A Guide to Sustainable Water Bottle Materials

 

Where Safety Meets Customization. As your trusted OEM/ODM partner, we produce a wide range of drink bottles and food containers. We ensure every product is crafted from food-contact safe materials and is certified BPA-free, fully adhering to FDA, LFGB, and California Proposition 65 requirements.

 

Main Material List of  Water Bottle 

/Cup /Flask /Jug /Food Container /Beverage Vessel

 

 

 

 

 

	Main Material Type	Advantages	Disadvantages	FDA Compliant	BPA Free	Insulated	Applications for Drink Bottle	Material Cost
Aluminum	AI	Lightweight, durable, good corrosion resistance.	Can dent, may impart metallic taste. Requires interior liner. Liner can degrade.	Yes (with compliant liner)	Yes (liner dependent)	Only when double-walled	Lightweight sport bottles, canteens, reusable everyday bottles.	Low to Medium
Stainless Steel	SS201 (Stainless Steel 18-1, Japan JIS: SUS201, USA AISI: 201)	Strong, magnetic, cost-effective stainless option.	Lower corrosion resistance than 304/316. Can rust over time.	Yes	Yes	Only when double-walled	Budget-friendly insulated bottles, promotional items.	Low
	SS304 (Stainless Steel 18-8, Japan JIS: SUS304, USA   AISI: 304)	Excellent corrosion resistance, durable, does not rust easily. Industry standard.	Heavier than plastic/aluminum. Can transfer temperature (hot/cold to touch).	Yes	Yes	Only when double-walled	High-quality insulated tumblers, food-grade bottles, everyday & sports use.	Medium
	SS316 (Stainless Steel 18-10, Japan JIS: SUS316, USA   AISI: 316)	Superior corrosion & chloride resistance (e.g., saltwater), very durable.	Heavier and more expensive than 304.	Yes	Yes	Only when double-walled	Premium insulated bottles, marine/chemical industry use, high-end consumer goods.	High
Titanium	Ti-6Al-4VEli	Extremely strong yet very lightweight. Highly corrosion-resistant. Biocompatible.	Very expensive. Can feel “premium” but is often overkill for casual use.	Yes	Yes	Only when double-walled (rare)	Ultralight backpacking, mountaineering, premium specialty bottles.	Very High
Plastic	PP (Polypropylene)	Lightweight, durable, excellent chemical resistance. Withstands dishwashers.	Can become brittle in extreme cold. Not as crystal-clear as other plastics.	Yes	Yes	No	Squeezable sports bottles, baby bottles, dishwasher-safe containers.	Low
	AS (Acrylonitrile-Styrene)	Hard, rigid, and crystal-clear transparency. Good gloss.	Lower chemical resistance than others. Can be brittle and crack under impact.	Yes	Yes	No	Transparent bottle bodies (where clarity is needed), decorative layers.	Low
	PC (Polycarbonate)	Very high impact strength, crystal-clear, and heat resistant.	Not BPA-Free. BPA is a precursor in its production. Prone to scratching.	No (for food contact, largely phased out)	No	No	Largely discontinued for bottles. Was used for reusable jugs, baby bottles.	Low
	Tritan (PCTG)	High impact strength, BPA-free, crystal-clear, odor & stain resistant.	Can be less heat resistant than PC. Higher cost than PP or PC.	Yes	Yes	No	Premium BPA-free sports bottles, kids’ bottles, replacement for PC.	Medium
	ABS	Very strong, rigid, and impact-resistant. Good heat resistance.	Not typically used for liquid contact; often opaque. Can be scratched.	Yes (specific grades)	Yes	No	Bottle caps, hard-wearing external shells, protective cases.	Low
	Acrylic (PMMA)	Excellent optical clarity and gloss, UV resistant.	Very brittle and low impact strength. Scratches easily.	Yes (specific grades)	Yes	No	Decorative components, windows in sports caps, not for primary bodies.	Low
	POM (Acetal)	High strength, stiffness, and excellent wear/slip properties. “Self-lubricating”.	Not suitable for prolonged liquid contact. Used for mechanical parts.	Yes (limited contact)	Yes	No	Screw caps, sprayer mechanisms, hinged components.	Medium
	TPE/TPR (Elastomers)	Flexible, soft-touch, excellent grip and seal.	Porous surface can absorb odors/stains. Lower chemical resistance.	Yes (specific grades)	Yes	No	Squeeze bulbs, gaskets, seals, soft-grip sleeves, straws.	Low to Medium
	PPSU (Polyphenylsulfone)	Medical-grade, high heat & chemical resistance. Can be sterilized (autoclave).	Very high cost. Often has a slight amber/yellow tint.	Yes	Yes	No	Premium, medical-grade, and high-performance baby bottles.	Very High
	Recycled Ocean Plastic	Positive environmental story, reduces ocean waste. Durable (depends on source).	Consistency and color can vary. May have visible flecks or imperfections.	Yes (processed to compliance)	Typically Yes	No	Eco-conscious lifestyle bottles, promotional items by green brands.	Medium (processing cost)
Silicone	Solid Silicone	Flexible, heat resistant, soft-touch, excellent seal. Chemically inert.	Can attract lint and dust. Can be pierced or torn with sharp objects.	Yes (food-grade)	Yes	No	Collapsible cups/funnels, gaskets, lids, entire collapsible bottles.	Medium
	Liquid Silicone	Superior consistency, no seams, high precision for small parts. Softer feel.	Generally higher cost than solid silicone molding for large parts.	Yes (food-grade)	Yes	No	Straws, spouts, valve components, baby bottle nipples.	Medium to High
Glass	Soda-Lime Glass	Inert, does not leach chemicals. Preserves taste perfectly. Inexpensive.	Heavy and fragile. Can shatter into sharp pieces.	Yes	Yes	No	Everyday kitchen drinking jars, milk bottles, juice bottles.	Low
	Borosilicate Glass	Highly resistant to thermal shock (hot/cold). Stronger than soda-lime.	Still breakable, though less so than soda-lime. Heavier than plastic/metal.	Yes	Yes	No	Premium beverage bottles, laboratory glassware, heat-resistant containers.	Medium

 

 

Auxiliary Material Type	Application / Function	FDA Compliant	BPA Free
Copper	Used as a coating on the inner wall of the vacuum chamber in some high-performance insulated bottles. Its high thermal conductivity enhances heat exchange reflection, potentially improving insulation efficiency.	Yes (when plated/sealed and not in direct food contact)	Yes (Metallic element)
Aluminum Foil	Acts as a radiation barrier within the vacuum space of double-walled bottles. It reflects radiant heat, contributing to the overall thermal insulation performance. It is also used in laminated pouches as a getter indicator.	Yes (when used as a barrier and not in direct, prolonged food contact)	Yes (Metallic element)
Getter	A small, porous pellet or strip placed inside the vacuum space during manufacturing. Its function is to adsorb any residual gases or gases that slowly leak out over time (a process called “outgassing”), thereby maintaining a high vacuum for the lifespan of the bottle.	N/A (The getter is permanently sealed inside the vacuum chamber and has no direct contact with the beverage.)	Typically Yes (Common materials are iron oxide or zeolite-based, which are BPA-free.)

 

Conclusion

Selecting a custom drink bottle goes beyond function—it’s about understanding your audience. A premium stainless steel bottle conveys quality to corporate clients, a safe Tritan bottle shows care for families, and an eco-friendly option aligns with green values. The right material makes your gift meaningful and strengthens your brand connection.

Want a branded bottle that truly resonates? ANhui IFun is ready to assist. Contact us for a tailored solution and free samples to ensure your custom bottle perfectly matches your vision and audience.