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April 9, 2008

 

PMI/Aladdin/Stanley Statement Regarding Bisphenol-A

 

For many decades, PMI/Aladdin/Stanley has responsibly produced to-go food and beverage containers and we stand by the safety of all our products.

 

Polycarbonate and Bisphenol-A

Some of our reusable water bottle products are made from food-grade polycarbonate which includes a bonding ingredient known as Bisphenol-A (BPA). Food-grade polycarbonate has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for direct food contact use.

 

PMI/Aladdin/Stanley has closely monitored BPA and polycarbonate findings from the Food and Drug Administration and many other reputable civic, scientific and government organizations from around the world. These findings and statements indicate that polycarbonate food and beverage containers are not a health risk to humans, and based on these findings, we firmly believe in the safety of our polycarbonate products.

 

The current position from the Food and Drug Administration, from documents dated January 2008, states:

 

The agency has been actively reviewing the safety of BPA and has completed a review of the available data obtained from animal studies, and migration studies. Based on the results of the migration studies conducted by FDA chemists, we have determined that the dietary exposure to BPA is low (3.7 ppb), the level that is orders of magnitude below the levels known to cause toxic effects in animals. Considering the low dietary exposure and the fact that BPA had not demonstrated adverse effects when consumed by animals in amounts of much higher (orders of magnitude) than humans would consume, FDA sees no reason at this time to ban or otherwise restrict the uses now authorized. Our conclusion is based on our ongoing review of all available data. We will continue to monitor data on BPA to determine if its use would raise a safety concern. If such a concern exists, FDA will take the appropriate post-market regulatory action.

 

New Materials – Aladdin Clean & Clever Water Bottle

PMI/Aladdin/Stanley also prides itself on offering solutions to meet current lifestyles. As some consumers are mindful of BPA, Aladdin recently introduced the Aladdin Clean & Clever® Water Bottle, which does not contain BPA. The water bottle is made from a brand new plastic called Eastman Tritancopolyester, which is a completely different material than polycarbonate, and is Bisphenol-A free. Additional details can be found in the press release below.

 

Number 7 Plastics

The numbers found on the bottom of plastic materials are called the Resin Identification Code, which helps classify plastics for recycling purposes. Details are found here: http://www.plasticsindustry.org/outreach/recycling/2124.htm

 

Polycarbonate is simply one type of plastic that is coded #7. There are many, many other plastics coded as #7 that are NOT polycarbonate and do NOT contain BPA. These include new bioplastics fashioned from plants, as well as the copolyester material used in Aladdin’s new BPA-free Clean & Clever Water Bottle. The reason they are all coded #7 is simply because they do not fit into other categories, and are therefore classified together as “other.” Aladdin’s Clean and Clever Water Bottle is made of BPA-free material and is labeled #7 as it is new material and does not fit into other classifications.


New Aladdin Water Bottle Offers Improved Quality and Performance with Eastman TritanCopolyester

 

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 CLEAN & CLEVER WATER BOTTLE™ product line using new Eastman Tritancopolyester. 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 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 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. 

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