At the 2011 In-cosmetics in Milan, Eastman Chemical Company has introduced its first commercially available product derived from GEM technology, its proprietary green manufacturing process. Eastman GEM 2-ethylhexyl palmitate is a high quality material for use in skin care and color cosmetic applications. The GEM technology was a winner of the EPA’s Presidential Green Chemical Award in 2009 and this technology was formerly known as the Eastman green biocatalytic process.
Marcie Natale, biocatalysis platform manager, Eastman Chemical Company, explained, “We created Eastman GEM 2-ethylhexyl palmitate to meet the rising consumers and brand desire for sustainably manufactured cosmetic ingredients. Our technology significantly removes waste, reduces energy use and GHG emissions. The beauty is in the process.”
Eastman’s GEM Technology uses enzymatic technology and closely controlled manufacturing conditions to make esters, eliminating the high temperature and strong acids traditionally required in their manufacture. Esters are a vital building block in thousands of products. Eastman's gentler technology consumes less energy while making high quality products, even when beginning with sensitive starting materials.