Ball Resealable End Wins 2009/2010 AmeriStar Award

The BRE does this by adding resealability to the long list of beverage can benefits, which include superior shelf life, tamper-resistance, the ability to chill quickly, excellent billboard space and recyclability.

20 May 2010 --- The Ball Resealable End (BRE) from Ball Corporation has received the 2009/2010 AmeriStar Award for beverage packaging. Each year, the Institute of Packaging Professionals (IoPP) honors companies that have succeeded in creating innovative packaging that delivers improved efficiency and sustainability. The BRE does this by adding resealability to the long list of beverage can benefits, which include superior shelf life, tamper-resistance, the ability to chill quickly, excellent billboard space and recyclability.

This revolutionary aluminum can end with an integrated flat, plastic opening mechanism was launched in France in 2008. It is also now on store shelves in the Netherlands, the U.K., Germany and the United States. The can is opened by simply turning the mechanism and is easily sealed again by turning it back.

Unlike previous solutions for resealing beverage cans, the BRE allows the can to retain its flat end, aiding stackability, efficient space utilization and other logistical benefits for transport, storage and retail. The end is very easy to open, reseal, and is completely pressure stable (up to 6.4 bars). The tamper-proof seal is retained and the new can end provides an absolute barrier against light and gas.

"We are very pleased to receive this prestigious award in recognition of our packaging innovation efforts," says Mike Herdman, chief commercial officer, Ball Corporation. "The consumer-friendly solution offered by the resealable end represents more progress in the beverage packaging segment. Consumers appreciate the advantages of a resealable can, and the end clearly increases the can's appeal as a functional, sustainable package that contributes significantly to brand differentiation."

In addition to being the lightest beverage package, the can is also the most recycled package in the world with a rate of 69 percent.  Aluminum cans are 100 percent recyclable infinitely, and using recycled aluminum requires 95 percent less energy and generates 95 percent fewer emissions than producing can sheet material from bauxite ore. Average recycled content in an aluminum can is 68 percent - the highest of any beverage container.

The resealable beverage can is the result of close cooperation between Ball Packaging Europe, Coca-Cola and the Dutch company Bound2B B.V.  Antonio Perra, managing director and partner in Bound2B B.V., invented the resealable can end and developed it to market maturity with Ball Packaging Europe.