PR Newswire | Nov 3, 2020 06:36AM EST

11/03 05:35 CST

Avient Announces Third Quarter 2020 Results- GAAP EPS from continuing operations of $0.02 compared to $0.30 in the prior year quarter; current year quarter includes $0.44 of special items primarily associated with acquisition-related costs and an adjustment to environmental reserves- Adjusted EPS of $0.54, excluding step up depreciation and amortization related to the Clariant Masterbatch acquisition, exceeded September projection of $0.51 on better than expected sales and margins in all segments and regions- Adjusted EPS of $0.46, including step-up depreciation and amortization, exceeded September projection of $0.43 and prior year of $0.44- Specialty Engineered Materials achieved record third quarter operating income of $24.7 million, a 27% increase over the prior year- Published comprehensive new Sustainability Report, highlighting the company's most recent contributions in sustainability and its 2030 Sustainability Goals CLEVELAND, Nov. 3, 2020

CLEVELAND, Nov. 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Avient Corporation (NYSE: AVNT), a leading provider of specialized and sustainable material solutions, today reported its third quarter results for 2020. GAAP earnings per share (EPS) from continuing operations were $0.02 in the third quarter of 2020 compared to $0.30 in the third quarter of 2019.

The company noted that GAAP EPS includes special items (Attachment 3) primarily associated with acquisition-related costs and an adjustment to environmental reserves. Acquisition-related costs primarily consist of inventory step-up and the financing commitment for the Clariant Masterbatch acquisition. Adjusted EPS of $0.54 ($0.46 including step-up depreciation and amortization) exceeded the projection included in the company's third quarter performance update provided in September.

"I am pleased with our results for the quarter given the recent challenges of the coronavirus pandemic. As we closed out September, we experienced better-than-expected revenue and margin performance across all businesses and regions," said Robert M. Patterson, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Avient Corporation.

Mr. Patterson added, "Driven by demand for composites, Specialty Engineered Materials delivered record third quarter operating income of $24.7 million; a 27% increase over the prior year. In addition, we are seeing very good early integration success with Clariant Masterbatch."

The company noted that integration with the Clariant Masterbatch business continues to exceed expectations and confirmed its recently increased synergy estimate of $75 million. In addition, cash on-hand as of September 30, 2020 was $577 million, which exceeds previous expectations. The company now expects net debt to adjusted EBITDA will be below 3.0x by year-end.

Mr. Patterson continued, "With the divestment of Performance Products and Solutions and the acquisition of Clariant Masterbatch, our portfolio is far more specialized, with 87% of adjusted segment EBITDA generated from specialty applications. In addition, nearly 60% of sales are coming from applications going into the growing packaging, consumer and healthcare end markets."

"As we start the fourth quarter, we see demand continuing to improve but recognize there remains uncertainty with how the ongoing pandemic recovery will unfold," Mr. Patterson said. "We remain committed to keeping health and safety first, providing world-class service to our customers, and utilizing our unique position to help the ongoing recovery efforts taking place around the world."

New Sustainability Report and 2030 Sustainability Goals

Sustainable solutions remain a key driver of growth for the company, and the most recent contributions and data are available in Avient's recently published Sustainability Report, available at www.avient.com/sustainability. "This year's sustainability report captures the incredible work we're doing to solve the pressing sustainability challenges of our customers and the planet. At the same time, we've established and announced our 2030 Sustainability Goals to drive ongoing impact and performance in the future," Mr. Patterson said.

Conference Call

Avient will conduct a conference call at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time on November 3, 2020. To participate in the conference call, dial 1-844-835-7433 (domestic) or 1-914-495-8589 (international) and provide conference ID number 1743847. A simultaneous webcast of the call will be accessible via the Company's website at www.avient.com/investors.

A recording of the call will also be available for one week, beginning at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time on November 3, 2020. To listen to this recording, dial 1-855-859-2056 (domestic) or 1-404-537-3406 (international) and enter conference ID number 1743847.

About Avient

Avient Corporation (NYSE: AVNT), with projected 2020 pro forma revenues of approximately $3.7 billion, provides specialized and sustainable material solutions that transform customer challenges into opportunities, bringing new products to life for a better world. Examples include:

* Barrier technologies that preserve the shelf-life and quality of food, beverages, medicine and other perishable goods through high-performance materials that require less plastic * Light-weighting solutions that replace heavier traditional materials like metal, glass and wood, which can improve fuel efficiency in all modes of transportation * Breakthrough technologies that minimize wastewater and improve the recyclability of materials and packaging across a spectrum of end uses

Avient employs approximately 9,100 associates and is certified ACC Responsible Care(r) and a founding member of the Alliance to End Plastic Waste. For more information, visit www.avient.com.

Forward-looking Statements

In this press release, statements that are not reported financial results or other historical information are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements give current expectations or forecasts of future events and are not guarantees of future performance. 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 the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has on our business, results from operations, financial condition and liquidity; our ability to achieve the strategic and other objectives relating to the acquisition of Clariant's Masterbatch business, including any expected synergies; our ability to successfully integrate Clariant's Masterbatch business and achieve the expected results of the acquisition of Clariant's Masterbatch business, 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; changes in polymer consumption growth rates and laws and regulations regarding plastics 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; our ability to continue to pay cash dividends including at the increased rate; an inability to raise or sustain prices for products or services; an ability to achieve or delays in achieving or achievement of less than the anticipated financial benefit from initiatives related to acquisitions and integration, working capital reductions, costs reductions and employee productivity goals; 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. 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. 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.

Attachment 1

Avient Corporation

Summary of Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)

(In millions, except per share data)



Three Months EndedNine Months Ended September 30, September 30,

2020 2019 2020 2019



Sales $924.5$705.3$2,245.1$2,204.1

Operating Income 33.5 43.1 124.3 136.3

Net income from continuing operations attributable to Avient 1.7 23.5 57.8 69.1 shareholders

Basic earnings per share from continuing operations attributable$0.02 $0.31 $0.64 $0.89 to Avient shareholders

Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations attributable$0.02 $0.30 $0.64 $0.89 to Avient shareholders

Senior management uses comparisons of adjusted net income from continuing operations attributable to Avient shareholders and diluted adjusted earnings per share (EPS) from continuing operations attributable to Avient shareholders, excluding special items, to assess performance and facilitate comparability of results. Senior management believes these measures are useful to investors because they allow for comparison to Avient's performance in prior periods without the effect of items that, by their nature, tend to obscure Avient's operating results due to the potential variability across periods based on timing, frequency and magnitude. Non-GAAP financial measures have limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation from, or solely as alternatives to, financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. Below is a reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. See Attachment 3 for a definition and summary of special items.

Three Months Ended Three Months Ended September 30, 2020 September 30, 2019

Reconciliation to Condensed $ EPS $ EPS Consolidated Statements of Income



Net income from continuing operations $ 1.7 $ 0.02 $23.5$0.30 attributable to Avient shareholders

Special items, after tax (Attachment 40.3 0.44 10.5 0.14 3)

Adjusted net income / EPS - excluding $ 42.0$ 0.46 $34.0$0.44 special items

Nine Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 September 30, 2019

Reconciliation to Condensed $ EPS $ EPS Consolidated Statements of Income



Net income from continuing operations $ 57.8 $ 0.64$69.1 $0.89 attributable to Avient shareholders

Special items, after tax (Attachment 51.5 0.57 35.9 0.46 3)

Adjusted net income / EPS - excluding $ 109.3$ 1.21$105.0$1.35 special items

For purposes of comparability to the prior year, senior management has referenced adjusted EPS excluding special items and the impact of the Clariant Masterbatch (MB) step-up depreciation and amortization. This calculation of adjusted EPS excludes the additional step-up in depreciation recognized in connection with the Clariant MB acquisition.

Three Months Ended Three Months Ended September 30, 2020 September 30, 2019

Reconciliation to Condensed $ EPS $ EPS Consolidated Statements of Income



Net income from continuing operations $ 1.7 $ 0.02 $23.5$0.30 attributable to Avient shareholders

Special items and the impact of Clariant MB step-up depreciation and 47.5 0.52 10.5 0.14 amortization, after tax (Attachment 7)

Adjusted net income / EPS - excluding special items and Clariant MB step-up $ 49.2$ 0.54 $34.0$0.44 depreciation and amortization

Nine Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 September 30, 2019

Reconciliation to Condensed $ EPS $ EPS Consolidated Statements of Income



Net income from continuing operations $ 57.8 $ 0.64$69.1 $0.89 attributable to Avient shareholders

Special items and the impact of Clariant MB step-up depreciation and 58.7 0.65 35.9 0.46 amortization, after tax (Attachment 7)

Adjusted net income / EPS - excluding special items and Clariant MB step-up $ 116.5$ 1.29$105.0$1.35 depreciation and amortization

Attachment 2

Avient Corporation

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)

(In millions, except per share data)



Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30,

2020 2019 2020 2019



Sales $924.5 $705.3 $2,245.1$2,204.1

Cost of sales 714.3 544.8 1,713.7 1,700.2

Gross margin 210.2 160.5 531.4 503.9

Selling and administrative 176.7 117.4 407.1 367.6 expense

Operating income 33.5 43.1 124.3 136.3

Interest expense, net (29.7) (15.5) (55.3) (47.6)

Other income, net 1.5 0.6 12.6 1.4

Income from continuing 5.3 28.2 81.6 90.1 operations before income taxes

Income taxes (2.7) (4.6) (22.5) (20.8)

Net income from continuing 2.6 23.6 59.1 69.3 operations

Income (loss) from discontinued - 19.5 (0.5) 54.2 operations, net of income taxes

Net income 2.6 43.1 58.6 123.5

Net income attributable to (0.9) (0.1) (1.3) (0.2) noncontrolling interests

Net income attributable to $1.7 $43.0 $57.3 $123.3 Avient common shareholders



Earnings per share attributable to Avient common shareholders - Basic:

Continuing operations $0.02 $0.31 $0.64 $0.89

Discontinued operations - 0.25 - 0.71

Total $0.02 $0.56 $0.64 $1.60



Earnings per share attributable to Avient common shareholders - Diluted:

Continuing operations $0.02 $0.30 $0.64 $0.89

Discontinued operations - 0.26 (0.01) 0.69

Total $0.02 $0.56 $0.63 $1.58



Cash dividends declared per $0.2025$0.1950$0.6075 $0.5850 share of common stock



Weighted-average shares used to compute earnings per common share:

Basic 91.5 76.9 89.7 77.3

Diluted 91.9 77.4 90.7 77.8

Attachment 3

Avient Corporation

Summary of Special Items (Unaudited)

(In millions, except per share data)



Special items ^(1) Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30,

2020 2019 2020 2019

Cost of sales:

Restructuring costs, including accelerated depreciation and $(1.3) $- $(2.5) $0.3 amortization

Environmental remediation costs (15.8) (6.4) (19.3) (10.4)

Reimbursement of previously - 4.0 8.7 4.0 incurred environmental costs

Inventory fair market value (10.5) - (10.5) (2.0) step-up expense

Impact on cost of sales (27.6) (2.4) (23.6) (8.1)



Selling and administrative expense:

Restructuring, legal and other (6.9) (3.0) (15.3) (15.0)

Acquisition earn-out adjustments (1.5) (10.0) (2.5) (20.7)

Acquisition related costs (4.4) (1.0) (17.7) (3.3)

Impact on selling and (12.8) (14.0) (35.5) (39.0) administrative expense



Impact on operating income (40.4) (16.4) (59.1) (47.1)



Costs related to committed (9.6) - (10.1) - financing in interest expense, net

Other income, net - 0.1 0.3 0.4

Pension settlement gain and - - 6.9 - mark-to-market adjustment

Impact on income from continuing (50.0) (16.3) (62.0) (46.7) operations before income taxes

Income tax benefit on above 12.7 4.1 15.4 11.5 special items

Tax adjustments^(2) (3.0) 1.7 (4.9) (0.7)

Impact of special items on net income from continuing operations $(40.3)$(10.5)$(51.5)$(35.9)attributable to Avient Shareholders



Diluted earnings per common share impact, excluding Clariant MB $(0.44)$(0.14)$(0.57)$(0.46)step-up depreciation and amortization



Weighted average shares used to compute adjusted earnings per share:

Diluted 91.9 77.4 90.7 77.8



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 realignment costs, executive separation agreements; asset impairments; settlement gains or losses and mark-to-market adjustments associated with actuarial gains and losses on ^ pension and other post-retirement benefit plans; environmental (1)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.

^ Tax adjustments include the net tax benefit/(expense) from one-time (2)income tax items, the set-up or reversal of uncertain tax position reserves and deferred income tax valuation allowance adjustments.

Attachment 4

Avient Corporation

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In millions)



(Unaudited) December 31, September 30, 2020 2019

ASSETS

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents $577.3 $ 864.7

Accounts receivable, net 514.3 330.0

Inventories, net 311.4 260.9

Other current assets 94.8 57.7

Total current assets 1,497.8 1,513.3

Property, net 674.5 407.4

Goodwill 1,280.0 685.7

Intangible assets, net 993.0 469.3

Operating lease assets, net 88.3 63.8

Other non-current assets 176.3 133.8

Total assets $4,709.9 $ 3,273.3



LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

Current liabilities:

Short-term and current portion of long-term $18.7 $ 18.4 debt

Accounts payable 403.6 287.7

Current operating lease obligations 25.3 21.0

Accrued expenses and other current 321.3 375.4 liabilities

Total current liabilities 768.9 702.5

Non-current liabilities:

Long-term debt 1,855.2 1,210.9

Pension and other post-retirement benefits 113.8 56.6

Non-current operating lease obligations 63.0 42.8

Other non-current liabilities 297.9 207.8

Total non-current liabilities 2,329.9 1,518.1

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

Avient shareholders' equity 1,597.0 1,051.9

Noncontrolling interest 14.1 0.8

Total equity 1,611.1 1,052.7

Total liabilities and equity $4,709.9 $ 3,273.3

Attachment 5

Avient Corporation

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

(In millions)



Nine Months Ended September 30,

2020 2019

Operating Activities

Net income $58.6 $123.5

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

Depreciation and amortization 74.8 68.4

Accelerated depreciation and amortization 2.5 -

Share-based compensation expense 7.1 8.7

Changes in assets and liabilities, net of the effect of acquisitions:

Increase in accounts receivable (12.7) (12.7)

Decrease in inventories 53.0 20.0

Increase (decrease) in accounts payable 21.3 (28.3)

Decrease in pension and other post-retirement benefits (14.4) (7.0)

Increase in post-acquisition earnout liabilities 2.5 20.7

Increase in accrued expenses and other assets and 56.1 5.3 liabilities, net

Taxes paid on gain on divestiture (142.0) -

Payment of post-acquisition date earnout liability (38.1) -

Net cash provided by operating activities 68.7 198.6

Investing activities

Capital expenditures (38.6) (47.9)

Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired (1,342.7)(119.6)

Net proceeds from divestiture 7.1 -

Net proceeds from other assets 5.2 5.3

Net cash used by investing activities (1,369.0)(162.2)

Financing activities

Debt offering proceeds 650.0 -

Borrowings under credit facilities - 882.4

Repayments under credit facilities - (808.5)

Purchase of common shares for treasury (13.6) (26.9)

Cash dividends paid (52.8) (45.7)

Repayment of long-term debt (6.0) (4.9)

Payments of withholding tax on share awards (1.9) (2.0)

Debt financing costs (9.5) (0.2)

Equity offering proceeds, net of underwriting discount 496.1 - and issuance costs

Payment of acquisition date earnout liability (50.8) -

Net cash provided (used) by financing activities 1,011.5 (5.8)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash 1.4 (1.9)

(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents (287.4) 28.7

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 864.7 170.9

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $577.3 $199.6

Attachment 6

Avient Corporation

Business Segment Operations (Unaudited)

(In millions)

Operating income and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation andamortization (EBITDA) at the segment level does not include: special items asdefined in Attachment 3; corporate general and administration costs that arenot allocated to segments; intersegment sales and profit eliminations;share-based compensation costs; and certain other items that are not includedin the measure of segment profit and loss that is reported to and reviewed bythe chief operating decision maker. These costs are included in Corporate andeliminations.

Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended

September 30, September 30,

2020 2019 2020 2019

Sales:

Color, Additives and Inks $ 493.8 $ 246.3 $ 977.1 $ 777.1

Specialty Engineered Materials 174.1 183.0 518.2 568.2

Distribution 276.9 295.9 805.2 919.8

Corporate and eliminations (20.3) (19.9) (55.4) (61.0)

Sales $ 924.5 $ 705.3 $ 2,245.1 $ 2,204.1

Gross margin:

Color, Additives and Inks $ 155.0 $ 83.7 $ 320.1 $ 264.5

Specialty Engineered Materials 53.4 48.1 148.5 152.5

Distribution 30.8 32.7 91.6 101.1

Corporate and eliminations (29.0) (4.0) (28.8) (14.2)

Gross margin $ 210.2 $ 160.5 $ 531.4 $ 503.9

Selling and administrative expense:

Color, Additives and Inks $ 104.5 $ 45.3 $ 196.8 $ 144.3

Specialty Engineered Materials 28.7 28.6 84.5 87.6

Distribution 13.3 13.9 40.1 42.7

Corporate and eliminations 30.2 29.6 85.7 93.0

Selling and administrative $ 176.7 $ 117.4 $ 407.1 $ 367.6expense

Operating income:

Color, Additives and Inks $ 50.5 $ 38.4 $ 123.3 $ 120.2

Specialty Engineered Materials 24.7 19.5 64.0 64.9

Distribution 17.5 18.8 51.5 58.4

Corporate and eliminations (59.2) (33.6) (114.5) (107.2)

Operating income $ 33.5 $ 43.1 $ 124.3 $ 136.3

Earnings Before Interest, Taxes,Depreciation and Amortization(EBITDA):

Color, Additives and Inks $ 76.8 $ 49.2 $ 171.3 $ 152.5

Specialty Engineered Materials 32.2 27.2 86.7 87.7

Distribution 17.7 18.9 51.9 58.8

Corporate and eliminations (55.2) (31.9) (95.7) (102.3)

EBITDA $ 71.5 $ 63.4 $ 214.2 $ 196.7

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 incomebefore special items to assess performance and allocate resources becausesenior management believes that these measures are useful in understandingcurrent profitability levels and how it may serve as a basis for futureperformance. In addition, operating income before the effect of special itemsis a component of Avient annual and long-term employee incentive plans and isused in debt covenant computations. Senior management believes these measuresare useful to investors because they allow for comparison to Avient'sperformance in prior periods without the effect of items that, by their nature,tend to obscure Avient's operating results due to the potential variabilityacross periods based on timing, frequency and magnitude. Non-GAAP financialmeasures have limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered inisolation from, or solely as alternatives to, financial measures prepared inaccordance with GAAP. Below is a reconciliation of these non-GAAP financialmeasures to their most directly comparable financial measures calculated andpresented in accordance with GAAP. See Attachment 3 for a definition andsummary of special items.

Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended

September 30, September 30,

Reconciliation toConsolidated Statements 2020 2019 2020 2019of Income

Sales $ 924.5 $ 705.3 $ 2,245.1 $ 2,204.1

Gross margin - GAAP 210.2 160.5 531.4 503.9

Special items in gross 27.6 2.4 23.6 8.1margin (Attachment 3)

Adjusted Gross margin $ 237.8 $ 162.9 $ 555.0 $ 512.0

Adjusted Gross margin as 25.7 % 23.1 % 24.7 % 23.2 %a percent of sales

Operating income - GAAP 33.5 43.1 124.3 136.3

Special items inoperating income 40.4 16.4 59.1 47.1(Attachment 3)

Adjusted Operating income $ 73.9 $ 59.5 $ 183.4 $ 183.4

Adjusted Operating income 8.0 % 8.4 % 8.2 % 8.3 %as a percent of sales

The table below reconciles pre-special income tax expense and the pre-special effective tax rate to their most comparable US GAAP figures.

Three Months Ended Three Months Ended September 30, 2020 September 30, 2019

GAAP Special Adjusted GAAP Special Adjusted Results Items Results Results Items Results



Income from continuing operations $5.3 $50.0 $55.3 $28.2 $16.3 $44.5 before income taxes



Income tax expense - (2.7) - (2.7) (4.6) - (4.6) GAAP

Income tax impact of special - (12.7) (12.7) - (4.1) (4.1) items (Attachment 3)

Tax adjustments - 3.0 3.0 - (1.7) (1.7) (Attachment 3)

Income tax (expense) $(2.7) $(9.7)$(12.4) $(4.6) $(5.8)$(10.4) benefit



Effective 51.9 % 22.7 %16.4 % 23.5 %Tax Rate^(1)

Nine Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 September 30, 2019

GAAP Special Adjusted GAAP Special Adjusted Results Items Results Results Items Results



Income from continuing operations $81.6 $62.0 $143.6 $90.1 $46.7 $136.8 before income taxes



Income tax expense - (22.5) - (22.5) (20.8) - (20.8) GAAP

Income tax impact of special - (15.4) (15.4) - (11.5) (11.5) items (Attachment 3)

Tax adjustments- 4.9 4.9 - 0.7 0.7 (Attachment 3)

Income tax $(22.5) $(10.5)$(33.0) $(20.8) $(10.8)$(31.6) expense



Effective Tax Rate^ 27.6 % 23.0 %23.1 % 23.2 %(1)

^(1) Rate may not recalculate from figures presented herein due to rounding.

We also monitor earnings (defined as net income from continuing operations) before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) and adjusted EBITDA (EBITDA before the impact of special items) as a supplement to our GAAP measures. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures that management uses in evaluating operating performance. The presentation of these measures is not intended to be considered in isolation from, as a substitute for, or as superior to, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The presentation of these measures may be different from non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies. A reconciliation of these consolidated measures to their most directly comparable GAAP measures is provided in the table below.

Reconciliation to Adjusted EBITDA Three Months EndedThree Months Ended September 30, 2020September 30, 2019

Net income from continuing operations -$2.6 $ 23.6 GAAP

Income tax expense 2.7 4.6

Interest expense 29.7 15.5

Depreciation and amortization from 36.5 19.7 continuing operations

EBITDA 71.5 63.4

Special items, before tax (Attachment 50.0 16.3 3)

Interest expense included in special (9.6) - items (Attachment 3)

Accelerated depreciation included in (1.3) - special items (Attachment 3)

Adjusted EBITDA $110.6 $ 79.7

Reconciliation to Adjusted EBITDA Nine Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020September 30, 2019

Net income from continuing operations -$59.1 $69.3 GAAP

Income tax expense 22.5 20.8

Interest expense 55.3 47.6

Depreciation and amortization from 77.3 59.0 continuing operations

EBITDA 214.2 196.7

Special items, before tax (Attachment 62.0 46.7 3)

Interest expense included in special (10.1) - items (Attachment 3)

Accelerated depreciation included in (2.5) - special items (Attachment 3)

Adjusted EBITDA $263.6 $243.4

Three Months EndedNine Months Ended Reconciliation of EBITDA by Segment September 30, September 30,

2020 2019 2020 2019

Operating income:

Color, Additives and Inks $50.5 $38.4 $123.3$120.2

Specialty Engineered Materials 24.7 19.5 64.0 64.9

Distribution 17.5 18.8 51.5 58.4

Corporate and eliminations (59.2) (33.6) (114.5)(107.2)

Operating income $33.5 $43.1 $124.3$136.3



Items Below OI in Corporate

Other income, net $1.5 $0.6 $12.6 $1.4



Depreciation & Amortization:

Color, Additives and Inks $26.3 $10.8 $48.0 $32.3

Specialty Engineered Materials 7.5 7.7 22.7 22.8

Distribution 0.2 0.1 0.4 0.4

Corporate and eliminations 2.5 1.1 6.2 3.5

Depreciation & Amortization $36.5 $19.7 $77.3 $59.0



EBITDA

Color, Additives and Inks $76.8 $49.2 $171.3$152.5

Specialty Engineered Materials 32.2 27.2 86.7 87.7

Distribution 17.7 18.9 51.9 58.8

Corporate and eliminations (55.2) (31.9) (95.7) (102.3)

EBITDA $71.5 $63.4 $214.2$196.7

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. Management believes, however, that free cash flow, which measures our ability to generate additional cash from our business operations, is an important financial measure for use in evaluating the company's financial performance. Free cash flow should be considered in addition to, rather than as a substitute for, consolidated net income as a measure of our performance and net cash provided by operating activities as a measure of our liquidity.

Three Months EndedFree Cash Flow Calculation September 30, 2020

Cash used by operating activities $ (7.3)

Capital expenditures (17.3)

Free Cash Flow (24.6)

Payment of post-acquisition date earnout liability17.1

Taxes paid on gain on sale of PP&S divestiture 138.7

Net effect of timing items related to Clariant MB (24.3)

Adjusted Free Cash Flow $ 106.9

Three Months Ended September 30, 2019

ContinuingDiscontinued Free Cash Flow Calculation Operations Total Operations

Cash provided by operating activities$ 70.1 $29.1 $ 99.2

Capital expenditures 17.5 3.9 21.4

Free Cash Flow $ 52.6 $25.2 $ 77.8

Reconciliation to Adjusted net income / EPS - Excluding Special Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Items and Clariant MB Step-up September 30, September 30, Depreciation and Amortization

2020 2019 2020 2019

Impact of special items on net income from continuing operations $(40.3)$(10.5)$(51.5)$(35.9)attributable to Avient Shareholders

Clariant MB step-up depreciation (7.2) - (7.2) - and amortization, net of tax

Impact of special items on net income from continuing operations attributable to Avient (47.5) (10.5) (58.7) (35.9) Shareholders and Clariant MB step-up depreciation & amortization



Diluted earnings per common share impact, including Clariant MB $(0.52)$(0.14)$(0.65)$(0.46)step-up depreciation and amortization



Weighted average shares used to compute adjusted earnings per share:

Diluted 91.9 77.4 90.7 77.8

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SOURCE Avient Corporation