PolyOne and Eastman Chemical Company Form Strategic Alliance to Compound and Market Eastman Tritan(TM) Copolyesters

CLEVELAND, June 5  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- PolyOne Corporation (NYSE: POL), a leading global provider of specialized polymer materials, services and solutions, announced today that it has signed a market development agreement with Eastman Chemical Company (NYSE:EMN) designating PolyOne as the exclusive compounder of filled systems with Eastman's new-generation Tritan(TM) copolyester in North America.

In this role, PolyOne will apply its industry-leading formulation and compounding expertise to combine Eastman Tritan(TM) copolyester with performance-enhancing additives to develop fully compounded systems.  PolyOne will work with its customers and Eastman to develop new applications and markets for these compounded materials, with a focus on high-value, specialty, niche applications.

Eastman's new Tritan(TM) copolyester is noted for its clarity, toughness, high chemical and heat resistance, and ease of processing.  For molders, the innovative chemistry of Tritan(TM) copolyester, which is manufactured without bisphenol-A (BPA), offers numerous processing advantages as compared with other transparent polymers.  These include faster molding cycles, fewer production steps and a potential for reduction in energy usage.  It can also be molded with lower levels of residual stress as compared with polycarbonate.

These unique properties make Eastman Tritan(TM) copolyester ideal for many applications including molded parts for small kitchen appliances, and items such as reusable food containers and sports bottles that undergo repeated dishwasher cycles.  The performance of properties of Tritan(TM) copolyester allows molded parts to withstand the dishwasher environment without cracking or crazing.

"We are pleased that Eastman is looking to PolyOne for its technology and service capabilities to fulfill the technical and commercial promise of this versatile new plastic," said Craig M. Nikrant, vice president and general manager, Specialty Engineered Materials.  "Our global operations allow us to serve our customers with specialty compounds across the world.  This strategic partnership affirms PolyOne's commitment to its specialization strategy and provides a unique value offering to help our customers build a competitive advantage."

Nikrant noted that PolyOne's specialty manufacturing plant in Avon Lake, Ohio, is designed to support projects such as Tritan(TM), with a focus on rapid turnaround and speed to market.

"Eastman is very excited about the market potential of Eastman Tritan(TM) copolyester, with its unique balance of properties, performance and processability," said Deborah Baum Crain, director of copolyester innovation. "This new polymer offers outstanding durability, which provides long product life as well as strong aesthetic appeal.  We look forward to teaming with PolyOne to expand the potential of Tritan(TM) copolyester in innovative new compounds, applications and market opportunities."

About PolyOne

PolyOne Corporation, with annual revenues of more than $2.7 billion, is a leading global provider of specialized polymer materials, services and solutions. Headquartered outside of Cleveland, Ohio USA, PolyOne has operations around the globe. For additional information on PolyOne, visit our new Web site at http://www.polyone.com/ .

About Eastman

Eastman manufactures and markets chemicals, fibers and plastics worldwide. It provides key differentiated coatings, adhesives and specialty plastics products; is a major supplier of cellulose acetate fibers; and produces PET polymers for packaging.  As a Responsible Care(R) company, Eastman is committed to achieving the highest standards of health, safety, environmental and security performance.  Founded in 1920 and headquartered in Kingsport, Tenn., Eastman is a FORTUNE 500 company with 2007 sales of $6.8 billion and approximately 10,500 employees.  For more information about Eastman and its products, visit http://www.eastman.com/ . 

DATASOURCE: PolyOne Corporation



CONTACT:  David Honeycutt, Director of Marketing Communications of

PolyOne Corp., [phone], ; Lucy Stewart,

Global Trade Media Relations Manager of Eastman Chemical Company,

[phone], 



Web site:  http://www.polyone.com/

http://www.eastman.com/ 

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