Eastman Chemical
Eastman's plasticisers can be found in flexible PVC applications such as garden hoses
Eastman Chemical Company is helping advance the plastics industry by providing new capabilities to its customers with its specialty plastics portfolio.
These new capabilities, as well as several innovative collaborations, will be showcased at NPE2015, where Eastman will host a media event and present its collaborations to show visitors in Room S230D of the Orange County Convention Center. An intricate multi-cavity mould developed by Prestige Mold Incorporated and the newest additions to Eastman’s TritanMoldIt.com are among the innovations that will be on display.
Burt Capel, Vice-President and General Manager, Specialty Plastics, Eastman, said: "NPE is an important show for us - it's an ideal platform for connecting with some of our most important collaborators and exploring new ideas. Our team walks away from NPE feeling inspired and eager to build upon the conversations with customers during the show. That momentum is clearly seen after the show ends and projects are invigorated with fresh ideas."
Advancing moulding
Prestige Mold, a high-technology plastic injection mould manufacturer, and Pres-Tek Plastics Incorporated, a medical moulding and technology centre, worked with Eastman to develop a multi- cavity, hot runner mould for producing small medical parts. The idea for the mould was prompted by customer needs for small medical device parts that are free of bisphenol A (BPA) and can withstand sterilisation and harsh chemicals. To meet these needs, Prestige Mold and Eastman collaborated to develop a mold that worked well with Eastman Tritan copolyester, a durable material with high design flexibility. Pres-Tek validated the mould. Now, Prestige Mold and Eastman can help retool or build new moulds for manufacturers, allowing savings in time and cost. NPE2015 attendees can see the mould in action during the show as the machinery manufacturer, Milacron, runs a luer fitting for IV systems at its booth, W2703.
At Eastman’s meeting room, attendees can gather inspiration from TritanMoldIt.com. The website was created to provide molders with a direct resource for processing solutions, sharing knowledge and experiences, as well as gaining technical expertise in injection moulding with Eastman Tritan copolyester. The site includes an Ask the Expert section, in which readers' questions are answered within 24 hours, and a blog, which provides thought leadership relative to topics of interest. Eastman plans to make updates to the website in the coming year, including the addition of several Asian language translations in early April and how-to videos.
Advancing business
Beyond the relationships Eastman specialty plastics continues to expand, the business also is growing. Eastman owns one of the world’s largest portfolios of copolyester products, exhibiting a range of thermal, physical and rheological properties. The company’s team of scientists and polymer engineers are constantly improving that portfolio, creating practical solutions to emerging challenges.
Eastman is expanding its capacity for Eastman Tritan copolyester by 16,000 tonnes and has begun work on a separate 60,000-tonne capacity expansion. This month, the company also launched a new website, TritanFromEastman.com, to share the Tritan story with consumers. It is aimed at educating consumers about the material and its capabilities, along with the unique products — including small appliances and drinkware — that are made with it.
To hear more about the expanding business, along with the unique products Eastman customers are developing, visit the Eastman team at meeting space S230D during NPE2015. The products on display during the show include BlokRok and Krevare LLC’s SOAPSEAT. The BlokRok is a US-patented device that makes sunscreen lotion application quick and mess-free. The refillable lotion applicator is made with Eastman Tenite cellulosic polymers. Tenite allows the device to be durable and retain color and clarity. Krevare’s SOAPSEAT is a dishwasher-safe, BPA-free and chemical- resistant soap dish made with Eastman Tritan copolyester that never fills with water, keeping soap from becoming a slimy mess. The design flexibility provided by Tritan allows for the SOAPSEAT’s custom look, and it comes in four colors with a durable, polished, height-adjustable nickel-plated base.
