Since the launch of Eastman Tritan^TM copolyester in late 2007, Eastman has successfully partnered with top companies to release products using Tritan in a variety of markets. These products showcase a new level of design flexibility, processability, and a welcome combination of consumer-preferred benefits, including glasslike clarity, toughness, dishwasher durability and freedom from bisphenol-A (BPA).

Eastman Tritan^TM copolyester is an innovative polymer family that retains the versatility of copolyesters, but with the added advantages of higher heat resistance and higher impact resistance. In addition, the unique balance of performance properties and cost-effectiveness delivered by Tritan is unmatched by other engineered polymers, including polycarbonate (PC), polysulfone, amorphous nylon and some PC blends.

At NPE2009, Eastman made a number of announcements, including new opaque performance blends based on Eastman Tritan^TM copolyester, a new infant care product application made with Tritan, and an International Plastics Design Competition winner.

Eastman Tritan^TM copolyester provides clear advantages for new Edgetek^TM XT opaque blends.

PolyOne, a leading global provider of specialized polymer materials, wanted to offer molders and OEMs an innovative alternative to polycarbonate when it expanded its Edgetek^TM XT technology portfolio of opaque blends. Eastman Tritan^TM copolyester was the clear choice for these new performance blends because of its exceptional chemical resistance and hydrolytic stability, as well as competitive toughness, gloss and processability.

Up until now, Eastman Tritan^TM copolyester has been available only as a clear material. Now, as a base for Edgetek^TM XT blends, it is also available in an opaque version. PolyOne will offer more than a dozen commercial grades of Edgetek^TM XT.

"These new compounds are an ideal extension of the Edgetek family of high-performance polymers," said Craig Nikrant, vice president and general manager, Specialty Engineering Materials, PolyOne. "The inherent chemical resistance and hydrolytic stability of Tritan copolyester make the new compounds ideal for applications where heat and chemical attack are prevalent, including housewares, hand-held electronics and small kitchen appliances, which may be repeatedly exposed to cleansers and disinfectants."

Key Baby introduces new infant care line

Key Baby, an infant care manufacturer, recently introduced a new product line - WeilBaby^TM - that includes 5- and 9-ounce bottles and a variety of sippy cups made from Eastman Tritan^TM EX401 copolyester. Key Baby chose Eastman Tritan^TM EX401 copolyester for its glasslike clarity, high-heat resistance and durability. Tritan also offered a higher-quality infant care product, because it is manufactured without bisphenol-A (BPA) and is biocompatible for tissue contact - ensuring the plastic bottle will not irritate an infant's sensitive skin.

"We wanted a material that allowed us to create a practical product that combined superior durability with unique style and design," said Steve Schmidt, CEO of Key Baby. "Eastman Tritan^TM copolyester offered us the best of both worlds, and we are looking forward to giving parents a new option in infant care products."

Eastman received the Sustainable Consumer Product Award for the KOR ONE Hydration Vessel at the 2009 International Plastics Design Competition.

Eastman application wins award at NPE2009

Eastman received the Sustainable Consumer Product Award for the KOR ONE Hydration Vessel at the 2009 International Plastics Design Competition, held during NPE2009. The awards, sponsored by the Alliance of Plastics Processors, allowed designers and manufacturers of components and finished products to display their most innovative achievements before tens of thousands of plastics professionals.

The KOR ONE Hydration Vessel is a refillable water bottle designed to inspire consumers to reduce plastic bottle waste going into landfills and embrace the idea of reuse. Made with Eastman Tritan^TM copolyester, KOR ONE offers consumers a tough, long-lasting product manufactured without bisphenol-A (BPA). The bottle's design offers an intuitive, one-handed operation. With just the press of a thumb, the latch releases, freeing the lid to hinge back and stay put to give unobstructed access to the mouthpiece. 

Count on Eastman to help you discover the full potential of Eastman Tritan^TM copolyester.

To learn more about the potential of Eastman Tritan^TM copolyester to transform your markets, visit www.eastman.com/tritan or call (1) 888-321-1021 (U.S.). 

Eastman and Tritan are trademarks of Eastman Chemical Company.

© Eastman Chemical Company, 2009.