Which manufacturers make BPA- and BPS-free medical or hydration bladders?
Executive summary
Major outdoor hydration brands and many specialist bladder makers now advertise reservoirs made from TPU or other non-polycarbonate films and explicitly label products “BPA-free” — for example CamelBak’s Crux/Fusion reservoirs claim to be “100% free of BPA, BPS and BPF” [1]. Industry-wide reporting and recent 2024–25 buying guides show widespread use of TPU and PVC-free constructions by HydraPak, Platypus, Apidura, Osprey, Evoc, Mazama and others that are described as BPA-free [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [1].
1. Who says they make BPA/BPS-free bladders — brand claims, not independent proof
Several high‑profile manufacturers publish product pages or support articles that state their reservoirs are free of BPA (and in some cases BPS/BPF). CamelBak states its Crux reservoirs are “100% free of BPA, BPS and BPF” [1]. HydraPak’s support page explains most of its products use thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), which it says “does not require BPA, BPS, BPF” in synthesis, and that they take steps to avoid contamination [2]. Apidura, EVOC, Mazama, Osprey and Platypus appear across reviews and product listings described as using BPA‑free materials [4] [5] [6] [3] [1].
2. Why TPU matters: material choice and the practical shift away from polycarbonate/PVC
Sources show an industry shift toward TPU films because TPU doesn’t require bisphenols for manufacture and offers weldability and durability that brands want for bladders [2] [7]. Buyers’ guides and product roundups for 2024–25 repeatedly point out that leading bladders are made from TPU or other BPA‑free plastics and advertise them as safe and long lasting [8] [3] [4] [9].
3. Which manufacturers are repeatedly cited as “BPA‑free” in current reporting
- CamelBak: explicit product claim for Crux/Fusion reservoirs [1].
- HydraPak: company FAQ states TPU composition and no use of BPA/BPS/BPF [2].
- Apidura: lists “TPU… / BPA‑free” on the Fast‑Flow bladder [4].
- EVOC: product page says its bladders are “BPA and PVC free” [5].
- Osprey, Platypus and other mainstream brands appear in buyer guides as using BPA‑free materials [1] [3] [8].
- Smaller makers and third‑party replacement producers like Mazama, BTR, Trekkout, and generic suppliers also advertise BPA/BPS‑free films [6] [10] [11].
4. Lab testing and certification: a gap in the public record
Available sources show brand claims and review vetting but do not include third‑party laboratory test results or specific certifications for every product. Accio’s supplier reports note that some distributors offer third‑party lab testing for BPA/phthalate‑free certification in industrial supply contexts, but independent lab results for specific consumer bladders are not in the provided material [12]. Therefore: manufacturers’ statements and retail descriptions form most of the available evidence [1] [2] [4].
5. What “BPA‑free” practically means — and what it doesn’t
Manufacturers often tie “BPA‑free” to using TPU or to PVC‑free constructions; HydraPak explains TPU doesn’t require bisphenols [2]. CamelBak goes further by naming BPS/BPF alongside BPA in marketing copy [1]. But the sources do not provide systematic testing data on migration of other chemicals or long‑term leaching under real‑world conditions; reports caution that “BPA‑free” labeling alone doesn’t answer all safety questions [13]. Available reporting focuses on material choices rather than exhaustive toxicology results [8] [3].
6. Medical vs. outdoor-grade bladders — overlap and distinctions
Search results include industry directories for medical‑grade bladder suppliers (which emphasize regulatory compliance) and outdoor brands selling hydration reservoirs [14] [12]. The medical manufacturing summaries discuss shifts toward BPA‑free polymers in disposables and containers, but specific medical bladder model listings with explicit BPA/BPS testing are not present in the provided set [15] [14]. In short: outdoor hydration brands publicly state BPA‑free materials; medical manufacturers’ compliance standards are discussed at a market level but specific product claims are not documented in the supplied sources.
7. Practical advice for buyers and procurement officers
If BPA/BPS absence is essential, prioritize products that explicitly state BPA/BPS/BPF avoidance and cite materials such as TPU (CamelBak, HydraPak, Apidura, EVOC) [1] [2] [4] [5]. For critical medical applications, request third‑party lab reports, FDA/CE compliance documentation or supplier testing certificates — those specific documents are not found in current reporting and should be requested directly [12] [14].
Limitations: this analysis relies on manufacturer statements, buyer guides and trade listings in the provided sources; independent chemical test results or regulatory certificates for individual bladder models are not included in the material made available here [12] [14].