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Leading UK soft drink manufacturer Britvic, with brands like Pepsi and Tango, is trialing a new range of hydrocarbon coolers for retail outlets, pubs and bars. If the trial is successful, it will roll out the technology nationally, leading to estimated savings of 3,800 tonnes of carbon emissions and £1.9 million in energy costs each year.

The new coolers are using propane (R290) and have been in development for over a year. The soft drink manufacturer has now begun a four week trial to test the technology and then decide whether to roll it out nationally. A spokesperson for the company said early indications from the trial were "positive".

Emission and energy savings

"This kind of initiative has the duel benefit of having the potential to save both millions of pounds for our customers, while also reducing carbon emissions by thousands of tones” said Murray Harris, customer management director at Britvic.

The company estimates that if the propane coolers are deployed nationally, they will save 3,800 tonnes of carbon emissions each year and save Britvic's customers over £1.9 million (€2.3 million) every year.

Based on an average rate of energy consumption of 13p/kWh (16 eurocent/kWh), the new coolers have the potential to save retailers £112.32 (€135) per year per cooler.

Moreover, the company is using Energy Management Systems (EMS) that plug into existing equipment to measure busy and idle periods, minimising energy consumption when the cooler doesn't need to be in use.

Labelling

The coolers will feature eco-labelling to emphasise their zero ozone depletion potential and negligible global warming potential.

About Britvic

With brands like Pepsi, Robinsons, Tango, Britvic Soft Drinks is one of the two leading soft drinks businesses in Great Britain and Ireland, supplying its products to approximately 200,000 outlets. It also has a growing presence overseas, exporting to over 50 countries.