Select eliminates multiple process steps and internal qualification programs, delivering important operational cost savings. By visiting one of our Select facilities colors can be created, developed and approved in as little as 30 minutes. Rapid color development Accelerated color match, development and delivery for rapid market access.

Idea Transform Product Development with FEA Read Idea Accelerate Product Development with Predictive Analytics Read LFT Application Development Center Bulletin

Bring us your toughest challenges at the earliest stages of product development. Looking for a better way to manage your new product development from idea to implementation? Rely on our creative and engineering design services, color development expertise, and full service R&D.

As a co-sponsor and exhibitor at NPE3D Printing Premier (Booth S35014), PolyOne will display its progress in developing materials for 3D printing under the Ohio Third Frontier initiative, as well as examples of 3D printed prototypes and tooling. Combining design and market insights with specialty colorants and polymers, these services inspire creativity and leverage design, materials and color development expertise at the beginning of product development projects to reduce risk, strengthen brand equity and increase speed to market. Giles Branthwaite, Strategic Project Manager, PolyOne ColorMatrix: “Accelerating Color Development and Supply With an Innovative Liquid Color System”

Based on consumer research and design trends, this collection will help automotive engineers and designers increase creativity in color development. Further, automotive OEMs, designers and Tier suppliers can work with InVisiO services throughout the design and development process to bring their vision to life.” PolyOne has developed colorants that are compatible with these specialty engineered materials.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those implied by these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: • Disruptions, uncertainty or volatility in the credit markets that could adversely impact the availability of credit already arranged and the availability and cost of credit in the future; • The effect on foreign operations of currency fluctuations, tariffs and other political, economic and regulatory risks; • Changes in laws and regulations regarding plastics in jurisdictions where we conduct business; • Fluctuations in raw material prices, quality and supply, and in energy prices and supply; • Production outages or material costs associated with scheduled or unscheduled maintenance programs; • Unanticipated developments that could occur with respect to contingencies such as litigation and environmental matters; • Our ability to achieve strategic objectives and successfully integrate acquisitions, including Avient Protective Materials (APM); • An inability to raise or sustain prices for products or services; • Our ability to pay regular quarterly cash dividends and the amounts and timing of any future dividends; • Information systems failures and cyberattacks; • Amounts for cash and non-cash charges related to restructuring plans that may differ from original estimates, including because of timing changes associated with the underlying actions; and • Other factors affecting our business beyond our control, including without limitation, changes in the general economy, changes in interest rates, changes in the rate of inflation and any recessionary conditions Use of Non-GAAP Measures This presentation includes the use of both GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles) and non-GAAP financial measures. Global Compact • Highlights ESG Performance, including ratings, awards, and certifications • Features increased carbon emissions disclosures, including Climate Change Scenario Analysis and Scope 3 emissions data • Outlines Sustainable Supplier Program, designed to enable supplier evaluation & collaboration • Reflects Great Place To Work® culture focused on safety, employee engagement and advancing diversity, equity and inclusion 2022 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 19 Avient Confidential 20 • Virtual presentation to be held September 20, 2023 • Leadership will be conducting an investor-focused presentation around our sustainable solutions portfolio • Deep dive into how we enable customers to achieve their sustainability goals SUSTAINABILITY DAY 20 …are Growing at Twice the Rate as Conventional Products Sustainably-Branded Products… STAKEHOLDER INFLUENCE DRIVES DEMAND Consumers Are demanding recyclability and eco- conscious products Governments Are mandating changes through legislation, taxes, and regional accords Brand Owners Have committed to ambitious goals to achieve sustainability metrics 21 AP P EN D IX 24 Performance Additives 16% Pigments 12% TiO2 10% Dyestuffs 2% Polyethylene 11% Nylon 6% Polypropylene 5% Styrenic Block Copolymer 5% Other Raw Materials 33% ~40% hydrocarbon based (Grey shaded materials are hydrocarbon based, includes portion of “Other Raw Materials”) Non-hydrocarbon based materials 2022 pro forma results for the acquisition of Avient Protective Materials RAW MATERIAL BASKET PEER COMPARISONS AVIENT IS ASSET LIGHT Capex / Revenue 2023E (%) Avient Specialty Formulators Other Specialty / Chemical Companies Source: Peer data per Bloomberg as of August 17, 2023 Note: Avient reflects 2023 estimated revenue of $3,280 and estimated run-rate CAPEX of $110M. 26 3 2 3 3 4 4 3 4 5 5 7 7 9 10 A vi en t K W R P P G F U L A V Y R P M F M C H U N C E E C L A S H H X L E M N S C L FREE CASH FLOW CONVERSION Source: Peer data per Bloomberg as of August 17, 2023 Note: Free cash flow conversion calculated as (Adjusted EBITDA – Capex) / Adjusted EBITDA.

If a supplier is designated as medium or high risk, improvement actions may involve – but will not be limited to – QF-05 completion, an on-site audit request, and/or QMS development. 3.3 Supplier On-Site Audit When deemed necessary, Avient will perform on-site supplier audits to verify suppliers’ compliance with this SQM. Any additional Avient business unit/site-level-specific design, development, and shipping requirements not covered within this SQM shall be communicated to and agreed upon with the supplier. 4.2 Nonconforming Material, Containment, and Supplier Corrective Action If an Avient facility or customer receive defective product, Avient shall notify the supplier of the nonconformance. The extent of the controls may vary, depending on the nature and complexity of the product and processes, but should normally include:  Evaluation and qualification of sub-tier supplier facilities  Avient and/or Avient’s customer, where applicable  Control of nonconforming material  Corrective action and preventive action programs  A continuous quality improvement program Where appropriate and agreed upon by the supplier, Avient may specify what sub-tier suppliers may be used, evaluate and qualify the sub-tier supplier’s facilities, and assist the supplier in controlling the sub-tier supplier.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those implied by these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: • Disruptions, uncertainty or volatility in the credit markets that could adversely impact the availability of credit already arranged and the availability and cost of credit in the future; • The effect on foreign operations of currency fluctuations, tariffs and other political, economic and regulatory risks; • The current and potential future impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, results of operations, financial position or cash flows, including, without limitation, any supply chain and logistics issues; • Changes in laws and regulations regarding plastics in jurisdictions where we conduct business; • Fluctuations in raw material prices, quality and supply, and in energy prices and supply; • Production outages or material costs associated with scheduled or unscheduled maintenance programs; • Unanticipated developments that could occur with respect to contingencies such as litigation and environmental matters; • Our ability to achieve strategic objectives and successfully integrate acquisitions, including Avient Protective Materials (APM); • An inability to raise or sustain prices for products or services; • Our ability to pay regular quarterly cash dividends and the amounts and timing of any future dividends; • Information systems failures and cyberattacks; • Amounts for cash and non-cash charges related to restructuring plans that may differ from original estimates, including because of timing changes associated with the underlying actions; and • Other factors affecting our business beyond our control, including without limitation, changes in the general economy, changes in interest rates, changes in the rate of inflation and any recessionary conditions Use of Non-GAAP Measures This presentation includes the use of both GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles) and non-GAAP financial measures. EPS (1) $0.14 $2.67 $3.04 2006 2018 2022PF TOP-TIER SUSTAINABILITY PERFORMANCE AND RECOGNITION Industry Sustainability Standards 90th percentile 84th ESG Ratings Performance 3 1 4 10 PEOPLE C U L T U R E I S E V E R Y T H I N G Community Service 7x Safer than Industry Average World-Class Safety Leadership Development Over $17 million raised since 2010 Diversity & Inclusion 11 2022 RE SU LT S Q4 EBITDA BRIDGE (PRO FORMA TOTAL COMPANY) 13 $ millions CAI: Price / Mix 42 Inflation (20) SEM: Price / Mix 14 Inflation (10) Net Price Benefit 26 Wage and Energy Inflation (13) Clariant Color Integration Synergies 4 Incentives, Other Employee Costs 21 FX (10) Q4 2022 $107 Adjusted EBITDA Q4 2021 $ 132 Demand (50) Russia Import Sales (3) • Demand contraction especially prevalent in EMEA and Asia • Pricing continues to cover inflation of raw materials, wages and energy PROVEN TRACK RECORD OF STRONG AND IMPROVING FREE CASH FLOW GENERATION 14 • Periods of economic weakness have driven higher levels of cash generation due to working capital management • Anticipate continued strong free cash flow generation and conversion despite global uncertainty 78% 78% 80% 80% 81% 78% 84% 83% 80% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 F re e C as h F lo w C o n ve rs io n F re e C as h F lo w FCF $ AVNT FCF Conversion % S&P FCF Conversion % Note: Free cash flow conversion calculated as (Adjusted EBITDA – Capex) / Adjusted EBITDA. 2020 is pro forma for Clariant Color and 2022 is pro forma for Avient Protective Materials. $600 $592 2021 2022 $3.02 $3.04 2021 2022 FULL YEAR 2022 PERFORMANCE (TOTAL COMPANY PRO FORMA) 15 Sales Adjusted EBITDA $3,712 $3,653 2021 2022 -2% Adjusted EPS -1% + 1% (in millions) (in millions) (+4% excluding FX) (+5% excluding FX) (+9% excluding FX) FULL YEAR 2022 SEGMENT PERFORMANCE 16 CAI $2,402 $2,355 Sales ($ in millions) $409 $402 EBITDA SEM Pro Forma $1,308 $1,300 Sales $278 $272 EBITDA (+4% excluding FX) - 2% -1% (+5% excluding FX) - 2% (+4% excluding FX) - 2% (+2% excluding FX) PRO FORMA FULL YEAR EPS BRIDGE 17 Pro Forma 2021 Adjusted EPS 3.02$ Foreign Currency (0.23) Russia Import Sales (0.07) Outdoor High Performance (0.13) Color, Additives and Inks 0.18 Specialty Engineered Materials 0.24 Corporate Costs / Other 0.03 Pro Forma 2022 Adjusted EPS 3.04$ FULL YEAR EBITDA BRIDGE (PRO FORMA TOTAL COMPANY) 18 $ millions CAI: Price / Mix 247 Inflation (176) SEM: Price / Mix 121 Inflation (77) Net Price Benefit 115 Wage and Energy Inflation (47) Clariant Color Integration Synergies 23 Incentives, Other Employee Costs 43 FX (34) Full Year 2022 $592 Adjusted EBITDA Full Year 2021 $ 600 Demand (99) Russia Import Sales (9) • Demand primarily impacted by China lockdowns, 4th quarter industrywide destocking and declining consumer sentiment • Pricing outpaced inflation of raw materials, wages and energy 2023 G U IDA N CE $125 $530 Q1 FY $0.55 $2.40 Q1 FY 2023 GUIDANCE 20 Sales Adjusted EBITDA $845 $3,450 Q1 FY Adjusted EPS (in millions) (in millions) CASH FLOW / BALANCE SHEET 21 • IT investment to further integrate acquired businesses and capture operational efficiencies • Restructuring actions to streamline operations and improve profitability, primarily in Europe ($ millions) 2023E Cash Flow from Operating Activities 350$ Less: Run-Rate CapEx (110) CapEx for IT System Upgrade (25) CapEx for Restructuring (15) Total CapEx (150) Free Cash Flow 200$ Adjusted EBITDA 530$ Net Debt / Adjusted EBITDA 2.9x K E Y G R O W T H D R I V E R S A N D T R A N S F O R M E D P O R T F O L I O GROWTH DRIVERS: PROVEN SUCCESS 23 (1) Pro forma for the acquisition of Avient Protective Materials (APM) COMPOSITES $51 $84 $212 $668 2016 2018 2020 2022 Long Term Growth Rate 10% Organic CAGR 10% HEALTHCARE $108 $113 $231 $293 2016 2018 2020 2022 Long Term Growth Rate 8-10% Organic CAGR 11% ASIA/EMERGING REGIONS $265 $358 $726 $830 2016 2018 2020 2022 Long Term Growth Rate 5% Organic CAGR 12% $340 $455 $790 2016 2018 2020 2022 $1,175 SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS Long Term Growth Rate 8-12% Organic CAGR 11% (1) (1)(1) (Sales in $ millions) #1 Color Formulator Dyneema® - World’s Strongest Fiber™ #1 in Composites applications for outdoor high performance #1 in Performance Inks Customized solutions 140+ PhDs on staff Rapid development of innovative products Extensive patent (2,500+) portfolio 33% Vitality Index Better-positioned toward stable, high-growth end markets Consumer, packaging, healthcare and defense comprise nearly 60% of sales Agnostic to raw materials, helping all customers achieve their goals Broad portfolio of diversified sustainable solutions 90%+ of our innovation pipeline invested in sustainable solutions Long-term growth rate well above GDP with expectations of 8-12% LEVERAGING OUR TRANSFORMED PORTFOLIO 24 Healthcare 8% Packaging 24% Consumer 20% Building & Construction 10% Industrial 15% Transportation 9% Energy 4% Telecom. 4% 2022 PF $3.65B sales Defense 6% Leading Positions Sustainable SolutionsDiversified IndustriesSpecialty Formulator (1) 2022 Pro forma for the acquisition of Avient Protective Materials (2) 2020 Pro forma for the acquisition of Clariant Color (1)(2) (1) $340M $455M $790M 2016 2018 2020PF 2022PF $1,175M P EE R C O M PAR IS O N S AVIENT IS ASSET LIGHT Capex / Revenue 2023E (%) Avient Specialty Formulators Other Specialty / Chemical Companies Source: Peer data per Bloomberg as of February 13, 2023 Note: Avient reflects 2023 estimated revenue of $3,450 and estimated run-rate CAPEX of $110M. 27 3 2 3 3 4 4 3 4 5 5 5 6 7 7 A vi en t K W R P P G F U L A V Y R P M F M C H U N H X L C E E C L A S H S C L E M N FREE CASH FLOW CONVERSION Source: Peer data per Bloomberg as of February 13, 2023 Note: Free cash flow conversion calculated as (Adjusted EBITDA – Capex) / Adjusted EBITDA.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those implied by these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: • Disruptions, uncertainty or volatility in the credit markets that could adversely impact the availability of credit already arranged and the availability and cost of credit in the future; • The effect on foreign operations of currency fluctuations, tariffs and other political, economic and regulatory risks; • The current and potential future impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, results of operations, financial position or cash flows, including, without limitation, any supply chain and logistics issues; • Changes in laws and regulations regarding plastics in jurisdictions where we conduct business; • Fluctuations in raw material prices, quality and supply, and in energy prices and supply; • Production outages or material costs associated with scheduled or unscheduled maintenance programs; • Unanticipated developments that could occur with respect to contingencies such as litigation and environmental matters; • Our ability to achieve strategic objectives and successfully integrate acquisitions, including Avient Protective Materials (APM); • An inability to raise or sustain prices for products or services; • Our ability to pay regular quarterly cash dividends and the amounts and timing of any future dividends; • Information systems failures and cyberattacks; • Amounts for cash and non-cash charges related to restructuring plans that may differ from original estimates, including because of timing changes associated with the underlying actions; and • Other factors affecting our business beyond our control, including without limitation, changes in the general economy, changes in interest rates, changes in the rate of inflation and any recessionary conditions Use of Non-GAAP Measures This presentation includes the use of both GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles) and non-GAAP financial measures. EPS (1) $0.14 $2.67 $3.04 2006 2018 2022PF TOP-TIER SUSTAINABILITY PERFORMANCE AND RECOGNITION Industry Sustainability Standards 90th percentile 84th ESG Ratings Performance 3 1 4 14 PEOPLE C U L T U R E I S E V E R Y T H I N G Community Service 7x Safer than Industry Average World-Class Safety Leadership Development Over $17 million raised since 2010 Diversity & Inclusion 15 2022 RE SU LT S Q4 EBITDA BRIDGE (PRO FORMA TOTAL COMPANY) 17 $ millions CAI: Price / Mix 42 Inflation (20) SEM: Price / Mix 14 Inflation (10) Net Price Benefit 26 Wage and Energy Inflation (13) Clariant Color Integration Synergies 4 Incentives, Other Employee Costs 21 FX (10) Q4 2022 $107 Adjusted EBITDA Q4 2021 $ 132 Demand (50) Russia Import Sales (3) • Demand contraction especially prevalent in EMEA and Asia • Pricing continues to cover inflation of raw materials, wages and energy PROVEN TRACK RECORD OF STRONG AND IMPROVING FREE CASH FLOW GENERATION 18 • Periods of economic weakness have driven higher levels of cash generation due to working capital management • Anticipate continued strong free cash flow generation and conversion despite global uncertainty 78% 78% 80% 80% 81% 78% 84% 83% 80% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 F re e C as h F lo w C o n ve rs io n F re e C as h F lo w FCF $ AVNT FCF Conversion % S&P FCF Conversion % Note: Free cash flow conversion calculated as (Adjusted EBITDA – Capex) / Adjusted EBITDA. 2020 is pro forma for Clariant Color and 2022 is pro forma for Avient Protective Materials. $600 $592 2021 2022 $3.02 $3.04 2021 2022 FULL YEAR 2022 PERFORMANCE (TOTAL COMPANY PRO FORMA) 19 Sales Adjusted EBITDA $3,712 $3,653 2021 2022 -2% Adjusted EPS -1% + 1% (in millions) (in millions) (+4% excluding FX) (+5% excluding FX) (+9% excluding FX) FULL YEAR 2022 SEGMENT PERFORMANCE 20 CAI $2,402 $2,355 Sales ($ in millions) $409 $402 EBITDA SEM Pro Forma $1,308 $1,300 Sales $278 $272 EBITDA (+4% excluding FX) - 2% -1% (+5% excluding FX) - 2% (+4% excluding FX) - 2% (+2% excluding FX) PRO FORMA FULL YEAR EPS BRIDGE 21 Pro Forma 2021 Adjusted EPS 3.02$ Foreign Currency (0.23) Russia Import Sales (0.07) Outdoor High Performance (0.13) Color, Additives and Inks 0.18 Specialty Engineered Materials 0.24 Corporate Costs / Other 0.03 Pro Forma 2022 Adjusted EPS 3.04$ FULL YEAR EBITDA BRIDGE (PRO FORMA TOTAL COMPANY) 22 $ millions CAI: Price / Mix 247 Inflation (176) SEM: Price / Mix 121 Inflation (77) Net Price Benefit 115 Wage and Energy Inflation (47) Clariant Color Integration Synergies 23 Incentives, Other Employee Costs 43 FX (34) Full Year 2022 $592 Adjusted EBITDA Full Year 2021 $ 600 Demand (99) Russia Import Sales (9) • Demand primarily impacted by China lockdowns, 4th quarter industrywide destocking and declining consumer sentiment • Pricing outpaced inflation of raw materials, wages and energy 2023 G U IDA N CE $125 $530 Q1 FY $0.55 $2.40 Q1 FY 2023 GUIDANCE 24 Sales Adjusted EBITDA $845 $3,450 Q1 FY Adjusted EPS (in millions) (in millions) CASH FLOW / BALANCE SHEET 25 • IT investment to further integrate acquired businesses and capture operational efficiencies • Restructuring actions to streamline operations and improve profitability, primarily in Europe ($ millions) 2023E Cash Flow from Operating Activities 350$ Less: Run-Rate CapEx (110) CapEx for IT System Upgrade (25) CapEx for Restructuring (15) Total CapEx (150) Free Cash Flow 200$ Adjusted EBITDA 530$ Net Debt / Adjusted EBITDA 2.9x K E Y G R O W T H D R I V E R S A N D T R A N S F O R M E D P O R T F O L I O GROWTH DRIVERS: PROVEN SUCCESS 27 (1) Pro forma for the acquisition of Avient Protective Materials (APM) COMPOSITES $51 $84 $212 $668 2016 2018 2020 2022 Long Term Growth Rate 10% Organic CAGR 10% HEALTHCARE $108 $113 $231 $293 2016 2018 2020 2022 Long Term Growth Rate 8-10% Organic CAGR 11% ASIA/EMERGING REGIONS $265 $358 $726 $830 2016 2018 2020 2022 Long Term Growth Rate 5% Organic CAGR 12% $340 $455 $790 2016 2018 2020 2022 $1,175 SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS Long Term Growth Rate 8-12% Organic CAGR 11% (1) (1)(1) (Sales in $ millions) #1 Color Formulator Dyneema® - World’s Strongest Fiber™ #1 in Composites applications for outdoor high performance #1 in Performance Inks Customized solutions 140+ PhDs on staff Rapid development of innovative products Extensive patent (2,500+) portfolio 33% Vitality Index Better-positioned toward stable, high-growth end markets Consumer, packaging, healthcare and defense comprise nearly 60% of sales Agnostic to raw materials, helping all customers achieve their goals Broad portfolio of diversified sustainable solutions 90%+ of our innovation pipeline invested in sustainable solutions Long-term growth rate well above GDP with expectations of 8-12% LEVERAGING OUR TRANSFORMED PORTFOLIO 28 Healthcare 8% Packaging 24% Consumer 20% Building & Construction 10% Industrial 15% Transportation 9% Energy 4% Telecom. 4% 2022 PF $3.65B sales Defense 6% Leading Positions Sustainable SolutionsDiversified IndustriesSpecialty Formulator (1) 2022 Pro forma for the acquisition of Avient Protective Materials (2) 2020 Pro forma for the acquisition of Clariant Color (1)(2) (1) $340M $455M $790M 2016 2018 2020PF 2022PF $1,175M P EE R C O M PAR IS O N S AVIENT IS ASSET LIGHT Capex / Revenue 2023E (%) Avient Specialty Formulators Other Specialty / Chemical Companies Source: Peer data per Bloomberg as of February 13, 2023 Note: Avient reflects 2023 estimated revenue of $3,450 and estimated run-rate CAPEX of $110M. 30 3 2 3 3 4 4 3 4 5 5 5 6 7 7 A vi en t K W R P P G F U L A V Y R P M F M C H U N H X L C E E C L A S H S C L E M N FREE CASH FLOW CONVERSION Source: Peer data per Bloomberg as of February 13, 2023 Note: Free cash flow conversion calculated as (Adjusted EBITDA – Capex) / Adjusted EBITDA.

Polystrand establishes us with an immediate leadership position in new, next generation thermoplastic composites that combine high strength characteristics of a thermoset with the design freedom of thermoplastics." Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those implied by these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: our ability to realize anticipated savings and operational benefits from the realignment of assets, including the closure of manufacturing facilities; the timing of closings and shifts of production to new facilities related to asset realignments and any unforeseen loss of customers and/or disruptions of service or quality caused by such closings and/or production shifts; separation and severance amounts that differ from original estimates; amounts for non-cash charges related to asset write-offs and accelerated depreciation realignments of property, plant and equipment, that differ from original estimates; our ability to identify and evaluate acquisition targets and consummate acquisitions; the ability to successfully integrate acquired businesses into our operations, such as Gordon Composites and Polystrand, including whether such businesses will be accretive, retain the management teams of acquired businesses, and retain relationships with customers of acquired businesses; disruptions, uncertainty or volatility in the credit markets that could adversely impact the availability of credit already arranged and the availability and cost of credit in the future; the financial condition of our customers, including the ability of customers (especially those that may be highly leveraged and those with inadequate liquidity) to maintain their credit availability; the speed and extent of an economic recovery, including the recovery of the housing market; our ability to achieve new business gains; the effect on foreign operations of currency fluctuations, tariffs and other political, economic and regulatory risks; changes in polymer consumption growth rates and laws and regulations regarding the disposal of plastic in jurisdictions where we conduct business; changes in global industry capacity or in the rate at which anticipated changes in industry capacity come online; fluctuations in raw material prices, quality and supply and in energy prices and supply; production outages or material costs associated with scheduled or unscheduled maintenance programs; unanticipated developments that could occur with respect to contingencies such as litigation and environmental matters; an inability to achieve or delays in achieving or achievement of less than the anticipated financial benefit from initiatives related to working capital reductions, cost reductions and employee productivity goals; an inability to raise or sustain prices for products or services; an inability to maintain appropriate relations with unions and employees; our ability to continue to pay cash dividends; the amount and timing of repurchases of our common shares, if any; and other factors affecting our business beyond our control, including, without limitation, changes in the general economy, changes in interest rates and changes in the rate of inflation. Special items include charges related to specific strategic initiatives or financial restructuring such as: consolidation of operations; debt extinguishment costs; costs incurred directly in relation to acquisitions or divestitures; employee separation costs resulting from personnel reduction programs, plant phase-in costs, executive separation agreements; asset impairments; mark-to-market adjustments associated with actuarial gains and losses on pension and other post-retirement benefit plans; environmental remediation costs, fines, penalties and related insurance recoveries related to facilities no longer owned or closed in prior years; gains and losses on the divestiture of operating businesses, joint ventures and equity investments; gains and losses on facility or property sales or disposals; results of litigation, fines or penalties, where such litigation (or action relating to the fines or penalties) arose prior to the commencement of the performance period; one-time, non-recurring items; and the effect of changes in accounting principles or other such laws or provisions affecting reported results.