Keurig Dr Pepper has unveiled a new innovation agenda for its Keurig® single-serve brewing system, introducing a reimagined coffee system and a range of new products and technologies aimed at meeting the needs of today’s and tomorrow’s coffee consumers. The company’s vision includes K-Rounds™ plastic-free pods, a new form of single-serve coffee that eliminates the need for plastic or aluminum. These pods, made from roasted coffee beans wrapped in a plant-based coating, will be compatible with the new Keurig Alta™ brewer, allowing consumers to make a variety of hot and cold barista-style beverages.
Bob Gamgort, Chairman and CEO of Keurig Dr Pepper, stated, “Thirty years ago, Keurig changed the way consumers brewed coffee with the introduction of the K-Cup pod single-serve coffee system. Today, we are applying all our expertise to create a revolutionary new system that will redefine how consumers brew coffee for decades to come.”
The Keurig Alta system will undergo beta testing starting in fall 2024, with consumer feedback playing a crucial role in its development. The system will offer a variety of brewing options, from bold espresso to hot coffee and chilled cold coffee, without complex brewing techniques. Additionally, the new brewer will also be able to brew existing K-Cup® pods.
The development of the Keurig Alta brewer and K-Rounds plastic-free pods is the result of a multi-year innovation project and includes significant intellectual property in beverage, pod, appliance, and manufacturing design and processes. As part of this effort, Keurig Dr Pepper has acquired a perpetual license to know-how and technology invented by Delica Switzerland for their CoffeeB system in Europe, including a proprietary plant-based coating and application processes.