The latest news, trends, analysis, interviews and podcasts from the global food and beverage industry

The Coca-Cola Company has expanded its Freestyle portfolio with the introduction of the New Compact Freestyle smart drinks dispenser in Europe. The New Compact Freestyle machine is a smart dispenser that allows users to personalise their drinks while using their own reusable bottles, therefore reducing carbon emissions and packaging. According to Coca-Cola, the new product is "the smallest unit in the most digitally advanced range of Freestyle machines". The smart dispenser enables digital consumer interaction, including options for consumers to personalise temperature and carbonisation levels, with around 40 beverage choices available. Trials of the New Compact Freestyle will begin this month at both at-work and on-the-go outlets in France and Belgium, in partnership with Coca-Cola Europacific Partners. Meanwhile, trials are also planned for the UK and additional European countries throughout 2022. Coca-Cola's president of Europe, Nikos Koumettis, said: “The findings of our preliminary analysis promisingly show that the New Compact Freestyle can have a lower carbon footprint per serving compared to traditional packs, such as cans and PET bottles. This is hugely encouraging given the importance to deliver meaningful action on sustainability for Coca-Cola, and our customers and consumers." He continued: "In developing this new dispenser, we've used the latest in technology to offer a wide variety of personalisation options in line with both consumers’ digital-led lives and their appetite for choice. These new trials mean that consumers can prepare their own perfect drink, just as they like it, and can use less packaging and carbon to do so – a win-win for them and the environment.”