New Aladdin Water Bottle Offers Improved Quality and Performance with Eastman
Tritan™ Copolyester
Kingsport, Tenn., (March 27, 2008) – 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 Bisphenol-A Free 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 the Bisphenol-A Free 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 BPA Free, 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.”
About Aladdin®
For more than 90 years, Aladdin Industries has produced many of America’s most
popular insulated food and beverage storage products. Aladdin® is a brand of
privately-held Pacific Market International (PMI) and is headquartered in
Seattle, with offices in London, Shanghai and Nashville. For more information,
please visit www.aladdinlunch.com.
About PMI
Established in 1983, privately-held Pacific Market International (PMI)
revolutionizes the way people eat and drink on the go. The company owns the
Stanley®, Aladdin® and MiGo® brands and operates a thriving private-label
business for globally recognized companies. PMI is headquartered in Seattle,
with offices in Shanghai, Nashville and London.
About Eastman Chemical Company
Eastman manufactures and markets chemicals, fibers and plastics worldwide. It
provides key differentiated coatings, adhesives and specialty plastics
products; is a major supplier of cellulose acetate fibers; and produces PET
polymers for packaging. As a Responsible Care® company, Eastman is committed to
achieving the highest standards of health, safety, environmental and security
performance. Founded in 1920 and headquartered in Kingsport, Tenn., Eastman is
a FORTUNE 500 company with 2007 sales of $6.8 billion and approximately 11,000
employees.