Eastman Chemical Company has announced investments in expanding its capabilities for the production of Eastman Impera™ performance resins for tires at both its Middelburg, The Netherlands, and Jefferson, Pa., manufacturing sites. The expansions will serve the growing demand from tire makers around the world for Impera resins that enable improved safety, efficiency and performance. This effort supports the growth strategy of Eastman’s Tire Additives business, which is part of its Additives & Functional Products operating segment.
“As consumers and OEMs continue to raise expectations for higher performing tires, tire makers are responding by pushing the boundaries of tire technology,” said Gunes Celik, vice president and general manager, Eastman Tire Additives. “Impera performance resins have become a preferred technology to enable improvements in fuel economy, tire performance and tread life. These investments will allow Eastman to continue to support the growing needs of leading tire makers and expand on our position as a key innovator in the tire industry.”
Eastman’s Impera hydrocarbon and natural resins are used as additives in tire formulations around the world. Impera performance resins help tire compounders expand beyond the trade-offs typically imposed by the “magic triangle” of tire performance that balances wet grip, rolling resistance and wear. These resins are a vital tool for meeting the mobility challenges of today and tomorrow.
“With an accelerating pace of innovation in the tire industry, expanding our capacity between 10 and 15 percent while building on our already-strong capabilities is one more way that Eastman is aligning our innovation with our customers’ needs,” Celik added.
About Eastman
Eastman is a global specialty materials company that produces a broad range of products found in items people use every day. With the purpose of enhancing the quality of life in a material way, Eastman works with customers to deliver innovative products and solutions while maintaining a commitment to safety and sustainability. The company’s innovation-driven growth model takes advantage of world-class technology platforms, deep customer engagement, and differentiated application development to grow its leading positions in attractive end markets such as transportation, building and construction, and consumables. As a globally inclusive and diverse company, Eastman employs approximately 14,500 people around the world and serves customers in more than 100 countries. The company had 2018 revenues of approximately $10 billion and is headquartered in Kingsport, Tennessee, USA. For more information, visit www.eastman.com.
Quelle: Eastman
