https://www.avient.com/sites/default/files/2025-04/Governance and Corporate Responsibility Charter March 2025 Final and Approved.pdf
These factors may include, among others: business or professional experience; knowledge and skill in certain specialty areas such as accounting and finance, international markets, physical sciences and technology, or the specialty materials industry; personal characteristics such as ethical standards, integrity, 2 judgment, leadership, and the ability to devote sufficient time to the affairs of the Company; substantial accomplishment with demonstrated leadership capabilities; freedom from outside interests that conflict with the Company’s best interests; the unique backgrounds and experience they will bring to the Board, including differences in viewpoint, background and skill; and the needs of the Company from time to time.
Perform any other duties or responsibilities delegated to the Committee by the Board from time to time.
The Committee may appoint subcommittees from time to time as needed and may delegate authority to such subcommittees or to officers of the Company, when appropriate, consistent with applicable laws, regulations, and listing standards.
https://www.avient.com/sites/default/files/resources/Innovation%2520Day%2520-%2520May%25202014.pdf
They are based on management’s expectations that involve a number of business risks and uncertainties, any of which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statements.
Richardson Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer PolyOne Corporation Page 15 Track Record of Accelerated Growth Total Revenue Adjusted EPS Adjusted EBITDA $2,061 $2,506 $2,709 $2,861 $3,771 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 ($ in millions, except EPS ) $105 $179 $202 $255 $344 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 $0.13 $0.68 $0.82 $1.00 $1.31 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 PolyOne Corporation Page 16 $0.31 $0.44 $0.20 $0.30 $0.40 Q1 2013 Q1 2014 Adjusted EPS $42 $60 $20 $40 $60 Q1 2013 Q1 2014 Specialty Operating Income ($ millions) Q1 2014 Financial Highlights Growth momentum accelerates driven by specialty platform Specialty segments and Distribution achieve record results All segments increase operating income compared to prior year Revenue grew 25% versus Q1 2013 +43% +42% $57 $79 $30 $60 $90 Q1 2013 Q1 2014 Adjusted Operating Income ($ millions) +39% PolyOne Corporation Page 17 Commitment to Operational Excellence 81% 96% 2006 2013 16.2% 10.9% 2006 2013 On-Time Delivery Working Capital % of Sales 5.0% 31.0% 2006 2013 Percent of Associates Trained in LSS Three consecutive years – CFO Magazine Best Working Capital Management Program in the chemical industry World’s Best Business Process Excellence Program in 2012* 95 certified Black Belts 211 certified Green Belts 422 Project Leaders World’s Best “Start-up Program” for Lean Six Sigma Deployment in 2009* *Both awards received from International Quality and Productivity Center PolyOne Corporation Page 18 Debt Maturities & Pension Funding – 3/31/14 Net Debt / EBITDA* = 1.9x $48 $317 $600 $0 $100 $200 $300 $400 $500 $600 $700 $800 2015 2020 2023 Debt Maturities As of March 31, 2014 ($ millions) Coupon Rates: 7.500% 7.375% 5.250% *TTM 12/31/2013 ** includes US-qualified pension plans only 60% 100% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 2008 2014 Pension Funding** As of March 31, 2014 PolyOne Corporation Page 19 Free Cash Flow and Strong Balance Sheet Fund Investment / Shareholder Return $0.16 $0.20 $0.24 $0.32 $0.10 $0.20 $0.30 $0.40 2011 2012 2013 2014 Annual Dividend Expanding our sales, marketing, and technical capabilities Targets that expand our: • Specialty offerings • End market presence • Geographic footprint • Operating Margin Synergy opportunities Adjacent material solutions Repurchased 1.4 million shares in Q1 2014 Repurchased 6.4 million shares since April 2013 13.6 million shares are available for repurchase under the current authorization Organic Growth Acquisitions Share Repurchases Dividends Investing in operational and LSS initiatives (including synergy capture) Manufacturing alignment PolyOne Corporation Page 20 3.07 3.05 1.81 1.45 1.82 1.54 0.85 3.15 1.17 1.69 0.00 0.50 1.00 1.50 2.00 2.50 3.00 3.50 4.00 0.91 PolyOne Valuation Aspirations PEG Ratio Comparison Represents $38 of share price upside Avg = 1.96 PolyOne Corporation Page 21 Innovating for the Future Dr.
Patterson President and Chief Executive Officer PolyOne Corporation Page 36 PolyOne Core Values Innovation Collaboration Excellence PolyOne Corporation Page 37 Innovation Drives Earnings Growth $20 $53 2006 2013 Research & Development Spending ($ millions) Specialty Platform Vitality Index Progression* *Percentage of Specialty Platform revenue from products introduced in last five years 14.3% 30.7% 2006 2013 Specialty Platform Gross Margin % 19.5% 43.0% 2006 2013 PolyOne Corporation Page 38 Formula for Success Innovation Market Beating Performance Excellence in Execution PolyOne Corporation Page 39 Track Record of Successful Integrations and Rapid Operating Income Growth $12 $44 2007 2013 $22 $30 2012 2013 $24 $49 2012 2013 GLS ColorMatrix Spartech OI in $ millions PolyOne Corporation Page 40 2015 and Beyond Innovation will drive the next stage in our remarkable transformation Deliver on 2015 goals Expand Specialty offerings and possibilities Identified as a truly global, specialty chemical company Market Potential Exceeds $40 Billion PolyOne Corporation Page 41 Driving Toward Premier Profitability EBIT Margins for top tier companies Victrex 42% Sigma Aldrich 18% FMC 25% IFF 18% Eastman 17% Hexcel 16% 16% Rockwood Holdings Celanese 14% 7% EBIT Margin – 2013 Albemarle 24% Ecolab 13% PolyOne Corporation Page 42 Bright Future & High Aspirations – The Next Seven Years • % OP Income from Specialty - 5% • Market Cap - $500 Million • Revenue - $2.6 Billion • Commodity Peers • Specialty ROS - 1.5% • % OP Income from Specialty - 62% • Market Cap - $3.5 Billion • Revenue - $3.7 Billion • Specialty ROS - 9.4% • % OP Income from Specialty - 80 to 90% • Market Cap - $12 to $18 Billion • Revenue - $8 to $10 Billion • Specialty Peers • Specialty ROS - ≥ 20% 2000 – 2006 2007 – 2013 2014 – 2020 PolyOne Corporation Page 43 The New PolyOne: A Specialty Growth Company Why Invest In PolyOne?
https://www.avient.com/sites/default/files/2024-09/Colorant Chromatics Brochure_2024.pdf
Colorant Chromatics color concentrates and pre-colored solutions are based on resins from the world’s leading suppliers.
Contact us about your application needs, and we will collaborate with you to formulate the best solution for your challenges.
Processing conditions can cause material properties to shift from the values stated in the information.
https://www.avient.com/sites/default/files/resources/POL%2520IR%2520Presentation%2520-%2520Investor%2520Day%25205-18-15.pdf
They are based on management’s expectations that involve a number of business risks and uncertainties, any of which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statements.
S&P 500 PolyOne Corporation Page 14 Well Positioned for Accelerated Growth $40 billion of market potential • Megatrends favor our solutions $1.9 billion of opportunities in our specialty innovation pipeline • Increased $200m from a year ago 44% of Specialty products introduced in the last 5 years World class leadership team drives next phase of specialty transformation: From Gold to Platinum PolyOne Corporation Page 15 Global Color, Additives & Inks John V.
url=http://appliancerepair-salt-lake-city.com/sub-zero-appliance-repair-salt-lake-city/subzero-3d-logo/&rct=j&frm=1&q=&esrc=s&sa=U&ei=-vQmVb-MCefIsQTwwYHQAg&ved=0CBYQ9QEwAA&sig2=qX2fTujBfVO6eYzgLN-xVg&usg=AFQjCNHoUQFUZn7iH7fwVxOz9-WdcIpngA PolyOne Corporation Page 65 Megatrends Aligned with Key End Markets Increasing Energy Efficiency Protecting the Environment Improving Health and Wellness Megatrend End Markets Globalizing and Localizing Health & Wellness Transportation Packaging Consumer PolyOne Distribution PolyOne Corporation Page 66 Geographic Growth Opportunities • Currently 10% of POD’s revenue is generated from Mexico • Existing business is served “from the border” • New Mexico district & warehouse will drive transportation growth in Central Mexico • Expansion in China resulted from growing with our NA HC customers • Investing in sales deployments • Localizing supply • Gaining Share PolyOne Distribution PolyOne Corporation Page 67 Going Beyond Distribution WeatherTech® – Polymer BumpStep® BEDRUG™ – Tri-fold Truck Bed Cover CeQur PaQ – Type 2 Insulin Delivery Device PolyOne Distribution PolyOne Corporation Page 68 Platinum Vision 2.6% 4.6% 6.1% 6.5 - 7.5% 2006 2010 2014 2020 Platinum Vision World Class Distribution Margin Accelerating Growth PolyOne Distribution Market Growth/ Megatrends Commercial Investment Cross-Selling & Collaboration Growth in Targeted Areas PolyOne Corporation Page 69 Summary • Motivated and well trained POD sellers making the calls / collaborating with other PolyOne businesses • Representing a world class supplier line card • Delighted customers and suppliers who choose us to represent them PolyOne Distribution PolyOne Corporation Page 70 Financial Highlights Bradley C.
https://www.avient.com/sites/default/files/resources/PolyOne%2520IR%2520Presentation%2520KeyBanc%2520Conference%2520-%2520September%252014%25202016.pdf
They are based on management’s expectations that involve a number of business risks and uncertainties, any of which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statements.
They use words such as “will,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance and/or sales. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those implied by these forward looking statements include but are not limited to: 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 companies into our operations, such as Gordon Composites and Polystrand, retain the management teams of acquired companies, retain relationships with customers of acquired companies, and achieve the expected results of such acquisitions, including whether such businesses will be accretive to our earnings; 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; 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 PolyOne Corporation Page 2 changes in the rate of inflation. The above list of factors is not exhaustive. We undertake no obligation to publicly update forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Tax adjustments include the net tax expense/benefit from one-time income tax items, the set-up or reversal of uncertain tax position reserves and deferred income tax valuation allowance adjustments. (2) Adjusted EBITDA does not include the pro forma impact of acquired businesses for the trailing twelve months ended June 30, 2016.
https://www.avient.com/sites/default/files/resources/PolyOne%2520IR%2520Presentation%2520-%2520Goldman%2520Sachs%2520Conference%2520-%2520November%25202015.pdf
They are based on management’s expectations that involve a number of business risks and uncertainties, any of which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statements.
They use words such as “will,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance and/or sales. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those implied by these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: The final amount of charges resulting from the planned North American asset realignment and the Company’s ability to realize anticipated savings and operational benefits from the asset realignment; Our ability to achieve the strategic and other objectives relating to the acquisition of Spartech Corporation, including any expected synergies; Our ability to successfully integrate Spartech and achieve the expected results of the acquisition, including, without limitation, the acquisition being accretive; 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 in the markets 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, employee productivity goals, and an inability to raise or sustain prices for products or services; An inability to raise or sustain prices for products or services; An inability to maintain appropriate relations with unions and employees; The inability to achieve expected results from our acquisition activities; 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. The above list of factors is not exhaustive. We undertake no obligation to publicly update forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Special items include charges related to specific strategic initiatives or financial restructuring such as: consolidation of operations; debt extinguishment costs; 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, remediation costs 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. (2) Tax adjustments include the net tax expense/benefit from one-time income tax items, the set-up or reversal of uncertain tax position reserves and deferred income tax valuations allowance adjustments.
https://www.avient.com/news/robert-m-patterson-becomes-ceo-polyone-corporation-shareholders-approve-all-proposals-2014-annual-meeting
PolyOne’s best days are still ahead.”
https://www.avient.com/sites/default/files/resources/PolyOne%2520IR%2520Presentation%2520-%2520Goldman%2520Sachs%2520Basic%2520Materials%2520Conference%2520-%2520May%25202016.pdf
They are based on management’s expectations that involve a number of business risks and uncertainties, any of which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statements.
They use words such as “will,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance and/or sales. 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 companies into our operations, retain the management teams of acquired companies, retain relationships with customers of acquired companies, and achieve the expected results of such acquisitions, including whether such businesses will be accretive to our earnings; 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. The above list of factors is not exhaustive. We undertake no obligation to publicly update forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Tax adjustments include the net tax expense/benefit from one-time income tax items, the set-up or reversal of uncertain tax position reserves and deferred income tax valuation allowance adjustments.
https://www.avient.com/sites/default/files/resources/POL%2520IR%2520Presentation%2520-%2520Jefferies%2520Industrials%2520Conference%25202015.pdf
They are based on management’s expectations that involve a number of business risks and uncertainties, any of which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statements.
They use words such as “will,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance and/or sales. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those implied by these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: The final amount of charges resulting from the planned North American asset realignment and the Company’s ability to realize anticipated savings and operational benefits from the asset realignment; Our ability to achieve the strategic and other objectives relating to the acquisition of Spartech Corporation, including any expected synergies; Our ability to successfully integrate Spartech and achieve the expected results of the acquisition, including, without limitation, the acquisition being accretive; 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 in the markets 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, employee productivity goals, and an inability to raise or sustain prices for products or services; An inability to raise or sustain prices for products or services; An inability to maintain appropriate relations with unions and employees; The inability to achieve expected results from our acquisition activities; 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. The above list of factors is not exhaustive. We undertake no obligation to publicly update forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Special items include charges related to specific strategic initiatives or financial restructuring such as: consolidation of operations; debt extinguishment costs; 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, remediation costs 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; unrealized gains and losses from foreign currency option contracts; one-time, non-recurring items; and the effect of changes in accounting principles or other such laws or provisions affecting reported results. (2) Tax adjustments include the net tax expense (benefit) from one-time income tax items and deferred income tax valuations allowance adjustments. 3 Net debt to adjusted EBITDA is calculated as follows: Six Months Ended Twelve Months Ended Six Months Ended Trailing Twelve Months (TTM) Ended (In millions) March 31, 2014 December 31, 2014 March 31, 2015 March 31, 2015 Short-term portion and current portion of long-term debt $ 12.7 $ 61.8 $ 61.8 Long-term debt 967.9 962.0 996.4 Less: Cash and cash equivalents (261.5) (238.6) (236.8) Net Debt $ 719.1 785.2 821.4 Income before income taxes $ 73.2 $ 88.4 $ 116.7 $ 131.9 Interest expense, net 31.2 62.2 32.3 63.3 Depreciation and amortization 72.2 123.9 50.1 101.8 Special items, impact on operating income 62.2 164.9 21.2 123.9 Accelerated depreciation included in special items (20.5) (23.1) (0.3) (2.9) Adjusted EBITDA $ 218.3 $ 416.3 $ 220.0 $ 418.0 Net Debt/TTM Adjusted EBITDA 2.0 POL IR Presentation - Jefferies Industrials Conference 2015 website ��PolyOne Investor Presentation�Jefferies 2015 Industrials Conference�August 2015�� Forward-Looking Statements Use of Non-GAAP Measures PolyOne Commodity to Specialty Transformation PolyOne�At A Glance Mix Shift Highlights Specialty Transformation Confirmation of Our Strategy Strategy and Execution Drive Results Proof of Performance & 2020 Goals Platinum Vision: Pathway to Accelerated Growth Innovation Drives Earnings Growth Megatrends Aligned with Key End Markets A Rich Pipeline of Opportunity Debt Maturities & Pension Funding Free Cash Flow and Strong Balance Sheet �Fund Investment / Shareholder Return PolyOne Core Values Why Invest In PolyOne?
https://www.avient.com/sites/default/files/resources/Wells%2520Fargo%2520Conference%2520-%2520IR%2520Presentation%25205-6-2015%2520-%2520wNon%2520GAAP%2520and%2520Appendix.pdf
They are based on management’s expectations that involve a number of business risks and uncertainties, any of which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statements.
They use words such as “will,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance and/or sales. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those implied by these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: The final amount of charges resulting from the planned North American asset realignment and the Company’s ability to realize anticipated savings and operational benefits from the asset realignment; Our ability to achieve the strategic and other objectives relating to acquisitions, including any expected synergies; Our ability to successfully integrate acquired companies and achieve the expected results of the acquisitions, including, without limitation, the acquisitions being accretive; 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 in the markets 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, employee productivity goals, and an inability to raise or sustain prices for products or services; An inability to raise or sustain prices for products or services; An inability to maintain appropriate relations with unions and employees; The inability to achieve expected results from our acquisition activities; 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. The above list of factors is not exhaustive. We undertake no obligation to publicly update forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Special items include charges related to specific strategic initiatives or financial restructuring such as: consolidation of operations; debt extinguishment costs; 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, remediation costs 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; unrealized gains and losses from foreign currency option contracts; one-time, non-recurring items; and the effect of changes in accounting principles or other such laws or provisions affecting reported results. (2) Tax adjustments include the net tax expense (benefit) from one-time income tax items and deferred income tax valuations allowance adjustments.