| November may be the month to celebrate the annual release of Beaujolais Nouveau wines, but March has Constar International Inc. (OTC:CNSTQ.PK) celebrating the fruity vintage. That's because the Institute of Packaging Professionals (IoPP) has recognized a PET bottle with the company's MonOxbar™ barrier technology as a top Beverage Package of 2008 with an Ameristar Award. The winning bottle was produced for Boisset Family Estates' 2008 Beaujolais Nouveau wines, which are bottled in France and air-freighted to wine enthusiasts around the world, including those in the United States. Constar's MonOxbar barrier technology allows the sensitive wine to be packaged in lightweight PET plastic rather than glass, saving fuel, cutting freight costs and reducing the carbon footprint, while protecting the subtle nuances in flavor, aroma, and color for which Beaujolais Nouveau is known. |
The Boisset Family Estates' Beaujolais Nouveau was one of five beverage packages to win an Ameristar Award and one of 35 winning packages overall. It was the only wine package recognized in the 2008 competition, which attracted entries from across the country.
Commenting on the award, Constar Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing Dan Ingram said, “It is tremendously gratifying to be recognized by our industry in this way. The AmeriStar Beverage Packaging Award is a tribute to Boisset Family Estates; a truly innovative wine maker that recognized the opportunities MonOxbar affords in terms of product protection, sustainability and enhanced consumer experience. There is tremendous synergy between Boisset's wine, their package and consumers. The IoPP judges recognized that.
Synergy with consumers is important, too. Increasingly, consumers are choosing wine over other traditional beverage options to take along to parties, sporting events and other outdoor activities. The Boisset Family Estates' Beaujolais Nouveau PET bottles are shatterproof and include a convenient screw cap for anytime, anywhere consumption. The lighter weight also translates to more convenient portability. Once the contents are enjoyed, the PET bottles can be dropped into a curbside recycling bin, collected, and recycled into a wide range of new products, including packaging.
Consumers had another reason to toast Boisset Family Estates' decision to use PET bottles for its 2008 Beaujolais Nouveau wines: a lower price. Thanks to lower freight costs, the vineyard's 2008 Beaujolais Nouveaus in PET bottles retailed for 12.99 rather than $13.99 and $14.99 previously charged for the wine in glass bottles.
Constar's PET bottles with MonOxbar technology also is used for other Boisset Family Estates vintages as well as those roduced by other wineries.
| Marketing: Constar International Inc. Alex Fioravanti, Marketing Director +1 215-552-3737 | Investors: Constar International Inc. Walter S. Sobon, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer +1 215-552-3700 |
