OREANDA-NEWS. For the fifth consecutive year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognizes Eastman Chemical Company (NYSE: EMN) with a 2016 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year Award for continued leadership in protecting the environment through superior energy efficiency achievements. This year marks Eastman’s third consecutive ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year – Sustained Excellence Award, EPA’s highest ENERGY STAR honor. The award reaffirms Eastman’s commitment to its energy management program, which continues to drive sustainable and impactful improvements in energy performance, resulting in energy intensity reductions, avoided costs and lowered emissions. With awards in 2014 and 2015, Eastman became the only chemical company to receive the ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year - Sustained Excellence Award. Additionally, the EPA named Eastman an ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year in 2012 and 2013.

“To be recognized by the EPA five years in a row for Eastman’s commitment to energy management and environmental stewardship is a tremendous honor,” said Mark Costa, Chairman and CEO of Eastman. “At Eastman, we’re mindful that we manage energy-intensive operations, which is why we’re committed to implementing innovative solutions to maximize efficiency and reduce our environmental impact. Our worldwide energy team continues to lead the charge and engage our employees globally to make a positive difference. I could not be more proud of the success they are driving across the company.”

An ENERGY STAR partner since 2008, Eastman’s award-winning energy management program includes the following highlights from 2015:

  • improving energy intensity by 9-percent since 2008, avoiding $30 million in energy costs in 2015
  • working with universities to advance new energy-saving technology
  • training process improvement engineers to optimize the operations of existing units
  • securing the “Designed to Earn the ENERGY STAR” designation for Eastman’s new Corporate Business Center
  • achieving ENERGY STAR Challenge for Industry recognition at the company’s operations in Indian Orchard, Mass.
  • supporting local school systems in measuring and managing energy in their buildings using ENERGY STAR resources
  • sharing expertise among ENERGY STAR industrial partners and suppliers
  • promoting energy efficiency and ENERGY STAR through a variety of forums and media using its “Be a star. Help the planet.” campaign featuring ENERGY STAR superheroes

“By continued collaboration with ENERGY STAR, Eastman is helping Americans save money, save energy, and do their part to reduce our nation’s greenhouse gas emissions that exacerbate climate change,” said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. “I’m proud to recognize Eastman with the highest form of ENERGY STAR recognition, as the winner of the 2016 Partner of the Year – Sustained Excellence Award. Eastman demonstrates a strong commitment to energy efficiency and to preserving a healthy planet for future generations.” The 2016 Partner of the Year – Sustained Excellence Awards recognize ongoing leadership across the ENERGY STAR program, including energy-efficient products, services, new homes, and buildings in the commercial, industrial, and public sectors. Eastman’s accomplishments will be recognized at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., on April 13, 2016.

About Eastman
Eastman is a global specialty chemical company that produces a broad range of products found in items people use every day. With a portfolio of specialty businesses, Eastman works with customers to deliver innovative products and solutions while maintaining a commitment to safety and sustainability. Its market-driven approaches take advantage of world-class technology platforms and leading positions in attractive end-markets such as transportation, building and construction, and consumables. Eastman focuses on creating consistent, superior value for all stakeholders. As a globally diverse company, Eastman serves customers in approximately 100 countries and had 2015 revenues of approximately $9.6 billion. The company is headquartered in Kingsport, Tennessee, USA and employs approximately 15,000 people around the world.

About ENERGY STAR
ENERGY STAR® is the simple choice for energy efficiency. For more than 20 years, people across America have looked to EPA’s ENERGY STAR program for guidance on how to save energy, save money, and protect the environment. Behind each blue label is a product, building, or home that is independently certified to use less energy and cause fewer of the emissions that contribute to climate change. Today, ENERGY STAR is the most widely recognized symbol for energy efficiency in the world, helping families and businesses save $362 billion on utility bills, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by more than 2.4 billion metric tons since 1992.