Results of Operations

Total net sales for 2014 were $6,917 million , substantially unchanged when compared with net sales of $6,948 million in 2013. Net sales to related companies, principally to Dow, were $6,835 million for 2014 , compared with $6,787 million for 2013 , an increase of 1 percent. Selling prices to Dow are based on market prices for the related products.

Total net sales were flat as price gains were offset by volume declines. Average selling prices increased 5 percent in 2014 compared with 2013 . Prices were up across most businesses with the largest gains in polyethylene, solvents, acrylic monomers, amines and vinyl acetate monomers. Volume was down 5 percent in 2014 compared with 2013. Volume gains in electrical and telecommunications and polyethylene were partially offset by volume declines in solvents, ethylene, acrolein and derivatives and vinyl acetate monomer, as well as the impact on sales from the divestiture of Dow's Polypropylene Licensing and Catalysts business in 2013.

Cost of sales were $5,922 million in 2014 , down 5 percent from $6,214 million in 2013 due to lower raw material costs, improved operating rates, cost reduction initiatives and the impact of the divestiture of Dow's Polypropylene Licensing and Catalysts business. These declines were offset by increased spending for planned maintenance turnarounds and unplanned plant outages due to weather conditions earlier in 2014.

Research and development (“R&D”) expenses were $20 million in 2014 , compared with $25 million in 2013 . This decrease is a result of cost reduction initiatives as well as Dow's divestiture of the Polypropylene Licensing and Catalysts business in the fourth quarter of 2013.

In 2014, the Corporation recorded a pretax charge of $78 million related to an increase in the asbestos-related liability for pending and future claims. This adjustment was required due to the increase in mesothelioma claim activity compared to the previous forecast. See Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on asbestos-related matters.

In the fourth quarter of 2012, the Board of Directors approved a restructuring plan to improve the cost effectiveness of the Corporation's global operations. As a result, the Corporation recorded pretax restructuring charges totaling $71 million in the fourth quarter of 2012, which included asset write-downs and write-offs of $48 million, severance costs of $10 million and costs associated with exit or disposal activities of $13 million. The restructuring affected approximately 100 positions and resulted in a shutdown of certain manufacturing facilities. In the fourth quarter of 2014, the Corporation recorded a favorable adjustment to the reserve for contract cancellation fees of $3 million . In the first quarter of 2012, the Corporation recorded restructuring charges totaling $3 million related to a workforce reduction of approximately 20 employees. See Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on the Corporation's restructuring activities.

Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated affiliates was $7 million in 2014 , down from $82 million in 2013 primarily due to the change in ownership of Univation Technologies, LLC ("Univation"). In the third quarter of 2013, UCC declared a stock dividend to Dow of its 100 percent ownership in Union Carbide Subsidiary C, Inc., which included UCC's full ownership interest in Univation. For additional information on nonconsolidated affiliates, see Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Sundry income (expense) - net includes a variety of income and expense items such as dividend income, the gain or loss on foreign currency exchange, commissions, charges for management services provided by Dow, and gains and losses on sales of investments and assets. Sundry income (expense) - net for 2014 was net income of $14 million compared with net income of $308 million in 2013. The decrease in income compared with 2013 was primarily due to a gain of $368 million related to Dow's divestiture of the Polypropylene Licensing and Catalysts business partially offset by an impairment charge of $25 million in a related company investment in 2013. In 2014, Sundry income (expense) - net includes a gain of $66 million on the sale of UCC's railcar fleet to Dow partially offset by reclassification of a cumulative translation adjustment of $16 million primarily related to the liquidation of a foreign entity. See Notes 4 , 12 and 17 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

Interest income for 2014 was $11 million , compared with $12 million in 2013 . Interest expense and amortization of debt discount for 2014 was $32 million , flat with 2013 . Long-term debt was up 2 percent in 2014 compared with 2013 . See Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

The provision for income taxes was $304 million in 2014 , which resulted in an overall effective tax rate of 34.1 percent . The tax rate for 2014 was unfavorably impacted by changes in valuation allowances on state income tax attributes, partially offset by favorable manufacturing deductions in the United States. This compares with a tax provision of $319 million in 2013 , which resulted in an overall effective tax rate of 29.9 percent . In 2013 , the tax rate was favorably impacted by changes in the valuation allowances in the United States on state income tax attributes, audit settlements and remeasurement of tax positions. The 2013 tax rate was negatively impacted by the reversal of uncertain tax positions resulting from an unfavorable court ruling in the first quarter of 2013. The underlying factors affecting UCC's overall effective tax rates are summarized in Note  18 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

The Corporation reported net income of $587 million in 2014 , compared with net income of $748 million for 2013 . Net income declined in 2014 due to an increase in the asbestos-related liability for pending and future claims and the decrease in equity earnings as a result of UCC declaring a stock dividend to Dow in 2013 for its ownership interest in Univation, which was partially offset by improved raw material costs and a gain on the sale of UCC's railcar fleet to Dow. Net income for 2013 included the gain on the sale of Dow's Polypropylene Licensing and Catalysts business in the fourth quarter of 2013. See Notes 4 , 12 , 13 and 17 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

OTHER MATTERS

Recent Accounting Guidance

See Note  2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a summary of recent accounting guidance.

Critical Accounting Policies

The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) requires management to make judgments, assumptions and estimates that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements describes the significant accounting policies and methods used in preparation of the consolidated financial statements. Following are the Corporation's critical accounting policies impacted by judgments, assumptions and estimates:

Litigation

The Corporation is subject to legal proceedings and claims arising out of the normal course of business. The Corporation routinely assesses the likelihood of any adverse judgments or outcomes to these matters, as well as ranges of probable losses. A determination of the amount of the reserves required, if any, for these contingencies is made after thoughtful analysis of each known claim. The Corporation has an active risk management program consisting of numerous insurance policies secured from many carriers. These policies provide coverage that is utilized to minimize the financial impact, if any, of the legal proceedings. The required reserves may change in the future due to new developments in each matter. For further discussion, see Note  13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Asbestos-Related Matters

The Corporation is and has been involved in a large number of asbestos-related suits filed primarily in state courts during the past four decades. These suits principally allege personal injury resulting from exposure to asbestos-containing products and frequently seek both actual and punitive damages. The alleged claims primarily relate to products that UCC sold in the past, alleged exposure to asbestos-containing products located on UCC's premises, and UCC's responsibility for asbestos suits filed against a former subsidiary, Amchem Products, Inc. ("Amchem"). Each year, Analysis, Research and Planning Corporation ("ARPC") performs a review for UCC based upon historical asbestos claims and resolution activity. UCC compares current asbestos claim and resolution activity to the results of the most recent ARPC study at each balance sheet date to determine whether the asbestos-related liability continues to be appropriate.

It is the opinion of UCC's management that it is reasonably possible that the cost of disposing of its asbestos-related claims, including future defense costs, could have a material impact on the Corporation's results of operations and cash flows for a particular period and on the consolidated financial position of the Corporation.

For additional information, see Part I, Item 3. Legal Proceedings; Asbestos-Related Matters in Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations; and Note  13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Environmental Matters

The Corporation determines the costs of environmental remediation of its facilities and formerly owned facilities based on evaluations of current law and existing technologies. Inherent uncertainties exist in such evaluations primarily due to unknown environmental conditions, changing governmental regulations and legal standards regarding liability and emerging remediation technologies. The recorded liabilities are adjusted periodically as remediation efforts progress or as additional technical or legal information becomes available. In the case of landfills and other active waste management facilities, UCC recognizes the costs over the useful life of the facility. At December 31, 2014 , the Corporation had accrued obligations of $132 million for probable environmental remediation and restoration costs, including $22 million for the remediation of Superfund sites. This is management's best estimate of the costs for remediation and restoration with respect to environmental matters for which the Corporation has accrued liabilities, although it is reasonably possible that the ultimate cost with respect to these particular matters could range up to approximately two and a half times that amount. For further discussion, see Environmental Matters in Notes  1 and  13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits

The amounts recognized in the consolidated financial statements related to pension and other postretirement benefits are determined from actuarial valuations. Inherent in these valuations are assumptions including expected return on plan assets, discount rates at which the liabilities could have been settled at December 31, 2014 , rate of increase in future compensation levels, mortality rates and health care cost trend rates. These assumptions are updated annually and are disclosed in Note  15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. In accordance with U.S. GAAP, actual results that differ from the assumptions are accumulated and amortized over future periods and therefore affect expense recognized and obligations recorded in future periods.

The Corporation determines the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets by performing a detailed analysis of key economic and market factors driving historical returns for each asset class and formulating a projected return based on factors in the current environment. Factors considered include, but are not limited to, inflation, real economic growth, interest rate yield, interest rate spreads, and other valuation measures and market metrics. The expected long-term rate of return for each asset class is then weighted based on the strategic asset allocation approved by the governing body for each plan. The Corporation's historical experience with the pension fund asset performance is also considered. The expected long-term rate of return is an assumption and not what is expected to be earned in any one particular year. The weighted-average long-term rate of return assumption used for determining net periodic pension expense for 2014 was 6.80 percent . This assumption was also used for determining 2015 net periodic pension expense. Future actual pension expense will depend on future investment performance, changes in future discount rates and various other factors related to the population of participants in the Corporation's pension plans.

The discount rates utilized to measure the pension and other postretirement benefit obligations are based on the yield on high-quality fixed income investments at the measurement date. Future expected actuarially determined cash flows of the plan are matched against the Towers Watson RATE:Link yield curve (based on 60 ^th to 90 ^th percentile bond yields) to arrive at a single discount rate by plan. The discount rate was 3.90 percent at December 31, 2014 and 4.75 percent at December 31, 2013 .

The value of the qualified plan assets totaled $3.5 billion at December 31, 2014 , a decrease from $3.6 billion at December 31, 2013 . The underfunded status of the qualified plan increased by $387 million at December 31, 2014, compared with December 31, 2013. The increase was primarily due to lower discount rates and updated mortality tables. For 2015, the Corporation does not expect to make cash contributions to its pension and other postretirement benefit plans.

The assumption for the long-term rate of increase in compensation levels was 4.50 percent , consistent with 2013 . Since 2002, the Corporation has used a generational mortality table to determine the duration of its pension and other postretirement obligations. On October 27, 2014, the Society of Actuaries ("SOA") published updated mortality tables and mortality improvement scales (generational mortality tables), which reflect increased life expectancy. Based on an evaluation of the mortality experience of the Corporation's U.S. pension plans and the SOA's tables, the Corporation adopted updated generational mortality tables for purposes of measuring U.S. pension and other postretirement obligations at year-end.

The Corporation bases the determination of pension expense on a market-related valuation of plan assets that reduces year-to-year volatility. This market-related valuation recognizes investment gains or losses over a five-year period from the year in which they occur. Investment gains or losses for this purpose represent the difference between the expected return calculated using the market-related value of plan assets and the actual return based on the market value of plan assets. Since the market-related value of plan assets recognizes gains or losses over a five-year period, the future value of plan assets will be impacted when previously deferred gains or losses are recorded. Over the life of the plan, both gains and losses have been recognized and amortized. At December 31, 2014 , $64 million  of net gains remain to be recognized in the calculation of the market-related value of plan assets. These net gains will result in decreases in future pension expense as they are recognized in the market-related value of assets.

The net increase in the market-related value of assets due to the recognition of prior gains and losses is presented in the following table:

Based on the 2015 pension assumptions and changes in the market-related value of assets due to the recognition of prior asset gains, the Corporation expects net periodic benefit costs to increase approximately $10 million for pension and other postretirement benefits in 2015 compared with 2014. The increase in net periodic benefit cost is primarily due to lower discount rates, which were partially offset by the Corporation's implementation of an Employee Group Waiver Plan ("EGWP"). For additional information on the EGWP, see Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

A 25 basis point adjustment in the long-term return on assets assumption would change total pension expense for 2015 by $8 million. A 25 basis point adjustment in the discount rate assumption would change the total pension expense for 2015 by $1 million.

Income Taxes

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities, applying enacted tax rates expected to be in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. Based on the evaluation of available evidence, both positive and negative, the Corporation recognizes future tax benefits, such as net operating loss carryforwards and tax credit carryforwards, to the extent that realizing these benefits is considered more likely than not.

At December 31, 2014 , the Corporation had a net deferred tax asset balance of $544 million , after valuation allowances of $53 million . In evaluating the ability to realize the deferred tax assets, the Corporation relies on, in order of increasing subjectivity, taxable income in prior carryback years, the future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, tax planning strategies and forecasted taxable income using historical and projected future operating results.

At December 31, 2014, the Corporation had deferred tax assets for tax loss and tax credit carryforwards of $82 million , of which $41 million is subject to expiration in the years 2015 through 2019. In order to realize these deferred tax assets for tax loss and tax credit carryforwards, the Corporation needs taxable income of approximately $1,035 million across multiple jurisdictions. The taxable income needed to realize the deferred tax assets for tax loss and tax credit carryforwards that are subject to expiration between 2015 through 2019 is $530 million .

The Corporation recognizes the financial statement effects of an uncertain tax position when it is more likely than not, based on technical merits, that the position will be sustained. At December 31, 2014 , the Corporation had a liability for uncertain tax positions of $1 million .

The Corporation accrues for non-income tax contingencies when it is probable that a liability to a taxing authority has been incurred and the amount of the contingency can be reasonably estimated. At December 31, 2014, the Corporation had no non-income tax contingency reserve. For additional information, see Note  18 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Environmental Matters

Environmental Policies

The Corporation is committed to world-class environmental, health and safety (“EH&S”) performance, as demonstrated by a long-standing commitment to Responsible Care®, as well as a strong commitment to achieve the Corporation's 2015 Sustainability Goals - goals that set the standard for sustainability in the chemical industry by focusing on improvements in UCC's local corporate citizenship and product stewardship, and by actively pursuing methods to reduce the Corporation's environmental impact.

The EH&S management system (“EMS”) defines the “who, what, when and how” needed for the businesses to achieve the policies, requirements, performance objectives, leadership expectations and public commitments. EMS is also designed to

minimize the long-term cost of environmental protection and to comply with applicable laws and regulations. To ensure effective utilization, EMS is integrated into a company-wide management system for EH&S, Operations, Quality and Human Resources, including implementation of the global EH&S Work Process to improve EH&S performance and to ensure ongoing compliance worldwide.

UCC first works to eliminate or minimize the generation of waste and emissions at the source through research, process design, plant operations and maintenance. Next, UCC finds ways to reuse and recycle materials. Finally, unusable or non-recyclable hazardous waste is treated before disposal to eliminate or reduce the hazardous nature and volume of the waste. Treatment may include destruction by chemical, physical, biological or thermal means. Disposal of waste materials in landfills is considered only after all other options have been thoroughly evaluated. UCC has specific requirements for waste that is transferred to non-UCC facilities, including the periodic auditing of these facilities.

Chemical Security

Public and political attention continues to be placed on the protection of U.S. critical infrastructure, including the chemical industry, from security threats. Terrorist attacks and natural disasters have increased concern about the security and safety of chemical production and distribution. The focus on security is not new to UCC. UCC continues to improve its security plans, placing emphasis on the safety of UCC communities and people by being prepared to meet risks at any level and to address both internal and external identifiable risks. UCC's security plans are also developed to avert interruptions of normal business operations, which could have a material impact on the Corporation's results of operations, liquidity and financial condition.

UCC is a Responsible Care® company and adheres to the Responsible Care® Security Code, which requires that all aspects of security - including facility, transportation, and cyberspace - be assessed and gaps addressed. Through global implementation of the Security Code, including voluntary security enhancements and upgrades made since 2002, UCC has permanently heightened the level of security - not just in the United States, but worldwide. UCC implemented the Community Awareness and Emergency Response ("CAER") initiative at its manufacturing sites around the world and the communities near those sites. The CAER initiative includes open communication, integrated planning and community drills between industry and the surrounding communities. The CAER initiative continues to be a critical part of UCC's global implementation of Responsible Care®. In addition, UCC uses a risk-based approach employing the U.S. Government's Sandia National Labs methodology to repeatedly assess the risks to sites, systems and processes. UCC has expanded its comprehensive Distribution Risk Review process that had been in place for decades to address potential threats in all modes of transportation across its supply chain. To reduce vulnerabilities, UCC maintains security measures that meet or exceed regulatory and industry security standards in all areas in which UCC operates. Assessment and improvement costs are not considered material to the Corporation's consolidated financial statements.

UCC continually works to strengthen partnerships with local responders, law enforcement and security agencies, and to enhance confidence in the integrity of its security and risk management program as well as strengthen its preparedness and response capabilities. UCC also works closely with its supply chain partners and strives to educate lawmakers, regulators and communities about its resolve and actions to date which are mitigating security and crisis threats.

Climate Change

Climate change matters for UCC are driven by changes in regulatory matters and physical climate parameters.

Regulatory Matters

Regulatory matters include cap and trade schemes, increased greenhouse gas ("GHG") limits, and taxes on GHG emissions, fuel and energy. The potential implications of each of these matters are all very similar, including increased cost of purchased energy, additional capital costs for installation or modification of GHG emitting equipment, and additional costs associated directly with GHG emissions (such as cap and trade systems or carbon taxes), which are primarily related to energy use. It is difficult to estimate the potential impact of these regulatory matters on energy prices.

Reducing UCC's overall energy usage and GHG emissions through new and unfolding projects will decrease the potential impact of these regulatory matters. The Corporation has not experienced any material impact related to regulated GHG emissions.

Physical Climate Parameters

Many scientific academies throughout the world have concluded that it is very likely that human activities are contributing to global warming. At this point, it is difficult to predict and assess the probability and opportunity of a global warming trend on UCC specifically. Preparedness plans are developed that detail actions needed in the event of severe weather. These measures have historically been in place and these activities and associated costs are driven

by normal operational preparedness. UCC continues to study the long-term implications of changing climate parameters or water availability, plant siting issues, and impacts and opportunities for products.

The Corporation continues to elevate its internal focus and external positions to focus on the root cause of GHG emissions, including the sustainable use of energy. Through corporate energy efficiency programs and focused GHG management efforts, the Corporation has and is continuing to reduce its GHG emissions footprint.

Environmental Remediation

UCC accrues the costs of remediation of its facilities and formerly owned facilities based on current law and existing technologies. The nature of such remediation includes, for example, the management of soil and groundwater contamination and the closure of contaminated landfills and other waste management facilities. In the case of landfills and other active waste management facilities, UCC recognizes the costs over the useful life of the facility. The policies adopted to properly reflect the monetary impacts of environmental matters are discussed in Note  1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. To assess the impact on the consolidated financial statements, environmental experts review currently available facts to evaluate the probability and scope of potential liabilities. Inherent uncertainties exist in such evaluations primarily due to unknown environmental conditions, changing governmental regulations and legal standards regarding liability, and emerging remediation technologies. These liabilities are adjusted periodically as remediation efforts progress or as additional technical or legal information becomes available. The Corporation had an accrued liability of $110 million at December 31, 2014 and $103 million at December 31, 2013 , related to the remediation of current or former UCC-owned sites.

In addition to current and former UCC-owned sites, under the Federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act and equivalent state laws (hereafter referred to collectively as “Superfund Law”), UCC is liable for remediation of other hazardous waste sites where UCC allegedly disposed of, or arranged for the treatment or disposal of, hazardous substances. Because Superfund Law imposes joint and several liability upon each party at a site, UCC has evaluated its potential liability in light of the number of other companies that also have been named potentially responsible parties (“PRPs”) at each site, the estimated apportionment of costs among all PRPs, and the financial ability and commitment of each to pay its expected share. Management's estimate of the Corporation's remaining liability for the remediation of Superfund sites was $22 million at December 31, 2014 and $23 million at December 31, 2013 , which has been accrued, although the ultimate cost with respect to these sites could exceed that amount. The Corporation has not recorded any third-party recovery related to these sites as a receivable.

Information regarding environmental sites is provided below:

In total, the Corporation's accrued liability for probable environmental remediation and restoration costs was $132 million at December 31, 2014 , compared with $126 million at December 31, 2013 . This is management's best estimate of the costs for remediation and restoration with respect to environmental matters for which the Corporation has accrued liabilities, although it is reasonably possible that the ultimate cost with respect to these particular matters could range up to approximately two and a half times that amount. Consequently, it is reasonably possible that environmental remediation and restoration costs in excess of amounts accrued could have a material impact on the Corporation's results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. It is the opinion of the Corporation's management, however, that the possibility is remote that costs in excess of the range disclosed will have a material impact on the Corporation's results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

The amounts charged to income on a pretax basis related to environmental remediation totaled $62 million in 2014 and $80 million in 2013 . The amounts charged to income on a pretax basis related to operating the Corporation's pollution abatement facilities totaled $91 million in 2014 and $87 million in 2013 . Capital expenditures for environmental protection were $6 million in 2014 and $2 million in 2013 .

Asbestos-Related Matters

The Corporation is and has been involved in a large number of asbestos-related suits filed primarily in state courts during the past four decades. These suits principally allege personal injury resulting from exposure to asbestos-containing products and frequently seek both actual and punitive damages. The alleged claims primarily relate to products that UCC sold in the past, alleged exposure to asbestos-containing products located on UCC's premises, and UCC's responsibility for asbestos suits filed against a former subsidiary, Amchem Products, Inc. In many cases, plaintiffs are unable to demonstrate that they have suffered any compensable loss as a result of such exposure, or that injuries incurred in fact resulted from exposure to UCC's products.

It is the opinion of UCC's management that it is reasonably possible that the cost of disposing of its asbestos-related claims, including future defense costs, could have a material impact on the Corporation's results of operations and cash flows for a particular period and on the consolidated financial position of the Corporation.

The table below provides information regarding asbestos-related claims filed against the Corporation and Amchem based on criteria developed by UCC and its external consultants:

Plaintiffs' lawyers often sue numerous defendants in individual lawsuits or on behalf of numerous claimants. As a result, the damages alleged are not expressly identified as to UCC, Amchem or any other particular defendant, even when specific damages are alleged with respect to a specific disease or injury. In fact, there are no personal injury cases in which only the Corporation and/or Amchem are the sole named defendants. For these reasons and based upon the Corporation's litigation and settlement experience, the Corporation does not consider the damages alleged against it and Amchem to be a meaningful factor in its determination of any potential asbestos-related liability.

For additional information, see Part I, Item 3. Legal Proceedings and Asbestos-Related Matters in Note  13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Debt Covenants and Default Provisions

The Corporation's outstanding public debt has been issued under indentures which contain, among other provisions, covenants that the Corporation must comply with while the underlying notes are outstanding. Such covenants are typically based on the Corporation's size and financial position and include, subject to the exceptions and qualifications contained in the indentures, obligations not to (i) allow liens on principal U.S. manufacturing facilities, (ii) enter into sale and lease-back transactions with respect to principal U.S. manufacturing facilities, or (iii) merge into or consolidate with any other entity or sell or convey all or substantially all of its assets. Failure of the Corporation to comply with any of these covenants could, after the passage of any applicable grace period, result in a default under the applicable indenture which would allow the note holders to accelerate the due date of the outstanding principal and accrued interest on the subject notes. Management believes the Corporation was in compliance with the covenants referred to above at December 31, 2014.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

UCC's business operations give rise to market risk exposure due to changes in foreign exchange rates and interest rates. To manage such risks effectively, the Corporation can enter into hedging transactions, pursuant to established guidelines and policies that enable it to mitigate the adverse effects of financial market risk. The Corporation does not hold derivative financial instruments for trading purposes.

As a result of investments, production facilities and other operations on a global basis, the Corporation has assets, liabilities and cash flows in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. The primary objective of the Corporation's foreign exchange risk management is to optimize the U.S. dollar value of net assets and cash flows, keeping the adverse impact of currency movements to a minimum. To achieve this objective, the Corporation will hedge, when appropriate, on a net exposure basis using foreign currency forward contracts, over-the-counter option contracts, cross-currency swaps and nonderivative instruments in foreign currencies. Main exposures are related to assets, liabilities and cash flows denominated in the currencies of Europe, Asia Pacific and Canada.

The main objective of interest rate risk management is to reduce the total funding cost to the Corporation and to alter the interest rate exposure to the desired risk profile. The Corporation's primary exposure is to the U.S. dollar yield curve. UCC will use interest rate swaps and “swaptions,” when appropriate, to accomplish this objective.

UCC uses value at risk (“VAR”), stress testing and scenario analysis for risk measurement and control purposes. VAR estimates the maximum potential loss in fair market values given a certain move in prices over a certain period of time, using specified confidence levels. In 2014, the Corporation changed the underlying methodology used to calculate VAR from a historical simulation model to a variance/covariance model after implementing a new market risk system. This new approach will provide greater insight and transparency into the contributors of the total portfolio VAR for use in the qualitative summary and will respond to risk in a more systematic fashion. This model uses a 97.5 percent confidence level and includes at least one year of historical data. The 2014 and 2013 year-end and average daily VAR for the aggregate of all positions are shown below:

The decrease in interest rate VAR at year end is primarily due to decreased interest rate volatility.

See Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

See Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Union Carbide Corporation and Subsidiaries

See Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

See Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

See Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Table of Contents

NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation

Except as otherwise indicated by the context, the terms “Corporation” and “UCC” as used herein mean Union Carbide Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries. The accompanying consolidated financial statements of the Corporation were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and include the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of all majority-owned subsidiaries over which the Corporation exercises control and, when applicable, entities for which the Corporation has a controlling financial interest. Intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated in consolidation. Investments in nonconsolidated affiliates (20-50 percent owned companies, joint ventures and partnerships) are accounted for using the equity method.

The Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”). In accordance with the accounting requirements for wholly owned subsidiaries, the presentation of earnings per share is not required and therefore is not provided.

Dow conducts its worldwide operations through global businesses, and the Corporation's business activities comprise components of Dow's global operations rather than stand-alone operations. The Corporation sells substantially all of its products to Dow at market-based prices, in accordance with Dow's long-standing intercompany pricing policy, in order to simplify the customer interface process. Because there are no separable reportable business segments for UCC and no detailed business information is provided to a chief operating decision maker regarding the Corporation's stand-alone operations, the Corporation's results are reported as a single operating segment.

Related Companies

Transactions with the Corporation's parent company, Dow, or other Dow subsidiaries have been reflected as related company transactions in the consolidated financial statements.

Use of Estimates in Financial Statement Preparation

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires the use of estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The Corporation's consolidated

financial statements include amounts that are based on management's best estimates and judgments. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Foreign Currency Translation

While the Corporation's consolidated subsidiaries are primarily based in the United States, the Corporation has small subsidiaries in Asia Pacific. For those subsidiaries, the local currency has been primarily used as the functional currency. Translation gains and losses of those operations that use local currency as the functional currency are included in the consolidated balance sheets in "Accumulated other comprehensive loss" ("AOCL"). Where the U.S. dollar is used as the functional currency, foreign currency gains and losses are reflected in income.

Environmental Matters

Accruals for environmental matters are recorded when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the liability can be reasonably estimated based on current law and existing technologies. These accruals are adjusted periodically as assessment and remediation efforts progress or as additional technical or legal information becomes available. Accruals for environmental liabilities are included in the consolidated balance sheets in “Accrued and other current liabilities” and “Other noncurrent obligations” at undiscounted amounts. Accruals for related insurance or other third-party recoveries for environmental liabilities are recorded when it is probable that a recovery will be realized and are included in the consolidated balance sheets as “Accounts receivable - Other.”

Environmental costs are capitalized if the costs extend the life of the property, increase its capacity, and/or mitigate or prevent contamination from future operations. Environmental costs are also capitalized in recognition of legal asset retirement obligations resulting from the acquisition, construction and/or normal operation of a long-lived asset. Costs related to environmental contamination treatment and cleanup are charged to expense. Estimated future incremental operations, maintenance and management costs directly related to remediation are accrued when such costs are probable and reasonably estimable.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include time deposits and investments with maturities of three months or less at the time of purchase.

Financial Instruments

The Corporation calculates the fair value of financial instruments using quoted market prices whenever available. When quoted market prices are not available for various types of financial instruments (such as forwards, options and swaps), the Corporation uses standard pricing models with market-based inputs that take into account the present value of estimated future cash flows.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. The method of determining cost for each subsidiary varies among last-in, first-out (“LIFO”); first-in, first-out (“FIFO”); and average cost, and is used consistently from year to year.

The Corporation routinely exchanges and swaps raw materials and finished goods with other companies to reduce delivery time, freight and other transportation costs. These transactions are treated as non-monetary exchanges and are valued at cost.

Property

Land, buildings and equipment, including property under capital lease agreements, are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is based on the estimated service lives of depreciable assets and is calculated using the straight-line method. Fully depreciated assets are retained in property and accumulated depreciation accounts until they are removed from service. In the case of disposals, assets and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts, and the net amounts, less proceeds from disposal, are included in income.

Impairment and Disposal of Long-Lived Assets

The Corporation evaluates long-lived assets and certain identifiable intangible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. When undiscounted future cash flows are not expected to be sufficient to recover an asset's carrying amount, the asset is written down to its fair value based on bids received from third parties or a discounted cash flow analysis based on market participant assumptions.

Long-lived assets to be disposed of by sale, if material, are classified as held for sale and reported at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell, and depreciation is ceased. Long-lived assets to be disposed of other than by sale are classified as held and used until they are disposed of and reported at the lower of carrying amount or fair value, and depreciation is recognized over the remaining useful life of the assets.

Asset Retirement Obligations

The Corporation records asset retirement obligations as incurred and reasonably estimable, including obligations for which the timing and/or method of settlement are conditional on a future event that may or may not be within the control of the Corporation. The fair values of obligations are recorded as liabilities on a discounted basis and are accreted over time for the change in present value. Costs associated with the liabilities are capitalized and amortized over the estimated remaining useful life of the asset, generally for periods of 10 years or less.

Investments in Related Companies

Investments in related companies consist of the Corporation's ownership interests in Dow subsidiaries located in North America and Latin America. The Corporation accounts for these investments using the cost method as it does not have significant influence over the operating and financial policies of these related companies.

Investments

Investments in debt securities are classified as available-for-sale and reported at fair value with unrealized gains and losses recorded in AOCL. The cost of investments sold is determined by specific identification. The Corporation routinely reviews available-for-sale securities for other-than-temporary declines in fair value below the cost basis, and when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable, the security is written down to fair value establishing a new cost basis.

Revenue

Substantially all of the Corporation's revenues are generated by sales to Dow. Approximately 99 percent  of the Corporation's sales are related to sales of product ( 97 percent in 2013 and 96 percent in 2012 ); the remaining 1 percent  is related to the licensing of patents and technology ( 3 percent in 2013 and 4 percent in 2012 ).

Revenue for product sales to related companies is recognized as risk and title to the product transfer to the related company, which occurs either at the time production is complete or free on board (“FOB”) UCC's manufacturing facility, in accordance with the sales agreement between the Corporation and Dow.

Revenue for product sales is recognized as risk and title to the product transfer to the customer, which for trade sales, usually occurs at the time shipment is made. As such, title to the product passes when the product is delivered to the freight carrier. UCC's standard terms of delivery are included in its contracts of sale, order confirmation documents, and invoices. Freight costs and any directly related costs of transporting finished product to customers are recorded as “Cost of sales” in the consolidated statements of operations.

Revenue related to the initial licensing of patents and technology is recognized when earned; revenue related to running royalties is recognized according to licensee production levels.

Legal Costs

The Corporation expenses legal costs as incurred. Accruals for legal matters are recorded when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the liability can be reasonably estimated.

Severance Costs

Management routinely reviews its operations around the world in an effort to ensure competitiveness across its operations and geographic areas. When the reviews result in a workforce reduction related to the shutdown of facilities or other optimization activities, severance benefits are provided to employees primarily under ongoing benefit arrangements. These severance costs are accrued once management commits to a plan of termination including the number of employees to be terminated, their job classifications or functions, their locations and the expected termination date.

Income Taxes

The Corporation accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying amounts and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets or liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. The Corporation is included in Dow's consolidated federal income tax group and consolidated income tax return. The Corporation accounts for its income taxes following the formula in the Dow-UCC Tax Sharing Agreement used to compute the amount due to Dow or UCC for UCC's share of taxable income and tax attributes on Dow's consolidated income tax return. This method generally follows the separate return method. The amounts reported as income taxes payable or receivable represent the Corporation's payment obligation (or refundable amount) to Dow based on a theoretical tax liability calculated on a separate return method.

Annual tax provisions include amounts considered sufficient to pay assessments that may result from examinations of prior year tax returns; however, the amount ultimately paid upon resolution of issues raised may differ from the amounts accrued.

The Corporation recognizes the financial statement effects of an uncertain income tax position when it is more likely than not, based on the technical merits, that the position will be sustained upon examination. The Corporation accrues for non-income tax contingencies when it is probable that a liability to a taxing authority has been incurred and the amount of the contingency can be reasonably estimated. The current portion of uncertain income tax positions is included in “Income taxes payable” and the long-term portion is included in “Other noncurrent obligations” in the consolidated balance sheets.

Provision is made for taxes on undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries and related companies to the extent that such earnings are not deemed to be permanently invested.

NOTE 2 - RECENT ACCOUNTING GUIDANCE

Recently Adopted Accounting Guidance

During the fourth quarter of 2014, the Corporation adopted Accounting Standard Update ("ASU") 2014-08, "Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant and Equipment (Topic 360): Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity," which changes the criteria for determining which disposals can be presented as discontinued operations and modifies related disclosure requirements. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2014, and interim periods within those years. Early adoption is permitted, but only for disposals (or classifications as held for sale) that have not been reported in the financial statements previously issued or available for issuance. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

Accounting Guidance Issued But Not Adopted as of December 31, 2014

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued ASU 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)," which is the new comprehensive revenue recognition standard that will supersede all existing revenue recognition guidance under U.S. GAAP. The standard's core principle is that a company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to a customer in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This ASU is effective for annual and interim periods beginning on or after December 15, 2016, and early adoption is not permitted. Entities will have the option of using either a full retrospective approach or a modified approach to adopt the guidance in the ASU. The Corporation is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this guidance.

NOTE 3 - RESTRUCTURING

On October 22, 2012, the Board of Directors of the Corporation approved a restructuring plan to improve the cost effectiveness of the Corporation's global operations. The restructuring plan affected approximately 100 positions and resulted in the shutdown of certain manufacturing facilities. These actions were substantially completed at December 31, 2014 .

As a result of the restructuring activities, the Corporation recorded pretax restructuring charges of $71 million in the fourth quarter of 2012 consisting of costs associated with exit or disposal activities of $13 million , severance costs of $10 million and asset write-downs and write-offs of $48 million . The impact of these charges is shown as "Restructuring charges (credits)" in the consolidated statements of operations.

Details on the components of the restructuring charges are discussed below:

Cost Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities

The restructuring charges for costs associated with exit or disposal activities totaled $13 million in the fourth quarter of 2012 for contract cancellations fees.

Severance

The restructuring charges in the fourth quarter of 2012 included severance of $10 million for the separation of approximately 100 employees under the terms of the Corporation's ongoing benefit arrangements, primarily by March 31, 2015. At December 31, 2014 , severance of $9 million had been paid and a liability of $1 million remained for nine employees.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets, Other Assets and Equity Method Investments

The restructuring charges related to the write-down and write-off of assets in the fourth quarter of 2012 total $48 million . Details regarding the write-downs and write-offs are as follows:

The following table summarizes the activities related to the Corporation's restructuring reserve:

The reserve balance is included in the consolidated balance sheets as "Accrued and other current liabilities" and "Other noncurrent obligations."

The Corporation expects to incur additional costs in the future related to its restructuring activities, as UCC continually looks for ways to enhance the efficiency and cost effectiveness of its operations. Future costs are expected to include demolition costs related to closed facilities; these will be recognized as incurred. The Corporation also expects to incur additional employee-related costs, including involuntary termination benefits, related to its other optimization activities. These costs cannot be reasonably estimated at this time.

In the first quarter of 2012, the Corporation recorded restructuring charges totaling $3 million related to a workforce reduction of approximately 20 employees. In the third quarter of 2012, all severance related to this restructuring charge was paid.

2014 Adjustments to the 4Q12 Restructuring Plan

In 2014, the Corporation reduced the 4Q12 restructuring reserve related to contract cancellation fees by $3 million .

NOTE 4 - DIVESTITURES

Divestiture of Polypropylene Licensing and Catalysts Business

On October 11, 2013, Dow entered into a definitive agreement to sell its global Polypropylene Licensing and Catalysts business to W.R. Grace & Co., which included the Corporation's polypropylene catalysts manufacturing facility in Norco, Louisiana as well as customer contracts, accounts receivable, licenses, intellectual property and inventory. On December 2, 2013, the sale was completed and proceeds allocated to the Corporation for the sale were $398 million , net of working capital adjustments and costs to sell, with proceeds subject to customary post-closing adjustments, which were finalized in the fourth quarter of 2014. The carrying amount of the assets divested on December 2, 2013, are noted below:

The Corporation recognized a pretax gain of $368 million on the sale, included in "Sundry income (expense) - net" in the consolidated statements of operations and an after-tax gain of $233 million .

Post-closing adjustments were finalized in the fourth quarter of 2014 and the Corporation recorded a pretax gain of $4 million ( $3 million after tax) for the post-closing adjustments. The gain was included in "Sundry income (expense) - net" in the consolidated statements of operations.

The reserves reducing inventories from a FIFO basis to a LIFO basis amounted to $125 million at December 31, 2014 and $132 million at December 31, 2013 . Inventories that were valued on a LIFO basis, principally U.S. chemicals and plastics product inventories, represented 67 percent  of the total inventories at December 31, 2014 and 70 percent  of the total inventories at December 31, 2013 .

A reduction of certain inventories resulted in the liquidation of some of the Corporation's LIFO inventory layers which had an immaterial impact on pretax income in 2014 , 2013 and 2012 .