PolyOne Collaborates with WaterStep to Increase Access to Clean Water

September 15, 2014

CLEVELAND – PolyOne Corporation (NYSE: POL), a premier global provider of specialized polymer materials, services and solutions, today announced that its recent work with WaterStep, a non-profit water purification agency, has enabled the organization to assist a greater number of disaster victims and those in need around the globe.
With a presence in more than 30 countries, WaterStep delivers water treatment, health and hygiene training and disaster relief by providing people around the world access to safe, clean water.

PolyOne’s collaboration with the WaterStep team improved product design and performance for WaterStep's M-100 water purification system. Specifically, PolyOne's high impact Geon™ formulation increased durability of the system to facilitate air-drop deliveries into remote areas in distress or recovering from natural disasters. It also meets NSF potable water, UV and chemical resistance requirements.

“It was extremely gratifying for PolyOne to collaborate with WaterStep and its ongoing mission of providing access to clean water to those in need,” said Michael A. Garratt, president, Performance Products and Solutions, PolyOne Corporation. “We are proud that our material and design support are contributing to WaterStep’s important relief work and global outreach.”

Sam DuPlessis, an engineer and WaterStep volunteer, explained, “By enabling us to produce a more durable purifier with greater efficiency, PolyOne has helped the WaterStep team to air-drop more units with greater confidence and help more people in need. This design will better serve disaster victims in the many countries that WaterStep reaches with our ongoing relief and humanitarian aid efforts.”

About PolyOne

PolyOne Corporation, with 2013 revenues of $3.8 billion, is a premier provider of specialized polymer materials, services and solutions. The company is dedicated to serving customers in diverse industries around the globe, by creating value through collaboration, innovation and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Guided by its Core Values, Sustainability Promise and No Surprises PledgeSM, PolyOne is committed to its customers, employees, communities and shareholders through ethical, sustainable and fiscally responsible principles. For more information, visit www.polyone.com.

About WaterStep

WaterStep is an international non-profit organization that provides those in need with the training and technology needed for making clean water. Roughly 875 million people live without access to clean water today, and 2.2 million children die each year from dehydration, diarrhea and other complications caused by waterborne illnesses. At WaterStep, our hope is that we will be able to see the day when every person has access to safe, clean water. By empowering ordinary people, using appropriate technology and training, and partnering with volunteers and humanitarian professionals, we are taking steps toward this goal.

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Corporate Media Contact:
Kyle G. Rose
Director, Corporate Communications
PolyOne Corporation
+1 440-930-3162
kyle.rose@avient.com

Trade Media Contact:
Michelle Maniscalco
Marketing Communications Manager, North America
PolyOne Corporation
+1 440-930-1988
michelle.maniscalco@avient.com