UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

(RULERule 14a-101)

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT

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POLYONE CORPORATION

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in its Charter)

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LOGO

(POLYONE CORPORATION LOGO)
POLYONE CORPORATION

Notice of 20102013

Annual Meeting of Shareholders

and Proxy Statement


LOGO

(POLYONE CORPORATION LOGO)
March 29, 2010
April 2, 2013

Dear Fellow Shareholder:

You are cordially invited to attend the PolyOne Corporation Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 12, 2010,15, 2013, at LACENTRE Conference and Banquet Facility, Champagne C Ballroom, 25777 DetroitPolyOne Corporation’s corporate headquarters located at PolyOne Center, 33587 Walker Road, Westlake, Ohio.

Avon Lake, Ohio 44012.

A Notice of the Annual Meeting and the Proxy Statement follow. Please review this material for information concerning the business to be conducted at the Annual Meeting and the nominees for election as Directors.

You will also find enclosed a proxyand/or voting instruction card and an envelope in which to return the card. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, please complete, sign, date and return your enclosed proxyand/or voting instruction card, or vote over theby telephone or over the Internet as soon as possible so that your shares can be voted at the meeting in accordance with your instructions.Your vote is very important.You may, of course, withdraw your proxy and change your vote prior to or at the Annual Meeting, by following the steps described in the Proxy Statement.

I appreciate the strong support of our shareholders over the years and look forward to seeing you at the meeting.

Sincerely,
-s- Stephen D. Newlin
Stephen D. Newlin
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
PolyOne Corporation

Sincerely,
LOGO

Stephen D. Newlin

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

PolyOne Corporation

Please refer to the accompanying materials for voting instructions.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

POLYONE CORPORATION NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
POLYONE CORPORATION
PROXY STATEMENT
PROPOSAL 1 -- ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND BOARD MATTERS
2009 DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF COMMON SHARES
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
2009 GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS
2009 OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END
2009 OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED
2009 PENSION BENEFITS
2009 NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION
POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE-OF-CONTROL
PROPOSAL 2 -- APPROVAL OF THE POLYONE CORPORATION 2010 EQUITY AND PERFORMANCE INCENTIVE PLAN
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
PROPOSAL 3 -- APPROVAL OF THE POLYONE CORPORATION SENIOR EXECUTIVE ANNUAL INCENTIVE PLAN (EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2011)
PROPOSAL 4 -- RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
GENERAL
APPENDIX A POLYONE CORPORATION 2010 EQUITY AND PERFORMANCE INCENTIVE PLAN
APPENDIX B
POLYONE CORPORATION SENIOR EXECUTIVE ANNUAL INCENTIVE PLAN (EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2011)


POLYONE CORPORATION

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING

OF SHAREHOLDERS

The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of PolyOne Corporation will be held at the LACENTRE Conference and Banquet Facility, Champagne C Ballroom, 25777 DetroitPolyOne Corporation’s corporate headquarters located at PolyOne Center, 33587 Walker Road, Westlake,Avon Lake, Ohio 44012 at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 12, 2010.15, 2013. The purposes of the meeting are:

are to:

 1.To electElect as Directors the nineten nominees named in the proxy statement and recommended by the Board of Directors;

 2.ToConduct an advisory vote to approve the PolyOne Corporation 2010 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan;named executive officer compensation;

 3.To approve the PolyOne Corporation Senior Executive Annual Incentive Plan (Effective January 1, 2011);
4. To ratifyRatify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as PolyOne Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2010;2013; and

 5. 4.To considerConsider and transact any other business that may properly come before the meeting.

Shareholders of record at the close of business on March 15, 201018, 2013 are entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting.

For the Board of Directors
LOGO
LISA K. KUNKLE

Vice President, General Counsel

and Secretary

For the Board of Directors
-s- Lisa K. Kunkle
Lisa K. Kunkle
Vice President, General Counsel
and Secretary
March 29, 2010

April 2, 2013

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials

for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 12, 2010:15, 2013:

The proxy statement, proxy card and annual report to shareholders for the fiscal year ended December 31, 20092012 are available at our internet website, www.polyone.com, on the “Investors Relations” page.


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POLYONE CORPORATION

PolyOne Center

33587 Walker Road

Avon Lake, Ohio 44012

PROXY STATEMENT

Dated March 29, 2010April 2, 2013

Our Board of Directors respectfully requests your proxy for use at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held at the LACENTRE Conference and Banquet Facility, Champagne C Ballroom, 25777 DetroitPolyOne Corporation’s corporate headquarters located at PolyOne Center, 33587 Walker Road, Westlake,Avon Lake, Ohio 44012 at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 12, 2010,15, 2013, and at any adjournments of that meeting. This proxy statement is to inform you about the matters to be acted upon at the meeting.

If you attend the meeting, you may vote your shares by ballot. If you do not attend, your shares may still be voted at the meeting if you sign and return the enclosed proxy card. Common shares represented by a properly signed proxy card will be voted in accordance with the choices marked on the card. If no choices are marked, the shares will be voted (1) to elect the nominees listed on pages 34 through 78 of this proxy statement, (2) to approve, by non-binding vote, our named executive officers’ compensation for the PolyOne Corporation 2010 Equityfiscal year ended December 31, 2012 and Performance Incentive Plan, to approve the PolyOne Corporation Senior Executive Annual Incentive Plan (Effective January 1, 2011) and(3) to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2010.2013. You may revoke your proxy before it is voted by giving notice to us in writing or orally at the meeting. Persons entitled to direct the vote of shares held by the following plans will receive a separate voting instruction card: The PolyOne Retirement Savings Plan and PolyOne Canada Inc. Retirement Savings Program. If you receive a separate voting instruction card for one of these plans, you must sign and return the card as indicated on the card in order to instruct the trustee on how to vote the shares held under the respective plan. You may revoke your voting instruction card before the trustee votes the shares held by it by giving notice in writing to the trustee.

Shareholders may also submit their proxies by telephone or over the Internet. The telephone and Internet voting procedures are designed to authenticate votes cast by use of a personal identification number. These procedures allow shareholders to appoint a proxy to vote their shares and to confirm that their instructions have been properly recorded. Instructions for voting by telephone and over the Internet are printed on the proxy cards.

We are mailing this proxy statement and the enclosed proxy card and, if applicable, the voting instruction card, to shareholders on or about April 5, 2010.2, 2013. Our headquarters are located at PolyOne Center, 33587 Walker Road, Avon Lake, Ohio 44012 and our telephone number is(440) 930-1000.


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PROPOSAL 1 — ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Our Board of Directors currently consists of tennine Directors. Each Director serves for a one-year term and until a successor is duly elected and qualified, subject to the Director’s earlier death, retirement or resignation. Our Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that all non-employee Directors will retire from the Board not later than the first Annual Meetingannual meeting of Shareholdersshareholders immediately following the Director’s 70th birthday. In accordance with these Guidelines, Ms. Duff-Bloom will retire from72nd birthday, although the Board atmay waive this limitation if it determines that such a waiver is in PolyOne Corporation’s (“PolyOne” or the 2010 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Following Ms. Duff-Bloom’s retirement, our Board will consist of nine Directors.

“Company”) best interests.

A shareholder who wishes to suggestnominate a Director candidateperson for consideration by the Nominating and Governance Committeeelection as a Director must provide written notice to our Secretary in accordance with the procedures specified in Regulation 12 of our Regulations.Code of Regulations (“Regulations”). Generally, the Secretary must receive the notice not less than 60 nor more than 90 days prior to the first anniversary of the date on which we first mailed our proxy materials for the preceding year’s annual meeting. The notice must set forth, as to each nominee, the name, age, principal occupationsoccupation and employment during the past five years, name and principal business of any corporation or other organization in which such occupationsoccupation and employment were carried on and a brief description of any arrangement or understanding between such person and any others pursuant to which such person was selected as a nominee. The notice must include the nominee’s signed consent to serve as a Director if elected. The notice must set forth the name and address of, and the number of our common shares owned by, the shareholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner on whose behalf the nomination is made and any other shareholders believed to be supporting such nominee.

Following are the nominees for election as Directors for terms expiring in 2011,2014, a description of the business experience of each nominee and the names of other publicly-held companies for which he or she currently serves as a director or has served as a director during the past five years. Each nominee for election as Director was previously elected by our shareholders, with the exception of Sandra Beach Lin. Ms. Beach Lin was recommended to our Nominating and Governance Committee for election to the Board by a third-party search firm, Nosal Partners LLC. Ms. Beach Lin was subsequently recommended by our Nominating and Governance Committee to the Board and nominated for election as a Director by the Board at the 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. If Ms. Beach Lin is elected as a Director by our shareholders, the size of the Board will increase to ten members. The composition of the Board is intended to reflect an appropriate mix of skill sets, experience and qualifications that are relevant to PolyOne Corporation’s business and governance over time.

In addition to the information presented below regarding each nominee’s specific experience, qualifications, attributes and skills that led our Board to the conclusionsconclusion that the nominee should serve as a Director, the Board also believes that all of our Director nominees are individuals of substantial accomplishment with demonstrated leadership capabilities. Each of our DirectorsDirector nominees also has the following personal characteristics, which are required attributes for all Board nominees: high ethical standards, integrity, judgment and an ability to devote sufficient time to the affairs of our Company. EachWith the exception of Ms. Beach Lin, each of the nominees is a current member of the Board. The reference below each Director’s name to the term of service as a Director includes the period during which the Director served as a Director of The Geon Company (“Geon”) or M.A. Hanna Company (“M.A. Hanna”), each one of our predecessors. The information is current as of March 15, 2010.

18, 2013.

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Our Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the election to the Board of each of the following nominees:

J. Douglas Campbell

Sandra Beach Lin

New Director since 1993
Nominee

Age — 6855

  Retired Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ArrMaz Custom Chemicals, Inc., a specialty mining and asphalt additives and reagents producer. Mr. Campbell served in this capacity from December 2003 until the company was sold in July 2006. Mr. Campbell served as President, and Chief Executive Officer and was a Director of ArcadianCalisolar, Inc. (now Silicor Materials Inc.), a solar silicon company. Ms. Beach Lin served in this role from August 2010 until December 2011. She was Corporate Executive Vice President, from February 2009 to July 2010, and Executive Vice President, from July 2007 to February 2009, of Celanese Corporation, a nitrogen chemicalsglobal hybrid chemical company. Ms. Beach Lin currently serves on the Boards of Directors of WESCO International, Inc. and fertilizer manufacturer, from December 1992 untilAmerican Electric Power Company, Inc. Ms. Beach Lin also serves on the company was soldBoards of Directors of the Committee of 200 and Junior Achievement USA. Ms. Beach Lin has extensive senior executive experience, including as a chief executive officer, managing global businesses in 1997. We believe that Mr. Campbell is particularly qualified to servemultiple industries. This experience, along with her experience as a director for two other public companies, makes Ms. Beach Lin a valuable member of our Board because of his in- depth knowledge of our industry and his experience in holding leadership roles at otherBoard.


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manufacturing companies. Mr. Campbell has served as chief executive officer and has held other officer positions in the oil, chemical and plastics industries. We believe that the knowledge and skills that he gained in these roles provides him with an ideal background for serving as a director of PolyOne.

Dr. Carol A. Cartwright

Director since 1994

Age — 6871

  Retired President of Bowling Green State University, a public higher education institution, sinceinstitution. Dr. Cartwright served in this role from January 2009 until June 2011 and served as Interim President from July 2008 to January 2009. Dr. Cartwright served as President of Kent State University, a public higher education institution, from 1991 until her retirement in June 2006. Dr. Cartwright currently serves on the BoardsBoard of Directors of KeyCorp and FirstEnergy.FirstEnergy Corp. From 2002 to 2008, Dr. Cartwright served on the Board of Directors of The Davey Tree Expert Company.Company, and from 1997 to 2012, Dr. Cartwright served on the Board of Directors of KeyCorp. We believe that Dr. Cartwright has gained many of the skills and attributes necessary to serve as an effective member of our Board in her 1720 years of experience serving as a chief executive officer of large, complex, non-profit organizations. In her leadership role at these organizations, she has had responsibility for direct oversight for strategic planning, program development, financial management, capital construction, human resources, labor negotiations and investments. This specific experience, as well as her proven ability to lead, makes Dr. Cartwright an invaluable member of our Board.

Richard H. Fearon

Director since 2004

Age — 5457

  Vice Chairman and Chief Financial and Planning Officer of Eaton Corporation, a global manufacturing company, since February 2009. Mr. Fearon served as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial and Planning Officer of Eaton from April 2002 until February 2009. Mr. Fearon served as a Partner of Willow Place Partners LLC, a corporate advisory firm, from 2001 to 2002 and was the Senior Vice President Corporate Development for Transamerica Corporation, a financial services organization, from 1995 to 2000. We believe that Mr. Fearon’s financial expertise, experience and knowledge of

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international operations, knowledge of diversified companies and corporate development expertise provide him with the qualifications and skills to serve as a valued member of our Board. Mr. Fearon’s advice with respect to financial issues affecting our companyCompany is specifically valued and utilized, especially in his role as Chair of our Audit Committee. As a sitting executive and leader at a multi-national corporation, Mr. Fearon is particularly equipped to advise our Board on current issues facing our company.Company.

Gregory J. Goff

Director since 2011

Age — 56

  President and Chief Executive Officer of Tesoro Corporation, a leading company in the independent refining and marketing business, since May 2010 and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Tesoro Logistics, an NYSE-listed master limited partnership that owns, operates and develops crude oil and refined products and logistics assets, since April 2011. Mr. Goff served as Senior Vice President, Commercial of ConocoPhillips Corporation, an integrated energy company, from 2008 to 2010. Mr. Goff also held various other positions at ConocoPhillips from 1981 to 2008. Mr. Goff serves as a director of the American Fuels and Petrochemical Manufacturers and on the National Advisory Board of the University of Utah Business School. From 2008 to 2010, Mr. Goff served on the Board of Directors of DCP Midstream GP, LLC. We believe that, as a Board member with proven leadership capabilities, Mr. Goff will provide a fresh perspective on our strategy and operations. Mr. Goff’s deep understanding of the energy industry and specialty chemical businesses will provide valuable insight into PolyOne’s strategic planning. His experience as the Chief Executive Officer of a large, independent refining and petroleum products marketing company and his participation as a member of national trade associations provide him with invaluable experience that can enhance our Board.

Gordon D. Harnett

Director since 1997

Age — 6770

  Lead Director of our Board of Directors since July 18, 2007. Retired Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Materion Corp. (formerly known as Brush Engineered Materials Inc.), an international supplier and producer of high performance engineered materials. Mr. Harnett served in this capacity from 1991 until his retirement in May 2006. Mr. Harnett serves on the Boards of Directors of The Lubrizol Corporation, EnPro Industries, Inc. and Acuity Brands, Inc. From 1995 to 2011, he also served on the Board of Directors of The Lubrizol Corporation. We believe that Mr. Harnett’s extensive experience in the specialty chemicals industry

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provides him with unique skills in serving as a PolyOne Director. Mr. Harnett’s past experience includes leadership roles at a number of specialty chemical companies, including serving as a senior vice president of Goodrich Specialty Chemicals and president of Tremco, in addition to his role as chief executive officer at Brush Engineered Materials. Mr. Harnett is also uniquely qualified to assist our Board on

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international issues, as he previously resided in Canada and Japan while actively involved in the international operations of his former employers. Mr. Harnett, Chair of our Compensation Committee, is especially knowledgeable in the area of executive compensation, due to his experiencesexperience serving on the compensation committees of other public companies.

Richard A. Lorraine

Director since 2008

Age — 6467

  Retired Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Eastman Chemical Company, a specialty chemicals company. Mr. Lorraine served in this capacity from 2003 to 2008. Mr. Lorraine also served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Occidental Chemical Company, a chemical manufacturing company, from 1995 to 2003. Mr. Lorraine serves on the Board of Directors of Carus Corporation. We believe that Mr. Lorraine is a valuable recent addition to our Board. Mr. Lorraine provides our Board with the broad business perspective that he gained in extensive leadership roles in varying industries. He is particularly equipped to advise our Board and Audit Committee on financial issues affecting our companyCompany due to his prior roles as chief financial officer. In addition, he has a significant international background and in-depth commercial experience. All of these attributes provide Mr. Lorraine with valuable skills that he shares with our Board.
Edward J. Mooney

Stephen D. Newlin

Director since 2006

Age — 68

Retired Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Nalco Chemical Company, a specialty chemicals company. Mr. Mooney served in this capacity from 1994 to 2000. Mr. Mooney also served as Déléqué Général — North America, of Suez Lyonnaise des Eaux from 2000 to 2001, following its acquisition of Nalco. Mr. Mooney serves on the Boards of Directors of FMC Corporation, FMC Technologies, Inc., Northern Trust Corporation, Cabot Microelectronics Corporation and Commonwealth Edison Company (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Exelon Corporation). We believe that Mr. Mooney’s expansive knowledge of the chemical industry make him uniquely qualified to serve on our Board. In particular, in his prior role as chief executive officer of a specialty chemicals company, Mr. Mooney gained relevant knowledge and valuable insight that he can share with our company. In addition, Mr. Mooney’s current service on boards of directors of other private and public companies provides him with unique, up-to-date perspectives that he has learned serving in those capacities.

560


Stephen D. Newlin
Director since 2006
Age — 57
  Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of PolyOne since February 2006. Mr. Newlin served as President — Industrial Sector of Ecolab, Inc., a global leader in cleaning and sanitizing specialty chemicals, products and services, from 2003 to 2006. Mr. Newlin served as President and a directorDirector of Nalco Chemical Company, a manufacturer of specialty chemicals, services and systems, from 1998 to 2001 and was President, Chief Operating Officer and Vice Chairman from 2000 to 2001. Mr. Newlin serves on the Boards of Directors of Black Hills Corporation and Oshkosh Corporation. From 2007 to 2012, he also served on the Board of Directors of The Valspar Corporation. We believe that, as our chief executive officer,Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Newlin is particularly qualified to serve on our Board. He has gained significant experience in the specialty chemical industry, serving as a chieftop executive officer in this industry for over 30 years. In addition, in his role as our CEO,Chief Executive Officer, he has proven that he is an effective leader. He is also able to contribute his knowledge and experience with respect to international issues as a result of his global work responsibilities and living abroad. Mr. Newlin’s skills, gained over yearsdepth of working in a leadershipBoard of Directors experience, having served on six public company boards, has allowed him to understand his role provideas Chairman versus Chief Executive Officer and has provided him with the right combination of broad-based knowledge and industry-specific experience to allow himskills necessary to serve as an effective Chairmanleader of our Board.

William H. Powell

Director since 2008

Age — 6467

  Retired Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of National Starch and Chemical Company, a specialty chemicals company. Mr. Powell served in this capacity from 1999 until his retirement in 2006.

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Mr. Powell serves on the Boards of Directors of Granite Construction Incorporated and FMC Corporation. From 2007 to 2011, he also served on the Board of Directors of Arch Chemicals, Inc. and Granite Construction Incorporated. We believe that Mr. Powell’s previous employment as a chief executive officer has provided him with the leadership skills that are important in serving as a Director of our company.Company. His prior employment in the specialty chemicals industry is particularly relevant. This experience gives him the knowledge and insightsinsight to provide valuable advice and strategic direction in addressing the issues facing our company.Company. Mr. Powell also serves as a Director of two other public companies, which provides him with experiences he can utilize when serving as a member of our Board.

Farah M. Walters

Director since 1998

Age — 6568

  President and Chief Executive Officer of QualHealth, LLC, a healthcarehealth care consulting firm. From 1992 until her retirement in June 2002, Ms. Walters was the President and Chief Executive Officer of University Hospitals Health System and University Hospitals of Cleveland. Ms. Walters currently serves on the Board of Directors of Celanese Corporation. From 1993 to 2006, Ms. Walters served on the Board of Directors of Kerr-McGee Corp. From 2003 to 2006, Ms. Walters served on the Board of Directors of Alpharma Inc. Ms. Walters’ extensive business experience provides her with the attributes and skills that uniquely qualify her to serve as a member of our Board of Directors. She has over ten years of experience as a chief executive officer of a $2 billion company and a proven track record of success in a leadership role. Further, she has served on the

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Board of Directors of other public companies, including those in the chemical industry. Ms. Walters’ business experience has provided her with the necessary background to allow her to provide practical and relevant advice on the issues facing our company.Company.

William A. Wulfsohn

Director since 2011

Age — 51

President and Chief Executive Officer of Carpenter Technology Corporation, an NYSE-listed leading provider of specialty metals to numerous industries, since July 2010. Mr. Wulfsohn has served as a director of Carpenter since April 2009. From 2005 to 2010, he served as Senior Vice President, Coatings of PPG Industries, a global supplier of coatings and specialty products and services, and from 2003 to 2005, as Vice President, Coatings and Managing Director, PPG Europe. Prior to joining PPG, Mr. Wulfsohn worked for Morton International, a diversified wholly-owned subsidiary of chemical company Rohm & Haas, as Vice President and General Manager, Automotive Coatings; for Rohm & Haas, a global specialty materials company, as Vice President, Automotive Coatings Business Director; and for Honeywell, a diversified technology and manufacturing company, as Vice President and General Manager, Nylon System. He also worked as an Associate with McKinsey & Company, a global management consulting firm. We believe that Mr. Wulfsohn is a valuable addition to our Board. He is a proven

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leader, with deep and varied experience in technology and successful business operations. His background in managing operations in Europe and Asia/Pacific provides him with international expertise that can be of value to PolyOne. Further, we believe his experience as a Chief Executive Officer of a publicly-traded specialty company has given him unique skills to assist in providing guidance on PolyOne’s continuing transformation.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND BOARD MATTERS

Director Independence

Our Corporate Governance Guidelines require that a substantial majority of the members of our Board of Directors be “independent” under the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”). To be considered “independent,” the Board of Directors must make an affirmative determination that the Director has no material relationship with us other than as a Director, either directly or indirectly (such as an officer, partner or shareholder of another entity that has a relationship with us or any of our subsidiaries), and that the Director is free from any business, family or other relationship that would reasonably be expected to interfere with the exercise of independent judgment as a Director. In each case, the Board of Directors considers all relevant facts and circumstances in making an independence determination.

A Director will not be deemed to be “independent” if, within the preceding three years:
(a) the Director was our employee, or an immediate family member of the Director was either our executive officer or the executive officer of any of our affiliates;
(b) the Director received, or an immediate family member of the Director received, more than $120,000 per year in direct compensation from us, other than director and committee fees and pension or other forms of deferred compensation for prior service (provided such compensation was not contingent in any way on continued service);
(c) the Director is a current partner or employee of Ernst & Young LLP, our external auditor, or within the last three years was a partner or employee of Ernst & Young LLP who personally worked on our audit during that time;
(d) an immediate family member of the Director is a current partner of Ernst & Young LLP, our external auditor, or within the last three years was an employee of Ernst & Young LLP who personally worked on our audit during that time;
(e) the Director was employed, or an immediate family member of the Director was employed, as an executive officer of another company where any of our present executive officers serve on that company’s compensation committee; or
(f) the Director was an executive officer or an employee, or an immediate family member of the Director was an executive officer, of a company that makes payments to, or receives payments from, us for property or services in an amount which, in any single fiscal year, exceeds the greater of $1,000,000, or 2% of such other company’s consolidated gross revenues.
An “immediate family member” includes a Director’s spouse, parents, children, siblings, mothers andfathers-in-law, sons anddaughters-in-law, brothers andsisters-in-law, and anyone (other than domestic employees) who shares such Director’s home.
A Director’s service as an executive officer of anot-for-profit organization will not impair his or her independence if, within the preceding three years, our charitable contributions to the

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organization in any single fiscal year, in the aggregate, did not exceed the greater of $1,000,000 or 2% of that organization’s consolidated gross revenues.
The Board of Directors determined that J. Douglas Campbell,Sandra Beach Lin, Dr. Carol A. Cartwright, Gale Duff-Bloom, Richard H. Fearon, Robert A. Garda (who retired during 2009),Gregory J. Goff, Gordon D. Harnett, Richard A. Lorraine, William H. Powell, Farah M. Walters and William A. Wulfsohn are independent, and that J. Douglas Campbell and Edward J. Mooney William H. Powell and Farah M. Walters arewere independent during their tenure on the Board under the NYSE “independent director” listing standards. In making this determination, the Board reviewed significant transactions, arrangements or relationships that a Director might have with our customers or suppliers.
In making this determination with respect to Mr. Fearon, the Board determined that the sales of products by the Company to Eaton Corporation, of which Mr. Fearon serves as an executive officer, did not create a material relationship or impair the independence of Mr. Fearon because Mr. Fearon receives no material direct or indirect benefit from such transactions, which were undertaken in the ordinary course of business. For 2012, the amount paid to PolyOne from sales to Eaton Corporation was less than 0.3% of the Company’s consolidated revenues.

Lead Director

Our independent directorsDirectors meet regularly in executive sessions. Our Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that the independent directorsDirectors are to select a Lead Director to preside at executive sessions. The Lead Director acts as the key liaison between the independent directorsDirectors and the Chief Executive Officer and is responsible for coordinating the activities of the other independent directorsDirectors and for performing various other duties as may from time to time be determined by the independent directors.Directors. Mr. Harnett has served as our Lead Director since July 2007.

Board Leadership Structure

Mr. Newlin is the Chairman of our Board of Directors and our Chief Executive Officer.Officer (“CEO”). The Board of Directors believes that this leadership structure is appropriate for our companyCompany given the

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experience and active involvement of our independent directors,Directors, our corporate governance practices and our Lead Director’s role. Having a Lead Director role helps to ensure greater communication between management and the independent directors,Directors, increases the independent directors’Directors’ understanding of management decisions and Company operations, and provides an additional layer of independent oversight of the Company. The Board of Directors believes that this approach serves to strike an effective balance between management and independent directorDirector participation in the board process. Combining the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer position gives the Company a clear leader and improves efficiencies in the decision-making process.

Board Attendance

The Board met seven times during 2009,2012, the calendar year being our fiscal year. Each member of our Board attended at least 75% of the meetings held by our Board and the meetings held by the Committeescommittees of theour Board on which such member served in 2009.during the period for which he served as a Director. Each Director is expected to attend the Annual Meeting of Shareholders. In 2009, nine2012, all of our Directors serving at that time attended the Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

Committees of the Board of Directors

As of the date of this proxy statement, our Board has ten directorsnine Directors and the following fivefour committees: the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee, the Nominating and Governance Committee and the Environmental, Health and Safety Committee, and the Financial Policy Committee.


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The following table sets forth the membership of the standing committees of our Board of Directors as of the date of this proxy statement, and the number of times each committee met in 2009.2012. The current function of each committee is described below.
                          
         Environmental,
     Nominating and
      Compensation
  Health and
  Financial
  Governance
  Director  Audit Committee  Committee  Safety Committee  Policy Committee  Committee
Mr. Campbell        X    X    X*     
                          
Dr. Cartwright   X                   X*
                          
Ms. Duff-Bloom             X    X    X 
                          
Mr. Fearon   X*                  X 
                          
Mr. Harnett   X    X*               
                          
Mr. Lorraine   X                   X 
                          
Mr. Mooney        X    X*   X      
                          
Mr. Newlin             X    X      
                          
Mr. Powell        X    X    X      
                          
Ms. Walters        X         X      
                          
Number of Meetings in 2009
   8    4(1)   2    3    1(1)
                          

Director     Audit Committee         Compensation    
Committee
 

Environmental

Health and
    Safety Committee    

     Nominating  and    
Governance
Committee

C.A. Cartwright

 X     X*

R.H. Fearon

 X*     X

G.J. Goff

     X X

G.D. Harnett

 X X*    

R.A. Lorraine

 X     X

S.D. Newlin

     X  

W.H. Powell

   X X*  

F.M. Walters

   X   X

W.A. Wulfsohn

   X    

Number of Meetings in 2012

 8 6 2 2

X — Member

* — Chairperson

(1) On May 14, 2009, we split the responsibilities of our Compensation and Governance Committee, resulting in two new separate committees: the Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Governance Committee. We believe that two separate committees will be more efficient and effective from a governance perspective and allow for each of the new committees to address a more focused set of duties. Prior to this reorganization, the Compensation and Governance Committee met a total of three times in 2009. We have not included those three meetings in the table above, however, they should be considered when reviewing the total number of times each of the new committees met in 2009.

If Ms. Beach Lin is elected as a Director, she is expected to serve on the Audit Committee and on the Environmental, Health and Safety Committee.

The Audit Committee meets with appropriate financial and legal personnel and independent auditors to review our corporate accounting, internal controls, financial reporting and compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. The Audit Committee exercises oversight of our independent

9


auditors, internal auditors and financial management. The Audit Committee appoints the independent auditors to serve as auditors in examining our corporate accounts. Our common shares are listed on the NYSE and are governed by its listing standards. All members of the Audit Committee meet the financial literacy and independence requirements as set forth in the NYSE listing standards. The Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Fearon meets the requirements of an “audit committee financial expert” as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Commission (referred to as “SEC”).

The Compensation Committee reviews and approves the compensation, benefits and perquisitesother benefits afforded our executive officers and other highly-compensated personnel. The Compensation Committee has similar responsibilities with respect to non-employee Directors, except that the Compensation Committee’s actions and determinations are subject to the approval of the Board of Directors. The Compensation Committee also has oversight responsibilities for all of our broad-based compensation and benefit programs and provides policy guidance and oversight on selected human resource policies and practices. To help it perform its responsibilities, the Compensation Committee makes use of PolyOne resources, including members of senior management in our human resources, legal and finance departments. In addition, the Compensation Committee directly engages the resources of Towers Watson (formerly Towers Perrin, the(the “Consultant”) as an independent outside compensation consultant to assist the Compensation Committee in assessing the competitiveness and overall appropriateness of our executive compensation programs. In 2009,2012, the


9


Compensation Committee, assisted by the Consultant, analyzed competitive market compensation data relating to salary, annual incentives and long-term incentives. In analyzing competitive market data, the Compensation Committee reviewed data from a peer group of similarly-sized U.S.United States chemical companies and reviewed data from the Consultant’s Compensation Data Bank and other published surveys. The Consultant then assisted the Compensation Committee in benchmarking base salaries and annual and long-term incentive targets to approximate the market median. The Consultant assisted our human resources department in preparing tally sheets to provide the Committee with information regarding our executive officers’ total annual compensation, termination benefits and wealth accumulation.targets. More detailed information about the compensation awarded to our executive officers in 20092012 is provided in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section of this proxy statement. The Consultant maintains regular contact with the Compensation Committee and interacts with management to gather the data needed to prepare reports for Compensation Committee review.

The Compensation Committee periodically reviews the relationship with the Consultant including the level and quality of services provided, as well as fees for those services. In addition, expenses for other consulting services provided to the Company by the Consultant that are not related to executive compensation are monitored to ensure that executive compensation consultant independence is maintained. The Consultant did not provide us with services in excess of $120,000 that were in addition to the services provided in connection with its advice and recommendations on the amount or form of executive and director compensation.

The Compensation Committee reviews succession planning forconsidered all relevant factors, specifically including six consultant independence factors under Rule 10C-1(b)(4)(i) through (vi) under the Chief Executive OfficerSecurities Exchange Act of 1934, (referred to as the “Exchange Act”) in evaluating the independence of the Consultant. The Compensation Committee reviewed each factor in depth, as well as information provided by the Consultant that related to and other executive officerswas responsive to each factor, which assisted in the assessment. Upon completing this assessment, the Compensation Committee determined that the Consultant serves as an independent advisor and that no “conflicts of interest have been raised by the work performed by the Consultant.”

The Compensation Committee also oversees the process by which the Board annually evaluates the performance of the Chief Executive Officer.CEO. All members of the Compensation Committee have been determined to be independent as defined by the NYSE listing standards.

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The Nominating and Governance Committee recommends to the Board of Directors candidates for nomination as Director and advises the Board with respect to governance issues and directorship practices. All members of the Nominating and Governance Committee have been determined to be independent as defined by the NYSE listing standards.

The Nominating and Governance Committee will consider shareholder suggestions for nominees for election to our Board of Directors asDirectors. A shareholder that wishes to suggest a Director candidate for consideration by the Nominating and Governance Committee should follow the same procedures described for shareholder nominations for Director on page 3. The Nominating and Governance Committee uses a variety of methods for identifying and evaluating nominees for Directors, including third-party search firms, recommendations from current Board members and recommendations from shareholders. Nominees for election to the Board of Directors are selected on the basis of the following criteria:

Business or professional experience;

• Business or professional experience;
• 

Knowledge and skill in certain specialty areas such as accounting and finance, international markets, physical sciences and technology or the polymer or chemical industry;

• Personal characteristics such as ethical standards, integrity, judgment, leadership and the ability to devote sufficient time to our affairs;
• Substantial accomplishments with demonstrated leadership capabilities;
• Freedom from outside interests that conflict with our best interests;
• The diversity of backgrounds and experience each member will bring to the Board of Directors; and
• Our needs from time to time.
While the Committee or the polymer or chemical industry;

Personal characteristics such as ethical standards, integrity, judgment, leadership and the ability to devote sufficient time to our affairs;

Substantial accomplishments with demonstrated leadership capabilities;

Freedom from outside interests that conflict with our best interests;

The diversity of backgrounds and experience each member will bring to the Board does not haveof Directors; and

Our needs from time to time.

While neither the Nominating and Governance Committee nor the Board has a formal policy with respect to the consideration of diversity in identifying director nominees, they do consider diversity when evaluating potential Board nominees. We consider diversity to include race, gender and national origin, as well as differences in viewpoint, background, experience and skills. The Nominating and Governance Committee


10


believes that having a diverse Board leads to more innovation, moreoutside-the-box-thinkingunique thinking and better governance. In 2009,At the end of 2012, approximately 22% of our Board members were female. If Ms. Beach Lin is elected as a Director along with all other Director nominees presented in this proxy statement, 30% of our Board members were female and diversitywill be female. Diversity is a key characteristic that we will consider, and instruct any third partythird-party search firm we use to consider, in searches for future Board members.

The Nominating and Governance Committee also considers such other relevant factors as it deems appropriate, including the current composition of the Board, the balance of management and independent directors,Directors, the need for Audit Committee expertise and the evaluations of other prospective nominees. The Nominating and Governance Committee has established these criteria that any Director nominee, whether suggested by a shareholder or otherwise, should satisfy. A nominee for election to the Board who is suggested by a shareholder will be evaluated by the Nominating and Governance Committee in the same manner as any other nominee for election to the Board. Finally, if the Nominating and Governance Committee determines that a candidate should be nominated for election to the Board, the Nominating and Governance Committee will present its findings and recommendation to the full Board for approval.

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In past years,2012, the Nominating and Governance Committee has used a third-party search firm, Russell Reynolds Associates, Inc.,Nosal Partners LLC, to identify possible candidates who meet the minimum and desired qualifications, to interview and screen such candidates, (including conducting appropriate background and reference checks), to act as a liaison among the Board, the Nominating and Governance Committee and each candidate during the screening and evaluation process, and thereafter to be available for consultation as needed by the Nominating and Governance Committee. The Committee did not use Russell Reynolds Associates, Inc. in 2009, but may use them again in the future.

The Environmental, Health and Safety Committee exercises oversight with respect to our environmental, health, safety, security and product stewardship policies and practices and our compliance with related laws and regulations.

The Financial Policy Committee exercises oversight with respect to our capital structure, borrowing and repayment of funds, financial policies, management of foreign exchange risk and other matters of financial risk management, banking relationships and other financial matters.

The Board of Directors has adopted a written charter for each of the standing committees of the Board of Directors. These charters are posted and available on our investor relations internet website at www.polyone.com under the Corporate Governance“Corporate Governance” on our investor relations page. The Board and each Committeecommittee conduct an annual self-evaluation.

Board’s Oversight of Risk

Our Board of Directors oversees a company-wide approach to risk management that is designed to support the achievement of our strategic objectives and improve long-term organizational performance, which we believe will ultimately enhance shareholder value. The Board of Directors believes that risk management is not only understanding the risks we face and what steps management is taking to manage those risks, but also understanding what level of risk is appropriate for us as an organization.

Our Board of Directors administers its risk oversight function directly and through its Audit Committee and Financial PolicyEnvironmental, Health and Safety Committee. The Audit Committee discusses with management our major financial risk exposures and the steps management has taken to monitor and control such exposures, including our risk assessment and risk management policies. The Audit Committee also receives an annual risk assessment report from our internal auditors. The Financial PolicyEnvironmental, Health and Safety Committee assistsperiodically reviews with management the significant risks or exposures faced by the Company relating to safety, health, environmental, security and product stewardship standards and practices. Our Board of Directorsoversees and monitors these committees in fulfilling itsexercising their responsibilities relating to risk. Our Board also provides direct oversight and monitoring responsibilities to our shareholders relatingon risk management as it relates to our capital structure, our borrowing and repayment of funds, financial policies, management of foreign exchange risk and other matters of financial risk management,


11


including the utilization of financial derivative products, insurance coverage strategies, banking relationships and other financial matters.

Our Board of Directors sets the appropriate “tone at the top” when it comes to risk tolerance and management by fostering a culture of risk-adjusted decision-making throughout the company.Company. Our Board ensures that the risk management processes designed and implemented by our management team are adapted to the Board’s corporate strategy and are functioning as directed. The Board of Directors also participates in an ongoing effort to assess and analyze the most likely areas of future risk for the companyCompany by asking our management team to discuss the most likely sources of material future risks and how we are addressing any significant potential vulnerability.

The Board of Directors believes that its leadership structure, as discussed on pages 8 and 9, supports the risk oversight function of the Board of Directors, but that the risk oversight function otherwise has no effect on the Board’s leadership structure.

12


Code of Ethics, Code of Conduct and Corporate Governance Guidelines

In accordance with applicable NYSE listing standards and Securities and Exchange CommissionSEC regulations, the Board of Directors has adopted a Code of Ethics, Code of Conduct and Corporate Governance Guidelines. These are also posted and available on our investor relations internet website at www.polyone.com, under the Corporate Governance“Corporate Governance” on our investor relations page.

In October 2007, the Board amended our

Our Corporate Governance Guidelines to adoptcontain a policy relating to majority voting. Pursuant to the policy, any nominee for election as a Director of the Board who receives a greater number of votes “withheld” from his or her election than votes “for” his or her election in an election of Directors that is not a contested election is expected to tender his or her resignation as a Director to the Board promptly following the certification of the election results. Neither abstentions nor broker non-votes will be deemed to be votes for or withheld from a Director’s election for purposes of the policy, regardless of the new rules treating broker non-votes as withheld in uncontested elections of directors.Directors. The Nominating and Governance Committee (without the participation of the affected Director) will consider each resignation tendered under the policy and recommend to the Board whether to accept or reject it. The Board will then take appropriate action on each tendered resignation, taking into account the Nominating and Governance Committee’s recommendation. The Nominating and Governance Committee, in making its recommendation, and the Board, in making its decision, may consider any factors or other information that it considers appropriate, including the reasons (if any) given by shareholders as to why they withheld their votes, the qualifications of the tendering Director and his or her contributions to the Board and to PolyOne, and the results of the most recent evaluation of the tendering Director’s performance by the other members of the Board. The Board will promptly disclose its decision whether to accept or reject the Director’s tendered resignation and, if applicable, the reasons for rejecting the tendered resignation.

Communication with Board of Directors

Shareholders and other interested parties interested in communicatingwho wish to communicate directly with the Board of Directors as a group, the non-management or independent Directors as a group, or with any individual Director may do so by writing to the Secretary, PolyOne Corporation, 33587 Walker Road, Avon Lake, Ohio 44012. The mailing envelope and letter must contain a clear notation indicating that the enclosed letter is either a “Shareholder-Board of Directors Communication” or an “Interested Party-Board of Directors Communication,” as appropriate.

The Secretary will review all such correspondence and regularly forward to the Board of Directors a log and summary of all such correspondence and copies of all correspondence that, in the opinion of the Secretary, deals with the functions of the Board or Committeescommittees of the Board or that she otherwise determines requires their attention. Directors may at any time review a log of all correspondence we receive that is addressed to members of the Board and request copies of any


12


such correspondence. Concerns relating to accounting, internal controls or auditing matters are immediately brought to the attention of our internal audit department and handled in accordance with procedures established by the Audit Committee for such matters.

Director Compensation

In 2009,2012, we paid our non-employee Directors an annual retainer of $135,000,$165,000, in quarterly in arrears,installments (in arrears), consisting of a cash retainer of $60,000$75,000 and an award of $75,000$90,000 in value of fully vested common shares. We grant the shares payable to the Directors quarterly and determine the number of shares to be granted by dividing the dollar value by the arithmetic average of the high and low stock price on the last trading day of each quarter. We pay individual meeting fees only as follows: fees of $2,000 for each

13


unscheduled Board and committee meeting attended and fees of $1,000 for participation in each unscheduled significant telephonic Board and committee meeting. In addition, the ChairpersonsLead Director and chairpersons of each committeethe following committees receive athe additional fixed annual cash retainer as follows: $5,000 for Environmental, Health and Safety, Nominating and Governance and Financial Policy Committees and $10,000 for Audit and Compensation Committees. These amounts are payableretainers (payable on a quarterly basis. basis in arrears) listed below:

RoleAnnual Cash Retainer

Lead Director

$25,000

Chair, Audit Committee

$15,000

Chair, Compensation Committee

$10,000

Chair, Environmental, Health and Safety Committee

$7,500

Chair, Nominating and Governance Committee

$7,500

We reimburse Directors for their expenses associated with each meeting attended.

Directors who are not our employees may defer payment of all or a portion of their compensation as a Directorannual cash retainer under our Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors. A DirectorDirectors may defer the compensation as cash oralso elect to have ittheir cash retainer converted into our common shares.

In 2009,2012, we awarded shares to Directors under our 2010 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan, which shares may also be deferred under our Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors and our 2008 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan.Non Employee Directors. Deferred compensation, whether in the form of cash or common shares, is held in trust for the participating Directors. Interest is earned on the cash amounts and dividends, if any, on the deferred common shares deferred accrue for the benefit of the participating Directors.


13


20092012 DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
                     
   Fees Earned or
   Stock
   Option
     
   Paid in Cash(1)
   Awards(2)(3)
   Awards(3)
   Total
 
Name  ($)   ($)   ($)   ($) 
J.D. Campbell   66,000    75,000        141,000 
                     
C.A. Cartwright   64,125    75,000        139,125 
                     
G. Duff-Bloom   61,000    75,000        136,000 
                     
R.H. Fearon   71,000    75,000        146,000 
                     
R.A. Garda(4)
   22,167    27,708        49,875 
                     
G.D. Harnett   71,000    75,000        146,000 
                     
R.A. Lorraine   61,000    75,000        136,000 
                     
E.J. Mooney   66,000    75,000        141,000 
                     
W.H. Powell   61,000    75,000        136,000 
                     
F.M. Walters   61,000    75,000        136,000 
                     

      Name

         (a)

     

Fees Earned or
Paid in Cash

(b)

($)

         

Stock

Awards

(c)

($)

         

Option
Awards

(d)

($)

         

Total

(e)

($)

    

J.D. Campbell

      58,492          70,190                 128,682    

C.A. Cartwright

      82,500          90,000                 172,500    

R.H. Fearon

      90,000          90,000                 180,000    

G.J. Goff

      75,000          90,000                 165,000    

G.D. Harnett

      110,000          90,000                 200,000    

R.A. Lorraine

      75,000          90,000                 165,000    

E.J. Mooney

      29,464          32,143                 61,607    

W.H. Powell

      78,750          90,000                 168,750    

F.M. Walters

      75,000          90,000                 165,000    

W.A. Wulfsohn

      75,000          90,000                 165,000    

Fees Earned or Paid in Cash (column (b))

Non-employee Directors may defer payment of all or a portion of their $75,000 annual cash retainer (payable on a quarterly basis in arrears) as well as meeting and committee chairperson fees.

Stock Awards (column (c))

Our non-employee Directors’ stock compensation consisted of an annual award (payable on a quarterly basis in arrears) of $90,000 in value of fully vested common shares, which the Directors may elect to defer. We determined the number of shares to be granted by dividing the dollar value by the arithmetic

14


average of the high and low stock price on the last trading day of each quarter. We used the following quarterly per share fair market values in calculating the number of shares: March 30, 2012 — $14.48 (1,553 shares); June 30, 2012 — $13.515 (1,664 shares); September 28, 2012 — $16.52 (1,361 shares); and December 31, 2012 — $20.175 (1,115 shares).

Option Awards (column (d))

We did not grant stock options to our non-employee Directors in 2012.

The number of outstanding stock options held by each non-employee Director at the end of the fiscal year is set forth in the following table. All of these options are fully exercisable. In addition, the number of fully-vested deferred shares held in an account for each Director at the end of the fiscal year is set forth below. Stock option exercises conducted by our Directors in 2012 are set forth in the next following table below.

         Name  Option Awards:
Number of
Securities Underlying
Unexercised Options
(#)
      

Deferred Stock Awards:
Number of
Deferred Shares(1)

(#)

    

J.D. Campbell(2)

    0        244    

C.A. Cartwright

    6,000        30,263    

R.H. Fearon

    0        0    

G.J. Goff

    0        0    

G.D. Harnett

    6,000        95,361    

R.A. Lorraine

    0        46,241    

E.J. Mooney(2)

    0        0    

W.H. Powell

    0        46,028    

F.M. Walters

    6,000        19,551    

W.A. Wulfsohn

    0        7,458    

(1)Non-employeeDividends paid on shares held in the Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors may defer paymentare reinvested in shares of all orPolyOne stock through a portiondividend reinvestment feature of their cash compensation as a Director (annual cash retainer of $60,000, meeting fees and chair fees).
(2)In 2009, our Director stock compensation consisted of an annual award of $75,000 in value of fully vested common shares, which the Directors could elect to defer. We granted the shares quarterly and determined the number of shares to be granted by dividing the dollar value by the arithmetic average of the high and low stock price on the last trading day of each quarter. We used the following quarterly fair market values in calculating the number of shares: March 31, 2009 — $2.395; June 30, 2009 — $2.815; September 30, 2009 — $6.675; and December 31, 2009 — $7.605.
(3)In 2009, we did not grant any stock options to our non-employee Directors.such Plan. The number of outstanding stock options held by each non-employee Director at the end of the fiscal year is set forth in the following table. All of these options are fully exercisable. In addition, the number of fully-vested deferred shares heldreflects shares acquired through dividend reinvestment in an account for each Director at2011 and 2012 (including the endfourth quarter dividend declared on October 11, 2012 to shareholders of the fiscal year is set forth in the following table. None of our non-employee Directors exercised stock options in 2009.
           
   Option Awards   Stock Awards 
   Number of
     
   Securities Underlying
   Number of
 
   Unexercised Options
   Deferred Shares
 
Name  (#)   (#) 
           
J.D. Campbell   42,000    185,431 
           
C.A. Cartwright   39,000    39,281 
           
G. Duff-Bloom   42,000    67,626 
           
R.H. Fearon   15,000    0 
           
R.A. Garda(4)
   39,000    0 
           
G.D. Harnett   39,000    129,928 
           
R.A. Lorraine   0    26,052 
           
E.J. Mooney   0    74,515 
           
W.H. Powell   0    31,421 
           
F.M. Walters   42,000    46,012 
           
(4)Mr. Garda retired May 14, 2009.record on December 12, 2012, which was paid on January 7, 2013).


14

(2)Messrs. Campbell and Mooney retired from service on the Board in 2012. A retirement distribution of 89,415 shares was made from the Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors to Mr. Mooney on May 15, 2012. A retirement distribution of 140,688 shares was made from the Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors to Mr. Campbell on October 12, 2012. Mr. Campbell’s remaining 244 shares were deferred into the Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors on December 31, 2012 as part of his fourth quarter 2012 compensation, and were distributed to him as part of his retirement distribution on January 11, 2013.

15


2012 Option Exercises

Name  

Number of

Shares Acquired
on Exercise

(#)

   

Value Realized
on Exercise

($)

 

J.D. Campbell

   12,000    $164,370  

C.A. Cartwright

   12,000    $88,020  

R.H. Fearon

   15,000    $135,750  

G.J. Goff

   0    $0  

G.D. Harnett

   12,000    $92,220  

R.A. Lorraine

   0    $0  

E.J. Mooney

   0    $0  

W.H. Powell

   0    $0  

F.M. Walters

   6,000    $78,210  

W.A. Wulfsohn

   0    $0  

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BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF COMMON SHARES

The following table shows the number of our common shares beneficially owned on March 15, 20101, 2013 (including options exercisableshares the individuals have a right to acquire within 60 days of that date) by each of our Directors and nominees, each of the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table on page 3740 (the “Named Executive Officers”) and by all Directors and executive officers as a group.

                
   Number of
   Right to
   Total
 
   Shares
   Acquire
   Beneficial
 
  Name  Owned(1)   Shares(3)   Ownership 
J. Douglas Campbell   187,487(2)   42,000    229,487 
                
Carol A. Cartwright   127,897(2)   39,000    166,897 
                
Gale Duff-Bloom   94,472(2)   42,000    136,472 
                
Richard H. Fearon   54,250(2)   15,000    69,250 
                
Gordon D. Harnett   146,739(2)   39,000    185,739 
                
Richard A. Lorraine   26,052(2)       26,052 
                
Edward J. Mooney   274,515(2)       274,515 
                
William H. Powell   111,421(2)       111,421 
                
Farah M. Walters   139,092(2)   42,000    181,092 
                
Stephen D. Newlin(4)
   162,900        162,900 
                
Robert M. Patterson(4)
   100,000        100,000 
                
Robert M. Rosenau(4)
   71,917    19,372    91,289 
                
Kenneth M. Smith(4)
   72,922    131,500    204,422 
                
Bernard Baert(4)
   35,766        35,766 
                
19 Directors and executive officers as a group   1,926,081    501,372    2,427,453 
                

Name  Number of
Shares
Owned(1)
   Right to
Acquire
Shares
   

Total
Beneficial

Ownership

 

Sandra Beach Lin

   0          0  

Carol A. Cartwright

   151,628(2)    6,000(3)    157,628  

Richard H. Fearon

   73,510          73,510  

Gregory J. Goff

   7,420          7,420  

Gordon D. Harnett

   162,547(2)    6,000(3)    168,547  

Richard A. Lorraine

   46,241(2)         46,241  

William H. Powell

   111,945(2)         111,945  

Farah M. Walters

   146,998(2)    6,000(3)    152,998  

William A. Wulfsohn

   7,458(2)         7,458  

Stephen D. Newlin

   324,103     110,300(4)    434,403  

Robert M. Patterson

   205,483     53,622(4)    259,105  

Richard J. Diemer, Jr.

   50,000     4,230(4)    54,230  

Robert M. Rosenau

   147,029     44,520(4)    191,549  

Kenneth M. Smith

   114,020     11,625(4)    125,645  

Thomas J. Kedrowski

   199,908     9,783(4)    209,691  

18 Directors and executive officers
as a group

   2,016,417     315,100     2,331,517  

(1)Except as otherwise stated in the following notes, beneficial ownership of the shares held by each individual consists of sole voting power and sole investment power, or of voting power and investment power that is shared with the spouse or other family member of the individual. It includes an approximate number of shares credited to the named executives’Named Executive Officers’ accounts in our Retirement Savings Plan, a tax-qualified defined contribution plan. The number of common shares allocated to these individuals from the Retirement Savings Plan is provided by the savings plan administrator in a statement for the period ending December 31, 2009,March 1, 2013, based on the market value of the applicable plan units held by the individual. Additional common shares may have been allocated to the accounts of participants in the savings planRetirement Savings Plan since the date ofthat the last statementsstatement was received from the plan administrator. No Director, nominee or executive officer beneficially owned, on March 15, 2010,1, 2013, more than 1% of our outstanding common shares. As of that date, the Directors and executive officers as a group beneficially owned approximately 2.6% of the outstanding common shares.

(2)With respect to the Directors, beneficial ownership includes shares held under the Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors as follows: J.D. Campbell, 185,431 shares; C.A. Cartwright, 29,552 shares; G. Duff-Bloom, 67,62630,263 shares; R.H. Fearon, 0 shares; G.J. Goff, 0 shares; G.D. Harnett, 129,92895,361 shares; R.A. Lorraine, 26,052 shares; E.J. Mooney, 74,51546,241 shares; W.H. Powell, 31,42146,028 shares; F.M. Walters, 19,551 shares; and F.M. Walters, 19,761W.A. Wulfsohn, 7,458 shares.

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(3)Includes shares the individuals have a right to acquire on or before May 14, 2010.


15


(4)The executive officers named in the table (the “Named Executive Officers”) also have the right to acquire common shares upon the exercise of vestedoptions on or before April 30, 2013.

(4)Includes the number of shares that would be acquired if the individuals’ outstanding and exercisable stock-settled stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) as follows: Mr. Newlin, 758,233 SARs; Mr. Patterson, 47,433 SARs; Mr. Rosenau, 115,800 SARs; Mr. Smith, 125,100 SARs; and Mr. Baert, 200,433 SARs. These amounts are not included inwere exercised at $22.55, the table above because the numberclosing price of shares to be acquired cannot be determined because it depends on the market value of ourPolyOne’s common shares on the date of exercise and the applicable withholding taxes.March 1, 2013.

The following table shows information relating to all persons who, as of March 15, 2010,1, 2013, were known by us to beneficially own more than five percent of our outstanding common shares based on information provided in Schedule 13Gs and 13Ds filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission:

SEC:

Name and Address  Number of
Shares
   % of
Shares
 
   

FMR LLC
82 Devonshire Street,
Boston, Massachusetts 02109
(1)

   9,434,511     10.592  
   

BlackRock, Inc.
40 East 52nd Street,
New York, New York 10022
(2)

   6,765,834     7.60  
   

The Vanguard Group, Inc.
100 Vanguard Boulevard,
Malvern, Pennsylvania 19355
(3)

   5,197,224     5.83  

Number of
% of
Name and Address
Shares
Shares
BlackRock, Inc. 7,337,594(1)7.9%
40 East 52nd Street
New York, NY 10022
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP6,762,652(2)7.3%
1299 Ocean Avenue
Santa Monica, California 90401
Barrow, Hanley, Mewhinney & Strauss, Inc6,522,410(3)7.0%
2200 Ross Avenue, 31st Floor
Dallas, Texas75201-2761
New York Life Trust Company, Trustee5,051,337(4)5.4%
51 Madison Avenue
New York, New York 10010
The Vanguard Group, Inc. 4,684,286(5)5.1%
100 Vanguard Boulevard
Malvern, Pennsylvania 19355
(1)As of January 29, 2010,31, 2013, based upon information contained in a Schedule 13G13G/A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.SEC. FMR LLC has sole dispositive power with respect to all of these shares.

(2)As of December 31, 2012, based upon information contained in a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC. BlackRock, Inc. has sole voting power and sole dispositive power with respect to all of these shares.

(2)(3)As of February 8, 2010,December 31, 2012, based upon information in a Schedule 13G filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP, as an investment advisor, has sole voting power with respect to 6,658,167 of these shares and has sole dispositive power with respect to all of these shares.
(3)As of February 8, 2010, based upon information contained in a Schedule 13G filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Barrow, Hanley, Mewhinney & Strauss, Inc. has sole voting power with respect to 2,667,090 of these shares and has sole dispositive power with respect to all of these shares.
(4)As of February 12, 2010, based on information contained in a Schedule 13G/A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. New York Life Trust Company, as Trustee forSEC. The PolyOne Retirement Savings Plan, as a bank,Vanguard Group, Inc. has sole voting power andwith respect to 127,236 of these shares, sole dispositive power with respect to all5,073,388 of these shares.
(5)As of February 8, 2010, based upon information contained in a Schedule 13G filed with the Securitiesshares and Exchange Commission. The Vanguard Group, Inc., as an investment advisor, has sole voting power and soleshared dispositive power with respect to 147,616123,836 of these shares.


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ShareStock Ownership Guidelines for Directors
In December 2009, we revised

The purpose of our sharestock ownership guidelines for our non-employee Directors, executive officers and other elected corporate officers(referred to as the “Guidelines”) is to better align theirour Directors’ financial interests with those of our shareholders by requiring them to own a minimum level of our shares. These individuals are expectedIn December 2012, we amended our Guidelines to make continuing progress towards compliance withmore accurately reflect the guidelines andmarket median multiple of retainer. This change was necessary due to comply fully within five yearssignificant stock price appreciation that had occurred since the prior adoption of becoming subject to the guidelines. These policies, as they relate to our Named Executive Officers, are discussed in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section of this proxy statement.Guidelines. In order to reflect the Board’s commitment to share ownership and better align the interests of our Board members with our shareholders, the required share ownership level for directorsnon-employee Directors is 50,000a minimum of 22,000 shares.

The Directors are expected to make continuing progress towards compliance with the Guidelines and to comply fully within five years of becoming subject to the Guidelines. For purposes of our guidelines,Guidelines, the following types of share ownership and equity awards are included as shares owned: shares directly held, shares and phantom shares held in our retirement plans and deferral plans unvested restricted stock and restricted stock units, and earned performance shares.units. All Directors are required to retain 100% of all shares obtained through us, after the date of adoption of the guidelines (December 16, 2009), as compensation for services provided to us, with such percentage to be calculated after any reduction in the number of shares to be delivered as a result of any taxes and exercise costs relating to the shares.shares (if

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applicable). This requirement to retain 100% of all shares obtained from us ceases once the Director has met the applicable ownership guideline.

Guidelines as long as the Guidelines continue to be met. These policies, as they relate to our Named Executive Officers, are discussed in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section of this proxy statement.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires that certain of our executive officers, andour Directors and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of our equity securities file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission. ExecutiveSEC. These officers, Directors and greater than 10% shareholders are required by Securities and Exchange CommissionSEC rules to furnish us with copies of all forms they file. Based solely on our review of the copies of such forms received by us and written representation from certain reporting persons, we believe that, during 20092012 and until the date of this proxy statement, all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to our executivethose officers, Directors and 10% shareholders were satisfied, except for onethat a miscommunication regarding the timing of stock sales over a several day period led to the late filing of a Form 4 to report one transaction for William H. Powell and a misunderstanding regarding how to report transactions made with respect to a Grantor Retained Annuity Trust led to a late filing of a Form 4 to report one transaction for each of our executive officers relating to an award of stock appreciation rights and restricted stock units on February 17, 2010, which were each made one day after the due date.

J. Douglas Campbell.


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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Introduction

This Compensation Discussion and Analysis (“CD&A”) describes the principles underlying our executive compensation policies as well as our most important executive compensation decisions and practices for 2012. The following disclosure also gives context for the data we present in the compensation tables below and the narratives that accompany the compensation tables.

The following six individuals are our Named Executive Officers for 2012, as that term is defined by the SEC:

NameTitle
Stephen D. NewlinChairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
Robert M. Patterson(1)Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
Richard J. Diemer, Jr.(2)Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Robert M. RosenauSenior Vice President and President, Performance Products and Solutions
Kenneth M. SmithSenior Vice President and Chief Information and Human Resources Officer
Thomas J. KedrowskiExecutive Vice President, Global Operations and Process Improvement

(1)Mr. Patterson served as our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer until he was promoted to serve as our Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer on March 7, 2012.

(2)Mr. Diemer was hired to serve as our Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer effective March 7, 2012.

Executive Summary

How Pay is tied to Company Performance

Our compensation programs are designed to: (1) reward employees for generating consistent improvement in Company performance; (2) attract and retain talented executives; and (3) align compensation with the long-term interests of our shareholders; with the ultimate goal of improving long-term shareholder value. We also believe that as an employee’s level of responsibility and performance increase, so should the proportion of performance-based compensation. As a result, and as described in greater detail throughout the CD&A, our executive compensation programs and practices are appropriately aligned with Company performance and link a significant portion of our Named Executive Officers’ pay to sustained business performance over a multi-year period without encouraging excessive risk-taking.

2012 Business Highlights

In 2012, PolyOne delivered strong operating results. Although 2012 was a challenging year for both the domestic and global economies, as a result of the leadership of our Board of Directors and executive officers, and the dedication and hard work of our employees, we continued our trend of improving financial performance. During 2012, our significant accomplishments included:

Stock price increased from an $11.55 closing price on December 30, 2011 to a $20.42 closing price on December 31, 2012, which represents a 77% increase;

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Record Adjusted Earnings Per Share of $1.20, which represents an 18% increase from 2011;

Adjusted Operating Margin of 7.4%, which represents a 22% increase from 2011;

Revenue increased to $3.0 billion, which represents a 4.5% increase from 2011;

Working Capital as a Percentage of Sales of 9.9%, which we consider to be world class performance; and

2012 merger and acquisition activity included integrating ColorMatrix into the PolyOne organization, acquiring Glasforms, Inc., and announcing an agreement to acquire Spartech Corporation.

All of this was made possible by our aggressive goal setting, and our relentless efforts to execute our well-defined strategy of specialization, globalization, commercial excellence and operational excellence. We are pleased with the accomplishments in 2012, which strengthen our position and continue our progress on executing this strategy. Our setting of well-defined, strategic goals and our pursuit of achievement of these goals is working, and we believe we are well-positioned to continue our transformation into a high performing global specialty company.

We believe our executive compensation programs described below and in the accompanying tables played a vital role in driving the strong financial results noted above, and appropriately align pay and performance. At the beginning of 2012, we set goals for our annual incentive plan that drove the 2012 increases in Adjusted Operating Income noted above, as well as our impressive Working Capital as a Percentage of Sales results. Due to these outstanding performance results for 2012, our Named Executive Officers (except Mr. Rosenau) earned 187.4% of their target 2012 Annual Plan opportunities based on surpassing our target performance goal. Mr. Rosenau is the only Named Executive Officer with responsibility for business unit specific results, and his Annual Plan opportunity and goal attainment of 200% is based directly on his business unit’s performance against specific performance goals set for 2012.

Our 2010 long-term performance unit award had a one-year performance period (ending on December 31, 2010) based upon Working Capital as a Percentage of Sales. By achieving a 2010 Working Capital as a Percentage of Sales result of 9.6%, in 2012, we paid out cash-settled performance units originally granted in 2010 based on attainment of 200% of target level performance.

In 2011, we changed the performance measure for our long-term performance unit awards from Working Capital as a Percentage of Sales to Adjusted Earnings Per Share in order to drive improvements in shareholder value, and moved to a three-year performance period. In 2012, we maintained Adjusted Earnings Per Share as the performance measure for our cash settled performance units, as well as a three-year performance period. Our Compensation Committee believed that these goals would position us for continued growth. Achieving these measures will allow us to fund operating expenses and pursue acquisition opportunities that we believe will further strengthen our earnings potential and growth. Even with the difficult global economy in 2012, we were able to achieve our pre-set goals and reward our employees for achieving those goals.

We believe the 2012 incentive plan design worked to fully link pay with performance and to drive a stock price increase of 77%, bringing significant value to our shareholders.

Note: Adjusted Earnings Per Share and Adjusted Operating Income for consolidated PolyOne differ from what is reported under United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). See Appendix A for a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to our results as reported under GAAP.

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Executive Compensation Practices and Programs

The executive compensation practices and programs described below and in the accompanying tables played a vital role in driving strong financial results and aligning pay with performance, and are designed to attract and retain a highly experienced, successful team to manage our Company. Our practices and programs are directly linked to our key business objectives and designed to create value for our shareholders.

Highlights of our practices and programs include:

ü

Pay-for-Performance – The majority of executive pay is performance-driven and must be earned every year based on objective, challenging financial goals and individual performance.

Ø

Adjusted Operating Income improvement and Working Capital as a Percentage of Sales were the performance measures for our Senior Executive Annual Incentive Plan (referred to as the “Annual Plan”), which was our short-term cash incentive program for 2012.

Ø

Adjusted Earnings Per Share was the performance measure for our long-term performance unit cash awards granted in 2012 in order to drive improvements in shareholder value.

Ø

We incorporated stock price performance hurdle vesting requirements to the stock appreciation right (or “SAR”) awards granted in 2012 to further align executive compensation with shareholder interests. The hurdles were met in 2012.

ü

Shareholders Approve our Executive Compensation – In May, 2012, 96% of our shareholders approved our Named Executive Officer compensation pursuant to our second advisory “say-on-pay” vote.

ü

Mitigate Undue Risk – We mitigate undue risk associated with compensation, by utilizing maximums on potential payments, including retention provisions in our compensation programs, providing multiple performance targets and maintaining robust Board and management processes to identify risk. We do not believe any of our compensation programs create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse impact on the Company, which we validate through a risk assessment of executive compensation that is performed each year.

ü

Meaningful Stock Ownership Guidelines – All Named Executive Officers are subject to stock ownership guidelines, and are either exceeding, or, for our newly-hired Named Executive Officers, are on target to achieve the Guidelines within five years of being subject to such Guidelines.

ü

Annual Review of Share Utilization – Prior to the annual equity award grants to Named Executive Officers, we evaluate annual and aggregate dilution from stock awards.

ü

No Tax Gross-Ups – We do not provide excise tax gross-up benefits for so-called “excess parachute payments” under Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code in any new management continuity agreements. We also do not provide tax gross-up benefits for financial planning.

ü

No Excessive Executive Benefits – We provide limited executive benefits to our Named Executive Officers that have a sound benefit to the Company’s business. We revised our relocation policy as it relates to the loss on the sale of an executive’s residence. We limit the amount of the reimbursable loss provided to the Named Executive Officers to 80% of the loss, with a maximum total reimbursement of $85,000. In addition, no tax gross-ups on reimbursed losses are provided for this group.

ü

Good Corporate Governance – In addition to our existing policy prohibiting our Named Executive Officers from engaging in speculative transactions involving our securities, in 2013, we also instituted a policy that prohibits the pledging of Company stock.

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Pay-for-Performance Analysis

As described more fully below, we believe that the majority of each Named Executive Officer’s compensation should be linked directly to our performance and the creation of shareholder value. The following chart compares cumulative total shareholder return (“TSR”) on our common shares against the cumulative total return of the S&P 500 Index and the S&P Mid Cap Chemicals Index for the five-year period December 31, 2007 to December 31, 2012, assuming in each case a fixed investment of $100 and reinvestment of all dividends. Starting in 2009, our performance has exceeded the S&P 500 Index as well as the S&P Mid Cap Chemicals Index.

LOGO

We believe that the returns to shareholders shown in the above graph indicate that our pay-for-performance philosophy, compensation plan design and selected metrics are working, and have resulted in performance that has provided increased value to our shareholders over both the short and long-term.

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We believe the compensation of our Named Executive Officers has been commensurate with our performance results. The following graph provides a historical perspective comparing our CEO’s earned compensation and our performance to the pay-for-performance of our peer group from 2009-2011 (data and timing limitations prohibit us from providing a 2012 analysis at this time). Our CEO’s earned compensation has been aligned with our recent performance, with his earned compensation approximating the 75th percentile of our peers while our performance as defined below, was in the 100th percentile.

LOGO

For purposes of this graph, pay is defined as the three-year (2009-2011) sum of base salary, earned annual incentives, the value of stock upon vesting, the value of option/SAR exercises, and earned long-term cash incentives. Three-year performance is based on three-year TSR (2009 – 2011). The peers used in this chart are the same as those listed on page 26 of this proxy statement, except for Ecolab, Inc., which was added to our peer group in December, 2012, and is not reflected in this graph.

Listening to Shareholders and Implementing Shareholder-Friendly Pay Practices

At the 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, we held our second advisory vote on Named Executive Officer compensation. Over 96% of the votes cast were in favor of this advisory proposal. We considered this favorable outcome and believe it conveyed our shareholder’s strong support for the Compensation Committee’s decisions and the existing executive compensation programs and practices. As a result, the Compensation Committee made no material changes in the structure of our compensation programs or pay-for-performance philosophy based on the voting results for the proposal. At the 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, we will again hold an advisory vote to approve the Named Executive Officer compensation. The Compensation Committee will continue to consider the results from this year’s and future advisory votes on Named Executive Officer compensation.

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Compensation Philosophy and Objectives

Our executive compensation programs pay for and reward our officers’ performance, are specifically linked to our achievement of strategic operating and financial goals and are designed to be competitive in the marketplace. Our executives are rewarded for performance that meets or exceeds our strategic goals, without encouraging excessive risk-taking that could have a detrimental impact on our long-term results and the interests of our shareholders. We believe the design of our compensation plans and the relative mix of compensation elements successfully motivate our executives to improve our overall corporate performance and the profitability of the specific business unit(s) for which they are responsible, thus maximizing shareholder value. The main objectives of our executive compensation programs are to:

Attract, motivate and retain a highly qualified and successful management team to lead PolyOne in setting and effectively executing upon our strategic goals and objectives;

Foster a pay-for-performance culture by rewarding the achievement of specified strategic operating and financial objectives that maximize shareholder value; and

Ensure our goals and objectives are aligned with the interests of our shareholders by recognizing and rewarding business results and the growth of our share price through incentive programs.

Setting 2012 Executive Compensation Levels

Compensation Consultant

Our executive compensation programs are approved and overseen by the Compensation Committee, of the Board of Directors (the “Committee”), which is composed entirely of independent directors. TheDirectors. For 2012, the Compensation Committee has selected and retained an independent compensation consultant, Towers Watson (formerly Towers Perrin,(also referred to as the “Consultant”)., to assist the Compensation Committee in assessing the competitiveness and overall appropriateness of our executive compensation programs. The Compensation Committee worksworked in conjunction with the Consultant and with input from members of senior management, principallymanagement.

As described below, the Chairman, PresidentConsultant (1) assisted the Compensation Committee by benchmarking compensation and Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Human Resources Officer, the Chief Financial Officer and the General Counsel.

This report contains management’s discussion and analysis of the compensation awarded to, earned by, or paid to the following executive officers (the “Named Executive Officers”):
• Stephen D. Newlin — Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
• Robert M. Patterson — Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
• Robert M. Rosenau — Senior Vice President, President of Performance Products and Solutions
• Kenneth M. Smith — Senior Vice President, Chief Information and Human Resources Officer
• Bernard Baert — Senior Vice President, President of Europe and International
Executive Compensation Programs — Objectives and Overview
The objectives of our executive compensation programs are to: (1) attract, motivate and retain the management team who leads in setting and achieving the overall goals and objectives of our company; (2) foster apay-for-performance culture by rewarding the achievement of specified financial goals and growth of our share price; and (3) align our goals and objectives with the interests of our shareholders by recognizing and rewarding business results through incentive programs.
While we believe that all components of total compensation (which are identified in the Summary Compensation Table) should be valued and considered when making decisions regarding pay, the primary focus of our executive compensation program is onaligning base salary, annual incentive and long term incentives. We believe that compensation opportunities should be competitive with the compensation practices of the companies we compete with for executive talent and that total compensation should be fair to both employees and shareholders.
Our incentive programs focus on the critical performance measures that determine our company’s overall success. For positions with significant business unit responsibilities, incentive programs also emphasize success at the business unit level, which often leads to Named Executive Officers at comparable levels being paid differently across the organization. Our base salarysalaries and annual and long-term incentive opportunities are designedtargets consistent with our competitive market pay philosophy discussed below, (2) provided guidance on incentive plan design, (3) monitored and communicated to reward executives for the efficient execution of theirday-to-day responsibilitiesCompensation Committee trends in executive compensation, and attainment of short term results, balanced with(4) reviewed and provided guidance on the need for sustainable, long-term success.


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competitive market data on stock ownership guidelines.


Competitive Market Pay Information and Benchmarking

The following table outlines the major elements of compensation in 2009 for our Named Executive Officers.
Compensation
Element
Definition
Rationale
Base Salary
•   Fixed compensation payable bi-weekly•   Intended to pay for completing day-to-day job responsibilities assigned to the position
Annual Incentive
•   Variable, cash compensation that is earned when pre-established annual performance goals are achieved•   Builds accountability for important annual financial goals

•   Payment is required only upon achievement of specified goals
Long-Term Incentive
Plan (3 Components)
Cash-settled
Performance Units


•   Variable, cash compensation that is earned when pre-established financial goals are achieved. For the 2009 LTIP, the performance period for cash-settled performance units was a one-year period. Awards are determined at the end of 2009 based on performance over the preceding 12-month period but payable in three years.


•   Emphasizes achievement of strategic goals and objectives

•   Payment is required only upon achievement of specified goals

•   Avoids stock dilution through cash awards

•   One-year measurement period emphasizes key goals, while the three-year payout period supports our retention objective
Stock-settled
Stock Appreciation
Rights
•   Variable compensation that increases in value as our share price rises. For 2009 grants, SARs vest one-third per year, subject to performance criteria that required achievement of a 10%, 20% and 30% premium over the grant price.

•   Paid in PolyOne common shares
•   Aligns with the shareholder goal of maximizing value through increased stock price

•   Requires growing stock price before any value can be realized by participant

•   Increases share ownership

•   Payment is not required if executive terminates before vesting

•   Vesting conditions require executive to remain with PolyOne for the vesting period

•   Multi-year incentive is a common market practice
Performance Shares
•   Equity compensation that vests in one-third increments when a 10%, 20% and 30% premium over the grant price is achieved over the three-year performance period and payable after three years.

•   Paid in PolyOne common shares
•   Increases share ownership

•   Payment is not required if executive terminates before vesting

•   Requires growing stock price before any value can be realized by participant

•   Vesting conditions require executive to remain with PolyOne for three-year period

•   Full-value grant is a common market practice


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Compensation
Element
Definition
Rationale
Retirement Plans
U.S. Defined
Contribution Plans
•   Qualified 401(k) defined contribution plan•   The qualified defined contribution plan is a standard tax-qualified benefit offered to all employees subject to limitations on compensation and benefits under the Internal Revenue Code
•   Nonqualified excess 401(k) defined contribution plan•   Restores benefits that are limited by the Internal Revenue Code in the qualified plan for most highly-paid executives
Belgium Defined
Contribution Plan
•   Tax-efficient defined contribution plan•   Mr. Baert participated in a standard tax-efficient defined contribution plan provided to most Belgium employees for a portion of 2009
Luxembourg Defined Contribution Plan
•   Tax-efficient defined contribution plan•   Mr. Baert changed work locations during 2009 and became a participant in a standard tax-efficient defined contribution plan provided to Luxembourg employees
Defined Benefit Plans
(These plans have been closed to new participants since the formation of PolyOne and were frozen as of March 20, 2009)
•   Qualified defined benefit pension plan


•   Nonqualified, excess defined benefit plan
•   Messrs. Rosenau and Smith are participants in a defined benefit pension plan offered to certain employees

•   Restores benefits that are limited by the Internal Revenue Code in the qualified plan and applies to all eligible plan participants
Supplemental Retirement Benefit for Mr. Newlin
•   Non-qualified annual supplemental retirement payments, upon a “Qualifying Separation from Service,” payable in the form of a 15-year certain and continuous life annuity•   This non-qualified retirement benefit is consistent with benefits offered at peer companies

•   Vesting conditions encourage executive to remain with PolyOne until the vesting conditions are satisfied
Subsidized Post-Retirement Medical Plan (This plan has been closed to new participants since the formation of PolyOne in 2000, and will be eliminated in 2013)
•   Subsidized retiree medical coverage similar to coverage provided to active employees available to certain employees•   Messrs. Rosenau and Smith are eligible for participation in a post-retirement medical plan offered to certain employees
Post-Retirement Medical Plan (at Full Cost to Employee)
•   Retiree medical coverage at full cost to the retiree from ages 55 to 65 that is available to all PolyOne employees who meet specified service requirements•   Messrs. Newlin and Patterson are eligible for participation in the post-retirement medical plan offered to U.S.-based PolyOne employees

•   Mr. Baert is not eligible to participate in a company provided retiree medical plan

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Compensation
Element
Definition
Rationale
Perquisites*
•   Car allowance
•   Relocation benefits
•   Executive physicals
•   Financial planning and tax preparation
•   Excess liability insurance
•   Tax gross ups on relocation, financial planning and tax preparation, and excess lability insurance
•   Common market practice
•   Relocation benefits assist in attracting new executive talent
•   Executive physicals help to ensure continuity of our management team
•   Perquisites are modest and are typical for executives at comparable companies
*We replaced the car allowance with a benefit allowance and we eliminated the excess liability insurance and tax gross up on financial planning and tax preparation effective January 1, 2010.
Setting the Level of Compensation
We have designed our compensation programs to be competitive with companies of comparable size and industry as well as companies with whom we compete for executive talent. The Committee obtains advice from the Consultant relating to competitive salaries and annual and long-term incentives, as well as other items of total compensation, including retirement benefits, health and welfare benefits and perquisites. Management and the Committee review the specific pay disclosures of the defined peer group of chemical companies as well as survey data of similarly-sized chemical and other companies, as provided by the Consultant. The Committee discusses and considers this information when making compensation decisions. This process is described in the “Compensation Oversight Processes” section of this report. The Committee manages compensation so as to align each of the pay elements with market practices.
The Committee targets base salaries around the median of observed market practice and sets annual and long-term incentive targets (incentive as a percent of salary) to approximate the market median. We believe the maximum potential annual incentive payouts (no award shall be greater than double the target award) are consistent with the typical market range around target awards.
Our actual awards of cash-settled performance units, stock-settled stock appreciation rights (SARs) and full value awards (in the form of performance shares or restricted stock units (RSUs)) are based on competitive long-term incentive market practices, market data, and an evaluation of an individual’s performance.
The global recession that began in the second half of 2008 and continued into 2009 had an impact on our business and on our executive compensation programs. As the global economy significantly eroded, it became clear that our executive compensation programs for 2009 needed to take into account the unprecedented nature of the economic conditions. We made significant compensation decisions, including deviations from our policy, historyand/or design changes for 2009, as noted below, to reflect the challenges we faced. Additional details follow throughout this analysis.
• Base salaries for Named Executive Officers, as well as our other officers, were frozen in 2009.

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• Annual Incentive
• Achievement of threshold performance under the annual incentive was modified to result in a payout of 30% of the targeted award (instead of 50%), while maintaining our standard threshold level of performance.
• The annual incentive performance measures for 2008 were weighted 80% based on operating income and 20% based on cash flow. We modified the annual incentive performance measures for 2009 to equally weight operating income and working capital as a percentage of sales. These measures were intended to increase our emphasis on reducing working capital and improving cash flow.
• Long-Term Incentive Plan
• The performance unit grant was tied to achieving results specific to 2009 (as opposed to a three-year time period as was the case in prior awards) to emphasize our focus on improving cash flow for 2009. Any earned awards would be unvested until 2012 to promote retention.
• Achievement of threshold performance under the performance unit grant was modified to result in a payout of 30% of the targeted award (instead of 50%), while maintaining our standard threshold level of performance.
• The value of aggregate long-term incentive grants (SARs, RSUs and performance units) in 2009 were reduced significantly from 2008 levels in recognition of the decline in our stock price and general market conditions, resulting in award values that were 38% below the target market opportunity for the Named Executive Officers and, therefore, below the value of the 2008 grant.
• The reduction in long-term incentive opportunity combined with the freeze in base salaries resulted in a decrease in target total direct compensation in 2009 for Named Executive Officers in the range of 14% to 22% (with the CEO’s compensation being decreased by 22%).
The following table summarizes the allocation of the compensation opportunity at target that was granted in 2009 to the Named Executive Officers, based upon the primary elements of compensation (2009 base salary, annual incentive 2009 target opportunity, and long-term incentive grants made in 2009, including performance units that were to be earned based on 2009 performance and payable in 2012). The compensation opportunity is consistent with our overallpay-for-performance philosophy. Generally, employees at more senior levels in the organization, including the Named Executive Officers, have a greater proportion of their compensation tied to incentive compensation. Targeted pay opportunity levels typically align with the market in each individual pay element, however for 2009, each of the Named Executive Officers received long-term incentive compensation opportunities that were below target market opportunities.
                          
Element
  
Newlin
   
Patterson
   
Rosenau
   
Smith
   
Baert
 
Base Salary   26%   45%   49%   49%   51%
                          
Annual Incentive Opportunity   26%   22%   24%   24%   25%
                          
Long-Term Incentive Opportunity   48%   33%   27%   27%   24%
                          


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Benchmarking Competitive Compensation
We regularly analyze competitive market compensation data relating to salary, annual incentives, and long term incentives. Periodically,long-term incentives annually. The Compensation Committee generally manages individual components of compensation and initially targets total compensation relative to the median (50th percentile) of the competitive market data. However, the Compensation Committee considers other factors, consisting of the responsibilities, performance, contributions and experience of each Named Executive Officer and compensation in relation to other employees to determine final total compensation amounts. As a result, we do not set total direct compensation or the component parts at levels to achieve a mathematically precise market position. For 2012, Mr. Newlin’s compensation was set above the market median, which is aligned

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with Company performance. We also periodically analyze competitive market compensation data relating to retirement benefits and perquisites.

other benefits. The Compensation Committee obtains advice and recommendations from the Consultant in these and other areas of total compensation.

In analyzing competitive market data for the purpose of determining the market median for 2012, we drawdrew from twothree independent sources. First, we reviewWe first reviewed proxy statement disclosures of a peer group of similarly sized U.S.similarly-sized United States chemical companies (listed below) to establish an estimate of market compensation for our most senior executives. This approach providesprovided insight into explicit companyspecific practices at business competitors or companies facing similar operating challenges. However, it does not provide market information for positions below

In recent years we refined our peer group to reflect our progress toward becoming a global specialty company. In 2012, we evaluated our current peers and other potential peers, giving specific consideration to the senior management level, nor does it address competitors for talent outside the chemical industry.

following factors:

FactorPeer Group Comparator    PolyOne 2012 Results
Company Revenue1.8 billion to 10.6 billion3.0 billion
Total Asset Size1.3 billion to 16.7 billion2.1 billion
Employee Numbers3,000 to 40,0005,000

We also looked at the frequency with which these companies were used as peers by other companies in our industry, which companies had identified PolyOne as a peer, and whether each potential peer company had a global presence and a specialty chemical focus. In addition, we considered whether each company was in the same Standard Industrial Classification code as PolyOne and whether we compete with them for talent. Each of the companies recommended for our peer group met a majority of the primary criteria that were established. Based on this review, the following companies were removed due to corporate acquisitions: Lubrizol Corporation was removed due to its acquisition by Berkshire Hathaway in 2011; Solutia, Inc. was acquired by Eastman Chemical Company in 2012; Arch Chemicals, Inc. was acquired by Lonza Group Ltd in 2011; and Nalco Holding Company acquired by Ecolab, Inc. in 2011. Effective January 2013, Georgia Gulf Corporation merged with PPG Industries to form Axiall Corporation, which we will evaluate in 2013 for continued inclusion in our peer group. In addition, we included Ecolab, Inc. in our peer group as this company is frequently cited as a premier specialty chemical company, is often used for comparison purposes by investors and others, and is a company with which we compete for resources. As a result, PolyOne’s new peer group consists of the following 16 companies:

PolyOne Peer Group
Albemarle CorporationEastman Chemical CompanyThe Lubrizol Corporation
Arch Chemicals, Inc.  Ferro Corporation RPM International Inc.
A. Schulman, Inc. FMC Corporation Spartech CorporationThe Scotts Miracle-Gro Company
Cabot Corporation Georgia Gulf Corporation

(now known as Axiall Corporation)

 The ValsparSigma-Aldrich Corporation
Cytec Industries Inc. H.B. Fuller Company The Valspar Corporation
Eastman Chemical CompanyInternational Flavors & Fragrances Inc.
Ecolab, Inc.Rockwood Holdings, Inc. 
Second,

The second and third independent sources of data that we review data from Towers Watson’s Compensation Data Bank and other published surveys relating to the chemical industry or other applicable general industries, as provided by the Consultant,used to augment the peer proxy analysis and provide a broaderbetter sense of market practices.practices was an analysis performed by the Consultant of competitive market data relating to (1) the chemical industry and (2) other applicable general industries using the following surveys: The Consultant’s Executive Compensation Database, the Consultant’s Top Management Compensation Survey and Mercer’s Executive Compensation Survey. To obtain

26


comparability based on company size, the dataConsultant’s analysis either referencesreferenced a specific sample of companies or calibratescalibrated the pay of a broad sample of companies against company size. ThisThe specific identity of the companies in these surveys was not material to our use of the comparability data isbased on this process used as oneby the Consultant.

Review of several inputs into management’sNamed Executive Officer Compensation

Management and the Committee’s determinationCompensation Committee annually review the specific pay disclosures of market median compensation levels.

Elements of Compensation
The following discussion provides additional details aboutour peer group and the main elements of compensation for the Named Executive Officers.
Base Salary
As described above, our policy is to target base pay at the market median but it allows actual pay levels to deviate from target based on performance, responsibility, experience and marketability unique to each individual. Based on thebroad-based survey data provided by the Consultant, we have determined thatConsultant. Management uses this data to develop recommendations for the salariesCompensation Committee’s review regarding eligibility, award opportunities, performance measures and goals for the plan periods commencing in the following year. The Compensation Committee discusses and considers this information when making compensation decisions and aligning each of the Named Executive Officers range from 91%pay elements with our compensation objectives and relative market practices.

The Compensation Committee and management annually review and consider tally sheets, which are developed by our Human Resources department, to 125%determine the reasonableness of the market median for comparable positions, with an averagecompensation of 102% for allour Named Executive Officers. For 2009, management recommended, and the Committee agreed, that theThe tally sheets provide information regarding each Named Executive Officers (and other corporate officers) would not receive any salary increases. For 2010, upon the recommendation of management, the Committee determined that noOfficer’s base salary, increase would be provided toannual incentives, long-term incentives, other benefits, retirement benefits and wealth accumulation.

Annually, the CEO.

Annual Incentive
The Senior Executive Annual Incentive Plan (the “Annual Plan”) was approved by shareholders in 2005 and includes a set of performance measures that can be used in determining awards under the plan. We are requesting shareholder approval of a new Annual Plan at this year’s Annual Meeting and future annual incentive awards will be made under that plan, if approved. The Annual Plan determines how participants (including all Named Executive Officers) can earn annual cash awards. In 2009, the performance measures usedCEO recommends for the corporate staff participants in the Annual


23


Plan (including Messrs. Newlin, PattersonCompensation Committee’s review and Smith) were company operating income (50% weighting)approval specific base salary and consolidated working capital as a percentage of sales (50% weighting).
The performance measures used for Messrs. Rosenau and Baert as participants in the Annual Plan were business unit operating income (50% weighting), and consolidated working capital as a percentage of sales (50% weighting). The Committee chose these performance measures in order to drive profitability, promote working capital management, improve cash flow and support consistency in operational performance. Goals were generally designed to reward executives for the attainment of challenging but achievable annual business goals.
We established target annual incentive levels for 2009 consistent with our approach described above to approximate the market median. These targeted levels were set at 100% of salary earned for Mr. Newlin and 50% of salary earned during the yearadjustments for each of the other Named Executive Officers.
Confronted The CEO makes his recommendations in conjunction with unprecedented economic conditionsmarketplace data and input provided by the Consultant. He did not participate in any discussions with the Compensation Committee involving his own compensation. With guidance from the Consultant regarding market pay levels and based on a rigorous review of 2011 performance and our compensation philosophy, the Compensation Committee determined the appropriate pay levels for the CEO for 2012.

Pay Mix

Our executive compensation programs are also designed to recognize an executive’s scope of responsibilities, leadership ability, and effectiveness in achieving key performance goals and objectives. As an executive’s level of responsibility within PolyOne increases, so does the percentage of total compensation that is linked to performance in the form of variable compensation.

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We provide three elements of direct compensation that are discussed in detail below: base salary, annual incentive and long-term incentive compensation. The following table summarizes the allocation of the compensation opportunity at target, or “pay mix,” that was granted in 2012 to the beginningNamed Executive Officers, based upon the primary elements of 2009,compensation. Both the annual incentive and long-term incentive opportunity represent the variable compensation portion of each Named Executive Officer’s total compensation opportunity, consistent with our overall pay-for-performance philosophy.

    Target Pay Mix Allocation
Named Executive Officer  Base Salary %     Annual Incentive %     

Long-Term

  Incentive %  

    
       

S.D. Newlin

  18%    20%    62%   
       

R.M. Patterson

  32%    23%    45%   
       

R.J. Diemer, Jr.

  38%    23%    39%   
       

R.M. Rosenau

  39%    22%    39%   
       

K.M. Smith

  39%    22%    39%   
       

T.J. Kedrowski

  39%    22%    39%   

Analysis of 2012 Compensation Decisions and Actions

Base Salary

We pay base salaries to attract talented executives and to provide a fixed base of cash compensation. Base salaries for the Named Executive Officers were individually determined by the Compensation Committee after consideration of:

Breadth, scope and complexity of the executive’s role;

Internal equity (i.e., employees with similar responsibilities, experience and historical performance are rewarded comparably);

Current compensation;

Tenure in position;

Market pay levels and trends around merit increases;

Relative position of their salary to the market median for their role;

The CEO’s recommendations (for all Named Executive Officers other than the CEO); and

Individual performance.

There are three situations that may warrant an adjustment to base salary:

Annual Merit Increase. All employees’ base salaries are reviewed annually for possible merit increases taking into account the above listed factors, but merit increases are not automatic or guaranteed. In recognition of the significant role Mr. Newlin continues to play in transforming PolyOne into a high-performing organization, as well as his strong leadership, and a review of competitive market data, the Compensation Committee approved a three percent adjustment to his annual base salary, as outlined in the below table. In the Compensation Committee’s judgment, this

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base salary is appropriate in order to fairly compensate and retain Mr. Newlin. The Compensation Committee also increased the annual base salaries of each of the other Named Executive Officers by three percent (excluding Mr. Patterson) in accordance with market pay levels and trends around merit increases, as outlined in the below table.

Promotion or Change in Role. Base salary may be increased to recognize additional responsibilities resulting from a change in an employee’s role or a promotion to a new position however, increases are not guaranteed. In March 2012, Mr. Patterson was promoted to Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, taking on responsibility for all four business segments at PolyOne, and providing strategic direction across all areas of the Company. To ensure his base salary would be aligned with competitive market data for similar positions, the Compensation Committee approved an eight percent increase to his annual base salary, to recognize his increased responsibilities.

Market Adjustment. A market adjustment may be awarded to an individual who is performing successfully when we recognize a significant gap between the market data and the individual’s base salary. No Named Executive Officer received a market adjustment in 2012.

The below table lists the 2012 base salaries that were approved by the Compensation Committee for the Named Executive Officers.

Named Executive Officer  2011 Base Salary      2012 Base Salary        2012 Base Pay  
Adjustment %
    

S.D. Newlin

   $950,000       $980,000        3%     

R.M. Patterson

   $475,000       $515,000        8%     

R.J. Diemer, Jr.(1)

    N/A       $435,000        N/A     

R.M. Rosenau

   $355,000       $365,000        3%     

K.M. Smith

   $355,000       $365,000        3%     

T.J. Kedrowski

   $346,000       $356,000        3%     

(1)Mr. Diemer was hired in March, 2012 and did not have a PolyOne base salary in 2011. Mr. Diemer’s original base salary was benchmarked against competitive market data for similar roles.

Based on the competitive market data provided by the Consultant, we determined that the 2012 salaries of the Named Executive Officers were within a range of 10% above and 10% below the 2012 market medians for comparable positions, which is consistent with our competitive market pay philosophy discussed in the “Competitive Market Pay Information and Benchmarking” section above.

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Annual Incentive

To reward our Named Executive Officers for achieving specific performance objectives that would advance our profitability, 2012 target annual incentive opportunities for the Named Executive Officers (as a percentage of base salary) were established as follows:

Named Executive Officer        2012 Annual Incentive Target         

S.D. Newlin

110%

R.M. Patterson

  70%

R.J. Diemer, Jr.

  60%

R.M. Rosenau

  55%

K.M. Smith

  55%

T.J. Kedrowski

  55%

Based on the competitive market data provided by the Consultant, we determined that these Annual Plan opportunities for the Named Executive Officers were again within a range of 10% below to 10% above the 2012 market median for comparable positions, which is consistent with our competitive market pay philosophy discussed in the “Competitive Market Pay Information and Benchmarking” section above.

The Compensation Committee determined, after a thorough evaluation of possible plan designs and performance measures, that we would fundamentally maintain the same Annual Plan design in 2012 as used in 2011, including the same performance measures listed below:

Adjusted Operating Income. Adjusted Operating Income is defined as Operating Income less any special items (which consist of non-recurring items as set forth in our quarterly earnings releases) and Sunbelt equity earnings.

Operating Income. Operating Income refers to operating income in accordance with GAAP.

Working Capital as a Percentage of Sales. Working Capital as a Percentage of Sales is calculated by taking the average 13 months of working capital divided by the sum of 12 months of 2012 sales, where working capital equals (1) trade accounts receivable plus (2) inventory minus, (3) trade accounts payable.

The Compensation Committee’s review indicated that, given the successful alignment between pay and performance in 2011, we would utilize the same performance measures in 2012 as used in 2011. We maintained these performance measures as they were the most critical elements of PolyOne’s performance for both 2011 and 2012.

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The weightings of the performance measures used for all the Named Executive Officers in the 2012 Annual Plan were as follows:

LOGO

(1)Mr. Rosenau has responsibility for business unit specific results (namely our Performance Products and Solutions business unit), and his Annual Plan opportunity is based on 65% Operating Income for such business unit and 35% Working Capital as a Percentage of Sales for such business unit. For all other Named Executive Officers, the measure is Company Adjusted Operating Income and Company Consolidated Working Capital as a Percentage of Sales.

We set aggressive goals in 2012 that focused our efforts on those factors that we believe were critical to theour on-going concern of our enterprise,success, including profitable growth, earnings improvement, cash generation from working capital, cost containment, earnings improvementefficiencies in our operations and the continued implementation of our overall strategy. For example,In 2012, we were able to achieve maximumsustain our strong performance on our working capitalfrom the previous year by maintaining a world-class performance Working Capital as a percentagePercentage of sales metric and,Sales with a result of 9.9%. As a result of this performance, the Company Working Capital as a result, reduced working capital by $117 million (working capitalPercentage of Sales incentive goal attainment and the Performance Products and Solutions Working Capital as defined ina Percentage of Sales incentive goal attainment was 200% of our annual incentive includes trade accounts receivable, inventory and trade accounts payable) in 2009. Further,target performance level.

In addition, on a consolidated basis, our performance and results under the operating incometotal Company Adjusted Operating Income metric were strong; Adjusted Operating Income increased 22% from 2011 to $221 million in 2012. Thus, Company Adjusted Operating Income achieved 180.7% of the target performance level and our performance and results for our Performance Products and Solutions Operating Income metric exceeded the maximumupper end of the performance range and paid at 200% of target performance level. GivenWe viewed the depressed market in which we were operating at the beginning of 2009, we viewed thistargeted level of performance as extremely unattainable. Consumer confidence and industrial demand were at historically low levels and two of our largest end markets, housing and automotive, were particularly impacted by the depressed economic conditions, which collectively resulted in a 25% decline in sales in 2009 from 2008. The attainment levels of above-target to maximum performance for this metric in 2009 requiredas very challenging to achieve, and the actual level of performance reflects exceptional results. The Operating Income performance across all disciplines andof our business units throughoutvaried greatly due to the Company. The key elementsuncertain global economy with resulting attainment levels that drove our improved operating income performance in 2009 were company-wide effortsranged from 57% to cut costs, prune unprofitable or high credit risk business, expand gross margins, and deploy lean six sigma initiatives.

200% of target.

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The performance measures and targets, and the respective levels of achievement for each performance measure under the 2012 Annual Plan for our Named Executive Officers are set forth below.

              
           Annual Plan
Measure (in millions)
  Target Goal   Actual Result   Attainment
Company Operating Income  $(6.9)  $54.9   200.0%
 
Consolidated Working Capital as a Percentage of Sales   14.9%   12.1%  200.0%
 
BU Operating Income (Baert)   26.0    24.4   67.3%
 
BU Operating Income (Rosenau)   16.1    43.5   175.4%
 
In the Annual Plan:
Payouts are capped at 200% of a participant’s award amount at target.

    

2011
Actual
Result

   2012 Goals        

2012
Payout as
% of
Target

 
  Performance Measure ($ in millions)    Threshold
50%
   Target
100%
   Maximum
200%
   2012
Actual
Result
   

  Company Adjusted Operating Income

  $180.6    $180.9    $201.2    $226.0    $221.0     180.7%  

  Company Consolidated Working Capital as a Percentage of Sales(1)

   9.6%     11.1%     10.5%     10.0%     9.9%     200%  

  Performance Products and Solutions Company Operating Income

  $62.4    $54.9    $60.5    $70.3    $74.9     200%  

  Performance Products and Solutions Consolidated Working Capital as a Percentage of Sales

   5.4%     5.5%     5.2%     5%     4.6%     200%  

(1)
• Operating income was defined as operating income less Sunbelt operating income and less any specified special items.
• Actual 2011 Company Consolidated Working capitalCapital as a percentagePercentage of sales is calculated using the following formula: Average (13 monthsSales of 9.6% excluded ColorMatrix. As a result of our acquisition of ColorMatrix, our Company Consolidated Working Capital) divided by Sum (12 monthsCapital as a Percentage of sales), where WorkingSales was increased slightly in 2012.


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Capital equals (a) Trade Accounts Receivable plus (b) Inventory (excluding LIFO reserve) minus (c) Trade Accounts Payable.
The target awards foractual amounts earned by the Named Executive Officers under the Annual Plan and the actual amounts earned for 2009 performance2012 are set forth below.
                
Executive
  Target Award   Earned Award   % Attainment
S.D. Newlin�� $860,000   $1,720,000    200.0% 
 
R.M. Patterson   207,500    415,000    200.0% 
 
R.M. Rosenau   167,500    314,398    187.7% 
 
K.M. Smith   168,000    336,000    200.0% 
 
B. Baert(1)
   212,476    283,974    133.7% 
 
(1) Mr. Baert’s compensation is based in Euros and has been converted to dollars using the conversion rate of €1.00 = $1.43325, which is the conversion rate used in our Annual Report onForm 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.
For 2009, we modified achievement of threshold performance under the Annual Plan to result in payment of 30% of the targeted award (instead of 50%) for the performance goals, while maintaining the same standard level of threshold performance. Achievement of a performance goal at the target level would result in payment of 100% of the targeted award for that performance goal and achievement at the maximum level or greater would result in payment of 200% of the targeted award for that goal. The awards are interpolated if performance falls between the levels. The actual amount awarded to the Named Executive Officers for 2009 ranged from 133.7% of the targeted amount to 200.0% of the targeted amount. The actual amounts earned under the Annual Plan for 2009 are also included in the Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation column of the 2012 Summary Compensation Table.
The Annual Plan, as it applies to the Named Executive Officers, is structuredintended to comply with Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”). In order to qualify the amounts earned under the Annual Plan as “performance-based,” the Committee may exercise discretion only to reduce an award. The Annual Plan is structured so that achievement of the threshold level of performance in any of the measures described above will result in the funding of the plan at maximum. Actual awards are calculated using the Plan formula described above and if funded at maximum as described above, the maximum awards are reduced, as necessary, to deliver awards that are consistent with the attainment levels that were achieved for all other incentive plan participants. For aCode. A more detailed discussion of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code seeappears in the “Tax Considerations” section of this report.
For 2010, in orderbelow.

Long-Term Incentive

We also provide performance-based long-term incentive compensation to place a greater emphasis on profitable growth and as a critical measure of our operating performance, we increased the weighting for operating income from 50% to 65% and we reduced the weighting for working capital as a percentage of sales from 50% to a 35% weighting. Working capital as a percentage of sales continues to be an important measure of our performance and we will also continue to utilize it as the performance metric in the 2010 Long Term Incentive Plan. In addition, we returned the level of payment for achievement of threshold performance in the annual incentive to 50% of the targeted award for 2010 from 30% of the targeted award in 2009. We updated target annual incentive levels for certain Named Executive Officers for 2010 consistent with our approach to approximate the market median. We set these targeted levels at 55% or 60% of salary earned during the year forsenior executives, including the Named Executive Officers, except Mr. Newlin and Mr. Baert.to directly tie the interests of these individuals to the interests of our shareholders. We increased Mr. Newlin’s target annualbelieve that long-term incentive opportunity from 100% to 110%


25


of salary,compensation is an important retention tool. At the Annual Meeting in lieu of a salary increase forMay 2010, and to further promote our pay for performance culture. This also places more of his overall compensation at risk, based on performance against key metrics.
Long-Term Incentive
In May of 2008, our shareholders approved the 2008 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan (the “2008 Plan”), and this plan has been used to make awards in 2009 and 2010. We do not believe enough shares remain in this plan to fund SAR and RSU awards in 2011. For this reason, we will be asking shareholders to approve the 2010 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan at(referred to as the “2010 Plan” or the “Long-Term Incentive Plan”), which was used to make long-term equity incentive awards in 2012. At the Annual Meeting. See Proposal 2Meeting in this proxy statement.
(1)  Awards Granted in 2009
The 2008 LTIP design wasMay, 2012, our shareholders approved the First Amendment to the 2010 Plan (referred to as the “2010 Amended Plan”). Future Long-Term Incentive Plan grants, including the 2013 grants, are expected to be made under the 2010 Amended Plan.

Individual Long-Term Incentive Plan targets, which are reflected as a percentage of base salary, are established with consideration of our competitive market pay philosophy discussed in the “Competitive Market Pay Information and Benchmarking” section above and are intended to provide sufficient sharesreward the Named Executive Officers for three years of grants. Several factors made maintaining this plan design challengingachieving specific performance objectives. The Long-Term Incentive Plan grants for 2009, including the2012 are based upon our closing stock price on December 31, 2011. The accounting value of ourthe grant is determined using the grant date of the award. The value of the grant varies as the stock price andincreases or decreases in the challenges associated with setting interim. In order to focus participants on the

32


long-term performance goals critical to our success and investment success for our shareholders, the Compensation Committee approved the following individual target Long-Term Incentive Plan opportunities for the Named Executive Officers during the first quarter of 2012:

    

Long-Term Incentive Opportunity

   
Named Executive Officer  

2011 Target

(as a percentage of

base salary)

      

2012 Target

(as a percentage of
base salary)

   

S.D. Newlin

  350%    350%  

R.M. Patterson

  135%     140%  

R.J. Diemer, Jr.(1)

  N/A    100%  

R.M. Rosenau

  100%     100%  

K.M. Smith

  100%     100%  

T.J. Kedrowski

  100%     100%  

(1)Mr. Diemer was hired in March, 2012 and did not have a PolyOne Long-Term Incentive Plan opportunity in 2011.

Based on 2012 competitive market data provided by the Consultant, we determined that the individual Long-Term Incentive Plan opportunities granted to the Named Executive Officers in an unstable economy. If2012 ranged from 17% below to 25% above the 2012 market median for comparable positions, and individual opportunities varied based on time with the Company, individual performance and leadership efforts.

Awards Granted in 2012

In February 2012, we had continued to follow our historical LTIP grant practices in 2009, that would have resulted ingranted Long-Term Incentive Plan awards under the majority2010 Plan. After a thorough evaluation of other possible equity vehicles, the available shares in the 2008 Plan being granted during 2009. Instead, theCompensation Committee decided to reduceretain the value ofsame three equity vehicles we used in 2011, which are listed below, to continue to provide balance between the long-term incentives in 2009 so that only 50% of the available shares under the 2008 Plan would be used, thereby ensuring there were sufficient shares remaining to also fund the 2010 LTIP. As a result, therelative values of the three components and to efficiently use the shares available under the 2010 Plan. However, we shifted 5% of the value previously allocated to cash-settled performance units to SARs in order to align the Long-Term Incentive Plan opportunity more closely with shareholder interests by emphasizing stock price appreciation. Of these three equity vehicles, the cash-settled performance units and the SARs were established with requisite performance conditions. The amount of performance units earned by the Named Executive Officers’ long-term incentive grantsOfficers is determined based on our achievement of Adjusted Earnings Per Share performance goals, and the SARs were designed to vest based on our achievement of certain stock price hurdles described below, and additionally vest in 2009 were 38% belowannual time-based tranches over a three-year period from the target market median opportunity. This approach balanced the perspectives of shareholders and participants by providing additional shares to incent participants, but at a lower total targeted value than in 2008.

This change resulted in a 2009 grant that delivered award allocations that differed from our historical LTIP award allocations, causing a smaller percentagedate of the award to be allocated to equity and a larger percentage allocated to cash-based performance units. In March 2009, we granted long-term incentivegrant. The restricted stock units are time-based awards underthat vest in their entirety on the 2008 Plan using three vehicles, with the allocationthird anniversary of the award values roughly as follows: 65% of the award’s value was allocated to performance units for the 2009 performance period, 14% was allocated to stock-settled SARs and 21% was allocated to Performance Shares.
grant date.

 Award 2011
        Weighting        
 2012
        Weighting         

 Cash-Settled Performance Units

 34% 29%

 Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs)

 33% 38%

 Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)

 33% 33%

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Cash-Settled Performance Units

The cash-settled performance units granted in March 2009February 2012 will be paid in cash, consistent with past practice, and wereearned based on achievement ofachieving performance goals relating to Company working capital as a percentage of sales forour Adjusted Earnings Per Share during the one-yearthree-year period from January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2009. We reduced the measurement period for performance units from three years to one year due to the challenges associated with setting long-term goals in an unstable economy and in order to focus on our near-term cash needs. Award attainment for the performance units is determined at the end of the measurement period but awards are not payable for three years, consistent with existing performance unit design in order to continue the award’s retention characteristics.

2012-2014. The Compensation Committee selected working capital as a percentage of salesmaintained Adjusted Earnings Per Share as the performance measure in order to reinforcedrive improvements in shareholder value. In 2012, we instituted the following four performance periods and relative weightings to drive annual performance as well as cumulative performance (requiring yearly, as well as cumulative, performance goals ensures that Adjusted Earnings Per Share growth is a constant and visible incentive goal for our focus on improving working capital andNamed Executive Officers to align the measure with the Annual Plan. Generally, the Committee sets the targetachieve each year).

Performance Period             Weighting            

January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2012

25%

January 1, 2013 through December 31, 2013

25%

January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014

25%

January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2014

25%

The attainment level for the cash-settled performance measure consistent withunits will be determined at the levelend of each applicable performance period. We established underthreshold, target and maximum Adjusted Earnings Per Share goals for each of the projections for our financial planabove listed performance periods. Participants will earn, for the same measurement period. The Committee believed that the budgeted level reflected a challenging but obtainable target. Attainmentapplicable performance period: (1) 100% of the targeted leveltarget award of achievement for thecash-settled performance measure would represent a significant improvement over the level attained in previous years. The Committee intended the targeted level to


26


be achievable, but a maximum level of performance would have required an extraordinary level of performance, which we believed at the time was possible but unlikely to be achieved. Because of the critical importance of driving performance on our working capital measure, we believed it was essential to focus our team on cash management and to reward them for exceptional performance in this area.
Upon achievementunits upon attainment of the target performance level, a participant would earn a target-level award;level; (2) 50% of the target award upon attainment of only the threshold performance level would have earned 30%or (3) 200% of the target award; andaward upon attainment of the maximum (or greater) performance level earns the participant 200% of the target award.level. If ourfinal performance had fallenfalls between the threshold and target or between target and maximum, earnings under the plan wouldearned award amounts will be interpolated. If threshold performance hadis not been achieved, no award wouldwill be paid to the participants. Forparticipants for the applicable performance period. The cash-settled performance units generally do not vest and pay out until December 31, 2014, in order to serve as a retention vehicle.

We do not disclose the specific Adjusted Earnings Per Share goals that we have established for the cash-settled performance units granted in 2009,2012 in this proxy statement because (1) these goals relate to executive compensation to be earned and/or paid in future years and do not effect a fair understanding of the Named Executive Officers’ compensation for 2012 and (2) we were ablebelieve that disclosure of such goals while the applicable performance period is on-going would cause us competitive harm. However, we expect to disclose such goals in future proxy statements once the applicable performance periods have ended as part of our discussion and analysis about the amounts earned by the Named Executive Officers under these awards. In setting the applicable target levels, the Compensation Committee considered how achievement of the performance goals could be impacted by events expected to occur in the coming years. When establishing the specific goals for the Adjusted Earnings Per Share performance metric, we specifically considered how likely it will be for us to achieve a maximum level of performance as a result of the focus by our team on working capital, a measure we viewed as critical.goals. We believe that providing this incentivethe threshold goals have been established at levels that should be appropriately difficult to our participants was instrumental in drivingattain, and that the desired results. Management believes these improvements influencedtarget goals will require considerable and increasing collective effort on the recoverypart of our stock price during the courseemployees, including our Named Executive Officers, to achieve. Achievement of the year and positioned us well for future success.

We based the performance units on performance at the threshold, target, and maximum levels below. In achievinggoal is considered to be a 200% payout level by reducing our working capital, we and our shareholders reaped benefits in 2009, such as substantially higher cash flow and liquidity levels and a significant increase in stock price during the year. stretch goal given current market conditions.

The 2009 performance unit awardsgrants made in 2012 for the Named Executive Officers under the 2010 Plan are payableset forth in 2012.

                 
   Goals      
Measure
  Threshold  Target  Maximum  % Attainment   
Working Capital as a Percentage of Sales  15.2%  14.9%  13.9%   200%  
 
the 2012 Grants of Plan-Based Awards table.

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Stock-Settled SARs

To continually reinforce our ongoing commitment to enhancing shareholder returnsvalue, the Named Executive Officers received an award of performance-based SARs that, when exercised by the holder, are settled in our common shares. The SARsEach SAR granted in March to allour Named Executive Officers havein 2012 has a base price equal to the closing market price of $1.43. Allour common shares on the date of grant. For the 2012 grants, SARs grantedinitially vest one-third upon attaining each of the following stock price hurdles for thirty consecutive trading days: 10%, 15% and 20% increase respectively over the initial grant date closing stock price of $14.61. These hurdles were achieved in 20092012. The SARs are then subject to additional time-based vesting requirements that lapse one-third on each of the first three anniversaries of the date of the grant, generally subject to the officer’s continued employment. They have an exercise term of seven years, which is shorter than market practice, and vest ratably over three years, if certain performance criteria are met. ten years.

The performance criteria added as a condition of vesting for the 2009 SARs requires achievement of a 10%, 20%, and 30% premium over the grant price. All of theperformance-based SARs granted in 2009 have met2012 to the pre-established stock price hurdles.

Named Executive Officers under the 2010 Plan are set forth in the 2012 Grants of Plan-Based Awards table.

Performance SharesRestricted Stock Units (RSUs)

To promote share ownership and enhance the retention of our executives, we also granted Performance Sharestime-based RSUs in March2012 to all Named Executive Officers. The Performance SharesRSUs vest in one-third increments when a 10%, 20% and 30% premium overon the third anniversary of the grant price is achieved overdate. The time-based RSUs granted in 2012 to the three-year performance period, payable after three years. The Performance Shares granted to all Named Executive Officers were valued at $1.43 atunder the time2010 Plan are set forth in the 2012 Grants of grant. AllPlan-Based Awards table.

Awards Granted in Prior Years

In 2011, the Compensation Committee approved the attainment level of the Performance Shares granted in 2009 have met the pre-established stock price hurdles.


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(2)  Awards Granted in Prior Years
Performancecash-settled performance units granted at the start of 2007, reflecting2010 for performance overduring the period2007-2009, were eligible for payment following the conclusion of 2009. These January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2010. The performance units were based on achievementnot to be paid until the end of company operating incomethe three-year vesting period, which began in 2010, for retention purposes. These cash-settled performance units were earned by achieving performance goals related to our Working Capital as a Percentage of Sales over the three-yearone-year performance period. Performance levels during the period did not reach the threshold level of attainment and as a result, none ofIn 2012, the Named Executive Officers received a cash payout based on an attainment of 200% of the target level performance for this award andgoal, as reflected below:

   2010 Goals   
Performance Measure 

   Threshold   

(50%)

 

   Target   

(100%)

 

   Maximum   

  (200%)

    Actual Result       % Attainment   

Working Capital as a Percentage of Sales

 12.0% 11.5% 10.6% 9.6% 200%

Payouts for the cash-settled performance units expired.

Goals
Measure
ThresholdTargetMaximum% Attainment 
Operating Income$210.4 mm$231.0 mm$252.9 mm0%
originally granted in 2010 to the Named Executive Officers under the Long-Term Incentive Plan are reflected in the Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation column of the 2012 Summary Compensation Table in this proxy statement. Due to the uncertainty in the tax environment, the payment was made in December, 2012 instead of January, 2013.

All outstanding equity awards outstanding as of December 31, 2012 are set forth in the 2009 Outstanding Equity Awards at 2012 Fiscal Year-End table in this proxy statement.

(3)  Awards Granted in 2010

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Retirement Benefits

We designedoffer the awards granted in 2010following retirement benefits to maintain our focus on generating cash, promoting stock price appreciation,eligible employees and enhancing retention.

The Committee determined that cash-settled performance units would again be granted in 2010 and thatcertain Named Executive Officers as specified below. Additional details about these plans, as they apply to the performance units would be earned upon achievement of performance goals relating to working capital as a percentage of sales, consistent with the 2009 grants and the 2010 Annual Plan. The specific performance metricsNamed Executive Officers, are set forthincluded in the table below. To focus on the near-term cash needs of the Company, performance will be measured over a one-year period (2010) and, to promote retention, the performance units will only be paid if the participant continues to be employed on the third anniversary of the date of grant. In addition, we modified the 2010 performance units such that the payout level for achievement of threshold performance was returned to 50% of the targeted award, the 2008 level, from 30% of the targeted award, the level used in 2009.
                
   Goals
   Threshold  Target  Maximum
Measure
  (50%)  (100%)  (200%)
Working Capital as a Percentage of Sales   12.0%   11.3%   10.6%
 
Further, the Committee determined that it would grant stock-settled SARs and full value stock awards (RSUs) to promote stock price appreciation and enhance retention. In determining the number of SARs and RSUs to be granted, the Committee returnednarrative to the approach that had been used2012 Pension Benefits Table and 2012 Deferred Compensation Table in years prior to 2009. Our practice was to grant each participant a long-term incentive award with a target value based on market median and to determine the number of SARs and restricted stock units needed to deliver that pre-determined value.
For 2010, the long-term incentive awards consist of the following:
• 38% — cash-settled performance units
• 29% — stock-settled SARs
• 33% — restricted stock units (RSUs)
The terms of each component of the 2010 long-term incentive award are as follows:
• The performance units are earned based on achievement of goals relating to working capital over a one-year performance period but paid three years from date of grant. Achievement of threshold performance will result in a payout of 50% of the target award, achievement of


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this proxy statement.


target performance will result in a payout of 100% of the target award, and achievement of maximum performance will result in a payout of 200% of the target award.
• The SARs granted have a term of seven years and, consistent with 2008 grant practices, will vest one-third each year over the three year period on the anniversary date of the grant. Consistent with the terms of the 2008 Plan, we based the grant price for the SARs on the closing market price of our common stock on the date of grant (February 17, 2010).
• Each RSU is equal in value to one share of PolyOne common stock and the RSUs will pay out in the form of our common shares on aone-for-one basis. Consistent with 2008 grant practices, the RSUs will vest 100% at the end of the three-year performance period. Vested shares will be distributed, less applicable taxes, on the third anniversary of the grant in 2013.
Retirement Benefits
We offer aA defined contribution retirement benefit available to all U.S.United States employees through an Internal Revenue Code tax-qualified profit sharing/401(k) plan (the(referred to as the “Qualified Savings Plan”). The Qualified Savings Plan provides employees with individual retirement accounts funded by (1) an automatic Company-paid contribution of 2% of eligible earnings for all employees, (2) a Company-paid match on employee 401(k) contributions equal todollar-for-dollar on the first 3% of earnings the employee contributes plus $0.50 per dollar on the next 3% of earnings the employee contributes, and (3) for certain employees, an additional automatic company-paid contribution (Transition Contribution) of up to 4% of eligible earnings. Of the Named Executive Officers, only Messrs. Rosenau and Smith received this contribution in the amount of 3.25% and 4.0%, respectively. Effective March 20, 2009, the additional automatic company-paid contribution was eliminated for all participants. The Internal Revenue Code limits employee contributions to the Qualified Savings Plan to $16,500 and earnings upon which employee/company contributions are based to $245,000 in 2009.;

The PolyOne Supplemental Retirement Benefit Plan (the “Nonqualified Savings Plan”) is an

An unfunded, nonqualified plan that provides benefits similar to the Qualified Savings Plan (referred to as the “Nonqualified Savings Plan”), but without the Internal Revenue Code contribution and earnings limitations. Together these plans are intended to provide the Named Executive Officers with retirement income equivalent to that provided to all other employees under the Qualified Savings Plan. As a result, the Named Executive Officers can expect a retirement income that replaces a portion of their income while employed similar to that received by all other employees participating in the Qualified Savings Plan who are not impacted by thelimitations;

An employer-funded Internal Revenue Code limitations of the Qualified Savings Plan.

Mr. Baert is based outside the United States and does not participate in the Qualified Savings Plan or the Nonqualified Savings Plan. Mr. Baert relocated from our Belgium office to our Luxembourg office on September 1, 2009. Prior to that date, he participated in a standard defined contribution retirement benefit plan generally provided to all Belgium employees. Mr. Baert’s benefit in the Belgium pension plan is frozen and no further contributions will be made by us to this plan on his behalf. Due to the fact that he is over age 60 and has transferred to Luxembourg, the assets in this plan are now fully owned by Mr. Baert. Beginning September 1, 2009, Mr. Baert became a participant in the standard defined contribution retirement benefit plan provided to all Luxembourg employees. The plan provides employees with individual retirement accounts funded by (1) an automatic Company-paid contribution of 5% of base pay up to a salary limit plus 15% of base pay in excess of the salary limit (€100,000 for 2009), and (2) employee contributions up to the limit of €12,500 annually.
During 2008, the Committee reviewed the CEO’s total compensation package among the peer companies and across the broader general industry. The Committee determined that it was in the


29


best interests of the Company and our shareholders to provide a supplemental retirement benefit for Mr. Newlin that would be competitive with industry practices and serve as an additional retention vehicle. Thus, Mr. Newlin’s Letter Agreement (which provides for the terms of Mr. Newlin’s employment) was amended on July 16, 2008 to include certain retirement benefits. Specifically, the Letter Agreement was amended to provide that upon a Qualifying Separation from Service, Mr. Newlin will be entitled to annual supplemental retirement payments, payable in the form of a15-year certain and continuous life annuity, conditioned upon Mr. Newlin’s execution of a release and waiver. If Mr. Newlin dies or incurs a Disability prior to a Qualifying Separation from Service, he or his designated beneficiary also will be entitled to certain supplemental retirement payments. Generally, Mr. Newlin will be considered to have a Qualifying Separation from Service if (1) he attains the age of 55 and has at least five years of service with the Company, serving as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at the time of his retirement (provided that if the Board, in its sole discretion, has identified a suitable successor for the position of Chief Executive Officer, he only needs to be serving as Chairman at the time of his retirement) and the PolyOne Board of Directors, in its sole discretion, has identified a suitable successor to the position of Chief Executive Officer; or (2) Mr. Newlin’s employment is involuntarily terminated other than for serious cause or Mr. Newlin terminates employment for good reason following a change of control of the Company. Under the terms of the amended Letter Agreement, he will also be treated as a retiree for purposes of any SARs, RSUs, performance shares and performance units awarded to him as long-term incentive awards. In addition, he and his eligible dependents will have access to the same retiree medical benefits made available to all retirement eligible employees under our standard retiree medical benefit program, to the extent we continue to maintain such programs for the benefit of our retirees and their eligible dependents. Mr. Newlin will forfeit his rights to receive the supplemental retirement payments and retiree medical benefits if he engages in any conduct prohibited by his non-competition agreement or any acts that constitute fraud, embezzlement, and disclosure of confidential information or deliberate dishonesty.
Messrs. Rosenau and Smith are also eligible, along with certain other employees, to receive pension payments under a company-funded Internal Revenue Code qualifiedCode-qualified defined benefit pension plan (referred to as the “Qualified Pension Plan”), as well as an unfunded, nonqualified defined benefit pension plan (the “Qualified Pension(referred to as the “Benefit Restoration Plan”), under which Messrs. Rosenau and “Nonqualified Pension Plan,” respectively).Smith are eligible, along with certain other employees, to receive frozen benefits. In addition, since becoming retirement eligible (55 years of age with 10 years of service), Messrs. Rosenau and Smith are eligible to receive certain retiree medical benefits for which they will be required to pay a portion100% of the cost. This plan will be phased out until its elimination in 2013. These plans existed prior to our formation in 2000 through the consolidation of Geonnotional annual premium; and M.A. Hanna and generally benefited all nonunion employees of Geon.

The amount of Messrs. Rosenau’s and Smith’s pension depends on a number of factors including monthly Final Average Earnings (“FAE”) and years of

A supplemental retirement benefit service to us (“Benefit Service”). The Qualified Pension Planfor Mr. Newlin that provides a monthly lifetime benefit equal to 1.15% times FAE times Benefit Service plus 0.45% times FAE in excess of 2002 Covered Compensation (as defined by the Internal Revenue Code) times Benefit Service limited to 35 years.

The Nonqualified Pension Plan is similar to the Nonqualified Savings Plan in that it restores benefits lostannual supplemental retirement payments, payable in the Qualified Pension Plan due to Internal Revenue Code limitations on earningsform of a 15-year certain and benefits. The Nonqualified Pension Plan benefit formulacontinuous life annuity, conditioned upon his execution of a release and waiver and upon a “qualifying separation from service” (as such term is the same as the Qualified Pension Plan except without the Internal Revenue Code qualified plan earnings limitations. The Nonqualified Pension Plan benefit is offset by the Qualified Pension Plan benefit.
The Qualified Pension Plan and Nonqualified Pension Plan were frozen to new entrants effective December 31, 1999. Benefit Service was frozen effective December 31, 2002defined in both planshis employment agreement).


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Other Benefits


and, effective March 20, 2009, earnings under both plans were frozen for all participants. We decided to freeze these plans following a comprehensive retirement benefits review, during which the Committee examined whether our retirement programs were consistent with company goals, including fairness to all associates and competitiveness in the marketplace. With this change, we have a single and competitive retirement plan for ourU.S.-based employees.
Messrs. Patterson and Baert do not participate in a defined benefit plan.
Perquisites
We provide certain perquisitesminimal benefits to the Named Executive Officers, which we believe are competitive with the companies with which wenecessary to compete for executive talent. Historically, these perquisitesThe additional benefits for thosethe Named Executive Officers based in the United States includegenerally consist of a monthly carbenefit allowance, (except for Mr. Patterson),limited reimbursement of expenses for financial planning and tax preparation, a moving allowance (where applicable), and an annual physical examination, and group insurance providing excess liability umbrella insurance coverage in an amount equal to $5 million. In 2009, we also provided a tax gross up for imputed income on the receipt of reimbursement for financial planning and tax preparation and excess liability insurance. For Mr. Baert, perquisites typical and competitive with companies in Europe include a company provided automobile, meal and entertainment allowance, reimbursement of expenses for financial planning and tax preparation, and group insurance providing excess liability umbrella insurance coverage in an amount equal to $5 million.examination. The specific amounts attributable to perquisitesother benefits for 20092012 for the Named Executive Officers are disclosed in the 2012 Summary Compensation Table.
In order to align more closely with market practice, we made several changes to the perquisites provided to the Named Executive Officers basedTable in the United States that were effective beginning January 1, 2010:
• Eliminated the car allowance and replaced it with a benefit allowance;
• Cancelled the excess liability insurance coverage; and
• Eliminated taxgross-ups on all perquisites.
this proxy statement.

The benefit allowance, and reimbursement of expenses for financial planning and tax preparation in 2010 and future years will beare treated as taxable income to the Named Executive Officers and are not grossed up by the responsibility ofCompany. The moving allowance is also treated as taxable income to the Named Executive Officers. We made no other changes to perquisites.

Mr. Patterson was eligible for reimbursement of his relocation expenses under our standard relocation plan. During 2009, we reimbursed Mr. Patterson for a portion of the amount he experienced as a loss on the sale of his former residence. Details of these amountsTax gross-ups are provided in the footnotes to the “All Other Compensation” column in the Summary Compensation Table.
We believe that the perquisites we provide are consistent with market practices for senior executivestaxable moving allowances and further our goals to attract and retain our leaders.
imputed income for spouse/guest travel.

We also provide other benefits such as medical, dental, and life insurance and disability coverage to eachU.S.-based United States based Named Executive Officer, which are benefits identical to the benefits provided to all other eligibleU.S.-based United States based employees. Medical, dental and life insurance coverage for Mr. Baert is identical to the benefits provided to all other Luxembourg-based employees. We also provide vacation and paid holidays to all employees, including the Named Executive Officers. The Named Executive Officers arewere eligible for the following vacation:vacation periods in 2012: Mr. Newlin — five weeks,weeks; Mr. Patterson — four weeks,weeks; Mr. Diemer – 4 weeks; Mr. Rosenau — six weeks,five weeks; Mr. Smith — five weeks,weeks; and Mr. BaertKedrowski — 26 days.

four weeks.


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36


Employment Agreements with Named Executive Officers

Mr. Newlin is a party to an employment agreement with us, as described below. We do not providemaintain employment agreements with any of the other Named Executive Officers, although each of our Named Executive Officers is a party to a Continuity Agreement, as described in “Potential Payments Upon Termination or reimburse for personal country club memberships for any NamedChange of Control” below.

Mr. Newlin

On February 6, 2006, we entered into an agreement with Mr. Newlin, under which he serves as our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. We do maintain a corporate membershipentered into this agreement in order to a country clubattract Mr. Newlin to PolyOne and set the terms of his employment. The agreement provided for specified equity awards that is usedwere intended to serve as an inducement to join PolyOne, set an initial base salary and provided for customer entertainmenthis participation in our various long-term incentive and other business purposes. We paybenefit plans in effect during the monthly dues for this membership and incur expenses only for these business purposes. Any personal useterm of this facility by a Named Executive Officer is at the officer’s personal expense, with no incremental cost to us.

Compensation Oversight Processes
Salary Adjustments
During the first quarter, the Committee typically reviews executive compensation marketplace data provided by the Consultant. The resulting report benchmarks our executive compensation compared to our peer group and the market in general. In January 2009, we decided to freeze executive salaries due to the uncertain economic conditions, which negated the need for this review.his employment. In addition, the Committee reviews tally sheets that contain information regardingagreement provides for certain payments upon termination of employment, as described more fully in “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control” below. Mr. Newlin’s agreement also provides for a supplemental retirement benefit, as described above and more fully in the executives’ total annual compensation, termination benefits and wealth accumulation. A more detailed description of the tally sheets is provided under the heading “Review of Tally Sheets.”
In the first quarter of the calendar year, based upon individual performance and results achieved, the Chief Executive Officer typically recommendsnarrative for the Committee’s review and approval specific salary adjustments for each of the executive officers, including the Named Executive Officers. The Chief Executive Officer makes his recommendations in conjunction with the marketplace data and input provided by the Consultant. He does not participate in any discussions with the Committee involving his own compensation. The Committee sets the target compensation at or near the median, with adjustments to account for our specific facts and circumstances. In 2009, management recommended and the Committee agreed that due to the deteriorating global economy and in an attempt to manage costs, Named Executive Officers as well as other officers of the Company would have their base salaries frozen for 2009.
For 2010, upon the recommendation of management, we determined again that no base salary increase would be provided to the CEO. It was the Committee’s desire that the CEO be rewarded for achievement of specific performance objectives that would advance our profitability and, as a result, the Committee approved an increase in Mr. Newlin’s target opportunity under the Annual Plan in lieu of a salary increase. See “Plan-Based Awards” below.
Plan-Based Awards
In the fourth quarter, the Committee typically reviewsperiod-to-date performance and estimates of incentive payouts for the in-progress performance periods. In the first quarter of the following year, the Committee evaluates actual performance against pre-set goals and determines earnings under just-completed plan periods. Generally, the Committee approves payouts based on pre-set performance criteria and will not exercise discretion to increase an award. The Committee, however, has exercised its discretion to reduce an award.
In addition, annually the Committee and management typically review competitive total compensation data provided by the Consultant. Management uses the data to develop recommendations for eligibility, award opportunities, performance measures and goals for the plan periods to commence the subsequent year for the Committee’s review. The Committee approves final terms of the Annual Plan in the fourth quarter and the Long-Term Incentive plan in the first quarter. For 2010, this review took place in the fourth quarter of 2009 for both plans. In order to align compensation more closely with the market median and to focus the participants on the performance goals critical to our success, the Committee approved an increase in the target annual


32


incentive opportunity for certain Named Executive Officers. The Committee increased the target annual incentive opportunity for Mr. Patterson from 50% to 60%, and the target annual incentive opportunity for Messrs. Rosenau and Smith from 50% to 55%. Target incentive opportunities for the LTIP will return to the levels that were in place in 2008 because we reduced 2009 grants significantly in recognition of the decline in our stock price and general market conditions.
In order to recognize Mr. Newlin’s role in transforming PolyOne into a specialty company and to reinforce the Committee’s philosophy of performance oriented pay, the Committee approved an increase in his target annual incentive opportunity from 100% to 110% for 2010. In the Committee’s judgment, the total compensation package provided to Mr. Newlin, as described under the heading “Employment Agreement with the Chief Executive Officer” below, is appropriate in order to fairly compensate and retain our Chief Executive Officer.
Review of Tally Sheets
The Committee and management annually review and consider tally sheets in connection with compensation decisions. Tally sheets, including all components of compensation, are reviewed by the Committee to determine the reasonableness of the compensation of our executive officers. Tally sheets are created collaboratively by the Consultant and our Human Resources department.
The tally sheets provide information regarding the Named Executive Officers’ as well as other officers’ total annual compensation, termination benefits and wealth accumulation. Total annual compensation includes: salary, annual incentive, long-term incentive, perquisites, and retirement benefits. This information is comparable to the amounts reported in the Summary Compensation Table. Payments under various forms of termination are reviewed and disclosed elsewhere2012 Pension Benefits Table in this proxy statement.

Tax Considerations

Cash compensation, such as base salary orand annual incentive compensation, is taxable to the recipient as ordinary income when earned, unless deferred under a company-sponsored deferral plan. Deferrals under Internal Revenue Code tax-qualified plans, such as a 401(k) plan, do not affect our current tax deduction. Deferrals under supplemental executive deferral plans delay our tax deduction until the deferred amount (and any accumulation thereon) is paid. Stock-settled SARs are generally taxable as ordinary income when exercised, RSUs are taxable as ordinary income when they vest, and performance shares, RSUs andcash-settled performance units are generally taxable when paid. We realize a tax deduction at that time.those specified times. The Compensation Committee does reviewreviews potential tax implications before making decisions regarding compensation.

Management and the Compensation Committee are aware of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, which generally limits the deductibility of executive pay in excess of one million dollars for certain Named Executive Officers, and which specifies the requirements for the “performance-based” exemption from this limit. The Compensation Committee generally managesintends for our incentive programs to qualify for the performance-based exemption. It also reserves the right to provide compensation that does not meet the exemption criteria if, in its sole discretion, it determines that doing so advances our business objectives. We believe the compensation paid to our Named Executive Officers in 2009 is fully deductible.

Accounting Considerations

When reviewing preliminary recommendations and in connection with approving the terms of a given incentive plan period, management and the Compensation Committee review and consider the accounting implications of a given award, including the estimated expenseand/or dilutive considerations. Depending upon the type of accounting treatment associated with an incentive plan design,


33


management and the Compensation Committee may alter or modify the incentive award due to the accounting treatment if the award (and the related accounting consequences) were to adversely affect our financial performance.
Employment Agreement with the Chief Executive Officer
On February 6, 2006, we entered into an agreement with Mr. Newlin, under which he agreed to serve as our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. The agreement provided for specified awards intended to serve as an inducement to join the company, for Mr. Newlin’s initial base salary and for his participation in our various long-term incentive and benefit plans in effect during the term of his employment.
In addition, the agreement provides for certain payments upon termination of Mr. Newlin’s employment, as described more fully in the “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-of-Control” section of this proxy statement. In October, 2007, this agreement was amended to ensure that any payments made pursuant to the agreement were in compliance with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code.
Mr. Newlin’s agreement also provides for a supplemental retirement benefit, as described more fully in this Compensation Discussion and Analysis under the heading “Retirement Benefits.”
Employment Agreement with Bernard Baert
In connection with the change in location for our European headquarters, PolyOne Luxembourg S.a.R.L. (“PolyOne Luxembourg”), our wholly owned subsidiary located in Luxembourg, entered into an employment contract with Bernard Baert, effective September 1, 2009.
Among other things, the agreement provides that Mr. Baert will be entitled to a monthly base salary of €24,708, daily meal vouchers and the use of a company car. Under the agreement, Mr. Baert may also be eligible to participate in our Annual Plan and will be included in a defined contribution benefits cafeteria plan established by PolyOne Luxembourg. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, Mr. Baert has agreed not to compete with us or with PolyOne Luxembourg for a period of twelve months after termination of the agreement.
Mr. Baert’s agreement provides for certain payments upon termination of Mr. Baert’s employment, as described more fully in the “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-of-Control” section of this proxy statement.
Termination Payments for Other Named Executive Officers
Effective May 25, 2006, the Committee approved the PolyOne Corporation Executive Severance Plan (the “Executive Severance Plan”) that is designed to provide severance protection to certain officers who are expected to make substantial contributions to our success and thereby provide for stability and continuity of operations. All of the Named Executive Officers participate in the Executive Severance Plan except Messrs. Newlin and Baert. Under the terms and conditions of the Executive Severance Plan, officers are entitled to receive Severance Payments upon their involuntary termination of employment for reasons other than cause, death or disability. The plan details and estimates of these payments are provided in the “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-of-Control” section of this proxy statement. These severance benefits are contingent upon our receipt of a signed release of all claims against us and signed non-compete, non-solicitation and non-disparagement agreements.


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37


Executive Compensation Governance

Change of Control Payments
We have entered into management continuity agreements (“Continuity Agreements”) with all of our elected corporate officers, including each of the Named Executive Officers. These agreements are designed to provide severance protection should a change of control of PolyOne occur and the executive officer’s employment be terminated either by us without cause or by the executive for good reason (as defined in the agreements). Generally, a change of control will be deemed to have occurred if (1) any person becomes the beneficial owner of 25% or more of the combined voting power of our outstanding securities (subject to certain exceptions); (2) there is a change in the majority of our Board of Directors; (3) certain corporate reorganizations occur where the existing shareholders do not retain more than 60% of the common shares and combined voting power of the outstanding voting securities of the surviving entity; or (4) there is shareholder approval of a complete liquidation or dissolution of PolyOne.
These agreements are intended to provide for continuity of management in the event of a change of control. The agreements are automatically renewed each year unless we give prior notice of termination of the Continuity Agreement. The agreements provide that covered executive officers could be entitled to certain severance benefits. The details of the severance payments and benefits are provided in the “Potential Payments Upon Termination orChange-of-Control” section of this proxy statement.
In order to provide additional protection in the event of a change of control, our equity awards and annual incentive provide for accelerated benefits in the event of a change of control. In addition, the terms of the performance units provide that in the event of a change of control, the participant is entitled to 100% of the performance units. In the event of a change of control and a termination of the executive’s employment by us without cause or by the executive for good reason (as defined in the agreements), the SARs remain exercisable for their full term. These change of control provisions affect all participants in those programs, including the Named Executive Officers.
Compensation Policies
Timing with Respect to Equity Award Grants
In prior years, the base price of SARs has been set according to our practice as outlined in the 2005 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan based on the average of the high and low price of our common shares on the trading day immediately before the day the award was approved by the Committee. Effective with the approval of the 2008 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan, the practice was changed to set the base price of SARs (and the exercise price of any options granted) as the closing price of our common shares on the date of grant. Further, if we are in possession of material information that has not been publicly disclosed, the Committee will not grant equity awards until all such information is available to the public.
Stock Ownership and Retention Guidelines

In order to better align theirthe financial interests of our executives with those of our shareholders, we believe our executives should own a meaningful number of our shares.shares of PolyOne stock. We have adopted share ownership guidelinesGuidelines specifying a minimum level of sharestock ownership for all executives, including all Named Executive Officers. In December 2012, we amended our Guidelines to more accurately reflect the market median multiple of salary for all of our executive officers, including our Named Executive Officers. This change was necessary due to significant stock price appreciation that had occurred since the prior adoption of the Guidelines.

The current retention requirements state that all officers are required to retain 100% of all net shares obtained through the Company as compensation for services provided. The requirement to retain 100% will cease when the Guidelines have been met provided that an officer can only divest of a number of shares such that the Guidelines continue to be met. In general, shares counted toward required ownership include shares directly held, shares and phantom shares held in our retirement or deferral plans, and RSUs. The specific levels of sharestock ownership for the Named Executive Officers are noted in the following table. Executives are expected to accumulate the specified shares within five


35


years of their becoming subject to the policy. The applicable guidelinesGuidelines. These policies, as they relate to our Directors, are reduced after age 55 by 10%discussed in the “Stock Ownership Guidelines for Directors” section of this proxy statement.

Stock Ownership Guidelines

   Newlin  Patterson  Diemer  Rosenau  Smith  Kedrowski 

Stock Ownership Target (in shares)

  275,000      120,000      75,000      45,000      45,000      45,000    

Prorated Stock Ownership Target (in shares)(1)

      
96,000  
  
  15,000                

Multiple of Salary (based on 3/1/13 closing stock price of $22.55)

  5.9      3.9      0.8      2.8      2.8      2.5    

Total Share Ownership as of 3/1/13

  581,304      258,859      97,917      168,674      139,965      226,453    

Value of Total Share Ownership as of 3/1/13

 $13,108,413     $5,837,276     $2,208,033     $3,803,599     $3,156,211     $5,106,515    

Value of Share Ownership as a Multiple of Salary

  12.48      10.59      5.08      10.42      8.65      12.77    

(1)Mr. Patterson and Mr. Diemer have been with PolyOne less than five years and are not yet required to reach 100% of the full Guidelines (120,000 shares for Mr. Patterson and 75,000 shares for Mr. Diemer). The stock ownership targets for Messrs. Patterson and Diemer have been reduced to reflect that each have been with PolyOne for less than five years.

Timing with Respect to Equity Award Grants

We have adopted a policy with respect to the timing of the original levelgrant of ownership each year for five years.

In general, shares counted toward required ownership include shares directly held and shares held in our benefitequity awards, which provides that equity awards are granted pursuant to approval by the Board or deferral plans (including RSUs, performance shares that have met the applicable performance criteria, and phantom shares under our nonqualified deferral plan). We amended our guidelinesCompensation Committee or, pursuant to add a stock retention component, which requires that executives retain half of all shares issued as compensation (net of taxes). This new feature became effective December 16, 2009. After age 55,authority delegated by the 50% retention requirement is reduced 10% each year for five years. These guidelines and retention requirements apply untilBoard or the executive retires.
                  
Element  Newlin  Patterson  Rosenau  Smith  Baert  
Share Ownership Target (in shares)  288,000  40,000  100,000  100,000  50,000  
                  
Total Share Ownership as of 3/15/10  644,800  211,500  125,717  133,774  84,066  
                  
Attainment Status  223.9%  528.8%  125.7%  133.8%  168.1%  
                  
Note: Ownership targets have been reduced by 20% for Mr. Newlin and 50% for Mr. Baert, accordingCompensation Committee to the applicable guideline pertaining to age reduction as discussed above. Mr. Newlin and Mr. Patterson have been withChief Executive Officer. Such grants generally should be made at times when the Company is not in possession of material non-public information; and not made during a “blackout period,” which is the period of time that is in close proximity to the release of financial or material non-public information. The policy further provides that, to the extent practicable, annual grants to existing employees should be approved

38


at regularly scheduled meetings and that the grant price for any stock option or stock appreciation right shall not be less than five years and are not yet required to reach 100%the fair market value of the full share ownership guideline (360,000Company’s common shares for Mr. Newlin and 100,000on the date of grant (which is defined as the closing price of our common shares for Mr. Patterson). The share ownership target for Mr. Newlin has been reduced to reflect he has been withon the Company for four years and the share ownership target for Mr. Patterson has been reduced to reflect he has been with the Company for two years.

Repaymentdate of Earned Incentives upon Restatement of Financial Resultsgrant).

Clawback Policy

We have adopted a policy that is consistent with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, which requires the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer to reimburse us for any awards received during the twelve-month period following the release of financial results that subsequently require an accounting restatement due to material noncompliance with any financial reporting requirement if they are subject to automatic forfeiture under Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. If necessary, we plan to modify our policy to comply with the provisions of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), when the SEC or NYSE implements rules and regulations.

Prohibition on Hedging and Pledging

Our Securities Trading Policy currently provides that, consistent with our philosophy to encourage long-term investments, Directors, officers and certain other employees of 2002.

Conclusion
Our executive compensation programsPolyOne are competitiveprohibited from engaging in the marketplace and linked toany speculative transactions involving our performance. These programs allow us to attract and retain high-caliber executives. We believe the designsecurities, including buying or selling puts or calls, short sales, or margin purchases of our compensation planssecurities. Directors, Officers and certain other employees are also prohibited from pledging our securities. If necessary, we plan to modify our policy to comply with the relative mixprovisions of compensation elements successfully motivates our executives and aligns both the short-term and long-term interests of employees and shareholders.
Dodd-Frank Act when they are finalized.


36

39


Executive Compensation

The following tables, narrative and footnotes discuss the compensation of our Named Executive Officers.

2012 SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

The following table sets forth the compensation earned by, and the compensation opportunity granted to, our principal executive officer, our principal financial officer,officers that served in such capacity in 2012, and our other three most highly compensated executive officers for 2012, during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2012, December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, as applicable.

Name and

Principal Position

(a)

 Year
(b)
 

Salary

($)

(c)

 

  Bonus  
($)

(d)

 

Stock

Awards

($)

(e)

 

Option

Awards

($)

(f)

 

Non-

Equity

Incentive

Plan

 Compensation 
($)

(g)

 

Change in
Pension

Value and
Nonqualified
Deferred

 Compensation 

Earnings

($)

(h)

 

All Other

 Compensation 
($)

(i)

 

Total

($)

(j)

Stephen D. Newlin,
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

   2012     978,846      1,519,440     1,611,627   4,081,699 1,273,625    336,808   9,802,045  
 2011 946,538  1,285,508 1,282,148 4,088,859    520,514  309,7591 8,433,326
 2010 860,000     967,589    850,590 3,030,236    538,990 1,263,730 7,511,135

Robert M. Patterson,
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

 2012 513,461     318,498    338,997 1,071,941             —    107,419 2,350,317
 2011 473,269     247,327    247,660    996,654             —      97,152 2,062,062
 2010 424,231     191,760    167,700    509,077             —      71,168 1,363,936

Richard J. Diemer, Jr.,
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 2012 339,635     537,100    185,500    381,885             —    109,706 1,553,826

Robert M. Rosenau,
Senior Vice President, President of Performance Products and Solutions

 2012 359,615     151,944    161,857    636,766    283,024      63,024 1,656,231

Kenneth M. Smith,
Senior Vice President, Chief Information and Human Resources Officer

 2012 359,615     151,944    161,857    612,645    249,773      84,186 1,620,021
 2011 350,769     131,809    130,732    617,187    158,619      83,045 1,472,161
 2010 340,923     107,865      94,380    504,501    130,531      70,308 1,248,508

Thomas J. Kedrowski,
Executive Vice President, Global Operations and Process Improvement

 2012 350,615     151,944    161,857    593,368             —      64,329 1,322,114
 2011 341,000     131,809    130,732    596,738             —      75,073 1,275,352
 2010 328,769     107,865      94,380    484,735             —    221,966 1,237,715

(1)Compensation for Mr. Diemer is provided only for 2012 as he was hired as our Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in March 2012. Compensation for Mr. Rosenau is provided only for 2012 because he was not a Named Executive Officer in 2010 and 2011.

Bonus (column (d))

No amounts are reported in this column because the Company paid annual incentives to the Named Executive Officers based upon pre-determined performance metrics. These payments, which were made under the Company’s Annual Plan, are reported in the Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation column (column (g)).

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Stock Awards (column (e))

The amounts reported in the stock awards column include, for 2012, time-vested stock settled RSUs granted in 2012 to the Named Executive Officers under our 2010 Plan. The amounts reported for 2012 represent the grant date fair value of those stock awards determined pursuant to FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 718. For information regarding the assumptions used in determining the fair value of these awards, please refer to Note 14, Share-Based Compensation, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 20092012. These grants are described more fully in the narrative following the 2012 Grants of Plan-Based Awards table and in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Analysis of 2012 Compensation Decisions and Actions — Long-Term Incentive — Awards Granted in 2012 — Restricted Stock Units” section of this proxy statement.

The Company cautions that the amounts reported for these awards may not represent the amounts that the Named Executive Officers will actually realize from these awards. To what extent a Named Executive Officer realizes value will depend on our stock price and continued employment.

Option Awards (column (f))

The amounts reported in the Option Awards column include, for 2012, stock-settled SARs with time and performance based vesting requirements that were granted in 2012 to the Named Executive Officers under our 2010 Plan. The amounts reported for 2012 represent the grant date fair value of those SARs granted to each of the Named Executive Officers, calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. For information regarding the assumptions used in determining the fair value of these awards, please refer to Note 14, Share-Based Compensation, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012. These grants are described more fully in the narrative following the 2012 Grants of Plan-Based Awards table and in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Analysis of 2012 Compensation Decisions and Actions — Long-Term Incentive — Awards Granted in 2012 — Stock-Settled SARs” section of this proxy statement.

The Company cautions that the amounts reported for these awards may not represent the amounts that the Named Executive Officers will actually realize from the awards. To what extent a Named Executive Officer realizes value will depend on our stock price and continued employment.

To see the value actually received upon exercise of SARs by the Named Executive Officers in 2012, refer to the Option Exercises and Stock Vested table section of this proxy statement.

Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation (column (g))

The amounts reported in the Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation column for 2012 reflect the amounts earned by each Named Executive Officer under the 2012 Annual Plan (and received in February, 2013), and under the 2010 — 2012 Long-Term Incentive Plan awards (and received in December, 2012). The terms of the Annual Plan are described more fully in the narrative following the 2012 Grants of Plan-Based Awards table and in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Analysis of 2012 Compensation Decisions and Actions — Annual Incentive” section of this proxy statement.

41


The terms of the 2010 — 2012 Long-Term Incentive Plan cash-settled performance units are described more fully in the narrative following the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Analysis of 2012 Compensation Decisions and Actions — Awards Granted in Prior Years” section of this proxy statement. The amounts earned by the named Executive Officers under each award are listed below.

 Name 

        Annual Plan        

($)

 

Cash-Settled
        Performance Units        

($)

 S.D. Newlin

 2,017,794 2,063,905

 R.M. Patterson

    673,559    398,382

 R.J. Diemer, Jr.

    381,885 N/A

 R.M. Rosenau

    395,577    241,189

 K.M. Smith

    370,656    241,989

 T.J. Kedrowski

    361,379    231,989

Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings (column (h))

The amounts reported in the Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings column for 2012 are comprised entirely of changes between December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2012.

Mr. Newlin is entitled to a supplemental retirement benefit under his employment agreement, as described more fully in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Analysis of 2012 Compensation Decisions and Actions — Retirement Benefits” section of this proxy statement. The amount listed for him for 2012 represents the aggregate change in actuarial present value (determined by subtracting the December 31, 2011 actuarial present value from the December 31, 2012 actuarial present value) of the annual benefit payment that will be payable as a 15-year certain and continuous life annuity beginning at age 59.9 and assumes that Mr. Newlin has a “Qualifying Separation from Service” as that term is defined in his employment agreement.

Messrs. Rosenau and Smith participate in the Qualified Pension Plan and the Benefit Restoration Plan that existed prior two fiscal years, if applicable.

                                              
                     Change in
      
                     Pension
      
                  Non-
  Value and
      
                  Equity
  Nonqualified
      
               Option/
  Incentive
  Deferred
      
            Stock
  SAR
  Plan
  Compensation
  All Other
   
Name and
     Salary
  Bonus
  Awards(2)
  Awards(3)
  Compensation(4)
  Earnings
  Compensation
  Total
Principal Position  Year  ($)  ($)  ($)  ($)  ($)  ($)  ($)  ($)
Stephen D. Newlin,   2009   $860,000   $  —   $312,547   $275,559   $1,720,000   $516,552(5)  $138,847(7)  $3,823,505 
                                              
Chairman, President &   2008    831,731        771,931    648,168    1,044,150    4,341,255    135,106    7,772,341 
                                              
Chief Executive Officer   2007    741,635            839,876    1,482,066        208,069    3,271,646 
                                              
Robert M. Patterson,
Senior Vice President and
   2009    415,000        60,325    53,223    415,000        198,924(8)   1,142,472 
                                              
Chief Financial Officer   2008    255,385        307,200    160,800    107,568        85,109    916,062 
                                              
Robert Rosenau,
Senior Vice President,
   2009    335,000        35,179    31,042    314,398    142,521(6)   64,014(9)   922,154 
President of Performance
Products and Solutions
                                             
                                              
Kenneth M. Smith,   2009    336,000        35,179    31,042    336,000    121,177(6)   61,563(10)   920,961 
                                              
Senior Vice President,   2008    333,308        84,798    70,512    210,289    156,297    69,065    924,269 
                                              
Chief Information and Chief Human Resources Officer   2007    323,712            159,315    149,053    189,074    76,485    897,639 
                                              
Bernard P. Baert,   2009    424,953        28,194    24,898    283,974        78,259(11)   840,278 
                                              
Senior Vice President,
President of Europe and
   2008    415,441        84,798    70,512    121,564        84,388    776,703 
                                              
International(1)
   2007    421,668            144,609    166,263        86,727    819,267 
                                              
(1)Mr. Baert’s compensation is based in Euros. The conversion rate used for purposes of converting the Euros earned by Mr. Baert into dollars for purposes of this table was €1.00 = $1.43325, which is the conversion rate used in our Annual Report onForm 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.
(2)This column includes the grants of Performance Shares granted in 2009 to the Named Executive Officers under our 2008 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan. These grants are described more fully in the narrative following the 2009 Grants of Plan-Based Awards table and in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Elements of Compensation — Long-Term Incentive — Awards Granted in 2009 — Performance Shares” section of this proxy statement. The amounts reflected in the table for 2009 represent the grant date fair value of the award computed in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 718. Additional information regarding assumptions made in the valuation of the award can be found in Note 16 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in our Annual Report onForm 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.
(3)This column includes the grants of target-priced, stock-settled SARs granted in 2009 to the Named Executive Officers under our 2008 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan. These grants are described more fully in the narrative following the 2009 Grants of Plan-Based Awards table and in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Elements of Compensation — Long-Term Incentive — Awards Granted in 2009 — Stock-Settled SARs” section of this proxy statement. The amounts reflected in the table for 2009 represent the grant date fair value of the award computed in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 718. Additional information regarding assumptions made in the valuation of the award can be found in Note 16 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in our Annual Report onForm 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.
(4)This column reflects amounts earned by the Named Executive Officers under the Annual Plan. The terms of the plan are described more fully in the narrative following the 2009 Grants of Plan-Based Awards
to our formation in 2000 through the consolidation of Geon and M.A. Hanna. The amounts listed for them represent the aggregate change in actuarial present value (determined by subtracting the December 31, 2011 actuarial present value from the December 31, 2012 actuarial present value) of Messrs. Rosenau and Smith’s accumulated benefits under the Qualified Pension Plan and the Benefit Restoration Plan.


37All Other Compensation (column (i))

The amounts reported in the All Other Compensation column for 2012 reflect, for each Named Executive Officer, the sum of (1) the incremental cost to the Company of all other executive benefits, (2) dividend equivalents on outstanding RSUs and (3) the amounts contributed by the Company to the Qualified Savings Plan and the Nonqualified Retirement Plan. Amounts contributed to either the Qualified Savings Plan and the Nonqualified Retirement Plan are calculated on the same basis for all participants, including the Named Executive Officers. The material provisions of the Qualified Savings Plan and the Nonqualified Retirement Plan are described in the narrative following the “2012 Pension Benefits” section of this proxy statement.

42


The following table outlines those other executive benefits and additional all other compensation required by SEC rules to be separately quantified. The narrative following the table describes all categories of other benefits and other personal benefits provided by the Company in 2012.

 Name

    (a)

 

Benefit
Allowance
($)

(b)

 

Financial
Planning &
Tax

Preparation
($)

(c)

 

Dividend
Equivalents
on
Outstanding

RSUs

($)

(d)

 

Executive
Physical

($)

(e)

 

Company
Contributions

to Qualified
Savings Plan

($)

(f)

 

Company
Contributions
to

Nonqualified
Retirement
Plan

($)

(g)

 

Moving
Allowance

($)

(h)

  

Spouse/
Guest
Travel
($)

(i)

  

Tax
Gross-ups

($)

(j)

  

Total

($)

(k)

 

 S.D. Newlin

 24,000 13,000 62,380 3,575 16,250 178,991  0    22,675    15,938    336,808  

 R.M. Patterson

   7,200 10,000 12,500 2,036 16,250 56,012  0    2,009    1,412    107,419  

 R.J. Diemer, Jr.

         0   3,500 7,000 3,300 16,250 5,826  44,356    0    29,474    109,706  

 R.M. Rosenau

 19,200 10,000 6,560        0 16,250 7,835  0    1,867    1,312    63,024  

 K.M. Smith

 19,200   8,464 6,560 2,200 16,250 31,512  0    0    0    84,186  

 T.J. Kedrowski

 19,200 10,000 6,560        0 16,250 12,319  0    0    0    64,329  

Benefit Allowance (column (b))

table and in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Elements of Compensation — Annual Incentive” section of this proxy statement.
(5)Mr. Newlin is entitled to a supplemental retirement benefit under his Letter Agreement (as amended on July 18, 2008), as described more fully in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Elements of Compensation — Retirement Benefits” section of this proxy statement. The amount reflected in the table for 2009 reflects the change in net present value of the annual benefit payment that will be payable as a15-year certain and continuous life annuity beginning at age 58.6 and assumes that Mr. Newlin has a “Qualifying Separation from Service.”
(6)Among the Named Executive Officers, Messrs. Rosenau and Smith participate in the Qualified Pension Plan and the Nonqualified Pension Plan that existed prior to our formation in 2000 through the consolidation of Geon and M.A. Hanna. The aggregate actuarial present value of Messrs. Rosenau’s and Smith’s accumulated benefits under the Qualified Pension Plan and the Nonqualified Pension Plan increased by the amount shown in the table above. Above-market or preferential earnings are not available under any of our non-qualified deferred compensation plans.
(7)Amounts under “All Other Compensation” for Mr. Newlin include taxgross-ups on personal benefits in the amount of $9,807, PolyOne’s cash contributions to our Qualified Savings Plan in the amount of $15,925, PolyOne’s cash contributions under our non-qualified retirement plan providing for benefits in excess of the amounts permitted to be contributed under the Qualified Savings Plan in the amount of $84,167 and excess liability umbrella insurance coverage in the amount of $831. Mr. Newlin also received perquisites in 2009, reflected in the table, with the following incremental costs: car allowance ($14,400), financial planning and tax preparation expenses ($12,963), and an executive physical ($754).
(8)Amounts under “All Other Compensation” for Mr. Patterson include taxgross-ups on personal benefits (including a gross up on reimbursement for moving expenses described below) in the amount of $68,126, PolyOne’s cash contributions to our Qualified Savings Plan in the amount of $7,870, PolyOne’s cash contributions under our non-qualified retirement plan providing for benefits in excess of the amounts permitted to be contributed under the Qualified Savings Plan in the amount of $26,097 and excess liability umbrella insurance coverage in the amount of $831. Mr. Patterson also received perquisites in 2009, reflected in the table, with the following incremental costs: reimbursement of moving expenses, including a portion of his loss on sale ($90,000), incidental moving expenses ($3,750), and financial planning and tax preparation expenses ($2,250).
(9)Amounts under “All Other Compensation” for Mr. Rosenau include taxgross-ups on personal benefits in the amount of $5,331, PolyOne’s cash contributions to our Qualified Savings Plan in the amount of $25,227, PolyOne’s cash contributions under our non-qualified retirement plan providing for benefits in excess of the amounts permitted to be contributed under the Qualified Savings Plan in the amount of $4,905, excess liability umbrella insurance coverage in the amount of $831, return of contributions incorrectly made to the non-qualified deferred compensation plan in 2008 in the amount of $6,752, reimbursement of a tax penalty related to under reporting of 2008 income due to the non-qualified deferred compensation plan error in the amount of $1,350, andgross-up of the tax penalty in the amount of $957. Mr. Rosenau also received perquisites in 2009, reflected in the table, with the following incremental costs: car allowance ($12,000) and financial planning and tax preparation expenses ($6,661).
(10)Amounts under “All Other Compensation” for Mr. Smith include taxgross-ups on personal benefits in the amount of $5,348, PolyOne’s cash contributions to our Qualified Savings Plan in the amount of $23,008, PolyOne’s cash contributions under our non-qualified retirement plan providing for benefits in excess of the amounts permitted to be contributed under the Qualified Savings Plan in the amount of $13,690, and excess liability umbrella insurance coverage in the amount of $831. Mr. Smith also received perquisites in 2009, reflected in the table, with the following incremental costs: car allowance ($12,000) and financial planning and tax preparation expenses ($6,686).
(11)Amounts under “All Other Compensation” for Mr. Baert include PolyOne’s cash contributions to tax-efficient savings plans generally provided to all Belgium and Luxembourg employees, in the amount of $52,316 and excess liability umbrella insurance coverage in the amount of $831. Mr. Baert also received perquisites in 2009, reflected in the table, with the following incremental costs: company provided automobile ($19,889), meal vouchers ($2,081) and customer entertainment allowance ($3,142).
The Company provides nominal benefit allowances to certain executives, including the Named Executive Officers.


38Financial Planning and Tax Preparation (column (c))

The Company provides a taxable reimbursement to the Named Executive Officers for financial planning, which may include tax preparation and estate planning services. No tax reimbursement is provided to the Named Executive Officers for this benefit.

Dividend Equivalents on Outstanding RSUs (column (d))

The 2010 Plan provides for dividend equivalents on outstanding RSUs for all eligible participants, including the Named Executive Officers, which are deferred and contingent upon meeting the vesting requirements of the underlying RSUs. The amounts in this column represent dividend equivalents attributable to outstanding RSUs in 2012, including dividends declared on October 11, 2012 to shareholders of record on December 12, 2012 and paid on January 7, 2013. As the dividends were not considered in the grant date fair value computation for those awards under FASB ASC Topic 718, they are reported as “All Other Compensation.”

Executive Physicals (column (e))

The Company makes executive physicals available to all executive officers, including the Named Executive Officers.

Company Contributions to Qualified Savings Plan (column (f))

The Company makes matching contributions on behalf of all employees, including the Named Executive Officers in accordance with the Qualified Savings Plan.

Company Contributions to Nonqualified Retirement Plan (column (g))

The Company makes matching contributions on behalf of all eligible participants, including the Named Executive Officers, under the Nonqualified Savings Plan.

43


Moving Allowance (column (h))

The Company provided a moving allowance to Mr. Diemer to assist with the expense attributable to relocation, including, temporary housing and house hunting trips.

2009Spouse/Guest Travel (column (i))

The Company imputes income to our Named Executive Officers for spouse/guest travel, which was incurred by Messrs. Newlin, Patterson and Rosenau in connection with the Company’s achievement award meeting. Attendees at this achievement award meeting are encouraged to bring a guest to celebrate the achievements of the Company’s best performers. Spouse/guest travel was also incurred by Mr. Newlin in conjunction with attending certain business and customer events, where guests were expected to attend as participants in the meetings.

Tax Gross-ups (column (j))

The Company provides a tax gross-up on moving allowances and imputed spouse/guest travel expenses incurred in conjunction with Company business travel.

44


2012 GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS

                                                 
      Estimated Future Payouts Under
  Estimated Future Payouts Under
         
      Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards(2)  Equity Incentive Plan Awards(4)         
                        Exercise or
  Closing
  Grant Date
                        Base Price
  Market
  Fair Value
                        of Option/
  Price on
  of Stock and
   Grant
  Threshold(3)
  Target 
  Maximum 
  Thershold
  Target
  Maximum
  Awards(5)
  Grant
  Option/ SAR
Name  Date  ($)  ($)  ($)  (#)  (#)  (#)  ($/Sh)  Date  Awards(6)
S.D. Newlin  (1)   258,000    860,000    1,720,000                               
                                                 
   3/5/2009   309,600    1,032,000    2,064,000                               
                                                 
   3/5/2009                      426,100        1.43    1.43    275,559 
                                                 
   3/5/2009                      246,100                  312,547 
                                                 
R.M. Patterson  (1)   62,250    207,500    415,000                               
                                                 
   3/5/2009   59,760    199,200    398,400                               
                                                 
   3/5/2009                      82,300        1.43    1.43    53,223 
                                                 
   3/5/2009                      47,500                  60,325 
                                                 
R.M. Rosenau  (1)   50,250    167,500    335,000                               
                                                 
   3/5/2009   36,180    120,600    241,200                               
                                                 
   3/5/2009                      48,000        1.43    1.43    31,042 
                                                 
   3/5/2009                      27,700                  35,179 
                                                 
K.M. Smith  (1)   50,400    168,000    336,000                               
                                                 
   3/5/2009   36,300    121,000    242,000                               
                                                 
   3/5/2009                      48,000        1.43    1.43    31,042 
                                                 
   3/5/2009                      27,700                  35,179 
                                                 
B. Baert  (1)   63,743    212,476    424,953                               
                                                 
   3/5/2009   45,150    150,500    301,000                               
                                                 
   3/5/2009                      38,500        1.43    1.43    24,898 
                                                 
   3/5/2009                      22,200                  28,194 
 
(1)There is no Grant Date for these awards. This row relates to awards made under our cash-based Annual Plan.
(2)The first row of this column for each Named Executive Officer represents the annual cash incentive opportunity for the Named Executive Officers under the Annual Plan. The actual amount earned for 2009 under the Annual Plan is included in the “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column of the Summary Compensation Table. The second row of this column for each Named Executive Officer represents the performance units awarded to each Named Executive Officer under our 2008 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan. Each performance unit is equal in value to $1.00. These performance units are subject to achievement of specified performance goals over the performance period from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2009. The performance units will be paid in cash, if earned, contingent upon the Named Executive Officer remaining in continuous employment through the payment date, which shall be in 2012 and shall occur no later than March 15, 2012.


39

Name

(a)

 

Grant Date  
(b)

 Estimated Future Payouts Under
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards
  Estimated Future
Payouts Under Equity
Incentive Plan
Awards
  

All Other Stock
Awards:
Number of
Shares of Stock
or Units

(#)

(h)

  

Exercise or
Base Price of
Option
Awards

($/Sh)

(i)

     

Grant Date
Fair Value
of Stock
and Option
Awards

($)

(j)

 
  

 

 

 

Threshold
($)

(c)

  

Target

($)

(d)

  

Maximum
($)

(e)

  

Threshold
($)

(f)

  

Target
($)

(g)

     

S.D. Newlin

    538,365      1,076,731      2,153,462                          
 2/14/2012    514,500      1,029,000      2,058,000                          
 2/14/2012                77,333      232,000          14.61        1,611,627    
 2/14/2012                        104,000            1,519,440    

R.M. Patterson

    179,712      359,423      718,846                          
 2/14/2012    108,150      216,300      432,600                          
 2/14/2012                16,267      48,800          14.61        338,997    
 2/14/2012                        21,800            318,498    

R.J. Diemer, Jr.

    101,890      203,781      407,562                          
 3/8/2012    65,000      130,000      260,000                          
 3/8/2012      ��         10,000      30,000          13.01        185,500    
 3/8/2012                        30,000            390,300    
 7/16/2012                        10,000            146,800    

R.M. Rosenau

    98,894      197,788      395,577                          
 2/14/2012    53,250      106,500      213,000                          
 2/14/2012                7,767      23,300          14.61        161,857    
 2/14/2012                        10,400            151,944    

K.M. Smith

    98,894      197,788      395,577                          
 2/14/2012    53,250      106,500      213,000                          
 2/14/2012                7,767      23,300          14.61        161,857    
 2/14/2012                        10,400            151,944    

T.J. Kedrowski

    96,419      192,838      385,677                          
 2/14/2012    51,900      103,800      207,600                          
 2/14/2012                7,767      23,300          14.61        161,857    
 2/14/2012                        10,400            151,944    

Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards (columns (c), (d) and (e))

The amounts located in the first row for each Named Executive Officer represent the cash-based award granted to the Named Executive Officer in 2012 under the Annual Plan. There is no grant date for the awards made under the Annual Plan. The actual amount earned for 2012 is included in the “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column (column (g)) of the 2012 Summary Compensation Table of this proxy statement.

The amounts located in the second row for each Named Executive Officer represent the cash-settled performance units awarded in 2012 to the Named Executive Officer. Each performance unit is equal in value to $1.00. These cash-settled performance units are initially subject to achieving specified performance goals over the performance period from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2014. The cash-settled performance units will be paid in cash, if earned, contingent upon the Named Executive Officer remaining in continuous employment through the payment date, which shall be in 2015 and shall occur no later than March 15, 2015.

45


“Threshold” refers to the minimum amount payable upon reaching the threshold level of performance under the Annual Plan and the 2010 Plan. If threshold performance is not attained, then the participant will receive $0 for the 2012 awards granted under each applicable plan.

Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards (columns (f) and (g))

(3)Threshold refers to the minimum amount payable upon reaching the threshold level of performance. If threshold performance is not attained, the participant will receive $0 for this award.
(4)The first row of this column for each Named Executive Officer represents stock-settled SARs granted under our 2008 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan that vest one-third per year over three years, but only upon the attainment of target prices (sustained for three consecutive trading days) for our common shares as follows: 1/3 @ $1.57; 1/3 @ $1.72; and 1/3 @ $1.86. The second row of this column for each Named Executive Officer represents stock-settled Performance Shares granted under our 2008 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan that vest upon the attainment of target prices (sustained for three consecutive trading days) for our common shares as follows: 1/3 @ $1.57; 1/3 @ $1.72; and 1/3 @ $1.86. Vested Performance Shares will be released three years from the date of grant. The award of SARs and Performance Shares provide a single estimated payout and, thus, the total number of SARS and Performance Shares granted in 2009 are reported in the “Target” column above.
(5)In setting the base price of SARs, we have followed the practice of using the closing price on the grant date. This practice is in compliance with our 2008 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan. The award of stock-settled SARs that was granted on March 5, 2009 to the Named Executive Officers was priced using the grant date closing price of $1.43.
(6)This represents the grant date fair value of each equity-based award, computed in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 718. Additional information regarding assumptions made in the valuation of the award can be found in Note 16 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in our Annual Report onForm 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.
Set forth belowColumns (f) and (g) represent stock-settled SARs granted to the Named Executive Officers, which initially vest in one-third increments upon attaining each of the following stock price hurdles for thirty consecutive trading days: 10%, 15% and 20% respective increase over the initial grant date closing stock price of $14.61. The stock price hurdles were achieved in 2012. These SARs are also subject to time-based vesting, which lapse one-third on each of the first three anniversaries of the date of grant, generally subject to the officer’s continued employment. They have an exercise term of ten years.

“Threshold” refers to the minimum number of shares underlying the SAR award that will vest upon reaching the threshold level of performance, which is narrativesatisfaction of the first stock price hurdle. Threshold equates to vesting in one-third of the SAR award. If threshold performance is not attained, then the participant will not vest in any of the SARs for the 2012 award. “Target” refers to the number of shares underlying the SARs that will vest upon satisfaction of all of the stock price hurdles under the 2012 grant. The SARs do not have a “maximum” level of attainment as a participant cannot receive SARs in excess of the initial award.

All Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock or Units (RSUs) (column (h))

This column represents stock-settled RSUs granted to the Named Executive Officers in 2012 under the 2010 Plan, which vest on the third anniversary of the grant date. The RSUs have dividend equivalent rights that entitle the grantee to dividend equivalents on each share of our common stock underlying the award equal to the dividend per share declared and paid on our issued and outstanding shares of common stock. The dividend equivalent rights are subject to the same restrictions as the underlying RSUs.

Exercise or Base Price of Option Awards (column (i))

In setting the base price of these SARs, we followed the practice of using the closing price on the grant date. This practice is in compliance with the 2010 Plan. The award of stock-settled SARs that was granted in 2012 to the Named Executive Officers was established with a base price equal to PolyOne’s closing stock price on the date of the grant.

Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option/SAR Awards (columns (j))

The amounts in this column represent the grant date fair value of each equity-based award, computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. For information regarding the assumptions used in determining the fair value of an award, please refer to Note 14, Share-Based Compensation, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012.

Narrative disclosure relating to the 2012 Summary Compensation Table and the 20092012 Grants of Plan-Based Awards table.

Table

Senior Executive Annual Incentive Plan

Annual cash incentives were awarded for 20092012 under our Annual Plan and are based on achievement ofachieving performance goals relating to company operating incomeCompany Adjusted Operating Income and consolidated working capital Working Capital

46


as a percentagePercentage of salesSales (for the corporate staff participants) and business unit operating incomeOperating Income and consolidated working capitalWorking Capital as a percentagePercentage of salesSales (for Messrs. Rosenau and Baert)Mr. Rosenau). Achievement of a performance goal at the threshold level results in payment of 30% of the targeted award for that performance goal; achievement of a performance goal at the target level results in a payment of 100% of the targeted award for that performance goal; and, achievement at the maximum level or greater results in payment of 200% of the targeted award for that goal. In no event will a Named Executive Officer receive an award that exceeds the plan maximum of $2,000,000. If performance falls between the levels, the award payouts are interpolated. For a more detailed discussion of our annual incentive plan,Annual Plan, see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — ElementsAnalysis of 2012 Compensation Decisions and Actions — Annual Incentive.”

Cash-Settled Performance Units

Cash-settled performance units were granted in 20092012 to all of our Named Executive Officers under our 2008 Equity and Performance Incentive2010 Plan and are based on achievementupon achieving four distinct performance goals related to four distinct performance periods that are weighted 25% each. There are three one-year performance periods and one three-year cumulative performance period, each of thewhich requires performance at a range specified between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2014. The performance goals are based upon Adjusted Earnings Per Share. For each performance goal working capital as a percentage of sales, over a one-year period. If we achieve performance atthat is achieved, the threshold level, 30% of the performance unitsapplicable award will vest and be earned; if we achieve performance at the targeted level, 100% of the performance units will be earned; and, if we achieve performance at the maximum level or greater, 200% of the performance units will be earned. If performance falls between the levels, the number of performance units earned is interpolated.distributed in early 2015, generally subject to continued employment. For a more detailed discussion of the cash-settled performance units granted in 2009,2012, see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — ElementsAnalysis of 2012 Compensation Decisions and Actions — Long-Term Incentive — Awards Granted in 20092012 — Cash-Settled Performance Units.”


40


Stock-Settled SARs

In 2009, our2012, the Compensation Committee granted stock-settled SARs to the Named Executive Officers. These SARs initially vest in one-third increments upon attaining each of the following stock price hurdles for thirty consecutive trading days: 10%, 15% and 20% respective increase over the initial grant date closing stock price of $14.61. The stock price hurdles were achieved in 2012. These SARs are also subject to time-based vesting, which lapse one-third on each of the first three anniversaries of the date of grant, generally subject to the officer’s continued employment. They have aan exercise term of seven years and vest one-third per year over three years, but only upon on achievement of performance criteria that require a 10%, 20% and 30% premium over the grant price.ten years. For a more detailed discussion of the stock-settled SARs granted in 2009,2012, see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — ElementsAnalysis of 2012 Compensation Decisions and Actions — Long-Term Incentive — Awards Granted in 20092012 — Stock-Settled SARs.”

Performance SharesRestricted Stock Units

In 2009, our

The Compensation Committee granted Performance SharesRSUs to the Named Executive Officers.Officers in 2012. The Performance SharesRSUs vest 100% and are payable in one-third increments when a 10%, 20%full on the third anniversary of the grant date. The RSUs are accompanied by dividend equivalent rights that entitle the grantee to dividend equivalents on each share of our common stock underlying the award equal to the dividend per share declared and 30% premium in grant price is achieved overpaid on our issued and outstanding shares of common stock. The dividend equivalent rights are subject to the three-year performance period, payable after three years.same restrictions as the underlying RSUs. For a more detailed discussion of the Performance SharesRSUs granted in 2009,2012, see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — ElementsAnalysis of 2012 Compensation Decisions and Actions — Long-Term Incentive — Awards Granted in 20092012Performance Shares.Restricted Stock Units.

Employment Agreements

We do not have employment agreements with any of our Named Executive Officers except for Messrs. Newlin and Baert.Mr. Newlin. Mr. Newlin’s and Mr. Baert’s Employment Agreements areemployment agreement is described in detail in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Employment AgreementAgreements with the ChiefNamed Executive Officer,” “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Employment Agreement with Bernard Baert,”Officers” and the “Potential Payments Uponupon Termination orChange-of-Control” Change of Control” sections of this proxy statement.


41

47


2009 OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT 2012 FISCAL YEAR-END
                                    
   Option/SAR Awards  Stock Awards
         Equity
            
         Incentive Plan
            
   Number of
  Number of
  Awards: Number of
            
   Securities
  Securities
  Securities
           Market Value
   Underlying
  Underlying
  Underlying
        Number of Shares
  of Shares or
   Unexercised
  Unexercised
  Unexercised
  Option
     or Units of Stock
  Units of Stock
   Options
  Options
  Unearned
  Exercise
  Option
  That Have Not
  That Have Not
   Exercisable(1)
  Unexercisable
  Options
  Price
  Expiration
  Vested
  Vested(2)
Name  (#)  (#)  (#)  ($)  Date  (#)  ($)
S.D. Newlin                            114,700(3)   856,809 
                                    
                             246,100(4)   1,838,367 
                                    
    116,600(5)        58,300(5)   9.1850    2/20/2013           
                                    
    308,400(6)             6.5850    3/7/2014           
                                    
    95,600(7)   191,200(7)        6.7650    3/5/2015           
                                    
              426,100(8)   1.4300    3/4/2016           
                                    
R.M. Patterson                            40,000(3)   298,800 
                                    
                             47,500(4)   354,825 
                                    
    20,000(7)   40,000(7)        7.7200    5/14/2015           
                                    
              82,300(8)   1.4300    3/4/2016           
                                    
R.M. Rosenau                            12,600(3)   94,122 
                                    
                             27,700(4)   206,919 
                                    
              14,400(9)   8.9400    1/4/2012           
                                    
    23,800(5)        11,900(5)   6.5100    1/3/2013           
                                    
    55,200(6)             6.5850    3/7/2014           
                                    
    10,400(7)   20,800(7)        6.7650    3/5/2015           
                                    
              48,000(8)   1.4300    3/4/2016           
                                    
    200              9.0000    9/4/2010           
                                    
    6,900              8.7000    2/27/2011           
                                    
    6,900              12.2200    3/25/2012           
                                    
    5,372              6.0000    3/31/2013           
                                    
K.M. Smith                            12,600(3)   94,122 
                                    
                             27,700(4)   206,919 
                                    
              18,600(9)   8.9400    1/4/2012           
                                    
    29,800(5)        14,900(5)   6.5100    1/3/2013           
                                    
    58,500(6)             6.5850    3/7/2014           
                                    
    10,400(7)   20,800(7)        6.7650    3/5/2015           
                                    
              48,000(8)   1.4300    3/4/2016           
                                    
    200              9.0000    9/4/2010           
                                    
    42,700              8.7000    2/27/2011           
                                    
    49,500              12.2200    3/25/2012           
                                    
    39,100              6.0000    3/31/2013           
                                    


42


                                    
   Option/SAR Awards  Stock Awards
         Equity
            
         Incentive Plan
            
   Number of
  Number of
  Awards: Number of
            
   Securities
  Securities
  Securities
           Market Value
   Underlying
  Underlying
  Underlying
        Number of Shares
  of Shares or
   Unexercised
  Unexercised
  Unexercised
  Option
     or Units of Stock
  Units of Stock
   Options
  Options
  Unearned
  Exercise
  Option
  That Have Not
  That Have Not
   Exercisable(1)
  Unexercisable
  Options
  Price
  Expiration
  Vested
  Vested(2)
Name  (#)  (#)  (#)  ($)  Date  (#)  ($)
B. Baert                            12,600(3)   94,122 
                                    
                             22,200(4)   165,834 
                                    
              18,600(9)   8.9400    1/4/2012           
                                    
    25,000(5)        12,500(5)   6.5100    1/3/2013           
                                    
    53,100(6)             6.5850    3/7/2014           
                                    
    10,400(7)   20,800(7)        6.7650    3/5/2015           
                                    
              38,500(8)   1.4300    3/4/2016           
                                    
    200              9.0000    9/4/2010           
                                    
    41,000              8.7000    2/27/2011           
                                    
    47,500              12.2200    3/25/2012           
                                    
(1)

Name

(a)

This column shows the fully-exercisable stock options and SARs previously granted to the Named Executive Officers.Option AwardsStock Awards
 

Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(#) Exercisable

(b)

Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(#) Unexercisable

(c)

Equity
Incentive Plan
Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Unearned

Options

(#)

(d)

Option
Exercise Price
($)

(e)

Option
Expiration
Date

(f)

Number of
Shares
or Units
of Stock

That Have
Not
Vested

(#)

(g)

Market
Value of
Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested

($)

(h)

(2)

S.D. Newlin

Based on the closing market price of our common shares on the last trading day of the 2009 fiscal year, December 31, 2009 ($7.47).124,077(1)2,533,652
 88,934(2)1,816,032
(3)These105,267(3)2,149,552
72,700(8)7.992/16/2017
52,633(9)105,267(9)14.812/16/2021
232,000(10)14.612/14/2022

R.M. Patterson

24,590(1)502,128
17,110(2)349,386
22,065(3)450,567
20,000(6)7.725/14/2015
28,667(8)14,333(8)7.992/16/2017
10,167(9)20,333(9)14.812/16/2021
48,800(10)14.612/14/2022

R.J. Diemer, Jr.

30,365(4)620,053
10,051(5)205,241
30,000(11)13.013/8/2022

R.M. Rosenau

13,831(1)282,429
9,118(2)186,190
10,526(3)214,941
24,000(7)1.433/4/2016
16,133(8)8,067(8)7.992/16/2017
5,367(9)10,733(9)14.812/16/2021
23,300(10)14.612/14/2022

K.M. Smith

13,831(1)282,429
9,118(2)186,190
10,526(3)214,941
8,067(8)7.992/16/2017
5,367(9)10,733(9)14.812/16/2021
23,300(10)14.612/14/2022

T.J. Kedrowski

13,831(1)282,429
9,118(2)186,190
10,526(3)214,941
8,067(8)7.992/16/2017
10,733(9)14.812/16/2021
23,300(10)14.612/14/2022

48


(1)Represents stock-settled RSUs that were granted in 2008on February 17, 2010 and vest in full on the third anniversary of the grant date. The RSUs include shares deemed purchased with reinvested dividend equivalents that become subject to the same forfeiture conditions as the shares to which the dividends relate.

(2)Represents stock-settled RSUs that were granted on February 16, 2011 and vest in full on the third anniversary of the grant date. The RSUs include shares deemed purchased with reinvested dividend equivalents that become subject to the same forfeiture conditions as the shares to which the dividends relate.

(3)Represents stock-settled RSUs that were granted on February 14, 2012 and vest in full on the third anniversary of the grant date. The RSUs include shares deemed purchased with reinvested dividend equivalents that become subject to the same forfeiture conditions as the shares to which the dividends relate.

(4)Represents stock-settled RSUs that were granted on March 8, 2012 and vest in full on the third anniversary of the grant date. The RSUs include shares deemed purchased with reinvested dividend equivalents that become subject to the same forfeiture conditions as the shares to which the dividends relate.

(5)Represents stock-settled RSUs that were granted on July 16, 2012 and vest in full on the third anniversary of the grant date. The RSUs include shares deemed purchased with reinvested dividend equivalents that become subject to the same forfeiture conditions as the shares to which the dividends relate.

(6)These stock-settled SARs were granted on May 15, 2008 and vested in one-third increments on each of the first three anniversaries of the date of grant.

(4)(7)These stock-settled Performance SharesSARs were granted inon March 5, 2009 and vested upon (1) the attainment of the following target prices sustained for three consecutive trading days for our common shares: one-third at $1.57; one-third at $1.72; and one-third at $1.86 and (2) time based vesting in one-third increments on each of the first three anniversaries of the date of grant.

(8)These stock-settled SARs were granted on February 17, 2010 and vested in one-third increments on each of the first three anniversaries of the date of grant.

(9)These stock-settled SARs were granted on February 16, 2011 and vest in one-third increments on each of the first three anniversaries of the date of grant.

(10)These stock-settled SARs were granted on February 14, 2012 and vest in increments upon the attainment of target prices (sustained for three consecutive trading dates) for our common shares as follows: 1/3 @ $1.57; 1/3 @ $1.72; and 1/3 @ $1.86. Vested Performance Shares will be released 3 years from the date of grant.
(5)These stock-settled SARs were granted in 2006 and vest upon the attainment of target prices (sustained for threethirty consecutive trading days) for our common shares as follows: 1/3 @ $7.50; 1/3 @ $8.50;one-third at $16.07; one-third at $16.80; and 1/3 @ $10.00. In no event may theone-third at $17.53. The stock price hurdles were achieved in 2012. The SARs vest sooner than one year from the date of grant.
(6)These stock-settled SARs were granted in 2007 and vest upon the attainment of target prices (sustained for three consecutive trading days) for our common shares as follows: 1/3 @ $7.24; 1/3 @ $7.90; and 1/3 @ $8.56. In no event may the SARs vest sooner than one year from the date of grant.
(7)These stock-settled SARs were granted in 2008 and vestare now subject to time-based vesting that lapse one-third on each of the first three anniversaries of the date of grant.

(8)(11)These stock-settled SARs were granted in 2009 and vest ratably over three years upon the attainment of target prices (sustained for three consecutive trading days) for our common shares as follows: 1/3 @ $1.57; 1/3 @ $1.72; and 1/3 @ $1.86. In no event may the SARs vest sooner than one year from the grant date.
(9)These stock-settled SARs were granted in 2005on March 8, 2012 and vest upon the attainment of target prices (sustained for threethirty consecutive trading days) for our common shares as follows: 1/3 @ $9.84; 1/3 @ $10.73;one-third at $16.07; one-third at $16.80; and 1/3 @ $11.63.one-third at $17.53. The stock price hurdles were achieved in 2012. The SARs are now subject to time-based vesting that lapse one-third on each of the first three anniversaries of the date of grant.


43Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options Exercisable (column (b))

This column shows the fully vested and exercisable SARs held by the Named Executive Officers as of December 31, 2012.

Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options Unexercisable (column (c))

This column shows the unvested SARs held by the Named Executive Officers as of December 31, 2012.

49


Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options (column (d))

There are no shares underlying unexercised SARs awarded under any equity incentive plan that have not been earned.

2009Option Exercise Price (column (e))

This column shows the exercise (or base) price for each SAR instrument reported in column (b), (c) and (d).

Option Expiration Date (column (f))

This column shows the expiration dates for each SAR instrument reported in column (b), (c) and (d).

Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have not Vested (column (g))

This column shows the unvested RSUs held by the Named Executive Officers as of December 31, 2012. The RSUs have dividend equivalent rights that entitle the grantee to dividend equivalents on each share of our common stock underlying the award equal to the dividend per share declared and paid on our issued and outstanding shares of common stock. The amounts in this column include all dividend equivalents declared in 2011 and 2012 attributable to the awards (including the 4th quarter dividend declared on October 11, 2012, to shareholders of record on December 12, 2012, which was paid on January 7, 2013).

Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have not Vested (column (h))

The market value is determined based on the closing market price of our common shares on December 31, 2012 ($20.42).

2012 OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED

                   
   Option Awards   Stock Awards
   Number of Shares
            
   Acquired on
   Value Realized on
   Number of Shares
   Value Realized
   Exercise
   Exercise
   Acquired on Vesting(1)
   on Vesting(2)
Name  (#)   ($)   (#)   ($)
S.D. Newlin           134,600   $300,158
 
R.M. Patterson              
 
R.M. Rosenau              
 
K.M. Smith              
 
B. Baert              
 

Name  (a) Option Awards Stock Awards
 

  Number of Shares  
Acquired on
Exercise

(#)

(b)

 

  Value Realized on  
Exercise

($)

(c)

 

Number of Shares
  Acquired on Vesting  
(#)

(d)

 

  Value Realized  
on Vesting

($)

(e)

S.D. Newlin

 749,133 $7,486,830 249,152 $3,273,857

R.M. Patterson

 122,300   2,034,633   48,089      631,889

R.J. Diemer, Jr.

          —              —          —               —

R.M. Rosenau

   55,200     501,048   28,043      368,485

K.M. Smith

 133,833     968,215   28,043      368,485

T.J. Kedrowski

 160,700   1,612,918   28,043      368,485

Option Awards (columns (b) and (c))

Column (b) reports exercises of stock options and SARs during 2012 on aggregate basis. The value realized on exercise (column (c)) was computed by determining the difference between the market price of the underlying securities at exercise and the exercise price of the options/SARs. All of Mr. Newlin’s SARs were exercised pursuant to a trading plan established under Rule 10b5-1 of the Exchange Act.

50


Stock Awards (columns (d) and (e))

Column (d) reports the vesting and release of RSUs during 2012 on an aggregate basis. All of the stock awards that vested and were released in 2012 were granted on March 5, 2009 and released on March 5, 2012. The amounts in this column include shares awarded through the dividend equivalent right feature of the 2010 Plan, which have also been reported in the 2012 Summary Compensation Table under the “All Other Compensation” column of this proxy statement. The value realized on release (column (e)) was computed by multiplying the number of vested RSUs, including the corresponding dividend equivalent rights, by the market price of the underlying securities on the vesting date, in accordance with the 2010 Plan.

2012 PENSION BENEFITS

(1)NameRepresents the releasePlan Name

  Number of restricted shares (less shares required to satisfy tax withholding requirements) to Mr. Newlin upon their vesting.Years  
Credited Service

(#)

Present Value of
  Accumulated Benefit  

($)

  Payments During Last  
Fiscal Year

($)

S.D. Newlin

Supplemental retirement benefit under employment agreement

7,190,936(1)
(2)

R.M. Patterson

Based on the closing market price of our common shares on the last trading day prior to the vesting date, February 20, 2009 ($2.23).

N/A

R.J. Diemer, Jr.

N/A

R.M. Rosenau

PolyOne Merged Pension Plan

The Geon Company Section 401(a)(17) Benefit Restoration Plan

26.0

26.0

1,016,405(2)

764,895(2)

K.M. Smith

PolyOne Merged Pension Plan

The Geon Company Section 401(a)(17) Benefit Restoration Plan

17.4

17.4

661,909(2)(3)

843,520(2)(4)

T.J. Kedrowski

N/A

2009 PENSION BENEFITS
                 
      Number of Years
  Present Value of
  Payments During Last 
      Credited Service
  Accumulated Benefit
  Fiscal Year
Name  Plan Name  (#)  ($)  ($)
S.D. Newlin  Supplemental Retirement benefit under Letter Agreement      $4,857,807(1)  0
                 
R.M. Patterson  N/A          
                 
R.M. Rosenau  PolyOne Merged Pension Plan   26.0    662,707(2)  0
                 
   The Geon Company Section 401(a)(17) Benefit Restoration Plan   26.0    498,720(2)  0
                 
K.M. Smith  PolyOne Merged Pension Plan   17.4    424,954(2)(3)  0
                 
   The Geon Company Section 401(a)(17) Benefit Restoration Plan   17.4    541,552(2)(4)  0
                 
B. Baert  N/A          
                 

(1)TheAlthough lump-sum payments are not allowed under the terms of the arrangement, the Present Value of Accumulated Benefit shown above for Mr. Newlin is the lump-sum value as of December 31, 20092012 of the annual benefit payment earned as of December 31, 20092012 that will be payable under Mr. Newlin’s Amended and Restated Letter Agreement, dated as of July 16, 2008, providing for a15-year certain and continuous life annuity beginning at age 58.6. Lump sum payments are not allowed under the plan.59.9. The assumptions used to determine the lump-sum value are a discount rate of 6.18%4.13% and a post-retirement mortality using the RP-2000 Combined Healthy Mortality Tables for males projected by scale AA to 2010.2013 static annuitant table described in Internal Revenue Service Regulation §1.430(h)(3). No pre-retirement decrements are assumed.

(2)TheAlthough lump-sum payments are not allowed under either plan, the Present Value of Accumulated Benefit shown above for each plan for Messrs. Rosenau and Smith isare the lump-sum valuevalues as of December 31, 20092012 of the monthly pension benefit earned as of December 31, 20092012 that would be payable under that plan for Messrs. Rosenau’s and Smith’s liferespective lives beginning at age 62 (the earliest age prior to the Normal Retirement Agenormal retirement age of 65 when benefits can commence unreduced for early retirement). Lump sum payments are not allowed under either plan. The assumptions used to determine the lump-sum value are a discount rate of 6.18%4.13% and a post-retirement mortality using the RP-2000 Combined Healthy Mortality Tables for males projected by Scale AA to 2010.2013 static annuitant table described in Internal Revenue Service Regulation §1.430(h)(3). No pre-retirement decrements are assumed.


44


(3)Mr. Smith’s Number of Years Credited Service includes four additional years of pension service discussed in the narrative following the 20092012 Pension Benefit table.Benefits Table. Without the four additional years of pension service, the Present Value of Accumulated Benefit would have been $327,387$509,937 instead of the $424,954$661,909 shown in the table. Subsequent earnings under the qualified and non-qualifiednonqualified plan were frozen effective March 20, 2009.

(4)

Mr. Smith’s NumberPresent Value of Years Credited ServiceAccumulated Benefit includes four additional years of pension service discussed in the narrative following the 20092012 Pension benefit table.Benefits Table. Without the four additional years of pension service, the Present Value of Accumulated Benefit would have been $417,214$649,853 instead of the $541,552

51


$843,520 in the table. Subsequent earnings under the qualified and non-qualifiednonqualified plan were frozen effective March 20, 2009.
As

Messrs. Rosenau and Smith are eligible, along with certain other employees, to receive pension payments under the Qualified Pension Plan, as well as the Benefit Restoration Plan. In addition, since becoming retirement eligible (55 years of age with 10 years of service), Messrs. Rosenau and Smith are eligible to receive certain retiree medical benefits for which they will be required to pay a resultsubstantial portion of the continuation ofcost. This plan will be phased out until its elimination in 2013. These plans that existed prior to our formation in 2000 through the consolidation of Geon and M.A. Hanna we maintain two defined benefit plans for thoseand generally benefited all nonunion employees who were with those companies at the time of the consolidation. As of December 31, 1999, both plans were closed to new participants. Effective March 20, 2009, both plans were frozen so that participants no longer earn additional benefits. Only Messrs. Rosenau and Smith participate in these Pension Plans.

One plan is Geon.

The PolyOne Merged Pension Plan, which provides funded, tax-qualified benefits subject to the limits on compensation and benefits under the Internal Revenue Code (the “Qualified Plan”). The other plan is The Geon Company Section 401(a)(17) Benefit Restoration Plan (the “Benefit Restoration Plan”), which provides unfunded, non-qualified benefits that are in addition to those offered under the Qualified Pension Plan. The Benefit Restoration Plan benefitsBenefits are calculated under a formula similar to that of the Qualified Pension Plan, but without the compensation and benefit limits imposed by the Internal Revenue Code on qualified plans.Code. The benefits under the Benefit Restoration Plan are offset by benefits provided under the Qualified Pension Plan. The Qualified Pension Plan makes available a pension that is paid from funds in trust provided through contributions by us. Any pension benefit provided under the Benefit Restoration Plan is paid from our general assets.

The amount of the executive’sMessrs. Rosenau’s and Smith’s pension depends on a number of factors including monthly Final Average Earnings (FAE)(“FAE”) and years of credited benefit service to us (“Benefit Service.Service”). FAE is determined based on the highest four consecutive calendar years of an employee’s earnings. Earnings include salary, overtime pay, holiday pay, vacation pay, and certain incentive payments including annual cash bonuses, but exclude awards under long-term incentive programs and the match contributed by us in the qualified savings plans. The annual salary and bonus for the current year for the Named Executive Officers is indicated in the Summary Compensation Table.

The Qualified Pension Plan and Nonqualified Pension Plan were frozenprovides a monthly lifetime benefit equal to new entrants effective December 31, 1999.1.15% times FAE times Benefit Service was frozen effective December 31, 2002 in both plans and, effective March 20, 2009, earnings under both plans were frozen for all participants. We decided to freeze these plans following a comprehensive retirement benefits review, during which the Committee examined whether our retirement programs were consistent with company goals, including fairness to all associates and competitiveness in the marketplace. With this change, we have a single and competitive retirement plan for ourU.S.-based employees.
The combined Plans generally provide a benefit of 1.15% of FAE, times all years of pension service credit, plus 0.45% oftimes FAE in excess of 2002 “covered compensation”Covered Compensation (as defined by the Social Security Administration)Internal Revenue Code) times years of pension credit upBenefit Service limited to 35 years. In addition, those executives who were actively at work on December 31, 1989, may receive an additional pension service credit of up to four years if actual pension service credit is less than 24 years. Benefits become vested after five years of service and are generally payable on a monthly lifetime basis starting at age 65.


45


A formerretirement-eligible employee can elect to commence vested benefit payments as early as age 55 in lieu of waiting to age 65. However, the benefit described above is subject to reduction in recognition of the additional payments that are received because of early commencement. The reduction for early retirement is determined differently depending on whether the former employee terminated employment before or after attaining age 55. If an employee terminates employment on or after age 55 and commences his or her benefit before age 62, the benefit payments would be reduced by 0.5% per month. If an employee terminates employment before age 55 and commences his or her benefit before age 65, the reduction is more severe and is determined on an actuarially equivalent basis. No reduction will occur if an employee (1) terminates employment on or after age 55 and commences his or her benefit on or after age 62 or (2) terminates employment before age 55 and commences his or her benefit at age 65.

The normal form of payment provides that an employee will receive his or her benefit in a lifetime payment with a minimum of 60 monthly payments guaranteed. Married participants receive payments in an actuarially equivalent 50% Jointjoint and Survivorsurvivor form. Other actuarially equivalent monthly lifetime forms of payments are available if elected by the participant with spousal agreement if married. Lump sum payments are not available.

52


In general, if a married, vested participant dies prior to commencing his pension benefit, then the spouse is eligible to receive the benefit that would have otherwise been payable had the participant terminated employment on the day he died, survived to his Normal Retirement Datenormal retirement date and elected a 50% Jointjoint and Survivorsurvivor form of payment and then immediately died. The 50% Jointjoint and Survivorsurvivor form provides the surviving spouse with monthly lifetime payments at the participant’s Normal Retirement Agenormal retirement age equal to 50% of the benefit that otherwise would have been payable. Payments can commence prior to the participant’s Normal Retirement Agenormal retirement age but may be reduced for early commencement.

The Qualified Pension Plan and Benefit Restoration Plan were frozen to new entrants effective December 31, 1999. Benefit Service was frozen effective December 31, 2002 in both plans and, effective March 20, 2009, earnings under both plans were frozen for all participants. We decided to freeze these plans following a comprehensive retirement benefits review, during which the Compensation Committee examined whether our retirement programs were consistent with PolyOne goals, including fairness to all associates and competitiveness in the marketplace. With this change, we have a single and competitive retirement plan for our United States-based employees.

Messrs. Diemer, Kedrowski, Newlin and Patterson do not participate in a defined benefit plan.

We offer a defined contribution retirement benefit to all United States employees through the Qualified Savings Plan. The Qualified Savings Plan provides employees with individual retirement accounts funded by (1) an automatic PolyOne-paid contribution of 2% of employee eligible earnings, and (2) an employer-paid match on employee 401(k) contributions dollar-for-dollar on the first 3% of earnings the employee contributes plus $0.50 per dollar on the next 3% of earnings the employee contributes. The Internal Revenue Code limits employee contributions to the Qualified Savings Plan to $17,000 and earnings upon which employee/employer contributions are based to $250,000 in 2012.

The Nonqualified Savings Plan is an unfunded, nonqualified plan that provides benefits similar to the Qualified Savings Plan, but without the Internal Revenue Code contribution and earnings limitations. Together these plans are intended to provide the Named Executive Officers with retirement income equivalent to that provided to all other employees who are not impacted by the Internal Revenue Code limitations under the Qualified Savings Plan. As a result, the Named Executive Officers can expect a retirement income that replaces a portion of their income while employed, similar to that received by all other employees participating in the Qualified Savings Plan who are not impacted by the Internal Revenue Code limitations.

During 2008, the Compensation Committee reviewed Mr. Newlin’s total compensation package among the peer companies and across the broader general industry. The Compensation Committee determined that it was in the best interests of PolyOne and our shareholders to provide a supplemental retirement benefit for him that would be competitive with industry practices and serve as an additional retention vehicle. Thus, Mr. Newlin’s employment agreement (which provides for the terms of Mr. Newlin’s employment) was amended on July 16, 2008 to include certain retirement benefits. Specifically, the employment agreement was amended to provide that upon a Qualifying Separation from Service, Mr. Newlin is also eligible forwill be entitled to annual supplemental retirement benefits as described more fullypayments, payable in the “Compensation Discussionform of a 15-year certain and Analysis — Elementscontinuous life annuity, conditioned upon Mr. Newlin’s execution of Compensation — Retirement Benefits” sectiona release and waiver. If Mr. Newlin dies or incurs a disability prior to a Qualifying Separation from Service, he or his designated beneficiary will be entitled to certain supplemental retirement payments. Generally, the definition of this proxy statement.

a Qualifying Separation from Service is (1) Mr. Newlin attains the age of 55 (he is now 60) and has at least five years of service with us (he now has seven), is serving as


46

53


Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at the time of his retirement (provided that if the Board, in its sole discretion, has identified a suitable successor for the position of Chief Executive Officer, he only needs to be serving as Chairman at the time of his retirement) and the Board, in its sole discretion, has identified a suitable successor to the position of Chief Executive Officer; or (2) Mr. Newlin’s employment is involuntarily terminated other than for Serious Cause (as defined below) or Mr. Newlin terminates employment for good reason following a change of control of PolyOne. Under the terms of the amended employment agreement, he will also be treated as a retiree for purposes of any SARs, RSUs, performance shares and cash-settled performance units awarded to him as long-term incentive awards. In addition, he and his eligible dependents will have access to the same retiree medical benefits made available to all retirement eligible employees under our standard retiree medical benefit program, to the extent we continue to maintain such programs for the benefit of our retirees and their eligible dependents. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Mr. Newlin will forfeit his rights to receive the supplemental retirement payments and retiree medical benefits if he engages in any conduct prohibited by his non-competition agreement or any acts that constitute fraud, embezzlement, or disclosure of confidential information or deliberate dishonesty.

20092012 NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION
                          
           Aggregate
         
   Executive
   Registrant
   Earnings
   Aggregate
     
   Contributions
   Contributions in
   in Last
   Withdrawals/
   Aggregate Balance
 
   in Last FY(1)
   Last FY(2)
   FY(3)
   Distributions
   at Last FY(4)
 
   ($)   ($)   ($)   ($)   ($) 
S.D. Newlin  $77,139   $84,167   $15,283   $ —   $580,777 
 
R.M. Patterson   103,385    26,097    43,063        214,084 
 
R.M. Rosenau       4,905    2,254        67,894 
 
K.M. Smith   12,083    13,690    48,954        282,812 
 
B. Baert                    
 

Name 

Executive
Contributions
in Last FY
($)(1)

  

Registrant
Contributions
in Last FY
($)(2)

  

Aggregate
Earnings
in Last  FY
($)(3)

  Aggregate
Withdrawals/
Distributions
($)
  

Aggregate
Balance at
Last FYE
($)(4)

  

Aggregate
Balance at
12/31/2011
($)(5)

 

S.D. Newlin

  163,222    178,991    32,091        1,612,581    1,238,277  

R.M. Patterson

  177,888    56,012    131,763        1,113,706    748,043  

R.J. Diemer, Jr.

  152,817    5,826    7,409        166,052    —      

R.M. Rosenau

  —        7,835    2,027        99,243    89,381  

K.M. Smith

  27,088    31,512    73,004        584,758    453,154  

T .J. Kedrowski

  —        12,319    22,977        172,485    137,189  

(1)These amounts reflect actual amounts earned by the Named Executive Officers in 20092012 that have been deferred on a voluntary basis. The amounts reflected in this column are included in the 2012 Summary Compensation Table as follows:
           
      2008 “Non-Equity
      Incentive Plan
   2009 “Salary”
  Compensation”
Name  Column  Column
S.D. Newlin  $41,677   $35,462 
 
R.M. Patterson   83,798    19,587 
 
R.M. Rosenau        
 
K.M. Smith   12,083     
 
B. Baert        
 

Name  

2012 “Salary”
Column

($)

   

2012 “Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation”
Column

($)

 

S.D. Newlin

   49,754     113,468  

R.M. Patterson

   65,365     112,523  

R.J. Diemer, Jr.

   152,817     —    

R.M. Rosenau

        —    

K.M. Smith

   18,300     8,788  

T.J. Kedrowski

        —    

(2)

This column contains contributions by us in the last fiscal year under our non-qualifiednonqualified retirement plan, the PolyOne Supplemental Retirement Benefit Plan, which provides for benefits in excess of amounts permitted to be contributed under our qualified retirement plan, as follows: (a) our cash contributions in amounts equal to 100% on the first 3% of employee contributions plus 50% on the next 3% of employee contributions (the “Company Match”) limited to 4.5% of eligible earnings, and (b) a retirement contribution by us in an

54


amount equal to 2% of eligible earnings (the “Retirement Contribution)Contribution”). Mr. Baert does not currently participate in this plan or any other non-qualified deferred compensation plan. The following table breaks out the contributions made by us in 20092012 under each of the types of contributions described above:
                          
  Company Contribution  Newlin  Patterson  Rosenau  Smith  Baert
 Company Match   57,854    20,546        9,062     
 
Retirement Contribution   26,313    5,551    4,905    4,628     
 

Company Contribution Newlin  Patterson  Diemer  Rosenau  Smith  Kedrowski 

Company Match

 $123,917   $38,777   $4,033       $21,816   $3,012  

Retirement Contribution

 $55,074   $17,234   $1,793   $7,835   $9,696   $9,307  

All of these amounts are included in the “All Other Compensation” column of the 2012 Summary Compensation Table.

(3)Because amounts included in this column do not include above-market or preferential earnings, none of these amounts are included in the “Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings” column of the 2012 Summary Compensation Table.

(4)A portion of the balance reflected in the table represents amounts earned by the executives, which they have elected to defer on a voluntary basis. Messrs. Rosenau and Smith also have balancesa balance in a frozen non-qualifiednonqualified deferred compensation plan sponsored by our predecessor company, Geon. The Geon Company Section 401(a)(17) Benefit Restoration Plan amounts are reflected in the table.


47

(5)Includes amounts reported as compensation for the Named Executive Officers in the Summary Compensation Table for previous years. The following aggregate amounts of executive and employer contributions were included in the Summary Compensation Table for fiscal years 2007 — 2011.

Name  Executive
Contributions
FY 2007 — 2011
($)
   Registrant
Contributions
FY 2007 — 2011
($)
 

S.D. Newlin

   531,213     581,215  

R.M. Patterson

   540,424     124,650  

R.J. Diemer, Jr.

          

R.M. Rosenau

        4,905  

K.M. Smith

   76,687     96,346  

T.J. Kedrowski

   34,940     49,354  


We currently offer participation in a non-qualifiednonqualified deferred compensation retirement plan, called the PolyOne Supplemental Retirement Benefit Plan.Plan to specified employees that include the Named Executive Officers. This plan is an unfunded, nonqualified plan that provides benefits similar to our Qualified Savings Plan, but without Internal Revenue Code contribution and earnings limitations. The Named Executive Officers are permitted to elect to defer up to 50% of their salary and annual bonus into the plan. The amounts deferred are credited to accounts selected by the executive that mirror the investment alternatives available in our qualified retirement plan, except that participants cannot elect the PolyOne stock fund with respect to amounts deferred under the non-qualifiednonqualified plan. Each Named Executive Officer who is a participant in the supplemental plan is 100% vested in that portion of his or her account that is attributable to elective deferrals the Transition Contribution and the Company Match. Effective March 20, 2009, the Transition Contribution was eliminated for all participants. Further, Named Executive Officers who are participants in the plan are vested in the Retirement Contribution (as defined above) upon three years of service. A Named Executive Officer’s vested accounts will commence to be paid to such executive within 30 days of the date of the executive’s termination of employment with us in the form of payment selected by the executive (lump sum payment or payment in installments over a period not exceeding 10 years) on an election form received by us.

The PolyOne Supplemental Retirement Benefit Plan and the frozen plans are subject to the rules of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code, which restricts the timing of distributions. Thus, payment, or commencement of payment, to the Named Executive Officers of their accounts may need to be delayed by six months from suchfollowing the executive’s “separation from service” with us.

55


POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION ORCHANGE-OF-CONTROL CHANGE OF CONTROL

Our Named Executive Officers’ employment may be terminated under several possible scenarios. In certain of these scenarios, our plans, agreements, arrangements or typical practices would provide severance benefits in varying amounts to the executive. We do not have employment agreements with our Named Executive Officers other than Messrs. Newlin and Baert.Mr. Newlin. We do have Continuity Agreementsmanagement continuity agreements with each of our Named Executive Officers whichthat provide for specified benefits upon a termination of employment following a change of control, and each of our Named Executive Officers other than Messrs.Mr. Newlin and Baert, participateparticipates in our Executive Severance Plan. Further, our plans, agreements and arrangements may provide for specified benefits upon a change of control (or for acceleration of such benefits). Severance and other benefits that are payable upon a termination of employmentand/or upon a change of control are described below. The tablestable following the narrative discussion summarizesummarizes the amounts payable upon termination or a change of control under certain circumstances, assuming that the executive’s employment terminated on December 31, 2009.

2012.

Management Continuity Agreements

Messrs. Newlin, Patterson, Rosenau, Smith and Baert are parties

We have entered into management continuity agreements (referred to Continuity Agreementsas the “Continuity Agreements”) with us.all of our elected corporate officers, including each of the Named Executive Officers. The purpose of the Continuity Agreements is to encourage the individuals to carry out their duties and provide continuity of management in the event of the possibility of a “change of control” of PolyOne. The Continuity Agreements generally provide for the continuation of employment of the individuals for a period of three years in the same positions and with the same responsibilities, authorities, benefits and level of compensation that they possessed immediately prior to the change of control. The agreements provide severance protection should the officer’s employment be terminated either by us without cause or by the executive for good reason (as defined in the agreements) following a change of control. The Continuity Agreements are automatically renewed each year unless we give prior notice of termination.

The Continuity Agreements do not provide any assurance of continued employment unless there is a change of control. Generally,For these purposes, “change of control” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Continuity Agreement.

In order to provide additional protection, our Long-Term Incentive Plan grant agreements and Annual Plan provide for accelerated benefits in the event of a change of control, is deemed to have occurred if:

• any person becomes the beneficial owner of 25% or more of the combined voting power of our outstanding securities (subject to certain exceptions);
• there is a change in the majority of our Board of Directors;


48


• certain corporate reorganizations occur where the existing shareholders do not retain more than 60% of the common shares and combined voting power of the outstanding voting securities of the surviving entity; or
• there is shareholder approval of a complete liquidation or dissolution of PolyOne.
The Continuity Agreements generally provide for the continuation of employment of the individuals (for a period of two or three years, depending on the executive)as described in the same positions and with the same responsibilities and authorities that they possessed immediately prior to thesuch documents. Those change of control and withprovisions affect all participants in those programs, including the same benefits and level of compensation.
Named Executive Officers.

If a change of control occurs and the Named Executive Officer’s employment is terminated by us or a successor for reasons other than “cause” or is terminated voluntarily by the individual for “good reason,” generallyreason” the Continuity Agreements generally provide that the individual would be entitled to receive:

A lump sum payment of three years of base salary;

A payment three times the executive’s targeted annual incentive amount in effect prior to the change of control;

• a lump sum payment of two or three years of base salary, depending on the executive;
• a payment of up to two or three times (depending on the executive) the executive’s targeted annual incentive amount in effect prior to the change of control;
• reimbursement for costs of employee health and welfare benefits for up to two or three years (depending on the executive) equal to the difference between (1) the amount the executive is required to pay for such coverage and (2) the amount the executive would have been required to pay if he had paid the same percentage of the cost that a similarly situated employee would pay as of the date of the executive’s termination of employment, plus reimbursement for any taxes imposed as a result of the reimbursement for health care coverage;
• a financial planning/tax preparation allowance equal to the annual financial planning/tax preparation allowance the executive was entitled to receive prior to the change of control;
• a payment based on the difference between what the executive is entitled to receive under certain retirement plans and what the executive would have received under such retirement plans if he had accumulated two or three (depending on the executive) additional years of service under such plans;
• a lump sum payment equal to the company

Employee health and welfare benefits for up to three years at active employee rates;

A financial planning/tax preparation allowance equal to one year of financial planning/tax preparation allowance the executive was entitled to receive prior to the change of control;

56


A lump sum payment equal to the employer contributions required to be made to certain retirement plans on behalf of the executive for the year of the change of control or the year of termination; and

• a taxgross-up for any excise tax due under the Internal Revenue Code for any payments or distributions made under the agreements.
All of the above severance benefits would be paid toexecutive for the executive in accordanceyear of the change of control or the year of termination; and

A tax gross-up for any excise tax due under the Internal Revenue Code for any so-called “golden parachute” payments made under the agreements (only for Named Executive Officers with and at times permitted by,“grandfathered” Continuity Agreements).

In 2011, the Compensation Committee eliminated the tax gross-up benefit for so called “excess parachute payments” under Section 409A280G of the Internal Revenue Code.

Under the terms ofCode from the Continuity Agreements provided to new executives in 2011 and in future years.

For these purposes “cause” is defined generally to include: (1) following notice and an opportunity to cure, the willful and continued failure of the executive to substantially perform his duties, which causes material and demonstrable injury to the company; or (2) the willful engaging by the executive in other gross misconduct materially and demonstrably injurious to the company.

Further, under the terms of the Continuity Agreements, “good reason” is defined generallyhave the meanings ascribed to include:
• changes in duties, responsibilities, reporting relationships and status that constitute a material demotion;


49


• the assignment of duties or responsibilities that are materially inconsistent with, or materially and adversely change, the executive’s positions, duties, responsibilities or reporting relationships and status;
• a reduction in base salary or target incentive;
• the failure to continue employee benefits or perquisites on a substantially equivalent basis;
• the requirement to change the principal location of the executive’s work, which results in an additional commute of more than 50 miles;
• the requirement for increased travel (one-third more) away from the executive’s office;
• the failure of a successor to assume the Continuity Agreement; or
• a termination of employment that does not comply with the Continuity Agreement.
such terms in the Named Executive Officers’ Continuity Agreements. For the Chief Executive Officer,CEO, “good reason” also includes his election to terminate employment for any reason during the30-day period immediately following the first anniversary of the change of control.

To the extent a payment or benefit that is paid or provided under a Continuity Agreement would also be paid or provided under the terms of another plan, program, agreement, arrangement or legal requirement, the executive would be entitled to payment under the Continuity Agreement or such other applicable plan, program, agreement, arrangement or legal requirement, whichever provides for greater benefits, but would not be entitled to benefits under both the Continuity Agreement and such other plan, program, agreement, arrangement or legal requirement.

In addition, in order to receive payment and benefits under the Continuity Agreement, the Named Executive Officer must execute a release of claims against us and is subject tocomply with confidentiality, non-compete and non-solicitation covenants for two or three years (depending on the executive).

years.

Employment Agreement with Mr. Newlin

We have entered into a letteran employment agreement with Stephen D.Mr. Newlin, pursuant to which Mr. Newlin agreed to servehe serves as our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. The agreement provides that if (i)(1) Mr. Newlin’s employment is terminated by us without serious causeSerious Cause (as defined in our Employee Transition Plan)below), (ii)(2) Mr. Newlin is not otherwise entitled to receive benefits under his Continuity Agreement (discussed above) and (iii), (3) Mr. Newlin agrees to standard non-compete and non-solicitation covenants for a period of 36 months following the date of termination and (4) Mr. Newlin executes a release of claims against us, Mr. Newlin will be entitled to 36 months of salary continuation, car allowance and financial planning/tax preparation allowance, a pro-rated annual incentive amount as earned for the year in which the termination of employment occurs and reimbursement for the costs previously paid by us while Mr. Newlin was employed for the continued coverage for 24 months in our medical and dental plans for 24 months (but not life insurance, short-term disability or long-term disability), plus any taxes imposed as a result of such reimbursement.

Mr. Newlin is also entitled to supplemental retirement benefits under his Letter Agreementemployment agreement if his employment is involuntarily terminated other than for Serious Cause or if Mr. Newlin terminates employment for “Good Reason”“good reason” (as defined above) following a change of control. For this purpose, Serious Cause has the meaning ascribed to such term in the PolyOne Employee Transition Plan as amended from time to time, and also includes any breach of the Letter Agreementemployment agreement or certain other agreements between us and Mr. Newlin. These supplemental retirement benefits are described more


50


fully in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — ElementsAnalysis of 2012 Compensation Decisions and Actions — Retirement Benefits” section of this proxy statement.
Employment Agreement with Mr. Baert
Our wholly-owned subsidiary, PolyOne Luxembourg, has entered into an Undetermined Time Employment Contract with Mr. Baert, in connection with the change in location of our European headquarters from Belgium to Luxembourg. There is no specified employment term under this agreement. PolyOne Luxembourg may terminate the agreement with the legal notice period required by the Luxembourg Labor Code or immediately for gross misconduct. If PolyOne Luxembourg terminates the agreement for any reason other than gross misconduct, Mr. Baert will be entitled to a severance package based on the Luxembourg Labor Code, provided that the amount of such severance package shall not be less than the amount that Mr. Baert would have received under the formula provided under his former employment with our Belgian subsidiary. Presently, taking into account Mr. Baert’s level of remuneration, seniority and age, if the agreement were terminated by PolyOne Luxembourg for any reason other than gross misconduct, Mr. Baert would be entitled to receive an amount equal to 27 months of “remuneration” (defined as Mr. Baert’s average base salary, incentives and bonuses over the last 36 months plus the value of the use of a company car, meal vouchers, PolyOne Luxembourg’s contribution to the defined contribution pension plan and all other regular payments or benefits granted by his employer). The agreement specifically provides that Mr. Baert is not entitled to any severance benefits other than those provided by law or under the agreement and that the Executive Severance Plan does not apply to him. The specific amounts payable to Mr. Baert under his agreement are summarized in the tables following this narrative discussion.

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Executive Severance Plan

On

Effective May 25, 2006, ourthe Compensation and Governance Committee approved the adoption ofadopted the Executive Severance Plan. The Executive Severance Plan provides for severance payments upon certain terminations of employment to our executive officers and other elected officers upon certain terminationswho are expected to make substantial contributions to our success and thereby provide for stability and continuity of employment.

Foroperations. All of the Named Executive Officers other than Messrs. Newlin and Baert,participate in the Executive Severance Plan except Mr. Newlin.

The Executive Severance Plan provides that, if we terminate the employment of a Named Executive Officer for any reason other than cause, the Named Executive Officer will be entitled to receive:

Salary continuation payments in an amount equal to two times the Named Executive Officer’s base salary;

A pro rata payment of his annual bonus for the year of termination;

• salary continuation payments in an amount equal to two times the Named Executive Officer’s base salary;
• a pro rata payment of his annual bonus for the year of termination;
• reimbursement for the costs previously paid by us for continued coverage for two years in our medical, dental and vision plans plus any taxes imposed as a result of such reimbursement; and
• fees for outplacement benefits for a period of 12 months.

Reimbursement for the costs previously paid by us for continued coverage for two years in our medical, dental and vision plans, plus any taxes imposed as a result of such reimbursement; and

Fees for outplacement benefits for a period of 12 months.

We do not have to make payments to any Named Executive OfficerOfficers under the Executive Severance Plan if he isthey are entitled to receive payment under a Continuity Agreement discussed above. In addition, in order to receive payment and benefitspayments under the Executive Severance Plan, the Named Executive Officer must execute a release of claims against us and is subject to confidentiality, non-compete, non-solicitation and non-disparagement covenants during the two-year severance period.


51


Senior Executive Annual Incentive Plan
The Annual Plan provides opportunities to our key executives to receive incentive compensation as a reward for high levels of performance above the ordinary performance standards compensated by base salary, without limiting our ability to deduct that expenditure for federal income tax purposes. Currently, all

All of our Named Executive Officers participate in the Annual Plan. The Annual Plan provides that, if a change of control occurs, we are required to pay each participant an interima pro-rated lump-sum cash payment equal to the product of the number of months that have elapsed in the calendar year prior to the change of control and one-twelfth of the participant’s target annual incentive award in effect prior to the change of control. We have the obligation to make a final payment under the terms of the Annual Plan for the plan year in which the change of control occurs, but may offset the amount of any interim payment made.

Under For these purposes “change of control” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Annual Plan, a change of control is deemed to have occurred if:
• any person becomes the beneficial owner of 20% or more of the combined voting power of our outstanding securities (subject to certain exceptions);
• there is a change in the majority of our Board of Directors;
• certain corporate reorganizations occur where the existing shareholders do not retain more than 60% of the common shares and combined voting power of the outstanding voting securities of the surviving entity; or
• there is shareholder approval of a complete liquidation or dissolution of PolyOne.
Plan.

Equity/Long-Term Incentive Awards

Each of the grant agreements evidencing outstanding awards of restricted stock units, stock options, stock appreciation rightsSARs and cash-settled performance units provides that the vesting of such award will accelerate upon a change of control. For this purpose, a “change of control” is defined in some instances, the same as in the Annual Plan and, in other instances, the same as in the Continuity Agreements.

Amended 2010 Plan.

Retirement Benefits

Our defined benefit retirement benefit plans applicable to Messrs. Rosenau and Smith also have provisions relating to the termination of the participants’ employment with us. Mr. Newlin’s supplemental retirement benefit under his Letter Agreementemployment agreement also has provisions relating to the termination of his employment with us. These payments are described more fully in the disclosure provided in connection with the 20092012 Pension Benefits tableTable contained in this proxy statement.

58


Payments and Benefits Upon Termination — As of the End of Fiscal Year 20092012

The following tables summarizetable summarizes the amounts payable to the Named Executive Officers upon termination under specified circumstances or upon a change of control. The data in the tables assumes that each triggering event listed in the tables occurred on December 31, 20092012 and that the stock price for our common shares is $7.47,$20.42, the closing sales price of our common shares on December 31, 2009.

2012.


52

Name 

Benefits and

Payments

 Voluntary
Termination  
($)
 

Retirement(1)  

($)

   Disability  
($)
 

    Death    

($)

 Involuntary
Termination  
with Cause
($)
 

Involuntary
Termination
without cause  

($)

 

Involuntary
Termination
without Cause or
for Good Reason
Following a Change
of Control

($)

S.D. Newlin

             
  Cash Severance Benefit(2)      2,940,000 6,174,000
  Annual Incentive for Year of Termination  2,017,794 2,017,794 2,017,794  2,017,794 2,017,794
  Cash-Settled Performance Units(3)  1,230,228 1,230,228 1,230,228  1,230,228 2,359,000
  Restricted Stock Units  4,187,155 4,187,155 4,187,155  4,187,155 6,499,237
  Unexercisable Stock Options/SARs  1,608,528 1,608,528 1,608,528  1,608,528 2,842,127
  Health and Welfare Benefits(4)      32,274 48,411
  Other Benefits(5)      72,000 
  Financial Planning Services(6)      39,000 13,000
  Lump Sum for Defined Contribution Plans       401,310
  Excise Tax Gross-up(7)(8)       
  Incremental Pension Benefit       

R. M. Patterson

             
  Cash Severance Benefit(2)      1,030,000 2,626,500
  Annual Incentive for Year of Termination   673,559 673,559  673,559 673,559
  Cash-Settled Performance Units(3)   243,211 243,211   472,800
  Restricted Stock Units   830,458 830,458   1,302,081
  Unexercisable Stock Options/SARs   320,875 320,875   575,758
  Health and Welfare Benefits(4)      48,886 73,329
  Financial Planning Services(6)       10,000
  Outplacement Benefits      8,300 
  Lump Sum for Defined Contribution Plans       170,720
  Excise Tax Gross-up(7)       1,481,476
  Incremental Pension Benefit       

R.J. Diemer, Jr.

             
  Cash Severance Benefit(2)      870,000 2,088,000
  Annual Incentive for Year of Termination   381,885 381,885  381,885 381,885
  Cash-Settled Performance Units(3)   43,353 43,353   130,000
  Restricted Stock Units   200,805 200,805   825,295
  Unexercisable Stock Options/SARs   60,646 60,646   222,300
  Health and Welfare Benefits(4)      46,155 69,232
  Financial Planning Services(6)       10,000
  Outplacement Benefits      8,300 
  Lump Sum for Defined Contribution Plans       135,720
  Excise Tax Gross-up(7)       
  Incremental Pension Benefit       

59


STEPHEN D. NEWLIN
                          
   Voluntary
                 
   Termination or
               Involuntary
 
   Retirement(1)
   Involuntary
           Termination
 
   (No COC; or,
   Termination
       Involuntary
   without Cause or
 
   Following a COC,
   with Cause
       Termination
   for Good Reason
 
   without Good
   (Including
       without Cause
   (Following a
 
   Reason)   Following a COC)     Death/Disability   (No COC)   COC) 
   ($)   ($)   ($)   ($)   ($)  
Cash Severance Benefit
(salary continuation and multiple of annual incentive payments)
  $   $   $   $2,580,000   $5,160,000 
                          
Annual Incentive for Year of Termination               1,720,000    1,720,000 
                          
Cash LTIP-Vesting of Performance Units           1,257,249(2)   1,257,249    3,109,100 
                          
Equity Awards                         
                          
                          
- Restricted Stock Units/Performance Shares(3)           1,028,148    1,028,148    2,695,176 
                          
- Unexercisable Stock Options/SARs(3)           777,207    777,207    2,708,440 
                          
Other Benefits                         
                          
                          
- Continuation of Medical, Dental and Vision Benefits including taxgross-up               43,508    65,268 
                          
- Continuation of Other Benefits (car allowance; other welfare benefits)               45,693    15,231 
                          
- Financial Planning Services               39,000    13,000 
                          
- Outplacement Benefits                    
                          
- Additional Company Contribution for Defined Contribution Plans Under the Management Continuity Agreement                   335,400 
                          
Excise Tax Gross Up(4)                   4,894,869 
                          
SUB-TOTAL
(Benefits Triggered Upon a Termination of Employment)
           3,062,604    7,490,805    20,716,484 
                          
PLAN BALANCES/VESTED BENEFITS                         
                          
                          
Defined Contribution Plan(s) Balances (includes the Retirement Savings Plan and the Supplemental Retirement Benefit Plan)(5)   714,457    714,457    714,457    714,457    714,457 
                          
Present Value of Accrued Pension             3,523,463/           
Benefit(6)           4,641,633(7)   4,641,633    4,641,633 
                          
TOTAL                         
(Includes Benefits that are Vested and             7,300,524/           
Currently Payable to the Executive)   714,457    714,457    8,418,694(7)   12,846,895    26,072,574 
                          
Name 

Benefits and

Payments

 Voluntary
Termination  
($)
 

Retirement(1)  

($)

   Disability  
($)
 

  Death    

($)

 Involuntary
Termination  
with Cause
($)
 

Involuntary
Termination
without cause  

($)

 

Involuntary
Termination
without Cause or
for Good Reason
Following a Change
of Control

($)

R. M. Rosenau

             
  Cash Severance Benefit(2)      730,000 1,697,250
  Annual Incentive for Year of Termination  395,577 395,577 395,577  395,577 395,577
  Cash-Settled Performance Units(3)  127,291 127,291 127,291  127,291 244,100
  Restricted Stock Units  449,367 449,367 449,367  449,367 683,560
  Unexercisable Stock Options/SARs  170,989 170,989 170,989  170,989 295,844
  Health and Welfare Benefits(4)      30,580 45,870
  Financial Planning Services(6)       10,000
  Outplacement Benefits      8,300 
  Lump Sum for Defined Contribution Plans       110,320
  Excise Tax Gross-up(7)       
  Incremental Pension Benefit       

K.M. Smith

                
  

Cash Severance Benefit(2)

      730,000 1,697,250
  

Annual Incentive for Year of Termination

  370,656 370,656 370,656  370,656 370,656
  

Cash-Settled Performance Units(3)

  127,291 127,291 127,291  127,291 244,100
  

Restricted Stock Units

  449,367 449,367 449,367  449,367 683,560
  

Unexercisable Stock Options/SARs

  170,989 170,989 170,989  170,989 295,844
  

Health and Welfare Benefits(4)

      30,580 45,870
  

Financial Planning Services(6)

       10,000
  

Outplacement Benefits

      8,300 
  

Lump Sum for Defined Contribution Plans

       110,320
  

Excise Tax Gross-up(7)

       
  

Incremental Pension Benefit

       

T. J. Kedrowski

                
  

Cash Severance Benefit(2)

      712,000 1,655,400
  

Annual Incentive for Year of Termination

   361,379 361,379  361,379 361,379
  

Cash-Settled Performance Units (3)

   123,456 123,456   237,000
  

Restricted Stock Units

   449,367 449,367   683,560
  

Unexercisable Stock Options/SARs

   170,989 170,989   295,844
  

Health and Welfare Benefits(4)

      30,580 45,870
  

Financial Planning Services(6)

       10,000
  

Outplacement Benefits

      8,300 
  

Lump Sum for Defined Contribution Plans

       107,600
  

Excise Tax Gross-up(7)

       822,539
  

Incremental Pension Benefit

       
(1)Retirement is generally defined as the executive’s attainment of age 55 with ten years of service or age 58 with five years of service.

  
(2)Assumes achievementSeverance benefits are payable under either the (a) Executive Severance Plan in the event of performance goals atan involuntary termination without cause; (b) Management Continuity Agreement in the target level forevent of an involuntary termination following a change of control; or (c) in the performance periods ending in 2010 and achievementcase of performance goals at the actual level for the performance periods ending in 2009.Mr. Newlin, his employment agreement.

  
(3)AssumesFor Cash-Settled Performance Units granted in 2012 and 2011, awards reflect a constant share priceprorated target amount in cases of $7.47,retirement, disability or death. In the closing sales pricecase of our common shares on December 31, 2009.involuntary termination following a change of control, awards granted in 2012 and 2011 are at target.

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(4)Continuation of health and welfare benefits as provided under the Executive Severance Plan in the event of an involuntary termination without cause, or the Continuity Agreement in the event of an involuntary termination following a change of control.

  (5)Mr. Newlin’s employment agreement provides for continuation of certain benefits following an involuntary termination without cause.

  (6)Continuation of financial planning benefit as provided under the terms of the Continuity Agreements, or in the case of Mr. Newlin, his employment agreement.

  (7)Represents the amount of excise tax that would be imposed on the executive under Section 280G of the Code and a tax gross-up amount relating to the payment of such tax. In 2011, we eliminated the tax gross-ups for excise taxes imposed under Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code from any new Continuity Agreements provided to executive officers.

  (8)This assumes that the presumption that any arrangement entered into within 12 months of a change of control is a parachute payment under Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code is rebutted and, thus, the retirement benefit for Mr. Newlin is not considered a parachute payment for purposes of the calculations in the table.
(5)This row represents the balance(s) of the account(s) at year-end and consists of both executive deferrals and company contributions.
(6)The numbers shown in the table are illustrative only because lump sum payments are not available.
(7)The first number represents payments received upon death and the second number represents payments received upon disability.


53


ROBERT M. PATTERSON
                          
   Voluntary
                 
   Termination or
               Involuntary
 
   Retirement(1)
   Involuntary
           Termination
 
   (No COC; or,
   Termination
       Involuntary
   without Cause or
 
   Following a COC,
   with Cause
       Termination
   for Good Reason
 
   without Good
   (Including
       without Cause
   (Following a
 
   Reason)   Following a COC)     Death/Disability   (No COC)   COC) 
   ($)   ($)   ($)   ($)   ($)  
Cash Severance Benefit
(salary continuation and multiple of annual incentive payments)
  $   $   $   $830,000   $1,867,500 
                          
Annual Incentive for Year of Termination               415,000    415,000 
                          
Cash LTIP-Vesting of Performance Units           109,878(2)   0    199,200 
                          
Equity Awards                         
                          
                          
- Restricted Stock Units/Performance Shares(3)           260,495        653,625 
                          
- Unexercisable Stock Options/SARs(3)           137,098        497,092 
                          
Other Benefits                         
                          
                          
- Continuation of Medical, Dental and Vision Benefits including taxgross-up               43,870    65,808 
                          
- Continuation of Other Benefits (car allowance; other welfare benefits)                   831 
                          
- Financial Planning Services                   10,000 
                          
- Outplacement Benefits               9,000     
                          
- Additional Company Contribution for Defined Contribution Plans Under the Management Continuity Agreement                   121,390 
                          
Excise Tax Gross Up                   1,052,466 
                          
SUB-TOTAL
(Benefits Triggered Upon a Termination of Employment)
           507,471    1,297,870    4,882,912 
                          
                          
PLAN BALANCES/VESTED BENEFITS                         
                          
                          
Defined Contribution Plan(s) Balances (includes the Retirement Savings Plan and the Supplemental Retirement Benefit Plan)(4)   254,741    254,741    254,741    254,741    254,741 
                          
Present Value of Accrued Pension Benefit                    
                          
TOTAL
(Includes Benefits that are Vested and Currently Payable to the Executive)
   254,741    254,741    762,212    1,552,611    5,137,653 
                          
(1)Retirement is generally defined as the executive’s attainment of age 55 with 10 years of service.
(2)Assumes achievement of performance goals at the target level for the performance periods ending in 2010 and achievement of performance goals at the actual level for the performance periods ending in 2009.
(3)Assumes a constant share price of $7.47, the closing sales price of our common shares on December 31, 2009.
(4)This row represents the balance(s) of the account(s) at year-end and consists of both executive deferrals and company contributions.


54


ROBERT M. ROSENAU
                          
   Voluntary
                 
   Termination or
               Involuntary
 
   Retirement(1)
   Involuntary
           Termination
 
   (No COC; or,
   Termination
       Involuntary
   without Cause or
 
   Following a COC,
   with Cause
       Termination
   for Good Reason
 
   without Good
   (Including
       without Cause
   (Following a
 
   Reason)   Following a COC)     Death/Disability   (No COC)   COC) 
   ($)   ($)   ($)   ($)   ($)  
Cash Severance Benefit
(salary continuation and multiple of annual incentive payments)
  $   $   $   $670,000   $1,507,500 
                          
Annual Incentive for Year of Termination               314,398    314,398 
                          
Cash LTIP-Vesting of Performance Units   140,923(2)       140,923(2)   140,923(2)   419,700 
                          
Equity Awards                         
                          
                          
- Restricted Stock Units/Performance Shares(3)   114,315        114,315    114,315    301,041 
                          
- Unexercisable Stock Options/SARs(3)   87,292        87,292    87,292    316,008 
                          
Other Benefits                         
                          
                          
- Continuation of Medical, Dental and Vision Benefits including taxgross-up               30,257    45,396 
                          
- Continuation of Other Benefits (car allowance; other welfare benefits)                   12,831 
                          
- Financial Planning Services                   10,000 
                          
- Outplacement Benefits               9,000     
                          
- Additional Company Contribution for Defined Contribution Plans Under the Management Continuity Agreement                   97,990 
                          
Excise Tax Gross Up                   911,730 
                          
SUB-TOTAL
(Benefits Triggered Upon a Termination of Employment)
   342,530        342,530    1,366,185    3,936,594 
                          
                          
PLAN BALANCES/VESTED BENEFITS                         
                          
                          
Defined Contribution Plan(s) Balances (includes the Retirement Savings Plan and the Supplemental Retirement Benefit Plan)(4)   634,971    634,971    634,971    634,971    634,971 
                          
Present Value of Accrued Pension Benefit(5)   1,180,284    1,180,284    563,627/
1,180,284
(6)   1,180,284    1,180,284 
                          
TOTAL
(Includes Benefits that are Vested and Currently Payable to the Executive)
   2,157,785    1,815,255    1,541,128/
2,157,785
(6)   3,181,440    5,751,849 
                          
(1)Retirement is generally defined as the executive’s attainment of age 55 with 10 years of service.
(2)Assumes achievement of performance goals at the target level for the performance periods ending in 2010 and achievement of performance goals at the actual level for the performance periods ending in 2009.
(3)Assumes a constant share price of $7.47, the closing sales price of our common shares on December 31, 2009.
(4)This row represents the balance(s) of the account(s) at year-end and consists of both executive deferrals and company contributions.
(5)The numbers shown in the table are illustrative only because lump sum payments are not available.
(6)The first number represents payments received upon death and the second number represents payments received upon disability.


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KENNETH M. SMITH
                          
   Voluntary
                 
   Termination or
               Involuntary
 
   Retirement(1)
   Involuntary
           Termination
 
   (No COC; or,
   Termination
       Involuntary
   without Cause or
 
   Following a COC,
   with Cause
       Termination
   for Good Reason
 
   without Good
   (Including
       without Cause
   (Following a
 
   Reason)   Following a COC)     Death/Disability   (No COC)   COC) 
   ($)   ($)   ($)   ($)   ($)  
Cash Severance Benefit
(salary continuation and multiple of annual incentive payments
  $   $   $   $672,000   $1,512,000 
                          
Annual Incentive for Year of Termination               336,000    336,000 
                          
Cash LTIP-Vesting of Performance Units   145,010(2)       145,010(2)   145,010(2)   436,800 
                          
Equity Awards                         
                          
                          
- Restricted Stock Units/Performance Shares(3)   114,315        114,315    114,315    301,041 
                          
- Unexercisable Stock Options/SARs(3)   87,292        87,292    87,292    318,888 
                          
Other Benefits                         
                          
                          
- Continuation of Medical, Dental and Vision Benefits including taxgross-up               43,870    65,808 
                          
- Continuation of Other Benefits (car allowance; other welfare benefits)                   12,831 
                          
- Financial Planning Services                   10,000 
                          
- Outplacement Benefits               9,000     
                          
- Additional Company Contribution for Defined Contribution Plans Under the Management Continuity Agreement                   98,280 
                          
Excise Tax Gross Up                   912,573 
                          
SUB-TOTAL
(Benefits Triggered Upon a Termination of Employment)
   346,617        346,617    1,407,487    4,004,221 
                          
                          
PLAN BALANCES/VESTED BENEFITS                         
                          
                          
Defined Contribution Plan(s) Balances (includes the Retirement Savings Plan and the Supplemental Retirement Benefit Plan)(4)   684,237    684,237    684,237    684,237    684,237 
                          
Present Value of Accrued Pension Benefit(5)   965,923    965,923    461,726/
965,923
(6)   965,923    965,923 
                          
TOTAL
(Includes Benefits that are Vested and Currently Payable to the Executive)
   1,996,777    1,650,160    1,492,580/
1,996,777
(6)   3,057,647    5,654,381 
                          
(1)Retirement is generally defined as the executive’s attainment of age 55 with 10 years of service.
(2)Assumes achievement of performance goals at the target level for the performance periods ending in 2010 and achievement of performance goals at the actual level for the performance periods ending in 2009.
(3)Assumes a constant share price of $7.47, the closing sales price of our common shares on December 31, 2009.
(4)This row represents the balance(s) of the account(s) at year-end and consists of both executive deferrals and company contributions.
(5)The numbers shown in the table are illustrative only because lump sum payments are not available.
(6)The first number represents payments received upon death and the second number represents payments received upon disability.


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BERNARD BAERT(1)
                          
   Voluntary
                 
   Termination or
               Involuntary
 
   Retirement(2)
   Involuntary
           Termination
 
   (No COC; or,
   Termination
       Involuntary
   without Cause or
 
   Following a COC,
   with Cause
       Termination
   for Good Reason
 
   without Good
   (Including
       without Cause
   (Following a
 
   Reason)   Following a COC)     Death/Disability   (No COC)   COC) 
   ($)   ($)   ($)   ($)   ($)  
Cash Severance Benefit
(salary continuation and multiple of annual incentive payments
  $   $   $   $849,906   $1,274,859 
                          
Annual Incentive for Year of Termination               283,974    283,974 
                          
Cash LTIP-Vesting of Performance Units   184,816(3)       184,816(3)   184,816(3)   482,900 
                          
Severance Pay Under Luxembourg Law(4)               1,515,558    1,515,558 
                          
Equity Awards                         
                          
                          
- Restricted Stock Units/Performance Shares(5)   102,984        102,984    102,984    259,956 
                          
- Unexercisable Stock Options/SARs(5)   71,466        71,466    71,466    259,204 
                          
Other Benefits                         
                          
                          
- Continuation of Medical, Dental and Vision Benefits                    
                          
- Continuation of Other Benefits (car allowance; other welfare benefits)                   831 
                          
- Financial Planning Services                   8,000 
                          
- Outplacement Benefits                    
                          
- Additional Company Contribution for Defined Contribution Plans Under the Management Continuity Agreement                    
                          
Excise Tax Gross Up                    
                          
SUB-TOTAL
(Benefits Triggered Upon a Termination of Employment)
   359,266        359,266    3,008,704    4,085,282 
                          
                          
PLAN BALANCES/VESTED BENEFITS                         
                          
                          
Defined Contribution Plan(s) Balances(6)   22,896    22,896    22,896    22,896    22,896 
                          
Present Value of Accrued Pension Benefit                    
                          
TOTAL
(Includes Benefits that are Vested and Currently Payable to the Executive)
   382,162    22,896    382,162    3,031,600    4,108,178 
                          
(1)Based on conversion rate of €1.00 = $1.43325.
(2)Retirement is generally defined as the executive’s attainment of age 55 with 10 years of service.
(3)Assumes achievement of performance goals at the target level for the performance periods ending in 2010 and achievement of performance goals at the actual level for the performance periods ending in 2009.
(4)Assumes payments would be provided as required by Luxembourg law and not under Mr. Baert’s Continuity Agreement.
(5)Assumes a constant share price of $7.47, the closing sales price of our common shares on December 31, 2009.
(6)This row consists mainly of amounts contributed by the executive to our retirement benefit plan in Luxembourg. See discussion regarding Mr. Baert’s Belgium pension benefit in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Elements of Compensation — Retirement Benefits” section of this proxy statement.


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Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

During 2009,2012, none of our executive officers or Directors was a member of the Board of Directors or compensation committee of any other company where the relationship would be construed to constitute a committee interlock within the meaning of the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

SEC.

Policy on Related Person Transactions

Under our Guidelines for Ethical Business Conduct, we prohibit all employees, including our officers and non-employee Directors from engaging in activities that would impact their ability to carry out their duties in an independent, objective fashion. We also have adopted a written “Policy for Review of Transactions Between the Company and Its Directors, Executive Officers and Other Related Persons.” This policy requires an initial review by our Chief Legal Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Ethics and Compliance Officer, in consultation with each other (the “Reviewing Team”), of all transactions, arrangements or relationships with us in which any Director, executive officer or other related person (including immediate family members of all related persons) has a direct or indirect material interest, which involve $50,000 or more. Further, the Audit Committee must review and approve any transaction that the Reviewing Team determines may be required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404 ofRegulation S-K under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or any similar provision. In reviewing the related person transactions, the Reviewing Team and the Audit Committee consider the following factors: (1) whether the transaction is in conformity with our Guidelines for Ethical Business Conduct and is in our best interests; (2) whether the transaction would be in the ordinary course of our business; (3) whether the transaction is on terms comparable to those that could be obtained in arm’s length dealings with an unrelated third party; (4) the disclosure standards set forth in Item 404 ofRegulation S-K under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or any similar provision; and (5) whether the transaction could call into question the status of any Director or Director nominee as an independent director under the NYSE rules.

ReportRisk Assessment of the Compensation Programs

As part of the Compensation Committee’s annual governance process, in December 2012, we conducted a formal assessment of our compensation programs to ensure they do not create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on PolyOne. With guidance from the Consultant,

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our Internal Audit and Human Resources groups completed the initial risk assessment of our compensation programs, including those that extend beyond the executive officers. The assessment was reviewed by our legal department and the Consultant, with these groups providing additional analysis and validation of the results. The results of the compensation risk assessment were presented to the Compensation Committee at its December 2012 meeting. The areas we considered in determining that our compensation programs do not pose a material risk to PolyOne included our:

Compensation philosophy;

Compensation plan design:

¡

Balanced pay mix;

¡

Weightings of measures;

¡

Payout curves; and

¡

Timing of incentive payouts; and

Compensation plan governance and oversight:

¡

Selection of performance measures;

¡

Stock ownership requirements;

¡

Clawback policy; and

¡

Hedging policy.

As a result of the assessment, the Compensation Committee concluded that our compensation structures are appropriate and no material risks were identified. Several process improvements have been made as a result of the assessment that will continue to ensure the appropriate level of oversight is in place for these programs.

Compensation Committee Report

The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis set forth in this proxy statement with management and, basedmanagement. Based on this review and discussion, the Compensation Committee has recommended to the Board of Directors the inclusion of the Compensation Discussion and Analysis in this proxy statement.

statement and in PolyOne’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012.

The Compensation Committee

of the Board of Directors

Gordon D. Harnett, Chairperson
J. Douglas Campbell
Edward J. Mooney

William H. Powell

Farah M. Walters


58William A. Wulfsohn

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PROPOSAL 2 — APPROVAL OF THE POLYONE CORPORATION
2010 EQUITY AND PERFORMANCE INCENTIVE PLANADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION
On March 4, 2010,

As required under the Dodd-Frank Act and Section 14A of the Exchange Act, our Board of Directors unanimously approvedis submitting a “Say on Pay” proposal for shareholder consideration. While the vote on Named Executive Officer compensation is non-binding and adopted, subjectsolely advisory in nature, our Board of Directors and the Compensation Committee will review the voting results. If there are a significant number of negative votes, we will seek to understand the approvalconcerns that influenced the vote and expect to address them in making future decisions about executive compensation programs.

Currently, advisory “Say on Pay” votes are scheduled to be held once every year. The next advisory vote on Named Executive Officer compensation is expected to occur at our 2014 Annual Meeting of our shareholders atShareholders.

As described more fully in the annual meeting, the PolyOne Corporation 2010 Equity“Compensation Discussion and Performance Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The Plan will continue to affordAnalysis” section of this proxy statement, the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors (the “Compensation Committee”) the ability to design compensatory awards that are responsive tohas structured our needs, and includes authorization for a variety of awards designed to advance our interests and long-term success by encouraging stock ownership among our directors, officers and other employees.

We have historically granted equity awards under various plans, including most recently under the 2008 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan (the “Existing Plan”). The Existing Plan has awards authorized but not granted at the date of this proxy statement. If approved by our shareholders, the Plan will become effective and no further awards will be made under the Existing Plan.
The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares voting on this proposal is required for approval of the Plan. The following summary of the material provisions of the Plan is not intended to be exhaustive and is qualified in its entirety by the terms of the Plan, a copy of which is set forth as Appendix A to this proxy statement.
Why We Believe You Should Vote for Proposal 2
We believe our future success depends on our ability to attract, motivate and retain high quality employees and directors and that approval of the Plan is critical to achieving this success. We would be at a severe competitive disadvantage if we could not use stock-based awards to recruit and compensate our employees.
The use of our stock as part of ourexecutive compensation program is also important to our continued success in that it fosters apay-for-performance culture, which we have stated is an important element of our overall compensation package. We believe that equity compensation motivates employees to create shareholder value because the value employees realize from equity compensation is based on our stock performance. Equity compensation also aligns the goals and objectives of our employees with the interests of our shareholders and promotes a focus on long-term value creation because our equity compensation awards are subject to vestingand/or performance criteria.
If the Plan is not approved, we will be compelled to increase significantly the cash component of our employee compensation, which may not necessarily align employee interests with those of shareholders as well as stock-based awards. Replacing equity awards with cash will also increase cash compensation expense and use cash that would be better utilized if reinvested in our businesses.
Finally, we believe that we have demonstrated our commitment to sound equity compensation practices. We recognize that equity compensation awards dilute shareholder equity and, therefore, we have carefully managed our equity incentive compensation. Our equity compensation practices are targeted to be consistent with the market median, and we believe our historical share usage has been responsible and mindful of shareholder interests, as described below.
In evaluating this proposal, shareholders should consider the factors set forth under “Plan Highlights” below.


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Plan Highlights
The Plan authorizes the Compensation Committee to provide equity-based compensation in the form of stock options, stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), restricted stock, restricted stock units (“RSUs”), performance shares, performance units, and other awards for the purpose of providing our directors, officers and other employees incentives and rewards for superior performance. Some of the key features of the Plan that reflect our commitment to effective management of incentive compensation are set forth below and are described more fully under the heading “Summary of the Plan” and in the Plan, which is attached to this proxy statement.
Administration.  The Plan will be administered by the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee may delegate its authority under the Plan to a subcommittee. The Compensation Committee or the subcommittee may delegate to one or more of its members or to one or more of our officers, or to one or more agents or advisors, administrative duties or powers to do one or both ofachieve the following (subject to certain limitations described in the Plan):
key objectives:

Objective designate employees to receive awards under the Plan; and

How Our Executive Compensation

Program Achieves This Objective

    Pay-For-PerformanceSetting a significant portion of each Named Executive Officer’s total compensation in the form of variable compensation that is earned when pre-established financial and annual performance goals are achieved.

    Align Goals and Objectives with

    Interests of Shareholders

Focusing incentive programs on the critical performance measures that determine the Company’s overall success and rewarding executives for attainment of short-term results, balanced with the need for sustainable long-term success.

    Attract, Motivate and Retain

    Management

Competing effectively to attract, motivate and retain a management team who leads in setting and achieving the overall goals and objectives of the Company.

We believe you should vote “FOR” our Named Executive Officer compensation program because the compensation actually earned by our Named Executive Officers for 2012 performance, as summarized below, was aligned with both our pay-for-performance objectives and our Company’s performance. 2012 was another strong year for PolyOne as described above under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis.” Each of our three strategic platforms achieved record levels of Adjusted Operating Income and Operating Margins, despite recessionary conditions in Europe. Guided by our strong performance results for 2012 and in prior years, our key pay decisions and actions for 2012 included:

Our Named Executive Officers (other than Mr. Rosenau) earning Annual Plan payouts at 187.4% of their target Annual Plan opportunities based upon exceeding the target performance goals under that plan. Mr. Rosenau is the only Named Executive Officer with responsibility for business unit specific results, and his Annual Plan opportunity and payout of 200% is based on business unit specific performance goals.

Maintaining the performance measure for our long-term cash-settled performance units awards granted in 2012 as Adjusted Earnings Per Share in order to drive improvements in shareholder value, with a three-year performance period. However, there are four individual performance

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 • determine the size of any such awards.

periods (three one-year periods and one three-year aggregate period), weighted 25% each to drive annual performance as well as maximize long-term performance; and

Paying out cash-settled performance units granted in 2010, based on attainment of 200% of target level performance for our achievement of Working Capital as a Percentage of Sales goals in 2010.

As described above, our recent key pay decisions have been linked to our performance in terms of key business metrics that drive long-term shareholder value. For example, for 2012, we achieved 180.7% of our Company Adjusted Operating Income goal and 200% of our consolidated Working Capital as a Percentage of Sales goal established under our short-term cash incentive program, which primarily drove the 2012 Annual Plan Limits.  Totalpayouts described above. In addition, our time and performance based stock appreciation rights help drive long-term shareholder value. These awards underdeliver value to our Named Executive Officers only to the Planextent our shareholders realize increased stock price value. Our stock price has risen to $20.42 as of December 31, 2012 from $11.55 on December 30, 2011. Our Named Executive Officers have realized value for these awards as our shareholders have realized increased stock price value in their investment since those dates.

Based on these demonstrated links between pay and performance, as well as our more in-depth discussion in “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” above of how our CEO’s compensation has been commensurate with performance in recent years, we believe we have successfully implemented a pay-for-performance culture at PolyOne.

In 2012, we also maintained or implemented pay practices favored by a number of institutional shareholders and their advisors, including:

We revised our relocation policy as it relates to the loss on the sale of an executive’s residence. We limit the amount of the reimbursable loss provided to the Named Executive Officers to 80% of the loss, with a maximum total reimbursement of $85,000. In addition, no tax gross-ups on reimbursed losses are limited to 3,000,000 shares plus any common shares relating to awards that expire or are forfeited or cancelled under the Plan. No more than 1,200,000 common shares may be issued with respect to awardsprovided for this group.

We also maintain stock ownership guidelines for our Named Executive Officers that are notdenominated in shares. All of our Named Executive Officers exceed the Guidelines applicable to them.

We eliminated the use of excise tax gross-up provisions in all management continuity agreements offered to newly hired executives.

We instituted a policy prohibiting our Named Executive Officers and Directors from both pledging company stock options or SARs. The Plan also provides that:

• the aggregate number of common shares actually issued or transferred upon the exercise of incentive stock options (“ISOs”) will not exceed 3,000,000 common shares;
• no participant will be granted stock options or SARs, in the aggregate, for more than 500,000 common shares during any calendar year;
• no participant will be granted awards of restricted stock, RSUs, performance shares or other stock-based awards that are intended to qualify as “qualified performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), in the aggregate, for more than 400,000 common shares during any calendar year;
• no participant in any calendar year will receive an award of performance units or other awards payable in cash that are intended to qualify as “qualified performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code having an aggregate maximum value in excess of $3,000,000; and
• awards granted to non-employee directors plus awards that do not comply with the minimum vesting periods provided for in the Plan (as further described below) will not involve the issuance of more than 10% of the maximum number of common shares available under the Plan.
No Liberal Recycling Provisions.  The Plan provides that only shares with respect to awards granted under the Plan that expire or are forfeited or cancelled, or shares that were covered by an award the benefit of which is paidand engaging in cash instead of shares, will again be available for issuance under the Plan. The following shares will not be added back to the aggregate plan limit: (1) shares tendered in payment of the option exercise price; (2) shares withheld by us to satisfy the tax withholding obligation; and (3) shares that are repurchased by us with stock option proceeds. Further, all shares covered by a SAR that is exercised and settled in shares, and whether or not all shares are actually issued to the participant upon exercise of the right, will be considered issued or transferred pursuant to the Plan.speculative transactions involving our securities.


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Minimum Vesting Periods.  The Plan provides that, except for awards covering up to an aggregate of 10% of the total number of common shares available for awards under the Plan (including non-employee director awards):
• Stock options and SARs may not vest by the passage of time sooner than one-third per year over three years unless they vest sooner by virtue of retirement, death or disability of a participant or a change of control;
• Restricted stock, RSUs and other awards may not become unrestricted by the passage of time sooner than one-third per year over three years unless restrictions lapse sooner by virtue of retirement, death or disability of a participant or a change of control;
• The period of time within which management objectives relating to performance shares and performance units must be achieved will be a minimum of one year, subject to earlier lapse or modification by virtue of retirement, death or disability of a participant or a change of control; and
• Stock options, SARs, restricted stock, RSUs and other awards that vest upon the achievement of management objectives cannot vest sooner than one year from the date of grant, but may be subject to earlier lapse or modification by virtue of retirement, death or disability of a participant or a change of control.
No Repricing.  We have never repriced underwater stock options or SARs, and repricing of options and SARs is prohibited without shareholder approval under the Plan.
Change of Control Definition.  The Plan includes a definition of “change of control.” In general, a change of control will be deemed to have occurred if:
• a person or group buys 25% or more of our common stock (excluding certain purchases by us or our benefit plans or purchases approved by us or in connection with certain “friendly” business transactions, and excluding certain inadvertent purchases);
• individuals who constituted our Board of Directors as of May 12, 2010 cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of our Board of Directors, unless their replacements are approved as described in the Plan;
• we consummate a reorganization, merger, consolidation or significant sale of assets resulting in a substantial change in our ownership or directors; or
• our shareholders approve our complete liquidation or dissolution (other than in connection with certain “friendly” business transactions).
Other Features.
• The Plan also provides that no stock options or SARs will be granted with an exercise or base price less than the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant.
• The Plan is designed to allow awards made under the Plan to qualify as qualified performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code.
In addition to providing for these key features in the Plan, our historical grants under our equity plans illustrate our commitment to appropriately managing equity compensation. From 2007 to 2009, we have awarded stock options, SARs and restricted stock averaging 1.97% of shares outstanding.
If the Plan is approved, our full dilution level on March 15, 2010 will be 11.6%. The level of full dilution assumes all 3,000,000 shares will actually be issued under the Plan, whereas the Plan


61


does not permit liberal recycling of shares, as described above. Management and our Board of Directors are cognizantbelieves the Company’s compensation programs demonstrate a clear link between pay and performance, especially for 2012. The Board of dilution levelsDirectors urges you to review carefully the “Compensation Discussion and striveAnalysis” section of this Proxy Statement that describes our compensation philosophy and programs in greater detail and to maintain dilution at an appropriate level.
From January 1, 2010 to March 15, 2010, 281,357 stock options and SARs, with an average exercise price of $15.17 expired without being exercised. Thus, as of March 15, 2010:
• There are a total of 92,564,884 of our common shares outstanding;
• There are 7,403,379 stock options and SARs outstanding, with an average exercise price of $6.63 and average remaining term of 3.82 years;
• There are a total of 1,754,647 full-value awards (restricted stock, RSUs and performance shares) outstanding, 12,100 of which are restricted shares that are included in the number of our common shares outstanding; and
• There are 1,319,954 common shares remaining available under all of our equity plans. If the Plan is approved by shareholders, 1,227,469 shares will no longer be available for grant under the Existing Plan because, as mentioned above, no further awards will be made under that plan, except for share awards that will be made to our Directors in April under our Existing Plan as part of their first quarter fees.
Summary ofapprove the Plan
Shares Available Under the Plan.  Subject to adjustment as provided in the Plan, the number of common shares that may be issued or transferred
• upon the exercise of stock options or SARs,
• as restricted stock and released from substantial risks of forfeiture,
• in payment of RSUs,
• in payment of performance shares or performance units that have been earned,
• as awards to non-employee directors,
• as other awards, or
• in payment of dividend equivalents paid for awards made under the Plan
will not exceed in the aggregate 3,000,000 common shares, plus any common shares relating to awards that expire or are forfeited or cancelled under the Plan. These shares may be shares of original issuance or treasury shares or a combination of the foregoing.
Common shares covered by an award granted under the Plan will not be counted as used unless and until they are actually issued and delivered to a participant. The total number of shares available under the Plan as of a given date will not be reduced by any shares relating to prior awards that have expired or have been forfeited or cancelled. Upon payment in cash of the benefit provided by any award granted under the Plan, any common shares that were covered by that award will be available for issue or transfer.
If common shares are tendered or otherwise used in payment of an option exercise price, the total number of shares covered by the stock option being exercised will count against the total number of shares available under the Plan. Common shares withheld by us to satisfy tax withholding obligations will count against the total number of shares available under the Plan. The number of common shares covered by a SAR that is exercised and settled in common shares, and whether or not all shares are actually issued to the participant upon exercise of the SAR, will be considered


62

following resolution:


issued or transferred pursuant to the Plan. In the event that we repurchase shares with stock option proceeds, those shares will not be added to the total number of shares available under the Plan. If, under the Plan, a participant has elected to give up the right to receive compensation in exchange for common shares based on fair market value, such common shares will not count against the aggregate plan limit described above.
The Plan also provides the other following limits:
• the aggregate number of common shares actually issued or transferred upon the exercise of ISOs will not exceed 3,000,000 common shares;
• no more than 1,200,000 common shares may be issued with respect to awards that are not stock options or SARs;
• no participant will be granted stock options or SARs, in the aggregate, for more than 500,000 common shares during any calendar year;
• no participant will be granted awards of restricted stock, RSUs, performance shares or other stock-based awards that are intended to qualify as “qualified performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, in the aggregate, for more than 400,000 common shares during any calendar year;
• no participant in any calendar year will receive an award of performance units or other awards payable in cash that are intended to qualify as “qualified performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code having an aggregate maximum value as of their respective dates of grant in excess of $3,000,000; and
• awards granted to non-employee directors plus awards that do not comply with the minimum vesting periods provided for in the Plan (as further described below) will not involve the issuance of more than 10% of the maximum number of common shares available under the Plan.
Eligibility.  Our officers and key employees, the officers and key employees of our subsidiaries, our non-employee directors, and any person who has agreed to commence serving in any of those capacities within 90 days of the date of grant, presently estimated to be 100 persons, may be selected by the Compensation Committee to receive benefits under the Plan. Any person who provides services to us or a subsidiary that are equivalent to those typically provided by an employee may also be eligible to participate in the Plan. The Compensation Committee determines which persons will receive awards and the number of shares subject to such awards.
Stock Options.  We may grant stock options that entitle the optionee to purchase common shares at a price not less than market value per share at the date of grant. The market price of our common shares as reported on the NYSE on March 15, 2010 was $8.77 per share. The option price is payable:
• in cash, check or wire transfer at the time of exercise;
• by the transfer to us of common shares owned by the participant having a value at the time of exercise equal to the option price;
• by a combination of such payment methods; or
• by such other method as may be approved by the Compensation Committee.


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To the extent permitted by law, any grant of a stock option may provide for deferred payment of the option price from the proceeds of a sale through a bank or broker of some or all of the common shares to which the exercise relates.
The Compensation Committee reserves the discretion at or after the date of grant to provide the participant with the right to tender nonforfeitable, unrestricted common shares in satisfaction of the option exercise price, which shares are already owned by the participant and have a value at the time of exercise that is equal to the option price. Additionally, the Compensation Committee may substitute, without receiving the participant’s permission, SARs payable only in common shares (or SARs payable in common shares or cash, or a combination of both, at the Compensation Committee’s discretion) for outstanding stock options.
Stock options will be evidenced by an award agreement containing such terms and provisions, consistent with the Plan, as the Compensation Committee may approve. No stock option may be exercisable more than 10 years from the date of grant. Each grant will specify the period of continuous service with us or any subsidiary that is necessary before the stock options become exercisable. A grant of stock options may provide for the earlier vesting of such stock options in the event of the retirement, death or disability of the participant, or a change of control. Successive grants may be made to the same participant whether or not stock options previously granted remain unexercised. Any grant of stock options may specify management objectives (as described below) that must be achieved as a condition to exercising such rights.
If the stock options provide that management objectives must be achieved prior to exercise, such stock options may not become exercisable sooner than one year from the date of grant except in the event of the retirement, death or disability of the grantee, or a change of control. Stock options may not become exercisable by the passage of time sooner than one-third per year over three years. The Compensation Committee may grant some awards, including stock options, that are not subject to these minimum vesting requirements, so long as the aggregate number of such awards (plus non-employee director awards) does not exceed 10% of the maximum number of common shares available under the Plan.
SARs.  A SAR is a right, exercisable by the surrender of a related stock option (if granted in tandem with stock options) or by itself (if granted as a free-standing SAR), to receive from us an amount equal to 100%, or such lesser percentage as the Compensation Committee may determine, of the spread between the base price (or option exercise price if a tandem SAR) and the value of our common shares on the date of exercise. Any grant may specify“RESOLVED, that the amount payable on exercise of a SAR may be paid by us in cash, in common shares, or in any combination of the two, and may either grant to the participant or retain in the Compensation Committee the right to elect among those alternatives.
SARs will be evidenced by an award agreement containing such terms and provisions, consistent with the Plan, as the Compensation Committee may approve. Any grant of a tandem SAR will provide that it may be exercised only at a time when the related stock option is also exercisable, at a time when the spread is positive, and by surrender of the related stock option for cancellation. Successive grants of a tandem SAR may be made to the same participant regardless of whether any tandem SARs previously granted to the participant remain unexercised. Each grant will specify in respect of each free-standing SAR a base price that will be equal to or greater than the market value per share on the date of grant. Successive grants may be made to the same participant regardless of whether any free-standing SARs previously granted to the participant remain unexercised. No free-standing SAR granted under the Plan may be exercised more than 10 years from the date of grant.


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SARs may not vest by the passage of time sooner than one-third per year over three years, provided that any grant may specify that such SAR may be exercised only in the event of, or earlier in the event of, the retirement, death or disability of the participant, or a change of control. Any grant of SARs may specify management objectives that must be achieved as a condition to exercise such rights. If the SARs provide that management objectives must be achieved prior to exercise, such SARs may not become exercisable sooner than one year from the date of grant except in the event of the retirement, death or disability of the grantee, or a change of control. The Compensation Committee may grant some awards, including SARs, that are not subject to these minimum vesting requirements, so long as the aggregate number of such awards (plus non-employee director awards) does not exceed 10% of the maximum number of common shares available under the Plan.
Restricted Stock.  A grant of restricted stock involves the immediate transfer by us to a participant of ownership of a specific number of common shares in consideration of the performance of services. The participant is entitled immediately to voting, dividend and other ownership rights in such shares. The transfer may be made without additional consideration or in consideration of a payment by the participant that is less than current market value at the date of grant, as the Compensation Committee may determine.
Restricted stock that vests upon the passage of time must be subject to a “substantial risk of forfeiture” within the meaning of Section 83 of the Internal Revenue Code for a period no shorter than three years, except that the restrictions may be removed ratably during the three-year period, on an annual basis, as the Compensation Committee may determine at the date of grant. Each such grant or sale of restricted stock will provide that during or after the period for which such substantial risk of forfeiture is to continue, the transferability of the restricted stock will be prohibited or restricted in the manner and to the extent prescribed by the Compensation Committee at the date of grant (which restrictions may include, without limitation, rights of repurchase or first refusal or provisions subjecting the restricted stock to a continuing substantial risk of forfeiture in the hands of any transferee). The Compensation Committee may provide for a shorter period during which the forfeiture provisions are to apply in the event of the retirement, death or disability of the grantee, or a change of control.
Any grant of restricted stock may specify management objectives that, if achieved, will result in termination or early termination of the restrictions applicable to such shares. If the grant of restricted stock provides that management objectives must be achieved to result in a lapse of restrictions, the restrictions cannot lapse sooner than one year from the date of grant, but may be subject to earlier lapse or modification by virtue of the retirement, death or disability of the grantee or a change of control. The Compensation Committee may grant some awards, including restricted stock, that are not subject to these minimum vesting requirements, so long as the aggregate number of such awards (plus non-employee director awards) does not exceed 10% of the maximum number of common shares available under the Plan.
Any grant of restricted stock may also specify, in respect of any applicable management objectives, a minimum acceptable level of achievement and may set forth a formula for determining the number of shares of restricted stock on which restrictions will terminate if performance is at or above the minimum level or threshold level or levels, or is at or above the target level or levels, but falls short of maximum achievement of the specified management objectives.
Grants of restricted stock will be evidenced by an award agreement containing such terms and provisions, consistent with the Plan, as the Compensation Committee may approve. Any grant or sale of restricted stock may require that any or all dividends or other distributions paid with respect to the restricted stock during the period of restriction be automatically deferred and reinvested in


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additional shares of restricted stock, which may be subject to the same restrictions as the underlying award. However, dividends or other distributions on restricted stock with restrictions that lapse as a result of the achievement of management objectives will be deferred until and paid contingent upon the achievement of the applicable management objectives.
RSUs.  A grant of RSUs constitutes an agreement by us to deliver common shares or cash to the participant in the future in consideration of the performance of services, but subject to the fulfillment of such conditions during the restriction period as the Compensation Committee may specify. During the applicable restriction period, the participant will have no rights of ownership in the common shares deliverable upon payment of the RSUs and will have no right to vote the common shares. The Compensation Committee may, at the date of grant, authorize the payment of dividend equivalents on RSUs on either a current, deferred or contingent basis, either in cash or in additional common shares. However, dividends or other distributions on common shares underlying RSUs with restrictions that lapse as a result of the achievement of management objectives will be deferred until and paid contingently upon the achievement of the applicable management objectives.
RSUs with a restriction period that lapses only by the passage of time will have a restriction period of at least three years, except that the restriction period may expire ratably during the three-year period, on an annual basis, as determined by the Compensation Committee at the date of grant. Additionally, the Compensation Committee may provide for a shorter restriction period in the event of the retirement, death or disability of the grantee, or a change of control. Any grant of RSUs may specify management objectives that, if achieved, will result in termination or early termination of the restriction period applicable to such shares. If the RSUs have a restriction period that lapses only upon the achievement of management objectives, the restriction period cannot lapse sooner than one year from the date of grant, but may be subject to earlier lapse or modification by virtue of the retirement, death or disability of the grantee or a change of control. The Compensation Committee may grant some awards, including RSUs, that are not subject to these minimum vesting requirements, so long as the aggregate number of such awards (plus non-employee director awards) does not exceed 10% of the maximum number of common shares available under the Plan.
RSUs will be evidenced by an evidence of award containing such terms and provisions, consistent with the Plan, as the Compensation Committee may approve. Each grant or sale of RSUs may be made without additional consideration or in consideration of a payment by such participant that is less than the market value per share at the date of grant. Each grant or sale of RSUs will also specify the time and manner of payment of the RSUs that have been earned and will specify that the amount payable with respect to such grant will be paid by us in common shares or cash.
Any grant of RSUs may also specify, in respect of any applicable management objectives, a minimum acceptable level of achievement and may set forth a formula for determining the number RSUs for which the restriction period will terminate if performance is at or above the minimum or threshold level or levels, or is at or above the target level or levels, but falls short of maximum achievement of the specified management objectives.
Performance Shares and Performance Units.  A performance share is the equivalent of one common share and a performance unit is the equivalent of $1.00 or such other value as determined by the Compensation Committee. A participant may be granted any number of performance shares or performance units, subject to the limitations set forth above. The participant will be given one or more management objectives to meet within a specified period (the “Performance Period”). The specified Performance Period will be a period of time not less than one year, except in the case of the retirement, death or disability of the grantee, or a change of control, if the Compensation Committee so determines. The Compensation Committee may, however, grant some awards,


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including performance shares, that are not subject to these minimum vesting requirements, so long as the aggregate number of such awards (plus non-employee director awards) does not exceed 10% of the maximum number of common shares available under the Plan
Each grant of performance shares or performance units may specify, in respect of the relevant management objectives, a minimum acceptable level or levels of achievement and will set forth a formula for determining the number of performance shares or performance units that will be earned if performance is at or above the minimum or threshold level or levels, or is at or above the target level or levels, but falls short of maximum achievement of the specified management objectives.
To the extent earned, the performance shares or performance units will becompensation paid to the participant at the time and in the manner determined byCompany’s Named Executive Officers, as disclosed pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K, including the Compensation Committee. Any grant may specify that the amount payable with respect thereto may be paid by us in cash, common shares or any combination of the twoDiscussion and may either grant to the participant or retain in the Compensation Committee the right to elect among those alternatives. The Compensation Committee may, at the date of grant of performance shares, provide for the payment of dividend equivalents to participant either in cash or in additional common shares, subject in all cases to deferralAnalysis, compensation tables and payment on a contingent basis based on the participant’s earning of the performance shares with respect to which such dividend equivalents are paid.
Performance shares and performance units will be evidenced by an award agreement containing such terms and provisions, consistent with the Plan, as the Compensation Committee may approve. Each grant will specify the number of performance shares or performance units to which it pertains, which number may be subject to adjustment to reflect changes in compensation or other factors. However, no adjustment will be made in the case of an award intended to qualify as “qualified performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code (other than in connection with the death or disability of the participant or a change of control) where such action would result in the loss of the otherwise available exemption of the award under Section 162(m) of the Code.
Awards to Non-Employee Directors.  The Compensation Committee may, from time to time and upon such terms and conditions as it may determine, authorize the granting to non-employee directors of stock options, SARs or other awards and may also authorize the grant or sale of common shares, restricted stock or RSUs to non-employee directors. Each grant of an award to a non-employee director will be upon such terms and conditions as approved by the Compensation Committee. Each such grant will not be required to be subject to any minimum vesting period and will be evidenced by an award agreement in such form as will be approved by the Compensation Committee. Each grant will specify in the case of stock option, an option price per share, and in the case of a free-standing SAR, a base price per share, each of which will not be less than the market value per share on the date of grant. Each stock option and free-standing SAR granted under the Plan to a non-employee director will expire not more than 10 years from the date of grant and will be subject to earlier termination as provided in the Plan. If a non-employee director subsequently becomes an employee of our company or a subsidiary while remaining a member of our Board of Directors, any award held under this Plan by such individual at the time of such commencement of employment will not be affected. Non-employee directors may be awarded, or may be permitted to elect to receive, pursuant to procedures established by the Compensation Committee, all or any portion of their annual retainer, meeting fees or other fees in common shares, restricted stock, RSUs or other awards under the Plan in lieu of cash.
Other Awards.  The Compensation Committee may, subject to limitations under applicable law, grant to any participant such other awards that may be denominated or payable in, valued in


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narrative discussion, is hereby APPROVED.”


whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, or related to, common shares or factors that may influence the value of such shares, including, without limitation,
• convertible or exchangeable debt securities;
• other rights convertible or exchangeable into common shares;
• purchase rights for common shares;
• awards with value and payment contingent upon our performance or specified subsidiaries, affiliates or other business units of ours or any other factors designated by the Compensation Committee; and
• awards valued by reference to the book value of common shares or the value of securities of, or the performance of specified subsidiaries or affiliates or other business units of ours.
The Compensation Committee will determine the terms and conditions of the other awards. Common shares delivered pursuant to an award in the nature of a purchase right will be purchased for such consideration, paid for at such time, by such methods, and in such forms, including, without limitation, cash, common shares, other awards, notes or other property, as the Compensation Committee will determine. Cash awards, as an element of or supplement to any other award granted under the Plan, may also be granted as an other award.
If the earning or vesting of, or elimination of restrictions applicable to, other awards is based only on the passage of time rather than the achievement of management objectives, the period of time will be no shorter than three years, except that the restrictions may be removed no sooner than ratably on an annual basis during the three-year period. If the earning or vesting of, or elimination of restrictions applicable to, awards granted under this section of the Plan is based on the achievement of management objectives, the earning, vesting or restriction period may not terminate sooner than one year from the date of grant. Any grant of an award under this section of the Plan may provide for the earning or vesting of, or earlier elimination of restrictions applicable to, such award in the event of the retirement, death, or disability of the participant, or a change of control. The Compensation Committee may grant some awards, including other awards, that are not subject to these minimum vesting requirements, so long as the aggregate number of such awards (plus non-employee director awards) does not exceed 10% of the maximum number of common shares available under the Plan.
The Compensation Committee may grant common shares as a bonus, or may grant other awards in lieu of our obligation or a subsidiary’s obligation to pay cash or deliver other property under the Plan or under other plans or compensatory arrangements, subject to such terms as will be determined by the Compensation Committee in a manner that complies with Section 409A of the Code.
Management Objectives.  The Plan requires that the Compensation Committee establish “management objectives” for purposes of performance shares and performance units. When so determined by the Compensation Committee, stock options, SARs, restricted stock, RSUs, dividend credits or other awards under the Plan may also specify management objectives. Management objectives may be described in terms of company-wide objectives or objectives that are related to the performance of the individual participant or of the subsidiary, division, department, region or function within the company or subsidiary in which the participant is employed. The management objectives may be made relative to the performance of other companies or subsidiaries, divisions, departments, regions or functions within such other companies, and may be made relative to an index or one or more of the performance criteria themselves. The Compensation Committee may grant awards subject to management objectives that may or may not be intended to qualify as


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“qualified performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code. The management objectives applicable to any award intended to qualify as “qualified performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code to a “covered employee,” within the meaning of 162(m) of the Code, will be based on one or more, or a combination, of the following criteria:
• Profits(e.g., operating income, EBIT, EBT, net income, earnings per share, residual or economic earnings, economic profit — these profitability metrics could be measured before certain specified special itemsand/or subject to GAAP definition);
• Cash Flow(e.g., EBITDA, free cash flow, free cash flow with or without specific capital expenditure target or range, including or excluding divestmentsand/or acquisitions, total cash flow, cash flow in excess of cost of capital or residual cash flow or cash flow return on investment);
• Returns(e.g., Profits or Cash Flow returns on: assets, invested capital, net capital employed, and equity);
• Working Capital(e.g., working capital divided by sales, days’ sales outstanding, days’ sales inventory, and days’ sales in payables);
• Profit Margins(e.g., Profits divided by revenues, gross margins and material margins divided by revenues, and material margin divided by sales pounds);
• Liquidity Measures(e.g.,debt-to-capital,debt-to-EBITDA, total debt ratio);
• Sales Growth, Gross Margin Growth, Cost Initiative and Stock Price Metrics(e.g., revenues, revenue growth, revenue growth outside the United States, gross margin and gross margin growth, material margin and material margin growth, stock price appreciation, total return to shareholders, sales and administrative costs divided by sales, and sales and administrative costs divided by profits); and
• Strategic Initiative Key Deliverable Metricsconsisting of one or more of the following: product development, strategic partnering, research and development, vitality index, market penetration, geographic business expansion goals, cost targets, customer satisfaction, employee satisfaction, management of employment practices and employee benefits, supervision of litigation and information technology, and goals relating to acquisitions or divestitures of subsidiaries, affiliates and joint ventures.
If the Compensation Committee determines that a change in the business, operations, corporate structure or capital structure of our company, or the manner in which we conduct our business, or other events or circumstances render the management objectives unsuitable, the Compensation Committee may in its discretion modify such management objectives or the related minimum acceptable level of achievement, in whole or in part, as the Compensation Committee deems appropriate and equitable, except in the case of an award intended to qualify as “qualified performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code (other than in connection with a change of control) where such action would result in the loss of the otherwise available exemption of the award under Section 162(m) of the Code. In such case, the Compensation Committee will not make any modification of the management objectives or minimum acceptable level of achievement with respect to such award.
Administration.  The Plan will be administered by the Compensation Committee, in which case, to the extent appropriate, references in the Plan to the Compensation Committee will be deemed to be references to our Board of Directors. The Compensation Committee may from time to time delegate all or any part of its authority under the Plan to any subcommittee. To the extent of


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any such delegation, references in the Plan to the Compensation Committee will be deemed to be references to such subcommittee.
The interpretation and construction by the Compensation Committee of any provision of the Plan or of any agreement, notification or document evidencing the grant of stock options, SARs, restricted stock, RSUs, performance shares, performance units or other awards and any determination by the Compensation Committee pursuant to any provision of the Plan or of any such agreement, notification or document will be final and conclusive. No member of the Compensation Committee will be liable for any such action or determination made in good faith.
The Compensation Committee or, to the extent of any delegation, the subcommittee, may delegate to one or more of its members or to one or more of our officers, or to one or more agents or advisors, such administrative duties or powers as it may deem advisable. The Compensation Committee, the subcommittee, or any person to whom duties or powers have been delegated, may employ one or more persons to render advice with respect to any responsibility the Compensation Committee, the subcommittee or such person may have under the Plan. The Compensation Committee or the subcommittee may authorize one or more of our officers to do one or both of the following on the same basis as the Compensation Committee or the subcommittee:
• designate employees to receive awards under the Plan; and
• determine the size of any such awards.
However, the Compensation Committee or the subcommittee may not delegate such responsibilities to any such officer for awards granted to an employee who is Section 16 officer, director, or more than 10% beneficial owner as determined by the Compensation Committee in accordance with Section 16 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The resolution providing for such authorization must set forth the total number of common shares any delegated officer may grant and the officer must report periodically to the Compensation Committee or the subcommittee, as the case may be, regarding the nature and scope of the awards granted pursuant to the delegated authority.
Amendments.  Our Board of Directors may at any time and from time to time amend the Plan in whole or in part. However, if an amendment to the Plan
• would materially increase the benefits accruing to participants under the Plan;
• would materially increase the number of securities which may be issued under the Plan;
• would materially modify the requirements for participation in the Plan; or
• must otherwise be approved by the our shareholders in order to comply with applicable law or the rules of the New York Stock Exchange (or our applicable securities exchange),
then such amendment will be subject to shareholder approval and will not be effective until such approval has been obtained.
If permitted by Section 409A of the Code and Section 162(m) of the Code, in case of termination of the employment of a participant by reason of death, disability or normal or early retirement, or in the case of unforeseeable emergency or other special circumstances, of a participant who holds
• a stock option or SAR not immediately exercisable in full;
• any shares of restricted stock as to which the substantial risk of forfeiture or the prohibition or restriction on transfer has not lapsed;


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• any RSUs as to which the applicable restriction period has not been completed;
• any performance shares or performance units which have not been fully earned;
• any other awards subject to any vesting schedule or transfer restriction; or
• common shares subject to any transfer restriction imposed by the Plan,
the Compensation Committee may, in its sole discretion, accelerate the time at which
• such stock option or SAR or other award may be exercised;
• such substantial risk of forfeiture or prohibition or restriction on transfer will lapse;
• such restriction period will end; or
• such performance shares or performance units will be deemed to have been fully earned or the time when such transfer restriction will terminate.
The Compensation Committee may also waive any other limitation or requirement under any such award.
The Compensation Committee may amend the terms of any awards granted under this Plan prospectively or retroactively, except in the case of an award intended to qualify as “qualified performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code (other than in connection with the participant’s death or disability, or a change of control) where such action would result in the loss of the otherwise available exemption. In such case, the Compensation Committee will not make any modification of the management objectives or the level or levels of achievement with respect to such award. Except in connection with certain corporate transactions described in the Plan, no amendment will impair the rights of any participant without his or her consent.
Our Board of Directors may, in its discretion, terminate the Plan at any time. Termination of the Plan will not affect the rights of participants or their successors under any outstanding awards and not exercised in full on the date of termination.
In addition to the provisions in the Plan regarding acceleration of awards, up to 10% of the maximum number of common shares that may be issued or transferred under the Plan, as may be adjusted, may be used for stock options, SARs, restricted stock, RSUs, performance shares, performance units and other awards granted under the Plan that do not comply with the applicable three-year vesting requirements with respect to time-vested awards or the applicable one-year vesting requirements with respect to awards subject to the achievement of performance goals, but in no event will more than 10% of the maximum number of common shares that may be issued or transferred under the Plan be used for such awards, non-employee director awards, or a combination of such awards and non-employee director awards.
No Repricing of Stock Options or SARs.  Except in connection with certain corporate transactions described in the Plan, the terms of outstanding awards may not be amended to reduce the option price of outstanding stock options or the base price of outstanding SARs, or cancel outstanding stock options or SARs in exchange for cash, other awards or stock options or SARs with an option price or base price, as applicable, that is less than the option price of the original stock options or base price of the original SARs, as applicable, without shareholder approval. This restriction is intended to prohibit the repricing of “underwater” stock options and SARs and will not be construed to prohibit the adjustments in connection with certain corporate transactions provided for in the Plan. This prohibition may not be amended without approval by our shareholders.


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Transferability.  Except as otherwise determined by the Compensation Committee, no stock option, SAR or other derivative security granted under the Plan will be transferable by the participant except by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and in no event shall any such award granted under the Plan be transferred for value. Except as otherwise determined by the Compensation Committee, stock options and SARs will be exercisable during the participant’s lifetime only by him or her or, in the event of the participant’s legal incapacity to do so, by his or her guardian or legal representative acting on behalf of the participant in a fiduciary capacity under state lawand/or court supervision.
The Compensation Committee may provide at the date of grant additional restrictions on transfer for certain common shares earned under the Plan.
Adjustments.  The Compensation Committee shall make or provide for such adjustments in the numbers of common shares covered by outstanding stock options, SARs, RSUs, performance shares and performance units granted under the Plan and, if applicable, in the number of common shares covered by other awards, in the option price and base price provided in outstanding stock options and SARs, and in the kind of shares covered by such awards, as the Compensation Committee, in its sole discretion, exercised in good faith, may determine is equitably required to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights of participants or optionees that otherwise would result from:
• any stock dividend, stock split, combination of shares, recapitalization or other change in the capital structure of our company;
• any merger, consolidation, spin-off, split- off, spin-out,split-up, reorganization, partial or complete liquidation or other distribution of assets, issuance of rights or warrants to purchase securities; or
• any other corporate transaction or event having an effect similar to these events or transactions.
In the event of any such transaction or event or in the event of a change of control, the Compensation Committee, in its discretion, may provide in substitution for any or all outstanding awards under the Plan such alternative consideration (including cash), if any, as it, in good faith, may determine to be equitable in the circumstances and may require the surrender of all awards so replaced in a manner that complies with Section 409A of the Code.
In addition, for each stock option or SAR with an option price or base price greater than the consideration offered in connection with any such termination or event or change of control, the Compensation Committee may in its sole discretion elect to cancel such stock option or SAR without any payment to the person holding such stock option or SAR. The Compensation Committee shall also make or provide for such adjustments in the total number of shares available under the Plan and any other share limits under the Plan as the Compensation Committee, in its sole discretion, exercised in good faith, may determine is appropriate to reflect any transaction or event described above. However, any adjustment to the number of ISOs that may be granted under the Plan will be made only if and to the extent that such adjustment would not cause any option intended to qualify as an ISO to fail to so qualify.
Detrimental Activity.  Any evidence of award may provide that if a participant, either during employment by us or a subsidiary or within a specified period after termination of employment, engages in any “detrimental activity,” as defined in the Plan attached to this proxy statement, the participant will forfeit any award granted under the Plan then held by the participant or return to us, in exchange for payment by us of any amount actually paid for the common shares by the participant, all common shares that the participant has not disposed of that were offered pursuant to


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the Plan within a specified period prior to the date of the commencement of the detrimental activity. With respect to any common shares acquired under the Plan that the participant has disposed of, if provided in the evidence of award for such grant, the participant will pay to us in cash the difference between (1) any amount actually paid for the awards by the participant pursuant to the Plan and (2) the market value per share of the common shares on the date they were disposed.
In addition, any award agreement may provide for the cancellation or forfeiture of an award or the forfeiture and repayment to us of any gain related to an award, or other provisions intended to have a similar effect, upon such terms and conditions as may be determined by the Compensation Committee from time to time.
Withholding Taxes.  To the extent that we are required to withhold federal, state, local or foreign taxes in connection with any payment made or benefit realized by a participant or other person under the Plan, and the amounts available to us for such withholding are insufficient, it will be a condition to the receipt of such payment or the realization of such benefit that the participant or such other person make arrangements satisfactory to us for payment of the balance of such taxes required to be withheld, which arrangements (in the discretion of the Compensation Committee) may include relinquishment of a portion of such benefit. In no event shall the market value per share of the common shares to be withheld and delivered to satisfy applicable withholding taxes in connection with the benefit exceed the minimum amount of taxes required to be withheld.
Compliance with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code.  To the extent applicable, it is intended that the Plan and any grants made thereunder comply with the provisions of Section 409A of the Code, so that the income inclusion provisions of Section 409A(a)(1) of the Code do not apply to the participants. The Plan and any grants made under the Plan shall be administered in a manner consistent with this intent. Any reference in the Plan to Section 409A of the Code will also include any regulations or any other formal guidance promulgated with respect to such Section by the U.S. Department of the Treasury or the Internal Revenue Service.
Neither a participant nor any of a participant’s creditors or beneficiaries shall have the right to subject any deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code) payable under the Plan and grants under the Plan to any anticipation, alienation, sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, attachment or garnishment. Except as permitted under Section 409A of the Code, any deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code) payable to a participant or for a participant’s benefit under the Plan and grants under the Plan may not be reduced by, or offset against, any amount owing by the participant to us or any of our affiliates.
If, at the time of a participant’s separation from service (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code) (1) the participant is a specified employee (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and using the identification methodology selected by us from time to time) and (2) we make a good faith determination that an amount payable hereunder constitutes deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code) the payment of which is required to be delayed pursuant to the six-month delay rule set forth in Section 409A of the Code in order to avoid taxes or penalties under Section 409A of the Code, then we shall not pay such amount on the otherwise scheduled payment date but shall instead pay it, without interest, on the tenth business day of the seventh month after such separation from service.
Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan and grants under the Plan to the contrary, in light of the uncertainty with respect to the proper application of Section 409A of the Code, we reserve the right to make amendments to the Plan and grants under the Plan as we deem necessary or desirable to avoid the imposition of taxes or penalties under Section 409A of the Code. In any case, a participant will be solely responsible and liable for the satisfaction of all taxes and penalties that


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may be imposed on him or her for his or her account in connection with the Plan and grants under the Plan (including any taxes and penalties under Section 409A of the Code), and neither we nor any of our affiliates will have any obligation to indemnify or otherwise hold the participant harmless from any or all of such taxes or penalties.
Effective Date and Termination.  The Plan will be effective as of the date the Plan is approved by our shareholders. No grants will be made on or after such date under the Existing Plan, except that outstanding awards granted under the Existing Plan will continue unaffected following such date. No grant will be made under the Plan after May 12, 2020, which date is 10 years after the date on which this Plan is first approved by our shareholders, but all grants made on or prior to such date will continue in effect thereafter subject to the terms of the applicable award agreement and the terms of the Plan.
Federal Income Tax Consequences
The following is a brief summary of some of the federal income tax consequences of certain transactions under the Plan based on federal income tax laws in effect on January 1, 2010. This summary is not intended to be complete and does not describe state or local tax consequences.
Tax Consequences to Participants
Non-qualified Stock Options.  In general, (1) no income will be recognized by an optionee at the time a non-qualified stock option is granted; (2) at the time of exercise of a non-qualified stock option, ordinary income will be recognized by the optionee in an amount equal to the difference between the option price paid for the shares and the fair market value of the shares, if unrestricted, on the date of exercise; and (3) at the time of sale of shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of a non-qualified stock option, appreciation (or depreciation) in value of the shares after the date of exercise will be treated as either short-term or long-term capital gain (or loss) depending on how long the shares have been held.
Incentive Stock Options.  No income generally will be recognized by an optionee upon the grant or exercise of an ISO. The exercise of an ISO, however, may result in alternative minimum tax liability. If common shares are issued to the optionee pursuant to the exercise of an ISO, and if no disqualifying disposition of such shares is made by such optionee within two years after the date of grant or within one year after the transfer of such shares to the optionee, then upon sale of such shares, any amount realized in excess of the option price will be taxed to the optionee as a long-term capital gain and any loss sustained will be a long-term capital loss.
If common shares acquired upon the exercise of an ISO are disposed of prior to the expiration of either holding period described above, the optionee generally will recognize ordinary income in the year of disposition in an amount equal to the excess (if any) of the fair market value of such shares at the time of exercise (or, if less, the amount realized on the disposition of such shares if a sale or exchange) over the option price paid for such shares. Any further gain (or loss) realized by the participant generally will be taxed as short-term or long-term capital gain (or loss) depending on the holding period.
SARs.  No income will be recognized by a participant in connection with the grant of a tandem SAR or a free-standing SAR. When the SAR is exercised, the participant normally will be required to include as taxable ordinary income in the year of exercise an amount equal to the amount of cash received and the fair market value of any unrestricted common shares received on the exercise.


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Restricted Stock.  The recipient of restricted stock generally will be subject to tax at ordinary income rates on the fair market value of the restricted stock (reduced by any amount paid by the participant for such restricted stock) at such time as the shares are no longer subject to forfeiture or restrictions on transfer for purposes of Section 83 of the Internal Revenue Code (“Restrictions”). However, a recipient who so elects under Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code within 30 days of the date of transfer of the shares will have taxable ordinary income on the date of transfer of the shares equal to the excess of the fair market value of such shares (determined without regard to the Restrictions) over the purchase price, if any, of such restricted stock. If a Section 83(b) election has not been made, any dividends received with respect to restricted stock that is subject to the Restrictions generally will be treated as compensation that is taxable as ordinary income to the participant.
RSUs.  No income generally will be recognized upon the award of RSUs. The recipient of a RSU award generally will be subject to tax at ordinary income rates on the fair market value of unrestricted common shares on the date that such shares are transferred to the participant under the award (reduced by any amount paid by the participant for such RSUs), and the capital gains/loss holding period for such shares will also commence on such date.
Performance Shares and Performance Units.  No income generally will be recognized upon the grant of performance shares or performance units. Upon payment in respect of the earn-out of performance shares or performance units, the recipient generally will be required to include as taxable ordinary income in the year of receipt an amount equal to the amount of cash received and the fair market value of any unrestricted common shares received.
Tax Consequences to PolyOne or Subsidiary
To the extent that a participant recognizes ordinary income in the circumstances described above, we or the subsidiary for which the participant performs services will be entitled to a corresponding deduction provided that, among other things, the income meets the test of reasonableness, is an ordinary and necessary business expense, is not an “excess parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code and is not disallowed by the $1 million limitation on certain executive compensation under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Registration with the SEC
We intend to file a Registration Statement onForm S-8 relating to the issuance of common shares under the Plan with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended as soon as practicable after approval of the Plan by our shareholders.
Our Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote FOR Proposal 2 to approve, the 2010 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan.
New Plan Benefitson an advisory basis, our Named Executive Officer compensation.
It is not possible to determine specific amounts and types of awards that may be awarded in the future under the 2010 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan because the grant and actual pay-out of awards under such plans are discretionary.


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EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
             
  Number of
   Number of securities
  securities
   remaining available for
  to be issued upon
   future issuance under
  exercise of
 Weighted-average
 equity compensation
  outstanding
 exercise price of
 plans (excluding
  options,
 outstanding options,
 securities reflected in
Plan category
 warrants and rights warrants and rights column (a))
  (a) (b) (c)
 
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders  7,037,221  $6.81   2,520,569(1)
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders         
Total  7,037,221  $6.81   2,520,569 
(1)In addition to options, warrants and rights, the PolyOne Corporation 2008 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan authorizes the issuance of restricted stock, RSUs and performance shares. The 2008 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan limits the total number of shares that may be issued as one or more of these types of awards to 2,000,000. This number in the table also includes shares available under our existing Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors. This plan provides our non-employee Directors with a vehicle to defer their compensation in the form of shares. This plan provides that the aggregate number of our common shares that may be granted under the Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors in any fiscal year during the term of the plan will be equal to one-tenth of one percent (0.1%)of the number of our common shares outstanding as of the first day of that fiscal year. At the end of 2009, no common shares remained available under this plan and our current Directors had a total of 600,266 shares deferred as of December 31, 2009. The deferred shares are held in a trust and are currently part of our outstanding common shares.


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PROPOSAL 3 — APPROVAL OF THE POLYONE CORPORATION
SENIOR EXECUTIVE ANNUAL INCENTIVE PLAN (EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2011)
On March 4, 2010, our Board of Directors unanimously approved and adopted the PolyOne Corporation Senior Executive Annual Incentive Plan (Effective January 1, 2011) (the “PolyOne SEAIP”) and recommended that the PolyOne SEAIP be approved by our shareholders at the 2010 annual meeting.
If approved by shareholders, the PolyOne SEAIP will be PolyOne’s annual incentive plan for executive officers for the fiscal year beginning on January 1, 2011. The PolyOne SEAIP is intended to replace our existing annual incentive plan for senior executive officers that was last approved by our shareholders at our Annual Meeting on May 19, 2005. We propose to adopt the PolyOne SEAIP to meet the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). Generally, Section 162(m) of the Code prevents a company from receiving a federal income tax deduction for compensation paid to its Chief Executive Officer and certain of its most highly compensated executive officers in excess of $1 million for any year unless that compensation is performance-based. One of the requirements of “performance-based compensation” for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code is that the compensation be paid pursuant to a plan that has been approved by the company’s shareholders, and that the plan be re-approved by the company’s shareholders every five years.
The PolyOne SEAIP and the performance goals under the PolyOne SEAIP must be approved by our shareholders in order for the awards under the PolyOne SEAIP to qualify as “performance-based” compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code. If the PolyOne SEAIP is not approved by our shareholders, no awards will be made under the PolyOne SEAIP.
The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares voting on this proposal is required for approval of the PolyOne SEAIP. A copy of the PolyOne SEAIP is attached as Appendix B to this proxy statement and the following summary of the material terms of the PolyOne SEAIP is qualified in its entirety by reference to that Appendix.
Summary of the PolyOne SEAIP
The objective of the PolyOne SEAIP is to provide opportunities to our key executives to receive incentive compensation as a reward for high levels of performance above the ordinary performance standards compensated by base salary under guidelines set by the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors (the “Compensation Committee”), without limiting our ability to deduct that expenditure for federal income tax purposes. If approved by our shareholders, the PolyOne SEAIP will be effective for the fiscal year beginning on January 1, 2011 and for each fiscal year thereafter until terminated.
Administration.  The Compensation Committee (or any successor) will administer the PolyOne SEAIP. The Compensation Committee is authorized to interpret the PolyOne SEAIP and to establish and maintain guidelines necessary or desirable for its administration. The Compensation Committee may delegate to the Chief Executive Officer or other officers authority to perform certain functions under the PolyOne SEAIP, including administrative functions. The Compensation Committee will retain exclusive authority to determine matters relating to awards to the Chief Executive Officer and other key executive personnel that are intended to qualify as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code. The PolyOne SEAIP will remain in effect until terminated by the Compensation Committee.


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Eligibility.  Participation in the PolyOne SEAIP will be limited to key executive personnel selected by the Compensation Committee who have the potential to influence significantly and positively our performance, presently estimated to be ten persons.
To be eligible for participation in any particular year during the term of the PolyOne SEAIP, a key executive must have assumed the duties of an incentive-eligible position and have been selected for participation in the PolyOne SEAIP within 90 days after the commencement of the applicable plan year. Notwithstanding these requirements, the Compensation Committee may make awards to the following employees without complying with the timing and other related limitations set forth in the PolyOne SEAIP:
• any eligible employee who the Compensation Committee determines is not a covered employee (a “covered employee” is an officer who the Compensation Committee deems likely to have compensation in a given plan year that would be non-deductible by us under Section 162(m) if we did not comply with the provisions of such section); and
• newly hired or promoted executives.
Target Award Levels.  During each plan year, each participant will be assigned to a target level of incentive opportunity, stated as a percentage of base salary (up to a maximum of 200% of his or her base salary, but in no event more than $3,000,000), that will be available to the participant. With respect to covered employees, unless the Compensation Committee specifies otherwise, the base salary upon which the incentive percentage is based will be the actual earned base salary for the plan year in which the Compensation Committee establishes the incentive percentage. The Compensation Committee will approve each participant’s target level of incentive opportunity within 90 days after the commencement of the applicable plan year. In determining target levels of incentive opportunity other than for the Chief Executive Officer, the Compensation Committee will consider the recommendations of the Chief Executive Officer.
Performance Measures and Targets.  The Compensation Committee will use measures of our performance for each plan year to determine the performance goal targets. If the Compensation Committee so determines, a performance target may include a minimum threshold performance level, a maximum performance level, and one or more intermediate performance levels or ranges, with target award levels or ranges that correspond to the respective performance levels or ranges included in the performance target. The Compensation Committee may determine that only the threshold level relating to a performance measure must be met for awards to be paid under the PolyOne SEAIP and if multiple performance measures are selected for any plan year, that awards will be paid under the PolyOne SEAIP upon achievement of threshold levels of one or more of the specified performance measures. The performance measures may be made relative to the performance of other companies. The performance measures will include one or more of the following, as determined by the Compensation Committee for each plan year:
• Profits(e.g., operating income, EBIT, EBT, net income, earnings per share, residual or economic earnings, economic profit — these profitability metrics could be measured before certain specified special itemsand/or subject to GAAP definition);
• Cash Flow(e.g., EBITDA, free cash flow, free cash flow with or without specific capital expenditure target or range, including or excluding divestmentsand/or acquisitions, total cash flow, cash flow in excess of cost of capital or residual cash flow or cash flow return on investment);
• Returns(e.g., Profits or Cash Flow returns on: assets, invested capital, net capital employed, and equity);


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• Working Capital(e.g., working capital divided by sales, days’ sales outstanding, days’ sales inventory, and days’ sales in payables);
• Profit Margins(e.g., Profits divided by revenues, gross margins and material margins divided by revenues, and material margin divided by sales pounds);
• Liquidity Measures(e.g.,debt-to-capital,debt-to-EBITDA, total debt ratio);
• Sales Growth, Gross Margin Growth, Cost Initiative and Stock Price Metrics(e.g., revenues, revenue growth, revenue growth outside the United States, gross margin and gross margin growth, material margin and material margin growth, stock price appreciation, total return to shareholders, sales and administrative costs divided by sales, and sales and administrative costs divided by profits); and
• Strategic Initiative Key Deliverable Metricsconsisting of one or more of the following: product development, strategic partnering, research and development, vitality index, market penetration, geographic business expansion goals, cost targets, customer satisfaction, employee satisfaction, management of employment practices and employee benefits, supervision of litigation and information technology, and goals relating to acquisitions or divestitures of subsidiaries, affiliates and joint ventures.
The Compensation Committee will determine the actual performance measures and the performance targets within 90 days after the commencement of each applicable plan year.
If more than one performance measure is selected by the Compensation Committee for a year, the Compensation Committee will weight the performance measures to reflect their relative importance to us in the applicable plan year. The weightings may vary from year to year and will determine the portion of the target incentive amount allocated to each performance measure. The Compensation Committee will determine the weightings within 90 days of the commencement of each applicable plan year.
Awards.  The amount of the incentive award available to a participant under the PolyOne SEAIP will be the product of the participant’s salary and the incentive percentage, as adjusted (if necessary). The amount will be adjusted to reflect the weightings, if any, assigned to the performance measures with respect to which the performance targets were met. If the Compensation Committee established more than one level or range of performance for any performance target, the amount will also be adjusted to reflect the level or range of performance achieved. The maximum annual dollar award paid to any participant for any one plan year will be $3,000,000. No awards will be paid under the PolyOne SEAIP if none of the performance targets is achieved.
Notwithstanding the amount of any available incentive award under the PolyOne SEAIP, the Compensation Committee may, in its discretion, reduce or eliminate the amount of any incentive award actually paid to any participant based on individual performance or otherwise. In no event may the Compensation Committee increase the amount of the maximum available incentive award to a covered employee provided for under the PolyOne SEAIP.
Promptly following the end of each plan year, the Compensation Committee will meet to certify achievement by PolyOne of the performance targets for the applicable plan year and, if such goals have been achieved, to review management recommendations and approve actual awards under the PolyOne SEAIP. In a manner conforming to applicable regulations under Section 162(m) of the Code and prior to payout of each award granted to a covered employee, the Compensation Committee will certify in writing that the performance targets relating to the award and other material terms of the award upon which payout was conditioned have been satisfied.


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Payment of Awards.  Awards will be paid as soon as practicable after the performance targets for the applicable plan year have been certified by the Compensation Committee, but not later than 70 days after the end of the applicable plan year.
The Compensation Committee may determine, in a manner that complies with Section 409A of the Code, that all or a portion of the participant’s award will be paid in the form of our restricted shares or share equivalent units. If permitted by the Compensation Committee, participants will also have the opportunity, in a manner that complies with Section 409A of the Code, to elect additional optional deferrals so that they may receive up to 100% of their award, if any, as restricted shares or share equivalent units. Any award paid as restricted shares or share equivalent units will be enhanced with a 25% “premium” (i.e., for every $100 deferred, the participant will receive $125 in restricted shares or share equivalent units). Any portion of a participant’s award not paid as restricted shares or share equivalent units will be paid in cash. Any grants of restricted shares or share equivalent units will be made under any of our then-effective equity plans. The Compensation Committee will determine the restrictions on the restricted shares or share equivalent units at the time awards are approved in accordance with the equity plan under which the shares are awarded. Notwithstanding other provisions in the PolyOne SEAIP, the Compensation Committee, in a manner that complies with Section 409A of the Code, may determine to pay out all or any portion of the award that otherwise would be payable as restricted shares or share equivalent units in cash (without payment of any “premium”) in any circumstance deemed appropriate by the Compensation Committee.
Change of Control.  The PolyOne SEAIP contains a provision providing that, unless otherwise provided in an individual agreement between us and a participant, upon a “change of control” (as defined in the PolyOne SEAIP) of PolyOne, each participant in the PolyOne SEAIP will be entitled to an interim lump-sum cash payment. Any interim payment (determined with reference to the number of months elapsed during the plan year until the change of control) will be based upon the target incentive opportunity in effect for the year in which the change of control occurs. The company will retain the obligation to make a final payment under the terms of the PolyOne SEAIP (if earned), but any interim payment will be offset against any later payment to which a participant is entitled under the PolyOne SEAIP in the plan year in which the change of control occurred. A participant will not be required to refund to us, or have offset against any other payment due any participant from or on behalf of us, all or any part of the interim payment.
Amendments, Etc.  The PolyOne SEAIP may be amended by the Compensation Committee to the extent required in order to comply with the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code. To the extent applicable, it is intended that the PolyOne SEAIP, and any grants of restricted shares or share equivalent units, comply with the provisions of Section 409A of the Code. The PolyOne SEAIP, and the agreements relating to any grants of restricted shares or share equivalent units, will be administered in a manner consistent with this intent, and any provision that would cause the PolyOne SEAIP or such agreements to fail to satisfy Section 409A of the Code will have no force or effect until amended to comply with Section 409A of the Code (which amendment may be retroactive to the extent permitted by Section 409A of the Code and may be made by us without the consent of participants).
Federal Income Tax Consequences
Under present federal income tax law, a participant in the PolyOne SEAIP will be taxed at ordinary income rates on the amount of any cash payment received pursuant to the PolyOne SEAIP.


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If a participant receives restricted shares in payment of an award under the PolyOne SEAIP, the recipient of the restricted shares generally will be subject to tax at ordinary income rates on the fair market value of the restricted shares at such time as the shares are no longer subject to forfeiture or restrictions on transfer for purposes of Section 83 of the Code (“Restrictions”). However, a recipient who so elects under Section 83(b) of the Code within 30 days of the date of transfer of the shares will have taxable ordinary income on the date of transfer of the shares equal to the fair market value of such shares (determined without regard to the Restrictions). If a Section 83(b) election has not been made, any dividends received with respect to restricted shares that are subject to the Restrictions generally will be treated as compensation that is taxable as ordinary income to the participant.
If a participant receives share equivalent units in payment of an award under the PolyOne SEAIP, no income generally will be recognized upon the award of such share equivalent units. The recipient of a share equivalent unit award generally will be subject to tax at ordinary income rates on the fair market value of unrestricted common shares on the date that such shares are transferred to the participant under the award, and the capital gains/loss holding period for such shares will also commence on such date.
Generally, we will receive a federal income tax deduction corresponding to the amount of income recognized by a participant in the PolyOne SEAIP.
New Plan Benefits
It is not possible to determine specific amounts of awards that may be granted in the future under the PolyOne SEAIP because the grant and actual payout of awards under the PolyOne SEAIP will be discretionary.
Recommendation
Our Board of Directors believes that approval of the PolyOne SEAIP will benefit our company and our shareholders by enabling us to continue to attract and retain outstanding key executive employees who can contribute to our strong performance without limiting our ability to deduct compensation awarded under the PolyOne SEAIP for federal income tax purposes.
Our Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote FOR Proposal 3 to approve the PolyOne Corporation Senior Executive Annual Incentive Plan (Effective January 1, 2011).


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PROPOSAL 4 — RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT

REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Audit Committee has reappointedappointed Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm to audit our financial statements for the current year.fiscal year ending December 31, 2013. The Board of Directors recommends ratification of the Audit Committee’s appointment of Ernst & Young LLP.

The selection of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm is not required to be submitted to a vote of our shareholders for ratification. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 requires that the Audit Committee be directly responsible for the appointment, compensation and oversight of our independent auditors. The Board of Directors is submitting the appointment to our shareholders for ratification as a matter of good corporate practice. If our shareholders fail to vote on an advisory basis in favor of the selection, the Audit Committee will reconsider whether to retain Ernst & Young LLP and may retain that firm or another firm without re-submitting the matter to our shareholders. Even if our shareholders ratify the appointment, the Audit Committee may, in its discretion, direct the appointment of a different independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if it determines that such a change would be in our best interests and the best interests of our shareholders. The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares voting on this proposal is required for ratification.

A representative of Ernst & Young LLP is expected to be present at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The representative will be given an opportunity to make a statement if desired and to respond to questions regarding Ernst & Young LLP’s examination of our consolidated financial statements and records for the year ended December 31, 2009.

2012.

Our Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote FOR Proposal 43 to ratify the Audit Committee’s appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2010.

2013.

Independent Registered Public Accountant Services and Related Fee Arrangements

Services provided by Ernst & Young LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, and related fees in each of the last two fiscal years were as follows:

Audit Fees.    Audit services include the annual audit of the financial statements, the audit of internal controls over financial reporting, the reviews of our quarterly reports onForm 10-Q, the issuance of comfort letters, review of registration statements filed with the Securities and Exchange CommissionSEC and international statutory audits. Fees for audit services totaled $2,192,039$2,694,800 in 20092012 and $2,358,600$2,312,600 in 2008.2011. The full Audit Committee or the Chair of the Audit Committee pre-approved all audit services and related fee arrangements billed for 20092012 in accordance with the Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policy for all Audit and Non-Audit Services and Related Fee Arrangements.

Audit-Related Fees.    Audit-related services principally include audits of businesses identified for divestment and audits of our employee benefit plans.divestment. Fees for audit-related services totaled $162,300$149,450 in 20092012 and $185,900$379,300 in 2008.2011. The Audit Committee pre-approved all audit-related fee arrangements billed for 2009.

2012.

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Tax Fees.    Tax services include tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning. Fees for tax services totaled $619,800$645,300 in 20092012 and $681,300$1,175,800 in 2008.2011. The Audit Committee pre-approved all tax fee arrangements billed in 2009.


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2012.


All Other Fees.    Other services principally include transitional support and advisory services related to our expatriate program. FeesNo fees for other services totaled $20,100were billed in 20092012 and $42,000 in 2008. The Audit Committee pre-approved all other fee arrangements billed for 2009.
2011.

Our Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policy for all Audit and Non-Audit Services and Related Fee Arrangements (the “Pre-Approval Policy”) requires our Audit Committee to pre-approve all audit and non-audit services performed by Ernst & Young LLP in order to assure that the provision of such services and related fee arrangements do not impair Ernst & Young’sYoung LLP’s independence. Under the Pre-Approval Policy, the Audit Committee may delegate pre-approval authority to one or more of its members, and the member or members to whom the Audit Committee delegates such authority must report any pre-approval decisions to the Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting. The Audit Committee has formally delegated this pre-approval authority to its Chair. Management has no authority to approve services performed by Ernst & Young LLP that have not been pre-approved by the Audit Committee. The term of any pre-approval is 12 months from the date of pre-approval, unless the Audit Committee specifically provides for a different period.

Ernst & Young LLP will provide us a description of work scope and supportingback-up documentation regarding the specific services they will provide. At each meeting of the Audit Committee, the current year’s previously pre-approved independent auditor fees along with any proposed revisions will be presented for approval. Any interim requests between Audit Committee meetings to provide services that require separate pre-approval will be submitted to the Audit Committee or the Audit Committee Chair by Ernst & Young LLP and our Chief Financial Officer, or Controller, and must include a statement as to whether, in each of their respective views, the request is consistent with the Commission’s rules on auditor independence.


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REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

The Audit Committee assists the Board of Directors in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities to shareholders relating to the integrity of the company’s financial statements, the company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, the independent auditors’ qualifications and independence and the performance of the company’s internal and independent auditors. Management has the primary responsibility for the completeness and accuracy of the company’s financial statements and disclosures, the financial reporting process and the effectiveness of the company’s internal control over financial reporting. In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, the Audit Committee reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements in the Annual Report with management and the independent auditors including any significant changes in the company’s selection or application of accounting principles. The Committee also reviewed and discussed with management and the independent auditors management’s report on internal controlscontrol over financial reporting, including the significance and status of control deficiencies identified by management and the results of remediation efforts undertaken, to determine the effectiveness of internal controlscontrol over financial reporting at December 31, 2009.

2012.

The Committee reviewed with the independent auditors, which have the responsibility for expressing an opinion on the conformity of the financial statements with generally accepted accounting principles and applicable rules and regulations, their judgments as to the quality, not just the acceptability, of PolyOne’s critical accounting principles and estimates and such other matters as are required to be discussed with the Audit Committee under generally accepted auditing standards. The Committee also reviewed with the independent auditors their report on the company’s internal controlscontrol over financial reporting at December 31, 2009,2012, including the basis for their conclusions. The Audit Committee hasreviewed and discussed with Ernst & Young LLPthe independent registered public accounting firm all communications required by generally accepted auditing standards, including the matters required to be discussed by the statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended (AICPA, Professional Standards, Vol. 1. AU section 380), as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board Ethics and Independencein Rule 3526, “Communications with Audit Committees Concerning Independence.”3200T. In addition, Ernst & Young LLP has provided the Committee with the written disclosures and the letter required by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent auditors’ communications with the Committee concerning independence and the Committee has discussed with Ernst & Young LLP their firm’s independence from management and PolyOne. The Committee has pre-approved all audit and non-audit services and fees provided to the company by the independent auditors. Based upon the Committee’s considerations, the Committee has concluded that Ernst & Young LLP is independent. The Committee discussed with PolyOne’s internal and independent auditors the overall scope and audit plans and evaluated their performance. The Committee meets with the internal and independent auditors, with and without management present, to discuss the results of their examinations, their evaluations of PolyOne’s internal controlscontrol over financial reporting, and the overall quality of PolyOne’s financial reporting. The Audit Committee met eight times during 2009.

2012.

In reliance on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Committee recommended to the Board of Directors (and the Board has approved) that the audited financial statements be included in the Annual Report onForm 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009,2012, for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The Committee has re-appointed Ernst & Young as independent auditors for the year 2010.

2013.

All members of the Audit Committee concur in this report.

The Audit Committee of
the Board of Directors

Richard H. Fearon, Chairperson

Carol A. Cartwright

Gordon D. Harnett

Richard A. Lorraine

February 17, 2010

15, 2013


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GENERAL

Voting at the Meeting

Shareholders of record at the close of business on March 15, 201018, 2013 are entitled to vote at the meeting. On that date, a total of 92,564,88499,768,712 common shares were outstanding. Each share is entitled to one vote.

The affirmative vote of a majority of the common shares represented and voting, in person or by proxy, at any meeting of shareholders at which a quorum is present is required for action by shareholders on any matter, unless the vote of a greater number of shares or voting by classes or series is required under Ohio law. Abstentions and broker non-votes are tabulated in determining the votes present at a meeting for purposes of determining a quorum. Shareholders will not be entitled to dissenter’s rights with respect to any matter to be considered at the Annual Meeting.

Meeting of Shareholders.

Directors are elected by a plurality of the votes of shares present, in person or by proxy, and entitled to vote on the election of Directors at a meeting at which a quorum is present. An abstention or a broker non-vote has the same effect as a vote against a Director nominee, as each abstention or broker non-vote would be one less vote in favor of a Director nominee. However, because of a change in NYSE rules, we note that, unlike at previous annual meetings, yourYour broker or other nominee willnotbe able to vote your shares with respect to the election of Directors if you have not provided directions to your broker. We strongly encourage you to submit your proxy card and exercise your right to vote as a shareholder. Holders of common shares have no cumulative voting rights. If any of the nominees listed on pages 34 through 78 becomes unable or declines to serve as a Director, each properly signed proxy card will be voted for another person recommended by the Board of Directors, however,Directors. However, we have no reason to believe that this will occur.

Because the vote to approve Named Executive Officer compensation is advisory, there is technically no minimum vote requirement for the proposal. An abstention or broker non-vote will have no effect on the proposal as the abstention or broker non-vote will not be counted in determining the number of votes cast.

The affirmative vote of holders of at least a majority of the shares cast, in person or by proxy, is necessary for approval of the PolyOne Corporation 2010 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan, approval of the PolyOne Corporation Senior Executive Annual Incentive Plan (Effective January 1, 2011), and the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm. Because the proposal to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP is considered “routine,” your broker or other nominee will be able to vote your shares with respect to this proposal without your instructions. An abstention or broker non-vote will have no effect on any of these proposalsthis proposal as the abstention or broker non-vote will not be counted in determining the number of votes cast.

We know of no other matters that will be presented at the meeting,meeting; however, if other matters do properly come before the meeting, the persons named in the proxy card will vote on these matters in accordance with their best judgment.

Shareholder Proposals

Any shareholder who wishes to submit a proposal to be considered for inclusion in next year’s Proxy Statement should send the proposal to us, addressed to the Secretary, so that it is received on or before December 6, 2010.3, 2013. We suggest that all proposals be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested.

Additionally, a shareholder may submit a proposal for consideration at the 20112014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, but not for inclusion in next year’s Proxy Statement, if the shareholder gives timely

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written notice of such proposal in accordance with Regulation 8(c) of our Regulations. In general, Regulation 8(c) provides that, to be timely, a shareholder’s notice must be delivered to our principal executive offices not less than 60 nor more than 90 days prior to the first anniversary of the date on which we first mailed our proxy materials for the preceding year’s annual meeting.


85

If the date of the 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders is delayed by more than 60 calendar days after the anniversary of the 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, then a shareholder’s notice must be delivered to our principal executive offices not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to the 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders or the 10th calendar day following the day on which public announcement of the date of the 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders is first made.


Our proxy materials for the 20102013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be mailed on or about April 5, 2010.2, 2013. Sixty days prior to the first anniversary of this date will be February 4, 2011,1, 2014, and 90 days prior to the first anniversary of this date will be January 5, 2011.2, 2014. Our proxies for the 20102014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders will confer discretionary authority to vote on any matter if we do not receive timely written notice of such matter in accordance with Regulation 8(c). For business to be properly requested by a shareholder to be brought before the 20112014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, the shareholder must comply with all of the requirements of Regulation 8(c), not just the timeliness requirements set forth above.

Proxy Solicitation

We are making this proxy solicitation and will bear the expense of preparing, printing and mailing this notice and proxy statement. In addition to requesting proxies by mail, our officers and regular employees may request proxies by telephone or in person. We have retained Morrow & Co., LLC, 470 West Avenue, Stamford, CT 06902, to assist in the solicitation for an estimated fee of $7,000$7,500 plus reasonable expenses. We will ask custodians, nominees, and fiduciaries to send proxy material to beneficial owners in order to obtain voting instructions. We will, upon request, reimburse them for their reasonable expenses for mailing the proxy material.

We are mailing our Annual Report to Shareholders, including consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2009,2012, to shareholders of record with this proxy statement.

We will furnish without charge to each person from whom a proxy is being solicited, upon written request of any such person, a copy of the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2012, as filed with the SEC, including the financial statements and schedules thereto. Requests for copies of such Annual Report on Form 10-K or for information on how to obtain directions to be able to attend the Annual Meeting of Shareholders and vote in person should be directed to: PolyOne Center, 33587 Walker Road, Avon Lake, Ohio 44012, Attention: Secretary.

For the Board of Directors

PolyOne Corporation

-s- Lisa K. Kunkle
Lisa

LOGO

LISA K. Kunkle

KUNKLE

Vice President, General Counsel and

Secretary

March 29, 2010


86April 2, 2013

69


Appendix A

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures (Unaudited)

APPENDIX A
POLYONE CORPORATION
2010 EQUITY AND PERFORMANCE INCENTIVE PLAN
1. Purpose.  The purpose of the PolyOne Corporation 2010 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan is to attract and retain directors, officers and other employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries and to provide to such persons incentives and rewards for superior performance.
2. Definitions.  As used (in this Plan,
(a) “Appreciation Right” means a right granted pursuant to Section 5 or Section 9 of this Plan, and will include both Tandem Appreciation Rights and Free-Standing Appreciation Rights.
(b) “Base Price” means the price to be used as the basis for determining the Spread upon the exercise of a Free-Standing Appreciation Right or a Tandem Appreciation Right.
(c) “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company and, to the extent of any delegation by the Board to a committee (or subcommittee thereof) pursuant to Section 13 of this Plan, such committee (or subcommittee).
(d) “Change of Control” means,millions, except as otherwise provided for in an Evidence of Award, the occurrence of any of the following events:
(i) the acquisition by any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) (a “Person”) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning ofRule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of voting securities of the Company where such acquisition causes such Person to own 25% or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the “Outstanding Company Voting Securities”);provided,however, that for purposes of this subsection (i), the following acquisitions shall not be deemed to result in a Change of Control: (A) any acquisition directly from the Company that is approved by the Incumbent Board (as defined in subsection (ii) below), (B) any acquisition by the Company, (C) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any corporation controlled by the Company or (D) any acquisition by any corporation pursuant to a transaction that complies with clauses (A), (B) and (C) of subsection (iii) below;provided,further, that if any Person’s beneficial ownership of the Outstanding Company Voting Securities reaches or exceeds 25% as a result of a transaction described in clause (A) or (B) above, and such Person subsequently acquires beneficial ownership of additional voting securities of the Company, such subsequent acquisition shall be treated as an acquisition that causes such Person to own 25% or more of the Outstanding Company Voting Securities; andprovided,further, that if at least a majority of the members of the Incumbent Board determines in good faith that a Person has acquired beneficial ownership (within the meaning ofRule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 25% or more of the Outstanding Company Voting Securities inadvertently, and such Person divests as promptly as practicable a sufficient number of shares so that such Person beneficially owns (within the meaning ofRule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) less than 25% of the Outstanding Company Voting Securities, then no Change of Control shall have occurred as a result of such Person’s acquisition;
(ii) individuals who, as of May 12, 2010, constitute the Board (the “Incumbent Board” as modified by this subsection (ii)) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board;provided,however, that any individual becoming a director subsequent to May 12, 2010 whose election, or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders, was approved by a


A-1


vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board (either by specific vote or by approval of the proxy statement of the Company in which such person is named as a nominee for director, without objection to such nomination) shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board;
(iii) the consummation of a reorganization, merger or consolidation or sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or the acquisition of assets of another corporation or other transaction (“Business Combination”) excluding, however, such a Business Combination pursuant to which (A) the individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners of the Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 60% of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock and the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, as the case may be, of the entity resulting from such Business Combination (including, without limitation, an entity that as a result of such transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries), (B) no Person (excluding any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the Company, the Company or such entity resulting from such Business Combination) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 25% or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of the entity resulting from such Business Combination and (C) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination were members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the execution of the initial agreement, or of the action of the Board, providing for such Business Combination; or
(iv) approval by the shareholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company except pursuant to a Business Combination that complies with clauses (A), (B) and (C) of subsection (iii) above.
(e) “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.
(f) “Common Shares” means the shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share of the Company or any security into which such Common Shares may be changed by reason of any transaction or event of the type referred to in Section 12 of this Plan.
(g) “Company” means data)

Reconciliation to Consolidated Statements of Income  Year Ended
December 31, 2012
   Year Ended
December 31, 2011
 
   $   EPS   $  EPS 

Net income attributable to PolyOne common shareholders

  $71.9    $0.80    $172.6   $1.83  

SunBelt equity income, after tax

             (3.7  (0.04

Special items, after-tax (a)

   35.7     0.40     (30.5  (0.32

Tax adjustments (b)

   0.5          (42.3  (0.45
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

 

Adjusted net income / EPS

  $108.1    $1.20    $96.1   $1.02  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

 

(a)Special items is a non-GAAP financial measure. Special items include charges related to specific strategic initiatives or financial restructurings such as: consolidation of operations; debt extinguishment costs; employee separation costs resulting from personnel reduction programs, plant phaseout costs, executive separation agreements; asset impairments; mark-to-market adjustments associated with actuarial gains and losses on pension and other postretirement benefit plans; environmental remediation costs, fines or penalties for 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; acquisition related costs incurred directly in connection with potential or completed acquisitions; unrealized gains and losses from foreign currency option contracts; other one-time, non-recurring items; and the effect of changes in tax law, accounting principles or other such laws or provisions affecting reported results.

(b)Tax adjustments include the net tax loss (benefit) from one-time income tax items and deferred income tax valuation allowance adjustments.

Reconciliation to Consolidated Operating Income  Year Ended
December 31,
 
   2012  2011 

Operating income adjusted

  $221.0   $180.6  

SunBelt equity income

       5.7  

Special items in operating income

   (53.9  46.7  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Operating income – GAAP

  $167.1   $233.0  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

A-1


PolyOne Corporation an Ohio corporation.

(h) “Compensation Committee” means the Compensation Committee (or any successor committee) appointed by the Board in accordance with the regulations

Summary of the Company consisting of at least three Directors who qualify as Non-Employee Directors and “outside directors” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, and who satisfy any applicable standards of independence under the federal securities and tax laws and the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) or any other national securities exchange on which the Common Shares are listed as in effect from time to time.

(i) “Covered Employee” means a Participant who is, or is determined by the Compensation Committee to be likely to become, a “covered employee” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code (or any successor provision).


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Special Items (Unaudited)


(j) “Date of Grant” means the date specified by the Compensation Committee on which a grant of Option Rights, Appreciation Rights, Performance Shares, Performance Units or other awards contemplated by Section 10 of this Plan, or a grant or sale of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, or other awards contemplated by Section 10 of this Plan, will become effective (which date will not be earlier than the date on which the Compensation Committee takes action with respect thereto).
(k) “Detrimental Activity” means:
(i) Engaging in any activity, as an employee, principal, agent, or consultant for another entity that competes with the Company in any actual, researched, or prospective product, service, system, or business activity for which the Participant has had any direct responsibility during the last two years of his or her employment with the Company or a Subsidiary, in any territory in which the Company or a Subsidiary manufactures, sells, markets, services, or installs such product, service, or system, or engages in such business activity;
(ii) Soliciting any employee of the Company or a Subsidiary to terminate his or her employment with the Company or a Subsidiary;
(iii) The disclosure to anyone outside the Company or a Subsidiary, or the use in other than the Company’s or a Subsidiary’s business, without prior written authorization from the Company, of any confidential, proprietary or trade secret information or material relating to the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, acquired by the Participant during his or her employment with the Company or its Subsidiaries or while acting as a director of or consultant for the Company or its Subsidiaries thereafter;
(iv) The failure or refusal to disclose promptly and to assign to the Company upon request all right, title and interest in any invention or idea, patentable or not, made or conceived by the Participant during employment by the Company and any Subsidiary, relating in any manner to the actual or anticipated business, research or development work of the Company or any Subsidiary or the failure or refusal to do anything reasonably necessary to enable the Company or any Subsidiary to secure a patent where appropriate in the United States and in other countries;
(v) Activity that results in Termination for Cause. For the purposes of this Section, “Termination for Cause” shall mean a termination:
(A) due to the Participant’s willful and continuous gross neglect of his or her duties for which he or she is employed; or
(B) due to an act of dishonesty on the part of the Participant constituting a felony resulting or intended to result, directly or indirectly, in his or her gain for personal enrichment at the expense of the Company or a Subsidiary; or
(vi) Any other conduct or act determined to be injurious, detrimental or prejudicial to any significant interest of the Company or any Subsidiary unless the Participant acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company.
(l) “Director” means a member of the Board of Directors of the Company.
(m) “Effective Date” means the date that this Plan is approved by the shareholders of the Company.


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(n) “Evidence of Award” means an agreement, certificate, resolution or other type or form of writing or other evidence approved by the Compensation Committee that sets forth the terms and conditions of one or more awards granted under the Plan. An Evidence of Award may be in an electronic medium, may be limited to notation on the books and records of the Company and, unless otherwise determined by the Compensation Committee, need not be signed by a representative of the Company or a Participant.
(o) “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder, as such law, rules and regulations may be amended from time to time.
(p) “Existing Plan” means the 2008 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan, as amended.
(q) “Free-Standing Appreciation Right” means an Appreciation Right granted pursuant to Section 5 or Section 9 of this Plan that is not granted in tandem with an Option Right.
(r) “Incentive Stock Options” means Option Rights that are intended to qualify as “incentive stock options” under Section 422 of the Code or any successor provision.
(s) “Management Objectives” means the measurable performance objective or objectives established pursuant to this Plan for Participants who have received grants of Performance Shares or Performance Units or, when so determined by the Compensation Committee, Option Rights, Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, dividend credits or other awards pursuant to this Plan. Management Objectives may be described in terms of Company-wide objectives or objectives that are related to the performance of the individual Participant or of the Subsidiary, division, department, region or function within the Company or Subsidiary in which the Participant is employed. The Management Objectives may be made relative to the performance of other companies or subsidiaries, divisions, departments, regions or functions within such other companies, and may be made relative to an index or one or more of the performance criteria themselves. The Compensation Committee may grant awards subject to Management Objectives that are either Qualified Performance-Based Awards or are not Qualified Performance-Based Awards. The Management Objectives applicable to any Qualified Performance-Based Award to a Covered Employee will be based on one or more, or a combination, of the following criteria:
(i) Profits(e.g., operating income, EBIT, EBT, net income, earningsIn millions, except per share residual or economic earnings, economic profit — these profitability metrics could be measured before certain specified special itemsand/or subject to GAAP definition);
(ii) Cash Flow(e.g., EBITDA, free cash flow, free cash flow with or without specific capital expenditure target or range, including or excluding divestmentsand/or acquisitions, total cash flow, cash flow in excess of cost of capital or residual cash flow or cash flow return on investment);
(iii) Returns(e.g., Profits or Cash Flow returns on: assets, invested capital, net capital employed, and equity);
(iv) Working Capital(e.g., working capital divided by sales, days’ sales outstanding, days’ sales inventory, and days’ sales in payables);
(v) Profit Margins(e.g., Profits divided by revenues, gross margins and material margins divided by revenues, and material margin divided by sales pounds);
(vi) Liquidity Measures(e.g.,debt-to-capital,debt-to-EBITDA, total debt ratio);
(vii) Sales Growth, Gross Margin Growth, Cost Initiative and Stock Price Metrics (e.g., revenues, revenue growth, revenue growth outside the United States, gross margin and
data)


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Special items:  Year Ended
December 31,
 
   2012  2011 

Cost of sales:

   

Employee separation and plant phaseout costs

  $(0.4 $(1.2

Reimbursement of previously incurred environmental costs

       3.3  

Environmental remediation costs

   (12.8  (9.7

Acquisition related costs

   (5.4  (1.4

Pension and other post-retirement mark-to-market adjustment

   (1.3  (2.5
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Impact on cost of sales

   (19.9  (11.5

Selling and administrative expense:

   

Employee separation and plant phaseout costs

   (11.1  (1.6

Legal related costs

   (0.6    

Unrealized loss on foreign currency option contracts

   (1.1    

Acquisition related costs

   (3.9  (5.2

Pension and other post-retirement mark-to-market adjustment

   (40.7  (81.3
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Impact on selling and administrative expense

   (57.4  (88.1

Gain on sale of investment in equity affiliates

   23.4    146.3  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Impact on operating income (loss)

  $(53.9 $46.7  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

A-2


gross margin growth, material margin and material margin growth, stock price appreciation, total return to shareholders, sales and administrative costs divided by sales, and sales and administrative costs divided by profits); and
(viii) Strategic Initiative Key Deliverable Metricsconsisting of one or more of the following: product development, strategic partnering, research and development, vitality index, market penetration, geographic business expansion goals, cost targets, customer satisfaction, employee satisfaction, management of employment practices and employee benefits, supervision of litigation and information technology, and goals relating to acquisitions or divestitures of subsidiaries, affiliates and joint ventures.
If the Compensation Committee determines that a change in the business, operations, corporate structure or capital structure of the Company, or the manner in which it conducts its business, or other events or circumstances render the Management Objectives unsuitable, the Compensation Committee may in its discretion modify such Management Objectives or the related minimum acceptable level of achievement, in whole or in part, as the Compensation Committee deems appropriate and equitable, except in the case of a Qualified Performance-Based Award (other than in connection with a Change of Control) where such action would result in the loss of the otherwise available exemption of the award under Section 162(m) of the Code. In such case, the Compensation Committee will not make any modification of the Management Objectives or minimum acceptable level of achievement with respect to such Covered Employee.
(t) “Market Value per Share” means as of any particular date the closing sale price of the Common Shares as reported on The New York Stock Exchange or, if not listed on such exchange, on any other national securities exchange on which the Common Shares are listed. If the Common Shares are not traded as of any given date, the Market Value per Share means the closing price for the Common Shares on the principal exchange on which the Common Shares are traded for the immediately preceding date on which the Common Shares were traded. If there is no regular public trading market for the Common Shares, the Market Value per Share of the Common Shares shall be the fair market value of the Common Shares as determined in good faith by the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee is authorized to adopt another fair market value pricing method, provided such method is stated in the Evidence of Award, and is in compliance with the fair market value pricing rules set forth in Section 409A of the Code.
(u) “Non-Employee Director” means a person who is a “Non-Employee Director” of the Company within the meaning ofRule 16b-3 of the Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated under the Exchange Act.
(v) “Optionee” means the optionee named in an Evidence of Award evidencing an outstanding Option Right.
(w) “Option Price” means the purchase price payable on exercise of an Option Right.
(x) “Option Right” means the right to purchase Common Shares upon exercise of an option granted pursuant to Section 4 or Section 9 of this Plan.
(y) “Participant” means a person who is selected by the Compensation Committee to receive benefits under this Plan and who is at the time an officer or other key employee of the Company or any one or more of its Subsidiaries, or who has agreed to commence serving in any of such capacities within 90 days of the Date of Grant, and will also include each Non-Employee Director who receives Common Shares or an award of Option Rights, Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units or other awards under this Plan. The term “Participant” shall also include any


A-5


person who provides services to the Company or a Subsidiary that are equivalent to those typically provided by an employee.
(z) “Performance Period” means, in respect of a Performance Share or Performance Unit, a period of time established pursuant to Section 8 of this Plan within which the Management Objectives relating to such Performance Share or Performance Unit are to be achieved.
(aa) “Performance Share” means a bookkeeping entry that records the equivalent of one Common Share awarded pursuant to Section 8 of this Plan.
(bb) “Performance Unit” means a bookkeeping entry awarded pursuant to Section 8 of this Plan that records a unit equivalent to $1.00 or such other value as is determined by the Compensation Committee.
(cc) “Plan” means this PolyOne Corporation 2010 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan.
(dd) “Qualified Performance-Based Award” means any award of Performance Shares, Performance Units, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, or other awards contemplated under Section 10 of this Plan, or portion of such award, to a Covered Employee that is intended to satisfy the requirements for “qualified performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code.
(ee) “Restricted Stock” means Common Shares granted or sold pursuant to Section 6 or Section 9 of this Plan as to which neither the substantial risk of forfeiture nor the prohibition on transfers has expired.
(ff) “Restriction Period” means the period of time during which Restricted Stock Units are subject to restrictions, as provided in Section 7 or Section 9 of this Plan.
(gg) “Restricted Stock Unit” means an award made pursuant to Section 7 or Section 9 of this Plan of the right to receive Common Shares or cash at the end of a specified period.
(hh) “Spread” means the excess of the Market Value per Share on the date when an Appreciation Right is exercised, or on the date when Option Rights are surrendered in payment of the Option Price of other Option Rights, over the Option Price or Base Price provided for in the related Option Right or Free-Standing Appreciation Right, respectively.
(ii) “Subsidiary” means a corporation, company or other entity (i) more than 50 percent of whose outstanding shares or securities (representing the right to vote for the election of directors or other managing authority) are, or (ii) which does not have outstanding shares or securities (as may be the case in a partnership, joint venture or unincorporated association), but more than 50 percent of whose ownership interest representing the right generally to make decisions for such other entity is, now or hereafter, owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by the Company except that for purposes of determining whether any person may be a Participant for purposes of any grant of Incentive Stock Options, “Subsidiary” means any corporation in which at the time the Company owns or controls, directly or indirectly, more than 50 percent of the total combined voting power represented by all classes of stock issued by such corporation.
(jj) “Tandem Appreciation Right” means an Appreciation Right granted pursuant to Section 5 or Section 9 of this Plan that is granted in tandem with an Option Right.


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3. Shares Available Under the Plan.
(a) Maximum Shares Available Under Plan.
(i) Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 12 of this Plan, the number of Common Shares that may be issued or transferred (A) upon the exercise of Option Rights or Appreciation Rights, (B) as Restricted Stock and released from substantial risks of forfeiture thereof, (C) in payment of Restricted Stock Units, (D) in payment of Performance Shares or Performance Units that have been earned, (E) as awards to Non-Employee Directors, (F) as other awards contemplated by Section 10 of this Plan, or (G) in payment of dividend equivalents paid with respect to awards made under the Plan, will not exceed in the aggregate 3,000,000 Common Shares, plus any Common Shares relating to awards that expire or are forfeited or cancelled under this Plan. Such shares may be shares of original issuance or treasury shares or a combination of the foregoing.
(ii) Common Shares covered by an award granted under the Plan shall not be counted as used unless and until they are actually issued and delivered to a Participant and, therefore, the total number of shares available under the Plan as of a given date shall not be reduced by any shares relating to prior awards that have expired or have been forfeited or cancelled. Upon payment in cash of the benefit provided by any award granted under the Plan, any Common Shares that were covered by that award will be available for issue or transfer hereunder. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein: (A) if Common Shares are tendered or otherwise used in payment of the Option Price of an Option Right, the total number of shares covered by the Option Right being exercised shall count against the aggregate plan limit described above; (B) Common Shares withheld by the Company to satisfy the tax withholding obligation shall count against the aggregate plan limit described above; and (C) the number of Common Shares covered by an Appreciation Right, to the extent that it is exercised and settled in Common Shares, and whether or not shares are actually issued to the Participant upon exercise of the Appreciation Right, shall be considered issued or transferred pursuant to the Plan. In the event that the Company repurchases shares with Option Right proceeds, those shares will not be added to the aggregate plan limit described above. If, under this Plan, a Participant has elected to give up the right to receive compensation in exchange for Common Shares based on fair market value, such Common Shares will not count against the aggregate plan limit described above.
(b) Life of Plan Limits.  Notwithstanding anything in this Section 3, or elsewhere in this Plan, to the contrary, and subject to adjustment as provided in Section 12 of this Plan:
(i) The aggregate number of Common Shares actually issued or transferred by the Company upon the exercise of Incentive Stock Options will not exceed 3,000,000 Common Shares; and
(ii) The number of shares issued as Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Shares and Performance Units and other awards under Section 10 of this Plan (after taking into account any forfeitures and cancellations) will not during the life of the Plan in the aggregate exceed 1,200,000 Common Shares.
(c) Individual Participant Limits.  Notwithstanding anything in this Section 3, or elsewhere in this Plan, to the contrary, and subject to adjustment as provided in Section 12 of this Plan:
(i) No Participant will be granted Option Rights or Appreciation Rights, in the aggregate, for more than 500,000 Common Shares during any calendar year;


A-7


(ii) No Participant will be granted Qualified Performance Based Awards of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Shares or other awards under Section 10 of this Plan, in the aggregate, for more than 400,000 Common Shares during any calendar year; and
(iii) In no event will any Participant in any calendar year receive a Qualified Performance-Based Award of Performance Units or other awards payable in cash under Section 10 of this Plan having an aggregate maximum value as of their respective Dates of Grant in excess of $3,000,000.
4. Option Rights.  The Compensation Committee may, from time to time and upon such terms and conditions as it may determine, authorize the granting to Participants of options to purchase Common Shares. Each such grant may utilize any or all of the authorizations, and will be subject to all of the requirements contained in the following provisions:
(a) Each grant will specify the number of Common Shares to which it pertains subject to the limitations set forth in Section 3 of this Plan.
(b) Each grant will specify an Option Price per share, which may not be less than the Market Value per Share on the Date of Grant.
(c) Each grant will specify whether the Option Price will be payable (i) in cash or by check acceptable to the Company or by wire transfer of immediately available funds, (ii) by the actual or constructive transfer to the Company of Common Shares owned by the Optionee (or other consideration authorized pursuant to Section 4(d)) having a value at the time of exercise equal to the total Option Price, (iii) by a combination of such methods of payment, or (iv) by such other methods as may be approved by the Compensation Committee.
(d) To the extent permitted by law, any grant may provide for deferred payment of the Option Price from the proceeds of sale through a bank or broker on a date satisfactory to the Company of some or all of the shares to which such exercise relates.
(e) Successive grants may be made to the same Participant whether or not any Option Rights previously granted to such Participant remain unexercised.
(f) Each grant will specify the period or periods of continuous service by the Optionee with the Company or any Subsidiary that is necessary before the Option Rights or installments thereof will become exercisable;provided,however, that Option Rights may not become exercisable by the passage of time sooner than one-third per year over three years. A grant of Option Rights may provide for the earlier exercise of such Option Rights in the event of the retirement, death or disability of a Participant, or a Change of Control.
(g) Any grant of Option Rights may specify Management Objectives that must be achieved as a condition to the exercise of such rights;provided,however, that Option Rights that become exercisable upon the achievement of Management Objectives may not become exercisable sooner than one year from the Date of Grant.
(h) Option Rights granted under this Plan may be (i) options, including, without limitation, Incentive Stock Options, that are intended to qualify under particular provisions of the Code, (ii) options that are not intended so to qualify, or (iii) combinations of the foregoing. Incentive Stock Options may only be granted to Participants who meet the definition of “employees” under Section 3401(c) of the Code.
(i) The exercise of an Option Right will result in the cancellation on ashare-for-share basis of any Tandem Appreciation Right authorized under Section 5 of this Plan.


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(j) No Option Right will be exercisable more than 10 years from the Date of Grant.
(k) The Compensation Committee reserves the discretion at or after the Date of Grant to provide for the right to tender in satisfaction of the Option Price nonforfeitable, unrestricted Common Shares, which are already owned by the Optionee and have a value at the time of exercise that is equal to the Option Price.
(l) The Compensation Committee may substitute, without receiving Participant permission, Appreciation Rights payable only in Common Shares (or Appreciation Rights payable in Common Shares or cash, or a combination of both, at the Compensation Committee’s discretion) for outstanding Options;provided,however, that the terms of the substituted Appreciation Rights are substantially the same as the terms for the Options and the difference between the Market Value Per Share of the underlying Common Shares and the Base Price of the Appreciation Rights is equivalent to the difference between the Market Value Per Share of the underlying Common Shares and the Option Price of the Options. If, in the opinion of the Company’s auditors, this provision creates adverse accounting consequences for the Company, it shall be considered null and void.
(m) Each grant of Option Rights will be evidenced by an Evidence of Award. Each Evidence of Award shall be subject to the Plan and shall contain such terms and provisions as the Compensation Committee may approve.
5. Appreciation Rights.
(a) The Compensation Committee may, from time to time and upon such terms and conditions as it may determine, authorize the granting (i) to any Optionee, of Tandem Appreciation Rights in respect of Option Rights granted hereunder, and (ii) to any Participant, of Free-Standing Appreciation Rights. A Tandem Appreciation Right will be a right of the Optionee, exercisable by surrender of the related Option Right, to receive from the Company an amount determined by the Compensation Committee, which will be expressed as a percentage of the Spread (not exceeding 100 percent) at the time of exercise. Tandem Appreciation Rights may be granted at any time prior to the exercise or termination of the related Option Rights;provided,however, that a Tandem Appreciation Right awarded in relation to an Incentive Stock Option must be granted concurrently with such Incentive Stock Option. A Free-Standing Appreciation Right will be a right of the Participant to receive from the Company an amount determined by the Compensation Committee, which will be expressed as a percentage of the Spread (not exceeding 100 percent) at the time of exercise.
(b) Each grant of Appreciation Rights may utilize any or all of the authorizations, and will be subject to all of the requirements, contained in the following provisions:
(i) Any grant may specify that the amount payable on exercise of an Appreciation Right may be paid by the Company in cash, in Common Shares or in any combination thereof and may either grant to the Participant or retain in the Compensation Committee the right to elect among those alternatives.
(ii) Any grant may specify that the amount payable on exercise of an Appreciation Right may not exceed a maximum specified by the Compensation Committee at the Date of Grant.
(iii) Any grant may specify waiting periods before exercise and permissible exercise dates or periods;provided, however, that Appreciation Rights may not become exercisable by the passage of time sooner than one-third per year over three years.


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(iv) Any grant may specify that such Appreciation Right may be exercised only in the event of, or earlier in the event of, the retirement, death or disability of a Participant, or a Change of Control.
(v) Any grant of Appreciation Rights may specify Management Objectives that must be achieved as a condition of the exercise of such Appreciation Rights;provided,however, that Option Rights that become exercisable upon the achievement of Management Objectives may not become exercisable sooner than one year from the Date of Grant.
(vi) Each grant of Appreciation Rights will be evidenced by an Evidence of Award, which Evidence of Award will describe such Appreciation Rights, identify the related Option Rights (if applicable), and contain such other terms and provisions, consistent with this Plan, as the Compensation Committee may approve.
(c) Any grant of Tandem Appreciation Rights will provide that such Tandem Appreciation Rights may be exercised only at a time when the related Option Right is also exercisable and at a time when the Spread is positive, and by surrender of the related Option Right for cancellation. Successive grants of a Tandem Appreciation Right may be made to the same Participant regardless of whether any Tandem Appreciation Rights previously granted to the Participant remain unexercised.
(d) Regarding Free-Standing Appreciation Rights only:
(i) Each grant will specify in respect of each Free-Standing Appreciation Right a Base Price, which will be equal to or greater than the Market Value per Share on the Date of Grant;
(ii) Successive grants may be made to the same Participant regardless of whether any Free-Standing Appreciation Rights previously granted to the Participant remain unexercised; and
(iii) No Free-Standing Appreciation Right granted under this Plan may be exercised more than 10 years from the Date of Grant.
6. Restricted Stock.  The Compensation Committee may, from time to time and upon such terms and conditions as it may determine, also authorize the grant or sale of Restricted Stock to Participants. Each such grant or sale may utilize any or all of the authorizations, and will be subject to all of the requirements, contained in the following provisions:
(a) Each such grant or sale will constitute an immediate transfer of the ownership of Common Shares to the Participant in consideration of the performance of services, entitling such Participant to voting, dividend and other ownership rights, but subject to the substantial risk of forfeiture and restrictions on transfer hereinafter referred to.
(b) Each such grant or sale may be made without additional consideration or in consideration of a payment by such Participant that is less than the Market Value per Share at the Date of Grant.
(c) Each such grant or sale will provide that the Restricted Stock covered by such grant or sale that vests upon the passage of time will be subject to a “substantial risk of forfeiture” within the meaning of Section 83 of the Code for a period to be determined by the Compensation Committee at the Date of Grant or upon achievement of Management Objectives referred to in subparagraph (e) below. If the elimination of restrictions is based only on the passage of time rather than the achievement of Management Objectives, the period of time will be no shorter than three years, except that the restrictions may be removed ratably during the


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three-year period, on an annual basis, as determined by the Compensation Committee at the Date of Grant.
(d) Each such grant or sale will provide that during or after the period for which such substantial risk of forfeiture is to continue, the transferability of the Restricted Stock will be prohibited or restricted in the manner and to the extent prescribed by the Compensation Committee at the Date of Grant (which restrictions may include, without limitation, rights of repurchase or first refusal in the Company or provisions subjecting the Restricted Stock to a continuing substantial risk of forfeiture in the hands of any transferee).
(e) Any grant of Restricted Stock may specify Management Objectives that, if achieved, will result in termination or early termination of the restrictions applicable to such Restricted Stock;provided,however, that, notwithstanding subparagraph (c) above, restrictions relating to Restricted Stock that vests upon the achievement of Management Objectives may not terminate sooner than one year from the Date of Grant. Each grant may specify in respect of such Management Objectives a minimum acceptable level of achievement and may set forth a formula for determining the number of shares of Restricted Stock on which restrictions will terminate if performance is at or above the minimum or threshold level or levels, or is at or above the target level or levels, but falls short of maximum achievement of the specified Management Objectives.
(f) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Plan, any grant or sale of Restricted Stock may provide for the earlier termination of restrictions on such Restricted Stock in the event of the retirement, death or disability of a Participant, or a Change of Control.
(g) Any such grant or sale of Restricted Stock may require that any or all dividends or other distributions paid thereon during the period of such restrictions be automatically deferred and reinvested in additional shares of Restricted Stock, which may be subject to the same restrictions as the underlying award;provided,however, that dividends or other distributions on Restricted Stock with restrictions that lapse as a result of the achievement of Management Objectives shall be deferred until and paid contingent upon the achievement of the applicable Management Objectives.
(h) Each grant or sale of Restricted Stock will be evidenced by an Evidence of Award and will contain such terms and provisions, consistent with this Plan, as the Compensation Committee may approve. Unless otherwise directed by the Compensation Committee, (i) all certificates representing shares of Restricted Stock will be held in custody by the Company until all restrictions thereon will have lapsed, together with a stock power or powers executed by the Participant in whose name such certificates are registered, endorsed in blank and covering such Shares, or (ii) all shares of Restricted Stock will be held at the Company’s transfer agent in book entry form with appropriate restrictions relating to the transfer of such shares of Restricted Stock.
7. Restricted Stock Units.  The Compensation Committee may, from time to time and upon such terms and conditions as it may determine, also authorize the granting or sale of Restricted Stock Units to Participants. Each such grant or sale may utilize any or all of the authorizations, and will be subject to all of the requirements contained in the following provisions:
(a) Each such grant or sale will constitute the agreement by the Company to deliver Common Shares or cash to the Participant in the future in consideration of the performance of services, but subject to the fulfillment of such conditions (which may include the achievement of Management Objectives) during the Restriction Period as the Compensation Committee may


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specify. If a grant of Restricted Stock Units specifies that the Restriction Period will terminate only upon the achievement of Management Objectives then, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in subparagraph (c) below, such Restriction Period may not terminate sooner than one year from the Date of Grant. Each grant may specify in respect of such Management Objectives a minimum acceptable level of achievement and may set forth a formula for determining the number of Restricted Stock Units on which restrictions will terminate if performance is at or above the minimum or threshold level or levels, or is at or above the target level or levels, but falls short of maximum achievement of the specified Management Objectives.
(b) Each such grant or sale may be made without additional consideration or in consideration of a payment by such Participant that is less than the Market Value per Share at the Date of Grant.
(c) If the Restriction Period lapses only by the passage of time rather than the achievement of Management Objectives as provided in subparagraph (a) above, each such grant or sale will be subject to a Restriction Period of not less than three years, except that a grant or sale may provide that the Restriction Period will expire ratably during the three-year period, on an annual basis, as determined by the Compensation Committee at the Date of Grant.
(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Plan, any grant or sale of Restricted Stock Units may provide for the earlier lapse or modification of the Restriction Period in the event of the retirement, death or disability of a Participant, or a Change of Control.
(e) During the Restriction Period, the Participant will have no rights of ownership in the Common Shares deliverable upon payment of the Restricted Stock Units and shall have no right to vote them, but the Compensation Committee may at the Date of Grant, authorize the payment of dividend equivalents on such Restricted Stock Units on either a current, deferred or contingent basis, either in cash or in additional Common Shares;provided,however, that dividends or other distributions on Common Shares underlying Restricted Stock Units with restrictions that lapse as a result of the achievement of Management Objectives shall be deferred until and paid contingent upon the achievement of the applicable Management Objectives.
(f) Each grant or sale of Restricted Stock Units will specify the time and manner of payment of the Restricted Stock Units that have been earned.
(g) Each grant or sale of Restricted Stock Units will be evidenced by an Evidence of Award and will contain such terms and provisions, consistent with this Plan, as the Compensation Committee may approve.
8. Performance Shares and Performance Units.  The Compensation Committee may, from time to time and upon such terms and conditions as it may determine, also authorize the granting of Performance Shares and Performance Units that will become payable to a Participant upon achievement of specified Management Objectives during the Performance Period. Each such grant may utilize any or all of the authorizations, and will be subject to all of the requirements, contained in the following provisions:
(a) Each grant will specify the number of Performance Shares or Performance Units to which it pertains, which number may be subject to adjustment to reflect changes in compensation or other factors;provided,however, that no such adjustment will be made in the case of a Qualified Performance-Based Award (other than in connection with the death or


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disability of the Participant or a Change of Control) where such action would result in the loss of the otherwise available exemption of the award under Section 162(m) of the Code.
(b) The Performance Period with respect to each Performance Share or Performance Unit will be such period of time (not less than one year), commencing with the Date of Grant as will be determined by the Compensation Committee at the time of grant which may be subject to earlier lapse or other modification in the event of the retirement, death or disability of a Participant, or a Change of Control.
(c) Any grant of Performance Shares or Performance Units will specify Management Objectives which, if achieved, will result in payment or early payment of the award, and each grant may specify in respect of such Management Objectives a minimum acceptable level of achievement and may set forth a formula for determining the number of Performance Shares or Performance Units that will be earned if performance is at or above the minimum or threshold level or levels, or is at or above the target level or levels, but falls short of maximum achievement of the specified Management Objectives. The grant of Performance Shares or Performance Units will specify that, before the Performance Shares or Performance Units will be earned and paid, the Compensation Committee must certify that the Management Objectives have been satisfied.
(d) Each grant will specify the time and manner of payment of Performance Shares or Performance Units that have been earned. Any grant may specify that the amount payable with respect thereto may be paid by the Company in cash, in Common Shares or in any combination thereof and may either grant to the Participant or retain in the Compensation Committee the right to elect among those alternatives.
(e) Any grant of Performance Shares or Performance Units may specify that the amount payable or the number of Common Shares issued with respect thereto may not exceed maximums specified by the Compensation Committee at the Date of Grant.
(f) The Compensation Committee may, at the Date of Grant of Performance Shares, provide for the payment of dividend equivalents to the holder thereof either in cash or in additional Common Shares, subject in all cases to deferral and payment on a contingent basis based on the Participant’s earning of the Performance Shares with respect to which such dividend equivalents are paid.
(g) Each grant of Performance Shares or Performance Units will be evidenced by an Evidence of Award and will contain such other terms and provisions, consistent with this Plan, as the Compensation Committee may approve.
9. Awards to Non-Employee Directors.  The Compensation Committee may, from time to time and upon such terms and conditions as it may determine, authorize the granting to non-employee Directors of Option Rights, Appreciation Rights or other awards contemplated by Section 10 of this Plan and may also authorize the grant or sale of Common Shares, Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units to non-employee Directors. Each grant of an award to a non-employee Director will be upon such terms and conditions as approved by the Compensation Committee, will not be required to be subject to any minimum vesting period, and will be evidenced by an Evidence of Award in such form as will be approved by the Compensation Committee. Each grant will specify in the case of an Option Right, an Option Price per share, and in the case of a Free-Standing Appreciation Right, a Base Price per share, which will not be less than the Market Value per Share on the Date of Grant. Each Option Right and Free-Standing Appreciation Right granted under the Plan to a non-employee Director will expire not more than 10 years from the Date


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of Grant and will be subject to earlier termination as hereinafter provided. If a non-employee Director subsequently becomes an employee of the Company or a Subsidiary while remaining a member of the Board, any award held under this Plan by such individual at the time of such commencement of employment will not be affected thereby. Non-employee Directors, pursuant to this Section 9, may be awarded, or may be permitted to elect to receive, pursuant to procedures established by the Compensation Committee, all or any portion of their annual retainer, meeting fees or other fees in Common Shares, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units or other awards under the Plan in lieu of cash.
10. Other Awards.
(a) The Compensation Committee may, subject to limitations under applicable law, grant to any Participant such other awards that may be denominated or payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, or related to, Common Shares or factors that may influence the value of such shares, including, without limitation, convertible or exchangeable debt securities, other rights convertible or exchangeable into Common Shares, purchase rights for Common Shares, awards with value and payment contingent upon performance of the Company or specified Subsidiaries, affiliates or other business units thereof or any other factors designated by the Compensation Committee, and awards valued by reference to the book value of Common Shares or the value of securities of, or the performance of specified Subsidiaries or affiliates or other business units of the Company. The Compensation Committee shall determine the terms and conditions of such awards. Common Shares delivered pursuant to an award in the nature of a purchase right granted under this Section 10 shall be purchased for such consideration, paid for at such time, by such methods, and in such forms, including, without limitation, cash, Common Shares, other awards, notes or other property, as the Compensation Committee shall determine.
(b) Cash awards, as an element of or supplement to any other award granted under this Plan, may also be granted pursuant to this Section 10 of this Plan.
(c) The Compensation Committee may grant Common Shares as a bonus, or may grant other awards in lieu of obligations of the Company or a Subsidiary to pay cash or deliver other property under this Plan or under other plans or compensatory arrangements, subject to such terms as shall be determined by the Compensation Committee in a manner that complies with Section 409A of the Code.
(d) If the earning or vesting of, or elimination of restrictions applicable to, an award granted under this Section 10 is based only on the passage of time rather than the achievement of Management Objectives, the period of time shall be no shorter than three years, except that the restrictions may be removed no sooner than ratably on an annual basis during the three-year period as determined by the Compensation Committee at the Date of Grant. If the earning or vesting of, or elimination of restrictions applicable to, awards granted under this Section 10 is based on the achievement of Management Objectives, the earning, vesting or restriction period may not terminate sooner than one year from the Date of Grant.
(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Plan, any grant of an award under this Section 10 may provide for the earning or vesting of, or earlier elimination of restrictions applicable to, such award in the event of the retirement, death or disability of the Participant, or a change of control.
11. Transferability.
(a) Except as otherwise determined by the Compensation Committee, no Option Right, Appreciation Right or other derivative security granted under the Plan shall be transferable by the


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Participant except by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and in no event shall any such award granted under this Plan be transferred for value. Except as otherwise determined by the Compensation Committee, Option Rights and Appreciation Rights will be exercisable during the Participant’s lifetime only by him or her or, in the event of the Participant’s legal incapacity to do so, by his or her guardian or legal representative acting on behalf of the Participant in a fiduciary capacity under state lawand/or court supervision.
(b) The Compensation Committee may specify at the Date of Grant that part or all of the Common Shares that are (i) to be issued or transferred by the Company upon the exercise of Option Rights or Appreciation Rights, upon the termination of the Restriction Period applicable to Restricted Stock Units or upon payment under any grant of Performance Shares or Performance Units or other awards under the Plan or (ii) no longer subject to the substantial risk of forfeiture and restrictions on transfer referred to in Section 6 of this Plan, will be subject to further restrictions on transfer.
12. Adjustments.  The Compensation Committee shall make or provide for such adjustments in the numbers of Common Shares covered by outstanding Option Rights, Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Shares and Performance Units granted hereunder and, if applicable, in the number of Common Shares covered by other awards granted pursuant to Section 10 hereof, in the Option Price and Base Price provided in outstanding Option Rights and Appreciation Rights, and in the kind of shares covered thereby, as the Compensation Committee, in its sole discretion, exercised in good faith, may determine is equitably required to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights of Participants or Optionees that otherwise would result from (a) any stock dividend, stock split, combination of shares, recapitalization or other change in the capital structure of the Company, (b) any merger, consolidation, spin-off, split- off, spin-out,split-up, reorganization, partial or complete liquidation or other distribution of assets, issuance of rights or warrants to purchase securities, or (c) any other corporate transaction or event having an effect similar to any of the foregoing. Moreover, in the event of any such transaction or event or in the event of a Change of Control, the Compensation Committee, in its discretion, may provide in substitution for any or all outstanding awards under this Plan such alternative consideration (including cash), if any, as it, in good faith, may determine to be equitable in the circumstances and may require in connection therewith the surrender of all awards so replaced in a manner that complies with Section 409A of the Code. In addition, for each Option Right or Appreciation Right with an Option Price or Base Price greater than the consideration offered in connection with any such termination or event or Change of Control, the Compensation Committee may in its sole discretion elect to cancel such Option Right or Appreciation Right without any payment to the person holding such Option Right or Appreciation Right. The Compensation Committee shall also make or provide for such adjustments in the numbers of shares specified in Section 3 of this Plan as the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion, exercised in good faith, may determine is appropriate to reflect any transaction or event described in this Section 12;provided,however, that any such adjustment to the number specified in Section 3(c)(i) will be made only if and to the extent that such adjustment would not cause any option intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option to fail to so qualify.
13. Administration of the Plan.
(a) This Plan will be administered by the Compensation Committee in which case, to the extent appropriate, references in the Plan to the Compensation Committee will be deemed to be references to the Board. The Compensation Committee may from time to time delegate all or any part of its authority under this Plan to any subcommittee thereof. To the extent of any such delegation, references in this Plan to the Compensation Committee will be deemed to be references to such subcommittee. A majority of the Compensation Committee (or subcommittee) will constitute


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a quorum, and the action of the members of the Compensation Committee (or subcommittee) present at any meeting at which a quorum is present, or acts unanimously approved in writing, will be the acts of the Compensation Committee (or subcommittee).
(b) The interpretation and construction by the Compensation Committee of any provision of this Plan or of any agreement, notification or document evidencing the grant of Option Rights, Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Shares, Performance Units or other awards pursuant to Section 10 of this Plan and any determination by the Compensation Committee pursuant to any provision of this Plan or of any such agreement, notification or document will be final and conclusive. No member of the Compensation Committee will be liable for any such action or determination made in good faith.
(c) The Compensation Committee or, to the extent of any delegation as provided in Section 13(a), the subcommittee, may delegate to one or more of its members or to one or more officers of the Company, or to one or more agents or advisors, such administrative duties or powers as it may deem advisable, and the Compensation Committee, the subcommittee, or any person to whom duties or powers have been delegated as aforesaid, may employ one or more persons to render advice with respect to any responsibility the Compensation Committee, the subcommittee or such person may have under the Plan. The Compensation Committee or the subcommittee may, by resolution, authorize one or more officers of the Company to do one or both of the following on the same basis as the Compensation Committee or the subcommittee: (i) designate employees to be recipients of awards under this Plan; and (ii) determine the size of any such awards;provided,however, that (A) the Compensation Committee or the subcommittee shall not delegate such responsibilities to any such officer for awards granted to an employee who is an officer, Director, or more than 10% beneficial owner of any class of the Company’s equity securities that is registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act, as determined by the Compensation Committee in accordance with Section 16 of the Exchange Act; (B) the resolution providing for such authorization sets forth the total number of Common Shares such officer(s) may grant; and (C) the officer(s) shall report periodically to the Compensation Committee or the subcommittee, as the case may be, regarding the nature and scope of the awards granted pursuant to the authority delegated.
14. Detrimental Activity.  Any Evidence of Award may provide that if a Participant, either during employment by the Company or a Subsidiary or within a specified period after termination of such employment, shall engage in any Detrimental Activity, and the Compensation Committee shall so find, forthwith upon notice of such finding, the Participant shall:
(a) Forfeit any award granted under the Plan then held by the Participant;
(b) Return to the Company, in exchange for payment by the Company of any amount actually paid therefor by the Participant, all Common Shares that the Participant has not disposed of that were offered pursuant to this Plan within a specified period prior to the date of the commencement of such Detrimental Activity, and
(c) With respect to any Common Shares so acquired that the Participant has disposed of, pay to the Company in cash the difference between:
(i) Any amount actually paid therefor by the Participant pursuant to this Plan, and
(ii) The Market Value per Share of the Common Shares on the date of such disposition.
To the extent that such amounts are not paid to the Company, the Company may set off the amounts so payable to it against any amounts that may be owing from time to time by the Company


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or a Subsidiary to the Participant, whether as wages, deferred compensation or vacation pay or in the form of any other benefit or for any other reason.
In addition, notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, any Evidence of Award may provide for the cancellation or forfeiture of an award or the forfeiture and repayment to the Company of any gain related to an award, or other provisions intended to have a similar effect, upon such terms and conditions as may be determined by the Compensation Committee from time to time.
15. Non U.S. Participants.  In order to facilitate the making of any grant or combination of grants under this Plan, the Compensation Committee may provide for such special terms for awards to Participants who are foreign nationals or who are employed by the Company or any Subsidiary outside of the United States of America or who provide services to the Company under an agreement with a foreign nation or agency, as the Compensation Committee may consider necessary or appropriate to accommodate differences in local law, tax policy or custom. Moreover, the Compensation Committee may approve such supplements to or amendments, restatements or alternative versions of this Plan (including without limitation,sub-plans) as it may consider necessary or appropriate for such purposes, without thereby affecting the terms of this Plan as in effect for any other purpose, and the Secretary or other appropriate officer of the Company may certify any such document as having been approved and adopted in the same manner as this Plan. No such special terms, supplements, amendments or restatements, however, will include any provisions that are inconsistent with the terms of this Plan as then in effect unless this Plan could have been amended to eliminate such inconsistency without further approval by the shareholders of the Company.
16. Withholding Taxes.  To the extent that the Company is required to withhold federal, state, local or foreign taxes in connection with any payment made or benefit realized by a Participant or other person under this Plan, and the amounts available to the Company for such withholding are insufficient, it will be a condition to the receipt of such payment or the realization of such benefit that the Participant or such other person make arrangements satisfactory to the Company for payment of the balance of such taxes required to be withheld, which arrangements (in the discretion of the Compensation Committee) may include relinquishment of a portion of such benefit. If a Participant’s benefit is to be received in the form of Common Shares, and such Participant fails to make arrangements for the payment of tax, the Company shall withhold such Common Shares having a value equal to the amount required to be withheld. Notwithstanding the foregoing, when a Participant is required to pay the Company an amount required to be withheld under applicable income and employment tax laws, the Participant may elect to satisfy the obligation, in whole or in part, by electing to have withheld, from the shares required to be delivered to the Participant, Common Shares having a value equal to the amount required to be withheld, or by delivering to the Company other Common Shares held by such Participant. The shares used for tax withholding will be valued at an amount equal to the Market Value per Share of such Common Shares on the date the benefit is to be included in Participant’s income. In no event shall the Market Value per Share of the Common Shares to be withheld and delivered pursuant to this Section to satisfy applicable withholding taxes in connection with the benefit exceed the minimum amount of taxes required to be withheld. Participants shall also make such arrangements as the Company may require for the payment of any withholding tax obligation that may arise in connection with the disposition of Common Shares acquired upon the exercise of Option Rights.


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17. Amendments, Etc.
(a) The Board may at any time and from time to time amend the Plan in whole or in part;provided,however, that if an amendment to the Plan (i) would materially increase the benefits accruing to participants under the Plan, (ii) would materially increase the number of securities which may be issued under the Plan, (iii) would materially modify the requirements for participation in the Plan or (iv) must otherwise be approved by the shareholders of the Company in order to comply with applicable law or the rules of the New York Stock Exchange or, if the Common Shares are not traded on the New York Stock Exchange, the principal national securities exchange upon which the Common Shares are traded or quoted, then, such amendment will be subject to shareholder approval and will not be effective unless and until such approval has been obtained.
(b) Except in connection with a corporate transaction or event described in Section 12 of this Plan, the terms of outstanding awards may not be amended to reduce the Option Price of outstanding Option Rights or the Base Price of outstanding Appreciation Rights, or cancel outstanding Option Rights or Appreciation Rights in exchange for cash, other awards or Option Rights or Appreciation Rights with an Option Price or Base Price, as applicable, that is less than the Option Price of the original Option Rights or Base Price of the original Appreciation Rights, as applicable, without shareholder approval. This Section 17(b) is intended to prohibit the repricing of “underwater” Option Rights and Appreciation Rights and will not be construed to prohibit the adjustments provided for in Section 12 of the Plan. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, this Section 17(b) may not be amended without approval by the Company’s shareholders.
(c) If permitted by Section 409A of the Code and Section 162(m), but subject to the paragraph that follows, in case of termination of employment by reason of death, disability or normal or early retirement, or in the case of unforeseeable emergency or other special circumstances, of a Participant who holds an Option Right or Appreciation Right not immediately exercisable in full, or any shares of Restricted Stock as to which the substantial risk of forfeiture or the prohibition or restriction on transfer has not lapsed, or any Restricted Stock Units as to which the Restriction Period has not been completed, or any Performance Shares or Performance Units which have not been fully earned, or any other awards made pursuant to Section 10 subject to any vesting schedule or transfer restriction, or who holds Common Shares subject to any transfer restriction imposed pursuant to Section 11(b) of this Plan, the Compensation Committee may, in its sole discretion, accelerate the time at which such Option Right, Appreciation Right or other award may be exercised or the time at which such substantial risk of forfeiture or prohibition or restriction on transfer will lapse or the time when such Restriction Period will end or the time at which such Performance Shares or Performance Units will be deemed to have been fully earned or the time when such transfer restriction will terminate or may waive any other limitation or requirement under any such award.
Subject to Section 17(b) hereof, the Compensation Committee may amend the terms of any award theretofore granted under this Plan prospectively or retroactively, except in the case of a Qualified Performance-Based Award (other than in connection with the Participant’s death or disability, or a Change of Control) where such action would result in the loss of the otherwise available exemption of the award under Section 162(m) of the Code. In such case, the Compensation Committee will not make any modification of the Management Objectives or the level or levels of achievement with respect to such Qualified Performance-Based Award. Subject to Section 12 above, no such amendment shall impair the rights of any Participant without his or her consent. The Board may, in its discretion, terminate this Plan at any time. Termination of this Plan will not affect the rights of Participants or their successors under any awards outstanding hereunder and not exercised in full on the date of termination.


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18. Compliance with Section 409A of the Code.
(a) To the extent applicable, it is intended that this Plan and any grants made hereunder comply with the provisions of Section 409A of the Code, so that the income inclusion provisions of Section 409A(a)(1) of the Code do not apply to the Participants. This Plan and any grants made hereunder shall be administered in a manner consistent with this intent. Any reference in this Plan to Section 409A of the Code will also include any regulations or any other formal guidance promulgated with respect to such Section by the U.S. Department of the Treasury or the Internal Revenue Service.
(b) Neither a Participant nor any of a Participant’s creditors or beneficiaries shall have the right to subject any deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code) payable under this Plan and grants hereunder to any anticipation, alienation, sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, attachment or garnishment. Except as permitted under Section 409A of the Code, any deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code) payable to a Participant or for a Participant’s benefit under this Plan and grants hereunder may not be reduced by, or offset against, any amount owing by a Participant to the Company or any of its affiliates.
(c) If, at the time of a Participant’s separation from service (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code), (i) the Participant shall be a specified employee (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and using the identification methodology selected by the Company from time to time) and (ii) the Company shall make a good faith determination that an amount payable hereunder constitutes deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code) the payment of which is required to be delayed pursuant to the six-month delay rule set forth in Section 409A of the Code in order to avoid taxes or penalties under Section 409A of the Code, then the Company shall not pay such amount on the otherwise scheduled payment date but shall instead pay it, without interest, on the tenth business day of the seventh month after such separation from service.
(d) Notwithstanding any provision of this Plan and grants hereunder to the contrary, in light of the uncertainty with respect to the proper application of Section 409A of the Code, the Company reserves the right to make amendments to this Plan and grants hereunder as the Company deems necessary or desirable to avoid the imposition of taxes or penalties under Section 409A of the Code. In any case, a Participant shall be solely responsible and liable for the satisfaction of all taxes and penalties that may be imposed on a Participant or for a Participant’s account in connection with this Plan and grants hereunder (including any taxes and penalties under Section 409A of the Code), and neither the Company nor any of its affiliates shall have any obligation to indemnify or otherwise hold a Participant harmless from any or all of such taxes or penalties.
19. Governing Law.  The Plan and all grants and awards and actions taken thereunder shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal substantive laws of the State of Ohio.
20. Effective Date/Termination.  This Plan will be effective as of the Effective Date. No grants will be made on or after the Effective Date under the Existing Plan, except that outstanding awards granted under the Existing Plan will continue unaffected following the Effective Date. No grant will be made under this Plan after May 12, 2020 (more than 10 years after the date on which this Plan is first approved by the shareholders of the Company), but all grants made on or prior to such date will continue in effect thereafter subject to the terms thereof and of this Plan.


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21. Miscellaneous.
(a) The Company will not be required to issue any fractional Common Shares pursuant to this Plan. The Compensation Committee may provide for the elimination of fractions or for the settlement of fractions in cash.
(b) This Plan will not confer upon any Participant any right with respect to continuance of employment or other service with the Company or any Subsidiary, nor will it interfere in any way with any right the Company or any Subsidiary would otherwise have to terminate such Participant’s employment or other service at any time.
(c) To the extent that any provision of this Plan would prevent any Option Right that was intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option from qualifying as such, that provision will be null and void with respect to such Option Right. Such provision, however, will remain in effect for other Option Rights and there will be no further effect on any provision of this Plan.
(d) No award under this Plan may be exercised by the holder thereof if such exercise, and the receipt of cash or stock thereunder, would be, in the opinion of counsel selected by the Compensation Committee, contrary to law or the regulations of any duly constituted authority having jurisdiction over this Plan.
(e) Absence or leave approved by a duly constituted officer of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall not be considered interruption or termination of service of any employee for any purposes of this Plan or awards granted hereunder.
(f) No Participant shall have any rights as a stockholder with respect to any shares subject to awards granted to him or her under this Plan prior to the date as of which he or she is actually recorded as the holder of such shares upon the stock records of the Company.
(g) The Compensation Committee may condition the grant of any award or combination of awards authorized under this Plan on the surrender or deferral by the Participant of his or her right to receive a cash bonus or other compensation otherwise payable by the Company or a Subsidiary to the Participant.
(h) If any provision of the Plan is or becomes invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, or would disqualify the Plan or any award under any law deemed applicable by the Compensation Committee, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended or limited in scope to conform to applicable laws or, in the discretion of the Compensation Committee, it shall be stricken and the remainder of the Plan shall remain in full force and effect.
(i) Notwithstanding anything in this Plan to the contrary, up to 10% of the maximum number of Common Shares that may be issued or transferred under this Plan as provided for in Section 3(a)(i) of this Plan, as may be adjusted under Section 12 of this Plan, may be used for Awards granted under Sections 4 through 8 and Section 10 of this Plan that do not comply with the three-year vesting requirements set forth in Sections 4(f), 5(b)(iii), 6(c), 7(c) and 10(d) of this Plan or the one-year vesting requirements set forth in Sections 4(g), 5(b)(v), 6(e), 7(a), 8(b) and 10(d) of this Plan;provided,however, that in no event will more than 10% of the maximum number of Common Shares that may be issued or transferred under this Plan as provided for in Section 3(a)(i) of this Plan, as may be adjusted under Section 12 of this Plan, be used for (A) Awards granted under Sections 4 through 8 and Section 10 of this Plan that do not comply with the three-year vesting requirements set forth in Sections 4(f), 5(b)(iii), 6(c), 7(c) and 10(d) of this Plan or the one-year vesting requirements set forth in Sections 4(g), 5(b)(v), 6(e), 7(a), 8(b) and 10(d) of this Plan, (B) Awards granted under Section 9 of the Plan or (C) a combination of the Awards described in subsections (A) and (B).


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APPENDIX B
POLYONE CORPORATION
SENIOR EXECUTIVE ANNUAL INCENTIVE PLAN
(EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2011)
1. PURPOSE.  The PolyOne Corporation Senior Executive Annual Incentive Plan (Effective January 1, 2011) (the “PolyOne SEAIP”) has been established to provide opportunities to certain key executive personnel of PolyOne Corporation (the “Company”) to receive incentive compensation as a reward for high levels of performance above the ordinary performance standards compensated by base salary, and for their contributions to strong performance of the Company. The PolyOne SEAIP is designed to provide a competitive level of performance-based incentive compensation when all relevant performance objectives are achieved. This PolyOne SEAIP is intended to replace the existing PolyOne Corporation Senior Executive Annual Incentive Plan that was last approved by the shareholders of the Company on May 19, 2005.
2. ADMINISTRATION.  The PolyOne SEAIP will be administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company (or any successor thereto) (the “Committee”). The Committee is authorized to interpret the PolyOne SEAIP and to establish and maintain guidelines necessary or desirable for the administration of the PolyOne SEAIP. Decisions and determinations of the Committee shall be binding on all persons claiming rights under the PolyOne SEAIP. The Committee may delegate to the Chief Executive Officer or other officers, subject to such terms as the Committee shall determine, authority to perform certain functions, including administrative functions, except that the Committee shall retain exclusive authority to determine matters relating to awards to the Chief Executive Officer and other key executive personnel that are intended to qualify as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).
3. ELIGIBILITY.
(a) Participation in the PolyOne SEAIP will be limited to those key executive personnel selected by the Committee who have the potential to influence significantly and positively the performance of the Company.
(b) To be eligible for participation in any particular year during the term of the PolyOne SEAIP (a “Plan Year”), a key executive must have assumed the duties of an incentive-eligible position and have been selected for participation in the PolyOne SEAIP within 90 days after the commencement of the applicable Plan Year. The foregoing and other provisions of the PolyOne SEAIP notwithstanding, the Committee may select any eligible employee who the Committee determines is not a “covered employee” in a given Plan Year to receive an award under the PolyOne SEAIP without complying with the timing and other limitations set forth in Sections 3(b), 4(b), 5 and 8(b). The Committee may also make awards to newly hired or newly promoted executives without compliance with such timing and other limitations, which awards may be based on performance during less than the full Plan Year. For purposes of the PolyOne SEAIP, a “covered employee” means an officer who the Committee deems likely to have compensation for the Plan Year which would be non-deductible by the Company under Section 162(m) of the Code if the Company did not comply with the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code and the regulations thereunder with respect to such compensation.
4. TARGET AWARD LEVELS.
(a) For each Plan Year, each participant will be assigned a target level of incentive opportunity (“Incentive Percentage”), stated as a percentage of base salary, that will be available to the


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participant upon achievement of the Performance Targets (as hereinafter defined) for the respective Performance Measures (as hereinafter defined) for the applicable Plan Year. The maximum award that will be available to a participant is 200% of the participant’s base salary, but in no event more than $3,000,000. In the case of a covered employee, unless the Committee specifies a separate maximum award amount that may be earned, the base salary upon which the Incentive Percentage is based will be the actual earned base salary for the Plan Year in which the Committee establishes the Incentive Percentage.
(b) Each participant’s Incentive Percentage for each Plan Year will be approved by the Compensation Committee within 90 days after the commencement of the applicable Plan Year. In determining the applicable Incentive Percentage other than for the Chief Executive Officer, the Committee will consider the recommendations of the Chief Executive Officer of the Company.
5. PERFORMANCE MEASURES AND TARGETS.
(a) Within 90 days after the commencement of each applicable Plan Year, the Committee shall determine the performance goal targets (“Performance Targets”) applicable to the measures of Companyand/or business unit performance (“Performance Measures”) that must be achieved in order for awards to be paid under the PolyOne SEAIP. If the Committee so determines, a Performance Target may include a minimum threshold performance level, a maximum performance level, and one or more intermediate performance levels or ranges, with target award levels or ranges that will correspond to the respective performance levels or ranges included in the Performance Target. The Committee may determine that only the threshold level relating to a Performance Measure must be met for awards to be paid under the Plan, and if multiple Performance Measures are selected for any Plan Year, that awards will be paid under the Plan upon achievement of threshold levels of one or more of the specified Performance Measures. The Performance Measures may be made relative to the performance of other companies. The Performance Measures will include one or more of the following, as determined by the Committee for each Plan Year:
(i) Profits(e.g., operating income, EBIT, EBT, net income, earnings per share, residual or economic earnings, economic profit — these profitability metrics could be measured before certain specified special itemsand/or subject to GAAP definition);
(ii) Cash Flow(e.g., EBITDA, free cash flow, free cash flow with or without specific capital expenditure target or range, including or excluding divestmentsand/or acquisitions, total cash flow, cash flow in excess of cost of capital or residual cash flow or cash flow return on investment);
(iii) Returns(e.g., Profits or Cash Flow returns on: assets, invested capital, net capital employed, and equity);
(iv) Working Capital(e.g., working capital divided by sales, days’ sales outstanding, days’ sales inventory, and days’ sales in payables);
(v) Profit Margins(e.g., Profits divided by revenues, gross margins and material margins divided by revenues, and material margin divided by sales pounds);
(vi) Liquidity Measures(e.g.,debt-to-capital,debt-to-EBITDA, total debt ratio);
(vii) Sales Growth, Gross Margin Growth, Cost Initiative and Stock Price Metrics(e.g., revenues, revenue growth, revenue growth outside the United States, gross margin and gross margin growth, material margin and material margin growth, stock price appreciation, total return to shareholders, sales and administrative costs divided by sales, and sales and administrative costs divided by profits); and


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(viii) Strategic Initiative Key Deliverable Metricsconsisting of one or more of the following: product development, strategic partnering, research and development, vitality index, market penetration, geographic business expansion goals, cost targets, customer satisfaction, employee satisfaction, management of employment practices and employee benefits, supervision of litigation and information technology, and goals relating to acquisitions or divestitures of subsidiaries, affiliates and joint ventures.
If more than one Performance Measure is selected by the Committee for a Plan Year, the Performance Measures will be weighted by the Committee to reflect their relative importance to the Company in the applicable Plan Year. The weightings of the Performance Measures shall also be determined by the Committee within 90 days after the commencement of each applicable Plan Year.
6. CERTIFICATION OF ACHIEVEMENT.  Promptly following the end of each Plan Year the Committee will meet to certify achievement by the Company of the Performance Targets for the applicable Plan Year and, if such goals have been achieved, to review management recommendations and approve actual awards under the PolyOne SEAIP. The Committee shall certify in writing, in a manner conforming to applicable regulations under Section 162(m), prior to payout of each award granted to a covered employee, that the Performance Targets relating to the award and other material terms of the award upon which payout was conditioned have been satisfied.
7. DETERMINATION OF AWARDS.  The amount of incentive awards available for payment to a participant under the PolyOne SEAIP will be the product of the participant’s salary and the Incentive Percentage, adjusted to reflect the weightings, if any, assigned to the Performance Measures with respect to which the Performance Targets were met and further adjusted, in the case of any Performance Target for which the Committee determined more than one level or range of performance, to reflect the level or range of performance achieved;provided,however, that the maximum annual dollar award (after giving effect to the 25% premium for restricted share deferrals provided for in Section 8) paid to any participant for any one Plan Year will be $3,000,000. No awards will be paid under the PolyOne SEAIP if none of the Performance Targets is achieved. Notwithstanding the amount of any available incentive award under the PolyOne SEAIP, the Committee may, in its discretion, reduce or eliminate the amount of any incentive award actually paid to a participant based on individual performance or otherwise. In no event may the Committee increase the amount of the maximum available incentive award (as described in Section 4(a) above) to a covered employee provided for under the PolyOne SEAIP.
8. PAYMENT OF AWARDS.
(a) Awards will be paid as soon as practicable after approval by the Committee, but not later than 70 days after the end of the Plan Year to which the awards relate.
(b) The Committee may determine, in a manner that complies with Section 409A of the Code, that all or a portion of the participant’s award will be paid in the form of restricted shares or share equivalent units. If permitted by the Committee, participants will also have the opportunity to elect, in a manner that complies with Section 409A of the Code, additional optional deferrals so that they may receive up to 100% of their award, if any, as restricted shares or share equivalent units.
(c) Any award paid as restricted shares or share equivalent units will be enhanced with a 25% “premium” (i.e., for every $100 deferred, the participant will receive $125 in restricted shares or share equivalent units). Any grants of restricted shares or share equivalent units will be made under any of the Company’s then-effective equity plans. Restrictions on the restricted shares or share equivalent units will be determined by the Committee at the time awards are approved in accordance with the provisions of the equity plan of the Company under which the shares are awarded. The


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number of restricted shares to be delivered or share equivalent units to be credited to a participant in respect of his or her incentive award under the PolyOne SEAIP shall be determined by dividing the dollar amount of the incentive award (after giving effect to the 25% premium) under the PolyOne SEAIP by the fair market value of one common share of the Company on the first business day of the year immediately succeeding the Plan Year in respect of which the incentive award is made.
(d) For purposes of the PolyOne SEAIP, fair market value of one share shall be the mean of the high and low prices of the Company’s common shares on the relevant date (or, if no sale was made on such date, then on the next preceding date on which such a sale was made) on the composite tape reporting transactions in securities listed on The New York Stock Exchange. If the Company’s common shares are not listed on The New York Stock Exchange, the fair market value of one share of stock shall be as determined by the Committee.
(e) Any portion of a participant’s award not paid as restricted shares or share equivalent units will be paid in cash. Other provisions of this Section 8 notwithstanding, the Committee, in a manner that complies with Section 409A of the Code, may determine to payout all or any portion of the award that otherwise would be payable as restricted shares or share equivalent units in cash (without payment of any “premium”) in any circumstance deemed appropriate by the Committee.
9. OTHER PROVISIONS.
(a) No awards under the PolyOne SEAIP are to be considered earned until received.
(b) Awards to participants who serve in incentive-eligible positions for less than a full year, or who within a year serve in two or more positions that are of significantly different size, may be adjusted on a pro rata basis.
10. PAYMENT UPON CHANGE OF CONTROL.
(a) Unless otherwise provided in an individual agreement between the Company and a participant, within five days following the occurrence of a “Change of Control” (as defined inAttachment A hereto), the Company shall pay to each participant an interim lump-sum cash payment (the “Interim Payment”) with respect to his or her participation in the PolyOne SEAIP. The amount of the Interim Payment shall equal the product of the number of months, including fractional months, that have elapsed until the occurrence of the Change of Control in the calendar year in which the Change of Control occurs and one-twelfth of the target level of incentive opportunity under the PolyOne SEAIP for the participant in effect prior to the Change of Control for the calendar year in which the Change of Control occurs.
(b) The Company will retain the obligation to make a final payment under the terms of the PolyOne SEAIP (if earned), but any Interim Payment made shall be offset against any later payment required to be made under the terms of the PolyOne SEAIP for the Plan Year in which a Change of Control occurs. In no event shall any participant be required to refund to the Company, or have offset against any other payment due any participant from or on behalf of the Company, all or any portion of the Interim Payment.
11. AMENDMENT; TERM OF THE POLYONE SEAIP.
(a) The PolyOne SEAIP may be amended by the Committee to the extent required in order to comply with the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder regarding “performance-based” compensation.
(b) To the extent applicable, it is intended that the PolyOne SEAIP, and any grants of restricted shares or share equivalent units referenced in Section 8, comply with the provisions of Section 409A of the Code. The PolyOne SEAIP, and the agreements relating to any grants of restricted shares or


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share equivalent units referenced in Section 8, shall be administered in a manner consistent with this intent, and any provision that would cause the PolyOne SEAIP or such agreements to fail to satisfy Section 409A of the Code shall have no force or effect until amended to comply with Section 409A of the Code (which amendment may be retroactive to the extent permitted by Section 409A of the Code and may be made by the Company without the consent of participants).
(c) The PolyOne SEAIP will, subject to shareholder approval at the 2010 Annual Meeting, be effective for the Plan Year beginning January 1, 2011, and will remain in effect thereafter until terminated by the Committee.


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ATTACHMENT A
POLYONE CORPORATION
SENIOR EXECUTIVE ANNUAL INCENTIVE PLAN
(EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2011)
DEFINITION OF “CHANGE OF CONTROL”
For purposes of the PolyOne Corporation Senior Executive Annual Incentive Plan (Effective January 1, 2011), “Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following events:
(i) the acquisition by any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) (a “Person”) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning ofRule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of voting securities of the Company where such acquisition causes such Person to own 25% or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the “Outstanding Company Voting Securities”);provided,however, that for purposes of this section (i), the following acquisitions shall not be deemed to result in a Change of Control: (A) any acquisition directly from the Company that is approved by the Incumbent Board (as defined in section (ii) below), (B) any acquisition by the Company, (C) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any corporation controlled by the Company or (D) any acquisition by any corporation pursuant to a transaction that complies with clauses (A), (B) and (C) of section (iii) below;provided,further, that if any Person’s beneficial ownership of the Outstanding Company Voting Securities reaches or exceeds 25% as a result of a transaction described in clause (A) or (B) above, and such Person subsequently acquires beneficial ownership of additional voting securities of the Company, such subsequent acquisition shall be treated as an acquisition that causes such Person to own 25% or more of the Outstanding Company Voting Securities; andprovided,further, that if at least a majority of the members of the Incumbent Board determines in good faith that a Person has acquired beneficial ownership (within the meaning ofRule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 25% or more of the Outstanding Company Voting Securities inadvertently, and such Person divests as promptly as practicable a sufficient number of shares so that such Person beneficially owns (within the meaning ofRule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) less than 25% of the Outstanding Company Voting Securities, then no Change of Control shall have occurred as a result of such Person’s acquisition;
(ii) individuals who, as of May 12, 2010 constitute the Board (the “Incumbent Board” as modified by this section (ii)) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board;provided,however, that any individual becoming a director subsequent to May 12, 2010 whose election, or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board (either by specific vote or by approval of the proxy statement of the Company in which such person is named as a nominee for director, without objection to such nomination) shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board;
(iii) the consummation of a reorganization, merger or consolidation or sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or the acquisition of assets of


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another corporation or other transaction (“Business Combination”) excluding, however, such a Business Combination pursuant to which (A) the individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners of the Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 60% of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock and the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, as the case may be, of the entity resulting from such Business Combination (including, without limitation, an entity that as a result of such transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries), (B) no Person (excluding any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the Company, the Company or such entity resulting from such Business Combination) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 25% or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of the entity resulting from such Business Combination and (C) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination were members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the execution of the initial agreement, or of the action of the Board, providing for such Business Combination; or
(iv) approval by the shareholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company except pursuant to a Business Combination that complies with clauses (A), (B) and (C) of section (iii) above.


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(POLYONE LOGO)
(BAR CHART)
Using ablack ink pen, mark your votes with an X as shown in this example. Please do not write outside the designated areas.
x
(BAR)
Electronic Voting Instructions
You can vote by Internet or telephone!
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!
Instead of mailing your voting instruction card, you may choose one of the two voting methods outlined below to vote.
VALIDATION DETAILS ARE LOCATED BELOW IN THE TITLE BAR.
Voting instruction cards submitted by the Internet or telephone must be received by 1:00 a.m., Central Time, on May 12, 2010.
(INTERNET LOGO)
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Log on to the Internet and go to
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Follow the steps outlined on the secured website.
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Vote by telephone
Call toll free 1-800-652-VOTE (8683) within the USA, US territories & Canada any time on a touch tone telephone. There isNO CHARGEto you for the call.
Follow the instructions provided by the recorded message.


Annual Meeting Proxy Card

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Shareowner Services

P.O. Box 64945

IF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA THE INTERNET OR TELEPHONE, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
St. Paul, MN 55164-0945  COMPANY #
  

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AINTERNET– www.eproxy.com/pol

Use the Internet to vote your proxy until

11:59 p.m. (CT) on May 14, 2013.

PHONE1-800-560-1965

Use a touch-tone telephone to vote your proxy

until 11:59 p.m. (CT) on May 14, 2013.

Proposals — MAIL– Mark, sign and date your proxy

card and return it in the postage-paid

envelope provided.

If you vote your proxy by internet or by telephone, you do NOT need to mail back your proxy card.

òPlease detach hereò

The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR all the nominees listed in Proposal 1 and FOR Proposals 2 3, and 4.3.

1. Election of

    directors:

01 Sandra Beach Lin            05 Gordon D. Harnett     09 Farah M. Walters

02 Dr. Carol A. Cartwright    06 Richard A. Lorraine   10 William A.  Wulfsohn

03 Richard H. Fearon           07 Stephen D. Newlin

04 Gregory J. Goff                08 William H.  Powell

¨Vote FOR
all nominees

(except as marked)

¨    Vote WITHHELD     from all nominees
(Instructions: To withhold authority to vote for any indicated nominee, write the number(s) of the nominee(s) in the box provided to the right.)         
  +
1.Election
2.Proposal to approve the advisory resolution on named executive officer compensation.¨For¨Against¨Abstain
3.Proposal to ratify the appointment of Directors:Ernst & Young LLP as independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2013.01 - J. Douglas Campbell
05 - Richard A. Lorraine
09 - Farah M. Walters
02 - Dr. Carol A. Cartwright
06 - Edward J. Mooney
03 - Richard H. Fearon
07 - Stephen D. Newlin
04 - Gordon D. Harnett
08 - William H. Powell
¨For¨Against¨Abstain
                                       
o Mark here to vote FOR all nominees                      
 
o Mark here to WITHHOLD vote from all nominees                      
     01   02   03   04   05   06   07   08   09 
o For All EXCEPT - - To withhold a vote for one or more nominees, mark   
the box to the left and the corresponding numbered box(es) to the right.
  o   o   o   o   o   o   o   o   o 
                
    For Against Abstain      For    Against    Abstain  
2. Proposal to approve the PolyOne Corporation 2010 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan. o o  3.  Proposal to approve the PolyOne Corporation Senior Executive Annual Incentive Plan (Effective January 1, 2011).ooo
 
4. Proposal to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as PolyOne’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2010. o o        

BTHIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED OR, IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN, WILL BE VOTED AS THE BOARD RECOMMENDS.

Non-Voting Items    Meeting Attendance? Mark box if you plan to attend 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders:    ¨
Change of Address —Please print your new address below.
 
Comments— Please print your comments below.
    Address Change? Mark box, sign, and indicate changes below:    ¨
  Meeting AttendanceDate

 
    
Mark the box to the right
if you plan to attend the
Annual Meeting.

o
Signature(s) in Box

Please sign exactly as your name(s) appears on proxy. If held in joint tenancy, all persons should sign. Trustees, administrators, etc., should include title and authority. Corporations should provide full name of corporation and title of authorized officer signing proxy.

         


PolyOne Corporation

2013 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

9:00 a.m.

PolyOne Corporation Headquarters

33587 Walker Road

Avon Lake, Ohio 44012

proxy

This proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors for use at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders on May 15, 2013.

The shares of common stock you hold will be voted as you specify on the reverse side.

If no choice is specified, this proxy will be voted FOR all the nominees listed in Proposal 1 and FOR Proposals 2 and 3.

By signing this proxy, you revoke all prior proxies and appoint Richard J. Diemer, Lisa K. Kunkle and Kenneth M. Smith, and each of them, with full power of substitution, to vote your common shares of PolyOne Corporation, held of record on March 18, 2013, on the matters shown on the reverse side hereof and on any other matters that may come before the Annual Meeting of Shareholders and all adjournments.

See reverse for voting instructions.


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Trustee to vote your shares in the same manner as if you marked, signed and returned your voting instruction card.

LOGO

LOGO

LOGO

INTERNET– www.eproxy.com/pol

Use the Internet to vote until

11:59 p.m. (CT) on May 13, 2013.

PHONE1-800-560-1965

Use a touch-tone telephone to be counted. — Datevote

until 11:59 p.m. (CT) on May 13, 2013.

MAIL– Mark, sign and Sign Belowdate your

voting instruction card and return it in the postage-paid envelope provided.

If you vote by internet or by telephone, you do NOT need to mail back your voting instruction card.

òPlease sign exactly as name(s) appears hereon. Joint owners should each sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, corporate officer, trustee, guardian, or custodian, please give full title.

detach hereò

The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR all the nominees listed in Proposal 1 and FOR Proposals 2 and 3.

1. Election of

    directors:

01 Sandra Beach Lin            05 Gordon D. Harnett     09 Farah M. Walters

02 Dr. Carol A. Cartwright    06 Richard A. Lorraine   10 William A.  Wulfsohn

03 Richard H. Fearon           07 Stephen D. Newlin

04 Gregory J. Goff                08 William H.  Powell

¨Vote FOR
all nominees

(except as marked)

¨    Vote WITHHELD     from all nominees
(Instructions: To withhold authority to vote for any indicated nominee, write the number(s) of the nominee(s) in the box provided to the right.)
2.Proposal to approve the advisory resolution on named executive officer compensation.¨For¨Against¨Abstain
3.Proposal to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2013.¨For¨Against¨Abstain
    Meeting Attendance? Mark box if you plan to attend 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders:    ¨
    Address Change? Mark box, sign, and indicate changes below:    ¨Date

Signature(s) in Box

Please sign exactly as your name(s) appears on voting instruction card. If held in joint tenancy, all persons should sign. Trustees, administrators, etc., should include title and authority.

       
Date (mm/dd/yyyy) — Please print date below.Signature 1 — Please keep signature within the box.Signature 2 — Please keep signature within the box.
 /       /         
(GRAPHIC)


PolyOne Corporation

2013 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

9:00 a.m.

PolyOne Corporation Headquarters

33587 Walker Road

Avon Lake, Ohio 44012

 


voting instructions

March 29, 2010
Dear Fellow Shareholders:
You are cordially invited to attend

This voting instruction card is solicited by the Board of Directors in connection with the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 12, 2010, at LACENTRE Conference and Banquet Facility, Champagne C Ballroom, 25777 Detroit Road, Westlake, Ohio.

Please review15, 2013.

As a participant under either the NoticePolyOne Retirement Savings Plan or the PolyOne Canada Inc. Retirement Savings Program (each a “Plan”), I hereby direct New York Life Trust Company as trustee of The PolyOne Retirement Savings Plan or Sun Life Financial as trustee of the Annual Meeting and the Proxy Statement for information concerning the businessPolyOne Canada Inc. Retirement Savings Program (each a “Trustee”) to be conducted at the Annual Meeting and the nominees for election as Directors.

Whethervote (in person or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, please complete, sign, date and return your proxy card, or vote over the telephone or the Internet as soon as possible so that your shares can be voted at the meeting in accordance with your instructions.Your vote is very important.You may, of course, withdraw your proxy and change your vote, prior to or at the Annual Meeting, by following the steps described in the Proxy Statement.
I appreciate the strong support of our shareholders over the years and look forward to seeing you at the meeting.
Sincerely,
STEPHEN D. NEWLIN
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
PolyOne Corporation
6IF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA THE INTERNET OR TELEPHONE, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.6
(POLYONE LOGO)
Proxy Card — PolyOne Corporation
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS, MAY 12, 2010
This proxy is Solicited on Behalf of the Corporation’s Board of Directors
The undersigned hereby appoints Kenneth M. Smith, Lisa K. Kunkle and Robert M. Patterson, and each of them jointly and severally, Proxies, with full power of substitution, to vote,proxy), as designated on the reverse side, allthe whole number of common shares of PolyOne Corporation that are held of record by the undersignedTrustee and attributable to my interest in the Plan on March 15, 2010,18, 2013, and also a proportionate number of shares as of such date as to which no directions have been received, at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 12, 2010, or any adjournment thereof.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote (1) “FOR” the election of the nominees to serve as Directors, (2) “FOR” the approval of the PolyOne Corporation 2010 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan, (3) “FOR” the approval of the PolyOne Corporation Senior Executive Annual Incentive Plan (Effective January 1, 2011), and (4) “FOR” the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as PolyOne Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm15, 2013.

See reverse for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2010. The shares represented by this Proxy will be voted as specified on the reverse side. If no direction is given in the space provided on the reverse side, this proxy will be voted “FOR” the election of the nominees specified on the reverse side, “FOR” the approval of the PolyOne Corporation 2010 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan, “FOR” the approval of the PolyOne Corporation Senior Executive Annual Incentive Plan (Effective January 1, 2011), and “FOR” the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as PolyOne Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2010.

PLEASE VOTE, DATE AND SIGN THIS PROXY ON THE OTHER SIDE AND RETURN IT PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.

voting instructions.