Yahoo Finance Eastman (EMN) & Lubrizol to Enhance TPE Overmolding Adhesion
Eastman Chemical Company EMN and Lubrizol have collaborated to improve the adhesion strength of thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) overmolded onto Eastman Tritan copolyester TX1501HF. The partnership is based on a shared understanding of the value of overmolding in manufacturing while improving product performance and aesthetics in consumer goods by employing Eastman's sustainable material, Tritan Renew and Lubrizol's ESTANE ECO, a renewably derived TPU.
The companies investigated how particular processing variables affect the adhesion strength of overmolded samples manufactured using 2K injection molding. The study's findings are expected to be relevant to a variety of TPE and substrate combinations. This is especially useful when mechanical interlocks are not an option and material changes are not possible, but adhesion strength enhancements are sought.
The research team improved adhesion strength by 124% by optimizing critical TPE processing variables such as mold temperature, pack and hold duration, and TPE barrel temperature compared to values obtained under non-ideal processing conditions. When Lubrizol's ESTANE ECO 12T80E and 16T85 TPU grades were applied, adhesion strength increased even further. These grades had the greatest peel strength values (> 310 N) of all the TPEs tested in this preliminary study.
This was an exceptional chance for two premier material companies to capitalize on sustainable multi-material solutions that enable customer innovation and push the boundaries of consumer product experiences, Lubrizol noted.
Shares of Eastman have gained 24.4% over the past year compared with a 1.1% rise of its industry.
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Eastman Chemical predicts uncertain primary demand in key markets and regions through the remainder of 2024. However, the company continues to gain from its innovation-driven growth approach, which enables growth beyond its end markets. Eastman expects to gain from revenues and earnings generated by its Kingsport methanolysis unit, mostly in the second half of the year. The company plans to maintain pricing discipline and improve asset utilization throughout the year.
Eastman Chemical Company Price and Consensus
Eastman Chemical Company price-consensus-chart | Eastman Chemical Company Quote
Zacks Rank & Key Picks
Eastman currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Better-ranked stocks in the basic materials space include ATI Inc. ATI, Carpenter Technology Corporation CRS and Ecolab Inc. ECL.
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Carpenter Technology currently sports a Zacks Rank of 1. CRS beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the last four quarters while matching it once, with the average earnings surprise being 15.1%. The company’s shares have soared 111.3% in the past year.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Ecolab's current-year earnings is pegged at $6.59 per share, indicating a year-over-year rise of 26.5%. ECL, which currently carries a Zacks Rank #2, beat the consensus estimate in each of the last four quarters, with the average earnings surprise being 1.3%. The company’s shares have rallied roughly 33.5% in the past year.
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