Document And Entity Information - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
Document And Entity Information - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018	Feb. 15, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	GrafTech International LTD.
Entity Central Index Key	0000931148
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2018
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q4
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		290,537,612
Entity Public Float			$ 685
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

Dec. 31, 2018

Dec. 31, 2017

ASSETS

Cash and cash equivalents

$ 49,880

$ 13,365

Accounts and notes receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,129 as of December 31, 2018 and $1,097 as of December 31, 2017

248,286

116,841

Inventories

293,717

174,151

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

46,168

44,872

Current assets of discontinued operations

0

5,313

Total current assets

638,051

354,542

Property, plant and equipment

688,842

642,651

Less: accumulated depreciation

175,137

129,810

Net property, plant and equipment

^[1]

513,705

512,841

Deferred income taxes

71,707

30,768

Goodwill

171,117

Other assets

110,911

129,835

Total assets

1,505,491

1,199,103

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)

Accounts payable

88,097

69,110

Short-term debt

106,323

16,474

Accrued income and other taxes

82,255

9,737

Other accrued liabilities

50,452

53,226

Current liabilities of discontinued operations

0

3,412

Total current liabilities

327,127

151,959

Long-term debt

2,050,311

322,900

Other long-term obligations

72,519

68,907

Deferred income taxes

45,825

41,746

Long-term debt - affiliate

86,478

0

Long-term liabilities of discontinued operations

0

376

Commitments and Contingencies – Notes 11 and 13

Stockholders’ (deficit) equity:

Preferred stock, par value $.01, 10,000,000 shares authorized, none issued

0

Common stock, par value $.01, 3,000,000,000 shares authorized, 290,537,612 and 302,225,923 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively

2,905

3,022

Additional paid – in capital

819,622

851,315

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income

(5,800)

20,289

Accumulated deficit

(1,893,496)

(261,411)

Total stockholders’ (deficit) equity

(1,076,769)

613,215

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficit)

$ 1,505,491

$ 1,199,103

[1]	Long-lived assets represent fixed assets, net of accumulated depreciation.

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Accounts and notes receivable, allowance for doubt accounts	$ 1,129	$ 1,097
Preferred stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock shares authorized	300,000,000	300,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	3,000,000,000	3,000,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	290,537,612	302,225,923
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding	290,537,612	302,225,923

Consolidated Statements Of Income And Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Net sales	$ 1,895,910	$ 550,771	$ 437,963
Cost of sales	705,698	461,545	449,228
Additions to lower of cost or market reserve	0	1,509	18,974
Gross profit (loss)	1,190,212	87,717	(30,239)
Research and development	2,129	3,456	2,534
Selling and administrative expenses	62,032	52,506	58,515
Impairment of long-lived assets and goodwill	0	0	2,843
Operating income (loss)	1,126,051	31,755	(94,131)
Other expense (income), net	3,361	(2,104)	(4,266)
Related party Tax Receivable Agreement expense	86,478	0	0
Interest expense	135,061	30,823	26,914
Interest income	(1,657)	(395)	(358)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision (benefit) for income taxes	902,808	3,431	(116,421)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	48,920	(10,781)	(7,552)
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	853,888	14,212	(108,869)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	331	(6,229)	(126,974)
Net income (loss)	$ 854,219	$ 7,983	$ (235,843)
Basic loss per common share:
Net income (loss) per share	$ 2.87	$ 0.03	$ (0.78)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Basic Share	2.87	0.05	(0.36)
Diluted loss per common share:
Weighted average shares outstanding	2.87	0.03	(0.78)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Diluted Share	$ 2.87	$ 0.05	$ (0.36)
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding	297,753,770	302,225,923	302,225,923
STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
Net income (loss)	$ 854,219	$ 7,983	$ (235,843)
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax of ($288), $0, and $0, respectively	(18,391)	23,028	2,574
Commodities and foreign currency derivatives and other, net of tax of $802, $0, and ($20), respectively	(7,698)	4,819	125
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:	(26,089)	27,847	2,699
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ 828,130	$ 35,830	$ (233,144)

Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Cash flow from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 854,219	$ 7,983	$ (235,843)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash provided by operations:
Depreciation and amortization	66,413	66,443	82,891
Impairment of long-lived assets	0	5,300	122,750
Related party Tax Receivable Agreement expense	86,478	0	0
Deferred income tax provision	(37,078)	(15,695)	(12,062)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	23,827	0	0
Non-cash interest expense	5,320	6,805	6,551
Other charges, net	15,761	(9,607)	(735)
Net change in working capital	(177,754)	(20,004)	68,630
Change in long-term assets and liabilities	(583)	(4,652)	(9,367)
Net cash provided by operating activities	836,603	36,573	22,815
Cash flow from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(68,221)	(34,664)	(27,858)
Cash received from divestitures	0	27,254	15,889
Derivative instrument settlements, net	0	0	377
Proceeds from the sale of fixed assets	926	5,211	1,121
Net cash used in investing activities	(67,295)	(2,199)	(10,471)
Cash flow from financing activities:
Short-term debt (reductions) borrowings, net	(12,607)	5,110	7,363
Credit Facility borrowings	0	77,000	56,000
Credit Facility reductions	(45,692)	(114,839)	(70,469)
Repayment of Senior Notes	(304,782)	0	0
Principal payments on long-term debt	(56,372)	(266)	(289)
Related-party promissory note repayment	(225,000)	0	0
Refinancing fees and debt issuance costs	(27,326)	0	(922)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(731,044)	(32,995)	(8,317)
Payments of Dividends	(55,616)	0	0
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	38,264	1,379	4,027
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(1,749)	376	656
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	13,365	11,610	6,927
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	49,880	13,365	11,610
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Interest	108,006	25,277	23,578
Income taxes	21,444	3,467	3,329
Non-cash financing activities:
Dividend payable - Promissory Note	750,000	0	0
Decrease (increase) in current assets:
Accounts and notes receivable, net	(139,180)	(29,755)	(3,432)
Inventories	(126,355)	(15,649)	(53,548)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	7,116	(10,565)	1,424
Increase (Decrease) in Income Taxes Payable	67,054	2,762	313
Accounts payable and accruals	15,724	33,317	12,686
Interest payable	(2,113)	(114)	75
Net change in working capital	(177,754)	(20,004)	68,630
Proceeds from Issuance of Secured Debt	2,235,000	0	0
Dividends - Related Party	(1,488,649)	0	0
Repayments of Related Party Debt	$ (750,000)	$ 0	$ 0

Consolidated Statements Of Stockholders' Equity - USD ($)	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]	Accumulated Deficit [Member]
Balance at Dec. 31, 2015	$ 810,529,000	$ 3,022,000	$ 851,315,000	$ (10,257,000)	$ (33,551,000)
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2015		302,225,923
Comprehensive income (loss):
Net income (loss)	(235,843,000)				(235,843,000)
Other comprehensive income:
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI on Derivatives, Tax	125,000			125,000
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax of ($288), $0, and $0, respectively	2,574,000			2,574,000
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:	2,699,000			2,699,000
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	0
Dividends - Related Party	0
Repayments of Related Party Debt	0
Payments of Dividends	0
Balance at Dec. 31, 2016	577,385,000	$ 3,022,000	851,315,000	(7,558,000)	(269,394,000)
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2016		302,225,923
Comprehensive income (loss):
Net income (loss)	7,983,000				7,983,000
Other comprehensive income:
Unrealized losses on securities, net of tax	4,819,000			4,819,000
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI on Derivatives, Tax	0			0
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax of ($288), $0, and $0, respectively	23,028,000			23,028,000
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:	27,847,000			27,847,000
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	0
Dividends - Related Party	0
Repayments of Related Party Debt	0
Payments of Dividends	0
Balance at Dec. 31, 2017	$ 613,215,000	$ 3,022,000	851,315,000	20,289,000	(261,411,000)
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2017	38,097,525	302,225,923
Comprehensive income (loss):
Net income (loss)	$ 854,219,000
Other comprehensive income:
Unrealized losses on securities, net of tax	(6,866,000)			(6,866,000)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI on Derivatives, Tax	(832,000)			(832,000)
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax of ($288), $0, and $0, respectively	(18,391,000)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:	(26,089,000)			(26,089,000)
Stock Repurchased and Retired During Period, Shares		(11,688,311)
Stock Repurchased and Retired During Period, Value	$ (225,000,000)	$ (117,000)	(32,844,000)		(192,039,000)
Granted	979,790
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	$ 1,151,000		1,151,000		0
Dividends - Related Party	(1,488,649,000)				(1,488,649,000)
Repayments of Related Party Debt	(750,000,000)				750,000,000
Payments of Dividends	(55,616,000)				(55,616,000)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2018	$ (1,076,769,000)	$ 2,905,000	$ 819,622,000	$ (5,800,000)	$ (1,893,496,000)
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2018		290,537,612

Consolidated Statements Of Stockholders' Equity (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	5 Months Ended	7 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Aug. 14, 2015	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2015
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Unrealized losses on securities, net of tax	$ 21	$ (68)	$ (20)	$ (63)

Business And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Business And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies

Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Discussion of Business and Structure

GrafTech International Ltd. (the “Company”) is a leading manufacturer of high quality graphite electrode products essential to the production of electric arc furnace steel and other ferrous and non-ferrous metals. References herein to “GTI,” “we,” “our,” or “us” refer collectively to GrafTech International Ltd. and its subsidiaries. On August 15, 2015, GTI became an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Brookfield Asset Management Inc. (“Brookfield”) through a tender offer to our former stockholders and subsequent merger transaction.

The Company’s only reportable segment, Industrial Materials, is comprised of our two major product categories: graphite electrodes and needle coke products. Needle coke is the key raw material to producing graphite electrodes. The Company's vision is to provide the highest quality graphite electrodes at the lowest cost while providing the best customer service all while striving to be the lowest cost producer.

We previously operated an Engineered Solutions business segment. See Note 3 “Discontinued Operations and Assets Held for Sale” for further information. All results from the Engineered Solutions business have been excluded from continuing operations, unless otherwise indicated.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The Consolidated Financial Statements include the financial statements of GrafTech International Ltd. and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Cash Equivalents

We consider all highly liquid financial instruments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents consist of certificates of deposit, money market funds and commercial paper.

Revenue Recognition

The Company adopted ASC 606 on January 1, 2018. The adoption of ASC 606 represents a change in accounting principle that will more closely align revenue recognition with the delivery of the Company's goods and will provide financial statement readers with enhanced disclosures. The reported results for 2018 reflect the application of ASC 606 guidance while the reported results for 2017 and prior were prepared under the guidance of ASC 605, Revenue Recognition (ASC 605), which is also referred to herein as the "previous revenue guidance".

Prior to the adoption of ASC 606, revenue from sales of our commercial products was recognized when they met four basic criteria (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement existed, (2) delivery had occurred, (3) the amount was determinable and (4) collection was reasonably assured. Sales were recognized when both title and the risks and rewards of ownership were transferred to the customer or services had been rendered and fees had been earned in accordance with the contract.

In accordance with ASC 606, revenue is recognized when a customer obtains control of promised goods. The amount of revenue recognized reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled to receive in exchange for these goods. See Note 2 "Revenue from Contracts with Customers" for more information.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is principally determined using the “first-in first-out” (“FIFO”) and average cost, which approximates FIFO, methods. Elements of cost in inventory include raw materials, direct labor and manufacturing overhead.

We allocate fixed production overheads to the costs of conversion based on normal capacity of the production facilities. We recognize abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight, handling costs, and wasted materials (spoilage) as current period charges.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Expenditures for property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost. Maintenance and repairs of property and equipment are expensed as incurred. Expenditures for replacements and betterments are capitalized and the replaced assets are retired. Gains and losses from the sale of property are included in cost of sales or other expense (income), net. We depreciate our assets using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The ranges of estimated useful lives are as follows:



	Years
Buildings	25-40
Land improvements	20
Machinery and equipment	5-20
Furniture and fixtures	5-10

The carrying value of fixed assets is assessed when events and circumstances indicating impairment are present. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of the assets to future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by the assets. If the assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell.

Depreciation expense was $53.5 million, $50.4 million, and $63.4 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Capital expenditures within accounts payable totaled $13.7 million and $13.6 as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Accounts Receivable

Trade accounts receivable primarily arise from sales of goods to customers and distributors in the normal course of business.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Judgment is required in assessing the likelihood of collection of receivables, including the current creditworthiness of each customer, related aging of the past due balances and the facts and circumstances surrounding any non-payment. We evaluate specific accounts when we become aware of a situation where a customer may not be able to meet its financial obligations. The reserve requirements are based on the best facts available to us and are reevaluated and adjusted as additional information is received. Receivables are charged off when amounts are determined to be uncollectible.

Capitalized Bank Fees

We capitalize bank fees upon the incurrence of debt and record them as a contra-liability against our debt. We had capitalized bank fees of $24.3 million and $0.4 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. We amortize such amounts over the life of the respective debt instrument using the effective interest method. The estimated life may be adjusted upon the occurrence of a triggering event. Amortization of capitalized bank fees amounted to $3.5 million and $0.3 million and $0.2 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Capitalized bank fee amortization is included in interest expense.

Derivative Financial Instruments

We do not use derivative financial instruments for trading purposes. They are used to manage well-defined commercial risks associated with commodity purchases and currency exchange rate risks. On the date that a derivative contract for a hedging instrument is entered into, the Company designates the derivative as either (1) a hedge of the exposure to changes in the fair value of a recognized asset or liability or of an unrecognized firm commitment (a fair value hedge), (2) a hedge of the exposure of a forecasted transaction or of the variability in the cash flows of a recognized asset or liability (a cash flow hedge), (3) a hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation (a net investment hedge) or 4) a contract not designated as a hedging instrument.

For a fair value hedge, both the effective and ineffective portions of the change in the fair value of the derivative are recorded in earnings and reflected in the Consolidated Statement of Operations on the same line as the gain or loss on the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk. For a cash flow hedge, the effective portion of the change in the fair value of the derivative is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss in the consolidated balance sheet. When the underlying hedged transaction is realized, the gain or loss included in accumulated other comprehensive loss is recorded in earnings and reflected in the Consolidated Statement of Operations on the same line as the gain or loss on the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk. For a net investment hedge, the effective portion of the change in the fair value of the derivative is recorded in cumulative translation adjustment, which is a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss in the consolidated balance sheet.

We formally document our hedge relationships, including the identification of the hedging instruments and the related hedged items, as well as our risk management objectives and strategies for undertaking the hedge transaction. Derivatives are recorded at fair value in other current and long-term assets and other current and long-term liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet. We also formally assess, both at inception and at least quarterly thereafter, whether a derivative used in a hedging transaction is highly effective in offsetting changes in either the fair value or the cash flows of the hedged item. When it is determined that a derivative ceases to be highly effective, we discontinue hedge accounting.

Foreign Currency Derivatives

We enter into foreign currency derivatives from time to time to manage exposure to changes in currency exchange rates. These instruments, which include, but are not limited to, forward exchange contracts and purchased currency options, attempt to hedge global currency exposures, relating to non-dollar denominated debt and identifiable foreign currency receivables, payables and commitments held by our foreign and domestic subsidiaries. Forward exchange contracts are agreements to exchange different currencies at a specified future date and at a specified rate. Purchased foreign currency options are instruments which give the holder the right, but not the obligation, to exchange different currencies at a specified rate at a specified date or over a range of specified dates. The result is the creation of a range in which a best and worst price is defined, while minimizing option cost. Forward exchange contracts and purchased currency options are carried at fair value.

These contracts may be designated as Cash-Flow or Fair Value hedges to the extent that they are effective and are accounted for as described in section above (“Derivative Financial Instruments”).. For derivatives that are not designated as a hedge, any gain or loss is immediately recognized in Cost of Sales on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Derivatives used in this manner relate to risks resulting from assets or liabilities denominated in a foreign currency.

Commodity Derivative Contracts

We have entered into derivative contracts for refined oil products. These contracts are entered into to protect against the risk that eventual cash flows related to these products will be adversely affected by future changes in prices. All commodity contracts are carried at fair value and are treated as hedges to the extent they are effective. Changes in their fair values are included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in the Consolidated Balance Sheets until settlement. Realized gains and losses resulting from settlement are recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and are recorded in cost of sales on the Consolidated Statements of Operations when the underlying hedged item is realized.

Research and Development

Expenditures relating to the development of new products and processes, including significant improvements to existing products, are expensed as incurred.

Income Taxes

We file a consolidated United States (“U.S.”) federal income tax return for GTI and its eligible domestic subsidiaries. Our non-U.S. subsidiaries file income tax returns in their respective local jurisdictions. We account for income taxes under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and tax benefit carry forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities at the end of each period are determined using enacted tax rates. A valuation allowance is established or maintained, when, based on currently available information and other factors, it is more likely than not that all or a portion of a deferred tax asset will not be realized.

Under the guidance on accounting for uncertainty in income taxes, we recognize the benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The guidance on accounting for uncertainty in income taxes also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties on income taxes, and accounting in interim periods.

As a result of the enactment of the Tax Act of 2017, the Company is required to make an accounting policy election of either (1) treating taxes due on future U.S. inclusions in taxable income related to Global Intangible Low Tax Income ("GILTI") as a current period expense when incurred (the “period cost method”) or (2) factoring such amounts into the Company’s measurement of its deferred taxes (the “deferred method”). The Company’s accounting policy will be to treat taxes due on future U.S. inclusions in taxable income related to GILTI as a current period expense when incurred. See Note 14 "Income Taxes" for more information.

Retirement Plans and Postretirement Benefits

We use actuarial methods and assumptions to account for our defined benefit pension plans and our postretirement benefits. We immediately recognize the change in the fair value of plan assets and net actuarial gains and losses annually in the fourth quarter of each year with a mark-to-market adjustment ("MTM Adjustment") and whenever a plan is remeasured (e.g. due to a significant curtailment, settlement, etc.). Pension and postretirement benefits expense includes the MTM adjustment, actuarially computed cost of benefits earned during the current service period, the interest cost on accrued obligations, the expected return on plan assets based on fair market values, and adjustments due to plan settlements and curtailments. Contributions to the qualified U.S. retirement plan are made in accordance with the requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.

Postretirement benefits and benefits under the non-qualified retirement plan have been accrued, but not funded. The estimated cost of future postretirement life insurance benefits is determined by the Company with assistance from independent actuarial firms using the “projected unit credit” actuarial cost method. Such costs are recognized as employees render the service necessary to earn the postretirement benefits. We record our balance sheet position based on the funded status of the plan.

Additional information with respect to benefits plans is set forth in Note 12, “Retirement Plans and Postretirement Benefits.”

Environmental, Health and Safety Matters

Our operations are governed by laws addressing protection of the environment and worker safety and health. These laws provide for civil and criminal penalties and fines, as well as injunctive and remedial relief, for noncompliance and require remediation at sites where hazardous substances have been released into the environment.

We have been in the past, and may become in the future, the subject of formal or informal enforcement actions or proceedings regarding noncompliance with these laws or the remediation of company-related substances released into the environment. Historically, such matters have been resolved by negotiation with regulatory authorities resulting in commitments to compliance, abatement or remediation programs and in some cases payment of penalties. Historically, neither the commitments undertaken nor the penalties imposed on us have been material.

Environmental considerations are part of all significant capital expenditure decisions. Environmental remediation, compliance and management expenses were approximately $12.4 million, $8.0 million and $8.3 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. A charge to income is recorded when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the cost can be reasonably estimated. When payments are fixed or determinable, the liability is discounted using a rate at which the payments could be effectively settled. The accrued liability relating to environmental remediation was $4.2 million as of December 31, 2018 and $2.1 million as of December 31, 2017. The increase in the liability was the result of a revised estimate for asset retirement obligations related to landfills.

Our environmental liabilities do not take into consideration possible recoveries of insurance proceeds. Because of the uncertainties associated with environmental remediation activities at sites where we may be potentially liable, future expenses to remediate sites could be considerably higher than the accrued liability.

Foreign Currency Translation and Remeasurement

We translate the financial statements of foreign subsidiaries, whose local currency is their functional currency, to U.S. dollars using period-end exchange rates for assets and liabilities and weighted average exchange rates for each period for revenues, expenses, gains and losses. Differences arising from exchange rate changes are included in accumulated other comprehensive loss on the Consolidated Balance Sheets until such time as the operations of such non-U.S. subsidiaries are sold or substantially or completely liquidated.

For our Mexican, Swiss and Russian subsidiaries, whose functional currency is the U.S. dollar, we remeasure non-monetary balance sheet accounts and the related income statement accounts at historical exchange rates. Resulting gains and losses arising from the fluctuations in currency for monetary accounts are recognized in other (income) expense, net, in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Gains and losses arising from fluctuations in currency exchange rates on transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency are recognized in earnings as incurred.

We have non-dollar denominated intercompany loans between some of our foreign subsidiaries. These loans are subject to remeasurement gains and losses due to changes in currency exchange rates. Certain of these loans had been deemed to be essentially permanent prior to settlement and, as a result, remeasurement gains and losses on these loans were recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in the stockholders’ equity section of the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The remaining loans are deemed to be temporary and, as a result, remeasurement gains and losses on these loans are recorded as currency (gains/losses) in other (income) expense, net, on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill is the excess of the acquisition cost of businesses over the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired. We do not recognize deferred income taxes for the difference between the assigned value and the tax basis related to nondeductible goodwill. Goodwill is not amortized; however, impairment testing is performed annually or more frequently if circumstances indicate that impairment may have occurred. We perform the annual goodwill impairment test at December 31.

The annual goodwill impairment testing may begin with a qualitative assessment of potential impairment indicators in order to determine whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test.

The impairment test for goodwill uses a two-step approach, which is performed at the reporting unit level. Step one compares the fair value of the reporting unit to its carrying value. The fair value for each reporting unit with goodwill is determined in accordance with accounting guidance on determining fair value, which requires consideration of the income, market, and cost approaches as applicable. If the carrying value exceeds the fair value, there is potential impairment and step two must be performed. Step two compares the carrying value of the reporting unit’s goodwill to its implied fair value (i.e., fair value of the reporting unit less the fair value of the unit’s assets and liabilities, including identifiable intangible assets). If the implied fair value of goodwill is less than the carrying amount of goodwill, an impairment is recognized.

Other amortizable intangible assets, which consist primarily of trademarks and trade names, customer-related intangibles and technological know-how, are amortized over their estimated useful lives using the straight line or sum-of-the-years digits method. The estimated useful lives for each major category of amortizable intangible assets are:



	Years
Trade name	5-10
Technology and know-how	5-9
Customer related intangible	5-14

Additional information about goodwill and other intangibles is set forth in Note 6 “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.”

Major Maintenance and Repair Costs

We perform scheduled major maintenance of the storage and processing units at our Seadrift plant (referred to as “overhaul”). Time periods between overhauls vary by unit. We also perform an annual scheduled significant maintenance and repair shutdown of the plant (referred to as “turnaround”).

Costs of overhauls and turnarounds include plant personnel, contract services, materials, and rental equipment. We defer these costs when incurred and use the straight-line method to amortize them over the period of time estimated to lapse until the next scheduled overhaul of the applicable storage or processing unit. Under this policy $9.8 million was deferred in 2018 and no costs were deferred in 2017. Amortization of deferred maintenance costs totaled $3.1 million, $3.3 million and $7.0 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Earnings per share

The calculation of basic earnings per share is based on the number of common shares outstanding after giving effect to the stock split effected on April 12, 2018 and common stock repurchase on August 13, 2018. Diluted earnings per share recognizes the dilution that would occur if stock options or restricted shares were exercised or converted into common shares. See Note 15 “Earnings Per Share”.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the Consolidated Financial Statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses. Significant estimates and assumptions are used for, but are not limited to inventory valuation, pension and other post-retirement benefits, allowance for doubtful accounts, contingent liabilities, accruals and valuation allowances, asset impairment, and environmental-related accruals. Actual results could differ from our estimates.

Discontinued Operations and Assets Held for Sale

When Management commits to a plan to sell assets or asset groups and a sale is probable, we reclassify those assets or asset groups into "Assets Held for Sale". Upon reclassification to assets held for sale, we evaluate the book value of the disposal groups against their fair value less costs to sell and as a result may impair the assets / asset groups. As and if new information becomes available on the fair value of the assets/asset groups , we may adjust accordingly the impairment.

Once the assets of a business have been classified as held for sale, we evaluate if the divestiture represents a strategic shift in operations and if so, we exclude the results of this business from continuing operations. All results are reported as gain or loss from discontinued operations, net of tax. During the second quarter of 2016, our Engineered Solutions business qualified as discontinued operations and as such, all its results have been excluded from continuing operations. See Note 3 "Discontinued Operations and Related Assets Held for Sale".

Subsequent Events

We evaluate events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued to determine if a material event requires our amending the financial statements or disclosing the event. See Note 18 "Subsequent Events" for further details.

Recent Accounting Standards

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) . The Company adopted ASU 2014-09 and its related amendments (collectively known as ASC 606) effective on January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective method. Please see Note 2 "Revenue from Contracts with Customers" for the required disclosures related to the impact of adopting this standard and a discussion of the Company's updated policies related to revenue recognition.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230), Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Payments,clarifying guidance on the classification of certain cash receipts and payments in the statement of cash flows. The adoption of ASU 2016-15 on January 1, 2018 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-07, Compensation-Retirement Benefits (Topic 715). This standard requires an entity to report the service cost component in the same line item as other compensation costs. The other components of net (benefit) cost, including our annual mark-to-market remeasurement, will be presented in the income statement separately from the service cost component and outside a subtotal of income from operations. The adoption of ASU No. 2017-07 on January 1, 2018 changed the presentation of benefit expenses, but did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. The components of the net (benefit) cost are shown in Note 12, "Retirement Plans and Postretirement Benefits." The following table summarizes the adjustments made to conform prior period classifications to the new guidance:



	For the Year Ended December 31, 2017								For the Year Ended December 31, 2016
	(dollars in thousands)
	As Reported		Effect of Accounting Change			As Adjusted			As Reported			Effect of Accounting Change			As Adjusted
Cost of Sales	$	461,339	$	206		$	461,545		$	448,016		$	1,212		$	449,228
Research and development	2,951		505			3,456			2,399			135			2,534
Selling and administrative expenses	49,479		3,027			52,506			57,784			731			58,515
Other (income) expense, net	1,634		(3,738		)	(2,104		)	(2,188		)	(2,078		)	(4,266		)

Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). Under this new guidance, a company will now recognize most leases on its balance sheet as lease liabilities with corresponding right-of-use assets. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company plans to adopt ASU No. 2016-02 on January 1, 2019, using the modified retrospective approach with the option of not restating comparative prior periods presented in the financial statements. Under this method, we will recognize the effects of applying ASC 842 as a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings as of the effective date of adoption of January 1, 2019. The Company has completed its evaluation of the contracts. We anticipate additional assets and liabilities of approximately $10 million to be recorded as a result with no material adjustment to retained earning required.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017‑04, Intangibles‑Goodwill and Other (Topic 350). This guidance was issued to simplify the accounting for goodwill impairment. The guidance removes the second step of the goodwill impairment test, which requires that a hypothetical purchase price allocation be performed to determine the amount of impairment, if any. Under this new guidance, a goodwill impairment charge will be based on the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. The guidance will become effective on a prospective basis for the Company on January 1, 2020 with early adoption permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Revenue From Contracts With Customers (Notes)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]

Revenue from Contracts with Customers

The Company adopted ASC 606 on January 1, 2018. The adoption of ASC 606 represents a change in accounting principle that will more closely align revenue recognition with the delivery of the Company's goods and will provide financial statement readers with enhanced disclosures. The reported results for 2018 reflect the application of ASC 606 guidance while the reported results for 2017 and 2016 were prepared under the guidance of ASC 605, Revenue Recognition (ASC 605), which is also referred to herein as the "previous revenue guidance".

Financial Statement Impact of Adopting ASC 606

The Company adopted ASC 606 effective January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective method. Under this method, we could elect to apply the cumulative effect method to either all contracts as of the date of initial application or only to contracts that are not complete as of that date. We elected to apply the modified retrospective method to contracts that are not complete as of the date of initial application. The cumulative effect of applying the new guidance to all contracts with customers that were not completed as of January 1, 2018 was to be recorded as an adjustment to accumulated deficit as of the adoption date. As a result of using the modified retrospective method, there were no adjustments that were made to accounts on the Company's consolidated balance sheet as of January 1, 2018.

Impact of the adoption of ASC 606 on accounting policies

In accordance with ASC 606, revenue is recognized when a customer obtains control of promised goods. The amount of revenue recognized reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled to receive in exchange for these goods.

To achieve this core principle, the following five steps are performed: (i) identify the contract(s) with a customer; (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (iii) determine the transaction price; (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) we satisfy a performance obligation.

The Company sells the majority of its products directly to steel manufacturers located in various jurisdictions. The Company’s contracts consist of longer-term take-or-pay sales contracts of graphite electrodes with terms of up to five years and short-term purchase orders (deliveries within one year). Collectability is assessed based on the customer’s ability and intention to pay, reviewing a variety of factors including the customer’s historical payment experience and published credit and financial information. Additionally, for multi-year contracts, we may require the customer to post a bank guarantee, guarantee of a parent, a letter of credit or a significant pre-payment.

The promises of delivery of graphite electrodes represent the distinct performance obligations of our contracts. A small portion of our sales consist of deliveries of by-products of the manufacturing processes, such as graphite powders, naphta and gasoil.

Given their nature, the Company’s performance obligations are satisfied at a point in time when control of the products has been transferred to the customer. In most cases, control transfer is deemed to happen at the delivery point of the products defined under the incoterms, usually at time of loading the truck or the vessel. The Company has elected to treat the transportation activity as a fulfilment activity instead of as a distinct performance obligation, and outbound freight cost is accrued when the product delivery promises are satisfied.

The transaction price is determined based on the consideration to which the Company will be entitled in exchange for transferring goods to the customer. Taxes assessed by a governmental authority that are both imposed on and concurrent with a specific revenue-producing transaction and collected by the Company from a customer are excluded from the transaction price.

Variable consideration is included in the transaction price if, in the Company’s judgment, it is probable that a significant future reversal of cumulative revenue under the contract will not occur. The Company’s contracts and customary practices involve few rebates or discounts. The Company provides a limited warranty on its products and may issue credit notes or replace products free of charge for valid quality claims; historically, quality claims have been insignificant and the Company records appropriate accruals for the estimated credit notes based on the historical statistical experience. Certain contracts provide for limited rebates when deliveries are late versus committed dates. These rebates are accrued for based on historical statistics of late deliveries on the contracts to which those terms apply.

Contracts that contain multiple distinct performance obligations require an allocation of the transaction price to each performance obligation based on a relative stand-alone selling price basis. The Company regularly reviews market conditions and internally approved pricing guidelines to determine stand-alone selling prices for the different types of its customer contracts. The stand-alone prices as known at contract inception are utilized as the basis to allocate the transaction price to the distinct performance obligations. The allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations remains unchanged if stand-alone selling prices change after contract inception.

The Company expenses sales commissions as earned as their amortization period would not extend beyond the year in which they are incurred. These costs are recorded within selling and administrative expense.

Disaggregation of Revenue

The following table provides information about disaggregated revenue by type of product and contract for 2018:



	For the Year Ended December 31, 2018
	(Dollars in thousands)
Graphite Electrodes - Three-to-five-year contracts	$	1,341,557
Graphite Electrodes - Short-term contracts	500,834
By-products	53,519
Total Revenues	$	1,895,910

Impact of New Revenue Guidance on Financial Statement Line Items

There would be no differences to the reported consolidated balance sheet, statement of operations and cash flows, as of and for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018, had the previous revenue guidance still been in effect.

Contract Balances

Receivables, net of allowances for doubtful accounts, were $248.3 million as of December 31, 2018 and $116.8 million as of December 31, 2017. Accounts receivables are recorded when the right to consideration becomes unconditional. Payment terms on invoices range from 30 to 120 days depending on the customary business practices of the jurisdictions in which we do business.

Certain short-term and longer-term sales contracts require up-front payments prior to the Company’s fulfillment of any performance obligation. These contract liabilities are recorded as current or long-term deferred revenue, depending on the lag between the pre-payment and the expected delivery of the related products. Additionally, under ASC 606, deferred revenue originates from contracts where the allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations based on their relative stand-alone selling prices results in the timing of revenue recognition being different from the timing of the invoicing. In this case, deferred revenue is amortized into revenue based on the transaction price allocated to the remaining performance obligations.

Current deferred revenue is included in "Other accrued liabilities" and long-term deferred revenue is included in "Other long-term obligations" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The following table provides information about deferred revenue from contracts with customers (in thousands):



	Current deferred revenue			Long-Term deferred revenue
	(Dollars in thousands)
Balance as of December 31, 2017	$	20,784		$	—
Increases due to billings	15,548			8,241
Revenue recognized	(30,803		)	—
Foreign currency impact	(149		)	(525		)
Balance as of December 31, 2018	$	5,380		$	7,716

Transaction Price Allocated to the Remaining Performance Obligations

The following table presents estimated revenues expected to be recognized in the future related to performance obligations that are unsatisfied (or partially unsatisfied) at the end of the reporting period (in thousands). The estimated revenues do not include contracts with original duration of one year or less.



	Three-to-five-year take-or-pay contracts
	(Dollars in thousands)
2019	$	1,404,618
2020	1,327,449
2021	1,172,536
2022	1,127,105
Thereafter	8,715
Total	$	5,040,423

In addition to the expected remaining revenue to be recognized with the longer-term sales contracts, the Company recorded $1,341.6 million of revenue pursuant to these contracts in the twelve months ended December 31, 2018.

Discontinued Operations and Related Assets Held for Sale

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]

Discontinued Operations and Related Assets Held for Sale

On February 26, 2016, the Company announced that it had initiated a strategic review of its Engineered Solutions business segment to better direct its resources and simplify its operations. Any potential sale of assets was prohibited by its revolving facility without approval of the requisite lenders thereunder. On April 27, 2016, GrafTech and certain of its subsidiaries entered into an amendment to the revolving facility (see Note 7 "Debt and Liquidity") which, among other things, permits the sale of assets with the restriction that the proceeds be utilized to pay down revolver borrowings. As of June 30, 2016, the Engineered Solutions segment qualified for reporting as discontinued operations as its divestiture represented a strategic shift for the Company.

During 2016, we evaluated the fair value of the Engineered Solutions business segment utilizing the market approach (Level 3 measure). As a result, we incurred an impairment charge to our Engineered Solutions business segment of $120 million to align the carrying value with estimated fair value. We continued to update this estimate and during 2017, we further reduced the estimated fair value by $5.3 million based upon current information at that time.

On November 30, 2016, we completed the sale of our Fiber Materials Inc. ("Fiber Materials") business, which was a business line within our former Engineered Solutions business. The sale resulted in cash proceeds of $15.9 million and a loss of $0.2 million. We have the ability to realize up to $8.5 million of additional proceeds based on the earnings of the Fiber Materials business over the 24 months following the transaction. We have elected to record this contingent consideration as it is realized and accordingly, it has not been recognized to date. Based on the 2017 and preliminary 2018 results of Fiber Materials, we do not expect any material additional proceeds from this contingent consideration.

On July 3, 2017, we completed the sale of our Advanced Energy Technologies ("AET") business. AET was a product line within our Engineered Solutions business that had been classified as held for sale since the second quarter of 2016. The sale resulted in cash proceeds of $28.5 million.

On September 30, 2017, we completed the sale of the majority of the U.S. assets of our GrafTech Advanced Graphite Materials ("GAGM") business, which was a component of our Engineered Solutions business. The sale of the Italian GAGM assets closed on October 5, 2017. In the jurisdictions where the GAGM assets were not acquired, we initiated the wind-down of the business. The sale was structured as a non-cash transaction with the buyer assuming certain liabilities associated with the assets acquired. In addition, GrafTech retained certain current assets of GAGM, mostly receivables, which were substantially realized in the fourth quarter of 2017.

As a result of the sales described above, we recorded a gain of $6.1 million in 2017. The disposition of the Engineered Solutions business is now substantially complete and in accordance with our Credit Facility, all cash proceeds from these sales were used to pay down our revolving facility and term loan.

As of December 31, 2018, we have ceased reporting discontinued operations and have included all remaining assets and liabilities within continuing operations.

The following tables summarize the results of the Engineered Solutions business segment, reclassified as discontinued operations:



		For the Year Ended December 31,
		2018			2017			2016
	(Dollars in thousands)
Net sales		$	2,574		$	82,299		$	115,336
Cost of sales		3,310			74,723			98,440
Gross (loss) profit		(736		)	7,576			16,896
Research and development		—			1,429			3,145
Selling and administrative expenses		(628		)	12,239			19,022
(Gain) loss on sale of assets		(508		)	(6,091		)	198
Rationalizations		—			(35		)	(405		)
Impairment		—			5,300			119,907
		400			(5,266		)	(124,971		)
Other expense (income)		30			(115		)	(66		)
Interest expense		—			1,133			3,258
Income (loss) from discontinued operations before income taxes		370			(6,284		)	(128,163		)
Benefit for income taxes on discontinued operations		(39		)	(55		)	(1,189		)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations		$	331		$	(6,229	)	$	(126,974	)

Basic and diluted income (loss) from discontinued operations per share		$	—		$	(0.02	)	$	(0.42	)

The significant components of our Statements of Cash Flows for discontinued operations are as follows:



	For the Year Ended December 31
	2018			2017			2016
	(Dollars in thousands)
Depreciation and amortization	$	—		$	2,418		$	5,277
Impairment	—			5,300			119,907
(Gain) loss on sale of assets	(508		)	(6,091		)	198
Net change in inventory	502			15,217			(917		)
Cash received from divestitures	—			27,254			15,889
Credit facility reductions	—			(27,254		)	(15,889		)
Deferred income taxes	40			(55		)	(1,189		)
Capital expenditures	—			558			4,713

The following table summarizes the carrying value of the assets and liabilities of discontinued operations as of December 31, 2018 and 2017.



	As of December 31, 2018		As of December 31, 2017
	(Dollars in thousands)
Assets of discontinued operations:
Accounts receivable	$	—	$	3,351
Inventories	—		502
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	—		1,137
Net property, plant and equipment	—		226
Other assets	—		97
Total assets of discontinued operations	$	—	$	5,313

Liabilities of discontinued operations:
Accounts payable	$	—	$	512
Accrued income and other taxes	—		158
Other accrued liabilities	—		2,742
Total current liabilities of discontinued operations	—		3,412

Other long-term obligations	—		376

Total liabilities of discontinued operations	$	—	$	3,788

Stock Based and Other Management Compensation

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]

Stock Based and Other Management Compensation

Our Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan permits the granting of options, and other stock-based awards (including restricted stock units and deferred share units). As of December 31, 2018, the aggregate number of shares authorized under the plans since their initial adoption was 15,000,000. Shares issued upon vesting of awards or exercise of options are new share issuances. Upon the vesting or payment of stock awards, an employee may elect receipt of the full share amount and either pay the resulting taxes or sell shares in the open market to cover the tax obligation.

During 2018 our Board of Directors granted 979,790 stock options, 42,243 deferred share units and 6,740 restricted stock units under our Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan.

Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-based compensation expense recognized was $1.2 million in 2018. A majority of the expense, $1.0 million, was recorded as "Selling and Administrative Expenses" in the Consolidated Statement of Operations, with the remaining expenses incurred as cost of sales. There was no stock-based compensation expense recognized in 2017 and 2016.

As of December 31, 2018, unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock options, deferred share units and restricted stock units represents $5.4 million, which will be recognized over a weighted average period of 4.3 years.

Deferred Share and Restricted Stock Units. Deferred share units represent one share of our common stock and will be delivered as shares of our common stock when the recipient ceases to provide services to the Company. Compensation expense for deferred share units and restricted stock share awards is based on the closing price of our common stock on the date of grant. The weighted average grant date fair value of deferred share units and restricted stock units was approximately $12.88 per share at December 31, 2018.

Deferred share units and restricted stock unit awards activity under the Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan for 2018 was as follows:



	Number of Shares		Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value
Outstanding unvested as of January 1, 2018	—		$	—
Granted	48,983		13.94
Vested	(21,413	)	15.29
Outstanding unvested as of December 31, 2018	27,570		$	12.88

During 2018, we granted 48,983 shares of deferred share units and restricted stock units to certain directors, officers and employees at prices ranging from $15.00 to $19.44. Of the total deferred share units granted, 21,413 were granted to our Board of Directors and vested immediately upon grant. The remaining deferred share units and restricted stock units vest over a period of two to five years.

Stock Options. Compensation expense for stock options is based on the estimated fair value of the option on the date of the grant. We calculate the estimated fair value of the option using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. During 2018, we granted 979,790 options to certain of our officers and employees. The weighted-average fair value of the options granted in 2018 was $6.08. The weighted average assumptions used in our Black-Scholes option-pricing model for options granted in 2018 are:



	For the Year Ended December 31, 2018
Dividend yield	1.70% - 2.27%
Expected volatility	45	%
Risk-free interest rate	2.84% - 2.98%
Expected term in years	6.5 years

Dividend Yield. Our dividend yield estimate is based on our expected dividends and the stock price on the grant date.

Expected Volatility. We estimate the volatility of our common stock at the date of grant based on the historical volatility of comparable companies over the most recent period commensurate with the expected life of the award.

Risk-Free Interest Rate. We base the risk-free interest rate on the implied yield currently available on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with an equivalent remaining term equal to the expected life of the award.

Expected Term In Years. The expected life of awards granted represents the time period that the awards are expected to be outstanding. We determined the expected term of the grants using the “simplified” method as described by the SEC, since we do not have a history of stock option awards to provide a reliable basis for estimating such term.

The stock options vest over a five year period, with one-fifth of the award vesting on the anniversary date of the grant in each of the next five years. Options outstanding at December 31, 2018, have a weighted average remaining contractual life of 9.3 years years, a weighted average remaining vesting period of 2.3 years, and an aggregate intrinsic value of zero. There were no options exercised during 2018.

Stock options outstanding and exercisable under our plans at December 31, 2018 are:



			Options Outstanding			Options Exercisable
Range of Exercise Prices			Number Outstanding	Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life in Years	Weighted Average Exercise Prices	Number Exercisable	Weighted Average Exercise Prices
$15.00	-	$20.00	968,720	9.3	$15.68	—	$	—

Stock option awards activity under the Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan for 2018 was as follows:



	Number of Shares		Weighted- Average Exercise Price
Outstanding unvested as of January 1, 2018	—		$	—
Granted	979,790		15.67
Forfeited	(11,070	)	15.00
Outstanding unvested as of December 31, 2018	968,720		$	15.68

As of December 31, 2018, we have 193,744 options expected to vest in the next year. No options were exercisable as of December 31, 2018.

Incentive Compensation Plans

We have a global incentive program for our worldwide salaried and hourly employees, the Incentive Compensation Program (the “ICP”), which includes a stockholder-approved executive incentive compensation plan. The ICP is based primarily on earnings before income taxes and achieving cash flow targets and, to a lesser extent, strategic targets. The balance of our accrued liability for ICP was $10.4 million at December 31, 2018 and $8.9 million as of December 31, 2017.

Segment Reporting

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Segment Reporting Information, Revenue for Reportable Segment [Abstract]

Segment Reporting

We previously operated two reportable business segments, Industrial Materials and Engineered Solutions. During the second quarter of 2016 the Company decided to sell the businesses that comprised our Engineered Solutions segment to focus on our Industrial Materials segment. Accordingly, the Engineered Solutions business qualified as held for sale status and the related results have been excluded from continuing operations. See Note 3 "Discontinued Operations and Related Assets Held for Sale" for significant components of the results of our Engineered Solutions segment.

Our Industrial Materials segment manufactures high quality graphite electrodes essential to the production of electric arc furnace steel and other ferrous and non-ferrous metals. Petroleum needle coke, a crystalline form of carbon derived from decant oil, is the primary raw material used in the production of graphite electrodes. We utilize substantially all the needle coke that we produce internally to manufacture our graphite electrodes and as a result more than 95% of our revenues from external customers are derived from the sale of graphite electrodes and graphite electrode by-products from our manufacturing processes.

In 2018, one customer accounted for more than 10% of our net sales. Due to the increased demand for our products, we believe this customer does not pose a significant concentration of risk, as sales to this customer could be replaced by demand from other customers.

The following tables summarize information as to our continuing operations in different geographic areas.



	2018		2017		2016
	(Dollars in thousands)
Net sales:
U.S.	$	429,599	$	103,890	$	74,526
Americas	367,561		129,103		116,944
Asia Pacific	131,578		46,329		41,302
Europe, Middle East, Africa	967,172		271,449		205,191
Total	$	1,895,910	$	550,771	$	437,963



	At December 31,
	2018		2017
	(Dollars in thousands)
Long-lived assets (a):
U.S.	$	169,301	$	177,298
Mexico	146,790		147,959
Brazil	3,320		3,547
France	91,022		80,035
Spain	103,121		103,819
Other countries	151		183
Total	$	513,705	$	512,841


(a)	Long-lived assets represent fixed assets, net of accumulated depreciation.

Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

We are required to review goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets annually for impairment. Goodwill

impairment is tested at the reporting unit level on an annual basis and between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value. For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 an assessment for potential impairment was performed and an impairment adjustment was not required.

The following table represents the changes in the carrying value of goodwill and intangibles from December 31, 2016 through December 31, 2018:



	Total
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Balance as of December 31, 2016	$	171,117
Adjustments	—
Balance as of December 31, 2017	171,117
Adjustments	—
Balance as of December 31, 2018	$	171,117

The following table summarizes acquired intangible assets with determinable useful lives by major category which are included in "Other Assets" on our consolidated balance sheets:



	As of December 31, 2018							As of December 31, 2017
	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Amount		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Amount
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Trade name	$	22,500	$	(7,721	)	$	14,779	$	22,500	$	(5,512	)	$	16,988
Technology and know-how	55,300		(23,503		)	31,797		55,300		(17,265		)	38,035
Customer related intangible	64,500		(15,070		)	49,430		64,500		(10,637		)	53,863
Total finite-lived intangible assets	$	142,300	$	(46,294	)	$	96,006	$	142,300	$	(33,414	)	$	108,886

Amortization expense of intangible assets was $12.9 million, $13.6 million, $14.3 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Estimated annual amortization expense for the next five years will approximate $12.2 million in 2019, $11.4 million in 2020, $10.7 million in 2021, $10.1 million in 2022 and $9.2 million in 2023.

Debt And Liquidity

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations [Abstract]

Debt And Liquidity

Debt and Liquidity

The following table presents our long-term debt:



	As of December 31, 2018			As of December 31, 2017
	(Dollars in thousands)
Old Credit Facility (Old Revolving Facility and Old Term Loan Facility)	$	—		$	58,192
Senior Notes	—			280,586
2018 Credit Facility (2018 Term Loan and 2018 Revolving Facility)	2,155,883			—
Other Debt	751			596
Total Debt	2,156,634			339,374
Less: Short-term Debt	(106,323		)	(16,474		)
Long-term Debt	$	2,050,311		$	322,900

Old Revolving Facility and Term Loan Facility

On April 23, 2014, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries entered into an amended and restated credit agreement governing a revolving facility with a borrowing capacity of $400 million and a maturity date of April 2019. On February 27, 2015, GrafTech and certain of its subsidiaries entered into a further amended and restated credit agreement that provided for, among other things, greater financial flexibility and a $40 million senior secured delayed draw term loan facility.

On July 28, 2015, GrafTech and certain of its subsidiaries entered into an amendment to the amended and restated credit agreement to change the terms regarding the occurrence of a default upon a change in control (which is defined thereunder to include the acquisition by any person of more than 25% of GrafTech’s outstanding shares) to exclude the acquisition of shares by Brookfield. In addition, effective upon such acquisition, the financial covenants were eased, resulting in increased availability under the revolving facility. The size of the revolving facility was also reduced from $400 million to $375 million. The size of the term loan facility remained at $40 million.

On April 27, 2016, GrafTech and certain of its subsidiaries entered into an amendment to the revolving facility. The size of the revolving facility was permanently reduced from $375 million to $225 million. New covenants were also added to the revolving facility, including a requirement to make mandatory repayments of outstanding amounts under the revolving facility and the term loan facility with the proceeds of any sale of all or any substantial part of the assets included in the Engineered Solutions segment and a requirement to maintain minimum liquidity (consisting of domestic cash, cash equivalents and availability under the revolving facility) in excess of $25 million. The covenants were also modified to provide for: the elimination of certain exceptions to the Company’s negative covenants limiting the Company’s ability to make certain investments, sell assets, make restricted payments, incur liens and incur debt; a restriction on the amount of cash and cash equivalents permitted to be held on the balance sheet at any one time without paying down the revolving facility and the term loan facility; and changes to the Company’s financial covenants so that until the earlier of March 31, 2019 or the Company has $75 million in trailing twelve month EBITDA (as defined in the revolving facility), the Company is required to maintain trailing twelve month EBITDA above certain minimums ranging from ($40 million) to $35 million after which the Company’s existing financial covenants under the revolving facility will apply.

With this amendment, the Company had full access to the $225 million revolving facility, subject to the $25 million minimum liquidity requirement. As of December 31, 2017, the Company had $39.5 million of borrowings and $8.7 million of letters of credit, for a total of $48.2 million drawn against the revolving facility. See "Refinancing" below.

The $40 million term loan facility was fully drawn on August 11, 2015, in connection with the repayment of the Senior Subordinated Notes in 2015. See "Refinancing" below.

The interest rate applicable to the revolving facility and term loan facility was LIBOR plus a margin ranging from 2.25% to 4.75% (depending on our total senior secured leverage ratio). The borrowers were required to pay a per annum fee ranging from 0.35% to 0.70% (depending on our senior secured leverage ratio) on the undrawn portion of the commitments under the Revolving Facility.

In the event that operating cash flows fail to provide sufficient liquidity to meet our business needs, including capital expenditures, any such shortfall would need to be made up by increased borrowings under our revolving facility, to the extent available. In accordance with our credit facility, we used cash proceeds from the sale of our Engineered Solutions businesses to repay borrowings outstanding under the revolving facility and the term loan.

As of December 31, 2017, we were in compliance with all financial and other covenants contained in the revolving facility, as applicable.

Senior Notes

On November 20, 2012, the Company issued $300 million principal amount of 6.375% Senior Notes due 2020 (the "Senior Notes"). The Senior Notes were the Company's senior unsecured obligations and rank pari passu with all of the Company's existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness. The Senior Notes were guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by each of the Company's existing and future subsidiaries that guarantee certain other indebtedness of the Company or another guarantor.

The Senior Notes bore interest at a rate of 6.375% per year, payable semi-annually in arrears on May 15 and November 15 of each year. The Senior Notes were to mature on November 15, 2020.

The Company was entitled to redeem some or all of the Senior Notes at any time on or after November 15, 2016, at the redemption prices set forth in the indenture. In addition, prior to November 15, 2016, the Company could redeem some or all of the Senior Notes at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, plus a “make whole” premium determined as set forth in the indenture.

If, prior to maturity, a change in control (as defined in the indenture) of the Company occurred and thereafter certain downgrades of the ratings of the Senior Notes as specified in the indenture occurred, the Company would be required to offer to repurchase any or all of the Senior Notes at a repurchase price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes, plus any accrued and unpaid interest. On August 17, 2015 a change in control occurred due to our acquisition by Brookfield. However, the downgrade of the ratings of the Senior Notes, as specified in the indenture, did not occur. Therefore, the company was not and will not be required to offer to repurchase the Senior Notes as a result of the merger.

The indenture for the Senior Notes also contained covenants that, among other things, limited the ability of the Company and certain of its subsidiaries to: (i) create liens or use assets as security in other transactions; (ii) engage in certain sale/leaseback transactions; and (iii) merge, consolidate or sell, transfer, lease or dispose of substantially all of their assets.

The indenture for the Senior Notes also contained customary events of default, including (i) failure to pay principal or interest on the Senior Notes when due and payable, (ii) failure to comply with covenants or agreements in the indenture or the Senior Notes which failures are not cured or waived as provided in the indenture, (iii) failure to pay indebtedness of the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or Significant Subsidiary (each, as defined in the indenture) within any applicable grace period after maturity or acceleration and the total amount of such indebtedness unpaid or accelerated exceeds $50.0 million, (iv) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency, or reorganization, (v) failure to pay any judgment or decree for an amount in excess of $50.0 million against the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary that is not discharged, waived or stayed as provided in the indenture, (vi) cessation of any Subsidiary Guarantee (as defined in the indenture) to be in full force and effect or denial or disaffirmance by any subsidiary guarantor of its obligations under its subsidiary guarantee, and (vii) a default under the Company's Senior Subordinated Notes which were repaid in 2015. In the case of an event of default, the principal amount of the Senior Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest may be accelerated.

Refinancing

On February 12, 2018, the Company entered into a credit agreement (the “2018 Credit Agreement”) among the Company, GrafTech Finance Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of GrafTech (“GrafTech Finance”), GrafTech Switzerland SA, a Swiss corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of GrafTech (“Swissco”), GrafTech Luxembourg II S.à.r.l., a Luxembourg société à responsabilité limitée and a wholly owned subsidiary of GrafTech (“Luxembourg Holdco” and, together with GrafTech Finance and Swissco, the “Co‑Borrowers”), the lenders and issuing banks party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as administrative agent (the "Administrative Agent") and as collateral agent, which provides for (i) a $1,500 million senior secured term facility (the “2018 Term Loan Facility”) and (ii) a $250 million senior secured revolving credit facility (the “2018 Revolving Credit Facility” and, together with the 2018 Term Loan Facility, the “Senior Secured Credit Facilities”), which may be used from time to time for revolving credit borrowings denominated in dollars or Euro, the issuance of one or more letters of credit denominated in dollars, Euro, Pounds Sterling or Swiss Francs and one or more swing line loans denominated in dollars. GrafTech Finance is the sole borrower under the 2018 Term Loan Facility while GrafTech Finance, Swissco and Lux Holdco are Co‑Borrowers under the 2018 Revolving Credit Facility. On February 12, 2018, GrafTech Finance borrowed $1,500 million under the 2018 Term Loan Facility (the "2018 Term Loans"). The 2018 Term Loans mature on February 12, 2025. The maturity date for the 2018 Revolving Credit Facility is February 12, 2023.

The proceeds of the 2018 Term Loans were used to (i) repay in full all outstanding indebtedness of the Co‑Borrowers under the Old Credit Agreement and terminate all commitments thereunder, (ii) redeem in full the Senior Notes at a redemption price of 101.594% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption, (iii) pay fees and expenses incurred in connection with (i) and (ii) above and the Senior Secured Credit Facilities and related expenses, and (iv) declare and pay a dividend to the sole pre-IPO stockholder, with any remainder to be used for general corporate purposes. See Note 8 "Interest Expense" for a breakdown of expenses associated with these repayments. In connection with the repayment of the Old Credit Agreement and redemption of the Senior Notes, all guarantees of obligations under the Old Credit Agreement, the Senior Notes and related indenture were terminated, all mortgages and other security interests securing obligations under the Old Credit Agreement were released and the Old Credit Agreement and the indenture were terminated.

Borrowings under the 2018 Term Loan Facility bear interest, at GrafTech Finance’s option, at a rate equal to either (i) the Adjusted LIBO Rate (as defined in the 2018 Credit Agreement), plus an applicable margin initially equal to 3.50% per annum or (ii) the ABR Rate (as defined in the 2018 Credit Agreement), plus an applicable margin initially equal to 2.50% per annum, in each case with one step down of 25 basis points based on achievement of certain public ratings of the 2018 Term Loans.

Borrowings under the 2018 Revolving Credit Facility bear interest, at the applicable Co‑Borrower’s option, at a rate equal to either (i) the Adjusted LIBO Rate, plus an applicable margin initially equal to 3.75% per annum or (ii) the ABR Rate, plus an applicable margin initially equal to 2.75% per annum, in each case with two 25 basis point step downs based on achievement of certain senior secured first lien net leverage ratios. In addition, the Co‑Borrowers will be required to pay a quarterly commitment fee on the unused commitments under the 2018 Revolving Credit Facility in an amount equal to 0.25% per annum.

For borrowings under both the 2018 Term Loan Facility and the 2018 Revolving Credit Facility, if the Administrative Agent determines that adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Adjusted LIBO Rate or the LIBO Rate and such circumstances are unlikely to be temporary or the relevant authority has made a public statement identifying a date after which the LIBO Rate shall no longer be used for determining interest rates for loans, then the Administrative Agent and the Co-Borrowers shall endeavor to establish an alternate rate of interest, which shall be effective so long as the majority in interest of the lenders for each Class (as defined in the 2018 Credit Agreement) of loans under the 2018 Credit Agreement do not notify the Administrative Agent otherwise. Until such an alternate rate of interest is determined, (a) any request for a borrowing denominated in dollars based on the Adjusted LIBO Rate will be deemed to be a request for a borrowing at the ABR Rate plus the applicable margin for an ABR Rate borrowing of such loan while any request for a borrowing denominated in any other currency will be ineffective and (b) any outstanding borrowings based on the Adjusted LIBO Rate denominated in dollars will be converted to a borrowing at the ABR Rate plus the applicable margin for an ABR Rate borrowing of such loan while any outstanding borrowings denominated in any other currency will be repaid.

All obligations under the 2018 Credit Agreement are guaranteed by GrafTech Finance and each domestic subsidiary of GrafTech, subject to certain customary exceptions, and all obligations under the 2018 Credit Agreement of each foreign subsidiary of GrafTech that is a Controlled Foreign Corporation (within the meaning of Section 956 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time (the "Code")) are guaranteed by GrafTech Luxembourg I S.à.r.l., a Luxembourg société à responsabilité limitée and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of GrafTech ("Luxembourg Parent"), Luxembourg Holdco and Swissco (collectively, the "Guarantors").

All obligations under the 2018 Credit Agreement are secured, subject to certain exceptions and Excluded Assets (as defined in the 2018 Credit Agreement), by: (i) a pledge of all of the equity securities of GrafTech Finance and each domestic Guarantor (other than GrafTech) and of each other direct, wholly owned domestic subsidiary of GrafTech and any Guarantor, (ii) a pledge on no more than 65% of the equity interests of each subsidiary that is a Controlled Foreign Corporation (within the meaning of Section 956 of the Code), and (iii) security interests in, and mortgages on, personal property and material real property of GrafTech Finance and each domestic Guarantor, subject to permitted liens and certain exceptions specified in the 2018 Credit Agreement. The obligations of each foreign subsidiary of GrafTech that is a Controlled Foreign Corporation under the Revolving Credit Facility are secured by (i) a pledge of all of the equity securities of each Guarantor that is a Controlled Foreign Corporation and of each direct, wholly owned subsidiary of any Guarantor that is a Controlled Foreign Corporation, and (ii) security interests in certain receivables and personal property of each Guarantor that is a Controlled Foreign Corporation, subject to permitted liens and certain exceptions specified in the 2018 Credit Agreement.

The 2018 Term Loans amortize at a rate equal to 5% per annum of the original principal amount of the 2018 Term Loans payable in equal quarterly installments, with the remainder due at maturity. The Co‑Borrowers are permitted to make voluntary prepayments at any time without premium or penalty, except in the case of prepayments made in connection with certain repricing transactions with respect to the 2018 Term Loans effected within twelve months of the closing date of the 2018 Credit Agreement, to which a 1.00% prepayment premium applies. GrafTech Finance is required to make prepayments under the 2018 Term Loans (without payment of a premium) with (i) net cash proceeds from non‑ordinary course asset sales (subject to customary reinvestment rights and other customary exceptions and exclusions), and (ii) commencing with the Company’s fiscal year ending December 31, 2019, 75%of Excess Cash Flow (as defined in the 2018 Credit Agreement), subject to step‑downs to 50% and 0% of Excess Cash Flow based on achievement of a senior secured first lien net leverage ratio greater than 1.25 to 1.00 but less than or equal to 1.75 to 1.00 and less than or equal to 1.25 to 1.00, respectively. Scheduled quarterly amortization payments of the 2018 Term Loans during any calendar year reduce, on a dollar‑for‑dollar basis, the amount of the required Excess Cash Flow prepayment for such calendar year, and the aggregate amount of Excess Cash Flow prepayments for any calendar year reduce subsequent quarterly amortization payments of the 2018 Term Loans as directed by GrafTech Finance.

The 2018 Credit Agreement contains customary representations and warranties and customary affirmative and negative covenants applicable to GrafTech and restricted subsidiaries, including, among other things, restrictions on indebtedness, liens, investments, fundamental changes, dispositions, and dividends and other distributions. The 2018 Credit Agreement contains a financial covenant that requires GrafTech to maintain a senior secured first lien net leverage ratio not greater than 4.00:1.00 when the aggregate principal amount of borrowings under the 2018 Revolving Credit Facility and outstanding letters of credit issued under the 2018 Revolving Credit Facility (except for undrawn letters of credit in an aggregate amount equal to or less than $35 million), taken together, exceed 35% of the total amount of commitments under the 2018 Revolving Credit Facility. The 2018 Credit Agreement also contains customary events of default.

Brookfield Promissory Note

On April 19, 2018, we declared a dividend in the form of a $750 million promissory note (the “Brookfield Promissory Note”) to the sole pre-IPO stockholder. The $750 million Brookfield Promissory Note was conditioned upon (i) the Senior Secured First Lien Net Leverage Ratio (as defined in the 2018 Credit Agreement), as calculated based on our final financial results for the first quarter of 2018, being equal to or less than 1.75 to 1.00, (ii) no Default or Event of Default (each as defined in the 2018 Credit Agreement) having occurred and continuing or that would result from the $750 million Brookfield Promissory Note and (iii) the satisfaction of the conditions occurring within 60 days from the dividend record date. Upon publication of our first quarter report on Form 10-Q, these conditions were met and, as a result, the Brookfield Promissory Note became payable.

The Brookfield Promissory Note had a maturity of eight years from the date of issuance and bore interest at a rate equal to the Adjusted LIBO Rate (as defined in the Brookfield Promissory Note) plus an applicable margin equal to 4.50% per annum, with an additional 2.00% per annum starting from the third anniversary from the date of issuance. We were permitted to make voluntary prepayments at any time without premium or penalty. All obligations under the Brookfield Promissory Note were unsecured and guaranteed by all of our existing and future domestic wholly owned subsidiaries that guarantee, or are borrowers under, the Senior Secured Credit Facilities. No funds were lent or otherwise contributed to us by the pre-IPO stockholder in connection with the Brookfield Promissory Note. As a result, we received no consideration in connection with its issuance. As described below, the Promissory Note was repaid in full on June 15, 2018.

First Amendment to 2018 Credit Agreement

On June 15, 2018, the Company entered into a first amendment (the “First Amendment”) to its 2018 Credit Agreement. The First Amendment amended the 2018 Credit Agreement to provide for an additional $750 million in aggregate principal amount of incremental term loans (the “Incremental Term Loans”) to GrafTech Finance. The Incremental Term Loans increased the aggregate principal amount of term loans incurred by GrafTech Finance under the 2018 Credit Agreement from $1,500 million to $2,250 million. The Incremental Term Loans have the same terms as those applicable to the 2018 Term Loans, including interest rate, payment and prepayment terms, representations and warranties and covenants. The Incremental Term Loans mature on February 12, 2025, the same date as the 2018 Term Loans. GrafTech paid an upfront fee of 1.00% of the aggregate principal amount of the Incremental Term Loans on the effective date of the First Amendment.

The proceeds of the Incremental Term Loans were used to repay, in full, the $750 million of principal outstanding on the Brookfield Promissory Note.

Interest Expense

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Interest and Debt Expense [Abstract]

Interest Expense

The following table presents an analysis of interest expense:



	For the Year Ended December 31
	2018		2017		2016
	(Dollars in thousands)
Interest incurred on debt	$	100,844	$	24,060	$	20,408
Related Party Promissory Note interest expense	5,090		—		—
Senior Note redemption premium	4,782		—		—
Accretion of fair value adjustment on Senior Notes	19,414		6,454		6,305
Accretion of original issue discount on 2018 Term Loans	1,455		—		—
Amortization of debt issuance costs	3,476		309		201
Total interest expense	$	135,061	$	30,823	$	26,914

Interest rates

The 2018 Credit Agreement had an effective interest rate of 6.02% as of December 31, 2018. The Old Revolving Facility and Old Term Loan Facility had an effective interest rate of 4.57% as of December 31, 2017 and the Senior Notes had a fixed interest rate of 6.375%, both of which were repaid on February 12, 2018 as part of our refinancing (See Note 7 "Debt and Liquidity").

As a result of our February 12, 2018 refinancing, we paid a prepayment premium for the redemption of our Senior Notes totaling $4.8 million. The accretion of the August 15, 2015 fair value adjustment to our Senior Notes totaling $19.4 million in 2018, included accelerated accretion of $18.7 million resulting from the prepayment. Amortization of debt issuance costs included $0.3 million of accelerated amortization related to the refinancing.

Fair Value Measurements And Derivative Instruments

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurements And Derivative Instruments

Fair Value Measurements and Derivative Instruments

Fair Value Measurements

Depending on the inputs, we classify each fair value measurement as follows:


•	Level 1 – based upon quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets,


•	Level 2 – based upon quoted prices for similar instruments, prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, or model-derived valuations of all of whose significant inputs are observable, and


•	Level 3 – based upon one or more significant unobservable inputs.

The following section describes key inputs and assumptions used in valuation methodologies of our assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis:

Cash and cash equivalents, short-term notes and accounts receivable, accounts payable and other current payables – The carrying amount approximates fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.

Debt – The fair value of our debt as of December 31, 2018 approximated book value of $2,156.6 million. The fair value of our debt as of December 31, 2017 was $359.2 million versus a book value of $339.4 million. The fair values of the Senior Notes and the revolving facility were determined using level 2 and level 3 inputs, respectively.

Assets held for sale – Assets held for sale values are determined using Level 3 fair value inputs. These represent management's estimate of fair value based upon current quotes from participants in the sales process.

Foreign currency derivatives – Foreign currency derivatives are carried at market value using Level 2 inputs. We had outstanding loss of $0.1 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017.

Commodity derivative contracts – Commodity derivative contracts are carried at fair value. We determine the fair value using observable, quoted refined oil product prices that are determined by active markets and therefore classify the commodity derivative contracts as Level 2. We had outstanding gains of $0.3 million and outstanding losses of $11.0 million as of December 31, 2018 and outstanding gains of $5.3 million and outstanding losses of $0.6 million losses as of December 31, 2017.

Additional fair value information related to our Pension funds' assets can be found in Note 12 "Retirement Plans and Postretirement Benefits".

Derivative Instruments

We use derivative instruments as part of our overall foreign currency and commodity risk management strategies to manage the risk of exchange rate movements that would reduce the value of our foreign cash flows and to minimize commodity price volatility. Foreign currency exchange rate movements create a degree of risk by affecting the value of sales made and costs incurred in currencies other than the US dollar.

Certain of our derivative contracts contain provisions that require us to provide collateral. Since the counterparties to these financial instruments are large commercial banks and similar financial institutions, we do not believe that we are exposed to material counterparty credit risk. We do not anticipate nonperformance by any of the counter-parties to our instruments.

Foreign currency derivatives

We enter into foreign currency derivatives from time to time to attempt to manage exposure to changes in currency exchange rates. These foreign currency instruments, which include, but are not limited to, forward exchange contracts and purchased currency options, attempt to hedge global currency exposures such as foreign currency denominated debt, sales, receivables, payables, and purchases.

We had no foreign currency cashflow hedges outstanding as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 and therefore, no unrealized gains or losses reported under accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).

As of December 31, 2018, we had outstanding Mexican peso, South African rand, euro, Swiss franc and Japanese yen currency contracts, with aggregate notional amounts of $19.6 million. As of December 31, 2017, we had outstanding Mexican peso, South African rand, euro, Swiss franc and Japanese yen currency contracts, with aggregate notional amounts of $18.9 million. The foreign currency derivatives outstanding as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 had maturity dates in January 2019 and January 2018, respectively, and were not designated as hedging instruments.

Commodity derivative contracts

We have entered into commodity derivative contracts for refined oil products. These contracts are entered into to protect against the risk that eventual cash flows related to these products will be adversely affected by future changes in prices. In the fourth quarter of 2017, we began to enter into three-to five-year take-or-pay contracts with many of our customers and began to hedge the cash flows related to these contracts. As of December 31, 2018, we had outstanding commodity derivative contracts with a notional amount of $142.1 million and maturities from January 2019 to June 2022. As of December 31, 2017, we had outstanding commodity derivative contracts with a notional amount of $143.9 million with maturities from January 2018 to June 2022. Within Accumulated Other Comprehensive income (loss), we had a net unrealized pre-tax loss of $10.7 million and a net unrealized pre-tax gain of $4.7 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Net Investment Hedges

We use certain intercompany debt to hedge a portion of our net investment in our foreign operations against currency exposure (net investment hedge). Intercompany debt designated in foreign currency and designated as a non-derivative net investment hedging instrument was $9.5 million and $14.8 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Within our currency translation adjustment portion of other comprehensive income (loss), we recorded a gain of $2.2 million in 2018, and a loss of $1.4 million in 2017, resulting from these net investment hedges.

The fair value of all derivatives is recorded as assets or liabilities on a gross basis in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. At December 31, 2018 and 2017, the fair value of our derivatives and their respective balance sheet locations are presented in the following table:



	Asset Derivatives			Liability Derivatives
	Location	Fair Value		Location	Fair Value
As of December 31, 2018	(Dollars in thousands)
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges:
Commodity derivative contracts	Prepaid and other current assets	$	90	Other accrued liabilities	$	4,630
	Other long-term assets	260		Other long-term obligations	6,393
Total fair value		$	350		$	11,023

As of December 31, 2017
Commodity derivative contracts	Prepaid and other current assets	$	2,518	Other accrued liabilities	$	—
	Other long-term assets	2,808		Other long-term obligations	581
Total fair value		$	5,326		$	581



	Asset Derivatives			Liability Derivatives
	Location	Fair Value		Location	Fair Value
As of December 31, 2018	(Dollars in Thousands)
Derivatives not designated as hedges:
Foreign currency derivatives	Prepaid and other current assets	$	—	Other current liabilities	$	43

As of December 31, 2017
Derivatives not designated as hedges:
Foreign currency derivatives	Prepaid and other current assets	$	9	Other current liabilities	$	90

As a result of the settlement of commodity derivative contracts, as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, net realized pre-tax gains of $7.0 million and $0.1, respectively, were reported in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (loss) and will be released to earnings within the next 12 months.

The location and amount of realized (gains) losses on derivatives are recognized in the Statements of Operations when the hedged item impacts earnings and are as follows for the years ended 2018, 2017 and 2016:



		Amount of (Gain)/Loss Recognized
	Location of (Gain)/Loss Recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Operations	2018			2017		2016
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges:		(Dollars in thousands)
Commodity forward derivatives	Cost of sales	$	(919	)	$	—	$	—



		Amount of (Gain)/Loss Recognized
	Location of (Gain)/Loss Recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Operations	2018			2017			2016
Derivatives not designated as hedges:		(Dollars in thousands)
Foreign currency derivatives	Cost of sales, Other expense/(income)	$	(522	)	$	(1,565	)	$	549

Supplementary Balance Sheet Detail

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract]

Supplementary Balance Sheet Detail

The following tables present supplementary balance sheet details:



	As of December 31, 2018		As of December 31, 2017
	(Dollars in thousands)
Inventories:
Raw materials and supplies	$	99,935	$	39,434
Work in process	125,767		85,852
Finished goods	68,015		48,865
	$	293,717	$	174,151
Prepaid expenses and other current assets:
Prepaid expenses	$	10,720	$	9,505
Value added tax and other indirect taxes receivable	19,242		18,627
Spare parts inventory	11,507		11,010
Other current assets	4,699		5,730
	$	46,168	$	44,872
Property, plant and equipment:
Land and improvements	$	45,947	$	46,599
Buildings	68,680		59,608
Machinery and equipment and other	532,084		495,069
Construction in progress	42,131		41,375
	$	688,842	$	642,651
Other accrued liabilities:
Payrolls (including incentive programs)	$	17,284	$	14,196
Employee benefits	6,977		4,684
Deferred Revenue	5,380		20,784
Other	20,811		13,562
	$	50,452	$	53,226
Other long term obligations:
Postretirement benefits	$	16,192	$	20,508
Pension and related benefits	33,718		36,116
Other	22,609		12,283
	$	72,519	$	68,907

The following table presents an analysis of the allowance for doubtful accounts:



	2018			2017		2016

Balance at beginning of year	$	1,097		$	326	$	244
Additions	122			771		129
Deductions	(90		)	—		(47		)
Balance at end of year	$	1,129		$	1,097	$	326

Commitments

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments

Lease commitments under non-cancelable operating leases extending for one year or more will require the following future payments:



	(Dollars in thousands)
2019	$	4,474
2020	2,747
2021	1,497
2022	334
2023	269
After 2023	343

Total lease expenses under non-cancelable operating leases extending one year or more approximated $4.9 million in 2018, $5.3 million in 2017 and $3.6 million in 2016.

Retirement Plans And Postretirement Benefits

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Retirement Benefits, Description [Abstract]

Retirement Plans And Postretirement Benefits

Retirement Plans and Postretirement Benefits

Retirement Plans

On February 26, 1991, we formed our own retirement plan covering substantially all our U.S. employees. Under our plan, covered employees earned benefit payments based primarily on their service credits and wages subsequent to February 26, 1991.

Prior to that date, substantially all our U.S. employees were participants in the U.S. retirement plan of Union Carbide Corporation (“Union Carbide”). While service credit was frozen, covered employees continued to earn benefits under the Union Carbide plan based on their final average wages through February 26, 1991, adjusted for salary increases (not to exceed six percent per annum) through January 26, 1995, the date Union Carbide ceased to own a minimum 50% of the equity of GTI. The Union Carbide plan is responsible for paying retirement and death benefits earned as of February 26, 1991.

Effective January 1, 2002, we established a defined contribution plan for U.S. employees. Certain employees had the option to remain in our defined benefit plan for an additional period of up to five years. Employees not covered by this option had their benefits under our defined benefit plan frozen as of December 31, 2001, and began participating in the defined contribution plan.

Effective March 31, 2003, we curtailed our qualified benefit plan and the benefits were frozen as of that date for the U.S. employees who had the option to remain in our defined benefit plan. We also closed our non-qualified U.S. defined benefit plan for the participating salaried workforce. The employees began participating in the defined contribution plan as of April 1, 2003.

Pension coverage for employees of foreign subsidiaries is provided, to the extent deemed appropriate, through separate plans. Obligations under such plans are systematically provided for by depositing funds with trustees, under insurance policies or by book reserves.

The components of our consolidated net pension costs are set forth in the following table:



	For the Year Ended December 31,
	2018						2017						2016
	U.S.			Foreign			U.S.			Foreign			U.S.			Foreign
							(Dollars in thousands)
Service cost	$	1,315		$	674		$	1,305		$	710		$	1,325		$	698
Interest cost	4,709			253			5,352			199			5,744			243
Expected return on assets	(5,679		)	(330		)	(5,268		)	(299		)	(4,940		)	(298		)
Mark-to-market loss (gain)	2,473			503			(4,140		)	(53		)	(2,322		)	(220		)
Pension costs	$	2,818		$	1,100		$	(2,751	)	$	557		$	(193	)	$	423

The mark-to-market loss in 2018 was the result of less than expected return on plan assets, partially offset by a favorable change to the discount rate. The mark-to-market gain in 2017 was the result of better than expected returns on assets, partially offset by an unfavorable change to the discount rate. The mark-to-market gain in 2016 was the result of better than expected returns on plan assets and favorable changes to the mortality tables, partially offset by unfavorable changes to the discount rate.

The reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of our pension plans’ benefit obligations, fair value of assets, and funded status at December 31, 2018 and 2017 are:



	As of December 31, 2018						As of December 31, 2017
	U.S.			Foreign			U.S.				Foreign
	(Dollars in thousands)
Changes in Benefit Obligation:
Net Benefit Obligation at beginning of period	$	139,746		$	20,407		$	140,230			$	18,237
Service cost	1,315			674			1,305				710
Interest cost	4,709			253			5,352				199
Participant contributions	—			392			—				252
Foreign currency exchange changes	—			(339		)	—				1,069
Actuarial (gain) loss	(8,297		)	711			3,212				63
Benefits paid	(10,488		)	234			(10,353		)		(123		)
Net benefit obligation at end of period	$	126,985		$	22,332		$	139,746			$	20,407
Changes in Plan Assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of period	$	109,845		$	13,618		$	100,905			$	11,871
Actual return on plan assets	(5,091		)	538			12,620				415
Foreign currency exchange rate changes				(154		)	—				545
Employer contributions	5,579			726			6,673				658
Participant contributions				392			—				252
Benefits paid	(10,488		)	234			(10,353		)		(123		)
Fair value of plan assets at end of period	$	99,845		$	15,354		$	109,845			$	13,618
Funded status (underfunded):	$	(27,140	)	$	(6,978	)	$	(29,901	)		$	(6,789	)
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss:
Prior service credit	$	—		$	—		$	—			$	—
Amounts recognized in the statement of financial position:
Non-current assets				$	147		$	—			$	—
Current liabilities	(430		)	(117		)	(433		)	—	(146		)
Non-current liabilities	(26,710		)	(7,008		)	(29,468		)	—	(6,643		)
Net amount recognized	$	(27,140	)	$	(6,978	)	$	(29,901	)		$	(6,789	)

The accumulated benefit obligation for all defined benefit pension plans was $147.6 million and $158.6 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Plan Assets

The accounting guidance on fair value measurements specifies a hierarchy based on the observability of inputs used in valuation techniques (Level 1, 2 and 3). See Note 9, “Fair Value Measurements and Derivative Instruments,” for a discussion of the fair value hierarchy.

The following describes the methods and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value of the investments:

Cash and cash equivalents – Valued at cost. Cash equivalents are valued at net asset value as provided by the administrator of the fund.

Foreign government bonds – Valued by the trustees using various pricing services of financial institutions.

Debt securities – Valued by the trustee at year-end using various pricing services of financial institutions, including Interactive Data Corporation, Standard & Poor’s and Telekurs.

Equity securities – Valued at the closing price reported on the active market on which the security is traded.

Fixed insurance contract – Valued at the present value of the guaranteed payment streams.

Investment contracts – Valued at the total cost of annuity contracts purchased, adjusted for market differences from the date of purchase to year-end.

Collective trusts – Valued at the net asset value provided by the administrator of the fund (the practical expedient). The net asset value is primarily based on quoted market prices of the underlying securities for which quoted market prices of the underlying securities of the funds. Some of the underlying investments include securities for which quoted market prices are not available and are valued using data obtained by the trustee from the best available source or market value. This method may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values. Furthermore, although we believe its valuation method is appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different fair value measurement at the reporting date.

The fair value of other plan assets by category is summarized below (dollars in thousands):



	As of December 31, 2018
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
U.S. Plan Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,978	$	—	$	—	$	1,978
International Plan Assets
Foreign government bonds	$	—	$	958	$	—	$	958
Fixed insurance contracts	—		—		14,396		14,396
Total assets in the fair value hierarchy	$	—	$	958	$	14,396	$	15,354
Investments measured at net asset value							$	97,867
Total	$	1,978	$	958	$	14,396	$	115,199

	As of December 31, 2017
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
U.S. Plan Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	2,094	$	—	$	—	$	2,094
International Plan Assets
Foreign government bonds	$	—	$	831	$	—	$	831
Fixed insurance contracts	—		—		12,787		12,787
Total assets in the fair value hierarchy	$	—	$	831	$	12,787	$	13,618
Investments measured at net asset value							$	107,751
Total	$	2,094	$	831	$	12,787	$	123,463

The following table presents the changes for those financial instruments classified within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy for international plan pension assets for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018 (dollars in thousands):



	Fixed Insurance Contracts
Balance at December 31, 2016	$	11,142
Gain / contributions / currency impact	1,651
Distributions	(6		)
Balance at December 31, 2017	12,787
Gain / contributions / currency impact	1,619
Distributions	(10		)
Balance at December 31, 2018	$	14,396

We annually re-evaluate assumptions and estimates used in projecting pension assets, liabilities and expenses. These assumptions and estimates may affect the carrying value of pension assets, liabilities and expenses in our Consolidated Financial Statements. Assumptions used to determine net pension costs and projected benefit obligations are:



Pension Benefit Obligations Key Assumptions	As of December 31,
	2018		2017
Weighted average assumptions to determine benefit obligations:
Discount rate	3.71	%	3.20	%
Rate of compensation increase	1.74	%	1.57	%



Pension Cost Key Assumptions
Weighted average assumptions to determine net cost:
Discount rate	3.20	%	3.61	%
Expected return on plan assets	4.94	%	4.95	%
Rate of compensation increase	1.57	%	1.57	%

We adjust our discount rate annually in relation to the rate at which the benefits could be effectively settled. Discount rates are set for each plan in reference to the yields available on AA-rated corporate bonds of appropriate currency and duration. The appropriate discount rate is derived by developing an AA-rated corporate bond yield curve in each currency. The discount rate for a given plan is the rate implied by the yield curve for the duration of that plan’s liabilities. In certain countries, where little public information is available on which to base discount rate assumptions, the discount rate is based on government bond yields or other indices and approximate adjustments to allow for the differences in weighted durations for the specific plans and/or allowance for assumed credit spreads between government and AA rated corporate bonds.

The expected return on assets assumption represents our best estimate of the long-term return on plan assets and generally was estimated by computing a weighted average return of the underlying long-term expected returns on the different asset classes, based on the target asset allocations. The expected return on assets assumption is a long-term assumption that is expected to remain the same from one year to the next unless there is a significant change in the target asset allocation, the fees and expenses paid by the plan or market conditions.

The rate of compensation increase assumption is generally based on salary increases.

Plan Assets. The following table presents our retirement plan weighted average asset allocations at December 31, 2018, by asset category:



	Percentage of Plan Assets as of December 31, 2018
	US		Foreign
Equity securities and return seeking assets	20	%	—	%
Fixed income, debt securities, or cash	80	%	100	%
Total	100	%	100	%

Investment Policy and Strategy. The investment policy and strategy of the U.S. plan is to invest approximately 20% in equities and return seeking assets and approximately 80% in fixed income securities. Rebalancing is undertaken monthly. To the extent we maintain plans in other countries, target asset allocation is 100% fixed income investments. For each plan, the investment policy is set within both asset return and local statutory requirements.

Information for our pension plans with an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets at December 31, 2017 and 2018 follows:



	2018				2017
	U.S.		Foreign		U.S.		Foreign
	(Dollars in thousands)
Accumulated benefit obligation	$	126,985	$	20,601	$	139,746	$	18,843
Fair value of plan assets	99,845		14,396		109,845		13,618

Information for our pension plans with a projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets at December 31, 2017 and 2018 follows:



	2018				2017
	U.S.		Foreign		U.S.		Foreign
	(Dollars in thousands)
Projected benefit obligation	$	126,985	$	21,520	$	139,746	$	20,407
Fair value of plan assets	99,845		14,396		109,845		13,618

Following is our projected future pension plan cash flow by year:



	U.S.		Foreign
	(Dollars in thousands)
Expected contributions in 2019:
Expected employer contributions	$	684	$	744
Expected employee contributions	—		—
Estimated future benefit payments reflecting expected future service for the years ending December 31:
2019	9,240		858
2020	9,221		755
2021	9,221		824
2022	9,182		824
2023	9,136		955
2024-2028	43,993		8,223

Post-Employment Benefit Plans

We provide life insurance benefits for eligible retired employees. These benefits are provided through various insurance companies. We accrue the estimated net postretirement benefit costs during the employees’ credited service periods.

In July 2002, we amended our U.S. postretirement medical coverage. In 2003 and 2004, we discontinued the Medicare Supplement Plan (for retirees 65 years or older or those eligible for Medicare benefits). This change applied to all U.S. active employees and retirees. In June 2003, we announced the termination of the existing early retiree medical plan for retirees under age 65, effective December 31, 2005. In addition, we limited the amount of retiree’s life insurance after December 31, 2004. These modifications are accounted for prospectively. The impact of these changes is being amortized over the average remaining period to full eligibility of the related postretirement benefits.

During 2009, we amended one of our U.S. plans to eliminate the life insurance benefit for certain non-pooled participants.

The components of our consolidated net postretirement costs are set forth in the following table:



	For the Year Ended December 31,
	2018					2017					2016
	U.S.			Foreign		U.S.			Foreign		U.S.			Foreign
	(Dollars in thousands)
Service cost	$	—		$	1	$	—		$	2	$	—		$	4
Interest cost	264			700		333			653		360			764
Plan amendment / curtailment	—			—		—			—		—			(993		)
Mark-to-market (gain) loss	(1,028		)	47		(1,257		)	742		(191		)	(225		)
Post-employment benefits (benefit) cost	$	(764	)	$	748	$	(924	)	$	1,397	$	169		$	(450	)

The reconciliation of beginning and ending balances of benefit obligations under, fair value of assets of, and the funded status of, our postretirement plans is set forth in the following table:



Postretirement Benefits	As of December 31, 2018						As of December 31, 2017
	As of December 31, 2018						As of December 31, 2017
	U.S.			Foreign			U.S.			Foreign
	(Dollars in thousands)
Changes in Benefit Obligation:
Net benefit obligation at beginning of period	$	8,461		$	12,172		$	10,175		$	10,700
Service cost	—			1			—			2
Interest cost	264			700			333			653
Foreign currency exchange rates	—			(1,333		)	—			931
Actuarial (gain) loss	(1,028		)	47			(1,257		)	742
Gross benefits paid	(532		)	(926		)	(790		)	(856		)
Plan amendment	—			—			—			—
Net benefit obligation at end of period	$	7,165		$	10,661		$	8,461		$	12,172
Changes in Plan Assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of period	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
Employer contributions	532			926			790			856
Gross benefits paid	(532		)	(926		)	(790		)	(856		)
Fair value of plan assets at end of period	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
Funded status:	$	(7,165	)	$	(10,661	)	$	(8,461	)	$	(12,172	)
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss:
Prior service credit	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
Amounts recognized in the statement of financial position:
Current liabilities	$	(783	)	$	(851	)	$	(855	)	$	(912	)
Non-current liabilities	(6,382		)	(9,810		)	(7,606		)	(11,260		)
Net amount recognized	$	(7,165	)	$	(10,661	)	$	(8,461	)	$	(12,172	)

We annually re-evaluate assumptions and estimates used in projecting the postretirement liabilities and expenses. These assumptions and estimates may affect the carrying value of postretirement plan liabilities and expenses in our Consolidated Financial Statements. Assumptions used to determine net postretirement benefit costs and postretirement projected benefit obligation are set forth in the following table:



Postretirement Benefit Obligations
	2018		2017
Weighted average assumptions to determine benefit obligations:
Discount rate	5.57	%	5.07	%
Health care cost trend on covered charges:
Initial	6.53	%	6.86	%
Ultimate	6.05	%	6.23	%
Years to ultimate	8		8



Postretirement Benefit Costs
	2018		2017
Weighted average assumptions to determine net cost:
Discount rate	5.07	%	4.80	%
Health care cost trend on covered charges:
Initial	6.86	%	6.80	%
Ultimate	6.23	%	5.96	%
Years to ultimate	7		7

Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for our postretirement benefits. A one-percentage point change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects at December 31, 2018:



	One Percentage Point Increase				One Percentage Point Decrease
	U.S.		Foreign		U.S.			Foreign
	(Dollars in thousands)
Effect on total service cost and interest cost components	$	1	$	32	$	(1	)	$	(66	)
Effect on benefit obligations	$	14	$	506	$	(14	)	$	(442	)

Discount rates are set for each plan in reference to the yields available on AA-rated corporate bonds of appropriate currency and duration. The appropriate discount rate is derived by developing an AA-rated corporate bond yield curve in each currency. The discount rate for a given plan is the rate implied by the yield curve for the duration of that plan’s liabilities. In certain countries, where little public information is available on which to base discount rate assumptions, the discount rate is based on government bond yields or other indices and approximate adjustments to allow for the differences in weighted durations for the specific plans and/or allowance for assumed credit spreads between government and AA-rated corporate bonds.

The following table represents projected future postretirement cash flow by year:



	U.S.		Foreign
	(Dollars in thousands)
Expected contributions in 2019:
Expected employer contributions	$	783	$	851
Expected employee contributions	—		—
Estimated future benefit payments reflecting expected future service for the years ending December 31:
2019	783		851
2020	724		866
2021	663		891
2022	607		904
2023	554		899
2024-2025	2,174		4,769

Savings Plan

Our employee savings plan provides eligible employees the opportunity for long-term savings and investment. The plan allows employees to contribute up to 5% of pay as a basic contribution and an additional 45% of pay as supplemental contribution. In 2018, 2017 and 2016, the contributions to our Savings Plan were $1.3 million, $1.6 million and $2.5 million, respectively.

Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Loss Contingency [Abstract]

Contingencies

Legal Proceedings

We are involved in various investigations, lawsuits, claims, demands, environmental compliance programs and other legal proceedings arising out of or incidental to the conduct of our business. While it is not possible to determine the ultimate disposition of each of these matters, we do not believe that their ultimate disposition will have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Litigation has been pending in Brazil brought by employees seeking to recover additional amounts and interest thereon under certain wage increase provisions applicable in 1989 and 1990 under collective bargaining agreements to which employers in the Bahia region of Brazil were a party (including our subsidiary in Brazil). Prior to October 1, 2015, we were not party to such litigation. Companies in Brazil have recently settled claims arising out of these provisions and, in May 2015, the litigation was remanded, in favor of the employees, by the Brazil Supreme Court to the lower courts for further proceedings which included procedural aspects of the case, such as admissibility of instruments filed by the parties. On October 1, 2015, an action was filed by current and former employees against our subsidiary in Brazil to recover amounts under such provisions, plus interest thereon, which amounts together with interest could be material to us. In the first quarter of 2017, the state court ruled in favor of the employees. We have appealed this ruling and intend to vigorously defend it. As of December 31, 2018, we are unable to assess the potential loss associated with these proceedings as the claims do not currently specify the number of employees seeking damages or the amount of damages being sought.

Product Warranties

We generally sell products with a limited warranty. We accrue for known warranty claims if a loss is probable and can be reasonably estimated. We also accrue for estimated warranty claims incurred based on a historical claims charge analysis. Product warranties were not impacted by purchase price accounting adjustments. Claims accrued but not yet paid and the related activity within the reserve for 2017 and 2018 are as follows:



	(Dollars in Thousands)

Balance as of December 31, 2016	$	969
Product warranty charges/adjustments	(149		)
Payments and settlements	(471		)
Balance as of December 31, 2017	$	349
Product warranty charges/adjustments	1,510
Payments and settlements	(331		)
Balance as of December 31, 2018	$	1,528

Tax Receivable Agreement

On April 23, 2018, the Company entered into a tax receivable agreement (the "TRA") that provides Brookfield, as the sole pre-IPO stockholder, the right to receive future payments from us for 85% of the amount of cash savings, if any, in U.S. federal income tax and Swiss tax that we and our subsidiaries realize as a result of the utilization of certain tax assets attributable to periods prior to our IPO, including certain federal net operating losses ("NOLs"), previously taxed income under Section 959 of the Code, foreign tax credits, and certain NOLs in Swissco (collectively, the "Pre‑IPO Tax Assets"). In addition, we will pay interest on the payments we will make to Brookfield with respect to the amount of these cash savings from the due date (without extensions) of our tax return where we realize these savings to the payment date at a rate equal to LIBOR plus 1.00% per annum. The term of the TRA commenced on April 23, 2018 and will continue until there is no potential for any future tax benefit payments.

There was no liability recognized on the date we entered into the TRA as the there was a full valuation allowance recorded against our deferred tax assets. During the second quarter of 2018, it was determined that the conditions were appropriate for the Company to release a valuation allowance of certain tax assets as we exited our three year cumulative loss position. This release resulted in the recording of a $86.5 million liability related to the TRA on the Consolidated Statements of Operations as "Related party Tax Receivable Agreement Expense."

Long-term Incentive Plan

The long-term incentive plan ("LTIP") was adopted by the Company effective as of August 17, 2015, as amended and restated as of March 15, 2018. The purpose of the plan is to retain senior management personnel of the Company, to incentivize them to make decisions with a long-term view and to influence behavior in a way that is consistent with maximizing value for the pre-IPO stockholder of the Company in a prudent manner. Each participant is allocated a number of profit units, with a maximum of 30,000 profit units (or Profit Units) available under the plan. Awards of Profit Units generally vest in equal increments over a five-year period beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date and subject to continued employment with the Company through each vesting date. Any unvested Profit Units that have not been previously forfeited will accelerate and become fully vested upon a ‘‘Change in Control’’ (as defined below).

Profit Units will generally be settled in a lump sum payment within 30 days following a Change in Control based on the ‘‘Sales Proceeds’’ (as defined below) received by Brookfield Capital Partners IV, L.P. (or, together with its affiliates, Brookfield Capital IV) in connection with the Change in Control. The LTIP defines ‘‘Change in Control’’ as any transaction or series of transactions (including, without limitation, the consummation of a combination, share purchases, recapitalization, redemption, issuance of capital stock, consolidation, reorganization or otherwise) pursuant to which (a) a Person not affiliated with Brookfield Capital IV acquires securities representing more than seventy percent (70%) of the combined voting power of the outstanding voting securities of the Company or the entity surviving or resulting from such transaction, (b) following a public offering of the Company’s stock, Brookfield Capital IV has ceased to have a beneficial ownership interest in at least 30% of the Company’s outstanding voting securities (effective on the first of such date), or (c) the Company sells all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. It is intended that the occurrence of a Change in Control in which Sales Proceeds exceed the Threshold Value would constitute a ‘‘substantial risk of forfeiture’’ within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code. The LTIP defines ‘‘Threshold Value’’ as, as of any date of determination, an amount equal to $855,000,000, (which represents the amount of the total invested capital of Brookfield Capital IV as of August 17, 2015), plus the dollar value of any cash or other consideration contributed to or invested in the Company by Brookfield Capital IV after August 17, 2015. The Threshold Value shall be determined by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion. The LTIP defines ‘‘Sales Proceeds’’ as, as of any date of determination, the sum of all proceeds actually received by the Brookfield Capital IV, net of all Sales Costs (as defined below), (i) as consideration (whether cash or equity) upon the Change in Control and (ii) as distributions, dividends, repurchases, redemptions or otherwise as a holder of such equity interests in the Company. Proceeds that are not paid upon or prior to or in connection with the Change in Control, including earn-outs, escrows and other contingent or deferred consideration shall become ‘‘Sale Proceeds’’ only as and when such proceeds are received by Brookfield Capital IV. ‘‘Sales Costs’’ means any costs or expenses (including legal or other advisor costs), fees (including investment banking fees), commissions or discounts payable directly by Brookfield Capital IV in connection with, arising out of or relating to a Change in Control, as determined by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion.

Given the successful completion of the IPO in the second quarter, it is reasonably possible that a Change in Control, as defined above, may ultimately happen and that the awarded Profit Units will be subsequently paid out to the participants. Assuming 100% vesting of the awarded Profit Units and depending on Brookfield’s sales proceeds, the potential liability triggered by a Change in Control is estimated to be in the range of $65 million to $90 million. As of December 31, 2018, the awards are 60% vested.

Income Taxes

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Taxes

The following table summarizes the U.S. and non-U.S. components of income (loss) from continuing operations before provision for income taxes:



	For the Year Ended December 31,
	2018			2017			2016
	(Dollars in thousands)
U.S.	$	(68,032	)	$	(26,981	)	$	(44,971	)
Non-U.S.	970,840			30,412			(71,450		)
	$	902,808		$	3,431		$	(116,421	)

Income tax expense (benefit) consists of the following:



	For the Year Ended December 31,
	2018			2017			2016

U.S income taxes:
Current	$	787		$	(1,066	)	$	(878	)
Deferred	(52,145		)	38			1,152
	(51,358		)	(1,028		)	274
Non-U.S. income taxes:
Current	85,252			5,924			5,389
Deferred	15,026			(15,677		)	(13,215		)
	100,278			(9,753		)	(7,826		)
Total income tax expense (benefit)	$	48,920		$	(10,781	)	$	(7,552	)

The tax expense changed from a benefit of $(7.6) million and $(10.8) million for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017 to a tax expense of $48.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 primarily due to the increase in earnings, the shift in the jurisdictional mix of earnings and losses from year to year, and offset by a partial release of a valuation allowance recorded against the deferred tax asset related to certain U.S. tax attributes. Certain jurisdictions shifted from pre-tax losses in 2016 and 2017 to pretax earnings in 2018.

Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“Tax Act”), which significantly revises the U.S. corporate income tax system. These changes include a federal statutory rate reduction from 35% to 21%, the elimination or reduction of certain domestic deductions and credits and limitations on the deductibility of interest expense and executive compensation. The Tax Act also transitions international taxation from a worldwide system to a modified territorial system and includes base erosion prevention measures which have the effect of subjecting certain earnings of our foreign subsidiaries to U.S. taxation as GILTI. In general, these changes were effective beginning in 2018. The Tax Act also includes a one time mandatory deemed repatriation or transition tax on the accumulated previously untaxed foreign earnings of our foreign subsidiaries.

For the fourth quarter of 2017, we were able to reasonably estimate certain Tax Act effects and, therefore, recorded provisional adjustments associated with the deemed repatriation transition tax and remeasurement of certain deferred tax asset and liabilities.

Due to the complexities involved in accounting for the enactment of the Tax Act, SAB No. 118 allowed the Company to record provisional amounts in earnings for the year ended December 31, 2017. SAB No. 118 provides that where reasonable estimates can be made, the provisional accounting should be based on such estimates and when no reasonable estimate can be made, the provisional accounting may be based on the tax law in effect before the Tax Act. On October 15, 2018, the Company’s U.S. tax returns for 2017 were filed and the changes to the provisional tax positions reflected in those returns compared to the estimates recorded in the Company’s earnings for the year ended December 31, 2017 were recorded in 2018. These adjustments were immaterial to the Company’s financial statements.

On August 1, 2018, the U.S. Department of Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") issued proposed regulations under code section 965 and on January 15, 2019, the IRS issued final 965 regulations. The Company continues to analyze the effects of the Tax Act and newly issued final regulations on its financial statements. The final impact of the Tax Act and the regulations may differ from the amounts that have been recognized, due to, among other things, changes in the Company’s interpretation of the Tax Act, additional legislative or administrative actions to clarify the intent of the statutory language provided that they differ from the Company’s current interpretation, any changes in accounting standards for income taxes or related interpretations in response to the Tax Act, or any updates or changes to estimates utilized to calculate the impacts, including changes to current year earnings estimates and applicable foreign exchange rates. We estimate that any change will be immaterial to the Company’s financial statements at this time.

The Company has determined the impact of the GILTI provisions under the Tax Act and has recorded the estimate of this impact in the financial results of 2018. As these GILTI provisions under the Tax Act are complex and subject to continuing regulatory interpretation by the IRS, the Company will continue to evaluate the impact. The Company is required to make an accounting policy election of either (1) treating taxes due on future U.S. inclusions in taxable income related to GILTI as a current period expense when incurred (the “period cost method”) or (2) factoring such amounts into the Company’s measurement of its deferred taxes (the “deferred method”). As of December 31, 2018, the Company’s accounting policy will be to treat taxes due on future U.S. inclusions in taxable income related to GILTI as a current period expense when incurred.

Income tax expense (benefit) differed from the amounts computed by applying the U.S. federal income tax rate of 35% to income before expense (benefit) for taxes as set forth in the following table:



	For the Year Ended December 31,
	2018			2017			2016
	(Dollars in thousands)
Tax at statutory U.S. federal rate	$	189,590		$	1,201		$	(40,747	)
Impact of U.S. Tax Cut and Jobs Act - GILTI	93,739			—			—
Impact of the 2017 Tax Act - transition tax	—			39,628			—
Impact of the 2017 Tax Act - tax rate change	—			52,228			—
Impact of Tax Receivable Agreement	18,160			—			—
Valuation allowance, net	(93,125		)	(89,269		)	35,091
State taxes, net of federal tax benefit	1,529			3,437			(2,324		)
U.S. tax impact of foreign earnings (net of foreign tax credits)	792			1,151			51
Investment in subsidiary impairment deduction	—			—			(10,114		)
Establishment/resolution of uncertain tax positions	(345		)	(840		)	(513		)
Adjustment for foreign income taxed at different rates	(95,822		)	(2,359		)	12,738
Foreign tax credits	(65,046		)	(17,956		)	(175		)
Other	(552		)	1,998			(1,559		)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	$	48,920		$	(10,781	)	$	(7,552	)

The company has been granted a tax holiday in Brazil, which expires in 2024. The availability of the tax holiday in Brazil did not have a significant impact on the current tax year.

The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant components of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 are set forth in the following table.



	As of December 31,
	2018			2017
	(Dollars in thousands)
Deferred tax assets:
Postretirement and other employee benefits	$	18,395		$	19,392
Foreign tax credit and other carryforwards	111,325			175,229
Capitalized research and experimental costs	7,695			9,417
Environmental reserves	976			493
Inventory	14,251			7,933
Original issue discount	—			2,603
Long-term contract option amortization	1,144			1,204
Provision for rationalization charges	351			502
Other	4,270			1,536
Total gross deferred tax assets	158,407			218,309
Less: valuation allowance	(58,446		)	(150,839		)
Total deferred tax assets	99,961			67,470
Deferred tax liabilities:
Fixed assets	$	59,521		$	68,098
Debt discount amortization / Deferred financing fees	—			3,191
Inventory	7,751			5,128
Goodwill and acquired intangibles	3,668			—
Other	3,138			2,031
Total deferred tax liabilities	74,078			78,448
Net deferred tax asset (liability)	$	25,883		$	(10,978	)

Net non-current deferred tax assets are separately stated as deferred income taxes in the amount of $30.8 million as of December 31, 2017 and $71.7 million as of December 31, 2018. Net non-current deferred tax liabilities are separately stated as deferred income taxes in the amount of $41.7 million at December 31, 2017 and $45.8 million at December 31, 2018.

During 2016, an affiliate of Brookfield, purchased on the open market in aggregate approximately $53 million of GrafTech’s traded senior notes. This related party transaction generated a gain due to the discount at which the senior note was trading. This gain was taxable to GrafTech in 2016 and generated a deferred tax asset for an original issuance discount of approximately $6.5 million. This deferred tax asset was $2.6 million at December 31, 2017. The GrafTech senior notes were retired in 2018 and the related deferred tax asset was also released.

We continue to assess the need for valuation allowances against deferred tax assets based on determinations of whether it is more likely than not that deferred tax benefits will be realized through the generation of future taxable income. Appropriate consideration is given to all available evidence, both positive and negative, in assessing the need for a valuation allowance. Examples of positive evidence would include a strong earnings history, an event or events that would increase our taxable income through a continued reduction of expenses, and tax planning strategies that would indicate an ability to realize deferred tax assets. Examples of negative evidence would include cumulative losses in recent years and history of tax attributes expiring unused. In circumstances where the significant positive evidence does not outweigh the negative evidence in regards to whether or not a valuation allowance is required, we have established and maintained valuation allowances on those net deferred tax assets. The recognition of the valuation allowance does not result in or limit the Company's ability to utilize these tax assets in the future.

Valuation allowance activity for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018 was as follows:



	(Dollars in thousands)
Balance as of December 31, 2015	$	165,539
Charged to income	78,469
Translation adjustment	583
Changes attributable to movement in underlying assets	250
Balance as of December 31, 2016	$	244,841
Credited to income	(87,194		)
Translation adjustment	207
Changes attributable to movement in underlying assets	(7,015		)
Balance as of December 31, 2017	$	150,839
Credited to income	(93,125		)
Translation adjustment	(302		)
Changes attributable to movement in underlying assets	1,034
Balance as of December 31, 2018	$	58,446

In the fourth quarter of 2017, with the enactment of the Tax Act, additional taxable income was derived as a result of inclusion of accumulated previously untaxed foreign earnings of GrafTech’s foreign subsidiaries. This additional taxable income lead to the utilization of the U.S. net operating loss carryforward in 2017 and a partial release of the valuation allowance against the U.S. deferred tax assets. The valuation allowance was further reduced by the U.S. tax rate decrease from 35% to 21% as a result of the Tax Act. During 2018, we determined that sufficient positive evidence existed that allowed us to conclude that a full valuation allowance was no longer required to be recorded against the deferred tax assets related the U.S. tax attributes. This positive evidence was primarily supplied by the company exiting a cumulative loss period in the U.S. as well as sufficient US current and forecasted taxable income that would utilize the U.S. tax attributes. As a result, a partial release (to reflect only the economic benefit of the attributes) of the valuation allowance against federal net operating losses and state losses was recorded in 2018 while a full release of the valuation allowance against the federal foreign tax credit carryforward, other federal deferred tax assets was also recorded. A valuation allowance of $35.8 million is included in the December 31, 2018 balance reflected above as there is not sufficient positive evidence that the deferred tax asset related to the U.S. net operating loss will generate more than its estimated economic benefit.

In March of 2017, $19.5 million of foreign tax credit expired. During the fourth quarter of 2017, we increased our foreign tax credit carryforward by $37.7 million, as a result of additional foreign taxable income derived in connections with the new U.S. tax legislation that was enacted on December 22, 2017. As of December 31, 2018 we have a total foreign tax credit carryforward of $38.9 million. As indicated above, a valuation allowance is no longer recorded against this foreign tax credit carryforward. These tax credit carryforwards begin to expire as of March 15, 2025. In addition, we have a federal net operating loss carryforward of $25.2 million and state net operating losses carryforwards of $320.3 million (net of federal benefit), which can be carried forward from 5 to 20 years. These net operating losses carryforwards generate a deferred tax asset of $59.3 million as of December 31, 2018. We also have U.S. non-net operating loss related deferred tax assets of $3.0 million as of December 31, 2018. The federal net operating loss carryforward is limited by IRC §382.

We have non-U.S. loss and tax credit carryforwards on a gross tax effected basis of $10.1 million, which can be carried forward from 7 years to indefinitely.

During the fourth quarter of 2017, GrafTech Switzerland moved from a cumulative loss position to a cumulative profit position, as well as a current year utilization of its net operating loss carryforward. This positive evidence and utilization lead to a full release of the valuation allowance against the GrafTech Switzerland deferred tax asset in 2017.

As of December 31, 2018, we had unrecognized tax benefits of $2.0 million, which, if recognized, would have a favorable impact on our effective tax rate. We have elected to report interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as income tax expense. Accrued interest and penalties were $0.8 million as of December 31, 2016 (an increase of $0.1 million), $0.8 million as of December 31, 2017 (an increase of $0.0 million) and $0.9 million as of December 31, 2018 (an increase of $0.1 million). A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:



	(Dollars in thousands)

Balance as of December 31, 2016	$	3,338
Additions for tax positions of prior years	114
Lapse of statutes of limitations	(989		)
Foreign currency impact	29
Balance as of December 31, 2017	$	2,492
Reductions for tax positions of prior years	(100		)
Lapse of statutes of limitations	(373		)
Settlements	(21		)
Foreign currency impact	(8		)
Balance as of December 31, 2018	$	1,990

It is reasonably possible that a reduction of unrecognized tax benefits of up to $2.0 million may occur within 12 months due to settlements and the expiration of statutes of limitation.

We file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, and various state and foreign jurisdictions. All U.S. federal tax years prior to 2015 are generally closed by statute or have been audited and settled with the applicable domestic tax authorities. All other jurisdictions are still open to examination beginning after 2012.

As of December 31, 2018, the Company has accumulated undistributed earnings generated by our foreign subsidiaries of approximately $1.6 billion. Because $998.3 million of such earnings have previously been subject to the one-time transition tax on foreign earnings required by the Tax Act, any additional taxes due with respect to such earnings or the excess of the amount for financial reporting over the tax basis of our foreign investments would generally be limited to foreign and state taxes. We intend, however, to indefinitely reinvest these earnings and expect future U.S. cash generation to be sufficient to meet future U.S. cash needs.

Stockholders' Equity

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]

Stockholders' Equity


(15)	Stockholders' Equity

The following information should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity.

Stock Split

On April 12, 2018, the Company effected a 3,022,259.23 to one stock split of the Company's then outstanding common stock. We have retroactively applied this split to all share presentations, as well as "Net income (loss) per share" and "Income (loss) from continuing operations per share" calculations for the periods presented.

Conditional Dividend to Pre-IPO Stockholder

On April 19, 2018, we declared a $160 million cash dividend payable to Brookfield, the sole pre-IPO stockholder. Payment of this dividend was conditional upon (i) the Senior Secured First Lien Net Leverage Ratio (as defined in the 2018 Credit Agreement), as calculated based on our final financial results for the first quarter of 2018, being equal to or less than 1.75 to 1.00, (ii) no Default or Event of Default (as defined in the 2018 Credit Agreement) having occurred and continuing or that would result from the payment of the dividend and (iii) the payment occurring within 60 days from the dividend record date. The conditions of this dividend were met upon filing of our first quarter report on Form 10-Q and the dividend was paid on May 8, 2018.

Brookfield Promissory Note

On April 19, 2018, we declared a dividend in the form of the Brookfield Promissory Note to the sole pre-IPO stockholder. This note was repaid on June 15, 2018 with proceeds from our Incremental Term Loans. See Note 7 "Debt and Liquidity".

Initial Public Offering

On April 23, 2018, we completed the IPO of 35,000,000 shares of our common stock at a price of $15 per share. This offering represented a sale of 11.6% of our sole pre-IPO stockholder's ownership in the Company.

On April 26, 2018, we closed the sale of an additional 3,097,525 shares of common stock at a price to the public of $15 per share from the pre-IPO stockholder, as a result of the partial exercise by the underwriters in our IPO of their overallotment option. After giving effect to the partial exercise of the overallotment option, the total number of shares of common stock sold by the pre-IPO stockholder was 38,097,525.

The Company did not receive any proceeds related to the offering. We have incurred $5.1 million of legal, accounting, printing and other fees associated with this offering through December 31, 2018, which was recorded in "Selling and administrative" expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Dividends

The Board of Directors declared and paid a dividend of $0.0645 per share for the first quarter of 2018 totaling $19.5 million, which was paid on June 29, 2018 and represented a prorated quarterly dividend of $0.085 (or $0.34 per annum) per share of our common stock prorated from the date of our IPO, April 23, 2018 to June 30, 2018. We paid our regular quarterly dividends of $0.85 per share on September 28 and December 31, 2018. Additionally, we paid a special dividend to stockholders of $0.70 per share on December 31, 2018.

Follow-on Offering and Common Stock Repurchase

On August 13, 2018, Brookfield completed an underwritten public secondary offering (the "Offering") of 23,000,000 shares of our common stock at a price to the public of $20.00 per share. The Company did not receive any proceeds related to the Offering. Pursuant to a share repurchase agreement with Brookfield, we concurrently repurchased 11,688,311 shares directly from Brookfield. The price per share paid by us in the repurchase was equal to the price at which the underwriters purchased the shares from Brookfield in the Offering net of underwriting commissions and discounts. We funded the share repurchase from cash on hand. The terms and conditions of the share repurchase were reviewed and approved by the audit committee of our board of directors, which is comprised solely of independent directors. All repurchased shares were retired.

The balance in our accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) is set forth in the following table:



	As of December 31, 2018			As of December 31, 2017
	(Dollars in thousands)
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax	$	(2,922	)	$	15,468
Commodities and foreign currency derivatives, net of tax	(2,878		)	4,821
Total accumulated comprehensive (loss) income	$	(5,800	)	$	20,289

Earnings Per Share

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings Per Share


(16)	Earnings per Share

The following table shows the information used in the calculation of our basic and diluted earnings per share calculation as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017. See Note 15 "Stockholders' Equity" for details on our April 12, 2018 stock split and our common stock repurchase on August 13, 2018.



	For the Year Ended December 31,
	2018	2017	2016

Weighted average common shares outstanding for basic calculation	297,748,327	302,225,923	302,225,923
Add: Effect of stock options and restricted stock	5,443	—	—
Weighted average common shares outstanding for diluted calculation	297,753,770	302,225,923	302,225,923

Basic earnings per common share are calculated by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share are calculated by dividing net income (loss) by the sum of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus the additional common shares that would have been outstanding if potentially dilutive securities had been issued.

The weighted average common shares outstanding for the diluted earnings per share calculation excludes consideration of stock options covering 650,432 shares in 2018, as these shares are anti-dilutive.

Quarterly Information

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

Quarterly Information

Summary of quarterly financial data (Unaudited)

The following summarizes certain consolidated operating results by quarter for 2018 and 2017. 2017 periods presented have been revised for the change in accounting for pension and OPEB presentation. This change had no impact on Net income or Net income per share.



	2018									2017
	March 31		June 30			September 30		December 31		March 31			June 30			September 30			December 31
	(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
As Reported:
Net Sales	$	451,899	$	456,332		$	454,890	$	532,789	$	104,739		$	116,314		$	137,245		$	192,473
Gross profit	306,750		290,422			274,610		318,430		1,085			9,679			16,561			60,598
Research and development	429		581			518		601		829			943			1,338			(159		)
Selling and administrative expenses	15,876		16,239			14,234		15,683		11,683			12,195			13,322			12,280
Other expense (income), net	2,005		(974		)	1,502		828		3,067			1,186			(643		)	(1,976		)
Related party Tax Receivable Agreement Expense	—		61,801			—		24,677		—			—			—			—
Net income (loss)	223,673		201,448			199,466		229,632		(26,344		)	(17,383		)	(3,919		)	55,628
Net income (loss) per share	$	0.74	$	0.67		$	0.67	$	0.79	$	(0.09	)	$	(0.06	)	$	(0.01	)	$	0.18
Effect of Change:
Net Sales	$	—	$	—		$	—	$	—	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
Gross profit	—		—			—		—		201			201			201			(809		)
Research and development	—		—			—		—		(9		)	(10		)	(9		)	532
Selling and administrative expenses	—		—			—		—		(27		)	(26		)	(29		)	3,109
Other expense (income), net	—		—			—		—		237			237			239			(4,450		)
Net income (loss)	—		—			—		—		—			—			—			—
Net income (loss) per share	$	—	$	—		$	—	$	—	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
Revised:
Net Sales	$	451,899	$	456,332		$	454,890	$	532,789	$	104,739		$	116,314		$	137,245		$	192,473
Gross profit	306,750		290,422			274,610		318,430		1,286			9,880			16,762			59,789
Research and development	429		581			518		601		820			933			1,329			373
Selling and administrative expenses	15,876		16,239			14,234		15,683		11,656			12,169			13,293			15,389
Other expense (income), net	2,005		(974		)	1,502		828		3,304			1,423			(404		)	(6,426		)
Related party Tax Receivable Agreement Expense	—		61,801			—		24,677		—			—			—			—
Net income (loss)	223,673		201,448			199,466		229,632		(26,344		)	(17,383		)	(3,919		)	55,628
Net income (loss) per share	$	0.74	$	0.67		$	0.67	$	0.79	$	(0.09	)	$	(0.06	)	$	(0.01	)	$	0.18

Subsequent Events	12 Months Ended
Subsequent Events	Dec. 31, 2018
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	Subsequent Events On February 7, 2019, the Board of Directors declared a dividend of $.085 per share to stockholders of record as of the close of business on February 28, 2019, to be paid on March 29, 2019.

Business And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Policy)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Discussion Of Business And Structure

Discussion of Business and Structure

GrafTech International Ltd. (the “Company”) is a leading manufacturer of high quality graphite electrode products essential to the production of electric arc furnace steel and other ferrous and non-ferrous metals. References herein to “GTI,” “we,” “our,” or “us” refer collectively to GrafTech International Ltd. and its subsidiaries. On August 15, 2015, GTI became an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Brookfield Asset Management Inc. (“Brookfield”) through a tender offer to our former stockholders and subsequent merger transaction.

The Company’s only reportable segment, Industrial Materials, is comprised of our two major product categories: graphite electrodes and needle coke products. Needle coke is the key raw material to producing graphite electrodes. The Company's vision is to provide the highest quality graphite electrodes at the lowest cost while providing the best customer service all while striving to be the lowest cost producer.

Consolidation

The Consolidated Financial Statements include the financial statements of GrafTech International Ltd. and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Cash Equivalents

We consider all highly liquid financial instruments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents consist of certificates of deposit, money market funds and commercial paper.

Revenue Recognition

The Company adopted ASC 606 on January 1, 2018. The adoption of ASC 606 represents a change in accounting principle that will more closely align revenue recognition with the delivery of the Company's goods and will provide financial statement readers with enhanced disclosures. The reported results for 2018 reflect the application of ASC 606 guidance while the reported results for 2017 and prior were prepared under the guidance of ASC 605, Revenue Recognition (ASC 605), which is also referred to herein as the "previous revenue guidance".

Prior to the adoption of ASC 606, revenue from sales of our commercial products was recognized when they met four basic criteria (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement existed, (2) delivery had occurred, (3) the amount was determinable and (4) collection was reasonably assured. Sales were recognized when both title and the risks and rewards of ownership were transferred to the customer or services had been rendered and fees had been earned in accordance with the contract.

In accordance with ASC 606, revenue is recognized when a customer obtains control of promised goods. The amount of revenue recognized reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled to receive in exchange for these goods. See Note 2 "Revenue from Contracts with Customers" for more information.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is principally determined using the “first-in first-out” (“FIFO”) and average cost, which approximates FIFO, methods. Elements of cost in inventory include raw materials, direct labor and manufacturing overhead.

We allocate fixed production overheads to the costs of conversion based on normal capacity of the production facilities. We recognize abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight, handling costs, and wasted materials (spoilage) as current period charges.

Property, Plant And Equipment

Property, Plant and Equipment

Expenditures for property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost. Maintenance and repairs of property and equipment are expensed as incurred. Expenditures for replacements and betterments are capitalized and the replaced assets are retired. Gains and losses from the sale of property are included in cost of sales or other expense (income), net. We depreciate our assets using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The ranges of estimated useful lives are as follows:



	Years
Buildings	25-40
Land improvements	20
Machinery and equipment	5-20
Furniture and fixtures	5-10

The carrying value of fixed assets is assessed when events and circumstances indicating impairment are present. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of the assets to future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by the assets. If the assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell.

Accounts Receivable

Trade accounts receivable primarily arise from sales of goods to customers and distributors in the normal course of business.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Judgment is required in assessing the likelihood of collection of receivables, including the current creditworthiness of each customer, related aging of the past due balances and the facts and circumstances surrounding any non-payment. We evaluate specific accounts when we become aware of a situation where a customer may not be able to meet its financial obligations. The reserve requirements are based on the best facts available to us and are reevaluated and adjusted as additional information is received. Receivables are charged off when amounts are determined to be uncollectible.

Capitalized Bank Fees

We capitalize bank fees upon the incurrence of debt and record them as a contra-liability against our debt. We had capitalized bank fees of $24.3 million and $0.4 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. We amortize such amounts over the life of the respective debt instrument using the effective interest method. The estimated life may be adjusted upon the occurrence of a triggering event.

Derivative Financial Instruments

We do not use derivative financial instruments for trading purposes. They are used to manage well-defined commercial risks associated with commodity purchases and currency exchange rate risks. On the date that a derivative contract for a hedging instrument is entered into, the Company designates the derivative as either (1) a hedge of the exposure to changes in the fair value of a recognized asset or liability or of an unrecognized firm commitment (a fair value hedge), (2) a hedge of the exposure of a forecasted transaction or of the variability in the cash flows of a recognized asset or liability (a cash flow hedge), (3) a hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation (a net investment hedge) or 4) a contract not designated as a hedging instrument.

For a fair value hedge, both the effective and ineffective portions of the change in the fair value of the derivative are recorded in earnings and reflected in the Consolidated Statement of Operations on the same line as the gain or loss on the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk. For a cash flow hedge, the effective portion of the change in the fair value of the derivative is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss in the consolidated balance sheet. When the underlying hedged transaction is realized, the gain or loss included in accumulated other comprehensive loss is recorded in earnings and reflected in the Consolidated Statement of Operations on the same line as the gain or loss on the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk. For a net investment hedge, the effective portion of the change in the fair value of the derivative is recorded in cumulative translation adjustment, which is a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss in the consolidated balance sheet.

We formally document our hedge relationships, including the identification of the hedging instruments and the related hedged items, as well as our risk management objectives and strategies for undertaking the hedge transaction. Derivatives are recorded at fair value in other current and long-term assets and other current and long-term liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet. We also formally assess, both at inception and at least quarterly thereafter, whether a derivative used in a hedging transaction is highly effective in offsetting changes in either the fair value or the cash flows of the hedged item. When it is determined that a derivative ceases to be highly effective, we discontinue hedge accounting.

Foreign Currency Derivatives

We enter into foreign currency derivatives from time to time to manage exposure to changes in currency exchange rates. These instruments, which include, but are not limited to, forward exchange contracts and purchased currency options, attempt to hedge global currency exposures, relating to non-dollar denominated debt and identifiable foreign currency receivables, payables and commitments held by our foreign and domestic subsidiaries. Forward exchange contracts are agreements to exchange different currencies at a specified future date and at a specified rate. Purchased foreign currency options are instruments which give the holder the right, but not the obligation, to exchange different currencies at a specified rate at a specified date or over a range of specified dates. The result is the creation of a range in which a best and worst price is defined, while minimizing option cost. Forward exchange contracts and purchased currency options are carried at fair value.

These contracts may be designated as Cash-Flow or Fair Value hedges to the extent that they are effective and are accounted for as described in section above (“Derivative Financial Instruments”).. For derivatives that are not designated as a hedge, any gain or loss is immediately recognized in Cost of Sales on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Derivatives used in this manner relate to risks resulting from assets or liabilities denominated in a foreign currency.

Commodity Derivative Contracts

We have entered into derivative contracts for refined oil products. These contracts are entered into to protect against the risk that eventual cash flows related to these products will be adversely affected by future changes in prices. All commodity contracts are carried at fair value and are treated as hedges to the extent they are effective. Changes in their fair values are included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in the Consolidated Balance Sheets until settlement. Realized gains and losses resulting from settlement are recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and are recorded in cost of sales on the Consolidated Statements of Operations when the underlying hedged item is realized.

Research And Development

Research and Development

Expenditures relating to the development of new products and processes, including significant improvements to existing products, are expensed as incurred.

Income Taxes

We file a consolidated United States (“U.S.”) federal income tax return for GTI and its eligible domestic subsidiaries. Our non-U.S. subsidiaries file income tax returns in their respective local jurisdictions. We account for income taxes under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and tax benefit carry forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities at the end of each period are determined using enacted tax rates. A valuation allowance is established or maintained, when, based on currently available information and other factors, it is more likely than not that all or a portion of a deferred tax asset will not be realized.

Under the guidance on accounting for uncertainty in income taxes, we recognize the benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The guidance on accounting for uncertainty in income taxes also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties on income taxes, and accounting in interim periods.

As a result of the enactment of the Tax Act of 2017, the Company is required to make an accounting policy election of either (1) treating taxes due on future U.S. inclusions in taxable income related to Global Intangible Low Tax Income ("GILTI") as a current period expense when incurred (the “period cost method”) or (2) factoring such amounts into the Company’s measurement of its deferred taxes (the “deferred method”). The Company’s accounting policy will be to treat taxes due on future U.S. inclusions in taxable income related to GILTI as a current period expense when incurred. See Note 14 "Income Taxes" for more information.

Retirement Plans And Postretirement Benefits

Retirement Plans and Postretirement Benefits

We use actuarial methods and assumptions to account for our defined benefit pension plans and our postretirement benefits. We immediately recognize the change in the fair value of plan assets and net actuarial gains and losses annually in the fourth quarter of each year with a mark-to-market adjustment ("MTM Adjustment") and whenever a plan is remeasured (e.g. due to a significant curtailment, settlement, etc.). Pension and postretirement benefits expense includes the MTM adjustment, actuarially computed cost of benefits earned during the current service period, the interest cost on accrued obligations, the expected return on plan assets based on fair market values, and adjustments due to plan settlements and curtailments. Contributions to the qualified U.S. retirement plan are made in accordance with the requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.

Postretirement benefits and benefits under the non-qualified retirement plan have been accrued, but not funded. The estimated cost of future postretirement life insurance benefits is determined by the Company with assistance from independent actuarial firms using the “projected unit credit” actuarial cost method. Such costs are recognized as employees render the service necessary to earn the postretirement benefits. We record our balance sheet position based on the funded status of the plan.

Additional information with respect to benefits plans is set forth in Note 12, “Retirement Plans and Postretirement Benefits.”

Environmental, Health And Safety Matters

Environmental, Health and Safety Matters

Our operations are governed by laws addressing protection of the environment and worker safety and health. These laws provide for civil and criminal penalties and fines, as well as injunctive and remedial relief, for noncompliance and require remediation at sites where hazardous substances have been released into the environment.

We have been in the past, and may become in the future, the subject of formal or informal enforcement actions or proceedings regarding noncompliance with these laws or the remediation of company-related substances released into the environment. Historically, such matters have been resolved by negotiation with regulatory authorities resulting in commitments to compliance, abatement or remediation programs and in some cases payment of penalties. Historically, neither the commitments undertaken nor the penalties imposed on us have been material.

Environmental considerations are part of all significant capital expenditure decisions. Environmental remediation, compliance and management expenses were approximately $12.4 million, $8.0 million and $8.3 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. A charge to income is recorded when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the cost can be reasonably estimated. When payments are fixed or determinable, the liability is discounted using a rate at which the payments could be effectively settled. The accrued liability relating to environmental remediation was $4.2 million as of December 31, 2018 and $2.1 million as of December 31, 2017. The increase in the liability was the result of a revised estimate for asset retirement obligations related to landfills.

Our environmental liabilities do not take into consideration possible recoveries of insurance proceeds. Because of the uncertainties associated with environmental remediation activities at sites where we may be potentially liable, future expenses to remediate sites could be considerably higher than the accrued liability.

Foreign Currency Translation

Foreign Currency Translation and Remeasurement

We translate the financial statements of foreign subsidiaries, whose local currency is their functional currency, to U.S. dollars using period-end exchange rates for assets and liabilities and weighted average exchange rates for each period for revenues, expenses, gains and losses. Differences arising from exchange rate changes are included in accumulated other comprehensive loss on the Consolidated Balance Sheets until such time as the operations of such non-U.S. subsidiaries are sold or substantially or completely liquidated.

For our Mexican, Swiss and Russian subsidiaries, whose functional currency is the U.S. dollar, we remeasure non-monetary balance sheet accounts and the related income statement accounts at historical exchange rates. Resulting gains and losses arising from the fluctuations in currency for monetary accounts are recognized in other (income) expense, net, in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Gains and losses arising from fluctuations in currency exchange rates on transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency are recognized in earnings as incurred.

We have non-dollar denominated intercompany loans between some of our foreign subsidiaries. These loans are subject to remeasurement gains and losses due to changes in currency exchange rates. Certain of these loans had been deemed to be essentially permanent prior to settlement and, as a result, remeasurement gains and losses on these loans were recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in the stockholders’ equity section of the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The remaining loans are deemed to be temporary and, as a result, remeasurement gains and losses on these loans are recorded as currency (gains/losses) in other (income) expense, net, on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill is the excess of the acquisition cost of businesses over the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired. We do not recognize deferred income taxes for the difference between the assigned value and the tax basis related to nondeductible goodwill. Goodwill is not amortized; however, impairment testing is performed annually or more frequently if circumstances indicate that impairment may have occurred. We perform the annual goodwill impairment test at December 31.

The annual goodwill impairment testing may begin with a qualitative assessment of potential impairment indicators in order to determine whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test.

The impairment test for goodwill uses a two-step approach, which is performed at the reporting unit level. Step one compares the fair value of the reporting unit to its carrying value. The fair value for each reporting unit with goodwill is determined in accordance with accounting guidance on determining fair value, which requires consideration of the income, market, and cost approaches as applicable. If the carrying value exceeds the fair value, there is potential impairment and step two must be performed. Step two compares the carrying value of the reporting unit’s goodwill to its implied fair value (i.e., fair value of the reporting unit less the fair value of the unit’s assets and liabilities, including identifiable intangible assets). If the implied fair value of goodwill is less than the carrying amount of goodwill, an impairment is recognized.

Other amortizable intangible assets, which consist primarily of trademarks and trade names, customer-related intangibles and technological know-how, are amortized over their estimated useful lives using the straight line or sum-of-the-years digits method. The estimated useful lives for each major category of amortizable intangible assets are:



	Years
Trade name	5-10
Technology and know-how	5-9
Customer related intangible	5-14

Additional information about goodwill and other intangibles is set forth in Note 6 “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.”

Major Maintenance And Repair Costs

Major Maintenance and Repair Costs

We perform scheduled major maintenance of the storage and processing units at our Seadrift plant (referred to as “overhaul”). Time periods between overhauls vary by unit. We also perform an annual scheduled significant maintenance and repair shutdown of the plant (referred to as “turnaround”).

Costs of overhauls and turnarounds include plant personnel, contract services, materials, and rental equipment. We defer these costs when incurred and use the straight-line method to amortize them over the period of time estimated to lapse until the next scheduled overhaul of the applicable storage or processing unit. Under this policy $9.8 million was deferred in 2018 and no costs were deferred in 2017. Amortization of deferred maintenance costs totaled $3.1 million, $3.3 million and $7.0 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Earnings per share

The calculation of basic earnings per share is based on the number of common shares outstanding after giving effect to the stock split effected on April 12, 2018 and common stock repurchase on August 13, 2018. Diluted earnings per share recognizes the dilution that would occur if stock options or restricted shares were exercised or converted into common shares. See Note 15 “Earnings Per Share”.

Use Of Estimates

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the Consolidated Financial Statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses. Significant estimates and assumptions are used for, but are not limited to inventory valuation, pension and other post-retirement benefits, allowance for doubtful accounts, contingent liabilities, accruals and valuation allowances, asset impairment, and environmental-related accruals. Actual results could differ from our estimates.

Discontinued Operations and Assets Held for Sale

When Management commits to a plan to sell assets or asset groups and a sale is probable, we reclassify those assets or asset groups into "Assets Held for Sale". Upon reclassification to assets held for sale, we evaluate the book value of the disposal groups against their fair value less costs to sell and as a result may impair the assets / asset groups. As and if new information becomes available on the fair value of the assets/asset groups , we may adjust accordingly the impairment.

Once the assets of a business have been classified as held for sale, we evaluate if the divestiture represents a strategic shift in operations and if so, we exclude the results of this business from continuing operations. All results are reported as gain or loss from discontinued operations, net of tax.

Subsequent Events

We evaluate events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued to determine if a material event requires our amending the financial statements or disclosing the event.

Recent Accounting Standards

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) . The Company adopted ASU 2014-09 and its related amendments (collectively known as ASC 606) effective on January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective method. Please see Note 2 "Revenue from Contracts with Customers" for the required disclosures related to the impact of adopting this standard and a discussion of the Company's updated policies related to revenue recognition.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230), Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Payments,clarifying guidance on the classification of certain cash receipts and payments in the statement of cash flows. The adoption of ASU 2016-15 on January 1, 2018 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-07, Compensation-Retirement Benefits (Topic 715). This standard requires an entity to report the service cost component in the same line item as other compensation costs. The other components of net (benefit) cost, including our annual mark-to-market remeasurement, will be presented in the income statement separately from the service cost component and outside a subtotal of income from operations. The adoption of ASU No. 2017-07 on January 1, 2018 changed the presentation of benefit expenses, but did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. The components of the net (benefit) cost are shown in Note 12, "Retirement Plans and Postretirement Benefits." The following table summarizes the adjustments made to conform prior period classifications to the new guidance:



	For the Year Ended December 31, 2017								For the Year Ended December 31, 2016
	(dollars in thousands)
	As Reported		Effect of Accounting Change			As Adjusted			As Reported			Effect of Accounting Change			As Adjusted
Cost of Sales	$	461,339	$	206		$	461,545		$	448,016		$	1,212		$	449,228
Research and development	2,951		505			3,456			2,399			135			2,534
Selling and administrative expenses	49,479		3,027			52,506			57,784			731			58,515
Other (income) expense, net	1,634		(3,738		)	(2,104		)	(2,188		)	(2,078		)	(4,266		)

Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). Under this new guidance, a company will now recognize most leases on its balance sheet as lease liabilities with corresponding right-of-use assets. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company plans to adopt ASU No. 2016-02 on January 1, 2019, using the modified retrospective approach with the option of not restating comparative prior periods presented in the financial statements. Under this method, we will recognize the effects of applying ASC 842 as a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings as of the effective date of adoption of January 1, 2019. The Company has completed its evaluation of the contracts. We anticipate additional assets and liabilities of approximately $10 million to be recorded as a result with no material adjustment to retained earning required.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017‑04, Intangibles‑Goodwill and Other (Topic 350). This guidance was issued to simplify the accounting for goodwill impairment. The guidance removes the second step of the goodwill impairment test, which requires that a hypothetical purchase price allocation be performed to determine the amount of impairment, if any. Under this new guidance, a goodwill impairment charge will be based on the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. The guidance will become effective on a prospective basis for the Company on January 1, 2020 with early adoption permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s

Business And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Ranges Of Estimated Useful Lives

The ranges of estimated useful lives are as follows:



	Years
Buildings	25-40
Land improvements	20
Machinery and equipment	5-20
Furniture and fixtures	5-10

Schedule Of Estimated Useful Lives For Each Major Category Of Amortizable Intangible Assets

The estimated useful lives for each major category of amortizable intangible assets are:



	Years
Trade name	5-10
Technology and know-how	5-9
Customer related intangible	5-14

Schedule of New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles

The following table summarizes the adjustments made to conform prior period classifications to the new guidance:



	For the Year Ended December 31, 2017								For the Year Ended December 31, 2016
	(dollars in thousands)
	As Reported		Effect of Accounting Change			As Adjusted			As Reported			Effect of Accounting Change			As Adjusted
Cost of Sales	$	461,339	$	206		$	461,545		$	448,016		$	1,212		$	449,228
Research and development	2,951		505			3,456			2,399			135			2,534
Selling and administrative expenses	49,479		3,027			52,506			57,784			731			58,515
Other (income) expense, net	1,634		(3,738		)	(2,104		)	(2,188		)	(2,078		)	(4,266		)

Revenue From Contracts With Customers (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]

Disaggregation of Revenue

The following table provides information about disaggregated revenue by type of product and contract for 2018:



	For the Year Ended December 31, 2018
	(Dollars in thousands)
Graphite Electrodes - Three-to-five-year contracts	$	1,341,557
Graphite Electrodes - Short-term contracts	500,834
By-products	53,519
Total Revenues	$	1,895,910

Contract with Customer, Asset and Liability

Current deferred revenue is included in "Other accrued liabilities" and long-term deferred revenue is included in "Other long-term obligations" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The following table provides information about deferred revenue from contracts with customers (in thousands):



	Current deferred revenue			Long-Term deferred revenue
	(Dollars in thousands)
Balance as of December 31, 2017	$	20,784		$	—
Increases due to billings	15,548			8,241
Revenue recognized	(30,803		)	—
Foreign currency impact	(149		)	(525		)
Balance as of December 31, 2018	$	5,380		$	7,716

Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction\

The following table presents estimated revenues expected to be recognized in the future related to performance obligations that are unsatisfied (or partially unsatisfied) at the end of the reporting period (in thousands). The estimated revenues do not include contracts with original duration of one year or less.



	Three-to-five-year take-or-pay contracts
	(Dollars in thousands)
2019	$	1,404,618
2020	1,327,449
2021	1,172,536
2022	1,127,105
Thereafter	8,715
Total	$	5,040,423

Discontinued Operations and Related Assets Held for Sale (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]

Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations

The following tables summarize the results of the Engineered Solutions business segment, reclassified as discontinued operations:



		For the Year Ended December 31,
		2018			2017			2016
	(Dollars in thousands)
Net sales		$	2,574		$	82,299		$	115,336
Cost of sales		3,310			74,723			98,440
Gross (loss) profit		(736		)	7,576			16,896
Research and development		—			1,429			3,145
Selling and administrative expenses		(628		)	12,239			19,022
(Gain) loss on sale of assets		(508		)	(6,091		)	198
Rationalizations		—			(35		)	(405		)
Impairment		—			5,300			119,907
		400			(5,266		)	(124,971		)
Other expense (income)		30			(115		)	(66		)
Interest expense		—			1,133			3,258
Income (loss) from discontinued operations before income taxes		370			(6,284		)	(128,163		)
Benefit for income taxes on discontinued operations		(39		)	(55		)	(1,189		)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations		$	331		$	(6,229	)	$	(126,974	)

Basic and diluted income (loss) from discontinued operations per share		$	—		$	(0.02	)	$	(0.42	)

The significant components of our Statements of Cash Flows for discontinued operations are as follows:



	For the Year Ended December 31
	2018			2017			2016
	(Dollars in thousands)
Depreciation and amortization	$	—		$	2,418		$	5,277
Impairment	—			5,300			119,907
(Gain) loss on sale of assets	(508		)	(6,091		)	198
Net change in inventory	502			15,217			(917		)
Cash received from divestitures	—			27,254			15,889
Credit facility reductions	—			(27,254		)	(15,889		)
Deferred income taxes	40			(55		)	(1,189		)
Capital expenditures	—			558			4,713

The following table summarizes the carrying value of the assets and liabilities of discontinued operations as of December 31, 2018 and 2017.



	As of December 31, 2018		As of December 31, 2017
	(Dollars in thousands)
Assets of discontinued operations:
Accounts receivable	$	—	$	3,351
Inventories	—		502
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	—		1,137
Net property, plant and equipment	—		226
Other assets	—		97
Total assets of discontinued operations	$	—	$	5,313

Liabilities of discontinued operations:
Accounts payable	$	—	$	512
Accrued income and other taxes	—		158
Other accrued liabilities	—		2,742
Total current liabilities of discontinued operations	—		3,412

Other long-term obligations	—		376

Total liabilities of discontinued operations	$	—	$	3,788

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of information related to a disposal group. Includes, but is not limited to, a discontinued operation, disposal classified as held-for-sale or disposed of by means other than sale or disposal of an individually significant component.

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+ Details

Stock Based and Other Management Compensation (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]

Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity [Table Text Block]

Stock option awards activity under the Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan for 2018 was as follows:



	Number of Shares		Weighted- Average Exercise Price
Outstanding unvested as of January 1, 2018	—		$	—
Granted	979,790		15.67
Forfeited	(11,070	)	15.00
Outstanding unvested as of December 31, 2018	968,720		$	15.68

Deferred share units and restricted stock unit awards activity under the Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan for 2018 was as follows:



	Number of Shares		Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value
Outstanding unvested as of January 1, 2018	—		$	—
Granted	48,983		13.94
Vested	(21,413	)	15.29
Outstanding unvested as of December 31, 2018	27,570		$	12.88

Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block]

The weighted average assumptions used in our Black-Scholes option-pricing model for options granted in 2018 are:



	For the Year Ended December 31, 2018
Dividend yield	1.70% - 2.27%
Expected volatility	45	%
Risk-free interest rate	2.84% - 2.98%
Expected term in years	6.5 years

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding and Exercisable [Table Text Block]

Stock options outstanding and exercisable under our plans at December 31, 2018 are:



			Options Outstanding			Options Exercisable
Range of Exercise Prices			Number Outstanding	Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life in Years	Weighted Average Exercise Prices	Number Exercisable	Weighted Average Exercise Prices
$15.00	-	$20.00	968,720	9.3	$15.68	—	$	—

Segment Reporting (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Segment Reporting Information, Revenue for Reportable Segment [Abstract]

Schedule of Revenue from External Customers Attributed to Foreign Countries by Geographic Area [Table Text Block]

The following tables summarize information as to our continuing operations in different geographic areas.



	2018		2017		2016
	(Dollars in thousands)
Net sales:
U.S.	$	429,599	$	103,890	$	74,526
Americas	367,561		129,103		116,944
Asia Pacific	131,578		46,329		41,302
Europe, Middle East, Africa	967,172		271,449		205,191
Total	$	1,895,910	$	550,771	$	437,963

Schedule of Disclosure on Geographic Areas, Long-Lived Assets in Individual Foreign Countries by Country [Table Text Block]



	At December 31,
	2018		2017
	(Dollars in thousands)
Long-lived assets (a):
U.S.	$	169,301	$	177,298
Mexico	146,790		147,959
Brazil	3,320		3,547
France	91,022		80,035
Spain	103,121		103,819
Other countries	151		183
Total	$	513,705	$	512,841


(a)	Long-lived assets represent fixed assets, net of accumulated depreciation.

Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule Of Changes In The Carrying Value Of Goodwill



	Total
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Balance as of December 31, 2016	$	171,117
Adjustments	—
Balance as of December 31, 2017	171,117
Adjustments	—
Balance as of December 31, 2018	$	171,117

Schedule Of Intangible Assets With Determinable Useful Lives By Major Category

The following table summarizes acquired intangible assets with determinable useful lives by major category which are included in "Other Assets" on our consolidated balance sheets:



	As of December 31, 2018							As of December 31, 2017
	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Amount		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Amount
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Trade name	$	22,500	$	(7,721	)	$	14,779	$	22,500	$	(5,512	)	$	16,988
Technology and know-how	55,300		(23,503		)	31,797		55,300		(17,265		)	38,035
Customer related intangible	64,500		(15,070		)	49,430		64,500		(10,637		)	53,863
Total finite-lived intangible assets	$	142,300	$	(46,294	)	$	96,006	$	142,300	$	(33,414	)	$	108,886

Debt And Liquidity (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations [Abstract]

Schedule Of Long-Term Debt

The following table presents our long-term debt:



	As of December 31, 2018			As of December 31, 2017
	(Dollars in thousands)
Old Credit Facility (Old Revolving Facility and Old Term Loan Facility)	$	—		$	58,192
Senior Notes	—			280,586
2018 Credit Facility (2018 Term Loan and 2018 Revolving Facility)	2,155,883			—
Other Debt	751			596
Total Debt	2,156,634			339,374
Less: Short-term Debt	(106,323		)	(16,474		)
Long-term Debt	$	2,050,311		$	322,900

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of long-debt instruments or arrangements, including identification, terms, features, collateral requirements and other information necessary to a fair presentation. These are debt arrangements that originally required repayment more than twelve months after issuance or greater than the normal operating cycle of the entity, if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1A
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114775744&loc=d3e28541-108399

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 6
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109259400&loc=d3e21506-112644

Reference 4: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(e),(f))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

Reference 5: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114775744&loc=d3e28551-108399

Reference 6: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 7
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109259400&loc=d3e21521-112644

Reference 7: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109259400&loc=d3e21538-112644

Reference 8: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 470
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=75038535&loc=d3e64711-112823

Reference 9: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 55
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114775985&loc=d3e28878-108400

Reference 10: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109259400&loc=d3e21475-112644

+ Details

Interest Expense (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Interest and Debt Expense [Abstract]

Schedule Of Interest Expense

The following table presents an analysis of interest expense:



	For the Year Ended December 31
	2018		2017		2016
	(Dollars in thousands)
Interest incurred on debt	$	100,844	$	24,060	$	20,408
Related Party Promissory Note interest expense	5,090		—		—
Senior Note redemption premium	4,782		—		—
Accretion of fair value adjustment on Senior Notes	19,414		6,454		6,305
Accretion of original issue discount on 2018 Term Loans	1,455		—		—
Amortization of debt issuance costs	3,476		309		201
Total interest expense	$	135,061	$	30,823	$	26,914

Fair Value Measurements And Derivative Instruments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Schedule Of Fair Value Of Derivatives Designated As Fair Value Hedges



	Asset Derivatives			Liability Derivatives
	Location	Fair Value		Location	Fair Value
As of December 31, 2018	(Dollars in Thousands)
Derivatives not designated as hedges:
Foreign currency derivatives	Prepaid and other current assets	$	—	Other current liabilities	$	43

As of December 31, 2017
Derivatives not designated as hedges:
Foreign currency derivatives	Prepaid and other current assets	$	9	Other current liabilities	$	90

Schedule Of Realized (Gains) Losses On Derivatives Recognized In Statement Of Operations



		Amount of (Gain)/Loss Recognized
	Location of (Gain)/Loss Recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Operations	2018			2017		2016
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges:		(Dollars in thousands)
Commodity forward derivatives	Cost of sales	$	(919	)	$	—	$	—

Supplementary Balance Sheet Detail (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract]

Schedule Of Amounts Recognized In Balance Sheet

The following tables present supplementary balance sheet details:



	As of December 31, 2018		As of December 31, 2017
	(Dollars in thousands)
Inventories:
Raw materials and supplies	$	99,935	$	39,434
Work in process	125,767		85,852
Finished goods	68,015		48,865
	$	293,717	$	174,151
Prepaid expenses and other current assets:
Prepaid expenses	$	10,720	$	9,505
Value added tax and other indirect taxes receivable	19,242		18,627
Spare parts inventory	11,507		11,010
Other current assets	4,699		5,730
	$	46,168	$	44,872
Property, plant and equipment:
Land and improvements	$	45,947	$	46,599
Buildings	68,680		59,608
Machinery and equipment and other	532,084		495,069
Construction in progress	42,131		41,375
	$	688,842	$	642,651
Other accrued liabilities:
Payrolls (including incentive programs)	$	17,284	$	14,196
Employee benefits	6,977		4,684
Deferred Revenue	5,380		20,784
Other	20,811		13,562
	$	50,452	$	53,226
Other long term obligations:
Postretirement benefits	$	16,192	$	20,508
Pension and related benefits	33,718		36,116
Other	22,609		12,283
	$	72,519	$	68,907

Schedule Of Analysis Of The Allowance For Doubtful Accounts

The following table presents an analysis of the allowance for doubtful accounts:



	2018			2017		2016

Balance at beginning of year	$	1,097		$	326	$	244
Additions	122			771		129
Deductions	(90		)	—		(47		)
Balance at end of year	$	1,129		$	1,097	$	326

Commitments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule Of Lease Commitments Under Non-Cancelable Operating Leases

Lease commitments under non-cancelable operating leases extending for one year or more will require the following future payments:



	(Dollars in thousands)
2019	$	4,474
2020	2,747
2021	1,497
2022	334
2023	269
After 2023	343

Retirement Plans And Postretirement Benefits (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Retirement Benefits, Description [Abstract]

Components Of Consolidated Net Pension Costs Retirement Plans

The components of our consolidated net pension costs are set forth in the following table:



	For the Year Ended December 31,
	2018						2017						2016
	U.S.			Foreign			U.S.			Foreign			U.S.			Foreign
							(Dollars in thousands)
Service cost	$	1,315		$	674		$	1,305		$	710		$	1,325		$	698
Interest cost	4,709			253			5,352			199			5,744			243
Expected return on assets	(5,679		)	(330		)	(5,268		)	(299		)	(4,940		)	(298		)
Mark-to-market loss (gain)	2,473			503			(4,140		)	(53		)	(2,322		)	(220		)
Pension costs	$	2,818		$	1,100		$	(2,751	)	$	557		$	(193	)	$	423

Reconciliation Of Pension Plans' Benefit Obligations, Fair Value Of Assets Retirement Plans

The reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of our pension plans’ benefit obligations, fair value of assets, and funded status at December 31, 2018 and 2017 are:



	As of December 31, 2018						As of December 31, 2017
	U.S.			Foreign			U.S.				Foreign
	(Dollars in thousands)
Changes in Benefit Obligation:
Net Benefit Obligation at beginning of period	$	139,746		$	20,407		$	140,230			$	18,237
Service cost	1,315			674			1,305				710
Interest cost	4,709			253			5,352				199
Participant contributions	—			392			—				252
Foreign currency exchange changes	—			(339		)	—				1,069
Actuarial (gain) loss	(8,297		)	711			3,212				63
Benefits paid	(10,488		)	234			(10,353		)		(123		)
Net benefit obligation at end of period	$	126,985		$	22,332		$	139,746			$	20,407
Changes in Plan Assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of period	$	109,845		$	13,618		$	100,905			$	11,871
Actual return on plan assets	(5,091		)	538			12,620				415
Foreign currency exchange rate changes				(154		)	—				545
Employer contributions	5,579			726			6,673				658
Participant contributions				392			—				252
Benefits paid	(10,488		)	234			(10,353		)		(123		)
Fair value of plan assets at end of period	$	99,845		$	15,354		$	109,845			$	13,618
Funded status (underfunded):	$	(27,140	)	$	(6,978	)	$	(29,901	)		$	(6,789	)
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss:
Prior service credit	$	—		$	—		$	—			$	—
Amounts recognized in the statement of financial position:
Non-current assets				$	147		$	—			$	—
Current liabilities	(430		)	(117		)	(433		)	—	(146		)
Non-current liabilities	(26,710		)	(7,008		)	(29,468		)	—	(6,643		)
Net amount recognized	$	(27,140	)	$	(6,978	)	$	(29,901	)		$	(6,789	)

Fair Asset Values Of Plan Assets

The fair value of other plan assets by category is summarized below (dollars in thousands):



	As of December 31, 2018
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
U.S. Plan Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,978	$	—	$	—	$	1,978
International Plan Assets
Foreign government bonds	$	—	$	958	$	—	$	958
Fixed insurance contracts	—		—		14,396		14,396
Total assets in the fair value hierarchy	$	—	$	958	$	14,396	$	15,354
Investments measured at net asset value							$	97,867
Total	$	1,978	$	958	$	14,396	$	115,199

	As of December 31, 2017
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
U.S. Plan Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	2,094	$	—	$	—	$	2,094
International Plan Assets
Foreign government bonds	$	—	$	831	$	—	$	831
Fixed insurance contracts	—		—		12,787		12,787
Total assets in the fair value hierarchy	$	—	$	831	$	12,787	$	13,618
Investments measured at net asset value							$	107,751
Total	$	2,094	$	831	$	12,787	$	123,463

Fair Value Hierarchy, Assets At Fair Value

The following table presents the changes for those financial instruments classified within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy for international plan pension assets for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018 (dollars in thousands):



	Fixed Insurance Contracts
Balance at December 31, 2016	$	11,142
Gain / contributions / currency impact	1,651
Distributions	(6		)
Balance at December 31, 2017	12,787
Gain / contributions / currency impact	1,619
Distributions	(10		)
Balance at December 31, 2018	$	14,396

Assumptions Used To Determine Net Pension Costs And Projected Benefit Obligations

Assumptions used to determine net pension costs and projected benefit obligations are:



Pension Benefit Obligations Key Assumptions	As of December 31,
	2018		2017
Weighted average assumptions to determine benefit obligations:
Discount rate	3.71	%	3.20	%
Rate of compensation increase	1.74	%	1.57	%



Pension Cost Key Assumptions
Weighted average assumptions to determine net cost:
Discount rate	3.20	%	3.61	%
Expected return on plan assets	4.94	%	4.95	%
Rate of compensation increase	1.57	%	1.57	%

Assumptions used to determine net postretirement benefit costs and postretirement projected benefit obligation are set forth in the following table:



Postretirement Benefit Obligations
	2018		2017
Weighted average assumptions to determine benefit obligations:
Discount rate	5.57	%	5.07	%
Health care cost trend on covered charges:
Initial	6.53	%	6.86	%
Ultimate	6.05	%	6.23	%
Years to ultimate	8		8



Postretirement Benefit Costs
	2018		2017
Weighted average assumptions to determine net cost:
Discount rate	5.07	%	4.80	%
Health care cost trend on covered charges:
Initial	6.86	%	6.80	%
Ultimate	6.23	%	5.96	%
Years to ultimate	7		7

Retirement Plan Weighted Average Asset Allocations

The following table presents our retirement plan weighted average asset allocations at December 31, 2018, by asset category:



	Percentage of Plan Assets as of December 31, 2018
	US		Foreign
Equity securities and return seeking assets	20	%	—	%
Fixed income, debt securities, or cash	80	%	100	%
Total	100	%	100	%

Pension Plans With An Accumulated Benefit Obligation In Excess Of Plan Assets

Information for our pension plans with an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets at December 31, 2017 and 2018 follows:



	2018				2017
	U.S.		Foreign		U.S.		Foreign
	(Dollars in thousands)
Accumulated benefit obligation	$	126,985	$	20,601	$	139,746	$	18,843
Fair value of plan assets	99,845		14,396		109,845		13,618

Pension Plans With Projected Benefit Obligation In Excess Of Plan Assets

Information for our pension plans with a projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets at December 31, 2017 and 2018 follows:



	2018				2017
	U.S.		Foreign		U.S.		Foreign
	(Dollars in thousands)
Projected benefit obligation	$	126,985	$	21,520	$	139,746	$	20,407
Fair value of plan assets	99,845		14,396		109,845		13,618

Projected Future Pension Plan Cash Flow By Year

Following is our projected future pension plan cash flow by year:



	U.S.		Foreign
	(Dollars in thousands)
Expected contributions in 2019:
Expected employer contributions	$	684	$	744
Expected employee contributions	—		—
Estimated future benefit payments reflecting expected future service for the years ending December 31:
2019	9,240		858
2020	9,221		755
2021	9,221		824
2022	9,182		824
2023	9,136		955
2024-2028	43,993		8,223

Recognized In Other Comprehensive Income Postretirement Benefit Plans

The components of our consolidated net postretirement costs are set forth in the following table:



	For the Year Ended December 31,
	2018					2017					2016
	U.S.			Foreign		U.S.			Foreign		U.S.			Foreign
	(Dollars in thousands)
Service cost	$	—		$	1	$	—		$	2	$	—		$	4
Interest cost	264			700		333			653		360			764
Plan amendment / curtailment	—			—		—			—		—			(993		)
Mark-to-market (gain) loss	(1,028		)	47		(1,257		)	742		(191		)	(225		)
Post-employment benefits (benefit) cost	$	(764	)	$	748	$	(924	)	$	1,397	$	169		$	(450	)

Fair Value Of Assets Of, And The Funded Status Of, Postretirement Plans

The reconciliation of beginning and ending balances of benefit obligations under, fair value of assets of, and the funded status of, our postretirement plans is set forth in the following table:



Postretirement Benefits	As of December 31, 2018						As of December 31, 2017
	As of December 31, 2018						As of December 31, 2017
	U.S.			Foreign			U.S.			Foreign
	(Dollars in thousands)
Changes in Benefit Obligation:
Net benefit obligation at beginning of period	$	8,461		$	12,172		$	10,175		$	10,700
Service cost	—			1			—			2
Interest cost	264			700			333			653
Foreign currency exchange rates	—			(1,333		)	—			931
Actuarial (gain) loss	(1,028		)	47			(1,257		)	742
Gross benefits paid	(532		)	(926		)	(790		)	(856		)
Plan amendment	—			—			—			—
Net benefit obligation at end of period	$	7,165		$	10,661		$	8,461		$	12,172
Changes in Plan Assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of period	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
Employer contributions	532			926			790			856
Gross benefits paid	(532		)	(926		)	(790		)	(856		)
Fair value of plan assets at end of period	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
Funded status:	$	(7,165	)	$	(10,661	)	$	(8,461	)	$	(12,172	)
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss:
Prior service credit	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
Amounts recognized in the statement of financial position:
Current liabilities	$	(783	)	$	(851	)	$	(855	)	$	(912	)
Non-current liabilities	(6,382		)	(9,810		)	(7,606		)	(11,260		)
Net amount recognized	$	(7,165	)	$	(10,661	)	$	(8,461	)	$	(12,172	)

One-Percentage Point Change In Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates

A one-percentage point change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects at December 31, 2018:



	One Percentage Point Increase				One Percentage Point Decrease
	U.S.		Foreign		U.S.			Foreign
	(Dollars in thousands)
Effect on total service cost and interest cost components	$	1	$	32	$	(1	)	$	(66	)
Effect on benefit obligations	$	14	$	506	$	(14	)	$	(442	)

Projected Future Postretirement Cash Flow By Year

The following table represents projected future postretirement cash flow by year:



	U.S.		Foreign
	(Dollars in thousands)
Expected contributions in 2019:
Expected employer contributions	$	783	$	851
Expected employee contributions	—		—
Estimated future benefit payments reflecting expected future service for the years ending December 31:
2019	783		851
2020	724		866
2021	663		891
2022	607		904
2023	554		899
2024-2025	2,174		4,769

Management Compensation And Incentive Plans (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Management Compensation And Incentive Plans [Abstract]

Stock Option Activity Under The Plans

Stock option awards activity under the Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan for 2018 was as follows:



	Number of Shares		Weighted- Average Exercise Price
Outstanding unvested as of January 1, 2018	—		$	—
Granted	979,790		15.67
Forfeited	(11,070	)	15.00
Outstanding unvested as of December 31, 2018	968,720		$	15.68

Deferred share units and restricted stock unit awards activity under the Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan for 2018 was as follows:



	Number of Shares		Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value
Outstanding unvested as of January 1, 2018	—		$	—
Granted	48,983		13.94
Vested	(21,413	)	15.29
Outstanding unvested as of December 31, 2018	27,570		$	12.88

Contingencies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Loss Contingency [Abstract]

Schedule Of Product Warranties Accrual

Claims accrued but not yet paid and the related activity within the reserve for 2017 and 2018 are as follows:



	(Dollars in Thousands)

Balance as of December 31, 2016	$	969
Product warranty charges/adjustments	(149		)
Payments and settlements	(471		)
Balance as of December 31, 2017	$	349
Product warranty charges/adjustments	1,510
Payments and settlements	(331		)
Balance as of December 31, 2018	$	1,528

Income Taxes (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule Of U.S. And Non-U.S. Components Of Income (Loss) Before Provision (Benefit) For Income Taxes

The following table summarizes the U.S. and non-U.S. components of income (loss) from continuing operations before provision for income taxes:



	For the Year Ended December 31,
	2018			2017			2016
	(Dollars in thousands)
U.S.	$	(68,032	)	$	(26,981	)	$	(44,971	)
Non-U.S.	970,840			30,412			(71,450		)
	$	902,808		$	3,431		$	(116,421	)

Schedule Of Income Tax Expense (Benefit)

Income tax expense (benefit) consists of the following:



	For the Year Ended December 31,
	2018			2017			2016

U.S income taxes:
Current	$	787		$	(1,066	)	$	(878	)
Deferred	(52,145		)	38			1,152
	(51,358		)	(1,028		)	274
Non-U.S. income taxes:
Current	85,252			5,924			5,389
Deferred	15,026			(15,677		)	(13,215		)
	100,278			(9,753		)	(7,826		)
Total income tax expense (benefit)	$	48,920		$	(10,781	)	$	(7,552	)

Schedule Of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Computed By Applying The U.S. Federal Income Tax Rate

Income tax expense (benefit) differed from the amounts computed by applying the U.S. federal income tax rate of 35% to income before expense (benefit) for taxes as set forth in the following table:



	For the Year Ended December 31,
	2018			2017			2016
	(Dollars in thousands)
Tax at statutory U.S. federal rate	$	189,590		$	1,201		$	(40,747	)
Impact of U.S. Tax Cut and Jobs Act - GILTI	93,739			—			—
Impact of the 2017 Tax Act - transition tax	—			39,628			—
Impact of the 2017 Tax Act - tax rate change	—			52,228			—
Impact of Tax Receivable Agreement	18,160			—			—
Valuation allowance, net	(93,125		)	(89,269		)	35,091
State taxes, net of federal tax benefit	1,529			3,437			(2,324		)
U.S. tax impact of foreign earnings (net of foreign tax credits)	792			1,151			51
Investment in subsidiary impairment deduction	—			—			(10,114		)
Establishment/resolution of uncertain tax positions	(345		)	(840		)	(513		)
Adjustment for foreign income taxed at different rates	(95,822		)	(2,359		)	12,738
Foreign tax credits	(65,046		)	(17,956		)	(175		)
Other	(552		)	1,998			(1,559		)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	$	48,920		$	(10,781	)	$	(7,552	)

Schedule Of Deferred Tax Assets And Deferred Tax Liabilities



	As of December 31,
	2018			2017
	(Dollars in thousands)
Deferred tax assets:
Postretirement and other employee benefits	$	18,395		$	19,392
Foreign tax credit and other carryforwards	111,325			175,229
Capitalized research and experimental costs	7,695			9,417
Environmental reserves	976			493
Inventory	14,251			7,933
Original issue discount	—			2,603
Long-term contract option amortization	1,144			1,204
Provision for rationalization charges	351			502
Other	4,270			1,536
Total gross deferred tax assets	158,407			218,309
Less: valuation allowance	(58,446		)	(150,839		)
Total deferred tax assets	99,961			67,470
Deferred tax liabilities:
Fixed assets	$	59,521		$	68,098
Debt discount amortization / Deferred financing fees	—			3,191
Inventory	7,751			5,128
Goodwill and acquired intangibles	3,668			—
Other	3,138			2,031
Total deferred tax liabilities	74,078			78,448
Net deferred tax asset (liability)	$	25,883		$	(10,978	)

Schedule Of Valuation Allowance Activity



	(Dollars in thousands)
Balance as of December 31, 2015	$	165,539
Charged to income	78,469
Translation adjustment	583
Changes attributable to movement in underlying assets	250
Balance as of December 31, 2016	$	244,841
Credited to income	(87,194		)
Translation adjustment	207
Changes attributable to movement in underlying assets	(7,015		)
Balance as of December 31, 2017	$	150,839
Credited to income	(93,125		)
Translation adjustment	(302		)
Changes attributable to movement in underlying assets	1,034
Balance as of December 31, 2018	$	58,446

Reconciliation Of The Beginning And Ending Amount Of Unrecognized Tax Benefits



	(Dollars in thousands)

Balance as of December 31, 2016	$	3,338
Additions for tax positions of prior years	114
Lapse of statutes of limitations	(989		)
Foreign currency impact	29
Balance as of December 31, 2017	$	2,492
Reductions for tax positions of prior years	(100		)
Lapse of statutes of limitations	(373		)
Settlements	(21		)
Foreign currency impact	(8		)
Balance as of December 31, 2018	$	1,990

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]

Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]

The balance in our accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) is set forth in the following table:



	As of December 31, 2018			As of December 31, 2017
	(Dollars in thousands)
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax	$	(2,922	)	$	15,468
Commodities and foreign currency derivatives, net of tax	(2,878		)	4,821
Total accumulated comprehensive (loss) income	$	(5,800	)	$	20,289

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Schedule Of Calculation Of Basic And Diluted Earnings Per Share

The following table shows the information used in the calculation of our basic and diluted earnings per share calculation as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017. See Note 15 "Stockholders' Equity" for details on our April 12, 2018 stock split and our common stock repurchase on August 13, 2018.



	For the Year Ended December 31,
	2018	2017	2016

Weighted average common shares outstanding for basic calculation	297,748,327	302,225,923	302,225,923
Add: Effect of stock options and restricted stock	5,443	—	—
Weighted average common shares outstanding for diluted calculation	297,753,770	302,225,923	302,225,923

Quarterly Information (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

Quarterly Financial Information



	2018									2017
	March 31		June 30			September 30		December 31		March 31			June 30			September 30			December 31
	(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
As Reported:
Net Sales	$	451,899	$	456,332		$	454,890	$	532,789	$	104,739		$	116,314		$	137,245		$	192,473
Gross profit	306,750		290,422			274,610		318,430		1,085			9,679			16,561			60,598
Research and development	429		581			518		601		829			943			1,338			(159		)
Selling and administrative expenses	15,876		16,239			14,234		15,683		11,683			12,195			13,322			12,280
Other expense (income), net	2,005		(974		)	1,502		828		3,067			1,186			(643		)	(1,976		)
Related party Tax Receivable Agreement Expense	—		61,801			—		24,677		—			—			—			—
Net income (loss)	223,673		201,448			199,466		229,632		(26,344		)	(17,383		)	(3,919		)	55,628
Net income (loss) per share	$	0.74	$	0.67		$	0.67	$	0.79	$	(0.09	)	$	(0.06	)	$	(0.01	)	$	0.18
Effect of Change:
Net Sales	$	—	$	—		$	—	$	—	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
Gross profit	—		—			—		—		201			201			201			(809		)
Research and development	—		—			—		—		(9		)	(10		)	(9		)	532
Selling and administrative expenses	—		—			—		—		(27		)	(26		)	(29		)	3,109
Other expense (income), net	—		—			—		—		237			237			239			(4,450		)
Net income (loss)	—		—			—		—		—			—			—			—
Net income (loss) per share	$	—	$	—		$	—	$	—	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
Revised:
Net Sales	$	451,899	$	456,332		$	454,890	$	532,789	$	104,739		$	116,314		$	137,245		$	192,473
Gross profit	306,750		290,422			274,610		318,430		1,286			9,880			16,762			59,789
Research and development	429		581			518		601		820			933			1,329			373
Selling and administrative expenses	15,876		16,239			14,234		15,683		11,656			12,169			13,293			15,389
Other expense (income), net	2,005		(974		)	1,502		828		3,304			1,423			(404		)	(6,426		)
Related party Tax Receivable Agreement Expense	—		61,801			—		24,677		—			—			—			—
Net income (loss)	223,673		201,448			199,466		229,632		(26,344		)	(17,383		)	(3,919		)	55,628
Net income (loss) per share	$	0.74	$	0.67		$	0.67	$	0.79	$	(0.09	)	$	(0.06	)	$	(0.01	)	$	0.18

Business And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Depreciation expense	$ 53,500,000	$ 50,400,000	$ 63,400,000
Deferred costs	24,300,000	400,000
Amortized costs	3,500,000	300,000	200,000
Environmental remediation, compliance and management expenses	12,400,000	8,000,000	8,300,000
Accrued liability relating to environmental remediation	4,200,000	2,100,000
Capitalized maintenance cost	9,800,000	0
Amortization of deferred maintenance cost	$ 3,100,000	$ 3,300,000	$ 7,000,000

Business And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Ranges Of Estimated Useful Lives) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Buildings [Member] \| Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	25 years
Buildings [Member] \| Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	40 years
Land Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	20 years
Machinery And Equipment [Member] \| Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	5 years
Machinery And Equipment [Member] \| Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	20 years
Furniture And Fixtures [Member] \| Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	5 years
Furniture And Fixtures [Member] \| Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	10 years

Business And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Schedule Of Estimated Useful Lives For Each Major Category Of Amortizable Intangible Assets) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Trade Name [Member] \| Minimum
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	5 years
Trade Name [Member] \| Maximum
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	10 years
Technological Know-How [Member] \| Minimum
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	5 years
Technological Know-How [Member] \| Maximum
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	9 years
Customer Related Intangible [Member] \| Minimum
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	5 years
Customer Related Intangible [Member] \| Maximum
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	14 years

Business And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies - Reclass Adjustments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Cost of sales									$ 705,698	$ 461,545	$ 449,228
Research and development	$ 601	$ 518	$ 581	$ 429	$ 373	$ 1,329	$ 933	$ 820	2,129	3,456	2,534
Selling and administrative expenses	15,683	14,234	16,239	15,876	15,389	13,293	12,169	11,656	62,032	52,506	58,515
Other (income) expense, net	828	1,502	(974)	2,005	(6,426)	(404)	1,423	3,304	$ 3,361	(2,104)	(4,266)
As Reported
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Cost of sales										461,339	448,016
Research and development	601	518	581	429	159	1,338	943	829		2,951	2,399
Selling and administrative expenses	15,683	14,234	16,239	15,876	12,280	13,322	12,195	11,683		49,479	57,784
Other (income) expense, net	$ 828	$ 1,502	$ (974)	$ 2,005	(1,976)	(643)	1,186	3,067		1,634	(2,188)
Effect of Accounting Change
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Cost of sales										206	1,212
Research and development					532	(9)	(10)	(9)		505	135
Selling and administrative expenses					3,109	(29)	(26)	(27)		3,027	731
Other (income) expense, net					$ (4,450)	$ 239	$ 237	$ 237		$ (3,738)	$ (2,078)

Revenue From Contracts With Customers - Disaggregation of Revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenues	$ 532,789	$ 454,890	$ 456,332	$ 451,899	$ 192,473	$ 137,245	$ 116,314	$ 104,739	$ 1,895,910	$ 550,771	$ 437,963
Graphite Electrodes - Three-to-five-year contracts
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenues									1,341,557
Graphite Electrodes - Short-term contracts
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenues									500,834
By-products
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenues									$ 53,519

Revenue From Contracts With Customers - Contract Balances Outstanding (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Current deferred revenue
Balance as of December 31, 2017	$ 20,784
Increases due to billings	15,548
Revenue recognized	(30,803)
Foreign currency impact	(149)
Balance as of December 31, 2018	5,380
Long-Term deferred revenue
Increases due to billings	15,548
Revenue recognized	(30,803)
Foreign currency impact	(149)
Long-Term deferred revenue
Current deferred revenue
Increases due to billings	8,241
Revenue recognized	0
Foreign currency impact	(525)
Long-Term deferred revenue
Balance as of December 31, 2017	0
Increases due to billings	8,241
Revenue recognized	0
Foreign currency impact	(525)
Balance as of December 31, 2018	$ 7,716

Revenue From Contracts With Customers - Remaining Performance Obligation (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Amount	$ 5,040,423
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2019-01-01
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Amount	1,404,618
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2020-01-01
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Amount	1,327,449
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2021-01-01
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Amount	1,172,536
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2022-01-01
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Amount	1,127,105
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2023-01-01
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Amount	$ 8,715

Revenue From Contracts With Customers - Narratives (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Accounts receivable net	$ 248,286	$ 116,841

Discontinued Operations and Related Assets Held for Sale (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Income Statement Disclosures [Abstract]
Inventories	$ (126,355)	$ (15,649)	$ (53,548)
Discontinued Operation, Alternative Cash Flow Information
Cash received from divestitures	0	27,254	15,889
Current Liabilities
Total current liabilities of discontinued operations	0	3,412
Engineered Solutions [Member] \| Discontinued Operations, Held-for-sale [Member]
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Income Statement Disclosures [Abstract]
Net sales	2,574	82,299	115,336
Cost of sales	3,310	74,723	98,440
Gross (loss) profit	(736)	7,576	16,896
Research and development	0	1,429	3,145
Selling and administrative expenses	(628)	(12,239)	(19,022)
Gain on sale of assets	(508)	(6,091)	198
Rationalizations	0	(35)	(405)
Impairment	0	5,300	119,907
Operating loss	400	(5,266)	(124,971)
Other expense (income)	30	115	66
Interest expense	0	1,133	3,258
Income (loss) from discontinued operations before income taxes	370	(6,284)	(128,163)
Benefit for income taxes on discontinued operations	39	55	1,189
Deferred income taxes	(40)	55	1,189
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	$ 331	$ (6,229)	$ (126,974)
Basic and diluted income (loss) from discontinued operations per share (usd per share)	$ 0.00	$ (0.02)	$ (0.42)
Inventories	$ 502	$ 15,217	$ (917)
Discontinued Operation, Alternative Cash Flow Information
Depreciation and amortization	0	2,418	5,277
Cash received from divestitures		27,254	15,889
Capital expenditures	0	558	4,713
Line of Credit Facility, Increase (Decrease), Net	0	(27,254)	$ (15,889)
Current assets
Accounts receivable	0	3,351
Inventories	0	502
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	0	1,137
Net property, plant and equipment	0	226
Other assets	0	97
Total assets of discontinued operations	0	5,313
Current Liabilities
Accounts payable	0	512
Accrued income and other taxes	0	158
Other accrued liabilities	0	2,742
Total current liabilities of discontinued operations	0	3,412
Non-current Liabilities
Other long-term obligations	0	376
Total liabilities of discontinued operations	$ 0	$ 3,788

Discontinued Operations and Related Assets Held for Sale - Narratives (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands			12 Months Ended
	Jul. 03, 2017	Nov. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Cash received from divestitures			$ 0	$ 27,254	$ 15,889
Discontinued Operations, Held-for-sale [Member] \| Engineered Solutions [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Impairment			$ 0	5,300	119,907
Cash received from divestitures				$ 27,254	$ 15,889
Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations [Member] \| Fiber Materials Inc.
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Cash received from divestitures		$ 15,900
Loss on sale of business		200
Potential Proceeds from Business Divested		$ 8,500
Discontinued Operations, Held-for-sale or Disposed of by Sale [Member] \| Advanced Energy Technologies [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Cash received from divestitures	$ 28,500

Stock Based and Other Management Compensation - Narratives (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Number	0
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	9 years 3 months 18 days
Granted	979,790
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	$ 1,151,000	$ 0	$ 0
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Number	193,744
Deferred Compensation Share-based Arrangements, Liability, Current and Noncurrent	$ 10,400,000	$ 8,900,000
Deferred and Restricted Stock Units
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Granted	48,983
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Not yet Recognized, Share-based Awards Other than Options	$ 5,400,000
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition	4 years 3 months 18 days
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 12.88	$ 0.00
Granted	$ 13.94
Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized	15,000,000
Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan \| Stock Option
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Granted	979,790
Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan \| Deferred Stock Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Granted	42,243
Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan \| Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Granted	6,740
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	$ 1,000,000
Director [Member] \| Deferred and Restricted Stock Units
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Granted	48,983
Director [Member] \| Deferred and Restricted Stock Units \| Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Granted	$ 15.00
Director [Member] \| Deferred and Restricted Stock Units \| Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Granted	$ 19.44
Board of Directors [Member] \| Deferred and Restricted Stock Units
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Granted	21,413

Stock Based and Other Management Compensation - Deferred and Restricted Stock Units Rollforwards (Details) - Deferred and Restricted Stock Units	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018 $ / shares shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance \| shares	0
Granted \| shares	48,983
Vested \| shares	(21,413)
Ending balance \| shares	27,570
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]
Beginning balance \| $ / shares	$ 0.00
Granted \| $ / shares	13.94
Vested \| $ / shares	15.29
Ending balance \| $ / shares	$ 12.88

Stock Based and Other Management Compensation - Valuation Assumptions (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate	45.00%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Term	6 years 6 months
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate, Minimum	2.84%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate, Maximum	2.98%
Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Dividend Rate	1.70%
Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Dividend Rate	2.27%

Stock Based and Other Management Compensation - Stock Options Outstanding and Exercisable (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018 $ / shares shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number \| shares	968,720
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	9 years 3 months 18 days
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 15.68
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Number \| shares	0
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 0.00
Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	15.00
Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 20.00

Stock Based and Other Management Compensation - Unvested Stock Options Rollforward (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018 $ / shares shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Outstanding unvested as of January 1, 2018 \| shares	0
Granted \| shares	979,790
Forfeited \| shares	(11,070)
Outstanding unvested as of December 31, 2018 \| shares	968,720
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]
Outstanding unvested as of January 1, 2018 \| $ / shares	$ 0.00
Granted \| $ / shares	15.67
Forfeited \| $ / shares	15.00
Outstanding unvested as of December 31, 2018 \| $ / shares	$ 15.68

Acquisitions (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 171,117	$ 171,117	$ 171,117

Acquisitions (Summary Of The Third-Party Debt Assumed And Not Repaid In Connection With The Close Of The Acquisitions) (Details)	Dec. 31, 2018
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	6.375%

Segment Reporting (Schedule Of Financial Information Concerning Reportable Segments) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Graphite Electrodes \| Product Concentration Risk \| Sales Revenue, Net
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Concentration Risk, Percentage	95.00%

Segment Reporting Revenue from External Customers by Products and Services (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Total Revenues	$ 532,789	$ 454,890	$ 456,332	$ 451,899	$ 192,473	$ 137,245	$ 116,314	$ 104,739	$ 1,895,910	$ 550,771	$ 437,963
U.S.
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Total Revenues									429,599	103,890	74,526
Americas
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Total Revenues									367,561	129,103	116,944
Asia Pacific
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Total Revenues									131,578	46,329	41,302
Europe, Middle East, Africa
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Total Revenues									$ 967,172	$ 271,449	$ 205,191

Segment Reporting Summary Of Information Of Long-Lived Assets In Different Geographic Areas (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

Dec. 31, 2018

Dec. 31, 2017

Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]

Net property, plant and equipment

^[1]

$ 513,705

$ 512,841

U.S.

Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]

Net property, plant and equipment

169,301

177,298

Mexico

Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]

Net property, plant and equipment

146,790

147,959

Brazil

Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]

Net property, plant and equipment

3,320

3,547

France

Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]

Net property, plant and equipment

91,022

80,035

Spain

Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]

Net property, plant and equipment

103,121

103,819

Other countries

Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]

Net property, plant and equipment

$ 151

$ 183

[1]	Long-lived assets represent fixed assets, net of accumulated depreciation.

Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill, Impairment Loss	$ 0	$ 0
Amortization expense of intangible assets	12,900	$ 13,600	$ 14,300
Future Amortization Expense, 2017	12,200
Future Amortization Expense, 2018	11,400
Future Amortization Expense, 2019	10,700
Future Amortization Expense, 2020	10,100
Future Amortization Expense, 2021	$ 9,200

Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets (Schedule Of Changes In The Carrying Value Of Goodwill) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance	$ 171,117	$ 171,117
Adjustments	0	0
Balance	$ 171,117	$ 171,117

Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets (Schedule Of Intangible Assets With Determinable Useful Lives By Major Category) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Goodwill [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 142,300	$ 142,300
Accumulated Amortization	(46,294)	(33,414)
Net Carrying Amount	96,006	108,886
Trade Name [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	22,500	22,500
Accumulated Amortization	(7,721)	(5,512)
Net Carrying Amount	14,779	16,988
Technological Know-How [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	55,300	55,300
Accumulated Amortization	(23,503)	(17,265)
Net Carrying Amount	31,797	38,035
Customer Related Intangible [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	64,500	64,500
Accumulated Amortization	(15,070)	(10,637)
Net Carrying Amount	$ 49,430	$ 53,863

Debt And Liquidity (Schedule Of Long-Term Debt) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total	$ 2,156,634	$ 339,374
Less: Short-term Debt	(106,323)	(16,474)
Long-term debt	2,050,311	322,900
Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total	0	280,586
Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total	2,155,883	0
Other Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total	751	596
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving Facility	$ 0	$ 58,192

- Definition

The carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the current and noncurrent portions of long-term obligations drawn from a line of credit, which is a bank's commitment to make loans up to a specific amount. Examples of items that might be included in the application of this element may consist of letters of credit, standby letters of credit, and revolving credit arrangements, under which borrowings can be made up to a maximum amount as of any point in time conditional on satisfaction of specified terms before, as of and after the date of drawdowns on the line. Includes short-term obligations that would normally be classified as current liabilities but for which (a) postbalance sheet date issuance of a long term obligation to refinance the short term obligation on a long term basis, or (b) the enterprise has entered into a financing agreement that clearly permits the enterprise to refinance the short-term obligation on a long term basis and the following conditions are met (1) the agreement does not expire within 1 year and is not cancelable by the lender except for violation of an objectively determinable provision, (2) no violation exists at the BS date, and (3) the lender has entered into the financing agreement is expected to be financially capable of honoring the agreement.

+ References + Details

Debt And Liquidity (Old Revolving Facility and Term Loan Facility) (Details) - USD ($)	Feb. 27, 2015	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Apr. 27, 2016	Aug. 11, 2015	Jul. 28, 2015	Apr. 23, 2014	Nov. 20, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Minimum Liquidity				$ 25,000,000
12 Month Trailing EBITDA			$ 75,000,000
12 Month Trailing EBITDA Minimum (High End)				35,000,000
Term Loan Balance					$ 40,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		6.375%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Line of Credit		$ 0	58,192,000
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount			48,200,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| Amended and Restated Credit Agreement February 2015 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity							$ 400,000,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| Amended and Restated Credit Agreement July 2015 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity				$ 225,000,000		$ 375,000,000
Long-term Line of Credit			39,500,000
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount			8,700,000
Term Loan Facility [Member] \| Amended and Restated Credit Agreement February 2015 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$ 40,000,000
Minimum [Member] \| Amended and Restated Credit Agreement February 2015 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage	0.35%
Minimum [Member] \| London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] \| Amended and Restated Credit Agreement February 2015 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	2.25%
Maximum \| Amended and Restated Credit Agreement February 2015 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage	0.70%
Maximum \| London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] \| Amended and Restated Credit Agreement February 2015 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	4.75%
Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount								$ 300,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage								6.375%
Repurchase Percentage Price Of Aggregate Principal Due To Change In Control								101.00%
Senior Notes [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unpaid Indebtness After Maturity Or Acceleration			$ 50,000,000.0

Debt And Liquidity (Refinancing) (Details) - USD ($)			12 Months Ended
Debt And Liquidity (Refinancing) (Details) - USD ($)	Apr. 19, 2018	Feb. 12, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018	Jun. 15, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Equity Interest Pledge		65.00%
Dividends Payable	$ 160,000,000
2018 Credit Agreement [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Ratio of Indebtedness to Net Capital		4.00
Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage			101.594%
Line of Credit [Member] \| 2018 Term Loan Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity		$ 1,500,000,000
Debt Instrument, Amortization Rate		5.00%
Debt Instrument Prepayment Premium		1.00%
Excess Cashflow Threshold Percentage		75.00%
Line of Credit [Member] \| 2018 Term Loan Facility [Member] \| LIBO [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate		3.50%
Line of Credit [Member] \| 2018 Term Loan Facility [Member] \| ABR [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate		2.50%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| 2018 Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity		$ 250,000,000		$ 2,250,000,000	$ 1,500,000,000
Borrowing Threshold		$ 35,000,000
Borrowing Threshold Percentage		35.00%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| 2018 Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| LIBO [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate		3.75%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| 2018 Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| ABR [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate		2.75%
Contingent Event One [Member] \| Line of Credit [Member] \| 2018 Term Loan Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Excess Cashflow Threshold Percentage		50.00%
Contingent Event One [Member] \| Line of Credit [Member] \| 2018 Term Loan Facility [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Ratio of Indebtedness to Net Capital		1.25
Contingent Event One [Member] \| Line of Credit [Member] \| 2018 Term Loan Facility [Member] \| Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Ratio of Indebtedness to Net Capital		1.75
Contingent Event Two [Member] \| Line of Credit [Member] \| 2018 Term Loan Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Excess Cashflow Threshold Percentage		0.00%
Brookfield [Member] \| Brookfield Promissory Note [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Dividends Payable	$ 750,000,000
Brookfield [Member] \| Brookfield Promissory Note [Member] \| Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Supplementary Leverage Ratio	175.00%
Brookfield [Member] \| Brookfield Promissory Note [Member] \| LIBO [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	4.50%
Third Anniversary [Member] \| Brookfield [Member] \| Brookfield Promissory Note [Member] \| LIBO [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	2.00%

Interest Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Interest Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Interest and Debt Expense [Abstract]
Interest incurred on debt	$ 100,844	$ 24,060	$ 20,408
Interest expense - affiliate	5,090	0	0
Redemption Premium	4,782	0	0
Accretion Expense on Extinguished Debt	19,414	6,454	6,305
Accretion of original issue discount on 2018 Term Loans	1,455	0	0
Amortization of debt issuance costs	3,476	309	201
Total interest expense	$ 135,061	$ 30,823	$ 26,914
Effective interest rate, revolving credit facility	6.02%	4.57%
Stated interest rate	6.375%
Accelerated Accretion	$ 18,700
Accelerated Amortization of Debt Issuance Costs	$ 300

Fair Value Measurements And Derivative Instruments (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	$ 339,374,000	$ 2,156,634,000	$ 339,374,000
Fair value of long-term debt	359,200,000		359,200,000
Hedging Instruments, Non-derivative, Assets	14,800,000	9,500,000	14,800,000
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Gain (Loss) Arising During Period, Net of Tax		2,200,000	1,400,000.0
Cash Flow Hedge Gain (Loss) to be Reclassified within Twelve Months		7,000,000	100,000
Foreign currency derivatives
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Unrealized loss		100,000
Notional amount	18,900,000	19,600,000	18,900,000
Commodity derivative contracts
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Unrealized gain		300,000	5,300,000
Unrealized loss		11,000,000	600,000
Notional amount	$ 143,900,000	142,100,000	143,900,000
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, before Tax		$ (10,700,000)	$ 4,700,000
Minimum [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative, Term of Contract	3 years
Maximum [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative, Term of Contract	5 years

Fair Value Measurements And Derivative Instruments Fair Value Measurements And Derivative Instruments (Schedule Of Fair Value Of Derivatives) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges:
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Asset Derivatives	$ 350	$ 5,326
Liability Derivatives	11,023	581
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges: \| Commodity derivative contracts \| Prepaid and other current assets
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Asset Derivatives	90
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges: \| Commodity derivative contracts \| Other accrued liabilities
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Liability Derivatives	4,630
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges: \| Commodity derivative contracts \| Other long-term assets
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Asset Derivatives	260
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges: \| Commodity derivative contracts \| Other long-term obligations
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Liability Derivatives	6,393
Derivatives not designated as hedges: \| Foreign currency derivatives \| Prepaid and other current assets
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Asset Derivatives	0	9
Derivatives not designated as hedges: \| Foreign currency derivatives \| Other current liabilities
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Liability Derivatives	$ 43	$ 90

Fair Value Measurements And Derivative Instruments (Schedule Of Realized (Gains) Losses On Derivatives Recognized In Statement Of Operations) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges: \| Commodity Forward Derivatives [Member] \| Recorded in Cost of Sales
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Amount of (Gain)/Loss Recognized	$ (919)	$ 0	$ 0
Derivatives not designated as hedges: \| Foreign currency derivatives \| Cost Of Good Sold Other Expense Income [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Amount of (Gain)/Loss Recognized	$ (522)	$ (1,565)	$ 549

Supplementary Balance Sheet Detail (Schedule Of Amounts Recognized In Balance Sheet) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract]
Raw materials and supplies	$ 99,935	$ 39,434
Work in process	125,767	85,852
Finished goods	68,015	48,865
Inventories	293,717	174,151
Prepaid expenses	10,720	9,505
Value added tax and other indirect taxes receivable	19,242	18,627
Other Inventories, Spare Parts, Gross	11,507	11,010
Other current assets	4,699	5,730
Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current	46,168	44,872
Land and improvements	45,947	46,599
Buildings	68,680	59,608
Machinery and equipment and other	532,084	495,069
Construction in progress	42,131	41,375
Property, plant and equipment	688,842	642,651
Payrolls (including incentive programs)	17,284	14,196
Employee benefits	6,977	4,684
Deferred Revenue	5,380	20,784
Other	20,811	13,562
Accrued liabilities, net	50,452	53,226
Postretirement benefits	16,192	20,508
Pension and related benefits	33,718	36,116
Other	22,609	12,283
Other long - term obligations	$ 72,519	$ 68,907

Supplementary Balance Sheet Detail (Schedule Of Analysis Of The Allowance For Doubtful Accounts) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of year	$ 1,097	$ 326	$ 244
Additions	122	771	129
Deductions	90	0	47
Balance at end of year	$ 1,129	$ 1,097	$ 326

Commitments (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
Commitments (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Operating Leases, Rent Expense	$ 4.9	$ 5.3	$ 3.6

Commitments (Schedule Of Lease Commitments Under Non-Cancelable Operating Leases) (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
2019	$ 4,474
2020	2,747
2021	1,497
2022	334
2023	269
After 2023	$ 343

Retirement Plans And Postretirement Benefits (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, accumulated benefit obligation	$ 147,600	$ 158,600
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount	$ 115,199	123,463
Employee basic contribution percent	5.00%
Employee supplemental contribution percent	45.00%
Pension and other postretirement benefit contributions	$ 1,300	1,600	$ 2,500
U.S. [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Employer contributions	5,579	6,673
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount	99,845	109,845	100,905
U.S. [Member] \| Postretirement Benefit Costs [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Employer contributions	532	790
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount	0	0	0
Foreign [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Employer contributions	726	658
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount	15,354	13,618	11,871
Foreign [Member] \| Postretirement Benefit Costs [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Employer contributions	926	856
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

Retirement Plans And Postretirement Benefits (Components Of Consolidated Net Pension Costs Retirement Plans) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
U.S. [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	$ 1,315	$ 1,305	$ 1,325
Interest cost	4,709	5,352	5,744
Expected return on assets	(5,679)	(5,268)	(4,940)
Mark-to-market loss (gain)	2,473	(4,140)	(2,322)
Net Cost	2,818	(2,751)	(193)
Foreign [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	674	710	698
Interest cost	253	199	243
Expected return on assets	(330)	(299)	(298)
Mark-to-market loss (gain)	503	(53)	(220)
Net Cost	$ 1,100	$ 557	$ 423

Retirement Plans And Postretirement Benefits (Reconciliation Of Pension Plans' Benefit Obligations, Fair Value Of Assets Retirement Plans) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Changes in Plan Assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$ 123,463
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	115,199	$ 123,463
U.S. [Member]
Changes in Benefit Obligation:
Net benefit obligation at beginning of year	139,746	140,230
Service cost	1,315	1,305	$ 1,325
Interest cost	4,709	5,352	5,744
Participant contributions	0	0
Foreign currency exchange rates	0	0
Actuarial (gain) loss	(8,297)	3,212
Gross benefits paid	10,488	10,353
Net benefit obligation at end of year	126,985	139,746	140,230
Changes in Plan Assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	109,845	100,905
Actual return on plan assets	(5,091)	12,620
Foreign currency exchange rate changes		0
Employer contributions	5,579	6,673
Participant contributions		0
Gross benefits paid	(10,488)	(10,353)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	99,845	109,845	100,905
Funded status (underfunded):	(27,140)	(29,901)
Prior service credit	0	0
Non-current assets		0
Current liabilities	(430)	(433)
Non-current liabilities	(26,710)	(29,468)
Net amount recognized	(27,140)	(29,901)
U.S. [Member] \| Postretirement Benefit Costs [Member]
Changes in Benefit Obligation:
Net benefit obligation at beginning of year	8,461	10,175
Service cost	0	0	0
Interest cost	264	333	360
Foreign currency exchange rates	0	0
Actuarial (gain) loss	1,028	1,257
Gross benefits paid	532	790
Plan amendment	0	0
Net benefit obligation at end of year	7,165	8,461	10,175
Changes in Plan Assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	0	0
Employer contributions	532	790
Gross benefits paid	(532)	(790)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	0	0	0
Funded status (underfunded):	(7,165)	(8,461)
Prior service credit	0	0
Current liabilities	(783)	(855)
Non-current liabilities	(6,382)	(7,606)
Net amount recognized	(7,165)	(8,461)
Foreign [Member]
Changes in Benefit Obligation:
Net benefit obligation at beginning of year	20,407	18,237
Service cost	674	710	698
Interest cost	253	199	243
Participant contributions	392	252
Foreign currency exchange rates	(339)	1,069
Actuarial (gain) loss	711	63
Gross benefits paid	234	123
Net benefit obligation at end of year	22,332	20,407	18,237
Changes in Plan Assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	13,618	11,871
Actual return on plan assets	538	415
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	(154)	545
Employer contributions	726	658
Participant contributions	392	252
Gross benefits paid	(234)	(123)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	15,354	13,618	11,871
Funded status (underfunded):	(6,978)	(6,789)
Prior service credit	0	0
Non-current assets	147	0
Current liabilities	(117)	(146)
Non-current liabilities	(7,008)	(6,643)
Net amount recognized	(6,978)	(6,789)
Foreign [Member] \| Postretirement Benefit Costs [Member]
Changes in Benefit Obligation:
Net benefit obligation at beginning of year	12,172	10,700
Service cost	1	2	4
Interest cost	700	653	764
Foreign currency exchange rates	(1,333)	931
Actuarial (gain) loss	(47)	(742)
Gross benefits paid	926	856
Plan amendment	0	0
Net benefit obligation at end of year	10,661	12,172	10,700
Changes in Plan Assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	0	0
Employer contributions	926	856
Gross benefits paid	(926)	(856)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	0	0	$ 0
Funded status (underfunded):	(10,661)	(12,172)
Prior service credit	0	0
Current liabilities	(851)	(912)
Non-current liabilities	(9,810)	(11,260)
Net amount recognized	$ (10,661)	$ (12,172)

Retirement Plans And Postretirement Benefits (Fair Asset Values Of Plan Assets) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	$ 115,199	$ 123,463
Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	1,978	2,094
Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	958	831
Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	14,396	12,787
Fair Value Measured at Net Asset Value Per Share [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	97,867	107,751
U.S. [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	99,845	109,845	$ 100,905
U.S. [Member] \| Cash And Cash Equivalents [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	1,978	2,094
U.S. [Member] \| Level 1 [Member] \| Cash And Cash Equivalents [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	1,978	2,094
U.S. [Member] \| Level 2 [Member] \| Cash And Cash Equivalents [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
U.S. [Member] \| Level 3 [Member] \| Cash And Cash Equivalents [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Foreign [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	15,354	13,618	$ 11,871
Foreign [Member] \| Foreign Government Bonds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	958	831
Foreign [Member] \| Fixed Insurance Contracts [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	14,396	12,787
Foreign [Member] \| Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Foreign [Member] \| Level 1 [Member] \| Foreign Government Bonds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Foreign [Member] \| Level 1 [Member] \| Fixed Insurance Contracts [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Foreign [Member] \| Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	958	831
Foreign [Member] \| Level 2 [Member] \| Foreign Government Bonds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	958	831
Foreign [Member] \| Level 2 [Member] \| Fixed Insurance Contracts [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Foreign [Member] \| Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	14,396	12,787
Foreign [Member] \| Level 3 [Member] \| Foreign Government Bonds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Foreign [Member] \| Level 3 [Member] \| Fixed Insurance Contracts [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	14,396	12,787
Foreign [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1, 2 and 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	$ 15,354	$ 13,618

Retirement Plans And Postretirement Benefits (Fair Value Hierarchy, Assets At Fair Value) (Details) - Pension Plan [Member] - Fixed Insurance Contracts [Member] - Level 3 [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Changes in Plan Assets:
Beginning Balance	$ 12,787	$ 11,142
Gain / contributions / currency impact	1,619	1,651
Distributions	(10)	(6)
Ending Balance	$ 14,396	$ 12,787

Retirement Plans And Postretirement Benefits (Assumptions Used To Determine Net Pension Costs And Projected Benefit Obligations) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Weighted average assumptions to determine benefit obligations:
Discount rate	3.71%	3.20%
Rate of compensation increase	1.74%	1.57%
Weighted average assumptions to determine net cost:
Discount rate	3.20%	3.61%
Expected return on plan assets	4.94%	4.95%
Rate of compensation increase	1.57%	1.57%

Retirement Plans And Postretirement Benefits (Retirement Plan Weighted Average Asset Allocations) (Details)	Dec. 31, 2018
U.S. [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Weighted average asset allocations	100.00%
U.S. [Member] \| Equity Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Weighted average asset allocations	20.00%
U.S. [Member] \| Fixed Income Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Weighted average asset allocations	80.00%
Foreign [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Weighted average asset allocations	100.00%
Foreign [Member] \| Equity Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Weighted average asset allocations	0.00%
Foreign [Member] \| Fixed Income Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Weighted average asset allocations	100.00%

Retirement Plans And Postretirement Benefits (Pension Plans With An Accumulated Benefit Obligation In Excess Of Plan Assets) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
U.S. [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension Plans with Accumulated Benefit Obligations in Excess of Plan Assets
Accumulated benefit obligation	$ 126,985	$ 139,746
Fair value of plan assets	99,845	109,845
Foreign [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension Plans with Accumulated Benefit Obligations in Excess of Plan Assets
Accumulated benefit obligation	20,601	18,843
Fair value of plan assets	$ 14,396	$ 13,618

Retirement Plans And Postretirement Benefits (Pension Plans With Projected Benefit Obligation In Excess Of Plan Assets) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
U.S. [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Projected benefit obligation	$ 126,985	$ 139,746
Fair value of plan assets	99,845	109,845
Foreign [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Projected benefit obligation	21,520	20,407
Fair value of plan assets	$ 14,396	$ 13,618

Retirement Plans And Postretirement Benefits (Projected Future Pension Plan Cash Flow By Year) (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)
U.S. [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Expected employer contributions	$ 684
Expected employee contributions	0
2017	9,240
2018	9,221
2019	9,221
2020	9,182
2021	9,136
2024-2028	43,993
Foreign [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Expected employer contributions	744
Expected employee contributions	0
2017	858
2018	755
2019	824
2020	824
2021	955
2024-2028	$ 8,223

Retirement Plans And Postretirement Benefits (Components Of Net Postretirement Costs) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
U.S. [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	$ 1,315	$ 1,305	$ 1,325
Interest cost	4,709	5,352	5,744
Mark-to-market loss (gain) loss	2,473	(4,140)	(2,322)
Net Cost	2,818	(2,751)	(193)
Foreign [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	674	710	698
Interest cost	253	199	243
Mark-to-market loss (gain) loss	503	(53)	(220)
Net Cost	1,100	557	423
Postretirement Benefit Costs [Member] \| U.S. [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	0	0	0
Interest cost	264	333	360
Plan amendment / curtailment	0	0	0
Mark-to-market loss (gain) loss	1,028	1,257	191
Net Cost	(764)	(924)	169
Postretirement Benefit Costs [Member] \| Foreign [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	1	2	4
Interest cost	700	653	764
Plan amendment / curtailment	0	0	993
Mark-to-market loss (gain) loss	(47)	(742)	225
Net Cost	$ 748	$ 1,397	$ (450)

Retirement Plans And Postretirement Benefits (Fair Value Of Assets Of, And The Funded Status Of, Postretirement Plans) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Changes in Plan Assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$ 123,463
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	115,199	$ 123,463
U.S. [Member]
Changes in Benefit Obligation:
Net benefit obligation at beginning of year	139,746	140,230
Service cost	1,315	1,305	$ 1,325
Interest cost	4,709	5,352	5,744
Foreign currency exchange rates	0	0
Actuarial (gain) loss	(8,297)	3,212
Gross benefits paid	(10,488)	(10,353)
Net benefit obligation at end of year	126,985	139,746	140,230
Changes in Plan Assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	109,845	100,905
Employer contributions	5,579	6,673
Gross benefits paid	(10,488)	(10,353)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	99,845	109,845	100,905
Funded status:	(27,140)	(29,901)
Prior service credit	0	0
Current liabilities	(430)	(433)
Non-current liabilities	(26,710)	(29,468)
Net amount recognized	(27,140)	(29,901)
Foreign [Member]
Changes in Benefit Obligation:
Net benefit obligation at beginning of year	20,407	18,237
Service cost	674	710	698
Interest cost	253	199	243
Foreign currency exchange rates	(339)	1,069
Actuarial (gain) loss	711	63
Gross benefits paid	(234)	(123)
Net benefit obligation at end of year	22,332	20,407	18,237
Changes in Plan Assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	13,618	11,871
Employer contributions	726	658
Gross benefits paid	(234)	(123)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	15,354	13,618	11,871
Funded status:	(6,978)	(6,789)
Prior service credit	0	0
Current liabilities	(117)	(146)
Non-current liabilities	(7,008)	(6,643)
Net amount recognized	(6,978)	(6,789)
Postretirement Benefit Costs [Member] \| U.S. [Member]
Changes in Benefit Obligation:
Net benefit obligation at beginning of year	8,461	10,175
Service cost	0	0	0
Interest cost	264	333	360
Foreign currency exchange rates	0	0
Actuarial (gain) loss	1,028	1,257
Gross benefits paid	(532)	(790)
Plan amendment	0	0
Net benefit obligation at end of year	7,165	8,461	10,175
Changes in Plan Assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	0	0
Employer contributions	532	790
Gross benefits paid	(532)	(790)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	0	0	0
Funded status:	(7,165)	(8,461)
Prior service credit	0	0
Current liabilities	(783)	(855)
Non-current liabilities	(6,382)	(7,606)
Net amount recognized	(7,165)	(8,461)
Postretirement Benefit Costs [Member] \| Foreign [Member]
Changes in Benefit Obligation:
Net benefit obligation at beginning of year	12,172	10,700
Service cost	1	2	4
Interest cost	700	653	764
Foreign currency exchange rates	(1,333)	931
Actuarial (gain) loss	(47)	(742)
Gross benefits paid	(926)	(856)
Plan amendment	0	0
Net benefit obligation at end of year	10,661	12,172	10,700
Changes in Plan Assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	0	0
Employer contributions	926	856
Gross benefits paid	(926)	(856)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	0	0	$ 0
Funded status:	(10,661)	(12,172)
Prior service credit	0	0
Current liabilities	(851)	(912)
Non-current liabilities	(9,810)	(11,260)
Net amount recognized	$ (10,661)	$ (12,172)

Retirement Plans And Postretirement Benefits (Net Postretirement Benefit Costs And Postretirement Projected Benefit Obligation) (Details)	5 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Discount rate		3.71%	3.20%
Discount rate		3.20%	3.61%
Postretirement Benefit Obligations [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Discount rate		5.57%	5.07%
Health care cost trend on covered charges, Initial		6.53%	6.86%
Health care cost trend on covered charges, Ultimate		6.05%	6.23%
Health care cost trend on covered charges, Years to ultimate	8 years		8 years
Postretirement Benefit Costs [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Discount rate		5.07%	4.80%
Health care cost trend on covered charges, Initial		6.86%	6.80%
Health care cost trend on covered charges, Ultimate		6.23%	5.96%
Health care cost trend on covered charges, Years to ultimate		7 years	7 years

Retirement Plans And Postretirement Benefits (One-Percentage Point Change In Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates) (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)
U.S. [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
One Percentage Point Increase, Effect on total service cost and interest cost components	$ 1
One Percentage Point Increase, Effect on benefit obligations	14
One Percentage Point Decrease, Effect on total service cost and interest cost components	(1)
One Percentage Point Decrease, Effect on benefit obligations	(14)
Foreign [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
One Percentage Point Increase, Effect on total service cost and interest cost components	32
One Percentage Point Increase, Effect on benefit obligations	506
One Percentage Point Decrease, Effect on total service cost and interest cost components	(66)
One Percentage Point Decrease, Effect on benefit obligations	$ (442)

Retirement Plans And Postretirement Benefits (Projected Future Postretirement Cash Flow By Year) (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)
U.S. [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Expected employer contributions	$ 684
Expected employee contributions	0
2017	9,240
2018	9,221
2019	9,221
2020	9,182
2021	9,136
2024-2028	43,993
Foreign [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Expected employer contributions	744
Expected employee contributions	0
2017	858
2018	755
2019	824
2020	824
2021	955
2024-2028	8,223
Postretirement Benefit Costs [Member] \| U.S. [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Expected employer contributions	783
Expected employee contributions	0
2017	783
2018	724
2019	663
2020	607
2021	554
2024-2028	2,174
Postretirement Benefit Costs [Member] \| Foreign [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Expected employer contributions	851
Expected employee contributions	0
2017	851
2018	866
2019	891
2020	904
2021	899
2024-2028	$ 4,769

Management Compensation And Incentive Plans (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	$ 1,151,000	$ 0	$ 0

Contingencies (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Contingencies (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Movement in Standard Product Warranty Accrual [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 349	$ 969
Product warranty adjustments	1,510	149
Payments and settlements	(331)	(471)
Ending balance	$ 1,528	$ 349

Contingencies - Narratives (Details) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Long-term debt - affiliate	$ 86,478,000	$ 0
Minimum
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss Contingency, Estimate of Possible Loss	65,000,000
Maximum
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss Contingency, Estimate of Possible Loss	$ 90,000,000
Profit Units \| LTIP
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized	30,000
Threshold Value	$ 855,000,000

Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Provision (benefit) for income taxes				$ 48,920	$ (10,781)	$ (7,552)
U.S. federal income tax rate			35.00%	35.00%			35.00%
Net non-current deferred tax assets		$ 30,768		$ 71,707	30,768
Net non-current deferred tax liabilities		41,746		45,825	41,746
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt						53,000
Total foreign tax credit carryforwards		175,229		111,325	175,229
Deferred Tax Assets, Operating Loss Carryforwards				59,300
Deferred Tax Assets, Non-Operating Loss Carryforwards				3,000
Operating Loss Carryforwards, Valuation Allowance				35,800
Tax Credit Carryforward, Amount				10,100
Unrecognized tax benefits		2,492		1,990	2,492	3,338
Expired Foreign Tax Credits	$ 19,500
Increase in Foreign Tax Credit Carryforward		37,700
Unrecognized Tax Benefits that Would Impact Effective Tax Rate				2,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Accrued		800		900	800	800
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Increase (Decrease) Income Tax Penalties and Interest Accrued				100	0	0
Decrease in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible				2,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Reduction Resulting from Lapse of Applicable Statute of Limitations				373
Deferred Tax Assets, Net of Valuation Allowance		67,470		99,961	67,470	$ 6,500
Deferred Tax Assets, Capital Loss Carryforwards		$ 2,603		0	$ 2,603
Undistributed Earnings of Foreign Subsidiaries				1,600,000
Undistributed Earnings of Foreign Subsidiaries Subjected to One Time Transition Fee				998,300
Domestic Tax Authority [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Tax Credit Carryforward, Amount				25,200
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Tax Credit Carryforward, Amount				$ 320,300

Income Taxes (Schedule Of U.S. And Non-U.S. Components Of Income (Loss) Before Provision (Benefit) For Income Taxes) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
U.S.	$ (68,032)	$ (26,981)	$ (44,971)
Non-U.S.	970,840	30,412	(71,450)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision (benefit) for income taxes	$ 902,808	$ 3,431	$ (116,421)

Income Taxes (Schedule Of Income Tax Expense (Benefit)) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
U.S. income taxes, Current	$ 787	$ (1,066)	$ (878)
U.S. income taxes, Deferred	(52,145)	38	1,152
U.S. income taxes, Total	(51,358)	(1,028)	274
Non-U.S. income taxes, Current	85,252	5,924	5,389
Non-U.S. income taxes, Deferred	15,026	(15,677)	(13,215)
Non-U.S. income taxes, Total	100,278	(9,753)	(7,826)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	$ 48,920	$ (10,781)	$ (7,552)

Income Taxes (Schedule Of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Computed By Applying The U.S. Federal Income Tax Rate) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Tax at statutory U.S. federal rate	$ 189,590	$ 1,201	$ (40,747)
Impact of U.S. Tax Cut and Jobs Act - GILTI	93,739	0	0
Impact of the 2017 Tax Act - transition tax	0	39,628	0
Impact of the 2017 Tax Act - tax rate change	0	52,228	0
Impact of Tax Receivable Agreement	18,160	0	0
Valuation allowance, net	(93,125)	(89,269)	35,091
State taxes, net of federal tax benefit	1,529	3,437	(2,324)
U.S. tax impact of foreign earnings (net of foreign tax credits)	792	1,151	51
Establishment/resolution of uncertain tax positions	(345)	(840)	(513)
Adjustment for foreign income taxed at different rates	(95,822)	(2,359)	12,738
Foreign tax credits	(65,046)	(17,956)	(175)
Investment in subsidiary impairment deduction	0	0	(10,114)
Other	(552)	1,998	(1,559)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	$ 48,920	$ (10,781)	$ (7,552)

Income Taxes (Schedule Of Deferred Tax Assets And Deferred Tax Liabilities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Deferred tax assets:
Postretirement and other employee benefits	$ 18,395	$ 19,392
Foreign tax credit and other carryforwards	111,325	175,229
Capitalized research and experimental costs	7,695	9,417
Environmental reserves	976	493
Inventory	14,251	7,933
Original issue discount	0	2,603
Long-term contract option amortization	1,144	1,204
Provision for rationalization charges	351	502
Other	4,270	1,536
Total gross deferred tax assets	158,407	218,309
Less: valuation allowance	(58,446)	(150,839)
Total deferred tax assets	99,961	67,470	$ 6,500
Deferred tax liabilities:
Fixed assets	59,521	68,098
Debt discount amortization / Deferred financing fees	0	3,191
Inventory	7,751	5,128
Goodwill and acquired intangibles	3,668	0
Other	3,138	2,031
Total deferred tax liabilities	74,078	78,448
Total deferred tax liabilities	$ 25,883	$ 10,978

Income Taxes (Schedule Of Valuation Allowance Activity) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of year	$ 150,839	$ 244,841	$ 165,539
(Credited) / charged to income	(93,125)	(87,194)	(78,469)
Translation adjustment	(302)	207	583
Changes attributable to movement in underlying assets	1,034	(7,015)	250
Balance at end of year	$ 58,446	$ 150,839	$ 244,841

Income Taxes (Reconciliation Of The Beginning And Ending Amount Of Unrecognized Tax Benefits) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Balance at January 1	$ 2,492	$ 3,338
Additions for tax positions of prior years	(100)	114
Additions for tax positions of prior years		(989)
Lapse of statutes of limitations	(373)
Settlements	(21)
Foreign currency impact	8	(29)
Balance at December 31	$ 1,990	$ 2,492

Stockholders' Equity (Schedule Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Total accumulated comprehensive (loss) income	$ 5,800	$ (20,289)
Successor [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax	2,922	(15,468)
Commodities and foreign currency derivatives, net of tax	2,878	(4,821)
Total accumulated comprehensive (loss) income	$ 5,800	$ 20,289

Stockholders' Equity - Narratives (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions						2 Months Ended	3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Aug. 13, 2018	Jun. 29, 2018	Apr. 26, 2018	Apr. 23, 2018	Apr. 12, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018	Apr. 19, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Stock Splits					3,022,259.23
Dividends Payable											$ 160.0
Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues			3,097,525	35,000,000
Shares, Issued												38,097,525
Sale of Stock, Price Per Share			$ 15	$ 15
Offering Costs										$ 5.1
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared							$ 0.85	$ 0.85	$ 0.0645
Dividends		$ 19.5
Pro rated Dividends						$ 0.085
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared, Annualized						$ 0.34
Special Dividend							$ 0.70			$ 0.70
Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares	11,688,311
Brookfield [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Stock Splits	23,000,000
Sale of Stock, Price Per Share	$ 20.00

Earnings Per Share - Basic and Diluted (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	650,432
Weighted Average Number of Shares Issued, Basic	297,748,327	302,225,923	302,225,923
Weighted average common shares outstanding for diluted calculation	297,753,770	302,225,923	302,225,923
Dilutive Securities, Effect on Basic Earnings Per Share, Dilutive Convertible Securities	$ 5,443	$ 0	$ 0

Earnings Per Share Treasury Share Buyback (Details)	12 Months Ended
Earnings Per Share Treasury Share Buyback (Details)	Dec. 31, 2018 shares
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Shares which exclude consideration of stock options in calculation of diluted shares outstanding	650,432

Quarterly Information (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Interim Period, Costs Not Allocable [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 532,789	$ 454,890	$ 456,332	$ 451,899	$ 192,473	$ 137,245	$ 116,314	$ 104,739	$ 1,895,910	$ 550,771	$ 437,963
Gross profit	318,430	274,610	290,422	306,750	59,789	16,762	9,880	1,286	1,190,212	87,717	(30,239)
Research and development	(601)	(518)	(581)	(429)	(373)	(1,329)	(933)	(820)	(2,129)	(3,456)	(2,534)
Selling and administrative expenses	15,683	14,234	16,239	15,876	15,389	13,293	12,169	11,656	62,032	52,506	58,515
Other expense (income), net	828	1,502	(974)	2,005	(6,426)	(404)	1,423	3,304	3,361	(2,104)	(4,266)
Related party Tax Receivable Agreement Expense	24,677		61,801
Net income (loss)	$ 229,632	$ 199,466	$ 201,448	$ 223,673	$ 55,628	$ (3,919)	$ (17,383)	$ (26,344)	$ 854,219	$ 7,983	$ (235,843)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Basic Share	$ 790	$ 670	$ 670	$ 740	$ 180	$ (10)	$ (60)	$ (90)	$ 2.87	$ 0.05	$ (0.36)
As Reported
Interim Period, Costs Not Allocable [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 532,789	$ 454,890	$ 456,332	$ 451,899	$ 192,473	$ 137,245	$ 116,314	$ 104,739
Gross profit	318,430	274,610	290,422	306,750	60,598	16,561	9,679	1,085
Research and development	(601)	(518)	(581)	(429)	(159)	(1,338)	(943)	(829)		$ (2,951)	$ (2,399)
Selling and administrative expenses	15,683	14,234	16,239	15,876	12,280	13,322	12,195	11,683		49,479	57,784
Other expense (income), net	828	1,502	(974)	2,005	(1,976)	(643)	1,186	3,067		1,634	(2,188)
Related party Tax Receivable Agreement Expense	24,677		61,801
Net income (loss)	$ 229,632	$ 199,466	$ 201,448	$ 223,673	$ 55,628	$ (3,919)	$ (17,383)	$ (26,344)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Basic Share	$ 790	$ 670	$ 670	$ 740	$ 180	$ (10)	$ (60)	$ (90)
Effect of Accounting Change
Interim Period, Costs Not Allocable [Line Items]
Gross profit					$ (809)	$ 201	$ 201	$ 201
Research and development					(532)	9	10	9		(505)	(135)
Selling and administrative expenses					3,109	(29)	(26)	(27)		3,027	731
Other expense (income), net					$ (4,450)	$ 239	$ 237	$ 237		$ (3,738)	$ (2,078)

Subsequent Events (Details) - $ / shares		3 Months Ended
Subsequent Events (Details) - $ / shares	Feb. 07, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared		$ 0.85	$ 0.85	$ 0.0645
Subsequent Events
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared	$ 0.085