Crown Cork & Seal Begins Production of Eole III(TM) at Massillon Facility; High Performance Easy-Open Ends Reduce Peel Force by 25%

PHILADELPHIA, June 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Crown Cork & Seal Company, Inc. (NYSE: CCK) today announced that North American food processors will benefit from the improved easy-open features of Crown Cork & Seal's Eole III(TM) technology, now being produced at the Company's Massillon, Ohio facility. Production of the ends represents the first 307-diameter double reduced (DR) full panel easy-open end line in the world.

Also available in 211- and 300-diameter versions, Eole III(TM) is produced using thinner and harder double reduced steel, decreasing the force required to open the can by 25%. Eole III(TM) ends offer consumers a significantly smoother and easier to open can without spillage, while still providing food processors with best-in-class performance and quality through filling, handling and distribution channels.

"The use of easy-open ends in the U.S. marketplace is on the rise," said Raymond McGowan, Vice President, U.S. Food Can Division. "The Massillon facility will provide the additional capacity necessary to ensure customers have full access to Eole III(TM) high performance ends."

Eole III(TM) easy-open ends eliminate the need for can openers and are convenient for on-the-go consumers. Ideal for a variety of food products, potential applications include fruits, vegetables, soup, pet food, beans, pasta, rice pudding and custard.

Eole(TM) ends are also manufactured in Crown's European plants and exported to markets worldwide.

Originally opened in 1955, the Massillon facility became part of the Crown Cork & Seal family in 1993. Approximately 300 employees work in the 340,000 square foot facility.

Crown Cork & Seal is a leading supplier of packaging products to consumer marketing companies around the world. World headquarters are located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

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SOURCE Crown Cork & Seal Company, Inc.
Web site: http: //www.crowncork.com
CONTACT: Raymond McGowan, Vice President, U.S. Food Can Division, +1-215-698-5099, or Investors: Timothy J. Donahue, Senior Vice President of Finance, +1-215-698-5100, both of Crown Cork & Seal