Eastman showcases sustainable cosmetics portfolio at LUXE PACK LA

KINGSPORT, Tennessee

Global specialty plastics provider Eastman showcases its sustainable cosmetics portfolio at LUXE PACK Los Angeles at the Los Angeles Convention Center, Feb. 11–12. Eastman will feature new-generation Eastman Trēva^™ engineering bioplastic with more than 70% sustainable content and Cristal Revēl^™ copolyesters, compounded polyesters that are made from post-consumer recycled (PCR) content, as well as Eastman copolyesters that include RIC 1 (Resin Identification Coding) options.

Eastman initially unveiled its sustainable packaging breakthroughs at LUXE PACK MONACO, where it won the 2019 LUXE PACK in green Award in the Responsible Initiatives category for activating the circular economy.

"Eastman has created sustainable materials specifically formulated for cosmetics and personal care packaging," said Scott Ballard, vice president and general manager for Eastman Specialty Plastics. "Our portfolio of biobased and recycled polymers offers innovative design and application possibilities without performance compromise."

Eastman's sustainable packaging solutions are part of The Glass Polymer^™ family of cosmetic materials, produced through Eastman's three recycling technology loops: carbon renewal technology (CRT), polyester renewal technology (PRT) and mechanical recycle stream technology.

Utilizing CRT, Eastman is now producing a next generation of Trēva with 71.5% sustainable content. This is achieved by adding certified recycled content via mass balance allocation to Trēva's 48% biobased content. CRT is a chemical recycling technology that diverts mixed plastic waste from landfills and converts it to syngas, which is then used to produce a variety of Eastman products, including Trēva.

With PRT, Eastman is now able to incorporate high levels of certified recycled content into its entire portfolio of cosmetic materials, including Eastman Cristal^™ EV600 copolyester. PRT is a chemical recycling process that uses different technologies, such as glycolysis, to recycle mixed polyester waste, including colored PET and Eastman copolyesters, into virgin-like polymers with zero drop-off in performance, safety or aesthetics. A later phase of PRT using methanolysis to break down a wide variety of waste polyesters will be fully operational by 2022.

Eastman's mechanical recycle stream technology leverages the municipal recycling stream to compound high-quality PCR feedstock with proprietary combinations of virgin copolyester. The resulting resin addresses a diverse set of needs, including color, processing, sustainability and mold thickness—all in a single-pellet solution. Most of these products are compatible in the PET recycle stream, enabling brands to close the loop via existing recycling infrastructure.

Both CRT and PRT offer beginning-of-life and end-of-life solutions for plastic packaging that might otherwise end up in landfills. They also enable closed-loop solutions with resulting products that can be infinitely recycled. Eastman is in discussions with leading cosmetics brands to begin take-back programs for hard-to-recycle materials. Announcements about these collaborations are forthcoming.

Visit Booth G11 in Los Angeles to learn more about Eastman's sustainable cosmetic packaging solutions.

About Eastman

Eastman is a global specialty materials company that leverages innovation, technology and application development to grow its leading positions in end markets such as agriculture, transportation, building and construction, and consumables.