Eastman Division Discontinuing Product Line

Voridian Co., a division of Eastman Chemical Co., announced the discontinuation of its line of precolored-green PET products.

“We were the first PET producer to offer the innovative pre-colored-green products to the carbonated soft-drink industry in the 1970s,” said T.J. Stevens, director of Voridian’s North American Polymers Group. “In recent years, though, the demand for colored containers has shifted to other, lower cost options.”

Stevens further said that while the division recognized the precolored-green PET family of products has been successful, it is time to focus resources in other new and innovative ways. The total capacity affected by this decision is 160 million pounds. This announcement does not affect AmberGuard PET or other precolored-amber polymers. The division also said that, effective Jan. 1, 2002, it had suspended operations at the Voridian Canada, Inc. solid-stating facility in Toronto, Ontario.

“While decisions like this are always difficult,” Stevens said, “they’re also necessary for us to remain efficient in an increasingly competitive environment. We anticipate these actions will produce significant savings that will help us improve our cost position.”

Voridian expects the Voridian Canada, Inc. facility, and the capacity it represents, will be available on very short notice.