5/7/07 -- Sandy Hook, CT -- Curtis Packaging, a state-of-the-art designer and manufacturer of custom folding cartons, has been recognized with a prestigious Gold and two Excellence Awards in the 64th annual National Paperboard Packaging Competition’s 2007 program. The Gold Award is for Crabtree & Evelyn’s home fragrance line, ‘Winter Birch.’ The two Excellence Awards, both in the category of Health and Beauty Aids, are for Elizabeth Arden’s ‘Curious In Control’ fragrance and Zia’s new line of Natural Skincare products. “All three awards are especially significant for us,” said Don Droppo, Jr., Curtis Packaging VP Marketing, “since they include recognition for one of our key corporate initiatives — environmental sustainability.” The Gold Award is a major success for Curtis since ‘Winter Birch’ represents Crabtree & Evelyn’s entry into the home fragrance market, and the company selected Curtis not only for its packaging expertise but also for its commitment to the environment. Each of the cartons in the five-product line is designed to ensure structural protection and, to complement the upscale nature of the product, incorporates the use of stamping inks, foil and a soft aqueous coating. Also, as with all Curtis packaging, each is manufactured in accordance with the company’s strict criteria for sustainability. The requirement for Elizabeth Arden’s ‘Curious In Control’ package was for a luxury look that would be more cost-effective than traditional foil laminate. Curtis responded by developing a design that uses CurtCHROME, a proprietary processes which simulates foil at a fraction of the cost, and is also environmentally friendly. For Zia Natural Skincare, the requirement was packaging for a new, all-natural product line, and the specification was for environmentally friendly substrates and materials. The Curtis solution was an FSC certified, 50% PCW paperboard made with wind power. In addition, to enhance its natural look and feel, the package has an uncoated finish and a soft, uneven texture. Curtis was the first printing and packaging company in North America to convert 100% of its energy need to renewable source, and to become certified by the Forestry Stewardship Council. As Mr. Droppo says, “Our gratitude for these Awards, and our commitment to environmental protection is clearly apparent in our signature tagline: Luxury Packaging. Sustainable Solutions.”