KINGSPORT, Tenn., December 21, 2012 – Eastman Chemical Company hosted an open house event at its Texas City, Texas, site earlier this month to showcase the recently completed Eastman 168™ non-phthalate plasticizer manufacturing unit. More than 60 customers and government officials attended the event which included discussions about the latest regulatory trends and changes that are occurring in the plasticizer industry. Guests were also taken on a tour of the Texas City facility where they had the chance to meet the employees involved in manufacturing of the product.
"The demand for non-phthalate plasticizers is growing very quickly because of a technology shift occurring in response to consumer trends," said Steve Cullen, plasticizers business director. "Our product is being used as a replacement for other offerings not only due to the changes in regulations, but also because of its excellent performance and safety profile ."
Eastman showed its commitment to the plasticizer industry when they purchased the former Sterling Chemicals, Inc. operation in mid 2011. In April of 2012, the company completed a retrofit and restart of the existing plasticizer assets at the site. By June 2012 the company was not only supplying customers within North America but also exporting product overseas utilizing the on-site, bulk, port facilities. The plant increases the company's overall capacity for the Eastman 168 plasticizer by 60 percent.
"With Eastman's experience in the plasticizer industry and with the recent expansions of its portfolio and production capacities, the company is in a unique position to meet the growing customer demand for non-phthalate plasticizers globally," Cullen added.
Non-phthalate plasticizers are widely used, providing flexibility to PVC in a broad range of consumer products in markets including, building and construction, health and wellness, toys, and child care articles.
