Eastman Chemical Company: World-Class Manufacturer

The Eastman Chemical Company is a Fortune 500 company based in the United States. Founded in 1920 by George Eastman, the company is engaged in the manufacture and sale of plastics, fibers, and chemicals all over the world. To date, Eastman Chemical has 43 manufacturing locations across the globe, with employees reaching 13,500 individuals. Some of the countries where manufacturing sites are located include: Belguim, China, Estonia, France, Brazil, Germany, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Taiwan, Singapore, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. Products made and sold by Eastman Chemical are split into five operating segments. These segments are: Additives & Functional Products, Advanced Materials, Adhesives & Plasticizers, Specialty Fluids & Intermediates, and Fibers.

When World War I broke out, it resulted in a lot of raw materials being scarce. George Eastman, the company's founder, found himself looking for an independent chemicals supply for his other company, Eastman Kodak. His own search for materials to address his needs led to the roots from which Eastman Chemical started out from. From organic chemicals and acetyls, the company's product portfolio grew in the following decades, the most recent of which is the Eastman Tritan copolyster. Developed in 2007, the Tritan copolyster allows for innovative applications thanks to its toughness and clarity and resistance to heat and chemicals.

Aside from addressing the needs of various manufacturers around the world, Eastman Chemical also shows it cares for the environment by becoming a member of Responsible Care. Responsible Care is a global voluntary initiative that was autonomously developed by the chemical industry in order to improve the health and safety of its employees and communities around manufacturing sites, as well as boost environmental performance. In 2009, Eastman Chemical was recognized by the US Environmental Protection Agency with the Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award, an award recognizing green chemistry principles incorporated into the design, manufacture, and use of chemicals.