Eastman Chemical Company (EMN Quick QuoteEMN - Free Report) is showcasing Eastman MXF221 — a disinfectant-ready polymer for safer healthcare environments — at the Medical Design & Manufacturing (MD&M) West trade show in Anaheim, CA. This latest product will be on display till Feb 8.

 

Notably, this next-generation material is the latest advancement in biocompatible medical-grade polymers for medical device housings and hardware. Also, it offers unsurpassed chemical compatibility with stringent disinfectants used to combat healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), besides improving durability and increasing strength.

 

Eastman MXF221 is a fully compounded polymer that comes with an inherent ability to withstand stickiness, discoloration, crazing, cracking and hazing. Additionally, it retains more than 90% of its original impact strength after exposure to stringent disinfectants and is touted to be far superior to competing materials such as polycarbonate blends.

 

In the past three months, Eastman Chemical’s shares have gained 7.2% compared with the 1.4% increase of the industry it belongs to.

 

 

In the fourth quarter, Eastman Chemical’s reported earnings of $1.62 per share, up from $1.51 in the year ago-quarter. The bottom line surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.06 as well. Revenues rose around 8% year over year to $2,362 million, outpacing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2,289.5 million.

 

In 2018, the company expects to drive growth on the back of growth investments, innovation and high margin products. It also sees modestly lower tax rate to support earnings growth in 2018. Eastman Chemical anticipates raw material and energy prices, especially for olefins, to be volatile as well. Adjusted earnings per share growth in the current year is projected to lie between 8% and 12% year over year.

 

Meanwhile, Eastman Chemical continues to focus on cost-cutting and productivity actions that are helping it to offset raw material price inflation. The company is also likely to gain from its strategic acquisitions, especially Taminco. Furthermore, it remains committed to reduce debt and boost shareholder returns leveraging strong free cash flows.

 

 

Eastman Chemical carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

 

Some better-ranked stocks in the chemical space are Methanex Corporation (MEOH Quick QuoteMEOH - Free Report) , LyondellBasell Industries NV (LYB Quick QuoteLYB - Free Report) and Air Products and Chemicals Inc. (APD Quick QuoteAPD - Free Report) .

 

Methanex has an expected long-term earnings growth of 15% and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). Its shares have rallied 17.7% over a year. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

 

LyondellBasell has an expected long-term earnings growth of 9% and a Zacks Rank #1. Its shares have gained 17.8% in a year.

 

Air Products has an expected long-term earnings growth of 14.1% and a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Its shares were up 12.6% over a year.

 

 

It could become the mother of all technological revolutions. Apple sold a mere 1 billion iPhones in 10 years but a new breakthrough is expected to generate more than 27 billion devices in just 3 years, creating a $1.7 trillion market.

 

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