Quarterlytics / Consumer Cyclical / Packaging & Containers / Viskase Companies, Inc.

Viskase Companies, Inc.

vksc · OTC Consumer Cyclical
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Sector Consumer Cyclical
Industry Packaging & Containers
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FY2011 Annual Report · Viskase Companies, Inc.
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VISKASE COMPANIES, INC. 

ANNUAL REPORT 2011 

This report has been prepared in accordance with Section 4.19 of the Indenture dated 
as of December 21, 2009 among Viskase Companies, Inc. (the “Company”) and U.S. 
Bank National Association as trustee and as collateral agent (the “Trustee”). 

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VISKASE COMPANIES, INC. 

Annual Report - 2011 

Table of Contents 

Section  1. 

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking 
Statements 

Section  2. 

Risk Factors 

Section  3. 

Section  4. 

Management's  Discussion  and  Analysis  of  Financial 
Condition and Results of Operations 

Consolidated Financial Statements of Viskase 
Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries 

Page 

 3 

 4 

           10 

           18 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SECTION 1. 

 CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS 

This  report  includes  “forward-looking  statements.”  Forward-looking  statements  are  those  that  do  not 
relate solely to historical fact. Forward-looking statements in this report are made pursuant to the safe 
harbor  provisions  of  the  Private  Securities  Litigation  Reform  Act  of  1995.  These  statements  relate  to 
future events or our future financial performance and implicate known and unknown risks, uncertainties 
and other factors that may cause the actual results, performances or levels of activity of our business or 
our  industry  to  be  materially  different  from  that  expressed  or  implied  by  any  such  forward-looking 
statements  and  are  not  guarantees  of  future  performance.  They  include,  but  are  not  limited  to,  any 
statement  that  may  predict,  forecast,  indicate  or  imply  future  results,  performance,  achievements  or 
events. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by use of words such as “believe,” 
“anticipate,”  “expect,”  “estimate,”  “intend,”  “project,”  “plan,”  “will,”  “would,”  “could,”  “predict,”  “propose,” 
“potential,” “may” or words or phrases of similar meaning. Statements concerning our financial position, 
business  strategy  and  measures  to  implement  that  strategy,  including  changes  to  operations, 
competitive strengths, goals, plans, references to future success and other similar matters are forward-
looking statements. Although it is not possible to identify all of the factors that may affect our financial 
position, business strategy and measures to implement that strategy, such factors may include, among 
others, the following: 

• 

• 

our ability to meet liquidity requirements and to fund necessary capital expenditures; 

the strength of demand for our products, prices for our products and changes in overall demand; 

•  market and industry conditions and changes in the relative market shares of industry participants; 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

consumption patterns and consumer preferences in our markets; 

the effects of competition; 

our ability to realize operating improvements and anticipated cost savings; 

pending or future legal proceedings and regulatory matters, or the impact of any adverse outcome 
of any currently pending or future litigation on the adequacy of our reserves, our financial condition 
or the ability to sell our products; 

general  economic  conditions  and  their  effect  on  our  business  both  in  the  United  States  and  in 
global markets; 

•   continued  expansion  of  the  middle  class  and  an  increasing  shift  towards  protein-rich  diets  in  the 

emerging markets in which we compete; 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

changes in the cost or availability of raw materials and changes in other costs; 

pricing pressures for our products; 

the cost of and compliance with environmental laws and other governmental regulations; 

our ability to engage in capital markets transactions; 

our ability to protect our intellectual property; and 

our ability to implement our strategy for the future, including capitalizing on opportunities that may 
be presented to and pursued by us. 

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SECTION 2.  RISK FACTORS 

You should read the following risk factors related to our business carefully in connection with evaluating 
our business.  While we believe we have identified and discussed below the key risk factors affecting 
our business, there may be additional risks and uncertainties that are not presently known or that are 
not currently believed to be significant that may adversely affect our business, performance or financial 
condition in the future. 

We face competitors that are better capitalized than we are, and the continuous-flow nature of 
the  casings  manufacturing  process  forces  competitors  to  compete  based  on  price  in  order  to 
maintain volume, which could adversely affect our revenues and results. 

We  face  competition  in  the  United  States  and  internationally  from  competitors  that  may  have 
substantially  greater  financial  resources  than  we  have.  The  cellulosic  casings  industry  includes 
competitors  that  are  larger  and  better  capitalized  than  we  are.  Currently,  our  primary  competitors 
include Viscofan, S.A., Kalle Nalo GmbH, and VT Holding Group, although new competitors could enter 
the  market  or  competing  products  could  be  introduced.  Although  prices  for  small  diameter  cellulosic 
casings have experienced annual increases in recent years, and we believe that the current output in 
our industry is generally in balance with global demand and that levels of capacity utilization are high, 
the continuous-flow nature of the casings manufacturing process has historically required competitors in 
our industry to compete based on price in order to maintain volume, which could result in lower pricing 
in  future  years.  We  attempt  to  differentiate  our  products  on  the  basis  of  product  quality  and 
performance,  product  development,  service,  sales  and  distribution,  but  we  and  competitors  in  our 
industry  have  used  price  as  a  competitive  factor  in  an  attempt  to  obtain  greater  volumes.  If  prices 
decline, we may not be able to achieve profitability, whereas certain of our competitors who are better 
capitalized  may  be  positioned  to  absorb  such  price  declines.  Any  of  these  factors  could  result  in  a 
material reduction of our revenue, gross profit margins and operating results.   

Deteriorations of  national and global general economic conditions or disruptions in credit  and 
other financial markets could adversely affect our business. 

Our  results  of  operations  are  affected  by  many  economic  factors,  including  the  strength  of  economic 
conditions  and  level  of  economic  development  in  the  markets  in  which  we  operate.    Deterioration  of 
national and global economic conditions or disruptions in credit and other financial markets could result 
in  a  number  of  adverse  effects  to  our  business  and  our  results  of  operations,  including,  among  other 
things: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

making it more difficult or costly for us to obtain financing for our operations; 

impairing the financial condition of some of our customers or suppliers, thereby increasing bad 
debts or non-performance; 

negatively impacting the demand for protein products, which could result in a reduction of sales, 
operating income and cash flows; and 

impairing the financial viability of our insurers. 

We  receive  our  raw  materials  from  a  limited  number  of  suppliers,  and  problems  with  our 
suppliers could impair our ability to meet our customers’ product demands. 

Our  principal  raw  materials,  paper  and  pulp,  constitute  an  important  aspect  and  cost  factor  of  our 
operations.    We  generally  purchase  our  paper  and  pulp  from  a  single  source  or  a  small  number  of 
suppliers.    Any  inability  of  our  suppliers  to  timely  deliver  raw  materials  or  any  unanticipated  adverse 
change in our suppliers could be disruptive and costly to us.  Our inability to obtain raw materials from 
our  suppliers  would  require  us  to  seek  alternative  sources.    These  alternative  sources  may  not  be 
adequate for all of our raw material needs, nor may adequate raw material substitutes exist in a form 
that  our  processes  could  be  modified  to  use.    These  risks  could  materially  and  adversely  affect  our 
sales volume, revenues, costs of goods sold and, ultimately, profit margins.  

4 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Our  failure  to  efficiently  respond  to  industry  changes  in  casings  technology  could  jeopardize 
our ability to retain our customers and maintain our market share. 

We  and  other  participants  in  our  industry  have  considered  alternatives  to  cellulosic  casings  for  many 
years.  As  resin  technology  improves  or  other  technologies  develop,  alternative  casings  or  other 
manufacturing methods may be developed that threaten the long-term sustainability and profitability of 
our  cellulosic  casings,  which  is  our  core  product,  and  our  fibrous  casings.  Our  failure  to  anticipate, 
develop or efficiently and timely integrate new technologies that provide viable alternatives to cellulosic 
casings,  including  plastic  and  film  alternatives,  may  cause  us  to  lose  customers  and  market  share  to 
competitors  integrating  such  technologies,  which,  in  turn,  would  negatively  impact  our  revenues  and 
operating results. 

Sales of our products could be negatively affected by problems or concerns with the safety and 
quality of food products. 

We could be adversely affected if consumers in the food markets were to lose confidence in the safety 
and quality of meat or poultry products, particularly with respect to processed meat or poultry products 
for which casings are used, such as hot dogs, deli meats and sausages. Outbreaks of, or even adverse 
publicity about the possibility of, diseases such as avian influenza and “mad cow disease,” food-borne 
pathogens such as E. coli and listeria and any other food safety problems or concerns relating to meat 
and  poultry  products  may  discourage  consumers  from  buying  such  products.  These  risks  could  also 
result  in  additional  governmental  regulations,  or  cause  production  and  delivery  disruptions  or  product 
recalls. Each of these risks could adversely affect the demand for our products, and consequently, our 
sales volumes and revenues. 

Changing dietary trends and consumer preferences could weaken the demand for our products. 

Various  medical  studies  detailing  the  health-related  attributes  of  particular  foods,  including  meat  and 
poultry  products,  affect  the  purchasing  patterns,  dietary  trends  and  consumption  preferences  of 
consumers.    These  patterns,  trends  and  preferences  are  routinely  changing.    For  example,  general 
dietary concerns about meat products, such as the cholesterol, calorie, sodium and fat content of such 
products, could result in reduced demand for such products, which would, in turn, cause a reduction in 
the demand for our products and a decrease in our sales volume and revenue. 

Our facilities are capital intensive, and we may not be able to obtain financing to fund necessary 
capital expenditures. 

Our  business  is  capital  intensive.    We  operate  seven  manufacturing  facilities,  ten  distribution  centers 
and  two  service  centers  as  part  of  our  business.    We  are  required  to  make  substantial  capital 
expenditures  and  substantial  repair  and  maintenance  expenditures  to  maintain,  repair,  upgrade  and 
expand existing equipment and facilities to keep pace with competitive developments.  In addition, we 
are  required  to  invest  in  technological  advances  to  maintain  compliance  with  safety  standards  and 
environmental  laws  or  regulations.    We  spent  approximately  $37.3  million  for  capital  expenditures  in 
2011  and  expect  to  spend  approximately  $29.4  million  in  2012.    Depending  on  our  use  of  cash  and 
other  liquidity  considerations,  we  may  be  required  to  obtain  additional  financing  to  fund  future  capital 
expenditures.  If we need to obtain additional funds, we may not be able to do so on terms favorable to 
us, or at all, which would ultimately negatively affect our production and operating results. 

Business  interruptions  at  any  of  our  production  facilities  could  increase  our  operating  costs, 
decrease our sales or cause us to lose customers. 

The reliability of our production facilities is critical to the success of our business.  In recent years, we 
have  streamlined  our  production  capacity  to  be  better  aligned  with  our  sales  volumes.    At  current 
operating levels, we have little or no excess production capacity for certain products.  If the operations 
of any of our manufacturing facilities were interrupted or significantly delayed for any reason, including 
labor stoppages, we may be unable to shift production to another facility without incurring a significant 
drop in production.  Such a drop in production would negatively affect our sales and our relationships 
with our customers.   

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We are subject to significant minimum contribution requirements and to market exposure with 
respect to our U.S. defined benefit plan, both of which could adversely affect our cash flow. 

We continue to have a substantial funding liability with respect to our U.S. defined benefit pension plan.  
As  of  December  31,  2011,  our  aggregate  minimum  funding  contribution  requirement  for  our  U.S. 
defined benefit plan from 2012 through 2016 is approximately $39.4 million and our unfunded pension 
liability was $51.3 million. These amounts could increase or decrease due to market factors, including 
actual and expected returns on plan assets, and the discount rate used to measure the liability. 

Our  international  sales  and  operations  expose  us  to  political  and  economic  risks  in  foreign 
countries,  as  well  as  to  risks  related  to  currency  fluctuations,  all  of  which  could  impair  our 
ability to do business at the international level. 

We  currently  have  manufacturing  or  sales  and  distribution  centers  in  eight  foreign  countries:  Brazil, 
Canada,  France,  Germany,  Italy,  Mexico,  Philippines  and  Poland.  Our  international  sales  and 
operations may be subject to various political and economic risks including, but not limited to: possible 
unfavorable exchange rate fluctuations or hyperinflation; changes in a country‟s or region‟s political or 
economic  conditions;  governmental  regulations,  including  import  and  export  controls;  tariffs;  limits  on 
the repatriation of funds; and taxes. Our sales to customers located outside the United States generally 
are subject to taxes on the repatriation of funds. In addition, international operations in certain parts of 
the world may be subject to international balance of payments difficulties that may raise the possibility 
of delay or loss in the collection of accounts receivable from sales to customers in those countries. Net 
sales  to  customers  located  outside  the  United  States  represented  approximately  71%  of  our  total  net 
sales in 2011 and approximately 69% of our total net sales in 2010. 

Should  any  of  these  risks  occur,  it  could  impair  our  ability  to  export  our  products  or  conduct  sales  to 
customers  located  outside  of  the  United  States  and  result  in  a  loss  of  sales  and  profits  from  our 
international operations.  

Continued consolidation of our customers and increasing competition for those customers may 
put pressure on our sales volumes and revenues. 

In  recent  years,  the  trend  among  our  customers  has  been  towards  consolidation  within  the  meat 
processing  industry.    These  consolidations  have  enhanced  the  purchasing  power  of  our  customers 
who, not being contractually obligated to purchase our products, tend to exert increased pressure with 
respect  to  pricing  terms,  product  quality  and  new  products.    As  our  customer  base  continues  to 
consolidate,  the  already  high  level  of  competition  for  the  business  of  fewer  customers  is  expected  to 
intensify.    If  we  do  not  continue  to  enhance  the  value  of  our  product  offering  in  a  way  that  provides 
greater benefit to our customers, our sales volumes and revenues could decrease. 

If we engage in strategic transactions, the terms of such transactions may not be advantageous 
to our business or we may be unable to effectively integrate a new business. 

In connection with our business strategies and goals of growth of our operations and market share, we 
may  seek  to  acquire,  merge  with,  enter  into  partnerships  with  or  enter  into  other  similar  transactions 
with,  other  companies,  including  companies  that  complement  our  existing  products,  technologies  or 
distribution, or  lower our  costs, and we regularly engage in discussions  with other companies or  their 
representatives  with  respect  to  such  transactions.  Nonetheless,  we  may  be  unable  to  identify  and 
successfully  acquire,  merge  with,  partner  with  or  enter  into  other  similar  transactions  with  suitable 
companies under terms advantageous to our business. If we do enter into such transactions, we may 
be  unable  to  efficiently  and  effectively  integrate  our  business  and  achieve  the  anticipated  synergies. 
The  integration  of  the  businesses  may  also  result  in  unforeseen  difficulties  that  require  a 
disproportionate  amount  of  our  management‟s  attention  and  other  resources,  which,  in  turn,  may 
negatively affect our profitability. 

Our intellectual property rights may be inadequate or violated, or we may be subject to claims of 
infringement, both of which could negatively affect our financial condition. 

We  rely  on  a  combination  of  trademarks,  patents,  trade  secret  rights  and  other  rights  to  protect  our 
intellectual property. Our trademark or patent applications may not be approved and our trademarks or 

6 

 
 
patents  may  be  challenged  by  third  parties.  We  cannot  be  certain  that  the  steps  we  have  taken  will 
prevent the misappropriation of our intellectual property, particularly in foreign countries where the laws 
may  not  protect  our  rights  as  fully  as  the  laws  of  the  United  States.  From  time  to  time,  it  has  been 
necessary for us to enforce our intellectual property rights against infringements by third parties, and we 
expect to continue to do so in the ordinary course of our business. We also may be subjected to claims 
by others that we have violated their intellectual property rights. Even if we prevail, third party-initiated 
or  company-initiated  claims  may  be  time  consuming  and  expensive  to  resolve,  and  may  result  in  a 
diversion of our time and resources. The occurrence of any of these factors could diminish the value of 
our  trademark,  patent  and  intellectual  property  portfolio,  increase  competition  within  our  industry  and 
negatively impact our sales volume and revenues. 

Continued  compliance  with  environmental  regulations  may  result  in  significant  costs,  which 
could negatively affect our financial condition. 

Our  operations  are  subject  to  extensive  and  increasingly  stringent  environmental,  health  and  safety 
laws and regulations pertaining to the discharge of substances into the environment, the handling and 
disposition  of  wastes  and  land  reclamation  and  remediation  of  hazardous  substances.    We  are  also 
subject  to  differing  environmental  regulations  and  standards  due  to  the  fact  that  we  operate  in  many 
different countries.  Present and future environmental laws and regulations applicable to our operations 
may require substantial capital expenditures and may have a material adverse effect on our business, 
financial condition and results of operations.   

Failure  to  comply  with  environmental  laws  and  regulations  can  have  serious  consequences  for  us, 
including  criminal  as  well  as  civil  and  administrative  penalties  and  negative  publicity.    Liability  under 
these  laws  and  regulations  involves  inherent  uncertainties.    In  addition,  continued  government  and 
public emphasis on environmental issues can be expected to result in increased future investments for 
environmental  controls  at  ongoing  operations,  which  will  be  charged  against  income  from  future 
operations.  

We  have incurred, and will continue to incur, significant capital and operating expenditures to comply 
with  various  environmental  laws  and  regulations.    Additional  environmental  requirements  imposed  in 
the future, including pending legislation and regulations in the United States concerning the emission of 
carbon  dioxide  and  other  greenhouse  gases,  could  require  currently  unanticipated  investigations, 
assessments or expenditures and may require us to incur significant additional costs. As the nature of 
these potential requirements and future charges is unknown, management is not able to estimate the 
magnitude of future costs, and we have not accrued any reserve for any potential future costs. At this 
time we cannot be certain that such legislation or regulations will not have a material adverse effect on 
our business, financial condition or results of operations.  

Some of our facilities have been in operation for many years.  During that time, we and previous owners 
of  these  facilities  may  have  generated  and  disposed  of  wastes  that  are  or  may  be  considered 
hazardous or may have polluted the soil or groundwater at our facilities, including adjacent properties.  
Some environmental regulations impose liability on certain categories of persons who are deemed to be 
responsible for the release of “hazardous substances” or other pollutants into the environment, without 
regard to fault or to the legality of such person‟s conduct.  Under certain circumstances, a party may be 
required  to  bear  more  than  its  proportional  share  of  cleanup costs  at  a  contaminated site  for  which  it 
has  liability  if  payments  sufficient  to  remediate  the  site  cannot  be  obtained  from  other  responsible 
parties. 

Our  substantial  level  of  indebtedness  could  adversely  affect  our  results  of  operations,  cash 
flows and ability to compete in our industry, which could, among other things, prevent us from 
fulfilling our obligations under our debt agreements.  

We have substantial indebtedness. In addition, subject to restrictions in the indenture (the “Indenture”) 
governing our 9.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2018 (the “9.875% Senior Secured Notes”) and the 
credit  agreement  governing  our  revolving  credit  facility,  we  may  incur  additional  indebtedness.  As  of 
December  31,  2011,  we  had  approximately  $214.6  million  of  total  debt,  exclusive  of  additional 
indebtedness that we may borrow under our revolving credit facility. 

Our high level of indebtedness has important implications, including the following:   

7 

 
 
• 

• 

• 

if we fail to satisfy our obligations under our indebtedness, or fail to comply with the restrictive 
covenants contained in the Indenture or our revolving credit facility, it may result in an event of 
default,  all  of  our  indebtedness  could  become  immediately  due  and  payable,  and  our  lenders 
could foreclose on our assets securing such indebtedness following the occurrence and during 
the continuance of an event of default; 

a  default  under  either  the  Indenture  or  our  revolving  credit  facility  could  trigger  cross-defaults 
under other key agreements or leases; and  

repayment of our indebtedness may require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow 
from  our  business  operations,  thereby  reducing  the  availability  of  cash  flow  to  fund  working 
capital, capital   expenditures, development projects, general operational requirements and other 
purposes.  

We expect to obtain the funds to pay our expenses and to repay our indebtedness primarily from our 
operations  and,  in  the  case  of  our  indebtedness,  from  refinancings  thereof.    Our  ability  to  meet  our 
expenses and make these payments thus depends on our future performance, which will be affected by 
financial, business, economic and other factors, many of which we cannot control.  Our business may 
not  generate sufficient  cash  flow  from  operations  in  the  future and  our currently  anticipated growth  in 
revenue and cash flow may not be realized, either or both of which could result in our being unable to 
repay  indebtedness,  or  to  fund  other  liquidity  needs.    If  we  do  not  have  enough  funds,  we  may  be 
required to refinance all or part of our then existing debt, sell assets or borrow more funds, which we 
may not be able to accomplish on terms acceptable to us, or at all.  In addition, the terms of existing or 
future debt agreements may restrict us from pursuing any of these alternatives.  

Despite  current  indebtedness  levels,  we  and  our  subsidiaries  may  still  be  able  to  incur 
substantially more debt. This could further exacerbate the risks associated with our substantial 
leverage. 

We  and  our  subsidiaries  may  be  able  to  incur  substantial  additional  indebtedness  in  the  future. 
Although  the  Indenture  and  our  revolving  credit  facility  contain  restrictions  on  the  incurrence  of 
additional indebtedness, these restrictions are subject to a number of qualifications and exceptions, and 
the indebtedness incurred in compliance with these restrictions could be substantial. For example, we 
have the ability to borrow up to $25 million under our revolving credit facility, which is secured by liens 
on substantially all of our personal and real property assets, with certain exceptions.  We may not be 
able  to  generate  the  significant  amount  of  cash  needed  to  pay  interest  and  principal  amounts  on  our 
debt,  including  the  9.875%  Senior  Secured  Notes,  which  could  result  in  our  inability  to  fulfill  our 
obligations under our indebtedness. 

A substantial portion of our business is conducted through foreign subsidiaries, and our failure 
to generate sufficient cash flow from these subsidiaries, or otherwise repatriate or receive cash 
from these subsidiaries, could result in our inability to repay our indebtedness.  

Our sales to customers located outside the United States are conducted primarily through subsidiaries 
organized under the laws of jurisdictions outside of the United States.   For the year ended December 
31,  2011,  our  foreign  restricted  subsidiaries  contributed  approximately  53%  of  our  consolidated 
revenues.  As of December 31, 2011, 39% of our consolidated assets, based on carrying value, were 
held  by  foreign  subsidiaries.    Our  ability  to  meet  our  debt  service  obligations  with  cash  from  foreign 
subsidiaries  will  depend  upon  the  results  of  operations  of  these  subsidiaries  and  may  be  subject  to 
contractual  or  other  restrictions  and  other  business  considerations.      In  particular,  to  the  extent  our 
foreign subsidiaries incur additional indebtedness to expand their operations, the ability of our foreign 
subsidiaries to provide us cash may be limited.  In addition, dividend and interest payments to us from 
our foreign subsidiaries may be subject to foreign withholding taxes, which would reduce the amount of 
funds  we  receive  from  such  foreign  subsidiaries.    Dividends  and  other  distributions  from  our  foreign 
subsidiaries  may  also  be  subject  to  fluctuations  in  currency  exchange  rates  and  restrictions  on 
repatriation, which could further reduce the amount of funds we receive from such foreign subsidiaries. 

The Indenture and agreements governing our other indebtedness impose significant operating 
and  financial  restrictions,  which  may  prevent  us from  pursuing  certain  business opportunities 
and may hamper our operations.   

8 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The  Indenture  and  the  credit  agreement  governing  our  revolving  credit  facility  impose  significant 
operating  and  financial  restrictions  on  us.    These  restrictions  restrict  our  ability  to  take  advantage  of 
potential  business  opportunities  as  they  arise  and  may  adversely  affect  the  conduct  of  our  current 
business.  More specifically, they restrict our ability to, among other things:   

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

incur additional indebtedness or issue disqualified capital stock; 

pay dividends, redeem subordinated debt or make other restricted payments; 

make certain investments or acquisitions; 

issue stock of subsidiaries;  

grant or permit certain liens on our assets; 

enter into certain transactions with affiliates; 

merge, consolidate or transfer substantially all of our assets; 

incur payment restrictions affecting certain of our subsidiaries; 

transfer, sell or acquire assets, including capital stock of our subsidiaries; and 

change the business we conduct.  

The  credit  agreement  governing  our  revolving  credit  facility  also  requires  us  to  meet  a  number  of 
financial  ratios  and  tests.    Compliance  with  these  financial  ratios  and  tests  may  adversely  affect  our 
ability  to  adequately  finance  our  operations  or  capital  needs  in  the  future  or  to  pursue  attractive 
business  opportunities  that  may  arise  in  the  future.    Our  ability  to  meet  these  ratios  and  tests  and  to 
comply with other provisions governing our indebtedness may be adversely affected by our operations 
and by changes in economic or business conditions or other events beyond our control.  Our failure to 
comply  with  our  debt-related  obligations  could  result  in  an  event  of  default  under  our  indebtedness, 
resulting  in  accelerated  repayment  obligations  and  giving  our  secured  creditors  certain  rights  against 
our collateral.  

The  interests  of  our  controlling  stockholder  may  be  not  aligned  with  the  interests  of  other 
stockholders or the interests of the holders of the 9.875% Senior Secured Notes. 

To  our  knowledge,  Icahn  Enterprises,  L.P.  holds  a  total  of  approximately  71.4%  of  our  outstanding 
shares of common stock. As a result, Icahn Enterprises presently has and will continue to have voting 
power  sufficient  to  control  the  election  of  our  board  of  directors  and  stockholder  voting  on  decisions 
relating to fundamental corporate actions, including potential mergers, consolidations or sales of all or 
substantially all of our assets. Currently, four employees and one former employee of Icahn Enterprises 
or affiliates of Icahn Enterprises are designated members of our board of directors, which is comprised 
of  eight  directors.  In  addition,  Icahn  Enterprises  is  the  lender  under  our  revolving  credit  facility.  It  is 
possible that the interests of Icahn Enterprises and its affiliates could conflict in certain circumstances 
with the interests of our other stockholders or the interests of the holders of the 9.875% Senior Secured 
Notes. 

Our business operations could be significantly disrupted if members of our senior management 
team were to leave. 

Our  success  depends  to  a  significant  degree  upon  the  continued  contributions  of  our  senior 
management  team.  Our  senior  management  team  has  extensive  manufacturing,  finance  and 
engineering  experience  as  well  as  longstanding  contacts  in  the  industry  and  with  our  customers,  and 
we believe that the depth of our management team is instrumental to our continued success. While we 
have  entered  into  an  employment  agreement  with  our  chief  executive  officer,  the  loss  of  any  of  the 
members  of  our  senior  management  team  in  the  future  could  significantly  impede  our  ability  to 
successfully  implement  our  business  strategy,  financial  plans,  new  product  offerings,  marketing  and 
other objectives. 

9 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SECTION 3.  MANAGEMENT'S  DISCUSSION  AND  ANALYSIS  OF  FINANCIAL  CONDITION  AND                  
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read 
in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this 
report.  The  statements  in  this  discussion  regarding  market  conditions  and  outlook,  our  expectations 
regarding  our  future  performance,  liquidity  and  capital  resources  and  other  non-historical  statements 
are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the risks and uncertainties 
described  under  “Cautionary  Statement  Regarding  Forward-Looking  Statements.”  Our  actual  results 
may differ materially from those contained in or implied by any forward-looking statements. 

Company Overview 

Viskase Companies, Inc. (“we” or the “Company”) is a worldwide leader in the production and sale of 
cellulosic, fibrous and plastic casings for the processed meat and poultry industry. We currently operate 
seven manufacturing facilities and ten distribution centers throughout North America, Europe and South 
America and we derive approximately 71% of total net sales from customers located outside the United 
States. The Company is currently building a shirring plant in the Philippines to serve the Asian market.  
The plant is expected to open in the second quarter of 2012 and will be scaled up over several years in 
accordance with our growth expectations for the Asian market.  The 2011 capital investment, including 
machinery, was $6 million and it is anticipated that an additional $11 million of equipment will be added 
during the period from 2012 through 2016. 

We believe we are one of the two largest manufacturers of non-edible cellulosic casings for processed 
meats  and  one  of  the  three  largest  manufacturers  of  non-edible  fibrous  casings.  Our  management 
believes that the factors most critical to the success of our business are: 

•  maintaining  and  building  upon  our  reputation  for  providing  a  high  level  of  customer  and  technical            

services; 

•  maintaining and building upon our long-standing customer relationships, many of which have  

continued for decades; 

•  developing additional sources of revenue through new products and services;  

•  penetrating new regional markets; and 

•  continuing to streamline our cost structure. 

Our net sales are driven by consumer demand for processed meat and poultry products and the level of 
demand  for  casings  by  processed  meat  manufacturers,  as  well  as  the  average  selling  prices  of  our 
casings  and  competitive  activity.  Specifically,  demand  for  our  casings  is  dependent  on  population 
growth, overall consumption of processed meat and poultry products and the types of meat and poultry 
products  purchased  by  consumers.  Average  selling  prices  are  dependent  on  overall  supply  and 
demand for casings, our product mix and competitive activity. 

Factors Affecting Operating Results and Outlook 

The following is a discussion of some of the key factors that have in the past and are likely in the future 
to affect operating results. 

Selling  price.    Selling  price  is  the  biggest  driver  of  our  operating  income.    Accordingly,  management 
focuses intensely on the selling prices of our products to make sure pricing remains competitive. 

Labor costs.  In recent years, we have taken many actions to reduce our labor costs to the minimum 
sustainable level.  We have frozen our defined benefit pension plan for all employees as of December 
31,  2010.    We  have  made  our  defined  contribution  plan  payments  variable  to  financial  performance 
targets.  We have moved manufacturing facilities to lower cost countries.  We have increased medical 

10 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
care  deductibles  and  other  employee  costs,  and  we  have  cut  our  workforce  to  minimal  levels.    We 
believe that our labor costs as a percentage of sales will be maintained for the foreseeable future. 

Raw  material  and  energy  costs.    While  labor  is  the  highest  cost  component  of  our  product,  materials 
and energy are nearly as important.  We are experiencing price increases for certain key raw materials 
in  2012  following  similiar  increases  in  2011.  We  continue  to  look  for  additional  suppliers  for  our  key 
materials  in  order  to  obtain  the  lowest  prices  available.    We  also  experienced  an  increase  in  energy 
costs for 2011. 

Results  of  Operations  Fiscal  Year  Ended  December  31,  2011  Compared  to  Fiscal  Year  Ended 
December 31, 2010. 

The  following  discussion  compares  the  results  of  operations  for  the  fiscal  year  ended  December  31, 
2011 to the results of operations for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010.  We have provided the 
following table in order to facilitate an understanding of this discussion (dollars in millions): 

Net Sales. Our net sales for fiscal 2011 increased 7.3%, or $23.2 million, from fiscal 2010.  Net sales 
increased  $19.3  million  due  to  volume  and  $8.2  million  due  to  foreign  currency  translation,  partially 
offset by a decrease of $4.3 million due to product mix and price. 

Cost of Sales. Cost of sales for fiscal 2011 increased 12.1%, or $28.1 million, over fiscal 2010. Cost of 
sales  increased  due  to  growth  in  unit  volume,  higher  raw  material  costs  and  foreign  currency 
translation.   

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased  
$3.2  million  to  $42.6  for  fiscal  2011.  The  Company  has  experienced  a  decrease  in  legal  expense  of 
$3.6  million  in  fiscal  2011  compared  to  fiscal  2010  relating  to  a  legal  matter  discussed  below  under 
“Contingencies”.   

Operating  Income.  The  operating  income  for  fiscal  2011  decreased  4.7%,  or  $1.7  million,  from  fiscal 
2010.  The  decrease  in  the  operating  income  resulted  primarily  from  the  decreased  gross  margin  on 
higher sales volume offset by lower selling, general and administrative expenses. 

11 

Year%Year%YearEndedChangeEndedChangeEndedDecember 31,OverDecember 31,OverDecember 31,20112010201020092009NET SALES$339.47.3%$316.25.7%$299.3COST AND EXPENSES Cost of sales 261.112.1%233.05.7%220.3Selling, general and administrative 42.6-7.0%45.816.3%39.4Amortization of intangibles .50.0%.50.0%.5Asset impairment charge -                   NM-                   NM1.4OPERATING INCOME 35.3-4.7%37.0-1.8%37.7Interest income .2-36.4%.3371.6%.1Interest expense 21.22.1%20.827.4%16.3Other (expense) income, net (.9)NM.1-94.9%2.7Post retirement benefits curtailment gain-                   NM.6NM-                   Loss on early extinguishment of debt-                   NM-                   NM6.0Income tax expense 5.4223.8%1.711.4%1.5NET INCOME$7.9-49.1%$15.6-6.6%$16.7NM = Not meaningful when comparing positive to negative numbers or to zero. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest  Expense.  Interest  expense  for  fiscal  2011  totaled  $21.2  million,  which  is  an  increase  of  $0.4 
from the prior year period.  The increase is principally due to higher long term borrowing for 2011 offset 
by increased capitalized interest. 

Other (Expense) Income. Other expense, net of other income, was approximately $0.9 million for fiscal 
2011 compared to other income of $0.1 million for fiscal 2010.  The increase in expense for 2011 is due 
principally to losses on foreign currency translation compared to the gain on foreign currency translation 
in 2010. 

Post  Retirement  Benefits  Curtailment  Gain.  During  fiscal  2010,  an  estimated  curtailment  gain  of  $0.6 
million was recognized for the freeze of the defined benefit pension plan for U.S. employees covered by 
a collective bargaining agreement. 

Income  Tax  Expense.  During  fiscal  2011,  a  tax  provision  of  $5.4  million  was  recorded  against  pretax 
book income of $13.4.  During fiscal 2010, a tax provision of $1.7 million was recorded against pretax 
book income of $17.3 million.  The tax provisions are principally relating to income tax expense on the 
results of operations of foreign subsidiaries. 

Primarily as a result of the gross margin decrease, other expense and tax provision discussed above, 
net income for fiscal 2011 was $7.9 million compared to net income of $15.6 million for fiscal 2010. 

Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2010 Compared to Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2009 

The  following  discussion  compares  the  results  of  operations  for  the  fiscal  year  ended  December  31, 
2010 to the results of operations for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009. 

Net  Sales.  Our  net  sales  for  fiscal  2010  increased  5.7%,  or  $16.9  million,  from  fiscal  2009.    The  net 
sales  increase  consisted  of  $26.2  million  due  to  volume,  offset  by    decreases  of  $8.3  million  due  to 
price and product mix and $1.0 million due to foreign currency translation. 

Cost  of  Sales.  Cost  of  sales  for  fiscal  2010  increased  5.7%,  or  $12.7  million  over  fiscal  2009.  The 
increase in cost of sales can be attributed to the higher sales volume and higher product material waste 
partially offset by lower employee benefit costs. 

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 
$6.4 million, or 16.3%, for fiscal 2010. The Company incurred increased legal expenses in fiscal 2010 
of  $4.8  million  relating  to  a  legal  matter  discussed  below  under  “Contingencies”  and  expenses 
associated with additional headcount, partially offset by lower employee compensation and benefits. 

Operating  Income.  The  operating  income  for  fiscal  2010  decreased  $0.7  million,  or  1.8%,  from  fiscal 
2009.  The  decrease  in  the  operating  income  resulted  primarily  from  the  increase  in  legal  expenses 
partially offset by the increase in gross profit. 

Interest Expense. Interest expense, net of interest income, for fiscal 2010 totaled $20.5 million, which is 
an  increase  of  $4.3  million  compared  to  fiscal  2009.    The  increase  is  principally  due  to  an  increased 
amount of long term borrowing partially offset by lower interest rates on outstanding indebtedness. 

Other  Income.  Other  income,  net  of  other  expense,  of  approximately  $0.1  million  for  fiscal  2010 
decreased  $2.6  million  compared  to  fiscal  2009.    The  decrease  is  due  principally  to  the  reduction  of 
foreign currency translation gain. 

Post  Retirement  Benefits  Curtailment  Gain.  During  fiscal  2010,  a  curtailment  gain  of  $0.6  million  was 
recognized for the freeze of the defined benefit pension plan for U.S. employees covered by a collective 
bargaining agreement. 

Income Tax Expense. A tax provision of $1.7 million was recognized for fiscal 2010 on income before 
income  taxes  of  $17.3  million  resulting  principally  from  the  income  tax  expense  on  the  results  of 
operations of foreign subsidiaries. 

12 

 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Primarily  as  a  result  of  the  factors  discussed  above,  net  income  for  fiscal  2010  was  $15.6  million 
compared to net income of $16.7 million for fiscal 2009. 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements 

We  do  not  have  off-balance  sheet  arrangements,  financing,  or  other  relations  with  unconsolidated 
entities or other persons, except for operating leases included in the contractual obligations table of our 
annual report.    

Contingencies 

The Company from time to time is involved in various legal proceedings which require us to evaluate 
the probability of potential losses from such proceedings and to make estimates as to the amounts of 
such  potential  losses.    Where  losses  are  probable  and  the  amount  of  the  loss  can  be  reasonably 
estimated, we recognize expense based on such estimates. 

We are a party in the case Viskase Companies, Inc. v. World Pac International AG, et al., Case No.: 09-
CV-5022,  in  the  United  States  District  Court  for  the  Northern  District  of  Illinois,  Eastern  Division  (the 
“Court,”  with  the  case  being  referred  to  herein  as  the  “World  Pac  Litigation”).    In  the  World  Pac 
Litigation,  we  are  seeking,  along  with  other  remedies,  a  declaratory  judgment  that  the  Company‟s 
Viscoat  products  do  not  infringe  U.S.  Patent  No.  6,200,613  (the  “‟613  Patent”)  owned  by  defendant 
World  Pac  International  USA  (“World  Pac”).    In  response,  World  Pac  filed  a  counterclaim  seeking 
unspecified damages for the infringement of the „613 Patent and seeking injunctive and other relief.  On 
February 3, 2011, the Court granted summary judgment in our favor on the basis of the invalidity of the 
„613 Patent.  The summary judgment has been appealed by World Pac to the United States Court of 
Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and an oral argument for the appeal has been scheduled for March 6, 
2012.    In  April  2010,  Viskase  GmbH  initiated  an  action  in  the  German  Federal  Patent  Court  (the 
“German Patent Court”) seeking a declaration of invalidity with respect to the German equivalent of the 
613 Patent.  On April 5, 2011, the German Patent Court ruled in our favor. World Pac has appealed the 
German  Patent  Court  ruling  to  the  German  Supreme  Court.    World  Pac  has  filed  their  brief  with  the 
German Supreme Court on December 28, 2011. 

In  addition,  from  time  to  time  we  are  involved  in  various  other  legal  proceedings,  none  of  which  is 
currently expected to have a material adverse effect upon results of operations, cash flows or financial 
condition. 

Effect of Changes in Exchange Rates 

In general, our results of operations are affected by changes in foreign exchange rates. In addition to 
those markets in which we price our products in U.S. dollars, we price products in certain of our foreign 
operations in Euros and Brazilian Reals. As a result, a decline in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to 
the local currencies of profitable foreign subsidiaries can have a favorable effect on our profitability, and 
an  increase  in  the  value  of  the  U.S.  dollar  relative  to  the  local  currencies  of  profitable  foreign 
subsidiaries can have a negative effect on our profitability.  

Financial Instruments 

The  Company  routinely  enters  into  fixed  price  natural  gas  agreements  which  require  it  to  purchase  a 
portion  of  its  natural  gas  each  month  at  fixed  prices.   These  fixed  price  agreements  qualify  for  the 
“normal purchases” scope exception under derivative and hedging standards, therefore the natural gas 
purchases under these contracts were expensed as incurred and included within cost of sales. Future 
annual minimum purchases remaining under the agreement are $0.9 million for 2012.  During 2011 and 
2010,  the  Company‟s  total  purchases  under  the  agreements  were  $1.3  million  and  $0.7  million, 
respectively. 

Liquidity and Capital Resources 

As of December 31, 2011, the Company had  unrestricted cash and cash equivalents  of $65.9 million 
and  restricted  cash  of  $2.1  million,  which  secure  letters  of  credit.  For  the  year  ended  December  31, 
2011, cash flows  provided by operating activities were $17.0 million and cash flows used in investing 

13 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
activities  were  $37.2  million.  Cash  flows  used  in  financing  activities  were  $0.9  million.  Cash  flows 
provided by operating activities were principally attributable to net income offset by depreciation. Cash 
flows used in investing activities were principally attributable to capital expenditures.   

Set forth below is a table of our material capital expenditures and research and development costs for 
fiscal 2010 and 2011 and projected commitments for fiscal 2012: 

Management believes that the existing resources available to the Company will be adequate to satisfy 
current and planned operations for at least the next twelve months. 

The aggregate maturities of debt represent amounts to be paid at maturity and not 

(1) 
the current carrying value of the debt. 

Critical Accounting Policies 

The  preparation  of  financial  statements  includes  the  use  of  estimates  and  assumptions  that  affect  a 
number  of  amounts  included  in  the  Company‟s  financial  statements,  including,  among  other  things, 
pensions and other postretirement benefits and related disclosures, reserves for excess and obsolete 
inventory,  allowance  for  doubtful  accounts,  and  income  taxes.  Management  bases  its  estimates  on 
historical  experience  and  other  assumptions  that  it  believes  are  reasonable.  If  actual  amounts  are 
ultimately different from previous estimates, the revisions are included in the Company‟s results for the 
period  in  which  the  actual  amounts  become  known.  Historically,  the  aggregate  differences,  if  any, 
between the Company‟s estimates and actual amounts in any year have not had a significant effect on 
the Company‟s consolidated financial statements. 

Revenue Recognition 

The  Company  records  revenue  when  the  following  criteria  are  met:  persuasive  evidence  of  an 
arrangement  exists,  delivery  has  occurred,  the  price  to  the  customer  is  fixed  and  determinable  and 
collectability is reasonably assured.  Unless otherwise agreed in writing, title and risk of loss pass from 
Viskase to the customer when Viskase delivers the merchandise to the designated point of delivery, to 
the  designated  point  of  destination  or  to  the  designated  carrier,  free  on  board.  Provisions  for  certain 
rebates, sales incentives, product returns and discounts to customers are recorded in the same period 
the related revenue is recorded.  The Company records all labor, raw materials, in-bound freight, plant 
receiving  and  purchasing,  warehousing,  handling  and  distribution  costs  as  a  component  of  cost  of 
goods sold. 

14 

Projected201020112012Project(millions)(millions)(millions)Manufacturing growth capital expenditures  $        8.6  $    25.7  $      19.9 Other capital expenditures $      11.1  $    11.6  $        9.5 Research and development costs $        3.6  $      3.7  $        4.1 Payment Due by Pay PeriodLess than     More than Contractual ObligationsTotal 1 yearYear 2Year 3Year 4Year 55 yearsLong-term debt (1)$216.1$0.0$0.0$0.0$0.0$0.0$216.1Cash interest obligations137.821.221.221.221.221.231.8Pension obligations54.76.68.49.78.07.015.0Operating leases12.02.41.31.11.00.65.6Capital leases1.50.80.50.20.00.00.0Total$422.1$31.0$31.4$32.2$30.2$28.8$268.5 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable 

Accounts receivable have been reduced by an allowance for amounts that may become uncollectible in 
the future. This estimated allowance is primarily based upon our evaluation of the financial condition of 
each customer, each customer‟s ability to pay and historical write-offs.  

Allowance for Obsolete and Slow Moving Inventories 

Inventories  are  valued  at  the  lower  of  cost  or  market.  The  inventories  have  been  reduced  by  an 
allowance  for  slow  moving  and  obsolete  inventories.  The  estimated  allowance  is  based  upon 
management‟s estimate of specifically identified items, the age of the inventory and historical write-offs 
of obsolete and excess inventories.  

Income Taxes 

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax laws and tax rates expected to apply 
to taxable  income in the years  in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or 
settled.  The effect  on  deferred  tax  assets  and  liabilities  due  to  a  change  in  tax  rates  is  recognized  in 
income  in  the  period  that  includes  the  enactment  date.  In  addition,  the  amounts  of  any  future  tax 
benefits  are  reduced  by  a  valuation  allowance  to  the  extent  such  benefits  are  not  expected  to  be 
realized on a more likely than not basis. Interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits are 
included as a component of tax expense. 

Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans 

Using  appropriate  actuarial  methods  and  assumptions,  the  Company‟s  defined  benefit  pension  plans 
and  non-pension  postretirement  benefits  are  accounted  for  in  accordance  with  generally  accepted 
accounting principles (“GAAP”) in the United States of America. 

Actual  results  that  differ  from  assumptions  used  are  accumulated  and  amortized  over  future  periods 
and,  accordingly,  generally  affect  recognized  expense  and  the  recorded  obligation  in  future  periods. 
Therefore,  assumptions  used  to  calculate  benefit  obligations  as  of  the  end  of  a  fiscal  year  directly 
impact  the  expense  to  be  recognized  in  future  periods.  The  primary  assumptions  affecting  the 
Company‟s accounting for employee benefits under GAAP as of December 31, 2011 are as follows:  

• 

• 

Long-term  rate  of  return  on  plan  assets:  The  required  use  of  the  expected  long-term  rate  of 
return  on  plan  assets  may  result  in  recognized  returns  that  are  greater  or  less  than  the  actual 
returns on those plan assets in any given year. Over time, however, the expected long-term rate 
of  return  on  plan  assets  is  designed  to  approximate  actual  earned  long-term  returns.  The 
Company  uses  long-term  historical  actual  return  information,  the  mix  of  investments  that 
comprise  plan  assets,  and  future  estimates  of  long-term  investment  returns  by  reference  to 
external  sources  to  develop  an  assumption  of  the  expected  long-term  rate  of  return  on  plan 
assets. The expected long-term rate of return is used to calculate net periodic pension cost. In 
determining its pension obligations, the Company is using a long-term rate of return on U.S. plan 
assets  of  8.00%  for  2011.    The  Company  is  using  a  long-term  rate  of  return  on  French  plan 
assets of 3.50% for 2011.  The German pension has no assets in the plan.   

Discount  rate:  The  discount  rate  is  used  to  calculate  future  pension  and  postretirement 
obligations.      The  Company  is  using  a  Mercer  Bond  yield  curve  in  determining  its  pension 
obligations.  The  Company  is  using  a  discount  rate  of  4.89%  for  2011  compared  to  5.49%  for 
2010.    The  Company  is  using  a  weighted  average  discount  rate  of  4.99%  on  its  non  U.S. 
pension plans for 2011.  

Fair Value Measurements  

Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) guidance establishes a three-tiered hierarchy of inputs 
to establish a classification of fair value measurements for disclosure purposes. The hierarchy gives the 
highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1  
measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements).  

15 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The three levels of the fair value hierarchy under FASB guidance are as follows:  

Level 1 - Inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the 
reporting  entity  has  the  ability  to  access  at  the  measurement  date.  An  active  market  for  the  asset  or 
liability  is  a  market  in  which  transactions  for  the  asset  or  liability  occur  with  sufficient  frequency  and 
volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.  

Level 2 - Inputs are other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or 
liability, either directly or indirectly, including:  

•  

•  

•  

•  

Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets.  

Quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets.  

Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the assets or liabilities (including  
volatilities).  

Inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by  
correlation or other means.  

If the asset or liability has a specified (contractual) term, the Level 2 input must be observable  
for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.  

Level 3 - Inputs are unobservable for the asset or liability (including the entity's own assumptions about 
the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability) and significant to the 
fair value measurement.  

The  asset's  or  liability's  fair  value  measurement  level  within  the  fair  value  hierarchy  is  based  on  the 
lowest  level  of  any  input  that  is  significant  to  the  fair  value  measurement.  Valuation  techniques  used 
need to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.  

The Company uses fair value measurements in determing the value of its pension plan assets.  

Property, Plant and Equipment 

The  Company  carries  property,  plant  and  equipment  at  cost  less  accumulated  depreciation.  Property 
and equipment additions include acquisition of property and equipment and costs incurred for computer 
software purchased for internal use including related external direct costs of materials and services and 
payroll  costs  for  employees  directly  associated  with  the  project.  Depreciation  is  computed  on  the 
straight-line method using a half year convention over the estimated useful lives of the assets ranging 
from (i) building and improvements - 10 to 32 years, (ii) machinery and equipment - 4 to 12 years, (iii) 
furniture and fixtures - 3 to 12 years, (iv) auto and trucks - 2 to 5 years and (v) leasehold improvements 
-  shorter  of  lease  or  useful  life.    Upon  retirement  or  other  disposition,  cost  and  related  accumulated 
depreciation are removed from the accounts, and any gain or loss is included in results of operations. 

In the ordinary course of business, we lease certain equipment, and certain real property, consisting of 
manufacturing and  distribution facilities and  office facilities.   Most of such leases as  of  December 31, 
2011  were  operating  leases,  with  the  majority  of  those  leases  requiring  us  to  pay  maintenance, 
insurance and real estate taxes.  

Long-Lived Assets 

The Company continues to evaluate the recoverability of long-lived assets including property, plant and 
equipment and patents. Impairments are recognized when the expected undiscounted future operating 
cash flows derived from long-lived assets are less than their carrying value. If impairment is identified, 
valuation techniques deemed appropriate under the particular circumstances will be used to determine 
the  asset‟s  fair  value.  The  loss  will  be  measured  based  on  the  excess  of  carrying  value  over  the 
determined  fair  value.  The  review  for  impairment  is  performed  whenever  events  or  changes  in 
circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of assets may not be recoverable. 

16 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New Accounting Pronouncements 

In  May  2011,  the  FASB  issued  guidance  clarifying  how  to  measure  and  disclose  fair  value.  This 
guidance  amends  the  application  of  the  “highest  and  best  use”  concept  to  be  used  only  in  the 
measurement  of  fair  value  of  nonfinancial  assets,  clarifies  that  the  measurement  of  the  fair  value  of 
equity-classified financial instruments should be performed from the perspective of a market participant 
who holds the instrument as an asset, clarifies that an entity that manages a group of financial assets 
and liabilities on the basis of its net risk exposure can measure those financial instruments on the basis 
of  its  net  exposure  to  those  risks,  and  clarifies  when  premiums  and  discounts  should  be  taken  into 
account  when  measuring  fair  value.  The  fair  value  disclosure  requirements  also  were  amended.  The 
Company does not believe that the adoption of the amended guidance will have a significant effect on 
its consolidated financial statements. 

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05, “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Presentation 
of  Comprehensive  Income.”   This  ASU  increases  the  prominence  of  other  comprehensive  income 
(“OCI”) in the financial statements and provides companies two options for presenting OCI, which until 
now has typically been placed within the statement of equity.  One option allows an OCI statement to 
be  included  with  the  net  income  statement,  and  together  the  two  will  make  a  statement  of  total 
comprehensive income.  Alternately, companies may present an OCI statement separate from the net 
income  statement;  however,  the  two  statements  will  have  to  appear  consecutively  within  a  financial 
report.   This  ASU  does  not  affect  the  types  of  items  that  are  reported  in  OCI,  nor  does  it  affect  the 
calculation or presentation of earnings per share.  For non-public companies, this ASU is effective for 
periods beginning after December 15, 2012.  The Company  does not believe that the adoption  of the 
amended guidance will have a significant effect on its consolidated financial statements. 

17 

 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SECTION  4.    CONSOLIDATED  FINANCIAL  STATEMENTS  OF  VISKASE  COMPANIES,  INC.  AND   

        SUBSIDIARIES 

1. 

       Financial Statements: 

Report of Independent Certified Public Accountants 

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 

Consolidated Statements of  Income for the years ended  December 31, 2011, 
2010 and 2009 

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders'  Equity (Deficit) for the  years ended 
December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2011, 
2010 and 2009 

2. 

        Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  

18 

 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
         
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS 

Board of Directors 
Viskase Companies, Inc. 

We  have  audited  the  accompanying  consolidated  balance  sheets  of  Viskase  Companies,  Inc.  (a  Delaware 
corporation)  and  Subsidiaries  (the  Company)  as  of  December  31,  2011  and  2010,  and  the  related 
consolidated  statements  of  operations,  stockholders’  equity  (deficit)  and  cash  flows  for  each  of  the  three 
years  in  the  period  ended  December  31,  2011.    These  financial  statements  are  the  responsibility  of  the 
Company’s management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on 
our audits.   

We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of 
America  established  by  the  American  Institute  of  Certified  Public  Accountants.    Those  standards  require 
that we plan and  perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements 
are  free  of  material  misstatement.    An  audit  includes  consideration  of  internal  control  over  financial 
reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, 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.    An  audit  also  includes  examining,  on  a  test  basis, 
evidence  supporting  the  amounts  and  disclosures  in  the  financial  statements,  assessing  the  accounting 
principles  used  and  significant  estimates  made  by  management,  as  well  as  evaluating  the  overall  financial 
statement presentation.  We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. 

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, 
the financial position of Viskase Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2011 and  2010, and 
the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 
31, 2011, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. 

Chicago, Illinois 
March 12, 2012 

19 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
VISKASE COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS 
(In Thousands, Except for Number of Shares) 

See notes to consolidated financial statements. 

20 

December 31, 2011December 31, 2010ASSETSCurrent assets:   Cash and cash equivalents$65,925$87,558   Restricted cash2,1192,183   Receivables, net53,10148,284   Inventories, net53,27954,947   Other current assets17,67917,014   Deferred income taxes3,6324,857Total current assets195,735214,843Property, plant and equipment214,286180,031Less accumulated depreciation79,88867,468Property, plant and equipment, net134,398112,563Asset held for sale500500Deferred financing costs, net6,5857,348Other assets2,4681,534Deferred income taxes132187Total Assets$339,818$336,975LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITYCurrent liabilities:   Short-term portion of capital lease obligations573815   Accounts payable29,24525,280   Accrued liabilities40,56341,198Total current liabilities70,38167,293Long-term debt, net of current maturities214,578214,479Capital lease obligations454995Accrued employee benefits56,23943,610Deferred income taxes5,3365,378Stockholders‟ equity:Common stock, $0.01 par value; 36,734,748 shares issued and 35,929,478 shares outstanding at December 31, 2011 and 36,592,341 sharesissued and 35,787,071 shares outstanding at December 31, 2010367366Paid in capital32,80632,798Retained earnings16,5878,643Less 805,270 treasury shares, at cost(298)(298)Accumulated other comprehensive loss(56,632)(36,289)Total stockholders' (deficit) equity(7,170)5,220Total Liabilities and Stockholders' (Deficit) Equity$339,818$336,975 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
VISKASE COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME  
(In Thousands) 

See notes to consolidated financial statements. 

21 

YearYearYearEndedEndedEndedDecemberDecemberDecember31, 201131, 201031, 2009  NET SALES$339,371$316,215$299,301Cost of sales261,079232,955220,340GROSS MARGIN78,29283,26078,961Selling, general and administrative42,56545,78339,356Amortization of intangibles460460460Asset impairment charge-                    -                        1,447OPERATING INCOME35,26737,01737,698Interest income22234974Interest expense21,20620,77116,309Other (expense) income, net(909)1392,735Post retirement benefits curtailment gain-                    562-                     Loss on early extinguishment of debt-                    -                        5,962                 INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES13,37417,29618,236Income tax provision 5,4301,6771,505NET INCOME $7,944$15,619$16,731WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES- BASIC 35,869,89035,787,07135,535,534PER SHARE AMOUNTS:EARNINGS PER SHARE- BASIC$0.22$0.44$0.47WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES- DILUTED37,010,14137,119,99035,926,683PER SHARE AMOUNTS:EARNINGS PER SHARE- DILUTED$0.21$0.42$0.47 
 
 
 
 
 
 
         
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
VISKASE COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)  
(In Thousands) 

See notes to consolidated financial statements. 

22 

Accumulated otherTotalCommonPaid inTreasuryRetained earningscomprehensive stockholders‟stockcapitalstock(Accumulated deficit)loss(deficit) equityBalance December 31, 2008$363$32,154($298)($23,707)($28,849)($20,337)Net income16,73116,731Foreign currency translation adjustment566566Pension liability adjustment, net of tax(3,096)(3,096)   Comprehensive income14,201Issuance of common stock3(3)0Stock option expense323 323Balance December 31, 2009$366$32,474($298)($6,976)($31,379)($5,813)Net income$15,619$15,619Foreign currency translation adjustment($3,982)(3,982)Pension liability adjustment, net of tax(928)(928)   Comprehensive income10,709Stock option expense$324324Balance December 31, 2010$366$32,798($298)$8,643($36,289)$5,220Net income$7,944$7,944Foreign currency translation adjustment($2,634)(2,634)Pension liability adjustment, net of tax(17,709)(17,709)   Comprehensive loss(12,399)Issuance of common stock$1($1)-                  Stock option expense99Balance December 31, 2011$367$32,806($298)$16,587($56,632)($7,170) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
VISKASE COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS 
(In Thousands) 

See notes to consolidated financial statements. 

23 

YearYearYearEndedEndedEndedDecemberDecemberDecember31, 201131, 201031, 2009Cash flows from operating activities:Net income $7,944$15,619$16,731 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash   provided by operating activities:Depreciation13,97712,35911,349Stock-based compensation9324323Amortization of intangibles460460460Amortization of deferred financing fees9049441,111Deferred income taxes291,261(2,801)Foreign currency translation gain -                      -                      (532)Loss on disposition of assets91139509Bad debt provision448109657Postretirement curtailment gain-                      (562)-                    Asset impairment charge-                      -                      1,447Loss on early extinguishment of debt-                      -                      5,962Non-cash interest on notes8356747Changes in operating assets and liabilities:Receivables(6,179)(3,426)(2,095)Inventories884(4,354)(8,174)Other current assets(863)1,569(6,734)Accounts payable4,4972,386(1,769)Accrued liabilities25,164(777)Accrued employee benefits(4,921)(1,855)(1,123)Other(414)862469Total adjustments9,00715,436(971)Net cash provided by operating  activities16,95131,05515,760Cash flows from investing activities:Capital expenditures(37,269)(19,738)(23,812)Proceeds from assets held for sale-                      -                      577Proceeds from disposition of assets679911Net cash used in investing activities(37,202)(19,639)(23,224)Cash flows from financing activities:Deferred financing costs(141)(1,324)(6,540)Proceeds from revolving loan-                      8704,999Proceeds from capital lease748196,815Proceeds from long-term debt-                      40,400173,784Repayment of long-term debt-                      -                      (113,711)Repayment of short-term debt-                      (1,132)(25,454)Repayment of capital lease(842)(893)(6,674)Restricted cash64100-                    Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities(845)38,84033,219Effect of currency exchange rate changes on cash(537)(346)542Net (decrease) increase in cash and equivalents(21,633)49,91026,297Cash and equivalents at beginning of period87,55837,64811,351Cash and equivalents at end of period$65,925$87,558$37,648Supplemental cash flow information:Interest paid less capitalized interest$20,349$12,040$14,808Income taxes paid (refunded)$2,978($1,568)$11,952 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1.  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies 

Nature of Operations 

Viskase Companies, Inc. together with its subsidiaries (“we” or the “Company”) is a producer of non-
edible  cellulosic  and  plastic  casings  used  to  prepare  and  package  processed  meat  products,  and 
provides  value-added  support  services  relating  to  these  products,  for  some  of  the  largest  global 
consumer  products  companies.  The  Company  operates  seven  manufacturing  facilities  and  ten 
distribution centers  in North  America,  South  America,  Europe  and  Asia  and, as  a result,  is  able  to 
sell its products in most countries throughout the world.  

Principles of Consolidation 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company. Intercompany accounts 
and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. 

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements 

The financial statements are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles 
(“GAAP”)  in  the  United  States  of  America  and  include  the  use  of  estimates  and  assumptions  that 
affect a number of amounts included in the Company‟s financial statements, including, among other 
things, pensions and other postretirement benefits and related disclosures, reserves for excess and 
obsolete  inventory,  allowance  for  doubtful  accounts,  and  income  taxes.  Management  bases  its 
estimates on historical experience and other assumptions that  we believe are reasonable. If actual 
amounts  are  ultimately  different  from  previous  estimates,  the  revisions  are  included  in  the 
Company‟s  results  for  the  period  in  which  the  actual  amounts  become  known.  Historically,  the 
aggregate  differences,  if  any,  between  the  Company‟s  estimates  and  actual  amounts  in  any  year 
have not had a significant effect on the Company‟s consolidated financial statements. 

Cash and Cash Equivalents 

For purposes of the statement of cash flows, the Company considers cash equivalents to consist of 
all highly liquid debt investments purchased with an initial maturity of approximately three months or 
less.  Due  to  the  short-term  nature  of  these  instruments,  the  carrying  values  approximate  the  fair 
market value. Cash equivalents include $196 and $201 of short-term investments at December 31, 
2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.  Of the cash held on deposit, essentially all of the cash 
balance  was in  excess  of  amounts  insured  by  the  Federal  Deposit  Insurance Corporation or  other 
foreign provided bank insurance.  The Company performs periodic evaluations of these institutions 
for relative credit standing and has not experienced any losses as a result of its cash concentration.  
Consequently, no significant concentrations of credit risk are considered to exist. 

The  Company‟s  outstanding  check  balances  of  $110  and  $265  at  December  31,  2011  and 
December 31, 2010, respectively, are deducted from cash.   

Receivables 

Trade  accounts  receivable  are  classified  as  current  assets  and  are  reported  net  of  allowance  for 
doubtful accounts and a reserve for returns.  This estimated allowance is primarily based upon our 
evaluation of the financial condition of each customer, each customer‟s ability to pay and historical 
write-offs.    Trade  accounts  receivable  include  allowances  of  $2,442  and  $2,203  at  December  31, 
2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.   

Inventories 

Inventories are valued at the lower of first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) cost or market.  The inventories have 
been reduced by an allowance for slow moving and obsolete inventories. The estimated allowance is 
based  upon  management‟s  estimate  of  specifically  identified  items,  the  age  of  the  inventory  and 
historical write-offs of obsolete and excess inventories.  

24 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
      Property, Plant and Equipment 

The Company carries property, plant and equipment at cost less accumulated depreciation. Property 
and  equipment  additions  include  acquisition  of  property  and  equipment  and  costs  incurred  for 
computer software purchased for internal use including related external direct costs of materials and 
services  and  payroll  costs  for  employees  directly  associated  with  the  project.  Upon  retirement  or 
other  disposition,  cost  and  related  accumulated  depreciation  are  removed  from  the  accounts,  and 
any  gain  or  loss  is  included  in  results  of  operations.  Depreciation  is  computed  on  the  straight-line 
method  using  a  half  year  convention  over  the  estimated  useful  lives  of  the  assets  ranging  from  (i) 
building  and  improvements  -  10  to  32  years,  (ii)  machinery  and  equipment  -  4  to  12  years,  (iii) 
furniture  and  fixtures  -  3  to  12  years,  (iv)  auto  and  trucks  -  2  to  5  years,  and  (v)  leasehold 
improvements - shorter of lease or useful life. 

In the ordinary course of business, we lease certain equipment, and certain real property, consisting 
of manufacturing and distribution facilities and office facilities.   

Deferred Financing Costs 

Deferred financing costs are amortized as expense using the effective interest rate method over the 
expected term of the related debt agreement. Amortization of deferred financing costs  is classified 
as interest. 

Patents 

Patents are amortized on the straight-line method over an estimated average useful life of 10 years.  

Long-Lived Assets  

The Company continues to evaluate the recoverability of long-lived assets including property, plant 
and  equipment  and  patents.    Impairments  are  recognized  when  the  expected  undiscounted  future 
operating cash flows derived from long-lived assets are less than their carrying value. If impairment 
is  identified,  valuation  techniques  deemed  appropriate  under  the  particular  circumstances  will  be 
used to determine the asset‟s fair value. The loss will be measured based on the excess of carrying 
value over the determined fair value.  The review for impairment is performed whenever events or 
changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of assets may not be recoverable. 

Shipping and Handling 

The Company periodically bills customers for shipping charges.  These amounts are included in net 
revenue, with the associated costs included in cost of sales. 

Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits 

The  Company  uses  appropriate  actuarial  methods  and  assumptions  in  accounting  for  its  defined 
benefit pension plans and non-pension postretirement benefits. 

Actual results that differ from assumptions used are accumulated and amortized over future periods 
and, accordingly, generally affect recognized expense and the recorded obligation in future periods. 
Therefore,  assumptions  used  to  calculate  benefit  obligations  as  of  the  end  of  a  fiscal  year  directly 
impact  the  expense  to  be  recognized  in  future  periods.  The  primary  assumptions  affecting  the 
Company‟s accounting for employee benefits as of December 31, 2011 are as follows:  

  •      Long-term  rate  of  return  on  plan  assets:  The  required  use  of  the  expected  long-term  rate  of 
return on plan assets may result in recognized returns that are greater or less than the actual 
returns  on  those  plan  assets  in  any  given  year.  Over  time,  however,  the  expected  long-term 
rate of return on plan assets is designed to approximate actual earned long-term returns. The 
Company  uses  long-term  historical  actual  return  information,  the  mix  of  investments  that 
comprise  plan  assets,  and  future  estimates  of  long-term  investment  returns  by  reference  to 
external  sources  to  develop  an  assumption  of  the  expected  long-term  rate  of  return  on  plan 

25 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
assets. The expected long-term rate of return is used to calculate net periodic pension cost. In 
determining  its  pension  obligations,  the  Company  is  using  a  long-term  rate  of  return  on  U.S. 
plan  assets  of  8.00%  for  2011.    The  Company  is  using  a  long-term  rate  of  return  on  French 
plan assets of 3.50% for 2011 and 2010.  The German pension has no assets in the plan.   

  •    Discount  rate:  The  discount  rate  is  used  to  calculate  future  pension  and  postretirement 
obligations.    The  Company  is  using  a  Mercer  Bond  yield  curve  in  determining  its  pension 
obligations.  The  Company  is  using  a  discount  rate  of  4.89%  for  2011  compared  to  5.49%  for 
2010.    The  Company  is  using  a  weighted  average  discount  rate  of  4.99%  on  its  non  U.S. 
pension plans for 2011.  

Income Taxes 

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax laws and tax rates expected to 
apply  to  taxable  income  in  the  years  in  which  those  temporary  differences  are  expected  to  be 
recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities due to a change in tax rates is 
recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. In addition, the amounts of any 
future tax benefits are reduced by a valuation allowance to the extent such benefits are not expected 
to  be  realized  on  a  more  likely  than  not  basis.  Interest  and  penalties  related  to  unrecognized  tax 
benefits are included as a component of tax expense. 

Other Comprehensive Loss 

Comprehensive  income  includes  all  other  non-stockholder  changes  in  equity.  Changes  in  other 
comprehensive income in 2011 and 2010 resulted from changes in foreign currency translation and 
minimum pension liability. 

Revenue Recognition 

    The  Company  records  revenue  when  the  following  criteria  are  met:  persuasive  evidence  of  an 
arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the price to the customer is fixed and determinable and 
collectability  is  reasonably  assured.    Unless  otherwise  agreed  in  writing,  title  and  risk  of  loss  pass 
from  Viskase  to  the  customer  when  Viskase  delivers  the  merchandise  to  the  designated  point  of 
delivery, to the designated point of destination or to the designated carrier, free on board. Provisions 
for certain rebates, sales incentives, product returns and discounts to customers are recorded in the 
same  period  the  related  revenue  is  recorded.    The  Company  records  all  labor,  raw  materials,  in-
bound  freight,  plant  receiving  and  purchasing,  warehousing,  handling  and  distribution  costs  as  a 
component of cost of goods sold. 

Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation 

Stock-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on fair value of the award and 
is recognized as an expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, which is the 
vesting  period.    Included  in  net  income  is  a  non-cash  compensation  expense  $9  in  2011,  $324  in 
2010, and $323 in 2009. 

 Financial Instruments 

The Company routinely enters into fixed price natural gas agreements which require it to purchase a 
portion of its natural gas each month at fixed  prices.   These fixed price agreements qualify for the 
“normal purchases” scope exception under derivative and hedging standards, therefore the natural 
gas purchases under these contracts were expensed as incurred and included within cost of sales. 
Future annual minimum purchases remaining under the agreement are $865 for 2012.  During 2011 
and  2010,  the  Company‟s  total  purchases  under  the  agreements  were  $1,278  and  $694, 
respectively. 

      New Accounting Pronouncements  

 In  May  2011,  the  FASB  issued  guidance  clarifying  how  to  measure  and  disclose  fair  value.  This 
guidance  amends  the  application  of  the  “highest  and  best  use”  concept  to  be  used  only  in  the 

26 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
measurement of fair value of nonfinancial assets, clarifies that the measurement of the fair value of 
equity-classified  financial  instruments  should  be  performed  from  the  perspective  of  a  market 
participant  who  holds  the  instrument  as  an  asset,  clarifies  that  an  entity  that  manages  a  group  of 
financial  assets  and  liabilities  on  the  basis  of  its  net  risk  exposure  can  measure  those  financial 
instruments  on  the  basis  of  its  net  exposure  to  those  risks,  and  clarifies  when  premiums  and 
discounts  should  be  taken  into  account  when  measuring  fair  value.  The  fair  value  disclosure 
requirements also were amended. The Company does not believe that the adoption of the amended 
guidance will have a significant effect on its consolidated financial statements. 

increases 

Income.”   This  ASU 

In  June  2011,  the  FASB  issued  ASU  No.  2011-05,  “Comprehensive  Income  (Topic  220): 
Presentation  of  Comprehensive 
the  prominence  of  other 
comprehensive income (“OCI”) in the financial statements and provides companies two options for 
presenting OCI, which until now has typically been placed within the statement of equity.  One option 
allows  an  OCI  statement  to  be  included  with  the  net  income  statement,  and  together  the  two  will 
make  a  statement  of  total  comprehensive  income.   Alternately,  companies  may  present  an  OCI 
statement separate from the net income statement; however, the two statements will have to appear 
consecutively within a financial report.  This ASU does not affect the types of items that are reported 
in  OCI,  nor  does  it  affect  the  calculation  or  presentation  of  earnings  per  share.   For  non-public 
companies,  this  ASU  is  effective  for  periods  beginning  after  December  15,  2012.   The  Company 
does  not  believe  that  the  adoption  of  the  amended  guidance  will  have  a  significant  effect  on  its 
consolidated financial statements. 

2.   Cash and cash equivalents 

As  of  December,  2011  and  December  31,  2010,  cash  held  in  foreign  banks  was  $13,551  and 
$11,555, respectively. 

Letters of credit in the amount of $2,119 were outstanding under facilities with a commercial bank, 
and were cash collateralized in a restricted account. 

3.  Receivables, net 

Receivables reserve activity: 

27 

December 31, 2011December 31, 2010Cash and cash equivalents$65,925 $87,558 Restricted cash2,1192,183$68,044 $89,741 December 31, 2011December 31, 2010Accounts receivable, gross$55,543 $50,487 Less allowance for doubtful accounts (1,799)(1,850)Less allowance for sales returns(643)(353)  $53,101 $48,284   December 31, 2011December 31, 2010December 31, 2009 Beginning balance$2,203 $2,152 $1,612    Provision448 109 657    Write-offs(124)(22)(156)   Other(85)(36)39 Ending balance$2,442 $2,203 $2,152  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4.  Inventories 

Inventories, net of reserves, consisted of: 

Inventory reserves activity: 

5.    Property, Plant and Equipment, Net 

Accumulated depreciation consisted of: 

  Capitalized  interest  for  2011,  2010,  and  2009  totaled  $1,580,  $518,  and  $663  respectively. 
Maintenance  and  repairs  charged  to  costs  and  expenses  for  2011,  2010,  and  2009  aggregated 
$19,222, $18,882 and $19,280, respectively. 

6.     Assets Held For Sale  

During  December  2009,  the  Company  recognized  an  impairment  loss  on  a  plastic  extruder  in  its 
Monterrey, Mexico plant due to a change in the mix of the Company‟s product line.  The Company 
wrote down the asset to the realizable market value based on potential resale value and changed its 
classification to an asset held for sale in the amount of $500.  

28 

December 31, 2011December 31, 2010Raw materials$13,622 $10,576 Work in process18,627 22,343 Finished products 21,030 22,028   $53,279 $54,947   December 31, 2011December 31, 2010December 31, 2009 Beginning balance$2,096 $2,321 $2,587    Provision1,717 950 1,228    Write-offs(858)(775)(1,883)   Other171 (400)389 Ending balance$3,126 $2,096 $2,321 December 31, 2011December 31, 2010  Land and improvements $2,125 $2,141 Buildings and improvements 22,359 21,802 Machinery and equipment171,247 149,585 Construction in progress 18,555 6,503   $214,286 $180,031 December 31, 2011December 31, 2010  Land and improvements $209 $185 Buildings and improvements 6,135 5,426 Machinery and equipment73,544 61,857   $79,888 $67,468  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
       
 
 
 
 
 
7.  Other Assets 

       Amortization of patents for fiscal years 2012 and 2013 will be approximately $460 and $115, 

respectively. 

8.  Accrued Liabilities  

Accrued liabilities consisted of: 

9.   Debt Obligations  

     Outstanding long-term debt consisted of: 

Revolving Credit Facility 

The Company is a party to a $25,000 secured revolving credit facility (“Revolving Credit Facility”) with 
Icahn Enterprises L.P.  Borrowings under the loan and security agreement governing the Revolving 
Credit  Facility  are  subject  to  a  borrowing  base  formula  based  on  percentages  of  eligible  domestic 
receivables  and  eligible  domestic  inventory.  Under  the    Revolving  Credit  Facility,  the  interest  rate 
option is LIBOR plus a margin of 2.00% currently (which margin will be subject to performance based 
increases up to 2.50%); provided that the minimum interest rate shall be at least equal to 3.00%.  The 
Revolving  Credit  Facility  also  provides  for  an  unused  line  fee  of  0.375%  per  annum.    On  April  28, 
2011,  the  Company  entered  into  the  Fifth  Amendment  to  Loan  and  Security  Agreement  with  Icahn 
Enterprises L.P., extending the maturity date of the Revolving Credit Facility from January 31, 2012 to 
January 31, 2013.  The amendment included a fee of $125 for the extension. 

There were no borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility at December 31, 2011.   

Indebtedness  under  the  Revolving  Credit  Facility  is  secured  by  liens  on  substantially  all  of  the 
Company‟s domestic and Mexican assets, with liens on (i) inventory, accounts receivable, lockboxes, 
and deposit accounts (the “RCF Priority Collateral‟) to be contractually senior to the liens securing the 
9.875% Senior Secured Notes and the related guarantees pursuant to an intercreditor agreement, (ii) 
real  property,  fixtures  and  improvements  thereon,  equipment  and  proceeds  thereof  (the  “Notes 

29 

December 31, 2011December 31, 2010Patents$4,598 $4,598 Less: Accumulated amortization(4,024)(3,564)Patents, net 574 1,034  Miscellaneous1,894 500 $2,468 $1,534 December 31, 2011December 31, 2010Compensation and employee benefits$14,482 $15,011 Taxes payable11,451 9,992 Accrued volume and sales discounts1,402 1,467 Accrued interest9,798 9,798 Other 3,430 4,930  $40,563 $41,198 December 31, 2011December 31, 2010Long-term debt:         9.875% Senior secured notes, net of discount$214,328$214,245        Other250234Total long-term debt$214,578$214,479 
 
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Priority Collateral”), to be contractually subordinate to the liens securing the 9.875% Senior Secured 
Notes and such guarantees pursuant to such intercreditor agreement, and (iii) all other assets, to be 
contractually  pari  passu  with  the  liens  securing  the  9.875%  Senior  Secured  Notes  and  such 
guarantees pursuant to such intercreditor agreement.  

The  Revolving  Credit  Facility  contains  various  covenants  which  restrict  the  Company‟s  ability  to, 
among other things, incur indebtedness, enter into mergers or consolidation transactions, dispose of 
assets  (other  than  in  the  ordinary  course  of  business),  acquire  assets,  make  certain  restricted 
payments,  create liens on our assets, make investments, create guarantee obligations and enter into 
sale  and  leaseback  transactions  and  transactions  with  affiliates,  in  each  case  subject  to  permitted 
exceptions.  The  Revolving  Credit  Facility  also  requires  that  we  comply  with  various  financial 
covenants, including meeting a minimum EBITDA requirement and limitations on capital expenditures 
in  the  event  our  usage  of  the  Revolving  Credit  Facility  exceeds  30%  of  the  facility  amount.    The 
Company is in compliance with the Revolving Credit Facility covenants as of December 31, 2011. 

In  its  foreign  operations,  the  Company  has  unsecured  lines  of  credit  with  various  banks  providing 
approximately $8,000 of availability.  There were no borrowings under the lines of credit at December 
31, 2011.  

     9.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2018 

On December 21, 2009, the Company issued $175,000 of 9.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2018 
(“9.875% Senior Secured Notes”).  A portion of the proceeds from the issuance was used to retire the 
previously  outstanding  11.5%  Senior  Secured  Notes.    On  May  3,  2010,  the  Company  issued  an 
additional $40,000 of 9.875% Senior Secured Notes.  The 9.875% Senior Secured Notes issued on 
May 3, 2010 were issued under the same indenture as the 9.875% Senior Secured Notes issued on 
December 21, 2009.  The 9.875% Senior Secured Notes bear interest at a rate of 9.875% per annum, 
payable semi-annually in cash on January 15 and July 15. The 9.875% Senior Secured Notes have a 
maturity date of January 15, 2018.  

The  9.875% Senior Secured  Notes  and related guarantees  by any of our future domestic restricted 
subsidiaries  will  be  secured  by  substantially  all  of  our  and  those  domestic  restricted  subsidiaries‟ 
current and future tangible and intangible assets, including all or a portion of the stock of our and their 
subsidiaries (except that no more than 65% of the voting stock of any foreign subsidiary will constitute 
collateral).  The  liens  on  our  assets  and  the  assets  of  those  domestic  restricted  subsidiaries  that 
secure  the  9.875%  Senior  Secured  Notes  and  any  such  guarantees  will  (i)  in  the  case  of  the  RCF 
Priority Collateral be contractually subordinated, pursuant to an intercreditor agreement, to the liens 
thereon  securing  the  Revolving  Credit  Facility,  (ii)  in  the  case  of  Notes  Priority  Collateral  be 
contractually  senior,  pursuant  to  such  intercreditor  agreement,  to  the  liens  thereon  securing  the 
Revolving Credit Facility, (iii) in the case of all other assets, be contractually pari passu, pursuant to 
such  intercreditor  agreement,  with  the  liens  securing  the  Revolving  Credit  Facility,  and  (iv)  in  each 
such  case,  be  subject  to  certain  prior  liens.  The  indenture  governing  the  9.875%  Senior  Secured 
Notes permits us to incur other senior secured indebtedness and to grant liens on our assets under 
certain circumstances.  

Prior  to  January  15,  2014,  we  may  redeem,  at  our  option,  up  to  35%  of  the  aggregate  principal 
amount of the 9.875% Senior Secured Notes issued under the indenture with the net proceeds of any 
equity offering, at 109.875% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of 
redemption,  provided  that  at  least  65%  of  the  aggregate  principal  amount  of  the  9.875%  Senior 
Secured Notes issued under the indenture agreement governing the 9.875% Senior Secured Notes 
remains outstanding immediately following the redemption. 

Letter of Credit Facility 

Letters  of  credit  in  the  amount  of  $2,119  were  outstanding  under  facilities  with  a  commercial  bank, 
and were cash collateralized at December 31, 2011. 

30 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Debt Maturity 

The aggregate maturities of debt (1) for each of the next five years are: 

 (1) The aggregate maturities of debt represent amounts to be paid at maturity and not 
the current carrying value of the debt. 

10.   Capital Lease Obligations 

The Company  has  entered  into capital  lease obligations  to  acquire  certain equipment and building 
improvements for its manufacturing facilities.  The equipment leases have a term of 3 to 5 years and 
the  building  improvement  lease  has  a  term  of  5  years.    The  Company  has  determined  that 
automobiles  leased  by  the  Company  are  capital  leases  with  an  average  term  of  4  years.    The 
depreciation of capital leases is included in depreciation expense.  

The following is an analysis of leased property under capital leases by major classes. 

The following is a schedule by years of minimum future lease payments as of December 31, 2011. 

11.   Operating Leases 

The Company has operating lease agreements for machinery, equipment and facilities. The majority 
of  the  facility  leases  require  the  Company  to  pay  maintenance,  insurance  and  real  estate  taxes. 
Certain of these leases contain escalation clauses and renewal options.  

Future minimum lease payments for operating leases that have initial or remaining non-cancelable 
lease terms in excess of one year as of December 31, 2011, are: 

31 

20122013201420152016Thereafter9.875% Senior Secured Notes           -              -              -              -              -   $215,000 Other           -              -              -              -              -   $1,041            -              -              -              -              -   $216,041 20112010Building and improvements$507$525Machinery and equipment2,6782,722Less: Accumulated depreciation(2,057)(1,410)$1,128$1,837Year ending December 31,2012$75320134982014168201582016-          Thereafter-          Total minimum payments required1,427Less amount representing interest(399)Present value of net minimum lease payments$1,028 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total  rent  expense  during  2011,  2010  and  2009  amounted  to  $3,245,  $3,262  and  $3,190 
respectively. 

12.  Retirement Plans 

The  Company  and  its  subsidiaries  have  defined  contribution  and  defined  benefit  plans  varying  by 
country and subsidiary. 

The Company‟s  operations  in the United States, France, Germany and  Canada historically offered 
defined  benefit  retirement  plans  and  postretirement  health  care  and  life  insurance  benefits  to  their 
employees.  Most of these benefits have been terminated, resulting in various reductions in liabilities 
and curtailment gains. 

On  September  30,  2010,  employees  in  the  U.S.  covered  by  a  collective  bargaining  agreement 
ratified  a  new  agreement  that,  among  other  things,  freezes  the  defined  benefit  pension  plan  as  of 
December 31, 2010.  All other participation in the plans had previously been frozen. 

Included in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax, as of December 31, 2011 are the 
following amounts not yet recognized in net periodic benefit cost: 

Amounts included in other comprehensive income expected to be recognized as a component of net 
periodic benefit cost for the year ending December 31, 2012 are: 

The  measurement  date  for  all  defined  benefit  plans  is  December  31.    The  year  end  status  of  the 
plans is as follows: 

32 

2012$3,166 20132,243 20142,098 20151,970 2016599 Total thereafter5,617  Total minimum lease payments$15,693 U.S. Pension Benefits Non U.S. Pension BenefitsNet actuarial loss                                      Prior service credit                                             ($45,435)$5 $50 -                                                    U.S. Pension Benefits Non U.S. Pension BenefitsNet actuarial loss                                      ($3,429)$9  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The  funded  status  of  these  pension  plans  as  a  percentage  of  the  projected  benefit  obligation  was  65 
percent in 2011 compared to 72 percent in 2010.  

33 

Non U.S. Pension Benefits2011201020112010Change in benefit obligation:Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year$136,666$132,486$8,463$8,105Service cost-             303316259Interest cost7,3207,510439404Actuarial loss 10,9584,19596584Benefits paid(7,921)(7,828)(296)(301)Currency translation-             -             (267)(588)Estimated benefit obligation at end of year$147,023$136,666$8,751$8,463Change in plan assets:Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year$98,314$91,676$4,683$4,878Actual return on plan assets(797)10,794166159Employer contribution6,0893,672833128Benefits paid(7,921)(7,828)(127)(128)Currency translation-             -             (148)(354)Fair value of plan assets at end of year$95,685$98,314$5,407$4,683Unfunded status of the plan($51,338)($38,352)($3,344)($3,780)U.S. Pension Benefits U.S. Pension Benefits Non U.S. Pension Benefits2011201020112010Net amount recognizedAmounts recognized in statement of financial position:Current liabilities($62)($62)($127)($131)Noncurrent liabilities(51,276)(38,291)(3,217)(3,649)Net amount recognized($51,338)($38,353)($3,344)($3,780)Information for defined benefit plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets:U.S. Pension Benefits Non U.S. Pension Benefits2011201020112010Projected benefit obligation$147,023 $136,666 $8,751 $8,463 Accumulated benefit obligation$147,003 $131,638 $7,279 $6,983 Fair value of plan assets$95,685$98,314$5,407$4,683 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Components of net periodic benefit cost for the years ended December 31: 

Weighted average assumptions used to determine the benefit obligation and net periodic benefit cost as 
of December 31: 

The  Company  evaluates  its  discount  rate  assumption  annually  as  of  December  31  for  each  of  its 
retirement-related benefit plans.  For 2011, the Company switched to a Mercer bond model from the 
Hewitt yield curve for its U.S. pension benfits.  The Company is using a weighted average discount 
rate of 4.99% on its non U.S. pension plans for 2011.  

The  Company‟s  expected  return  on  plan  assets  is  evaluated  annually  based  upon  a  study  which 
includes  a  review  of  anticipated  future  long-term  performance  of  individual  asset  classes,  and 
consideration  of  the  appropriate  asset  allocation  strategy  to  provide  for  the  timing  and  amount  of 
benefits included in the projected benefit obligation.  While the study gives appropriate consideration 
to  recent  fund  performance  and  historical  returns,  the  assumption  is  primarily  a  long-term 
prospective rate.  

The Company‟s overall investment strategy is to achieve growth through a mix of approximately 67 
percent of  investments  for  long-term growth  and  33 percent  for  near-term benefit  payments  with a 
wide  diversification  of  asset  types,  fund  strategies,  and  fund  managers.    The  target  allocations  for 
plan assets are 37 percent equity securities, 30 percent hedge funds and 33 percent to fixed income 
investments.  Equity  securities  primarily  include  investments  in  large-cap,  mid-cap  and  small-cap 
companies primarily located in the United States and international developed markets. Fixed income 
securities  include  corporate  bonds  of  companies  from  diversified  industries,  mortgage-backed 
securities, and U.S. Treasuries. Other types of investments include investments in hedge funds that 
follow several different strategies. 

In  accordance  with  FASB  guidance,  Plan  management  uses  the  following  methods  and  significant 
assumptions to estimate fair value of investments.  

Mutual funds - Valued at the net asset value (“NAV”) of shares held by the Plan at year-end, which is 
obtained from an active market.  

Collective  trust  funds  -  Value  provided  by  the  administrator  of  the  fund.  The  NAV  is  based  on  the 
value  of  the  underlying  assets  owned  by  the  fund,  minus  its  liabilities,  and  then  divided  by  the 
number of shares outstanding. The NAV's unit price is quoted on a private market that is not active.  

Hedge  funds  -  Value  provided  by  the  administrator  of  the  fund.  The  pricing  for  these  funds  is 
provided monthly by the fund to determine the quoted price. 

34 

Non U.S. Pension Benefits201120102009201120102009Component of net period benefit costService cost-$    $303$224$338$259$216Interest cost7,3207,5107,894470404416Expected return on plan assets(7,742)(7,411)(6,616)(191)(180)(150)Amortization of prior service cost-       (131)(131)-       -       -       Amortization of actuarial loss1,6671,6291,50437        77        72        Curtailment Income-       (562)    -       -       -       -       $1,245$1,338$2,875$654$560$554U.S. Pension BenefitsU.S. Pension Benefits Non U.S. Pension Benefits2011201020112010Discount rate4.89%5.49%4.99%5.49%Expected return on plan assets8.00%8.25%3.50%3.50%Rate of compensation increaseN/A3.00%3.00%3.00% 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The fair values of the Company‟s pension plan asset allocation at December 31, 2011 and 2010, by 
asset category are as follows: 

35 

Fair Value Measurement atDecember 31, 2011Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical AssetsSignificant Observable InputsSignificant Unobservable InputsAsset Category Total(Level 1)(Level 2)(Level 3)Cash equivalents$2,523$2,523-$             -$                Equity securities:   U.S. companies10,458          10,458       -               -                     International companies 3,828             3,828         -               -                     U.S-Small Cap Growth1,756             -             1,756            -                     U.S-Large Cap Enhanced Core10,664          -             10,664          -                     U.S-Large Cap Equity Growth 8,262             -             8,262            -                     U.S-Mutual Funds 8,397             -             8,397            -                  Fixed income securities:    Government Treasuries6,639             6,639         -               -                     Mortgage-backed securities 2,693             -             2,693            -                     Aggregate bond fund8,974             -             8,974            -                     High yield fund10,330          10,330       -               -                  Other types of investments:   Hedge funds 26,568          -             -               26,568            Total $101,092$33,778$40,746$26,568Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)Combined Hedge Funds$27,582   Total realized (loss)($4)   Change in unrealized depreciation(1,004)   Cost of purchases(299)   Proceeds from sales293 $26,568Beginning balance at December 31, 2010Ending balance at December 31, 2011 
 
 
 
 
 
The  following  table  provides  a  summary  of  the  estimated  benefit  payments  for  the  postretirement 
plans for the next five fiscal years individually and for the following five fiscal years in the aggregate.   

The Company‟s expected contribution for the 2012 fiscal year will be $6,310 for the U.S. and $256 
for non-U.S. pension plans. 

36 

Fair Value Measurement atDecember 31, 2010Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical AssetsSignificant Observable InputsSignificant Unobservable InputsAsset Category Total(Level 1)(Level 2)(Level 3)Cash equivalents$1,921$1,921-$             -$                Equity securities:   U.S. companies10,184          10,184       -               -                     International companies 4,781             4,781         -               -                     U.S-Small Cap Growth1,430             -             1,430            -                     U.S-Large Cap Enhanced Core11,904          -             11,904          -                     U.S-Large Cap Equity Growth 6,450             -             6,450            -                     U.S-Mutual Funds 6,509             -             6,509            -                  Fixed income securities:   Government Treasuries7,382             7,382         -               -                     Mortgage-backed securities 2,478             -             2,478            -                     Aggregate bond fund9,747             -             9,747            -                     High yield fund12,630          12,630       -               -                  Other types of investments:   Hedge funds 27,582          -             -               27,582            Total $102,998$36,898$38,518$27,582Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)Combined Hedge Funds$25,244   Change in unrealized appreciation2,338 $27,582Beginning balance at December 31, 2009Ending balance at December 31, 2010Total Estimated Benefit PaymentsU.S.Non-U.S 2012$8,456$5092013 8,5744572014 8,6616252015 8,7265292016 8,9245192017-2021 46,1013,905 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Savings Plans 

The Company also has defined contribution savings and similar plans for eligible employees, which 
vary  by  subsidiary.  The  Company‟s  aggregate  contributions  to  these  plans  are  based  on  eligible 
employee  contributions  and  certain  other  factors.  The  Company  expense  for  these  plans  was 
$1,049, $961 and $973 in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. 

International Plans 

The  Company  maintains  various  pension  and  statutory  separation  pay  plans  for  its  European 
employees.  The expense, not including the French and German pension plan, in 2011, 2010, and 
2009  was  $864,  $1,021  and  $584,  respectively.  As  of  their  most  recent  valuation  dates,  for  those 
plans where vested benefits exceeded plan assets, the actuarially computed value of vested benefits 
exceeded those plans‟ assets by approximately $1,536. 

13.  Asset Impairment   

During December 2009, the Company recognized an impairment loss of $1,072 on a plastic extruder 
in  its  Monterrey,  Mexico  plant  to  the  realizable  market  value  and  changed  its  classification  on  the 
balance sheet to an asset held for sale. 

The Company had an asset impairment charge of $375 for the further write down of the Kentland, 
Indiana facility to the contract price on June 30, 2009.  

14.  Capital Stock, Treasury Stock and Paid in Capital 

Authorized  shares  of  preferred  stock  ($0.01  par  value  per  share)  and  common  stock  ($0.01  par 
value per share) for the Company are 50,000,000 shares and 50,000,000 shares, respectively.  

In  2004,  the  Company  purchased  805,270  shares  of  its  common  stock  from  the  underwriter  for  a 
purchase price of $298. The common stock has been accounted for as treasury stock. 

15.  Warrants (Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share and Per Warrant Amounts) 

On  June  29,  2004,  in  connection  with  the  issuance  of  indebtedness,  the  Company  issued  90,000 
Warrants  to  purchase  an  aggregate  of  805,230  shares  of  common  stock  of  the  Company 
(“Warrants”).  Each of the Warrants entitled the holder to purchase 8.947 shares of the Company's 
common stock  at  an  exercise  price  of  $0.01  per  share  through  the  June  15,  2011  expiration  date. 
Before June 15, 2011, all outstanding warrants were exercised. 

16. Income Taxes 

Income tax provision (benefit) consisted of: 

37 

201120102009CurrentDomestic($136)$295 $147 Foreign              5,537                  111               4,159           Total current              5,401                  406               4,306 Deferred   Domestic                    -                       -                    (23)Foreign                   29               1,271             (2,778)Total deferred                   29               1,271             (2,801)   Total$5,430 $1,677 $1,505  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The reconciliation of income tax provision (benefit) attributable to earnings differed from the amounts 
computed by applying the U.S. Federal statutory income tax rate of 35% to earnings by the following 
amounts: 

Temporary differences and net operating loss carryforwards that give rise to a significant portion of 
deferred tax assets and liabilities for 2011 and 2010 are as follows: 

In the consolidated balance sheets, these deferred tax assets and liabilities are classified as either 
current  or  non-current  based  on  the  classification  of  the  related  liability  or  asset  for  financial 
reporting.  A  deferred  tax  asset  or  liability  that  is  not  related  to  an  asset  or  liability  for  financial 
reporting,  including  deferred  taxes  related  to carryforwards,  is  classified  according  to  the expected 
reversal date of the temporary differences as of the end of the year.  

38 

Income (loss) before income taxes: 201120102009Domestic($335)$1,192 ($14,115)Foreign            13,709             16,104             32,351                Total$13,374 $17,296 $18,236 Computed income tax provision $4,681$6,053$6,383State and local taxes, net of federal tax(3)                    127                82                  Foreign taxes, net344                 (106)               (3,813)            Valuation allowance528                 (1,987)            (900)               Uncertain tax positions- expense (benefit) 64                   (2,680)            1,823             Other, net(184)               270                (2,070)            Total income tax expense $5,430 $1,677    $1,505 Computed income tax provision 35.0%35.0%35.0%State and local taxes, net of federal tax0.0%0.7%0.4%Foreign taxes, net2.6%-0.6%-20.9%Valuation allowance3.9%-11.5%-4.9%Uncertain tax positions- (benefit) expense0.5%-15.5%10.0%Other, net-1.4%1.6%-11.4%Effective income tax rate40.6%9.7%8.3%20112010Deferred tax asset    Provisions not currently deductible$3,792$4,671    Inventory basis differences3,7672,729    Foreign exchange and other11(13)    Stock option865473    Pension and healthcare 19,8984,340    Net operating loss carryforwards36,81141,684    Valuation Allowance(49,486)(36,502)Total deferred tax asset$15,658$17,382Deferred tax liability    Property, plant, and equipment($12,600)($12,526)    Intangible asset(221)-                  Foreign exchange and other(4,409)(5,190)Total deferred tax liability($17,230)($17,716)($1,572)($334) 
 
 
 
 
 
A  valuation  allowance  is  provided  when  it  is  more  likely  than  not  that  some  portion  or  all  of  the 
deferred  tax  assets  will  not  be  realized.  A  U.S.  based  valuation  allowance  of  $49,486  has  been 
recorded  at  December 31,  2011,  as  management  believes  that  it  is  more  likely  than  not  that  all 
deferred  tax  assets  will  not  be  fully  realized  based  on  the  expectation  of  taxable  income  in  future 
years.   

There  were  gross  U.S.  federal  net  operating  loss  carryforwards  at  December 31,  2011  and 
December 31, 2010 of $94,753 and $101,789, respectively, with amounts beginning to expire in the 
year  2025.    There  Company  has  gross  foreign  net  operating  loss  carryforwards  at  December 31, 
2011  and  December 31,  2010  of  $1,092  and  $3,520,  respectively.    There  is  an  unlimited 
carryforward  period  for  the  foreign  net  operating  losses.  Viskase  did  not  record  taxes  on  its 
undistributed  earnings  from  foreign  subsidiaries  since  these  earnings  are  considered  to  be 
permanently reinvested. If at some future date, these earnings cease to be permanently reinvested, 
Viskase  may  be  subject  to  U.S.  income  taxes  and  foreign  withholding  taxes  on  such  amounts. 
Determining the unrecognized deferred tax liability on the potential distribution of these earnings is 
not  practicable  as  such  liability,  if  any,  is  dependent  on  circumstances  existing  when  remittance 
occurs. 

The Company joins in filing a United States consolidated Federal income tax return including all of 
its domestic subsidiaries. 

Uncertainty in Income Taxes 

The  uncertain  tax  positions  as  of  December  31,  2011  totaled  $9,555.  The  following  table 
summarizes the activity related to the unrecognized tax benefits. 

In 2011, the Company recognized an approximate net increase of $5,024 to reserves for uncertain 
tax positions.   

Approximately  $2,800  of  the  total  gross  unrecognized  tax  benefits  represents  the  amount  that,  if 
recognized,  would  affect  the  effective  income  tax  rate  in  future  periods.  The  Company  and  its 
subsidiaries  are  subject  to  U.S.  federal  income  tax  as  well  as  income  tax  of  multiple  state  and 
foreign jurisdictions. The Company has substantially concluded all U.S. federal income tax matters 
for  years  through  2007.  Substantially  all  material  state  and  local  and  foreign  income  tax  matters 
have been concluded for years through 2007. U.S. federal income tax returns for 2008 through 2011 
are currently open for examination.  Based on the expiration of the statute of limitations for certain 
jurisdictions,  it  is  reasonably  possible  that  the  unrecognized  tax  benefits  will  decrease  in  the  next 
twelve months by approximately $1,500. 

The  Company's  continuing  practice  is  to  recognize  interest  and/or  penalties  related  to  income  tax 
matters in income tax expense. During the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company 
recorded  adjustments  for  interest  of  $6  and  ($280),  respectively,  and  for  penalties  of  $(170)  and 
($450)  respectively  related  to  these  unrecognized  tax  benefits.  In  total,  as  of  December  31,  2011 
and 2010, the Company has recorded a liability of interest of $126 and $120, respectively, and $480 
and $650, respectively, for potential penalties.  

39 

(in thousands)December 31, 2011Unrecognized tax benefits as of January 1, 2011$4,531Increases in positions taken in a prior period 5,289                               Decreases in positions taken in a prior period (144)Increases in positions taken in a current period 515                                  Decreases in positions taken in a current period -                                   Decreases due to settlements (150)Decreases due to lapse of statute of limitations(486) Unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2011$9,555 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
17.  Contingencies 

We are a party in the case Viskase Companies, Inc. v. World Pac International AG, et al., Case No.: 
09-CV-5022,  in  the  United  States  District  Court  for  the  Northern  District  of  Illinois,  Eastern  Division 
(the “Court,” with the case being referred to herein as the “World Pac Litigation”).  In the World Pac 
Litigation,  we  are  seeking,  along  with  other  remedies,  a  declaratory  judgment  that  the  Company‟s 
Viscoat products do not infringe U.S. Patent No. 6,200,613 (the “‟613 Patent”) owned by defendant 
World  Pac  International  USA  (“World  Pac”).    In  response,  World  Pac  filed  a  counterclaim  seeking 
unspecified damages for the infringement of the „613 Patent and seeking injunctive and other relief.  
On February 3, 2011, the Court granted summary judgment in our favor on the basis of the invalidity 
of the „613 Patent.  The summary judgement has been appealed by World Pac to the United States 
Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and an oral argument for the appeal has been scheduled for 
March 6, 2012.  In April 2010, Viskase GmbH initiated an action in the German Federal Patent Court 
(the “German Patent Court”) seeking a declaration of invalidity with respect to the German equivalent 
of  the  613  Patent.    On  April  5,  2011,  the  German  Patent  Court  ruled  in  our  favor.  World  Pac  has 
appealed the German Patent Court ruling to the German Supreme Court. World Pac has filed their 
brief with the German Supreme Court on December 28, 2011.  

The  Company  from  time  to  time  is  involved  in  various  other  legal  proceedings,  none  of  which  are 
expected  to  have  a  material  adverse  effect  upon  results  of  operations,  cash  flows  or  financial 
condition. 

18. Earnings Per Share 

Following are the reconciliations of the numerators and  denominators of the basic and 
diluted EPS (in thousands, except for number of shares and per share amounts): 

Common stock equivalents, consisting of warrants and granted employee stock options 
are  dilutive  and  the  effect  of  these  dilutive  securities  has  been  included  in  weighted 
average shares for diluted EPS using the treasury method for the Company.   

19.  Stock-Based Compensation (Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts) 

Stock-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on fair value of the award and 
is recognized as an expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, which is the 
vesting period.  Included in net income is a non-cash compensation expense of $9 as of December 
31,  2011  and  $324  as  of  December  31,  2010.    The  total  unrecognized  non-cash  compensation 
expense for the year ended December 31, 2012 is expected to be $1. 

The  fair  values  of  the  options granted during  2009, 2007 and  2005  were  estimated  on  the  date  of 
grant using the binomial option pricing model. The assumptions used and the estimated fair values 
are as follows: 

40 

DecemberDecemberDecember31, 201131, 201031, 2009 NUMERATOR:Net income $7,944$15,619$16,731Net income for basic and diluted EPS$7,944$15,619$16,731 DENOMINATOR:Weighted average shares outstanding    for basic EPS$35,869,890 $35,787,071 $35,535,534 Effect of dilutive securities1,140,2511,332,919 391,149Weighted average shares outstandingfor diluted EPS37,010,14137,119,99035,926,683 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
In  February  2009,  the  Company  granted  non-qualified  stock  options  to  its  current  chief  financial 
officer  for  the  purchase  of  300,000  shares  of  its  common  stock.  Options  were  granted  at  the  fair 
market value at date of grant and one-third vests on the first, second and third anniversaries of the 
grant date, subject to acceleration in certain events. The options for the chief financial officer expire 
on February 1, 2019. 

In  October  2007,  the  Company  granted  non-qualified  stock  options  to  its  current  chief  executive 
officer for the purchase of 1,500,000 shares of its common stock under an employment agreement. 
Options were granted at the fair market value at date of grant and are fully vested. The options for 
the chief executive officer expire on October 29, 2017. 

The  Company  has  outstanding  non-qualified  stock  options  granted  to  other  members  of 
management for the purchase of 255,000 shares of its common stock.  Options were granted at, or 
above,  the  fair  market  value  at  date  of  grant  and  are  fully  vested.  The  options  granted  to  other 
members of management expire ten years from the date of grant.   

The Company's outstanding options were: 

Vested and exercisable options as of December 31, 2011 were 1,955,000 with a weighted average 
exercise price of $1.86. 

20.  Research and Development Costs 

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred and totaled $3,718, $3,569 and $3,442 
for 2011, 2010, and 2009, respectively.  

21.  Related-Party Transactions 

On  January  15,  2010,  Icahn  Enterprises  L.P.  acquired  approximately  71.4%  of  our  outstanding 
common stock from other affiliates of Carl C. Icahn.   

41 

200920072005Expected term10 years10 years10 yearsExpected stock volatility35.10%23.04%14.88%Risk-free interest rate2.87%4.39%4.17%Expected forfeiture rate0.00%14.00%35.00%Fair value per share$0.09$0.77$1.09Weighted AverageWeighted AverageShares Under Weighted AverageRemainingGrant-DateOptionExercise PriceContractual LifeFair ValueOutstanding, December 31, 20081,755,0001.87$                          103 months0.70$                          Vested and exercisable at Dec. 31, 2008755,000              2.11$                          96 months0.76$                          Granted300,0001.70$                          120 months0.09$                          Exercised-                       -                              -                              -                              Forfeited-                       -                              -                              -                              Outstanding, December 31, 20092,055,0001.85$                          96 months0.61$                          Vested and exercisable at Dec. 31, 20091,255,000           1.94$                          89 months0.72$                          Granted-                       -                              -                              -                              Exercised-                       -                              -                              -                              Forfeited-                       -                              -                              -                              Outstanding, December 31, 20102,055,0001.85$                          93 months0.61$                          Vested and exercisable at Dec. 31, 20101,855,000           1.86$                          80 months0.67$                          Granted-                      -                             -                             -                             Exercised-                      -                             -                             -                             Forfeited-                      -                             -                             -                             Outstanding, December 31, 20112,055,0001.85$                          68 months0.61$                          Vested and exercisable at Dec. 31, 20111,955,000           1.86$                          67 months0.64$                           
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Icahn Sourcing, LLC, or Icahn Sourcing, is an entity formed and controlled by Carl C. Icahn in order 
to maximize the potential buying power of a group of entities with which Mr. Icahn has a relationship 
in negotiating with a wide range of suppliers of goods, services and tangible and intangible property. 
We are a member of the buying group and, as such, are afforded the opportunity to purchase goods, 
services  and  property  from  vendors  with  whom  Icahn  Sourcing  has  negotiated  rates  and  terms. 
Icahn Sourcing does not guarantee that we will purchase any goods, services or property from any 
such vendors, and we are under no obligation to do so. We do not pay Icahn Sourcing any fees or 
other amounts with respect to the buying group arrangement. We have purchased a variety of goods 
and  services  as  members  of  the  buying  group  at  prices  and  on  terms  that  we  believe  are  more 
favorable than those which would be achieved on a stand-alone basis.  

During  the  years  ended  December  31,  2011,  December  31,  2010  and  December  31,  2009,  the 
Company purchased $43, $31 and $33, respectively, in telecommunication services in the ordinary 
course  of  business  from  XO  Communications,  Inc.,  an  affiliate  of  Icahn  Enterprises  L.P.    The 
Company believes that the purchase of the telecommunications services were on terms at least as 
favorable as those that the Company would expect to negotiate with an unaffiliated party.   

Icahn Enterprises L.P. was the lender on the Company‟s Revolving Credit Facility as of December 
31, 2011. The Company paid Icahn Enterprises L.P. service and unused commitment fees of $124 
during the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010.  The Company believes that the terms of the 
Revolving  Credit  Facility  are  at  least  as  favorable  as  those  that  the  Company  would  expect  to 
negotiate  with  an  unaffiliated  party.    On  April  28,  2011,  the  Company  entered  into  the  Fifth 
Amendment  to  Loan  and  Security  Agreement  with  Icahn  Enterprises  L.P.,  extending  the  maturity 
date  of  the  Viskase  Revolving  Credit  Facility  from  January  31,  2012  to  January  31,  2013.    The 
amendment included a fee of $125 for the extension. 

  22.  Business Segment Information and Geographic Area Information 

The Company primarily manufactures and sells cellulosic food casings. The Company‟s operations 
are  primarily  in  North  America,  South  America  and  Europe.  Intercompany  sales  and  charges 
(including  royalties)  have  been  reflected  as  appropriate  in  the  following  information.  Certain  items 
are maintained at the Company‟s corporate headquarters and are not allocated geographically. They 
include most of the Company‟s debt and related interest expense and income tax benefits.  

Geographic Area Information: 

42 

201120102009Net salesNorth America$173,680$166,222$154,686South America44,75038,35634,606Europe149,200135,651133,473Asia449-              -              Other and eliminations(28,708)(24,014)(23,464)$339,371$316,215$299,301Operating income North America$18,007$18,968$18,038South America3,9484,1015,266Europe13,91813,94814,394Asia(606)-              -              $35,267$37,017$37,698 
 
 
 
 
    
 
 
 
 
23.  Interest Expense, Net 

Net interest expense consisted of: 

24.  Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss consisted of: 

25.  Subsequent Events 

Viskase evaluated its December 31, 2011 consolidated financial statements for subsequent events 
through March 9, 2012, the date the consolidated financial statements were available to be issued.  
There were no subsequent events requiring disclosure identified.  

. 

43 

Identifiable assetsNorth America$203,208$212,894$159,021South America27,30625,03021,524Europe101,99299,051103,074Asia7,31200$339,818$336,975$283,619Net Sales from operations by countryUnited States$99,023$98,738$95,380Brazil33,06825,61924,878Italy33,66729,46132,370Germany14,48214,13413,167France13,88412,25213,331Other international145,247136,011120,175$339,371$316,215$299,301December 31, 2011December 31, 2010December 31, 2009Interest expense$22,786$21,289$16,972Less Capitalized interest(1,580)(518)(663)    Interest expense, net$21,206$20,771$16,309December 31, 2011December 31, 2010Minimum pension liability adjustment($46,360)($28,651)Foreign currency translation adjustment (10,272)(7,638)    Accumulated other comprehensive loss($56,632)($36,289)