DIAMONDS IN THE ROUGH
Eastman Chemical was the first U.S. manufacturer to develop and commercialize technology that employs coal as a raw material to produce methanol and methyl acetate, used as intermediates in producing acetic anhydride. They are today one of the world's largest producers of acetyl chemicals including acetic anhydride, an important chemical in making cellulose acetate. In turn, they use cellulose acetate to produce photographic film base, acetate yarn and tow, cellulosic plastics, coatings, chemicals, and other products. The American Chemical Society in 1995 designated their process to produce chemicals from coal a national historic landmark.

For more information, contact Eastman Chemical Company, P.O. Box 431, Kingsport, TN 37662-5280, 800-EASTMAN (800-327-8626).