Eastman Sees Big Chances in China for Its Bisphenol A-Free Tritan Copolyester Materials

Eastman Chemical Co. sees big opportunities in China for its bisphenol A-free Tritan copolyester materials, as Beijing follows Canada and the European Union to ban BPA in baby bottles, and Chinese parents scramble to find safer alternatives. Beijing began June 1 banning the production of baby bottles that contain BPA and will ban the import and sale of such bottles starting Sept. 1. "We have seen a dramatically increasing demand in China for BPA-free material solutions when food safety is becoming the whole country’s concern, " said Travis Smith, Asia-Pacific regional business director for Specialty Plastics Business, at a press conference held during Chinaplas 2011, held May 17-20 in Guangzhou. In addition to infant care, Eastman also is targeting the housewares and small appliances markets in China. Currently, Tritan-based products made by Lock & Lock, Tupperware, and Shenzhen-based Emoi Lifestyle Co. Ltd. are available in the Chinese market. But the company said it is only starting to penetrate China’s domestic market and is focused on developing local clients. In order to tap into the tremendous potential in China — about 16 million babies are born here every year — Eastman needs to boost market awareness. Chinese processors are used to processing commodity plastics like polycarbonate, ABS and PET, and are unfamiliar with copolyester materials, Smith said. Eastman’s Shanghai research and development center aims to educate customers on the Tritan materials’ advantages as well as processability. The company expects to receive multiple contact, food contact approval for Tritan from China’s Ministry of Health in June, having already obtained approvals from the United States, Europe, Canada and Japan. Eastman also is boosting its capacity to get ready for growing demand. Its existing Tritan plant — launched in 2008 — makes just over 30, 000 tons (66 million pounds) annually. Half of that is processed in Asia, either for local consumption or made into products that are exported to Europe and North America. The Kingsport, Tenn. -based company is in the process of building a second plant, which is scheduled to come on stream in early 2012. The 60, 000 tons (132 million pounds) of new capacity is expected to be sold out immediately, according to Smith. Speaking of Eastman’s China strategies, Smith said the company is committed to long-term growth as well as localization, including building local talent and local insights. Specifically for Tritan, he said the company is open to partners downstream to open up the market in China. Source: Plastics News