KINGSPORT, Tenn., September 14, 2016 —Eastman (NYSE: EMN) and the environmental non-profit GreenBlue announced today that Eastman’s 168™ SG non-phthalate plasticizer has been approved for listing in GreenBlue’s CleanGredients™ database (www.cleangredients.org).
Eastman 168 SG is the first plasticizer to be listed in CleanGredients that meets the criteria of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Safer Choice program (www.epa.gov/saferchoice). All current ingredient listings have been specific to cleaning products, but Eastman 168 SG presents a new category of CleanGredients not specific to cleaning applications, thus broadening the reach of the Safer Choice program into new industries and applications.
“We recognize the importance of customers sourcing safe and sustainable products,” says Scott Boito, regulatory and advocacy manager for plasticizers at Eastman Chemical Company. “Proactively evaluating Eastman 168 against the Safer Choice criteria was a priority to ensure our customers and future customers know they can depend on Eastman for reliable and trusted products.”
“We find it encouraging that a company like Eastman is proactively assessing its products against EPA’s objective and widely recognized criteria for green chemistry” says James Ewell, senior director of sustainable materials at GreenBlue. “We are getting inquiries from other companies who have developed safer alternatives but are lacking a consistent method of evaluation as well as trusted outlets to market their products. CleanGredients can be a resource for these manufacturers.”
Eastman 168 SG is a non-phthalate plasticizer, and is globally recognized and accepted by competent authorities, regulatory agencies, and private organizations as an excellent alternative to phthalates in applications such as flooring, wallcoverings, toys, medical devices, and many other applications that require flexible vinyl. Eastman 168 SG can also be used in some waterborne adhesives and in some rubber formulations, and has several US FDA and European food-contact clearances in adhesive and plastics applications.
About Eastman
Eastman is a global specialty chemical company that produces a broad range of products found in items people use every day. With a portfolio of specialty businesses, Eastman works with customers to deliver innovative products and solutions while maintaining a commitment to safety and sustainability. Its market-driven approaches take advantage of world-class technology platforms and leading positions in attractive end-markets such as transportation, building and construction, and consumables. Eastman focuses on creating consistent, superior value for all stakeholders. As a globally diverse company, Eastman serves customers in approximately 100 countries and had 2015 revenues of approximately $9.6 billion. The company is headquartered in Kingsport, Tennessee, USA and employs approximately 15,000 people around the world. For more information, visit www.eastman.com.
About GreenBlue
GreenBlue is an environmental nonprofit dedicated to the sustainable use of materials in society. Our mission is to promote the principles of sustainable materials management — use wisely, eliminate toxicity, and recover more. Through our projects, we achieve our goal by influencing the debate, enhancing supply chain collaboration, and creating action. For more information please visit www.greenblue.org and follow GreenBlue on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
About CleanGredients
CleanGredients is an online database of chemical ingredients whose formulations have been pre-approved by the U.S. EPA for use in Safer Choice-labeled products. Ingredients listed in CleanGredients have been verified by independent third-party experts to pass the Safer Choice Standard, designed to safeguard human and environmental health. For more information please visit www.cleangredients.org and follow CleanGredients on Twitter @CleanGredients. CleanGredients is generously sponsored by the American Cleaning Institute.
Media contact:
Candice Sweet
423-229-3543
Csweet@eastman.com