EASTMAN CHEMICAL CO

Previous wording

The Company's business and operating results were impacted by the last global recession, and its related impacts, such as the credit market crisis, declining consumer and business confidence, fluctuating commodity prices, volatile exchange rates, and other challenges that impacted the global economy. Similarly, as a company which operates and sells products worldwide, uncertainty in the global economy, labor market, and capital markets (including impacts from inflation, higher interest rates, and subsequent changes and disruptions in business, political, and economic conditions) have impacted and may adversely impact demand for and the costs of certain Eastman products and accordingly results of operations, and may adversely impact the Company's financial condition and cash flows and ability to access the credit and capital markets under attractive rates and terms and negatively impact the Company's liquidity or ability to pursue certain growth initiatives.

Current wording

The Company's business and operating results are impacted by global recessions, and the related impacts, such as the credit market crisis, declining consumer and business confidence, fluctuating commodity prices, volatile exchange rates, increasing interest rates, and other challenges that impacted the global economy. Similarly, as a company that operates and sells products worldwide, uncertainty in the global economy, labor market, and capital markets (including impacts from inflation, higher interest rates, and subsequent changes and disruptions in business, political, and economic conditions) have impacted and may adversely impact demand for and the costs of certain Eastman products and accordingly results of operations, and may adversely impact the Company's financial condition and cash flows and ability to access the credit and capital markets under attractive rates and terms and negatively impact the Company's liquidity or ability to pursue certain growth initiatives.

Previous wording

The Company's substantial global operations subject it to risks of doing business in other countries which could adversely impact its business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Current wording

The Company's substantial global operations subject it to risks of doing business in other countries that could adversely impact its business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Previous wording

More than half of Eastman's sales for 2023 were to customers outside of North America. The Company expects sales from international markets to continue to represent a significant portion of its sales. Also, a significant portion of the Company's manufacturing capacity is located outside of the United States. Accordingly, the Company's business is subject to risks related to the differing legal, political, cultural, social and regulatory requirements, and economic conditions of many jurisdictions. Fluctuations in exchange rates may impact product demand and may adversely impact the profitability in U.S. dollars of products and services provided in foreign countries.

Current wording

More than half of Eastman's sales for 2024 were to customers outside of North America. The Company expects sales from international markets to continue to represent a significant portion of its sales. Also, a significant portion of the Company's manufacturing capacity is located outside of the United States. Accordingly, the Company's business is subject to risks related to the differing legal, political, cultural, social and regulatory requirements, and economic conditions of many jurisdictions. Fluctuations in currency exchange rates may impact product demand and may adversely impact the profitability in U.S. dollars of products and services provided in foreign countries. Volatility or unfavorable movements in currency exchange rates may adversely impact Eastman's financial condition or cash flows. Although the Company employs a variety of techniques to mitigate the impact of exchange rate fluctuations, there cannot be a guarantee that such hedging and risk management strategies will be effective, and Eastman's results of operations could be adversely affected.

Previous wording

The U.S. and foreign countries may also adopt or increase restrictions on foreign trade or investment, including currency exchange controls, tariffs or other taxes, or limitations on imports or exports (including recent and proposed changes in U.S. trade policy and resulting retaliatory actions by other countries, including China, which have recently reduced and which may increasingly reduce demand for and increase costs of impacted products or result in U.S.-based trade counterparties limiting trade with U.S.-based companies or non-U.S. customers limiting their purchases from U.S.-based companies). Certain legal and political risks are also inherent in the operation of a company with Eastman's global scope. For example, it may be more difficult for Eastman to enforce its agreements or collect receivables through foreign legal systems. There is also a risk that foreign governments may nationalize private enterprises in certain countries where Eastman operates. Also, changes in general economic and political conditions in countries where Eastman operates are a risk to the Company's financial performance. As Eastman continues to operate its business globally, its success will depend, in part, on its ability to anticipate and effectively manage and mitigate these and other related risks. There can be no assurance that the consequences of these and other factors relating to its multinational operations will not have an adverse impact on Eastman's business, financial condition, or results of operations.

Current wording

The U.S. and foreign countries may also adopt or increase restrictions on foreign trade or investment, including currency exchange controls, tariffs or other taxes, or limitations on imports or exports (including recent and proposed changes in U.S. trade policy and resulting retaliatory actions by other countries, including China, which may increasingly reduce demand for and increase costs of impacted products or result in U.S.-based trade counterparties limiting trade with U.S.-based companies or non-U.S. customers limiting their purchases from U.S.-based companies). Certain legal and political risks are also inherent in the operation of a company with Eastman's global scope. For example, it may be more difficult for Eastman to enforce its agreements or collect receivables through foreign legal systems. There is also a risk that foreign governments may nationalize private enterprises in certain countries where Eastman operates. Also, changes in general economic and political conditions in countries where Eastman operates are a risk to the Company's financial performance. As Eastman continues to operate its business globally, its success will depend, in part, on its ability to anticipate and effectively manage and mitigate these and other related risks. There can be no assurance that the consequences of these and other factors relating to its multinational operations will not have an adverse impact on Eastman's business, financial condition, or results of operations.

Previous wording

From time to time, Eastman is involved in various legal proceedings or other commercial disputes and other legal and regulatory proceedings relating to its business. Due to the inherent uncertainties of litigation, commercial disputes, or other legal or regulatory proceedings, management cannot accurately predict their ultimate outcome, including the outcome of any related appeals. Although management establishes reserves based on the assessment of contingencies related to legal claims asserted against the Company, subsequent developments may affect our assessment and estimates of the loss contingency recorded as a reserve and require payments in excess of the Company's reserves, which could have an adverse effect on Eastman's business, financial conditions, and results of operations. Although the Company maintains liability insurance coverage, potential litigation claims could be excluded, limited by self-insured retentions, or exceed coverage limits under the terms of our insurance policies.

Current wording

From time to time, Eastman is involved in various legal proceedings or other commercial disputes and other legal and regulatory proceedings relating to its business. Due to the inherent uncertainties of litigation, commercial disputes, including claims related to product quality, defects, or use, or other legal or regulatory proceedings, management cannot accurately predict their ultimate outcome, including the outcome of any related appeals. Although management establishes reserves based on the assessment of contingencies related to legal claims asserted against the Company, subsequent developments may affect its assessment and estimates of the loss contingency recorded as a reserve and require payments in excess of the Company's reserves, which could have an adverse effect on Eastman's business, financial conditions, and results of operations. Although the Company maintains liability insurance coverage, potential litigation claims could be excluded, limited by self-insured retentions, or exceed coverage limits under the terms of the Company's insurance policies.

Previous wording

The Company may be subject to indemnity claims relating to properties or businesses it has divested.

Current wording

The Company may be subject to indemnity claims relating to properties or businesses it has divested or acquired.

Previous wording

In connection with the sale of certain properties and businesses, Eastman has agreed to indemnify the purchasers of such properties for certain types of matters, including unknown contingent liabilities for environmental matters or tax liabilities. With respect to environmental matters, the discovery of contamination arising from properties that the Company has divested may expose it to indemnity obligations under the sale agreements with the buyers of such properties or cleanup obligations and other damages under applicable environmental laws. Eastman may not have insurance coverage for such indemnity obligations or cash flows to make such indemnity or other payments.

Current wording

In connection with the sale of certain properties and businesses, Eastman has agreed to indemnify the purchasers of such properties for certain types of matters, including unknown contingent liabilities for environmental matters or tax liabilities. In addition, the Company has assumed liabilities related to certain properties it has acquired. With respect to environmental matters, the discovery of contamination arising from properties that the Company has divested or acquired may expose it to liability for environmental matters, including indemnity obligations under the sale agreements with the buyers of such properties or cleanup obligations and other damages under applicable environmental laws. Eastman may not have insurance coverage for such indemnity obligations or cash flows to make such indemnity or other payments.

Previous wording

Certain agreements by which the Company has acquired companies require the former owners to indemnify Eastman against certain liabilities related to the operation of those companies prior to Eastman's acquisition. Similarly, the purchasers of the Company's disposed operations may, from time to time, agree to indemnify it for operations of such businesses after the closing. There can be no assurance that the indemnity agreements will be sufficient to protect Eastman against the full amount of any liabilities that may arise, or that the indemnitors will be able to fully satisfy their indemnification obligations. The failure to receive amounts for which Eastman is entitled to indemnification could adversely affect Eastman's financial condition and results of operations.

Current wording

Certain agreements by which the Company has acquired companies require the former owners to indemnify Eastman against certain liabilities related to the operation of those companies prior to Eastman's acquisition. Similarly, the purchasers of the Company's disposed operations may, from time to time, agree to indemnify it for operations of such businesses after the closing. There can be no assurance that the indemnity agreements will be sufficient to protect Eastman against the full amount of any liabilities that may arise, or that the indemnitors will be able to fully satisfy their indemnification obligations. The failure to receive amounts for which Eastman is entitled to indemnification could adversely affect Eastman's financial condition and results of operations. For information regarding potential environmental remediation costs, see Note 13, "Environmental Matters and Asset Retirement Obligations", to the Company's consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report.

Previous wording

Legislative, regulatory, or voluntary actions could increase the Company's future health, safety, and environmental compliance costs.

Current wording

Legislative, regulatory, or voluntary actions, or violations thereof, could increase the Company's future health, safety, environmental, and other compliance costs and legal costs or have an adverse impact on the Company's ability to operate in foreign countries.

Previous wording

The multinational nature of Eastman's business subjects it to taxation in the United States and other foreign jurisdictions. Changes to income tax laws and regulations or in the interpretation of such laws in any of the jurisdictions in which it operates, or the unfavorable resolution of tax matters could significantly increase the Company's effective tax rate and adversely impact its financial condition or results of operations. Eastman could also be affected by, among other things, changes in the mix of earnings in countries with differing statutory tax rates, expirations of tax holidays, changes in the valuation of deferred tax assets and liabilities, and changes in liabilities for uncertain tax positions. In addition, the U.S. and foreign countries may impose additional taxes or otherwise tax Eastman's income. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Critical Accounting Estimates - Income Taxes" in Part II, Item 7 of this Annual Report. For example, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development ("OECD") has introduced a framework to implement a global minimum tax. Several jurisdictions in which Eastman operates have enacted laws effective January 1, 2024, consistent with the OECD's framework. While details around the global minimum tax in each jurisdiction are uncertain, the Company may experience an increase in tax obligations in jurisdictions it conducts business.

Current wording

The multinational nature of Eastman's business subjects it to taxation in the United States and other foreign jurisdictions. Changes to income tax laws and regulations or in the interpretation of such laws in any of the jurisdictions in which it operates, or the unfavorable resolution of tax matters could significantly increase the Company's effective tax rate and adversely impact its financial condition or results of operations. Eastman could also be affected by, among other things, changes in the mix of earnings in countries with differing statutory tax rates, expirations of tax holidays, changes in the valuation of deferred tax assets and liabilities, and changes in liabilities for uncertain tax positions. In addition, the U.S. and foreign countries may impose additional taxes or otherwise tax Eastman's income. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Critical Accounting Estimates - Income Taxes" in Part II, Item 7 of this Annual Report. For example, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development ("OECD") has introduced a framework to implement a global minimum tax. Several jurisdictions in which Eastman operates have enacted laws effective January 1, 2024, consistent with the OECD's framework. Details around the global minimum tax in each jurisdiction remain uncertain. The Company has so far experienced a modest increase in tax obligations in jurisdictions it conducts business and will continue to monitor and evaluate impacts.