Chinese e-cigarette firm Upends said it has made a breakthrough in mesh coil technology which brings a significant puff increase under the same standard e-liquid capacity.
The innovative FRESOR technology is incorporated in its popular disposable vape brand UpBAR GT, and the Upends hopes that the flagship product will dominate the global disposable vape market.
“We have successfully upgraded not only the mesh coil, but also the atomisation space and airflow channel, which improves the atomisation efficiency and ensures that puffs of UpBAR GT be increased without adding more e-liquid,” said Doctor Wu, chief product officer of Upends.
Compared with other 2mL e-liquid products, based on the laboratory data, the puffs of UpBAR GT have increased by 42 per cent without taste fade, and the e-liquid splash has also been reduced, the company said.
“This is not the performance of a purposely selected UpBAR GT, but all of them have such excellent performance,” added Dr. Wu. “UpBAR GT is produced on a fully automated production line so that each piece will have the same consistency and reliability.”
As traditional cotton rolls are too hard to manufacture automatically, Upends said it brought the FRESOR technology to UpBAR GT, allowing the flat mesh coil, cotton and other components to be assembled layer by layer. In addition, the company has patented the V-shaped air channel and Tesla valve, invented for stronger airflow input and better leakproof.
“Integrating several patented technologies, UpBAR GT achieves the best of all disposable vapes currently, and can be produced with over 99.9% consistency,” said Dr. Wu.
Upends said the product is gaining momentum, with one of the head agents in Europe reportedly ordering more than 3,000,000 pieces after trying the product.
Moreover, consumer research by the brand has also shows its popularity among customers, who expressed a high willingness to repurchase.
“The draw is smooth and warm, and the flavors are reproduced really well because of its innovative vertical mesh coil design. To be honest, UpBAR GT did an excellent job and is far above average disposable vapes”, DJLsb Vapes, a professional vape reviewer, said.
According to Upends, the company will be exhibiting UpBAR GT in Germany, UK, Italy and Spain in May and June. In addition, Upends will exhibit more new products like Upends GTR - the closed pod version of UpBAR GT, offer additional deals and discounts, and host fun events, at these Upends shows.
Rowntree’s has announced the launch of its latest innovation - Jelly Tots Tangy, as it celebrates the 60th birthday of Jelly Tots.
A vibrant and playful twist on the much-loved classic Jelly Tots, originally launched in 1965, this new creation steps into the sour space, offering fans a flavourful experience that combines nostalgia with tanginess!
Made with real fruit juice, the sweets are not only bursting with flavour but are also vegan-friendly, appealing to a broader audience who value delicious treats.
Packaged in a 140g sharing bag, Jelly Tots Tangy (RRP £1.50) is perfect for any sharing occasion, whether it's a family gathering or fun sociable events with friends.
“At Rowntree’s, we are dedicated to bringing joy and innovation to our fans. With Jelly Tots Tangy, we’ve taken a beloved classic and added a refreshing twist that we believe will resonate with both new and loyal fans alike,” Hayley Nixon, senior brand manager for Rowntree’s, said.
“It’s not just a sweet; it’s a fun experience to share and enjoy together!”
Jelly Tots Tangy rolls out in stores nationwide this January.
Mars Wrigley has launched two new Extra Refreshers price marked packs (PMPs), perfectly suited to the convenience channel. The Tropical and Bubblemint flavour PMPs are now available in 30-piece bottles and soft chew format, providing retailers with an additional opportunity to drive gum sales.
The gum category is currently growing at a rate of +4.9 per cent year on year (value), demonstrating the revenue opportunity1. The new PMPs support this by enabling convenience retailers to maximise the Extra Refreshers sales in the channel – 90 per cent of shoppers haven’t tried Refreshers and yet 70 per cent of all Refreshers fruit volume is incremental to the category. Additionally, fruit gum is the fastest growing segment in the category and is growing faster than the wider category with value growth of 8.9 per cent.
“The benefits of PMPs are well known – they offer a quick price comparison and can capture the impulse shopper’s attention to drive retailers’ incremental sales,” said Ross Ripamonti, Gum Brand Director at Mars Wrigley. “Our new PMPs deliver on this by providing trending flavours that communicate value to the shopper.
“This is a hugely exciting time for the category and the Extra Refreshers brand. This year, we are putting a multimillion media investment behind our fruit gum range, including Extra Refreshers PMPs, to bring the product benefits to life and support sales within the convenience channel.”
The Extra Refreshers PMP bottles are now available in wholesalers nationwide with an RRP of £2.50.
Mogu Mogu, the viral drinks brand renowned for its unique and delicious nata de coco beverages, has announced the launch of its most popular flavours in 1-litre multipacks.
Exclusively available to independent retailers via Dhamecha, the brand’s bestselling Lychee and Mango flavours – alongside Strawberry and Blackcurrant – are accessible in this high-demand new format.
The launch comes off the back of research commissioned by the soft drinks sensation which found that over a third (36%) of Mogu Mogu shoppers would like to see multipacks in store, while almost a third (29%) also want to see their favourite flavours in 1-litre bottles on shop shelves.
Combining the two by launching six-packs of its largest format, Mogu Mogu aims to reinforce its position as the UK’s fastest-growing soft drinks brand [NielsenIQ, 52 w/e 09.03.24].
“2024 was a bumper year for us. We broke into the Top 10 in Juice Drinks by delivering a quarter of the segment’s growth over the previous two years – more than any competitor. This is largely thanks to our ‘Drink Now’ single formats, which have always been our heartland,” said Indy Jhalli, national account manager at ASCO Foods.
“But there’s been a noticeable shift towards at-home consumption occasions and our shoppers have been rallying for larger versions of their favourite flavours which they can stock up on and share in front of the telly or around the dinner table.
“We’ve worked with Dhamecha to make sure our new 1-litre six-packs are available in-depot, just in time for the January rush, when a huge influx of shoppers are opting for refreshing soft drinks above other beverages to tide them through the month.”
Daniel Spruds, Buyer at Dhamecha Group added: “Mogu Mogu is continuing to go from strength to strength within Dhamecha’s business. Building on this, the introduction of a 1-litre multipack format extends Mogu Mogu’s horizon to better access the growing number of at-home occasions. We are extremely pleased to deliver this new pack format into 2025.”
The Mogu Mogu 1-litre six-packs (RRP: £3.49 per bottle) are available exclusively to retailers via Dhamecha in four major depots: Wembley, Croydon, Barking, and Leicester.
Leading ice-cream tub brand Ben & Jerry’s has announced the launch of two new indulgent SKUs - Bohemian Raspberry and Brookies & Cream Sundae.
Bohemian Raspberry is a non-dairy music-inspired raspberry SKU celebrating 50 years of one of the world’s most iconic songs. Ben & Jerry’s Brookies & Cream Sundae is an innovative new flavour, inspired by the flavour combination of brownies and cookies to create a brookie, bringing the bakery-favourite to the ice cream category for the very first time.
Ben & Jerry’s Bohemian Raspberry launches in partnership with Queen and celebrates the 50th anniversary of the band’s iconic song, Bohemian Rhapsody. The collaboration flavour of Bohemian Raspberry is part of Ben & Jerry’s Non-Dairy range, made with the brand’s oat-based non-dairy recipe. The new tub includes fudgy brownies and rich raspberry swirls tapping into the growing trend for berry and raspberry flavours which saw more than 18 million searches in 2024. Proceeds from Bohemian Raspberry will go to the Mercury Phoenix Trust, which helps fund the global fight against AIDS.
Ben & Jerry’s Brookies & Cream Sundae is the latest addition to Ben and Jerry’s successful Sundaes range, which has grown 32 per cent YoY, bringing together the ice cream innovators two most popular flavours (Cookie Dough & Chocolate Fudge Brownie) into one legendary Sundae. The new SKU features creamy vanilla ice cream packed full of fudgy brownie-style cookie dough, golden cookie swirls, and white ampersand chunks, perfectly showcasing how the best things are even better when they’re together.
“We're thrilled to introduce two fantastic new ice creams from Ben & Jerry's. First up, Bohemian Raspberry is making a comeback, as a non-dairy flavour. We first launched Bohemian Raspberry back in 2007 after a fan’s suggestion, and what could be more rock ‘n’ roll than bringing it back to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Bohemian Rhapsody,” Flo Howell, country business lead at Ben & Jerry’s UK, commented.
“Brookies & Cream Sundae embodies our belief that good things are even better together. Combining cookies and brownies was a no-brainer for us, and consumer testing showed it’s a hit.”
Like all Ben & Jerry’s products, the new SKUs are made with Fairtrade Certified ingredients including vanilla, sugar and cocoa.
Both Ben & Jerry’s Brookies & Cream Sundae and Ben & Jerry’s Bohemian Raspberry are available in the grocery, convenience and wholesale channels from this month.
Voopoo, a prominent name in vaping innovation, has unveiled the VINCI E120, a new addition to its product line designed to deliver high performance in a compact design.
The VINCI E120 features a 4500mAh high-density battery and supports up to 120W output, making it capable of powering up to 10 days of vaping on a single charge. Despite its robust battery, the device remains lightweight - 50 per cent lighter than comparable models. This blend of power and portability aims to cater to users seeking all-day reliability in a compact form.
A standout feature of the VINCI E120 is its 2.4-inch customisable screen. The display offers 18 watch face options, allowing users to personalise the device to suit their style. The screen also simplifies access to settings, creating a user-friendly interface in a vibrant, modern design.
At its core, the VINCI E120 integrates PnP X Atomisation Technology and is compatible with PnP X coils ranging from 0.15 to 1.0 Ω. This system is engineered to deliver consistent flavour, reduce the risk of coil burning, and minimise leakage, ensuring a superior experience with every puff.
Combining the performance of traditional Mod systems with the portability of Pod devices, Voopoo said the VINCI E120 bridges the gap between power and portability.
“Voopoo VINCI E120 unlocks a new level of seamless fusion of cutting-edge technology and user-centric design where safety and effortless convenience are granted,” the company added.