Coca-Cola
Sleek Can Debuts For Jack Daniel’s & Coca-Cola
Jack Daniel’s & Coca-Cola is rolling out a new 330ml sleek can across its RTD range in the UK as demand for portable alcohol beverages continues to grow. They will appear in convenience stores nationwide, with wider grocery distribution planned from March for Original Taste, Zero Sugar, and Cherry variants. The brand says the new format improves shelf visibility, supports chilled merchandising and uses less packaging. Consumer testing showed a strong preference for the new design. Since launching in 2023, the RTD line has built significant value sales in the UK.
Coca-Cola CEO Flags Fiber As Future Trend
Coca-Cola CEO James Quincey suggested that fiber could become a future ingredient trend in soft drinks, alongside ongoing interest in protein-enriched beverages. Speaking on CNBC, he noted that fiber is soluble and already used in some drinks, pointing to Coca-Cola Plus in Japan, which contains dietary fiber. While he said fiber could “creep” into more beverages, he also cautioned that such products would likely remain niche, since most consumers do not buy drinks specifically for fiber. He is set to step down as CEO later this year.
Coca-Cola To Build New Kazakhstan Bottling Plant
Coca-Cola Içecek Kazakhstan signed an agreement to build a new production facility in Aktobe, expanding its footprint in the country with an investment of about 41.9 billion tenge (about $83 million) and planned capacity of up to 280 million liters of non-alcoholic beverages per year. Construction is scheduled to begin in April this year. This will become Coca-Cola Içecek’s fourth facility in Kazakhstan, supporting both carbonated and non-carbonated beverages as the bottler continues to grow local production and distribution.
Coca-Cola Expands Egypt Production And Digital Hub
Coca-Cola plans to strengthen its Egyptian operations by opening a new production line in Alexandria and significantly expand its Cairo digital hub by 2027, highlighting Egypt’s role as a regional base for manufacturing and digital services for the company. In Cairo, the hub is expected to grow from 170 employees to about 450, supporting Coca-Cola operations across 27 countries. The company also recently added a new production line at an existing local factory.
Bodyarmor Adds Caffeinated Zero-Sugar Hydration
BODYARMOR launched FLASH I.V. Caffeine Zero Sugar across the US, marking its first major product release of 2026. The new line comes in Pineapple Passionfruit and Watermelon Punch and is positioned as functional hydration combining electrolytes with caffeine. Each bottle delivers 2,290mg of electrolytes and 95mg of caffeine, with no sugar or artificial sweeteners. BODYARMOR is supporting the launch with retail activations, sampling and social media campaigns.
Nestle
Nestlé Explores Sale Of Water Business
Nestlé reportedly initiated a formal process to sell its global water and premium beverages business, which includes Perrier, S.Pellegrino and Acqua Panna, and is valued at around €5 billion. Several private equity firms are said to be reviewing the opportunity. Nestlé separated the water division into a standalone business in 2025 as part of a broader strategic shift. While the business recently delivered moderate growth, it has faced ongoing regulatory and legal scrutiny in France over past water treatment practices.
Other Companies
Cawston Press Buys Low-Alcohol Brand Loah
UK soft drinks company Cawston Press acquired Loah, a fruit-flavored 0.5% alcohol beer brand, marking its move into the no- and low-alcohol segment. Loah’s founder will continue to run day-to-day operations, focusing on brewing, innovation and brand development. The deal comes as interest in alcohol moderation grows and retailers look to broaden their beverage ranges beyond traditional soft drinks. Cawston Press plans to use its grocery and impulse channels to expand Loah’s reach, while also offering new options to on-trade customers. The Loah range includes Peach Pale Ale, Blood Orange IPA and Lime Lager, with vegan and gluten-free options.
RE:Water Invests In Larger UK facility
RE:Water is investing £2 million in a new production site in Hereford in the UK as it scales up to meet growing demand for its spring and sparkling waters packaged in aluminum bottles. It is five times larger than the current site and allows the company to add production lines, increase stock holding and bring more operations in-house. RE:Water, which uses fully recyclable aluminum bottles designed for reuse and refill, says it has seen sustained double-digit growth and now supplies thousands of UK locations, including major retailers and foodservice operators. Expansion also supports new pack sizes planned for 2026 and potential export growth following recent industry recognition.
Eastroc Launches Hong Kong IPO
Chinese functional beverage maker Eastroc Beverage launched its Hong Kong initial public offering, aiming to raise about $1.3 billion. Often described as a local rival to Red Bull, Eastroc began as a herbal tea producer before shifting its focus to energy drinks and now ranks among the leading players in China’s functional beverage market. It reported strong revenue and profit growth in the first nine months of last year. The IPO follows its 2021 listing in Shenzhen.
TE-LEDOZ Targets Everyday Hydration In New Zealand
New Zealand brand TE-LEDOZ entered the hydration category with a range positioned as a cleaner, everyday alternative to traditional sports drinks. The lineup uses apple juice and stevia for sweetness and avoids artificial colors and preservatives. TE-LEDOZ aims to appeal to shoppers looking for simple ingredients and practical on-the-go options rather than high-sugar performance drinks and began rolling out to Foodstuffs stores in January 2026 in four flavors: Tropical, Blue, Citrus and Grape.
Spindrift Gains Non-Ultraprocessed Verification
Spindrift announced that its entire portfolio of sparkling waters and sodas is now verified under the Non-Ultraprocessed Food standard developed by the Non-GMO Project. It claims the certification reflects its long-standing use of real squeezed fruit, water and carbonation without artificial sweeteners or heavy processing. Spindrift plans to roll out the Non-UPF Verified mark across its packaging and digital channels in 2026, positioning the brand to highlight simpler formulations in a crowded flavored sparkling water and soda market.
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