| Aladdin®, a division of Pacific Market International (Seattle, WA) and maker of a wide range of popular insulated food and beverage storage products, recently partnered with Eastman Chemical Company to develop and manufacture the CLEAN & CLEVER WATER BOTTLE™ product line using new Eastman Tritan™ copolyester. Tritan combines the chemical resistance and low residual stress of traditional copolyesters with higher heat resistance, making it ideal for use in reusable food and beverage containers that require excellent dishwasher durability. In addition, Tritan is not manufactured with bisphenol-A (BPA). |
The new product line was recently launched at the International Home and Housewares Show 2008 held at McCormick Place, Chicago.
A History of Fresh Thinking
Celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2008, Aladdin has a long history of developing innovative insulated storage products. Its most popular early product – the metal lunchbox – became an icon of 20th Century design and remains an ensuring symbol of American pop-culture. More recently, the company has developed a variety of stylish storage product lines built on a foundation of inventive function and design.
The attributes that have personified the Aladdin brand for much of its history helped the company recognize the value of Tritan over alternative materials.
When Aladdin first introduced the CLEAN & CLEVER WATER BOTTLE line, it was manufactured with polycarbonate. However, as some consumers began asking for options for materials that did not contain BPA, Aladdin began an active search for a material that could match polycarbonate’s clarity and toughness characteristics. Aladdin discovered Eastman Tritan copolyester and found the perfect fit.
The Material Advantage
Tritan combines the chemical resistance and low residual stress of traditional copolyesters with higher heat resistance. This unique balance of properties gives molded parts excellent dishwasher durability. In addition, the combination of lower residual stress and Tritan’s potential for faster molding cycles enables manufacturers greater design flexibility while maximizing product differentiation and performance.
The new 24-oz water bottles will be marketed to active women and their families. Not only is the new polymer highly durable and dishwasher safe, it is also shatter, stain, scratch and odor-resistant, making it perfect for families on the go.
“Tritan offers exceptional clarity and unmatched durability when compared to polycarbonate,” explains Robert Harris, CEO and Owner, Pacific Market International. “After a thorough examination of Tritan and its benefits, we’re confident we chose the most versatile polymer on the market.”
Eastman Tritan also has excellent processability and can be used in molds designed for polycarbonate. From initial R&D testing to retail rollout, Aladdin was able to commercialize the CLEAN & CLEVER product line within eight months.
“While our operations team had little experience working with copolyester molding in the past, the performance characteristics of Tritan made the transition far easier than we could have predicted,” says Harris.
The Aladdin CLEAN & CLEVER line of water bottles will be sold at Kohl’s Department Store and online through Aladdin at www.aladdinsustain.com
“In today’s increasingly competitive marketplace, brand owners and product designers are constantly seeking new methods to differentiate products and meet changing consumer needs,” says Randy Beavers, Polymer Solutions Executive, Specialty Plastics Business Organization, Eastman Chemical Company. “We’re pleased that Aladdin has chosen our new-generation copolyester as a way to differentiate their product’s performance.”
| Garrett Wilburn +1-423-229-2353 globalmediarelations@eastman.com. |
