Full-Time
Polymer Formulation Scientist
Biodegradables Technology Division
Posted on 8/14/2025
Eastman Chemical
5,001-10,000 employees
No salary listed
Johnson City, TN, USA
In Person
US Top Secret Clearance Required
 Lab & Research (2) |
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- Ph.D. in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Related Field with 5+ years’ of experience in compounding and formulating polymers preferred.
- BS in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Related Field with 10+ years’ experience in compounding and formulating polymers required.
- Deep understanding of polymer structure/property relationships and approaches to polymer formulations to achieve end-use requirements.
- Ability to translate end-use requirements to compounded product concepts.
- Commitment to high level of safety and environmental awareness.
- Must exhibit Eastman behaviors.
- Must be a self-starter with a focus on results.
- Ability to lead and drive challenging projects forward to a decision despite uncertainties.
- Strong problem-solving skills.
- Excellent written, listening, and verbal communication skills.
- Open to travel as needed, up to 15%.
- Optimize current products in biodegradables portfolio.
- Develop compounded biodegradable polymer formulations and products in accordance with end-use requirements.
- Work collaboratively with Operators, Scientists, Technicians, and Engineering partners to develop, lead, and collaboratively scale-up polymer formulations as part of the commercialization process.
- Propose and execute production trials and tests on lab and pilot scales. Utilize design of experiment methodology where applicable.
- Provide timely communications to management and project stakeholders by communicating project needs, value, priorities, and decisions to ensure project success.
Company Size
5,001-10,000
Company Stage
IPO
Headquarters
Kingsport, Tennessee
Founded
1920
Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Ghent facility adds fourth line for automotive, creating jobs and capacity.
- Kalidex boosts sulfate-free foam 45%, meets OECD biodegradability standards.
- $500M price increases offset raw material inflation across portfolio.
What critics are saying
- Acetate tow destocking and Chemical Intermediates weakness cut sales 5% YoY.
- Weak cash flow fails to cover debt after new fixed-rate bonds issuance.
- EU 2023/2055 regulation forces Esmeri reformulations, risks fines by 2027.
What makes Eastman Chemical unique
- Renew methanolysis platform delivers 4-5% revenue growth via recycled Tritan for Pepsi.
- Saflex Evoca XIR.SR interlayer cuts EV sunroof solar heat, boosting battery range.
- Saflex PVB enables world's largest holographic windshield displays with Ceres Holographics.
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Benefits
Health Insurance
Life Insurance
Disability Insurance
Paid Vacation
Paid Sick Leave
Performance Bonus
401(k) Company Match
Mental Health Support
Gym Membership
Parental Leave
Flexible Work Hours
Company News
Rotuba extruders announces purchase of albis plastics. Home " Rotuba extruders announces purchase of albis plastics. Rotuba extruders inc. announces the purchase of albis plastics range of speciality Cellulosic compounds. Based in Linden, New Jersey, Rotuba has been producing Cellulose Acetate since 1955. They are the largest independent producer worldwide of Cellulose Acetate (CA) and custom scent compounders of Cellulose Acetate Propionate (CAP) and Cellulose Acetate Butyrate (CAB). Stephen gill, president/ceo of ALBIS in north america commented: "There is a lot of synergy between the markets ALBIS was active in and the markets ROTUBA supplies; this sale allows Rotuba to become a full service provider to any processor of Cellulosic products and expands its range of Cellulosic grades." Typical applications for Cellulosic polymers include medical devices, specialty cosmetic packaging, tool handles, fishing lures, optical ware and many sports and leisure items. Adam bell, president/ceo of Rotuba said: "This is a natural fit for Rotuba and we are very excited by the prospect of adding the ALBIS formulations to our own. Our experience in Cellulosics will allow us to quickly get into production and provide a seamless transition for the ALBIS customer base." Rotuba has recently teamed with Eastman Chemical Company to develop and market launched a unique range of scented Cellulosics under the product brand Auracell(R). Some of the markets Rotuba is seeing significant interest from for its Auracell scented polymer include Point-of-Purchase, Fashion Accessories, Mobile Phone Accessories, Cosmetics and Fine Fragrances.
Worlds of Work event connects Thousands of students to career opportunities in East Alabama. March 13, 2026 Oxford, Ala. - Thousands of students from across East Alabama explored future career opportunities during the annual Worlds of Work (WOW) event presented by Eastman, March 10-12, 2026, at the Oxford Civic Center. Worlds of Work is an immersive, hands-on career exploration event hosted by Gadsden State Community College and designed to introduce students to the wide range of career pathways available in the region. Approximately 8,000 students from Workforce Region 2 attended, representing schools in Calhoun, Cherokee, Clay, Cleburne, Etowah, Randolph and Talladega counties. The event welcomed 8th-grade and 11th-grade students from public, private and homeschool programs, giving them an opportunity to interact directly with industry professionals and experience real-world demonstrations of careers in high-demand fields. Through interactive exhibits and demonstrations led by industry partners, students explored 11 career worlds aligned with regional workforce needs, including agriculture and outdoor resources, automotive and modern manufacturing, business and entrepreneurship, communications, media and marketing, construction, education and training, energy and utilities, engineering and technology, healthcare, public safety, and transportation, distribution and logistics. "Worlds of Work gives students the opportunity to step into real career environments and experience firsthand the skills and opportunities that exist right here in East Alabama," said Lisa Morales, Community and Workforce Liaison at Gadsden State Community College and Worlds of Work event director. "By connecting students with local employers and industry professionals, we help them begin thinking about their future and see the many pathways available after high school." Participants gain insight into education, training and credential pathways while learning about careers available in their own communities. The event also aims to motivate students to stay engaged in school and begin planning their future career paths. Worlds of Work is a collaborative regional initiative that brings together educators, employers and workforce leaders to strengthen the pipeline between education and industry across East Alabama.
Eastman Chemical has completed a fixed-income offering of unsecured notes with a fixed coupon and long maturity, adjusting its capital structure and adding long-term funding to its balance sheet. The move has implications for liquidity, interest costs and future borrowing decisions. Eastman shares currently trade at $75.51, showing a 17.4% gain year to date but a 22% decline over five years. The stock trades roughly in line with the analyst target of $76.56. The new long-dated, fixed-rate debt could influence how Eastman handles refinancing, dividends and potential buybacks. However, one flagged risk is that debt is not well covered by operating cash flow, making the impact of additional borrowing worth monitoring. Investors may want to watch for disclosures on use of proceeds and future funding priorities.
Eastman in korean alliance. Eastman has signed a memorandum of understanding with Kolmar Korea in the personal care market. This will use Kolmar's end-to-end manufacturing capabilities and global reach to expanding access to Eastman's Esmeri cellulose ester technology, with other ingredients potentially to follow. This includes the latest addition to the range, Esmeri CC1N10, which is a micropowder for colour cosmetics. According to Eastman, this is readily biodegradable according to OECD 301B guidelines, meeting EU biodegradation regulations for synthetic polymer microparticles.
Eastman Chemical Company is positioned at the trough of a cyclical downturn with strong turnaround potential, according to a bullish thesis on r/valueinvesting. Trading at $68.67 with a forward P/E of 11.26, the company is implementing $175 million in structural cost reductions through 2025–2026, including a 7% workforce reduction. The investment case centres on EMN's Molecular Recycling Technology, which produces virgin-quality recycled polyester for high-end brands. The Kingsport plant is performing above expectations, with capacity expansion opportunities requiring minimal capital expenditure as flagship contracts, including Pepsi, scale in 2026. Management anticipates meaningful earnings recovery in 2026, driven by cost savings and cyclical recovery in rate-sensitive housing and automotive markets. The company's operational leverage and innovative technologies position it for both turnaround gains and long-term growth.