Better Health for All

Eastman Chemical Resins Inc., a subsidiary, agreed to pay a $2.4 million penalty in May 2023 for environmental violations at its Pennsylvania facility

, which were linked to protecting community health. The company adheres to the Responsible Care Global Charter , which includes minimizing chemical exposure risks. Additionally, Eastman engages in multi-year pilot projects and partnerships to recycle healthcare plastics , diverting waste from landfills and reducing carbon emissions .

Fair Pay & Worker Respect

Employee feedback for Eastman Chemical indicates competitive pay

but also concerns about workplace culture, including perceptions of favoritism, a toxic environment, and dissatisfaction from layoffs and offshoring. In 2023, the company achieved a 57% reduction in Tier 1 and a 56% reduction in Tier 2 process safety events compared to 2022. However, some plants have faced scrutiny over safety exemptions despite past worker fatalities. A subsidiary agreed to pay a $2.4 million penalty in May 2023 for environmental violations , raising concerns about safe working conditions. Eastman received a score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index in 2023 for LGBTQ+ workplace equality and equitable benefits. The company aims for gender parity and racial/ethnic diversity by 2030 , with 2023 figures showing 40% female representation in global professional roles and 15% racially and ethnically diverse talent in U.S. professional roles. A 2017 lawsuit alleged failure to accommodate a disabled employee.

Fair Trade & Ethical Sourcing

Eastman Chemical Company requires suppliers to adhere to a Third-Party Code of Conduct

and has Cradle to Cradle Certified™ copolyester products . The company is committed to the United Nations Global Compact . While these initiatives demonstrate a commitment to ethical sourcing, the provided article does not contain specific quantitative data points such as percentages of spend on certified materials, audit frequencies, number of incidents, or traceability coverage, which are required to score the KPIs.

Kind to Animals

Eastman Chemical Company's animal testing policy states that it does not conduct animal studies unless legally required or when no non-animal alternatives are available for safety assurance.

In necessary cases, the company follows the 'three Rs' framework—Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement. The company also offers alternatives to antibiotics in animal feed. However, Eastman Chemical Resins Inc. was fined $2.4 million in May 2023 for environmental violations, including pollutant discharges into the Monongahela River, which impacted wildlife habitats. An audit in December 2022 also found the Kingsport facility emitted unsafe levels of sulfur dioxide for nearly a decade. Despite these issues, Eastman engages in biodiversity conservation, collaborating with groups like The Nature Conservancy and the Gwent Wildlife Trust. The Eastman Foundation supported the acquisition of a preserve in Shady Valley, Tennessee, which supports at least 26 rare plants and animals. In 2022, the company planted over 200 trees to create new habitats and established pollinator gardens on its corporate campus.

No War, No Weapons

Eastman Chemical Company has a historical association with military production, particularly during World War II, when it managed the Holston Ordnance Works, producing RDX explosives and contributing to the Manhattan Project

. The company was also named among the top 100 Military Friendly Employers in 2010 . However, there is no current evidence indicating direct involvement in arms manufacturing or military contracts, with the company's primary operations centered around civilian applications .

Planet-Friendly Business

In 2023, Eastman Chemical Company reported total Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions of 6,537,605 metric tons of CO₂ equivalent.

The company has committed to reducing these emissions by one-third by 2030 from a 2017 baseline and aims for carbon neutrality by 2050. As of 2023, absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions have been reduced by 21.8%. Eastman targets 100% renewable electricity in North America and Europe by 2030. The company's cogeneration systems convert over 70% of fossil fuel energy into power and steam, reducing emissions equivalent to 131,000 cars per year. Eastman invested $85 million to switch five coal boilers to natural gas, cutting sulfur dioxide emissions by 70%, and an additional $10 million in 2021 for controls on two more boilers. In 2023, SO₂ emissions were reduced by 64.3% and NOₓ emissions by 26.7% compared to 2017. Eastman is investing in molecular recycling, with plans for facilities in Texas and Tennessee to process 110,000 metric tons and 500 million pounds of plastic waste annually, respectively. The Texas facility will use thermal batteries for zero-carbon process heat, cutting greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90%. The company was recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy for a 12% energy productivity improvement and received multiple ENERGY STAR® awards.

Respect for Cultures & Communities

Eastman has formal grievance mechanisms for community concerns through 10 Community Advisory Panels (CAPs) at its largest global manufacturing sites.

These CAPs serve as a mechanism for communities to voice concerns. Eastman has formal grievance mechanisms for community concerns through 10 Community Advisory Panels (CAPs) at its largest global manufacturing sites, covering approximately 24.39% of its 41 manufacturing facilities. These CAPs serve as a mechanism for communities to voice concerns. The company also maintains 19 formal partnership agreements with local community groups and non-profits, including the CAPs, the Northeast Tennessee Regional Hub, Rumpke Waste & Recycling, Food City, Tradewater, Bonneville Environmental Foundation, University of Tennessee, Goodwill Industries, Tri-Cities Airport, and the Greater Kingsport Family YMCA. No cultural appropriation incidents have been reported.

Safe & Smart Tech

Eastman Chemical Company has experienced cyber-attacks, but none have had a material adverse impact on operations or financial results, indicating no significant data breaches or unauthorized data use incidents.

The company implements a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy aligned with the U.S. National National Institute of Standards and Technology Cybersecurity Framework, including a dedicated security operations center, network and host-based protections, privileged access management, and data encryption. All employees, including part-time and temporary staff, undergo annual cybersecurity training and compliance programs. Governance includes oversight by the Board's Audit Committee, receiving quarterly updates, and a Privacy Council for regulatory adherence. The company also conducts regular audits and adheres to security standards like CFATS and C-TPAT.

Zero Waste & Sustainable Products

Eastman has developed molecular recycling technologies, including polyester renewal technology and carbon renewal technology, which break down hard-to-recycle plastics into molecular components for reconstitution into new materials without degradation, enabling continuous recycling and diverting waste from landfills.

These technologies are applied in products such as eyewear, cosmetics packaging, textiles, and reusable water bottles, and in new packaging collections. The company completed a closed-loop recycling project for mixed plastic waste from end-of-life vehicles. Eastman is committed to the Operation Clean Sweep program to prevent pellet, flake, and powder loss in its operations. The company plans to invest up to $1 billion in a molecular recycling facility in France, aiming to recycle approximately 160,000 metric tonnes of hard-to-recycle plastic waste annually by 2025. Eastman has set targets to recycle 250 million pounds of plastic waste annually by 2025 and over 500 million pounds by 2030. One packaging initiative aims to divert waste equivalent to 25% of the packaging weight from landfills, with potential increases up to 50% by the end of 2023. The Cristal™ One Renew collection includes recyclable resin with 50% molecular recycled content.