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Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

(All amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and the related notes included in this report. Refer to Part II, Item 7 in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 (filed with the SEC on February 21, 2020) for additional discussion of our financial condition and results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2018, as well as our financial condition and results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to the year ended December 31, 2018. Those statements in the following discussion that are not historical in nature should be considered to be forward-looking statements that are inherently uncertain. See “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

Overview

We develop, manufacture, distribute and market specialty performance ingredients and products for the nutritional, food, pharmaceutical, animal health, medical device sterilization, plant nutrition and industrial markets. Previously, our four reportable segments were: Human Nutrition and Health, Animal Nutrition and Health, Specialty Products, and Industrial Products. However, effective in the first quarter of 2020, in order to align with our strategic focus on health and nutrition, allocation of resources, and evaluation of operating performance, and given the 2019 reduction in portfolio scale of Industrial Products, we have revised our reporting segment structure to three reportable segments: Human Nutrition and Health, Animal Nutrition and Health, and Specialty Products. These reportable segments are strategic businesses that offer products and services to different markets. This realignment has been retrospectively applied. Sales and production of products outside of our reportable segments and other minor business activities are included in "Other and Unallocated" and applied retroactively to 2019 and 2018. There was no change to the Consolidated Financial Statements as a result of the change to the reportable segments. We expect that the new reportable segment structure will provide investors greater understanding of and alignment with our strategic focus. In order to ensure appropriate transparency and visibility into the financial performance of the Company, sufficient detail will continue to be provided relative to Other and Unallocated, including material contributions from oil and gas and other industrial market activities.

COVID-19 Response

The COVID-19 response effort has been a primary focus for us since early in the first quarter. Our focus has been on employee safety first, keeping our manufacturing sites operational, satisfying customer needs, preserving cash and ensuring strong liquidity, and responding to changes in this dynamic market environment as appropriate. To date, all of our manufacturing sites are operating at near normal conditions enabling us to supply our customers with the important products and services they need, our

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research and development teams are advancing our innovation efforts, and all of our other employees are effectively carrying on their responsibilities and functions remotely.

While impact on demand has not been material to our Company, we are continuing to watch the markets that we serve closely. We have stress tested our balance sheet under various significant downturn scenarios and, given our relatively low net debt position, cash on hand, access to our undrawn revolving credit facility, and expected free cash flows, we are satisfied with the strength of our balance sheet as we continue through this uncertain market environment.

After a short pause in implementation of our new ERP system across the company due to the pandemic in the second quarter, we successfully resumed our implementation efforts during the second half of 2020, adding a total of five additional sites onto the new system since the pause. We now have approximately 92% of our revenue on the new system and expect full conversion by 2021.

Segment Results

We sell products for all three segments through our own sales force, independent distributors, and sales agents.

The following tables summarize consolidated net sales by segment and business segment earnings from operations for the three years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 (in thousands):

Business Segment Net Sales

Business Segment Earnings From Operations

Acquisitions

On December 13, 2019, the Company completed an acquisition of Zumbro. The Company made payments of $52,403 on the acquisition date, amounting to $47,058 to the former shareholders and $5,345 to Zumbro's lenders to pay Zumbro debt. Considering the cash acquired of $686, net payments made to the former shareholders were $46,372. In May 2020, we received an adjustment for working capital acquired of $561. Zumbro is integrated within the HNH Segment.

On May 27, 2019, we acquired Chemogas. We made payments of approximately €99,503 (translated to $111,324) on the acquisition date, amounting to approximately €88,579 (translated to $99,102) to the former shareholders and approximately €10,924 (translated to $12,222) to Chemogas' lender to pay off all Chemogas bank debt. Considering the cash acquired of €3,943 (translated to $4,412), net payments made to the former shareholders were €84,636 (translated to $94,690). Chemogas is integrated within the Specialty Products Segment.

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

(All amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)

Fiscal Year 2020 compared to Fiscal Year 2019

Net Earnings

(in thousands) 2020 2019 Increase(Decrease) % Change

Net Sales

Increase(Decrease)

•The increase in net sales within the HNH segment for 2020 as compared to 2019 was primarily driven by higher sales within food and beverage markets, strong sales growth of chelated minerals and choline nutrients, and beneficial impact from the Zumbro acquisition we closed in December 2019, partially offset by lower sales to food service-related markets and the elimination of sales associated with the Reading, Pennsylvania manufacturing site that we divested in 2019.

•The increase in net sales within the ANH segment for 2020 compared to 2019 was primarily the result of higher volumes in both the ruminant species and monogastric species, including companion animal, markets and a favorable mix.

•The increase in Specialty Products segment sales for 2020 compared to 2019 was primarily due to the incremental contribution of Chemogas and higher plant nutrition sales, partially offset by lower legacy ethylene oxide sales, which were negatively impacted by reduced elective surgical procedures during the pandemic.

•Sales relating to business formerly included in the Industrial Products segment decreased from the prior year due to a decline in shale fracking activity.

Gross Margin

(in thousands) 2020 2019 Increase(Decrease) % Change

Gross margin as a percentage of sales decreased in 2020 compared to 2019 primarily due to mix, partially offset by certain lower raw material costs.

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Operating Expenses

(in thousands) 2020 2019 Increase(Decrease) % Change

The increase in operating expenses was primarily due to incremental operating expenses related to the Chemogas and Zumbro acquisitions and the prior year benefiting from the timing of an insurance recovery. These increases were partially offset by lower selling expenses driven by reduced travel and lower bad debt expenses.

Earnings From Operations

(in thousands) 2020 2019 Increase(Decrease) % Change

% of net sales (operating margin) 15.8 % 15.9 %

•Earnings from operations for the HNH segment increased primarily due to the aforementioned higher sales and lower selling expenses as a result of reduced travel and lower bad debt expenses.

•ANH segment earnings from operations increased primarily due to the aforementioned higher sales, certain lower raw material costs, and lower selling expenses due to reduced travel, partially offset by an increase in certain compensation-related costs.

•The decrease in earnings from operations for the Specialty Products segment was primarily due to lower legacy ethylene oxide sales, mix, and higher operating expenses primarily related to the acquisition of Chemogas.

•The decrease in other and unallocated was driven primarily by lower earnings from the business formerly reported in the Industrial Products segment, as well as increased unallocated amortization related to a company-wide ERP implementation.

Other Expenses (Income)

(in thousands) 2020 2019 Increase(Decrease) % Change

Interest expense for 2020 and 2019 was primarily related to outstanding borrowings under our credit facility.

Income Tax Expense

(in thousands) 2020 2019 Increase(Decrease) % Change

Effective tax rate 20.5 % 17.4 %

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Our effective tax rate for 2020 and 2019 was 20.5% and 17.4%, respectively. The increase was primarily due to a reduction in certain tax credits.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

(All amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)

Contractual Obligations

The Company’s contractual obligations as of December 31, 2020, are summarized in the table below:

Payments due by period

The table above excludes a $5,335 liability for uncertain tax positions, including the related interest and penalties, recorded in accordance with ASC 740-10, as we are unable to reasonably estimate the timing of settlement, if any.

We know of no current or pending demands on, or commitments for, our liquid assets that will materially affect our liquidity.

We expect our operations to continue generating sufficient cash flow to fund working capital requirements and necessary capital investments. We are actively pursuing additional acquisition candidates. We could seek additional bank loans or access to financial markets to fund such acquisitions, our operations, working capital, necessary capital investments or other cash requirements should we deem it necessary to do so.

Cash

Cash and cash equivalents increased to $84,571 at December 31, 2020 from $65,672 at December 31, 2019. At December 31, 2020, we had $55,036 of cash and cash equivalents held by our foreign subsidiaries. It is our intention to permanently reinvest these funds in foreign operations by continuing to make additional plant related investments, and potentially invest in partnerships or acquisitions; therefore, we do not currently expect to repatriate these funds to fund U.S. operations or obligations. However, if these funds are needed for U.S. operations, we could be required to pay additional withholding taxes to repatriate them. Working capital was $172,460 at December 31, 2020 as compared to $162,688 at December 31, 2019, an increase of $9,772. Working capital reflects the payment of the 2019 declared dividend in 2020 of $16,705, net payments on the revolving debt of $85,000, capital expenditures and intangible assets acquired of $33,828, and the purchase of treasury stock for the amount of $13,463.

(in thousands) 2020 2019 Increase(Decrease) % Change

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Operating Activities

The increase in cash flows from operating activities was primarily due to beneficial changes in assets and liabilities, increased earnings, and higher depreciation and amortization.

Investing Activities

We continue to invest in corporate projects, improvements across all production facilities, and intangible assets. Total investments in property, plant and equipment and intangible assets were $33,828 and $28,413 for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Financing Activities

We borrowed $10,000 against the revolving loan and made total debt payments of $95,000 during 2020, resulting in $336,431 available under the Credit Agreement as of December 31, 2020.

We have an approved stock repurchase program. The total authorization under this program is 3,763,038 shares. Since the inception of the program in June 1999, a total of 2,568,396 shares have been purchased, of which 76,084 shares and 203,879 shares remained in treasury at December 31, 2020, and 2019, respectively. We repurchase shares from employees in connection with settlement of transactions under our equity incentive plans. We also intend to acquire shares from time to time at prevailing market prices if and to the extent we deem it is advisable to do so based on our assessment of corporate cash flow, market conditions and other factors.

Proceeds from stock options exercised were $14,155 and $4,839 for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Dividend payments were $16,705 and $15,135 during 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Other Matters Impacting Liquidity

We currently provide postretirement benefits in the form of two retirement medical plans, as discussed in Note 15 – Employee Benefit Plans. The liability recorded in other long-term liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 was $1,374 and $1,076, respectively, and the plans are not funded. Historical cash payments made under these plans have typically been less than $100 per year. We do not anticipate any changes to the payments made in the current year for the plans.

On June 1, 2018, we established an unfunded, nonqualified deferred compensation plan maintained for the benefit of a select group of management or highly compensated employees. Assets of the plan are held in a rabbi trust, which are included in non-current assets on our balance sheet. They are subject to additional risk of loss in the event of bankruptcy or insolvency of the Company. The deferred compensation liability as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 was $3,581 and $1,982, respectively, and is included in other long-term obligations on our balance sheet.

Chemogas has an unfunded defined benefit plan. The plan provides for the payment of a lump sum at retirement or payments in case of death of the covered employees. The amount recorded for these obligations on our balance sheet as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 was $950 and $596, respectively, and was included in other long-term obligations.

Related Party Transactions

We were engaged in related party transactions with St. Gabriel CC Company, LLC for the years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019. Refer to Note 18, "Related Party Transactions".

Critical Accounting Policies

Our management is required to make certain estimates and assumptions during the preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These estimates and assumptions impact the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements. Estimates and assumptions are reviewed periodically, and the effects of revisions are reflected in the consolidated financial statements in the period they are determined to be necessary. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

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Our “critical accounting policies” are those that require application of management's most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain and that may change in subsequent periods. Management considers the following accounting policies to be critical.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue for each of our business segments is recognized when control of the promised goods is transferred to our customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to realize in exchange for those goods. We report amounts billed to customers related to shipping and handling as revenue and include costs incurred for shipping and handling in cost of sales. Amounts received for unshipped merchandise are not recognized as revenue but rather they are recorded as customer deposits and are included in current liabilities. In instances of shipments made on consignment, revenue is recognized when control is transferred to the customer.

ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, was adopted for the fiscal year beginning on January 1, 2018. Per the standard, revenue-generating contracts are assessed to identify distinct performance obligations, allocating transaction prices to those performance obligations, and criteria for satisfaction of a performance obligation. The standard allows for recognition of revenue only when we have satisfied a performance obligation through transferring control of the promised good or service to a customer. Control, in this instance, may mean the ability to prevent other entities from directing the use of, and receiving benefit from, a good or service. The standard indicates that an entity must determine at contract inception whether it will transfer control of a promised good or service over time or satisfy the performance obligation at a point in time through analysis of the following criteria: (i) the entity has a present right to payment, (ii) the customer has legal title, (iii) the customer has physical possession, (iv) the customer has the significant risks and rewards of ownership and (v) the customer has accepted the asset. We assess collectability based primarily on the customer’s payment history and on the creditworthiness of the customer.

Inventories

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost (first in, first out or average) or net realizable value and have been reduced by an allowance for excess or obsolete inventories. The write-down of potentially obsolete or slow-moving inventory is recorded based on management’s assumptions about future demand and market conditions.

Long-lived assets

Long-lived assets, such as property, plant, and equipment and intangible assets with finite lives, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset, which is generally based on discounted cash flows. For the year ended December 31, 2019, we incurred impairment charges of $1,026 in connection with a restructuring in the HNH segment.

Goodwill represents the excess of costs over fair value of assets of businesses acquired. ASC 350, “Intangibles-Goodwill and Other,” requires the use of the acquisition method of accounting for a business combination and defines an intangible asset. Goodwill and intangible assets acquired in a business combination and determined to have an indefinite useful life are not amortized but are instead assessed for impairment annually and more frequently if events and circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired, in accordance with the provisions of ASC 350. We performed our annual test as of October 1. ASC 350 also requires that intangible assets with estimable useful lives be amortized over their respective estimated useful lives to their estimated residual values, and reviewed for impairment if events and circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, “Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment” (“ASU 2017-04”), which addresses changes to the testing for goodwill impairment by eliminating Step 2 of the process. A goodwill impairment test will now be performed by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An impairment charge should be recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value. The guidance is effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. We adopted the new standard on January 1, 2020. This ASU did not have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.

As of October 1, 2020 and 2019, we opted to bypass the qualitative assessment and proceeded directly to performing the quantitative goodwill impairment test. We assessed the fair values of our reporting units by utilizing the income approach, based on a discounted cash flow valuation model as the basis for our conclusions. Our estimates of future cash flows included

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significant management assumptions such as revenue growth rates, operating margins, discount rates, estimated terminal values and future economic and market conditions. Our assessment concluded that the fair values of the reporting units exceeded their carrying amounts, including goodwill. Accordingly, the goodwill of the reporting units was not considered impaired as of October 1, 2020. However, during the second quarter of 2020, we recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $1,228 related to business formerly included in the Industrial Products segment.Refer to Note 6, "Intangible Assets". We may resume performing the qualitative assessment in subsequent periods.

Accounts Receivable

We market our products worldwide to a diverse customer base, principally throughout the Americas, Europe, and Asia. We grant credit terms in the normal course of business to our customers and perform on-going credit evaluations of our customers. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, "Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments", which requires that credit losses be reported based on expected losses instead of the incurred loss model. Based on this ASU, customers' credit limits are adjusted based upon their reasonably expected credit worthiness which is determined through review of their payment history, their current credit information, and any foreseeable future events. Collections and payments from customers are continuously monitored and allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of the Company’s customers to make required payments are maintained. Estimated losses are based on historical experience, any specific customer collection issues identified, and any reasonably expected future adverse events. If the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances and related bad debt expense may be required.

Post-employment Benefits

We provide life insurance, health care benefits, and defined benefit pension plan payments for certain eligible retirees and health care benefits for certain retirees’ eligible survivors. The costs and obligations related to these benefits reflect our assumptions as to health care cost trends and key economic conditions including discount rates, expected rate of return on plan assets, and expected salary increases. The cost of providing plan benefits also depends on demographic assumptions including retirements, mortality, turnover, and plan participation. If actual experience differs from these assumptions, the cost of providing these benefits could increase or decrease.

In accordance with ASC 715, “Compensation-Retirement Benefits,” we are required to recognize the overfunded or underfunded status of a defined benefit post retirement plan (other than a multiemployer plan) as an asset or liability in our statement of financial position, and to recognize changes in that funded status in the year in which the changes occur through comprehensive income.

Intangible Assets with Finite Lives

The useful life of an intangible asset is based on our assumptions regarding expected use of the asset; the relationship of the intangible asset to another asset or group of assets; any legal, regulatory or contractual provisions that may limit the useful life of the asset or that enable renewal or extension of the asset’s legal or contractual life without substantial cost; the effects of obsolescence, demand, competition and other economic factors; and the level of maintenance expenditures required to obtain the expected future cash flows from the asset and their related impact on the asset’s useful life. If events or circumstances indicate that the life of an intangible asset has changed, it could result in higher future amortization charges or recognition of an impairment loss. For the year ended December 31, 2020, there were no triggering events which required intangible asset impairment reviews.

Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates in effect for the fiscal year in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Valuation allowances would be established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. In evaluating our ability to recover our deferred tax assets, in full or in part, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including our past operating results, our forecast of future market growth, forecasted earnings, future taxable income, and prudent and feasible tax planning strategies. The assumptions utilized in determining future taxable income require significant judgment and are consistent with the plans and estimates we are using to manage the underlying businesses.

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We recognize uncertain income tax positions taken on income tax returns at the largest amount that is more likely than not to be sustained upon audit by the relevant taxing authority. An uncertain income tax position will not be recognized if it has less than a 50% likelihood of being sustained.

Our policy for recording interest and penalties associated with uncertain tax positions is to record such items as a component of our income tax provision.

As of December 31, 2020, we have federal and state income tax net operating loss (NOL) carryforwards of $2,367 and $1,026, respectively. The federal NOL will not expire. The state NOL will expire between 2025 to 2034. We believe that the benefit from the state NOL carryforwards will be realized, therefore a valuation allowance is not required to be established on these assets. However, we also acquired an insignificant amount of NOL carryforwards with the acquisition of Chemogas. These NOLs are not expected to be realized and therefore a valuation allowance on these items was established.

We consider the undistributed earnings of certain non-U.S. subsidiaries to be indefinitely reinvested outside of the United States on the basis of estimates that future domestic cash generation will be sufficient to meet future domestic cash needs and our specific plans for reinvestment of those subsidiary earnings. We project that our foreign earnings will be utilized offshore for working capital and future foreign growth. The determination of the unrecognized deferred tax liability on those undistributed earnings is not practicable due to our legal entity structure and the complexity of U.S. and local country tax laws. If we decide to repatriate the undistributed foreign earnings, we will need to recognize the income tax effects in the period we change our assertion on indefinite reinvestment.

Stock-based Compensation

We account for stock-based compensation in accordance with the provisions of ASC 718, “Compensation-Stock Compensation.” Under the fair value recognition provisions of this statement, share-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the value of the award and is recognized as expense over the vesting period. Determining the fair value of share-based awards at the grant date requires judgment, including estimating our stock price volatility, employee stock option exercise behaviors and employee option forfeiture rates. Expected volatilities are based on historical volatility of our stock. The expected term of the options is based on our historical experience of employees’ exercise behavior. As stock-based compensation expense recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings is based on awards ultimately expected to vest, the amount of expense has been reduced for estimated forfeitures. ASC 718 allows for forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. Forfeitures were estimated based on historical experience. If factors change and we employ different assumptions in the application of ASC 718, the compensation expense that we record in future periods may differ significantly from what we have recorded in the current period. See Note 3 in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

New Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 1 in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements regarding recent accounting pronouncements.

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Our cash and cash equivalents are held primarily in certificates of deposit and money market investment funds. In the second quarter of 2019, we entered into an interest rate swap and cross-currency swap for hedging purposes. Refer to details noted below (see Note 20). Additionally, as of December 31, 2020, our borrowings were under a revolving loan bearing interest at a fluctuating rate as defined by the Credit Agreement plus an applicable rate. The applicable rate is based upon our consolidated net leverage ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement. A 100 basis point increase or decrease in interest rates, applied to our borrowings at December 31, 2020, would result in an increase or decrease in annual interest expense and a corresponding reduction or increase in cash flow of approximately $1,636. We are exposed to commodity price risks, including prices of our primary raw materials. Our objective is to seek a reduction in the potential negative earnings impact of raw material pricing arising in our business activities. We manage these financial exposures, where possible, through pricing and operational means. Our practices may change as economic conditions change.

Interest Rate Risk

We have exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates, including the interest rate relating to our credit agreement dated June 27, 2018. In the second quarter of 2019, we began to manage our interest rate exposure through the use of derivative instruments. All of our derivative instruments are utilized for risk management purposes, and are not used for trading or

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speculative purposes. We have hedged a portion of our floating interest rate exposure using an interest rate swap (see Note 20 to our consolidated financial statements). As of December 31, 2020, the notional amount of our outstanding interest rate swap was $108,569.

Foreign Currency Exchange Risk

The financial condition and results of operations of our foreign subsidiaries are reported in Euros, Canadian Dollars, Malaysian Ringgits, Singapore Dollars, Australian Dollars, and Philippine Pesos and then translated into U.S. dollars at the applicable currency exchange rate for inclusion in our consolidated financial statements. Therefore, we are exposed to foreign currency exchange risk related to these currencies. Specifically, we are exposed to changes in exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and Euro. In the second quarter of 2019, we entered into a cross-currency swap, with a notional amount of $108,569, which we designated as a hedge of our net investment in Chemogas.

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Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Index to Financial Statements and Supplementary Data: Page Numbers

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 25

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 27

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 32

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of Balchem Corporation

Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Balchem Corporation and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the related consolidated statements of earnings, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2020, and the related notes and schedule listed at Item 8 (collectively, the financial statements). We also have audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in 2013.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2020, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in 2013.

Basis for Opinions

The Company’s management is responsible for these financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statements and an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.

Our audits of the financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

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Critical Audit Matter

The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of the critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.

Valuation of Reporting Units for Goodwill Impairment Testing

As described in Note 1 and 6 to the financial statements, the Company’s goodwill balance was $529 million as of December 31, 2020. The Company performed an annual goodwill impairment test as of October 1, 2020 using a quantitative evaluation for each of their reporting units. The Company determines the fair value of its reporting units using the income approach, based on a discounted cash flow valuation model. To test for goodwill impairment, the Company compares fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value. When estimating the fair value of each reporting unit management makes significant estimates and assumptions related to a number of factors. The Company considers the impact of factors that are specific to each of the reporting units such as industry and economic changes as well as projected revenue and expense growth rates based upon annual budgets and longer-range strategic plans, which are highly sensitive to changes in domestic and foreign economic conditions, and the selection of appropriate discount rates.

Given the significant estimates and assumptions management makes to estimate the fair value of the reporting units and the sensitivity of the operations to changes in U.S. and foreign economic conditions, we identified management’s assumptions related to the revenue and expense growth rates, the discount rates, and the terminal value calculation utilized in the valuation of the reporting units utilized in the Company’s goodwill impairment tests as a critical audit matter. Auditing the reasonableness of management’s estimates and assumptions required a high degree of auditor judgment and an increased extent of effort, including the need to involve our fair value specialists.

Our audit procedures related to revenue and expense growth rates, discount rates, and the terminal value calculation utilized in the valuation of the Company’s reporting units included the following, among others:

•We obtained an understanding of the relevant controls related to the valuation of the Company’s reporting units and tested such controls for design and operating effectiveness, including management review controls related to revenue and expense growth rates and the selection of appropriate discount rates.

•We evaluated the reasonableness of management’s forecasted revenue and expense growth rates by comparing actual results to management’s historical forecasts.

•Due to the uncertain U.S and foreign economic growth, we evaluated the reasonableness of management’s forecasts of revenue and expense growth rates by comparing the forecasts to (1) the historical results, (2) internal communications to management and the Board of Directors, and (3) external communications made by management to analysts and investors.

•We evaluated changes in the regulatory environment using industry reports containing analysis of the Company’s markets and assessed whether these changes were reflected in management’s forecasts of revenue and expense growth rates.

•With the assistance of our fair value specialists, we evaluated the reasonableness of the discount rates and tested the relevance and reliability of source information underlying the determination of the discount rates, tested the mathematical accuracy of the calculation, and developed a range of independent estimates and compared those to the discount rates selected by management.

•With the assistance of our fair value specialists, we evaluated the reasonableness and tested the mathematical accuracy of the terminal value calculation.

/s/ RSM US LLP

We have served as the Company's auditor since 2004.

New York, New York

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BALCHEM CORPORATION

Consolidated Balance Sheets

December 31, 2020 and 2019

(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

Current assets:

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

Current liabilities:

Accrued compensation and other benefits 19,753 11,057

Lease liabilities - non-current 6,079 4,827

Commitments and contingencies (note 16)

Stockholders’ equity:

Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) 4,173 (5,564)

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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BALCHEM CORPORATION

Consolidated Statements of Earnings

Years Ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018

(In thousands, except per share data)

Operating expenses:

Other expenses:

Basic net earnings per common share $ 2.63 $ 2.48 $ 2.45

Diluted net earnings per common share $ 2.60 $ 2.45 $ 2.42

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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BALCHEM CORPORATION

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

Years Ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018

(In thousands)

Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax:

Net foreign currency translation adjustment 12,829 (891) (2,982)

Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax 9,737 (1,962) (1,960)

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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BALCHEM CORPORATION

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

Years Ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018

(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

Shares Amount Shares Amount

Other comprehensive loss (1,962) — (1,962) — — — — —

Other comprehensive income 9,737 — 9,737 — — — — —

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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BALCHEM CORPORATION

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Years Ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018

(In thousands)

Cash flows from operating activities:

Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquired balances

Prepaid expenses and other current assets (2,856) 477 1,517

Cash flows from investing activities:

Capital expenditures and intangible assets acquired (33,828) (28,413) (19,723)

Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired — (141,062) (17,399)

Proceeds from sale of business and assets 87 11,523 966

Purchase of convertible notes (850) (1,000) —

Cash flows from financing activities:

Principal payments on finance lease (151) — —

Principal payments on long-term debt — — (219,500)

Principal payment on acquired debt — (17,567) (19)

Cash paid for financing costs — — (1,374)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash 4,160 (217) (1,407)

Supplemental Cash Flow Information - see Note 13

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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BALCHEM CORPORATION

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(All amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)

NOTE 1 - BUSINESS DESCRIPTION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Business Description

Balchem Corporation (“Balchem” or the “Company”), including, unless the context otherwise requires, its wholly-owned subsidiaries, incorporated in the State of Maryland in 1967, is engaged in the development, manufacture and marketing of specialty performance ingredients and products for the food, nutritional, feed, pharmaceutical, agricultural, and medical sterilization industries.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period amounts to conform with the current period's presentation.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue for each of the Company’s business segments is recognized when control of the promised goods is transferred to our customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to realize in exchange for those goods. The Company reports amounts billed to customers related to shipping and handling as revenue and includes costs incurred for shipping and handling in cost of sales. Amounts received for unshipped merchandise are not recognized as revenue but rather they are recorded as customer deposits and are included in current liabilities. In instances of shipments made on consignment, revenue is recognized when control is transferred to the customer.

Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, was adopted for the fiscal year beginning on January 1, 2018. Per the standard, revenue-generating contracts are assessed to identify distinct performance obligations, allocating transaction prices to those performance obligations, and criteria for satisfaction of a performance obligation. The standard allows for recognition of revenue only when we have satisfied a performance obligation through transferring control of the promised good or service to a customer. Control, in this instance, may mean the ability to prevent other entities from directing the use of, and receiving benefit from, a good or service. The standard indicates that an entity must determine at contract inception whether it will transfer control of a promised good or service over time or satisfy the performance obligation at a point in time through analysis of the following criteria: (i) the entity has a present right to payment, (ii) the customer has legal title, (iii) the customer has physical possession, (iv) the customer has the significant risks and rewards of ownership and (v) the customer has accepted the asset. The Company assesses collectability based primarily on the customer’s payment history and on the creditworthiness of the customer. The impact to revenues as a result of applying ASC 606 was an increase of $338 for the year ended December 31, 2018.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The Company has funds in its cash accounts that are with third party financial institutions, primarily in certificates of deposit and money market funds. The Company's balances of cash and cash equivalents in the U.S., Italy, Belgium, Malaysia, Australia, Philippines, and Singapore exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”), Fondo Interbancario di Tutela dei Depositi (“FITD”), Financial Services and Markets Authority ("FSMA"), Perbadanan Insurans Deposit Malaysia ("PIDM"), Australian Prudential Regulation Authority ("APRA"), Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation ("PDIC"), and Singapore Deposit Insurance Corporation ("SDIC") insurance limits, respectively.

Accounts Receivable

Credit terms are granted in the normal course of business to the Company’s customers and on-going credit evaluations are performed on the Company’s customers. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, "Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments", which requires that credit losses be reported based on expected losses instead of the incurred loss model. Based on this ASU, customers' credit limits are adjusted based upon their reasonably expected credit worthiness which is determined through review of their payment history, their current credit information, and any foreseeable future events. Collections and payments from customers are continuously monitored and

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allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of the Company’s customers to make required payments are maintained. Estimated losses are based on historical experience, any specific customer collection issues identified, and any reasonably expected future adverse events. If the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances and related bad debt expense may be required.

Inventories

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost (first in, first out or average) or net realizable value and have been reduced by an allowance for excess or obsolete inventories. Cost elements include material, labor and manufacturing overhead.

Property, Plant and Equipment and Depreciation

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost.

Depreciation of plant and equipment is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets as follows:

Buildings 15-25 years

Equipment 2-28 years

Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are charged to expense. Alterations and major overhauls that extend the lives or increase the capacity of plant assets are capitalized. When assets are retired or otherwise disposed of, the cost of the assets and the related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resultant gain or loss is included in earnings from operations.

Business Concentrations

Financial instruments that subject the Company to credit risk consist primarily of accounts receivable and money market investments. Investments are managed within established guidelines to mitigate risks. Accounts receivable subject the Company to credit risk partially due to the concentration of amounts due from customers. The Company extends credit to its customers based upon an evaluation of the customers’ financial condition and credit histories. In 2020, 2019 and 2018, no customer accounted for more than 10% of total net sales or accounts receivable.

Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the excess of costs over fair value of assets of businesses acquired. ASC 350, “Intangibles-Goodwill and Other,” requires the use of the acquisition method of accounting for a business combination and defines an intangible asset. Goodwill and intangible assets acquired in a business combination and determined to have an indefinite useful life are not amortized but are instead assessed for impairment annually and more frequently if events and circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired, in accordance with the provisions of ASC 350. The Company performed its annual test as of October 1. ASC 350 also requires that intangible assets with estimable useful lives be amortized over their respective estimated useful lives to their estimated residual values, and reviewed for impairment if events and circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, “Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment” (“ASU 2017-04”), which addresses changes to the testing for goodwill impairment by eliminating Step 2 of the process. A goodwill impairment test will now be performed by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An impairment charge should be recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value. The guidance is effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company adopted the new standard on January 1, 2020.

As of October 1, 2020 and 2019, the Company opted to bypass the qualitative assessment and proceeded directly to performing the quantitative goodwill impairment test. The Company assessed the fair values of its reporting units by utilizing the income approach, based on a discounted cash flow valuation model as the basis for its conclusions. The Company's estimates of future cash flows included significant management assumptions such as revenue growth rates, operating margins, discount rates, estimated terminal values and future economic and market conditions. The Company's assessment concluded that the fair values of the reporting units exceeded their carrying amounts, including goodwill. Accordingly, the goodwill of the reporting units was not considered impaired as of October 1, 2020. However, during the second quarter of 2020, the Company recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $1,228 related to business formerly included in the Industrial Products segment. Refer to Note 6, "Intangible Assets". The Company may resume performing the qualitative assessment in subsequent periods.

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The Company had goodwill in the amount of $529,463 and $523,998 as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively, subject to the provisions of ASC 350, “Intangibles-Goodwill and Other.”

Goodwill as a result of the Acquisitions - see Note 2 77,392

Impact due to change in foreign exchange rates (1,389)

Goodwill as a result of the Acquisitions – see Note 2 432

Goodwill impairment - see Note 6 (1,228)

Impact due to change in foreign exchange rates 6,261

The following intangible assets with finite lives are stated at cost and are amortized either on an accelerated basis or on a straight-line basis over the following estimated useful lives:

Amortization Period(in years)

Customer relationships and lists 10 - 20

Trademarks & trade names 2 - 17

Developed technology 5 - 12

Regulatory registration costs 5 - 10

Patents & trade secrets 15 - 17

Income Taxes

Our policy for recording interest and penalties associated with uncertain tax positions is to record such items as a component of our income tax provision.

Use of Estimates

Management of the Company is required to make certain estimates and assumptions during the preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These estimates and assumptions impact the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements and revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Estimates and assumptions

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are reviewed periodically, and the effects of revisions are reflected in the consolidated financial statements in the period they are determined to be necessary. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company has a number of financial instruments, none of which are held for trading purposes. The estimated fair value amounts have been determined by the Company using available market information and appropriate valuation methodologies. Considerable judgment is required in interpreting market data to develop the estimates of fair value, and, accordingly, the estimates are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that the Company could realize in a current market exchange. The carrying value of debt approximates fair value as the interest rate is based on market and the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio. The Company’s financial instruments also include cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, and are carried at cost which approximates fair value due to the short-term maturity of these instruments.

In addition, non-current assets includes rabbi trust funds related to the Company's deferred compensation plan. The money market and rabbi trust funds are valued using level one inputs, as defined by ASC 820, "Fair Value Measurement."

The Company also has derivative financial instruments, consisting of a cross-currency swap and an interest rate swap, which are included in either derivative asset or derivative liability, in the consolidated balance sheets (see Note 20, "Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities"). The fair values of these derivative instruments are determined based on Level 2 inputs, using significant inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly, including interest rate curves and implied volatilities.

Cost of Sales

Cost of sales are primarily comprised of raw materials and supplies consumed in the manufacture of product, as well as manufacturing labor, maintenance labor, depreciation expense, and direct overhead expense necessary to convert purchased materials and supplies into finished product. Cost of sales also includes inbound freight costs, outbound freight costs for shipping products to customers, warehousing costs, quality control and obsolescence expense.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling expenses consist primarily of compensation and benefit costs, amortization of customer relationships and lists, trade promotions, advertising, commissions and other marketing costs. General and administrative expenses consist primarily of payroll and benefit costs, occupancy and operating costs of corporate offices, depreciation and amortization expense on non-manufacturing assets, information systems costs and other miscellaneous administrative costs.

Research and Development

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred.

Net Earnings Per Common Share

Basic net earnings per common share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net earnings per common share is calculated in a manner consistent with basic net earnings per common share except that the weighted average number of common shares outstanding also includes the dilutive effect of stock options outstanding, unvested restricted stock, and unvested performance shares (using the treasury stock method).

Stock-based Compensation

The Company has stock-based employee compensation plans, which are described more fully in Note 3. The Company accounts for stock-based compensation in accordance with ASC 718, “Compensation-Stock Compensation,” which requires all share-based payments, including grants of stock options, to be recognized in the income statement as an operating expense, based on their fair values. The Company estimates the fair value of each option award on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes based option-pricing model. Estimates of and assumptions about forfeiture rates, terms, volatility, interest rates and dividend yields are used to calculate stock-based compensation. A significant change to these estimates could materially affect the Company’s operating results.

Impairment of Long-lived Assets

Long-lived assets, such as property, plant, and equipment, and purchased intangibles subject to amortization, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated

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undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset, which is generally based on discounted cash flows. For the year ended December 31, 2019, we incurred impairment charges of $1,026 in connection with a restructuring in the HNH segment.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

The Company is exposed to market fluctuations in interest rates as well as variability in foreign exchange rates. In May 2019, the Company entered into an interest rate swap with JP Morgan Chase, N.A. (the "Swap Counterparty") and a cross-currency swap with JP Morgan Chase, N.A. (the "Bank Counterparty"). The Company's primary objective for holding derivative financial instruments is to manage interest rate risk and foreign currency risk. The Company does not enter into derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.

On May 28, 2019, the Company entered into a pay-fixed, receive-floating interest rate swap with a notional amount of $108,569 and a maturity date of June 27, 2023. The Company's risk management objective and strategy with respect to the interest rate swap is to protect the Company against adverse fluctuations in interest rates by reducing its exposure to variability in cash flows relating to interest payments on a portion of its outstanding debt. The Company is meeting its objective since changes in the cash flows of the interest rate swap are expected to exactly offset the changes in the cash flows attributable to fluctuations in the contractually specified interest rate on the interest payments associated with the Credit Agreement.

At the same time, the Company also entered into a cross-currency swap to manage foreign exchange risk related to the Company's net investment in Chemogas. This derivative has a notional amount of $108,569, an effective date of May 28, 2019, and a maturity date of June 27, 2023.

The derivative instruments are with the above single counterparty and are subject to a contractual agreement that provides for the net settlement of all contracts through a single payment in a single currency in the event of default on or termination of any one contract. As such, the derivative instruments are categorized as a master netting arrangement and presented as a net derivative asset or derivative liability on the consolidated balance sheet.

On a quarterly basis, we assess the effectiveness of the hedging relationships for the interest rate swap and cross-currency swap by reviewing the critical terms indicated in the applicable agreement. As of December 31, 2020, we assessed the hedging relationships and determined them to be highly effective. As such, the net change in fair values of the interest rate swap, that qualify as cash flow hedge, was recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) and is subsequently reclassified into interest expense as interest payments are made on our debt. For the cross-currency swap, the amounts that have not yet been recognized in earnings remained in the cumulative translation adjustment section of accumulated other comprehensive income until the hedged net investment is sold or liquidated in accordance with paragraphs 815-35-35-5A, "Derivatives and Hedging - Net Investment Hedges", and 830-30-40-1 through 40-1A, "Foreign Currency Matters - Derecognition". Refer to Note 20, "Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities" for detailed information about our derivative financial instruments.

New Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In March 2020, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2020-04, "Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting." This ASU provides temporary optional guidance to ease the potential burden in accounting for reference rate reform. The new guidance provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying generally accepted accounting principles to contract modifications and hedging relationships, subject to meeting certain criteria, that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued. The ASU is intended to help stakeholders during the global market-wide reference rate transition period. Therefore, this standards update is in effect from March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. In January 2021, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2021-01, "Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Scope." This ASU clarifies that certain optional expedients and exceptions in Topic 848 for contract modifications and hedge accounting apply to derivatives that are affected by the discounting transition. The ASU also amends the expedients and exceptions in Topic 848 to capture the incremental consequences of the scope clarification and to tailor the existing guidance to derivative instruments affected by the discounting transition. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this pronouncement on the consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

In December 2019, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2019-12, "Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes." The amendments in this Update simplify the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740. The amendments also improve consistent application of and simplify GAAP

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for other areas of Topic 740 by clarifying and amending existing guidance. The effective date of this Update is for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Standard may be adopted either using the prospective or retrospective transition approach and could also be applied on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this pronouncement on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, “Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement that is a Service Contract.” The guidance requires implementation costs incurred by customers in cloud computing arrangements to be deferred over the noncancelable term of the cloud computing arrangements plus any optional renewal periods (1) that are reasonably certain to be exercised by the customer or (2) for which exercise of the renewal option is controlled by the cloud service provider. The effective date of this pronouncement is for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The standard may be adopted either using the prospective or retrospective transition approach. The Company adopted the new standard on January 1, 2020. The standard update did not have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-14, “Disclosure Framework-Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans,” which modifies the disclosure requirements for employers that sponsor defined benefit pension or other postretirement benefit plans. The guidance removes disclosures that are no longer considered cost beneficial, clarifies the specific requirements of disclosures and adds disclosure requirements identified as relevant. This update should be applied on a retrospective basis to all periods presented and is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2020. Early adoption is permitted. The Company adopted the new standard on January 1, 2020. The standard update did not have a significant impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities. The guidance was issued with the objective of improving the financial reporting of hedging relationships to better portray the economic results of companies' risk management activities in its financial statements, as well as simplifying the application of hedge accounting guidance especially in the area of assessment of effectiveness of the hedge. In April 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-04, "Codification Improvements to Topic 815, Derivative and Hedging", which further clarified ASU 2017-12. The amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company adopted the new standards in the second quarter of 2019, upon entering into derivative transactions. Refer to Note 20, "Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities."

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, “Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment” (ASU 2017-04), which addresses changes to the testing for goodwill impairment by eliminating Step 2 of the process. The guidance is effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company adopted the new standard on January 1, 2020. This ASU did not have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, "Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments", which requires that credit losses be reported based on expected losses instead of the incurred loss model. The update made several consequential amendments to the codification which requires the accounting for available-for-sale debt securities to be individually assessed for credit losses when fair value is less than the amortized cost basis. The FASB subsequently issued ASU 2019-04, ASU 2019-05, and ASU 2019-11, all of which further clarified ASU 2016-13. The Company adopted the new standard and related updates on January 1, 2020. The adoption did not have a significant impact on the consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases” (“ASU 2016-02”), which was clarified by ASU 2018-11 and addresses the recognition of assets and liabilities that arise from all leases. The guidance requires lessees to recognize right-of-use ("ROU") assets and lease liabilities for most leases in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company adopted the new standard on January 1, 2019 and elected the optional transition method to account for the impact of the adoption with a cumulative-effect adjustment in the period of adoption. The new standard provides a number of optional practical expedients in transition. The Company elected the “package of practical expedients”, which permits it not to reassess under the new standard its prior conclusions about lease identification, lease classification and initial direct costs. The Company did not elect the use-of-hindsight or the practical expedient pertaining to land easements, the latter not being applicable to the Company. The new standard also provides practical expedients for an entity’s ongoing accounting. The Company elected the short-term lease recognition exemption for all leases that qualify, which means for those leases that qualify, the Company will not recognize ROU assets or lease liabilities. The Company also elected the practical expedient to not separate lease and non-lease components for all of its leases. In March 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-01,

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"Leases (Topic 842): Codification Improvements," which further clarifies the determination of fair value of leases and modifies transition disclosure requirements for changes in accounting principles. The effective date of the amendments is for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The ASU was adopted by the Company on January 1, 2020 and did not have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures. Refer to Note 19, "Leases."

NOTE 2 – SIGNIFICANT ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES

Acquisitions

On December 13, 2019, the Company completed the acquisition of Zumbro. The Company made payments of $52,403 on the acquisition date, amounting to $47,058 to the former shareholders and $5,345 to Zumbro's lenders to pay Zumbro debt. Considering the cash acquired of $686, net payments made to the former shareholders were $46,372. In May 2020, the Company received an adjustment for working capital acquired of $561.

The estimated goodwill of $18,505 arising from the acquisition consists largely of expected synergies, including the combined entities' experience and technical problem-solving capabilities, and acquired workforce. The goodwill is assigned to Human Nutrition & Health ("HNH") and $4,723 is deductible for income taxes.

The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed:

Cash and cash equivalents $ 686

Accounts receivable 3,314

Prepaid & other current assets 521

Property, plant and equipment 15,245

Right of use assets 3,181

Customer relationships 8,200

Developed technology 4,400

Other non-current assets 10

Accounts payable & accrued expenses (1,651)

Lease liabilities (3,181)

Deferred income taxes (3,740)

Amount paid to shareholders 46,497

Zumbro debt paid on purchase date 5,345

Total amount paid on acquisition date $ 51,842

The estimated valuation of the fair value of tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed are based on management's estimates and assumptions that are subject to change. In preparing our fair value estimates of the intangible assets and certain tangible assets acquired, management, among other things, consulted an independent advisor. Valuation methods utilized included cost and market approaches for property, plant and equipment, excess earnings method for customer relationships and the relief from royalty method for other intangible assets.

Customer relationships are amortized over a 15-year period utilizing an accelerated method based on the estimated average customer attrition rate. Trade name and developed technology are amortized over 10 years and 12 years, respectively, utilizing the straight-line method as the consumption pattern of the related economic benefits cannot be reliably determined.

The Company is indemnified for tax liabilities prior to the acquisition date. Indemnified tax liabilities will create an indemnification asset (receivable). An indemnification asset balance has not been established.

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On May 27, 2019, the Company acquired 100 percent of the outstanding common shares of Chemogas. The Company made payments of approximately €99,503 (translated to $111,324) on the acquisition date, amounting to approximately €88,579 (translated to $99,102) to the former shareholders and approximately €10,924 (translated to $12,222) to Chemogas' lender to pay Chemogas bank debt. Considering the cash acquired of €3,943 (translated to $4,412), net payments made to the former shareholders were €84,636 (translated to $94,690).

The goodwill of $59,319 that arose on the acquisition date consists largely of expected synergies, including the combined entities' experience and technical problem-solving capabilities, and acquired workforce. The goodwill is assigned to the Specialty Products segment and is not tax deductible for income tax purposes.

The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed:

Cash and cash equivalents $ 4,412

Accounts receivable 4,176

Property, plant and equipment 15,972

Customer relationships 39,158

Developed technology 2,461

Accounts payable (3,261)

Other liabilities (1,030)

Pension obligation (net) (594)

Deferred income taxes (12,856)

Amount paid to shareholders 99,102

Chemogas bank debt paid on purchase date 12,222

Total amount paid on acquisition date $ 111,324

The valuation of the fair value of tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed are based on management’s estimates and assumptions. In preparing our fair value estimates of the intangible assets and certain tangible assets acquired, management, among other things, consulted an independent advisor. Valuation methods utilized included cost and market approaches for property, plant and equipment, excess earnings method for customer relationships and the relief from royalty method for other intangible assets.

Customer relationships are amortized over a 20-year period utilizing an accelerated method based on the estimated average customer attrition rate. Trade name and developed technology are amortized over 2 years and 10 years, respectively, utilizing the straight-line method as the consumption pattern of the related economic benefits cannot be reliably determined.

The Company is indemnified for tax liabilities prior to the acquisition date. Indemnified tax liabilities will create an indemnification asset (receivable). At this time, an indemnification asset balance has not been established.

In connection with Chemogas and Zumbro acquisitions, the Company incurred transaction and integration costs of $1,480 and $1,947 for the year ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

In 2018, the Company, through its subsidiary, Balchem Italia, completed one immaterial acquisition, Bioscreen Technologies Srl.

Total transaction and integration costs related to recent acquisitions, including the Chemogas and Zumbro acquisitions described above, are recorded in general and administrative expenses. These costs amounted to $2,011, $2,273, and $1,786 for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

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Divestiture

On September 6, 2019, the Company sold an insignificant portion of its business. As a result of the transaction, the Company recorded a gain on sale, which was immaterial to the consolidated financial statements and included in general and administrative expenses. Operating results for the portion of the business sold were insignificant relative to the Company’s consolidated financial results for year ended December 31, 2019.

NOTE 3 - STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

All share-based payments, including grants of stock options, are recognized in the statements of earnings as operating expenses, based on their fair values.

The Company has made an estimate of expected forfeitures, based on its historical experience, and is recognizing compensation cost only for those stock-based compensation awards expected to vest.

The Company’s results for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 reflected the following compensation cost and such compensation cost had the following effects on net earnings:

Increase/(Decrease) for theYear Ended, December 31

On December 31, 2020, the Company had one share-based compensation plan under which awards may be granted, which is described below.

In June 2017, the Company adopted the Balchem Corporation 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan (“2017 Plan”) for officers, employees and directors of the Company and its subsidiaries. The 2017 Plan replaced the 1999 Stock Plan and amendments and restatements thereto (collectively to be referred to as the “1999 Plan"), which expired on April 9, 2018. No further awards will be made under the 1999 Plan, and the shares that remained available for grant under the 1999 Plan will only be used to settle outstanding awards granted under the 1999 Plan and will not become available under the 2017 Plan. The 2017 Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company. The 2017 Plan provides as follows: (i) for a termination date of June 13, 2027; (ii) the authorization of 1,600,000 shares for future grants (which represents a reduction from the 6,000,000 shares authorized for grant under the 1999 Plan); (iii) for the making of grants of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, and other stock-based awards, as well as for the making of cash performance awards; (iv) except as provided in an employment agreement as in effect on the effective date of the 2017 Plan, no automatic acceleration of outstanding awards upon the occurrence of a change in control of the Company; (v) certain annual limits on the number of shares and amount of cash that may be granted; (vii) for dividends or dividend equivalents otherwise payable on an unvested award to accrue and be paid only at such time as the vesting conditions applicable to the underlying award have been satisfied; (vii) for certain discretionary compensation recovery if the Company is required to prepare an accounting restatement of its financial statements due to the Company’s material noncompliance with any financial reporting requirements under the securities laws; and (viii) for compliance with the requirements of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code” or the “Code”). No option will be exercisable for longer than ten years after the date of grant.

The shares to be issued upon exercise of the outstanding options have been approved, reserved and are adequate to cover all exercises. As of December 31, 2020, the 2017 Plan had 873,256 shares available for future awards.

The Company has Restricted Stock Grant Agreements with the Company's non–employee directors and certain employees. Under the Restricted Stock Grant Agreements, certain shares of the Common Stock have been granted, ranging from 70 shares to 54,000 shares, to its non-employee directors and certain employees, subject to time-based vesting requirements.

The Company also has performance share (“PS”) awards, which provide the recipients the right to receive a certain number of shares of the Common Stock in the future, subject to an (1) EBITDA performance hurdle, where vesting is dependent upon the Company achieving a certain EBITDA percentage growth over the performance period, and (2) relative total shareholder return

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(“TSR”) where vesting is dependent upon the Company’s TSR performance over the performance period (typically three years) relative to a comparator group consisting of the Russell 2000 index constituents.

The fair value of each option award issued under the Company’s stock plans is estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes based option-pricing model that uses the assumptions noted in the following table. Expected volatilities are based on historical volatility of the Company’s stock. The expected term of the options is based on the Company’s historical experience of employees’ exercise behavior. Dividend yields are based on the Company’s historical dividend yields. Risk-free interest rates are based on the implied yields currently available on U.S. Treasury zero coupon issues with a remaining term equal to the expected life.

Year Ended December 31,

Expected Term (in years) 3.9 4.0 4.4

Risk-Free Interest Rate 1.3 % 2.5 % 2.6 %

Dividend Yield 0.5 % 0.6 % 0.6 %

The value of the restricted shares is based on the fair value of the award at the date of grant.

Performance Share expense is measured based on the fair value at the date of grant utilizing a Black-Scholes methodology to produce a Monte-Carlo simulation model which allows for the incorporation of the performance hurdles that must be met before the Performance Share vests. The assumptions used in the fair value determination were risk free interest rates of 1.4%, 2.5%, and 2.4%; dividend yields of 0.5%, 0.5%, and 0.5%; volatilities of 24%, 24%, and 27%; and initial TSR’s of 10.9%, -5.9%, and -10.5% in each case for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively. Expense is based on the estimated number of shares expected to vest, assuming the requisite service period is rendered and the probable outcome of the performance condition is achieved. The estimate is revised if subsequent information indicates that the actual number of shares likely to vest differs from previous estimates. Expense is ultimately adjusted based on the actual achievement of service and performance targets. The Performance Shares will cliff vest 100% at the end of the third year following the grant in accordance with the performance metrics set forth.

Compensation expense for stock options and stock awards is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, generally three years for stock options, three to four years for employee restricted stock awards, three years for employee performance share awards, and three to four years for non-employee director restricted stock awards.

A summary of stock option plan activity for 2020, 2019, and 2018 for all plans is as follows:

The aggregate intrinsic value for outstanding stock options was $29,735, $31,814 and $16,192 at December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively, with a weighted average remaining contractual term of 6.7 at December 31, 2020. Exercisable stock options at December 31, 2020 had an aggregate intrinsic value of 22,805 with a weighted average remaining contractual term of 5.4.

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Other information pertaining to option activity during the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 is as follows:

Years Ended December 31,

Weighted-average fair value of options granted $ 24.36 $ 18.51 $ 18.62

Additional information related to stock options outstanding under all plans at December 31, 2020 is as follows:

Options Outstanding Options Exercisable

Non-vested restricted stock activity for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 is summarized below:

Non-vested performance share activity for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 is summarized below:

As of December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, there was $14,154, $11,643 and $8,565, respectively, of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested share-based compensation arrangements granted under the plans. As of December 31, 2020, the unrecognized compensation cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 1.4 years. We estimate that share-based compensation expense for the year ended December 31, 2021 will be approximately $10,900.

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REPURCHASE OF COMMON STOCK

The Company has an approved stock repurchase program. The total authorization under this program is 3,763,038 shares. Since the inception of the program in June 1999, a total of 2,568,396 shares have been purchased, of which 76,084 shares and 203,879 shares remained in treasury at December 31, 2020, and 2019, respectively. The Company repurchases shares from employees in connection with settlement of transactions under the Company's equity incentive plans. The Company also intends to acquire shares from time to time at prevailing market prices if and to the extent it deems it is advisable to do so based on its assessment of corporate cash flow, market conditions and other factors. During 2020, 2019, and 2018, the Company purchased 136,629, 240,995, and 16,755 shares, respectively, from employees on a net-settlement basis to provide cash to employees to cover the associated employee payroll taxes and from open market purchases. These shares were purchased at an average cost of $98.54, $88.47, and $83.08 per share, respectively.

NOTE 4 - INVENTORIES

Inventories, net of reserves at December 31, 2020 and 2019 consisted of the following:

On a regular basis, the Company evaluates its inventory balances for excess quantities and obsolescence by analyzing demand, inventory on hand, sales levels and other information. Based on these evaluations, inventory balances are reserved, if necessary. The reserve for inventory was $2,782 and $4,281 at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

NOTE 5 - PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Property, plant and equipment at December 31, 2020 and 2019 are summarized as follows:

Geographic Area Data - Long-Lived Assets (excluding intangible assets):

Depreciation expense was $22,990, $19,791 and $18,998 for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

NOTE 6 - INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The Company had goodwill in the amount of $529,463 and $523,998 as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, subject to the provisions of ASC 350, “Intangibles-Goodwill and Other.” The increase in goodwill is primarily due to foreign exchange translation adjustments and an adjustment related to the Zumbro acquisition, partially offset by an impairment of $1,228 related to business formerly included in the Industrial Products segment.

As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company had identifiable intangible assets as follows:

Amortization of identifiable intangible assets was $27,811, $25,789 and $24,988 for 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Assuming no change in the gross carrying value of identifiable intangible assets, the estimated amortization expense is approximately $24,392 in 2021, $22,430 in 2022, $19,501 in 2023, $10,800 in 2024, and $6,540 in 2025. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, there were no identifiable intangible assets with indefinite useful lives as defined by ASC 350, “Intangibles-Goodwill and Other.” Identifiable intangible assets are reflected in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets under Intangible assets with finite lives, net. There were no changes to the useful lives of intangible assets subject to amortization in 2020 and 2019.

The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, (“FIFRA”), a health and safety statute, requires that certain products within our specialty products segment must be registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (the "EPA") because they are considered pesticides. Costs of such registrations are included as other in the table above.

NOTE 7 – EQUITY-METHOD INVESTMENT

In 2013, the Company and Eastman Chemical Company (formerly Taminco Corporation) formed a joint venture (66.66% / 33.34% ownership), St. Gabriel CC Company, LLC, to design, develop, and construct an expansion of the Company’s St. Gabriel aqueous choline chloride plant. The Company contributed the St. Gabriel plant, at cost, and all continued expansion and improvements are funded by the owners. The joint venture became operational as of July 1, 2016. St. Gabriel CC Company, LLC is a Variable Interest Entity (VIE) because the total equity at risk is not sufficient to permit the joint venture to finance its own activities without additional subordinated financial support. Additionally, voting rights (2 votes each) are not proportionate to the owners’ obligation to absorb expected losses or receive the expected residual returns of the joint venture. The Company will receive up to 2/3 of the production offtake capacity and absorbs operating expenses approximately proportional to the actual percentage of offtake. The joint venture is accounted for under the equity method of accounting since the Company is not the primary beneficiary as the Company does not have the power to direct the activities of the joint venture that most significantly impact its economic performance. The Company recognized a loss of $575, $388, and $569 for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively, relating to its portion of the joint venture’s expenses in other expense. The carrying value of the joint venture at December 31, 2020 and 2019 is $4,971 and $4,513, respectively, and is recorded in other assets.

NOTE 8 – REVOLVING LOAN

On June 27, 2018, the Company and a bank syndicate entered into the Credit Agreement, which replaced the existing credit facility that had provided for a senior secured term loan of $350,000 and a revolving loan of $100,000. The Credit Agreement, which expires on June 27, 2023, provides for revolving loans up to $500,000 (collectively referred to as the “loans”). The loans may be used for working capital, letters of credit, and other corporate purposes and may be drawn upon at the Company’s discretion. The initial proceeds from the Credit Agreement were used to repay the outstanding balance of $210,750 on its senior secured term loan, which was due May 2019. On May 23, 2019, the Company drew down $108,569 to fund the Chemogas acquisition (see Note 2, "Significant Acquisitions and Divestitures"). In connection with these additional borrowings, the Company entered into an interest rate swap to protect against adverse fluctuations in interest rates (see Note 20, "Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities"). On December 13, 2019, the Company drew down $45,000 to fund the Zumbro acquisition (see Note 2, "Significant Acquisitions and Divestitures"). As of December 31, 2020, the total balance outstanding on the Credit Agreement amounted to $163,569. There are no installment payments required on the revolving loans; they may be voluntarily prepaid in whole or in part without premium or penalty, and all outstanding amounts are due on the maturity date.

Amounts outstanding under the Credit Agreement are subject to an interest rate equal to a fluctuating rate as defined by the Credit Agreement plus an applicable rate. The applicable rate is based upon the Company’s consolidated net leverage ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement, and the interest rate was 1.273% at December 31, 2020. The Company is also required to pay a

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commitment fee on the unused portion of the revolving loan, which is based on the Company’s consolidated net leverage ratio as defined in the Credit Agreement and ranges from 0.15% to 0.275% (0.175% at December 31, 2020). The unused portion of the revolving loan amounted to $336,431 at December 31, 2020. The Company is also required to pay, as applicable, letter of credit fees, administrative agent fees, and other fees to the arrangers and lenders.

Costs associated with the issuance of the revolving loans are capitalized and amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the Credit Agreement. Costs associated with the issuance of the extinguished debt instrument were capitalized and amortized over the term of the respective financing arrangement using the effective interest method. Capitalized costs net of accumulated amortization totaled $703 and $986 at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and are included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheets. Amortization expense pertaining to these costs totaled $282 for each of the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 and $680 for the year ended December 31, 2018, and is included in interest expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of earnings. In 2018, such interest expense included a write off $363 of deferred financing costs in connection with the extinguished debt in the second quarter of 2018.

The Credit Agreement contains quarterly covenants requiring the consolidated leverage ratio to be less than a certain maximum ratio and the consolidated interest coverage ratio to exceed a certain minimum ratio. At December 31, 2020, the Company was in compliance with these covenants. Indebtedness under the Company’s loan agreements are secured by assets of the Company.

NOTE 9 - NET EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

The following presents a reconciliation of the net earnings and shares used in calculating basic and diluted net earnings per common share:

Year Ended December 31,

Net Earnings Per Share - Basic $ 2.63 $ 2.48 $ 2.45

Net Earnings Per Share - Diluted $ 2.60 $ 2.45 $ 2.42

The number of anti-dilutive shares were 204,672, 12,250, and 188,470 for 2020, 2019, and 2018. Anti-dilutive shares could potentially dilute basic earnings per share in future periods and therefore, were not included in diluted earnings per share.

The Company has some share-based payment awards that have non-forfeitable dividend rights. These awards are restricted shares and they participate on a one-for-one basis with holders of Common Stock. These awards have an immaterial impact as participating securities with regard to the calculation using the two-class method for determining earnings per share.

NOTE 10 - INCOME TAXES

The Company’s effective tax rate for 2020, 2019 and 2018 was 20.5%, 17.4%, and 20.7%, respectively. The increase from 2019 to 2020 is primarily due to a reduction in certain tax credits.

On March 27, 2020 Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, and on December 31, 2020 Congress passed an additional round of COVID relief legislation as part of the Bipartisan-Bicameral Omnibus COVID Relief Deal. The Company has reviewed the change in law and determined that it does not have a significant impact on the Company’s tax provision or financial statements. In addition, Balchem will continue to evaluate and analyze the impact of the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that was enacted on December 22, 2017 and the additional guidance that has been issued, and may be issued, by the U.S. Department of Treasury, the SEC, and/or the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") regarding this act.

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and the Company's specific plans for reinvestment of those subsidiary earnings. The Company projects that its foreign earnings will be utilized offshore for working capital and future foreign growth. The determination of the unrecognized deferred tax liability on those undistributed earnings is not practicable due to its legal entity structure and the complexity of U.S. and local country tax laws. If the Company decides to repatriate the undistributed foreign earnings, it will need to recognize the income tax effects in the period it changes its assertion on indefinite reinvestment.

Income tax expense consists of the following:

Current:

Deemed Repatriation — — (970)

Deferred:

The provision for income taxes differs from the amount computed by applying the Federal statutory rate of 21% for 2020, 2019, and 2018 to earnings before income tax expense due to the following:

State income taxes, net of Federal income taxes 2,288 (244) 2,742

Deemed Repatriation — — (970)

Patent Box Decree (related to prior years) — (1,948) —

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The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities at December 31, 2020 and 2019 were as follows:

Deferred tax assets:

Restricted stock and stock options 3,862 4,097

Currency and interest rate swap 2,831 442

Deferred tax liabilities:

Valuation allowance 130 31

In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. Based upon the level of historical taxable income and projections for future taxable income over the periods in which the deferred tax assets are deductible, management believes it is more likely than not the Company will not realize the benefits of these deductible differences. The amount of deferred tax asset realizable, however, could change if management’s estimate of future taxable income should change.

As of December 31, 2020, the Company has federal and state income tax net operating loss (NOL) carryforwards of $2,367 and $1,026, respectively, The federal NOL will not expire. The state NOL carryforwards will expire between 2025 and 2034. The Company believes that the benefit from the state NOL carryforwards will be realized, therefore a valuation allowance is not required to be established on these assets. However, the Company also acquired an insignificant amount of NOL carryforwards with the acquisition of Chemogas. These NOLs are not expected to be realized and therefore a valuation allowance on these items was established.

The Company considers the undistributed earnings of certain non-U.S. subsidiaries to be indefinitely reinvested outside of the United States on the basis of estimates that future domestic cash generation will be sufficient to meet future domestic cash needs and specific plans for reinvestment of those subsidiary earnings. The Company projects that foreign earnings will be utilized offshore for working capital and future foreign growth. The determination of the unrecognized deferred tax liability on those undistributed earnings is not practicable due to the Company's legal entity structure and the complexity of U.S. and local country tax laws. If Balchem decides to repatriate the undistributed foreign earnings, the income tax effects will need to be recognized in the period the Company changes its assertion on indefinite reinvestment.

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Provisions of ASC 740-10 clarify whether or not to recognize assets or liabilities for tax positions taken that may be challenged by a tax authority. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits, which is included in other long-term obligations on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets, is as follows:

Increases for tax positions of prior years 267 431 1,366

Decreases for tax positions of prior years (391) (1,978) (1,185)

Increases for tax positions related to current year 697 600 747

All of Balchem's unrecognized tax benefits, if recognized in future periods, would impact the Company's effective tax rate in such future periods.

The Company recognizes both interest and penalties as part of the income tax provision. During the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, these amounted to approximately $232, $132 and $207, respectively. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, accrued interest and penalties were $1,845 and $1,612, respectively.

Balchem files income tax returns in the U.S. and in various states and foreign countries. In the major jurisdictions where the Company operates, it is generally no longer subject to income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2016 and management does not anticipate any material change in the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits to occur within the next twelve months.

NOTE 11 - SEGMENT INFORMATION

Previously, the Company's four reportable segments were: Human Nutrition and Health, Animal Nutrition and Health, Specialty Products, and Industrial Products. However, effective in the first quarter of 2020, in order to align with the Company's strategic focus on health and nutrition, allocation of resources, and evaluation of operating performance, and given the 2019 reduction in portfolio scale of Industrial Products, the Company has revised its reporting segment structure to three reportable segments: Human Nutrition and Health, Animal Nutrition and Health, and Specialty Products. These reportable segments are strategic businesses that offer products and services to different markets. This realignment has been retrospectively applied. Sales and production of products outside of our reportable segments and other minor business activities are included in "Other and Unallocated" and applied retroactively to 2019 and 2018. There was no change to the Consolidated Financial Statements as a result of the change to the reportable segments. The Company expects that the new reportable segment structure will provide investors greater understanding of and alignment with the Company’s strategic focus. In order to ensure appropriate transparency and visibility into the financial performance of the Company, sufficient detail will continue to be provided relative to Other and Unallocated, including material contributions from oil and gas and other industrial market activities.

Human Nutrition & Health

The Human Nutrition & Health ("HNH") segment provides human grade choline nutrients and mineral amino acid chelated products through this segment for nutrition and health applications. Choline is recognized to play a key role in the development and structural integrity of brain cell membranes in infants, processing dietary fat, reproductive development and neural functions, such as memory and muscle function. The Company's mineral amino acid chelates, specialized mineral salts, and mineral complexes are used as raw materials for inclusion in premier human nutrition products. Proprietary technology has been combined to create an organic molecule in a form the body can readily assimilate. Sales growth for human nutrition applications is reliant on differentiation from lower-cost competitive products through scientific data, intellectual property and customers' appreciation of brand value. Consequently, the Company makes investments in such activities for long-term value differentiation. This segment also serves the food and beverage industry for beverage, bakery, dairy, confectionary, and savory manufacturers. The Company partners with its customers from ideation through commercialization to bring on-trend beverages, baked goods, confections, dairy and meat products to market. The Company has expertise in trends analysis and product development. When combined with its strong manufacturing capabilities in customized spray dried and emulsified powders, extrusion and agglomeration, blended lipid systems, liquid flavor delivery systems, juice and dairy bases, chocolate systems, as well as ice cream bases and variegates, the Company is a one-stop solutions provider for beverage and dairy product development needs. Additionally, this segment provides microencapsulation solutions to a variety of applications in food, pharmaceutical and nutritional ingredients to enhance performance of nutritional fortification, processing, mixing, and packaging applications and shelf-life. Major product applications are baked goods, refrigerated and frozen dough systems, processed meats, seasoning blends,

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confections, sports and protein bars, dietary plans, and nutritional supplements. The Company also creates cereal systems for ready-to-eat cereals, grain-based snacks, and cereal based ingredients.

Animal Nutrition & Health

The Company’s Animal Nutrition & Health ("ANH") segment provides nutritional products derived from its microencapsulation and chelation technologies in addition to basic choline chloride. For ruminant animals, the Company’s microencapsulated products boost health and milk production, delivering nutrient supplements that are biologically available, providing required nutritional levels. The Company’s proprietary chelation technology provides enhanced nutrient absorption for various species of production and companion animals and is marketed for use in animal feed throughout the world. ANH also manufactures and supplies choline chloride, an essential nutrient for monogastric animal health, predominantly to the poultry, pet and swine industries. Choline, which is manufactured and sold in both dry and aqueous forms, plays a vital role in the metabolism of fat. In poultry, choline deficiency can result in reduced growth rates and perosis in young birds, while in swine production choline is a necessary and required component of gestating and lactating sow diets for both liver health and prevention of leg deformity.

Sales of value-added encapsulated products are highly dependent on overall industry economics as well as the Company's ability to leverage the results of university and field research on the animal health and production benefits of our products. Management believes that success in the commodity-oriented basic choline chloride marketplace is highly dependent on the Company’s ability to maintain its strong reputation for excellent product quality and customer service. The Company continues to drive production efficiencies in order to maintain its competitive-cost position to effectively compete in a competitive global marketplace.

Specialty Products

Ethylene oxide, at the 100% level and blended with carbon dioxide, is sold as a sterilant gas, primarily for use in the health care industry. It is used to sterilize a wide range of medical devices because of its versatility and effectiveness in treating hard or soft surfaces, composites, metals, tubing and different types of plastics without negatively impacting the performance of the device being sterilized. The Company’s 100% ethylene oxide product and blends are distributed worldwide in specially designed, reusable and recyclable drum and cylinder packaging, to assure compliance with safety, quality and environmental standards as outlined by the applicable regulatory agencies in the countries our products are shipped to. The Company’s inventory of these specially built drums and cylinders, along with its five filling facilities, represents a significant capital investment. Contract sterilizers and medical device manufacturers are principal customers for this product. The Company also sells single use canisters with 100% ethylene oxide for use in sterilizing re-usable devices typically processed in autoclave units in hospitals. As a fumigant, ethylene oxide blends are highly effective in killing bacteria, fungi, and insects in spices and other seasoning materials.

The Company also distributes a number of other gases for various uses, most notably propylene oxide and ammonia. Propylene oxide is marketed and sold in the U.S. as a fumigant to aid in the control of insects and microbiological spoilage; and to reduce bacterial and mold contamination in certain shell and processed nut meats, processed spices, cacao beans, cocoa powder, raisins, figs and prunes. The Company distributes its propylene oxide product in the U.S. primarily in recyclable, single-walled, carbon steel cylinders according to standards outlined by the EPA and the DOT. Propylene oxide is also sold worldwide to customers in approved reusable and recyclable drum and cylinder packaging for various chemical synthesis applications, such as increasing paint durability and manufacturing specialty starches and textile coatings. Ammonia is used primarily as a refrigerant, and also for heat treatment of metals and various chemical synthesis applications, and is distributed in reusable and recyclable drum and cylinder drum and cylinder packaging approved for use in the countries these products are shipped to. The Company's inventory of cylinders for these products also represents a significant capital investment.

The Company’s micronutrient agricultural nutrition business sells chelated minerals primarily into high value crops. The Company has a unique and patented two-step approach to solving mineral deficiency in plants to optimize health, yield and shelf-life. First, the Company determines optimal mineral balance for plant health. The Company then has a foliar applied Metalosate® product range, utilizing patented amino acid chelate technology. Its products quickly and efficiently deliver mineral nutrients. As a result, the farmer/grower gets healthier crops that are more resistant to disease and pests, larger yields and healthier food for the consumer with extended shelf life for produce being shipped long distances.

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The segment information is summarized as follows:

Business Segment Assets

Business Segment Net Sales

Business Segment Earnings Before Income Taxes

Depreciation/Amortization

Capital Expenditures

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NOTE 12 - REVENUE

Revenue Recognition

Revenues are recognized when control of the promised goods is transferred to customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to realize in exchange for those goods.

The following table presents revenues disaggregated by revenue source. Sales and usage-based taxes are excluded from revenues.

The following table presents revenues disaggregated by geography, based on the billing addresses of customers:

Product Sales Revenues

The Company’s primary operation is the manufacturing and sale of health and wellness ingredient products, in which the Company receives an order from a customer and fulfills that order. The Company’s product sales are considered point-in-time revenue and consist of four sub-streams: product sales, co-manufacturing, bill and hold, and consignment.

Under the co-manufacturing agreements, the Company is responsible for the manufacture of a finished good where the customer provides the majority of the raw materials. The Company controls the manufacturing process and the ultimate end-product before it is shipped to the customer. Based on these factors, the Company has determined that it is the principal in these agreements and therefore revenue is recognized in the gross amount of consideration the Company expects to be entitled for the goods provided.

Royalty Revenues

Royalty revenue consists of agreements with customers to use the Company’s intellectual property in exchange for a sales-based royalty. Royalties are considered over time revenue and are recorded in the HNH segment.

Contract Liabilities

The Company records contract liabilities when cash payments are received or due in advance of performance, including amounts which are refundable.

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The Company’s payment terms vary by the type and location of customers and the products offered. The term between invoicing and when payment is due is not significant. For certain products or services and customer types, the Company requires payment before the products are delivered to the customer.

Practical Expedients and Exemptions

The Company generally expenses sales commissions when incurred because the amortization period would have been one year or less. These costs are recorded within selling and marketing expenses.

The Company does not disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations for (i) contracts with an original expected length of one year or less and (ii) contracts for which the Company recognizes revenue at the amount to which it has the right to invoice for products shipped.

NOTE 13 - SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION

Cash paid during the year for:

Non-cash financing activities:

NOTE 14 – ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

The changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) were as follows:

Years Ended December 31,

Net foreign currency translation adjustment $ 12,829 $ (891) $ (2,982)

Net change of cash flow hedge (see Note 20 for further information)

Unrealized loss on cash flow hedge (3,094) (1,771) —

Net change in postretirement benefit plan (see Note 15 for further information)

Amortization of prior service credit/(cost) 74 74 74

Amortization of gain/(loss) (50) (46) (8)

Adjustment (1) (455) — —

Total other comprehensive income/(loss) $ 9,737 $ (1,962) $ (1,960)

(1) One-time adjustment to the postretirement account.

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Included in "Net foreign currency translation adjustment" were $4,882 and $262 of losses related to a net investment hedge, net of taxes of $1,579 and $70 for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. There were no hedging activities during the year ended December 31, 2018. See Note 20, "Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities."

Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) at December 31, 2020 consisted of the following:

NOTE 15 - EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

Defined Contribution Plans

During 2020, the Company sponsored two 401(k) savings plans for eligible employees. The plans allow participants to make pretax contributions and the Company matches certain percentages of those pretax contributions. One of the plans has a discretionary profit sharing portion and matches 401(k) contributions with shares of the Company’s Common Stock. All amounts contributed to the plans are deposited into a trust fund administered by independent trustees. The Company provided for profit sharing contributions and matching 401(k) savings plan contributions of $1,022 and $3,751 in 2020, $592 and $3,451 in 2019, and $825 and $3,153 in 2018, respectively.

Postretirement Medical Plans

The Company provides postretirement benefits in the form of two unfunded postretirement medical plans; one that is under a collective bargaining agreement and covers eligible retired employees of the Verona, Missouri facility and a plan for those named as executive officers in the Company’s proxy statement. The Company uses a December 31 measurement date for its postretirement medical plans. In accordance with ASC 715, “Compensation—Retirement Benefits,” the Company is required to recognize the over funded or underfunded status of a defined benefit post retirement plan (other than a multiemployer plan) as an asset or liability in its statement of financial position, and to recognize changes in that funded status in the year in which the changes occur through comprehensive income.

The actuarial recorded liabilities for such unfunded postretirement benefits are as follows:

Change in benefit obligation:

Benefit obligation at beginning of year $ 1,076 $ 1,174

Initial adoption of new plan — —

Service cost with interest to end of year 68 63

Participant contributions 23 35

Benefit obligation at end of year $ 1,374 $ 1,076

Change in plan assets:

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year $ — $ —

Employer (reimbursement)/contributions 4 127

Participant contributions 23 35

Fair value of plan assets at end of year $ — $ —

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Amounts recognized in consolidated balance sheet:

Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation $ (1,374) $ (1,076)

Fair value of plan assets — —

Unrecognized prior service cost N/A N/A

Unrecognized net (gain)/loss N/A N/A

Components of net periodic benefit cost:

Service cost with interest to end of year $ 68 $ 63 $ 78

Amortization of prior service credit 74 74 74

Amortization of gain (50) (46) (8)

Total net periodic benefit cost $ 118 $ 130 $ 188

Estimated future employer contributions and benefit payments are as follows:

Year

Defined Benefit Pension Plans

The Company contributes to one multiemployer defined benefit plan under the terms of a collective-bargaining agreement covering its union-represented employees of the Verona, Missouri facility. The risks of participation in this multiemployer plan are different from single-employer plans in the following aspects: (a) assets contributed to the multiemployer plan by one employer may be used to provide benefits to employees of other participating employers, (b) if a participating employer stops contributing to the plan, the unfunded obligations of the plan may be borne by the remaining participating employers, and (c) if the Company was to stop participating in its multiemployer plan, the Company would be required to pay that plan an amount based on the underfunded status of the plan, referred to as the withdrawal liability.

The Company’s participation in this plan for the annual period ended December 31, 2020 is outlined in the table below. The “EIN/Pension Plan Number” column provides the Employee Identification Number (EIN). The zone status is based on information that the Company received from the plan and is certified by the plan’s actuary. Among other factors, plans in the red zone or critical and declining zone are generally less than 65 percent funded, plans in the yellow zone are less than 80 percent funded, and plans in the green zone are at least 80 percent funded. The “FIP/RP Status Pending/Implemented” column indicates plans for which a financial improvement plan (FIP) or a rehabilitation plan (RP) is either pending or has been implemented. The last column lists the expiration date of the collective-bargaining agreement to which the plan is subject. Finally, the period-to-period comparability of the contributions for 2020 and 2019 was affected by a 4.0% increase in the 2020 contribution rate. There have been no other significant changes that affect the comparability of 2020 and 2019 contributions. The Company does not represent more than 5% of the contributions to this pension fund.

Table of Contents

On May 27, 2019, the Company acquired Chemogas, which has an unfunded defined benefit pension plan. The plan provides for the payment of a lump sum at retirement or payments in case of death of the covered employees. The amount recorded for these obligations on the Company's balance sheet as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 was $950 and $596, respectively, and was included in other long-term obligations.

The actuarial recorded liabilities for such unfunded defined benefit pension plan are as follows:

Change in benefit obligation:

Benefit obligation at beginning of year $ 1,738 $ —

Service cost with interest to end of year 104 —

Interest cost 20 —

Participant contributions 21 —

Benefits paid (11) —

Actuarial gain 18 —

Exchange rate changes 163 —

Benefit obligation at end of year $ 2,053 $ 1,738

Change in plan assets:

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year $ 895 $ —

Acquisitions — 895

Actual return on plan assets 57 —

BCPC US Equity

BCPC · 10-K · period ended 2020-12-31

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

BCPC US Equity☆

BCPC · 10-K · period ended 2020-12-31

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

BCPC US Equity