KINGSPORT, Tenn. - Eastman Chemical Co. said the Chinese government has awarded the company a certificate of Environmental Labeling Type II, known in China as the "Green Label," for Texanol ester alcohol and TXIB plasticizer. Eastman said the certificate constitutes official recognition of products as safe and environmentally friendly, and is issued by the China Environmental United Certification Co. Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of the State Environmental Protection Administration of China. The company said coatings manufacturers in China can use the Green Label on packaging and marketing materials if they use certified ingredients in their products.

Eastman recently started operating a plant to produce Texanol ester alcohol and TXIB plasticizer in Zibo, Shandong Province, China, in a joint venture of Eastman Chemical Ltd. and Sinopec Qilu Petrochemical Co. Eastman said the facility's capacity is adequate to meet the total demand of current customers for Texanol and TXIB in China.

Damon Warmack, Asia Pacific Region president for the company's Eastman Division, said the company anticipates strong growth rates for Texanol and TXIB in the region. Texanol ester alcohol, a coalescing aid, is used in architectural coatings worldwide and is produced by Eastman's coatings, adhesives, special polymers and inks segment. TXIB plasticizer is used in vinyl, urethane and other polymers for the production of a variety of consumer goods.