The secret of keeping fresh nutrients

The brand-new FreshCan®Wedge technology is a patented technology jointly developed by European Ball Packaging Company (BPE) and Degussa FreshTech Beverage Company. It allows vitamins and other ingredients to quickly spread in the beverage when it opens. Dr. Ralf J姹er, Degussa’s Deputy Director of Marketing, said: “The FreshCan technology is a great innovation.” “We believe it is the biggest breakthrough in the packaging of beverages after cans and changed our thinking on canned drinks. ”

In October last year, with the launch of the new Defense Vitamin mineral beverage production line of New York-based Brain Twist, Wedge was first applied to the commercial sector. With natural orange and lemon flavors, Defense is rich in zinc, pectin, calcium, vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin B2 and vitamin E. Its unique formula can effectively prevent cold flu. The product uses FreshCan Wedge technology to stabilize vitamins and minerals in beverages.

According to Dr. Stewart Gibson, an independent researcher in the beverage industry, “Scientific research shows that vitamins are extremely unstable in general beverage products, and the longer they are in contact with liquids, the more likely they are to fail. These sensitive substances begin to degrade even during beverage production. , and lose effectiveness. In addition, long-term storage and exposure exacerbate their loss."

The packaging of the Defense is a traditional 14.5 ounce aluminum can, which contains the Fresh Can Wedge, a two-part polypropylene unit containing 10 mL of solid content (A2, P.26). Wedge is cylindrical and has a total capacity of 25 mL. Wedge is activated by changes in pressure. Jäger explained: “The pressure inside the can opens abruptly when opened. Because of its special design and structure, Wedge can not adapt to this sudden depressurization, so its lid will pop up quickly. Wedge's components will be automatically released to Drink and dissolve in it so that the drink can be consumed."

BPE began developing Wedge in the late 1990s, when Wedge was a device that was fixed to the bottom of the can. After further development, based on the prototype provided by RPC Bramlage, Wedge has evolved into a floating seal assembly that will be removed when the beverage is opened for consumption. At the same time, Degussa (at the time SKW Trostberg) began developing Wedge ingredient recipes in 2000. In addition, Degussa also worked with its partners to design an automatic filling system to pack nutrients into Wedge and then place Wedge in a beverage can. In 2001, Ball licensed Wedge technology to Degussa.

So far, Defense has received positive responses from consumers and retailers. Larry Trachtenbroit, president and CEO of Brain Twist, said that Defense has paved the way for the company to create a "new functional beverage product platform." The product has been sold nationwide through 7-Eleven supermarkets and Amazon.com, and is also available in selected shopping malls in the Northeast, with a suggested retail price of $2.49.

Degussa also intends to apply the technology to other areas, such as milk or sports functional beverages, to increase vitamins, probiotics or trace elements.

Source: Packaging Expo