. . . EXHIBIT 12.1 POLYONE CORPORATION RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES (IN MILLIONS) 2002 (1) 2001 (2) 2000 1999 1998 ------------------------------------------------------ Earnings: Income (loss) before income taxes, discontinued operations and cumulative effect of a change in accounting (11.8) (74.2) 24.6 174.0 23.6 (Income) loss from equity affiliates and minority interest (20.2) 9.8 (37.7) (9.7) (3.7) ------------------------------------------------------ (32.0) (64.4) (13.1) 164.3 19.9 Share of distributed earnings of equity affiliates 37.4 5.5 33.3 4.6 3.2 Share of pre-tax loss of equity affiliates with guaranteed debt (5.6) (8.6) -- (9.3) (0.1) Add, fixed charges 57.0 59.4 43.3 32.4 33.7 Add, amortization of capitalized interest 0.8 0.8 0.8 1.8 1.9 Subtract, interest capitalized (0.7) (1.1) -- (0.7) -- ------------------------------------------------------ 56.9 (8.4) 64.3 193.1 58.6 ------------------------------------------------------ Fixed charges: Interest expense 40.6 39.9 35.9 17.3 15.6 Capitalized interest 0.7 1.1 -- 0.7 -- Net amortization of debt discount and premium and issuance expenses 1.8 0.8 0.4 0.4 0.4 Interest portion of rental expense (3) 6.9 8.5 7.0 7.0 10.7 Interest expense relating to guaranteed debt of equity affiliates 7.0 9.1 -- 7.0 7.0 ------------------------------------------------------ 57.0 59.4 43.3 32.4 33.7 ------------------------------------------------------ Ratio of earnings to fixed charges -- -- 1.5x 6.0x 1.7x ------------------------------------------------------ (1) Earnings in 2002 were insufficient to cover fixed charges by $0.1 million. Accordingly, such ratio is not presented. (2) Earnings in 2001 were insufficient to cover fixed charges by $67.8 million. Accordingly, such ratio is not presented. (3) The interest factor represents approximately one-third of lease expense, which management believes is representative of the interest component of lease expense.