Eastman Introduces Material Difference Sampling Strategy to Design Com

Eastman Introduces Material Difference Sampling Strategy to Design Community

    Business Editors/Chemicals Writers

    NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 25, 2005--

"Pebble" Sampling is First-Phase Launch to Showcase Eastman's Commitment to Advancing Design through Innovative Materials
    Eastman Chemical Company is officially launching Material Difference--the first phase of its new material sampling strategy--at Material ConneXion in New York City, on Feb. 2, 2005. Available in scented, unscented and in a variety of colors, Eastman's palm-of-your-hand sized "pebble" samples, made from its Tenite cellulosic plastic, are the first phase of the company's Material Difference sample program for designers and brand owners. The event launch at Material ConneXion will kick off an eight-week exhibit featuring innovative applications using Eastman's specialty plastics materials, including Tenite cellulosics, that will run from Feb. 2 to March 30.
    "The choice of material has a bearing way beyond cost and formability-- the right choice can propel a product from the mundane to the exceptional. We call this our Material Difference strategy, and we express it through our growing range of samples," says Gaylon White, manager, design industry programs, Eastman. "Eastman's Tenite cellulosics is one of our most enduring materials and an appropriate choice to be at the forefront of our roll-out. However, the 'pebble' samples are just the beginning-- samples of other materials will follow to support our commitment to inspiring the design community and encouraging the development of new products and materials."
    Essentially created from wood pulp, Eastman's Tenite cellulosics bring together the manufacturing advantages of a plastic with the emotive feel and sound characteristics of natural fibers, making it an alternative to urethane in applications where the designer wants to really connect. Designers will receive a multi-colored set of pebbles made from Tenite cellulosics that demonstrate the material's unique tactile qualities. Each pebble is made of two fitted halves, allowing a designer to mix the colors or share the sample with a client. The pebble samples also reveal the high clarity and a rich set of colors--glacier, spring, aqua, sepia and cobalt--made possible with cellulosics.
    Three of Eastman's Material Difference samples are also available with encapsulated fragrances. Colors for the samples were selected to match the mood created by the aromatherapy-type scents. These include: Tranquil Escape (lime and geranium), High Energy (grapefruit and jasmine) and Stress Free (lavender and vanilla) with matching green, citrus and lavender colors. The scented pebbles were developed in collaboration with Rotuba Extruders, Inc. Additional scented pebble samples are being developed for the program.
    In addition to launching its pebble samples at Material ConneXion, Eastman will be exhibiting a number of innovative designer applications made from its various specialty plastic materials, including: the F-16 Stealth Putter, designed by Frankly Golf President Frank Thomas; the ProActive Chair, manufactured by Milanese furniture maker, ICF, and renowned designer Christophe Marchand; and "righteous" d_skin disc protectors made by d_skin LLC.
    More information on the first phase of Eastman's Material Difference sampling program can be accessed at Eastman's Innovation Lab, a Web-based design community resource for designers and brand owners, intended to add customer value by inspiring new products and services, while improving existing products and opening new market categories. The Eastman Innovation Lab offers a means for materials advancing design and provides a focal point for brand owners and designers to find innovative materials solutions. For more information on Innovation Lab, please visit www.eastmaninnovationlab.com.

    About Eastman Chemical Company

    Headquartered in Kingsport, Tenn., Eastman Chemical Company (NYSE:EMN) manufactures and markets chemicals, fibers and plastics worldwide. The company has approximately 12,000 employees and had 2003 sales of US$5.8 billion. For more information about Eastman and its products, visit www.eastman.com.

    About Material ConneXion

    Founded by George Beylerian in 1997, Material ConneXion is the world's most extensive resource for discovering new, innovative materials and processes. Headquartered in New York City, with offices in Milan and Cologne, Material ConneXion provides architects, engineers, industrial and interior designers with access to the latest and most exciting materials from a broad range of industries that are often overlooked by or inaccessible to specifiers. Its library houses over 3,000 material samples in eight categories: ceramics, glass, metals, polymers, carbon-based materials, cement-based materials, natural materials and nature-based derivatives. Complete access to the library is available through the Material ConneXion database via the Internet at www.materialconnexion.com.

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CONTACT: Gibbs & Soell, Inc. Naomi Salad/Audra Hession, 212-697-2600 nsalad@gibbs-soell.com ahession@gibbs-soell.com or Eastman Chemical Company Peter Eschbach, 423-229-6636 peschbach@eastman.com

KEYWORD: NEW YORK INDUSTRY KEYWORD: CONSUMER/HOUSEHOLD RETAIL CHEMICALS/PLASTICS MANUFACTURING FOREST PRODUCTS PRODUCT SOURCE: Eastman Chemical Company

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