TAGS: Sustainability / Natural Solutions PVC, Plasticizers and Sustainability
An interview with John Burns, Global Segment Marketing Manager at Eastman
With its unique molecular recycling technologies, Eastman is working to create a wide range of products, including plasticizers, that could contain even higher percentages of recycled content to meet the growing demands for sustainability. They are replacing traditional fossil feedstocks with renewable content to create a line of plasticizers that represent ISCC-certified recycled content*. Powered by molecular recycling that diverts plastic waste from landfills, incinerators, and the oceans, their Renew family of plasticizers are drop-in replacements that don’t compromise on performance. Compared to products made with fossil feedstocks, Renew products also reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
They’re chemically identical to legacy plasticizers and don’t require a change in formulation, process, storage, or certifications. In essence, it’s a “no-change change” that can transform brands and help improve the environment.
We recently talked to John Burns, Global Segment Marketing Manager to Eastman, about these legacy plasticizers and how they can help us to achieve true circular economy.
*Certified recycled content is achieved using ISCC-certified mass balance.
#1. How is Eastman committing to sustainability as needed in the industry today?
Eastman exists to enhance the quality of life in a material way. It’s our moral purpose — the driving force that gets us out of bed every morning to innovate new materials that will change the world. Sustainability is no longer an add-on to doing business — it is a business imperative. We are showing our commitment to sustainability in several ways, including making large investments in both the U.S. and France in our Advanced Recycling Facilities. We are striving to utilize various recycled content and bio-based feedstocks in the products we make to ultimately, significantly reduce our carbon footprint in the coming years. These commitments are being recognized across our industry, including by the Vinyl Institute, which recently awarded Eastman their +Vantage Vinyl verification.
Eastman’s motto: No compromise on sustainability (Credits: Eastman)
#2 . How did Eastman come up with the RENEW plasticizer range (key drivers,…)?
Throughout the company, we search for ways to use our technologies to meet our customers’ needs. In several of our customers’ application spaces, for instance, building products, packaging, and personal care items, there is a growing demand for enhanced sustainability. We created our
Renew family of plasticizers specifically to meet this demand. Powered by molecular recycling that diverts plastic waste from landfills, incinerators, and our oceans, our Renew family of plasticizers are drop-in replacements that don’t compromise performance. Renew products also reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to those manufactured with fossil feedstocks.
#3. What are some features of these plasticizers that can help those within the plastics value chain?
Eastman Renew plasticizers can be used as drop-in replacements without compromising performance.
Eastman 168™ Renew 20 non-phthalate plasticizer, for example, delivers the same rheological properties as legacy Eastman 168, the long-standing standard in safety and performance. That’s because, just like all of our Renew plasticizers, Eastman 168 Renew is identical in chemical makeup, performance, and regulatory certifications to Eastman 168. DOA Renew is food-contact approved, so it is ideal for packaging manufacturers looking to boost their recycled content level. Lastly, our
Eastman Triacetin Renew 59 product is also food-contact approved and has the dual benefit of recycled and bio-based content for a 100% sustainable plasticizer.
Sustainable plasticizers – No change solution that changes everything (Credits: Eastman)
#4. How do RENEW plasticizers stand out as a unique solution for the plastics value chain?
There’s no need to change formulations, processes, storage, or certifications. That’s because they’re chemically identical to the legacy plasticizers you trust. In essence, it’s a “no-change change” that can transform your brand and help benefit the environment.
This “no-change change” toward greater sustainability is made possible through
mass balance accounting, the most efficient and immediate path for formulators, compounders, manufacturers, and brands to meaningfully enhance their sustainability stories without changing formulations, processes, storage, or certifications.
#5. How can RENEW plasticizers fulfill customer requirements in the field of packaging, consumer goods,…?
You don’t have to wait to address your sustainability goals. You can take advantage of Eastman’s line of Renew plasticizers — available at scale — right now. Our existing manufacturing facilities enable us to use waste plastic as feedstocks. Eastman Advanced Circular Recycling is operational, certified, and delivering now, enabling your brand to credibly do its part to address the global plastic waste problem.
Because Renew products are chemically the same as the plasticizers you currently use and trust, switching to Renew plasticizers as drop-in replacements is an easy way for your brand to promote greater sustainability.
Eastman's Renew plasticizers as drop-in replacements for greater sustainability (Credits: Eastman)
#6. Is Eastman planning to come up with more solutions to support its overall sustainability goals?
Eastman’s approach to sustainability is broad and multi-faceted, and we are committed to advancing solutions which support many United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Our Circular Economy technology efforts have the largest impact on goals 12 and 13. Through process, systems and material innovations, we can create solutions that holistically address climate change and the plastic waste crisis while bringing products to market that contribute to the care of 10 billion people.
With our unique molecular recycling technology, we’re working to create a wide range of plasticizers that could contain even higher percentages of recycled content to meet the growing demands for sustainability. Eastman is also committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by using more natural energy — which can help lower the carbon footprint of our products.
It’s your
same formula — but with a
world of difference.
Explore Eastman's Range of Plasticizers Available in Our Database
About John Burns
John Burns is currently the Segment Market Manager and sustainability lead for Eastman’s Chemical Intermediates Division.
As sustainability lead, his key focus is on deepening an understanding of value chain needs and connecting them to the technologies that Eastman employs. John joined Eastman in 2013 as an Innovation Manager in the Corporate Innovation group.
Following this, he moved to the Chemical Intermediates Division as a Market Development Manager. Prior to joining Eastman, John worked in the building products, packaging, and petroleum industries in a variety of functions.
He has an undergraduate degree from Northeastern University and an MBA from Northwestern’s Kellogg Graduate School of Management.