Why This Partnership Matters

China represents the largest textile supply chain hub in the world and is
recognized as a frontier for both product and technology innovation. Plastic Pollution

By establishing a localized facility, Eastman and Huafon are enabling:

• Faster and more agile supply chain responses to local market demands
• Enhanced capacity for innovation and product development
• Increased accessibility of sustainable textiles to global brands
• Stronger alignment with eco-conscious consumer trends

According to Ruth Farrell, General Manager of Eastman’s textiles business, the
partnership enhances Eastman’s ability to deliver on its brand promise of
making sustainable textiles available to all.

Huafon Chemical’s Vision

Congdeng Yang, director of the Huafon-Eastman collaboration program, highlighted
that the initiative integrates local advantages with international resources.
The goal is to achieve a fully localized value chain — from R&D and product
development to production and service — while jointly promoting the
sustainable development of the textile industry. Plastic Pollution

About Eastman

Founded in 1920, Eastman is a global specialty materials company known
for producing a wide range of products that enhance quality of life. The company’s
growth model is innovation-driven and leverages:

• World-class technology platforms
• Deep customer engagement
• Differentiated application development

Eastman employs about 14,000 people worldwide, serves customers in over
100 countries, and recorded $9.4 billion in revenue in 2024. The company is
headquartered in Kingsport, Tennessee, USA. For more information, visit
eastman.com. Plastic Pollution

About Huafon Chemical

Huafon Chemical Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Huafon Group, was established in
December 1999. It specializes in R&D, production, and sales of spandex
fiber, PU resin, and adipic acid. Its notable brands include:

• Qianxi spandex (10D–2500D range)
• Jufeng PU resin series, widely applied in footwear and automotive
• Huafon adipic acid, used primarily in PU resin production

Huafon operates overseas subsidiaries in South Korea, Turkey, and Pakistan,
and runs two major production bases in Zhejiang and Chongqing.

In 2006, Huafon became the first listed spandex-focused company in China’s A-share market. Plastic Pollution

Industry and Market Impact

The establishment of a cellulose acetate yarn facility in China signifies more than
just a partnership between two companies. It represents:

• A stronger push toward localized production in textiles
• Alignment with sustainability goals in global fashion
• Increased competitiveness in the eco-friendly yarn market
• Opportunities for domestic and international brands to access
  advanced materials

With the global textile industry facing growing pressure to reduce environmental
impact, the Eastman-Huafon partnership reinforces the idea that sustainable
materials are the future of fashion and textiles. Plastic Pollution

Key Takeaways for Industry Observers

For analysts, investors, and sustainability advocates, the collaboration between
Eastman and Huafon delivers several notable points:

• China strengthens its role as a sustainability innovation hub
• Local production reduces supply chain risks and improves speed-to-market
• Eastman’s Naia™ yarn gains wider adoption in eco-conscious markets
• Huafon broadens its expertise beyond spandex into sustainable textiles

Contact Information

Investors:
Greg Riddle — +1 212-835-1620 — griddle@eastman.com

Media (US):
Kristin Parker — +1 423-229-2526 — kristin@eastman.com Plastic Pollution

Asia Media:
Wendy Zhang — +86 13817483927 — wzhang@eastman.com

Why Did the Talks Collapse?

Delegates from more than 170 countries gathered in Geneva for what was
expected to be the final round of negotiations on a global treaty to curb
plastic pollution. Instead, discussions stalled, with petroleum-producing nations
accused of blocking progress.

“We are leaving frustrated. We have not come up with a treaty that the planet so urgently needs.”

— Edwin Josué Castellanos López, Chief Negotiator for Guatemala Plastic Pollution

According to observers, the talks became bogged down with nearly
1,500 unresolved brackets in the draft treaty text, reflecting deep divisions on
core issues such as production caps, chemical restrictions, and the scope of
international cooperation.

The Urgent Stakes of Plastic Pollution

The need for a treaty is underscored by stark projections. The
Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) estimates that,
without decisive global action, plastic production will rise 70% by 2040,
reaching 736 million tons annually. Plastic Pollution

As of 2020:

• Less than 10% of plastic waste was recycled
• The majority was landfilled, incinerated, or leaked into the environment
• Single-use plastics remained a major driver of pollution

Without a binding treaty, environmental groups warn the world faces a
plastics crisis with devastating impacts on ecosystems, human health,
and climate change.

A World Divided: Supporters vs Opponents

On one side, a coalition of countries pushed for a treaty that would:

• Cap or reduce plastic production
• Ban single-use plastics Plastic Pollution
• Regulate toxic chemicals in plastic products
• Promote circular economy approaches

On the other, oil and gas producers — including the United Arab Emirates
and the United States — sought a narrower treaty focused solely on waste
management. They argued that production caps unfairly target industries that
many economies rely upon.

“The U.A.E. would like to see … a treaty that unites rather than divides, that
supports countries, and does not tie their hands or limit their capacities.”

— Sulaiman Shaheen Mohamed Abdalla, UAE Delegate Plastic Pollution

The U.S. Shifts Position

The United States initially supported a broad treaty under the Biden
administration. However, in recent rounds it opposed production caps and
proposed removing references to the full life cycle of plastics from the draft.

This reversal disappointed environmental advocates, who argue that ignoring
upstream production undermines efforts to create a truly comprehensive treaty.

Global Reactions to the Collapse

Environmental groups expressed deep frustration, accusing oil-producing nations
of deliberately stalling negotiations. Plastic Pollution

“Some countries did not come here to finalize a text, they came here to do the
opposite: block any attempt at advancing a viable treaty.”

— David Azoulay, Center for International Environmental Law

Others criticized the reliance on consensus-based decision-making, which
requires unanimity rather than majority vote — a structure that some say
makes deadlock inevitable.

“The talks’ collapse proved that there’s no way we can proceed with consensus.
The result was the chaos you saw.”

— Bjorn Beeler, Executive Director at IPEN

Even industry voices lamented the failure. Marco Mensink of the
Global Partners for Plastics Circularity called it a “missed opportunity”,
though he emphasized industry commitment to keeping plastics in the economy
and out of the environment. Plastic Pollution

What’s Next for the Global Treaty?

Despite the collapse, United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) Executive
Director Inger Andersen emphasized that the fight is far from over.

“This work will not stop, because plastic pollution will not stop. People want a deal.”

— Inger Andersen, UNEP

Negotiators are expected to regroup, though no clear next steps were announced.
Experts suggest that compromises on production limits and chemical controls
will be essential if the treaty is to move forward. Plastic Pollution

The global community now faces a pressing question: Can nations put aside
economic interests to confront one of the most urgent environmental crises of
our time?

Conclusion: A Stalemate with Global Consequences

The collapse of the Geneva talks reveals the tension between environmental
urgency and economic interests. While the need for a strong treaty is
undeniable, powerful stakeholders remain unwilling to compromise.

Unless consensus can be reached, the world risks drifting further into a
plastics future defined by escalating waste, toxic chemicals, and missed
opportunities for sustainability. Plastic Pollution

For now, the fight against plastic pollution continues, with civil society,
businesses, and forward-looking governments pushing for action even as
negotiations stall.