Albemarle (ALB) risk factors: FY2025 10-K

1. Our substantial international operations subject us to risks of doing business in foreign countries, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
2. Because we conduct substantial operations in China, risks associated with regulatory activity and political and social events in China could negatively affect our business and operating results.China
3. Our inability to secure key raw materials, or to pass through increases in costs and expenses for other raw materials and energy, on a timely basis or at all could have an adverse effect on the margins of our products and our results of operations.reworded
4. Competition within our industry may place downward pressure on the prices and margins of our products and may adversely affect our businesses and results of operations.
5. Our research and development efforts may not succeed in addressing changes in our customers’ needs, and our competitors may develop more effective or successful products.
6. The development of non-lithium battery technologies could adversely affect us.
7. Development projects are inherently risky and may require more capital than anticipated or not prove to be economically viable based on ultimate costs and returns of a project, which could adversely affect our business. The development of our mines and operations are also subject to other unique risks.reworded
8. We are subject to risks related to brine extraction limits, particularly with respect to our early warning plan at our facilities in Chile.new
9. Downturns in our customers’ industries, which may be cyclical or affected by changes in governing administrations, could adversely affect our sales and profitability.
10. The results of the Refining Solutions business are subject to fluctuation because of irregularities in the demand for our HPC catalysts and certain of our agrichemicals.reworded
11. Regulation, or the threat of regulation, of some of our products could have an adverse effect on our sales and profitability.
12. We could be subject to damages based on claims brought against us by our customers or lose customers as a result of the failure of our products to meet certain quality specifications.
13. Our business is subject to hazards common to chemical and natural resource extraction businesses, any of which could injure our employees or other persons, damage our facilities or other properties, interrupt our production and adversely affect our reputation and results of operations.
14. Our business could be adversely affected by environmental, health and safety laws and regulations.
15. Certain of our operations could be adversely affected by local communities and/or other stakeholders.
16. We may be subject to indemnity claims and liable for other payments relating to properties or businesses we have divested, including in connection with the divestiture of the controlling interest in our Refining Solutions business.new
17. We could be adversely affected by violations of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and similar foreign anti-corruption laws, and in the past have paid fines in order to resolve self-reported potential violations of such laws.
18. Our inability to protect our intellectual property rights, or being accused of infringing on intellectual property rights of third parties, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
19. Our inability to develop lithium or bromine reserves that are economically viable could have a material adverse effect on our future profitability.reworded
20. Demand and market prices for lithium will greatly affect the value of our investment in our lithium resources and conversion facilities, and our revenues and profitability generally.reworded
21. If we are unable to retain key personnel or attract new skilled personnel, it could have an adverse effect on our business.
22. Some of our employees are unionized, represented by works councils or are employed subject to local laws that are less favorable to employers than the laws of the U.S.
23. Our joint ventures may not operate according to their business plans if our partners fail to fulfill their obligations, which may adversely affect our results of operations and may force us to dedicate additional resources to these joint ventures.

Read these in Item 1A · See the changes

1. Our required capital expenditures can be complex, may experience delays or other difficulties, and the costs may exceed our estimates.
2. Our indebtedness could adversely affect our financial health and our ability to execute our business strategy, and we will need a significant amount of cash to service our indebtedness.
3. Because a significant portion of our operations is conducted through our subsidiaries and joint ventures, our ability to service our debt may be dependent on our receipt of distributions or other payments from our subsidiaries and joint ventures.
4. Changes in credit ratings issued by nationally recognized statistical rating organizations could adversely affect our cost of financing, the market price of our securities and our debt service obligations.
5. Write-offs or impairment of our goodwill, intangible assets or long-lived assets can result in significant charges to earnings.
6. Our business could suffer if we are not successful in executing our strategy and initiatives in connection with our comprehensive review of our cost and operating structure.
7. We are exposed to fluctuations in currency exchange rates, which may adversely affect our operating results and net income.
8. Significant or prolonged periods of higher interest rates may have an adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.Interest rates
9. Inflationary trends in the price of our input costs, such as raw materials, transportation and energy, could adversely affect our business and financial results.
10. Changes in, or the interpretation of, tax legislation or rates throughout the world could materially impact our results.
11. Future events may impact our deferred tax asset position and U.S. deferred federal income taxes on undistributed earnings of international affiliates that are considered to be indefinitely reinvested.
12. Our business and financial results may be adversely affected by various legal and regulatory proceedings.
13. Although our pension plans currently meet minimum funding requirements, events could occur that would require us to make significant contributions to the plans and reduce the cash available for our business.
14. We may discontinue or divest all or part of a particular business or plant as we periodically assess our business structure. Any such discontinuations or divestitures may introduce significant risks and uncertainties.new
15. We may not be able to consummate future acquisitions or integrate acquisitions into our business, which could result in unanticipated expenses and losses.

Read these in Item 1A · See the changes

1. Adverse conditions in the economy, and volatility and disruption of financial markets can negatively impact our customers, suppliers and other business partners and therefore have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
2. Our business and operations could suffer in the event of cybersecurity breaches, information technology system failures, or network disruptions.Cybersecurity
3. Integration of AI technologies into our operations may introduce new risks, require significant additional investment, and materially impact our competitive position if unsuccessful.newAI
4. The occurrence or threat of extraordinary events, including domestic and international terrorist attacks, may disrupt our operations and increase costs.reworded
5. National or international disputes, political instability, terrorism war or armed hostilities, could impact our results of operations.
6. Natural disasters or other unanticipated catastrophes could impact our operations and could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position, and cash flows.
7. Our insurance may not fully cover all potential exposures.
8. We may be exposed to certain physical, transitional, regulatory and financial risks related to climate change.
9. Failure to meet sustainability expectations or standards or achieve our sustainability goals could adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition, or stock price.

Read these in Item 1A · See the changes

Headings in the FY2024 10-K with no match this year.

1. We may be subject to indemnity claims and liable for other payments relating to properties or businesses we have divested.
2. We are subject to extensive foreign government regulation that can negatively impact our business.
3. There is risk to the growth of lithium markets.
4. Restrictive covenants in our debt instruments may adversely affect our business.
5. We may continue to expand our business through acquisitions and we may incur additional indebtedness, including indebtedness related to acquisitions.