Crown Holdings Produces 25 Billionth SuperEnd® Beverage End

Tuesday, July 13, 2004
Investors

PHILADELPHIA, July 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Crown Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CCK) announces the shipment of the 25 billionth SuperEnd® beverage end in North America. The innovative ends utilize a unique angled chuck-wall design, significantly reducing metal use and improving end performance while enhancing consumer satisfaction. Since its introduction in 2001, the ends have become an industry standard for beverage ends. To date, more than 6,500 tons of metal and 110 tons of coatings have been saved.

The lightweight SuperEnd® beverage end reduced material usage makes beverage cans even more environmentally friendly. They also deliver exceptional performance versus Large-Opening-End (LOE) beverage can ends, lowering system-wide costs through reduced rates of score corrosion, secondary leakage, tab failure and consumer complaints.

SuperEnd® can ends are easy and cost-effective to incorporate into the production process, without capital investment. Conversions consist of normal seamer wear parts such as chucks, rolls, knockout pads and cap pushers. The ends also deliver excellent seaming performance, dimension control and seamer tooling life.

In addition to offering benefits to brand owners and fillers, SuperEnd® beverage ends have high consumer appeal. Its unique design provides 20% more finger access to lift the opening tab, making it easier to open. The aspect ratio of the score panel has also been optimized, resulting in similar "pourability" to LOE ends. The ends also feature an exclusive 45-degree angle chuck wall, creating a distinctive message or "billboard" area that allows marketers to drive brand recognition by printing brand logos, special messages and co-branding promotions and instant-win campaigns. The unique geometry of the ends also results in better reflectivity, a "cleaner" look and a better can-to-mouth fit, making it easier to drink from than conventional ends.

"SuperEnd® beverage ends truly add innovation to everyday operations," said John Conway, Chairman of the Board, President & CEO of Crown Holdings, Inc. "Shipment of the 25 billionth SuperEnd® can end is powerful testimony to the acceptance and advantages of the technology. We are excited to have reached this momentous milestone and are proud to help beverage producers substantially reduce material costs."

On top of the 25 billion ends produced in North America, another 8 billion have been manufactured in South Africa via a licensing agreement with Nampak Ltd. In addition, since late 2003, SuperEnd® beverage ends have been manufactured in Australia and New Zealand under license by Amcor Limited, the leading beverage can manufacturer in these markets. European customers will be introduced to the technology in mid 2004.

Currently used with beer, soft drinks, juice and other beverages, SuperEnd® can ends are fully commercial in 202 and 206 diameters. A 204- diameter is under consideration.

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, PA.

SOURCE  Crown Holdings, Inc.
    -0-                             07/13/2004
    /CONTACT:  Ron Skotleski, Director of Marketing, CROWN Beverage Packaging; 
Tel: (215) 718-1303; Email: ron.skotleski@crowncork.com; or For editorial
inquiries: Thomas T. Fischer, Vice President, Investor Relations and Corporate Affairs; 
Tel: (215) 698-5266; Email: thomas.fischer@crowncork.com; or
For investors: Timothy J. Donahue, Senior Vice President - Finance, Crown
Holdings, +1-215-698-5088, or Ed Bisno, Bisno Communications, +1-917-881-5441,
for Crown Holdings/
    /Web site:  http://www.crowncork.com /
    (CCK)

CO:  Crown Holdings, Inc.
ST:  Pennsylvania
IN:  FOD
SU:

FB 
-- PHTU024 --
4861 07/13/2004 16:00 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com

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