Alcoa Wins Two Achievement Awards From Flexible Packaging Trade Association

Alcoa was the recipient of a Gold Award in Packaging Excellence for Barilla's Restaurant Creations(TM) Pasta Sauces in a dual-stacked jar configuration.

RICHMOND, Va.--Alcoa (NYSE:AA) announced today that its Alcoa Packaging business was honored with two achievement awards for its shrink sleeve labels from the U.S. Flexible Packaging Association during the trade organization's annual meeting in Florida recently. Alcoa was the recipient of a Gold Award in Packaging Excellence for Barilla's Restaurant Creations(TM) Pasta Sauces in a dual-stacked jar configuration. Alcoa also won a Silver Award in Printing Achievement for Nestle(R) USA's new 90-ounce Hot Chocolate Syrup container for club stores. Both packages use an eight color, reverse printed 50 micron PETG shrink label from Alcoa Packaging.

The shrink sleeve is the most demanded label in the marketplace because of its ability to fit molded, contoured packaging, while prominently conveying brand image in a significant manner. The large Barilla package makes an impact on consumers with its unique shape, increased area for printing, and appetizing graphics. Because there is no excess packaging, such as an oversized carton for the two jars, the Alcoa solution simplifies storage and reduces waste. For the Nestle product, using Alcoa's experienced graphics consultation, the black graphic elements were separated into two cylinders to control the color in multiple areas and ensure a rich, chocolate color and smooth flowing red velvet background. Alcoa Packaging was able to show its additional printing expertise in providing a smooth gradient transition of dark, to light, to dark for the "Hot Chocolate" flavor banner.

"We were very impressed with how Alcoa improved upon our original art concept to make our brand name and package stand out on the crowded retail shelf and we were pleased with the more distinct printing of our pasta graphics," stated Bill Ziehm, Purchasing Manager for Barilla.

"This recognition by the flexible packaging industry's top U.S. trade organization reinforces that Alcoa Packaging is a leader in shrink sleeve label manufacturing," added Terry Copenhaver, Alcoa Packaging market manager. "This distinction also highlights the creativity and printing expertise that customers have come to rely upon from Alcoa for their shrink labels."

For 50 years the Flexible Packaging Association has honored advancements in flexible packaging. The winning entries are said to mirror the packaging excellence, printing, technical, and environmental achievements taking place in the U.S. flexible packaging industry.