Eastman Chemical

Eastman Chemical Company is a U.S.-based specialty materials manufacturer headquartered in Kingsport, Tennessee. The company makes advanced materials, additives, fibers, and chemical intermediates for industries like transportation, construction, and consumer goods. Water is especially important to Eastman since its manufacturing plants need large amounts for processing and cooling.

Eastman's main water ESG achievement is its organized approach to assessing water risks, instead of focusing on just one conservation project. The company carried out Water Body Risk Assessments at six sites through an American Chemistry Council program. These reviews look at local water conditions, how operations affect water, and ways to lower risks to watersheds. This work adds to Eastman's wider review of facilities in areas with water stress.

Eastman also had outside experts review the large once-through cooling system at its Kingsport plant. About 95% of the water taken from the site is used for noncontact cooling and then returned to the South Holston River with no change to its chemistry.

Eastman worked with the Electric Power Research Institute to compare its current cooling system to a closed-cycle system. The review looked at effects on aquatic life, water supply, public safety, and the community. It recommended keeping the current system in place.

This shows a strong risk-management approach, as Eastman relied on outside experts and local data instead of just assuming that using less water would always be better. However, the review did not result in a specific water saving, and Eastman's total water withdrawals went up in 2024. The company's low net water use is mainly because it returns most of the cooling water, not because it uses little water overall.