The spreading use of Eastman Chemical Co.'s Tritan copolyester in housewares products has been largely centered on the “containing” part, be it a bottle, pitcher, bowl, coffee maker or food container. But, a German company is now using Tritan for a completely different application.
Riench & Held GmbH & Co. KG of Hamburg makes a range of tea-brewing products under the Finum brand, including an award-winning series of non-electric, glass teapots that allow the user to control the brewing process with a brew-stop filter.
The filter/infuser is made with Tritan in several see-through colors, the company said at the recent International Home + Housewares Show in Chicago.
“You add loose tea or a tea bag, pour some hot water and start brewing. You can turn the lid clockwise to stop the brewing or turn it counterclockwise to continue the steeping,” said senior product manager Matthias Heinrich. The opening of the infuser is controlled by the lid.
“The tea can be brewed to the exact point you desire, right at your table, without having to remove the filter,” he said.
Beyond Tritan's widely cited advantages — bisphenol A-free, clear, stain-resistant, heat-resistant and durable — it also outshines polycarbonate because it's softer and therefore “makes a nicer sound when the lid turns,” according to managing partner Christian Justus.
And, unlike containers or bottles, the tea filter cannot be made with glass, due to the requirement for high durability and tight tolerance, Justus said.
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