Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) has won the Innovation and Business Expansion awards in the 2025 Just Drinks Excellence Awards for its outstanding achievements in Sustainability Innovation and Emerging Market Expansion.
The Just Drinks Excellence Awards honor the most significant achievements and innovations in the beverage industry. Powered by GlobalData’s business intelligence, the Awards recognize the people and companies leading positive change and shaping the future of the industry.
CCEP won the Innovation award for its forward-thinking initiatives that advance environmental responsibility and operational efficiency. It was honored for Business Expansion in the Emerging Market category for its successful entry and integration into high-growth markets, further strengthening its global presence.
Sustainability innovation: Advancing environmental initiatives
CCEP’s approach to sustainability innovation is comprehensive, spanning product development, packaging, operations, and workplace practices. The company has consistently launched new products and flavor innovations, from the new Innocent juicy water kids range to the arrival of unique FuzeTea fusion flavors. These launches keep CCEP’s brands relevant and support category growth, while also reflecting a commitment to healthier beverage options.
A major highlight of CCEP’s sustainability journey is its investment in packaging innovation. The adoption of CuRe Technology’s ‘like-Virgin’ recycled PET (rPET) enables the recycling of plastics that cannot be processed by mechanical methods, preventing them from being incinerated, downcycled, or sent to landfill. This process results in a carbon footprint approximately 65% lower than that of virgin PET, supporting CCEP’s goal of reducing packaging-related emissions. Plans for a large-scale rollout of this technology in Europe from 2025 demonstrate a proactive approach to addressing plastic waste and advancing circularity in beverage packaging.
Operationally, CCEP has made substantial investments in logistics and manufacturing technology to improve efficiency and reduce its sites’ environmental impact. The Automated Storage Retrieval System at CCEP’s Wakefield site, Europe’s largest soft drinks manufacturing plant, is designed to maximize warehouse space by increasing pallet holding capacity from 29,000 to 58,500. This automation streamlines inventory management and eliminates the need for 18,500 vehicle journeys annually, reducing road traffic by 441,000km and cutting associated emissions.
At its Grigny site in France, CCEP has implemented a comprehensive energy transition strategy. By connecting to a local geothermal network and installing 3,500 square meters of solar panels, the site has achieved a 15% reduction in total emissions and an 80% decrease in natural gas consumption. Additional energy-saving measures, such as heat recovery systems and high-efficiency cooling, further contribute to the site’s environmental performance. This comes at the same time as the site’s overall production capacity has increased by 60%. In the UK, CCEP is piloting Pipeline Organics’ technology to convert sugar-rich wastewater into renewable electricity, transforming a byproduct of beverage production into a continuous source of clean energy and further reducing the company’s environmental footprint.
Investments in inclusivity and workplace safety also fall under the umbrella of CCEP’s sustainability innovation. With a workforce representing 135 nationalities and 155 languages, the company has prioritized ensuring adaptive technology extends to its people and workplace practices. The introduction of the AI-powered Audio Access tool has improved internal communications by making information available in multiple languages and formats, supporting neurodiverse and visually impaired employees. In Sweden, CCEP has implemented wearable alarm systems to protect employees from moving vehicles, demonstrating a proactive approach to workplace safety and setting a higher standard for operational safety in the beverage industry.
Emerging market expansion: Strategic growth in the Philippines
CCEP’s joint acquisition of Coca-Cola Europacific Aboitiz Philippines (CCEAP), with Aboitiz Equity Ventures, marks a significant milestone in the company’s expansion and diversification story. The Philippines, with a population of 115 million and a rapidly growing middle class, represents one of the largest and most dynamic beverage markets in Southeast Asia. The acquisition involved the seamless integration of over 9,000 new employees, 18 manufacturing plants, and 39 distribution centers into CCEP’s operations, requiring robust planning and execution as well as the ability to manage complex supply chains and diverse teams.
This expansion has enabled CCEP to diversify its product portfolio by incorporating established local brands such as Wilkins and Royal alongside its global beverage offerings. This strategic move has enhanced Coca-Cola’s relevance in the Philippine market, allowing CCEP to cater to local tastes and preferences while maintaining the strength of its international brands.
In CCEP’s full year 2024 financial results, volumes in the Australia, the Pacific and South East Asia (APS) business unit were up 4.9%, mainly driven by the Philippines, which delivered double-digit growth. This performance underscores the market’s growth potential and the effectiveness of CCEP’s expansion story.
Furthermore, the acquisition has reinforced CCEP’s geographic diversification, increasing business resilience and providing a platform for further growth in the region. The integration of local expertise with international best practices has also supported ongoing transformation efforts in other key markets, such as Indonesia. CCEP’s ability to leverage best practices and talent across regions has strengthened its competitive position and created a more balanced and globally competitive business.
Company Profile
CCEP is one of the world’s leading consumer goods companies. Popularly known for its famous brands like Coca-Cola, Fanta, Sprite and Monster, CCEP also has local favorites in its portfolio, as well as products in exciting categories like coffee and alcohol ready to drink.
The company makes, moves and sells some of these brands in 31 different markets – serving nearly 600 million consumers and helping over 4 million customers grow. It combines the strength and scale of a large, multi-national business with an expert, local knowledge of the customers it serves and communities it supports.
CCEP is constantly innovating to refresh its customers and consumers more efficiently – and more sustainably – than ever before.
Links:
Website: https://www.cocacolaep.com/
