Eastman Sells PET, PTA Assets in Europe

Kingsport, Tenn., March 31, 2008--Eastman Chemical Company (NYSE:EMN) today announced it has completed the sale of its European PET and PTA assets to Indorama. Included in the sale are Eastman’s PET facility and related businesses in the United Kingdom and its PET and PTA facilities and related businesses in the Netherlands. The total cash proceeds of the transaction are €224 million or approximately US $354 million, subject to adjustments in working capital. The transaction will result in a gain on sale in the Company's consolidated financial statements for first quarter.
"This transaction completes Eastman’s divestitures of its non-strategic PET and PTA assets located outside the U.S.,” said Gregory O. Nelson, Eastman executive vice president and polymers business group head.
Eastman announced in December 2007 that it had entered into an agreement for the sale, subject to customary approvals.
 
About Eastman Chemical Company
Eastman manufactures and markets chemicals, fibers and plastics worldwide. It provides key differentiated coatings, adhesives and specialty plastics products; is a major supplier of cellulose acetate fibers; and produces PET polymers for packaging. As a Responsible Care® company, Eastman is committed to achieving the highest standards of health, safety, environmental and security performance. Founded in 1920 and headquartered in Kingsport, Tenn., Eastman is a FORTUNE 500 company with 2007 sales of $6.8 billion and approximately 10,500 employees. For more information about Eastman and its products, visit www.eastman.com.