SLMG Beverages has significantly increased its production capacity by 35% at its Chhata facility in India, just in time for the high season. This expansion is powered by KHS’s InnoPET TriBlock, a modular block system that integrates a stretch blow moulder, roll-fed labeller, and filler. Designed to be space-efficient, the InnoPET TriBlock processes up to 48,000 non-returnable PET bottles per hour, ranging from 250 millilitres to two litres, with a focus on small single-serve formats during peak periods. The facility now produces approximately 15.4 million containers annually.
Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state with over 240 million residents, presents significant opportunities for the beverage industry. Once a luxury for affluent families, carbonated soft drinks have become accessible to all societal levels, notwithstanding India’s logistical challenges.
Coca-Cola India, a major player, delegates production and distribution to independent bottlers. SLMG Beverages, the largest, is a consolidation of four bottlers managed by the Ladhani family, which has operated in Uttar Pradesh and neighbouring regions for over 30 years. Recently acquiring a license for Bihar, SLMG Beverages aims to supply around 350 million people with soft drinks, operating from eight facilities, including the one near Agra.
The Chhata facility’s newest beverage line, provided by KHS, features the InnoPET TriBlock system, which has contributed to a 35% output increase in 2023 and a further 25% in 2024. Approximately 60% of SLMG Beverages’ soft drinks are now produced in PET bottles on this line. “We’ve been procuring machines from KHS since we started bottling for Coca-Cola,” says Sriharsha Chilukuri, Senior General Manager of the plant.
KHS and SLMG Beverages have a longstanding partnership, with recent projects including two Plasmax machines that enhance PET bottle durability. The InnoPET TriBlock’s efficiency and quick installation — completed in just 40 days — were crucial in meeting seasonal demand, as 80% of annual turnover occurs during this time.
The installation’s success, with a performance rate of 99.96% during acceptance testing, is attributed to KHS’s local team in Ahmedabad, who managed the installation and commissioning. “Our relationship goes beyond the usual OEM/customer cooperation,” Chilukuri notes, emphasising the equal footing and teamwork between the two companies.
SLMG Beverages has invested nearly €400 million in advanced plant engineering over recent years, achieving an annual growth rate of 20 to 25%. By 2025, the company aims to surpass a billion euros in turnover, bolstered by regional expansion and its partnership with KHS, making it a dominant force in Coca-Cola sales in the world’s most populous country.
