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Carlsberg's £3.3 billion acquisition of Britvic, the producer of popular beverages including J2O, has been sanctioned by the High Court, marking a significant consolidation in the beverage sector.

The deal, which was initially announced in July 2024, aims to establish a unified entity known as Carlsberg Britvic.

The ruling, delivered by Justice Hildyard during a brief hearing, emphasised that the merger "could be and should be approved". This approval comes after the acquisition received the green light from Britvic's shareholders last August and subsequent clearance from the Competition and Markets Authority in December.

Britvic, headquartered in Hemel Hempstead, employs approximately 4,500 individuals and is recognised as a leading supplier of both still and carbonated soft drinks in Great Britain.

The company holds an exclusive licensing agreement with PepsiCo for the production and distribution of brands such as Pepsi, 7UP and Lipton Ice Tea within the UK market.

Andrew Thornton KC, representing Britvic, highlighted the strategic importance of the merger, noting that it positions the new entity to expand across various beverage sectors. Carlsberg, which owns well-known brands like 1664 and Brooklyn, is poised to leverage Britvic's established market presence to enhance its portfolio and operational capabilities.

The integration of Britvic into Carlsberg's operations is expected to create a more robust international group capable of competing more effectively on a global scale.

This acquisition exemplifies a broader trend in the food and beverage industry, where consolidation is increasingly seen as a pathway to growth and market resilience.

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