PRESS RELEASE

Christopher Morrissey
Sun Chemical
Phone: 708-236-3533
chris.morrissey@na.sunchem.com

John Kalkowski
Sun Chemical
Phone: 708-236-3686
john.kalkowski@na.sunchem.com

New Gravure and Flexo Inks for Shrink Sleeves Offer High Performance on Variety of Films

Northlake, IL - April 14, 2003 -- Sun Chemical has developed two new lines of inks to meet the demanding needs of the fast-growing market for shrink sleeve packaging. Sun Chemical will introduce Spectrum™ gravure inks and Fidelity™ flexo inks at the CMM Conference and Exposition 2003 to be held April 14-17 in Chicago, IL.

Both systems are solvent-based inks designed for high performance on a variety of films, such as PVC, PET-G and OPS, which are commonly used in shrink-sleeve applications.

These inks will be produced and marketed by the North American Packaging Division of Sun Chemical Ink (GPI) and Coates USA.

"The use of shrink sleeves is just exploding in North America, with growth of nearly 15% each year," according to Brendan Maunsell, Vice President, Coates USA. "These high-impact sleeves offer 360° graphics, high gloss and can be applied to containers with unique shapes. Consumer goods companies have found that the sleeves really capture the attention of shoppers. Some retail products using shrink sleeves have increased sales more than 30% solely through redesign of their packaging."

"Today, inks for shrink sleeves tend to be designed for use on specific substrates," Maunsell said. "That means pressrooms must inventory too many ink systems, while worrying about cross-contamination and time-consuming press wash ups."

These new inks produce very intense and glossy colors, while providing good adherence to films, Maunsell said. Both Spectrum and Fidelity resist cracking during application of heat and subsequent shrinking while the sleeves are applied to a container, he said, pointing out that in some cases the sleeves shrink up to 80% to fit the contours of a container. The inks also are designed to prevent bottle blocking, in which reverse-printed inks would stick to the containers.

Because these inks are frequently used in beverage, dairy and snack applications, both ink lines have low GCs to prevent off-taste and off-odor problems.

"GPI and Coates USA are major players in the shrink sleeve market," Maunsell said. "Converters have turned to this company for shrink sleeve inks because they know we are consistent and innovative - two qualities on which they place a high value."

In addition to the new Fidelity and Spectrum lines, Sun Chemical offers other established products such as Liberty™ and Styropaque™, which perform well in specific shrink sleeve applications.