CHED 32 |
| Eastman Chemical Company was started in 1920 in response to a sustainability issue. The troubles then were not in the Middle East, but in Europe, where wars and political instability caused supply disruptions in the chemicals needed for Eastman Kodak Company's photographic business. In response, George Eastman created Eastman Chemical Company in Kingsport, TN when he started a wood alcohol (methanol) unit to provide solvent for cellulose nitrate films. However, the dislocation from existing oil and gas reserves has always driven Eastman to respond to unique challenges with unique products and processes in order to sustain its enterprise. Since the enterprise survived for >85 years and now employs approximately 7000 people in Kingsport site, it must be regarded as a success. In this talk, I will discuss Eastman Chemical Company's history of sustainable innovation, from its inception to its Chemicals from Coal program and my personal experiences as a chemist as we have grappled with these issues. |
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Sustainability and Chemical Education: Industry's Perspective
8:30 AM-11:40 AM, Sunday, March 25, 2007 McCormick Place North -- Room N229, Level 2, Oral
Division of Chemical Education |