Kingsport, Tenn., (October 24, 2007) – CamelBak Products, LLC (Petaluma, CA), the leading provider of hydration systems for consumer, government and industrial applications, recently partnered with Eastman Chemical Company to manufacture the CamelBak® Better Bottle product line using new Eastman Tritan™ copolyester. Ideal for reusable food and beverage containers, this new generation copolyester contains no bisphenol-A (BPA) and provides improved dishwasher durability. These unique attributes will allow CamelBak to improve its line of popular re-usable water bottles. Scheduled to launch in early 2008 in North America and in the spring 2008 in Europe, the improved CamelBak Better Bottle with Tritan copolyester is currently being previewed at K 2007, October 24-31, 2007, Messe Düsseldorf, Germany, Hall 5, Eastman Booth H04.

Hydration Innovation
The inventor and world leader in innovative hydration systems, CamelBak provides high-quality products that deliver a performance advantage for athletes, outdoorsmen, military personnel and other active individuals. As an industry innovator, CamelBak continuously seeks to improve the performance of its products, including its line of re-usable water bottles.

Launched in 2006, the CamelBak® Better Bottle represents a new standard of performance and convenience in re-usable water bottles. Available in nine colors in sizes of 0.50 liter, 0.75 liter and 1.0 liter, this innovative product utilizes the no-leak CamelBak Big Bite Valve™, which offers easy, spill proof sipping for active and on-the-go-consumers.

When the CamelBak® Better Bottle was first launched, it was manufactured with polycarbonate, a plastic produced from bisphenol-A (BPA). Since the introduction, there has been growing consumer interest in re-usable bottles that are free of BPA. To find a BPA free material that has toughness and clarity similar to polycarbonate, CamelBak turned to Eastman.

A Material Difference
To address these challenges, the two companies worked together to create the first commercial line of re-usable water bottles using new Eastman Tritan™ copolyester. Durable and completely BPA-free, this new polymer allows the CamelBak® Better Bottle to offer a higher standard of performance for consumers.

Eastman Tritan™ copolyester combines the chemical resistance and low residual stress of traditional copolyesters with higher heat resistance. This unique balance of properties allows the bottles to meet CamelBak’s rigorous dishwasher test requirements without crazing, cracking or hazing from continual exposure to high heat and aggressive cleaning detergents.

“CamelBak’s success comes from delivering consumers innovative products,” explains CamelBak CEO Sally McCoy, “Eastman partnered with us to create a BPA free CamelBak®  Better Bottle using its new Tritan copolyester. This ground-breaking polymer allows us to better meet the needs of our customers by giving them a BPA free choice in re-usable bottles.”

Eastman Tritan™ copolyester is also easy to process and can be used in molds designed for polycarbonate. This feature allowed CamelBak to switch materials with minimal production changes. “Eastman Tritan™ copolyester is easy to work with. Only minor tooling and temperature adjustments were required to manufacture the CamelBak® Better Bottle with this new material, which facilitated the transition for our staff,” says Mike Crook, CamelBak’s Vice President of Operations.

Scheduled to launch in early 2008, the improved CamelBak Bottle will be sold in outdoor and bike specialty shops and sporting goods stores.

“With its optimal combination of durability, clarity and BPA free construction, Eastman Tritan copolyester will enable us to accelerate the growth of our CamelBak® Better Bottle business using consumer desired innovation,” comments McCoy.

“At Eastman, we are committed to working with companies at all stages of the product development process to help them better meet the needs of their customers and ultimately grow their business,” says Randy S. Beavers, business development manager of Eastman's Specialty Plastics Business Organization. “Eastman Tritan copolyester allows CamelBak to offer a unique water bottle product that not only differentiates its brand but also strengthens consumer loyalty.”