About Eastman Chemical Company:

Eastman Chemical Company is a leading international chemical company that produces plastics, chemicals, and fibers. Eastman does not sell consumer products, but Eastman supplies billions of pounds of products for countless end uses by consumers. Plastics from Eastman are found in automobiles, tools, toothbrushes, trash bags, tapes, eyeglasses, electronic packaging, personal hygiene products, photographic film, medical parts, cookware, computers, and coated paper cups. Spectar copolymer, one of Eastman's fastest-growing specialty plastics, is a cost-effective alternative to acrylic and polycarbonate plastics for displays, signs, and store fixtures. Eastar copolyester, another specialty plastic, is a versatile material for injection-molded displays, extruded profiles, and demanding graphic arts applications. Eastapak polymers are polyester plastics used in containers for beverages, foods, and toiletries.  

The Polymer Research Division consists of three laboratories devoted primarily to developing polyesters and copolyesters with enhanced properties and supporting applications development for the markets served by Eastman products. The Polymer Synthesis Research Lab is responsible for new polymers including synthesis methods and mechanistic understandings. The Polymer Additives and Formulations Research Lab develops additives for color, stabilization, and property modifications (e.g. toughening, nanocomposite technology). The Polymer Processing and Applications Research Lab maintains a fundamental understanding of process and material interactions, polymer performance and characterization, and packaging design performance.

Founded in 1920 in Kingsport, Tennessee, as a unit of Eastman Kodak Company, Eastman Chemical Company was  spun off in 1994 and is now an independent, publicly held company traded on the New York Stock Exchange (ticker  symbol EMN). Eastman has approximately 5300 customers worldwide and posted 1999 sales of $4.6 billion. With corporate headquarters in Kingsport, Eastman employs 16,100 people in more than 30 countries.