Anyone who works in the restaurant or beverage industry knows it well: the effervescence of a beverage is an integral part of its identity. From carbonated soft drinks to draft beer, those bubbles add freshness and flavor, enhancing the consumer experience. However, maintaining adequately fizzy drinks is far from a given. Two key elements come into play: on the one hand, the carbonation level must always remain uniform, without drops that alter the flavor or perception of the bubbles; on the other, a continuous supply of CO₂ is essential. Traditional systems based on high-pressure cylinders, in fact, require frequent replacements and risk interrupting service at the most crucial moment. This creates the need for innovative solutions capable of solving these problems and ensuring perfect bubbles in any situation.
CO₂: the secret ingredient of bubbles
In beer dispensing systems, CO₂ maintains constant pressure in kegs and ensures a stable, high-quality head. The presence of carbon dioxide is actually essential in all carbonated beverages: it is this colorless, odorless gas that gives soft drinks and mineral waters their unmistakable fizz, enhancing their flavor and freshness. More generally, in any dispenser or draft system, CO₂ ensures that every glass served has the right level of effervescence, maintaining the customer’s perceived quality.
Beyond making beverages fizzy, carbon dioxide also plays valuable roles in other stages of food production. For example, in winemaking, CO₂ is used to protect grape must from oxidation during pressing and fermentation, preserving the aromas and organoleptic properties of the wine. Thanks to its inerting properties, this gas creates a controlled atmosphere that protects beverages from oxidation, maintaining their freshness and sensory characteristics. In essence, CO₂ is a true secret ingredient in the world of beverages: essential for bubbles and a valuable ally for quality and preservation.
The growing public interest in high-quality drinks has further highlighted the importance of CO₂ and its management. Consumers seek perfectly fizzy drinks with consistent flavor, and to meet these expectations, companies in the sector must be able to count on a reliable supply of carbon dioxide. In the past, companies relied exclusively on pressurized cylinders that had to be replaced manually: an effective method, but one that presented several operational limitations. Traditional cylinders, in fact, have limited autonomy and require frequent stockpiling and replacement, with the risk of ending up with flat drinks if not acted upon promptly. Furthermore, handling high-pressure containers is not without risks to operator safety.
A new approach for constant effervescence
Fortunately, technological innovation now offers a valuable ally in overcoming these critical issues. HappyDrink® is a next-generation solution designed specifically to ensure perfectly sparkling drinks every time, solving the problems associated with traditional cylinders. Essentially, it’s a food-grade liquid CO₂ supply system based on a low-pressure cryogenic tank – the so-called minibulk – installed directly at the point of use. This compact stainless steel container replaces conventional cylinders: it’s filled on-site with high-purity, food-grade liquid carbon dioxide, ensuring a continuous, uninterrupted supply of gas.
By eliminating the need to constantly replace exhausted cylinders and minimizing manual intervention, HappyDrink® enables much simpler and safer gas management, optimizing daily operations within the establishment. In other words, staff no longer have to worry about monitoring the remaining CO₂ or stopping to change the cylinder.
A system like HappyDrink® represents a small revolution in the Ho.Re.Ca sector and in all areas where carbonated beverages are served. The underlying concept is simple: take CO₂ supply to the next level, using the same logic as large industrial tanks, but in a smaller format suitable for bars, restaurants, canteens, and kiosks. Once the minibulk is installed, CO₂ refueling occurs automatically and on schedule: dedicated tankers periodically arrive on-site and refill the tank with liquid CO₂, without having to disconnect anything or interrupt the beverage service.
The system is designed to be self-sufficient: the system maintains carbonation even during refueling and features valves and regulators that convert liquid CO₂ into ready-to-use gas as needed. Furthermore, it is possible to integrate environmental sensors that constantly monitor the presence of carbon dioxide in the premises, ensuring maximum safety at all times. All this happens behind the scenes, without impacting daily operations.
Concrete advantages of the HappyDrink® system
Adopting a minibulk system like that of HappyDrink® brings with it several practical advantages for those who manage a restaurant or beverage business:
- Zero interruptions: The continuous supply of CO₂ eliminates the risk of running out of gas in the middle of service, ensuring sparkling drinks even during peak service times. On-site refilling occurs regularly and on a scheduled basis, ensuring service continuity.
- Greater safety: The tank operates at low pressure, eliminating the need for frequent handling of high-pressure cylinders.
- Greater efficiency and less fatigue: The absence of frequent cylinder changes means less downtime and less physical strain on staff.
- Autonomy: The minibulk has a greater storage capacity than individual cylinders, resulting in longer autonomy between refills.
- Consistent quality: The carbon dioxide dispensed is certified food-grade, with high purity. This ensures that the flavor and carbonation of drinks remain optimal and unaltered.
- Sustainability: By optimizing consumption and reducing CO₂ waste, systems like this also contribute to a lower environmental impact. This reduces the number of cylinder transports (and related emissions) and prevents the dispersion of unused gas into the atmosphere, making the solution more environmentally friendly and responsible than traditional supplies.
Nippon Gases: innovation and quality
Behind a solution like HappyDrink® lies the experience of Nippon Gases, a leading company in the field of technical and food-grade gases. Nippon Gases boasts over a century of experience in the industry and is currently the leading producer of carbon dioxide in Italy. Building on this long tradition, the company has developed expertise that allows it to offer excellent products and services, tailored to the needs of professional customers.
The CO₂ supplied through HappyDrink®, for example, comes from selected and controlled sources – including natural geothermal deposits and biogenic fermentation processes – and is guaranteed by rigorous food-grade purity standards. Thanks to a widespread logistics network and multiple production facilities, Nippon Gases ensures a reliable and certified supply of CO₂, compliant with the strictest international food regulations.
In addition to the HappyDrink® system, Nippon Gases offers a wide range of comprehensive solutions to the food and beverage industry. We cover not only gases such as CO₂, nitrogen, and food-grade oxygen, but also related technologies and services, from modified atmosphere packaging to cryogenic refrigeration. The company is a complete partner for food and beverage professionals, offering technical expertise and dedicated support.