| Another trend in the metal beverage-can market | | | | “To communicate our Nitrous Monster |
| is the growth of premium-appearance aluminum | | | | product was unlike anything people had ever |
| bottles, which are moving into the mainstream. In | | | | experienced before, we needed equally innovative |
| part, this growth is being spurred by Exal’s | | | | packaging, which would attract consumer |
| new Coil-to-Can (C2C) technology, which makes | | | | attention.” |
| the bottles more affordable, faster to produce, | | | | Glass packaging, though hit hard by metal and |
| and more sustainable (see packworld.com | | | | plastic, remains the material of choice for many |
| article-28201). | | | | products attempting to convey a premium or |
| The C2C manufacturing process is the result of | | | | “pure” appearance. Examples include |
| eight years and many millions of dollars. It allows | | | | organic foods and beverages, and wine. According |
| for the production of aluminum bottles that weigh | | | | to a survey conducted by the University of |
| 30% to 40% less than cans made via impact | | | | Oklahoma (OU), most health-conscious organic |
| extrusion (IE), at substantially faster line speeds. | | | | shoppers believe that glass keeps the true flavor |
| The technology also utilizes from 57% to 65% | | | | and taste (79.8%), and the purity (77.3%) of a |
| PCR aluminum alloy, as opposed to the 99.7% | | | | food product. Another OU study shows than |
| pure virgin aluminum required for IE. | | | | 98% of consumers prefer to drink wine served |
| One of the first commercial examples of C2C is a | | | | out of glass bottles, with that number reaching |
| bottle for Eaux Vives Water (see packworld.com | | | | nearly 100% for younger wine drinkers, aged 21 |
| article-28203). The Toronto company’s Eska | | | | to 35. |
| Water is offered in still and sparkling varieties in | | | | One recent development in beverage packaging |
| aluminum bottles stunningly decorated in silver and | | | | machines is the introduction by Hartness Inks of a |
| in navy blue graphics, respectively, in a 300-mL | | | | new proprietary printing-ink technology, |
| format with a threaded, resealable cap. Explains | | | | Uvaclear™, which is positioned as a more |
| Martin Kuev, the company’s director of | | | | environmentally friendly and economical alternative |
| marketing, “Impact extrusion was an option, | | | | to ACL (Applied Color Label) decoration that also |
| however C2C was more in line with what we | | | | offers greater design flexibility and shelf impact. |
| were looking for in terms of the light weight, | | | | Uvaclear uses a single-component, UV light-curable |
| environmental benefits, and cost implications.” | | | | ink that is formulated using heavy metal-free |
| Other companies offering traditionally | | | | pigments. Inks are applied using a high-speed |
| manufactured aluminum bottle cans include Ball, | | | | screen-printing process, after which they are |
| with its Alumi-Tek bottle; CCL Container, which | | | | “instantly” cured and dried. The resulting |
| offers the Alumine™ full-body shaped contour | | | | bottles are easily recyclable at end of use, with |
| bottle; and Rexam, whose new Fusion aluminum | | | | the ink burning off during the recycling process. |
| bottle is expected to go into production during the | | | | The first commercial example of Uvaclear is from |
| first quarter of 2010. | | | | Thomas Creek Brewery LLC of Greenville, SC |
| Offering a glimpse at the wildly innovative | | | | (see packworld.com/article-28473). The |
| beverage packaging machine being launched in | | | | microbrewer employed the new printing-ink |
| aluminum, Nitrous Monster—the first and only | | | | system for the launch of its Up the Creek |
| energy drink using nitrous oxide-gas | | | | Extreme IPA (India Pale Ale) in a 12-oz amber |
| technology—was introduced last summer in a | | | | longneck bottle. The direct-print label uses a yellow |
| 12-oz resealable Sleek Cap Can from Rexam. The | | | | Pantone PMS color specific to Thomas Creek, |
| package combines Rexam’s Sleek™ can | | | | along with a black background. White ink is used |
| body with Cap Can® closure technology from | | | | on a creek graphic and for label type. While the |
| Dayton Systems Group (DSG). The standard can | | | | cost of Uvaclear is a bit higher than for the |
| body is produced and printed on one of | | | | glue-applied labels typically used by the |
| Rexam’s high-speed can manufacturing lines | | | | microbrewer, company sales and marketing |
| and is then transformed into a resealable | | | | director Katie Barnes says that “the |
| container by seaming-on a Cap Can end and | | | | marketing of the Uvaclear will have a larger |
| closure from DSG. | | | | impact and will be cost-effective in the long run |
| | | | because it is such a unique package. |
| Says Monster Beverage Co. president Mark Hall, | | | | |