Coke Packaging Innovations : The Aluminum Bottle

This product was launched sometime in 2006.

I had the opportunity of attending the FUSE design conference in New York where a guy from Coke (sorry, I can't remember his name or title.) was discussing the innovation and research that lead to the launch of this product.

It originally was planned to launch in the aluminum bottle but there were issues with production. There was no way they could produce this bottle in all of their different manufacturing locations.

When it came down to it, Coke decided to launch Coke Blak in France. Why France? Why not!


France is actually very open to Coffee drinks/beverages (or so the market research told them) and they had local manufacturing facility that could produce the aluminum can. That's another reason why France will continually see Coke products in the Aluminum bottle from time to time for new launches or promotional packages. (also don't forget the "Magnificent Five" project, that launched the aluminum bottle on a limited basis through cool events worldwide.).


The launch in the U.S. was a different story. They moved to a shrink-wrapped bottle since the cost of the aluminum can became insane and they still have the manufacturing constraints.


Here it is in Spring of 2008 and the product is already gone. Coke has transferred its attention to the healthy market (if there is such a thing in carbonated soft drinks) with Diet Coke Plus. What an innovation.
Lets add good things (vitamins, etc.)to offset the bad things (artificial sweeteners and color) and call out the good things..... You really have to love innovation but when you have one flag ship product it becomes difficult.


Oh yeah... The aluminum bottle is back! Coke must have made major investments in production locations or solved a huge distribution nightmare to bring these to the masses. Its really a shame to see Coke brings these bottles to the public, especially in the days of being more environmentally friendly... One of the these bottles contains approx. the same amount of aluminum in an entire 6-pack of typical cans.

I guess its true.... Throw a bunch of shit on the wall and see what sticks...

When its all said and done....the bottles are pretty cool and the M5 concept was REALLY cool. Hopefully big companies keep it up and support small and unique art forms, even if they are trying to make a buck off of them.

Another cool example... All City NRG

Hey People.
Check out this new offering from the folks at Arizona Iced Tea.

It was design by the same folks that just re-designed their website, Mpire Creative.

While the design does not necessarily enhance the Arizona Brand or give you a cue as to what the product is, ( N R G - Energy Drink ) is really small on the bottom of the can and was actually blocked by the cooler glides, it still definitely gives you something to talk about... and the product is actually good.
Its a Pomegranate Green Tea Based beverage.

This product is more on the visual cool factor than the brand enhancement wagon. Also, one thing that kind of bothers me is the typography on the logo seems to read "ALT CITY" as opposed to its intent, "ALL CITY"

All in all a very cool looking product paying tribute to graf artists. It would be cool if they were to have a promotional contest for artists to submit work and then create a limited series under the "ALL CITY" name.