Britvic Opens New 7.5m Aseptic Production Line in Rugby

Two new pure juice products will be the first to come off the line. Robinsons Smooth Juice and Robinsons Fruit Shoot 100% Juice will be launched this summer.

22/06/07 Britvic opened a new £7.5 million aseptic production line at its Rugby factory. Allowing preservative-free production, the line will enable Britvic to enter new soft drink categories, such as the fast-growing pure juice category, which is worth over £1 billion 1.

Traditionally, soft drinks have included preservatives as the open manufacturing process requires them to hinder the growth of micro-organisms. However, Britvic's new aseptic line does not require preservatives to be added as bottle sterilisation, product pasteurisation and filling is done in a sealed and sterile environment. A new microlab has also been created at the site for additional testing.

The installation of the new line is a significant step forward for the site, which Britvic acquired in 1987. Having produced mainly carbonated since that time, this is the site's first foray into still soft drinks. The line can fill up to 36,000 bottles per hour.

"The development and installation of the new line has been a very complex task, involving many people both internally and externally," says general manager, Gordon Sitch. "But everyone is really excited about the investment and the fact that we can see the future of the factory keeping in step with evolving consumer trends."

Two new pure juice products will be the first to come off the line. Robinsons Smooth Juice and Robinsons Fruit Shoot 100% Juice will be launched this summer.