Here are 1-2 brief analogies for Avient (AVNT):

• The 3M of specialized polymer solutions. (Like 3M, Avient innovates in materials science to provide diverse, specialized solutions across industries, but with a focus on polymers.)
• A modern DuPont focused on high-performance plastics. (Similar to DuPont's legacy in creating groundbreaking materials, Avient specializes in developing and supplying advanced, custom-engineered plastic and composite materials.)

• Specialty Engineered Materials: Custom-formulated polymer solutions, composites, and advanced materials designed for specific performance requirements.
• Color & Additive Concentrates: Masterbatches and compounds that provide color, enhance performance, or add functionality to plastic products.
• Thermoplastic Distribution: Distribution of a wide range of prime thermoplastic resins from leading producers to various industrial processors.

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Ashish K. Khandpur, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

Dr. Ashish K. Khandpur was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Avient in December 2023, and Chairman of the Board in May 2025. He joined Avient after a nearly three-decade career at 3M, where he held various R&D and technology roles, eventually becoming Chief Technology Officer. He also led several of 3M's businesses, most recently serving as Group President of 3M's Transportation and Electronics Business, which generated approximately $8.9 billion in revenue in 2022. Dr. Khandpur holds undergraduate and doctorate degrees in chemical engineering.

Jamie A. Beggs, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

Jamie A. Beggs joined Avient in August 2020 as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer. She has over 20 years of experience in financial leadership within both public and private organizations, with a focus on specialty materials and diverse end markets. Prior to Avient, Ms. Beggs served as Chief Financial Officer of Hunt Consolidated, Inc., a diversified holding company. Before that, she spent 10 years at Celanese Corporation in various finance and business leadership positions, including Corporate Vice President and Treasurer, and Chief Financial Officer of the Materials Solutions business. She began her career at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and holds Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Accounting from the University of Texas at Austin. Ms. Beggs also serves on the Board of Directors of International Paper (NYSE: IP).

Philip G. Clark, Ph.D., Senior Vice President, Chief Technology Officer

Dr. Philip G. Clark is Senior Vice President, Chief Technology Officer, for Avient Corporation. He is responsible for developing and executing Avient's long-term innovation strategy. Dr. Clark joined Avient in 2024 from Nouryon, a global specialty chemicals organization, where he served as Chief Technology Officer. Before Nouryon, he spent 17 years at 3M, leading R&D efforts in corporate innovation and business segments, including an international assignment in South Korea. He served as 3M's Vice President for Research and Development for the Automotive and Aerospace Solutions division. Dr. Clark holds a Ph.D. and Master's degree in Physical Chemistry from Harvard University and a Bachelor's degree with a dual major in Chemistry and Biology from Bates College.

Kristen Gajewski, Senior Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer

Kristen Gajewski is Senior Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer at Avient Corporation, a role she has held since 2023. She has global responsibility for the Human Resources function. Ms. Gajewski joined Avient in July 2013 from AkzoNobel/PPG and has held multiple roles with increasing responsibility within Human Resources, including HR Director for Avient's Color, Additives & Inks business segment and an international assignment with responsibility for the EMEA and India regions. She also led Avient's learning and organizational development programs, talent management, and acquisition. Ms. Gajewski holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Organizational Psychology from Bowling Green State University.

David Schneider, Senior Vice President, President of Specialty Engineered Materials

David Schneider is Senior Vice President and President, Specialty Engineered Materials, for Avient Corporation. He joined Avient in 2025 and has over three decades of experience in specialty materials and businesses, including semiconductors, automotive aftermarket, electronics, healthcare, and industrial markets. Mr. Schneider previously served as Global Vice President for the Electronics Materials Solutions Division at 3M, where he led strategic growth and operational performance across a complex global portfolio. He began his career in 1993 at 3M in process engineering and manufacturing roles, progressing into product management, business development, and acquisition integration positions. Mr. Schneider holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from North Dakota State University and is a certified Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt.

The key risks to Avient's business include:

1. Macroeconomic Headwinds and Weak Demand: Avient is significantly exposed to the cyclical nature of the global economy and faces challenges from subdued consumer and packaging demand, as well as general slowdowns in the various industries it serves. This has led to declining organic sales and puts pressure on the company's revenue generation, even with effective cost management.
2. Intense Competition and Innovation Pressures: Avient operates in a highly competitive specialty materials industry, where it faces significant risks from rivals on pricing, product innovation, and customer service. The development and introduction of superior products by competitors could erode Avient's market acceptance, reduce sales and earnings, and lead to intensified price competition that negatively impacts cash flow. Delays or failures in Avient's research and development efforts could further diminish its competitive edge.
3. Raw Material Price Volatility and Supply Chain Disruptions: As a company in the chemicals industry, Avient is vulnerable to fluctuations in the prices of raw materials, as well as potential supply disruptions, shortages, and logistical inefficiencies. These factors can directly increase production costs and negatively affect profit margins if the company is unable to pass on higher costs to its customers through increased pricing.

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Avient (AVNT) operates primarily in two main product segments: Specialty Engineered Materials and Color, Additives, and Inks.

Specialty Engineered Materials

The addressable market for specialty engineered materials, which encompass specialty polymers, is substantial and global. The global specialty polymers market size was estimated at USD 185.10 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 362.31 billion by 2033. Another estimate places the global market at USD 199.5 billion in 2025, with an expected growth to USD 422.9 billion by 2035. Avient itself has stated its addressable market within Global Specialty Engineered Materials to be greater than $15 billion.

Color, Additives, and Inks

This segment's addressable market can be broadly covered by the global masterbatch market. The global masterbatch market was valued at USD 6.88 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 11.03 billion by 2032. Other sources estimate the global masterbatch market at USD 12.41 billion in 2025, projected to reach USD 15.49 billion by 2030. A specific component of this segment, the additive masterbatch market, is projected to grow from USD 2.15 billion in 2025 to USD 2.87 billion by 2030 globally.

Avient (AVNT) is expected to drive future revenue growth over the next 2-3 years through a combination of strategic initiatives and market-specific opportunities:

1. Innovation and Growth in Healthcare and Defense Portfolios: Avient anticipates continued strong performance and growth in its healthcare and defense sectors, driven by innovative product offerings in areas such as medical devices and telecommunications.
2. Productivity Initiatives and Margin Expansion: The company's strategic focus on enhanced productivity, cost control, and portfolio prioritization is expected to continue driving margin expansion and earnings growth. These efficiencies enable Avient to remain competitive and support sustainable investments in growth areas.
3. Growth in Key Geographic Markets and End Markets: Avient has experienced strong organic growth in regions such as Latin America and Asia, particularly within the packaging and consumer markets. Additionally, the demand for composite materials in the building and construction market is contributing to revenue growth in the US and Canada.
4. Launch and Adoption of New Products: The successful launch and adoption of recently introduced innovative products, especially within the healthcare and defense markets, are expected to fuel future revenue.

Share Repurchases

• Avient's Board of Directors authorized a common share repurchase program, which was increased by an additional 5.0 million shares on December 9, 2020.
• As of December 31, 2024, approximately 5.0 million shares remained available for purchase under these authorizations with no expiration.
• Share repurchases have been on hold as the company focuses on deleveraging, with potential resumption expected once the net debt-to-EBITDA ratio reaches approximately 2.5x, possibly in the latter half of 2026.

Share Issuance

• Avient used $496.1 million in net proceeds from the issuance of common shares to help finance the acquisition of the Clariant Masterbatches business in 2020.
• The 2020 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan initially reserved 2.5 million common shares for various share-based awards, with an additional 2.5 million common shares approved in May 2023.
• The number of outstanding common shares was 91,563,628 as of September 30, 2025.

Outbound Investments

• Avient acquired the Clariant Color business on July 1, 2020, for $1.4 billion, net of cash.
• The company acquired DSM Protective Materials in 2022 for $1.485 billion, financed through debt and cash on hand.

Capital Expenditures

• Capital expenditures are forecast to be approximately $110 million for 2025.
• In 2023, estimated capital expenditures were approximately $150 million, primarily to support sales growth, continued investment in recent acquisitions, and other strategic investments.
• Capital expenditures were estimated at $90 million in 2022, excluding amounts for IT system upgrades and synergy capture.