packaging Pressreleases

'Tetra Pak to Invest €90 Million in Pakistan, €30 Million in Brazil to Meet Growing Dairy and Beverage Demand'

2008-07-03T16:24:40Z

Tetra Pak, the world's leading food processing and packaging solutions company, today announced it will invest €90 million to build a new stateof-the-art packaging material factory in Pakistan and €30 million in leading edge printing and laminating technologies at its packaging materials plant in Monte Mor, Brazil to meet growing demand in the dairy and beverage industry.

“These investments demonstrate our continuing commitment to support our customers around the world with best-in-class packaging and processing systems, thus ensuring faster delivery, better quality, greater convenience and increased flexibility,” said Alejandro Anavi, Executive Vice President Supply Chain Operations, Tetra Pak.

The new plant in Pakistan, will have an initial capacity of 8 billion packages per year, with the possibility of doubling to 16 billion packages, such as the Tetra Brik® Aseptic (TBA) and Tetra Fino® Aseptic (TFA). It will be Tetra Pak’s largest facility in the Middle East region for the production of packaging material for liquid food products. Whilst its main role will be to supply customers in Pakistan, it will also export to other countries in the region.

Ground-breaking for the new factory is planned for the third quarter of 2008, with the start of commercial production during the second half of 2010.

The technology upgrade at Tetra Pak’s Monte Mor plant includes two key elements: a stateof-the-art laminator and a new FlexoProcess printing line, which will offer higher quality and more flexible production choices for customers. The new technologies will increase printing and lamination capacity by 25% - up from the current capacity of about 10 billion packages/year .

The FlexoProcess printing line, which is scheduled to begin production in March 2009, will incorporate the latest flexoprocess printing technology. Capable of printing on a wide variety of packaging materials, this new technology will offer increased choice for customers while boosting printing capacity and turnaround times. The new laminator is scheduled to begin production in June for all types and sizes of Tetra Pak aseptic packages.

Tetra Pak continues to invest in production facilities around the world to meet customer needs. Last month the company announced a €26 million investment in new printing and laminating technologies in its packaging materials plant in Rubiera, Italy. In 2007, Tetra Pak inaugurated a new converting plant near Moscow, Russia to support its growth in the country and Eastern Europe. The company invested more than €100 million to build this plant—the largest in Russia and Eastern Europe to produce packaging material for liquid food products.

During 2008, the company will complete a €60 million state-of-the-art packaging material manufacturing plant in Hohhot, China, to support the country's growing dairy and beverage industry.

About Tetra Pak
Tetra Pak is the world's leading food processing and packaging solutions company. Working closely with our customers and suppliers, we provide safe, innovative and environmentally sound products that each day meet the needs of hundreds of millions of people around the world. With over 20,000 employees and operations in more than 150 countries, we believe in responsible industry leadership and a sustainable approach to business. Our motto, “PROTECTS WHAT’S GOOD, "™ reflects our vision to make food safe and available, everywhere.

MEDIA CONTACTS
Linda Bernier
Director Corporate
+ 39 348 145 4229
Linda.Bernier@tetrapak.com

Liddy Chillcott
PR GolinHarris for Tetra Pak
+44 (0) 207 067 0624
lchillcott@golinharris.com

'HayssenSandiacre Launches ULTIMAX CM: The Ultimate in Sanitary Design'

2008-07-03T16:24:40Z

HayssenSandiacre, a form/fill/seal technologies and services leader for more than 100 years, continues a long history of producing top-quality machinery by announcing the launch of its newest VFFS machine, the “ULTIMAX.” The first of its kind, the ULTIMAX continuous motion bag maker features true sanitation washdown and rinse capabilities for the harshest environments. With its sleek design and superior technology, the ULTIMAX is HayssenSandiacre’s most advanced system to date.

With growing need for sanitation specifications in industries such as pre-cooked proteins, fresh produce, and fresh meat and poultry packaging, the ULTIMAX was designed to fill that need. All components, both internal and external, have been carefully chosen to withstand the rigors of daily washdown using caustic chemicals. All metal materials are stainless steel, all electrical components are sealed, and all servo motors are stainless steel. In addition, the ULTIMAX is crafted of solid rounded frame members and sloped surfaces.

With superior floor utilization, the ULTIMAX’s narrow width and low height make it a viable choice for constricted production areas. The sanitation and design features of the ULTIMAX are matched by the advanced technology features: Allen-Bradley ControlLogix platform, on-screen manuals,
quick response screens, multi-language operator interface, and quick changeover with no tools. The ULTIMAX line includes the CM10, CM13, CM15 and a CM10 Duplex system.

HayssenSandiacre is a recognized global leader in horizontal and vertical form/fill/seal equipment for the packaging industry and is a division of Barry-Wehmiller Companies, Inc. Founded in 1910, HayssenSandiacre has become one of the largest providers of flexible packaging technology in the market, with annual revenues totaling $85 million.

'SCA Divests Parts of its UK Packaging Operations and Closes New Hythe Mill – Focus on Value Added Packaging'

2008-07-03T16:24:40Z

“The European packaging market is in great need of consolidation. SCA’s focus is on increasing value added parts of the packaging business and also on creating growth in the Eastern part of Europe, while consolidating our existing operations in Western Europe. We carry through today’s deal as the investment required to rebuild a competitive position in the segments we divest is not justified, given our chosen strategy”, comments Jan Johansson, President and CEO of SCA.

The purchase price is GBP 100 million (EUR 125 million) and will be paid in cash. This transaction will improve operating profit and cash flow and will not result in neither capital gain nor capital loss. The transaction, which is subject to approval from relevant authorities, is expected to be completed during the third quarter this year. Approximately 1,800 people are currently employed in these operations. A supply agreement has been signed, where SCA will supply kraftliner at today’s volumes to SAICA over a five-year period and for testliner over a three year period.

SCA is also announcing the intention to close the New Hythe containerboard mill (testliner and fluting) with a capacity of 240,000 tons by mid 2010. One reason is that the new focus doesn´t require local paper production. Consultation with the unions will be initiated.

SCA will retain ownership of and continue to develop the specialized value-added packaging operations in the UK and Ireland. They show good profitability and strengthen the SCA overriding strategy, focusing on higher value added. These operations have a turnover of approximately GBP 130 million (EUR 163 million) with about 1,400 people employed.

SAICA is a privately owned Spanish paper and packaging company with sales of approximately EUR 1,600 million. SAICA operates paper mills and corrugated facilities in a number of European countries, including the UK.

'Gerresheimer Discontinues Marginal Operations'

2008-07-03T16:24:40Z

Gerresheimer AG, the leading manufacturer of glass and plastic products for the pharma & life science industry, is selling its consumer healthcare business. As previously announced, the Düsseldorf company is thereby discontinuing operations which are not part of the core business of pharmaceutics and life science.

“The consumer healthcare business did not fit in with our strategy of focussing on the fields of pharmaceutics and life science. In addition, because of the lack of synergies with the core business, our return requirements for the consumer healthcare business were not fulfilled,” says Gerresheimer CEO Dr. Axel Herberg.

The consumer healthcare business, which comprises the production of toothbrushes and other interdental articles and most recently achieved annual sales of €24m, was part of the Wilden Group, which was acquired in January 2007. The purchaser is the Krallmann Group. Through the acquisition, Krallmann intends to expand its own plastic processing division and to continue the business under the traditional “Interbros” trademark. The transaction takes place with effect on 1 June 2008. The contractual parties have agreed to keep further details confidential.

Early this year, Gerresheimer already discontinued the marginal business of aluminium packaging with sales of €3.3m.

About Gerresheimer

Gerresheimer employs more than 10,800 people in 41 locations in Europe, America and Asia. In the financial year 2007, worldwide sales totalled €957.7m. The product portfolio ranges from pharmaceutical vials made of glass and plastic through to complex drug-delivery systems for the pharma & life science industry. These include sterile syringes, inhalers and other system-based approaches for safe dosage and application of medications. The Group enjoys a leading position in markets which are characterised by high technical and regulatory barriers.

Contact
Burkhard Lingenberg
Director Corporate PR & Marketing
Telephone +49 211 6181-250
Telefax +49 211 6181-241
e-mail b.lingenberg@gerresheimer.com

'ASE Packages One Billion Bluetooth Devices for CSR - Strong partnership sees CSR benefit from ASE’s technology leadership and advanced turnkey manufacturing capabilities'

2008-07-03T16:24:40Z

Advanced Semiconductor Engineering Incorporated, the world’s largest semiconductor packaging and test company, announced today that it has provided CSR with the subcontractor assembly services that facilitated the shipment of its first one billion Bluetooth devices. CSR, the leading global provider of personal wireless technology, selected ASE for consistently providing the technology and manufacturing acumen critical to the successful manufacture of Bluetooth devices.

ASE provides CSR with full turnkey services, encompassing bumping, WLCSP, BGA/Leadframe packaging, wafer probe, and final test solutions, at facilities strategically located across Asia. Through a close working relationship, ASE offers qualified packaging technologies and roadmaps that align with CSR device specifications and needs. ASE’s dedicated local support teams help accelerate package development, improve time-to-market, and enhance satisfaction in line with CSR’s current and evolving needs.

“CSR leads the market in Bluetooth technology and our partnership with ASE plays a significant role in our continuing success. CSR has been able to leverage ASE’s industry-leading fabrication technology and manufacturing capacity to its advantage”, said Patrick McNamee, VP of Process Engineering, CSR. “ASE has played an integral role in the production of our first billion devices and we look forward to an increasingly stronger partnership as we continue to meet demand in high growth areas.”

“We are very proud to have packaged every single Bluetooth device which CSR has brought to market, through the successful alignment of our manufacturing strategy with CSR’s product and market objectives,” said Dr Tien Wu, COO, ASE Group. “Both ASE and CSR have extensive history as innovators, and together we have achieved a significant milestone, which is testament to our combined market leadership and expertise.”

About ASE Group

The ASE Group is the world's largest provider of independent semiconductor manufacturing services in assembly and test. As a global leader geared towards meeting the industry’s ever growing needs for faster, smaller and higher performance chips, the Group develops and offers a wide portfolio of technology and solutions including IC test program design, front-end engineering test, wafer probe, wafer bump, substrate design and supply, wafer level package, flip chip, system-in-package, final test and electronic manufacturing services through Universal Scientific Industrial Co Ltd, a member of the ASE Group. The Group generated sales revenues of $3.1 billion in 2007 and employs over 28,000 people worldwide. For more information about the ASE Group, visit www.aseglobal.com.

Contact Information:

Patricia MacLeod
ASE Americas
+1-408-9866572
patricia.macleod@aseus.com

Jennifer Yuen
ASE Asia Pacific
+1-408-8219860
jennifer.yuen@aseus.com

Charles Chiu
ASE Europe
+43-664-1411201
charles.chiu@aseeu.com

'MarquipWardUnited Announces Agreement to Acquire Apollo Sheeters Ltd.'

2008-07-03T16:24:40Z

Timothy J. Sullivan, CEO of MarquipWardUnited, a leading supplier of equipment for the corrugated and folded carton industries, has announced an agreement to acquire Apollo Sheeters Ltd. of Bedford, England. Apollo Sheeters manufactures sheeting equipment across a broad range of paper, board, laminates and films.

Randy Lorenz, MarquipWardUnited vice president of sales, commented that the acquisition is in alignment with the company’s vision of becoming a full sector sheeter supplier covering the entire market from mills to small converters. “This acquisition will add a valuable U.K. manufacturing operation that will complement the MarquipWardUnited manufacturing operations in the U.S. and Hungary, while Apollo’s experienced build and design team will allow MarquipWardUnited to better support a rapidly growing installed base in Europe,” Lorenz said.

Steve Brimble will serve as managing director of the Apollo product line in addition to his responsibilities as product manager for the MarquipWardUnited SheetWizard. Brimble has more than eight years of experience with Apollo prior to joining MarquipWardUnited in January 2007.

“We wish to make it clear that both the Apollo brand and manufacturing site will be retained,” Brimble stated. “We have long recognized the success that Apollo has enjoyed building costeffective single- and twin-knife sheeters for the converting industry. The MarquipWardUnited SheetWizard has been a huge success, with 25 machines sold in 22 months, and the Apollo range of sheeting solutions will allow us to compete in yet another market sector.”

The addition of the Apollo product line, in combination with continued developments in the mill sheeter market for fine paper and board, will allow MarquipWardUnited to offer the widest range of folio sheeters available today.

ABOUT BARRY-WEHMILLER

Barry-Wehmiller Companies, Inc. is a diversified global supplier of packaging, corrugating, and paper converting technology, as well as engineering consulting services, across a broad spectrum of industries. Barry-Wehmiller’s balanced approach to the market is made possible through 10 interactive divisions: Accraply, a leading manufacturer of automatic labeling systems; Barry-Wehmiller Company, manufacturing bottle washers and pasteurizers for more than 120 years; Barry-Wehmiller International Resources (BWIR), a pioneer in the creation, development, and integration of advanced information technology and engineering solutions; Design Group, a premier supplier of manufacturing automation, facility design, and other engineering consulting services; FleetwoodGoldcoWyard, a leading producer of advanced conveyance technology and material handling equipment; HayssenSandiacre, a form/fill/seal technologies and services leader for more than 100 years; MarquipWardUnited, a leading manufacturer of equipment for the corrugated and folded carton industries; Paper Converting Machine Company (PCMC), providing advanced converting, printing, and packaging technologies for the tissue, nonwovens, and flexible packaging industries since 1919; PneumaticScaleAngelus, a global provider for filling, capping, can seaming, labeling, and centrifugation; and Thiele Technologies, a leading supplier of placing, bagging, cartoning, case packing, and palletizing equipment.

In fiscal year 2008, a combination of organic and acquisition growth is expected to grow Barry-Wehmiller’s annual revenues to more than $1 billion for the first time in the company’s 122-year history, with more than $300 million in markets outside the U.S.

'LITE4U – A New Efficient and Fit-for-purpose Cartonboard Concept from M-real'

2008-07-03T16:24:40Z

In order to answer the increasing challenges in the market, M-real Consumer Packaging has introduced a new efficient and fit-for-purpose cartonboard concept at Drupa 2008.

Being a responsible player in the market, M-real created a new cartonboard concept to respond to the challenges of its customer as well as those of forest industry. Therefore M-real created LITE4U, which notably improves the efficiency in the whole value chain.

“Our customers, brand-owners, cartonmakers and merchants are streamlining their operations and optimizing their efficiency”, says Mika Joukio, EVP M-real Consumer Packaging. Brand owners want to reduce the amount of packaging material without compromising performance. They also have to respond the increasing consciousness and regulations regarding sustainability and safety.

But board suppliers are facing a lot of challenges also. “We strive for fast and secure availability as well as for high quality and consistency of our board not to forget sustainability issues”, Joukio continues. “And at the same time we are struggling with severe cost inflation caused by rising raw material and energy prices.“ This combined with the decade long declining trend in market prices is making the situation even more challenging.

Considering these aspects, the LITE4U concept comprises “Lightweighting” for more economy, “Innovative” development, “Time” saving, “Environment” concerns, the “4 mills” at the client´s service and a “Unique” offer to their benefit.

Lightweighting of products has been one of the areas of main emphasis during the past years in M-real. Lighter weight boards offer the same properties as heavier conventional grades in lower substances. They offer cost savings and benefit the environment thanks to lighter transport weights and less waste at the end of their lifecycle. One cornerstone in lightweighting has been the use of BCTMP pulp (bleached chemi-thermo-mechanical pulp), the area where M-real has been a forerunner in the industry. M-real has also tightened its tolerances to be the tightest ones in the trade in order to ensure even better consistency in the product quality. Like lightweighting, consistency effects clear savings and improves sustainability.

Innovative development in M-real is continued with a clear portfolio of fit-for-purpose cartonboards which emphasises both visual appearance as well as performance of the boards. The new cartonboard range includes now five grades – Carta Integra, Carta Elega, Carta Solida, Avanta Prima and Simcote which are made to meet the needs of various end-use areas. To ensure efficiency the production of overlapping grades will be discontinued. M-real developed also a totally new grade, Carta Elega, which combines the best properties of previous Avanta Ultra and Simwhite. It is designed especially for high-quality packaging such as for beautycare products and other products demanding fine graphics.

Time is saved by the new cartonboard portfolio. Not only selecting the grade is easier, but also production cycles at mills are shorter thanks to smaller number of grades. This accelerates delivery, improves the availability, and makes stock management more efficient. On top of that Express Board service in Europe will be enhanced.

Environment concerns everybody in today’s world. As a sustainable board producer M-real pays special attention to energy efficiency as well as to forest resources. The mills have implemented energy saving programmes, and the reduction of CO2 emission has a high priority. M-real uses wood only from sustainably managed forests in its production units.

4 modern mills: Simpele, Äänekoski, Kyro and Tako serve M-real’s cartonboard customers. They are managed as one entity and they are self-sufficient in fibres. Since the beginning of 2007 M-real’s Joutseno BCTMP (bleached chemi-thermo-mechanical pulp) mill has been dedicated to produce pulp which is tailored for M-real’s cartonboard mills.

M-real’s unique cartonboard offering makes it easy to choose the right board for each end-use using the clearly positioned fit-for-purpose products. The new offering improves availability, provides lighter weights and consistent quality. It increases efficiency throughout the value chain and supports sustainable development.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

The full range of M-real’s virgin-fibre based cartonboards, available globally through M-real’s sales and logistics network, includes:

Carta Integra: Fully coated bleached paperboard (BCTMP) with coated back. Recommended for graphics and high-quality packaging. Available in 170-330 gsm.

Carta Elega: Fully coated folding boxboard (GC1). Recommended for beautycare and other high-quality packaging and graphics. Available in 200-380 gsm.

Carta Solida: Fully coated bleached paperboard (BCTMP) with white back. Recommended for graphics and high-quality packaging. Available in 185-320 gsm.

Avanta Prima: Fully coated folding boxboard (GC2). Recommended for healthcare, toiletries and consumer durables. Available in 200-360 gsm.

Simcote: Fully coated folding boxboard (GC2). Recommended for foods, healthcare and consumer durables. A perfect house sheet. Available in 205-340 gsm.

'New Flexible Packaging Plant Inaugurated in India'

2008-07-03T16:24:40Z

Alcan Packaging, part of Rio Tinto Alcan, officially inaugurated its newest flexible packaging plant, located in the BHEL Industrial Park in Haridwar, Northern India. The ceremony was chaired by Ilene Gordon, president and chief executive officer (CEO), Alcan Packaging.

"The dynamic Indian market represents an attractive opportunity for Alcan Packaging's strategy of growth, and we are pleased to make this US$10 million investment which establishes our manufacturing presence in the region to better serve customers," said Ilene Gordon. "This also expands our presence in emerging markets overall, which today represents approximately 20% of our sales," she added.

The new site, announced in February 2007, currently employs 48 people and is dedicated to producing high-value flexible packaging for the food and personal care segments in India.

"The plant began production on schedule in April 2008 and is already meeting our local and global customers' needs for high-quality packaging solutions," said Jean-Paul Meausoone, President, Alcan Packaging Food Asia. "We are pleased to be part of this thriving business community in Northern India, and we look forward to growing together with customers and becoming part of the local community as well."

Including the new plant in India, Alcan Packaging now operates 15 sites in six countries, and employs approximately 6,000 people in Asia.

Alcan Packaging is a world leader in value-added specialty packaging. It delivers multi-material, innovative packaging solutions to customers around the world for the food, pharmaceutical, beauty and tobacco markets. Led by Ilene Gordon, president and CEO, Alcan Packaging is headquartered in Paris, France, with 128 facilities and 30,000 employees in 31 countries. It generated US$6.2 billion in revenues in 2007. For more information, please visit http://www.alcanpackaging.com/.

About Rio Tinto

Rio Tinto is a leading international mining group headquartered in the UK, combining Rio Tinto plc, a London and NYSE listed company, and Rio Tinto Limited, which is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange.

Rio Tinto's business is finding, mining, and processing mineral resources. Major products are aluminium, copper, diamonds, energy (coal and uranium), gold, industrial minerals (borax, titanium dioxide, salt, talc) and iron ore. Activities span the world but are strongly represented in Australia and North America with significant businesses in South America, Asia, Europe and southern Africa.

For further information, please contact:

Rio Tinto Alcan Media Relations, Paris
Chrystele Ivins
Tel.: +33-1-57-00-24-18
chrystele.ivins@riotinto

Rio Tinto Alcan Media Relations, Canada
Stefano Bertolli
Tel.: +1-514-848-8151
stefano.bertolli@riotinto.com

Alcan Packaging, Paris
Colette Chauvière
Tel.: +33-1-57-00-28-26
colette.chauviere@alcan.com

Alcan Packaging - Asia
Jean-Paul Meausoone, president
Tel.: +65 6410 0870
jean-paul.meausoone@alcan.com

Website: www.riotinto.com/riotintoalcan

'Tetra Pak Launches iLine™ - New Generation Integrated Packaging Lines Reduce Operational Costs up to 40%'

2008-07-03T16:24:40Z

Tetra Pak, the world leader in food processing and packaging solutions, today introduced Tetra Pak iLine™ solutions. This new generation of high-performance aseptic carton packaging solutions takes line integration and automation technology to a new level thanks to a novel process control and information management system.

“With iLine we provide our customers with a new level of end-to-end line performance,” said Michael Grosse, Tetra Pak’s Executive Vice President, Development & Engineering. “Tetra Pak iLine solutions are a step change in line integration and automation, providing customers with reduced operational costs, increased equipment reliability and capacity.”

The more robust and operationally efficient Tetra Pak iLine™ solutions enable customers to increase capacity and reduce operational costs by up to 40%, depending on the configuration.

The Tetra Pak iLine portfolio includes:

The Tetra Pak® A3/CompactFlex iLine - A brand new system dedicated to portion packages, the Tetra Pak A3/CompactFlex iLine is the most cost effective solution for customers producing 40 million packages per year per line. The small and flexible, Tetra Pak A3/CompactFlex produces 9,000 portion packages per hour. With 19 different Tetra Brik® Aseptic and Tetra Prisma® Aseptic packages, Tetra Pak A3/CompactFlex has the largest range of portion packages on the market today.

The Tetra Pak® A3/Flex iLine - Tetra Pak’s most flexible packaging solution, the Tetra Pak A3/Flex iLine produces 22 different Tetra Brik Aseptic and Tetra Prisma Aseptic package shapes and sizes, with an increased production capacity for 1-litre Tetra Brik Aseptic to 8,000 family packs per hour from 7,000 packs per hour.

The Tetra Pak® A3/Speed iLine - Tetra Pak’s fastest packaging solution, the Tetra Pak A3/Speed iLine for Tetra Brik Aseptic comes in two versions, one for family packs – at 15,000 packs/hour and one for portion packs – at 24,000 packs/per hour. These high speed solutions offer lower operational cost and increased robustness.

Said Ton Tesser, Senior Project Manager Benelux, Refresco Menken Drinks in Bodegraven, the Netherlands: “Tetra Pak A3/Speed iLine enables us to increase the volume of product we produce whilst ultimately reducing our operational costs. We have been able to increase production from 7,500 packages per hour to 24,000 per hour without needing to increase operational staff.

“The full Tetra Pak A3 iLine offering provides us with improved efficiency, functionality and line reliability. Integrated solutions also give us a more intelligent way to effectively manage our different packaging lines,” he said. Refresco, one of Europe’s largest suppliers of fruit juice was the first to install the new Tetra Pak A3/Speed iLine in the Netherlands to produce still drinks and juices in Tetra Brik Aseptic 200 ml packages.

iLine a major innovation in line automation

Tetra Pak iLine solutions represent a major evolution in automation technology. At the heart of its automation platform is the new Line Controller 30 (LC30)—a first for aseptic carton packaging. The LC30 automates the interaction among all components of the packaging line, offering enhanced line control and supervision, ease of operations in packaging line management and improved line performance, increasing flexibility.

As Grosse explained: “Tetra Pak iLine represents a completely new approach to designing, building and validating carton packaging lines. With Tetra Pak iLine we’ve rethought the whole filling line. Instead of making incremental changes to our proven equipment, we decided to take the bold leap to a higher level of system integration and automation. Integration leads to lower operating costs, and in today’s competitive market place, that’s a key differentiator.”

ABOUT TETRA PAK

Tetra Pak is the world's leading food processing and packaging solutions company. Working closely with our customers and suppliers, we provide safe, innovative and environmentally sound products that each day meet the needs of hundreds of millions of people around the world. With over 20,000 employees and operations in more than 150 countries, we believe in responsible industry leadership and a sustainable approach to business. Our motto, “PROTECTS WHAT’S GOOD, "™ reflects our vision to make food safe and available, everywhere. More information about Tetra Pak is available at www.tetrapak.com

MEDIA CONTACTS
Linda Bernier
Director Corporate PR
+ 39 348 145 4229
Linda.Bernier@tetrapak.com

Liddy Chillcott
GolinHarris for Tetra Pak
+44 (0) 207 067 0624
lchillcott@golinharris.com

'Constar Introduces Vertical Compensation Technology™ (VCT™)™ - Panel-less Hot-fill PET Technology for Beverages and Food'

2008-07-03T16:24:40Z

Constar International Inc. today introduced Vertical Compensation Technology™ (VCT™), an innovative, panel-less hot-fill technology for PET containers. Constar developed VCT technology to provide its PET bottles and jars with the look and premium feel of glass and robust in-hand feel, targeting glass-to-plastic and plastic-to-plastic conversions for hot-fill beverage and food products.

Constar's VCT technology employs distinctive geometry to address the natural stresses placed on PET bottles and jars during the hot-fill process. Designed using Constar's CONSTruct™ advanced predictive engineering software, the distinctive hoop geometry eliminates the need for vacuum panels by allowing the bottle or jar to flex vertically to compensate for the vacuum created in the hot-fill process. One of its major benefits is improved productivity during the filling process as the smooth sidewalls and rigidity facilitate the high-speed application of roll-fed labels. This also replicates the in-hand feel of traditional glass hot-fill bottles and jars-no "crinkly" label feel-giving it a sensory advantage over current six-panel hot-fill PET containers. The end result is a very strong PET container that has the look and premium feel of glass.

Customers converting from glass to Constar's PET containers with VCT technology secure considerable sustainability benefits. These PET containers are far lighter in weight than glass, resulting in freight and energy savings. With fuel prices continuing to rise, this benefit continues to grow. From a consumer perspective, used PET containers are accepted by curbside recycling programs. Used PET has a high market demand and recovery value, finding its way back into bottles and into products like carpet, clothing and sleeping bags.

Commenting on the announcement, Constar Senior Vice President-Sales and Marketing Dan Ingram said the market is ripe for hot-fill PET bottles and jars that deliver the visual aesthetics and tactile experience of glass. "PET offers significant cost and sustainability advantages for hot-fill foods and beverages, yet the traditional six-panel design is not entirely satisfactory for many glass container conversions. The unique geometry of VCT containers breaks down those barriers; it has the same robustness and rigidity of glass. And that's key to companies looking to convert from glass to PET," he explained.

Constar's VCT hot-fill panel-less technology is available in stock and custom designed bottles and jars.

About Constar International Inc.

Philadelphia, Penn.-based Constar International Inc. is a leading global producer and supplier of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastic containers for food and beverages. The Company provides full-service packaging solutions, from product design and engineering, to ongoing customer support. Its customers include many of the world's leading branded consumer products companies. For more information, visit www.constar.net.

For Marketing
Scott Pleune, vice president, marketing and business development,
Constar International, 215.552.3705

For Investors
Walter S. Sobon, executive vice president and chief financial officer,
Constar International, 215.552.3700
Ed Bisno, Bisno Communications, 212.717.7578