Following a plant tour to Coca-Cola HBC (Hellenic Bottling Company) at Radzymin with six filling lines (two aseptic) and a palletisation centre where Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Light, Coca-Cola Zero, Cherry Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Kinley Tonic, Lift, Nestea, Cappy Juices , nectars and drinks, Powerade isotonic drink and Burn energy drink are produced, the event began with fact-packed market insight briefings.
First, Francoise Sonneville, senior beverage analyst for Rabobank International, spoke on Global Beverage Trends before Dr Nicola Turnill, market intelligence manager with Zenith International, outlined global consumer drivers.
These include health & well-being, age concerns and ageing populations, the time/energy conundrum, convenience and the search for ‘natural’.
This was followed by my own presentation on latest product innovations around the world, from juice-bar-style beverages and super fruit smoothies, to pulpy drinks and bubble teas.
Low-calorie drinks sweetened with stevia are a growth sector, as are drinks specifically targeting men, women and children, with protein high on the agenda.
In ingredients, oats, grains, ginger, cherry, aloe vera, coffee, tea and coconut are all enjoying popularity. In packaging, retro-style, thermochromic inks, easy pour and dispensing closures and mini vitamin water enhancers are changing the way we drink.
Finally, led by salted caramel nuts and chocolate, you can now find salty beverages making inroads in Japan (often first to market) and a whole range of flavours, from hibiscus and clove to cardamon and nutmeg, being blended with still and sparkling juice drinks to give mainstream flavours a spicy kick.
The afternoon finished with Eric Melloul for Verlinvest Belgium talking on Identifying the next big thing.
Adomas Pranevicius, CEO of My Drink Beverages, spoke on Creating successful new beverage concepts, and Dominik Dolinski, CEO of Oshee Poland, spoke about The power of innovation for healthy solutions.
This was followed by the 2013 InnoBev Sustainability Awards in the Grand Ballroom, where Richard Hall, chairman of Zenith International, presented awards to those delivering the best of environmental sustainability in beverages.
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