It's rare when a market leader changes the formula that led to its success. But Nalgene Outdoor Products did just that when it selected Eastman Tritan™ copolyester as the new material for its Everyday™ line of sports bottles.

Nalgene has been a household name among outdoor enthusiasts since the 1970s when the company introduced a 32-ounce wide-mouth bottle for hiking and camping. Originally a manufacturer of scientific lab ware, the company evolved to outdoor products offering resusable water bottles made from a variety of materials.

Nalgene knows that the smallest of differences in plastics can make a big difference in the end product. By choosing Tritan™ to replace polycarbonate in its Everyday™ bottles, Nalgene is responding to consumers seeking reusable bottles manufactured without bisphenol-A (BPA).

“We maintain toughness and durability with Tritan™ and the material’s unique balance of properties allows us to add value for consumers who are looking for high-performance bottles that are BPA-free,” says Eric Hansen, senior business manager for Nalgene. “Our customers are sensitive to the BPA issue and have been asking for an alternative like Tritan™.”

Nalgene engineers found that Tritan™ is easy to process in molds designed for polycarbonate. “We’ve been able to produce the new bottles with only minor tool modifications,” Hansen adds.

Nalgene’s Everyday™ bottles offer convenience and versatility with eight styles ranging from the classic 32-ounce wide-mouth, which easily accommodates ice cubes, to the slim one-handed on-the-go bottle, tumblers and a Grip ‘n Gulp for kids. There is also a choice of colors to suit anyone’s fancy – pink, red, blue, green and orange – and Tritan™ gets high marks for clarity and aesthetic appeal, impact and odor resistance, and being dishwasher safe.

In creating lasting designs, Nalgene promotes sustainability through campaigns such as Refill, Not Landfill. Says Hansen: “It’s an obvious message for us, one that our consumers are already doing.”

And by changing materials to meet the needs of its customers, Nalgene is ensuring that its bottles will remain part of our everyday world.