from discontinued operations, net of tax                                                          |       | —      |       | (3.6             | )          | (1.0              | )          | (4.6             | )          |
| Depreciation and amortization                                                                            |       | —      |       | 12.5             |       | 52.7              |       | 65.2             |       |
| Deferred financing costs amortization                                                                    |       | 0.1         |       | 0.3              |       | 1.2               |       | 1.6              |       |
| Foreign exchange (gain) loss on financing   activities, net                                              |       | (1.4        | )          | 0.3              |       | 0.8               |       | (0.3             | )          |
| Fair value adjustment of derivatives                                                                     |       | —      |       | —           |       | (2.1              | )          | (2.1             | )          |
| Bad debt provision                                                                                       |       | —      |       | (0.1             | )          | (0.4              | )          | (0.5             | )          |
| Stock-based compensation                                                                                 |       | —      |       | 1.8              |       | 0.8               |       | 2.6              |       |
| Deferred income taxes                                                                                    |       | —      |       | 0.5              |       | 3.8               |       | 4.3              |       |
| Asset write-downs and other                                                                              |       | —      |       | —           |       | 1.8               |       | 1.8              |       |
| Changes in assets and liabilities, net of the   effect of foreign currency translation and acquisitions: |       |        |       |             |       |              |       |             |       |
| Accounts receivable                                                                                      |       | —      |       | (18.3            | )          | (37.6             | )          | (55.9            | )          |
| Inventories                                                                                              |       | —      |       | (1.1             | )          | (9.1              | )          | (10.2            | )          |
| Prepaid expenses and other assets                                                                        |       | —      |       | 8.0              |       | (9.6              | )          | (1.6             | )          |
| Accounts payable                                                                                         |       | —      |       | 0.7              |       | (15.0             | )          | (14.3            | )          |
| Income taxes payable                                                                                     |       | 0.2         |       | 0.2              |       | 2.3               |       | 2.7              |       |
| Accrued expenses and other liabilities                                                                   |       | 9.4         |       | 9.0              |       | 23.4              |       | 41.8             |       |
| Intercompany operating activities, net                                                                   |       | (1.9        | )          | (4.1             | )          | 6.0               |       | —           |       |
| Net cash provided by operating activities of   continuing operations                                     |       | 12.0        |       | 0.6              |       | 54.6              |       | 67.2             |       |
| Net cash provided by operating activities of   discontinued operations                                   |       | —      |       | 0.6              |       | 1.1               |       | 1.7              |       |
| **Net cash provided by operating   activities**                                                          |       | 12.0        |       | 1.2              |       | 55.7              |       | 68.9             |       |
| **CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING   ACTIVITIES:**                                                              |       |        |       |             |       |              |       |             |       |
| Acquisitions, including transaction fees and   payments for prior acquisitions, net of cash acquired     |       | —      |       | —           |       | (1.2              | )          | (1.2             | )          |
| Capital expenditures                                                                                     |       | —      |       | (3.2             | )          | (31.1             | )          | (34.3            | )          |
| Proceeds on sale of assets                                                                               |       | —      |       | —           |       | 0.1               |       | 0.1              |       |
| Net cash used in investing activities of   continuing operations                                         |       | —      |       | (3.2             | )          | (32.2             | )          | (35.4            | )          |
| Net cash used in investing activities of   discontinued operations                                       |       | —      |       | (0.6             | )          | (0.3              | )          | (0.9             | )          |
| **Net cash used in investing   activities**                                                              |       | —      |       | (3.8             | )          | (32.5             | )          | (36.3            | )          |
| **CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING   ACTIVITIES:**                                                              |       |        |       |             |       |              |       |             |       |
| Repayment of Titanium Dioxide Pigments revolving   credit facility                                       |       | —      |       | —           |       | (14.3             | )          | (14.3            | )          |
| Repayment of senior secured debt                                                                         |       | (7.8        | )          | —           |       | (5.1              | )          | (12.9            | )          |
| Payments on other long-term debt                                                                         |       | —      |       | —           |       | (1.1              | )          | (1.1             | )          |
| Deferred financing costs                                                                                 |       | (0.3        | )          | —           |       | —            |       | (0.3             | )          |
| Intercompany financing related activity                                                                  |       | 20.7        |       | (31.6            | )          | 10.9              |       | —           |       |
| **Net cash provided by (used in)   financing activities**                                                |       | 12.6        |       | (31.6            | )          | (9.6              | )          | (28.6            | )          |
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash   equivalents                                           |       | (0.1        | )          | (0.3             | )          | 5.3               |       | 4.9              |       |
| Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash   equivalents                                                   |       | 24.5        |       | (34.5            | )          | 18.9              |       | 8.9              |       |
| Less increase in cash and cash equivalents from   discontinued operations                                |       | —      |       | —           |       | 0.8               |       | 0.8              |       |
| Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents   from continuing operations                            |       | 24.5        |       | (34.5            | )          | 18.1              |       | 8.1              |       |
| Cash and cash equivalents of continuing   operations, beginning of period                                |       | 19.8        |       | 37.8             |       | 228.6             |       | 286.2            |       |
| Cash and cash equivalents of continuing   operations, end of period                                      |       | $           | 44.3       |             | $          | 3.3               |       | $                | 246.7      |   | $ | 294.3 |   |

 

30

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**Item 2.     Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.**

 

*In January 2011, we completed the sale of our plastic compounding business. As a result, our consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to reflect these businesses as discontinued operations for all periods presented. See Note 3, “Discontinued Operations,” for further details.*

 

*The following discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve numerous risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements as a result of these risks and uncertainties, including those set forth “Forward-Looking Statements” at the end of this Management Discussion and Analysis section and the risk factors section of the Company’s 2010 Form 10-K. You should read the following discussion and analysis together with our condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes to those statements that appear elsewhere in this Quarterly Report.*

 

*Unless otherwise noted, all balance sheet items as of March 31, 2011 which are denominated in Euros are translated at the March 31, 2011 exchange rate of €1.00 = $1.4158.*

 

**General**

 

We are a global developer, manufacturer and marketer of technologically advanced, high value-added specialty chemicals and advanced materials. We serve more than 60,000 customers across a wide variety of industries and geographic areas. We operate through four business segments: (1) Specialty Chemicals; (2) Performance Additives; (3) Titanium Dioxide Pigments; and (4) Advanced Ceramics.

 

Our net sales consist of sales of our products, net of sales discounts, product returns and allowances. In addition, net sales include shipping and handling costs billed to customers. Sales are primarily made on a purchase order basis.

 

Our cost of products sold consists of variable and fixed components. Our variable costs are proportional to volume and consist principally of raw materials, packaging and related supplies, certain energy costs, and certain distribution costs including inbound, outbound, and internal shipping and transfer costs. Our fixed costs are not significantly impacted by production volume and consist principally of certain fixed manufacturing costs and other distribution network costs, including warehousing. Fixed manufacturing costs comprise headcount-related costs and overhead, including depreciation, periodic maintenance costs, purchasing and receiving costs, inspection costs and certain energy costs.

 

Our selling, general and administrative expenses include research and development costs, sales and marketing, divisional management expenses and corporate services including cash management, legal, benefit plan administration and other administrative and professional services.

 

We are focused on growth, productivity, cost reduction, margin expansion, divestment of non-core businesses, debt reduction and bolt-on acquisitions. In connection with this focus, among other things:

 

·             In January 2011, we completed the sale of our plastic compounding business; and

 

·             In February 2011, we refinanced $850.0 million and repaid $408.9 million of our senior secured term loans.

 

**Factors Which Affect Our Results of Operations**

 

**Our Markets**

 

Because the businesses in our segments generally serve many unrelated end-use markets, we discuss the principal market conditions on a segment basis rather than a consolidated basis. The principal market conditions in our segments and regions in which we operate that impacted our results of operations during the periods presented include the following:

 

***Specialty Chemicals***

 

·             Demand for Surface Treatment products in our Specialty Chemicals segment generally follows the activity levels of metal processing manufacturers, including the automotive supply, steel and aerospace industries. In 2010, net sales were up from higher volumes in all markets. In the first quarter of 2011, net sales were up from higher volumes in all markets, particularly automotive and general industrial, as well as increased selling prices. Net sales growth is expected to continue throughout the remainder of the year primarily from higher volumes across most markets.

 

31

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·             Demand for our lithium carbonate products in the Fine Chemicals business line of our Specialty Chemicals segment is generally driven by demand in industrial applications, the aluminum business, the battery industry, glass ceramics, cement and the general demand in China. Sales of lithium products specifically used in life science applications depend on the trends in drug development and growth in pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals markets, as well as generic competition. Results in 2010 were higher primarily from increased volumes of lithium products and metal sulfide applications, partially offset by lower selling prices of potash and lithium carbonate. In the first quarter of 2011, results were up primarily from increased volumes of lithium products, as well as higher selling prices of metal sulfide applications, partially offset by higher raw material costs of metal sulfides. Net sales growth is expected to continue throughout the remainder of the year primarily from higher volumes in lithium and metal sulfide applications.

 

***Performance Additives***

 

·            Generally, a trend towards the increased use of colored concrete products in the construction market has historically had a positive effect on our Color Pigments and Services business line. However, a general slowdown in the construction market has negatively impacted construction sales. North American construction volumes were lower in 2010 and continued to be lower in the first quarter of 2011. A continued slowdown in the North American construction industry could continue to have a negative impact on our results throughout the remainder of the year. European volumes in 2010 were comparable to the same period in the prior year and were up in the first quarter of 2011. Volumes of coatings products and specialty applications were up in 2010 and continued to increase in the first quarter of 2011.

 

·            Demand for our wood protection products, in particular alkaline copper quaternary, or ACQ, is generally driven by both repair and remodeling, as well as new construction. The market position of ACQ was negatively impacted in 2010 by a general slowdown in the construction markets, some customer shifts to substitute products and the use of wood substitutes. A continued slowdown in the construction industry, as well as higher copper costs, had a negative impact on our results in the first quarter of 2011 and could continue to have a negative impact throughout the remainder of the year.

 

·            In the Clay-based Additives business, higher volumes in most markets, particularly oilfield, had a favorable impact on results in 2010. In the first quarter of 2011, higher volumes continued in most markets, particularly composites, coatings and inks and oilfield. We expect net sales growth to continue throughout the remainder of the year primarily from higher volumes in most market segments.

 

***Titanium Dioxide Pigments***

 

·            Demand for our titanium dioxide products in anatase grade is driven mainly by demand in the synthetic fiber industry, while demand for titanium dioxide products in rutile grade and our functional additives is driven by demand in the coatings, printing inks, construction, cosmetics, pharmaceutical, food, paper and plastics industries. Market conditions, including pricing pressure and industry overcapacity, have negatively impacted this segment in the past. However, this trend has changed as prices are increasing as a result of current undercapacity in this industry. In 2010, higher volumes, as well as selling price increases, of both rutile and anatase applications had a favorable impact on results. Higher selling prices, as well as a favorable product mix, had a favorable impact on results in the first quarter of 2011. We expect sales to continue to be higher throughout the remainder of the year primarily from higher selling prices.

 

·            Our functional additives sales were up in 2010 and the first quarter of 2011 as higher volumes, as well as selling price increases, had a favorable impact on results. Net sales of functional additives applications are expected to be comparable to the prior year throughout the remainder of the year.

 

***Advanced Ceramics***

 

·            Demand for our ceramic medical devices is mainly tied to the aging population in Europe and the United States. Sales of our medical device applications increased in 2010 and the first quarter of 2011 on higher volumes. We expect this growth to continue throughout the remainder of the year.

 

·            Sales of all product applications, including cutting tools, mechanical systems and applications, electronic applications and multi-functional applications, were up in 2010 and the first quarter of 2011 on higher volumes. We expect sales for cutting tools, mechanical systems and applications and electronic applications to be higher throughout the remainder of the year on higher volumes.

 

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**Global Exposure**

 

We operate a geographically diverse business, with 54% of our net sales in 2010 generated from shipments to customers in Europe, 24% to North America (predominantly the United States) and 22% to the rest of the world. For a geographic description of the origin of our net sales and location of our long-lived assets, see Note 3, “Segment Information” in our 2010 Form 10-K.

 

We have sold to customers in more than 60 countries during this period. Currently, we serve our diverse and extensive customer base with 81 manufacturing facilities in 23 countries. Consequently, we are exposed to global economic and political changes, particularly currency fluctuations that could impact our profitability and demand for our products.

 

Our sales and production costs are mainly denominated in U.S. dollars or Euros. Our results of operations and financial condition have been historically impacted by the fluctuation of the euro against our reporting currency, the U.S. dollar. For the three months ended March 31, 2011, the average exchange rate of the euro against the U.S. dollar was slightly lower compared to the same period in 2010. Historically, however, our operating margins have not been significantly impacted by currency fluctuations because, in general, sales and costs of products sold are generated or incurred in the same currency, subject to certain exceptions.

 

**Raw Materials**

 

Raw materials constituted approximately 46% of our 2010 cost of products sold. We have a broad raw material base, with the cost of no single raw material representing more than 3% of our cost of products sold in 2010. Nonetheless, the significant price fluctuations our raw materials have experienced in the past during periods of high demand have had an adverse impact on our results of operations. In 2010 and the first quarter of 2011, higher raw material costs were reported in a number of businesses. For example, we experienced higher prices for copper used in the Timber Treatment Chemicals business of our Performance Additives segment in 2010 and the first quarter of 2011. We cannot accurately predict the impact of any future price increases for raw materials or any raw material shortages on our business as a whole or in specific geographic regions. In addition, we may not be able to pass on raw material price increases to our customers. See details of our ten most significant raw materials (in terms of dollars) in Item 1, “Business — Raw Materials” in our 2010 Form 10-K.

 

**Energy Costs**

 

In 2010, energy purchases represented approximately 9% of our cost of products sold. However, within certain business lines, such as our Titanium Dioxide Pigments segment and the Color Pigments and Services and Clay-based Additives businesses of our Performance Additives segment, energy costs are more significant. Energy costs in 2010 were basically flat versus the prior year, but were up slightly in the first quarter of 2011. The cost of products sold for certain of our businesses, including Color Pigments and Services and Clay-based Additives, increases when the price of natural gas in North America rises. However, natural gas prices in North America declined in 2010. Natural gas prices in Europe, where our Titanium Dioxide Pigments segment is located, were up in 2010 and in the first quarter of 2011.

 

**Income Taxes**

 

We recorded an income tax provision of $28.8 million in the first quarter of 2011 on income from continuing operations before taxes of $102.2 million. The income tax provision in the first quarter of 2011 was favorably impacted by a beneficial foreign earnings mix.

 

In the first quarter of 2011, the worldwide valuation allowance decreased by $2.8 million to $78.6 million. This was primarily due to a $9.6 million decrease related to discontinued operations resulting from the sale of the plastic compounding business, offset by an increase of $4.3 million related to other deferred tax assets (primarily in other comprehensive income) and a $2.5 million increase which impacted the tax provision.

 

**Special Charges and Credits**

 

During the periods presented, we incurred certain special charges that included, systems/organization establishment expenses, restructuring and other severance costs, foreign exchange gains and losses, asset write-downs and other and a loss on early extinguishment/modification of debt. See “Items excluded from Adjusted EBITDA” section in Note 4, “Segment Information,” for a discussion of special charges and credits recorded in the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010.

 

**Special Note Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures**

 

A non-GAAP financial measure is generally defined by the SEC as one that purports to measure historical or future financial performance, financial position or cash flows but excludes or includes amounts that would not be so adjusted in the most comparable 

 

33

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U.S. GAAP measure. From time to time in this management’s discussion and analysis, we disclose non-GAAP financial measures, primarily Adjusted EBITDA, as defined below.

 

**Definition of Adjusted EBITDA**

 

The presentation of consolidated Adjusted EBITDA contained in this report is calculated using the definition set forth in the senior secured credit agreement as a basis and reflects management’s interpretations thereof. Adjusted EBITDA, which is referred to under the senior secured credit agreement as “Consolidated EBITDA,” is defined in the senior secured credit agreement as consolidated earnings (which, as defined in the senior secured credit agreement, equals income (loss) before the deduction of income taxes of Rockwood Specialties Group, Inc. and the Restricted Subsidiaries (as such term is defined in the senior secured credit agreement), excluding extraordinary items) plus:

 

·             interest expense;

·             depreciation expense;

·             amortization expense, including amortization of deferred financing fees;

·             extraordinary losses and non-recurring charges;

·             non-cash charges;

·             losses on asset sales;

·             restructuring charges or reserves (including severance, relocation costs and one-time compensation charges and costs relating to the closure of facilities);

·             expenses paid by us or any of our subsidiaries in connection with the Dynamit Nobel Acquisition, the senior secured credit agreement, the granting of liens under the security documents (as such term is defined in the senior secured credit agreement), the indenture governing the 2014 Notes and the offering of the 2014 Notes and any other related transactions;

·             any expenses or charges incurred in connection with any issuance of debt or equity securities;

·             any fees and expenses related to permitted acquisitions;

·             any deduction for noncontrolling interest expense; and

·             items arising in connection with CCA litigation related to our Timber Treatment Chemicals business of our Performance Additives segment;

 

less:

 

·             extraordinary gains and non-recurring gains;

·             non-cash gains; and

·             gains on asset sales,

 

in all cases, subject to certain exclusions.

 

For presentation purposes within this report, we use the computation set forth in our senior secured credit agreement as a basis which reflects management’s interpretations thereof. Management has determined that stock-based compensation costs, which are non-cash charges, will not be an adjustment in calculating Adjusted EBITDA as these costs will be an ongoing recurring cost to the Company. These costs are recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Specifically, the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA according to the indenture underlying our 2014 Notes and the facility agreement governing our Titanium Dioxide Pigments venture excludes certain adjustments prescribed within the senior secured credit agreement. Given that borrowings under the senior secured credit agreement are secured by most of our assets and given that the calculation does not materially differ from the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA for performance measurement purposes, we believe this is the most appropriate computation of Adjusted EBITDA to present.

 

**Management’s Uses**

 

We use Adjusted EBITDA on a consolidated basis to assess our operating performance. We believe this financial measure on a consolidated basis is helpful in highlighting trends in our overall business because the items excluded in calculating Adjusted EBITDA have been deemed by management to have little or no bearing on our day-to-day operating performance. It is also the most significant criterion in our calculation of performance-based cash bonuses and our determination of whether certain performance-based stock options and restricted stock units vest, all of which are tied to Adjusted EBITDA targets.

 

We also use Adjusted EBITDA on a consolidated basis as a liquidity measure. We believe this financial measure on a consolidated basis is important in analyzing our liquidity because our senior secured credit agreement and indenture governing the 2014 Notes contain financial covenants that are determined based on Adjusted EBITDA. These covenants are material terms of these agreements,

 

34

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because they govern substantially all of our long-term debt, which in turn represents a substantial portion of our capitalization. Non-compliance with these financial covenants under our senior secured credit facilities—our maximum total leverage ratio and our minimum interest coverage ratio, in particular—could result in the lenders requiring us to immediately repay all amounts borrowed. Any such acceleration could also lead to the noteholders accelerating the maturity of the 2014 Notes. In addition, if we cannot satisfy these financial covenants in the indenture governing the 2014 Notes, we cannot engage in certain activities, such as incurring additional indebtedness or making certain payments. Consequently, Adjusted EBITDA is critical to our assessment of our liquidity.

 

We also use Adjusted EBITDA on a segment basis as the primary measure used by our chief operating decision maker, our Chief Executive Officer, to evaluate the ongoing performance of our business segments and reporting units. On a segment basis, we define Adjusted EBITDA as operating income excluding depreciation and amortization, certain non-cash gains and charges, certain other special gains and charges determined by our senior management to be non-recurring gains and charges and certain items deemed by our senior management to have little or no bearing on the day-to-day operating performance of our business segments and reporting units. The adjustments made to operating income directly correlate with the adjustments to net income in calculating Adjusted EBITDA on a consolidated basis pursuant to the senior secured credit agreement, which reflects management’s interpretations thereof.

 

**Limitations**

 

Adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool, and should not be viewed in isolation and is not a substitute for U.S. GAAP measures of earnings and cash flows. Material limitations associated with making the adjustments to our earnings and cash flows to calculate Adjusted EBITDA, and using this non-GAAP financial measure as compared to the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measures, include:

 

·            the cash portion of interest expense, net, income tax provision (benefit), and restructuring as well as non-recurring charges related to securities issuance, acquisition activities, and systems/organization establishment, generally represent charges (gains) which may significantly affect funds available for use in our operating, investing and financing activities;

 

·            non-operating foreign exchange gains (losses), although not immediately affecting cash used in investing activities, may affect the amount of funds needed to service our debt if those currency impacts remain in place as we meet our future principal repayment obligations; and

 

·            depreciation, amortization, non-cash (gains) charges and impairment charges, though not directly affecting our current cash position, represent the wear and tear and/or reduction in value of the plant, equipment and intangible assets which permit us to manufacture and/or market our products; these items may be indicative of future needs for capital expenditures, for development or acquisition of intangible assets or relevant trends causing asset value changes.

 

An investor or potential investor may find any one or all of these items important in evaluating our performance, results of operations, financial position and liquidity. Management compensates for the limitations of using non-GAAP financial measures by using them only to supplement our U.S. GAAP results to provide a more complete understanding of the factors and trends affecting our business. Adjusted EBITDA is not an alternative to net income or income from continuing operations before taxes or operating income or cash flows from operating activities as calculated and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. You should not rely on Adjusted EBITDA as a substitute for any such U.S. GAAP financial measures. We strongly urge you to review the reconciliations of Adjusted EBITDA to U.S. GAAP financial measures and other financial information, in each case included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report. We also strongly urge you not to rely on any single financial measure to evaluate our business. Our measure of Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to those of other companies.

 

**Results of Operations**

 

**Actual Results of Operations**

 

The following table presents the major components of our operations on an actual basis and Adjusted EBITDA (the reconciliation to net income is set forth in—Reconciliation of Net Income Attributable to Rockwood Specialties Group, Inc. to Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010), including as a percentage of net sales, for the periods presented. See Note 4, “Segment Information,” for segment information and a reconciliation to income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes to Adjusted EBITDA on a segment basis.

 

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| ** **                                                       | ** ** | **Three months ended** | ** ** |
|------------------------------------------------------------------|------------|----------------------------------|------------|
| ** **                                                       | ** ** | **March 31,**               | ** ** |
| **($ in millions)**                                    | ** ** | **2011**                         | ** ** | **2010** | ** ** |
| **Statement of operations data:**                                |       |                             |       |   |   |
| **Net sales:**                                                   |       |                             |       |   |   |
| Specialty Chemicals                                              |       | $                                | 333.3      |   | $ | 289.6 |   |
| Performance Additives                                            |       | 192.8                            |       | 177.2 |   |
| Titanium Dioxide Pigments                                        |       | 226.6                            |       | 181.1 |   |
| Advanced Ceramics                                                |       | 154.1                            |       | 124.7 |   |
| Corporate and other                                              |       | 7.2                              |       | 5.8 |   |
| Total net sales                                                  |       | 914.0                            |       | 778.4 |   |
|                                                             |       |                             |       |   |   |
| Gross profit                                                     |       | 321.1                            |       | 255.9 |   |
|                                                             |       | 35.1                             | %          | 32.9 | % |
| Selling, general and administrative expenses                     |       | 180.6                            |       | 164.9 |   |
|                                                             |       | 19.8                             | %          | 21.2 | % |
| Restructuring and other severance costs                          |       | 1.0                              |       | 0.4 |   |
| Asset write-downs and other                                      |       | 0.1                              |       | 1.8 |   |
| **Operating income (loss):**                                     |       |                             |       |   |   |
| Specialty Chemicals                                              |       | 66.2                             |       | 55.1 |   |
|                                                             |       | 19.9                             | %          | 19.0 | % |
| Performance Additives                                            |       | 20.3                             |       | 12.3 |   |
|                                                             |       | 10.5                             | %          | 6.9 | % |
| Titanium Dioxide Pigments                                        |       | 37.6                             |       | 12.8 |   |
|                                                             |       | 16.6                             | %          | 7.1 | % |
| Advanced Ceramics                                                |       | 34.9                             |       | 24.3 |   |
|                                                             |       | 22.6                             | %          | 19.5 | % |
| Corporate and other                                              |       | (19.6                            | )          | (15.7 | ) |
| Total operating income (loss)                                    |       | 139.4                            |       | 88.8 |   |
| **Other expenses, net:**                                         |       |                             |       |   |   |
| Interest expense, net                                            |       | (23.0                            | )          | (41.8 | ) |
| Loss on early extinguishment/modification of debt                |       | (16.2                            | )          | — |   |
| Foreign exchange gain on financing activities, net               |       | 2.0                              |       | 0.3 |   |
| Other, net                                                       |       | —                           |       | 0.5 |   |
| Other expenses, net                                              |       | (37.2                            | )          | (41.0 | ) |
| Income from continuing operations before taxes                   |       | 102.2                            |       | 47.8 |   |
| Income tax provision                                             |       | 28.8                             |       | 15.7 |   |
| Income from continuing operations                                |       | 73.4                             |       | 32.1 |   |
| Income from discontinued operations, net of tax                  |       | 0.2                              |       | 4.6 |   |
| Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax              |       | 114.5                            |       | — |   |
| Net income                                                       |       | 188.1                            |       | 36.7 |   |
| Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest        |       | (10.1                            | )          | 0.2 |   |
| Net income attributable to Rockwood Specialties Group, Inc. |       | $                                | 178.0      |   | $ | 36.9 |   |
| **Adjusted EBITDA:**                                             |       |                             |       |   |   |
| Specialty Chemicals                                              |       | $                                | 86.9       |   | $ | 73.8 |   |
|                                                             |       | 26.1                             | %          | 25.5 | % |
| Performance Additives                                            |       | 34.9                             |       | 29.5 |   |
|                                                             |       | 18.1                             | %          | 16.6 | % |
| Titanium Dioxide Pigments                                        |       | 54.7                             |       | 30.7 |   |
|                                                             |       | 24.1                             | %          | 17.0 | % |
| Advanced Ceramics                                                |       | 48.3                             |       | 37.0 |   |
|                                                             |       | 31.3                             | %          | 29.7 | % |
| Corporate and other                                              |       | (18.2                            | )          | (14.1 | ) |
| Total Adjusted EBITDA                                            |       | $                                | 206.6      |   | $ | 156.9 |   |

 

36

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The following table presents the changes in the major components of our operations on a historical basis in dollars and percentages:

 
| ** **                                                       | ** ** | **Change: Three months ended March 31, 2011 versus 2010** | ** ** |
|------------------------------------------------------------------|------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------|
| ** **                                                       | ** ** | ** **                                                                                        | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** | **Constant** | ** ** | **Constant** | ** ** |
| ** **                                                       | ** ** | ** **                                                                                        | ** ** | **%** | ** ** | **Currency** | ** ** | **Currency** | ** ** |
| **($ in millions)**                                    | ** ** | **Total**                                                                                         | ** ** | **Change** | ** ** | **Effect (a)** | ** ** | **Basis** | ** ** |
| **Statement of operations data:**                                |       |                                                                                              |       |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| **Net sales:**                                                   |       |                                                                                              |       |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Specialty Chemicals                                              |       | $                                                                                                 | 43.7       |   | 15.1 | % | $ | 2.7 |   | $ | 41.0 |   |
| Performance Additives                                            |       | 15.6                                                                                              |       | 8.8 |   | 1.0 |   | 14.6 |   |
| Titanium Dioxide Pigments                                        |       | 45.5                                                                                              |       | 25.1 |   | (2.4 | ) | 47.9 |   |
| Advanced Ceramics                                                |       | 29.4                                                                                              |       | 23.6 |   | (0.8 | ) | 30.2 |   |
| Corporate and other                                              |       | 1.4                                                                                               |       | 24.1 |   | (0.1 | ) | 1.5 |   |
| Total net sales                                                  |       | 135.6                                                                                             |       | 17.4 |   | 0.4 |   | 135.2 |   |
|                                                             |       |                                                                                              |       |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Gross profit                                                     |       | 65.2                                                                                              |       | 25.5 |   | 0.2 |   | 65.0 |   |
|                                                             |       |                                                                                              |       |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Selling, general and administrative expenses                     |       | 15.7                                                                                              |       | 9.5 |   | (0.3 | ) | 16.0 |   |
| Restructuring and other severance costs                          |       | 0.6                                                                                               |       |   |   |   |   | 0.6 |   |
| Asset write-downs and other                                      |       | (1.7                                                                                              | )          |   |   |   |   | (1.7 | ) |
| Total operating expenses                                         |       | 14.6                                                                                              |       | 8.7 |   | (0.3 | ) | 14.9 |   |
| **Operating income (loss):**                                     |       |                                                                                              |       |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Specialty Chemicals                                              |       | 11.1                                                                                              |       | 20.1 |   | 0.7 |   | 10.4 |   |
| Performance Additives                                            |       | 8.0                                                                                               |       | 65.0 |   | 0.2 |   | 7.8 |   |
| Titanium Dioxide Pigments                                        |       | 24.8                                                                                              |       | 193.8 |   | (0.2 | ) | 25.0 |   |
| Advanced Ceramics                                                |       | 10.6                                                                                              |       | 43.6 |   | (0.2 | ) | 10.8 |   |
| Corporate and other                                              |       | (3.9                                                                                              | )          | (24.8 | ) | — |   | (3.9 | ) |
| Total                                                            |       | 50.6                                                                                              |       | 57.0 |   | 0.5 |   | 50.1 |   |
| **Other expenses, net:**                                         |       |                                                                                              |       |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Interest expense, net                                            |       | 18.8                                                                                              |       | (45.0 | ) | 0.1 |   | 18.7 |   |
| Loss on early extinguishment/modification of debt                |       | (16.2                                                                                             | )          |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Foreign exchange gain on financing activities, net               |       | 1.7                                                                                               |       |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Other, net                                                       |       | (0.5                                                                                              | )          |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Other expenses, net                                              |       | 3.8                                                                                               |       |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| **Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes**        |       |                                                                                              |       |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Specialty Chemicals                                              |       | 9.2                                                                                               |       |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Performance Additives                                            |       | 10.5                                                                                              |       |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Titanium Dioxide Pigments                                        |       | 30.5                                                                                              |       |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Advanced Ceramics                                                |       | 8.1                                                                                               |       |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Corporate and other                                              |       | (3.9                                                                                              | )          |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Total                                                            |       | 54.4                                                                                              |       |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Income tax provision                                             |       | 13.1                                                                                              |       |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Income from continuing operations                                |       | 41.3                                                                                              |       |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Income from discontinued operations, net of tax                  |       | (4.4                                                                                              | )          |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax              |       | 114.5                                                                                             |       |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Net income                                                       |       | 151.4                                                                                             |       |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest        |       | (10.3                                                                                             | )          |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Net income attributable to Rockwood Specialties Group, Inc. |       | $                                                                                                 | 141.1      |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| **Adjusted EBITDA:**                                             |       |                                                                                              |       |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Specialty Chemicals                                              |       | $                                                                                                 | 13.1       |   | 17.8 | % | $ | 0.4 |   | $ | 12.7 |   |
| Performance Additives                                            |       | 5.4                                                                                               |       | 18.3 |   | 0.2 |   | 5.2 |   |
| Titanium Dioxide Pigments                                        |       | 24.0                                                                                              |       | 78.2 |   | (0.4 | ) | 24.4 |   |
| Advanced Ceramics                                                |       | 11.3                                                                                              |       | 30.5 |   | (0.2 | ) | 11.5 |   |
| Corporate and other                                              |       | (4.1                                                                                              | )          | (29.1 | ) | — |   | (4.1 | ) |
| Total Adjusted EBITDA                                            |       | $                                                                                                 | 49.7       |   | 31.7 | % | $ | — |   | $ | 49.7 |   |

 

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(a)                The constant currency effect is the translation impact calculated based on the change in the applicable rate, primarily the Euro, to the U.S. dollar exchange rate for the applicable period.

 

37

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***Three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to three months ended March 31, 2010***

 

**Overview**

 

Net sales increased $135.6 million, or 17.4%, over the prior year primarily due to higher volumes in all segments, as well as increased selling prices to offset raw material and other cost increases. See further discussion by segment below.

 

Operating income and Adjusted EBITDA increased over the prior year primarily due to higher sales volumes, as well as increased selling prices. This was partially offset by higher raw material, production and maintenance costs, as well as higher selling, general and administrative costs.

 

Net income from continuing operations increased $41.3 million to $73.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared with the same period in the prior year primarily due to the reasons noted above and lower interest expense, partially offset by a charge of $16.2 million recorded in the first quarter of 2011 related to the refinancing and repayment of our senior secured term loans in February 2011.

 

Income from discontinued operations, net of tax, of $0.2 million and $4.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, relates to the plastic compounding business that was sold on January 7, 2011.

 

The gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax, of $114.5 million recorded in the three months ended March 31, 2011 is related to the sale of the plastic compounding business in January 2011.

 

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest of $10.1 million was recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to a net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest of $0.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010. The change from the prior year was primarily related to higher earnings in the Titanium Dioxide Pigments venture in the first quarter of 2011.

 

Net income attributable to Rockwood Specialties Group, Inc. increased $141.1 million to $178.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared with the same period in the prior year due to the reasons noted above.

 

**Net sales**

 

*Specialty Chemicals*.  Net sales increased $43.7 million, or 15.1%, over the prior year primarily due to higher sales volumes, as well increased selling prices to offset higher raw material costs. Currency changes of $2.7 million also had a favorable impact on net sales. In the Fine Chemicals business, net sales were up on higher volumes of lithium products, as well as increased selling prices of metal sulfides applications. Net sales in the Surface Treatment business were up on increased volumes in most markets, particularly in automotive and general industrial, as well as increased selling prices.

 

*Performance Additives*.  Net sales increased $15.6 million, or 8.8%, over the prior year primarily due to increased selling prices to offset higher raw material costs, as well as higher volumes of most applications in our Clay-based Additives and Color Pigments and Services businesses.

 

*Titanium Dioxide Pigments*.  Net sales increased $45.5 million, or 25.1%, over the prior year primarily from higher selling prices, as well as a favorable product mix. This was partially offset by the negative impact of currency changes of $2.4 million.

 

*Advanced Ceramics*.  Net sales increased $29.4 million, or 23.6%, over the prior year primarily from higher volumes in all product applications, primarily medical, as well as electronic and cutting tool applications.

 

**Gross profit**

 

Gross profit increased $65.2 million, or 25.5%, over the prior year primarily due to the net sales increases noted above, partially offset by higher raw material, production and maintenance costs. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales were 35.1% and 32.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

 

**Selling, general and administrative expenses**

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) as a percentage of net sales were 19.8% and 21.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. SG&A expenses increased $15.7 million, or 9.5%, over the prior year primarily due to the impact of the higher net sales noted above and higher variable compensation, selling and R&D costs.

 

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**Restructuring and other severance costs**

 

We recorded restructuring and other severance costs of $1.0 million and $0.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. See Note 14, “Restructuring And Other Severance Costs,” for further details.

 

**Asset write-downs and other**

 

Asset write-downs and other were $0.1 million and $1.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.    The asset write-downs and other of $1.8 million recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2010 related to the elimination of a duplicate manufacturing facility in the Performance Additives segment.

 

**Operating income**

 

*Specialty Chemicals*. Operating income increased $11.1 million, or 20.1%, over the prior year primarily due to the higher net sales noted above. This increase was partially offset by higher raw material costs, particularly for tin and antimony sulfide, higher selling, general and administrative costs, higher restructuring and other severance costs of $0.8 million and higher depreciation and amortization costs of $0.8 million.

 

*Performance Additives*. Operating income increased $8.0 million, or 65.0% over the prior year primarily due to the higher net sales noted above and fixed asset write-downs of $1.8 million recorded in the three months ended March 31, 2010. This was partially offset by higher raw material costs, particularly for quaternary amine, copper and iron-oxide.

 

*Titanium Dioxide Pigments*. Operating income increased $24.8 million to $37.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared with the same period in the prior year primarily due to the higher net sales noted above and lower depreciation and amortization costs of $0.6 million. This was partially offset by higher production, raw material and energy costs.

 

*Advanced Ceramics*. Operating income increased $10.6 million, or 43.6% over the prior year primarily due to the higher net sales noted above. This was partially offset by higher maintenance and variable compensation costs and higher depreciation and amortization costs of $0.8 million.

 

*Corporate and other*. Operating loss increased $3.9 million, or 24.8% over the prior year primarily due to higher variable compensation costs.

 

**Other income (expenses)**

 

*Interest expense, net*.  Interest expense, net decreased $18.8 million, or 45.0%, over the prior year. The three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 included non-cash gains of $6.3 million and $2.1 million, respectively, representing the movement in the mark-to-market valuation of our interest rate hedging instruments. Excluding the impact of these gains, interest expense, net decreased $14.6 million, or 33.3% primarily due to debt repayments and lower interest rates related to our new senior secured credit facility.

 

*Loss on early extinguishment/modification of debt*. In connection with the refinancing and repayment of our senior secured term loans in February 2011, we recorded a charge of $16.2 million in the first quarter of 2011 comprised of related fees of $13.1 million and the write-off of deferred financing costs of $3.1 million.

 

*Foreign exchange, net*.  For the three months ended March 31, 2011, foreign exchange gains of $2.0 million were reported primarily related to the impact of the stronger Euro as of March 31, 2011 versus December 31, 2010 in connection with non-operating Euro-denominated transactions.

 

**Provision for income taxes**

 

We recorded an income tax provision of $28.8 million on income from continuing operations before taxes of $102.2 million in the three months ended March 31, 2011. The income tax provision in the first quarter of 2011 was favorably impacted by a beneficial foreign earnings mix. We recorded an income tax provision of $15.7 million on income from continuing operations before taxes of $47.8 million in the three months ended March 31, 2010. The income tax provision in the first quarter of 2010 was negatively impacted by the absence of a tax benefit for the Company’s domestic losses as a result of a valuation allowance and a beneficial foreign earnings mix.

 

39

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** **

**Income from continuing operations**

 

Income from continuing operations for the three months ended March 31, 2011 was $73.4 million as compared to income from continuing operations of $32.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 for the reasons described above.

 

**Income from discontinued operations, net of tax**

 

Income from discontinued operations, net of tax, of $0.2 million and $4.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, relates to the plastic compounding business that was sold on January 7, 2011.

 

**Gain on sale of****discontinued operations, net of tax**

 

The gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax, of $114.5 million recorded in the three months ended March 31, 2011 is related to the sale of the plastic compounding business in January 2011.

 

**Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest**

 

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest of $10.1 million was recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to a net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest of $0.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010. The change from the prior year was primarily related to higher earnings in the Titanium Dioxide Pigments venture in the first quarter of 2011.

 

**Net income (loss) attributable to Rockwood Specialties Group, Inc.**

 

Net income attributable to Rockwood Specialties Group, Inc. for the three months ended March 31, 2011 was $178.0 million as compared to net income attributable to Rockwood Specialties Group, Inc. for the three months ended March 31, 2010 of $36.9 million, respectively, for the reasons described above.

 

**Adjusted EBITDA**

 

*Specialty Chemicals*. Adjusted EBITDA increased $13.1 million, or 17.8%, over the prior year primarily due to the higher net sales noted above. This increase was partially offset by higher raw material costs, particularly for tin and antimony sulfide, and higher selling, general and administrative costs.

 

*Performance Additives*. Adjusted EBITDA increased $5.4 million, or 18.3% over the prior year primarily due to the higher net sales noted above. This was partially offset by higher raw material costs, particularly for quaternary amine, copper and iron-oxide.

 

*Titanium Dioxide Pigments*. Adjusted EBITDA increased $24.0 million, or 78.2% over the prior year primarily due to the higher net sales noted above. This was partially offset by higher production, raw material and energy costs.

 

*Advanced Ceramics*.  Adjusted EBITDA increased $11.3 million, or 30.5% over the prior year primarily due to the higher net sales noted above. This was partially offset by higher maintenance and variable compensation costs.

 

*Corporate and other*.  Adjusted EBITDA loss increased $4.1 million, or 29.1% over the prior year primarily due to higher variable compensation costs.

 

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*** ***

***Reconciliation of Net Income Attributable to Rockwood Specialties Group, Inc. to Adjusted EBITDA***

 

Because we view Adjusted EBITDA on both a consolidated basis and a segment basis as an operating performance measure, we use net income as the most comparable U.S. GAAP measure on a consolidated basis. The following table, which sets forth the applicable components of Adjusted EBITDA, presents a reconciliation of net income attributable to Rockwood Specialties Group, Inc. to Adjusted EBITDA on a consolidated basis:

 
| ** **                                                    | ** ** | **Three months ended** | ** ** |
|---------------------------------------------------------------|------------|----------------------------------|------------|
| ** **                                                    | ** ** | **March 31,**               | ** ** |
| **($ in millions)**                                 | ** ** | **2011**                         | ** ** | **2010** | ** ** |
| Net income attributable to Rockwood   Specialties Group, Inc. |       | $                                | 178.0      |   | $ | 36.9 |   |
| Net income (loss) attributable to   noncontrolling interest   |       | 10.1                             |       | (0.2 | ) |
| Net income                                                    |       | 188.1                            |       | 36.7 |   |
| Income tax provision                                          |       | 28.8                             |       | 15.7 |   |
| Income from discontinued operations, net   of tax             |       | (0.2                             | )          | (4.6 | ) |
| Gain on sale of discontinued operations,   net of tax         |       | (114.5                           | )          | — |   |
| Income from continuing operations before   taxes              |       | 102.2                            |       | 47.8 |   |
| Interest expense, net (a)                                     |       | 23.0                             |       | 41.8 |   |
| Depreciation and amortization                                 |       | 65.4                             |       | 65.2 |   |
| Restructuring and other severance costs                       |       | 1.0                              |       | 0.4 |   |
| Systems/organization establishment   expenses                 |       | 0.3                              |       | 0.9 |   |
| Acquisition and disposal costs                                |       | 0.1                              |       | 0.2 |   |
| Loss on early   extinguishment/modification of debt           |       | 16.2                             |       | — |   |
| Asset write-downs and other                                   |       | 0.1                              |       | 1.8 |   |
| Foreign exchange gain on financing   activities, net          |       | (2.0                             | )          | (0.3 | ) |
| Other                                                         |       | 0.3                              |       | (0.9 | ) |
| Total Adjusted EBITDA                                         |       | $                                | 206.6      |   | $ | 156.9 |   |

 

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(a)                Includes gains of $6.3 million and $2.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, representing the movement in the mark-to-market valuation of the Company’s interest rate and cross-currency hedging instruments.

 

**Liquidity and Capital Resources**

 

**Cash Flows**

 

*Operating Activities*.  Net cash provided by operating activities was $63.8 million and $68.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. This decrease was primarily due to a lower source of operating cash flows from working capital changes, partially offset by higher net income and lower cash interest expense.

 

*Investing Activities*.  Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities was $251.7 million and $(36.3) million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The increase was primarily due to net sale proceeds received of $305.8 million in the first quarter of 2011 related to the sale of our plastic compounding business.

 

*Financing Activities*.  Net cash used in financing activities was $436.4 million and $28.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and included scheduled payments for long-term debt and revolver payments. In the first quarter of 2011, we repaid $408.9 million of our senior secured term loans and paid related fees of $12.1 million in connection with the refinancing of our senior secured credit facility in February 2011.

 

**Liquidity**

 

Our primary source of liquidity has been and will continue to be cash generated from the operations of our subsidiaries. Our primary liquidity requirements are working capital, debt service, capital expenditures and acquisitions. In addition, we completed the sale of our plastic compounding business in January 2011 for net proceeds of $305.8 million (see Note 3, “Discontinued Operations,” for further details) and repaid $408.9 million of senior secured term loans in connection with the refinancing of our senior secured term loans in February 2011. Our debt service requirements in future years are significant. We believe that based on current conditions in our industry and markets, our cash reserves, cash flows from operations and borrowings available under our revolving credit facility will be adequate sources of liquidity. However, an economic downturn or recession may have a material adverse impact on our results

 

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of operations, cash flows from operations and our liquidity. See Item 1, “Business,” and Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in our 2010 Form 10-K.

 

In addition, our liquidity may be negatively impacted due to funding obligations related to certain pension plans. We have several pension plans located in Germany, Finland, the United Kingdom and the United States, which were negatively impacted by market conditions in late 2008 and early 2009. We are in compliance with local funding requirements for our pension plans. The Company’s overall unfunded position in its defined benefit plans as of March 31, 2011 is $440.2 million and the funded status of our plans is 38%. However, 82% of the Company’s unfunded position is concentrated in plans mostly in Germany, where funding is neither legally required nor customary. When only the plans that have funding requirements are considered, the unfunded portion is $78.0 million, and the funded status is 77%. The funding of the Company’s pension plans was in compliance with local requirements as of March 31, 2011. Almost all of the Company’s pension obligations are long-term in nature. The Company’s annual cash outflows to meet funding requirements and benefit obligations historically have not significantly exceeded its pension expense. Such cash outflows were less than pension expense in 2010 and the three months ended March 31, 2011. The measurement of our pension obligations and plan assets is dependent on a variety of actuarial assumptions and is performed annually. Therefore, the funded status as of December 31, 2011 could differ significantly.

 

Although recent investment performance of assets in pension plans covering our employees in these countries has reduced the amount of any immediate funding obligations and we have entered into long-term funding arrangements for pension plans located in Germany and the U.K., we may have to make a one-time payment and/or enter into a long-term funding arrangement for the Finnish Plan. However, our funding obligations could change significantly based on the investment performance of the pension plan assets and changes in actuarial assumptions for local statutory funding valuations. Any deterioration of the capital markets or returns available in such markets may negatively impact our pension plan assets and increase our funding obligations for one or more of these plans and negatively impact our liquidity. We cannot predict the impact of this or any further market disruption on our pension funding obligations.

 

As of March 31, 2011, we had total indebtedness of $1,788.2 million. The availability under the revolving credit facility is $180.0 million as of March 31, 2011, subject to outstanding letters of credit of $33.2 million that reduced our availability under such revolving credit facility. The €30.0 million ($42.5 million) revolving credit facility under the Titanium Dioxide Pigments venture facility provided for additional borrowings of up to €12.9 million ($18.3 million) as of March 31, 2011 after an outstanding bank guarantee of €17.1 million ($24.2 million) related to a defined benefit pension obligation for the Finnish Plan.

 

As of March 31, 2011, we had cash and cash equivalents of $187.7 million. We may use available cash to reduce our term debt or repurchase additional 2014 Notes at any time, subject to certain limitations contained in our senior secured credit facility. As discussed in Note 11, “Long-Term Debt,” in February 2011, we completed a refinancing of our senior secured credit facility and entered into a new senior secured credit agreement comprised of an $850.0 million term loan and a $180.0 million revolving credit facility, and repaid $408.9 million of existing term loans.

 

*Senior secured credit facility. *As of March 31, 2011, the senior secured credit facility consisted of:

 

·            a term loan (“Term Loan B”) in an aggregate principal amount of $850.0 million maturing on February 10, 2018 and bearing interest at Libor (subject to Libor floor of 1.00%) plus 2.75% (with a 0.25% reduction for achieving a designated leverage ratio); and

 

·             a revolving credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of $180.0 million, made available in U.S. dollars, Euros and/or pounds sterling, maturing on February 10, 2016.

 

A portion of the revolving credit facility is available in the form of letters of credit and swingline loans. Under the senior secured credit agreement, the Company may, under certain circumstances and subject to receipt of additional commitments from existing lenders or other eligible institutions, request that the term loan be increased by up to $350.0 million, and additional amounts, subject to a senior secured leverage ratio.

 

Amounts borrowed under the term loan that are repaid or prepaid may not be reborrowed.

 

Obligations under the senior secured credit facilities are guaranteed by Rockwood Specialties International, Inc. and each of the Company’s existing and subsequently acquired or organized direct or indirect domestic subsidiaries, subject to certain exceptions, and are secured by first-priority security interests in: substantially all the tangible and intangible assets of the Company and its direct or indirect domestic subsidiaries, subject to exceptions; all the capital stock of or other equity interest in the Company and each of its direct or indirect domestic subsidiaries; a maximum of 65% of the capital stock of or other equity interests in each direct foreign subsidiary of either the Company or of any domestic subsidiary of the Company.

 

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The Company may elect interest periods of one, two, three or six months (nine or twelve months to the extent available from all lenders under the revolving credit facility) for Libor borrowings. Interest is payable at the end of each interest period and, in any event, at least every three months. The senior secured credit facility requires payment of customary commitment, letter of credit and other fees.

 

The term loan is payable in February and August of each year at an amount equal to 0.50% of the original principal amount outstanding, with the remainder due at the final maturity date.

 

The Company is required to make the following mandatory prepayments of the term loan under the senior secured credit facility, in each case subject to certain exceptions, with:

 

·             100% of the net cash proceeds of all sales of assets or other dispositions by the Company or any of its restricted subsidiaries under the senior secured credit facilities of assets other than net cash proceeds (a) from the sale or other disposition of assets in the ordinary course of business, (b) of certain disposals permitted under the senior secured credit agreement (including the proceeds of sales or transfers of accounts receivable (including pursuant to a securitization) in the amount of up to $200.0 million at any time) or (c) that are reinvested in the Company and its restricted subsidiaries within twelve months of the sale or other disposition (subject to extension in certain circumstances).

 

·             100% of the net cash proceeds of issuances of certain debt obligations.

 

·             50% of excess cash flows, as defined, in respect of any fiscal year at the end of which senior secured debt to consolidated EBITDA ratio is equal to or greater than 1.50 to 1, reduced by any amounts reinvested during the first six months of the year and voluntary prepayments and 25% and 0% of excess cash flow, in respect of any fiscal year at the end of which such ratio is greater than 1.25 to 1 but less than 1.50 to 1 and less than or equal to 1.25 to 1, respectively.

 

The senior secured credit agreement also contains the following financial covenants that are determined based on our Adjusted EBITDA (including certain adjustments for, among other items, acquisitions and related synergies), which reflects management’s interpretations thereof:

 

·            a leverage ratio: for the twelve-month period ended March 31, 2011, net senior secured debt (senior secured debt plus capital lease obligations, minus cash up to a maximum of $200.0 million) to Adjusted EBITDA must be less than 2.75 to 1; for such period, our ratio equaled 1.47 to 1; and

 

·            an interest coverage ratio: for the twelve-month period ended March 31, 2011, Adjusted EBITDA to cash interest expense (interest expense, net excluding deferred debt issuance cost amortization and the movements in the mark-to market value of our interest rate derivatives) must be at least 2.50 to 1; for such period, our ratio equaled 4.80 to 1.

 

These covenants are material terms of the senior secured credit agreement. Non-compliance with these covenants or other covenants could result in a default under the senior secured credit agreement and the lenders could elect to declare all amounts borrowed immediately due and payable. Any such acceleration would also result in a default under the indenture governing the 2014 Notes, which could lead to the note holders electing to declare the principal, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on the then outstanding notes immediately due and payable. The senior secured credit agreement contains a cross default provision for indebtedness in excess of $30.0 million; therefore, a default under the indenture governing the 2014 Notes, the Titanium Dioxide Pigments term loans or other indebtedness may cause the lenders to declare the principal and accrued and unpaid interest on the then outstanding senior secured credit facilities immediately due and payable.

 

In addition to the financial covenants described above, the Company’s senior secured credit facilities contain various affirmative and restrictive covenants. The restrictive covenants limit our ability to, among other things, incur indebtedness and other liabilities; create liens; merge or consolidate; dispose of assets; make investments; pay dividends and make payments to shareholders; make payments on certain indebtedness or to amend documents related to certain indebtedness and to enter into sale-leaseback transactions.

 

See Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—“Definitions of Adjusted EBITDA,” for a discussion of the definition of Adjusted EBITDA used in calculating our financial covenants.

 

We were in compliance with the above covenants as of March 31, 2011.

 

*2014 Notes.*  As of March 31, 2011, the 2014 Notes have an aggregate principal amount of €250.1 million ($354.1 million) in the case of the Euro notes and $200.0 million in the case of the U.S. Dollar notes, and mature on November 15, 2014. Interest on the 2014

 

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Notes is payable semi-annually on May 15 and November 15 and accrues at the rate of 7.625% in the case of the Euro notes and 7.500% in the case of the U.S. Dollar notes. Certain of our domestic subsidiaries guarantee the 2014 Notes on a senior subordinated unsecured basis (see Note 16, “Consolidating Financial Information,” for further details).

 

The 2014 Notes contain various affirmative and restrictive covenants. The restrictive covenants limit our ability, and the ability of our restricted subsidiaries, to, among other things, incur or guarantee additional indebtedness (as described below), pay dividends or make other equity distributions or repurchase capital stock, make investments or other restricted payments, create liens, transfer or sell assets, restrict dividends or other payments to us, engage in transactions with affiliates, and merge or consolidate with other companies or sell substantially all of our assets.

 

The indenture governing the 2014 Notes prohibits us from incurring additional debt, subject to certain permitted incurrences, unless the fixed charge coverage ratio, which is the ratio of Adjusted EBITDA (as defined therein excluding certain adjustments permitted under the senior secured credit agreement) to fixed charges (as defined therein), for the most recently ended four fiscal quarters is at least 2.00 to 1. In addition, the indenture prohibits us from making restricted payments (such as dividends or other equity distributions, repurchases of capital stock or restricted investments), subject to certain permitted payments, unless, among other things, the fixed charge coverage ratio for the most recently ended four fiscal quarters is at least 2.00 to 1. For the four-fiscal quarter period ended March 31, 2011, the fixed charge coverage ratio equaled 4.80 to 1. This covenant is a material term of the indenture governing the 2014 Notes.

 

Because the indenture governing the 2014 Notes defines an event of default to include, among other things, a default under any other debt obligation in excess of $35.0 million that could cause the acceleration of such obligation, any acceleration under the senior secured credit agreement or other debt agreement would also result in a default under the indenture governing these notes, which could lead to the note holders electing to declare the principal, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on the then outstanding notes immediately due and payable.

 

*Titanium Dioxide Pigments venture term loans, revolving credit facility and assumed debt.*  As of March 31, 2011, the Titanium Dioxide Pigments venture had €220.0 million ($311.5 million) outstanding under the term loans of its facility agreement. The facility also provides for a revolving credit facility of €30.0 million ($42.5 million). This facility provided for additional borrowings of up to €12.9 million ($18.3 million) as of March 31, 2011 after an outstanding bank guarantee of €17.1 million ($24.2 million) related to a defined benefit pension obligation. Both the term loan and revolving credit facility mature in June 2013.

 

As of March 31, 2011, the interest rate on the term loan and revolving credit facility is Euribor (or Libor if the currency is in USD) plus 1.50%, subject to a step down determined by reference to a leverage ratio test. The term loan is payable in installments over a five-year period from the date of the facility agreement, with payments that commenced twelve months from such date and the remainder due at the final maturity date. The term loan and revolving credit facility may be repaid in advance without penalty.

 

In addition, the Titanium Dioxide Pigments venture has other debt of €9.4 million ($13.3 million), primarily due to a defined benefit plan, at interest rates ranging from 3.60% to 5.00%.

 

The facility agreement contains affirmative and restrictive covenants, subject to certain thresholds and exceptions. The restrictive covenants limit the venture’s ability to undertake certain actions, including but not limited to acquiring or disposing of assets, creating liens on assets, entering into a merger or corporate restructuring, and incurring additional indebtedness. These covenants are calculated in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards and are based solely on the results of the venture’s European operations. In addition, the facility agreement requires the venture to meet certain financial covenants, including:

 

·            A leverage coverage ratio: for the twelve-month period ended March 31, 2011, net debt to EBITDA (which is substantially similar to the definition of Adjusted EBITDA in our senior secured credit agreement), subject to certain adjustments must be less than 3.00 to 1; for such period, our ratio equaled 1.46 to 1;

 

·            An interest coverage ratio: for the twelve-month period ended March 31, 2011, EBITDA, subject to certain adjustments, to cash interest expense (net of interest income), must be greater than 4.00 to 1; for such period, our ratio equaled 9.41 to 1; and

 

·            Cash flow coverage ratio: for the twelve-month period ended March 31, 2011, cash generated for financing activities (EBITDA, subject to certain adjustments, less working capital changes, capital expenditures and interest) to debt service (interest expense and amortization of debt) must be greater than 1.10; for such period, our ratio equaled 2.16 to 1.

 

We were in compliance with the above covenants as of March 31, 2011.

 

The loans are secured by the assets of the venture. In the event that either Kemira’s or Rockwood’s ownership interest changes, any

 

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lender may cancel its commitment and demand repayment of its respective portion of the loans, including accrued and unpaid interest. The facility agreement contains customary events of default, subject to remedy periods, thresholds and exceptions. Upon the occurrence of an event of default under the facility agreement, the lenders can terminate the commitments and declare all amounts, including accrued and unpaid interest, to be due and payable.

 

As of March 31, 2011, the weighted average interest rate for the Company is 5.0%, excluding deferred financing costs and the mark-to-market valuation of our interest-rate swaps.

 

Given our use of Adjusted EBITDA (see “Special Note Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for the definition of Adjusted EBITDA and management’s uses of Adjusted EBITDA) as a liquidity measure, the following table presents a reconciliation of net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations to Adjusted EBITDA:

 
| ** **                                                                                                             | ** ** | **Three months ended** | ** ** |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------|----------------------------------|------------|
| ** **                                                                                                             | ** ** | **March 31,**               | ** ** |
| **($ in millions)**** **                                                                                | ** ** | **2011**                         | ** ** | **2010** | ** ** |
| Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations                                                   |       | $                                | 65.6       |   | $ | 67.2 |   |
| Changes in assets and liabilities, net of the effect of foreign currency   translation and acquisitions                |       | 88.4                             |       | 34.9 |   |
| Current portion of income tax provision                                                                                |       | 23.1                             |       | 11.4 |   |
| Interest expense, net, excluding amortization of deferred financing costs   and unrealized losses/gains on derivatives |       | 28.0                             |       | 42.3 |   |
| Restructuring and other severance costs                                                                                |       | 1.0                              |       | 0.4 |   |
| Systems/organization establishment expenses                                                                            |       | 0.3                              |       | 0.9 |   |
| Acquisition and disposal costs                                                                                         |       | 0.1                              |       | 0.2 |   |
| Bad debt provision                                                                                                     |       | (0.2                             | )          | 0.5 |   |
| Other                                                                                                                  |       | 0.3                              |       | (0.9 | ) |
| Total Adjusted EBITDA                                                                                                  |       | $                                | 206.6      |   | $ | 156.9 |   |

 

***Contractual Obligations***

 

The Company is obligated to make future payments under various contracts such as debt agreements (including scheduled cash interest payments), operating lease agreements, and unconditional purchase obligations. A discussion of these contractual obligations is included in the Company’s 2010 Form 10-K. As noted above, in February 2011 we completed a refinancing of our senior secured credit facility and entered into a new senior secured credit agreement comprised of an $850.0 million term loan and a $180.0 million revolving credit facility, and repaid $408.9 million of existing term loans.

 

***Capital Expenditures***

 

Rockwood’s capital expenditures for the three months ended March 31, 2011 consisted primarily of replacements of worn, obsolete or damaged equipment as well as investments in new equipment. For the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, our capital expenditures, excluding capital leases, were $54.2 million and $34.3 million, respectively. Capital expenditures for each of our reporting segments are provided in the following table:

 
| ** **                               | ** ** | **Specialty** | ** ** | **Performance** | ** ** | **Titanium   Dioxide** | ** ** | **Advanced** | ** ** | **Corporate and** | ** ** | ** **       | ** ** |
|------------------------------------------|------------|---------------|------------|-----------------|------------|------------------------|------------|--------------|------------|------------------------|------------|------------------|------------|
| **($ in millions)**            | ** ** | **Chemicals** | ** ** | **Additives**   | ** ** | **Pigments**           | ** ** | **Ceramics** | ** ** | **other**              | ** ** | **Consolidated** | ** ** |
| Three months ended   March 31, 2011 |       | $             | 20.0       |            | $          | 6.0                    |       | $            | 17.2       |                   | $          | 10.0             |       | $ | 1.0 |   | $ | 54.2 |   |
| Three months ended   March 31, 2010 |       | 8.7           |       | 4.8             |       | 13.6                   |       | 6.0          |       | 1.2                    |       | 34.3             |       |
|                                          |            |               |            |                 |            |                        |            |              |            |                        |            |                  |            |  |  |  |  |  |  |

 

We will incur future costs for capital improvements and general compliance under SHE laws. For the year ended December 31, 2010, our capital expenditures for SHE matters totaled $19.2 million, excluding costs to maintain and repair pollution control equipment. For 2011, we estimate capital expenditures for compliance with SHE laws to be at similar levels; however, because capital expenditures for these matters are subject to changes in and new SHE laws, we cannot provide assurance that our recent expenditures

 

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will be indicative of future amounts required to comply with any such laws. See Note 16, “Commitments and Contingencies,” “Regulatory Developments” for further discussion.

 

***Foreign currency related transactions***

 

As of March 31, 2011, $729.3 million of the debt outstanding is denominated in Euros.

 

**Recent Accounting Standards**

 

See Note 1, “Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” for a discussion of recent accounting standards.

 

**Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements**

 

In the normal course of business, the Company incurs obligations which include guarantees related to contract completion, regulatory compliance and product performance. Under certain circumstances, these obligations are supported through the issuance of letters of credit and other bank guarantees. As of March 31, 2011, the Company had approximately $38.1 million of letters of credit and other bank guarantees, of which $37.4 million will expire in 2011 through 2015. The remaining guarantees have no specified expiration date. This amount includes outstanding letters of credit of $33.2 million that reduced our availability under our senior secured credit facility. In the opinion of management, such obligations will not significantly affect the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows, as the Company anticipates fulfilling its performance obligations.

 

**Commitments and Contingencies**

 

See Note 15, “Commitments and Contingencies,” for a discussion of the Company’s Commitments and Contingencies.

 

**Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates**

 

Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our condensed consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. These estimates include assessing, among other things:

 

·            the use and recoverability of inventory;

 

·            the valuation of deferred tax assets;

 

·            the amount of unrecognized tax benefits;

 

·            impairment of goodwill, property, plant and equipment and other intangible assets;

 

·            the useful lives of tangible and intangible assets: and

 

·            the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business combinations.

 

We evaluate our estimates on an ongoing basis, based on historical experience and various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

 

The significant accounting policies of the Company are described in Note 1, “Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the critical accounting policies and estimates are described in the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” section in the Company’s 2010 Form 10-K. There have been no significant changes to these critical accounting policies and estimates as of March 31, 2011.

 

One of our critical accounting policies relates to the impairment of goodwill, property, plant and equipment and other intangible assets. The recoverability of goodwill is reviewed on an annual basis during the fourth quarter. Additionally, the recoverability of 

 

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goodwill, property, plant and equipment and other intangible assets is reviewed when events or changes in circumstances occur indicating that the carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable. As discussed above, the recoverability of other intangible assets is reviewed when events or changes in circumstances occur indicating that the carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable. We performed recoverability tests of intangible assets in our Viance timber treatment chemicals venture and concluded that there was no impairment of those assets. We will continue to monitor the recoverability of these assets if events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value of such assets may not be recoverable.

 

**Forward-Looking Statements**

 

This document contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements within the context of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 are not statements of historical fact and may involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements give our current expectations or forecasts of future events and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. We have used the words “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “predict,” “could,” “may” and other words and terms of similar meaning, including references to assumptions, in this report to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made based on expectations and beliefs concerning future events affecting us and are subject to uncertainties and factors relating to our operations and business environment, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control, that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by these forward-looking statements. In particular, these factors include, among other things:

 

·             our business strategy;

·             changes in the general economic conditions in North America and Europe and in other locations in which we currently do business;

·             competitive pricing or product development activities affecting demand for our products;

·             technological changes affecting production of our materials;

·             fluctuations in interest rates, exchange rates and currency values;

·             availability and pricing of raw materials;

·             governmental and environmental regulations and changes in those regulations;

·             fluctuations in energy prices;

·             changes in the end-use markets in which our products are sold;

·             our ability to access capital markets;

·             hazards associated with chemicals manufacturing;

·             our high level of indebtedness;

·             risks associated with negotiating, consummating and integrating acquisitions;

·             risks associated with competition and the introduction of new competing products, especially from the Asia-Pacific region; and

·             risks associated with international sales and operations.

 

You should keep in mind that any forward-looking statements made by us in this document or elsewhere speak only as of the date on which we make them. New risks and uncertainties come up from time to time, and it is impossible for us to predict these events or how they may affect us. We disclaim any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

**Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.**

 

We are exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates and commodity prices. We manage our exposure to these market risks through regular operating and financing activities and through the use of derivatives. When used, derivatives are employed as risk management tools and not for trading purposes. A discussion and analysis of the Company’s market risk is included in the Company’s 2010 Form 10-K. There have been no significant changes to these market risks as of March 31, 2011.

 

**Item 4.  Controls and Procedures**

 

Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that (a) information required to be disclosed in our reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and (b) such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. Any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2011 and concluded that, as of March 31, 2011, our disclosure 

 

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controls and procedures are effective to accomplish their objectives at the reasonable assurance level.

 

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the first quarter of 2011 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

**PART II — OTHER INFORMATION**

 

**Item 1.  Legal Proceedings.**

 

We are involved in legal proceedings from time to time in the ordinary course of our business, including with respect to product liability, intellectual property and environmental matters. In addition, we may be required to make indemnity payments in connection with certain product liability and environmental claims. See Item 1, “Business,” and Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” “Environmental Indemnities—We may be subject to environmental indemnity claims relating to properties we have divested”; “Product Liability— Due to the nature of our business and products, we may be liable for damages arising out of product liability claims”; and “Product Liability—Due to the nature of our business and products, we may be liable for damages arising out of certain indemnity claims” in our 2010 Form 10-K.

 

**Advertising Matter**

 

On March 3, 2009, Osmose, Inc. (“OI”) filed an action against Viance, the joint venture in the Timber Treatment Chemicals business, Rockwood Holdings, Inc., and certain individuals, in the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Georgia, claiming that recent advertisements by Viance comparing its ACQ product and OI’s MCQ product were false and misleading in violation of the Lanham Act, constituted unfair competition, violated the Georgia Deceptive Trade Practices Act, were defamatory and that Viance tortiously interfered with OI’s business relationships. OI is seeking damages, including their attorney’s fees and costs and punitive damages. OI also sought a temporary restraining order (“TRO”) and a preliminary injunction prohibiting Viance from continuing to make certain claims in advertisements related to their MCQ product. On March 20, 2009, the district court granted Osmose’s motion for a TRO. Viance raised certain counterclaims related to OI’s advertisements and both parties’ claims were heard. In September 2009, the district court issued a preliminary injunction prohibiting Viance from making certain claims related to MCQ in its advertisements and denied Viance’s request for a preliminary injunction related to certain claims in Osmose’s advertisements, which Viance subsequently appealed. The U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit heard oral arguments on May 20, 2010 and rendered its decision on July 30, 2010 remanding in part, affirming in part, and vacating in part the preliminary injunction. The trial court entered an order revising the preliminary injunction and an order lifting the stay and commencing discovery.  In April 2011, the parties executed a settlement agreement and the resolution of this matter did not have a material effect on our business or financial condition.

 

We do not believe that any individual legal proceeding, government action or arbitration is likely to have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows or financial condition. However, we cannot predict the outcome of any legal proceeding or the potential for future proceedings. See Note 15, “Commitments and Contingencies,” in this Form 10-Q and Item 3, Legal Proceedings in our 2010 Form 10-K.

 

**Item 1A. Risk Factors.**

 

A discussion of the Company’s risk factors is included in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010. There have been no material changes to these risk factors.

 

**Item 2.  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.**

 

None.

 

**Item 3.  Defaults upon Senior Securities.**

 

None.

 

**Item 4.  (Removed and Reserved).**

 

**Item 5.  Other Information.**

 

None.

 

**Item 6.  Exhibits**

 

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See the Exhibit Index immediately following the signature page to this report. Such Exhibit Index is hereby incorporated by reference.

 

**SIGNATURES**

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 
|   |   | ROCKWOOD   SPECIALTIES GROUP, INC. |
|--------|--------|-----------------------------------------|
|   |   |                                    |   |
|   |   |                                    |   |
|   |   | By:                                     | /s/ SEIFI   GHASEMI |
|   |   |                                    | Seifi Ghasemi |
|   |   |                                    | Chairman and   Chief Executive Officer |
|   |   |                                    | Date: May 12,   2011 |
|   |   |                                    |   |
|   |   |                                    |   |
|   |   | ROCKWOOD   SPECIALTIES GROUP, INC. |
|   |   |                                    |   |
|   |   |                                    |   |
|   |   | By:                                     | /s/ ROBERT J.   ZATTA |
|   |   |                                    | Robert J. Zatta |
|   |   |                                    | Senior Vice   President and Chief Financial Officer |
|   |   |                                    | Date: May 12,   2011 |

 

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**Exhibit Index**

 
| **Exhibit No.** | ** ** | **Description of Exhibit**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
|----------------------|------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 10.1*                |       | Rockwood   Retirement Plan (formerly known as the Profit Sharing/401(k) Plan for   Employees of Rockwood Specialties, Inc.), as amended and restated effective   as of January 1, 2011.                                                                                                                                               |
|                 |       |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
| 10.2*                |       | Amendment No. 1   to the Rockwood Retirement Plan (formerly known as the Profit Sharing/401(k)   Plan for Employees of Rockwood Specialties, Inc.), effective as of January 1,   2011.                                                                                                                                                |
|                 |       |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
| 31.1*                |       | Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification   of Chief Executive Officer.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
|                 |       |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
| 31.2*                |       | Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification   of Chief Financial Officer.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
|                 |       |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
| 32.1                 |       | Section 1350   Certification of Chief Executive Officer. This certification accompanies this   report pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and   shall not be deemed filed by the Company for purposes of Section 18 or   any other provision of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. |
|                 |       |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
| 32.2                 |       | Section 1350   Certification of Chief Financial Officer. This certification accompanies this   report pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and   shall not be deemed filed by the Company for purposes of Section 18 or   any other provision of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. |

 

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*                             Filed herewith.

 

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