More than 6,800 active associates have been trained in LSS and at any given time there are approximately 350 process improvement projects underway.

Liquid at room temperature, these customized resins can also be toll blended for any application.

Adjusted EPS attributable to PolyOne common shareholders is calculated as follows: 2009* 2010* 2011* 2012* 2013* 2014* 2015* 2016 2017 2018 Net income from continuing operations attributable to PolyOne common shareholders $ 106.7 $ 152.5 $ 153.4 $ 53.3 $ 94.0 $ 78.0 $ 144.6 $ 166.4 $ 173.5 $ 161.1 Joint venture equity earnings, after tax (19.0) (14.7) (3.7) — — — — — — — Special items, before tax(1) (48.7) 24.2 (48.1) 55.1 46.3 164.2 87.6 23.8 32.9 59.5 Special items, tax adjustments(1) (27.2) (96.7) (24.7) (18.9) (13.7) (73.7) (58.7) (15.9) (24.8) (25.3) Adjusted net income from continuing operations attributable to PolyOne common shareholders $ 11.8 $ 65.3 $ 76.9 $ 89.5 $ 126.6 $ 168.5 $ 173.5 $ 174.3 $ 181.6 $ 195.3 Diluted shares 93.4 96.0 94.3 89.8 96.5 93.5 88.7 84.6 82.1 80.4 Adjusted EPS attributable to PolyOne common shareholders $ 0.13 $ 0.68 $ 0.82 $ 1.00 $ 1.31 $ 1.80 $ 1.96 $ 2.06 $ 2.21 $ 2.43 * Historical results are shown as presented in prior filings and have not been updated to reflect subsequent changes in accounting principle, discontinued operations or the related resegmentation. (1) 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, including adjustments related to contingent consideration; employee separation costs resulting from personnel reduction programs, plant realignment 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.

Adjusted EPS attributable to PolyOne common shareholders is calculated as follows: 2009* 2010* 2011* 2012* 2013* 2014* 2015* 2016 2017 2018 Net income from continuing operations attributable to PolyOne common shareholders $ 106.7 $ 152.5 $ 153.4 $ 53.3 $ 94.0 $ 78.0 $ 144.6 $ 166.4 $ 173.5 $ 161.1 Joint venture equity earnings, after tax (19.0) (14.7) (3.7) — — — — — — — Special items, before tax(1) (48.7) 24.2 (48.1) 55.1 46.3 164.2 87.6 23.8 32.9 59.5 Special items, tax adjustments(1) (27.2) (96.7) (24.7) (18.9) (13.7) (73.7) (58.7) (15.9) (24.8) (25.3) Adjusted net income from continuing operations attributable to PolyOne common shareholders $ 11.8 $ 65.3 $ 76.9 $ 89.5 $ 126.6 $ 168.5 $ 173.5 $ 174.3 $ 181.6 $ 195.3 Diluted shares 93.4 96.0 94.3 89.8 96.5 93.5 88.7 84.6 82.1 80.4 Adjusted EPS attributable to PolyOne common shareholders $ 0.13 $ 0.68 $ 0.82 $ 1.00 $ 1.31 $ 1.80 $ 1.96 $ 2.06 $ 2.21 $ 2.43 * Historical results are shown as presented in prior filings and have not been updated to reflect subsequent changes in accounting principle, discontinued operations or the related resegmentation. (1) 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, including adjustments related to contingent consideration; employee separation costs resulting from personnel reduction programs, plant realignment 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.

NIAS may be unintentionally introduced into food contact materials at any point during the manufacturing, processing, or storing stages and can originate from various sources. To enable the safe introduction of rPET in these applications, it is vital to detect, quantify, and assess any NIAS using advanced analytical techniques to ensure compliance with regulatory standards. Analysis of raw materials and additives to actively identify and quantify any NIAS or hidden substances is essential to ensure the safety and quality of consumer products.  

NIAS may be unintentionally introduced into food contact materials at any point during the manufacturing, processing, or storing stages and can originate from various sources. To enable the safe introduction of rPET in these applications, it is vital to detect, quantify, and assess any NIAS using advanced analytical techniques to ensure compliance with regulatory standards. Analysis of raw materials and additives to actively identify and quantify any NIAS or hidden substances is essential to ensure the safety and quality of consumer products.  

NIAS may be unintentionally introduced into food contact materials at any point during the manufacturing, processing, or storing stages and can originate from various sources. To enable the safe introduction of rPET in these applications, it is vital to detect, quantify, and assess any NIAS using advanced analytical techniques to ensure compliance with regulatory standards. Analysis of raw materials and additives to actively identify and quantify any NIAS or hidden substances is essential to ensure the safety and quality of consumer products.  

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 condition, 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 achieve the strategic and other objectives relating to the acquisition, including any expected synergies; our ability to successfully integrate Clariant's masterbatch business 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 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; changes in polymer consumption growth rates and 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; an inability to achieve the anticipated financial benefit from initiatives related to acquisition and integration, working capital reductions, costs reductions and employee productivity goals; our ability to pay regular quarterly cash dividends and the amounts and timing of any future dividends; information systems failures and cyberattacks; 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.

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 condition, performance and/or sales. You are advised to consult any further disclosures we make on related subjects in our reports on Form 10-Q, 8-K and 10-K that we provide to the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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 condition, performance and/or sales. You are advised to consult any further disclosures we make on related subjects in our reports on Form 10-Q, 8-K and 10-K that we provide to the