Portola Packaging Reports Deferral of Common Stock Redemption

SAN JOSE, CA—March 31, 2004 - Portola Packaging, Inc. today announced that it has extended its tender offer to purchase its common stock through at least June 21. This will defer acceptance of tenders through that date, at which time the Company’s third quarter financial results will be available.

This press release will be available under the “in the news” section on the Company’s web site at: www.portpack.com.

ABOUT PORTOLA PACKAGING, INC:

Portola Packaging is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of tamper evident plastic closures used in dairy, fruit juice, bottled water, sports drinks, institutional food products and other non-carbonated beverage products. The Company also produces a wide variety of plastic bottles for use in the dairy, water and juice industries, including various high density bottles, as well as five-gallon polycarbonate water bottles. In addition, the Company designs, manufactures and markets capping equipment for use in high speed bottling, filling and packaging production lines as well as manufactures and markets customized five-gallon water capping and filling systems. The Company is also engaged in the manufacture and sale of tooling and molds used in the blow molding industry. For more information about Portola Packaging, visit the Company’s web site at: www.portpack.com.

ABOUT PORTOLA TECH INTERNATIONAL:

Portola Tech International (“PTI”) is a leading manufacturer and marketer of plastic packaging components to the cosmetic, fragrance and toiletries industry. PTI’s capabilities include injection and compression molding, thermal and ultraviolet metallizing, ultraviolet one coat spray technologies, silk screening, hot stamping, lining and multiple component assembly. In addition to offering the largest stock line of closures in the industry, with over 450 styles and sizes, PTI has a complementary line of heavy wall PETG and polypropylene jars. For more information about PTI, visit PTI’s web site at www.portolatech.com

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:

Jack L. Watts
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
(408) 573-2345

James A. Taylor
President and Chief Operating Officer
(408) 573-2074

Dennis L. Berg
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(408) 573-2039

Portola Packaging, Inc.
890 Faulstich Court
San Jose, CA 95112
Web site: www.portpack.com

Phone: (408) 573-2000
(800) 767-8652
Fax: (408) 452-0122
Email: Info@portpack.com


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