Coca-Cola’s 57th bottling facility in India was commissioned by its franchise bottling partner Moon Beverages at Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, in August 2013. Moon Beverages invested more than INR1.4bn ($23m) to commission the plant.
The plant was inaugurated by Coca-Cola International’s executive vice-president and president Ahmet C. Bozer. The opening commemorated the company’s 20 years of operation in India. The establishment is part of Coca-Cola’s plans for investing $5bn in the country by 2020.
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Coca-Cola had invested $2bn in India by mid-2013, creating 25,000 direct jobs and indirect employment for over 150,000 people.
Coca-Cola bottling plant production
The Greater Noida bottling plant features two bottling lines; the still beverage line is a combi-block line, which is the first of its kind in India, producing juice, value-added water, tea and sports drinks.
The sparkling can line will manufacture the nation’s top selling soft drink brands including Sprite and Thums Up.
This plant would cater to the growing consumer demand for better quality, taste and safe packaged beverages, says the company.
Environmental features of the Greater Noida facility
The plant has water recharge potential of 160,000kl per year in place and has applied for GREEN certification. It also features a complete functional effluent treatment system, which meets the prerequisites of the State Pollution Control Board.
A number of energy-saving features have also been included during the design and construction of the plant. Some of them include energy-efficient LED lights, natural light and ventilation provision. The plant also plans to obtain a Green building certificate.
Coca-Cola corporate social responsibilities
Coca-Cola India’s flagship programme Support My School has been extended to schools near the facility.
Coca-Cola in India
India plays an important role in Coca-Cola’s marketing strategy, as the country is the world’s seventh-biggest market for the company. Coca-Cola expects that India will offer many opportunities for growth, as the country is anticipated to become the third-largest economy in the world by 2020.
Maaza, also produced by the company, is India’s biggest selling juice beverage, while Kinley is the country’s highest selling retail packaged drinking water brand. Although India’s per capita consumption of packaged beverages is one of the lowest in the world, Coca-Cola has achieved double-digit volume growth in the nation for the last six years.
The Coca-Cola Company is also one of the largest buyers of sugar, mango pulp and coffee beans in India.
Apart from the company’s worldwide brands, such as Coca-Cola, Minute Maid, Fanta and Sprite, India is a large market for its local brands including Thums Up, Limca and Maaza.
