https://www.avient.com/sites/default/files/2024-05/Edgetek Engineered Polymer Formulations - E-cigarette Housing-Case study snapshot.pdf
E-CIGARETTE MANUFACTURER H O U S I N G • Special effect finish • Halogen-free flame-retardant material • High production efficiency • Provided PC formulation with customized speckle effect to meet specific color and surface expectations • Passed UL 94 V-0 flame retardant test at 1.0 mm • Offered better impact strength than competitor‘s PC material, and passed the drop testing • Eased processing with high-flow material Edgetek Engineered Polymer Formulations KEY REQUIREMENTS WHY AVIENT?
https://www.avient.com/sites/default/files/2020-07/gls-tpe-bayer-cap-english.pdf
GLS TPE - Bayer Cap - English BAYER® T P E O V E R M O L D E D C A P • Easy to grip and open • Design requirements: • Raised logo • Specific brand color • Optimize retail shelf space/reduce packaging • Improved packaging functionality for both user (ergonomic design) and on shelf (better stacking and reduced packaging) • Offered value-add formulation that allowed customer to extend brand differentiation in the market GLS™ Thermoplastic Elastomer KEY REQUIREMENTS WHY AVIENT?
https://www.avient.com/sites/default/files/2025-06/Cesa Anti-phenolic Yellowing Additive - Case Study-Updated.pdf
TPEE AND TPU FILM MANUFACTURER H O T M E L T A D H E S I V E F I L M • Eliminate anti-phenol yellowing after storage • Maintain natural color of product • Demonstrate no impact on melt flow ability • Prevented yellowing after storage to provide a quality appearance • Had no negative impact on the product’s mechanical properties • Extended the shelf life and durability of the product Cesa Anti-phenolic Yellowing Additive KEY REQUIREMENTS WHY AVIENT?
https://www.avient.com/sites/default/files/resources/US_Elk%2520Grove_RCMS%25202013.pdf
WITH ADDITIONAL FACILITIES LISTED ON THE ATTACHED ANNEX) has been assessed by ABS Quality Evaluations, Inc. and found to be in conformance with the requirements set forth by: RCMS®:2013 (Option 2) The Environment, Health, Safety and Security Management System is applicable to: Design and Manufacture of Colorants for Plastics Certificate No: 55324 Effective Date 21 December 2017 ABS Quality Evaluations, Inc. 16855 Northchase Drive, Houston, TX 77060, U.S.A.
https://www.avient.com/sites/default/files/2025-02/MAXXAM Power Tool Manufacturer Application Snapshot.pdf
POWER TOOL MANUFACTURER P O W E R T O O L B A T T E R Y P A C K • Non-Halogen to industry standards • Increased thermal conductivity • Good impact properties • Easy to process • Corporate color • Provided a non-halogenated solution for Bosch while increasing the thermal conductivity • Supported with regulatory and technical knowledge • Helped to source a UL-listed material from the EU for production in China with identical quality Maxxam NHFR Non-Halogen Flame Retardant Polyolefin Formulation KEY REQUIREMENTS WHY AVIENT?
https://www.avient.com/sites/default/files/2024-12/ISO 22000_EN_Jurong.pdf
View PDF The SQS herewith attests that the organisation named below has a management system that meets the requirements of the normative base mentioned. 70 01 _1 /A pr il 20 22 /V er si on 2 .0 Certificate Avient Colorants Singapore Pte Ltd 8 Third Chin Bee Road Jurong Industrial Estate 618684 Singapore Singapore Scope Category I Production of customer specific Masterbatches for Food packaging materials on the dedicated extrusion lines Normative base ISO 22000:2018 Food Safety Management Systems - Requirements for any organization in the food chain Reg. no. 46390 Page 1 of 1 Validity 25. 02. 2024 – 24. 02. 2027 Issue 25. 02. 2024 A.Grisard, President SQS F.
https://www.avient.com/sites/default/files/2021-01/clariant-plastics-coatings-usa-llc-de-amendment-change-of-name-jan-15-2021.pdf
BULLOCK, SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, DO HEREBY CERTIFY THE ATTACHED IS A TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF THE CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT OF “CLARIANT PLASTICS & COATINGS USA LLC”, CHANGING ITS NAME FROM "CLARIANT PLASTICS & COATINGS USA LLC" TO "AVIENT COLORANTS USA LLC", FILED IN THIS OFFICE ON THE ELEVENTH DAY OF JANUARY, A.D. 2021, AT 10:39 O`CLOCK A.M.
https://www.avient.com/sites/default/files/2023-07/TPEs for Healthcare Industry Bulletin.pdf
VERSAFLEX™ HC MEDICAL TUBING GRADES • Improve extrusion rates, achieve high service temperature performance or increase clarity in medical tubing • Traditional and bio- based formulations specifically for biopharmaceutical tubing to meet the needs for weldability and minimize extractables during processing VERSALLOY™ HC SERIES • Obtain better flow in long, thin paths and lower shrink rates versus typical TPVs with our alloys • Color easily and obtain a smooth tactile feel VERSAFLEX™ HC GASKETS & STOPPERS SERIES • Achieve no coring, good puncture and resealability in static stoppers • Meet low COF and low stiction requirements in dynamic seals VERSAFLEX™ CL E SERIES • Increase clarity and flexibility in bags, bottles and films • Mitigate risk with plasticizer-free formulations for film extrusion • Deliver excellent odor & O2 barrier performance for film extrusion INDUSTRY BULLETIN TPE HEALTHCARE PRODUCT SELECTOR GUIDE Versaflex™ HC Medical Tubing Grades Versaflex™ HC MT222 Clear 66A 0.88 14 - 334 2.30 629 4.34 898 6.19 430 220 36 ✔ ✔ High clarity, without plasticizersVersaflex™ HC MT224 Clear 75A 0.89 19 - 468 3.23 773 5.33 1360 9.40 530 321 56 ✔ ✔ Versaflex™ HC MT226 Clear 84A 0.88 20 - 606 4.17 885 6.10 1600 11.00 600 433 76 ✔ ✔ Versaflex™ HC MT317 Clear 68A 0.89 17 69 450 3.10 660 4.55 870 6.00 470 221 39 ✔ ✔ Very high service temperature Versaflex™ HC BT218 Natural 67A 0.89 19 69 381 2.60 683 4.70 1186 8.20 608 - - ✔ ✔ Weldable, kink resistant Versalfex™ HC BIO BT218 Natural 70A 0.88 18 58 416 2.87 668 4.60 1190 8.20 630 - - ✔ ✔ Weldable, kink resistant, contains 40% bio-derived content (Gen 1 biomass) Versaflex™ HC Gaskets & Stoppers Series Versaflex™ HC 2110-35N Natural 34A 0.90 19 47 145 1.00 261 1.80 400 2.76 620 97 17 ✔ ✔ Good resealing Versaflex™ HC 2110-43N Natural 43A 0.98 12 46 134 0.92 368 2.54 723 4.98 710 - - ✔ ✔ Good compression set Versaflex™ HC 2110-57B Black 59A 1.01 20 37 369 2.54 558 3.85 537 3.70 350 147 26 ✔ ✔ Low stiction Versaflex™ CL E Series Versaflex™ CL E85 Clear 84A 0.90 20 72 752 5.18 1160 8.00 1550 10.70 450 433 76 ✔ ✔ High clarity, without plasticizers; E95 also offers excellent odor & O2 barrier Versaflex™ CL E90 Clear 90A 0.90 27 73 1000 6.89 1230 8.50 1830 12.60 57 - - ✔ ✔ Versaflex™ CL E95 Clear 95A 0.90 38 71 1680 11.60 1730 11.90 2500 17.20 580 720 126 ✔ ✔ Versaflex™ HC 3810 Series Versaflex™ HC 3810-20N Natural 20A 0.88 16 54 123 0.80 185 1.30 342 2.40 650 - - ✔ - Formulated without animal derivatives, excellent colorability, translucent Versaflex™ HC 3810-30N Natural 30A 0.89 18 58 170 1.20 245 1.70 459 3.20 680 - - ✔ - Versaflex™ HC 3810-40N Natural 40A 0.88 19 59 191 1.30 275 1.90 506 3.50 670 - - ✔ - Versaflex™ HC 3810-50N Natural 50A 0.89 21 61 264 1.80 366 2.50 699 4.80 690 - - ✔ - Versaflex™ HC 3810-60N Natural 60A 0.88 24 65 459 3.20 594 4.10 790 5.40 510 - - ✔ - Versaflex™ HC 3810-70N Natural 70A 0.88 28 67 535 3.70 684 4.70 1000 6.90 570 - - ✔ - Versaflex™ HC 3810-80N Natural 80A 0.88 30 67 689 4.80 869 6.00 1390 9.60 620 - - ✔ - Versaflex™ HC 3810-90N Natural 90A 0.88 27 89 1087 7.50 1350 9.30 1890 13.00 570 - - ✔ - Versalloy™ HC 9210 Series Versalloy™ HC 9210-45N Natural 45A 0.89 19 39 160 1.10 320 2.20 484 3.33 480 100 18 - ✔ Smooth surface aestheticsVersalloy™ HC 9210-55N Natural 53A 0.89 20 44 208 1.44 335 2.31 580 4.00 610 120 21 - ✔ Versalloy™ HC 9210-70N Natural 70A 0.89 23 53 356 2.45 510 3.52 780 5.38 590 180 32 - ✔ Versalloy™ HC 9220 Series Versalloy™ HC 9220-70 Natural 70A 0.95 17 51 453 3.12 - - 643 4.43 265 208 36 ✔ ✔ ExtrudableVersalloy™ HC 9220-80 Natural 80A 0.94 18 59 553 3.67 777 5.36 945 6.52 415 208 36 ✔ ✔ Versalloy™ HC 9220-90 Natural 90A 0.94 25 55 1030 8.13 1350 9.33 1945 13.45 620 400 70 ✔ ✔ Standard Healthcare Grades Versaflex™ G2705N Natural 60A 0.88 - - - - 528 3.64 670 4.62 470 - - ✔ ✔ Natural, high strength Versaflex™ CL 2242 Clear 43A 0.89 23 - 152 1.05 294 2.02 731 5.00 780 124 22 ✔ ✔ High clarity, boilable Versaflex™ CL 2250 Clear 50A 0.89 20 - 220 1.52 337 2.32 827 5.70 770 140 25 ✔ ✔ Versaflex™ OM Series Versaflex™ OM 1040X Natural 42A 0.92 22 - 180 1.24 301 2.08 504 3.47 580 100 18 ✔ ✔ ABS/PC overmoldVersaflex™ OM 3060 Clear 59A 0.90 33 - 420 2.90 360 2.48 500 3.45 480 180 32 ✔ ✔ Versaflex™ OM 8940X-1 Clear 42A 0.91 - - 233 - 311 - 1573 - 1059 - - - - PK, COPE overmold Versaflex™ OM 4052 Natural 56A 1.01 27 - 271 - 557 - 1680 - 670 - - ✔ - Excellent chemical resistance; PK, PC, ABS, PC/ABS overmoldVersaflex™ OM 4063 Natural 54A 1.12 30 - 365 - 580 - 1640 - 670 - - ✔ - Color Hardness Specific Gravity Compression Set @ 23°C Compression Set @ 100°C 100% Modulus 300% Modulus Tensile Strength Elongation Tear Strength ISO 10993 USP VI Special Characteristics ASTM Shore A ASTM/ISO ASTM % ASTM % ASTM psi MPa ASTM psi MPa ASTM psi ISO MPa ASTM % ASTM pll ISO kN/m GENERAL PROPERTIES TENSILE PROPERTIES OTHER For further information on specific grades, review technical data sheets.
https://www.avient.com/sites/default/files/2021-04/avnt-fourth-quarter-2020-news-release.pdf
Adjusted EPS of $0.52 exceeded the $0.48 projection included in the Company’s performance update provided in December and was driven by better-than-expected sales in the Color, Additives and Inks segment.
Patterson added, “Our Color, Additives and Inks segment also delivered record operating income of $58 million during the fourth quarter.
Three Months Ended December 31, Year Ended December 31, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Sales: Color, Additives and Inks $ 525.8 $ 226.7 $ 1,502.9 $ 1,003.8 Specialty Engineered Materials 190.6 177.5 708.8 745.7 Distribution 305.1 272.4 1,110.3 1,192.2 Corporate and eliminations (24.5) (18.0) (79.9) (79.0) Sales $ 997.0 $ 658.6 $ 3,242.1 $ 2,862.7 Gross margin: Color, Additives and Inks $ 164.3 $ 73.9 $ 484.4 $ 338.4 Specialty Engineered Materials 59.1 47.7 207.6 200.2 Distribution 32.4 31.0 124.0 132.1 Corporate and eliminations (2.9) 0.7 (31.7) (13.5) Gross margin $ 252.9 $ 153.3 $ 784.3 $ 657.2 Selling and administrative expense: Color, Additives and Inks $ 106.8 $ 46.7 $ 303.6 $ 191.0 Specialty Engineered Materials 28.7 28.9 113.2 116.5 Distribution 14.4 14.0 54.5 56.7 Corporate and eliminations 38.0 43.2 123.7 136.2 Selling and administrative expense $ 187.9 $ 132.8 $ 595.0 $ 500.4 Operating income: Color, Additives and Inks $ 57.5 $ 27.2 $ 180.8 $ 147.4 Specialty Engineered Materials 30.4 18.8 94.4 83.7 Distribution 18.0 17.0 69.5 75.4 Corporate and eliminations (40.9) (42.5) (155.4) (149.7) Operating income $ 65.0 $ 20.5 $ 189.3 $ 156.8 11 Attachment 7 Avient Corporation Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures (Unaudited) (In millions, except per share data) Senior management uses gross margin before special items and operating income before special items to assess performance and allocate resources because senior management believes that these measures are useful in understanding current profitability levels and how it may serve as a basis for future performance.
https://www.avient.com/sites/default/files/2021-04/avient-q4-earnings-and-2021-outlook-website.pdf
Design times can be less than three days for colorants.
A reconciliation of these measures to their most directly comparable GAAP measures is provided in the tables below. 1 Reconciliation of EBITDA by Segment Three Months Ended December 31, Year Ended December 31, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Sales: Color, Additives and Inks $ 525.8 $ 226.7 $ 1,502.9 $ 1,003.8 Specialty Engineered Materials 190.6 177.5 708.8 745.7 Distribution 305.1 272.4 1,110.3 1,192.2 Corporate and eliminations (24.5) (18.0) (79.9) (79.0) Sales $ 997.0 $ 658.6 $ 3,242.1 $ 2,862.7 Operating income: Color, Additives and Inks $ 57.5 $ 27.2 $ 180.8 $ 147.4 Specialty Engineered Materials 30.4 18.8 94.4 83.7 Distribution 18.0 17.0 69.5 75.4 Corporate and eliminations (40.9) (42.5) (155.4) (149.7) Operating Income $ 65.0 $ 20.5 $ 189.3 $ 156.8 Items Below Operating Income in Corporate: Other income, net $ 11.7 $ 10.7 $ 24.3 $ 12.1 Depreciation & amortization: Color, Additives and Inks $ 27.3 $ 10.7 $ 75.1 $ 42.7 Specialty Engineered Materials 7.4 7.0 30.0 29.5 Distribution 0.3 0.1 0.7 0.5 Corporate and eliminations 2.8 1.0 9.3 5.4 Depreciation & Amortization $ 37.8 $ 18.8 $ 115.1 $ 78.1 EBITDA: Color, Additives and Inks $ 84.8 $ 37.9 $ 255.9 $ 190.1 Specialty Engineered Materials 37.8 25.8 124.4 113.2 Distribution 18.3 17.1 70.2 75.9 Corporate and eliminations (26.4) (30.8) (121.8) (132.2) EBITDA $ 114.5 $ 50.0 $ 328.7 $ 247.0 EBITDA as a % of sales: Color, Additives and Inks 16.1 % 16.7 % 17.0 % 18.9 % Specialty Engineered Materials 19.8 % 14.5 % 17.6 % 15.2 % Distribution 6.0 % 6.3 % 6.3 % 6.4 % Corporate and eliminations nm nm nm nm Total Company 11.5 % 7.6 % 10.1 % 8.6 % nm - not meaningful 2 Three Months Ended December 31, Year Ended December 31, Reconciliation to Adjusted EBITDA: 2020 2019 2020 2019 Net income from continuing operations – GAAP $ 74.7 $ 6.4 $ 133.8 $ 75.7 Income tax expense (17.3) 12.9 5.2 33.7 Interest expense 19.3 11.9 74.6 59.5 Depreciation and amortization from continuing operations 37.8 18.8 115.1 78.1 EBITDA $ 114.5 $ 50.0 $ 328.7 $ 247.0 Special items, before tax 4.2 15.0 66.2 61.7 Interest expense included in special items — — (10.1) — Accelerated depreciation included in special items (0.7) — (3.2) — Adjusted EBITDA $ 118.0 $ 65.0 $ 381.6 $ 308.7 Three Months Ended December 31, 2020 Reconciliation of Adjusted Earnings per Share: Avient Special Items Adjusted Avient Sales $ 997.0 $ — $ 997.0 Operating income $ 65.0 $ 14.6 $ 79.6 Interest expense, net (19.3) — (19.3) Other income, net 11.7 (10.4) 1.3 Income taxes 17.3 (30.9) (13.6) Net income from continuing operations attributable to Avient shareholders $ 74.2 $ (26.7) $ 47.5 Weighted average diluted shares 92.1 Adjusted EPS - excluding special items $ 0.52 Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations: Operating income and other income, net $ 76.7 $ 4.2 $ 80.9 Depreciation and amortization 37.8 (0.7) 37.1 EBITDA from continuing operations $ 114.5 $ 3.5 $ 118.0 EBITDA as a % of sales 11.8 % 3 Three Months Ended December 31, 2019 Reconciliation of Pro Forma Adjusted Earnings per Share: Avient Special Items Adjusted Avient Clariant MB Pro Forma Adjustments(1) Pro Forma Adjusted Avient Sales $ 658.6 $ — $ 658.6 $ 263.5 $ 922.1 Operating income $ 20.5 $ 24.6 $ 45.1 $ 13.2 $ 58.3 Interest expense, net (11.9) — (11.9) (11.1) (23.0) Other income, net 10.7 (9.6) 1.1 — 1.1 Income taxes (12.9) 4.9 (8.0) (0.5) (8.5) Net income from continuing operations attributable to Avient shareholders $ 6.4 $ 19.9 $ 26.3 $ 1.6 $ 27.9 Weighted average diluted shares 77.5 Impact to diluted shares from January 2020 equity offering 15.3 Pro forma weighted average diluted shares 92.8 Pro forma adjusted EPS $ 0.30 Reconciliation of Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations: Operating income and other income, net $ 31.2 $ 15.0 $ 46.2 $ 13.2 $ 59.4 Depreciation and amortization 18.8 — 18.8 15.1 33.9 EBITDA from continuing operations $ 50.0 $ 15.0 $ 65.0 $ 28.3 $ 93.3 EBITDA as a % of sales 10.1 % (1) - Pro forma adjustments for the periods prior to the acquisition date (July 1, 2020) and to give effects of the financing for the acquisition Year Ended December 31, 2020 Reconciliation of Pro Forma Adjusted Earnings per Share: Avient Special Items Adjusted Avient Clariant MB Pro Forma Adjustments(1) Pro Forma Adjusted Avient Sales $ 3,242.1 $ — $ 3,242.1 $ 540.4 $ 3,782.5 Operating income $ 189.3 $ 73.7 $ 263.0 $ 45.0 $ 308.0 Interest expense, net (74.6) 10.1 (64.5) (18.1) (82.6) Other income, net 24.3 (17.6) 6.7 — 6.7 Income taxes (5.2) (41.4) (46.6) (6.2) (52.8) Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests (1.8) — (1.8) — (1.8) Net income from continuing operations attributable to Avient shareholders $ 132.0 $ 24.8 $ 156.8 $ 20.7 $ 177.5 Weighted average diluted shares 90.6 Impact to diluted shares from January 2020 equity offering 1.5 Pro forma weighted average diluted shares 92.1 Pro forma adjusted EPS $ 1.93 Reconciliation of Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations: Operating income and other income, net $ 213.6 $ — $ 56.1 $ 269.7 $ 45.0 $ — $ 314.7 Depreciation and amortization 115.1 (3.2) 111.9 30.1 142.0 EBITDA from continuing operations $ 328.7 $ 52.9 $ 381.6 $ 75.1 $ 456.7 EBITDA as a % of sales 12.1 % (1) - Pro forma adjustments for the periods prior to the acquisition date (July 1, 2020) and to give effects of the financing for the acquisition 4 Year Ended December 31, 2019 Reconciliation of Pro Forma Adjusted Earnings per Share: Avient Special Items Adjusted Avient Clariant MB Pro Forma Adjustments(1) Pro Forma Adjusted Avient Sales $ 2,862.7 $ — $ 2,862.7 $ 1,118.6 $ 3,981.3 Operating income $ 156.8 $ 71.7 $ 228.5 $ 72.9 $ 301.4 Interest expense, net (59.5) — (59.5) (33.4) (92.9) Other income, net 12.1 (10.0) 2.1 — 2.1 Income taxes (33.7) (5.9) (39.6) (9.1) (48.7) Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests (0.2) — (0.2) — (0.2) Net income from continuing operations attributable to Avient shareholders $ 75.5 $ 55.8 $ 131.3 $ 30.4 $ 161.7 Weighted average diluted shares 77.7 Impact to diluted shares from January 2020 equity offering 15.3 Pro forma weighted average diluted shares 93.0 Pro forma adjusted EPS $ 1.74 Reconciliation of Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations: Operating income and other income, net $ 168.9 $ — $ 61.7 $ 230.6 $ 72.9 $ — $ 303.5 Depreciation and amortization 78.1 — 78.1 60.3 138.4 EBITDA from continuing operations $ 247.0 $ 61.7 $ 308.7 $ 133.2 $ 441.9 EBITDA as a % of sales 11.1 % (1) - Pro forma adjustments for the periods prior to the acquisition date (July 1, 2020) and to give effects of the financing for the acquisition Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 Reconciliation of Pro Forma Adjusted Earnings per Share: Avient Special Items Adjusted Avient Clariant MB Pro Forma Adjustments(1) Pro Forma Adjusted Avient Sales $ 711.5 $ — $ 711.5 $ 279.4 $ 990.9 Operating income 52.8 9.7 62.5 23.0 85.5 Interest expense, net (9.4) — (9.4) (12.8) (22.2) Other income, net 1.6 (0.1) 1.5 — 1.5 Income taxes (11.9) (1.0) (12.9) (2.4) (15.3) Net income from continuing operations attributable to Avient shareholders $ 33.1 $ 8.6 $ 41.7 $ 7.8 $ 49.5 Weighted average diluted shares 86.7 Impact to diluted shares from January 2020 equity offering 6.1 Pro forma weighted average diluted shares 92.8 Pro forma adjusted EPS $ 0.53 (1) - Pro forma adjustments for the periods prior to the acquisition date (July 1, 2020) and to give effects of the financing for the acquisition 5 Three Months Ended December 31, 2019 Year Ended December 31, 2019 Reconciliation of pro forma sales, operating income, and EBITDA: CAI Clariant MB Pro Forma Adjustments(1) Pro Forma CAI CAI Clariant MB Pro Forma Adjustments(1) Pro Forma CAI Sales $ 226.7 $ 263.5 $ 490.2 $ 1,003.8 $ 1,118.6 $ 2,122.4 Operating income $ 27.2 $ 13.2 $ 40.4 $ 147.4 $ 72.9 $ 220.3 EBITDA $ 37.9 $ 28.3 $ 66.2 $ 190.1 $ 133.2 $ 323.3 EBITDA as a % of sales 13.5 % 15.2 % (1) - Pro forma adjustments for the periods prior to the acquisition date (July 1, 2020) and to give effects of the financing for the acquisition Year Ended December 31, 2020 Reconciliation of pro forma sales, operating income, and EBITDA: CAI Clariant MB Pro Forma Adjustments(1) Pro Forma CAI Sales $ 1,502.9 $ 540.4 $ 2,043.3 Operating income $ 180.8 $ 45.0 $ 225.8 EBITDA $ 255.9 $ 75.1 $ 331.0 EBITDA as a % of sales 16.2 % (1) - Pro forma adjustments for the periods prior to the acquisition date (July 1, 2020) and to give effects of the financing for the acquisition Free cash flow, defined as cash provided by operating activities excluding items associated with acquisitions and divestitures, less capital expenditures, is considered a non-GAAP financial measure.