CrownConnect™ Facilitates New Industry-First “Almond” Blockchain Technology For Fact Water

The technology facilitates greater brands transparency and consumer interaction
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Burnt orange soda can with pop tab metal closure
Friday, June 15, 2018

Philadelphia, PA – June 15, 2018. In a first for the beverage industry, Crown Bevcan Europe & Middle East, a business unit of Crown Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CCK) (Crown) (www.crowncork.com), is launching its CrownConnect technology in conjunction with FACT - an all-natural sparkling drink. Each can will be marked with a 2D unique scannable code, making FACT beverage cans the first ever to be produced with a unique digital identity.

To this end, Crown has partnered with tech-savvy entrepreneur Olly Bolton, to launch Almond, a blockchain platform that allows consumers to scan a unique hidden product code and rewards them by unlocking tokens that are redeemable for cash. The platform, to be launched in June of this year, will also unlock details of FACT Water’s story, giving unprecedented access to supply chain information and building deeper, trusting relationships with consumers that will ultimately foster brand loyalty.

Crown’s involvement in the project is very much as an enabler of the technology. As well as producing the physical beverage can for FACT Water, on which Almond will be launched, its CrownConnect technology provides the 2D codes beneath the tab of the beverage can that facilitate the engagement between consumer (via a scanning application) and brand. The platform, developed in partnership with IoT company EVRYTHNG then comes into effect, intuitively generating rewards and offers based on previous purchases and offering discounts and rewards to users based on their habits and the products they buy.

“The Internet of Things, and specifically blockchain technologies, will continue to drive the way brands interact with consumers and Almond is a very exciting step into this area for the beverage industry, commented Matt Twiss, Marketing and Business Development Director at Crown. “From a brand’s perspective, the value lies in the ability to capture valuable data about when and where customers consume their products. CrownConnect technology has been designed specifically to facilitate this level of interaction between brand and consumer and we are proud to be working with innovators such as Olly Bolton and EVRYTHNG to make beverage packaging more interactive and value-added than ever.”

Olly Bolton, Founder of Almond added: “The Almond app will allow users to interact with brands in a new completely way, directly reaping the rewards of their use of the app and pledging their allegiance to brands based on the way they approach transparency and their supply chain. Almond establishes a new type of relationship between brands and consumers: one that is symbiotic and mutually beneficial, giving consumers control and autonomy over the type of brands they buy, while also rewarding their loyalty.”

Almond-enabled cans of FACT Water will be available to buy in the U.K. and selected European countries from the end of June.

About Crown Holdings, Inc.

Crown Holdings, Inc., through its subsidiaries, is a leading supplier of packaging products to consumer marketing companies around the world. World headquarters are located in Philadelphia, PA. For more information, visit www.crowncork.com. For employment opportunities at Crown, please visit www.crowncork.com/careers.

For more information, contact:

In Europe: Matt Twiss, Marketing & Business Development Director, Crown Bevcan Europe and Middle East; Tel: 41 41 759 10 02; Email: Matthew.Twiss@eur.crowncork.com

In the United States: Ron Skotleski, Director of Marketing, North America, Crown Beverage Packaging; Tel: (215) 718-1303; Email: Ron.Skotleski@crowncork.com

In South America: Fabio Braido, Commercial Coordinator Crown Embalagens Metalicas da Amazonia S.A.; Tel: 55 11 4529-1081; Email: Fabio.Braido@crowncork.com.br

In Mexico: Ramiro Barney, Commercial Director, Crown Beverage Packaging Mexico; Tel: +52 (722) 275 5810; Email: Ramiro.Barney@famosa.com.mx

In Asia Pacific: Robert Bourque, President of Crown Asia Pacific Holdings Ltd; Tel: 65 6229-4880; Email: Robert.BOURQUE@crowncork.com.sg

For editorial inquiries: Maria Ciubotaru, Associate Vice President ABI, a Finn Partners Company; Tel: 44 207 017 8345; Email: maria.ciubotaru@finnpartners.com

How it Works

Cans are marked with a hidden, 2D scannable code that can be used to increase consumer engagement and tell a brand story.

Customer Impact
  • Unique hidden product code can unlock tokens for prizes
  • Brands can communicate supply chain information to build deeper consumer relationships
  • Helps brands capture valuable data about when and where customers consume their products