Crown Holdings Wins Two WorldStar Awards for Convenient Packaging Technologies

PHILADELPHIA, April 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- CROWN Food Europe, an affiliate of Crown Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CCK) (Crown), has been awarded two prestigious WorldStar Awards in the Food Category for its easy-open Eole III™ Curved Tab innovation and a convenient kettle-shaped soup can developed for Stockmeyer A.G. Sponsored by the World Packaging Organization, WorldStar winners will be formally recognized at a ceremony in Basel, Switzerland on May 13, 2004.

"Customers demand convenient, easy-open packages that fit into their busy lifestyles," said John Conway, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of Crown Holdings, Inc. "Crown recognizes this fact and works to create packages that give clients a competitive edge in providing greater convenience. We are honored to receive two WorldStar awards in recognition of Crown's commitment to innovation and convenient brand-building packaging."

Crown's Eole III™ Curved Tab incorporates advanced ergonomics and easy- open technology, making it easier and faster for seniors, children and physically impaired consumers to access canned products without the use of can openers. The Curved Tab™ advancement features a specially engineered curvature that makes it easier to place a thumb or finger under the tabs of Eole III(TM) easy-open ends.

The new Eole III™ Curved Tabs are currently available throughout Europe for 73mm cans. Potential applications include: soups, chilies, vegetables, fruits, dairy, ready-to-eat meals, meats, tunas, or other food applications. The new curved tabs are fully recyclable and are compatible with existing canning, filling, closing and processing equipment, apart from small modifications to some customized end feeding systems. This makes implementation simple for manufacturers and packagers.

Crown's Stockmeyer "bulging" cauldron soup can commands attention on supermarket shelves with its unique shape and design. Composed of lightweight yet sturdy steel, the package features an Eole III™ easy-open end, providing a level of convenience expected by today's consumers. The 800g cans also provide superior protection for soups during distribution.

As the pre-eminent international packaging award, WorldStar Awards are presented only to packages which have won recognition in a national competition and are compared by an expert panel of judges to similar award- winning packages from around the world.

Crown Holdings, Inc., through its affiliated companies, is a leading supplier of packaging products to consumer marketing companies around the world. World headquarters are located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

SOURCE Crown Holdings, Inc.