Eastman Chemical Company Joins WBCSD

Geneva, – The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) today announced that Eastman Chemical Company has joined its membership. The company will be closely involved with the WBCSD’s new Chemical Sector, “Reaching Full Potential” project.

Eastman produces a broad range of advanced materials, additives and functional products, specialty chemicals, and fibers, and serves customers in approximately 100 countries. Sustainability is essential to Eastman, as the company strives to do business by creating value through environmental stewardship, social responsibility and economic growth, now and for future generations.

Peter Bakker, President, WBCSD said: “I am thrilled that we can launch our new project with one of the global leaders in the chemicals sector. Having Eastman on board will greatly benefit and enrich the work we do. Their sustainability program is robust and extensive, taking in the three pillars of sustainability.”

“Eastman’s growth depends on integrating sustainability across everything we do, from product development and process improvement, to strategic acquisitions and our continued stewardship of the earth’s valuable resources,” said Jim Rogers, Eastman’s Chairman and CEO. “Through WBCSD membership, we will be collaborating with other leading corporations to advance sustainability across our value chains and the world.”

Eastman will be represented at the WBCSD by its Senior Vice President and Chief Regional and Sustainability Officer, Godefroy Motte. The WBCSD Liaison Delegate is Anne Kilgore, Director of Sustainability.

“We are proud to be joining WBCSD, the leading organization for advocating corporate sustainability,” said Motte. “Our vision at Eastman is to be recognized for a deep rooted commitment to sustainability and our collaboration with WBCSD will meaningfully enhance that commitment. We look forward to contributing our thinking and ideas, while learning from others through the partnership.”

One of its first areas of focus as a WBCSD member is the Chemical Sector project’s Avoided Emissions work, which Eastman has joined. WBCSD, in conjunction with the International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA), will develop case studies applying best-practices to account for and report on emissions avoided through the use of chemical products. For the chemical industry, this will be an important demonstration of the positive contribution of its solutions to solving the climate change challenge.

About the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)
The World Business Council for Sustainable Development is a CEO-led organization of forward-thinking companies that galvanizes the global business community to create a sustainable future for business, society and the environment. Together with its members, the Council applies its respected thought leadership and effective advocacy to generate constructive solutions and take shared action. Leveraging its strong relationships with stakeholders as the leading advocate for business, the council helps drive debate and policy change in favor of sustainable development solutions.

The WBCSD provides a forum for its 200 member companies - who represent all business sectors, all continents and a combined revenue of more than $7 trillion - to share best practices on sustainable development issues and to develop innovative tools that change the status quo. The Council also benefits from a network of 60 national and regional business councils and partner organizations, a majority of which are based in developing countries. www.wbcsd.org

About Eastman Chemical Company
Eastman is a global specialty chemicals company that produces a broad range of advanced materials, additives and functional products, specialty chemicals and fibers that are found in products people use every day. As a world leader in the diverse markets it serves, Eastman is focused on delivering innovative and technology-based solutions while maintaining its commitment to safety and sustainability. Serving customers in approximately 100 countries, Eastman had 2011 pro forma revenues, giving effect to the Solutia acquisition, of approximately $9.3 billion. The company is based in Kingsport, Tenn., USA, and, with the completion of the Solutia acquisition, now employs approximately 13,500 people around the world. For more information about Eastman, visit www.eastman.com