Watercoolers Europe Hosted LinkedIn Webinar on BPA-Free Materials for HOD Bottles

Watercoolers Europe recently hosted a LinkedIn Live webinar on BPA-free materials for Home and Office Delivery (HOD) bottles, presented by Emir Koyluoglu, Founder and Managing Director of ASE Packaging Solutions.

Why It Matters

Polycarbonate has been the material of choice for refillable HOD bottles since the 1960s. Following EU Commission Regulation 2024/3190, however, the use of BPA-containing materials in food-contact products is now prohibited across the EU. With the transition period having ended on 20 July 2026, the identification of viable alternatives has become an urgent priority for the industry.

The Alternatives

The webinar examined the two principal alternatives currently available. PET offers good clarity, chemical resistance and low cost, with the possibility of incorporating recycled content, but falls short of polycarbonate in terms of temperature resistance, durability and impact strength. Tritan™ Copolyester performs considerably closer to polycarbonate — offering glass-like clarity, comparable impact resistance and temperature tolerance up to 100°C — and can be produced using existing machinery without new tooling. Its drawbacks include higher cost, limited recyclability and reduced toughness after prolonged UV exposure. Other materials noted include polypropylene, other copolyesters and glass.

Watch the Recording

A full recording of the webinar is available here.