PRESS RELEASE
Inovocan (formerly CRL Foods)
Newcastle Canning Specialist CRL Foods Rebrands as Inovocan to Reflect Evolution as Ready-to-Drink Innovation Leader
New brand identity positions company for next phase of growth as UK leader in complex canned beverage innovation
CRL Foods, the Newcastle-based specialist in thermally processed canned beverages, today announces its rebrand to Inovocan, reflecting the company’s ambition to lead the category as the UK’s foremost technical innovation partner for the manufacture of complex canned drinks.
Founded in 2019, the business has grown rapidly, expanding from a small-scale operation to a team of over 50 people. The rebrand to Inovocan reflects this evolution, signalling the company’s focus on innovation delivered through the craft of canning.
The company has become a selective specialist known for taking on technically difficult projects that others cannot solve. The business works with major retailers and some of the UK’s most exciting drinks brands across an expanding range of categories including cold brew coffee, matcha, chai, nootropics, coffee alternatives, non-alcoholic cocktails, and decaf beverages. Since 2021, it has maintained its commitment to 100% aluminium packaging, providing fully recyclable solutions that eliminate plastic waste.
Recently, the company achieved a UK-first breakthrough: ambient-stable protein RTD in aluminium cans with a “clean” set of ingredients. Unlike most protein drinks which require chilled distribution or aseptic filling, Inovocan’s approach delivers ambient shelf-stable protein beverages through intelligent formulation and precise process control. This capability opens new market opportunities for brands seeking to launch protein products in cans rather than the industry norm of UHT processing and PET bottles or Tetra-style packaging, which rely on more variable recycling infrastructure
Liam Sherriff, Sales Director at Inovocan, said: “The rebrand wasn’t driven by aesthetics or marketing – it was driven by strategy and the need for a name that reflects our long-term ambition to lead our category. CRL Foods got us here, but Inovocan is built for where we’re going. We’ve become specialists in technically difficult canned liquid products, and the new name sharpens how we’re perceived, and gives the business a platform that can support the next decade of growth. It allows us to lead with capability, not capacity, and positions us clearly as innovation partners rather than general co-packers.”
Gareth Phillips, Managing Director at Inovocan, added: “Everything our customers value remains unchanged – our team, our patented technologies, and our commitment to finding solutions to complex problems. What changes is our ability to communicate who we are and what we offer more effectively. Inovocan represents our mission to innovate where others can’t – inside the can, under pressure, at scale. We’re excited about the near-term expansion of our capabilities, and the development of new categories we help bring to market.”
The company operates from its facility in Newcastle upon Tyne, utilising patented brewing and retort processing technologies that enable faster thermal processing while optimising product quality. All existing customer relationships, operations and technical capabilities remain unchanged throughout the transition.
About Inovocan
Inovocan (formerly CRL Foods) is a Newcastle-based specialist in thermally processed canned beverages, focusing on technically complex products that require innovation in formulation and process. The company manufactures ready-to-drink beverages including cold brew coffees, teas, protein drinks, matcha, chai, nootropics and coffee alternatives for major retailers and leading drinks brands. Inovocan uses patented technologies to deliver faster thermal processing, longer shelf life and 100% recyclable aluminium packaging. Founded in 2019, the company has grown to over 50 employees and has recently invested in expanding its capacity for 2026. For more information, visit www.inovocan.com
Press Contact
Liam Sherriff
Sales Director
Inovocan
Email: liam.sherriff@inovocan.com
Tel: 07849 661 365
Web: www.inovocan.com