Christopher M. Killian serves as Senior Vice President, Chief Technology Officer (CTO), and Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) at Eastman Chemical Company, where he oversees the company's global research and development operations, innovation strategy, and sustainability initiatives. With more than 25 years at Eastman, Killian drives the development of breakthrough technologies that support the company's commitment to circular economy principles and sustainable growth. His leadership ensures alignment between cutting-edge R&D and Eastman's business objectives, fostering advancements in materials science, chemical recycling, and low-carbon manufacturing. Killian joined Eastman in 1996 as a research engineer in the Fibers business and rapidly advanced through key roles, including Director of Technology, Vice President of Research & Development, and Vice President and General Manager of the Advanced Intermediates and Fibers division. Notable achievements under his tenure include spearheading the commercialization of Eastman's proprietary methanolysis technology for PET chemical recycling—one of the world's first molecular recycling processes at commercial scale—and leading multiple innovation platforms that have generated significant intellectual property and revenue growth. A chemical engineering expert, Killian holds both a Ph.D. and B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Virginia. He is an inventor on over 30 U.S. patents, has co-authored numerous technical publications, and actively engages with industry groups to advance sustainable chemistry and innovation.