Sealed Air Corporation Receives Multiple Honors at 16th Dupont Awards

Cryovac® Simple Steps™ Heat-and-Serve Packaging and Inflatable Bubble Wrap® Cushioning Demonstrate Innovation at Its Best

SADDLE BROOK, N.J. (Aug. 11, 2003) - Sealed Air Corporation has been awarded three of the packaging industry’s most important national honors, in two categories, at the 16th DuPont Awards for Innovation in Packaging. The DuPont Awards recognized the following Sealed Air packages and materials for their original technology: Inflatable Bubble Wrap® packaging system and Cryovac® Simple Steps™ heat-and-serve package. In addition, DuPont recognized Foster Farms’ Fresh and Easy Individually Vacuum Sealed Fresh Chicken package, which was developed with Sealed Air using Cryovac® T-Series rollstock material

Cryovac® Simple Steps™ heat-and-serve package merited a Gold Award in the food category for its technology behind the new packaging. The Inflatable Bubble Wrap® packaging system also was honored with a Silver Award in the non-food category. In addition, Foster Farms’ Fresh and Easy Individually Vacuum Sealed Fresh Chicken package, which uses Cryovac® T-Series rollstock material, won a Silver Award in the food category.

Cryovac® Simple Steps™ heat-and-serve package and Inflatable Bubble Wrap® packaging system met and exceeded all of the DuPont Awards judges’ expectations of award-winning packages. A panel of judges selected the winners based on the degree of innovation, potential impact on the industry, breadth of application, marketing innovation of the packaging and impact of the packaging on consumer buying decisions.

"The winning Sealed Air entries featured excellence in both form and function, and the panel of international judges believed the applications will greatly contributed to advancements in the packaging industry," stated Heide Rowan, global communications manager of DuPont Packaging.

"Sealed Air is honored to receive these prestigious DuPont Awards for innovations in packaging. The recognition of our Inflatable Bubble Wrap® cushioning, Cryovac® Simple Steps™ heat and serve packaging and Cryovac® T-Series laminates affirms Sealed Air's long-standing commitment to creating value for our customers through leadership in packaging innovation. Our organization remains focused on identifying, developing and commercializing creative new products for our customers around the world," stated William V. Hickey, President and Chief Executive Officer of Sealed Air Corporation.

The Inflatable Bubble Wrap® packaging system automatically inflates and dispenses pre-perforated, three-quarter-inch height Inflatable Bubble Wrap® material. The cushioning uses a proprietary barrier technology that retains the air in the bubble longer than normal polyethylene air cellular materials. Suited for a host of cushioning and void-fill applications, the Inflatable Bubble Wrap® system produces cushioning material that can be used for protecting items ranging from china, crystal and collectibles to electronics and replacement parts.

The versatile packaging material can fulfill multiple packaging needs, resulting in lowered materials costs. The inflated three-quarter-inch height Barrier Bubble® cushioning is highly cost effective since it requires less material to pack the same items versus competitive cushioning materials. Equipped with a built-in sensor, the Inflatable Bubble Wrap® system automatically replenishes its portable bin, so there is no down time during the production cycle. In addition, the small footprint enhances the flexibility and adaptability of the system, allowing it to fit into any work cell environment. Also, the system requires no shop air to function, making it completely portable.

Unlike other heat-and-serve formats, which can require handling and cutting open a hot and steamy package, Cryovac® Simple Steps™ heat-and-serve package permits consumers to complete product preparation in three simple steps. Simple Steps™ eliminates the need to puncture ventilation holes in the package before heating. Instead, the vacuum-skin film "tents up" as the product reheats, then self-vents and relaxes over the food. The "stay cool" side handles reduce the risk of burns or spills as the tray is removed from the microwave.

Simple Steps™ also enables processors to fully cook and distribute center-of-the-plate entrées, such as beef tips, pot roast, pork roast, pulled pork and chicken breasts, in the same package. While the cook-in technology is more efficient for processors, it gives shoppers a high-quality entrée that has undergone minimal handling.

The Cryovac® T-series rollstock is used for the inner pouch material of the Foster Farms’ Fresh and Easy Individually Vacuum Sealed Fresh Chicken. Consumers enjoy the ability to easily store chicken without re-wrapping and the inner pouch protects the chicken from freezer burn.

About DuPont Awards: The DuPont Awards for Innovation in Packaging, which began in 1986, recognize the advances in food and non-food packaging utilizing plastic materials. The international competition is sponsored by DuPont, in cooperation with the National Food Processors Association (NFPA) in Washington, D.C., and the Campden & Chorleywood Food Research Association in Gloucestershire, England. The competition is independently judged and attracts hundreds of entries from more than 30 countries.