Nagpur: After Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Consumer Products Limited’s plan to set up a non-alcoholic beverage hub at Katol, beverage major PepsiCo too may come up with a similar project.Ravikant Jaipuria-headed Varun Beverages, one of the largest franchisees of PepsiCo outside the US, has enquired with the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) for getting over 200 acres of land in Katol.Sources said MIDC already acquired more than 160 acres of land for Reliance’s Rs 1,500 crore project. MIDC office here, which was contacted by officials from Varun Beverages recently, is in the process of identifying a land parcel for the company in Katol as well as other sites, they said.Once the company finalises the plans, MIDC can take up acquisition on its behalf and pass on the land parcel, said sources.The PepsiCo brands made by Varun Beverages include Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Mirinda Orange, Seven Up, Tropicana Slice, Tropicana Juices and packaged drinking water brand Aquafina. The company has plants across the country, including one close to Mumbai and Aurangabad.Reliance has a similar stable of products. Lately it acquired Campa, a soft drink brand of the 1970s and 80s, which is sold through Reliance stores also.Companies in beverages production normally look for pockets that have natural availability of raw material, and a suitable climate. Katol is an orange belt.Another major player in the same business, Patanjali Group, has launched its packaged juice made from Nagpur orange, in its in-house stores. In coming months, it would also be in the other outlets covering the entire retail segment. The Patanjali plant at Mihan will again be operational during the orange season by Oct.
