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Beverage Innovation

Tracking The Drinks Marketplace

Coca-Cola

Coca-Cola Faces Boycott Pressure In Turkey, Pakistan

Coca-Cola Icecek is losing market share in Turkey and Pakistan following boycotts of Western brands linked to the conflict in Gaza. Its share of Turkey’s sparkling beverage market fell to 54%, while its share in Pakistan dropped by four percentage points. Declines also occurred in Jordan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. Analysts note that smaller local brands may benefit, but Coca-Cola’s strong recognition and growing volumes across Central Asia could limit long-term damage. 

Coca-Cola Rebrands In Germany Amid Image Shift

Coca-Cola’s new “Made in Germany” campaign aims to distance itself from US political associations, highlighting German employees and emphasizing that most Coca-Cola sold in Germany is bottled locally. A backlash against the US is being seen elsewhere, including Canada and Denmark.

Coca-Cola Uses AI To Speed Innovation

Coca-Cola increasingly uses AI in advertising and product development. At the Barclays Global Consumer Staples Conference, COO Henrique Braun explained that AI helps shorten creative timelines, moving from months to weeks or even days. Bottlers also use digital tools to refine sales strategies and anticipate consumer needs. Data-driven advertising now targets drinkers of Coca-Cola, Sprite, Fanta and fairlife with greater precision.

Coca-Cola India Launches ‘Locally Yours’ Campaign

Coca-Cola India launched a campaign called “Locally Yours” to celebrate neighborhood retailers, often the first to open and last to close in communities. The initiative highlights the vital role of kirana shops and traditional stores in connecting people and supporting local economies. Retailers featured in the campaign describe Coca-Cola as a long-term partner in their growth, helping them invest in equipment and expand offerings. Through portraits and short films, the campaign showcases entrepreneurial resilience and cultural pride. 

Danone

Danone Restructures For Faster Global Innovation

Danone is restructuring its operations into three regional divisions - EMEA, Asia Pacific and the Americas - effective January 2026. The move is part of its Renew Danone strategy, aimed at increasing agility and accelerating product development. Each region will be led by a president with authority to respond more quickly to local consumer needs. Danone remains focused on health-driven categories, including dairy and plant-based products, water and specialized nutrition. Recent product launches include fortified plant-based alternatives and targeted nutrition solutions. CEO Antoine de Saint-Affrique described the changes as key to balancing innovation, responsiveness and growth.

Other Companies

Chi Forest Expands Sparkling Water Globally

Chinese beverage brand Chi Forest is accelerating international expansion, recently entering Tesco stores in the UK with peach and lychee sparkling water. It uses consumer feedback to refine flavors quickly and tailor offerings to local preferences. It has already established distribution in Costco across North America, Coles in Australia and major retailers in Southeast Asia. In Indonesia, Chi Forest secured halal certification to meet strict regulatory standards, enabling nationwide rollout of sparkling water and iced tea products. With operations in over 40 countries, Chi Forest positions itself as a global competitor, using rapid product testing and localization to build consumer loyalty.

Korea Mandates Recycled PET For Beverages

South Korea will require bottled water and nonalcoholic beverages to use at least 10% recycled PET in packaging starting January 2026, rising to 30% by 2030. The rule, part of revisions to the Resource Recycling Act, excludes beer PET bottles for now. Beverage companies such as Lotte Chilsung and Jeju Development Corporation are already testing compliance, while others prepare equipment upgrades. Industry groups warn of higher costs, since recycled PET is more expensive and mostly imported. The Ministry of Environment expects the change to reduce plastic use by 20,000 tons annually.

Huel Introduces Daily Greens RTD Beverage

Nutrition brand Huel launched Daily Greens, a lightly sparkling RTD beverage in three flavors: apple cucumber mint; peach and hibiscus; and blueberry lemon thyme. Each can contains 42 vitamins, minerals, superfoods, adaptogens, 4g of fiber, 25 calories and 1g of sugar. CEO James McMaster said the drink simplifies balanced nutrition by offering a convenient alternative to powdered supplements. It will roll out in US retail outlets including Sprouts and Target, as well as online. 

Red Bull Moves Ahead With $1.5B Factory

Red Bull, along with partners Rauch North America and Ball Corp., is starting construction on a $1.5 billion beverage facility in Concord, North Carolina. Planned since 2021, the site will cover two million square feet at a former Philip Morris plant, producing and distributing up to 3 billion cans annually by 2031. The project is expected to create 700 jobs, with operations beginning in 2028. Ball Corp. will add its own aluminum packaging facility. The companies have secured more than $60 million in local incentives. 

GURU Launches Island Breeze Energy Drink

Canadian brand GURU Organic Energy introduced Island Breeze Punch, a tropical-inspired flavor, across Quebec retailers and online platforms. The drink provides 140mg of organic green tea caffeine with L-theanine for sustained focus, without artificial sweeteners. It’s positioned as both refreshing and functional, helping consumers transition from summer into the busy fall season. Marketing efforts include social media, influencer partnerships, campus events and in-store sampling. 

Niagara Buys Florida Bottled Water Company

Niagara Bottling acquired Silver Springs Bottled Water Co., based in Ocala, Florida, for over $25 million. Established in 1986, Silver Springs is the state’s largest privately held bottled water business, offering spring, purified, distilled and drinking water. Its spring source comes from the Florida aquifer, transported to the plant by stainless steel tankers. Niagara, the largest family-owned bottled water company globally, operates more than 30 plants in North America, including multiple sites in Florida. 

Suntory Launches Medicinal Carbonated Drink

Suntory Beverage & Food’s first medicinal food drink, Yakuzen Kojitsu, aims to meet rising demand for health-oriented beverages. The carbonated drink blends five traditional tastes (sour, bitter, sweet, spicy and salty) with ginger extract and lemon. It’s positioned to appeal especially to consumers interested in functional drinks. Priced at ¥190 for a 390ml bottle, the line will expand in October with a hot ginger and apple variant. 
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