In the EMEA region, Eastman sponsors several educational programs to encourage interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). 

Eastman European Technical Centre (ETC) in Kirkby is part of the UK’s Children Challenging Industry project (CCI). The CCI project, began in 1996 and aims to create enthusiasm for learning science among primary school children by providing classroom-based training for the teaching of the National Curriculum for Science. This, in cooperation with local science-based manufacturing companies, enables pupils to see how the science they learn at school is used in a 'real life' context.

Since 2004, ETC has facilitated visits for a number of local primary school children. During the visits, children get to see a variety of jobs that Eastman’s employees perform and get actively involved with the interactive demonstrations in the research and testing laboratories. The demonstrations include experiments using Eastman’s products in plastics and coatings and their real life applications. 

On a recent visit, Eastman’s specialty plastics technicians showed how plastics are formed by thermoforming the children’s names. They also learned how soft toys are made. Eastman’s Analytical division demonstrated the importance of chemical analysis through the art of chromatography separating the colors of sweets,while coatings chemists gave a practical display on the use of adhesion promoters to allow coatings to stick to plastic components on cars.

The day was finally closed with a quiz and a sustainability discussion on the life cycle of a plastic bottle and what they can do to at home and school to reduce their impact on the environment through recycling.

“At Eastman we believe it’s important for us to show children at a young age how beneficial the chemical industry is to the world around us and how it improves the quality of life,” says Jennifer Creek, EMEA Sustainability Manager.

“It was so rewarding to see how excited and enthusiastic the children get about the science that goes into making our products and the tests our scientists perform to ensure those products are safe, sustainable and durable,” Creek says. “I hope the experience was inspirational enough for pupils to become the next generation of scientists who provide practical solutions through innovative approaches and products for tomorrow’s future!”