Self-Chilling Can Gets Cold Reception

SINGAPORE — Environmentalists are cool to the concept, but a self-chilling beverage container developed by a California company was crowned “Can of the Year” Friday at an industry trade show.

The award by the International Canning Technology Exhibition came a day after Britain urged a ban on the Chill-Can because of fears the refrigerant it uses would contribute to global warming.

The Joseph Co., based in Laguna Niguel, spent eight years developing the can, which chills its contents 30 degrees in minutes. The can is to go into commercial production at the end of the year.

“This is an opportunity to give a refreshing drink to people who may not have the luxury of refrigeration and add convenience to people’s lifestyle,” said Charles Lee, director of specialized beverages at the Joseph Co.

The can’s price may discourage beverage makers. Lee said the self-cooling mechanism would add 25 cents to the cost of each can. Lee also acknowledged complaints that the can’s chilling agent, hydrofluoroalkane 134a gas, may deplete the ozone layer, a cause of global warning.

But the firm says that the can’s overall design should not be banned because of questions about the gas.

“The Chill-Can can be adapted to use a multitude of different refrigerants,” Lee said.

Britain’s environment minister, Michael Meacher, proposed Thursday that the Chill-Can be banned in Europe. The European Community’s Environment Council, meeting in Europe, ordered an immediate investigation of the development of the can.

Lee said that many companies are testing other gases for use with the self-chilling can, and he predicted an announcement soon in Britain about such an alternative gas.

The gas used in the can now, which is released outside the container and does not mix with the beverage, is a hydrofluorocarbon. Scientists say the release of large quantities of the gas into the atmosphere could contribute to global warming.