Eastman Chemical Company receives patent for Embrace copolyester for shrink film applications
27-Feb-2002
KINGSPORT, Tenn., February 26, 2002-Eastman Chemical Company has received composition patent allowance for specialty copolyesters for use in shrink film applications. The patent covers the Embrace copolyester family and related products.
Embrace copolyester is designed specifically to meet the needs of the shrink film market. A resin that provides maximum design freedom and maximum shelf appeal for the packaging designer, it has the ability to produce attractive graphics and a label that can fit to high contour containers.
"About two and a half years ago," reports Dr. Phillip Griswold, vice president and general manager of Eastman's Specialty plastics business, "we determined the need for a specialized copolyester for use in shrink label applications. We believed there was significant growth opportunity for an environmentally friendly, easy to process copolyester resin."
Recent industry studies have shown that belief to be accurate. Shrink labels for use on uniquely contoured containers are forecast to be one of the fastest growing segments in the label industry over the next three to five years. While PVC has historically been the shrink film of choice, industry projections reveal specialty copolyesters will challenge PVC in the next two to three years as the major shrink film in North America.
"This patent along with over two years of R&D and manufacturing experience at multiple global locations will allow us to service both existing and new customers in this rapidly growing market," notes Dr. Griswold. "We have sufficient Embrace copolyester capacity available today to meet the currently forecasted market demand through at least 2005. This existing capacity combined with an ongoing focus on improving our manufacturing processes uniquely positions Eastman to support our customers and their customers in this cost-competitive market."
Key features of Embrace copolyester include greater than 70% ultimate shrinkage for "ultimate design freedom", good shrink force, high clarity and low haze, good gloss and sparkle and good chemical resistance. A homogeneous material, Embrace requires neither pellet blending nor the use of plasticizers.
Embrace Copolyester is one of a number of Eastman Specialty Plastics, an extensive portfolio of products providing unique, value- adding solutions to the extrusion, injection molding and fiber spinning industries.
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