BooKoo Launches New Functional Beverages in Ball's Heat-Tek(TM) PET Bottles

The 20-oz. bottles have a 43-millimeter opening and feature the company's patented Vac-u-Flex(TM) vacuum panel technology.

BooKoo Beverages, Inc. has added four new functional beverages to its product line, all packaged in 20-oz. Heat-Tek(TM) polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles from Ball Corporation (NYSE: BLL). These nutrient-enhanced water beverages are available in four flavors including Rebound, MMMMulti, BooKoo C, and Inner G. They will be marketed alongside the BooKoo Energy product line.

"Our product line has rapidly evolved beyond just being an energy drink product," says Daniel Dower, president of BooKoo Beverages. "In this increasingly health-conscious society, consumers have recognized the benefits of bottled water and vitamins. By combining the two in this convenient plastic bottle, and making it an exciting experience, we believe we're giving consumers something very desirable."

Ball's Heat-Tek bottles are ideal for these enhanced waters, which are filled at temperatures between 180 and 182 degrees Fahrenheit. The 20-oz. bottles have a 43-millimeter opening and feature the company's patented Vac-u-Flex(TM) vacuum panel technology.

"Vac-U-Flex enables us to produce bottles that can consistently run efficiently on our customers' filling lines and reach the end consumer with the highest possible quality," says Mike Vaughn, vice president of innovation for Ball Corporation.

This efficient design ensured that BooKoo could move from package selection to filled product in a very short period of time.

"Once we chose the Ball bottles we were able to fill our product within weeks," says Pamela Thornton, in charge of manufacturing and production for BooKoo Beverages, Inc. "This kind of turnaround was critical for us to meet our targeted launch date."

Heat-Tek bottle sizes include 8, 10, 12, 16, 20 and 64-oz., and other sizes are in development. The 8, 10 and 12-oz. bottles feature a 38-millimeter finish and the 16, 20 and 64-oz. sizes have been designed with a 43-millimeter opening to ensure a good pour. The 64-oz. bottle is offered with a round design or with a grip, making it easier to handle. All Heat-Tek bottles are available as a monolayer package and are recyclable. Sizes 20-oz. and below are also available as multi-layer bottles, using Ball's AMAZON HM(R) barrier technology for extended shelf life. Ball is displaying its Heat-Tek Bottles, along with a variety of other beverage packaging, at the National Association of Convenience Store (NACS) Show in Las Vegas, Nev., this week.

Ball Corporation is a supplier of metal and plastic packaging products, primarily for the beverage and food industries. The company also owns Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp., which develops sensors, spacecraft, systems and components for government and commercial markets. Ball Corporation employs more than 13,500 people and reported 2004 sales of $5.4 billion.