Katherine Hofmann
Katherine Hofmann, PhD, joined Eastman in 2012 as part of the Polymers Technology Division working in front end research, product development, and applications development. During this time, she helped launch Tritan Renew, Eastman’s first molecularly recycled material, and leveraged her expertise in ISCC+ certification to assist customers across multiple industries to successfully achieve certification. In the summer of 2022, Katherine joined Eastman’s corporate sustainability team supporting Eastman’s Plastics and Circular businesses and rejoined the Plastics Business as their sustainability leader in late 2024. In her current role, Katherine uses her passion for sustainable plastics to drive sustainability efforts including developing end of use for Eastman’s specialty materials, advancing reuse, and decarbonizing Eastman’s plastics portfolio, as well as developing strategy and embedding sustainability throughout the organization through training and education. Externally, Katherine represents Eastman in the US Plastics Pact, Kilmer Innovations in Packaging Sustainable End of Life, Sustainable Packaging Coalition, and the Healthcare Plastics Recycling Council where she chairs the executive committee and co-leads a project to develop an economically viable and scalable healthcare recycling program in Houston. Katherine enjoys engaging with customers across all market segments to help meet their sustainability needs and advance the adoption of molecular recycling technologies. In 2024, Katherine was honored by Plastics News as a Notable Leader in Sustainability.
Thursday May 14
Sustainability & Products Stewardship Council Meeting | Credibility, Certifications & Claims
This session will explore emerging leadership in sustainable product standards and real-world innovation in safer chemistry.
From Market Challenges to Leadership: Green Seal’s Path for Sustainable Products
Part one of this session will highlight Green Seal’s initiative to align retailers, brands, and advocates around a shared definition of sustainability leadership for everyday products – bringing greater clarity, consistency, and credibility to a rapidly evolving marketplace. Participants will receive an overview of key product leadership elements identified to date, including safer chemicals, responsible sourcing, low-impact manufacturing, and sustainable packaging. Doug Gatlin, CEO of Green Seal, will share the vision and direction of this work, joined by Steering Committee members offering cross-sector perspectives and insights into the considerations shaping criteria development.
Speakers:
Elizabeth Arredondo, Sustainability Manager, Henkel Consumer Brands and Co-chair, Green Seal Safer Chemicals Subcommittee
Kira Austin, Sustainable Sourcing Manager, Aramark & Avendra International and Co-chair, Green Seal Responsible Sourcing Subcommittee
Lisa Dreilinger, Global Head of Regulatory, Consumer Microbial Control, Arxada and Co-chair, Green Seal Verified Performance & Claims Subcommittee
Doug Gatlin, CEO, Green Seal
Katherine Hofmann, Sustainability Strategic Initiatives Manager, Eastman
Gayatri Keskar, Global Packaging Material Science Leader, Kenvue and Co-chair, Green Seal Sustainable Packaging Subcommittee
Behind the Claims: Member Journeys
Part two of this session will bring these concepts to life through a case study from Midlab, one of the first companies to achieve Green Seal certification for floor care products formulated without intentionally added PFAS. Attendees will learn what motivates the company to pursue different certifications, outline the process and challenges for achieving them, and discuss the value they deliver – from product performance and market differentiation to advancing safer chemistry.
Attendees will leave with a better understanding of where product sustainability standards are heading and how organizations can respond with credible, high-impact strategies.
Speaker:
Jamey Gaston, VP of Quality, Science, & Regulatory, Midlab Inc.