EVANSVILLE, Ind.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar. 4, 2015-- Berry Plastics (NYSE: BERY) is honored to receive two Silver Awards from the Flexible Packaging Association (FPA) for its Gourmet Express Complete Meal packages, which are stand-up frozen meal pouches. Berry Plastics earned the awards in the Sustainability and in the Printing and Shelf Impact categories.

“This frozen meal pouch is an example of Berry Plastics’ improved extrusion technologies and enhanced converting processes which result in several environmental and sustainability benefits,” said Michelle Wilson, Vice President of Product Development for Berry Plastics’ Flexible Packaging Division. “We are honored to receive these Silver Awards, as they underscore our belief that this innovative new packaging solution represents a win-win for both our customers and the end consumers.”

By changing the printing technologies from rotogravure to flexographic print, Berry Plastics significantly lowered its greenhouse gas emissions, due to the process, and reduction of ovens, heat, and ink consumption. In addition, the lamination was converted from a solvent-based to a solventless adhesive. This enhanced laminate film still provides the stiffness and strength that retailers and consumers expect.

The Silver Printing and Shelf Impact Award for the Gourmet Express Complete Meal pouch is based on the utilization of high-definition flexographic technology in the transition from rotogravure to flexographic. The design integrity, depth, and saturation of color are all equal to or improved from rotogravure. These printing technologies create a powerful stand-up billboard for the Gourmet Dining product, allowing it to easily stand out on the shelf and meet retailers’ expectations.

“The target was to replace an existing pouch with one that used less material and utilized more environmentally friendly processes in printing and laminating,” added Dan Collins, Technical Director for Berry Plastics’ Flexible Packaging Division. “We were able to achieve these results with a pouch that delivers all of the shelf presence that retailers expect with high-quality pouches.”

Since 1956, the Flexible Packaging Achievement Awards have featured innovations, solutions, and advances that have made a positive impact on the flexible packaging industry. All award submissions are judged on shelf-impact, sustainability, printing techniques and technical innovation, and must be currently produced and sold in the market.

About the Flexible Packaging Association

The Flexible Packaging Association has served as the voice of the flexible packaging industry since 1950. FPA members are manufacturers of flexible packaging sold to users or distributors for packaging purposes and material or equipment suppliers to the industry. Flexible packaging is produced from paper, plastic, film, aluminum foil, or any combination of those materials, and includes bags, pouches, labels, liners, wraps, rollstock, and other flexible products.

About Berry Plastics

Berry Plastics Group, Inc. is a leading provider of value-added plastic consumer packaging and engineered materials delivering high-quality customized solutions to our customers with annual net sales of $5.0 billion in fiscal 2014. With world headquarters in Evansville, Indiana, the Company’s common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol BERY. For additional information, visit the Company’s website at www.berryplastics.com.

Source: Berry Plastics Group, Inc.

Berry Plastics Group, Inc.
Investor Contact:
Dustin Stilwell, 812-306-2964
dustinstilwell@berryplastics.com
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Media Contact:
Eva Schmitz, 812-306-2424
evaschmitz@berryplastics.com