Non-alcoholic beverages – products with potential

Non-alcoholic beverages are again on the path of growth. There is a distinct deviation between the growth rates of the individual regions. The growth rate of per-capita consumption in litres in Asia from 2004 to 2006 was 11 %, in Central and South America 5 %, in Europe and the Middle East 7 %. The basis of these figures is quite interesting. The region with the highest growth rates – Asia – started from a relatively low level: the average consumption there is 23.3 l non-alcoholic beverages, compared with a per-capita consumption of 175 litres in Europe or 339 litres in North America. You don´t need to be a clairvoyant to draw conclusions concerning the further business development of the regions with a high development potential.

And the spectrum is growing: Today, non-alcoholic beverages are subdivided into 

• carbonated soft drinks,
• still fruit beverages,
• carbonated and still water,

and new segments such as

• sports and soft drinks,
• tea and coffee drinks,
• flavoured water,
• mineral water plus,
• spritzers,
• as well as health beverages with additional value.
  

The consequence for production plants and thus for Krones is clear: The large diversification of products requires flexible line technology, so that the production plant is able to quickly react to market changes and to benefit from them.

*Source of the figures: Getränkeindustrie 10/2006, S.38 ff.