Eastman Chemical Company vs Chick-fil-A

About

Eastman Chemical Company is a Kingsport, Tennessee-based global specialty materials, chemicals, and fibers company — publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: EMN) as an S&P 500 Materials component — producing advanced materials, chemical intermediates, and specialty fibers for transportation, building and construction, consumer products, and agricultural markets through approximately 14,000 employees in 9 manufacturing sites and 50+ countries. In fiscal year 2024, Eastman reported record revenue of $9.38 billion with earnings per share of $9.50 and adjusted EPS of $10.80 (+18% over 2023), with segment margins reaching a record 24.0% (+200 basis points over 2023) and approximately $1.3 billion in operating cash flow. The company returned $679 million to stockholders through dividends and share repurchases. CEO Mark Costa has led Eastman's strategic transformation since 2014 toward specialty chemicals with higher margins and proprietary market positions. Eastman's most strategically significant initiative is its molecular recycling platform — using methanolysis technology to recycle polyester and thermoplastic waste back to virgin-equivalent materials, with the Kingsport Tennessee "Polyester Renewal" facility (one of the world's largest molecular recycling plants) producing RSPO-certified recycled content for premium consumer brands including Estée Lauder, L'Oréal, and Procter & Gamble seeking recycled content for packaging commitments.