Crown success at Gulf Pack 2009

Crown, the leading metal beverage packaging manufacturer in the Middle East, also highlighted its advanced design capabilities and SuperEnd beverage ends.

"Cans have consistently been the beverage packaging format of choice in the Middle East due to their convenience, superior product protection and overall durability," says Caroline Archer-Reed, Marketing Director, Crown Bevcan Europe & Middle East. "Crown has been committed to serving this important region for more than 25 years, and continues to support its growth with innovative technology and value added services."

A key focus for Crown was its high quality print technology, which makes use of proprietary separation techniques and special, high resolution printing plates, allowing for improved dot spacing and superior print reproduction of complex images on beverage cans. The technique is particularly suitable for reproducing and enhancing fine detail images such as faces, fruit and fine text.

Another highlight was the company's expanded range of novel ink finishes which add excitement to packaging and engage consumers at point of purchase. The new finishes, which include Color Change, Tactile, Soft Touch, Matt, Thermochromic, Pearlescent, UV Light and Glow in the Dark, create infinite branding possibilities for beverage cans.

Crown also showcased its SuperEnd beverage ends which use 10% less metal than standard ends, leading to source reduction, substantial environmental gains, significant energy savings and an improved drinking experience for consumers. To date, Crown and its licensees have produced more than 200 billion SuperEnd beverage ends worldwide, saving more than 50,000 tons of aluminum, over 8,000 tons of coatings, and more than 400,000 tons of greenhouse gases, which is the equivalent of the annual emissions from 22,000 automobiles per year.

"Gulf Pack created an opportunity for us to share our latest technologies with customers, forge new relationships and see the latest packaging developments in the region," states Archer-Reed. "It also provided a forum to showcase products from Crown's Aerosol, Closures, Food and Speciality Packaging business units and demonstrate the company's breadth of metal packaging expertise."

Crown operates five beverage can-making plants in the Middle East and North Africa and manufactures two-piece aluminum beverage cans in a range of sizes from 15 to 37.5cl.