Packaging

Crown Licenses Toyo Seikan to Produce SuperEnd(R) Beverage Ends in Japan

Friday 25. July 2008 - Crown Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:CCK) (Crown) (www.crowncork.com) announces that it has signed a license agreement with Toyo Seikan Kaisha, Ltd. for it to manufacture and sell SuperEnd(R) beverage ends for the Japanese market.

Crown’s patented design uses 10% less metal than traditional beverage ends, providing significant sustainability advantages. To date, Crown and its licensees have produced more than 150 billion SuperEnd(R) beverage ends, saving more than 37,000 metric tons of aluminum, over 600 metric tons of coatings, and more than 300,000 metric tons of greenhouse gases, which is the equivalent of the annual emissions from 55,000 automobiles.

In addition to these substantial environmental gains, SuperEnd(R) beverage ends deliver improved performance for the filler and the consumer with greater strength, enhanced appearance and improved pouring characteristics. SuperEnd(R) beverage ends also feature a distinctive message or “billboard” area for marketers to print brand logos, special messages and co-branding promotions, instant win campaigns or to communicate with consumers about issues such as recycling. This exclusive 45-degree angle countersink wall results from the unique geometry incorporated into the design of SuperEnd(R) beverage ends.

Currently used with beer, soft drinks, juice and other beverages, SuperEnd(R) beverage ends are fully commercial in 202 and 206 diameters, with a 204 diameter version currently under development.

“Beverage cans already offer impressive environmental credentials. Metal can be recycled infinitely with no degradation in material quality. The beverage can is also a highly efficient and economic package to produce, fill and distribute,” said Daniel Abramowicz, President of CROWN Packaging Technology. “Source reduction initiatives such as the SuperEnd(R) beverage end further enhance the can’s leadership position as the preferred sustainable package for beverages.”

Toyo Seikan is the latest can maker to license SuperEnd(R) beverage ends. Other Crown licensees include Amcor Packaging (Australia) Pty Ltd., Nampak Limited, Showa Aluminum Can Corporation, Metal Container Corporation and Anheuser-Busch. Through Crown and its licensees, SuperEnd(R) beverage ends are commercially available to beverage customers on six continents — North and South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia.