Water bottles

	The BES-5511 model from Zhejiang Yongkang Bangda can have a 201 or 304 stainless steel body. It has a 600mL capacity and meets FDA and LFGB standards.

Makers are using BPA-free materials. New models have innovative shapes and accessories.

Suppliers of sports water bottles in China are switching to plastic grades that do not contain bisphenol-A or BPA, in response to concerns over its possible harmful effects.

The latest releases are made of PP, PS, AS and polyethylene terephthalate glycol or PETG. These materials are said not to leach BPA, even at high temperatures.

Upscale models employ nontoxic HDPE or LDPE. The former has high tensile strength for rigid containers, while the latter has better ductility suitable for squeezable designs. BPA-free versions of PC and PE are also being utilized.

Besides plastic, makers are producing bottles in aluminum and stainless steel. The latter comes in 201 and 202 for the low-end and midrange lines. High-end versions adopt the 304 variant.

To ensure that materials are safe, companies send samples to third-party laboratories such as SGS or Intertek for evaluation according to FDA, CE or LFGB standards.

One manufacturer interviewed for this report, Cheer Great Industrial Ltd is compliant with EN 1186-1:2002 and the FDA’s CFR 177.2600. The company’s water bottles have passed ICP and mass spectrometry testing by SGS.

Suppliers have increased their safety focus following the negative public view on BPA. The chemical has been linked to possible genetic, hormone and neurological disruptions, and may cause breast and prostate cancer in accumulated amounts.

Pressure from advocacy groups recently led US water bottle makers Nalgene and Camelbak to discontinue the use of plastic made with BPA.

Water bottles from Fenjin Plastic Co. Ltd, for instance, have PP or PE bodies and aluminum lids for a better look and impact resistance. The company’s other products employ stainless steel rims as both visual and protective enhancement.

Some of Cheer Great’s models have colorful plastic shells paired with stainless steel loop caps and bases.

Makers also offer sports bottles in special shapes and designs. These are generally made of plastic, as the material is easier to work with. New releases from Cheer Great include the WB-05026 model, a PP bottle with an upper body in the shape of a soccer ball, and water bottle CG-0808, which is made of PE and designed like a bowling pin. Model WB-0511 has a hole at its center, a novelty feature that also allows easier gripping.

The PS-2068E water bottle from Fenjin has an asymmetrical shape that conforms to the hand. This special aspect makes drinking convenient without having to tip the vessel at a steep angle.

Beyond aesthetics, manufacturers are improving function. Quanzhou Newsheen Corp. is employing double-walled designs for greater insulation.

Zhejiang Yongkang Bangda Industrial & Trading Co. Ltd uses automatic push-button caps in its stainless steel and aluminum bottles to allow one-hand access.

To further distinguish themselves amid strong competition, makers are offering various add-ons and accessories such as keychains, stress balls and pouches.

Models from Zhejiang Yongkang Bangda and Fenjin come with carabiners, while Quanzhou Newsheen incorporates flashing LEDs in its children’s water bottles.

In order to keep up the pace of development, suppliers are investing more in R&D. Zhejiang Yongkang Bangda now has 15 engineers and designers. Samples based on customer specifications are available within one week.

Fenjin’s five R&D members come up with 10 new models each month, using Pro Engineer, UG and Cimatron software. Prototypes can be released in 15 days.

The five product development specialists of Quanzhou Newsheen produce 10 designs monthly.

Cheer Great has five R&D personnel who create three new models every month. Customized samples are available within a week.

The majority of water bottles from China are made in Guangdong and Zhejiang provinces, where there are abundant materials and mature support industries. The former is the main production hub for plastic models, while the latter specializes in metal versions.

About 50 percent of output is under ODM contracts, while 35 percent involves OEM and the rest OBM. North America and Europe are the main markets, but makers are looking to cultivate Australia and South America.

The industry suffered a setback this year as sales and exports decreased by 5 percent due to rising material costs, the yuan’s appreciation and China’s new labor law.

Sports bottles made for the low-end market are priced at $0.25 and weigh 30 to 100g. Midrange models up to 200g reach $1.50. These have added features such as LEDs and comply with FDA and LFGB standards.

Upscale designs top $3. Bottles in this segment typically have double walls and meet FDA, LFGB, and CE criteria.