PepsiCo, the conglomerate known for brands like Pepsi, Lay’s, Quaker, and Kurkure, has declared a $150 million investment to establish a flavor manufacturing plant in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. This initiative is part of the company’s effort to expand its beverage production capabilities in India and will also create employment opportunities. This announcement came concurrently with India’s meteorological department predicting an extended period of heatwaves, highlighting the potential increase in beverage demand.
The Ujjain facility is PepsiCo’s second such plant in India, dedicated to creating beverage flavors specifically for the Indian market. Embracing PepsiCo’s “Winning with pep+” strategy, which focuses on sustainable and accelerated growth, the new plant will adopt advanced technologies for water efficiency and replenishment, aiming to set a benchmark for environmentally friendly operations.
Jagrut Kotecha, PepsiCo India & South Asia’s CEO, highlighted the project’s potential to bolster the company’s presence and contribute positively to the socio-economic environment of the region, with support from the Madhya Pradesh government. George Kovoor, PepsiCo India’s Senior Vice-President for Beverages, emphasized the investment’s role in increasing production capacity to meet growing demand while maintaining a commitment to quality and sustainable practices.
The facility will be powered entirely by renewable energy sources, significantly reducing its carbon footprint by 1.9 metric tons daily. It aims for 90% water efficiency and plans to replenish all water used, showcasing PepsiCo’s commitment to responsible water resource management through zero liquid discharge technology.
PepsiCo’s other Indian flavor manufacturing facility is in Channo, Punjab. The construction of the Ujjain plant is expected to commence later this year, with operations starting in the first quarter of 2026.
