Eastman Gelatine is Part of New England's History

• Roots going back to 1817
• Experience and success with a growing company
• Recognized for its quality and expertise
• A good neighbor with good business practices

Roots going back to 1817

Long before Eastman Gelatine became an Eastman Kodak subsidiary, its former namesake, The American Glue Company and before that the Upton Glue Factory, were part of the history of New England and the Massachusetts industrial North Shore region. The original company traced its roots back to 1817 where it was part of a vibrant, innovative (for the times) commercial community that served colonial New England and the eastern region of the new country called the United States of America. Although the landscape, both physically and industrially, has changed significantly, the Company still retains its dedication to practical values, quality, innovation and productivity and retains its role as an important part of today’s regional economy.

Experience and success with a growing company

In light of the fact that the manufacture of both gelatin and glue are based on the use of similar chemical compounds, some aspects of the business have not changed significantly over the years. The main difference between glue and gelatin is based on purity and the physical property referred to as “gel strength”. As an industry leader, Eastman Gelatine continues to be in the forefront of producing premium quality products to meet increased and more demanding industrial requirements.

Gelatin was first produced at the Peabody, Massachusetts production facility in 1908. This occurred several years after the original Upton family-operated business had been acquired by the American Glue Company following almost 100 years of operation.  In the spirit of both economic growth and entrepreneurship, American Glue expanded into both edible and photographic gelatin.  Early on, Eastman Kodak became the principle customer for the American Glue and as the market for high quality gelatin emulsions expanded, Eastman Kodak purchased an increasing percentage of American Glue’s production.

Recognized for its quality and expertise

In 1930, when American Glue was liquidated, Eastman Kodak purchased the Peabody, Massachusetts plant and the operations became a Eastman Kodak subsidiary.  Over the years, the facility has doubled in size to its present 700,000 square feet of production space situated on a 470-acre site. Since that time, Eastman Kodak and other customers have come to rely on the dependable production and consistent high quality of Eastman Gelatine’s processes and materials.

A good neighbor with good business practices

As a part of the greater Boston industrial community, Eastman Gelatine has a long history of providing support to its host community.  In June of 1967, Eastman Gelatine leased (for $1.00 per year) land to the Peabody-LynnfieldYMCA for the construction of a gymnasium and office building. And in 2002, Eastman Gelatine donated four acres of land to the “Y’ for the construction of a new facility. The value of this donation was more than $1.000.000. The company also contributed land to the City of Peabody for the construction of a new police station in 1978. 

In early 1980, Eastman Gelatine continued its community supporting ways by donating land to North Shore Council of the Boy Scouts of America for their new offices.  Again in 1986, the George Peabody House, the birthplace of George Peabody, a wealthy businessman and noted area philanthropist, was given to the city. 1997 saw Eastman Gelatine leasing a large piece of land to City of Peabody for construction of a new municipal public golf course to serve the growing needs of the community.

Recently, Eastman Gelatine celebrated its 75^th Anniversary as part of the Eastman Kodak Company.  To mark this special occasion, the company was recognized by the City of Peabody and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for its accomplishment and its continued charitable and economic support of the community.