Eastman: Renewables Procurement Key to Sustainability Effort

Eastman develops material solutions for industries including agriculture, consumer goods and textiles.

With a team of more than 14,000, Eastman's renewable materials have been adopted by more than 100 global brands such as LVMH, Yeti and Procter & Gamble.

Eastman's 2025 Sustainability Report details its progress towards its climate and circularity goals, with procurement playing an integral role.

Climate strategy and decarbonisation

A primary climate goal for Eastman is to achieve net-zero operations by 2050. This aligns with its wider decarbonisation strategy, which is based on improving energy efficiency in its operations and utilising renewable energy sources where available.

Eastman is targeting a 30% reduction in its Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 2035.

According to Eastman, it has 50 active energy efficiency projects worldwide; including at its manufacturing sites in Tennessee and Texas in the US.

Eastman is also aiming to procure renewable energy for its facilities, and develop low-carbon technologies. These could include thermal batteries and carbon capture, which could be vital in decarbonising energy-intensive processes.

Mark Costa, CEO of Eastman, says: “As we continue to navigate a challenging global economic environment we remain committed to a strategy built on growth through innovation that aligns with sustainability macro trends.

"That strategy is working and our focus on sustainable innovation is delivering our business results and reinforces our purpose to enhance the quality of life in a material way. Our 2025 Sustainability Report is an ideal place to learn more about our growth strategy and how material innovation is vital to building A Better Circle.”

Strategic partnerships in carbon capture

To help reduce its emissions, Eastman is developing material solutions that address its climate impact such as molecular recycling.

This process has the benefits of processing hard-to-recycle waste and producing new material, building blocks with up to 50% lower greenhouse gas emissions than traditional methods.

To further advance its climate action, Eastman is forming strategic partnerships, including its involvement with the Global Carbon Capture and Storage (CSS) Institute. The Global CSS Institute is a network of governments corporations, research bodies and NGOs, that share best practices and scientific advancements in carbon capture technology.

Eastman’s report states that carbon capture and storage solutions could be vital in reducing emissions particularly those from heavy industry.

Molecular recycling for a circular economy

One of Eastman’s key objectives is to help build a circular economy for plastics.

Eastman plans to recycle at least 500 million pounds of plastic waste annually by 2030, which is the equivalent of recycling 22 billion single-use water bottles.

Items such as carpet polyester shirts or coloured PET bottles are not always processed by traditional mechanical recycling. Eastman’s molecular recycling technology can recycle these products to create its Renew materials.

This process provides global manufacturing markets with a source of recycled materials that are indistinguishable from virgin plastics.

The report states: “The world needs molecular recycling and mechanical recycling working in tandem to reduce waste”.

Eastman produces its Eastman Renew material at the world’s largest polyester molecular recycling facility at its site in Kingsport Tennessee US which opened in March 2024.

In its first year and a half of operation it has recycled more than 100 million pounds of plastic waste. Eastman is now collaborating with recycling companies worldwide to promote better recycling infrastructure.

Chris Killian Chief Sustainability Officer at Eastman, explains: “Eastman has the opportunity to make a major positive impact through better more sustainable materials.

"We can help solve global issues like plastic waste through circular plastics and biodegradable cellulosic polymers that reduce environmental impact. For the sake of future generations product innovation in the materials industry must be more sustainable.”