Eastman Resins Meet Industry Standards for Photographic Chemical Activity
KINGSPORT, Tenn. (Sept. 22, 2000)-Eastman Chemical Company (NYSE:EMN) today announced that ten film-grade resins passed the Photographic Activity Test (PAT), according to American National Standards Institute IT9.16, conducted by the Rochester Institute of Technology. The test, developed as a worldwide industry standard, determines if polymers in film form produce adverse reactions with photographs.
Submitted by Eastman for the six-week evaluations, the resins also passed "ph tests" that determine the acidity of the films. Acid content in paper, plastic, and other substrates has been shown to cause yellowing, thus deteriorating photographs and printed materials. The tests indicate that Eastman film-grade resins, in their natural form, do not contain additives that can migrate and adversely impact the protected article.
According to John Butler, business market manager for specialty polymers, the key advantage of these certifications is that Eastman resins can compete with vinyl clarified polyolefins and biaxial oriented polyester films (BOPET), thus expanding potential applications. "In response to customer requests, Eastman obtained PAT and ph data so our resins can be used in film applications for photographic storage and archival devices."
Eastman resins passing the tests include:
Spectar copolyester 14471 Spectar-UV copolyester Eastar PETG 6763 Eastar copolyester AN001 Eastar PCTG 5445 Eastar copolyester GN101 Provista copolymer Ecdel elastomer 9967 Eastapak copolyester 9921 Mxsten polymer
While some polyester and polyolefin films do not have the clarity and stiffness needed for storage devices, Eastman resins exhibit good clarity and toughness. Films extruded from Eastman resins are easy to thermoform, heat-bend and can readily be bonded or sealed. The films can also be UV stabilized for outdoor use. Less expensive than BOPET films, Eastman polymers offer a good value for performance.
Butler said markets for film resins passing the PAT and ph tests include page protectors, document and photograph storage, trading card protectors, storage for collectibles, scrapbooking supplies, thermoformed article containers, magazine folders, and shipping tubes.
Headquartered in Kingsport, Eastman manufactures and markets plastics, chemicals and fibers. Eastman employs approximately 15,000 people in more than 30 countries and had 1999 sales of $4.59 billion.
Other news from the department
Get the chemical industry in your inbox
From now on, don't miss a thing: Our newsletter for the chemical industry, analytics, lab technology and process engineering brings you up to date every Tuesday and Thursday. The latest industry news, product highlights and innovations - compact and easy to understand in your inbox. Researched by us so you don't have to.
