Guest Blog: from can to cup – how deltaH Innovations is reimagining cold drinks on demand

What if cracking open a cold one didn’t depend on a fridge? That’s the question we’ve been asking at deltaH and the solution we’ve come up with is turning heads around the globe.

A few months ago, we introduced the Cool>Can, our first product designed to chill a drink instantly, no ice or fridge needed. Using a highly impactful chemical reaction (safe and sealed inside an inner chamber within the can), the Cool>Can drops the temperature of your drink in seconds. Just push the button to activate and enjoy after a few seconds. Think “cold from the fridge” even if it’s been sitting in your bag all day.

We knew we were onto something but when the big players in drinks and packaging saw the Cool>Can in action, their reactions said it all: this is something people want, and fast. It was a huge moment of validation, not just for the innovation, but for the idea that convenient, portable cooling has real demand.

We’ve since filed patents on multiple versions (yes, there’s more than one Cool>Can design), and we’re in the thick of choosing which one makes the leap to mass production first. It’s a big call, and we’re taking the time to get it right. But while we make those decisions, we’re not standing still.

Next up? The Cool>Cup. This new system takes the same instant-chill design and packs it into a reusable format built for all the places cans sometimes can’t go. Stadiums, festivals, theme parks, even your kitchen counter.

At the heart of it is a pod-based insert that cools your drink from room temperature, to crisp and refreshing in seconds. Imagine a cooling pod that works like a coffee capsule, but instead of caffeine, it delivers ice-cold refreshment to your cup.

Here’s how it works: open the bottom lid of the cup, pop in a Cool>Pod, pour in your drink and in seconds, it’s chilled to perfection. Once you’re done, just replace the pod and top up with water for next time. The cup keeps your drink cold, even after the initial reaction is done. Making it perfect for summer heat and long days out. It’s sustainable, refillable and for us, it’s proof that our cooling innovation can flex across multiple formats and moments, opening a new category for both consumers and brands.

As the Cool>Can agreement nears completion, we’re expanding the horizon. The Cool>Cup demonstrates the scalability of our platform and our drive to keep innovating while commercial momentum builds.

Food & Drink Technology will keep a keen eye on developments around Cool>Can, the Cool>Cup, and, of course, deltaH, and we will certainly hear more from James in the future.

• Rodney Jack, editor, Food & Drink Technology.
  Keep in touch via email: [email protected] Twitter: @foodanddrinktec or LinkedIn: Food & Drink Technology magazine.