Eastman Chemical Company is announcing it will be closing its manufacturing site located in Wales, U.K., and is ceasing production of EASTMAN Vitamin E TPGS ("TPGS"), which is currently manufactured at the site.

The closure decision is the result of the site no longer being strategic for Eastman and follows a consultation period with employees at the site that began earlier this year.  The company expects to close the site later this year.

TPGS has several applications including its use as a pharmaceutical excipient.  Therefore, Eastman is providing transition supply inventory to customers based on historical purchases.  Customers should contact their Eastman sales representative for details regarding transition inventory.

The site was purchased by Eastman in 1995, and currently employs approximately 65 people.

About Eastman Chemical Company

Eastman manufactures and markets chemicals, fibers and plastics worldwide. It provides key differentiated coatings, adhesives and specialty plastics products; is a major supplier of cellulose acetate fibers; and produces PET polymers for packaging. As a Responsible Care® company, Eastman is committed to achieving the highest standards of health, safety, environmental and security performance. Founded in 1920 and headquartered in Kingsport, Tenn., Eastman is a FORTUNE 500 company with 2007 sales of $6.8 billion and approximately 10,500 employees. For more information about Eastman and its products, visit www.eastman.com.