EDGAR 10-K Filing

Company CIK: 1381531
Filing Year: 2022
Filename: 1381531_10-K_2022_0001564590-22-009469.json

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ITEM 1. BUSINESS
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Throughout this Annual Report on Form 10-K, unless otherwise specified, “Domtar Corporation,” “the Company,” “Domtar,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Domtar Corporation, its subsidiaries, as well as its investments.
GENERAL
We design, manufacture, market and distribute a wide variety of fiber-based products, including communication papers, specialty and packaging papers. The foundation of our business is a network of wood fiber converting assets that produce paper grade, fluff and specialty pulp. Approximately 60% of our pulp production is consumed internally to manufacture paper, with the balance sold as market pulp. We are the largest integrated marketer of uncoated freesheet paper in North America serving a variety of customers, including merchants, retail outlets, stationers, printers, publishers, converters and end-users. To learn more, visit www.domtar.com.
Paper Excellence Acquired Domtar Corporation
On November 30, 2021, Paper Excellence completed the acquisition of all the outstanding common shares of Domtar Corporation (the “Company”) by means of a merger of Pearl Merger Sub (a wholly-owned subsidiary) with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the surviving corporation and as a subsidiary of Paper Excellence (the “Merger”). Refer to Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, under Note 4 “Acquisition of Businesses” for additional information on the Merger.
As a condition to obtain the approval of the Merger from the Canadian Competition Bureau, we were required to commit to the divestiture of our Kamloops, British Columbia pulp mill, within a short period of time following the Merger. The assets and liabilities related to the pulp mill for all periods are presented as held for sale in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The sale of the pulp mill meets the criteria for discontinued operations and, as such, earnings are included within Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings (Loss) and Comprehensive income (loss) for all periods presented. Refer to Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, under Note 3 “Discontinued Operations” for additional information on the Discontinued Operations.
Basis of Presentation
For purposes of Domtar's financial statement presentation, Pearl Merger Sub was determined to be the accounting acquirer in the Merger which was accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting. The application of the acquisition method of accounting resulted in a new basis of accounting basis of the Company’s assets and liabilities which are measured at fair value as of the date of the Merger. Domtar's Consolidated Financial Statements for periods following the close of the Merger are labeled “Successor” and reflect the Company’s assets and liabilities at their fair value. All periods prior to the closing of the Merger reflect the historical accounting basis of Domtar’s assets and liabilities and are labeled “Predecessor.” The Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes include a black line division between the columns titled "Predecessor" and "Successor" to signify that the amounts shown for the periods prior to and following the Merger are not comparable.
Restart of the paper machine and converting operations at our Ashdown, Arkansas mill
On July 15, 2021, we announced our intention to restart a paper machine and the converting operations at our Ashdown, Arkansas mill to add an additional 185,000 tons per year of uncoated freesheet production capacity to our manufacturing network. This was necessary to meet growing customer demand as the economy recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic. The additional paper capacity resulted in a capacity reduction of 185,000 ADMT per year of baled SBSK pulp at the mill. The machine restarted in the fourth quarter of 2021 and is now in full operation.
Sale of Personal Care business
On March 1, 2021, we completed the sale of our Personal Care business to American Industrial Partners (AIP), for a purchase price of $920 million in cash. Based on its magnitude and because we exited the Personal Care business, the sale represented a significant strategic shift that had a material effect on our operations and financial results. Accordingly, all periods presented reflect the Personal Care business as a discontinued operation. Our Personal Care business was previously disclosed as a separate reportable segment. For more information on our discontinued operations, refer to Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, under Note 3, “Discontinued Operations”.
Execution of our asset conversion roadmap
On August 7, 2020, we announced our decision to repurpose assets at our Kingsport, Tennessee facility, following a review of our manufacturing footprint. This conversion is consistent with the roadmap that we made public in 2018. The previously announced multi-mill conversion roadmap is designed to adjust our paper capacity to align with our customer demand. Through this process, we have identified up to four large scale paper mill repurposing projects that can produce 2.5 million tons of containerboard and/or 570,000 ADMT of additional market softwood and fluff pulp. We plan to enter the linerboard market with the conversion of our Kingsport paper machine. Once in full operation, the mill will produce and market approximately 600,000 tons annually of high-quality recycled linerboard and medium, providing us with a strategic footprint in a growing adjacent market. The conversion is expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2022.
AVAILABILITY OF INFORMATION
In this Annual Report on Form 10-K, we incorporate by reference certain information contained in other documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and we refer you to such information. We file annual, quarterly and current reports and other information with the SEC available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov free of charge as soon as reasonably practicable after we have filed or furnished the above-referenced reports.
OUR BUSINESS OVERVIEW
Following the sale of our Personal Care business in the first quarter of 2021, we now operate as a single reportable segment as described below, which also represents our only operating segment.
Pulp and Paper: Consists of the design, manufacturing, marketing and distribution of communication, specialty and packaging papers, as well as softwood, hardwood and fluff pulps and high quality airlaid and ultrathin laminated cores.
Information regarding our reportable segment is included in Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, as well as Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data under Note 22 “Segment Disclosures”. Geographic information is also included under Note 22 of the Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
PULP AND PAPER
Our Manufacturing Operations
We produce approximately 3.4 million metric tons of softwood, fluff and hardwood pulp at 10 mills. Approximately 60% of our pulp is consumed internally to manufacture paper, with the balance being sold as market pulp. We also purchase limited papergrade pulp from third parties for specific grades and to optimize the logistics of our pulp capacity while reducing transportation costs.
We are the largest integrated manufacturer and marketer of uncoated freesheet paper in North America. We have eight integrated pulp and paper mills (six in the United States and two in Canada), with an annual paper production capacity of approximately 2.4 million tons of uncoated freesheet paper. Our paper manufacturing operations are supported by eleven converting and forms manufacturing operations (including a network of eight plants located offsite from our paper making operations). Approximately 70% of our paper production capacity is in the United States and 30% is in Canada.
We produce market pulp in excess of our internal requirements at our pulp and paper mills in Ashdown, Espanola, Hawesville, Windsor, Marlboro and Nekoosa. We also produce papergrade, fluff and specialty pulps at our two stand-alone pulp mills in Dryden and Plymouth. We can sell approximately 1.4 million metric tons of pulp per year depending on market conditions. Approximately 69% of our pulp production capacity is in the U.S. and 31% is in Canada.
The table below lists our operating pulp and paper mills and their annual production capacity:
Saleable
PRODUCTION FACILITY
Fiberline Pulp Capacity
Paper
# lines
('000 ADMT) (1)
# machines
('000 ST) (2)
Uncoated freesheet
Ashdown, Arkansas (3)
Windsor, Quebec
Hawesville, Kentucky
Marlboro, South Carolina
Johnsonburg, Pennsylvania
Nekoosa, Wisconsin
Rothschild, Wisconsin
Espanola, Ontario
Total Uncoated freesheet
2,682
2,409
Pulp
Dryden, Ontario
-
-
Plymouth, North Carolina
-
-
Total Pulp
-
-
Total
3,399
2,409
Total Trade Pulp (4)
1,436
(1)
ADMT refers to an air dry metric ton and ST refers to short ton.
(2)
Paper capacity is based on an operating schedule of 360 days and the production at the winder.
(3)
On July 15, 2021, we announced our intention to restart the paper machine at our Ashdown, Arkansas mill to add an additional 185,000 tons per year of uncoated freesheet production capacity to our manufacturing network. The paper machine restarted in the fourth quarter of 2021 and is reflected in the table above.
(4)
Estimated third-party shipments dependent upon market conditions.
We plan to enter the containerboard market with the conversion of our Kingsport mill. Once in full operation, the mill will produce and market approximately 600,000 tons annually of high-quality recycled linerboard and medium, providing us with a strategic footprint in a growing market. The conversion is expected to be completed by the end of 2022.
Our Raw Materials
The manufacturing of pulp and paper requires wood fiber, chemicals and energy. We discuss these three major raw materials used in our manufacturing operations below.
Wood Fiber
United States pulp and paper mills
The fiber used by our pulp and paper mills in the U.S. is softwood and hardwood, both readily available in the market from multiple third-party sources. The mills obtain fiber from a variety of sources, depending on their location. These sources include a combination of supply contracts, wood lot management arrangements, advance stumpage purchases and spot market purchases.
Canadian pulp and paper mills
The fiber used at our Windsor pulp and paper mill is hardwood originating from a variety of sources, including purchases on the open market in Canada and the U.S., contracts with Quebec wood producers’ marketing boards, public land where we have wood supply allocations and from Domtar’s private lands. The softwood and hardwood fiber for our Espanola pulp and paper mill and the softwood fiber for our Dryden pulp mill are obtained from third parties, directly or indirectly from public lands and through designated wood supply allocations. Access to harvesting fiber on public lands in Ontario and Quebec is subject to licenses and review by the respective governmental authorities.
Chemicals
We use various chemical compounds in our pulp and paper manufacturing operations that we purchase, primarily on a centralized basis, through contracts varying between one and ten years in length to ensure product availability. Most of the contracts have pricing that fluctuates based on prevailing market conditions. For pulp manufacturing, we use numerous chemicals including caustic soda, sodium chlorate, sulfuric acid, lime and peroxide. For paper manufacturing, we also use several chemical products including starch, precipitated calcium carbonate, optical brighteners, dyes and aluminum sulfate.
Energy
Our operations produce and consume substantial amounts of energy. Our primary energy sources include: biomass, natural gas and electricity. Approximately 70% of the total energy required to manufacture our products comes from renewable fuels such as bark and spent pulping liquor, generated as byproducts from our manufacturing processes. The remainder of the energy comes from smaller amounts of other fossil fuels and purchased steam procured under supply contracts. Under most of these contracts, suppliers are committed to provide quantities within predetermined ranges that provide us with our needs for a particular type of fuel at a specific facility. Most of these contracts have pricing that fluctuate based on prevailing market conditions. Biomass and fossil fuels are consumed primarily to produce steam that is used in the manufacturing process and, to a lesser extent, to provide direct heat used in the chemical recovery process.
We have cogenerating assets at all of our integrated pulp and paper mills, as well as hydro assets at three locations: Espanola, Nekoosa and Rothschild. These generating assets produce approximately 68% of the electricity requirements of our manufacturing operations, with the balance supplied from local utilities. Electricity is primarily used to drive motors, pumps and other equipment, as well as provide lighting.
Our Transportation
Transportation of wood fiber, chemicals and pulp into our mills is mostly done by rail and trucks, although barges are used in certain circumstances. We rely on third parties for the transportation of our pulp and paper products between our mills, converting operations, distribution centers and customers. Our paper products are shipped mostly by truck, with logistics operations and procurement being managed centrally in collaboration with each location. Our pulp is either shipped by vessel, rail or truck depending on destination and customer preference. We work with major railroads, ocean carriers, and approximately 300 trucking and third-party transportation companies in the U.S. and Canada. Service agreements are typically negotiated on an annual basis. We pay diesel fuel surcharges, which vary depending on the mode of transportation used and the cost of diesel fuel.
Our Product Offering
Paper
Our uncoated freesheet papers are categorized into both communication papers and specialty and packaging papers. Communication papers are further categorized into business papers and commercial printing and publishing papers.
Our business papers include copy and electronic imaging papers, which are used with inkjet and laser printers, photocopiers and plain-paper fax machines, as well as computer papers, preprinted forms and digital papers. These products are primarily for office and home use. Business papers accounted for approximately 48% of our shipments of paper products in 2021.
Our commercial printing and publishing papers include uncoated freesheet papers, such as offset papers and opaques. These uncoated freesheet grades are used in sheet and roll fed offset presses across the spectrum of commercial printing end-uses, including digital printing. Our publishing papers include tradebook and lightweight uncoated papers used primarily in book publishing applications such as textbooks, dictionaries, catalogs, magazines, hard cover novels and financial documents. These products also include converting papers, such as envelopes, tablets, business forms and data processing/computer forms. Commercial printing and publishing papers accounted for approximately 34% of our shipments of paper products in 2021.
Our specialty and packaging papers include papers used for thermal printing, flexible packaging, food packaging, medical packaging, medical gowns and drapes, sandpaper backing, carbonless printing, labels and other papers used for coating and laminating applications. We also manufacture papers for industrial and specialty applications including carrier papers, treated papers, security papers and specialized printing and converting applications. These specialty and packaging papers accounted for approximately 18% of our shipments of paper products in 2021. These grades of papers require a certain amount of innovation and agility in the manufacturing system.
We sell business papers primarily to paper stationers, merchants, office equipment manufacturers and retail outlets. We distribute uncoated commercial printing and publishing papers to end-users and commercial printers, mainly through paper merchants, as well as selling directly to some end-users. We sell our specialty and packaging papers mainly to converters, who apply a further production process such as coating, rewinding, folding or waxing to our papers before selling them to a variety of specialized end-users.
Pulp
Our pulp products are comprised of softwood, fluff and hardwood kraft as well as high quality airlaid and ultrathin laminated cores. Our pulp grades are sold to customers in approximately 50 countries worldwide and are used in a variety of end-products, such as diapers and personal hygiene products, bathroom and facial tissue, specialty and packaging papers, customers who make printing and writing grades, building products and electrical insulating papers. Our laminated cores are used in the manufacturing of baby diapers, adult incontinence and feminine hygiene products.
We sell market pulp to customers in North America mainly through a North American sales force, while sales to most overseas customers are made directly or through commission agents. We maintain pulp supplies at strategically located warehouses, which allow us to respond to customer orders on short notice.
Our Customers
Our ten largest customers represented approximately 46% of our sales in 2021. In 2021, Staples represented approximately 12% of our sales. The majority of our customers purchase products through individual purchase orders. In 2021, approximately 76% of our sales were in the United States, 10% were in Canada, and 14% were in other countries.
OUR COMPETITION
The markets in which our businesses operate are highly competitive with well-established domestic and foreign manufacturers.
In the paper business, our paper production does not rely on proprietary processes or formulas, except in highly specialized papers or customized products. In uncoated freesheet, we compete primarily on the basis of product quality, breadth of offering, service solutions and competitively priced paper products, which include an extensive offering of high-quality Forest Stewardship Council (“FSC”)-certified paper products. While we have a leading position in the North American uncoated freesheet market, we also compete with other paper grades, including coated freesheet, and with electronic transmission and document storage alternatives. As the use of these alternative products continues to grow, we continue to see a decrease in the overall demand for paper products. All of our pulp and paper manufacturing facilities are located in the U.S. or in Canada where we sell approximately 86% of our products. The five largest manufacturers of uncoated freesheet papers in North America (including Domtar) represent approximately 80% of total production capacity. On a global basis, there are hundreds of manufacturers that produce and sell uncoated freesheet paper. The
level of competitive pressures from foreign producers in the North American market is highly dependent upon exchange rates, particularly the rate between the U.S. dollar and the Euro as well as the U.S. dollar and the Brazilian real.
The pulp we sell is fluff, softwood or hardwood pulp. The pulp market is highly fragmented with many manufacturers competing worldwide. Competition is primarily on the basis of product quality and competitively priced pulp products. The fluff pulp we sell is used in absorbent products, incontinence products, diapers and feminine hygiene products. The softwood and hardwood pulp we sell is slow growth northern bleached softwood and hardwood kraft, and we produce specialty engineered pulp grades with a predetermined mix of wood species. Our softwood and hardwood pulps are sold to customers that make a variety of products for specialty paper, packaging, tissue and industrial applications, and customers who make printing and writing grades. Airlaid and ultrathin laminated cores are highly customized and specialized for customer needs and have a relatively long and technical development, qualification and sales process. We also seek product differentiation through the certification of our pulp mills to the FSC chain-of-custody standard and the procurement of FSC-certified virgin fiber. All of our pulp production capacity is located in the U.S. or in Canada, and we sell approximately 54% of our pulp to other countries.
OUR HUMAN CAPITAL
We have approximately 6,100 employees, 64% are employed in the United States and 36% in Canada. 58% of our employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements, generally on a facility-by-facility basis.
We are committed to fostering a workplace that attracts and retains talent. Through ongoing employee development, comprehensive compensation and benefits, and a focus on health, safety, employee well-being and community engagement, we aim to directly influence positive work behavior and on-the-job performance.
Diversity and Inclusion
Although we have a strict non-discrimination and anti-harassment policy, we view diversity and inclusion as more than just policies and practices. It is part of who we are, how we operate, and essential to our long-term sustainability. We strive to create an inclusive workplace where people can bring their authentic selves to work and feel valued and included.
Our commitment to diversity and inclusion starts at the top with a highly skilled and diverse senior leadership. We are committed to increasing representation of women and underrepresented minorities at Domtar overall, but particularly in leadership roles. The Domtar Diversity and Inclusion Council provides guidance to leadership to help make Domtar more inclusive and diverse.
To ensure leadership maintains a commitment to diversity and inclusion, each leader is responsible for focusing on how they can develop and support diversity within the workplace and within their scope of responsibilities.
Compensation and Pay Equity
Our compensation program is designed to attract and reward talented individuals who possess the skills necessary to support our business objectives, assist in the achievement of our strategic goals and create long-term value. We believe people should be paid for what they do and how they do it, regardless of their gender, race, or other personal characteristics. To deliver on that commitment, we benchmark, and set pay ranges based on market data and consider factors such as an employee’s role, experience and performance. We also regularly review our compensation practices, both in terms of our overall workforce and individual employees, to ensure our pay is fair and equitable.
Learning and Development
Hiring, developing and retaining employees is important to our operations and we are focused on creating experiences and programs that foster growth, performance and retention. We continually invest in our employees’ career growth and provide a wide range of development opportunities, including face-to-face, virtual, social and on-site learning, mentoring, coaching, and external development.
Health and Safety
The physical health, life balance and mental health of our employees is part of our core value of caring and thus is of vital importance to Domtar. That is why we work relentlessly to physically eliminate the potential for life-altering hazards and minimize risk of injury as part of a proactive, preventive safety culture while investing in well-being programs to help our employees establish and maintain healthy lifestyles.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we have remained focused on protecting the health, safety, and well-being of our employees while meeting the needs of our customers. Shortly after the outset of COVID-19, we adopted enhanced safety measures and practices across our facilities to protect employee health and safety and ensured a reliable supply of essential products to our customers. We monitor the impact of the pandemic on our employees and within our operations, and proactively modify or adopt new practices to promote their health and safety.
Community Involvement
We make donations to charitable organizations in the communities where we live and work and believe that this commitment helps in our efforts to attract and retain employees. We also offer employees the opportunity to volunteer in their communities through our Domtar EarthChoice Ambassadors program. We focus our philanthropic efforts on three areas that align with our business: literacy, sustainability, and health and wellness.
OUR APPROACH TO SUSTAINABILITY
Domtar aims to deliver value to our customers, employees and communities by viewing our business decisions within the larger context of sustainability. We take a long-term view on managing natural resources for the future. We strive to minimize waste and encourage recycling. We aim to have the highest standards for ethical conduct, for caring about the health and safety of each other, and for maintaining the environmental quality in the communities where we live and work. We value the partnerships we have formed with non-governmental organizations and believe they make us a better Company. We focus on agility to respond to new opportunities, and we are committed to turning innovation into value creation. By embracing sustainability as our operating philosophy, we seek to internalize the fact that the choices we have and the impact of the decisions we make on our stakeholders are all interconnected. We believe that our business and the people and communities who depend on us are better served as we weave this focus on sustainability into the things we do.
Domtar executes this commitment to sustainability at every level and every location across the Company. Our Management Committee empowers senior managers from manufacturing, technology, finance, sales and marketing and corporate staff functions to regularly come together and establish key sustainability performance metrics, and to routinely assess and report on progress. Our sustainability goals, challenges and progress are reported annually on the Company’s website and other published reports.
OUR ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE
Our business is subject to a wide range of general and industry-specific laws and regulations in the U.S. and other countries where we have operations, relating to the protection of the environment, including those governing wood harvesting, air emissions, climate change, waste water discharges, storage, management and disposal of hazardous substances and wastes, contaminated sites, landfill operation and closure obligations and health and safety matters. Compliance with these laws and regulations is a significant factor in the operation of our business. We may encounter situations in which our operations fail to maintain full compliance with applicable environmental requirements, possibly leading to civil or criminal fines, penalties or enforcement actions, including those that could result in governmental or judicial orders that stop or interrupt our operations or require us to take corrective measures at substantial costs, such as the installation of additional pollution control equipment or other remedial actions.
Compliance with environmental laws and regulations involves capital expenditures as well as additional operating costs. Additional information regarding environmental matters is included in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, under Note 20 “Commitments and Contingencies” and in Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, under the section of Critical accounting estimates and policies, under the caption “Environmental Matters and Asset Retirement Obligations.”
OUR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Many of our brand name products are protected by registered trademarks. Our key trademarks include Cougar®, Lynx® Opaque Ultra, Husky® Opaque Offset, First Choice®, EarthChoice®, Ariva®, NovaThin® and NovaZorb®. These brand names and trademarks are important to our business. Our numerous trademarks have been registered in the U.S. and/or in other countries where our products are sold. The current registrations of these trademarks are effective for various periods of time. These trademarks may be renewed periodically, provided that we, as the registered owner, and/or licensee comply with all applicable renewal requirements, including the continued use of the trademarks in connection with similar goods.
We own U.S. and foreign patents and have several pending patent applications. Our management regards these patents and patent applications as important but does not consider any single patent or group of patents to be materially important to our business as a whole.
OUR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Name
Age
Position and Business Experience
John D. Williams
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since January 2009. He is also a member of the Management Committee and the Domtar Advisory Committee.
Mr. Williams has more than 40 years of experience in both consumer products and packaging. He began his career in consumer product sales in 1976, gaining insight into key market dynamics in the U.K. and the U.S. Since joining Domtar, he has led the company’s transformation from a strictly paper manufacturing enterprise to an emerging packaging player in the containerboard market.
Mr. Williams is a member of the Board of Directors of Owens Corning and the Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of Form Technologies, Inc., a privately held leading global group of precision component manufacturers based in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Daniel Buron
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company since March 2007. He is also a member of the Management Committee. Mr. Buron was previously Senior Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer of Domtar Inc. since May 2004. He joined Domtar Inc. in 1999. Prior to May 2004, he was Vice President, Finance, Pulp and Paper sales division and, prior to September 2002, he was Vice President and Controller. He has over 30 years of experience in finance. Mr. Buron is a Director of the McGill University Health Centre Foundation and also serves on the Board of Directors of Nouveau Monde Graphite Inc.
James Edwards
Senior Vice President, Pulp and Paper Operations and member of the Management Committee. Mr. Edwards has been with Domtar since 1996 and has held several mill and corporate positions including Vice President of Pulp and Paper manufacturing services team, general manager of our pulp and paper mill in Marlboro (Bennettsville), South Carolina, operations manager, linerboard and fluff pulp manager, and recycled linerboard superintendent. He is on the National Council for Air and Stream Improvement Board of Governors and on Western Michigan University’s Board of Trustees for their Paper Technology Foundation.
Robert Melton
Senior Vice President, Pulp and Paper Commercial and member of the Management Committee. Mr. Melton has been with Domtar since 1993. He has held multiple roles in the communication and specialty papers at Domtar. He serves as Chair of the Printing & Writing Committee of the American Forest and Paper Association, is on the Board of Directors of the Envelope Manufacturers Association Foundation and is also on the Board of Directors of the Paper & Packaging Board.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements relating to trends in, or representing management’s beliefs about, Domtar Corporation’s future growth, results of operations, performance, liquidity and business prospects and opportunities. These forward-looking statements are generally denoted by the use of words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “aim,” “target,” “plan,” “continue,” “estimate,” “project,” “may,” “will,” “should” and similar expressions. These statements reflect management’s current beliefs and are based on information currently available to management. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or those anticipated. Accordingly, no assurances can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur, or if any occur, what effect they will have on our results of operations or financial condition. These factors include, but are not limited to:
•
continued decline in usage of fine paper products in our core market;
•
our ability to implement our business diversification initiatives, including repurposing of assets and strategic acquisitions or divestitures, including facility closures;
•
failure to achieve our cost containment goals, conversion costs in excess of our expectations and demand for linerboard;
•
product selling prices;
•
raw material prices, including wood fiber, chemical and energy;
•
conditions in the global capital and credit markets, and the general economy, particularly in the U.S., and Canada;
•
performance of our manufacturing operations, including unexpected maintenance requirements;
•
the level of competition from domestic and foreign producers;
•
cyberattacks or other security breaches;
•
the effect of, or change in, forestry, land use, environmental and other governmental regulations and accounting regulations;
•
the effect of weather and the risk of loss from fires, floods, windstorms, hurricanes and other natural disasters;
•
transportation costs;
•
the loss of current customers or the inability to obtain new customers;
•
legal proceedings;
•
changes in asset valuations, including impairment of long-lived assets, inventory, accounts receivable or other assets or other reasons;
•
changes in currency exchange rates, particularly the relative value of the U.S. dollar to the Canadian dollar;
•
performance of pension fund investments and related derivatives, if any;
•
a material disruption in our supply chain, manufacturing, distribution operations or customer demand such as public health crises that impact trade or the general economy, including COVID-19 and other viruses, diseases or illnesses; and
•
the other factors described under “Risk Factors,” Item 1A.
You are cautioned not to unduly rely on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made, when evaluating the information presented in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Unless specifically required by law, Domtar Corporation disclaims any obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements to reflect new events or circumstances.

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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
You should carefully consider the risks described below in addition to the other information presented in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Risks Related to our Business
Failure to successfully implement the Company’s business diversification initiatives could have a material adverse effect on its business, results of operations and financial position.
The Company is pursuing strategic initiatives that management considers important to our long-term success. The intent of these initiatives is to help grow and diversify the business and counteract the secular decline in our North American paper business. These initiatives may involve organic growth, conversion of assets, select joint ventures and strategic acquisitions. The success of these initiatives will depend on, among other things, our ability to identify potential strategic initiatives, understand the key trends and principal drivers affecting those businesses and to execute the initiatives in a cost-effective manner. There are significant risks involved with the execution of such initiatives, including significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties, many of which are outside the Company’s control.
For example, we are currently converting one of our mills to a containerboard production facility and in the past, we have converted paper mills to fluff pulp production facilities. If circumstances warrant, in the future we may again convert mills to produce pulp or other products. Conversions can be capital intensive and can involve the shutdown of a facility for an extended period of time, followed by an extended ramp-up and customer certification process. In addition, the success of a conversion depends upon demand over time for the new product relative to the previously produced paper products, as well as costs and other factors, and there can be no assurance that a conversion will be as successful as expected.
Strategic acquisitions may expose the Company to additional risks. The Company may have to compete for acquisition targets and any acquisition it makes may fail to accomplish our strategic objectives or may not perform as expected. In addition, the costs of integrating an acquired business may exceed our estimates and may require significant time and attention from senior management. Accordingly, the Company cannot predict whether it will succeed in implementing these strategic initiatives. If it fails to successfully diversify our business, it may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s competitive position, financial condition and operating results.
The Company’s paper products are vulnerable to long-term declines in demand due to competing technologies or materials.
The Company’s paper business competes with electronic transmission and document storage alternatives, as well as with paper grades it does not produce, such as uncoated groundwood. As a result of such competition, the Company is experiencing ongoing decreasing demand for most of its existing paper products. As the use of these alternatives grows, demand for paper products is likely to decline further. Declines in demand for our paper products may adversely affect the Company’s business, results of operations and financial position.
The pulp and paper industry is highly cyclical. Fluctuations in the prices of and the demand for the Company’s pulp and paper products could result in lower sales and profit.
The pulp and paper industry is highly cyclical. Historically, economic and market shifts, fluctuations in capacity and changes in foreign currency exchange rates have created cyclical changes in prices, sales volume and margins for the Company’s pulp and paper products. The length and magnitude of industry cycles have varied over time and by product, but generally reflect changes in macroeconomic conditions and levels of industry capacity. Most of the Company’s paper products are commodities that are widely available from other producers. Because commodity products have few distinguishing qualities from producer to producer, competition for these products is based primarily on price, which is determined by supply relative to demand.
The overall levels of demand for the pulp and paper products that the Company manufactures and distributes, and consequently its sales and profitability, reflect fluctuations in levels of end-user demand, which depend in part on general macroeconomic conditions in North America and worldwide, the continuation of the current level of service and cost of postal services, competition from electronic substitution, as well as the occurrence of a contagious disease or illness, including COVID-19. See “Conditions in the global political and economic environment, including the global capital and credit markets, can adversely affect the Company’s business, results of operations and financial position”, “The Company’s paper products are vulnerable to long-term declines in demand due to competing technologies or materials” and “A global pandemic (or any disease outbreak, including epidemics, pandemics, or similar widespread public health concerns such as the recent COVID-19 pandemic) could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business operations, results of operations, cash flows and financial position”.
Industry supply of pulp and paper products is also subject to fluctuation, as changing industry conditions can influence producers to idle or permanently close individual machines or entire mills. Such closures can result in significant cash and/or non-cash charges. In addition, to avoid substantial cash costs in connection with idling or closing a mill, some producers will choose to continue to operate at a loss, sometimes even a cash loss, which can prolong weak pricing environments due to oversupply. Oversupply also can result from producers introducing new capacity in response to favorable pricing trends or low-cost imports in response to exchange rates and other factors.
Industry supply of pulp and paper products is also influenced by overseas production capacity, which has grown in recent years and is expected to continue to grow.
As a result, prices for all of the Company’s pulp and paper products are driven by many factors outside of its control, and the Company has little influence over the timing and extent of price changes, which are often volatile. Because market conditions beyond the Company’s control determine the prices for its commodity products, the price for any one or more of these products may fall below its cash production costs, requiring the Company to either incur cash losses on product sales or cease production at one or more of its pulp and paper manufacturing facilities. If the prices or demand for its pulp and paper products decline, this could adversely affect the Company’s results of operations and financial position.
The Company relies heavily on a small number of significant customers, including one customer that represented approximately 12% of the Company’s sales in 2021. A significant change in customer relationships or in customer demand for our products could materially adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition or results of operations.
The Company heavily relies on a small number of significant customers. The Company’s largest customer, Staples, represented approximately 12% of the Company’s sales in 2021. A significant reduction in sales to any of the Company’s key customers could materially adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition or results of operations.
The Company may have difficulty obtaining wood fiber at favorable prices, or at all.
Wood fiber is the principal raw material used by the Company’s Pulp and Paper business, comprising approximately 23% of the cost of sales in 2021. Wood fiber is a commodity, and prices historically have been impacted by a variety of factors. The primary source for wood fiber is timber. Environmental litigation and regulatory developments, alternative use for energy production and reduction in harvesting related to the housing market, have caused, and may cause in the future, significant reductions in the amount of timber available for commercial harvest in the U.S. and Canada. In addition, future domestic or foreign legislation and litigation concerning the use of timberlands, the protection of endangered species, the promotion of forest health and the response to and prevention of catastrophic wildfires could also affect timber supplies. Availability of harvested timber may be further limited by adverse weather, fire, insect infestation, disease, ice storms, windstorms, flooding and other natural and man-made causes, thereby reducing supply and increasing prices. Wood fiber pricing is subject to regional market influences, and the Company’s cost of wood fiber may increase in particular regions due to market shifts in those regions. Any sustained increase in wood fiber prices would increase the Company’s operating costs, and the Company may be unable to increase prices for its products in response to increased wood fiber costs due to additional factors affecting the demand or supply of these products.
The Company currently meets its wood fiber requirements by purchasing wood fiber from third parties and by harvesting timber pursuant to its forest licenses and forest management agreements. If the Company’s cutting rights, pursuant to its forest licenses or forest management agreements are reduced, or any third-party supplier of wood fiber stops selling or is unable to sell wood fiber to the Company, its financial condition or results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
An increase in the cost of the Company’s purchased energy or other raw materials would lead to higher manufacturing costs, thereby reducing its margins.
The Company’s operations consume substantial amounts of energy such as biomass, natural gas and electricity. Energy prices, particularly for electricity, natural gas and fuel oil, have been volatile in recent years. As a result, fluctuations in energy prices will impact the Company’s manufacturing costs and contribute to earnings volatility. While the Company purchases substantial portions of its energy under supply contracts, most of these contracts are based on market pricing.
Other raw materials the Company uses include various chemical compounds, such as precipitated calcium carbonate, sodium chlorate, sulfuric acid, peroxide, and methanol. The costs of these other raw materials have been volatile historically, and they are influenced by capacity utilization, energy prices and other factors beyond the Company’s control.
Due to the commodity nature of the Company’s products, the relationship between supply and demand for these products, rather than changes in the cost of raw materials or purchased energy, will determine the Company’s ability to increase prices. Consequently, the Company may be unable to pass on increases in its operating costs to its customers. Any sustained increase in raw material or energy
prices without any corresponding increase in product pricing would reduce the Company’s operating margins and may have a material adverse effect on its business and results of operations.
The Company depends on third parties for transportation services.
The Company relies on third parties for transportation of the products it manufactures and/or distributes, as well as delivery of its raw materials. In particular, a significant portion of the goods it manufactures and raw materials it uses are transported by railroad, trucks or barges. If any of its third-party transportation providers were to fail to deliver the goods that the Company manufactures or distributes in a timely manner, the Company may be unable to sell those products at full value, or at all. Similarly, if any of these providers were to fail to deliver raw materials to the Company in a timely manner, it may be unable to manufacture its products in response to customer demand. In addition, if any of these third parties were to cease operations or cease doing business with the Company, it may be unable to replace them at reasonable cost. Any failure of a third-party transportation provider to deliver raw materials or finished products in a timely manner could harm the Company’s reputation, negatively impact its customer relationships and may have a material adverse effect on its financial condition and results of operations.
The Company could experience disruptions in operations and/or increased labor costs due to labor disputes.
Approximately 58% of the Company’s employees are represented by unions through collective bargaining agreements generally negotiated on a facility-by-facility basis. In the future, the Company may not be able to negotiate acceptable new collective bargaining agreements, which could result in strikes or work stoppages or other labor disputes by affected workers. Renewal of collective bargaining agreements could also result in higher wages or benefits paid to union members. In addition, labor organizing activities could occur at any of the Company’s facilities. Therefore, the Company could experience a disruption of its operations or higher ongoing labor costs, which could have a material adverse effect on its business and results of operations.
A material disruption in the Company supply chain, manufacturing or distribution operations could prevent it from meeting customer demand, reduce its sales and/or negatively impact its results of operations.
The Company’s ability to manufacture, distribute and sell products is critical to its operations. These activities are subject to inherent risks such as:
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unscheduled maintenance outages;
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prolonged power failures;
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equipment failure;
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chemical spill or release;
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malfunction of a boiler;
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the effect of a drought or reduced rainfall on its water supply;
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labor disputes;
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government regulations;
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disruptions in the transportation infrastructure, including roads, bridges, railroad tracks and tunnels;
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adverse weather, fires, floods, earthquakes, hurricanes or other catastrophes;
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cyberattack or other security breaches;
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failure of our IT systems, including any failure of our current systems and/or as a result of transitioning to additional or replacement IT system;
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public health crises that impact trade or the general economy, including COVID-19 and other viruses, diseases or illnesses;
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terrorism or threats of terrorism, acts of war; or
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other operational problems, including those resulting from the risks described in this section.
Events such as those listed above could disrupt the Company’s supply chain and impair its ability to manufacture or sell its products and have resulted in operating losses in the past. Any interruption or facility damage could prevent the Company from meeting customer demand for its products as well as require additional resources and/or require unplanned expenditures. If one or more of
these machines or facilities were to incur significant downtime, it may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations and financial position.
The Company could encounter difficulties restructuring operations or closing or disposing of facilities or business.
The Company is continuously seeking the most cost-effective means and structure to serve our customers and to respond to changes in our markets. Accordingly, from time to time, the Company has, and is likely to again close facilities, sell non-core assets and otherwise restructure operations in an effort to improve cost competitiveness and profitability. As a result, restructuring and divestiture costs have been, and are expected to be, a recurring component of our operating costs, and may vary significantly from year to year depending on the scope of such activities. Divestitures and restructuring may also result in significant financial charges for the impairment of assets, including intangible assets. Furthermore, such activities may divert the attention of management, disrupt our ordinary operations, or result in a reduction in the volume of products produced and sold. There is no guarantee that any such activities will achieve their goals, and if the Company cannot successfully manage the associated risks, its financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.
Legal and Regulatory Risks
The Company could incur substantial costs as a result of compliance with, violations of or liabilities under applicable environmental laws and regulations. It could also incur costs as a result of asbestos-related personal injury litigation.
The Company is subject to a wide range of general and industry-specific laws and regulations in the U.S. and other countries where we have operations, relating to the protection of the environment and natural resources, including those governing air emissions, greenhouse gases and climate change, wastewater discharges, harvesting, silvicultural activities, storage, management and disposal of hazardous substances and wastes, the cleanup of contaminated sites, landfill operation and closure obligations, forestry operations and endangered species habitat, and health and safety matters. In particular, the pulp and paper industry in the U.S. is subject to the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (“EPA”) Cluster Rules.
The Company has incurred, and expects that it will continue to incur, significant capital, operating and other expenditures complying with applicable environmental laws and regulations as a result of remedial obligations. The Company incurred $40 million of operating expenses and $5 million of capital expenditures in connection with environmental compliance and remediation in 2021. As of December 31, 2021, the Company had a provision of $41 million for environmental expenditures, including certain asset retirement obligations (such as for landfill capping).
The Company could also incur substantial costs, such as civil or criminal fines, sanctions and enforcement actions (including orders limiting its operations or requiring corrective measures, installation of pollution control equipment or other remedial actions), cleanup and closure costs, and third-party claims for property damage and personal injury as a result of violations of, or liabilities under, environmental laws and regulations. The Company’s ongoing efforts to identify potential environmental concerns that may be associated with its past and present properties may lead to future environmental investigations. Those efforts may result in the determination of additional environmental costs and liabilities which cannot be reasonably estimated at this time.
As the owner and operator of real estate, the Company may be liable under environmental laws for cleanup, closure and other damages resulting from the presence and release of hazardous substances, including asbestos, on or from its properties or operations, including properties that it no longer owns. The amount and timing of environmental expenditures is difficult to predict, and, in some cases, the Company’s liability may be imposed without regard to contribution or to whether it knew of, or caused, the release of hazardous substances and may exceed forecasted amounts or the value of the property itself. The discovery of additional contamination or the imposition of additional cleanup obligations at the Company’s or third-party sites may result in significant additional costs. Any material liability the Company incurs could adversely impact its financial condition or preclude it from making capital expenditures that would otherwise benefit its business.
In addition, the Company may be subject to asbestos-related personal injury litigation arising out of exposure to asbestos on or from its properties or operations and may incur substantial costs as a result of any defense, settlement, or adverse judgment in such litigation. The Company may not have access to insurance proceeds to cover costs associated with asbestos-related personal injury litigation.
Enactment of new environmental laws or regulations or changes in existing laws or regulations (such as changes in climate change regulation), or interpretation thereof, might require significant expenditures. For additional information, refer to Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, under Note 20 “Commitments and Contingencies”. The Company may be unable to generate funds or other sources of liquidity and capital to fund environmental liabilities or expenditures.
Failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial results or condition.
In addition to environmental laws, the Company’s business and operations are subject to a broad range of other laws and regulations in the U.S. and Canada as well as other jurisdictions in which the Company operates, including antitrust and competition laws, occupational health and safety laws, and employment laws. Many of these laws and regulations are complex and subject to evolving and differing interpretation. If the Company is determined to have violated any such laws or regulations, whether inadvertently or willfully, it may be subject to civil and criminal penalties, including substantial fines, loss of authorizations to participate in or exclusion from government programs, claims for damages by third parties or fines or monetary penalties which may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows. For additional information, refer to Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, under Note 20 “Commitments and Contingencies.”
Financial Risks
The Company may incur substantially more debt. This could increase risks associated with its leverage.
The Company may incur substantial additional indebtedness in the future. Although the Company’s debt agreements contain restrictions on the incurrence of additional secured and unsecured indebtedness, these restrictions are subject to a number of qualifications and exceptions, and additional indebtedness incurred in compliance with these restrictions could be substantial. Refer to Item 8, Note 17 “Long-term debt”, of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more details.
The Company’s operations require substantial capital, and it may not have adequate capital resources to provide for all of its capital requirements.
The Company’s businesses are capital intensive and require ongoing capital expenditures in order to maintain its equipment, increase its operating efficiency and comply with environmental laws. In 2021, the Company’s total capital expenditures were $309 million.
If the Company’s available cash resources and cash generated from operations are not sufficient to fund its operating needs and capital expenditures, the Company would have to obtain additional funds from borrowings or other available sources or reduce or delay its capital expenditures. The Company may not be able to obtain additional funds on favorable terms, or at all. In addition, the Company’s debt service obligations will reduce its available cash flows. If the Company cannot maintain or upgrade its equipment as it requires or allocate funds to ensure environmental compliance, it could be required to curtail or cease some of its manufacturing operations, or it may become unable to manufacture products that compete effectively in one or more of its product lines.
The Company’s ability to generate the significant amount of cash needed to pay interest and principal on the Company’s secured and unsecured long-term indebtedness and service its other debt and financial obligations and its ability to refinance all or a portion of its indebtedness or obtain additional financing depends on many factors beyond the Company’s control.
In 2021, the Company paid approximately $53 million in interest payments. The Company’s ability to make payments on and refinance its debt, including the Company’s secured and unsecured long-term notes, its First Lien Term Loan Facility and amounts borrowed under its ABL Revolving Credit Facility, if any, and other financial obligations and to fund its operations will depend on its ability to generate substantial operating cash flow. The Company’s cash flow generation will depend on its future performance, which will be subject to prevailing economic conditions and to financial, business and other factors, many of which are beyond its control.
The Company’s business may not generate sufficient cash flow from operations and future borrowings may not be available to the Company under its ABL Revolving Credit Facility or otherwise in amounts sufficient to enable the Company to service its indebtedness, including the Company’s secured and unsecured long-term notes, its First Lien Term Loan Facility and borrowings, if any, under its ABL Revolving Credit Facility or to fund its other liquidity needs. If the Company cannot service its debt, the Company will have to take actions such as reducing or delaying capital investments, selling assets, restructuring or refinancing its debt or seek additional equity capital. Any of these remedies may not be executed on commercially reasonable terms, or at all, and may impede the implementation of its business strategy. Furthermore, the secured and unsecured long-term notes, the First Lien Term Loan Facility and the ABL Revolving Credit Facility may restrict the Company from adopting any of these alternatives. Because of these and other factors that may be beyond its control, the Company may be unable to service its indebtedness.
The Company has liabilities with respect to its pension plans and the actual cost of its pension plan obligations could exceed current provisions. As of December 31, 2021, the Company’s defined benefit plans had a surplus of $248 million on certain plans and a deficit of $59 million on others.
Since pension fund obligations are primarily long-term in nature, losses in pension fund investments, if any, would result in increased contributions by the Company, to be paid over 5 year or 10 year periods, depending upon the applicable legislation for funding
pension deficits. Losses, if any, would also impact the Company’s results over a longer period of time and immediately increase liabilities and reduce equity.
The Company’s future funding obligations for its defined benefit pension plans depend upon changes to the level of benefits provided by the plans, the future performance of assets set aside in trusts for these plans, the level of interest rates used to determine minimum funding levels, actuarial data and experience, and any changes in government laws and regulations. As of December 31, 2021, the Company’s defined benefit pension plans held assets with a fair value of $1,622 million.
Market Risks
The Company faces intense competition in its markets, and the failure to compete effectively could have a material adverse effect on its business and results of operations.
The Company competes with U.S., Canadian, European and Asian producers and, for many of its product lines with global producers, some of which may have greater financial resources and lower production costs than the Company. The principal basis for competition is selling price. The Company’s ability to maintain satisfactory margins depends largely on its ability to control its costs. Our industries also are particularly sensitive to other factors including innovation, design, quality and service, with varying emphasis on these factors depending on the product line. The Company cannot provide assurance that it will compete effectively and maintain current levels of sales and profitability. If the Company cannot compete effectively, such failure could have a material adverse effect on its business and results of operations.
Conditions in the global political and economic environment, including the global capital and credit markets, can adversely affect the Company’s business, results of operations and financial position.
A significant or prolonged downturn in the general economic environment may affect the Company’s sales and profitability. The Company has exposure to counterparties with which it routinely executes transactions. Such counterparties include commercial banks, insurance companies and other financial institutions, some of which may be exposed to bankruptcy or liquidity risks. A bankruptcy or illiquidity event by one of its significant counterparties may materially and adversely affect the Company’s access to capital, future business and results of operations. In addition, the Company’s customers and suppliers may be adversely affected by severe economic conditions. This could result in reduced demand for its products or its inability to obtain necessary supplies at reasonable costs, or at all.
The Company may be negatively impacted by political issues or crisis in individual countries or regions, including sovereign risk related to a default by or deterioration in the credit worthiness of local governments. Any of these effects, and others the Company cannot anticipate, may have a negative effect and may adversely affect the Company’s business.
The Company is affected by changes in currency exchange rates.
The Company has manufacturing operations in the U.S. and Canada. As a result, it is exposed to movements in foreign currency exchange rates in Canada. Moreover, certain assets and liabilities are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar and are exposed to foreign currency movements. As a result, the Company’s earnings are affected by increases or decreases in the value of the Canadian dollar relative to the U.S. dollar. Additionally, there has been, and may continue to be, volatility in currency exchange rates. The Company’s risk management policy allows hedging a significant portion of its exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates for periods up to three years. The Company may use foreign exchange derivative instruments to mitigate its exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. There can be no assurance that the Company will be protected against substantial foreign currency fluctuations. Currency exchange rates could adversely affect the Company’s results of operations and financial position.
General Risks
A global pandemic (or any disease outbreak, including epidemics, pandemics, or similar widespread public health concerns such as the recent COVID-19 pandemic) could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business operations, results of operations, cash flows and financial position.
The Company’s business may be negatively impacted by the fear of exposure to or actual effects of a disease outbreak, epidemic, pandemic, or similar widespread public health concern, resulting in travel restrictions or recommendations or mandates from governmental authorities to avoid large gatherings or to self-quarantine. These impacts include, but are not limited to:
• Significant reductions in demand or significant volatility in demand for one or more of the Company’s products, which may be caused by, among other things: the closing of offices and schools where paper is used extensively, the temporary inability of consumers to purchase the Company’s products due to illness, quarantine or other travel restrictions, financial hardship, shifts in
demand away from one or more of our more discretionary or higher priced products to lower priced products or use of alternatives, stockpiling or similar activity; if prolonged, such impacts can further increase the difficulty of planning for operations and may adversely impact the Company’s results;
• Inability to meet the Company’s customers’ needs and achieve cost targets due to disruptions in the Company’s manufacturing and supply arrangements caused by constrained workforce capacity or the loss or disruption of other essential manufacturing and supply elements such as raw materials or other finished product components, transportation, or other manufacturing and distribution capability;
• Failure of third parties on which the Company relies, including the Company’s suppliers, distributors, contractors or commercial banks, to meet their obligations to the Company, or significant disruptions in their ability to do so, which may be caused by their own financial or operational difficulties and may adversely impact the Company’s operations; or
• Significant changes in the political conditions in the markets in which the Company manufactures, sells or distributes its products, including quarantines, import/export restrictions, price controls, or governmental or regulatory actions, closures or other restrictions that limit or close the Company’s operating and manufacturing facilities, restrict the Company’s employees’ ability to travel or perform necessary business functions, or otherwise prevent the Company’s suppliers or customers from sufficiently staffing operations, including operations necessary for the production, distribution and sale of the Company’s products, which could adversely impact the Company’s results.
Despite the Company’s efforts to manage and mitigate these impacts to the Company, their ultimate impact also depends on factors beyond our knowledge or control, including the duration and severity of any such outbreak as well as third-party actions taken to contain its spread and mitigate its public health effects.
The Company’s financial results could be affected by changes in U.S. and foreign tax laws or in the mix of our U.S. and foreign earnings, as well as adjustments to our estimates of uncertain tax issues or results from audits by U.S. or foreign tax authorities.
The Company is subject to U.S. and foreign tax laws and regulations. Tax laws, regulations, and administrative practices in various jurisdictions may be subject to significant change, with or without notice, due to economic, political and other conditions, and significant judgment is required in evaluating and estimating our provision and accruals for these taxes. International tax norms governing each country’s jurisdiction to tax cross-border international trade have evolved partly due to the Base Erosion and Profit Shifting project led by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and supported by the G20. Changes in these laws and regulations, or any change in the position of tax authorities regarding their application, administration or interpretation could adversely affect the Company’s financial results. In addition, a number of countries are actively pursuing changes to their tax laws applicable to multinational corporations, such as the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Acts (“U.S. Tax Reform”), enacted in 2017. Finally, foreign governments may enact tax laws in response to the U.S. Tax Reform that could result in further changes to global taxation and materially impact the Company’s financial results.
The Company’s effective tax rates could be affected by changes in the mix of earnings in countries with differing statutory tax rates or changes in the valuation of deferred tax assets and liabilities. The Company is also subject to the examination of its tax returns and other matters by tax authorities and governmental bodies. The Company regularly assesses the likelihood of an adverse outcome resulting from these examinations to determine the adequacy of its provision for taxes and as of December 31, 2021, has a reserve for liabilities relating to uncertain tax positions of $22 million. Taxing authorities may disagree with the positions the Company has taken regarding the tax treatment or characterization of its transactions. If any tax authorities were successful in challenging the tax treatment or characterization of any of the Company’s transactions, it could also adversely affect its financial results.
The Company’s intellectual property rights are valuable, and any inability to protect them could reduce the value of its products and its brands.
The Company relies on patent, trademark and other intellectual property laws of the U.S. and other countries to protect its intellectual property rights. However, the Company may be unable to prevent third parties from using its intellectual property without its authorization, which may reduce any competitive advantage it has developed. If the Company had to litigate to protect these rights, any proceedings could be costly, and it may not prevail. The Company cannot guarantee that any U.S. or foreign patents, issued or pending, will provide it with any competitive advantage or will not be challenged by third parties. Additionally, the Company has obtained and applied for U.S. and foreign trademark registrations and will continue to evaluate the registration of additional service marks and trademarks, as appropriate. The Company cannot guarantee that any of its pending patent or trademark applications will be approved by the applicable governmental authorities and, even if the applications are approved, third parties may seek to oppose or otherwise challenge these registrations. The failure to secure any pending patent or trademark applications may limit the Company’s ability to protect the intellectual property rights that these applications were intended to cover.
If the Company is unable to successfully retain and develop executive leadership and other key personnel, it may be unable to fully realize critical organizational strategies, goals and objectives.
The success of the Company is substantially dependent on the efforts and abilities of its key personnel, including its executive management team, to develop and implement its business strategies and manage its operations. The failure to retain key personnel or to develop successors with appropriate skills and experience for key positions in the Company could adversely affect the development and achievement of critical organizational strategies, goals and objectives. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to retain or develop the key personnel it needs and the failure to do so may adversely affect its financial condition and results of operations.
Our operations could be adversely affected by disruptions to our Information Technology (IT) Services.
The Company’s IT systems, some of which are dependent on services provided by third parties, serve an important role in the efficient operation of its business. The protection of customers, employees and company data is critical to the Company’s business. This role includes ordering and managing materials from suppliers, managing its inventory, converting materials to finished products, facilitating order entry and fulfillment and processing of transactions, summarizing and reporting its financial results, facilitating internal and external communications, administering human resources functions, retaining certain personal information and providing other processes necessary to manage its business. The failure of the Company’s IT systems, including any failure of the Company’s current systems and/or as a result of transitioning to additional or replacement IT systems, as the case may be, to perform as the Company anticipates could disrupt the Company’s business and could result in, among other things, transactions errors, processing inefficiencies, disruption of production and/or deliveries, loss of data and the loss of sales and customers, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial position and results of operations and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting could be negatively impact.
The Company is exposed to the risk of cyber incidents in the normal course of business. Cyber incidents may be deliberate attacks for the theft of intellectual property or other sensitive information or may be the result of unintentional events. Like most companies, the Company's information technology systems may be vulnerable to interruption due to a variety of events beyond the Company's control, including, but not limited to, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, power and/or telecommunications failures, computer viruses, hackers and other security issues. The Company has technology security initiatives and disaster recovery plans in place to mitigate the Company's risk to these vulnerabilities, including protection of confidential or personal information, but these measures may not be adequate or implemented properly to ensure that the Company's operations are not disrupted. The Company’s IT systems have been, and will likely continue to be, subject to computer viruses or other malicious codes, unauthorized access attempts, phishing and other cyber-incidents. The Company cannot guarantee that its security efforts will prevent breaches or breakdowns to its IT systems or those of its third-party providers. Potential consequences of a material cyber incident, which could result in confidential or personal information being accessed, obtained, damaged or used by unauthorized or improper persons, include damage to the Company’s reputation, litigation, inefficiencies or production downtimes and increased cyber security protection and remediation costs. Such consequences could have a negative impact on the Company’s ability to meet customers’ orders, resulting in a delay or decrease to its revenue and a reduction to its operating margins.

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ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.

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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
As of December 31, 2021, we had eight integrated pulp and paper mills (six in the United States and two in Canada) and two stand-alone pulp mills (one in the U.S. and one in Canada). A description of our mills is included in Item I, Business.
Our paper manufacturing operations are supported by eleven converting and forms manufacturing operations (including a network of eight plants located offsite from our paper making operations) as well as sales offices, regional replenishment centers and warehouse facilities located in the U.S and Canada and a representative office located in Hong Kong, China.
Production facilities
We own substantially all of our production facilities. We lease substantially all of our sales offices, regional replenishment centers and warehouse facilities. We believe our properties are in good operating condition and are suitable and adequate for the operations for which they are used. We own substantially all of the equipment used in our facilities.
Approximately 70% of our paper production capacity is in the United States and 30% is located in Canada and approximately 69% of our pulp production capacity is in the U.S. and 31% is in Canada.
Forestlands
We manage approximately 4 million acres of forestlands that are directly licensed or owned by Domtar in Canada, through efficient management and the application of certified sustainable forest management practices. We also have access to fiber from an additional 25 million acres of public forestlands in Canada that are licensed and managed by third parties. We believe that these forestlands will provide a continuous supply of wood for future needs.

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ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
In the normal course of operations, the Company becomes involved in various legal actions mostly related to contract disputes, patent infringements, environmental and product warranty claims, and labor issues. The Company periodically reviews the status of these proceedings and assesses the likelihood of any adverse judgments or outcomes of these legal proceedings, as well as analyzes probable losses. Although the final outcome of any legal proceeding is subject to a number of variables and cannot be predicted with any degree of certainty, management currently believes that the ultimate outcome of current legal proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s long-term results of operations, cash flow or financial position. However, an adverse outcome in one or more of the significant legal proceedings could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results, financial condition or cash flow in a given quarter or year.
For a discussion of commitments, legal proceedings and related contingencies, refer to Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data under, Note 20 “Commitments and Contingencies”.

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ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
PART II

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ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
As of December 31, 2021, there are no longer publicly traded common shares of Domtar Corporation.

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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
ITEM 6. RESERVED

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) should be read in conjunction with Domtar Corporation’s audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ materially from those discussed in forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause a difference include, but are not limited to, those discussed in Item 1, Business, under “Forward-looking statements”, as well as in Item 1A, Risk Factors, in this report. Except where otherwise indicated, all financial information reflected herein is determined on the basis of accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
The information contained on our website, www.domtar.com, is not incorporated by reference into this Form 10-K and should in no way be construed as a part of this or any other report that we file with or furnish to the SEC.
In accordance with industry practice, in this report, the term “ton” or the symbol “ST” refers to a short ton, an imperial unit of measurement equal to 0.9072 metric tons. The term “metric ton” or the symbol “ADMT” refers to an air dry metric ton. In this report, unless otherwise indicated, all dollar amounts are expressed in U.S. dollars, and the term “dollars” and the symbol “$” refer to U.S. dollars.
OVERVIEW
We operate as a single reportable segment as described below, which also represents our only operating segment.
Pulp and Paper: Our Pulp and Paper business consists of the design, manufacturing, marketing and distribution of communication, specialty and packaging papers, as well as softwood, hardwood and fluff pulps and high quality airlaid and ultrathin laminated cores.
Our segment measure of profit (operating income (loss) from continuing operations) is used by management to evaluate performance and make operational decisions. Management believes that this measure allows for a better understanding of cost trends, operating efficiencies, prices and volume. Business segment operating income (loss) is defined as earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity losses, excluding corporate items, interest expense, net, and non-service components of net periodic benefit cost. Corporate expenses are allocated to our segment with the exception of certain discretionary charges and credits, which we present under “Corporate” and do not allocate to the segment.
Paper Excellence Acquired Domtar Corporation
On November 30, 2021, Paper Excellence completed the acquisition of all the outstanding common shares of Domtar Corporation by means of a merger of Pearl Merger Sub (a wholly-owned subsidiary) with and into the Company with the Company continuing as the surviving corporation and as a subsidiary of Paper Excellence (the “Merger”). Refer to Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, under Note 4 “Acquisition of Businesses” for additional information on the Merger.
As a condition to obtain the approval of the Merger from the Canadian Competition Bureau, we were required to commit to the divestiture of our Kamloops, British Columbia pulp mill, within a short period of time following the Merger. The assets and liabilities related to the pulp mill for all periods are presented as held for sale in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The sale of the pulp mill meets the criteria for discontinued operations and as such, earnings are included within Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings (Loss) and Comprehensive income (loss) for all periods presented. Refer to Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, under Note 3 “Discontinued Operations” for additional information on the Discontinued Operations.
Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior years presentation to conform to the current year presentation.
Kingsport, Tennessee mill
We plan to enter the linerboard market with the conversion of our Kingsport mill. Once in full operation, the mill will produce and market approximately 600,000 tons annually of high-quality recycled linerboard and medium, providing us with a strategic footprint in a growing adjacent market. The conversion is expected to be completed by the end of 2022.
We estimate the capitalized conversion cost to be approximately $350 million. Once fully operational, the mill is expected to be a low-cost, first quartile recycled linerboard mill in North America. The converted mill is expected to directly employ approximately 160 employees.
ONGOING IMPACT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
As reflected in the discussion below, ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and actions taken in response to them had varying effects on our 2021 results of operations, although some effects, including customer demand, are mitigating or becoming more
difficult to isolate or quantify. Moreover, it is difficult to determine the duration and scope of the pandemic, the scale and rate of economic recovery from the pandemic, any ongoing effects on consumer demand and spending patterns, supply chain disruptions, and labor availability and costs, or the impact of other indirect factors that may be attributable to the pandemic, and the extent to which these or other currently unanticipated consequences of the pandemic are reasonably likely to materially affect our results of operations. In addition, these factors can make it difficult to isolate and quantify the portion of our costs that are a direct result of the pandemic and costs arising from factors that may have been influenced by the pandemic, including increased wage rates and incentives, increased carrier rates, and fulfillment network inefficiencies resulting from constrained labor markets and global supply chain constraints. We expect these factors and their effects on our operations to continue into 2022.
2020 COST REDUCTION PROGRAM
In 2020, we had implemented a cost savings program, which we had completed at the end of the second quarter of 2021. As part of this program, we announced the permanent closure of the uncoated freesheet manufacturing at our Kingsport, Tennessee and Port Huron, Michigan mills, the remaining paper machine and converting operations at the Ashdown, Arkansas mill and the converting center in Ridgefields, Tennessee. Additionally, we announced the closure of the converting center in Dallas, Texas. These actions reduced the Company’s annual uncoated freesheet paper capacity by approximately 721,000 short tons and resulted in a workforce reduction of approximately 750 employees. The Kingsport paper machine has been idled since April 2020. The Ridgefields converting center ceased operations at the end of the third quarter of 2020, while the Port Huron mill shut down at the end of February 2021 and the Dallas converting center ceased operations at the beginning of July 2021.
Restart of the paper machine and converting operations at Ashdown, Arkansas mill
On July 15, 2021, we announced our intention to restart the paper machine and converting operations at the Ashdown, Arkansas mill, which has been idled since April 2020, to add an additional 185,000 tons per year of uncoated freesheet production capacity to our manufacturing network. The increase was necessary to meet growing customer demand as the economy recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic. The additional paper capacity will result in a capacity reduction of 185,000 ADMT per year of baled SBSK pulp at the mill. The machine restarted in the fourth quarter of 2021 and is now in full operation.
COMBINED RESULTS
For purposes of the Company’s financial statement presentation, Pearl Merger Sub was determined to be the accounting acquirer in the Merger which was accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting. The application of the acquisition method of accounting resulted in a new basis of the Company’s assets and liabilities which are measured at fair value as of the date of the Merger. To reflect the application of different bases of accounting as a result of the Merger, the tables below separate our results via a black line into two distinct periods as follows: (1) up to and including the Merger closing date (“Predecessor”) and (2) the period after that date (“Successor”). The period starting December 1, 2021 is the “Successor” periods while the periods ending before December 1, 2021 are the “Predecessor” periods. The Predecessor period results have been restated to present the operations of the Kamloops pulp mill as discontinued operations.
We have prepared our discussion of the results of operations by comparing the results of the combined Successor period from December 1 through December 31, 2021 and the Predecessor period from January 1, 2021 through November 30, 2021 (“S/P Combined”) and the Predecessor years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019. We believe this approach provides the most meaningful basis of comparison and is more useful in identifying current business trends for the periods presented.
The Predecessor period includes the historical financial information of Pearl Merger Sub prior to the business combination, which is limited to immaterial amounts of interest and merger-related transactions costs. The businesses, and thus financial results, of the Successor and Predecessor entities are virtually the same, excluding the impact on certain financial statement line items that were impacted by the Merger.
The combined results of operations included in our discussion below are not considered to be prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“non-GAAP”) and have not been prepared as pro forma results under applicable regulations, may not reflect the actual results we would have achieved had the Merger occurred at the beginning of fiscal 2021, and should not be viewed as a substitute for the results of operations of the Predecessor and Successor periods presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
In the following discussion, unless otherwise noted, references to increases or decreases in income and expense items, prices, contribution to net earnings (loss), and shipment volumes are based on the twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019. The twelve-month periods are also referred to as 2021, 2020 and 2019. References to notes refer to footnotes to the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
Successor
Predecessor
(non-GAAP)
S/P Combined
Predecessor
Period from
December 1, 2021 through
December 31, 2021
Period from
January 1, 2021 through
November 30, 2021
Year ended
December 31, 2021
Year ended
December 31, 2020
Year ended
December 31, 2019
Sales
$
$
3,368
$
3,668
$
3,415
$
4,119
Operating Expenses
Cost of sales, excluding depreciation and amortization
2,771
3,022
2,914
3,402
Depreciation and amortization
Selling, general and administrative
Impairment of long-lived assets
-
Closure and restructuring costs
(1
)
Asset conversion costs
-
-
Transaction costs
-
-
-
Other operating (income) loss, net
-
(5
)
(5
)
(7
)
$
$
3,379
$
3,678
$
3,602
$
3,965
Operating income (loss) from continuing operations
$
$
(11
)
$
(10
)
$
(187
)
$
Interest expense, net
Non-service components of net periodic benefit cost
(2
)
(22
)
(24
)
(17
)
(Loss) earnings before income taxes and equity loss
$
(7
)
$
(43
)
$
(50
)
$
(228
)
$
Income tax (benefit) expense
(2
)
(80
)
Equity method investment loss, net of taxes
-
-
-
(Loss) earnings from continuing operations
$
(5
)
$
(49
)
$
(54
)
$
(151
)
$
Earnings from discontinued operations, net of taxes
Net (loss) earnings
$
(4
)
$
(23
)
$
(27
)
$
(127
)
$
Operating income (loss) from continuing operations
Pulp and Paper
(153
)
Corporate
(3
)
(168
)
(171
)
(34
)
(47
)
Operating income (loss) from continuing operations
$
$
(11
)
$
(10
)
$
(187
)
$
2021 S/P COMBINED HIGHLIGHTS
•
We reported an operating loss from continuing operations of $10 million, compared to operating loss from continuing operations of $187 million in 2020
•
We reported a loss from continuing operations of $54 million compared to loss from continuing operations of $151 million in 2020
•
Earnings from discontinued operations, net of taxes amounted to $27 million in 2021, including a loss on disposition of discontinued operations, net of tax, of $33 million
•
Sales increased by 7% from 2020. Net average selling prices for pulp and paper were up from 2020. Our manufactured paper volume was down while our pulp volume was up when compared to 2020
•
Recognition of closure and restructuring charges and accelerated depreciation under Impairment of long-lived assets, of $16 million and $9 million, respectively, mostly related to our cost reduction program that we announced in 2020
•
Recognition of $132 million of transaction costs under Transaction costs, related to our Merger
(non-GAAP)
S/P Combined
Predecessor
Year ended
December 31, 2021
Year ended
December 31, 2020
Year ended
December 31, 2019
Variance 2021 vs. 2020
Variance 2020 vs. 2019
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
$
%
$
%
(In millions of dollars, unless otherwise noted)
Sales
$
3,668
$
3,415
$
4,119
$
%
$
(704
)
%
Operating income (loss) from continuing operations (a)
Pulp and Paper
(153
)
%
(354
)
%
Corporate
(171
)
(34
)
(47
)
(137
)
%
%
Operating (loss) income from continuing operations
(10
)
(187
)
%
(341
)
%
(Loss) Earnings from continuing operations
(54
)
(151
)
%
(217
)
%
Earnings from discontinued operations, net of taxes
%
%
Net (loss) earnings
(27
)
(127
)
%
(211
)
%
Successor
Predecessor
At December 31,
At December 31,
Total assets
$
4,854
$
4,856
Total long-term debt, including current portion
$
1,902
$
1,092
(a)
In 2021, in our Pulp and Paper operations, we recognized $30 million of conversion costs under Asset conversion costs related to our Kingsport mill conversion and closure and restructuring charges and accelerated depreciation under Impairment of long-lived assets related to our cost reduction program of $14 million and $9 million, respectively. In addition, under Corporate, we recognized $132 million of transaction costs and $2 million of closure and restructuring charges. In 2020, we recognized closure and restructuring charges and accelerated depreciation under Impairment of long-lived assets related to our announced cost reduction program of $96 million and $136 million, respectively as well as closure and restructuring charges of $3 million under Corporate. In 2019, we recognized closure and restructuring charges and accelerated depreciation under Impairment of long-lived assets of $22 million and $32 million, respectively associated with our decision to permanently close two paper machines. See Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, under Note 14 “Closure and Restructuring Costs and Impairment of Long-Lived Assets” for more information.
REVIEW OF OPERATIONS
This section presents a discussion and analysis of our S/P Combined twelve months ended December 31, 2021, with the Predecessor twelve months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 sales, operating (loss) income and other information relevant to the understanding of our results from continuing operations.
ANALYSIS OF SALES
(non-GAAP) S/P Combined
Predecessor
Twelve months ended December 31, 2021
Twelve months ended December 31, 2020
Twelve months ended December 31, 2019
Variance 2021 vs. 2020
Variance 2020 vs. 2019
$
%
$
%
Sales
$
3,668
$
3,415
$
4,119
%
(704
)
%
Shipments
Paper - manufactured (in thousands of ST)
2,144
2,230
2,745
(86
)
%
(515
)
%
Communication Papers
1,769
1,825
2,299
(56
)
%
(474
)
%
Specialty and Packaging papers
(30
)
%
(41
)
%
Paper - sourced from third parties (in thousands of ST)
%
(24
)
%
Paper - total (in thousands of ST)
2,218
2,299
2,838
(81
)
%
(539
)
%
Pulp (in thousands of ADMT)
1,433
1,399
1,305
%
%
Sales in 2021 increased by $253 million, or 7% when compared to sales in 2020. This increase in sales is mostly due to an increase in net average selling prices for pulp and paper and an increase in our pulp sales volumes. This increase was partially offset by a decrease in paper sales volumes.
Sales in 2020 decreased by $704 million, or 17% when compared to sales in 2019. This decrease in sales is mostly due to a decrease in our paper sales volumes and a decrease in net average selling price for pulp and paper. This decrease was partially offset by an increase in our pulp sales volumes.
ANALYSIS of CHANGE IN OPERATING INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
2021 vs. 2020
Operating income from continuing operations in our Pulp and Paper business amounted to $161 million in 2021, an increase in income of $314 million, when compared to operating loss from continuing operations of $153 million in 2020. Our results were positively impacted by:
•
Higher net average selling prices for pulp and paper ($315 million)
•
Lower depreciation/impairment charges ($133 million). We recorded $9 million of accelerated depreciation under Impairment of long-lived assets, related to our cost reduction program in 2021 compared to $136 million of accelerated depreciation under Impairment of long-lived assets, also related to our cost reduction program in 2020. Depreciation charges were lower by $6 million when compared to 2020
•
Lower restructuring charges ($43 million) in 2021 as a result of closure and restructuring cost ($14 million) related to our cost reduction program, compared to closure and restructuring costs ($96 million) related to our cost reduction program in 2020, partially offset by asset conversion costs ($30 million) related to our Kingsport mill conversion
•
The negative impact of a stronger Canadian dollar on our Canadian denominated expenses, was more than offset by a favorable on our hedging program ($4 million)
These increases were partially offset by:
•
Higher operating expenses ($102 million) mostly due to higher freight cost, higher salary and wages due to lower amounts recognized from the CEWS when compared to 2020 and lower production, partially offset by lower maintenance expense
•
Higher input costs ($66 million) mostly related to higher cost of chemical and energy due in part to severe weather condition in early 2021 and unfavorable market conditions compared to 2020
•
Lower volume/ mix ($15 million) mostly related to lower volume of paper, partially offset by higher volume of pulp
•
Lower other income ($7 million)
OTHER FACTORS
Corporate
We incurred $171 million of corporate charges in 2021, an increase of $137 million compared to corporate charges of $34 million in 2020. This increase was mostly due to transaction costs related to our Merger and higher SG&A expenses, partially offset by a decrease in restructuring expenses related to our cost reduction program.
Interest Expense, net
We incurred $64 million of net interest expense in 2021, an increase of $6 million compared to net interest expense of $58 million in 2020. We paid $11 million in make-whole premium fees related to the early retirement of the 4.4% Notes originally due March 2022, in the second quarter of 2021. This increase was also due to the $775 million Senior Secured Notes due 2028 issued on October 18, 2021 as well as the new ABL Revolving Credit Facility entered into on November 30, 2021 and First Lien Term Loan facility entered on November 30, 2021. This increase was partially offset by lower interest on the 4.4% Notes due to the early retirement in April 2021. In 2021, we had capitalized interest of $9 million, compared to $3 million in 2020, mostly related to our mill conversion. See Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, under Note 17 “Long-term Debt” for more information on our new debt structure following our Merger on November 30, 2021.
Income Taxes
We recorded an income tax expense of $4 million in 2021 compared to an income tax benefit of $80 million in 2020, which yielded an effective tax rate of -8% and 35% for 2021 and 2020, respectively.
On November 30, 2021, we were acquired by Paper Excellence and incurred significant costs to complete the transaction as well as significant executive compensation as a result of the change in control. Certain of these transaction costs and executive compensation expenses are not deductible for tax purposes and substantially impact the effective tax rate. We also recorded $3 million of tax expense related to Global Intangible Low-Tax Income (GILTI) and $10 million of tax credits, mainly research and experimentation credits. Both of which significantly impact the effective tax rate. GILTI is an additional U.S. tax on certain income earned by foreign subsidiaries.
On January 7, 2021, we reached an agreement with AIP to sell the Personal Care business. As such, for the December 31, 2020 reporting period, we were no longer indefinitely reinvested in that business and classified its investment in that business as held for sale. Accordingly, a deferred tax asset of $51 million was recorded for the difference between the net book value of the business and the tax basis of that business. We accounted for the tax impacts related to the sale of the Personal Care business as a stock investment and therefore recognized the tax benefit for recording the book/tax basis difference and the net book value adjustment as part of continuing operations. Both of these items impacted the effective tax rate in 2020.
We assessed the value of the deferred tax asset related to the basis difference described above, which is shown as a capital loss for tax purposes and determined that we will not realize the full benefit from the asset. As such, we recorded a valuation allowance of $44 million associated with this deferred tax asset. During 2020, we also analyzed our existing Arkansas research and development credits and recorded an additional valuation allowance of $3 million since it is expected some of the credits will expire un-utilized. These amounts unfavorably impacted the effective tax rate in 2020.
During 2020, we generated a U.S. tax net operating loss which, in accordance with the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was carried back to 2015. In 2015, the U.S. federal tax rate was 35%, versus the current rate of 21%. Therefore, we recorded an additional tax benefit of $5 million related to the tax rate benefit of the loss which favorably impacted the effective tax rate in 2020.
We recorded $17 million of tax credits, mainly research and experimentation credits, which favorably impacted the effective tax rate in 2020. Since we had a tax loss in 2020, the tax credits were carried forward and were utilized in 2021.
Economic conditions and uncertainties
The markets in which our pulp and paper business operates are highly competitive with well-established domestic and foreign manufacturers. Most of our products are commodities that are widely available from other producers as well. Because commodity products have few distinguishing qualities from producer to producer, competition for these products is based primarily on price, which is determined by supply relative to demand. We also compete on the basis of product quality, breadth of offering and service solutions. Further, we compete against electronic transmission and document storage alternatives. As a result of such competition, we are experiencing ongoing decreasing demand for most of our existing paper products. In addition, current global economic conditions are highly volatile due to the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in both market size contractions in certain countries due to economic slowdowns and government restrictions on movement. The pulp market is highly fragmented with many manufacturers competing worldwide. Competition is primarily on the product quality and competitively priced pulp products.
In 2022, our paper sales volume is expected to benefit from the restart of a paper machine at our Ashdown facility, while our pulp volume should remain flat as the benefit from improved production at some facilities should offset the decrease resulting from the paper machine restart at Ashdown. In paper, we also expect to benefit from recently announced price increases. Overall raw material and logistics costs are expected to increase mostly due to inflation.
2020 vs. 2019
Operating loss from continuing operations in our Pulp and Paper business amounted to $153 million in 2020, a decrease of $354 million, when compared to operating income from continuing operations of $201 million in 2019. Our results were negatively impacted by:
•
Lower net average selling prices for pulp and paper ($178 million)
•
Lower volume and mix ($129 million) mostly related to lower volume of paper, partially offset by higher volume of pulp
•
Higher depreciation/impairment charges ($97 million). We recorded $136 million of accelerated depreciation under Impairment of long-lived assets, related to our cost reduction program in 2020 compared to $32 million of accelerated depreciation under Impairment of long-lived assets, related to our decision to permanently close two paper machines in 2019. Depreciation charges were lower by $7 million when compared to 2019
•
Higher restructuring charges ($74 million) as a result of the cost reduction program ($96 million) in 2020 compared to the decision to permanently close two paper machines in 2019 ($22 million)
These decreases were partially offset by:
•
Lower input costs ($80 million) mostly related to lower cost of fiber, due in part by better weather and favorable market conditions compared to 2019
•
Lower operating expenses ($25 million) mostly due to lower maintenance and other costs due to our cash conservation initiative (including our cost reduction program) in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and amounts recognized from the CEWS when compared to 2019, partially offset by lower production
•
Higher other income ($10 million)
•
Positive impact of a weaker Canadian dollar on our Canadian denominated expenses, net of our hedging program ($9 million)
OTHER FACTORS
Corporate
We incurred $34 million of corporate charges in 2020, a decrease of $13 million compared to corporate charges of $47 million in 2019. This decrease was mostly due to lower SG&A expenses and partially offset by an increase in restructuring expenses, both as a result of the cost reduction program.
Interest expense, net
We incurred $58 million of net interest expense in 2020, an increase of $6 million compared to net interest expense of $52 million in 2019. The net interest expense was impacted by the $300 million Term Loan entered into on May 5, 2020 as well as an increase in borrowing under the revolving credit facility.
Income Taxes
We recorded an income tax benefit of $80 million in 2020 compared to an income tax expense of $11 million in 2019, which yielded an effective tax rate of 35% and 14% for 2020 and 2019, respectively.
On January 7, 2021, we reached an agreement with American Industrial Partners (AIP) to sell the Personal Care Division. As such, for the December 31, 2020 reporting period, we are no longer indefinitely reinvested in that business and have classified our investment in that business as held for sale. Accordingly, we have recorded a Deferred Tax Asset of $51 million for the difference between the net book value of the business and the tax outside basis. We accounted for the tax impacts related to the sale of the Personal Care Division as a stock investment and therefore recognized the tax benefit for recording the book/tax basis difference and the net book value adjustment as part of continuing operations. Both of these items impacted the effective tax rate in 2020.
We assessed the value of the deferred tax asset related to the book/tax basis difference, which we expected to be a capital loss for tax upon the completion of the sale and determined that we were not likely to realize a full benefit from the asset. As such, we recorded a valuation allowance of $44 million associated with this tax asset. During the year, we also analyzed our existing Arkansas research
and development credits and determined an additional valuation allowance of $3 million should be recorded since it is expected some of the credits will expire un-utilized. These amounts unfavorably impacted the effective tax rate in 2020.
During 2020, we generated a U.S. tax net operating loss which, in accordance with the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act will be carried back to 2015. In 2015, the U.S. federal tax rate was 35%, versus the current rate of 21%. Therefore, we recorded an additional tax benefit of $5 million related to the tax rate benefit of the loss which favorably impacted the effective tax rate in 2020. We also recorded $17 million of tax credits, mainly research and experimentation credits, which favorably impacted the effective tax rate in 2020. Since we had a tax loss in 2020, the tax credits will be carried forward and are expected to be utilized in future years.
As a result of the deemed mandatory repatriation tax requirement of the U.S. Tax Reform, we have taxed our undistributed foreign earnings as of December 31, 2017, at reduced tax rates. After completing our evaluation of the U.S. Tax Reform’s impact on its business operations, we had determined that we are no longer indefinitely reinvested in these undistributed foreign earnings as well as foreign earnings after December 31, 2017. As such, as of December 31, 2020, we have recorded a deferred tax liability of $11 million ($12 million as of December 31, 2019) for foreign withholding tax and various state income taxes associated with future repatriation of these earnings. This additional $1 million tax benefit impacted the effective tax rate for 2020 ($2 million tax expense for 2019).
We recorded $18 million of tax credits in 2019, mainly research and experimentation credits, which significantly impacted the effective tax rate. Arkansas legislation changes were passed in 2019 which reduced the state tax rate and changed how the apportionment factor is calculated. This resulted in a deferred state tax benefit of $4 million. Additionally, a valuation allowance of $5 million was recorded on state attributes we do not expect to utilize before they expire.
DISCONTINUED OPERATION
For the year ended December 31, 2021, we reported earnings on discontinued operations, net of taxes, of $27 million (2020 - earnings from discontinued operations, net of taxes of $24 million; 2019 - earnings from discontinued operations, net of taxes, of $18 million).
Mandated sale of Kamloops, British Columbia mill
As a condition to obtain the approval of the November 30, 2021 Merger from the Canadian Competition Bureau, we were required to commit to the divestiture of our Kamloops, British Columbia pulp mill, within a short period of time following the Merger. The assets and liabilities related to the pulp mill for all periods are presented as held for sale in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The sale of the pulp mill meets the criteria for discontinued operations and as such, earnings are included within Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings (Loss) and Comprehensive income (loss) for all periods presented Refer to Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, under Note 3 “Discontinued Operations” for additional information on the Discontinued Operations.
Sale of our Personal Care business
On March 1, 2021, we completed the sale of our Personal Care business to American Industrial Partners (“AIP”), for a purchase price of $920 million in cash. Based on its magnitude and because we exited the Personal Care business, the sale represents a significant strategic shift that has a material effect on our operations and financial results. Accordingly, all periods presented reflect the Personal Care business as a discontinued operation. Our Personal Care business was previously disclosed as a separate reportable segment. For more information on our discontinued operations, refer to Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplemental Data, under Note 3, “Discontinued Operations”.
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION EXPENSE
As a result of the acquisition by Paper Excellence, on the Merger date, we recognized an accelerated vesting on all the outstanding stock-based awards under the Omnibus Plan. These awards were then cancelled and converted into the right to receive cash payment, which was made in December 2021. In turn, the Omnibus Plan was terminated and is expected to be replaced in 2022 by another long-term incentive program. Refer to Item 8, Note 5 “Stock-Based Compensation” for more information.
For the year ended December 31, 2021, stock-based compensation expense recognized in the predecessor results from continuing and discontinued operations was $46 million (2020 - $7 million) of which $34 million, related to the accelerated vesting of stock-based awards, was recorded under Transaction costs in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings (Loss) and Comprehensive Income (Loss).
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Our principal cash requirements are for ongoing operating costs, pension contributions, working capital and capital expenditures, as well as principal and interest payments on our debt and income tax payments. We expect to fund our liquidity needs primarily with internally generated funds from our operations and, to the extent necessary, through borrowings under our $400 million ABL
Revolving Credit Facility, of which $209 million was undrawn and available as at December 31, 2021. Under adverse market conditions, there can be no assurance that these agreements would be available or sufficient. See “Capital Resources” below.
Our ability to make payments on the requirements mentioned above will depend on our ability to generate cash in the future, which is subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other factors that are beyond our control. Our debt agreements impose various restrictions and covenants on us that could limit our ability to respond to market conditions, to provide for unanticipated capital investments or to take advantage of business opportunities.
A portion of our cash is held outside the U.S. by foreign subsidiaries. The earnings of the foreign subsidiaries reflect full provision for local income taxes. The U.S. Tax Reform includes a mandatory one-time tax on accumulated earnings of foreign subsidiaries for which we recorded a provisional repatriation tax amount of $46 million in 2017 and adjusted by $7 million in 2018. After completing our evaluation of the U.S. Tax Reform’s impact on the business operations, we have determined that we are no longer indefinitely reinvested in these undistributed foreign earnings as well as foreign earnings after December 31, 2017. We remain indefinitely reinvested in the outside basis differences of our foreign subsidiaries.
Operating Activities
Our operating cash flow requirements are primarily for salaries and benefits, the purchase of raw materials, including fiber and energy, and other expenses such as income tax and property taxes.
Cash flows from operating activities, including discontinued operations, for the combined twelve-month period ended December 31, 2021 amounted to $104 million, a $307 million decrease compared to cash flow from operating activities, including discontinued operations, of $411 million in 2020. This decrease in cash flows from operating activities is primarily due to an increase in working capital requirements, partially offset by an increase in profitability. We made income tax payments, net of refunds, of $39 million during 2021 compared to income tax refunds, net of payment of $22 million in 2020. We paid $19 million of employer pension and other post-retirement contribution in excess of pension and other post-retirement expense in 2021 compared to 2020 when we paid $4 million of employer pension and other post-retirement contributions in excess of pension and other post-retirement expense.
Investing Activities
Cash flows used for investing activities, including discontinued operations, in the combine twelve month period ended December 31, 2021 amounted to $2,204 million, a $2,002 million increase compared to cash flow used for investing activities, including discontinued operations, of $202 million in 2020.
The use of cash in the combined twelve-month period ended December 31, 2021 was mostly related to the acquisition of business of $2,796 million attributable to the Merger with the Company being the surviving company as well as additions to property, plant and equipment of $309 million. This was partially offset by the proceeds from the sale of our Personal Care business ($897 million) and proceeds from sale of property of $4 million.
The use of cash in 2020 was attributable to additions to property, plant and equipment of $175 million and the acquisition of the Appvion Point of Sale Business in the second quarter of 2020 ($30 million).
Our annual capital expenditures for 2022 should increase due mostly to our Kingsport mill conversion and are currently expected to be between $320 million and $340 million.
Financing Activities
Cash flows provided from financing activities, including discontinued operations, in the combined twelve-month period ended December 31, 2021 amounted to $2,077 million, compared to cash flow provided from financing activities, including discontinued operations, of $35 million in 2020.
The primary source of cash flows provided from financing activities in 2021 was attributable to the proceeds from the issuance of the Senior Secured 6.75% Notes ($775 million), the First Lien Term Loan facility ($520 million), and borrowings under our ABL Revolving Credit Facility ($115 million) in 2021. This was partially offset by the early repayment of the Term Loan and 4.4% Notes, including make-whole premium ($606 million) as well as for the repurchase of our common stock ($238 million).
The primary source of cash flows provided from financing activities in 2020 was from proceeds of the term loan ($300 million). This was partially offset by the decrease in borrowings under our credit facilities (revolver and receivables securitization) ($135 million), the repurchase of our common stock ($59 million), dividend payments ($51 million) and a decrease in bank indebtedness ($10 million).
Capital Resources
Net indebtedness, consisting of bank indebtedness and long-term debt, net of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, was $1,616 million as of December 31, 2021 compared to $783 million as of December 31, 2020.
ABL Revolving Credit Facility
On November 30, 2021, we entered into our ABL Revolving Credit Facility that matures on November 30, 2026. Our ABL Revolving Credit Facility is available to Domtar Corporation and certain other domestic and Canadian subsidiaries and provides for revolving loans and letters of credit in an aggregate amount of up to $400 million, subject to borrowing base capacity.
Borrowings under our ABL Revolving Credit Facility are limited by borrowing base calculations based on the sum of specified percentages of eligible accounts receivable, plus specified percentages of eligible inventory, plus specified percentages of qualified cash, minus the amount of any applicable reserves. Borrowings bear interest at a floating rate, which can be either an adjusted Eurodollar rate plus an applicable margin or, at our option, a base rate plus an applicable margin.
Our obligations under our ABL Revolving Credit Facility are guaranteed by our immediate parent (a company with no assets other than Domtar shares) and our wholly-owned material U.S. subsidiaries and wholly-owned material Canadian subsidiaries. Our ABL Revolving Credit Facility has a first-priority lien on the current assets of such U.S. and Canadian subsidiaries, and a second-priority lien on the fixed assets of our wholly-owned material U.S. subsidiaries, excluding principal properties (second in priority to the liens securing our First Lien Term Loan Facility (“Term Loan Facility”) discussed below), in each case, subject to permitted liens.
Borrowings under the ABL Revolving Credit Facility bear interest at LIBOR, EURIBOR, Canadian bankers' acceptance or prime rate, as applicable, plus a margin linked to the Company’s utilization of the credit. In addition, the Company pays facility fees quarterly at rates linked to the Company’s utilization of the credit. The Company does not anticipate a significant impact to its financial position from the planned phase out of LIBOR.
Our ABL Revolving Credit Facility contains customary covenants, including, but not limited to, restrictions on our ability and that of our subsidiaries to merge and consolidate with other companies, incur indebtedness, grant liens or security interests on assets, make acquisitions, loans, advances or investments, pay dividends, sell or otherwise transfer assets, optionally prepay or modify terms of any junior indebtedness, enter into transactions with affiliates or change our line of business.
Our ABL Revolving Credit Facility requires the maintenance of a fixed charge coverage of 1.00 to 1.00 at the end of each fiscal quarter for the trailing twelve month period, when specified excess availability is less than the greater of $35 million and 10% of the lesser of the borrowing base and maximum borrowing capacity. This covenant did not apply at December 31, 2021.
At December 31, 2021, we had $115 million borrowings and $76 million of letters of credit outstanding under this facility.
Existing Domtar Notes Change of Control Offers
Following the change of control of Domtar, Domtar was obligated, pursuant to the indenture governing the 6.25% Notes due 2042 and the 6.75% Notes due 2044 (“Existing Domtar Notes”), to make the Existing Domtar Notes Change of Control Offers, pursuant to which Domtar offered to repurchase all of the Existing Domtar Notes from holders at a purchase price of 101%. Up to $250 million under the First Lien Term Loan was available on a delayed draw basis (“Delayed Draw Term Loan”) and up to $250 million aggregate principal amount of the 6.75% Senior Secured Notes was earmarked for the repurchase of the Existing Domtar Notes pursuant to the Existing Domtar Notes Change of Control Offers. Up to $250 million aggregate principal amount of the Senior Secured Notes was subject to special mandatory redemption to the extent proceeds were not used to fund the redemptions of the Existing Domtar Notes pursuant to the Existing Domtar Notes Change of Control Offers.
On January 3, 2022, $134 million of the 6.25% Notes due 2042 and $100 million of the 6.75% Notes due 2044 were tendered pursuant to the offer. As a result, $116 million of the 6.25% Notes due 2042 and $150 million of the 6.75% Notes due 2044, remain outstanding post January 7, 2022, the payment date.
First Lien Term Loan Facility
On November 30, 2021, we entered into a Term Loan Facility maturing November 30, 2028, of which $525 million was immediately drawn and up to $250 million was available as a Delayed Draw Term Loan.
Borrowings under our Term Loan Facility amortize in equal quarterly installments in an amount equal to 1.00% per annum of the principal amount in 2022 and 5% per annum thereafter.
The interest rate margin applicable to borrowings under our Term Loan Facility will be, at our option, either (1) the base rate plus an applicable margin or (2) LIBOR plus an applicable margin. Our Term Loan Facility will be subject to a LIBOR floor of 0.75%.
We will be required to prepay our Term Loan Facility and Senior Secured Notes with 100% of the net cash proceeds of certain asset sales subject to certain reinvestment rights. We will be required to prepay our Term Loan Facility with 100% of the net cash proceeds of certain debt issuances and 50% of excess cash flow in each case, subject to certain exceptions.
Our obligations under our Term Loan Facility are guaranteed by our immediate parent (a company with no assets other than Domtar shares) and all of the Issuer’s direct and indirect wholly-owned material U.S. subsidiaries. Our Term Loan Facility has a first priority lien on the fixed assets of our wholly-owned material U.S. subsidiaries, representing 75% of the Consolidated Fixed Assets, and a second-priority lien on the current asset collateral in the U.S. (second in priority to the liens securing our ABL Revolving Credit Facility discussed above), in each case, subject to other permitted liens.
Our Term Loan Facility contains customary negative covenants consistent with those applicable to the Notes, including, but not limited to, restrictions on our ability and that of our restricted subsidiaries to merge and consolidate with other companies, incur indebtedness, grant liens or security interests on assets, pay dividends or make other restricted payments, sell or otherwise transfer assets or enter into transactions with affiliates.
On January 7, 2022, we utilized $127 million under the Delayed Draw Term Loan facility to fund a portion of the redemptions of the Existing Domtar Notes pursuant to the Domtar Notes Change of Control Offers that terminated on January 3, 2022. The remainder of the Delayed Draw Term Loan facility was cancelled, leaving total drawings under the Term Loan Facility of $652 million.
Senior Secured Notes
Pearl Merger Sub Inc., was the initial issuer of the $775 million aggregate principal amount of 6.75% Senior Secured Notes due 2028 (the “Notes”), was a newly formed, wholly-owned subsidiary of Pearl Excellence Holdco L.P., a Delaware limited partnership. This note issue was part of financing related to the acquisition of Domtar by Pearl Excellence Holdco L.P. Upon the completion of the acquisition, the initial issuer was merged with and into Domtar with Domtar surviving the Merger and becoming the obligor of the Notes.
The Notes mature on October 1, 2028 and interest on the Notes is payable in cash semi-annually in arrears on April 1 and October 1 of each year, commencing on April 1, 2022.
Pending completion of the Domtar Existing Notes Change of Control Offers that terminated on January 3, 2022, $250 million of the proceeds of the Notes issue was set aside as restricted cash to fund approximately half of funds required to complete the Change of Control Offers. Such funds are reflected as restricted cash and included in Cash and cash equivalents on the Balance Sheet at December 31, 2021. Funds not utilized were to be used to redeem a portion of the Senior Secured Notes at a 100% price.
Our obligations under the Senior Secured Notes are guaranteed by our immediate parent and all of the Issuer’s direct and indirect wholly-owned material U.S. subsidiaries. Our Senior Secured Notes are secured by a lien on substantially all of the Issuer’s direct and indirect wholly-owned material U.S. subsidiaries’ fixed assets, representing 75% of the Consolidated Fixed Assets, and a second-priority lien on the current asset collateral in the U.S. (second in priority to the liens securing our ABL Revolving Credit Facility discussed above), in each case, subject to other permitted liens.
Our Senior Secured Notes contain customary negative covenants consistent with those applicable to the Notes, including, but not limited to, restrictions on our ability and that of our restricted subsidiaries to merge and consolidate with other companies, incur indebtedness, grant liens or security interests on assets, pay dividends or make other restricted payments, sell or otherwise transfer assets or enter into transactions with affiliates.
On January 7, 2022, $133 million of the Senior Secured Notes were redeemed as a result of the Domtar Existing Notes Change of Control Offers that terminated on January 3, 2022, leaving $642 million of Notes outstanding.
Term Loan
On May 5, 2020, we entered into a $300 million Term Loan Agreement with a maturity date of May 5, 2025. We used borrowings under the Term Loan Agreement to repay other debt, and to pay related fees and expenses. On March 11, 2021, the Company fully repaid its Term Loan Agreement, in the amount of $294 million and wrote-off $2 million of unamortized debt issuance costs related to this repayment.
Revolving Credit Facility
We had an unsecured $700 million revolving credit facility that was terminated on November 30, 2021 and wrote-off $2 million of unamortized debt issuance cost related to this revolving credit facility. At December 31, 2020, we had no borrowings and $54 million of letters of credits outstanding under this facility.
Receivables Securitization
We had a $150 million receivables securitization facility that terminated in October 2021.
At December 31, 2020, we had no borrowings under the receivables securitization facility, and had no outstanding letters of credit under the facility.
In 2021, we incurred $1 million (2020 - $1 million; 2019 - $2 million) resulting from the facility. These charges were included in Interest expense, net in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Loss) and Comprehensive Income (Loss).
GUARANTEES
Indemnifications
In the normal course of business, we offer indemnifications relating to the sale of our businesses and real estate. In general, these indemnifications may relate to claims from past business operations, the failure to abide by covenants and the breach of representations and warranties included in sales agreements. Typically, such representations and warranties relate to taxation, environmental, product and employee matters. The terms of these indemnification agreements are generally for an unlimited period of time. At December 31, 2021, we were unable to estimate the potential maximum liabilities for these types of indemnification guarantees as the amounts are contingent upon the outcome of future events, the nature and likelihood of which cannot be reasonably estimated at this time. Accordingly, no provision has been recorded. These indemnifications have not yielded significant expenses in the past.
Pension Plans
We have indemnified and held harmless the trustees of our pension funds, and the respective officers, directors, employees and agents of such trustees, from any and all costs and expenses arising out of the performance of their obligations under the relevant trust agreements, including in respect of their reliance on authorized instructions from us or for failing to act in the absence of authorized instructions. These indemnifications survive the termination of such agreements. At December 31, 2021, we have not recorded a liability associated with these indemnifications, as we do not expect to make any payments pertaining to these indemnifications.
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND COMMERCIAL COMMITMENTS
In the normal course of business, we enter into certain contractual obligations and commercial commitments. For more information on our contractual obligation and commercial commitments, refer to Item 8 Financial Statements and Supplementary Data under Note 11 “Leases”, Note 16 “Long-Term Debt” and Note 20 “Commitments and Contingencies”.
In connection with the U.S. Tax Reform, we have remaining liabilities of $27 million in repatriation tax to pay through 2025. See Note 8 “Income Taxes” for additional information on the U.S. Tax Reform.
In addition, we expect to contribute a minimum total amount of $8 million to the pension plans in 2022 and a minimum total amount of $4 million in 2022 to the other post-retirement benefits plans.
For 2022 and the foreseeable future, we expect cash flows from operations and from our various sources of financing to be sufficient to meet our contractual obligations and commercial commitments.
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
Refer to Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data under Note 2 “Recent Accounting Pronouncements”.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND POLICIES
Our principal accounting policies are described in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, under Note 1 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies”. Notes referenced in this section are included in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates, assumptions and choices amongst acceptable accounting methods that affect our reported results of operations and financial position. Critical accounting estimates pertain to matters that contain a significant level of management estimates about future events, encompass the most complex and subjective judgments and are subject to a fair degree of measurement uncertainty. On an ongoing basis, management reviews its estimates, including those related to environmental matters and asset retirement obligations, business combinations, impairment and useful lives of long-lived assets, closure and restructuring costs, pension and other post-retirement benefit plans, income taxes and contingencies related to legal claims. These critical accounting estimates and policies have been reviewed with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors. We believe these accounting policies, and others as set forth in Note 1 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies”, should be reviewed as they are essential to understanding our results of operations, cash flows and financial condition. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Environmental Matters and Asset Retirement Obligations
We maintain provisions for estimated environmental costs when remedial efforts are probable and can be reasonably estimated. Environmental provisions relate mainly to air emissions, effluent treatment, silvicultural activities and site remediation (together referred to as “environmental matters”). The environmental cost estimates reflect assumptions and judgments as to probable nature, magnitude and timing of required investigation, remediation and monitoring activities, as well as contribution by other responsible parties. Additional information regarding environmental matters is available in Note 20 “Commitments and Contingencies”.
While we believe that we have determined the costs for environmental matters likely to be incurred, based on known information, our ongoing efforts to identify potential environmental concerns that may be associated with the properties may lead to future environmental investigations. These efforts may result in the determination of additional environmental costs and liabilities, which cannot be reasonably estimated at this time. In addition, environmental laws and regulations and interpretation by regulatory authorities could change which could result in significant changes to our estimates. For further details on “Climate change and air quality regulation” and other environmental matters refer to Note 20 “Commitments and Contingencies”.
Asset retirement obligations are mainly associated with landfill operation and closure, dredging of settling ponds and bark pile management. We recognize asset retirement obligations, at fair value, in the period in which we incur a legal obligation associated with the retirement of an asset. The fair value is based on the expected cash flow approach, in which multiple cash flow scenarios that reflect a range of possible outcomes are considered. Probabilities are applied to each of the cash flow scenarios to arrive at an expected cash flow. The estimated cash flows are then discounted using a credit adjusted risk-free interest rate in combination with business-specific and other relevant risks to discount the cash flow. The rates used vary between 4.7% and 12.0%.
Cash flow estimates incorporate assumptions that marketplace participants would use in their estimates of fair value, whenever that information is available without undue cost and effort. If unavailable, assumptions are based on internal experts, third-party engineers’ studies and historical experience in remediation work.
As at December 31, 2021, we had a total provision of $41 million for environmental matters and asset retirement obligations (2020 - $42 million). Certain of these amounts have been discounted due to more certainty of the timing of expenditures using the credit adjusted risk-free interest rate for the corresponding period until the settlement date. The rates used vary, based on the prevailing rate at the moment of recognition of the liability and on its settlement period. Additional costs, not known or identified, could be incurred for remediation efforts. Based on policies and procedures in place to monitor environmental exposure, management believes that such additional remediation costs would not have a material adverse effect on our financial position, result of operations or cash flows.
Business Combinations
We account for business combinations using the acquisition method of accounting, which requires us to recognized the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed at their acquisition date fair value and the recognition of acquisition-related costs in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Loss) and Comprehensive Income (Loss).
The preliminary estimated fair value assigned to identifiable intangible assets acquired are determined primarily by using an income approach using a discounted cash flow methodology, which is based on assumptions and estimates made by management. The preliminary estimated fair value of the customer relationship intangible assets was estimated using the multi-period excess earnings method. Management applied significant judgement related to this fair value method, which included the selection of an expected EBITDA margin assumption for the forecast period, contributory asset charges, customer attrition rate and market-participant discount rate assumptions. These significant assumptions are based on company specific information and projections, which are not observable in the market (except for the discount rate assumption) and, therefore, are considered Level 2 and Level 3 measurements. These significant assumptions are forward-looking and could be affected by future changes in economic and market conditions.
The fair value of property, plant and equipment was primarily determined based on management’s preliminary estimate of depreciated replacement cost as further adjusted based on estimated cash flow forecasts. The significant assumptions underlying the fair value are based on company specific information and projections, which are not observable in the market and, therefore, are considered Level 2 and Level 3 measurements. These significant assumptions are forward-looking and could be affected by future changes in economic and market conditions.
The preliminary estimated fair value of finished goods was calculated as the estimated selling price, adjusted for costs of the selling effort and a reasonable profit allowance relating to the selling effort. The preliminary estimated fair value of work in process inventory was primarily calculated as the estimated selling price, adjusted for estimated costs to complete the manufacturing, estimated costs of the selling effort, as well as a reasonable profit margin on the remaining manufacturing and selling effort. The preliminary estimated fair value of raw materials and operating and maintenance supplies was determined to approximate the historical carrying value. These significant assumptions are based on company specific information and projections, which are not observable in the market and, therefore, are considered Level 2 and Level 3 measurements. These significant assumptions are forward-looking and could be affected by future changes in economic and market conditions.
We generally use third-party qualified consultants to assist management in determining the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. This includes, when necessary, assistance with the determination of economic useful lives and valuation of property, plant and equipment and identifiable intangibles as well as assisting management in assessing off-market contracts.
The purchase price allocation process also entails us to refine these estimates over a measurement period not to exceed one year to reflect new information obtained surrounding facts and circumstances existing at acquisition date.
The excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the identified assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recorded as goodwill.
Impairment of Property Plant and Equipment, Operating lease right-of-use assets and Definite-Lived Intangible Assets
Property, plant and equipment, operating lease right-of-use assets and definite-lived intangible assets are reviewed for impairment upon the occurrence of events or changes in circumstances indicating that, at the lowest level of determinable cash flows, the carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable. Step I of the impairment test assesses if the carrying value of the assets exceeds their estimated undiscounted future cash flows in order to assess if the property, plant and equipment, operating lease right-of-use assets and definite-lived intangible assets are impaired. In the event the estimated undiscounted future cash flows are lower than the net book value of the assets, a Step II impairment test must be carried out to determine the impairment charge. In Step II, the assets are written down to their estimated fair values. Given that there is generally no readily available quoted value for our property, plant and equipment, operating lease right-of-use assets and definite-lived intangible assets, we determine fair value of our assets based on the present value of estimated future cash flows expected from their use and eventual disposition, and by using the liquidation or salvage value in the case of idled assets. The fair value estimate in Step II is based on the undiscounted cash flows used in Step I.
Estimates of undiscounted future cash flows used to test the recoverability of the property, plant and equipment, operating lease right-of use assets and definite-lived intangible assets includes key assumptions related to selling prices, inflation-adjusted cost projections, forecasted exchange rates (when applicable) and estimated useful life. Changes in our assumptions and estimates may affect our forecasts and may lead to an outcome where impairment charges would be required. In addition, actual results may vary from our forecasts, and such variations may be material and unfavorable, thereby triggering the need for future impairment tests where our conclusions may differ in reflection of prevailing market conditions.
Useful Lives
On a regular basis, we review the estimated useful lives of our property, plant and equipment and our definite-lived intangible assets. Assessing the reasonableness of the estimated useful lives of property, plant and equipment and definite-lived intangible assets requires judgment and is based on currently available information. Changes in circumstances such as technological advances, changes to our business strategy, changes to our capital strategy or changes in regulation can result in useful lives differing from our estimates. Revisions to the estimated useful lives of property, plant and equipment and definite-lived intangible assets constitute a change in accounting estimate and are dealt with prospectively by amending depreciation and amortization rates.
A change in the remaining estimated useful life of a group of assets, or their estimated net salvage value, will affect the depreciation or amortization rate used to depreciate or amortize the group of assets and thus affect depreciation or amortization expense as reported in our results of operations.
Closure and Restructuring Costs
Closure and restructuring costs are recognized as liabilities in the period when they are incurred and are measured at their fair value. For such recognition to occur, management, with the appropriate level of authority, must have approved and committed to a firm plan and appropriate communication to those affected must have occurred. These provisions may require an estimation of costs such as severance and termination benefits, pension and related curtailments, environmental remediation and may also include expenses related to demolition and outplacement. Actions taken may also require an evaluation of any remaining assets to determine required impairments, if any, and a review of estimated remaining useful lives which may lead to accelerated depreciation expense.
Estimates of cash flows and fair value relating to closures and restructuring require judgment. Closure and restructuring liabilities are based on management’s best estimates of future events. Although we do not anticipate significant changes, actual costs may differ from these estimates due to subsequent business developments. As such, additional costs and further impairment charges may be required in future periods.
Additional information can be found under Note 14 “Closure and Restructuring Costs and Impairment of Long-Lived Assets”.
Pension Plans and Other Post-Retirement Benefit Plans
We have several defined contribution plans. The pension expense under these plans is equal to our contribution.
We sponsor both contributory and non-contributory U.S. and non-U.S. defined benefit pension plans. We also sponsor a number of other post-retirement benefit plans for eligible U.S. and non-U.S. employees; the plans are unfunded and include life insurance programs and medical and dental benefits. In addition, we provide supplemental unfunded defined benefit pension plans and supplemental unfunded defined contribution pension plans to certain senior management employees.
We account for pensions and other post-retirement benefits in accordance with Compensation-Retirement Benefits Topic of the Financial Accounting Standards Board-Accounting Standards Committee which requires employers to recognize the overfunded or underfunded status of defined benefit pension plans as an asset or liability in its Consolidated Balance Sheets. Pension and other post-retirement benefit charges require assumptions in order to estimate the projected and accumulated benefit obligations. These assumptions require considerable management judgment and include:
-
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets - used to estimate the growth and expected return on assets
-
Discount rate - used to determine interest costs and the net present value of our obligations
-
Rate of compensation increase - used to calculate the impact of future increases on our obligations
-
Health care cost trends - used to calculate the impact of future health care costs on our obligations
-
Employee related factors, such as mortality rates, turnover, retirement age and disabilities - used to determine the extent of our obligations
Changes in these assumptions result in actuarial gains or losses, which are amortized over the expected average remaining service life of the active employee group covered by the plans, only to the extent that the unrecognized net actuarial gains and losses are in excess of 10% of the greater of the projected benefit obligation and the market value of assets, over the average remaining service period of approximately ten years of the active employee group covered by the pension plans, and 11 years of the active employee group covered by the other post-retirement benefits plans.
An expected rate of return on plan assets of 4.4% was considered appropriate by management for the determination of pension expense for 2021. Effective January 1, 2022, we will use 4.8% as the expected return on plan assets, which reflects the current view of long-term investment returns. The overall expected long-term rate of return on plan assets is based on management’s best estimate of the long-term returns of the major asset classes (cash and cash equivalents, equities, bonds and various alternative investment asset classes) weighted by the target allocation of assets at the measurement date, net of expenses. This rate includes an equity risk premium over government bond returns for equity investments and a value-added premium for the contribution to returns from active management. The sources used to determine management's best estimate of long-term returns are numerous and include country specific bond yields, which may be derived from the market using local bond indices or by analysis of the local bond market, and country-specific inflation and investment market expectations derived from market data and analysts' or governments' expectations, as applicable.
We set our discount rate assumption annually to reflect the rates available on high-quality, fixed income debt instruments, with a duration that is expected to match the timing and amount of expected benefit payments. High-quality debt instruments are corporate bonds with a rating of AA or better. The discount rates at December 31, 2021 for pension plans were estimated at 3.0% for the projected benefit obligation and 3.0% (2.5% at November 30, 2021) for the net periodic benefit cost for 2021 and for post-retirement benefit plans were estimated at 3.1% for the projected benefit obligation and 3.2% (2.3% at November 30, 2021) for the net periodic benefit cost for 2021.
We used a full yield curve approach to estimate the current service and interest cost components of net periodic benefit cost for Canadian pension plans and U.S. funded pension plans. The estimate of these components is made by applying the specific spot rates along the yield curve used in the determination of the benefit obligation to the relevant projected cash flows. We used this approach to provide a more precise measurement of current service and interest cost components by improving the correlation between projected benefit cash flows to the corresponding spot yield curve rates.
The rate of compensation increase is another significant assumption in the actuarial model for pension (set at 2.7% for the projected benefit obligation and 2.8% for the net periodic benefit cost (2.7% at November 30, 2021) and for post-retirement benefit plans (set at 2.9% for the projected benefit obligation and 2.8% (2.6% at November 30, 2021) for the net periodic benefit cost) and is determined based upon our long-term plans for such increases.
For employee related factors, mortality rate tables tailored to our industry were used and the other factors reflect our historical experience and management’s best estimate regarding future expectations.
For measurement purposes, a 3.9% weighted average annual rate of increase in the per capita cost of covered health care benefits was assumed for 2021.
The following table provides a sensitivity analysis of the key weighted average economic assumptions used in measuring the projected pension benefit obligation, the accrued other post-retirement benefit obligation and related net periodic benefit cost for 2021. The sensitivity analysis should be used with caution as it is hypothetical and changes in each key assumption may not be linear. The sensitivities in each key variable have been calculated independently of each other.
Pension
Other Post-Retirement Benefit
PENSION AND OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS
Projected Benefit Obligation
Net Periodic Benefit Cost
Projected Benefit Obligation
Net Periodic Benefit Cost
(In millions of dollars)
Expected rate of return on assets
Impact of:
1% increase
N/A
(15
)
N/A
N/A
1% decrease
N/A
N/A
N/A
Discount rate
Impact of:
1% increase
(168
)
(9
)
(6
)
-
1% decrease
-
Our pension plan funding policy is to contribute annually the amount required to provide for benefits earned in the year and to fund solvency deficiencies, funding shortfalls and past service obligations over periods not exceeding those permitted by the applicable regulatory authorities. Past service obligations primarily arise from improvements to plan benefits. The other post-retirement benefit plans are not funded, and contributions are made annually to cover benefit payments.
We expect to contribute a minimum total amount of $8 million in 2022 compared to $17 million in 2021 (2020 - $15 million) to the pension plans. We expect to contribute a minimum total amount of $5 million in 2022 compared to $4 million in 2021 to the other post-retirement benefit plans (2020 - $4 million).
Benefit obligations and fair values of plan assets as of December 31, 2021 for our pension and post-retirement plans were as follows:
Successor
Predecessor
December 31, 2021
December 31, 2020
Other
Other
Pension
post-retirement
Pension
post-retirement
plans
benefit plans
plans
benefit plans
$
$
$
$
Projected benefit obligation at end of year
(1,433
)
(60
)
(1,566
)
(67
)
Fair value of assets at end of year
1,622
-
1,594
-
Funded status
(60
)
(67
)
For additional details on our pension plans and other post-retirement benefit plans, refer to Note 6 “Pension Plans and Other Post-Retirement Benefit Plans”.
Income Taxes
We use the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined according to differences between the carrying amounts and tax bases of the assets and liabilities. The change in the net deferred tax asset or liability is included in earnings. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates and laws expected to apply in the years in which assets and liabilities are expected to be recovered or settled. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are classified as non-current items on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. For these years, a projection of taxable income and an assumption of the ultimate recovery or settlement period for temporary differences are required. The projection of future taxable income is based on management’s best estimate and may vary from actual taxable income.
On a quarterly basis, we assess the need to establish a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets and, if it is deemed more likely than not that our deferred tax assets will not be realized based on these taxable income projections, a valuation allowance is recorded. In general, “realization” refers to the incremental benefit achieved through the reduction in future taxes payable or an increase in future taxes refundable from the deferred tax assets. Evaluating the need for an amount of a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets often requires significant judgment. All available evidence, both positive and negative, should be considered to determine whether, based on the weight of that evidence, a valuation allowance is needed.
In our evaluation process, we give the most weight to historical income or losses. After evaluating all available positive and negative evidence, although realization is not assured, we determined that it is more likely than not that the results of future operations will generate sufficient taxable income to realize the deferred tax assets, with the exception of certain state credits and losses for which a valuation allowance of $15 million exists at December 31, 2021, and capital loss carryforwards for which a valuation allowance of $43 million exists at December 31, 2021. Of this amount, $1 million unfavorably impacted tax expense and the effective tax rate for 2021 (2020 -$47 million).
Our deferred tax assets are mainly composed of temporary differences related to various accruals, accounting provisions, net operating loss carryforwards, and available tax credits. Our deferred tax liabilities are mainly composed of temporary differences pertaining to property, plant and equipment, intangible assets, pension and post-retirement benefit assets, leases and other items. Estimating the ultimate settlement period requires judgment. The reversal of timing differences is expected at enacted tax rates, which could change due to changes in income tax laws or the introduction of tax changes through the presentation of annual budgets by different governments. As a result, a change in the timing and the income tax rate at which the components will reverse could materially affect deferred tax expense in our future results of operations.
In addition, U.S. and foreign tax rules and regulations are subject to interpretation and require judgment that may be challenged by taxation authorities. To the best of our knowledge, we have adequately provided for our future tax consequences based upon current facts and circumstances and current tax law. In accordance with Income Taxes Topic of FASB ASC 740, we evaluate new tax positions that result in a tax benefit to us and determine the amount of tax benefits that can be recognized. The remaining unrecognized tax benefits are evaluated on a quarterly basis to determine if changes in recognition or classification are necessary. Significant changes in the amount of unrecognized tax benefits expected within the next 12 months are disclosed quarterly. Future recognition of unrecognized tax benefits would impact the effective tax rate in the period the benefits are recognized. As of December 31, 2021, we had gross unrecognized tax benefits of $22 million (2020 - $23 million). These amounts represent the gross amount of exposure in individual jurisdictions and do not reflect any additional benefits expected to be realized if such positions were sustained, such as federal deduction that could be realized if an unrecognized state deduction was not sustained. As of December 31, 2021, we believe it is reasonably possible that up to $4 million of our unrecognized tax benefits may be recognized in 2022, which could significantly impact the effective tax rate. However, the amount and timing of the recognition of these benefits is subject to some uncertainty. In addition, a number of countries are actively pursuing changes to their tax laws applicable to corporation multinationals, such as the U.S. Tax Reform, enacted in 2017. Finally, foreign governments may enact tax laws in response to the U.S. Tax Reform that could result in further changes to global taxation and materially impact our financial results.
We operate in multiple jurisdictions with complex tax policy and regulatory environments. U.S. and foreign tax rules and regulations are subject to interpretation and require judgment that may be challenged by taxation authorities. Tax audits by their nature are often complex and can require several years to resolve. We have a number of audits in process in various jurisdictions. Although the resolution of these tax positions is uncertain, based on currently available information, we believe that we have adequately provided for our future tax consequences based upon current facts and circumstances and current tax law, and we believe that the ultimate outcomes will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. For further details refer to Note 8 “Income Taxes”.
Contingencies related to legal claims
As discussed in Item 1A Risk Factors, under the risk “Failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial results or condition” and in Note 20 “Commitments and Contingencies”, we are subject to various legal proceedings and claims that arise in the ordinary course of business. We record a liability when it is probable that a loss has been incurred, and the amount is reasonably estimable. The most likely cost to be incurred is accrued based on an evaluation of the then available facts with respect to each matter. When no amount within a range of estimates is more likely, the minimum is accrued. There is significant judgment required in both the probability determination and as to whether an exposure can be reasonably estimated. For further details on “Contingencies” and legal claims refer to Note 20 “Commitments and Contingencies”.

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ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK
Our operating income can be impacted by the following sensitivities:
SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS
(In millions of dollars, unless otherwise noted)
Each $10/unit change in the selling price of the following
products1:
Papers
Business Papers
$
Commercial Print & Publishing Papers
Specialty & Packaging Papers
Pulp - net position
Fluff
$
Softwood
Hardwood
-
Foreign exchange
(US $0.01 change in relative value to the Canadian dollar before
hedging)
Energy 2
Natural gas: $0.25/MMBtu change in price before hedging
Based on estimated 2022 capacity (ST or ADMT).
Based on estimated 2022 consumption levels. The allocation between energy sources may vary during the year in order to take advantage of market conditions.
Note that we may, from time to time, hedge part of our foreign exchange, and energy positions, which may therefore impact the above sensitivities.
In the normal course of business, we are exposed to certain financial risks. We do not use derivative instruments for speculative purposes; although all derivative instruments purchased to minimize risk may not qualify for hedge accounting.
CREDIT RISK
We are exposed to credit risk on accounts receivables from our customers. In order to reduce this risk, we review new customers’ credit history before granting credit and conduct regular reviews of existing customers’ credit performance. As of December 31, 2021, two of our customers located in the U.S. represented 28% or $130 million of our receivables (December 31, 2020 - two customers located in the U.S. represented 29% or $104 million).
We are exposed to credit risk in the event of non-performance by counterparties to our financial instruments. We attempt to minimize this exposure by entering into contracts with counterparties that are believed to be of high credit quality. Collateral or other security to support financial instruments subject to credit risk is usually not obtained. The credit standing of counterparties is regularly monitored.
INTEREST RATE RISK
We are exposed to interest rate risk arising from fluctuations in interest rates on our cash and cash equivalents, bank indebtedness, ABL Revolving Credit Facility, Term Loan Facility and long-term debt. Our objective in managing exposure to interest rate changes is to minimize the impact of interest rate changes on earnings and cash flows and to lower our overall borrowing costs. We may manage this interest rate exposure through the use of derivative instruments such as interest rate swap contracts, whereby we agree to exchange the difference between fixed and variable interest amounts calculated by reference to an agreed upon notional principal amount.
COST RISK
Cash flow hedges
We are exposed to price volatility for raw materials and energy used in our manufacturing process. We manage our exposure to cost risk primarily through the use of supplier contracts. We purchase natural gas at the prevailing market price at the time of delivery. To reduce the impact on cash flow and earnings due to pricing volatility, we may utilize derivatives to fix the price of forecasted natural
gas purchases. The changes in the fair value on qualifying instruments are included in Accumulated other comprehensive loss to the extent effective and reclassified into Cost of sales in the period during which the hedged transaction affects earnings.
FOREIGN CURRENCY RISK
Cash flow hedges
We have manufacturing operations in the U.S. and Canada. As a result, we are exposed to movements in foreign currency exchange rates in Canada. Moreover, certain assets and liabilities are denominated in Canadian dollars and are exposed to foreign currency movements. Accordingly, our earnings are affected by increases or decreases in the value of the Canadian dollar. Our risk management policy allows us to hedge a significant portion of the exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates for periods up to three years. We may use derivative financial instruments (currency options and foreign exchange forward contracts) to mitigate our exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.
Derivatives are used to hedge forecasted purchases in Canadian dollars by our Canadian subsidiary. Such derivatives are designated as cash flow hedges. The changes in the fair value on qualifying instruments are included in Accumulated other comprehensive loss to the extent effective and reclassified into Sales or Cost of sales in the period during which the hedged transaction affects earnings.
PART II

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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Management’s Reports to Shareholders of Domtar Corporation
Management’s Report on Financial Statements and Practices
The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements of Domtar Corporation and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) were prepared by management. The statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and include amounts that are based on management’s best judgments and estimates. Management is responsible for the completeness, accuracy and objectivity of the financial statements. The other financial information included in the annual report is consistent with that in the financial statements.
Management has established and maintains a system of internal accounting and other controls for the Company and its subsidiaries. This system and its established accounting procedures and related controls are designed to provide reasonable assurance that assets are safeguarded, that the books and records properly reflect all transactions, that policies and procedures are implemented by qualified personnel, and that published financial statements are properly prepared and fairly presented. The Company’s system of internal control is supported by written policies and procedures, contains self-monitoring mechanisms, and is audited by the internal audit function. Appropriate actions are taken by management to correct deficiencies as they are identified.
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting for the Company. Management has evaluated the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, using the criteria established in 2013 Internal Control - Integrated Framework, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”). The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Based on the assessment, management has concluded that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, based on criteria in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued in 2013 by the COSO.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Domtar Corporation
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Domtar Corporation and its subsidiaries (“Successor”) (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2021, and the related consolidated statements of earnings (loss) and comprehensive income (loss), of shareholders' equity (deficit) and of cash flows for the period from December 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021, including the related notes and schedule of valuation and qualifying accounts for the period from December 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021 appearing after the list of exhibits under Item 15(a)(3) (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2021 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the period from December 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit of these consolidated financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB and in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audit we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (i) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (ii) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
Paper Excellence Merger - Valuation of Acquired Customer Relationships Intangible Assets
As described in Notes 1 and 4 to the consolidated financial statements, on November 30, 2021, Paper Excellence completed the acquisition of all the outstanding common shares of the Company by means of a merger of Pearl Merger Sub with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the surviving corporation and as a subsidiary of Paper Excellence. The acquisition-date fair value of the consideration transferred totaled $2.796 billion, less cash acquired of $332 million. The merger resulted in a new basis of accounting basis of the Company’s assets and liabilities which are measured at fair value at the acquisition date. The preliminary estimated fair value of the customer relationships intangible assets of $170 million was estimated using the multi-period excess earnings method. Management applied significant judgment related to this fair value method, which included the selection of an expected EBITDA margin assumption for the forecast period, contributory asset charges, customer attrition rate and market-participant discount rate assumptions. These significant assumptions are forward-looking and could be affected by future changes in economic and market conditions.
The principal considerations for our determination that performing procedures relating to the valuation of acquired customer relationships intangible assets recorded in connection with the Paper Excellence merger is a critical audit matter are (i) the significant judgment by management when developing the fair value of the customer relationships intangible assets; (ii) a high degree of auditor judgment, subjectivity, and effort in performing procedures and evaluating management’s significant assumptions related to the expected EBITDA margins for the forecast period, contributory asset charges and market-participant discount rate; and (iii) the audit effort involved the use of professionals with specialized skill and knowledge.
Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our overall opinion on the consolidated financial statements. These procedures included, among others (i) reading the purchase agreement, (ii) testing management’s process for developing the fair value of the customer relationships intangible assets; (iii) evaluating the appropriateness of the multi-period excess earnings method, (iv) testing the completeness and accuracy of the underlying data used in the method, and (v) evaluating the reasonableness of significant assumptions used by management related to the expected EBITDA margins for the forecast period, contributory asset charges and market-participant discount rate. Evaluating whether management’s assumptions related to the expected EBITDA margins for the forecast period were reasonable involved consideration of (i) the current and past performance of the Company; and (ii) consistency with evidence obtained in other areas of the audit. Professionals with specialized skill and knowledge were used to assist in the evaluation of the (i) appropriateness of the multi-period excess earnings method and (ii) the reasonableness of the contributory asset charges and the market-participant discount rate assumptions.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Charlotte, North Carolina
March 10, 2022
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2007.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Domtar Corporation:
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Domtar Corporation and its subsidiaries (“Predecessor”) (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2020 and the related consolidated statements of earnings (loss) and comprehensive income (loss), of shareholders' equity (deficit) and of cash flows for the period from January 1, 2021 through November 30, 2021, and for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2020, including the related notes and schedule of valuation and qualifying accounts for the period from January 1, 2021 through November 30, 2021, and for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2020 appearing after the list of exhibits under Item 15(a)(3) (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2020, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the period from January 1, 2021 through November 30, 2021, and for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2020 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinions
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits of these consolidated financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB and in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (i) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (ii) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
Revenue Recognition
As described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, revenue is generated from the sale of finished goods to customers. Revenue is recognized at a single point in time when the performance obligation is satisfied which occurs when the control over the goods is transferred to customers. The point in time when the control of goods is transferred to customers is largely dependent on delivery terms. Revenue is recorded at the time of shipment for delivery terms designated free on board (“f.o.b.”) shipping point. For sales transactions designated f.o.b. destination, revenue is recorded when the product is delivered to the customer’s delivery site. Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for goods transferred to customers. Revenue is recognized net of variable consideration in the form of rebates, discounts and other commercial incentives extended to customers. Variable consideration is recognized using the most likely amounts which are based on an analysis of historical experience and current period expectations. Management includes estimated amounts of variable consideration in revenue to the extent that it is probable that there will not be a significant reversal of recognized revenue when the uncertainty related to that variable consideration is resolved. The Company’s revenue was $3,368 million for the period from January 1, 2021 through November 30, 2021.
The principal considerations for our determination that performing procedures relating to revenue recognition is a critical audit matter are a high degree of auditor effort in performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence related to the Company’s revenue recognition.
Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our overall opinion on the consolidated financial statements. These procedures included, among others, evaluating, for a sample of revenue transactions, the recognition of revenue by obtaining and inspecting source documents, including invoices, sales contracts, shipping and delivery documents and, where applicable, cash receipts.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Charlotte, North Carolina
March 10, 2022
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2007.
DOMTAR CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (LOSS) AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
Successor
Predecessor
Period from
December 1,
through
December 31,
Period from
January 1,
through
November 30,
Year ended
December 31,
Year ended
December 31,
$
$
$
$
Sales
3,368
3,415
4,119
Operating expenses
Cost of sales, excluding depreciation and amortization
2,771
2,914
3,402
Depreciation and amortization
Selling, general and administrative
Impairment of long-lived assets (NOTE 14)
-
Closure and restructuring costs (NOTE 14)
(1
)
Asset conversion costs (NOTE 14)
-
-
Transaction costs (NOTE 4)
-
-
-
Other operating (income) loss, net
-
(5
)
(7
)
3,379
3,602
3,965
Operating income (loss) from continuing operations
(11
)
(187
)
Interest expense, net (NOTE 7)
Non-service components of net periodic benefit cost (NOTE 6)
(2
)
(22
)
(17
)
(Loss) earnings before income taxes and equity loss
(7
)
(43
)
(228
)
Income tax (benefit) expense (NOTE 8)
(2
)
(80
)
Equity method investment loss, net of taxes
-
-
(Loss) earnings from continuing operations
(5
)
(49
)
(151
)
Earnings from discontinued operations, net of taxes (NOTE 3)
Net (loss) earnings
(4
)
(23
)
(127
)
Other comprehensive income:
Net derivative gains (losses) on cash flow hedges:
Net gains arising during the period, net
of tax of nil and $(8) (2020 - $(9); 2019 - $(3))
-
Less: Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses included in
net (loss) earnings, net of tax of nil and $8 (2020 - $(4);
2019 - $(3))
-
(31
)
Foreign currency translation adjustments
Change in unrecognized gains (losses) and prior service cost
related to pension and post-retirement benefit plans, net of tax of
$(5) and $(33) (2020 - $4; 2019 - $(13))
(13
)
Other comprehensive income
Comprehensive income (loss)
(38
)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
DOMTAR CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
Successor
Predecessor
At
December 31,
December 31,
$
$
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash of $250 and nil
Receivables, less allowances of $4 and $6
Inventories (NOTE 9)
Prepaid expenses
Income and other taxes receivable
Assets held for sale (NOTE 3)
1,226
Total current assets
1,802
2,556
Property, plant and equipment, net (NOTE 10)
2,524
1,920
Operating lease right-of-use assets (NOTE 11)
Intangible assets, net (NOTE 12)
Other assets (NOTE 13)
Non-current asset held for sale (NOTE 3)
-
Total assets
4,854
4,856
Liabilities and shareholders' equity
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables (NOTE 15)
Income and other taxes payable
Operating lease liabilities due within one year (NOTE 11)
Long-term debt due within one year (NOTE 17)
Liabilities held for sale (NOTE 3)
Total current liabilities
Long-term debt (NOTE 17)
1,643
1,079
Operating lease liabilities (NOTE 11)
Deferred income taxes and other (NOTE 8)
Other liabilities and deferred credits (NOTE 18)
Long-term liabilities held for sale (NOTE 3)
-
Commitments and contingencies (NOTE 20)
Shareholders' equity (NOTE 19)
Common stock $0.01 par value; 100 shares issued and outstanding at
December 31, 2021
-
-
Common stock $0.01 par value; 2,000,000,000 shares authorized, 65,001,104 shares
issued at December 31, 2020
-
Treasury stock $0.01 par value; nil and 9,806,566 shares
-
-
Additional paid-in capital
1,555
1,717
(Deficit) retained earnings
(40
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
(304
)
Total shareholders' equity
1,539
2,260
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
4,854
4,856
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
DOMTAR CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)
(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
Predecessor
Issued and
outstanding
common
shares
(millions of
shares)
Common
stock, at par
Additional
paid-in
capital
Retained
earnings
(deficit)
Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income (loss)
Total
shareholders’
equity
$
$
$
$
$
Balance at December 31, 2018
62.9
1,981
1,023
(467
)
2,538
Stock-based compensation, net of tax
0.2
-
-
-
Net earnings
-
-
-
-
Net derivative gains on cash flow hedges:
Net gains arising during the period, net of tax of $(3)
-
-
-
-
Less: Reclassification adjustment for losses included
in net earnings, net of tax of $(3)
-
-
-
-
Foreign currency translation adjustments
-
-
-
-
Change in unrecognized gains and prior service cost related to
pension and post-retirement benefit plans, net of tax of $(13)
-
-
-
-
Stock repurchase
(6.2
)
-
(219
)
-
-
(219
)
Cash dividends declared
-
-
-
(109
)
-
(109
)
Balance at December 31, 2019
56.9
1,770
(393
)
2,376
Stock-based compensation, net of tax
0.1
-
-
-
Net loss
-
-
-
(127
)
-
(127
)
Net derivative gains on cash flow hedges:
Net gains arising during the period, net of tax of $(9)
-
-
-
-
Less: Reclassification adjustment for losses included
in net loss, net of tax of $(4)
-
-
-
-
Foreign currency translation adjustments
-
-
-
-
Change in unrecognized losses and prior service cost related to
pension and post-retirement benefit plans, net of tax of $4
-
-
-
-
(13
)
(13
)
Stock repurchase
(1.8
)
-
(59
)
-
-
(59
)
Cash dividends declared
-
-
-
(25
)
-
(25
)
Balance at December 31, 2020
55.2
1,717
(304
)
2,260
Stock-based compensation, net of tax
0.3
-
(5
)
-
-
(5
)
Net loss
-
-
-
(23
)
-
(23
)
Net derivative losses on cash flow hedges:
Net gains arising during the period, net of tax of $(8)
-
-
-
-
Less: Reclassification adjustment for gains included
in net loss, net of tax of $8
-
-
-
-
(31
)
(31
)
Foreign currency translation adjustments
-
-
-
-
Change in unrecognized gains and prior service cost
related to pension and post-retirement benefit plans,
net of tax of $(33)
-
-
-
-
Stock repurchase
(5.1
)
-
(238
)
-
-
(238
)
Successor
Buy-out of predecessor equity
(50.4
)
(1
)
(1,474
)
(859
)
(2,179
)
Capital contribution
-
-
1,555
-
-
1,555
Net loss
-
-
-
(4
)
-
(4
)
Foreign currency translation adjustments
-
-
-
-
Change in unrecognized gains and prior service cost
related to pension and post-retirement benefit plans,
net of tax of $(5)
-
-
-
-
Balance at December 31, 2021
-
-
1,555
(40
)
1,539
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements
DOMTAR CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS)
Successor
Predecessor
Period from
December 1,
through
December 31,
Period from
January 1,
through
November 30,
Year ended
December 31,
Year ended
December 31,
$
$
$
$
Operating activities
Net (loss) earnings
(4
)
(23
)
(127
)
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) earnings to cash flows (used for)
provided from operating activities
Depreciation and amortization
Deferred income taxes and tax uncertainties (NOTE 8)
(10
)
(8
)
(45
)
(16
)
Impairment of long-lived assets (NOTE 14)
-
Impairment of inventory (NOTE 14)
-
-
Net gains on disposals of property, plant and equipment
-
(3
)
(1
)
-
Net loss on disposition of discontinued operations (NOTE 3)
-
-
Stock-based compensation expense
-
Equity method investment loss, net of taxes
-
-
Make-whole premium on repayment of long-term debt (NOTE 17)
-
-
-
Other
-
Changes in assets and liabilities, excluding the effect of acquisitions
and sale of businesses
Receivables
(163
)
Inventories
(19
)
(4
)
(22
)
Prepaid expenses
Trade and other payables
(126
)
(57
)
(67
)
Income and other taxes
(17
)
(43
)
Difference between employer pension and other post-retirement
contributions and pension and other post-retirement expense
(2
)
(17
)
(4
)
Other assets and other liabilities
-
-
Cash flows (used for) provided from operating activities
(102
)
Investing activities
Additions to property, plant and equipment
(41
)
(268
)
(175
)
(255
)
Proceeds from disposals of property, plant and equipment
-
Proceeds from sale of business, net of cash disposed (NOTE 3)
-
-
-
Acquisition of businesses (NOTE 4)
(2,796
)
-
(30
)
-
Cash flows (used for) provided from investing activities
(2,837
)
(202
)
(254
)
Financing activities
Dividend payments
-
-
(51
)
(110
)
Stock repurchase
-
(238
)
(59
)
(219
)
Issuance of common shares
1,555
-
-
-
Net change in bank indebtedness
-
-
(10
)
Change in revolving credit facility
-
(80
)
Proceeds from receivables securitization facility
-
-
Repayments of receivables securitization facility
-
-
(80
)
(200
)
Issuance of long-term debt, net of debt issue costs
1,252
-
-
Repayments of long-term debt, including make-whole premium
-
(606
)
(7
)
(1
)
Other
-
(1
)
(3
)
(1
)
Cash flows provided from (used for) financing activities
2,922
(845
)
(237
)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
(17
)
(6
)
(49
)
Impact of foreign exchange on cash
-
-
(1
)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period
Supplemental cash flow information
Net cash payments (refund) for:
Interest (including $11 million of make-whole premium in 2021)
-
Income taxes
(22
)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
DOMTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2021
(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
INDEX FOR NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
NOTE 2
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
NOTE 3
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
NOTE 4
ACQUISITION OF BUSINESSES
NOTE 5
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
NOTE 6
PENSION PLANS AND OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS
NOTE 7
INTEREST EXPENSE, NET
NOTE 8
INCOME TAXES
NOTE 9
INVENTORIES
NOTE 10
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
NOTE 11
LEASES
NOTE 12
INTANGIBLE ASSETS
NOTE 13
OTHER ASSETS
NOTE 14
CLOSURE AND RESTRUCTURING COSTS AND IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS
NOTE 15
TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES
NOTE 16
CHANGES IN ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) BY COMPONENT
NOTE 17
LONG-TERM DEBT
NOTE 18
OTHER LIABILITIES AND DEFERRED CREDITS
NOTE 19
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
NOTE 20
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
NOTE 21
DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT
NOTE 22
SEGMENT DISCLOSURES
NOTE 23
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
DOMTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2021
(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
NOTE 1.
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
NATURE OF OPERATIONS
Domtar designs, manufactures, markets and distributes a wide variety of fiber-based products including communication papers, specialty and packaging papers and high quality airlaid and ultrathin laminated cores. The foundation of its business is a network of wood fiber converting assets that produce paper grade, fluff and specialty pulp. The majority of this pulp production is consumed internally to manufacture paper with the balance sold as market pulp. Domtar is the largest integrated marketer of uncoated freesheet paper in North America serving a variety of customers, including merchants, retail outlets, stationers, printers, publishers, converters and end-users.
BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The Company’s consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America which requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the year, the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements. On an ongoing basis, management reviews the estimates and assumptions, including but not limited to those related to environmental matters and asset retirement obligations, impairment and useful lives of long-lived assets, impairment of intangibles and goodwill, closure and restructuring costs, pension and other post-retirement benefit plans, income taxes, business combinations and contingencies, based on currently available information. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
On November 30, 2021, Paper Excellence completed the acquisition of all the outstanding common shares of Domtar Corporation (the “Company”) by means of a merger of Pearl Merger Sub (a wholly-owned subsidiary) with and into the Company with the Company continuing as the surviving corporation and as a subsidiary of Paper Excellence (the “Merger”). See Note 4 “Acquisition of businesses” for additional information on the Merger.
For purposes of the Company’s financial statement presentation, Pearl Merger Sub was determined to be the accounting acquirer in the Merger which was accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting. The application of the acquisition method of accounting resulted in a new basis of accounting basis of the Company’s assets and liabilities which are measured at fair value as of the date of the Merger.
The Company’s consolidated financial statements for the period following the closing of the Merger are labeled “Successor” and reflect the Company’s assets and liabilities at their fair values. All periods prior to the closing of the Merger reflect the historical accounting basis of the Company’s assets and liabilities and are labeled “Predecessor.” The consolidated financial statements and related notes include a black line division between the columns titled "Predecessor" and "Successor" to signify that the amounts shown for the periods prior to and following the Merger are not comparable.
As a condition to obtain the approval of the Merger from the Canadian Competition Bureau, the Company was required to commit to the divestiture of its Kamloops, British Columbia production facility within a short period of time following the Merger.
Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior years’ presentation to conform to the current year presentation.
PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Domtar and its controlled subsidiaries. Intercompany transactions have been eliminated on consolidation. The equity method of accounting is used for investments in affiliates over which the Company has significant influence but does not have effective control.
DOMTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2021
(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
NOTE 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
BUSINESS COMBINATIONS
The Company accounts for business combinations in accordance with ASC 805 “Business Combinations” which requires, among other things, the acquiring entity in a business combination to recognize the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed; the recognition of acquisition-related costs in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Loss) and Comprehensive Income (Loss); the recognition of restructuring costs in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Loss) and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for which the acquirer becomes obligated after the acquisition date; and contingent purchase consideration to be recognized at fair value on the acquisition date with subsequent adjustments recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Loss) and Comprehensive Income (Loss).
Estimates of fair value require a complex series of judgments about future events and uncertainties. The estimates and assumptions used to determine the preliminary estimated fair value assigned to each class of assets and liabilities, as well as asset lives, have a material impact to the Company's consolidated financial statements, and are based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable but that are inherently uncertain. The Company generally uses third-party qualified consultants to assist management in determining the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. This includes, when necessary, assistance with the determination of lives and valuation of property and identifiable intangibles and assisting management in assessing off-market contracts and obligations associated with legal and environmental claims. The purchase price allocation process also entails the Company to refine these estimates over a measurement period not to exceed one year to reflect new information obtained surrounding facts and circumstances existing at acquisition date.
The excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the identified assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recorded as goodwill.
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
The results of operations of the Kamloops, British Columbia production facility (the “Kamloops disposal group”) have been classified as discontinued operations for all periods presented in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Loss) and Comprehensive Income (Loss) as the Kamloops disposal group met the criteria to be classified as held for sale at the time of the Merger discussed above. The after-tax results of operations of the discontinued operations are reported as a separate component in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Loss) and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for all prior periods presented. The cash flows related to the Kamloops disposal group have not been segregated and are included in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for all periods presented. In addition, the related assets and liabilities of the Kamloops disposal group have been classified as held for sale in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and are measured at their fair values at December 31, 2021.
The results of operations for the Personal Care business unit (the “Personal Care disposal group”) have been classified as discontinued operations for all periods presented in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Loss) and Comprehensive Income (Loss) as the Personal Care disposal group met the criteria to be classified as held for sale in the fourth quarter of 2020 and the disposal of the business unit represents a strategic shift that has a major effect on the Company's operations and financial results. The after-tax results of operations of the discontinued operations (including the loss recognized on classification as held for sale are reported as a separate component in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Loss) and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for current and all prior periods presented. The cash flows related to the divested Personal Care business have not been segregated and are included in Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for all periods presented. In addition, the related assets and liabilities of the disposal group have been classified as held for sale in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
DOMTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2021
(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
NOTE 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
TRANSLATION OF FOREIGN CURRENCIES
The Company determines its international subsidiaries’ functional currency by reviewing the currencies in which their respective operating activities occur. The Company translates assets and liabilities of its non-U.S. dollar functional currency subsidiaries into U.S. dollars using the rate in effect at the balance sheet date and revenues and expenses are translated at the average exchange rates during the year. Foreign currency translation gains and losses are included in Shareholders’ equity as a component of Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in a currency that is different from a reporting entity’s functional currency must first be remeasured from the applicable currency to the legal entity’s functional currency. The effect of this remeasurement process is recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Loss) and Comprehensive Income (Loss) and is partially offset by the Company’s hedging program (refer to Note 21 “Derivatives and hedging activities and fair value measurement”).
REVENUE RECOGNITION
The Company’s revenue is generated from the sale of finished goods to customers. Revenue is recognized at a single point in time when the performance obligation is satisfied which occurs when the control over the goods is transferred to customers. For shipping and handling activities performed after customers obtain control of the goods, the Company elected to account for these activities as fulfillment activities rather than assessing such activities as separate performance obligations. Accordingly, the sale of goods to customers represents a single performance obligation to which the entire transaction price is allocated.
The point in time when the control of goods is transferred to customers is largely dependent on delivery terms. Revenue is recorded at the time of shipment for delivery terms designated free on board (“f.o.b.”) shipping point. For sales transactions designated f.o.b. destination, revenue is recorded when the product is delivered to the customer’s delivery site.
Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for goods transferred to customers. Revenue is recognized net of variable consideration in the form of rebates, discounts and other commercial incentives extended to customers. Variable consideration is recognized using the most likely amounts which are based on an analysis of historical experience and current period expectations. The Company includes estimated amounts of variable consideration in revenue to the extent that it is probable that there will not be a significant reversal of recognized revenue when the uncertainty related to that variable consideration is resolved.
For all the Company’s contracts, customer payments are due in less than one year. Accordingly, the Company does not adjust the amount of revenue recognized for the effects of a significant financing component.
Sales taxes, and other similar taxes, collected from customers are excluded from revenue.
SHIPPING AND HANDLING COSTS
The Company classifies shipping and handling costs as a component of Cost of sales in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Loss) and Comprehensive Income (Loss).
DOMTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2021
(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
NOTE 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
CLOSURE AND RESTRUCTURING COSTS
Closure and restructuring costs are recognized as liabilities in the period when they are incurred and are measured at their fair value. For such recognition to occur, management, with the appropriate level of authority, must have approved and committed to a firm plan and appropriate communication to those affected must have occurred. These provisions may require an estimation of costs such as severance and termination benefits, pension and related curtailments, environmental remediation and may also include expenses related to demolition and outplacement. Actions taken may also require an evaluation of any remaining assets to determine required impairments, if any, and a review of estimated remaining useful lives which may lead to accelerated depreciation expense.
Estimates of cash flows and fair value relating to closures and restructurings require judgment. Closure and restructuring liabilities are based on management’s best estimates of future events. Although the Company does not anticipate significant changes, the actual costs may differ from these estimates due to subsequent developments such as the results of environmental studies, the ability to find a buyer for assets set to be dismantled and demolished and other business developments. As such, additional costs and further working capital adjustments may be required in future periods.
INCOME TAXES
Domtar uses the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined according to differences between the carrying amounts and tax bases of the assets and liabilities. The Company records its worldwide tax provision based on the respective tax rules and regulations for the jurisdictions in which it operates. The change in the net deferred tax asset or liability is included in Income tax (benefit) expense or in Other comprehensive income in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Loss) and Comprehensive Income (Loss). Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates and laws expected to apply in the years in which the assets and liabilities are expected to be recovered or settled. Uncertain tax positions are recorded based upon the Company’s evaluation of whether it is “more likely than not” (a probability level of more than 50%) that, based upon its technical merits, the tax position will be sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities. The Company establishes a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that they will not be realized. In general, “realization” refers to the incremental benefit achieved through the reduction in future taxes payable or an increase in future taxes refundable from the deferred tax assets. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are classified as non-current items on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to income tax matters as a component of Income tax (benefit) expense in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Loss) and Comprehensive Income (Loss).
If and when incurred, the Company accounts for any taxes associated with Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income (“GILTI”) as a period cost.
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
Cash and cash equivalents include cash and short-term investments with original maturities of less than three months and are presented at cost which approximates fair value.
RECEIVABLES AND ALLOWANCES FOR CREDIT LOSSES
The Company establishes allowances for credit losses on receivables. The adequacy of these allowances is assessed quarterly through consideration of factors including, but not limited to, customer credit ratings, bankruptcy filings, published or estimated credit default rates, age of the receivable, expected loss rates and collateral exposures. The Company assigns internal credit ratings for all customers and determines the creditworthiness of each customer based upon publicly available information and information obtained directly from its customers. The securitization of receivables is accounted for as secured borrowings. Accordingly, financing expenses related to the securitization of receivables are recognized in earnings as a component of Interest expense, net in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Loss) and Comprehensive Income (Loss).
DOMTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2021
(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
NOTE 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
INVENTORIES
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost includes labor, materials and production overhead. The last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) method is used to account for certain domestic raw materials, in process and finished goods inventories. The balance of domestic raw material inventories, all materials and supplies inventories and all foreign inventories are recorded at either the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) or average cost methods.
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation including asset impairments. Costs for repair and maintenance activities are expensed as incurred under the direct expense method of accounting. Interest costs are capitalized for significant capital projects. For timberlands, the amortization is calculated using the unit of production method. For all other assets, depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Buildings and improvements are depreciated over periods of 10 to 40 years and machinery and equipment over periods of 3 to 20 years. No depreciation is recorded on assets under construction.
IMPAIRMENT OF PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Property, plant and equipment are reviewed for impairment upon the occurrence of events or changes in circumstances indicating that the carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable, by comparing the net book value of the asset group to their estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected from their use and eventual disposition. Impaired assets are recorded at estimated fair value, determined principally by using the present value of estimated future cash flows expected from their use and eventual disposition.
LEASES
At inception of an arrangement, the Company determines whether the arrangement contains a lease. A lease conveys the right to control the use of identified property, plant, or equipment (asset) for a period of time in exchange for consideration. Control over the use of the identified asset means that the Company has both the right to obtain substantially all of the economic benefits from the use of the asset and the right to direct the use of the asset.
For each lease arrangement that has an original lease term of more than 12 months, a right-of-use asset and a lease liability are recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The right-of-use asset represents the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term while the lease liability represents the obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. The right-of-use asset and the lease liability are initially recorded at the same amount at the lease commencement date based on the present value of the remaining lease payments discounted using the Company’s incremental borrowing rate. The operating lease right-of-use asset also include previously recognized impairments and purchase price adjustments relating to favorable and unfavorable terms of leases acquired as part of business combinations. Lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. Impairment of right-of-use assets are determined and calculated in the same manner as disclosed under impairment of property, plant and equipment.
The terms of a lease arrangement determine how a lease is classified (operating or finance), the resulting recognition pattern in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Loss) and Comprehensive Income (Loss) and the classification in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Finance lease expense is represented by the interest on the lease liability determined using the effective interest method and the amortization of the finance lease right-of-use asset calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the identified asset. Finance lease related balances are included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets in Property, plant and equipment, net, Long-term debt due within one year and Long-term debt.
Operating lease expense is recorded on a straight-line basis over the lease term by adding interest expense determined using the effective interest method to the amortization of the right-of-use asset. Operating lease related balances are included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets in Operating lease right-of-use assets, Operating lease liabilities due within one year and Operating lease liabilities.
DOMTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2021
(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
NOTE 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
DEFINITE-LIVED INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Definite-lived intangible assets are stated at cost less amortization and are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amount may not be recoverable. Definite-lived intangible assets include water rights, customer relationships, trade names, technology as well as non-compete agreements, which are generally being amortized using the straight-line method over their respective estimated useful lives. Based on guidance provided in ASC 350, the customer relationships are amortized in a manner that reflects the pattern in which the economic benefits of the intangible asset are consumed. Any potential impairment for definite-lived intangible assets will be calculated in the same manner as disclosed under impairment of property, plant and equipment.
Amortization is based on the following preliminary useful lives:
Useful life
Water rights
40 years
Customer relationships
Up to 15 years
Trade Names
Up to 20 years
DEBT ISSUANCE COSTS
Debt issuance costs are presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as a deduction from the carrying value of long-term debt. Debt issuance costs associated with revolving credit arrangements are presented in Other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Debt issuance costs are amortized using the effective rate method over the term of the related debt and included in Interest expense, net in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Loss) and Comprehensive Income (Loss).
ENVIRONMENTAL COSTS AND ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS
Environmental expenditures for effluent treatment, air emission, silvicultural activities and site remediation (together referred to as environmental matters) are expensed or capitalized depending on their future economic benefit. In the normal course of business, Domtar incurs certain operating costs for environmental matters that are expensed as incurred. Expenditures for property, plant and equipment that prevent future environmental impacts are capitalized and amortized on a straight-line basis over 10 to 40 years. Provisions for environmental matters are recorded when remediation efforts are probable and can be reasonably estimated. Provisions for environmental matters are generally not discounted, due to uncertainty with respect to timing of expenditures.
Asset retirement obligations are mainly associated with landfill operation and closure, dredging of settling ponds and bark pile management and are recognized, at fair value, in the period in which Domtar incurs a legal obligation associated with the retirement of an asset. Conditional asset retirement obligations are recognized, at fair value, when the fair value of the liability can be reasonably estimated on a probability-weighted discounted cash flow estimate. The associated costs are capitalized as part of the carrying value of the related asset and depreciated over its remaining useful life. The liability is accreted using the credit adjusted risk-free interest rate used to discount the cash flow.
DOMTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2021
(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
NOTE 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION AND OTHER STOCK-BASED PAYMENTS
Prior to the Merger date, Domtar recognized the cost (net of estimated forfeitures) of employee services received in exchange for awards of equity instruments over the requisite service period, based on their grant date fair value for awards accounted for as equity and based on the quoted market value at the end of each reporting period for awards accounted for as liabilities. The Company awards were accounted for as compensation expense in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Loss) and Comprehensive Income (Loss) and presented in Additional paid-in capital on the Consolidated Balance Sheets for equity type awards and presented in Other liabilities and deferred credits on the Consolidated Balance Sheets for liability type awards.
The Company’s awards may have been subject to market, performance and/or service conditions. Any consideration paid by plan participants on the exercise of stock options or the purchase of shares was credited to Additional paid-in capital in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The par value included in the Additional paid-in capital component of stock-based compensation was transferred to Common stock upon the issuance of shares of common stock.
Stock options subject to service conditions vested pro rata on the first three anniversaries of the grant and had a seven-year term. Service and performance-based awards vested on the third anniversary of the grant. The performance-based awards had an additional feature where the ultimate number of units that vested were determined by the Company’s performance results or shareholder return in relation to a predetermined target over the vesting period. Deferred Share Units vested immediately at the grant date and were remeasured at the end of each reporting period, until settlement, using the quoted market value.
At the Merger date, all the Company’s outstanding stock-based awards, whether vested or unvested, were cancelled and converted into the right to receive cash payment.
DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS
Derivative instruments may be utilized by Domtar as part of the overall strategy to manage exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency, interest rate and commodity price on certain purchases. As a matter of policy, derivatives are not used for trading or speculative purposes. All derivatives are recorded at fair value either as assets or liabilities. When derivative instruments have been designated within a hedge relationship and are highly effective in offsetting the identified risk characteristics of specific financial assets and liabilities or group of financial assets and liabilities, hedge accounting is applied. In a fair value hedge, changes in fair value of derivatives are recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Loss) and Comprehensive Income (Loss). The change in fair value of the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk is also recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Loss) and Comprehensive Income (Loss) by way of a corresponding adjustment of the carrying amount of the hedged item recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. In a cash flow hedge, changes in fair value of derivative instruments are recorded in Other comprehensive income. These amounts are reclassified in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Loss) and Comprehensive Income (Loss) in the periods in which results are affected by the cash flows of the hedged item within the same line item.
DOMTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2021
(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
NOTE 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
PENSION PLANS
Domtar’s plans include funded and unfunded defined benefit and defined contribution pension plans. Domtar recognizes the overfunded or underfunded status of defined benefit and underfunded defined contribution pension plans as an asset or liability in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The net periodic benefit cost includes the following:
-
The cost of pension benefits provided in exchange for employees’ services rendered during the period,
-
The interest cost of pension obligations,
-
The expected long-term return on pension fund assets based on a market value of pension fund assets,
-
Gains or losses on settlements and curtailments,
-
The straight-line amortization of past service costs and plan amendments over the average remaining service period of approximately ten years of the active employee group covered by the plans, and
-
The amortization of cumulative net actuarial gains and losses in excess of 10% of the greater of the projected benefit obligation and the market value of assets over the average remaining service period of approximately ten years of the active employee group covered by the plans.
The defined benefit plan obligations are determined in accordance with the projected unit credit actuarial cost method.
OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS
The Company recognizes the unfunded status of other post-retirement benefit plans as a liability in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. These benefits, which are funded by Domtar as they become due, include life insurance programs, medical and dental benefits and short-term and long-term disability programs. The Company amortizes the cumulative net actuarial gains and losses in excess of 10% of the greater of the projected benefit obligation and the market value of assets over the average remaining service period of approximately 11 years of the active employee group covered by the plans.
GUARANTEES
A guarantee is a contract or an indemnification agreement that contingently requires Domtar to make payments to the other party of the contract or agreement, based on changes in an underlying item that is related to an asset, a liability or an equity security of the other party or on a third party’s failure to perform under an obligating agreement. It could also be an indirect guarantee of the indebtedness of another party, even though the payment to the other party may not be based on changes in an underlying item that is related to an asset, a liability or an equity security of the other party. Guarantees, when applicable, are accounted for at fair value.
DOMTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2021
(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
NOTE 2.
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
FUTURE ACCOUNTING CHANGES
TRANSITION AWAY FROM INTERBANK OFFERED RATES
On March 12, 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting”. The ASU provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying generally accepted accounting principles to contract modifications and hedging relationships, subject to meeting certain criteria, that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued.
The amendments in the ASU are elective and apply to entities that have contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued due to reference rate reform. An entity may elect to apply the amendments prospectively through December 31, 2022.
As of December 31, 2021, the Company has not yet elected any optional expedients provided in the standard. The Company will apply the accounting relief, if necessary, as relevant contract and hedge accounting relationship modifications are made during the reference rate reform transition period. The Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
DOMTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2021
(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
NOTE 3.
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
Mandated sale of Kamloops, British Columbia mill
On November 30, 2021, Paper Excellence completed the acquisition of all the outstanding shares of Domtar Corporation. The acquisition was subject to the review by the Canadian Competition Bureau, which outlined certain stipulations in a consent agreement before providing their final approval.
The consent agreement filed by the Canadian Commissioner of Competition (“Commissioner”) with the Competition Tribunal fulfilled the final condition to the closing of the business combination. According to the consent agreement, following the closing of the business combination, Domtar’s pulp mill in Kamloops, British Columbia must be sold in order to resolve the Commissioner’s concerns about the business combination’s implications on the purchase of wood fiber from the Thompson/Okanagan region in British Columbia.
The mill will be sold to an independent purchaser to be approved by the Commissioner.
The results of operations of Domtar’s pulp mill in Kamloops, British Columbia were reclassified to discontinued operations. These results have been summarized in Earnings from discontinued operations, net of taxes on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Loss) and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for each period presented. The Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows were not reclassified to reflect discontinued operations.
Sale of Personal Care business
On March 1, 2021, Domtar completed the sale of the Company’s Personal Care business to American Industrial Partners (“AIP”) for a purchase price of $920 million in cash, including elements of working capital of $130 million. Domtar received a net amount of $897 million, which represents the selling price minus the settlements of the net indebtedness and other elements of working capital adjustments. In connection with the sale, the Company entered into Transition Services Agreements with AIP pursuant to which the Company agreed to provide various back-office and information technology support until the business is fully separated from Domtar.
The results of operations of the Company’s Personal Care business were reclassified to discontinued operations. These results have been summarized in Earnings from discontinued operations, net of taxes on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Loss) and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for each period presented. The Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows were not reclassified to reflect discontinued operations. Personal Care was previously disclosed as a separate reportable business segment.
DOMTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2021
(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
NOTE 3. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)
Major components of earnings from discontinued operations:
Successor
Predecessor
Period from
December 1,
through
December 31,
Period from
January 1,
through
November 30,
Year ended December 31,
Year ended December 31,
$
$
$
$
Sales
1,232
1,170
Operating expenses
Cost of sales, excluding depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and amortization
-
Selling, general and administrative
-
Impairment of long-lived assets
-
-
Closure and restructuring costs
-
-
Other operating loss, net
-
1,152
1,161
Operating income
Net loss on disposition of discontinued operations
-
-
Earnings from discontinued operations
before income taxes
Income tax expense (benefit)
(9
)
Net earnings from discontinued operations
DOMTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2021
(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
NOTE 3. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)
Major classes of assets and liabilities classified as held for sale in the accompanying Balance Sheets were as follows:
Successor
Predecessor
At
December 31,
December 31,
$
$
Assets
Receivables
Inventories
Prepaid expenses
-
Income and other taxes receivable
-
Property, plant and equipment, net
Operating lease right-of-use assets
-
Intangible assets, net (2)
-
Other assets
-
Total assets
1,372
Loss on classification as held for sale
-
(43
)
Total assets of the disposal group classified as held for sale on the
Consolidated Balance Sheets (1)
1,329
Liabilities
Trade and other payables
Income and other taxes payable
-
Operating lease liabilities due within one year
-
Long-term debt due within one year
Long-term debt
Operating lease liabilities
-
Deferred income taxes and other
Other liabilities and deferred credits
Total liabilities of the disposal group classified as held for sale on the
Consolidated Balance Sheets (1)
(1)
Total assets and liabilities of discontinued operations are classified in current assets and liabilities, respectively, in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2021.
(2)
Intangible assets, net at December 31, 2020 are comprised of $290 million ($248 million of trade names and $42 million of catalog rights) of indefinite-lived assets and $264 million of definite-lived assets.
DOMTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2021
(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
NOTE 3. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)
Cash Flows from Discontinued Operations:
Successor
Predecessor
Period from
December 1,
through
December 31,
Period from
January 1,
through
November 30,
Year ended December 31,
Year ended December 31,
$
$
$
$
Cash flows from operating activities
Cash flows used for investing activities
(1
)
(14
)
(40
)
(57
)
DOMTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2021
(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
NOTE 4.
ACQUISITION OF BUSINESSES
Acquisition of Domtar Corporation by Paper Excellence
On November 30, 2021, Paper Excellence completed the acquisition of all the outstanding common shares of Domtar Corporation (the “Company”) by means of a merger of Pearl Merger Sub (a wholly-owned subsidiary) with and into the Company with the Company continuing as the surviving corporation and as a subsidiary of Paper Excellence (the “Merger”). On the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, each share of outstanding common stock of the Company was converted into the right to receive $55.50 in cash. The acquisition-date fair value of the consideration transferred totaled $2.796 billion, less cash acquired of $332 million.
Pearl Merger Sub was determined to be the accounting acquirer in the Merger which was accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting. The application of the acquisition method of accounting resulted in a new basis of accounting basis of the Company’s assets and liabilities which are measured at fair value at the acquisition date.
The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date. The Company is in the process of obtaining third-party valuations of certain tangible and intangible assets; thus, the provisional measurements of tangible and intangible assets, off-market contracts and deferred income tax assets are subject to change.
Fair value of net assets acquired at the date of acquisition
Receivables
$
Inventories
Prepaid expenses
Income and other taxes receivable
Property, plant and equipment
2,498
Intangible assets
Customer relationships
Trade names
Water rights
Operating lease right-of-use assets
Other assets
Assets held for sale
Total assets
4,548
Less: Assumed Liabilities
Trade and other payables
Income and other taxes payable
Operating lease liabilities (including short-term portion)
Long-term debt (including short-term portion)
Deferred income tax liabilities
Other liabilities and deferred credits
Liabilities held for sale
Total liabilities
2,084
Fair value of net assets acquired at the date of acquisition
2,464
DOMTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2021
(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
NOTE 4. ACQUISITION OF BUSINESSES (CONTINUED)
The preliminary estimated fair value assigned to identifiable intangible assets acquired are determined primarily by using an income approach using a discounted cash flow methodology, which is based on assumptions and estimates made by management. The preliminary estimated fair value of the customer relationship intangible assets was estimated using the multi-period excess earnings method. Management applied significant judgement related to this fair value method, which included the selection of an expected EBITDA margin assumption for the forecast period, contributory asset charges, customer attrition rate and market-participant discount rate assumptions. These significant assumptions are based on company specific information and projections, which are not observable in the market (except for the discount rate assumption) and, therefore, are considered Level 2 and Level 3 measurements. These significant assumptions are forward-looking and could be affected by future changes in economic and market conditions.
The preliminary estimated fair value of property, plant and equipment was primarily determined based on management’s preliminary estimate of depreciated replacement cost as further adjusted based on estimated cash flow forecasts. The significant assumptions underlying the fair value are based on company specific information and projections, which are not observable in the market and, therefore, are considered Level 2 and Level 3 measurements. These significant assumptions are forward-looking and could be affected by future changes in economic and market conditions.
The preliminary estimated fair value of finished goods was calculated as the estimated selling price, adjusted for costs of the selling effort and a reasonable profit allowance relating to the selling effort. The preliminary estimated fair value of work in process inventory was primarily calculated as the estimated selling price, adjusted for estimated costs to complete the manufacturing, estimated costs of the selling effort, as well as a reasonable profit margin on the remaining manufacturing and selling effort. The preliminary estimated fair value of raw materials and operating and maintenance supplies was determined to approximate the historical carrying value. These significant assumptions are based on company specific information and projections, which are not observable in the market and, therefore, are considered Level 2 and Level 3 measurements. These significant assumptions are forward-looking and could be affected by future changes in economic and market conditions.
The Company recognized $132 million of acquisition related costs that were expensed in the predecessor period. These costs are included in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Loss) and Comprehensive Income (Loss) in the line item entitled Transaction costs.
The Predecessor period includes the historical financial information of Pearl Merger Sub prior to the business combination, which is limited to immaterial amounts of interest and merger-related transactions costs. The businesses, and thus the financial results of the Successor and Predecessor entities, are virtually the same, excluding the impact on certain financial statement line items that were impacted by the Merger mainly:
•
Depreciation and amortization on fair value increments relating to Property, plant and equipment and fair values ascribed to identified intangible assets;
•
Interest expense and amortization of debt issuance costs relating to additional long-term debt raised by Pearl Merger Sub to effect the Merger;
•
Merger-related transaction costs; and,
•
Current and deferred income tax impacts of the above.
DOMTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2021
(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
NOTE 4. ACQUISITION OF BUSINESSES (CONTINUED)
Purchase of Appvion Point of Sale business
On April 27, 2020, Domtar Corporation completed the acquisition of the Point of Sale paper business from Appvion Operation Inc. The business includes the coater and related equipment located at Appvion’s West Carrollton, Ohio, facility as well as a license for all corresponding intellectual property and assumed liabilities related to post-retirement benefits. The results of this business have been included in the consolidated financial statements as of April 27, 2020. The purchase price was $20 million in cash plus the book value of raw materials and finished goods inventory, subject to post-closing adjustments. The acquisition was accounted for as a business combination under the acquisition method of accounting. The total purchase price was allocated to tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on the Company’s estimates of their fair value, and was finalized during 2020.
The table below illustrates the purchase price allocation:
Fair value of net assets acquired at the date of acquisition
Inventories
$
Property, plant and equipment
Operating lease right-of-use assets
Total assets
Less: Assumed Liabilities
Fair value of net assets acquired at the date of acquisition
DOMTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2021
(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
NOTE 5.
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
Acquisition of Domtar Corporation by Paper Excellence
Pursuant to the terms of the Omnibus Plan, as a result of the acquisition by Paper Excellence, on the Merger date, the Company recognized an accelerated vesting on all the outstanding stock-based awards under the Omnibus Plan. These awards were then cancelled and converted into the right to receive cash payment, which was made in December 2021. In turn, the Omnibus Plan was terminated and is expected to be replaced in 2022 by a new long-term incentive program.
For the year ended December 31, 2021, stock-based compensation expense recognized in the predecessor Company’s results from continuing and discontinued operations was $46 million (2020 - $7 million; 2019 - $22 million), of which $34 million, related to the accelerated vesting of stock-based awards, was recorded under Transaction costs in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings (Loss) and Comprehensive Income (Loss).
DOMTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2021
(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
NOTE 6.
PENSION PLANS AND OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS
DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLANS
The Company has several defined contribution plans. The pension expense under these plans is equal to the Company’s contribution. For the 1 month ended December 31, 2021 and the 11 months ended November 30, 2021, the related pension expense was $3 million and $30 million, respectively (2020 - $37 million; 2019 - $37 million).
DEFINED BENEFIT PLANS AND OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS
The Company sponsors both contributory and non-contributory U.S. and non-U.S. defined benefit pension plans. Non-unionized employees in Canada joining the Company after January 1, 1998 participate in a defined contribution pension plan. Salaried employees in the U.S. joining the Company after January 1, 2008 participate in a defined contribution pension plan. Unionized and non-union hourly employees in the U.S. that are not grandfathered under the existing defined benefit pension plans, participate in a defined contribution pension plan for future service. The Company also sponsors a number of other post-retirement benefit plans for eligible U.S. and non-U.S. employees; the plans are unfunded and include life insurance programs and medical and dental benefits. The Company also provides supplemental unfunded defined benefit pension plans and supplemental unfunded defined contribution pension plans to certain senior management employees.
Related pension and other post-retirement plan expenses and the corresponding obligations are actuarially determined using management’s most probable assumptions.
The Company’s pension plan funding policy is to contribute annually the amount required to provide for benefits earned in the year and to fund solvency deficiencies, funding shortfalls and past service obligations over periods not exceeding those permitted by the applicable regulatory authorities. Past service obligations primarily arise from improvements to plan benefits. The other post-retirement benefit plans are not funded, and contributions are made annually to cover benefit payments.
The Company expects to contribute a minimum total amount of $8 million in 2022 compared to $17 million in 2021 (2020 - $15 million; 2019 - $17 million) to the pension plans. The Company expects to contribute a minimum total amount of $5 million in 2022 compared to $4 million in 2021 (2020 - $4 million; 2019 - $4 million) to the other post-retirement benefit plans.
DOMTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2021
(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
NOTE 6. PENSION PLANS AND OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS (CONTINUED)
CHANGE IN PROJECTED BENEFIT OBLIGATION
The following table represents the change in the projected benefit obligation as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the measurement date for each year:
Successor
Predecessor
December 31, 2021
December 31, 2020
Pension
Other post-retirement
Pension
Other post-retirement
plans
benefit plans
plans
benefit plans
$
$
$
$
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year
1,566
1,425
Service cost for the year
Interest expense
Plan participants' contributions
-
-
Actuarial (gain) loss
(104
)
(6
)
Plan amendments
-
-
Benefits paid
(65
)
(1
)
(67
)
-
Direct benefit payments
(9
)
(3
)
(3
)
(4
)
Acquisition of business
-
-
-
Curtailment (1)
-
-
(1
)
-
Settlement (2)
(35
)
-
(15
)
-
Effect of foreign currency exchange rate change
-
Projected benefit obligation at end of year
1,433
1,566
During 2021, net actuarial gains decreased the projected benefit obligation due to the increase in discount rates. During 2020, net actuarial losses increased the projected benefit obligation due to the decrease in discount rates.
The accumulated benefit obligation of the pension plans at December 31, 2021 and 2020 was $1,386 million and $1,516 million, respectively.
DOMTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2021
(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
NOTE 6. PENSION PLANS AND OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS (CONTINUED)
CHANGE IN FAIR VALUE OF ASSETS
The following table represents the change in the fair value of assets, as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, reflecting the actual return on plan assets, the contributions and the benefits paid for each year:
Successor
Predecessor
December 31, 2021
December 31, 2020
Pension plans
Pension plans
$
$
Fair value of assets at beginning of year
1,594
1,465
Actual return on plan assets
Employer contributions
Plan participants' contributions
Benefits paid
(74
)
(70
)
Settlement (2)
(35
)
(15
)
Effect of foreign currency exchange rate change
Fair value of assets at end of year
1,622
1,594
(1)
Curtailment accounting was triggered following the restructuring activities that occurred in 2020. The impact was estimated as of July 31, 2020, based on the information known at that time and was remeasured on December 31, 2020.
(2)
Settlement accounting was triggered as of December 31, 2020, following the restructuring activities that occurred in 2020, to reflect lump sums paid in 2020 in excess of the sum of service cost and interest cost. Settlement accounting was triggered throughout 2021 as lump sums paid have exceeded the sum of service cost and interest cost.
INVESTMENT POLICIES AND STRATEGIES OF THE PLAN ASSETS
The assets of the pension plans are held by a number of independent trustees and are accounted for separately in the Company’s pension funds. The investment strategy for the assets in the pension plans is to maintain a diversified portfolio of assets, invested in a prudent manner to maintain the security of funds while maximizing returns within the guidelines provided in the investment policy. Diversification of the pension plans’ holdings is maintained in order to reduce the pension plans’ annual return variability, reduce market and credit exposure to any single asset and to any single component of the capital markets, reduce exposure to unexpected inflation, enhance the long-term risk-adjusted return potential of the pension plans and reduce funding risk.
Over the long-term, the performance of the pension plans is primarily determined by the long-term asset mix decisions. To manage the long-term risk of not having sufficient funds to match the obligations of the pension plans, the Company conducts asset/liability studies. These studies lead to the recommendation and adoption of a long-term asset mix target that sets the expected rate of return and reduces the risk of adverse consequences to the plans from increases in liabilities and decreases in assets. In identifying the asset mix target that would best meet the investment objectives, consideration is given to various factors, including (a) each plan’s characteristics, (b) the duration of each plan’s liabilities, (c) the solvency and going concern financial position of each plan and their sensitivity to changes in interest rates and inflation, and (d) the long-term return and risk expectations for key asset classes.
The investments of each plan can be done directly through cash investments in equities or bonds or indirectly through derivatives or pooled funds. The use of derivatives must be in accordance with an approved mandate and cannot be used for speculative purposes.
The Company’s pension funds are not permitted to directly own any of the Company’s shares or debt instruments.
DOMTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2021
(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
NOTE 6. PENSION PLANS AND OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS (CONTINUED)
The following table shows the allocation of the plan assets, based on the fair value of the assets held and the target allocation for 2021:
Successor
Predecessor
Percentage of
Percentage of
plan assets at
plan assets at
December 31,
December 31,
Target allocation
Fixed income
Cash and cash equivalents
0% - 10%
%
%
Bonds
26% - 56%
%
%
Insurance contracts
10%
%
%
Equity
Canadian Equity
0% - 10%
%
%
U.S. Equity
6% - 15%
%
%
International Equity
11% - 24%
%
%
Alternate Investments
Real Estate
0% - 13%
%
%
Multi Asset Credit
0% - 10%
%
%
Infrastructure
0% - 9%
%
%
Total (1)
%
%
(1)
Approximately 73% of the pension plans' assets relate to Canadian plans, 27% relate to U.S. plans.
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDED STATUS TO AMOUNTS RECOGNIZED IN THE CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
The following table presents the difference between the fair value of assets and the actuarially determined projected benefit obligation. This difference is also referred to as either the deficit or surplus, as the case may be, or the funded status of the plans. The table further reconciles the amount of the surplus or deficit (funded status) to the net amount recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Successor
Predecessor
December 31, 2021
December 31, 2020
Pension
Other post-retirement
Pension
Other post-retirement
plans
benefit plans
plans
benefit plans
$
$
$
$
Projected benefit obligation at end of year
(1,433
)
(60
)
(1,566
)
(67
)
Fair value of assets at end of year
1,622
-
1,594
-
Funded status
(60
)
(67
)
DOMTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2021
(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
NOTE 6. PENSION PLANS AND OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS (CONTINUED)
Successor
Predecessor
December 31, 2021
December 31, 2020
Pension
Other post-retirement
Pension
Other post-retirement
plans
benefit plans
plans
benefit plans
$
$
$
$
Trade and other payables
-
(5
)
-
(5
)
Other liabilities and deferred credits
(59
)
(55
)
(124
)
(62
)
Other assets
-
-
Net amount recognized in the Consolidated
Balance Sheets
(60
)
(67
)
The following table presents the pre-tax amounts included in Other comprehensive income (loss):
Successor
Predecessor
Period from
December 1,
through
December 31,
Period from
January 1,
through
November 30,
Year ended
December 31,
Year ended
December 31,
Other post-
Other post-
Other post-
Other post-
Pension
retirement
Pension
retirement
Pension
retirement
Pension
retirement
plans
benefit plans
plans
benefit plans
plans
benefit plans
plans
benefit plans
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
Prior service (cost) credit
-
-
(6
)
(2
)
-
-
-
Amortization of prior year service
cost (credit)
-
-
(1
)
(1
)
(1
)
Net gain (loss)
(1
)
(26
)
(1
)
Amortization of net actuarial loss
(gain) (1)
-
-
(1
)
(1
)
(1
)
Net amount recognized in other
comprehensive income
(loss) (pre-tax)
(1
)
(14
)
(3
)
(1
)
(1)
In 2021, the non-cash settlement was nil (2020 - $2 million; 2019 - $30 million).
DOMTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2021
(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
NOTE 6. PENSION PLANS AND OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS (CONTINUED)
At December 31, 2021, the projected benefit obligation and the fair value of plan assets with a projected benefit obligation in excess of fair value of plan assets were $318 million and $259 million, respectively (2020 - $917 million and $793 million, respectively).
Successor
Predecessor
Period from
December 1,
through
December 31,
Period from
January 1,
through
November 30,
Year ended
December 31,
Year ended
December 31,
Components of net periodic benefit cost for pension plans
$
$
$
$
Service cost for the year
Interest expense
Expected return on plan assets
(5
)
(61
)
(68
)
(79
)
Amortization of net actuarial loss
-
Curtailment loss
-
-
-
Settlement loss
-
-
Amortization of prior year service cost
-
Net periodic benefit cost
-
Successor
Predecessor
Components of net periodic benefit cost for other post-retirement
Period from
December 1,
through
December 31,
Period from
January 1,
through
November 30,
Year ended
December 31,
Year ended
December 31,
benefit plans
$
$
$
$
Service cost for the year
-
Interest expense
-
Amortization of net actuarial gain
-
(1
)
(1
)
(1
)
Amortization of prior year service credit
-
(1
)
(1
)
(1
)
Net periodic benefit cost
-
WEIGHTED-AVERAGE ASSUMPTIONS
The Company used the following key assumptions to measure the projected benefit obligation and the net periodic benefit cost. These assumptions are long-term, which is consistent with the nature of employee future benefits.
Successor
Predecessor
December 31,
November 30,
December 31,
December 31,
Pension plans
Projected benefit obligation
Discount rate
3.0
%
N/A
2.5
%
3.1
%
Rate of compensation increase
2.7
%
N/A
2.7
%
2.7
%
Net periodic benefit cost
Discount rate
3.0
%
2.5
%
3.0
%
3.8
%
Rate of compensation increase
2.8
%
2.7
%
2.8
%
2.6
%
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets
4.3
%
4.3
%
4.6
%
5.2
%
A weighted-average interest-crediting rate of 3.3% was assumed for 2021, for the Company’s cash balance pension plan.
The Company used a full yield curve approach to estimate the current service and interest cost components of net periodic benefit cost for Canadian pension plans and U.S. funded pension plans. The estimate of these components is made by applying the specific spot rates along the yield curve used in the determination of the benefit obligation to the relevant projected cash flows.
DOMTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2021
(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
NOTE 6. PENSION PLANS AND OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS (CONTINUED)
For the unfunded pension plan and other post-retirement benefits, given materiality, the current service and interest cost components were estimated using a single weighted-average discount rate derived from the yield curve for each unfunded pension plan or based on each post-retirement plans’ projected cash flows. The discount rate of 2.7% (Successor) and 2.5% (Predecessor) for U.S. unfunded plans is obtained by incorporating the plans’ expected cash flows in the Mercer Yield Curve.
For Canadian plans, short-term yields to maturity are derived from actual AA rated corporate bond yield data. For longer terms, extrapolated data is used. The extrapolated data are created by adding a term-based spread over long provincial bond yields. For U.S. funded plans, the rates are taken from the Mercer Yield Curve which is based on bonds rated AA by Moody’s or Standard & Poor’s, excluding callable bonds, bonds of less than a minimum issue size, and certain other bonds. The universe of bonds also includes private placement (traded in reliance on Rule 144A and which are at least two years from issuance), make whole, and foreign corporation (denominated in U.S. dollars) bonds.
Effective January 1, 2022, the Company will use 4.8% (2021 - 4.4%; 2020 - 4.8%) as the expected return on plan assets, which reflects the current view of long-term investment returns. The overall expected long-term rate of return on plan assets is based on management's best estimate of the long-term returns of the major asset classes (cash and cash equivalents, equities, bonds and various alternative investment asset classes) weighted by the target allocation of assets at the measurement date, net of expenses. This rate includes an equity risk premium over government bond returns for equity investments and a value-added premium for the contribution to returns from active management. The sources used to determine management's best estimate of long-term returns are numerous and include country specific bond yields, which may be derived from the market using local bond indices or by analysis of the local bond market, and country-specific inflation and investment market expectations derived from market data and analysts' or governments' expectations, as applicable.
Successor
Predecessor
December 31,
November 30,
December 31,
December 31,
Other post-retirement benefit plans
Projected benefit obligation
Discount rate
3.1
%
N/A
2.5
%
3.1
%
Rate of compensation increase
2.9
%
N/A
2.8
%
2.8
%
Net periodic benefit cost
Discount rate
3.2
%
2.3
%
3.0
%
3.7
%
Rate of compensation increase
2.8
%
2.6
%
2.7
%
2.7
%
For measurement purposes, a 3.9% weighted average annual rate of increase in the per capita cost of covered health care benefits was assumed for 2021.
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT
Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures Topic of FASB ASC 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three levels. A financial instrument’s categorization within the fair value hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is available and significant to the fair value measurement.
Level 1
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2
Observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
Level 3
Inputs that are generally unobservable and typically reflect management’s estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the assets or liabilities.
DOMTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2021
(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
NOTE 6. PENSION PLANS AND OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS (CONTINUED)
The following table presents the fair value of the plan assets at December 31, 2021, by asset category:
Successor
Fair Value Measurements at
December 31, 2021
Quoted Prices
in Active
Significant
Significant
Markets for
Observable
Unobservable
Identical Assets
Inputs
Inputs
Asset Category
Total
(Level 1)
(Level 2)
(Level 3)
$
$
$
$
Cash and short-term investments
-
Canadian provincial government bonds
-
Canadian corporate debt securities
-
U.S. corporate debt securities
-
-
International corporate debt securities
-
-
Bond fund (1 & 2)
-
-
Canadian equities (3)
-
-
U.S. equities (4)
-
-
International equities (5)
-
-
U.S. stock index funds (2 & 6)
-
-
U.S. private real estate funds (7)
-
Insurance contracts (8)
-
-
Derivative contracts (9)
-
-
Total
1,622
(1)
This category represents a U.S. actively managed bond fund that is benchmarked to the Barclays Capital Long-term Government/Credit index.
(2)
The fair value of these plan assets is classified as Level 2 (inputs that are observable, directly or indirectly) as they are measured based on quoted prices in active markets and can be redeemed at the measurement date or in the near term.
(3)
This category represents an active segregated large capitalization Canadian equity portfolio with the ability to purchase small and medium capitalized companies and the Canadian equity portion of an active segregated global equity portfolio.
(4)
This category represents U.S. equities held within an active segregated global equity portfolio and an active international equity portfolio.
(5)
This category represents an active segregated non-North American multi-capitalization equity portfolio and the non-North American portion of an active segregated global equity portfolio.
(6)
This category represents two equity index funds, not actively managed, that track the Russell 3000 index.
(7)
This category represents two U.S. actively managed private real estate funds (Core and Core Plus) that are benchmarked to the NCREIF ODCE.
(8)
This category represents a group annuity contract purchased through an insurance company that is held in the pension plan’s name as an asset within the pension plan. The insurance contract covers pension entitlements associated with specific groups of retired members of the pension plan.
(9)
The fair value of the derivative contracts is classified as Level 2 (inputs that are observable, directly or indirectly) as they are measured using long-term bond indices.
DOMTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2021
(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
NOTE 6. PENSION PLANS AND OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS (CONTINUED)
The following table presents the fair value of the plan assets at December 31, 2020, by asset category:
Predecessor
Fair Value Measurements at
December 31, 2020
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical Assets
Significant
Observable Inputs
Significant
Unobservable Inputs
Asset Category
Total
(Level 1)
(Level 2)
(Level 3)
$
$
$
$
Cash and short-term investments
-
Canadian provincial government bonds
-
Canadian corporate debt securities
-
U.S. corporate debt securities
-
International corporate debt securities
-
-
Bond fund (1 & 2)
-
-
Canadian equities (3)
-
-
U.S. equities (4)
-
-
International equities (5)
-
-
U.S. stock index funds (2 & 6)
-
-
Insurance contracts (7)
-
-
Derivative contracts (8)
-
-
Total
1,594
1)
This category represents a U.S. actively managed bond fund that is benchmarked to the Barclays Capital Long-term Government/Credit index.
(2)
The fair value of these plan assets is classified as Level 2 (inputs that are observable, directly or indirectly) as they are measured based on quoted prices in active markets and can be redeemed at the measurement date or in the near term.
(3)
This category represents an active segregated large capitalization Canadian equity portfolio with the ability to purchase small and medium capitalized companies and the Canadian equity portion of an active segregated global equity portfolio.
(4)
This category represents U.S. equities held within an active segregated global equity portfolio and an active international equity portfolio.
(5)
This category represents an active segregated non-North American multi-capitalization equity portfolio and the non-North American portion of an active segregated global equity portfolio.
(6)
This category represents two equity index funds, not actively managed, that track the Russell 3000 index.
(7)
This category represents a group annuity contract purchased through an insurance company that is held in the pension plan’s name as an asset within the pension plan. The insurance contract covers pension entitlements associated with specific groups of retired members of the pension plan.
(8)
The fair value of the derivative contracts is classified as Level 2 (inputs that are observable, directly or indirectly) as they are measured using long-term bond indices.
DOMTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2021
(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
NOTE 6. PENSION PLANS AND OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS (CONTINUED)
The following table presents changes during the period for Level 3 fair value measurements of plan assets:
Fair Value Measurements Using Significant
Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
$
Balance at December 31, 2019
Purchases
Return on plan assets
Effect of foreign currency exchange rate change
Balance at December 31, 2020
Purchases
Settlements
(14
)
Return on plan assets
Effect of foreign currency exchange rate change
Balance at December 31, 2021
ESTIMATED FUTURE BENEFIT PAYMENTS FROM THE PLANS
Estimated future benefit payments from the plans for the next 10 years at December 31, 2021 are as follows:
.
Pension plans
Other post-retirement
benefit plans
$
$
2027 - 2031
DOMTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2021
(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
NOTE 7.
INTEREST EXPENSE, NET
The following table presents the components of interest expense, net:
Successor
Predecessor
Period from
December 1,
through
December 31,
Period from
January 1,
through
November 30,
Year ended
December 31,
Year ended
December 31,
$
$
$
$
Interest on long-term debt (1)
Make-whole premium on repayment of long-term debt
-
-
-
Interest on receivables securitization
-
Interest on withdrawal liabilities for multiemployer plans
-
Amortization of debt issuance costs and other
(1)
The Company capitalized $1 million and $8 million of interest expense for the 1 month ended December 31, 2021 and the 11 months ended November 30, 2021, respectively (2020 - $3 million; 2019 - $3 million).
DOMTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2021
(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
NOTE 8.
INCOME TAXES
The Company’s (loss) earnings before income taxes by taxing jurisdiction were:
Successor
Predecessor
Period from
December 1,
through
December 31,
Period from
January 1,
through
November 30,
Year ended
December 31,
Year ended
December 31,
$
$
$
$
U.S. (loss) earnings
(4
)
(7
)
(199
)
Foreign (loss) earnings
(3
)
(36
)
(29
)
(1
)
(Loss) earnings before income taxes
(7
)
(43
)
(228
)
Provisions for income taxes include the following:
Successor
Predecessor
Period from
December 1,
through
December 31,
Period from
January 1,
through
November 30,
Year ended
December 31,
Year ended
December 31,
$
$
$
$
U.S. Federal and State:
Current
(21
)
Deferred
(6
)
(13
)
(45
)
(6
)
Foreign:
Current
(23
)
(11
)
Deferred
(5
)
(3
)
(3
)
Income tax (benefit) expense
(2
)
(80
)
DOMTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2021
(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
NOTE 8. INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED)
The Company’s provision for income taxes differs from the amounts computed by applying the statutory income tax rate of 21% to (loss) earnings before income taxes due to the following:
Successor
Predecessor
Period from
December 1,
through
December 31,
Period from
January 1,
through
November 30,
Year ended
December 31,
Year ended
December 31,
$
$
$
$
U.S. federal statutory income tax
(1
)
(9
)
(48
)
Reconciling Items:
State and local income taxes, net of federal
income tax benefit
-
(6
)
Foreign income tax rate differential
-
(3
)
(2
)
Tax credits and special deductions
(1
)
(9
)
(17
)
(18
)
U.S. tax rate benefit from loss carryback
-
(5
)
-
Tax rate changes
-
(1
)
-
(4
)
Deemed mandatory repatriation tax
-
-
-
-
Uncertain tax positions
-
(1
)
(4
)
(3
)
Deferred taxes on Personal Care Group Investment
-
(51
)
-
Deferred taxes on foreign earnings
-
(1
)
Intercompany income with assets held for sale
-
-
Net book value adjustment of assets held for sale
-
-
-
Valuation allowance on deferred tax assets
-
Nondeductible expenses
-
Global intangible low-taxed income (GILTI)
-
-
-
Foreign-derived intangible income (FDII)
-
(1
)
-
-
Other
-
(2
)
Income tax (benefit) expense
(2
)
(80
)
On November 30, 2021, Domtar Corporation was acquired by Paper Excellence and incurred significant costs to complete the transaction as well as significant executive compensation as a result of the change in control. Certain of these transaction costs and executive compensation expenses are not deductible for tax purposes and substantially impact the effective tax rate. The tax impact of these amounts in the Predecessor period is included in the Nondeductible Expenses in the above table. During the Predecessor Period ending November 30, 2021, the Company recorded $3 million of tax expense related to Global Intangible Low-Tax Income (GILTI). GILTI is an additional U.S. tax on certain income earned by foreign subsidiaries. Additionally, the Company recorded $9 million of tax credits during the 2021 Predecessor Period, mainly research and experimentation credits, which significantly impacts the effective tax rate.
During the Successor Period, the Company recorded $1 million of tax credits, mainly research and experimentation credits.
On January 7, 2021, the Company reached an agreement with AIP to sell the Personal Care business. As such, for the December 31, 2020 reporting period, the Company was no longer indefinitely reinvested in that business and classified its investment in that business as held for sale. Accordingly, a deferred tax asset of $51 million was recorded for the difference between the net book value of the business and the tax basis of that business. The Company accounted for the tax impacts related to the sale of the Personal Care business as a stock investment and therefore recognizing the tax benefit for recording the book/tax basis difference and the net book value adjustment as part of continuing operations. Both of these items impacted the effective tax rate in 2020.
The Company assessed the value of the deferred tax asset related to the basis difference described above, which is shown as a capital loss for tax purposes and determined that the Company will not realize the full benefit from the asset. As such, the Company recorded a valuation allowance of $44 million associated with this deferred tax asset. During 2020, the Company also analyzed its existing Arkansas research and development credits and recorded an additional valuation allowance of $3 million since it is expected some of the credits will expire un-utilized. These amounts unfavorably impacted the effective tax rate in 2020.
DOMTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2021
(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
NOTE 8. INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED)
During 2020, the Company generated a U.S. tax net operating loss which, in accordance with the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act will be carried back to 2015. In 2015, the US federal tax rate was 35%, versus the current rate of 21%. Therefore, the Company recorded an additional tax benefit of $5 million related to the tax rate benefit of the loss which favorably impacted the effective tax rate in 2020.
The Company recorded $17 million of tax credits, mainly research and experimentation credits, which favorably impacted the effective tax rate in 2020. Since the Company has a tax loss in 2020, the tax credits were carried forward and were utilized in the predecessor period.
As a result of the deemed mandatory repatriation tax requirement of the U.S. Tax Reform, the Company has taxed its undistributed foreign earnings as of December 31, 2017, at reduced tax rates. After completing its evaluation of the U.S. Tax Reform’s impact on its business operations, the Company has determined that it is no longer indefinitely reinvested in these undistributed foreign earnings as well as foreign earnings after December 31, 2017. As such, as of December 31, 2020, the Company recorded a deferred tax liability of $11 million ($12 million as of December 31, 2019) for foreign withholding tax and various state income taxes associated with future repatriation of these earnings. This additional $1 million tax benefit impacted the effective tax rate for 2020 ($2 million tax expense for 2019).
The Company recorded $18 million of tax credits in 2019, mainly research and experimentation credits, which favorably impacted the effective tax rate. Arkansas legislation changes were passed in 2019 which reduced the state tax rate and changed how the apportionment factor is calculated. This resulted in a deferred state tax benefit of $4 million for the Company. Additionally, a valuation allowance of $5 million was recorded on state attributes the Company does not expect to utilize before they expire.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are based on tax rates that are expected to be in effect in future periods when deferred items are expected to reverse. Changes in tax rates or tax laws affect the expected future benefit or expense. The effect of such changes that occurred during each of the last three fiscal years is included in “Tax rate changes” disclosed under the effective income tax rate reconciliation shown above.
DOMTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2021
(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
NOTE 8. INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED)
DEFERRED TAX ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
The tax effects of significant temporary differences representing deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 are comprised of the following:
Successor
Predecessor
December 31,
December 31,
$
$
Accounting provisions
Net operating loss carryforwards and other deductions
Pension and other employee future benefit plans
-
Inventory
-
Tax credits
Other
Gross deferred tax assets
Valuation allowance
(58
)
(64
)
Net deferred tax assets
Property, plant and equipment
(458
)
(352
)
Intangible assets
(51
)
(6
)
Pension and other employee future benefit plans
(23
)
-
Inventory
(10
)
-
Outside basis difference
(12
)
Other
(24
)
(31
)
Total deferred tax liabilities
(578
)
(389
)
Net deferred tax liabilities
(503
)
(285
)
Included in:
Deferred income taxes and other
(503
)
(285
)
Total
(503
)
(285
)
On November 30, 2021, the Company was acquired by Paper Excellence and under the acquisition method of accounting the Company’s assets and liabilities adjusted to fair value as of the date of the Merger. The Company has provided for deferred taxes for these adjustments as necessary. Additionally, as a condition to obtain the approval of the Merger from the Canadian Competition Bureau, the Company was required to commit to the divestiture of its Kamloops, British Columbia production facility and is accounting for these operations as Assets Held for Sale. Accordingly, the Company has provided for deferred taxes on the outside basis difference that is expected to be realized when these operations are sold. This was also recorded through acquisition accounting.
At December 31, 2021, the Company had no federal net operating loss carryforwards, however, the Company recorded a capital loss on the sale of the Personal Care Division in 2021 of $185 million (representing a deferred tax asset of $43 million). The Company also had other foreign net operating losses of $16 million at December 31, 2021, of which $12 million expires in 2042 and the rest are carried forward indefinitely.
In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during periods in which temporary differences become deductible.
DOMTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2021
(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
NOTE 8. INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED)
The Company evaluates the realization of deferred tax assets on a quarterly basis. Evaluating the need for an amount of a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets often requires significant judgment. All available evidence, both positive and negative, is considered when determining whether, based on the weight of that evidence, a valuation allowance is needed. Specifically, the Company evaluated the following items:
•
Historical income / (losses) - particularly the most recent three-year period
•
Reversals of future taxable temporary differences
•
Projected future income / (losses)
•
Tax planning strategies
•
Divestitures
Management believes that it is more likely than not that the results of future operations will generate sufficient taxable income to realize the deferred tax assets, with the following exceptions:
•
US state tax credits ($15 million valuation allowance)
•
Capital loss ($43 million valuation allowance)
In 2021, the valuation allowance unfavorably impacted tax expense and the effective tax rate by $1 million (2020 - $47 million and 2019 - $5 million).
As of December 31, 2021, the Company recorded a deferred tax liability of $13 million ($11 million for 2020) for foreign withholding tax and various state income taxes associated with the repatriation of earnings subject to the repatriation tax as well as future repatriation of its unremitted foreign earnings. With the exception of the Kamloops, British Columbia production facility, which is being shown as held for sale, the Company did not provided for deferred taxes on the outside basis differences in its investments in its foreign subsidiaries that are unrelated to unremitted earnings as it estimates that this deferred tax liability in combination with the repatriation tax amount, covers all tax liabilities with foreign investments to date. The Company is indefinitely reinvested in the outside basis differences of its remaining foreign subsidiaries.
DOMTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2021
(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
NOTE 8. INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED)
ACCOUNTING FOR UNCERTAINTY IN INCOME TAXES
At December 31, 2021, the Company had gross unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $22 million ($23 million and $28 million for 2020 and 2019, respectively). If recognized in 2021, these tax benefits would impact the effective tax rate. These amounts represent the gross amount of exposure in individual jurisdictions and do not reflect any additional benefits expected to be realized if such positions were sustained, such as federal deduction that could be realized if an unrecognized state deduction was not sustained. These amounts are included in Deferred income taxes and other on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
December 31,
December 31,
December 31,
$
$
$
Balance at beginning of year
Additions based on tax positions related to current year
Additions for tax positions of prior years
-
Expirations of statutes of limitations
(4
)
(7
)
(6
)
Interest
-
Balance at end of year
The Company recorded $1 million of accrued interest associated with unrecognized tax benefits for the period ending December 31, 2021 (less than $1 million for 2020 and $1 million for 2019). The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of tax expense. The Company believes it is reasonably possible that up to $4 million of its unrecognized benefits may be recognized by December 31, 2022. However, the amount and timing of the recognition of these benefits is subject to some uncertainty.
The major jurisdictions where the Company and its subsidiaries will file tax returns for 2021 are Canada and the U.S. The Company will file one consolidated U.S. federal income tax return. The Company and its subsidiaries will also file returns in various other countries in Europe and Asia as well as various U.S. states and Canadian provinces. At December 31, 2021, the Company’s subsidiaries are subject to foreign federal income tax examinations for the tax years 2013 through 2020, with federal years prior to 2018 being closed from a cash tax liability standpoint in the U.S. The Company does not anticipate that adjustments stemming from these audits would result in a significant change to the results of its operations and financial condition.
DOMTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2021
(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
NOTE 9.
INVENTORIES
The following table presents the components of inventories:
Successor
Predecessor
December 31,
December 31,
$
$
Work in process and finished goods
Raw materials
Operating and maintenance supplies
Certain domestic raw materials, in process and finished goods inventories are valued based on the LIFO method. LIFO inventories were $213 million and $220 million at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. If inventories valued under the LIFO basis had been valued using the FIFO method, inventories would have been $1 million lower than reported as of December 31, 2021 and $52 million greater at December 31, 2020.
The Company’s Cost of sales includes a pre-tax charge of $6 million for the period from December 1 to December 31, 2021, relating to the portion of the step-up on inventories sold during the period.
DOMTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2021
(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
NOTE 10.
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
The following table presents the components of property, plant and equipment:
Successor
Predecessor
Range of useful lives
December 31,
December 31,
(in years)
$
$
Machinery and equipment
3 - 20
1,894
7,147
Buildings and improvements
10 - 40
Timberlands
(1)
Assets under construction
-
2,546
8,309
Less: Accumulated depreciation
(22
)
(6,389
)
2,524
1,920
(1)
Amortization is calculated using the unit of production method.
Depreciation expense related to property, plant and equipment for the 1 month ended December 31, 2021 and the 11 months ended November 30, 2021 was $22 million and $181 million, respectively (2020 - $207 million; 2019 - $215 million).
DOMTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2021
(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
NOTE 11.
LEASES
In the normal course of business, the Company enters into operating and finance leases mainly for manufacturing and warehousing facilities, corporate offices, motor vehicles, mobile equipment and manufacturing equipment.
While the Company’s lease payments are generally fixed over the lease term, some leases may include price escalation terms that are fixed at the lease commencement date.
The Company has remaining lease terms ranging from 1 year to 11 years, some of which may include options to extend the leases for up to 10 years, and some of which may include options to terminate the leases within 1 year.
The components of lease expense were as follows:
Successor
Predecessor
Period from
December 1,
through
December 31,
Period from
January 1,
through
November 30,
Year ended
December 31,
Year ended
December 31,
$
$
$
$
Operating lease expense
Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows:
Successor
Predecessor
Period from
December 1,
through
December 31,
Period from
January 1,
through
November 30,
Year ended
December 31,
Year ended
December 31,
$
$
$
$
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease
liabilities:
Operating cash flows from operating leases
Operating cash flows from finance leases
-
-
Financing cash flows from finance leases
-
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease liabilities:
Operating leases
-
Finance leases
-
-
-
-
DOMTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2021
(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
NOTE 11. LEASES (CONTINUED)
Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases was as follows:
Successor
Predecessor
December 31,
December 31,
$
$
Operating leases
Operating lease right-of-use assets
Lease liabilities due within one year
Long-term operating lease liabilities
Finance leases
Property, plant and equipment
Accumulated depreciation
(2
)
(2
)
Long-term debt due within one year
Long-term debt
Weighted-average remaining lease term
Operating leases
4.3 years
4.7 years
Finance leases
6.8 years
7.9 years
Weighted-average discount rate
Operating leases
3.2
%
4.4
%
Finance leases
4.8
%
8.4
%
Maturities of lease liabilities at December 31, 2021 were as follows:
Operating leases
$
Thereafter
Total lease payments
Less: Imputed interest
Total lease liabilities
DOMTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2021
(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
NOTE 12.
INTANGIBLE ASSETS
The following table presents the components of intangible assets:
Successor
Predecessor
Preliminary useful lives
December 31,
December 31,
(in years)
Gross carrying
Accumulated
Gross carrying
Accumulated
amount
amortization
Net
amount
amortization
Net
Definite-lived intangible assets
subject to amortization
$
$
$
$
$
$
Water rights
-
(1
)
Customer relationships
Up to 15
(1
)
(10
)
Trade Names
Up to 20
-
-
-
-
Technology
7 - 20
-
-
-
(5
)
Non-Compete
-
-
-
(1
)
-
(1
)
(17
)
Indefinite-lived intangible assets
not subject to amortization
Water rights
-
-
-
-
License rights
-
-
-
-
Total
(1
)
(17
)
Amortization expense related to intangible assets for the 1 month ended December 31, 2021 and 11 months ended November 30, 2021 was $1 million and $1 million, respectively ($1 million in 2020 and 2019, respectively).
Amortization expense for the next five years related to intangible assets is expected to be as follows:
$
$
$
$
$
Amortization expense related to intangible assets
The Company performed its annual impairment test on its indefinite-lived intangible assets at October 1, 2021, 2020 and 2019, using a quantitative approach, except for the license rights and water rights, where the Company used a qualitative approach, and determined that the estimated fair values of its indefinite-lived intangible assets exceeded their carrying amounts. No impairment charge was recorded for indefinite-lived intangible assets during 2021, 2020 or 2019.
DOMTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2021
(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
NOTE 13.
OTHER ASSETS
The following table presents the components of other assets:
Successor
Predecessor
December 31,
December 31,
$
$
Pension asset - defined benefit pension plans
Other
DOMTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2021
(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
NOTE 14.
CLOSURE AND RESTRUCTURING COSTS AND IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS
Cost reduction program
The Company implemented a cost savings program. As part of this program, in August 2020, the Company announced the permanent closure of the uncoated freesheet manufacturing at the Kingsport, Tennessee and Port Huron, Michigan mills, the remaining paper machine at the Ashdown, Arkansas mill and the converting center in Ridgefields, Tennessee. Additionally, in May 2021, the Company announced the closure of the converting center in Dallas, Texas. These actions reduced the Company’s annual uncoated freesheet paper capacity by approximately 721,000 short tons and resulted in a workforce reduction of approximately 750 employees. For the 1 month ended December 31, 2021 and the 11 months ended November 30, 2021, the Company recorded nil and $9 million, respectively, of accelerated depreciation under Impairment of long-lived assets and a reversal of $1 million and $17 million, respectively, of closure costs, under Closure and restructuring costs on the Consolidated Statement of Earnings (Loss) and Comprehensive Income (Loss).
For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company recorded $136 million of accelerated depreciation under Impairment of long-lived assets on the Consolidated Statement of Earnings (Loss) and Comprehensive Income (Loss). Additionally, the Company recorded $99 million of closure costs, largely related to severance costs, inventory write downs and environmental liabilities, under Closure and restructuring costs on the Consolidated Statement of Earnings (Loss) and Comprehensive Income (Loss).
Conversion of Kingsport, Tennessee mill
The Company plans to enter the linerboard market with the conversion of the Kingsport paper machine. Once in full operation, the mill will produce and market approximately 600,000 tons annually of high-quality recycled linerboard and medium, providing the Company with a strategic footprint in a growing adjacent market. The conversion is expected to be completed by the end of 2022. The Company estimates the capitalized conversion cost to be approximately $350 million. For the 1 month ended December 31, 2021 and the 11 months ended November 30, 2021, the Company recorded $3 million and $27 million, respectively, under Asset conversion costs on the Consolidated Statement of Earnings (Loss) and Comprehensive Income (Loss).
Ashdown, Arkansas mill and Port Huron, Michigan mill
On September 27, 2019, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the decision to permanently shut down two paper machines, which was announced on October 3, 2019. The closures took place at the Ashdown, Arkansas pulp and paper mill and the Port Huron, Michigan paper mill.
For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company recorded $32 million of accelerated depreciation under Impairment of long-lived assets and $1 million of accelerated depreciation under Depreciation and amortization, on the Consolidated Statement of Earnings (Loss) and Comprehensive Income (Loss). Additionally, the Company recorded $22 million of closure costs, largely related to severance costs, under Closure and restructuring costs.
DOMTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2021
(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
NOTE 14. CLOSURE AND RESTRUCTURING COSTS AND IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS (CONTINUED)
The following table provides the activity in the closure and restructuring and transaction costs liability:
December 31,
December 31,
$
$
Balance at beginning of year
Additions
Payments
(28
)
(32
)
Balance at end of year (1)
(1)
At December 31, 2021, $12 million is shown in Trade and other payables and $9 million is shown in Other liabilities and deferred credits.
The $21 million provision is comprised of severance and termination costs of $2 million related to the Pulp and Paper business, as well as transaction costs of $6 million and license fees and other costs of $13 million related to Corporate.
Closure and restructuring costs are based on management’s best estimates at December 31, 2021. Actual costs may differ from these estimates due to subsequent developments such as the results of environmental studies, the ability to find a buyer for assets set to be dismantled and demolished and other business developments. As such, additional costs and further impairment charges may be required in future periods.
DOMTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2021
(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
NOTE 15.
TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES
The following table presents the components of trade and other payables:
Successor
Predecessor
December 31,
December 31,
$
$
Trade payables
Payroll-related accruals
Other accruals
DOMTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2021
(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
NOTE 16.
CHANGES IN ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) BY COMPONENT
The following table presents the changes in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component(1) for the periods ended December 31, 2020, November 30, 2021 and December 31, 2021.
Net derivative
gains (losses) on
cash flow hedges
Pension items(2)
Post-retirement
benefit items(2)
Foreign currency
items
Total
Predecessor
$
$
$
$
$
Balance at December 31, 2019
(5
)
(197
)
(202
)
(393
)
Natural gas swap contracts
N/A
N/A
N/A
Currency options
N/A
N/A
N/A
Foreign exchange forward contracts
N/A
N/A
N/A
Net loss
N/A
(21
)
(1
)
N/A
(22
)
Foreign currency items
N/A
N/A
N/A
Other comprehensive income (loss) before
reclassifications
(21
)
(1
)
Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other
comprehensive loss
(2
)
-
Net current period other comprehensive
income (loss)
(10
)
(3
)
Balance at December 31, 2020
(207
)
(139
)
(304
)
Natural gas swap contracts
N/A
N/A
N/A
Foreign exchange forward contracts
N/A
N/A
N/A
Net gain
N/A
N/A
Foreign currency items
N/A
N/A
N/A
Other comprehensive income before
reclassifications
Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other
comprehensive loss
(31
)
(1
)
-
(22
)
Net current period other comprehensive
(loss) income
(7
)
Balance at November 30, 2021
(112
)
(82
)
(155
)
Elimination of Predecessor's Accumulated
other comprehensive loss
(27
)
(12
)
Balance at November 30, 2021
-
-
-
-
-
DOMTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2021
(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
NOTE 16. CHANGES IN ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS BY COMPONENT (CONTINUED)
Net derivative
gains (losses) on
cash flow hedges
Pension items(2)
Post-retirement
benefit items(2)
Foreign currency
items
Total
Successor
$
$
$
$
$
Balance at November 30, 2021
-
-
-
-
-
Natural gas swap contracts
(3
)
N/A
N/A
N/A
(3
)
Foreign exchange forward contracts
N/A
N/A
N/A
Net gain (loss)
N/A
(1
)
N/A
Foreign currency items
N/A
N/A
N/A
Other comprehensive income (loss) before
reclassifications
-
(1
)
Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other
comprehensive income
-
-
-
-
-
Net current period other comprehensive
income (loss)
-
(1
)
Balance at December 31, 2021
-
(1
)
(1)
All amounts are after tax. Amounts in parentheses indicate losses.
(2)
The projected benefit obligation is actuarially determined on an annual basis as of December 31.
DOMTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2021
(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
NOTE 16. CHANGES IN ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS BY COMPONENT (CONTINUED)
The following table presents reclassifications out of Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):
Details about Accumulated other comprehensive
income (loss) components
Amounts reclassified from
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Successor
Predecessor
Period from
December 1,
through
December 31,
Period from
January 1,
through
November 30,
Year ended
December 31,
Year ended
December 31,
$
$
$
$
Net derivative gains (losses) on cash flow hedge
Natural gas swap contracts (1)
-
(10
)
(4
)
Currency options and forwards (1)
-
(6
)
(7
)
Net investment hedge (2)
-
(9
)
-
-
Total before tax
-
(16
)
(11
)
Tax (expense) benefit
-
(8
)
Net of tax
-
(12
)
(8
)
Amortization of defined benefit pension items
Amortization of net actuarial loss (3)(4)
-
(7
)
(12
)
(40
)
Amortization of prior year service cost (3)
-
(1
)
(2
)
(5
)
Discontinued operations
-
(4
)
-
-
Total before tax
-
(12
)
(14
)
(45
)
Tax benefit
-
Net of tax
-
(10
)
(11
)
(33
)
Amortization of other post-retirement benefit items
Amortization of net actuarial gain (3)
-
Amortization of prior year service credit (3)
-
Total before tax
-
Tax expense
-
(1
)
-
(1
)
Net of tax
-
(1)
These amounts are included in Cost of sales in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Loss) and Comprehensive Income (Loss).
(2)
This amount is included in Earnings from discontinued operations, net of taxes in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Loss) and Comprehensive Income (Loss).
(3)
These amounts are included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost (see Note 6 "Pension Plans and Other Post-Retirement Benefit Plans" for more details).
(4)
In 2021, the non-cash settlement was nil (2020 - $2 million; 2019 - $30 million).
DOMTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2021
(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
NOTE 17.
LONG-TERM DEBT
Successor
Predecessor
Par
December 31,
December 31,
Maturity
Amount
Currency
$
$
$
Unsecured notes
4.4% Notes
US
-
6.25% Notes
US
6.75% Notes
US
Senior secured notes
6.75% Notes
US
-
ABL Revolving Credit Facility
-
US
-
First Lien Term Loan
US
-
Term Loan
-
US
-
Finance lease obligations
2021 - 2028
1,940
1,098
Less: Unamortized debt issuance costs
Less: Due within one year
1,643
1,079
Principal long-term debt repayments, including finance lease obligations, in each of the next five years will amount to:
Long-term debt
Finance
leases
$
$
Thereafter
1,323
1,915
Less: Amounts representing interest
-
Total payments
1,915
DOMTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2021
(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
NOTE 17. LONG-TERM DEBT (CONTINUED)
4.4% UNSECURED NOTES
On April 8, 2021, the Company redeemed the 4.4% Notes, originally due in 2022, at a redemption price of 100% of the principal amount of $300 million, plus accrued and unpaid interest, as well as a make-whole premium of $11 million.
ABL REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY
On November 30, 2021, the Company entered into an ABL Revolving Credit Facility that matures on November 30, 2026. The ABL Revolving Credit Facility is available to Domtar Corporation and certain other domestic and Canadian subsidiaries and provides for revolving loans and letters of credit in an aggregate amount of up to $400 million, subject to borrowing base capacity.
Borrowings under the ABL Revolving Credit Facility is limited by borrowing base calculations based on the sum of specified percentages of eligible accounts receivable, plus specified percentages of eligible inventory, plus specified percentages of qualified cash, minus the amount of any applicable reserves. Borrowings bear interest at a floating rate, which can be either an adjusted Eurodollar rate plus an applicable margin or, at the Company’s option, a base rate plus an applicable margin.
The Company’s obligations under the ABL Revolving Credit Facility are guaranteed by its immediate parent (a company with no assets other than Domtar shares) and its wholly-owned material U.S. subsidiaries and wholly-owned material Canadian subsidiaries. The ABL Revolving Credit Facility has a first-priority lien on the current assets of such U.S. and Canadian subsidiaries and second-priority lien on the fixed assets of its wholly-owned material U.S. subsidiaries, excluding principal properties (second in priority to the liens securing on First Lien Term Loan Facility (the “Term Loan Facility”) discussed below), in each case, subject to permitted liens.
Borrowings under the ABL Revolving Credit Facility bear interest at LIBOR, EURIBOR, Canadian bankers' acceptance or prime rate, as applicable, plus a margin linked to the Company’s utilization of the credit. In addition, the Company pays facility fees quarterly at rates linked to its utilization of the credit. The Company does not anticipate a significant impact to its financial position from the planned phase out of LIBOR.
The ABL Revolving Credit Facility contains customary covenants, including, but not limited to, restrictions on the Company’s ability and that of its subsidiaries to merge and consolidate with other companies, incur indebtedness, grant liens or security interests on assets, make acquisitions, loans, advances or investments, pay dividends, sell or otherwise transfer assets, optionally prepay or modify terms of any junior indebtedness, enter into transactions with affiliates or change its line of business.
The ABL Revolving Credit Facility requires the maintenance of a fixed charge coverage of 1.00 to 1.00 at the end of each fiscal quarter for the prior twelve month period when specified excess availability is less than the greater of $35 million and 10% of the lesser of the borrowing base and maximum borrowing capacity. This covenant did not apply at December 31, 2021.
FIRST LIEN TERM LOAN FACILITY
On November 30, 2021, the Company entered into a Term Loan Facility maturing November 30, 2028, of which $525 million was immediately drawn and up to $250 million was available on a delayed draw basis (the “Delayed Draw Term Loan”) to fund redemptions of the Existing Domtar Notes pursuant to the Domtar Notes Change of Control Offers that terminated on January 3, 2022.
Borrowings under the Term Loan Facility amortize in equal quarterly installments in an amount equal to 1% per annum of the principal amount in 2022 and 5% per annum thereafter.
The interest rate margin applicable to borrowings under the Term Loan Facility is, at the Company’s option, either (1) the base rate plus an applicable margin or (2) LIBOR plus an applicable margin. The Term Loan Facility is subject to a LIBOR floor of 0.75%.
The Company is required to prepay the Term Loan Facility and Senior Secured Notes with 100% of the net cash proceeds of certain asset sales subject to certain reinvestment rights. The Company is required to prepay the Term Loan Facility with 100% of the net cash proceeds of certain debt issuances and 50% of excess cash flow in each case, subject to certain exceptions.
DOMTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2021
(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
NOTE 17. LONG-TERM DEBT (CONTINUED)
The Company’s obligations under the Term Loan Facility are guaranteed by its immediate parent (a company with no assets other than Domtar shares) and all of the Issuer’s direct and indirect wholly-owned material U.S. subsidiaries. The Term Loan Facility has a first-priority lien on the fixed assets of its wholly-owned material U.S. subsidiaries’ fixed assets and a second-priority lien on the current asset collateral (second in priority to the liens securing the ABL Credit Facility discussed above), in each case, subject to other permitted liens.
The Term Loan Facility contains customary negative covenants consistent with those applicable to the Notes, including, but not limited to, restrictions on the Company’s ability and that of its restricted subsidiaries to merge and consolidate with other companies, incur indebtedness, grant liens or security interests on assets, pay dividends or make other restricted payments, sell or otherwise transfer assets or enter into transactions with affiliates.
On January 7, 2022, the Company utilized $127 million under the delayed draw term facility to fund a portion of the redemptions of the Existing Domtar Notes pursuant to the Domtar Notes Change of Control Offers that terminated on January 3, 2022. The remainder of the Delayed Draw Term Loan facility was cancelled, leaving total drawings under the Term Loan Facility of $652 million.
SENIOR SECURED NOTES
Pearl Merger Sub Inc., a newly formed, wholly-owned subsidiary of Pearl Excellence Holdco L. P., a Delaware limited partnership, was the initial issuer of the $775 million aggregate principal amount of 6.75% Senior Secured Notes due 2028 (the ‘‘Notes’’). This note issue was part of financing related to the acquisition of Domtar by Pearl Excellence Holdco L.P. Upon the completion of the acquisition, the initial issuer was merged with and into Domtar with Domtar surviving the Merger and becoming the obligor of the Notes.
The Notes will mature on October 1, 2028 and interest on the Notes will be payable in cash semi-annually in arrears on April 1 and October 1 of each year, commencing on April 1, 2022.
Pending completion of the Domtar Existing Notes Change of Control Offers that terminated on January 3, 2022, $250 million of the proceeds of the Note issue was set aside as restricted cash to fund approximately half of funds required to complete the Change of Control Offers. Such funds are reflected as restricted cash and included in Cash and cash equivalents on the Balance Sheet at December 31, 2021. Funds not utilized were to be used to redeem a portion of the Senior Secured Notes at a 100% price.
The Company’s obligations under the Senior Secured Notes are guaranteed by its immediate parent and all of the Issuer’s direct and indirect wholly-owned material U.S. subsidiaries. The Senior Secured Notes will be secured by a lien on substantially all of the Issuer’s direct and indirect wholly-owned material U.S. subsidiaries’ fixed assets and a second-priority lien on the Current Asset Collateral (second in priority to the liens securing the ABL Credit Facility discussed above), in each case, subject to other permitted liens.
The Senior Secured Notes contain customary negative covenants consistent with those applicable to the Notes, including, but not limited to, restrictions on the Company’s ability and that of its restricted subsidiaries to merge and consolidate with other companies, incur indebtedness, grant liens or security interests on assets, pay dividends or make other restricted payments, sell or otherwise transfer assets or enter into transactions with affiliates.
DOMTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2021
(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
NOTE 17. LONG-TERM DEBT (CONTINUED)
On January 7, 2022, $133 million of the Senior Secured Notes were redeemed as a result of the Domtar Existing Notes Change of Control Offers that terminated on January 3, 2022, leaving $642 million of Notes outstanding.
TERM LOAN
On May 5, 2020, the Company entered into a $300 million Term Loan Agreement with a maturity date of May 5, 2025. The Company used borrowings under the Term Loan Agreement to repay other debt and to pay related fees and expenses.
At December 31, 2020, the Company had $294 million of borrowings outstanding under the Term Loan Agreement.
On March 11, 2021, the Company fully repaid its Term Loan Agreement, originally maturing on May 5, 2025, in the amount of $294 million and wrote-off $2 million of unamortized debt issuance costs related to this repayment.
REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY
The Company had an unsecured $700 million revolving credit facility that was terminated on November 30, 2021. At December 31, 2020, the Company had no borrowings and $54 million of letters of credit outstanding under this facility.
RECEIVABLES SECURITIZATION
The Company had a $150 million receivables securitization facility that terminated in October 2021. At December 31, 2020, there were no borrowings and no letters of credit outstanding under this facility.
For the 1 month ended December 31, 2021 and the 11 months ended November 30, 2021, a net charge of nil and $1 million, respectively (2020 - $1 million; 2019 - $2 million) resulted from the program described above and was included in Interest expense, net in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Loss) and Comprehensive Income (Loss).
EXISTING DOMTAR NOTES CHANGE OF CONTROL OFFERS
Following the change of control of Domtar, Domtar was obligated, pursuant to the indenture governing the 6.25% Notes due 2042 and the 6.75% Notes due 2044 (“Existing Domtar Notes”), to make the Existing Domtar Notes Change of Control Offers, pursuant to which Domtar offered to repurchase all of the Existing Domtar Notes from holders at a purchase price of 101%. Up to $250 million under the Delayed Draw Term Loan and up to $250 million of proceeds of the issue of Notes was earmarked for the repurchase of the Existing Domtar Notes pursuant to the Existing Domtar Notes Change of Control Offers. Up to $250 million aggregate principal amount of the Senior Secured Notes was subject to special mandatory redemption to the extent proceeds were not used to fund the redemptions of the Existing Domtar Notes pursuant to the Existing Domtar Notes Change of Control Offers.
On January 3, 2022, $134 million of the 6.25% Notes due 2042 and $100 million of the 6.75% Notes due 2044 were tendered pursuant to the offer. As a result, $116 million of the 6.25% Notes due 2042 and $150 million of the 6.75% Notes due 2044, remain outstanding post January 7, 2022, the payment date.
DOMTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2021
(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
NOTE 18.
OTHER LIABILITIES AND DEFERRED CREDITS
The following table presents the components of other liabilities and deferred credits:
.
Successor
Predecessor
December 31,
December 31,
$
$
Liability - other post-retirement benefit plans
Pension liability - defined benefit pension plans
Pension liability - multiemployer plan withdrawal
Other
DOMTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2021
(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
NOTE 19.
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Acquisition of Domtar Corporation by Paper Excellence
On November 30, 2021, Paper Excellence completed the acquisition of all the outstanding common shares of Domtar Corporation (the “Company”) by means of a merger of Pearl Merger Sub (a wholly-owned subsidiary) with and into the Company with the Company continuing as the surviving corporation and as a subsidiary of Paper Excellence (the “Merger”). On the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, each share of the Company’s outstanding common stock was converted into the right to receive $55.50 in cash, upon which the shares were cancelled.
COMMON STOCK
At December 31, 2021, the Company has 100 common shares, par value of $0.01 per share.
Prior to the acquisition, the Company was authorized to issue two billion shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share. Holders of the Company’s common stock were entitled to one vote per share.
The changes in the number of outstanding common stock and their aggregate stated value during the years ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, were as follows:
Successor
Predecessor
December 31,
November 30,
December 31,
Number
Number
Number
Common stock
of shares
$
of shares
$
of shares
$
Balance at beginning
of period
50,379,090
55,194,538
56,880,910
Shares cancelled
(50,379,090
)
(1
)
-
-
-
-
Shares issued
Treasury stock (1)
-
-
(4,815,448
)
-
(1,686,372
)
-
Common shares
-
-
-
-
-
Balance at end of period
-
50,379,090
55,194,538
(1)
During 2021, the Company repurchased 5,060,865, and issued 245,417 shares out of Treasury stock in conjunction with the exercise of stock-based compensation awards.
DIVIDENDS
During 2020, the Company declared one quarterly dividend of $0.455 per share, to holders of the Company’s common stock. Total dividends of approximately $25 million were paid on April 15, 2020, to shareholders of record as of April 2, 2020.
STOCK REPURCHASE PROGRAM
During 2021, the Company repurchased a total of 5,060,865 shares at an average price of $46.96 for a total cost of $238 million.
During 2020, the Company repurchased 1,798,306 shares at an average price of $33.05 for a total cost of $59 million.
DOMTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2021
(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
NOTE 20.
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
The Company is subject to environmental laws and regulations enacted by federal, provincial, state and local authorities. The Company may also incur substantial costs in relation to enforcement actions (including orders requiring corrective measures, installation of pollution control equipment or other remedial actions) as a result of violations of, or liabilities under, environmental laws and regulations applicable to its past and present properties. The Company’s ongoing efforts to identify potential environmental concerns that may be associated with such properties may result in additional environmental costs and liabilities which cannot be reasonably estimated at this time.
For the 1 month ended December 31, 2021 and the 11 months ended November 30, 2021, the Company’s operating expenses for environmental matters amounted to $3 million and $37 million, respectively (2020 - $60 million; 2019 - $68 million).
The Company made capital expenditures for environmental matters of $1 million and $4 million, respectively, during the 1 month ended December 31, 2021 and the 11 months ended November 30, 2021 (2020 - $2 million; 2019 - $19 million).
A former owner of the Company’s Dryden, Ontario manufacturing site (the "Dryden Property") operated a chlor-alkali plant during the 1960s and 1970s, during which time, mercury and other pollutants were used and discharged into the environment. In conjunction with the sale and redevelopment of the Dryden Property, the Province of Ontario (the “Province”) provided a broad indemnity (the "Indemnity") in 1985 to the then purchaser of the Dryden Property and its successors and assigns with respect to the discharge of any pollutant, including mercury, by the historical operators of the Dryden Property. This Indemnity subsequently was assigned to the Company in connection with its 2007 purchase of the Dryden Property.
As the current owner of the Dryden Property, the Company is actively engaged with the Province with respect to the management of the historical contamination.
The Province issued a Director's order under environmental laws to certain prior owners of the Dryden Property in connection with a nearby waste disposal site that has never been owned by the Company. The Director's order required certain work to be conducted by those prior owners. The prior owners asserted that the Indemnity covered the work required by the Director’s order. Following extensive litigation, the Supreme Court of Canada found, among other things, that the Indemnity covered third-party claims, but not first-party claims, such as the Director's order.
In the future, the Province may challenge whether the Company has the benefit of the Indemnity. In addition to the Indemnity, Domtar has other recourses relating to the historical contamination.
The situation involving the historical contamination is continuing to develop, and the Company cannot predict its outcome. While the Company currently does not believe that it will be required to incur costs that would have a material impact on its results of operations or financial condition, there is no certainty that this is in fact the case.
DOMTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2021
(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
NOTE 20. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (CONTINUED)
The following table reflects changes in the reserve for environmental remediation and asset retirement obligations:
December 31,
December 31,
$
$
Balance at beginning of year
Additions and other changes
Environmental spending
(4
)
(3
)
Balance at end of year (1)
(1)
At December 31, 2021, $8 million is shown in Trade and other payables and $33 million is shown in Other liabilities and deferred credits.
At December 31, 2021, anticipated undiscounted payments in each of the next five years are as follows:
Thereafter
Total
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
Environmental provision and asset
retirement obligations
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (the “EPA”) and/or various state agencies have notified the Company that it may be a potentially responsible party under the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act, commonly known as “Superfund”, and similar state laws with respect to other hazardous waste sites as to which no proceedings have been instituted against the Company. The Company continues to take remedial action under its Care and Control Program at its former wood preserving sites, and at a number of operating sites, due to possible soil, sediment or groundwater contamination.
CONTINGENCIES
In the normal course of operations, the Company becomes involved in various legal actions mostly related to contract disputes, patent infringements, environmental and product warranty claims, and labor issues. While the final outcome with respect to actions outstanding or pending at December 31, 2021, cannot be predicted with certainty, it is management’s opinion that their resolution will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
OTHER COMMERCIAL COMMITMENTS
The Company has commitments to purchase property, plant and equipment, roundwood, wood chips, gas and certain chemicals. Purchase orders in the normal course of business are excluded from the table below. Any amounts for which the Company is liable under purchase orders are reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as Trade and other payables. Minimum future payments under these other commercial commitments, determined at December 31, 2021, were as follows:
Thereafter
Total
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
Other commercial commitments
-
-
-
DOMTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2021
(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
NOTE 20. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (CONTINUED)
INDEMNIFICATIONS
In the normal course of business, the Company offers indemnifications relating to the sale of its businesses and real estate. In general, these indemnifications may relate to claims from past business operations, compliance with laws, the failure to abide by covenants and the breach of representations and warranties included in the sales agreements. Typically, such representations and warranties relate to taxation, environmental, product and employee matters. The terms of these indemnification agreements are generally for an unlimited period of time. At December 31, 2021, the Company is unable to estimate the potential maximum liabilities for these types of indemnification guarantees as the amounts are contingent upon the outcome of future events, the nature and likelihood of which cannot be reasonably estimated at this time. Accordingly, no provision has been recorded. These indemnifications have not yielded a significant expense in the past.
Pension Plans
The Company has indemnified and held harmless the trustees of its pension funds, and the respective officers, directors, employees and agents of such trustees, from any and all costs and expenses arising out of the performance of their obligations under the relevant trust agreements, including in respect of their reliance on authorized instructions from the Company or for failing to act in the absence of authorized instructions. These indemnifications survive the termination of such agreements. At December 31, 2021 the Company has not recorded a liability associated with these indemnifications, as it does not expect to make any payments pertaining to these indemnifications.
CLIMATE CHANGE AND AIR QUALITY REGULATIONS
Various national and local laws and regulations relating to climate change have been established or are emerging in jurisdictions where the Company currently has, or may have in the future, manufacturing facilities or investments.
The EPA repealed the Clean Power Plan and replaced it with the “Affordable Clean Energy” (“ACE”) rule. The ACE rule was legally challenged in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. The Court ruled the EPA wrongly understood the Clean Air Act, vacated the ACE rule, sending it back to the EPA for further consideration. The court also rejected the embedded repeal of the Clean Power Plan, but the court stayed its mandate as to that part of its decision to avoid reinstating that now outdated Clean Power Plan. Four petitions of certiorari were filed with the United States Supreme Court seeking review of the D.C. Circuit’s decision, and the Supreme Court decided to hear the appeal. Oral argument is scheduled for February 28, 2022, and a decision is expected in the Summer of 2022. Regardless of the outcome of the petitions for certiorari and EPA’s further consideration, the Company does not expect to be disproportionately affected compared with other pulp and paper producers located in the states where the Company operates.
The province of Quebec has a greenhouse gas (“GHG”) cap-and-trade system with reduction targets. British Columbia has a carbon tax that applies to the purchase of fossil fuels within the province. The Company does not expect its facilities to be disproportionately affected by these measures compared to the other pulp and paper producers located in these provinces.
The Government of Canada has established a federal carbon pricing system in provinces that do not already impose a cost on carbon emissions. The Government of Canada has imposed its carbon pricing program for regulating GHG emissions in Ontario, which took effect on January 1, 2019. To reduce GHG emissions and recognize the unique circumstances of the province’s diverse economy, Ontario finalized its own GHG Emission Performance Standards regulation. The Canadian Government has accepted Ontario’s program as an alternative to the federal program and the transition for Ontario facilities from the federal program to the Ontario program occurred on January 1, 2022. The Company does not expect to be disproportionately affected compared with other pulp and paper producers located in Ontario.
The EPA proposed to revise its Industrial Boiler Maximum Achievable Control Technology Standard (“MACT”), or Boiler MACT, in a notice published on August 24, 2020. The proposed rule is a response to two court decisions that remanded certain issues for further review by the EPA, and it includes revisions to 34 different emission limitations that could apply to some of the Company’s facilities. The EPA had planned to issue the final rule in September 2021, but the final rule has been delayed. Although the EPA has indicated that a small number of facilities may need to reduce emissions further compared to the current limits, the Company does not expect its facilities to be disproportionately affected compared to other U.S. pulp and paper producers.
DOMTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2021
(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
NOTE 21.
DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT
HEDGING PROGRAMS
The Company is exposed to market risk, such as changes in currency exchange rates, commodity prices and interest rates. To the extent the Company decides to manage the volatility related to these exposures, the Company may enter into various financial derivatives that are accounted for under the derivatives and hedging guidance. These transactions are governed by the Company's hedging policies which provide direction on acceptable hedging activities, including instrument type and acceptable counterparty exposure.
Upon inception, the Company formally documents the relationship between hedging instruments and hedged items. At inception and quarterly thereafter, the Company formally assesses whether the financial instruments used in hedging transactions are effective at offsetting changes in either the cash flow or the fair value of the underlying exposures. The Company does not hold derivative financial instruments for trading purposes.
CREDIT RISK
The Company is exposed to credit risk on accounts receivables from its customers. In order to reduce this risk, the Company reviews new customers’ credit history before granting credit and conducts regular reviews of existing customers’ credit performance. As of December 31, 2021, two customers located in the U.S. represented 28% or $130 million, of the Company’s receivables (December 31, 2020 - two customers located in the U.S. represented 29% or $104 million).
The Company is exposed to credit risk in the event of non-performance by counterparties to its financial instruments. The Company attempts to minimize this exposure by entering into contracts with counterparties that are believed to be of high credit quality. Collateral or other security to support financial instruments subject to credit risk is usually not obtained. The credit standing of counterparties is regularly monitored.
INTEREST RATE RISK
The Company is exposed to interest rate risk arising from fluctuations in interest rates on its cash and cash equivalents, bank indebtedness, revolving credit facility, term loan and long-term debt. The Company’s objective in managing exposure to interest rate changes is to minimize the impact of interest rate changes on earnings and cash flows and to lower its overall borrowing costs. The Company may manage this interest rate exposure through the use of derivative instruments such as interest rate swap contracts, whereby it agrees to exchange the difference between fixed and variable interest amounts calculated by reference to an agreed upon notional principal amount.
EQUITY RISK
The Company was exposed to changes in share prices with regard to its stock-based compensation program. The Company managed its exposure through the use of derivative instruments such as equity swap contracts. In March 2020, the Company entered into a total return swap agreement covering 500,000 common shares which was settled on November 30, 2021.
DOMTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2021
(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
NOTE 21. DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT (CONTINUED)
COST RISK
Cash flow hedges:
The Company is exposed to price volatility for raw materials and energy used in its manufacturing process. The Company manages its exposure to cost risk primarily through the use of supplier contracts. The Company purchases natural gas at the prevailing market price at the time of delivery. To reduce the impact on cash flow and earnings due to pricing volatility, the Company may utilize derivatives to fix the price of forecasted natural gas purchases. The changes in the fair value on qualifying instruments are included in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to the extent effective, and reclassified into Cost of sales in the period during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Current contracts are used to hedge a portion of forecasted purchases over the next 24 months.
As of December 31, 2021, the Company hedged 27% and 10% of its forecasted purchases under derivative contracts for 2022 and 2023, respectively. The natural gas derivative contracts were effective as of December 31, 2021.
FOREIGN CURRENCY RISK
Cash flow hedges:
The Company has manufacturing operations in the United States and Canada. As a result, it is exposed to movements in foreign currency exchange rates in Canada. Moreover, certain assets and liabilities are denominated in Canadian dollars and are exposed to foreign currency movements. Accordingly, the Company’s earnings are affected by increases or decreases in the value of the Canadian dollar. The Company’s risk management policy allows it to hedge a significant portion of its exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates for periods up to three years. The Company may use derivative financial instruments (currency options and foreign exchange forward contracts) to mitigate its exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.
Derivatives are used to hedge forecasted purchases in Canadian dollars by the Company’s Canadian subsidiary over the next 19 months. Such derivatives are designated as cash flow hedges. The changes in the fair value on qualifying instruments are included in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to the extent effective, and reclassified into Sales or Cost of sales in the period during which the hedged transaction affects earnings.
As of December 31, 2021, the Company hedged 62% and 18% of its forecasted net cash exposures under contracts for 2022 and 2023, respectively. The foreign exchange derivative contracts were effective as of December 31, 2021.
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT
The accounting standards for fair value measurements and disclosures establish a fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three levels. A financial instrument’s categorization within the fair value hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is available and significant to the fair value measurement.
Level 1
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2
Observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
Level 3
Inputs that are generally unobservable and typically reflect management’s estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.
DOMTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2021
(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
NOTE 21. DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT (CONTINUED)
The following tables present information about the Company’s financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis (except Long-term debt, see (b) and (c) below) at December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, in accordance with the accounting standards for fair value measurements and disclosures and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized by the Company to determine such fair value.
Successor
Quoted prices in
Significant
Significant
active markets for
observable
unobservable
December 31,
identical assets
inputs
inputs
Fair Value of financial instruments at:
(Level 1)
(Level 2)
(Level 3)
Balance sheet classification
$
$
$
$
Derivatives designated as
hedging instruments:
Asset derivatives
Currency derivatives
-
-
(a)
Prepaid expenses
Natural gas swap contracts
-
-
(a)
Prepaid expenses
Natural gas swap contracts
-
-
(a)
Other assets
Total Assets
-
-
Liabilities derivatives
Currency derivatives
-
-
(a)
Trade and other payables
Currency derivatives
-
-
(a)
Other liabilities and deferred
credits
Total Liabilities
-
-
Other Instruments:
Long-term debt due within one
year
-
-
(b)
Long-term debt due within
one year
Long-term debt
1,682
-
1,682
-
(c)
Long-term debt
DOMTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2021
(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
NOTE 21. DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT (CONTINUED)
Predecessor
Quoted prices in
Significant
Significant
active markets for
observable
unobservable
December 31,
identical assets
inputs
inputs
Fair Value of financial instruments at:
(Level 1)
(Level 2)
(Level 3)
Balance sheet classification
$
$
$
$
Derivatives designated as
hedging instruments:
Asset derivatives
Currency derivatives
-
-
(a)
Prepaid expenses
Currency derivatives
-
-
(a)
Other assets
Natural gas swap contracts
-
-
(a)
Other assets
Total Assets
-
-
Liabilities derivatives
Currency derivatives
-
-
(a)
Trade and other payables
Natural gas swap contracts
-
-
(a)
Trade and other payables
Natural gas swap contracts
-
-
(a)
Other liabilities and deferred
credits
Total Liabilities
-
-
Other Instruments:
Stock-based compensation -
liability awards
-
-
Trade and other payables
Stock-based compensation -
liability awards
-
-
Other liabilities and deferred
credits
Equity swap contracts
-
-
Other assets
Long-term debt due within one
year
-
-
(b)
Long-term debt due within
one year
Long-term debt
1,216
-
1,216
-
(c)
Long-term debt
(a)
Fair value of the Company’s derivatives are classified under Level 2 (inputs that are observable; directly or indirectly) as it is measured as follows:
-
For currency derivatives: Foreign currency forward and option contracts are valued using standard valuation models. Interest rates, forward market rates and volatility are used as inputs for such valuation techniques.
-
For natural gas contracts: Fair value is measured using the discounted difference between contractual rates and quoted market future rates.
(b)
Fair value of the Company’s long-term debt is measured by comparison to market prices of its debt. The Company’s long-term debt is not carried at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020. The carrying value of the Company’s long-term debt due within one year is $259 million and $13 million at December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.
(c)
The carrying value of the Company’s long-term debt is $1,643 million and $1,079 million at December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.
Due to their short-term maturity, the carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, bank indebtedness, trade and other payables and income and other taxes approximate their fair values.
DOMTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2021
(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
NOTE 22.
SEGMENT DISCLOSURES
Following the sale of the Company’s Personal Care business on March 1, 2021, the Company now operates as a single reportable segment as described below, which also represents its only operating segment:
•
Pulp and Paper - consists of the design, manufacturing, marketing and distribution of communication, specialty and packaging papers, as well as softwood, hardwood and fluff pulp, and high quality airlaid and ultrathin laminated cores.
The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as those described in Note 1. The Company evaluates segment performance based on operating income. Certain Corporate general and administrative costs are allocated to the segment. Corporate costs that are not related to segment activities, as well as the mark-to-market impact on stock-based compensation awards, are presented on the Corporate line. The Company does not allocate interest expense and income taxes to the segment. Segment assets are those directly used in segment operations.
The Company attributes sales to customers in different geographical areas on the basis of the location of the customer.
Long-lived assets consist of property, plant and equipment, operating lease right-of-use assets and intangible assets used in the generation of sales in the different geographical areas.
DOMTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2021
(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
NOTE 22. SEGMENT DISCLOSURES (CONTINUED)
An analysis and reconciliation of the Company’s business segment information to the respective information in the financial statements is as follows:
Successor
Predecessor
Period from
December 1,
through
December 31,
Period from
January 1,
through
November 30,
Year ended
December 31,
Year ended
December 31,
SEGMENT DATA
$
$
$
$
Sales by product group
Communication papers
1,834
1,968
2,571
Specialty and packaging papers
Market pulp
Consolidated sales (1)
3,368
3,415
4,119
Operating income (loss) from continuing operations (2)
Pulp and Paper
(153
)
Corporate
(3
)
(168
)
(34
)
(47
)
Consolidated operating income (loss) from continuing operations
(11
)
(187
)
Interest expense, net
Non-service components of net periodic benefit cost
(2
)
(22
)
(17
)
(Loss) earnings before income taxes and equity loss
(7
)
(43
)
(228
)
Income tax (benefit) expense
(2
)
(80
)
Equity method investment loss, net of taxes
-
-
(Loss) earnings from continuing operations
(5
)
(49
)
(151
)
Earnings from discontinued operations, net of taxes
Net (loss) earnings
(4
)
(23
)
(127
)
(1)
In 2021 and 2020, Staples, one of the Company’s largest customers, represented approximately 12% (2020 - 13%) of the total sales.
(2)
The Government of Canada created the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy ("CEWS") to provide financial support for businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic and prevent large layoffs. The Company recognized in the predecessor period $7 million as a reduction of costs (CDN $9 million) ($6 million in Cost of sales (CDN $7 million) and $1 million in Selling, general and administrative (CDN $2 million)) related to this program.
Successor
Predecessor
December 31,
December 31,
$
$
Segment assets
Pulp and Paper
4,051
3,012
Corporate
Total for reportable segments
4,567
3,527
Assets held for sale
1,329
Consolidated assets
4,854
4,856
DOMTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2021
(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
NOTE 22. SEGMENT DISCLOSURES (CONTINUED)
Successor
Predecessor
Period from
December 1,
through
December 31,
Period from
January 1,
through
November 30,
Year ended
December 31,
Year ended
December 31,
$
$
$
$
Additions to property, plant and equipment
Pulp and Paper
Corporate
-
Discontinued Operations
Consolidated additions to property, plant
and equipment
Add: Change in payables on capital projects
(2
)
(2
)
(9
)
Consolidated additions to property, plant and
equipment per Consolidated Statements
of Cash Flows
Successor
Predecessor
Period from
December 1,
through
December 31,
Period from
January 1,
through
November 30,
Year ended
December 31,
Year ended
December 31,
$
$
$
$
Geographic information
Sales
United States
2,560
2,691
3,219
Canada
Asia
Europe
Other foreign countries
3,368
3,415
4,119
Successor
Predecessor
December 31,
December 31,
$
$
Long-lived assets
United States
2,069
1,423
Canada
2,779
2,008
DOMTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2021
(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
NOTE 23.
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Related party transactions with Paper Excellence and their affiliates were not material as of December 31, 2021 and for the period December 1 through December 31, 2021.

---

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
The Company has nothing to report under this item.

---

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in our reports under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”), is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. As of December 31, 2021, an evaluation was performed by members of management, at the direction and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act). Based upon this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as at December 31, 2021, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
The information called for by this item is incorporated herein by reference to “Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting”.
Change in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting during the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2021.

---

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
The Company has nothing to report under this item.
PART III

---

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The information included under the captions “Governance of the Corporation” and “Directors” will be provided by incorporating the information required by amendment to this Form 10-K annual report under cover of Form 10-K/A to be filed with the SEC no later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Form 10-K annual report.
Information regarding our executive officers is presented in Item 1, Business, under the caption “Our Executive Officers”.

---

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Item 11 will be provided by incorporating the information required under such item by amendment to this Form 10-K annual report under cover of Form 10-K/A to be filed with the SEC no later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Form 10-K annual report.

---

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Item 12 will be provided by incorporating the information required under such item by amendment to this Form 10-K annual report under cover of Form 10-K/A to be filed with the SEC no later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Form 10-K annual report.

---

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
Item 13 will be provided by incorporating the information required under such item by amendment to this Form 10-K annual report under cover of Form 10-K/A to be filed with the SEC no later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Form 10-K annual report.

---

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
Item 14 will be provided by incorporating the information required under such item by amendment to this Form 10-K annual report under cover of Form 10-K/A to be filed with the SEC no later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Form 10-K annual report.
PART IV

---

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a)
1. Financial Statements - See Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
2. Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
All other schedules are omitted as the information required is either included elsewhere in the consolidated financial statements in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - or is not applicable.
3. Exhibits:
Incorporated by reference to:
Exhibit
Number
Exhibit Description
Form
Exhibit
Filing Date
2.1
Amendment No. 2 to the Securities Purchase Agreement among Domtar AI Inc, Domtar Luxembourg Investments SARL, Domtar Corporation and Journey Personal Care Corp. dated as of January 7, 2021
10-Q
2.1
08/05/2021
2.2
Agreement of Plan of Merger among Domtar Corporation, Karta Halten B.V., and Pearl Merger Sub Inc. and Paper Excellence B.V. and Hervey Investments B.V. dated as of May 10, 2021
8-K
2.1
05/12/2021
2.3
Securities Purchase Agreement among Domtar AI Inc, Domtar Luxembourg Investments SARL, Domtar Corporation and Journey Personal Care Corp. dated as of January 7, 2021
8-K
2.1
01/08/2021
3.1
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation
8-K
3.1
11/30/2021
3.2
Amended and Restated By-Laws
8-K
3.2
11/30/2021
4.1
ABL Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of November 30, 2021, by and among Pearl Merger Sub Inc., Domtar Inc., Pearl Excellence Holdco L.P., and Barclays Bank PLC, as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent, and Barclay Bank PLC, Bank of Montreal and Credit Suisse Loan Funding LLC, as the Lenders party thereto
4.2
First Lien Credit Agreement, dated as of November 30, 2021, by and among Pearl Merger Sub Inc., Pearl Excellence Holdco L.P. and Barclays Bank PLC, as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent, Barclays Bank PLC, BMO Capital Markets Corp. and Credit Suisse Loan Funding LLC as Lender party thereto
4.3
Indenture, dated as of October 18, 2021, among Pearl Merger Sub Inc. (to be merged with and into Domtar Corporation), the guarantors party thereto, and the Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee, providing for Domtar Corporation’s 6.75% Senior Secured Notes due 2028
4.4
Supplemental Indenture, dated as of November 30, 2021, among Domtar Corporation, the guarantors party thereto, and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee, providing for Domtar Corporation’s 6.75% Senior Secured Notes due 2028
4.5
Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of December 30, 2021, among Domtar Corporation and Domtar Delaware Holdings Inc., The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee, providing for Domtar Corporation’s 6.75% Senior Secured Notes due 2028
Incorporated by reference to:
Exhibit
Number
Exhibit Description
Form
Exhibit
Filing Date
4.6
Supplemental Indenture, dated December 30, 2021, among Domtar Delaware Holdings Inc., Domtar Corporation, The Bank of New York Mellon, as successor to The Bank of New York, as trustee, relating to the guarantee by the new subsidiary guarantors of the obligations under the Indenture
4.7
Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 23, 2012, among Domtar Corporation, the subsidiary guarantors party thereto, and The Bank of New York Mellon (formerly the Bank of New York), as trustee, providing for Domtar Corporation’s 6.25% Notes due 2042
8-K
4.1
08/23/2012
4.8
Supplemental Indenture, dated as of November 26, 2013, among Domtar Corporation, the subsidiary guarantors party thereto, and The Bank of New York Mellon (formerly the Bank of New York), as trustee, providing for Domtar Corporation’s 6.75% Notes due 2044
8-K
4.1
11/26/2013
10.1*
Amended and Restated Severance Program for Management Committee Members
10-K
10.6
03/01/2021
10.2*
Amended and Restated DB SERP for Management Committee Members of Domtar
10-K
10.7
03/01/2021
10.3*
Amended and Restated DC SERP for Designated Executives of Domtar
10-K
10.8
02/25/2020
10.4*
Form of Indemnification Agreement for members of Pension Administration Committee of Domtar Corporation
10-K
10.50
02/27/2009
10.5*
Amended and Restated Supplementary Pension Plan for Designated Managers of Domtar Inc.
10-Q
10.3
08/04/2017
10.6*
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement of Mr. John D. Williams
10.7*
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement of Mr. Daniel Buron
10.8*
Separation Agreement of employment with Domtar of Mr. Michael D. Garcia
10-K
10.16
03/01/2021
Subsidiaries of Domtar Corporation
24.1
Powers of Attorney (included in signature page)
31.1
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101.INS
XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.
101.SCH
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
101.CAL
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
Incorporated by reference to:
Exhibit
Number
Exhibit Description
Form
Exhibit
Filing Date
101.DEF
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
101.LAB
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
101.PRE
Inline XBRL Extension Presentation Linkbase
Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)
*
Indicates management contract or compensatory arrangement
FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE
(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
For the periods ended:
Successor
Predecessor
Period from
December 1,
through
December 31,
Period from
January 1,
through
November 30,
Year ended
December 31,
Year ended
December 31,
$
$
$
$
Allowances deducted from related asset accounts:
Doubtful accounts - Accounts receivable
Balance at beginning of period
Charged to income
-
(2
)
Deductions from reserve
-
-
(2
)
-
Balance at end of period
Valuation Allowance on Deferred Tax Assets
Balance at beginning of period
Charged to income
-
Deductions from reserve
-
(7
)
-
-
Balance at end of period