ExxonMobil Chemical Showcases Flexible Packaging Solutions for Frozen Novelty Market

CHICAGO, Illinois (October 17, 2001) -- Visitors to the ExxonMobil Chemical booth (No. 6967) at the Worldwide Food Expo 2001 on October 18-22 will be treated to the hottest packaging trend in the frozen novelty market: OPPalyte and Metallyte oriented polypropylene films. These flexible packaging solutions provide increased shelf appeal, added protection from moisture, and a platform for improved graphics.

"In today's retail environment, ice cream novelty items compete directly with candy bars and other confection items for the consumer's dollar," said Gregg Ockun, project manager, OPPalyte, ExxonMobil Chemical. "Ice cream novelties packaged in film have a much better chance of attracting the consumer's attention and increasing sales. And for marketers of premium novelty items, OPPalyte delivers the premium message in ways paper never could."

ExxonMobil Chemical currently offers five films designed specifically for frozen novelty packaging applications.

OPPalyte 278 WOS-2
Engineered to improve appearance and performance, 278 WOS-2 simplifies the transition from paper. This one-side treated, one-side sealable, white opaque film delivers optimized stiffness, a low and consistent coefficient of friction for excellent slip characteristics, and a broad seal range for outstanding performance on multi-lane equipment. With its impressive machining and appearance qualities, 278 WOS-2 is an excellent choice for stick novelty items.

OPPalyte 245 STW
For frozen novelty items that depend on a customer's ability to see the product, ExxonMobil Chemical's 245-STW provides a solution. One-side sealable, this translucent white film allows visibility to product colors, while masking ice crystals. From a machining standpoint, 245-STW runs smoothly over multi-lane equipment and its low seal initiation and ample hot seal strength provide high-level performance in both HFFS and VFFS applications.

OPPalyte 45 WOW
This white opaque film supplies outstanding opacity, bright white appearance, and excellent print performance for flexo graphic and rotogravure printing. Engineered to help ice cream sandwich producers complement the premium appearance of stick and other ice cream novelties that are wrapped in OPPalyte WOS-2, 45 WOW features essential stiffness, optimum hot slip, and a peelable seal for ice cream sandwich applications.

OPPalyte 30 HM
ExxonMobil Chemical's 30 HM serves ice cream novelty items that require cold seal applications. Excellent stiffness and flex resistance, bright white appearance and an ideal print surface combine with strong cold seal adhesion to deliver a powerful packaging solution. Packagers can use 30 HM as a surface print, mono-web, or as the inside web of a lamination.

SPW-L/adh/70 MET
This lamination gives premium ice cream sandwiches a brilliant, shiny, metal appearance that packs a visual punch in the freezer. SPW-L/adh/70 Met features a low minimum seal temperature for smooth machining across a range of temperatures and a high-energy surface for optimal ink adhesion.

The Films Business of ExxonMobil Chemical is the world's leading supplier of a full range of oriented polypropylene (OPP) film for flexible packaging and labeling applications. With seven affiliated production plants - three in Europe and four in North America, it also has additional capacity through global strategic supplier relationships to support key geographic markets. The Films Business is headquartered in Macedon NY, USA, where it also maintains its global research and development center, pilot facility and semi works. For additional company information go to www.oppfilms.com

Editor's Note:The terms ExxonMobil Chemical, the Films Business, our and its, as used in this news release, sometimes refer not only to The Films Business of ExxonMobil Chemical Company, but collectively to some or all of those companies affiliated with Exxon Mobil Corporation which manufacture, market or are otherwise involved in the oriented polypropylene films business. The shorter terms are merely for convenience.

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OPPalyte and Metallyte are trademarks of Exxon Mobil Corporation.
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