Huafon Chemical and Eastman formally reach strategic cooperation

On August 13, Huafon Chemical Co., Ltd., a world-leading new materials manufacturing enterprise, and Eastman Chemical Company, a global specialty materials manufacturer from the United States, formally reached a strategic cooperation. The two parties plan to establish a joint venture to produce and develop Eastman's Naia™acetyl cellulose filament fibers. This marks the first time that Naia™acetyl cellulose filament fibers will be manufactured locally in China, improving the fiber's supply chain in the country and better meeting the market demand for high-quality innovative materials in China and the Asia-Pacific region.

As a main-board listed enterprise long engaged in the three major product fields of spandex fibers, polyurethane stock solution, and adipic acid, Huafon Chemical has over 20 years of rich experience in researching, developing, and manufacturing chemical fibers. Its market share in the spandex fiber sector has long remained the first in China and leading in the world.

Founded in 1920, Eastman is a global specialty materials company headquartered in Tennessee, USA, with approximately 14,000 employees worldwide. Its products are widely used in various fields of people's daily lives, and its Naia™acetyl cellulose filament fibers hold a leading position in the global market.

With people's pursuit of functionality and sustainability in specialty fiber materials, acetyl cellulose filament fibers have become a new favorite in high-end fabrics due to their unique silky drape, dry comfort, easy care properties, and wide adaptability. Currently, China is an important global consumer market for acetyl cellulose filament fibers, with its market scale and demand showing a steady growth trend.

Yang Congdeng, the general person in charge of Huafon Chemical's Eastman project, stated: "Through cooperation with Eastman, we look forward to organically integrating local advantages with international resources, realizing full-chain localization from technological innovation, product research and development, production to services, and jointly promoting the sustainable development of the acetyl cellulose fiber industry chain. This strong alliance between the two enterprises will continuously enhance product innovation and manufacturing levels to meet consumers' market demand for innovative fiber materials."

Ruth Farrell, General Manager of Eastman's Textile Division, said: "China is home to the world's largest textile supply chain and a frontier for technological and product innovation. We have gone through years of innovation with Huafon, and this partnership will provide us with more production capacity support while further enhancing our technological innovation capabilities."

It was reported that after the signing of the cooperation agreement between the two enterprises, the industrialization process of acetyl cellulose fiber products will be further accelerated, and effective capacity will be achieved in the near future.