Varun Beverages Limited (VBL), a leading PepsiCo bottling partner, has announced the establishment of a new refrigeration venture in India aimed at strengthening the country’s cold chain infrastructure for beverages and perishable goods.
The initiative focuses on developing advanced refrigeration and cooling solutions tailored for the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector, with an emphasis on energy-efficient systems, smart temperature monitoring, and last-mile delivery optimization. The venture will manufacture and deploy high-capacity refrigeration units, including eco-friendly cold storage facilities and IoT-enabled chillers, across key consumption hubs.
This move aligns with India’s growing demand for reliable cold chain logistics, especially in the beverages and dairy segments, where temperature control is critical to product quality and shelf life. The company plans to initially roll out the solutions in high-demand regions, including North and West India, with expansion into Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities over the next 18 months.
Industry experts view the development as a strategic step to support VBL’s expanding portfolio in non-carbonated and functional beverages, while contributing to reduced food wastage and enhanced supply chain resilience.
The refrigeration venture will operate as a dedicated business unit, leveraging VBL’s existing distribution network and manufacturing expertise. Pilot projects are already underway in select markets, with commercial scaling expected by Q2 2026.
This initiative underscores Varun Beverages’ commitment to innovation in cold chain infrastructure, positioning India as a hub for next-generation refrigeration technology in the FMCG ecosystem.