According to Ferguson, a priority for Eastman is increasing operating earnings in its Specialty Plastics segment to approaching $100 million in 2009. Ferguson added that the company expects continuing improvement in the segment beyond 2009.
Eastman's milestones for improving profitability in Specialty Plastics:
• Converting 50,000 metric tons of PET capacity to copolyester by mid year 2008 and converting another 50,000 metric tons by 2010; • Increasing revenue from cellulose esters used in LCD screens to $100 million in 2009 from approximately $50 million in 2007; and • Continued progress with the commercialization of its high performance copolyesters, such as Eastman Tritan copolyester, which has been well received since its November 2007 launch.
Growth in the Fibers segment is also expected, through: • Acetate tow capacity expansion at Eastman's Workington, U.K., later this year. • Growth in Asia for acetate tow, with details to be announced later this year.