EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY 
By Kingsport, Tenn. - Feb. 12, 2014 - To better provide its customers with easy access to technical information and experts, Eastman Chemical Company is enhancing its Tritan™ copolyester offering with the Tritan™ Technical Information Center. The site takes molders through an interactive journey, enabling successful molding for durables and medical markets. Attendees at the Medical Design & Manufacturing (MD&M) West trade show (Feb. 11-13) will be among the first to test drive the medical market portion of the new site.
The Tritan™ Technical Information Center was created to help the development of new medical devices and consumer durable goods - including molders, processors and distributors - with a direct resource for processing solutions, sharing knowledge and experiences, and gaining technical expertise in injection molding with Eastman Tritan™ copolyester.
Starting the conversation
From concept to material selection to part and tooling design, injection molding applications need the early involvement of stakeholders to increase the chance of success. The Tritan™ Technical Information Center will allow Eastman to provide technical expertise during any part of the development. Through this center, part designers, resin suppliers, original equipment manufacturers, tool designers and molders can collaborate on technical matters, increasing the chances of successful molded parts.
"Research showed we needed to bridge the gap between our customers and technical information about Eastman Tritan™ copolyester," said Steve Givens, polymer applications scientist, Eastman. "The mission of the Tritan™ Technical Information Center is to increase customers' understanding of Tritan and offer solutions to any technical question that comes up, whether it's early on, in the final production phase or anywhere in between."
The Tritan™ Technical Information Center site is divided into two categories: 1) consumer durables and 2) medical applications and devices. Each category provides an array of technical questions and answers about topics such as processing, proper molding temperature and secondary applications. For example, visitors can learn whether Eastman Tritan™ copolyester should be dried and, if so, how to do that. Site visitors also can view separate sections on specific mold and part designs.
The site will launch with technical information that is most important to customers. Future updates will focus on user-generated questions and requests.
More than two-way interaction
An "Ask the Expert" section will answer specific user-submitted technical questions about Eastman Tritan™ copolyester. Experts in the company's application development and technical service organizations will answer questions within 24 hours. The nearly 40 members who make up this group have more than 200 years of injection molding experience.
"Whether someone is currently using Eastman Tritan™ copolyester or is considering switching to Tritan, our goal is to enhance visitors' technical knowledge to help them retain and grow their business," Givens said.
Through a blog, Eastman will provide thought leadership relative to topics of interest, covering areas such as troubleshooting, venting and ejection, mold polishing and texturing, and molding cell selection and machine capability. In addition, the blog will cover specific comments that arise from reader questions, and it will have a commenting feature that allows readers to talk with each other and share best practices.
Useful resource
Permian Plastics, LLC, a plastic injection molder, has been working with Eastman Tritan™ copolyester since 2010. In 2013, the company began molding medical devices using Tritan.
"Eastman Tritan™ copolyester is a highly suitable alternative to materials such as polycarbonate (PC)," said Dale Emge, president, Permian Plastics. "It's critical to identify environmentally sustainable alternatives in advance of future regulatory changes related to materials of concern such as BPA."
Emge noted the "Ask the Expert" section of the Tritan™ Technical Information Center will be a valuable resource for his employees.
"Having a technical problem during the production stage results in money lost," said Emge. "Getting a quick, concise answer within 24 hours to an issue is a huge benefit."
MD&M West attendees can visit Eastman at Booth 2515 to learn more about Eastman Tritan™ copolyester and the Tritan™ Technical Information Center. For more information about the new center, visit www.tritanmoldit.com.
For more information about Eastman Tritan™ copolyester, visit www.eastman.com or www.eastman.com/tritan
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