Eastman Chemical : 2016, Nov 23 - Eastman Tritan™ copolyester sets a new benchmark for security critical documents

Kingsport, Tenn., USA - 23 November 2016 - ID cards, driver's licenses, health-care cards and other security-critical documents are high-tech products nowadays. They must be secured against forgery and protected from data theft. The German Folienwerk Wolfen manufactures high-performance foils from Eastman Tritan™ copolyester which makes it possible to produce especially durable smart cards of high quality for governments, public transport authorities, banks and other clients.

Our world has changed at a very fast pace during the last few years. The challenges of an increasingly digital and globalized society are manifold: Governments and companies are easily wounded and, at the same time, must be able to handle great uncertainty, while offering orientation in a multilayered and ambiguous world. These challenges are summarized under the acronym VUCA, which stands for volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity. The growing global need for robust, effective security to address these challenges is critical. For government organizations and companies, it is decisive to be able to identify people reliably and unambiguously.

Innovative Tritan makes secure smart cards possible
An important contribution to more security in the world are documents that cannot be forged and are protected against data theft, such as identity cards, passports (data page), driver's licenses, health-care cards, transportation and bank cards.

Folienwerk Wolfen produces smart foils for customers around the world, using Eastman's Tritan copolyester. With Tritan, the market and the value-added chain of security documents increasingly see a breakthrough for the use of polymer-chemical working substances in their conception, manufacture and issue. Tritan is the only polymer that can keep pace with the rapid technological development of security features on plastic cards and especially with the quickly increasing installation of electronic components. The engineer Daniel Lützelschwab is working as an agent for Folienwerk Wolfen, and is well-acquainted with the background: 'For demanding national identification documents (NID), the plastics that have been available up to now are only suitable to a limited degree. Polycarbonate is not resistant enough to chemicals, especially skin oils, and is subject to stress corrosion cracking. PVC is generally not durable enough. Only Tritan makes it possible for card producers to build in all mechanical, electronic, optical, biometric and cryptographic security features, which can be used to protect a smart card against forgeries, without having a negative effect on the required durability.'

Long-term financial benefits
The utilization of Tritan is sustainable and brings financial benefits because of the above-average durability of the foils that are produced from this copolyester. Sustainability is certainly given when a smart card maintains its full functionality for 10 years and does not have to be replaced a second or a third time, due to premature wear and tear. Daniel Lützelschwab: 'Not only is the price of the foil decisive, but also all other costs over the entire service life of the foil, namely the total cost of ownership (TCO), plays a role. Tritan is therefore the right choice for all issuers of smart cards.'

Visit Folienwerk Wolfen at Trustech, booth RIV J 057, for more information about security critical documents and how Tritan can keep pace with the rapid technology changes.

More information on Eastman Tritan™ copolyester is available on: www.eastman.com/tritan.

About Folienwerk Wolfen
Folienwerk Wolfen in Germany has been producing smart foils from high quality plastics such as Tritan, PETG, PEC, PC and PLA. Its in-house division for research and development promotes innovation and the use of new technologies, while developing new processes and providing state-of-the-art products. Folienwerk Wolfen offers its customers tailor-made solutions. Special wishes, even very demanding ones, are a challenge for its employees and are gladly fulfilled. All of the foils produced by Folienwerk Wolfen are made of high quality materials, which are being used in a growing number of security-critical projects.

For more information, visit www.folienwerk-wolfen.de.

More information about the future of smart cards and the innovative use of Tritan is available in the background interview with the engineer Daniel Lützelschwab.

About Eastman Chemical Company
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.

For more information, visit www.eastman.com.