MKS Instruments Inc.: 10-K Risk Factor Changes

Our operations are subject to various federal, state, local and international laws and regulations relating to environmental protection, including those governing discharges of pollutants into the air, water and land, the reporting, generation, use, handling, storage, transportation, treatment and disposal of hazardous substances, waste and other materials and the cleanup of contaminated sites. In the United States, we are subject to the federal regulation and control of the EPA, and we are subject to regulations and controls of comparable authorities in other countries. Some of our operations, including our chemical operations, require environmental permits and controls to prevent and reduce air and water pollution, and these permits are subject to modification, renewal and revocation by issuing authorities. Future developments, administrative actions or liabilities relating to environmental matters, including sanctions such as capital expenditure obligations, clean-up and removal costs, long-term monitoring and maintenance costs, costs of waste disposal, natural resource damages and payments for property damage and personal injury, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or operating results. Although we believe that our safety procedures for using, handling, storing and disposing of such materials comply with the standards required by applicable federal, state, local and international laws and regulations, we cannot eliminate the risk of accidental contamination or injury from these materials, including risks related to our chemical products, which are inherently hazardous. We have been, and may in the future be, subject to claims by employees or third parties alleging contamination or injury, and could be liable for damages, which liability could exceed the amount of our liability insurance coverage (if any) and the resources of our business. Certain portions of the soil at the former facility of our Spectra-Physics lasers business, located in Mountain View, California, and certain portions of the aquifer surrounding the facility, through which contaminated groundwater flows, are part of an EPA-designated Superfund site and are subject to a cleanup and abatement order from the California Regional Water Quality Control Board. Spectra-Physics, which we acquired as part of our acquisition of Newport Corporation (“Newport”) in April 2016 (the “Newport Acquisition”) and which had been acquired by Newport in 2004, along with other entities with facilities located near the Mountain View, California facility, were identified as responsible parties with respect to this Superfund site, due to releases of hazardous substances during the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. Spectra-Physics and the other responsible parties entered into cost-sharing agreements covering the costs of remediating the off-site groundwater impact. The site is mature, and investigations, monitoring and remediation efforts by the responsible parties have been ongoing for approximately 35 years. We have certain ongoing costs related to investigation, monitoring and remediation of the site that have not historically been material to us as a whole. However, while we benefited from the indemnification of certain costs by a third party in the past, that indemnification is now in a transition period, and we will become subject to a greater portion of costs of remediation in the future. Our ultimate costs of remediation and other potential liabilities are difficult to predict. If the EPA and the California Regional Water Quality Control Board determine that the site cleanup requires additional measures to ensure that it meets current standards for environmental contamination, or if they enhance any of the applicable required standards, we will likely become subject to additional remediation 30 30 30 obligations in the future. In addition to our investigation, monitoring and remediation obligations, we may be liable for property damage or personal injury claims relating to this site. While we are not aware of any material claims at this time, such claims could be made against us in the future. If significant costs or other liability relating to this site arise in the future, our business, financial condition and operating results would be adversely affected. In addition, some of our manufacturing facilities and former facilities have an extended history of chemical manufacturing operations or other industrial activities, and contaminants have been detected at some of those sites. We or our predecessors have in the past been required to remediate contamination at several of these current and former sites, and there remains some risk that further investigation and remediation in the future might be necessary. The environmental regulations that we are subject to include a variety of federal, state, local and international regulations that restrict the use and disposal of materials used in the manufacture of our products or require design changes or recycling of our products. If we fail to comply with any present or future regulations, we could be subject to future liabilities, the suspension of manufacturing or a prohibition on the sale of products we manufacture. In addition, these regulations could restrict our ability to equip our facilities or could require us to acquire costly equipment, or to incur other significant expenses to comply with environmental regulations, including expenses associated with the recall of any non-compliant product and the management of historical waste. For example, in addition to EU REACH, which regulates the use of certain hazardous substances in certain products, the EU has enacted the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive, which requires the collection, reuse and recycling of waste from certain products. Compliance with such laws requires significant resources. These regulations may require us to redesign our products or source alternative components to ensure compliance with applicable requirements, for example by mandating the use of different types of materials in certain components. Any such redesign or alternative sourcing may increase the cost of our products, adversely impact the performance of our products, add greater testing lead-times for product introductions, or in some cases limit the markets for certain products. Further, such environmental laws are frequently amended, which increases the cost and complexity of compliance. For example, such amendments have in the past resulted in, and may in the future result in, certain of our products falling within the scope of a directive, even if they were initially exempt. In addition, certain of our customers, particularly OEM customers whose end products may be subject to these directives, may require that the products we supply to them comply with these directives, even if not mandated by law. Because certain directives, for example, those issued from the EU, are implemented in individual member states, compliance is particularly challenging. Our failure to comply with any of such regulatory requirements or contractual obligations could result in our being directly or indirectly liable for costs, fines or penalties and third-party claims, and could jeopardize our ability to conduct business in certain countries. Additionally, we have established and communicated environmental goals, targets and objectives. For example, in December 2023, we announced our commitment to reduce our combined Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 42% by 2030 from our 2022 baseline. Any disclosed goals, targets and objectives reflect our current plans and aspirations, and we may be unable to achieve them. Furthermore, the standards, regulations and laws by which these environmental efforts are tracked and measured may change over time and result in inconsistent data or significant revisions to our goals, targets and objectives. We also are, or may become subject to, new environmental standards, regulations and laws, such as the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive. Our efforts to comply with these standards, regulations and laws, and to accurately report on our goals, targets and objectives, present numerous operational, reputational, financial, legal, and other risks, and require significant investments. Our processes and controls may not always align with evolving standards, our interpretation of standards may differ from others, and standards may continue to change over time, any of which could result in significant revisions to our goals, our reported progress toward those goals, or other environmental information we disclose, as well as significant unanticipated costs. In addition, any failure or perceived failure to pursue or fulfill our previously stated goals, targets and objectives or to satisfy various disclosure or reporting standards, could also have similar negative impacts and expose us to government enforcement actions, private litigation and reputational harm.

Our operations are subject to various federal, state, local and international laws and regulations relating to environmental protection, including those governing discharges of pollutants into the air, water and land, the reporting, generation, use, handling, storage, transportation, treatment and disposal of hazardous substances, waste and other materials and the cleanup of contaminated sites. In the United States, we are subject to the federal regulation and control of the EPA, and we are subject to regulations and controls of comparable authorities in other countries. Some of our operations, including our chemical operations, require environmental permits and controls to prevent and reduce air and water pollution, and these permits are subject to modification, renewal and revocation by issuing authorities. Future developments, administrative actions or liabilities relating to environmental matters, including sanctions such as capital expenditure obligations, clean-up and removal costs, long-term monitoring and maintenance costs, costs of waste disposal, natural resource damages and payments for property damage and personal injury, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or operating results. Although we believe that our safety procedures for using, handling, storing and disposing of such materials comply with the standards required by applicable federal, state, local and international laws and regulations, we cannot completely eliminate the risk of accidental contamination or injury from these materials, including risks related to our chemical products, which are inherently hazardous. We have been, and may in the future be, subject to claims by employees or third parties alleging contamination or injury, and could be liable for damages, which liability could exceed the amount of our liability insurance coverage (if any) and the resources of our business. Certain portions of the soil at the former facility of our Spectra-Physics lasers business, located in Mountain View, California, and certain portions of the aquifer surrounding the facility, through which contaminated groundwater flows, are part of an EPA-designated Superfund site and are subject to a cleanup and abatement order from the California Regional Water Quality Control Board. Spectra-Physics, which we acquired as part of the Newport acquisition in April 2016 and which had been acquired by Newport in 2004, along with other entities with facilities located near the Mountain View, California facility, were identified as responsible parties with respect to this Superfund site, due to releases of hazardous substances during the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. Spectra-Physics and the other responsible parties entered into cost-sharing agreements covering the costs of remediating the off-site groundwater impact. The site is mature, and investigations, monitoring and remediation efforts by the responsible parties have been ongoing for approximately 35 years. We have certain ongoing costs related to investigation, monitoring and remediation of the site that have not been material to us as a whole in the recent past. However, while we benefited from the indemnification of 31 31 certain costs by a third party in the past, that indemnification is now in a transition period, and we will become subject to a greater portion of costs of remediation going forward. Our ultimate costs of remediation and other potential liabilities are difficult to predict. In the event that the EPA and the California Regional Water Quality Control Board determine that the site cleanup requires additional measures to ensure that it meets current standards for environmental contamination, or if they enhance any of the applicable required standards, we will likely become subject to additional remediation obligations in the future. In addition to our investigation, monitoring and remediation obligations, we may be liable for property damage or personal injury claims relating to this site. While we are not aware of any material claims at this time, such claims could be made against us in the future. If significant costs or other liability relating to this site arise in the future, our business, financial condition and operating results would be adversely affected. In addition, some of MSD’s manufacturing facilities and former facilities have an extended history of chemical manufacturing operations or other industrial activities, and contaminants have been detected at some of those sites. We or our predecessors have in the past been, and are currently, required to remediate contamination at several of these current and former sites, and there remains some risk that further investigation and remediation might be necessary. The environmental regulations that we are subject to include a variety of federal, state, local and international regulations that restrict the use and disposal of materials used in the manufacture of our products or require design changes or recycling of our products. If we fail to comply with any present or future regulations, we could be subject to future liabilities, the suspension of manufacturing or a prohibition on the sale of products we manufacture. In addition, these regulations could restrict our ability to equip our facilities or could require us to acquire costly equipment, or to incur other significant expenses to comply with environmental regulations, including expenses associated with the recall of any non-compliant product and the management of historical waste. For example, in addition to EU REACH, which regulates the use of certain hazardous substances in certain products, the EU has enacted the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive, which requires the collection, reuse and recycling of waste from certain products. Compliance with such laws requires significant resources. These regulations may require us to redesign our products or source alternative components to ensure compliance with applicable requirements, for example by mandating the use of different types of materials in certain components. Any such redesign or alternative sourcing may increase the cost of our products, adversely impact the performance of our products, add greater testing lead-times for product introductions, or in some cases limit the markets for certain products. Further, such environmental laws are frequently amended, which increases the cost and complexity of compliance. For example, such amendments have in the past resulted in, and may in the future result in, certain of our products falling within the scope of a directive, even if they were initially exempt. In addition, certain of our customers, particularly OEM customers whose end products may be subject to these directives, may require that the products we supply to them comply with these directives, even if not mandated by law. Because certain directives, for example, those issued from the EU, are implemented in individual member states, compliance is particularly challenging. Our failure to comply with any of such regulatory requirements or contractual obligations could result in our being directly or indirectly liable for costs, fines or penalties and third-party claims, and could jeopardize our ability to conduct business in certain countries.

As of December 31, 2024, our goodwill and intangible assets, net, represented approximately $4.8 billion, or 55%, of our total assets. Goodwill is generated as a result of our acquisitions when the cost of an acquisition exceeds the fair value of the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets we acquire. For example, as a result of the Atotech Acquisition, we added significant additional goodwill and intangible assets because the cost of the Atotech Acquisition significantly exceeded the fair value of Atotech’s net tangible and identifiable intangible assets. Intangible assets relate primarily to the developed technologies, customer relationships, trade names and trademarks acquired by us as part of our acquisitions of other companies. Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are subject to an impairment analysis at least annually based on the fair value of the reporting unit in which the respective goodwill and intangible assets are recorded. In addition, intangible assets and goodwill are subject to an impairment analysis whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the goodwill or intangible assets might not be recoverable. As described in Note 13 to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, following triggering events at each of our EL and GMF reporting units, which together constitute MSD, and the ESB reporting unit of PSD, we recorded goodwill and intangible asset impairments of $1.8 billion during the quarter ended June 30, 2023 and, following an annual impairment analysis of all our reporting units, we recorded goodwill and intangible asset impairments of $75 million during the quarter ended December 31, 2023. We will continue to monitor and evaluate the carrying value of goodwill and intangible assets. If market and economic conditions or business performance deteriorate, the likelihood that we would record another impairment charge would increase. Any impairment charge could materially and adversely affect our financial condition and operating results, including by significantly reducing our net income in future periods.

As of December 31, 2023, our goodwill and intangible assets, net, represented approximately $5.2 billion, or 57% of our total assets. Goodwill is generated as a result of our acquisitions when the cost of an acquisition exceeds the fair value of the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets we acquire. For example, as a result of the Atotech Acquisition, we added significant additional goodwill and intangible assets because the cost of the Atotech Acquisition significantly exceeded the fair value of Atotech’s net tangible and identifiable intangible assets. Intangible assets relate primarily to the developed technologies, customer relationships, trade names and trademarks acquired by us as part of our acquisitions of other companies. Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are subject to an impairment analysis at least annually based on the fair value of the reporting unit in which the respective goodwill and intangible assets are recorded. In addition, intangible assets and goodwill are subject to an impairment analysis whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the intangible asset might not be recoverable. As described in Note 13 to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, following triggering events at each of our EL and GMF reporting units, which together constitute MSD, and the ESB reporting unit of PSD, we recorded goodwill and intangible asset impairments of $1.8 billion during the quarter ended June 30, 2023 and, following an annual impairment analysis of all our reporting units, we recorded goodwill and intangible asset impairments of $75 million during the quarter ended December 31, 2023. We will continue to monitor and evaluate the carrying value of goodwill and intangible assets. If market and economic conditions or business performance deteriorate, the likelihood that we would record another impairment charge would increase. Any impairment charge could materially and adversely affect our financial condition and operating results, including by significantly reducing our net income in future periods.

As a part of our business strategy, we have consummated and continue to pursue business combinations and acquisitions. Our most recent acquisition of Atotech Limited (“Atotech”) in August 2022 (the “Atotech Acquisition”) significantly increased our size, including with respect to revenue, product offerings, number of employees and facilities, and geographic exposure. Atotech's products and technology, and certain of its markets and customer base, are significantly different from our historical experience. In particular, we did not have previous experience in the specialty chemistry industry, which Atotech serves. Atotech's chemistry business is also subject to highly complex environmental regulations, across multiple jurisdictions around the globe, and may expose us to significant additional liabilities for past or future activities. We acquired Atotech at a significant cost, and integrating Atotech's business and operations with ours has been complex, challenging and time-consuming and has required significant efforts and expenditures. Despite these efforts and expenditures, we may not be able to realize the anticipated benefits of the Atotech Acquisition. 12 12 12 Our ability to successfully identify suitable acquisition targets, complete acquisitions on acceptable terms, and efficiently, effectively and profitably integrate and operate our acquired businesses, is critical to our growth. We may not be able to identify target companies that meet our strategic objectives or successfully negotiate and complete acquisitions with companies we have identified on acceptable terms. Further, we may incur significant expense in pursuing acquisitions that cannot be completed, or are significantly delayed, due to regulatory or other restrictions. Additionally, our Credit Facilities (as defined below) only permit us to make acquisitions under certain circumstances and also restrict our ability to incur additional indebtedness in certain circumstances. As a result, our ability to pursue our acquisition strategy may be hindered by our indebtedness. Moreover, we may not realize the benefits we anticipate from these acquisitions, because of significant challenges, such as: •The difficulty, distraction, resource requirements, cost and disruption of developing sufficient knowledge of, managing, and integrating the operations, personnel, and internal controls, financial reporting and information technology (“IT”) systems of the acquired companies; The difficulty, distraction, resource requirements, cost and disruption of developing sufficient knowledge of, managing, and integrating the operations, personnel, and internal controls, financial reporting and information technology (“IT”) systems of the acquired companies; •The potential disruption of our ongoing business and distraction of management; The potential disruption of our ongoing business and distraction of management; •Potential internal control or other compliance weaknesses of the acquired companies; Potential internal control or other compliance weaknesses of the acquired companies; •Significant expenses related to the acquisitions, including any resulting shareholder litigation; Significant expenses related to the acquisitions, including any resulting shareholder litigation; •The assumption of unknown or contingent liabilities associated with acquired businesses; The assumption of unknown or contingent liabilities associated with acquired businesses; •Potentially incompatible cultural differences between us and the acquired companies; Potentially incompatible cultural differences between us and the acquired companies; •The difficulty of incorporating the acquired companies' technology and products into our current and future product lines, and successfully generating market demand for these expanded product lines; The difficulty of incorporating the acquired companies' technology and products into our current and future product lines, and successfully generating market demand for these expanded product lines; •Potential additional geographic dispersion of operations and/or increased exposure to high-risk geographies; Potential additional geographic dispersion of operations and/or increased exposure to high-risk geographies; •The difficulty in achieving anticipated synergies and efficiencies; The difficulty in achieving anticipated synergies and efficiencies; •The difficulty in leveraging the acquired companies' and our combined technologies and capabilities across our product lines and customer base; The difficulty in leveraging the acquired companies' and our combined technologies and capabilities across our product lines and customer base; •Burdensome requirements or conditions imposed by government regulators in connection with their review of acquisitions, including divestitures and restrictions on the conduct of our business or the business of the acquired companies; Burdensome requirements or conditions imposed by government regulators in connection with their review of acquisitions, including divestitures and restrictions on the conduct of our business or the business of the acquired companies; •Competitive disadvantages we may face by selling products that are new to us and/or selling products in markets and geographies that are new to us; Competitive disadvantages we may face by selling products that are new to us and/or selling products in markets and geographies that are new to us; •The difficulty of retaining key customers, suppliers and employees of the acquired companies; and The difficulty of retaining key customers, suppliers and employees of the acquired companies; and •The potential to incur or record significant cash or non-cash charges or write down the carrying value of intangible assets and goodwill obtained in the acquisitions, which could adversely impact our cash flow or lower our earnings in the period or periods for which we incur such charges or write down such assets. The potential to incur or record significant cash or non-cash charges or write down the carrying value of intangible assets and goodwill obtained in the acquisitions, which could adversely impact our cash flow or lower our earnings in the period or periods for which we incur such charges or write down such assets. For example, in 2023, we recorded impairments of goodwill and intangible assets obtained in the Atotech Acquisition and the acquisition of Electro Scientific Industries, Inc. (“ESI”), which we acquired in 2019 (the “ESI Acquisition”). As described in Note 13 to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, following triggering events at (i) each of our electronics (“EL”) and general metal finishing (“GMF”) reporting units, which together represent the Atotech business and constitute our Materials Solutions Division (“MSD”), and (ii) the Equipment Solutions Business (“ESB”) reporting unit, which represents the ESI business and is a part of our Photonics Solutions Division (“PSD”), we recorded goodwill and intangible asset impairments at MSD and ESB of $1.8 billion during the quarter ended June 30, 2023 and, following an annual impairment analysis, we recorded goodwill and intangible asset impairments at MSD and ESB of $75 million during the quarter ended December 31, 2023. In addition, if we are not successful in completing acquisitions or integrating acquired businesses, we may need to re-evaluate our growth strategy. We may incur substantial expenses and devote significant management time and resources to complete acquisitions that may not generate the financial results we planned to achieve. We may also choose to close or divest certain sectors or divisions of acquired companies that are not deemed to fit with our strategic plan. Divestitures involve additional risks and uncertainties, such as the ability to sell such businesses on satisfactory price and terms and in a timely manner, or at all, disruption to other parts of the businesses and distraction of management, allocation of internal resources that would otherwise be devoted to completing strategic acquisitions or other strategic projects or initiatives, loss of key employees or customers, loss of access by retained business units to critical intellectual property or other assets transferred with the divested business, exposure to unanticipated liabilities or ongoing obligations to support the businesses following such divestitures, and other adverse financial impacts. We continue to experience significant risks associated with the ESI Acquisition. These risks include our ability to retain key personnel and to realize the anticipated growth in net revenues from ESB, as well as the potential to continue to incur or record 13 13 13 significant cash or non-cash charges or write down the carrying value of intangible assets and goodwill obtained in the ESI Acquisition, which lower our earnings in the period or periods for which we incur such charges or write down such assets. In addition, we could use substantial portions of our available cash for all or a portion of the purchase price of future acquisitions. We could also issue additional securities as consideration for or to finance these acquisitions, which could cause significant stockholder dilution, or obtain additional debt financing, which would increase our costs, reduce our future cash flow and subject us to covenants and other restrictions that may impede our ability to manage our operations, without achieving the desired accretion to our business. As a result of previous acquisitions, we presently have several different decentralized operating and accounting systems. We will need to continue to modify our accounting policies, internal controls, procedures and compliance programs to provide consistency across our operations. In order to increase efficiency and operating effectiveness and improve corporate visibility into our decentralized operations, we continue to review opportunities to integrate enterprise resource planning systems where practical. Any such integrations may disrupt our operations during the conversion periods and may require significantly more management time and higher implementation costs than anticipated.

As a part of our business strategy, we have entered into and continue to pursue business combinations and acquisitions. Our ability to successfully identify suitable acquisition targets, complete acquisitions on acceptable terms, and efficiently, effectively and profitably integrate and operate our acquired businesses is critical to our growth. We may not be able to identify target companies that meet our strategic objectives or successfully negotiate and complete acquisitions with companies we have identified on acceptable terms. Further, we may incur significant expense in pursuing acquisitions that cannot be completed, or are significantly delayed, due to regulatory or other restrictions. Additionally, our credit facilities only permit us to make acquisitions under certain circumstances, and also restrict our ability to incur additional indebtedness in certain circumstances. As a result, our ability to pursue our acquisition strategy may be hindered by our indebtedness. Moreover, we may not realize the benefits we anticipate from these acquisitions, because of significant challenges, such as: •The difficulty, distraction, resource requirements, cost and disruption of integrating the operations, technology and personnel of the acquired companies; The difficulty, distraction, resource requirements, cost and disruption of integrating the operations, technology and personnel of the acquired companies; •The potential disruption of our ongoing business and distraction of management; The potential disruption of our ongoing business and distraction of management; •Possible internal control or other compliance weaknesses of the acquired companies; Possible internal control or other compliance weaknesses of the acquired companies; •Significant expenses related to the acquisitions, including any resulting shareholder litigation; Significant expenses related to the acquisitions, including any resulting shareholder litigation; •The assumption of unknown or contingent liabilities associated with acquired businesses; The assumption of unknown or contingent liabilities associated with acquired businesses; •The potential to incur or record significant cash or non-cash charges or write down the carrying value of intangible assets and goodwill obtained in the acquisitions, which could adversely impact our cash flow or lower our earnings in the period or periods for which we incur such charges or write down such assets; The potential to incur or record significant cash or non-cash charges or write down the carrying value of intangible assets and goodwill obtained in the acquisitions, which could adversely impact our cash flow or lower our earnings in the period or periods for which we incur such charges or write down such assets; •Potentially incompatible cultural differences between us and the companies we acquire; Potentially incompatible cultural differences between us and the companies we acquire; •Incorporating the acquired companies' technology and products into our current and future product lines, and successfully generating market demand for these expanded product lines; Incorporating the acquired companies' technology and products into our current and future product lines, and successfully generating market demand for these expanded product lines; •Potential additional geographic dispersion of operations; Potential additional geographic dispersion of operations; •The difficulty in achieving anticipated synergies and efficiencies; The difficulty in achieving anticipated synergies and efficiencies; •The difficulty in leveraging the acquired companies' and our combined technologies and capabilities across our product lines and customer base; The difficulty in leveraging the acquired companies' and our combined technologies and capabilities across our product lines and customer base; •Burdensome requirements or conditions imposed by government regulators in connection with their review of acquisitions, including divestitures and restrictions on the conduct of our business or the business of the acquired companies; and Burdensome requirements or conditions imposed by government regulators in connection with their review of acquisitions, including divestitures and restrictions on the conduct of our business or the business of the acquired companies; and •Our ability to retain key customers, suppliers and employees of the acquired companies. Our ability to retain key customers, suppliers and employees of the acquired companies. We may also face competitive disadvantages by selling products that are new to us and/or selling products in markets and geographies that are new to us. In addition, if we are not successful in completing acquisitions or integrating acquired businesses, we may need to re-evaluate our growth strategy. We may incur substantial expenses and devote significant management time and resources to complete acquisitions that may not generate the financial results we planned to achieve. We may also choose to close or divest certain sectors or divisions of acquired companies, which would reduce our overall revenue and could require us to record losses and/or spend cash relating to such closures or divestitures. We continue to experience significant risks associated with the acquisition of Electro Scientific Industries, Inc. (“ESI” and such transaction, the “ESI Merger”), which we completed in 2019. These risks include our ability to retain key personnel and to realize the anticipated growth in net revenues from the acquired business, as well as the potential to incur or record significant cash or non-cash charges or write down the carrying value of intangible assets and goodwill obtained in the ESI Merger, which could adversely impact our cash flow or lower our earnings in the period or periods for which we incur such charges or write down such assets. For example, as described in Note 13 to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, following a triggering event at the Equipment Solutions Business (“ESB”) reporting unit, which represents the ESI business and is a part of our Photonics Solutions 14 14 Division (“PSD”), we recorded goodwill and intangible asset impairments at our ESB reporting unit of $524 million during the quarter ended June 30, 2023, and following an annual impairment analysis at all our reporting units, we recorded goodwill impairment of $13 million at our ESB reporting unit during the quarter ended December 31, 2023. In addition, we could use substantial portions of our available cash for all or a portion of the purchase price of future acquisitions. We could also issue additional securities as consideration for or to finance these acquisitions, which could cause significant stockholder dilution, or obtain additional debt financing, which would increase our costs, reduce our future cash flow and subject us to covenants and other restrictions that may impede our ability to manage our operations, without achieving the desired accretion to our business. As a result of our previous acquisitions, we presently have several different decentralized operating and accounting systems. We will need to continue to modify our accounting policies, internal controls, procedures and compliance programs to provide consistency across all of our operations. In order to increase efficiency and operating effectiveness and improve corporate visibility into our decentralized operations, we continue to review opportunities to integrate enterprise resource planning systems where practical. Any future implementations may risk potential disruption of our operations during the conversion periods and the implementations could require significantly more management time and higher implementation costs than currently estimated.

Anti-takeover provisions in our Restated Articles of Organization, as amended, in our Second Amended and Restated By-laws and under Massachusetts law could diminish opportunities for stockholders to participate in tender offers, including tender offers at a price above the then-current market price of our common stock. Such provisions may also inhibit increases in the market price of our common stock that could result from takeover attempts. For example, while we have no present plans to issue any preferred stock, our Board of Directors, without further stockholder approval, may issue preferred stock that could have the effect of delaying, deterring or preventing a change in control of us. The issuance of preferred stock could adversely affect the voting power of the holders of our common stock, including the loss of voting control to others. In addition, pursuant to our Second Amended and Restated By-laws, the declassification of our Board of Directors, which currently consists of three classes, will be phased in so that our Board of Directors will be fully declassified by our 2028 annual meeting of stockholders. Until our Board of Directors is fully declassified, the continuing classification of the Board could also have the effect of delaying or deterring a change in control of our Company.

Anti-takeover provisions could diminish opportunities for stockholders to participate in tender offers, including tender offers at a price above the then-current market price of our common stock. Such provisions may also inhibit increases in the market price of our common stock that could result from takeover attempts. For example, while we have no present plans to issue any preferred stock, our Board of Directors, without further stockholder approval, may issue preferred stock that could have the effect of delaying, deterring or preventing a change in control of us. The issuance of preferred stock could adversely affect the voting power of the holders of our common stock, including the loss of voting control to others. In addition, our amended and restated by-laws provide for a classified Board of Directors consisting of three classes. Our classified board could also have the effect of delaying or deterring a change in control of our Company.

The stock market has from time to time experienced, and is likely to continue to experience, extreme price and volume fluctuations. For example, the closing price of our common stock ranged from a high of $144.60 to a low of $97.35 between January 1, 2024 and December 31, 2024. Prices of securities of technology companies have been especially volatile and have often fluctuated for reasons that are unrelated to the operating performance of the companies. Historically, the market price of shares of our common stock has fluctuated greatly and could continue to fluctuate due to a variety of factors. In the past, companies that have experienced volatility in the market price of their stock have been the subject of securities class action litigation. If we become the subject of securities class action litigation, it could result in substantial costs and a diversion of our management’s attention and resources. The market price of our common stock is also likely to be influenced by the Convertible Notes. For example, the market price of our common stock could become more volatile and could be depressed by: (i) investors’ anticipation of the potential resale 34 34 34 in the market of a substantial number of additional shares of our common stock received upon conversion of the Convertible Notes; and (ii) hedging or arbitrage trading activity that may develop involving the Convertible Notes and our common stock.

The stock market has from time to time experienced, and is likely to continue to experience, extreme price and volume fluctuations. For example, the closing price of our common stock ranged from a high of $112.97 to a low of $65.32 between January 1, 2023 and December 31, 2023. Prices of securities of technology companies have been especially volatile and have often fluctuated for reasons that are unrelated to the operating performance of the companies. Historically, the market price of shares of our common stock has fluctuated greatly and could continue to fluctuate due to a variety of factors. In the past, companies that have experienced volatility in the market price of their stock have been the subject of securities class action litigation. If we become the subject of securities class action litigation, it could result in substantial costs and a diversion of our management’s attention and resources.

In recent years, trade tensions between the United States and China, and since early 2025 between the United States and Mexico and the United States and Canada, have increased substantially, resulting in significant trade restrictions that have significantly harmed our business. These regulations include tariff increases, additional sanctions against specified entities, and the broadening of restrictions and license requirements for specified end-uses of those of our products that are subject to these restrictions, including restrictions surrounding specific product groups, applications and/or end uses. The U.S. government’s concerns relate to, among other things, national security and the concept of “military/civil fusion” in China, a national strategy in which military technologies are developed or produced alongside commercial, non-military items, often by private or quasi-government companies. Further, concerns related to the use and growth of AI in military and intelligence applications, the development of weapons of mass destruction, offensive cyber operations, and human rights violations through mass surveillance continue to drive the regulatory landscape. In each of 2018 and 2019, the U.S. government-imposed tariffs on certain imports from China, and the current U.S. administration has announced 25% tariffs on certain imports from Canada and Mexico and an additional 10% tariff on certain imports from China and may announce future tariffs on imports from these and other countries. In addition to tariffs and targeted comprehensive sanctions against specific firms, in recent years, “Entity List” designations and “military end-user” controls have been significantly expanded, as have some rules relating to items produced outside the United States that incorporate more than de minimis levels of U.S. controlled content or that are derived from (i.e., the “direct product” of) U.S. origin technologies, equipment or software. In October 2022, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (“BIS”) implemented new and novel restrictions related to end-uses in semiconductor, semiconductor manufacturing, supercomputer, and advanced computing, along with certain equipment used to develop and produce them, as well as controls around the activities of U.S. persons in certain markets, including China. These regulations, which BIS has amended several times since initial publication (as amended, the “BIS Rules”), have resulted in, and may in the future result in, loss of business, both directly to China end-customers, and indirectly through our OEM customers, as well as additional export license requirements on shipments of our products, parts and supplies, and associated increased administrative burdens. For example, as a result of the initial BIS Rules promulgated in late 2022, we experienced an annual loss in net revenues of approximately $200 to $250 million, most of which was realized in 2023. The extraordinary complexity of these rules, combined with their continued modification and the likelihood of further amendments from BIS, significantly increases our risk of non-compliance, which could result in fines and other penalties, and could change how these rules impact us. The U.S. government and other government agencies may promulgate new or additional export licensing or other regulations that have the effect of further limiting our ability to provide certain products and services to customers outside the United States, including China. The U.S. government may also revise or expand existing regulations or issue guidance clarifying the scope and application of these requirements, which could change the impact of these rules on our business and manufacturing operations. While we continue to adjust our policies and practices to ensure compliance with these regulations, and seek to mitigate their impact, there can be no assurances that current or future regulations and tariffs will not have a material adverse effect on our business. Since the beginning of 2019, regulatory changes have been implemented at an unprecedented pace, which increases the resources needed to monitor and comply with regulations, while heightening the risk of non-compliance. Such regulatory changes include the addition by BIS of China-based Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. (“Huawei”), Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (“SMIC”), Yangtze Memory Technologies Corp (“YMTC”), NAURA Technology Group, Piotech, Inc. and many of their respective affiliates onto its Entity List. Accordingly, we have implemented additional monitoring processes and suspended orders from these companies as well as other designated Chinese-based customers, where those orders are subject to U.S. jurisdiction. We have also been negatively impacted by the cancellation of orders from customers who are suppliers to these firms. In addition, BIS has modified the Foreign Direct Product, De Minimis and “military end-use” rules, expanded the scope of 27 27 27 products and technologies that would require licenses for military end-uses, primarily in China, and expanded the list of “military end users,” mostly in China, further limiting our sales. At the same time, BIS and the U.S. Department of Defense have also added numerous China-based companies, including companies with which we do business, to the “Unverified List,” and “Chinese Military Companies” list, respectively. Placement on such lists may be an indication of additional future restrictions by the U.S. government, as was the case with YMTC, which was added to the Unverified List in October 2022 and was then added to the Entity List in December 2022. Increased restrictions on China have led to and may continue to lead to regulatory retaliation by the Chinese government and further escalate geopolitical tensions between China and Taiwan. China has adopted, and announced its intention to further adopt, new regulations that could have an adverse effect on our operations. For example, in response to the imposition of U.S. tariffs in 2018 and 2019, China imposed its own retaliatory tariffs. In 2019, China’s Ministry of Commerce also announced an “unreliable entity list” under which non-Chinese entities that cut off supply to Chinese companies may be subject to government action. Because many of the mechanisms for being named to the list, removed from the list, and enforcement remain ill-defined and unavailable to the public, the potential impacts of the regulation remain unknown. In addition, in 2023, China adopted export curbs on crucial raw materials, including gallium, germanium, and graphite, that had both direct and indirect adverse impacts on our business and supply chain. In December 2024, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce imposed stricter export control restrictions on the export to the United States of gallium, germanium and other materials with potential dual-use applications, thereby increasing the adverse impact on our business, costs and supply chain. The ongoing geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty between the United States and China caused by recent tariffs, Entity List and “military end user” designations, foreign-made product rules and the BIS Rules, and the unknown impact of current and future Chinese trade regulations, may continue to increase costs, as well as restrict our ability to sell, or decrease demand from customers to purchase, our products, directly and indirectly, which could materially harm our business, financial condition and operating results. This trade uncertainty has caused, and may continue to cause, customers to delay or cancel orders, as they mitigate the risk to their own supply chain and cost exposure by sourcing from locally based suppliers or suppliers based in other countries. Such delays and cancellations could have a material impact on our business, financial condition and operating results. It is possible that additional trade restrictions will be imposed, and that existing tariffs will be increased on imports of our products or the components used in our products and/or that our business will be impacted by additional retaliatory tariffs, policies that favor domestic industries, or restrictions imposed and/or increased by China or other countries in response to existing or future tariffs. These developments could cause us to lose additional sales and customers, incur increased costs and lower margins, seek alternative suppliers, raise prices or make changes to our operations, any of which could materially harm our business, financial condition and operating results.

Trade tensions between the United States and China have increased substantially in recent years, resulting in significant trade restrictions that have significantly harmed our business. These regulations include tariff increases, additional sanctions against specified entities, and the broadening of restrictions and license requirements for specified end-uses of those of our products that are subject to these restrictions, including restrictions surrounding specific product groups, applications and/or end uses. The U.S. government concerns relate to, among other things, national security concerns and the concept of “military/civil fusion” in China, a national strategy in which military technologies are developed or produced alongside commercial, non-military items, often by private or quasi-government companies. In addition to targeted comprehensive sanctions against specific firms, in recent years, “Entity List” designations and “military end-user” controls have been significantly modified, as were some rules relating to items produced outside the United States that incorporate more than de minimis levels of U.S. controlled content or derived from (i.e., the “direct product” of) U.S. origin technologies. Recently, in October 2022, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (“BIS”) implemented new and novel restrictions related to end-uses in semiconductor, semiconductor manufacturing, supercomputer, and advanced computing, along with certain equipment used to develop and produce them, as well as controls around the activities of U.S. persons in certain markets, including China. These regulations, which BIS amended in October 2023 (as amended, the “BIS Rules”), have resulted in, and may in the future result in, loss of business, both directly to China end-customers, and indirectly through our OEM customers, as well as additional export license requirements on shipments of our products, parts and supplies, and associated increased administrative burdens. For example, as a result of the BIS Rules, we estimate our net revenues were reduced by approximately $200 to $250 million in 2023. The extraordinary complexity of these rules, combined with the likelihood of further amendments from BIS, significantly increases our risk of non-compliance, which could result in fines and other penalties, and could change how these rules impact us. While we continue to adjust our policies and practices to ensure compliance with these regulations, and we will seek to mitigate their impact, there can be no assurances that current or future regulations and tariffs will not have a material adverse effect on our business. Since the beginning of 2019, regulatory changes have been implemented at an extraordinarily high pace, which increases the resources needed to monitor and comply with regulations, while heightening the risk of non-compliance. Such regulatory changes include the addition by BIS of China-based Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. (“Huawei”), Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (“SMIC”), Yangtze Memory Technologies Corp (“YMTC”) and many of their respective affiliates onto 28 28 its Entity List. Accordingly, we have implemented additional monitoring processes and suspended orders from Huawei, SMIC, YMTC and certain other designated Chinese-based customers, where those orders are subject to U.S. jurisdiction. We have also been negatively impacted by the cancellation of orders from customers who are suppliers to these firms. BIS has also modified the Foreign Direct Product and “military end-use” rules, expanded the scope of products and technologies that would require licenses for military end-uses, primarily in China, and expanded the list of “military end users,” mostly in China. Beginning in October 2022, the BIS Rules imposed new restrictions on our ability to sell, ship, service and support certain equipment and otherwise conduct business with certain counterparties, primarily China-based companies involved in semiconductor manufacturing, which has negatively impacted, and we expect will continue to negatively impact, our revenues. At the same time, BIS also added numerous China-based companies, including companies with which we do business, to its “Unverified List.” Placement on the Unverified List may be an indication of additional future restrictions by BIS, as was the case with YMTC, which was added to the Unverified List in October 2022 and was then added to the Entity List in December 2022. Increased restrictions on China may lead to regulatory retaliation by the Chinese government and further escalate geopolitical tensions between China and Taiwan. China has adopted, and announced its intention to further adopt, new regulations, which could have an adverse effect on our operations. For example, in response to the imposition of U.S. tariffs in 2018 and 2019, China imposed its own retaliatory tariffs. In 2019, China’s Ministry of Commerce also announced an “unreliable entity list” under which non-Chinese entities that cut off supply to Chinese companies may be subject to government action. Because many of the mechanisms for being named to the list, removed from the list, and enforcement remain ill-defined and unavailable to the public, the potential impacts of the regulation remain unknown. In addition, in 2023, China adopted export curbs on crucial raw materials, including gallium, germanium, and graphite, that may have both direct and indirect adverse impacts on our business and supply chain. The ongoing geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty between the United States and China caused by recent tariffs, Entity List and “military end user” designations, foreign-made product rules and the BIS Rules, and the unknown impact of current and future Chinese trade regulations, may continue to increase costs, as well as restrict our ability to sell, or decrease demand from customers to purchase, our products, directly and indirectly, which could materially harm our business, financial condition and operating results. This trade uncertainty has caused, and may continue to cause, customers to delay or cancel orders, as they mitigate their own supply chain and cost exposure by sourcing from locally based suppliers or suppliers based in other countries. Such delays and cancellations could have a material impact on our business, financial condition and operating results. It is possible that additional trade restrictions will be imposed, and that existing tariffs will be increased on imports of our products or the components used in our products and/or that our business will be impacted by additional retaliatory tariffs or restrictions imposed and/or increased by China or other countries in response to existing or future tariffs. These developments could cause us to lose additional sales and customers, incur increased costs and lower margins, seek alternative suppliers, raise prices or make changes to our operations, any of which could materially harm our business, financial condition and operating results.

As a result of our extensive presence in China, we are subject to the following significant risks: •Adverse changes in Chinese political, economic or social conditions or Chinese laws, regulations or policies, including the imposition of unexpected or confiscatory taxation, restrictions on currency conversion, imports and sources of supply, devaluations of currency, the nationalization or other expropriation of private enterprises, or the reversal of economic reform policies that encourage private economic activity, foreign investments and greater economic decentralization; Adverse changes in Chinese political, economic or social conditions or Chinese laws, regulations or policies, including the imposition of unexpected or confiscatory taxation, restrictions on currency conversion, imports and sources of supply, devaluations of currency, the nationalization or other expropriation of private enterprises, or the reversal of economic reform policies that encourage private economic activity, foreign investments and greater economic decentralization; •Differing economic practices compared to most developed countries, including with respect to the amount of government involvement, control of foreign exchange and allocation of resources; Differing economic practices compared to most developed countries, including with respect to the amount of government involvement, control of foreign exchange and allocation of resources; •Uncertainties presented by the Chinese legal system, which is not fully integrated and continues to rapidly evolve, impeding our ability to interpret certain Chinese laws and regulations, predict and evaluate the outcome of administrative and court proceedings and the level of legal protection in China and enforce contracts we have entered into in China; Uncertainties presented by the Chinese legal system, which is not fully integrated and continues to rapidly evolve, impeding our ability to interpret certain Chinese laws and regulations, predict and evaluate the outcome of administrative and court proceedings and the level of legal protection in China and enforce contracts we have entered into in China; •Chinese controls on the convertibility of Renminbi into foreign currencies and, in certain cases, the remittance of currency out of China, restricting our ability to remit sufficient foreign currency to pay dividends or make other payments to us, or otherwise satisfy foreign currency-denominated obligations; and Chinese controls on the convertibility of Renminbi into foreign currencies and, in certain cases, the remittance of currency out of China, restricting our ability to remit sufficient foreign currency to pay dividends or make other payments to us, or otherwise satisfy foreign currency-denominated obligations; and •The escalation of trade tensions between China and other countries, including the United States, and the imposition of tariffs, sanctions and export controls by various government agencies, has impacted international trade. Notably, as discussed in greater detail below, the U.S. government imposed tariffs on certain imports from China in 2018 and 2019, and China responded by imposing its own retaliatory tariffs. In early 2025, the U.S. government increased trade tensions with China by imposing additional tariffs on certain imports from China. In addition, as discussed in greater detail below, the U.S. government has implemented export restrictions and national security reviews on semiconductor technologies related to China, which has disrupted, and could further disrupt, existing partnerships and limit market opportunities within the Chinese market. These reviews and restrictions may lead to challenges in accessing markets or curtail investment prospects. The complexity of these regulations further elevates the risk of non-compliance. The escalation of trade tensions between China and other countries, including the United States, and the imposition of tariffs, sanctions and export controls by various government agencies, has impacted international trade. Notably, as discussed in greater detail below, the U.S. government imposed tariffs on certain imports from China in 2018 and 2019, and China responded by imposing its own retaliatory tariffs. In early 2025, the U.S. government increased trade tensions with China by imposing additional tariffs on certain imports from China. In addition, as discussed in greater detail below, the U.S. government has implemented export restrictions and national security reviews on semiconductor technologies related to China, which has disrupted, and could further disrupt, existing partnerships and limit market opportunities within the Chinese market. These reviews and restrictions may lead to challenges in accessing markets or curtail investment prospects. The complexity of these regulations further elevates the risk of non-compliance. If we experience any of the risks associated with doing business in China, our business, financial condition and operating results could be significantly harmed.

The Atotech Acquisition significantly increased our operations and assets in, and revenues generated from, China. As a result of our presence in China, we are subject to the following significant risks: •Adverse changes in Chinese political, economic or social conditions or Chinese laws, regulations or policies, including the imposition of unexpected or confiscatory taxation, restrictions on currency conversion, imports and sources of supply, devaluations of currency, the nationalization or other expropriation of private enterprises, or the reversal of economic reform policies that encourage private economic activity, foreign investments and greater economic decentralization; Adverse changes in Chinese political, economic or social conditions or Chinese laws, regulations or policies, including the imposition of unexpected or confiscatory taxation, restrictions on currency conversion, imports and sources of supply, devaluations of currency, the nationalization or other expropriation of private enterprises, or the reversal of economic reform policies that encourage private economic activity, foreign investments and greater economic decentralization; •Differing economic practices compared to most developed countries, including with respect to the amount of government involvement, control of foreign exchange and allocation of resources; Differing economic practices compared to most developed countries, including with respect to the amount of government involvement, control of foreign exchange and allocation of resources; •Uncertainties presented by the Chinese legal system, which is not fully integrated and continues to rapidly evolve, impeding our ability to interpret certain Chinese laws and regulations, predict and evaluate the outcome of administrative and court proceedings and the level of legal protection in China and enforce contracts we have entered into in China; and Uncertainties presented by the Chinese legal system, which is not fully integrated and continues to rapidly evolve, impeding our ability to interpret certain Chinese laws and regulations, predict and evaluate the outcome of administrative and court proceedings and the level of legal protection in China and enforce contracts we have entered into in China; and •Chinese controls on the convertibility of Renminbi into foreign currencies and, in certain cases, the remittance of currency out of China, restricting our ability to remit sufficient foreign currency to pay dividends or make other payments to us, or otherwise satisfy foreign currency-denominated obligations. Chinese controls on the convertibility of Renminbi into foreign currencies and, in certain cases, the remittance of currency out of China, restricting our ability to remit sufficient foreign currency to pay dividends or make other payments to us, or otherwise satisfy foreign currency-denominated obligations. If we experience any of the risks associated with doing business in China, our business, financial condition and operating results could be significantly harmed.

Our consolidated indebtedness has increased substantially as a result of the Atotech Acquisition in August 2022. As of January 31, 2025, we had approximately $3.1 billion of principal indebtedness outstanding under a senior secured term loan facility (the “Term Loan Facility”) comprised of two tranches: a $2.5 billion loan (the “USD Tranche B”) and a €596 million loan (the “Euro Tranche B”). As of January 31, 2025, we also had $675 million of available borrowing capacity under a senior secured revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Facility” and together with the Term Loan Facility, the “Credit Facilities”). On May 16, 2024, we completed a private offering of $1.4 billion aggregate principal amount of the Convertible Notes, and used approximately $1.2 billion of the proceeds to partially repay borrowings under the USD Tranche B. This level of indebtedness could have the effect, among other things, of reducing our flexibility to respond to changing business, industry and economic conditions, limiting our ability to obtain financing in the future and increasing interest expense. We have also incurred and will continue to incur various costs and expenses associated with our indebtedness. The amount of cash required to pay interest on our increased indebtedness levels, and the demands on our cash resources that come from that debt, are significant. Our level of indebtedness could also reduce funds available for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions and other general corporate purposes and may create competitive disadvantages relative to other companies with lower debt levels. If our financial performance does not meet our expectations, then our ability to service our indebtedness may be adversely impacted. With respect to the Convertible Notes, the accounting method for convertible debt securities that may be settled in cash, such as the Convertible Notes, could have a material effect on our reported financial results. Furthermore, in the event the conditional conversion feature of the Convertible Notes is triggered, holders of Convertible Notes will be entitled to convert the Convertible Notes at any time during specified periods at their option. If one or more holders elect to convert their Convertible Notes, we would be required to settle any converted principal in cash, which could adversely affect our liquidity. In addition, even if holders do not elect to convert their Convertible Notes, we would be required under applicable accounting rules to reclassify all or a portion of the outstanding principal of the Convertible Notes as a current rather than long-term liability, which would result in a material reduction of our net working capital. If a fundamental change occurs prior to the maturity date of the Convertible Notes, holders of the Convertible Notes will have the right, at their option, to require us to repurchase all or a portion of their Notes. In addition, if a make-whole fundamental change occurs prior to the maturity date of the Convertible Notes, we will in some cases be required to increase the conversion rate for a holder that elects to convert its Convertible Notes in connection with such make-whole fundamental change. Furthermore, the indenture governing the Convertible Notes prohibits us from engaging in certain mergers or acquisitions unless, among other things, the surviving entity assumes our obligations under the Convertible Notes and the indenture. These and other provisions in the indenture could deter or prevent a third party from acquiring us even when the acquisition may be favorable to investors. Despite our current level of indebtedness, we and our subsidiaries may still be able to incur more indebtedness. Although our debt agreements contain restrictions on the incurrence of additional indebtedness, these restrictions are subject to certain qualifications and exceptions, and thus, additional indebtedness may be incurred in compliance with these restrictions. This could further exacerbate the risks we describe. Moreover, we may be required to raise substantial additional financing to fund working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions or other general corporate requirements. Our ability to arrange additional financing or refinancing will depend on, 14 14 14 among other factors, our financial position and performance, as well as prevailing market conditions and other factors beyond our control. There can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain additional financing or refinancing on terms acceptable to us or at all.

As of December 31, 2023, we had approximately $5.0 billion of principal indebtedness outstanding under a senior secured term loan facility (the “Term Loan Facility”) comprised of three tranches: a $744 million loan (the “USD Tranche A”), a $3.6 billion loan (the “USD Tranche B”) and a €593 million loan (the “Euro Tranche B”). As of December 31, 2023, we also had $500 million of available borrowing capacity under a senior secured revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Facility” and together with the Term Loan Facility, the “Credit Facilities”). On January 22, 2024, we (i) increased our USD Tranche B by an aggregate principal amount of $490 million, (ii) increased our Euro Tranche B by an aggregate principal amount of €250 million and (iii) used a portion of the proceeds of such increases to prepay our USD Tranche A in full (the “USD Tranche A Refinancing”). On February 13, 2024, we increased the available borrowing capacity under our Revolving Facility by $175 million (the “Revolving Facility Increase”). As a result of the USD Tranche A Refinancing, as of January 22, 2024, we had approximately $5.0 billion of principal indebtedness under our Term Loan Facility comprised of a $4.1 billion USD Tranche B and a €843 million Euro Tranche B. As a result of the Revolving Facility Increase, as of February 13, 2024, we had $675 million of available borrowing capacity under our Revolving Facility. This level of indebtedness could have the effect, among other things, of reducing our flexibility to respond to changing business, industry and economic conditions, limiting our ability to obtain financing in the future and increasing interest expense. We also have incurred and will continue to incur various costs and expenses associated with our indebtedness. The amount of cash required to pay interest on our increased indebtedness levels following completion of the Atotech Acquisition, and the demands on our cash resources that come from that debt, are significantly greater than the amount of cash flows required to service the levels of indebtedness we incurred prior to the Atotech Acquisition. Our increased levels of indebtedness following completion of the Atotech Acquisition could also reduce funds available for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions and other general corporate purposes and may create competitive disadvantages relative to other companies with lower debt levels. If we do not achieve the expected benefits and cost savings from the Atotech Acquisition, or if the financial performance of the combined company does not meet current expectations, then our ability to service our indebtedness may be adversely impacted. Despite our current level of indebtedness, we and our subsidiaries may still be able to incur more indebtedness. Although our debt agreements contain restrictions on the incurrence of additional indebtedness, these restrictions are subject to certain qualifications and exceptions, and thus, additional indebtedness may be incurred in compliance with these restrictions. This could further exacerbate the risks we describe. Moreover, we may be required to raise substantial additional financing to fund working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions or other general corporate requirements. Our ability to arrange additional financing or refinancing will depend on, among other factors, our financial position and performance, as well as prevailing market conditions and other factors beyond our control. There can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain additional financing or refinancing on terms acceptable to us or at all. 15 15

We previously identified a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting that was remediated as of December 31, 2023. We may in the future identify additional internal control deficiencies that could rise to the level of a material weakness or uncover other errors in financial reporting. If we fail to remediate any future material weaknesses and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting, our ability to accurately record, process, and report financial information and, consequently, our ability to prepare financial statements within required time periods could be adversely affected. Failure to maintain effective internal controls could result in a failure to comply with SEC rules and regulations, stock exchange listing requirements, and the covenants under our debt agreements, subject us to litigation, investigations or enforcement actions, negatively affect investor confidence in our financial statements, and adversely impact our stock price and ability to access capital markets. The defense of any such claims, investigations or enforcement actions could divert our attention and resources and could cause us to incur significant legal and other expenses even if the matters are resolved in our favor.

Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 requires that companies evaluate and report on the effectiveness of their internal control over financial reporting. In addition to the Company’s evaluation, our independent registered public accounting firm provides an opinion regarding the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. As disclosed in more detail in Part II, Item 9A, “Controls and Procedures” below, following the ransomware incident in February 2023, we identified a material weakness as of December 31, 2022 in our internal control over financial reporting. Our assessment was we did not maintain sufficient IT controls to prevent or detect, on a timely basis, unauthorized access to our financial reporting systems. Specifically, we did not design or maintain effective controls with respect to our financial reporting systems related to access authentication, 27 27 intrusion detection and response capability, and backup and restoration such that recovery from a cybersecurity incident could be performed in a more timely manner. Internal controls related to our financial reporting systems are important to accurately reflect our financial position and results of operations in our financial reports. Due to the material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting, we also concluded our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of December 31, 2022. Failure to have effective internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures can impair our ability to produce accurate financial statements on a timely basis and could lead to a restatement of our financial statements. If, as a result of the ineffectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures, we cannot provide reliable financial statements, our business decision processes may be adversely affected, our business and results of operations could be harmed, investors could lose confidence in our reported financial information and our ability to obtain additional financing, or additional financing on favorable terms, could be adversely affected. Our management took action to remediate the material weakness, concluding that the material weakness had been fully remediated as of December 31, 2023. Additional details regarding the remediation efforts are disclosed in Part II, Item 9A, “Controls and Procedures” below. Although we remediated this material weakness, we could in the future identify additional internal control deficiencies that could rise to the level of a significant deficiency or material weakness or uncover other errors in financial reporting. There can be no assurance that future remediation efforts will be successful, that our internal control over financial reporting will be effective as a result of these efforts, or that any future significant deficiencies may not be material weaknesses that would be required to be reported in future periods. In addition, we cannot provide assurance that our independent registered public accounting firm will be able to attest that such internal controls are effective when they are required to do so. If we fail to remediate any future material weaknesses and maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures or internal control over financial reporting, our ability to accurately record, process, and report financial information and, consequently, our ability to prepare financial statements within required time periods could be adversely affected. Failure to maintain effective internal controls could result in a failure to comply with SEC rules and regulations, stock exchange listing requirements, and the covenants under our debt agreements, subject us to litigation, investigations or enforcement actions, negatively affect investor confidence in our financial statements, and adversely impact our stock price and ability to access capital markets. The defense of any such claims, investigations or enforcement actions could cause the diversion of the Company’s attention and resources and could cause us to incur significant legal and other expenses even if the matters are resolved in our favor.