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Choosing a plastic water bottle material is one of the first decisions in any bottle project, whether you are an importer, a brand owner or a promotional distributor. The material affects how the bottle looks, how it handles warm drinks and dishwashers, how long it lasts, what it costs and which test reports you will need for your market.

This guide compares the seven plastics buyers ask about most often: Tritan, Ecozen, PETG, PET, PP, PS and PC. The figures come from resin makers’ published data sheets and other technical references. They are typical values for comparison only. Real performance depends on the exact grade, wall thickness, bottle design and production process, so always confirm with your supplier’s test reports.

Copolyesters: Tritan, Ecozen and PETG (“PCTG” in the Trade)

In the bottle trade, “PCTG” is commonly used as an umbrella name for clear, BPA-free copolyesters. A quote that says “PCTG” may mean Eastman Tritan, SK Chemicals Ecozen, or a standard grade from another resin maker. Strictly speaking, the chemistry differs. Tritan is built on Eastman’s TMCD monomer, while SK Chemicals describes Ecozen as a glycol-modified PET (PETG) with plant-derived content. The practical point is that two “PCTG” bottles can differ in heat resistance, clarity, price and paperwork, so always ask for the brand and grade.

Tritan (Eastman)

What it is. Tritan is a family of copolyesters from Eastman, made from dimethyl terephthalate, CHDM and TMCD.

Pros
– Excellent clarity. Eastman’s data sheets list about 90–91% light transmission and haze of about 1% or less.
– High impact and shatter resistance.
– Proven dishwasher durability. In Eastman’s testing, bottles showed no visible change after 125 home cycles and 1,500 commercial cycles.
– Bottle grades may be used in repeated-use food-contact articles under US FDA regulations, and several are certified to NSF/ANSI 51.

Cons
– Usually the most expensive copolyester option.
– Not intended for boiling water or microwave heating.
– The Tritan name is a trademark, so ask for proof of genuine resin.

Heat resistance. Heat deflection temperature (HDT) is about 81–92°C at 1.82 MPa and 94–109°C at 0.455 MPa, depending on grade.

Clarity. Glass-like.

BPA status. Eastman states it is free of BPA, BPS and other bisphenols.

Relative cost. High.

Typical uses. Premium sports bottles, infuser bottles, kids’ bottles and retail drinkware.

Ecozen (SK Chemicals)

What it is. Ecozen is SK Chemicals’ transparent, heat-resistant copolyester, partly made from biomass. SK’s own data sheets describe it as a glycol-modified PET (PETG) type.

Pros
– High clarity. SK’s data sheets list about 86–90% transmission and haze below 1%, depending on grade.
– A range of heat-resistance grades: the T-series runs from T90 to T120.
– SK states Ecozen contains no bisphenols or phthalate plasticisers and meets food-contact requirements in Korea, the US, Europe, China and Japan. The YF 300 grade lists FDA Food Contact Notification No. 1075.
– Partly bio-based content, which some brands use as a sustainability point.

Cons
– Properties vary a lot between grades, so you must specify the grade.
– The bio-based share is small (for example 4–10% carbon in the grades we checked), so word any marketing claims carefully.
– Dishwasher performance: check the grade data sheet.

Heat resistance. HDT ranges from about 83°C (T95) to about 99–100°C (T110G, YF 300) at 0.455 MPa, and about 73–85°C at 1.82 MPa in the grades checked.

Clarity. High.

BPA status. Bisphenol-free according to SK.

Relative cost. Check your quote. It varies by grade and market.

Typical uses. Clear sports and drink bottles, food containers and brands looking for a bio-based story.

PETG (Standard Glycol-Modified PET)

What it is. PETG is PET modified with an added glycol so that it stays amorphous, or non-crystalline. This makes it clear and easy to mould. Many standard “PCTG/PETG” bottle resins sit in this group.

Pros
– Clear and glossy, and easy to process.
– Tougher and less brittle than PS.
– Typically lower cost than the branded copolyesters.

Cons
– Low heat resistance. Eastman’s data for standard Eastar copolyesters lists HDT of about 62–65°C at 1.82 MPa and 69–75°C at 0.455 MPa, and lab-ware references give a maximum use temperature of about 70°C.
– Can warp or haze with hot water or dishwashers. Eastman’s selector guide rates these standard grades as not dishwasher-safe.
– Lower chemical and scratch resistance than the high-heat copolyesters.

Heat resistance. Low. Best for cold and room-temperature drinks.

Clarity. High (check the grade data sheet for exact values).

BPA status. Not made with BPA. Check the supplier’s declaration.

Relative cost. Low to medium.

Typical uses. Promotional and lower-priced clear bottles for cold drinks.

PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate)

What it is. PET (resin code 1) is the material of most bottled water and soft drink bottles. It is usually stretch-blow moulded into thin, lightweight bottles.

Pros
– Clear, light and low cost.
– Good gas and moisture barrier, which is why it suits packaged beverages.
– Widely recycled, including bottle-to-bottle recycling.

Cons
– Typically designed for single use. A review in the journal Polymers notes that in most regions PET bottles are used once and then recycled or discarded.
– Low heat resistance. The glass transition temperature is roughly 67–81°C, and standard bottles can start to lose their shape from about 60°C. Hot-fill PET bottles need special heat-set processing.
– Thin-walled bottles are not designed for repeated washing and long-term reuse. Food-safety authorities, such as Hong Kong’s Centre for Food Safety, advise cooling drinks before filling and reusing bottles like-for-like only.

Heat resistance. Low for standard bottles.

Clarity. High.

BPA status. Not made with BPA.

Relative cost. Low.

Best for. Lightweight, low-cost bottles for cold drinks: bottled water and beverage packaging, single-use bottles, and promotional or event giveaways where low unit cost and light weight matter most.

Not ideal for. Hot drinks, dishwashers or long-term daily reuse. For those, a copolyester or PP is a better fit.

PP (Polypropylene)

What it is. PP (resin code 5) is a semi-crystalline plastic widely used for food containers, caps, lids and reusable bottles.

Pros
– Low cost and very light, with a density of about 0.9 g/cm³.
– The best heat resistance of the low-cost plastics. It melts at about 160–176°C, and lab-ware references list a maximum use temperature of about 120–135°C.
– Good chemical and fatigue resistance, which suits flip lids and hinges.
– PP does not absorb microwave energy and is common in microwave containers. Only market a bottle as microwave-safe if the finished product has been tested, though, because colourants and design affect the result.

Cons
– Translucent rather than transparent, although clarified grades help.
– Softer, less premium feel.
– Can scratch and absorb stains or odours over time.

Heat resistance. High compared with the clear plastics. HDT is about 100–110°C at 0.455 MPa.

Clarity. Low to medium (translucent).

BPA status. Not made with BPA.

Relative cost. Low.

Typical uses. Promotional bottles, budget sports and shaker bottles, kids’ bottles, and caps and lids for bottles made of other materials.

PS (Polystyrene)

What it is. General-purpose polystyrene (GPPS, resin code 6) is a clear, rigid, low-cost plastic.

Pros
– Clear, with about 88–92% transmission, and very stiff.
– Low cost and easy to mould.
– Food-contact grades are available. For example, some grades are stated to comply with US FDA 21 CFR 177.1640.

Cons
– Brittle. Data sheets show elongation at break of only about 2–3% and very low notched impact strength. Distributors describe its impact strength as “poor”.
– Prone to stress cracking, and not resistant to oils and some acids.
– Less suited to bottle bodies that have to survive repeated drops and frequent washing.

Heat resistance. HDT is about 76–85°C at 1.8 MPa and 84–93°C at 0.45 MPa, depending on grade.

Clarity. High.

BPA status. Not made with BPA.

Relative cost. Low.

Best for. Clear, rigid, low-cost items such as disposable or display tumblers and cups, lids and clear parts, and display packaging where a crisp look matters.

Not ideal for. Bottles that will be dropped often, washed hard or filled with oily contents. For those, a tougher material such as a copolyester, PP or PC is a better fit.

PC (Polycarbonate)

What it is. Polycarbonate is a tough, clear engineering plastic. Most commercial PC is made using bisphenol A (BPA).

Pros
– Very high impact strength. For example, Covestro Makrolon grades list notched Izod values of about 65–70 kJ/m² at 23°C.
– High heat resistance. Covestro lists HDT of about 124–127°C at 1.8 MPa and 136–140°C at 0.45 MPa for general grades.
– Clear, with about 88–89% light transmission.

Cons
– BPA regulation. The EU banned BPA in polycarbonate infant feeding bottles in 2011. Commission Regulation (EU) 2024/3190, in force since 20 January 2025, now prohibits the use of BPA in food-contact materials and articles in general. Under its transitional rules, as corrected in 2026, repeat-use articles made with BPA could be first placed on the EU market only until 20 July 2026, and may stay on the market until 20 July 2027. Professional food-production equipment has longer deadlines.
– Some consumers look specifically for “BPA-free” drinkware, so check what your customers expect.
– Higher cost than commodity plastics.

Heat resistance. High.

Clarity. High.

BPA status. Usually made with BPA. Under Regulation (EU) 2024/3190, PC made with BPA can no longer be newly placed on the EU market as food-contact drinkware. Rules differ by country, so check the requirements in each target market.

Relative cost. Medium to high.

Best for. Very tough, heat-resistant, clear bottles for markets where PC food-contact articles are permitted, for example heavy-use bottles that need high impact strength and higher heat resistance than most clear plastics.

Not ideal for. Food-contact products for the EU, or buyers who need a “BPA-free” claim. For those, a copolyester such as Tritan or Ecozen is the usual alternative.

Comparison Table

Typical values from published data sheets and technical references, for comparison only. Check the data sheet for the exact grade used in your bottle.

How to Choose for Your Market and Product

Kids’ bottles. Safety documents and durability come first. Tritan or a food-grade Ecozen grade suits clear, drop-resistant bottles. PP works for colourful, lightweight and lower-priced designs. For infant and young children’s products, note that EU rules have banned BPA in polycarbonate infant feeding bottles since 2011. Check that the straws, silicone parts and lids are compliant for your target market.

Sports bottles. These bottles get dropped and washed often. Tritan suits premium lines where dishwasher durability is a selling point. A heat-resistant Ecozen grade is another branded option. PP is practical for squeeze and shaker bottles.

Promotional bottles. Unit cost and logo quality matter most. PP keeps costs low. PETG gives a clear look for cold drinks. PET is a lightweight, low-cost option for single-use and event bottles. Ask which logo printing methods work best on each material.

Premium retail. Clarity and feel drive perceived value. Tritan is the usual choice for glass-like positioning with a recognised name, and Ecozen gives you a bio-based story. PC offers high toughness where target-market rules permit it. For the EU, choose a BPA-free option. In every case, match any marketing claim to the documents you actually hold.

Questions to Ask Your Supplier

1. If the quote says “PCTG”, which brand and grade is it? Ask for the resin maker (for example Eastman, SK Chemicals or another producer), the grade number and the data sheet. For branded resins, ask for proof of source.
2. Which food-contact test reports do you have? Common examples are FDA (US, 21 CFR), LFGB (Germany) and EU Regulation (EU) No 10/2011. Check that each report covers the finished bottle or the same material and colour, comes from an accredited lab, and is recent.
3. Can you provide BPA-free documentation? It should cover the body, lid and all other parts. For EU orders, also confirm compliance with Regulation (EU) 2024/3190.
4. Is the bottle tested for dishwasher, hot water or microwave use? Get the report before you print any such claim.
5. Are the lid, seal and straw materials compliant too? A bottle is only as compliant as its least-tested part.
6. What are the MOQ, lead time and sample options for each material? In-stock bottles may come only in certain materials. Custom moulds give you more choice but need more time.

Work With Seliya

Zhejiang Seliya Plastic Co.,Ltd. has made plastic water bottles since 2003 and supplies both in-stock bottles for fast wholesale orders and custom OEM/ODM projects. Seliya is a Sedex member and an amfori member, and exhibited at Ambiente 2026 in Frankfurt. We produce water bottles in all seven materials covered in this guide (Tritan, Ecozen, PETG, PET, PP, PS and PC), so we can recommend the right one for your market, product and budget.

Not sure which material fits your project? Click Get a Quote on any product page or email tong@seliya.cn with your target market, capacity and quantity, and our team will reply with recommendations.