What is Tritan™ and why is it used for shatterproof glasses?
By Kirsty Cook, Govino SA · Updated · 2 min read
Short answer: Tritan™ is a copolyester plastic developed by Eastman Chemical Company. It is glass-clear, impact-resistant and free of BPA, BPS and other bisphenols, and it keeps its clarity through repeated dishwasher cycles. Those properties make it the best material for reusable glass alternatives, which is why every Govino glass is made from it.
Who makes Tritan?
Tritan is a trademarked material made by Eastman, a US materials company. You'll find it in premium water bottles, blender jugs, baby products and reusable drinkware. When a product says "Tritan", it should be Eastman's resin. Generic "BPA-free plastic" can mean almost anything.
What are the properties of Tritan?
| Property | What it means for a glass |
|---|---|
| Glass-like clarity | Wine looks like wine: no cloudy, milky cup look |
| Impact resistance | Flexes and bounces when dropped instead of shattering |
| Chemical and dishwasher resistance | Doesn't craze, cloud or crack after repeated hot washes and detergents |
| BPA- and BPS-free | Eastman states Tritan contains no bisphenols and shows no estrogenic or androgenic activity |
| Food-contact approvals | Eastman reports clearance from the US FDA, EU and other food-safety regulators |
| Odour and taste neutral | Doesn't hold onto smells or flavour your wine |
How is Tritan different from other plastics?
Most "plastic wine glasses" are acrylic (PMMA), polystyrene (PS), polycarbonate (PC) or PET. Each gives up something: acrylic scratches and cracks, polystyrene snaps into sharp pieces and is single-use, polycarbonate is made with BPA, and PET warps in a hot dishwasher. Tritan is the one that combines clarity, toughness, dishwasher durability and bisphenol-free chemistry. Full side-by-side: Tritan vs acrylic vs polycarbonate vs polystyrene.
Is Tritan recyclable?
Tritan falls under resin code 7 ("other"), which most South African kerbside programmes don't collect. Its environmental case is reuse: one Tritan glass replaces hundreds of single-use cups over its life. Eastman also makes Tritan Renew, a version with certified recycled content.
Quick answers
Is Tritan plastic or glass?
Tritan is a plastic, specifically a copolyester made by Eastman, engineered to look and feel like glass while being shatterproof.
Is Tritan safe to drink from?
Yes. Eastman states Tritan is free of BPA, BPS and other bisphenols, and it is cleared for food contact by regulators including the US FDA and EU authorities.
Does Tritan go cloudy?
Tritan is chemically resistant, so it stays clear through repeated dishwasher cycles far better than acrylic or polycarbonate. Use the top rack and avoid abrasive scourers.
Which wine glasses are made from Tritan?
Govino glasses are made from Eastman Tritan™. In South Africa the range is sold at govino.co.za: Wine, Flute, Can and Rocks.