German beverage company builds own nitro can filling plant

Inspired by Ardagh’s nitro can, Hamburg beverage company Rapide Food has become a contract filler for other companies wishing to use the technology.

After Rapide Food’s founders, Hendrik and Sebastian Lepping chose Ardagh’s nitro can to package their new cold brew black coffee Dock-18, they decided to build a bespoke nitro can filling plant.

With no need to transport ingredients to distant facilities, the whole production process is carried out in one place, enabling total control over the quality and handling of the raw materials – particularly essential for cold brew products. Production from start to finish is fast and efficient, from grinding the coffee beans, through the cold brewing process, to the on-site filling of 250ml aluminium cans. This ensures product consistency and quality while increasing the sustainability of overall production.

As a contract filler, Rapide Food now offers other German and European beverage companies the same benefits.

Sebastian Lepping said: “Our production facility gives young companies the chance to produce Cold Brew or similar high-end products in small to medium quantities – something that just isn’t possible at other facilities.”

Informed by their own experience as artisan beverage producers, they work alongside the customer to get everything right.

“We develop the qualitative conditions for perfect taste and stability at every stage of the process,” said Sebastian, “from initial lab trials, through a larger factory trial, and finally, once everything’s approved, into a main run of the product which the customer can sell on the market. This close co-operation makes sure the customer’s taste requirements are completely fulfilled.”

While Dock-18 is the company’s flagship product, it will also launch a Latte Macchiato in 2019, and Nitro Ice Teas in different flavour profiles.