Tritan Renew from Eastman, with product operations on Centennial Campus at NC State University, honored at AURP’s 2022 International Conference (Sept. 19-22) in Toronto

Tucson, AZ, October 3, 2022 – TritanTM RenewTM from Eastman – a product of a Polyester Renewal Technology that uses recycled plastic as a raw material for use in a range of products – has been selected to receive the 2022 “Innovation Award” at the Association of University Research Parks’ (AURP) 2022 International Conference (Sept. 19-22) held at the MaRS Discovery District in Toronto.

AURP, the leading nonprofit organization representing research parks and innovation districts, presents its Innovation Award each year to the business or nonprofit institution located in a research park that has brought forward one or more proprietary products, processes or services which represent a substantial technology breakthrough or have potential for a significant positive impact on the economic, health or welfare status of a broad spectrum of humanity.

TritanTM RenewTM from Eastman, with product operations located on Centennial Campus at North Carolina State University, is a highly durable, BPA-free material made with 50% certified recycled content sourced from a process that breaks down waste plastic back into its chemical building blocks, allowing plastics to be recycled again and again. With TritanTM RenewTM, consumer products retain the performance and safety of virgin materials while meeting corporate sustainability goals. It reduces, ultimately, the amount of plastic going into the waste stream without compromising function or aesthetics, which helps offset the use of fossil fuels and lowers greenhouse gas emissions.

“Eastman is one of the most dynamic companies at Centennial Campus at NC State,” said Leah Burton, AURP President, and Director, Centennial Campus Partnership Office at NC State. “It’s no surprise they’re receiving AURP’s Innovation Award, which is all about the power of research and innovation to drive practical solutions for sustainability of our environment.”

"Solving society's biggest challenges will require collaboration between industry, academia and government,” said Chris Killian, Senior VP and Chief Technology Officer at Eastman. “By reimagining advanced materials, Eastman is working to address climate change, to mainstream circularity as an economic model and to help build a more inclusive and equitable world. We are proud to receive the Innovation Award as we celebrate this achievement with our university partners at NC State. Together, we are exploring new ways to apply sustainable materials such as TritanTM RenewTM to create long-term impact – working alongside students and faculty to optimize product design while reducing our carbon footprint.”