EASTMAN CHEMICAL CO

Seasonality

Eastman's earnings are typically lowest in fourth quarter, and cash flows from operations are typically highest in the second half of the year due to seasonal demand based on general economic activity in the Company's key markets as described in "Business Segments". Results in all segments except the Fibers segment are typically weaker in the fourth quarter due to seasonal downturns in key markets.

Eastman is exposed to consumer discretionary end-markets and changes in global consumer spending, particularly in the AM and AFP segments. The coatings additives product line of the AFP segment and the intermediates product line of the CI segment are impacted by the cyclicality of key end products and markets, while other operating segments and product lines are more sensitive to global economic conditions. Supply and demand dynamics determine profitability at different stages of business cycles, and global economic conditions affect the length of each cycle.

Sales, Marketing, and Distribution

Eastman markets and sells products primarily through a global marketing and sales organization that has a presence in the United States and approximately 30 other countries, selling into more than 100 countries around the world. The Company focuses its market engagement on attractive niche markets, leveraging disruptive macro trends, and market activation throughout the value chain with both customers and downstream users. Eastman's strategy is to target industries and markets where the Company can leverage its application development expertise to develop product offerings to provide differentiated value that address current and future customer and market needs. The Company's strategic marketing approach and capabilities leverage the Company's insights about trends, markets, and customers to drive development of specialty products. Through a highly skilled and specialized sales force that is capable of providing differentiated product solutions, Eastman strives to be the preferred supplier in the Company's targeted markets.

The Company's products are also marketed through indirect channels, which include dealers and contract representatives. Sales outside the United States tend to be made more frequently through dealers and contract representatives than sales in the United States. The combination of direct and indirect sales channels, including sales online through its Customer Center website, allows Eastman to reliably serve customers throughout the world.

The Company's products are shipped to customers and downstream users directly from Eastman manufacturing plants and distribution centers worldwide.

Research and Development

Management applies its innovation-driven growth model by leveraging the Company's world class scalable technology platforms, such as cellulosic biopolymers and polyesters, that provide a competitive advantage and the foundation for sustainable earnings growth. The Company's R&D strategy for sustainable growth through innovation includes multi-generational product development for specialty products, faster and more differentiated product development by leveraging global application development capabilities, and the creation of value through integration of multiple technology platforms. The Company's innovation strategy is guided by the need to provide timely and practical solutions to sustainability macro-drivers that will improve the quality of life globally through material solutions. This strategy has been accelerated by investment in global differentiated application development capabilities that position Eastman as a strategic customer partner driving success within attractive niche markets. See examples of recent product and technology innovations in "Corporate Overview - Business Strategy - Innovation".

Eastman manages certain growth initiatives and costs at the corporate level, including certain R&D costs not allocated to any one operating segment. The Company uses a stage-gating process, which is a disciplined decision-making framework for evaluating targeted opportunities, with a number of projects at various stages of development. As projects meet milestones, additional amounts are spent on those projects. The Company continues to explore and invest in R&D initiatives such as high-performance materials and opportunities created by disruptive macro trends, including sustainability and development of a circular economy. See "Corporate Overview - Business Strategy -Sustainability and Circular Economy".

Manufacturing Streams

Integral to Eastman's strategy for growth is leveraging its heritage expertise and innovation in polyester, cellulosic biopolymers and acetyl, alkylamine, and olefins chemistries in key markets, including transportation, building and construction, consumables, and agriculture. For each of these chemistries, Eastman has developed and acquired a combination of assets and technologies that are operated within four manufacturing "streams", combining scale and integration across multiple manufacturing units and sites as a competitive advantage.

•In the polyester stream, the Company begins with paraxylene, ethylene glycol, and integrated feedstocks, converting them through a series of intermediate materials to ultimately produce clear, tough, chemically resistant copolyesters. The Company is enhancing the polyester stream by investing in plastic-to-plastic polyester renewal facilities to enable various waste plastics to be recycled into high quality, polyester Renew products. Polyester stream products are converted for end-uses in cosmetics and personal care, medical devices, durable goods, and food packaging industries.

•In the cellulosic biopolymers and acetyl stream, the Company begins with gasification of fossil fuels with oxygen. The resulting synthesis gas is converted into acetic acid and acetic anhydride. Cellulosic biopolymers derivative manufacturing at the Company begins with natural polymers, sourced from sustainably-managed forests, which, when combined with acetyl and olefin chemicals, provide differentiated product lines. Through a recent recycling innovation, carbon renewal technology is now enabling the recycling of complex plastics to serve as the basic building blocks of Eastman's cellulosic product stream. The major end-markets for products from the cellulosic biopolymers and acetyl stream include coatings, displays, and thermoplastics.

•In the alkylamines stream, the Company begins with ammonia and alcohol feedstocks to produce methylamines and higher alkylamines, which can then be further converted into alkylamine derivatives. The Company's alkylamines products are primarily used in agriculture, water treatment, consumables, and oil and gas end-markets.

•In the olefins stream, the Company primarily focuses on propylene derivatives through its world-class Oxo catalyst technology. This technology is used to produce numerous derivative products converted for end-uses in the food industry, health and beauty products, detergents, and automotive products. Underlying this technology is the Company's low-cost propylene position created through the combination of propylene-centric hydrocarbon cracking, RGP processing, and cost-advantaged purchase agreements.

The Company leverages its expertise and innovation in polyester, cellulosic biopolymers and acetyl, alkylamine, and olefins chemistries and technologies to meet demand and create new uses and opportunities for the Company's products in key markets. Through integration and optimization across these streams, the Company is able to create unique and differentiated products that have a performance advantage over competitive materials.

Sources and Availability of Raw Materials and Energy

Eastman purchases a majority of its key raw materials and energy through different contract mechanisms, generally of one to three years in initial duration, with renewal or cancellation options for each party. Most of these agreements do not require the Company to purchase materials or energy if its operations are reduced or idle. The cost of raw materials and energy is generally based on market price at the time of purchase; however, from time to time, Eastman uses derivative financial instruments for certain key raw materials to mitigate the impact of market price fluctuations. Key raw materials include paraxylene, propane, propylene, cellulosic biopolymers, polyvinyl alcohol, methanol, fatty alcohol, and a wide variety of precursors for specialty organic chemicals. Key purchased energy sources include natural gas, coal, and electricity. The Company has multiple suppliers for most key raw materials and energy sources and uses quality management principles, such as the establishment of long-term relationships with suppliers and ongoing performance assessments and benchmarking, as part of its supplier selection process. When appropriate, the Company purchases raw materials from a single source supplier to maximize quality and reduce cost and has contingency plans to minimize the potential impact of any supply disruptions from single source suppliers.

While temporary shortages of raw materials and energy may occasionally occur, these items are generally sufficiently available to cover current and projected requirements. However, their continuous availability and cost are subject to unscheduled plant interruptions occurring during periods of high demand, domestic and world market conditions, changes in government regulation, supply chain disruption, global pandemics, natural disasters, war or other outbreak of hostilities or terrorism or other political factors, or breakdown or degradation of transportation infrastructure. Eastman's operations or products have been in the past, and may be in the future, adversely affected by these factors. See "Risk Factors" in Part I, Item 1A of this Annual Report. The Company's raw material and energy costs as a percent of total cost of operations were approximately 45 percent in 2024. For additional information about raw materials, see Exhibit 99.02 "Product and Raw Material Information" of this Annual Report.

Intellectual Property, Trademarks, and Licensing

While Eastman's intellectual property portfolio is an important Company asset that it expands and vigorously protects globally through a combination of patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets, its business is not substantially dependent upon any one particular patent, trademark, copyright, or trade secret. As a producer of a broad range of advanced materials, specialty additives, chemicals, and fibers, Eastman owns over 800 active United States patents, approximately 1,700 active foreign patents, and over 4,500 active worldwide trademark applications and registrations. Domestic and foreign patents within the Company's portfolio are subject to various expiration dates, depending on the dates they were originally filed and laws governing patent terms and extensions thereof in applicable jurisdictions. As the laws of many countries do not protect intellectual property to the same extent as the laws of the United States, Eastman cannot ensure that it will be able to adequately protect its intellectual property assets outside the United States. See "Risk Factors" in Part I, Item 1A of this Annual Report.

The Company pursues opportunities to license proprietary technology to third parties where it has determined that the competitive impact to its businesses will be minimal. These arrangements typically are structured to require payments at significant project milestones such as signing, completion of design, and start-up.

Information Security

The Company employs information systems to support its business, enable transformation, and deploy digital services. The Company utilizes a risk-based, multi-layered information security approach based on the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology Cybersecurity Framework. As with other industry participants, the Company from time to time experiences attempted cyber-attacks of its information systems, none of which have resulted in a material adverse impact on the Company's operations or financial results, any penalties, or settlements. See "Risk Factors" in Part I, Item 1A and "Cybersecurity" in Part I, Item 1C of this Annual Report.

Human Capital

To keep solving complex problems and growing its business, the Company must continue to attract, develop, and retain exceptional people ("human capital"), and motivate them to excel. Strong workforce and leadership development, succession management, an inclusive culture that brings out the best in every individual, and competitive compensation and benefits are vital to the success of Eastman's innovation-driven growth strategy. The Compensation and Management Development Committee of the Board of Directors oversees workforce and senior management development and the Board of Directors monitors the culture of the Company and leadership quality, morale, and development.

Eastman places a strong emphasis on the health, safety and well-being of employees — both at work and at home. Eastman's "zero-incident mindset" takes a holistic approach to people and processes by fostering the right behaviors, values, and culture to ensure that employees are operating responsibly, accountably, and safely.

The Company's focus on well-being also includes physical, emotional, and financial health of employees and their families, with on-site and on-demand resources such as fitness classes, health coaches, and financial counselors. The Company regularly reviews its benefits equity to better understand the needs of its employees in the current environment. Through this work, the Company continues to explore new ways to make benefits more attractive in an evolving talent marketplace. The Company also continues to provide global flexibility principles and resources to emphasize the importance of balancing work and personal responsibilities.

Breakthroughs require creativity and unconventional ideas, and that takes diverse perspectives and an environment that empowers everyone to speak their mind and add value, so their ideas are translated into plans and actions. As Eastman develops new products to meet today's most pressing needs, the Company inspires innovative ideas by making every team member feel valued and empowered to do their best work. Building an inclusive workplace, powered by a global employee population of approximately 14,000 people worldwide is key to promoting innovation and driving results.

The table below shows the percentage of the Company's global employee population by region.

To execute the growth strategy, the Company needs to attract, develop, and retain people of all backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. Eastman believes transparency is an important part of creating accountability and driving progress. In 2024, the Company's female representation globally was 40 percent in professional level roles, 29 percent in leadership roles, and 22 percent at the executive level. In the United States, the Company's racially and ethnically diverse talent was 15 percent in professional level roles, 13 percent in leadership roles, and 11 percent at the executive level. The non-employee directors of Eastman's Board of Directors are 40 percent female and 30 percent racially and ethnically diverse. See "Information About our Executive Officers" in Part I of this Annual Report and "Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance"— "Election of Directors" in Part III, Item 10 of this Annual Report for more information.

Eastman Resource Groups ("ERGs") are uniquely positioned to help ensure every team member feels valued, respected, and able to perform at their full potential. Chaired by a team member and sponsored by a senior executive, each ERG is dedicated to helping its members grow professionally and maximize business contributions. All Eastman team members are encouraged to join or participate in any or multiple ERGs.

Eastman's compensation philosophy, principles, and processes are designed to ensure the Company pays competitively in the market for top talent and that the pay is distributed fairly and consistently. An independent third party assesses pay equity each year by comparing pay for people in the same jobs, job levels, and locations. This analysis, which considers gender, race and ethnicity (in the U.S.), performance, tenure, specialty skills, and educational credentials, is completed during the annual compensation review process, when leadership makes pay decisions.

Customers

Eastman has an extensive customer base and, while it is not dependent on any one customer, loss of certain top customers could adversely affect the Company until such business is replaced. The top 100 customers accounted for approximately 60 percent of the Company's 2024 sales revenue. No single customer accounted for 10 percent or more of the Company's consolidated sales revenue during 2024.

Compliance With Environmental and Other Government Regulations

The Company is subject to significant and complex governmental laws and regulations, both in the U.S. and internationally, which require and will continue to require significant expenditures to remain in compliance and may, depending on specific facts and circumstances, impact the Company's competitive position. See "Risk Factors-- Legislative, regulatory, or voluntary actions could increase the Company's future health, safety, and environmental compliance costs."in Part I, Item 1Aof this Annual Report. These include health, safety, and environmental laws and regulations; site security regulations; chemical control laws; laws protecting intellectual property; privacy, data sharing and data protection laws; laws regulating energy generation and distribution, such as utilities, pipelines and co-generation facilities; and customs laws and laws regulating import and export of products and technology. As described below, the most significant environmental capital and other expenditures are for compliance with environmental and health and safety laws. In addition to these regulations, compliance with chemical control laws (including the U.S. Toxic Substances Control Act, the U.S. Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act and similar non-U.S. counterparts, and the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals ("REACH") program in the European Union) and laws protecting intellectual property (see "Intellectual Property, Trademarks, and Licensing") have the most impact on the Company's day-to-day operations and competitive position.

Environmental

The Company is subject to laws, regulations, and legal requirements relating to the use, storage, handling, generation, transportation, emission, discharge, disposal, remediation of, and exposure to, hazardous and non-hazardous substances and wastes in all of the countries in which it does business. These health, safety, and environmental considerations are a priority in the Company's planning for all existing and new products and processes. The Environmental, Safety, and Sustainability Committee of Eastman's Board of Directors oversees the Company's policies and practices concerning health, safety, and the environment and its processes for complying with related laws and regulations and monitors related matters.

The Company's policy is to operate its plants and facilities in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations such that it protects the environment and the health and safety of its employees and the public. The Company intends to continue to make expenditures for environmental protection and improvements in a timely manner consistent with its policies and with available technology. In some cases, applicable environmental regulations such as those adopted under the United States' Clean Air Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, and related actions of regulatory agencies determine the timing and amount of environmental costs incurred by the Company. Likewise, any new legislation or regulations related to GHG emissions, energy or climate change, or the repeal of such legislation or regulations, could impact the timing and amount of environmental costs incurred by the Company.

The Company accrues environmental costs when it is probable that the Company has incurred a liability at a contaminated site and the amount can be reasonably estimated. In some instances, the amount cannot be reasonably estimated due to insufficient information, particularly as to the nature and timing of future expenditures. In these cases, the liability is monitored until such time that sufficient information exists. With respect to a contaminated site, the amount accrued reflects liabilities expected to be paid out within approximately 30 years as well as the Company's assumptions about remediation requirements at the contaminated site, the nature of the remedy, the outcome of discussions with regulatory agencies and other potentially responsible parties at multi-party sites, and the number and financial viability of other potentially responsible parties. Changes in the estimates on which the accruals are based, unanticipated government enforcement action, or changes in health, safety, environmental, and chemical control regulations, and testing requirements could result in higher or lower costs.

The Company does not currently expect near term environmental capital expenditures arising from requirements of environmental laws and regulations to materially impact the Company's planned level of annual capital expenditures for environmental control facilities. Other matters concerning health, safety, and the environment are discussed in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in Part II, Item 7 and in Note 1, "Significant Accounting Policies"; Note 13, "Environmental Matters and Asset Retirement Obligations"; and Note 21, "Reserve Rollforwards", to the Company's consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report.

Eastman's cash expenditures related to environmental protection and improvement were $307 million, $314 million, and $300 million in 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively, and include operating costs associated with environmental protection equipment and facilities, engineering costs, and construction costs. These cash expenditures include environmental capital expenditures of approximately $70 million, $65 million, and $60 million in 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively.

Health and Safety

Eastman places a strong emphasis on the health, safety, and well-being of its employees. Eastman's commitment to a "zero-incident mindset" takes a holistic approach to people and processes by fostering the right behaviors, values, and culture to ensure that its employees are operating responsibly, accountably, and safely. See "Human Capital". Under the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, as administered by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration ("OSHA"), some of the Company's operations are subject to workplace standards under OSHA's Process Safety Management program. From time to time, the Company may incur significant capital expenditures to maintain compliance with the requirements of this program.

Available Information - Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") Filings

Eastman makes available free of charge, in the Investors section of its Internet website at www.eastman.com, its annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as soon as reasonably practicable after electronically filing such material with, or furnishing it to, the SEC. Additionally, the Company routinely posts additional important information, including press releases, on its website and recognizes its website as a channel of distribution to reach public investors and as a means of disclosing material non-public information for complying with disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Accordingly, investors should monitor the Company's website in addition to its SEC filings and public webcasts. The information contained on the Company's website is not included as a part of, or incorporated by reference into, this Annual Report.

The SEC maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC at www.sec.gov.