KINGSPORT, TN – Eastman Chemical Co. was named 2013 Responsible Care^® Company of the Year by the American Chemistry Council (ACC) in recognition of superior health, safety, environmental and security (HSE&S) performance.

This is ACC’s top honor given to member companies that have enhanced and embraced the Responsible Care ethic throughout their organizations.

To be eligible for the Responsible Care Company of the Year award, companies must demonstrate they have surpassed specific Responsible Care performance criteria, including: a safety performance rating in the top 10 percent of companies in their size category; no significant process incidents in the previous year; positive performance measures in the areas of transportation safety, process safety and emissions reduction; and demonstrated improvements in HSE&S performance, product stewardship, distribution safety and emergency preparedness.

Eastman has incorporated Responsible Care principles in its business for almost 25 years. Some of the company’s key accomplishments during 2012 include: the lowest recordable injury rate in the company’s history, implementation of a corporate safety brand that underscores the company’s commitment to safety, sponsorship of three companies to become Responsible Care certified; and Responsible Care Management System certifications at the corporate headquarters and six sites in the United States.

Each year, ACC names three Responsible Care Company of the Year recipients - one each in the small, medium and large company categories. Eastman is the “large company” recipient. Other winners are Solvay North America and Niacet Corp.