next generation of biodegradable plastic introduced by eastman

19-Mar-2002

KINGSPORT, Tenn, March 14, 2002 - Eastman Chemical Company today announces the introduction of EASTAR BIO Ultra copolyester, a new entry in its line of EASTAR BIO biodegradable resins.

EASTAR BIO Ultra copolyester features a higher melt viscosity than its sister product, EASTAR BIO GP copolyester. "EASTAR BIO Ultra with its higher melt viscosity is engineered specifically for the rigorous demands of blown film processing, permitting higher throughputs and improved processability," said Julian Jensen, Eastman's business market manager with responsibility for the biodegradable product line. "Extrusion processing conditions will be similar to a high melt index low density polyethylene (LDPE)."

Engineered to be durable for its useful life, EASTAR BIO Ultra completely biodegrades to carbon dioxide, water and biomass in 180 days in a commercial composting environment. It will become invisible to the naked eye in as little as twelve weeks, a time frame comparable to paper in the same environment.

Film made of this copolyester is strong, moisture-resistant, durable outside a composting environment and provides good tear and puncture resistance, particularly at lower temperatures.

Applications for the product include agricultural films, lamination films for rigid food packaging, leaf and lawn waste bags and horticultural applications. EASTAR BIO Ultra copolyester is approved for food contact in the European Union and the U.S. When used as a laminate film on conventional biodegradable materials such as starch, EASTAR BIO Ultra provides moisture protection and strengthens rigid packaging structures such as produce and meat trays, significantly increasing the volume of materials suitable for disposal in composting facilities.

EASTAR BIO copolyesters fully meet ASTM and DIN standards for biodegradation.

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