Company: AVNT
Filing Date: 2025-02-18
Form Type: 10-K
Source: 0001122976-25-000008
Chunk: 4

Company: AVIENT CORP
Filing Date: 2025-02-18
Form: 10-K
Item: Item 1A
Chunk 4
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Risk Factors

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Patents and Trademarks

We own and maintain a number of patents and trademarks in the United States and other key countries that contribute to our competitiveness in the markets we serve because they protect our inventions and product names against infringement by others. Patents may exist for 20 years from filing date, and trademarks may have an indefinite life based upon continued use. While we view our patents and trademarks to be valuable because of the broad scope of our products and services and brand recognition we enjoy, we do not believe that the loss or expiration of any single patent or trademark would have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position or cash flows. Nevertheless, we have management processes designed to rigorously protect our inventions and trademarks.

3 AVIENT CORPORATION

Seasonality

Sales of our products and services are typically seasonal, as demand has historically been slower in the third and fourth quarters of the calendar year. In addition, our defense business is, in part, associated with tenders and project-based work, which can lead to inconsistent order patterns on a quarter over quarter basis.

Working Capital Practices

Our products are generally manufactured with a short turnaround time, and the scheduling of manufacturing activities from customer orders generally includes enough lead time to assure delivery of an adequate supply of raw materials. We agree to payment terms with our customers and suppliers that are competitive.

Significant Customers

No customer accounted for more than 3% of our consolidated revenues in 2024.

Research and Development

One of our strategic drivers is to "Amplify Innovation," and we have substantial technology and development capabilities, powered by approximately 1,100 employees serving in technical capacities, approximately 120 of whom have PhD level educations. Our efforts are largely devoted to developing new materials solutions to address evolving market and sustainability needs. We do this by providing quality technical services to evaluate alternative raw materials, facilitating the continued success of our products for customer applications, providing technology to improve our products, processes and applications and providing support to our manufacturing plants for cost reduction, productivity and quality improvement programs. We operate research and development centers that support our commercial development activities and manufacturing operations. These facilities are equipped with state-of-the-art analytical, synthesis, polymer characterization and testing equipment, along with pilot plants and polymer manufacturing operations that simulate specific production processes. Our investment in product research and development was $98.7 million in 2024, $90.3 million in 2023, and $84.9 million in 2022.

Methods of Distribution

We sell products primarily through