Rowdy Crowd Drinkware, a pioneer of premium durable drinkware in Australia, didn’t start out with a perfect recipe. In 2014, the company was experimenting with handwash-only prototypes made from nonEastman materials that couldn’t meet a crucial customer demand: dishwasher safety.
Eastman Tritan™ copolyester checked that box — along with many others.
In 2015, Rowdy Crowd adopted Tritan, a material that made its rounded, organically shaped designs possible by delivering glasslike clarity, long-term dishwasher durability, chemical resistance and a BPA-free formulation. It offers a practical, sustainable alternative to single-use plastics for both domestic and commercial settings.
Those early days of struggling with prototypes are now a thing of the past. Rowdy Crowd has averaged 15%–20% annual growth over the past five years and is widely used across Australia’s leading wine regions and event circuits.
“Tritan has been fundamental to Rowdy Crowd’s success,” said Fiona Hamilton, director of Rowdy Crowd Drinkware.
Tritan solved the core product challenges by delivering dishwasher-safe pieces that replicate the look and feel of fine glass while offering a durable, reusable alternative to single-use plastics. Rowdy Crowd launched its Tritan range in regional New South Wales that year.
After early manufacturing setbacks, Rowdy Crowd engaged Eastman experts in 2016 and 2017 for material and manufacturing guidance. Eastman recommended experienced processors and provided ongoing technical support — helping Rowdy Crowd reduce initial cull rates to near zero and secure consistent, high-quality production.
For more than 10 years, Eastman’s technical expertise has guided Rowdy Crowd’s product development. Now, they are developing solutions using Eastman’s newer material SC900 to help Rowdy Crowd products better withstand exposure to chemicals like sunscreen and insect repellent — an important feature for Australian beachgoers. The strength of the relationship has also prompted Rowdy Crowd to explore the use Tritan™ Renew.
“In 2026, Rowdy Crowd Drinkware will be focusing on the promotion of Tritan material as a key brand benefit,” Hamilton said. “The brand will help consumers better understand what Tritan is, why BPA-free materials matter and how durable, reusable drinkware can play a meaningful role in reducing single-use plastic waste. Aligning our brand values with Eastman’s material innovation strengthens our leadership both in Australia and internationally.”
Rowdy Crowd’s Tritan products give consumers and event operators a premium, reusable solution that reduces single-use waste, lowers long-term costs and meets increasingly strict regulatory and venue requirements. The range is sold online, through more than 100 independent Australian retailers, at festivals and cellar doors, and via wholesale event programs.
Visit Eastman’s website for more information on Tritan or Rowdy Crowd’s website for details on their drinkware.
