KINGSPORT, Tenn. -- Eastman Chemical Company has announced a second expansion of its Benzoflex plasticizer line at the Kohtla-Jarve, Estonia, site. The expansion will increase Benzoflex capacity at the site by an additional 11,000 metric tons and is expected to be completed by the end of second quarter 2012.

The company also announced plans for expansion of the Benzoflex plasticizers and Admex polymeric plasticizers lines at its Chestertown, MD and Kingsport, TN sites. The total capacity for the expansions in North America is approximately 9,000 metric tons and is also expected to be completed by the end of second quarter 2012.

"These expansions reflect the continuing growth in demand for alternatives to traditional phthalate products," said Heidi Barnes, Oxo and Plasticizers business director. "The additional capacity will allow our Performance Chemicals and Intermediates segment to satisfy increasing customer demand for non-phthalate plasticizers."

A benzoic acid derivative, Benzoflex is used in coatings, adhesives, sealants and caulks, and is also used to provide flexibility to PVC in a wide variety of applications, including vinyl flooring. Admex plasticizers are used to enable flexible vinyl compounds to compete with rubber and thermoplastic elastomers in a variety of applications, including PVC-based adhesive tapes, conveyor belts, gaskets and hoses. Benzoflex and Admex plasticizers are non-phthalates for manufacturers who are looking for sustainable alternatives to traditional phthalate plasticizers.

"Around the world, customers continue to preferentially select Eastmans non-phthalate plasticizers," said Joost Berting, managing director, Europe, Middle East and Africa region. "These capacity expansions for our Benzoflex plasticizer product line are a demonstration of our commitment to grow with our customers in a sustainable way both in established markets as well as fast expanding regions."