KINGSPORT, Tenn. -- Eastman Chemical Co., with a plant in Calhoun County, on Monday received one of the U.S. government’s top environmental awards for its green biocatalytic process.

Eastman received the Greener Synthetic Pathways Award for a technology to remove harmful chemicals from the cosmetics-manufacturing process.

The award was presented as part of the 2009 Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award ceremony held in Washington at the Carnegie Institution for Science.

The award, which recognizes technologies that incorporate the principles of green chemistry into chemical design, manufacture and use, was presented by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on behalf of the White House.

It is the 14th year the award has been presented. Five other U.S. companies also received environmental-related awards.

Eastman is planning a celebration at a July 8 ceremony in Kingsport, Tenn.

The Eastman green biocatalytic process uses enzymes and closely controlled conditions to make esters, eliminating the high temperature and strong acids traditionally required in their manufacture.

Esters are a vital building block in thousands of products.

The cosmetic and personal care industry in North America annually consumes an estimated 50,000 metric tons of esters for a variety of uses including emollients, emulsifiers, and specialty performance ingredients.

Eastman’s green biocatalytic process uses no solvents and virtually eliminates by-products, reducing the number of processing steps required for manufacture.

“Eastman’s talented technology team has scored another sustainability bulls-eye,” says Jim Rogers, chief executive officer of Eastman. “This latest recognition offers eloquent testimony to how our continued investments deliver real-world results – the creation and nurturing of sustainable technologies and products.”

Green chemistry, also known as sustainable chemistry, encompasses chemicals and processes that reduce negative impacts on human health and the environment.

Aspects of green chemistry include reducing waste, devising safer products and processes, and reducing the use of energy and resources. The Eastman green biocatalytic process provides new green, sustainable, and natural ingredients for use in cosmetics and personal care products.

It is not the first award Eastman has won for its operations.

The company has received recognition for its community service, health and safety and transportation safety.

Eastman Kodak, parent of Eastman Chemical, also won an EPA green award for its heat imaging photography.

EPA’s Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge aims to promote research and development of less-hazardous alternatives to existing technologies that reduce or eliminate waste, particularly hazardous waste, in industrial production.

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