Coca-Cola opens new production facility in Yunnan, China

Global beverage firm The Coca-Cola Company and Swire Group have jointly opened a new production facility in Yunnan, China.

Located south of the Yangtze River, the new plant is one of the largest facilities in the country and it has received a gold certification of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).

The Coca-Cola Company president and CEO James Quincey said: “Coca-Cola has been part of the tremendous changes in China since the market opened in 1979.

“We started our business in China with a single brand, and we’ve gone on to build a portfolio of more than 20 brands in the market today.

“The new Yunnan plant marks a milestone in celebrating the upcoming 40th anniversary of Coca-Cola’s return to China. Together with our bottling partners, we offer a growing portfolio to Chinese consumers, in addition to playing an important role in the communities where we operate.”

The latest investment reflects the company’s commitment to investing and growing in China.

Built by Swire Coca-Cola Beverages Yunnan, the new facility meets the needs of the growing market and will serve as a replacement of its predecessor.

John Swire & Sons CEO Merlin Swire said: “Swire has significantly increased investment in our global Coca-Cola bottling business in recent years, and this new bottling plant is a good example of that.

“The increased capacity will help us satisfy millions of consumers and continue to drive sustainable growth throughout Yunnan.”

The new Yunnan plant features photovoltaic (PV) power generators on the roof of the main building. The power generated will be integrated into the State Grid at an estimated annual capacity of five million kWh.

Tthe plant uses natural lighting, intelligent lighting systems, two-way heat-protective glass and highly reflective materials that cover 75% of the roof.

In addition, it includes a 600m³ rainwater collection facility for irrigation and street cleaning, which helps conserve water.