Eastman Chemical Company

Eastman Chemical Company (NYSE:EMN) is a global company whose products touch the lives of people around the world every day. Headquartered in Kingsport, Tennessee, U.S.A., Eastman manufactures and markets more than 1,200 chemicals, fibers and plastics products.

While Eastman's products are not household words, they are used in thousands of consumer products. The company is the world's largest supplier of polyester plastics for packaging; a leading supplier of coatings raw materials, specialty chemicals and plastics; and a major supplier of cellulose acetate fibers and basic chemicals. Eastman is one of the top 10 global suppliers of custom-manufactured fine chemicals for pharmaceuticals, agricultural chemicals and other markets.

Eastman's divisional structure allows the company to strategically focus on the unique needs of individual markets. Voridian, an operating division of Eastman Chemical Company, contains the Polymers Segment, which includes PET polymers and polyethylene products, and the Fibers Segment. Eastman Division contains the Coatings, Adhesives, Specialty Polymers and Inks Segment, the Specialty Plastics Segment and the Performance Chemicals and Intermediates Segment. The Developing Businesses Division, with one segment of the same name, is comprised of non-traditional growth businesses and opportunities that leverage Eastman's technology expertise, intellectual property and know-how.

Founded in 1920 to supply basic photographic chemicals for Eastman Kodak Company, Eastman Chemical Company became an independent publicly traded company in January 1994. The company has approximately 15,000 employees in more than 30 countries. Manufacturing sites are strategically located in 17 different countries to serve markets more efficiently. Sales revenue for 2003 was US$5.8 billion.

Eastman products
Eastman supplies billions of pounds of chemicals, fibers and plastics to customers around the world for use in thousands of consumer products. Eastman products keep paints and coatings from cracking and extend the shelf life of foods. They contribute to the manufacture of safer medical equipment, film for smaller electronics devices and more efficient circuit boards for computers. They retard mold in animal feed and go into plasticizers that enable garden hoses to bend.

Eastman plastics products are used in packaging for beverages, including soft drinks, water, juice, tea, beer, liquor and sport drinks. Other packaging applications for Eastman plastics include foods, electronics, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and household products.

Eastman supplies plastics products for credit and debit cards; electrical connectors, medical devices, vending machines, signs, display cases, carpet fiber; binder fiber for car interiors and upholstery, heavy-duty shipping sacks and pond liners; toothbrushes and tool handles; sports equipment; and photographic, movie and X-ray film.

Hundreds of Eastman's specialty products are key ingredients in paints and coatings for houses, cars, bicycles, furniture and appliances, as well as inks for printing on potato chip bags, candy wrappers and gift wrappings.

Eastman is a world leader in the efficient, low-cost manufacture of basic chemicals for artificial sweeteners, pain medication, bleach activators in laundry detergent, safety glass, wallpaper, pharmaceuticals, agricultural chemicals, medical devices, vinyl flooring, acrylic paints, plasticizers in disposable gloves and toys, and countless other consumer products.

Eastman serves custom and fine chemicals customers in agrochemicals, industrial and consumer products, photographic and imaging chemicals, and pharmaceutical intermediates and raw materials.

Technology and e-business
A recognized world leader in using e-commerce to enhance customer service and customer solutions, Eastman was the first chemical company to offer customers this faster, more efficient way to do business. Customers have convenient, secure access to the information and expert help they require at the precise moment they need it, from account status to product and technical data. A proponent of Web-based solutions, Eastman exploits its expansive Web globalization capabilities and electronic infrastructure to benefit existing customers and attract new customers.

A good corporate citizen
Corporate social responsibility is a long phrase that simply means "We care." At Eastman, we have cared about the communities where we have facilities and employees since our founding in 1920. "Our Commitment to You" section provides more information about our commitment to our communities and our environment.