BPI Packaging Technologies Inc. announces in-store test for Floor Focus Ad-Tile with Coca-Cola France and a major international supermarket chain.

NORTH DIGHTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 22, 1997--BPI Packaging Technologies Inc. ("BPI") (NASDAQ/NMS:BPIE) (Common Stock), today announced an eight week in-store test for its Floor Focus Ad-Tile(TM) advertising (billboard on the floor) with Coca-Cola France and a major international supermarket chain to begin in June, 1997.

Floor Focus Ad-Tile(TM) advertising revenues from the French market are anticipated to begin in the third quarter of this fiscal year.

Dennis N. Caulfield, chairman and chief executive officer, stated, "Coca-Cola France plans to test Floor Focus Ad-Tile(TM) advertising in ten hypermarket (referred to as Super Stores in the U.S.) owned by a major international supermarket chain in France. Coca-Cola France plans to have seven Floor Focus Ad-Tiles(TM) advertising various Coca-Cola products installed in each hypermarket. Upon the successful completion of the eight week in-store test, Coca-Cola France intends to expand the program to all 1,052 hypermarkets in France as floor space becomes available."

Caulfield continued, "BPI has been working with Coca-Cola France on this program since July, 1996 and the program is now ready to move forward. We are confident that the Floor Focus Ad-Tile(TM) in-store test will be as successful for Coca-Cola as it has been for other products in the U.S. where sales increased 21.5% to 29.5%. It is anticipated that a successful in-store test with Coca-Cola France will open up the French and European market for Floor Focus Ad-Tile(TM) advertising with Coca-Cola, other multi-national package goods companies, and supermarkets."

Caulfield concluded, "The 1,052 hypermarkets in France represent an annual market potential for Floor Focus-Ad Tile(TM), based on current pricing, of approximately $100 million annually. The successful conclusion of the eight week in-store test will provide initial market entry into the French market with a major international supermarket chain. Since July, 1996, we have put a major effort into the French and South American markets, and as a result of this effort the infrastructure to sell in-store Floor Focus Ad-Tile(TM) advertising to multi-national package goods companies is much further advanced in these markets than in the U.S. market. The European and South American markets for in-store advertising and promotion programs are much less competitive than the U.S. market and margins are attractive. Consequently, these markets have excellent sales and profit potential for Floor Focus Ad-Tile(TM)."

BPI Packaging Technologies, Inc., is a leading manufacturer of traditional plastic grocery carryout bags, referred to as t-shirt sacks, proprietary t-shirt bags, and proprietary in-store advertising and promotion products. -0-

NOTE TO EDITORS: Certain statements contained in this press release are not based on historical facts, but are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are based upon a number of assumptions concerning future conditions that may ultimately prove to be inaccurate. Actual events and results may materially differ from anticipated results described in such statements.

CONTACT: BPI Packaging Technologies Inc.

Dennis N. Caulfield, 508/824-8636

or

Tower Research Associates

Arthur Stupay, 216/861-4816