A unique ‘ribbed’ can which keeps Jupiler beer cool in the hand has won ‘Best Can/ Alubottle’ at the 2019 World Beverage Innovation Awards.

The ground-breaking design saw Ardagh develop a new tooling technique to achieve super-defined debossed flutes in the walls of both the 33cl and 50cl Jupiler cans. The resulting ‘ribs’ disrupt the flow of air along the can body and reduce contact with the hand, which keeps the beer colder for longer.

The prestigious award reflects Ardagh’s commitment to innovation in response to growing markets, and its experience in finding technological solutions to meet customer needs.

In a neat additional benefit, the fluted design not only keeps the product colder for longer, it also echoes the characteristic Jupiler ribbed glassware. This shelf appeal helped the can achieve Finalist in the Best Packaging Design/Label category, to add to its win as Best Can/Alubottle overall. The pack also won Bronze at the 2019 The Canmaker magazine’s Cans of the Year Awards.

The World Beverage Innovation Awards, which have been made annually since 2001, celebrate and highlight the most important beverage industry developments. Other Ardagh innovations to be recognised this year were the Nitro Canned cocktail range from Funkin Cocktails and, from Ardagh’s Glass division, a range of ‘glimmering’ multifaceted 75cl bottles for Allure Wine.

Finalist in the Best Bottle in Glass category

A Finalist in the Best Beverage Concept category, Funkin Cocktails deployed Ardagh's innovative Nitro Can to make bar-quality cocktails available off-the-shelf for the first time. The slim aluminium can features a nitrogen-infused widget which is activated on can opening to mix the cocktail instantly. The cascading pour results in an attractive cocktail with a long-lasting foam head and the smooth, velvety sensation that is normally only achieved in a traditional cocktail shaker. The Nitro Can's stable in-can environment guarantees shelf stability both in refrigerated and ambient temperatures.

Ardagh also achieved Finalist in the Best Bottle in Glass category with the light-catching multifaceted bottles it designed for German brand Allure Wine. Innovating once again to meet the brief of brand owner Zimmermann-Graeff & Müller, who wanted a luxurious ‘glimmering’ look for their range of three 75cl bottles, Ardagh successfully met the production challenges posed by the highly distinctive multifaceted design, including distributing glass evenly within the mould and inspecting glass thickness in the faceted areas of the bottle.

The Jupiler award was presented to Dirk Schwung, Sales Director of Ardagh Group’s European Metal Beverage division, at a special ceremony at the trade fair BrauBeviale in Nuremberg, Germany, on 13 November.