05.08.2008

Sports drink Sixgram is in the starting blocks

Slim and racy: Sleek Can for the Dutch market

Ratingen, 5th August 2008. – Timed to coincide with the Olympic Games, the new sports drink, Sixgram, is being launched on the Dutch market at the beginning of August. The functional drink is finding its way on to the shelves in the 330 ml Sleek Can supplied by Ball Packaging Europe, one of the leading beverage can makers in Europe. Netherlands-based DIS Sittard developed this sports drink and the Life Science company DSM the ingredient PeptoPro for it. This groundbreaking all-natural ingredient promotes endurance, muscle and body regeneration and performance – and makes Sixgram the ideal drink for those who actively pursue sports. 

The secret of PeptoPro lies in a patent-protected enzyme that generates tiny protein fragments, so-called peptides. Peptides are absorbed into the bloodstream much more quickly than conventional proteins and are therefore an excellent energy supplement for those who are conscious of the value of sport. DSM  Food Specialities developed PeptoPro - which is already used by many top athletes - especially for the Dutch Olympic team. DSM, a Dutch producer of health supplements, is one of the team's main sponsors. 

Sixgram with its active ingredient PeptoPro enhances performance. Definitely a positive factor for athletes because the refreshing drink noticeably reduces the time the body requires to regenerate itself. This active ingredient is available in sport drinks developed by DIS Sittard with three fresh-fruit flavours: Red Orange, Grapefruit and Mandarin. As from the beginning of August, Sixgram will be marketed through various channels in the Netherlands. The functional drink can be purchased at retailers, petrol stations and in sports facilities.

Refreshing container: Sleek Can sets the scene
The Ball Packaging Europe 330 ml Sleek Can underlines the attributes of Sixgram: The modern, sporty slim shape of the steel can matches the refreshing sports drink. Consumers primarily associate the Sleek Can with diet, wellness and fitness drinks. "The trendy, premium container turns sports drinks into the eye-catcher on the shelf. Apart from that, the can protects the sensitive ingredient PeptoPro excellently and keeps the drink fresh for a long time, because the beverage can is the only packaging which is absolutely light-proof and oxygen-tight ", explains Sigrid Küchmeister, Director Marketing at Ball Packaging Europe.  "Sixgram  in the Sleek Can – the optimal combination of content and design." What’s more, this can format is – like all beverage cans – completely recyclable.

The Ball Packaging Europe Sleek Can has continued its triumphal advance: in 2007 and 2008, sales of this can format have risen steadily. In order to meet the increasing demand, the packaging company has extended its Sleek Can production capacities in Weißenthurm, Rhineland-Palatinate.

Ball Packaging Europe
Ball Packaging Europe is one of the leading beverage can makers in Europe with 2,700 employees and twelve production sites in the Netherlands, France, Germany,  Poland, Serbia and the United Kingdom. The company is a subsidiary of Ball Corporation, which produces quality metal and plastic packaging for the beverage, food and household products industries. In addition Ball Corporation supplies aerospace technology as well as other technology and services, primarily to the US-American government. Ball Corporation and its subsidiaries employ more than 15,500 staff worldwide and reported 2007 sales of 7.4 billion US dollars.

DIS B.V.
DIS B.V., based in Sittard, was founded in 1964 and is a contract filling company producing drinks for both A-brands and retail in Europe.  DIS has a broad experience in developing and producing sports, energy and other functional drinks both in cans and bottles.
www.disbv.nl.

DSM Food Specialties
DSM Food Specialties is a leading producer of value-added ingredient solutions for the international food and beverage industries. With 1,400 employees active in 25 locations worldwide, DSM Food Specialties is a truly global player.
 www.dsm-foodspecialties.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains "forward-looking" statements concerning future events and financial performance. Words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Key risks and uncertainties are summarized in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Exhibit 99.2 in our Form 10-K, which are available at our Web site and at www.sec.gov. Factors that might affect our packaging segments include fluctuation in product demand and preferences; availability and cost of raw materials, including recent significant increases in resin, steel, aluminum and energy costs, and the ability to pass such increases on to customers; competitive packaging availability, pricing and substitution; changes in climate and weather; crop yields; competitive activity; failure to achieve anticipated productivity improvements or production cost reductions, including our beverage can end project; mandatory deposit or other restrictive packaging laws; changes in major customer or supplier contracts or loss of a major customer or supplier; and changes in foreign exchange rates, tax rates and activities of foreign subsidiaries. Factors that might affect our aerospace segment include: funding, authorization, availability and returns of government and commercial contracts; and delays, extensions and technical uncertainties affecting segment contracts. Factors that might affect the company as a whole include those listed plus: accounting changes; changes in senior management; the current global credit squeeze; successful or unsuccessful acquisitions, joint ventures or divestitures; integration of recently acquired businesses; regulatory action or laws including tax, environmental, health and workplace safety, including in respect of chemicals or substances used in raw materials or in the manufacturing process; governmental investigations; technological developments and innovations; goodwill impairment; antitrust, patent and other litigation; strikes; labor cost changes; rates of return projected and earned on assets of the company's defined benefit retirement plans; pension changes; reduced cash flow; interest rates affecting our debt; and changes to unaudited results due to statutory audits or other effects.

<- back to overview