An Extra Special PET Bottle for Baja Precious(TM) Extra Virgin Olive Oil
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EnVino, Constar team up to deliver a "green" package for Baja California-grown gourmet extra virgin olive oil
PHILADELPHIA, - It's probably not common knowledge that the United States imports close to 99 percent of its olive oil from countries like Italy, Spain, and even places as far away as Australia. That's a long way for olive oil to travel, especially in a world where consumers are concerned about sustainability and actively seek local sourcing of fresh produce.
After realizing that Baja California has a handful of little known sources of exceptional olive oil, California-based bottler, Mexiterra, LLC, embarked on a mission to provide the finest Baja California-grown extra virgin olive oils to U.S. consumers by offering gourmet-quality at a great price.
This provided Mexiterra, the maker of Baja Precious(TM) EVOO (extra virgin olive oil), with a compelling reason to find a special bottle. The Santa Fe Springs, Calif.-based company turned to EnVino for a packaging solution that reflected the company's philosophy and gourmet nature of their olive oil, while delivering significant "green" benefits.
That solution is a 750ml (26.3 fluid ounces) Bordeaux wine-style bottle made by EnVino with Constar's proprietary MonOxbar® oxygen scavenging material blended into polyethylene terephthalate (PET). MonOxbar technology protects the delicate flavor of Baja Precious extra virgin olive oil and extends the shelf life for up to two years from date of harvest. The distinctive PET bottle includes an innovative pouring spout that pops up when the screw cap is removed and retracts when the screw cap is replaced.
"Our brand is centered on the notion that healthy living and gourmet cooking go hand-in-hand with environmental awareness and strong social conscience," explains Javier Livas, founder of Mexiterra. "Our olives are harvested by hand from orchards in the Peninsula of Baja California, creating jobs for local communities. The olives are cold pressed within hours of harvesting without the use of heat or chemicals. The result is an exceptional, all natural olive oil with low acidity that exceeds international standards for extra virgin. We wanted a package that would protect our olive oil, our planet and provide an unmatched value proposition for our customers, without compromising our gourmet roots."
The PET bottle is green, literally and figuratively. The green color, coupled with Constar's MonOxbar technology, blocks harmful UV rays and oxygen. The lightweight PET bottle requires less energy to produce and transport than glass. The costs savings is significant, particularly when compared to imported olive oil in glass bottles. Mexiterra passes these savings along to consumers. Once the contents are consumed, the BPA-free bottles can be placed in curbside recycling bins for use in other PET products such as clothing, carpeting and tires.
The lightweight PET bottle also supports Mexiterra's on-line sales. Consumers can purchase Baja Precious extra virgin olive oil at www.BajaPrecious.com. The PET bottle is shatterproof so the product arrives intact. It's also more affordable to ship.
According to Amy Hauser, marketing director for EnVino, the bottle chosen by Mexiterra is intended for Bordeaux wines, but is perfectly suited for other products that require a lightweight, shatterproof, high barrier bottle. "We've discovered a growing market for high barrier PET bottles for wine and now specialty foods. Consumers, retailers, hotels, and restaurants have embraced our PET bottles because they don't break, they're portable and recyclable," Hauser said.
She added, "For Mexiterra, they also get product differentiation and an opportunity to give consumers a price break on Baja Precious extra virgin olive oil. Consumers enjoys the product and feel good about the package."
EnVino licenses the MonOxbar barrier material from Constar, to use in blow molding bottles. The monolayer PET structures are robust on filling lines and in distribution. In addition to licensing oxygen barrier materials, Constar also supplies custom and stock PET bottles and jars as well as preforms.
About Mexiterra, LLC
Headquartered in Santa Fe Springs, Calif., Mexiterra, LLC, markets premium extra virgin olive oil under the Baja Precious(TM) brand. Committed to sustainable, socially conscious business practices, the Company searches for, selects, and acquires the finest extra virgin olive oils from qualified growers in the Peninsula of Baja California. The Company is committed to providing olive oil enthusiasts with exquisite, gourmet-quality, extra virgin olive oil at a great price. Purchase Baja Precious online at www.BajaPrecious.com.
About EnVino
Founded in 2005, EnVino manufactures plastic wine bottles for the U.S. wine and specialty foods markets. From the original 187ml size, the Burlingame, Calif.-based company now offers a full portfolio of lightweight, shatterproof PET bottles to companies seeking innovative, sustainable packaging solutions that meet unique product, operational, and lifestyle needs of consumers. Visit www.EnVino.com.
About Constar
Philadelphia, Penn.-based Constar International, Inc. is a leading global producer and supplier of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastic containers and preforms for food and beverages. The Company provides full-service packaging solutions, from product design and engineering, to ongoing customer support and material licensing agreements. Its customers include many of the world's leading branded consumer products companies. Visit www.constar.net.
For Marketing
Suzanne Cohen, Senior Manager, Marketing, Constar, 215.552.3722
