The prototype of a new energy-saving bottle cooler (refrigerator) was unveiled in Denmark on 28 June. It is the result of a project involving the Danish Energy Agency, Vestfrost, Danfoss, Coca-Cola and the Danish Technological Institute to develop a new cooler that uses 40% less energy than traditional bottle coolers.

The 350 litre display bottle cooler will replace those found in kiosks, garage forecourts and supermarkets. Canned or bottled soft drinks are displayed behind a glass door and customers serve themselves. It is estimated that there are about 70,000 currently in use in Denmark, each consuming about 5 kWh/per 24 hours. The new bottle coolers used cut this to 3 kWh/per 24 hours.

Energy savings are gained by using a new and more energy efficient compressor and from more efficient ventilators and improved glass in the door. A major advance over the current technology is that the new bottle cooler does not use chemicals that contribute to climate changes.

The project is part of a 3-year Danish development project to identify and test energy saving opportunities in commercial cooling and freezing equipment, with the aim of reducing the total influence on the environment. The total budget for the project was DKK 4.7 mill of which DKK 2.8 million was from the Energy Agency’s subsidy scheme for the promotion of energy savings in Danish trade.

"All the partners in the project have the honour of the success in developing a "green" cooler with nearly 40% electricity saving and without the use of refrigerants that harm the ozone layer or affect climate changes. Vestfrost has great expectations to the new product as energy and environmental technology is growing throughout the world," says Vestfrost’s Director of Sales, Ole Moeller Jensen.

Coca-Cola are also pleased with the project partnership: "The announcement today is a positive step forward and we will, in the future, increase our efforts to support this type of research and innovation" said Douglas N. Daft, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Coca-Cola Company, Atlanta.

On the same day, the Coca-Cola Company announced its new environmental policy for cold drink equipment. The main elements of Coca-Cola's new strategy include a pledge not to buy equipment using HFCs where cost-efficient alternatives for both refrigeration and insulation are available, by a deadline of the Athens Olympic games in 2004.

Reacting to the announcement, Greenpeace Australia said that Cola Cola company had fulfilled "most of its demands" on the issue, and set a "strong environmental benchmark" for other industries. As a sponsor of this summer's Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia, Coca-Cola has been among the targets of an internet-based green campaign conducted by the NGO in recent weeks.