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The decrease in the net property, plant and equipment balance during the year ended December 31, 2010, was primarily due to the shutdown of the Huelva facility. See Note 7 for related information on the Huelva shutdown. 

## NOTE 7 Restructuring and Other Charges (Income) 

Our restructuring and other charges (income) are comprised of restructuring, asset disposals and other charges (income) as noted below: 

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RESTRUCTURING CHARGES AND ASSET DISPOSALS 

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(1) Represents severance and employee benefits charges. Income represents adjustments to previously recorded severance and employee benefit accruals. 

(2) Asset Disposal Charges primarily represent accelerated depreciation and impairment charges on plant and equipment, which were or are to be abandoned. Asset disposal charges also included the acceleration effect of re-estimating settlement dates associated with asset retirement obligations due to facility shutdowns, see Note 8. 

(3) Other Charges primarily represent costs associated accrued lease payments, contract terminations, and other miscellaneous exit costs. Other Income primarily represents favorable development on previously recorded exit costs as well as recoveries associated with restructurings. 

The restructuring charges and asset disposals noted above were the result of the following: 

## Agricultural Products 

## Baltimore Phase Out 

In June 2007, we made the decision to phase out operations of our Baltimore, Maryland facility. Our decision was consistent with our strategy to maintain globally cost-competitive manufacturing positions by sourcing raw materials, intermediates and finished products in lower- cost manufacturing locations. We ceased production at this facility in the second quarter of 2008. 

## Jacksonville Phase Out 

In May 2008, we made the decision to phase out operations of our Jacksonville, Florida facility by the third quarter of 2008. Our decision was consistent with our strategy to maintain globally cost-competitive manufacturing positions. 

## Specialty Chemicals 

## Alginates Restructuring 

In January 2009, we announced plans to realign our BioPolymer alginates manufacturing operations in Norway and the United Kingdom as we continued integration of the ISP alginates business acquired in August 2008. A portion of the restructuring charges associated with this realignment were recognized as liabilities in the purchase price allocation described in Note 3. 

