- Thursday, May 02, 2024
Spanning 22 acres, the plant is poised to substantially bolster PepsiCo’s beverage production in the South Asian nation, fostering job creation and enriching the local economy.
By: Shubham Ghosh
PEPSICO has disclosed plans to invest Rs 12.66 billion (£120 million) in constructing a new flavour-manufacturing facility in Ujjain in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh.
Spanning 22 acres, the plant is poised to substantially bolster PepsiCo’s beverage production in the South Asian nation, fostering job creation and enriching the local economy, a report by FoodBev Media said.
The venture signifies PepsiCo India’s second flavour-manufacturing facility in the nation, aimed at crafting beverage flavours tailored specifically for the Indian market.
Through the establishment of its second plant, the company aims to fortify its flavour facility presence in India and make a significant contribution to the region’s socio-economic advancement.
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The unit will implement new technologies to ensure efficient water usage and replenishment, “setting new industry standards for eco-conscious operations,” said PepsiCo, according to the report.
The facility will operate exclusively on renewable energy sources, thereby curbing its carbon footprint by approximately 1.9 metric tons daily.
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Employing Zero Liquid Discharge technology, the plant targets around 90 per cent water efficiency, prioritizing responsible water-resource management by replenishing all water utilized onsite.
“With support from the government of Madhya Pradesh, we aim to strengthen our footprint while driving impactful progress in enhancing the socio-economic landscape of the region,” Jagrut Kotecha, CEO of PepsiCo India and South Asia, was quoted as saying by FoodBev Media.
“Bolstering the ‘Make in India’ vision, the new flavour manufacturing facility will champion sustainability, aligning with our ‘Winning with pep+’ philosophy, creating a positive value chain while delivering on our promise of continuous innovation in our products. Through meaningful engagement, our goal is to work towards comprehensive development, contributing to the holistic advancement and welfare of the communities we serve.”
The ‘Make in India’ initiative was launched by Indian prime minister Narendra Modi a decade ago as part of a wider set of nation-building measures and to transform India into a global design and manufacturing hub.
George Kovoor, senior vice president of beverages at PepsiCo India, was quoted as saying, “We are excited to announce the setting-up of our second flavour manufacturing facility in India, a significant testament to PepsiCo’s unwavering commitment to the region. We aim to ramp up the production of our beverages to meet the rising demand in the country.”
“This strategic investment not only strengthens our dedication to providing the highest quality beverages to our consumers but also reinforces our responsibility to drive sustainable practices across our operations.”
Construction for the new plant is scheduled to commence this year, with operations projected to kick off in the first quarter of 2026.
