Eastman Offers Adhesives Industry Solutions for Global Wax Shortage


Kingsport, Tenn., U.S.A. (Nov. 9, 2005) - A global shortage of raw materials such as Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) wax has compelled adhesives manufacturers to seek alternative ingredients for their hot-melt adhesive (HMA) formulations. Particularly affected are manufacturers of EVA-based (ethylene vinyl acetate) hot-melt packaging adhesives formulated with F-T wax. To help manufacturers mitigate the shortage, Eastman Chemical Company offers two polyethylene waxes, Epolene N-14 and Epolene N-21, which provide partial or full substitution of F-T waxes in HMA formulations. Eastman Technical Tip (TT - 55), "Reducing Fischer-Tropsch Wax Content in Hot Melt Adhesives," which includes performance data and sample formulation tables, is now available online at http://www.tackifier.com/fischer-tropsch.

"Eastman is committed to helping adhesives manufacturers effectively deal with industry challenges and to advance adhesives technology," said Jeff Presley, product manager, polymer raw materials for Eastman. "Epolene polyethylene waxes allow packaging adhesives manufacturers to meet the specific challenges presented by the F-T shortage head-on, without sacrificing HMA performance."

Depending on the specific performance demands of a given HMA application, it is possible to provide full or partial substitution of F-T wax in an adhesives formulation using Epolene N-14 and Epolene N-21. They offer packaging adhesives formulators cost-effective alternatives to F-T waxes and in some cases, enhance the overall performance of HMAs. Using Epolene polyethylene waxes results in similar adhesion and cohesion, low temperature fiber tear, and longer open time than with F-T waxes.

About Eastman Chemical Company

Eastman Chemical Company (NYSE:EMN) manufactures and markets chemicals, fibers and plastics worldwide. It provides key differentiated coatings, adhesives and specialty plastics products; is the world's largest producer of PET polymers for packaging; and is a major supplier of cellulose acetate fibers. Founded in 1920 and headquartered in Kingsport, Tenn., Eastman is a FORTUNE 500 company with 2004 sales of $6.6 billion and approximately 12,000 employees. For more information about Eastman and its products, visit www.eastman.com.

For more information, please contact Rachel-Marie Lewis, Global Media Relations Supervisor, Eastman Chemical Company, tel: +1 423-229-2721, email: rmlewis@eastman.com.

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