Avient names Mike Frank CEO, reaffirms 2026 financial guidance

Avient Corporation (NYSE: AVNT) announced on October 9, 2026, that its Board of Directors appointed Mike Frank as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. The company simultaneously elected Richard H. Fearon, Lead Independent Director, as Non-Executive Chairman of the Board. Dr. Ashish K. Khandpur stepped down from his role as CEO and will remain in an advisory capacity through December 31, 2026, to assist with the transition.

Frank succeeds Khandpur after serving as CEO of UPL Corporation since 2022. UPL is a global agricultural chemical and solutions company operating in more than 130 countries with $5 billion in revenue. During his tenure at UPL, Frank focused on innovation and expanding the product pipeline. Prior to UPL, he spent 25 years at Monsanto in senior leadership roles, including Global Chief Commercial Officer from 2014 to 2017 and President of Monsanto China. He also served as Executive Vice President and CEO of Nutrien Ag Solutions from 2017 to 2021, a global distributor of agricultural products with $14 billion in revenue.

Richard H. Fearon stated that Frank brings deep expertise in global supply chain, commercial strategy, and technology commercialization. Fearon noted that Frank’s leadership is intended to accelerate market adoption of Avient’s product pipeline and drive margin expansion across the company’s specialty portfolio. Frank said he aims to work closely with the Board and management to improve operational execution and performance, while supporting the company's goal of developing sustainable materials.

Avient reaffirmed its full-year and third-quarter 2026 financial guidance previously provided on August 6, 2026. The company intends to release its third-quarter 2026 earnings before the market opens on Wednesday, November 4, 2026. A webcast with a slide presentation will follow at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time on that date.

Avient provides specialized material solutions including colorants, advanced composites, functional additives, engineered materials, and Dyneema fiber. The company employs more than 9,000 people worldwide. Forward-looking statements in the release are subject to risks including disruptions in global credit markets, currency fluctuations, supply chain inefficiencies, regulatory changes regarding plastics and climate change, and fluctuations in raw material prices.