Constar's MonOxbar Debuts In First North America-produced 750 ml Wine Bottle

Philadelphia, PA - Constar International Inc., one of the leading global producer of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic containers, was selected to play an instrumental role in the recent launch of Yellow Jersey, an important new line of fine wines from Boisset Vins & Spiritueux, Bourgogne, France. The Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) dubbed this new package "the smart bottle", and Constar's MonOxbar active oxygen scavenger is the technology that made it possible.

The bottle is designed and produced by MPI Packaging of Mississauga, Ontario using preforms supplied by Constar with its proprietary MonOxbar active oxygen scavenger material. This barrier bottle is the first 750 ml PET wine bottle commercially manufactured in North America. In addition to its shelf life capability, MonOxbar PET offers advantages of being unbreakable, re-sealable, recyclable, and lighter weight for reduced transportation cost and municipal solid waste.

"This new packaging was chosen for reasons of sustainability and performance. We needed a package that would protect our premium wines," commented Jean-Charles Boisset, President of Boisset Vins & Spiritueux. Boisset added, "A key driver was our desire to satisfy the LCBO's environmental initiative which aims to educate brand owners to consider more sustainable packaging materials. Both the company and I have a firm commitment to environmental preservation."

Alan Silverman, Constar's Vice President of Intellectual Property and Environmental Sustainability explained, "We are extremely pleased to have contributed to this packaging solution for Boisset and the LCBO. This latest conversion to the MonOxbar material for PET demonstrates the ever-growing preference for plastic bottles among branded consumer goods companies for even the most "traditional" products. Equally important is the role of MonOxbar to significantly expand those opportunities." Many major consumer products companies are entrusting their oxygen-sensitive products to MonOxbar. Applications include premium fruit juices, enhanced waters, ketchup, and now, wine. MonOxbar provides the benefit of keeping these products looking and tasting fresh. At the same time, its monolayer construction allows for greater design freedom, while providing a highly cost effective barrier packaging solution.

SOURCE: Constar and Boisset Vins & Spiritueux