The Energy Star recognition comes on the heels of Eastman’s recent announcements to pursue two innovative recycling technologies to address the global plastic waste problem – advanced circular recycling and carbon renewal technology. The announcement underscores the company’s commitment to a holistic sustainability strategy that centres on creating more value than the resources people use, the company said in a press release. 

“The world needs innovation, and Eastman is excited about the possibilities we can achieve by working along the value chain, across industry sectors and with partners like Energy Star to expand our efforts and make the greatest collective impact. We recognise that today’s performance isn’t sufficient for tomorrow’s demands and today’s resources won’t sustain us if we don’t do something differently now to change the trajectory for the future,” David Golden, senior vice president, chief legal & sustainability officer, and corporate secretary of the company said. 

The highest honour among Energy Star Awards is the Energy Star Partner of the Year—Sustained Excellence Award. EPA presents the Sustained Excellence Award to partners that have already received Energy Star Partner of the Year recognition for a minimum of two consecutive years and have gone above and beyond the criteria needed to qualify for recognition. Winners hail from small, family-owned businesses to Fortune 500 organisations – representing energy-efficient products, services, new homes, and buildings in the commercial, industrial, and public sectors. 

Key accomplishments specific to Eastman’s energy management programme in 2018 include achieving nearly an 11 per cent improvement in energy intensity since the 2008 baseline; earning Energy Star certification for three buildings and achieving the Energy Star Challenge for Industry at three manufacturing sites; dedicating more than $10 million and initiating more than 115 energy projects focused on steam and electrical systems improvement, process optimisation, efficient equipment and improved lighting; developing analysis tools that enable engineers to quickly evaluate complex thermodynamic systems using real-timedata; and mentoring numerous Energy Star industrial partners by sharing energy management best practices to enable these businesses to excel and sharing the benefits and resources of Energy Star with various audiences, including employees, customers, investors, and community partners.