Universal Lubricants Introduces First Retail Motor Oil FlexPak in the U.S.
Monday, October 15, 2012
Press Release from NORA Member Universal Lubricants, LLC
WICHITA, Kan. - Universal Lubricants®, the manufacturer and distributor of ECO ULTRA®,
one of the world’s most advanced motor oils, today introduced the nation’s
first retail motor oil packaged in a sustainable, flexible stand-up pouch.
Compared to conventional hard plastic bottles, the new durable FlexPak™
offers consumers a faster, easier and cleaner way to change their oil, giving
retailers a unique opportunity to bring customers an exciting, high-performance
product in an environmentally responsible package.
One of only five
manufacturers in the U.S. to collect and re-refine used oil, Universal
Lubricants’ ECO ULTRA® Synthetic Blend Motor Oil is made from high-quality
re-refined base stocks and blended with premium performance additives. It has
been the choice of many installers, service centers and fleet companies across
the country for more than three years.
Now, in addition to
changing the way motor oil is used and re-used, Universal Lubricants is
redefining how motor oil is packaged. The company will debut ECO ULTRA in the
new 1-quart FlexPak later this month at the Automotive Aftermarket Products
Expo (AAPEX) in Las Vegas, Nevada. Pouch-packed engine oil products already
have earned consumer acceptance in many countries around the world.
"ECO ULTRA and our new
FlexPak are perfect examples of ‘eco innovation’,” said John Wesley, chief
executive officer of Universal Lubricants. "These products not only protect and
optimize engine performance, they also protect the environment while giving
do-it-yourselfers a great new way to help reduce our country’s reliance on
foreign oil.”
Of the approximately 1.3
billion gallons of oil used in the U.S. annually, less than 20 percent is
re-refined.
"When used motor oil is
cycled back into engine lubrication, a non-renewable resource becomes
renewable,” Wesley said. "And when we put that re-refined oil in flexible
packages, the benefits are multiplied many times. Once drained and flattened,
flexible pouches can significantly reduce landfill waste and require much less
raw material to make. We’ll be launching the product in the consumer retail
market in 2013 and look forward to changing the way consumers think about motor
oil.”
Consumer support of
re-refined oil also can help protect the environment and conserve resources.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that just one typical oil
change (1 gallon) could ruin a million gallons of fresh water, if
disposed of improperly. That equals a year’s supply of water for 50 people. The
EPA also suggests that American do-it-yourself oil changers alone could recycle
enough oil for 50 million cars a year if every drop of their old oil was
collected at service stations, auto parts stores or community recycling
centers.
Universal Lubricants has
partnered with Atlanta-based Star Packaging Corporation, which produces the
tough, three-layer ECO ULTRA FlexPak, and the Innovative Packaging Network,
which engineered the pour-spout that prevents the traditional glugs and bubbles
from bottles that cause splatters and spills. Being introduced in the 1-quart
size, the ECO ULTRA FlexPak is constructed using a polyethylene barrier that
provides superior burst and seal strengths required for the rigors of oil. A
larger, 5.1-quart FlexPak will be available next year.
Brian Votaw, business
development manager at Star Packaging said, "Flexible plastic containers are
today’s hottest packaging trend. American consumers are most familiar with
plastic packs in household cleaning products and in food and beverage
containers. Initial research shows that mechanics and service technicians
prefer the FlexPak to the bottle and we believe consumers will too.”
ECO ULTRA Synthetic Blend
Motor Oil currently is available for sale in 1-quart FlexPaks on Amazon.com
and at selected installers and service centers throughout the U.S. For more
information and to order, visit ecoultraoil.com call 1.800.444.OILS.
# # #
About Universal Lubricants Founded in 1929, Universal
Lubricants is a driving force in used oil collection, base oil refining and
distribution. Through its Closed Loop Process, the company collects,
re-refines, blends and re-distributes its own motor oil – never losing
guardianship within the chain – to ensure that every quart is of the highest
quality for optimal performance. Universal Lubricants operates 36 facilities in
16 states, including one of the world's most technologically advanced
re-refineries in Wichita, Kansas. A leader in research and development,
Universal Lubricants is a Pegasus Capital Advisors portfolio company and
employs more than 465 workers. For more information visit www.universallubes.com.
About ECO ULTRA ECO ULTRA is an American
Petroleum Institute (API) licensed line of automotive and industrial lubricants
made with high quality re-refined Group II base stock and blended with premium
additives. ECO ULTRA meets Original Equipment Manufacturers' (OEM)
specifications and Society of Automotive Engineers SAE requirements. It's
increasingly being selected as the motor oil of choice by installers, service
centers and fleet managers.
About Star Packaging Headquartered in Atlanta,
GA, with operating facilities in both Georgia and Florida, Star Packaging
Corporation is owned by Azalea Capital, a private investment firm headquartered
in Greenville, SC. Star Packaging Corporation was formed through the merger of
Master Packaging, which has 55 years of flexible packaging industry experience
and has been backed by Azalea Capital since 2006. Star Packaging, formerly
owned by the Wilson family, has over 35 years of experience in the printing,
laminating and conversion of flexible packaging materials. Star Packaging
Corporation manufactures the ECO ULTRA FlexPaks using a 6-mil, 3-layer barrier
construction of polyester, nylon and linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE).
The material is formulated to provide superior burst and seal strengths
required for the rigors of oil and other hard-to-hold liquid products. Designed
for durability, the packs have passed drop tests in excess of 20 feet. For more
information visit www.starpackagingcorp.com.
About Innovative Packaging
Network Innovative Packaging
Network, headquartered in The Netherlands, has over 15 years of experience in
the development of flexible packaging systems. IPN specializes in flexible
packaging, plastic components, welding technologies and filling equipment
technology. With operations in the Netherlands, Switzerland, India and the
United States and a network of agents and representatives, IPN is a global
player in today’s market place. IPN engineered The Clean Spout 106 XLR to
enable an easier, smoother pour without "glugs,” air bubbles that form when
poured from bottles and cause oil to spill. The IPN pour spout and
tamper-evident cap are made of HDPE. IPN USA is located in suburban Atlanta,
GA. For more information visit www.ipnusa.com.
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