Our Specialty Engineered Materials, Performance Products & Solutions (PP&S) and Distribution (POD) segments all delivered record operating income, helping us to overcome a number of macro-economic challenges and weaker performance in Designed Structures & Solutions (DSS)." These associates led to a near-immediate impact in POD and PP&S where sales cycles are the shortest within the company, and both segments reported record operating income for the full year 2016. 

Patterson added, "Performance Products & Solutions (PP&S) achieved another exceptional quarter, driven by continued mix improvement resulting in a new segment operating margin record of 12.3%.  Underlying organic sales growth plus the addition of Magenta's fiber colorant business and Kraton's TPE business was more than offset by lower year-over-year selling prices in Distribution, PP&S, and Designed Structures and Solutions (DSS), due to lower hydro-carbon based raw material costs.

This quarter, our Specialty Engineered Materials, Performance Products & Solutions (PP&S) and Distribution segments led the way, as all three achieved year-over-year increases in operating income." Underlying organic sales growth, plus contributions from the company's recently acquired businesses, offset lower year-over-year selling prices in Distribution, PP&S, and Designed Structures and Solutions (DSS), due to lower hydro-carbon based raw material costs.

Announced transformative portfolio improvements by divesting Performance Products and Solutions (PP&S) segment and signing definitive agreement to acquire Clariant Masterbatch business It was also the year we took two major steps forward in our specialty transformation with the divestiture of PP&S for

The company noted customers are citing concerns over tariffs and persistent inflation as possible drivers of these demand conditions, which most heavily impacted the Performance Products and Solutions (PP&S) and Distribution segments.  If so, lower operating income from PP&S and Distribution could offset continued growth in Color, Additives & Inks and Engineered Materials in the fourth quarter.

Softening demand conditions in the fourth quarter most heavily impacted the Performance Products and Solutions (PP&S) and Specialty Engineered Materials (SEM) segments. Specifically, end markets negatively impacting PP&S were building & construction and appliance.

Our additive concentrates encompass a wide variety of performance and process enhancing characteristics and are commonly categorized by the function that they perform, including UV light stabilization and blocking, antimicrobial, anti-static, blowing or foaming, antioxidant, lubricant, oxygen and visible light blocking and productivity enhancement.

Our additive concentrates encompass a wide variety of performance and process enhancing characteristics and are commonly categorized by the function that they perform, including UV light stabilization and blocking, antimicrobial, anti-static, blowing or foaming, antioxidant, lubricant, oxygen and visible light blocking and productivity enhancement.

PP

Patterson said, "We've had a strong start to the year, driven by gains in Distribution and PP&S.