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Jetrion - 10/11/2006
Crown and Jetrion to Build A Full Scale Production System Prototype
Ypsilanti, MI - October 11, 2006 - Crown Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CCK) and Jetrion LLC, today announced the
launch of a full-scale production system prototype to produce the world’s first high-resolution, full-color UV inkjet
printed cans.
The decision to advance the technology to a full-scale prototype follows an intensive feasibility and testing
phase of the joint development program conducted by the two companies. Over the past 12 months, the
technology was employed in printing ultra high-resolution color images on coated metal blanks using Jetrion’s
proprietary flexible and formable color UV inkjet inks. The printed blanks were then formed by traditional
manufacturing processes into three-piece cans that were subjected to Crown’s stringent tests for quality, durability
and abrasion resistance. In test after test, the printed results consistently met Crown’s rigorous standards at every
evaluation level.
Dr. Daniel Abramowicz, executive vice president, Technology and Regulatory Affairs of Crown Holdings, Inc.,
and president of CROWN Packaging Technology, said, "Our tests successfully demonstrated the readiness of
this exciting new technology for the next move into a full-scale production prototype that will become the first
commercial unit for UV digital color inkjet printing of metal packaging. We’re on the threshold of offering our
customers the advantages of a breakthrough technology that enables new consumer marketing strategies by
providing cost-effective short runs, tighter lead times, faster turnaround and targeted promotions with versioned
messaging and personalization."
Dr. Kenneth Stack, president of Jetrion LLC, noted, "The decision to build a full-scale production system prototype
marks a major achievement for the Crown and Jetrion teams that have jointly developed this new high-resolution
digital UV inkjet technology for can production. The vision, expertise and experience of our two companies have
combined to produce an extraordinary advance in package manufacturing capabilities. The commitment to build
the production prototype underscores Crown’s confidence in Jetrion’s inkjet ink and printer technology, and provides
a platform for continued research and development of innovative products that open new markets for color digital
inkjet production."
Jetrion’s prototype for the test phase was a single-pass drop-on-demand (DOD) inkjet system that produced
exceptionally high quality full-color images on a coated metal substrate. The full-scale prototype capable of
production speeds will be built by Jetrion in the United States and delivered to a Crown manufacturing facility in
2007.
The joint development project has resulted in a number of trade secrets and patents that are pending on various
aspects of the technology. Crown and Jetrion expect to review certain additional markets and applications for
licensing where the technology may have potential.
The prototype printing system represents one of many advancements in industrial color inkjet printing under
development at Jetrion. The company is capitalizing on expertise and success in wide-format color printing,
and has established its position as a leader in inkjet packaging printing.
www.jetrion.com
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