Reliance Consumer inks JV with Naturedge Beverages, owner of Shunya zero-sugar drinks
Reliance Consumer Products Ltd ( RCPL) on Monday announced the acquisition of a majority stake in a joint venture with Baidyanath Group-backed Naturedge Beverages, which owns Shunya zero-sugar herb-based beverages. The company did not disclose the details of the joint venture.
The deal gives Reliance a captive opportunity to capitalise on strong sales momentum for zero-sugar drinks, though on a smaller base. Coca-Cola, PepsiCo and Dabur are among the companies that have accelerated focus on the zero-sugar space over the past 12 months.
ET first reported in its July 30 edition that Reliance was in advanced talks for acquiring a majority stake in Naturedge Beverages.
RCPL executive director Ketan Mody said in a statement: “This JV strengthens our beverage portfolio with the addition of health-focused functional drinks.” Existing beverage brands under the FMCG arm of Reliance Industries include carbonated drinks brand Campa, Sosyo soft drinks, sports brand Spinner, and fruit-based hydration drink RasKik.
Sales of no-sugar and low-sugar drinks and juices surged in 2024, the highest increase in one year though on a low base, said beverage industry executives, citing data from NielsenIQ. PepsiCo’s bottling partner Varun Beverages reported that in January-June ’25, low-sugar and no-added sugar products contributed to 55% of its consolidated sales volumes, the highest ever.
Reliance has been pushing the strategy of acquiring stakes in mid-sized brands in consumer businesses, with other acquisitions being Ravalgaon and Toffeeman confectionery, Lotus chocolates, and jams and mayonnaise maker Sil Foods.
Naturedge Beverages was founded in 2018 by Siddhesh Sharma, a third-generation heir of the Baidyanath Group. Sharma, director at Naturedge Beverages said in the statement that the partnership would help take the Shunya brand pan-India through RCPL’s network of distribution and supply chain.
RCPL plans to invest nearly Rs 8,000 crore to expand capacity for beverages over the next 12-15 months and take its brands national, as it steps up competition with established players as well as dozens of smaller regional players.
The deal gives Reliance a captive opportunity to capitalise on strong sales momentum for zero-sugar drinks, though on a smaller base. Coca-Cola, PepsiCo and Dabur are among the companies that have accelerated focus on the zero-sugar space over the past 12 months.
ET first reported in its July 30 edition that Reliance was in advanced talks for acquiring a majority stake in Naturedge Beverages.
RCPL executive director Ketan Mody said in a statement: “This JV strengthens our beverage portfolio with the addition of health-focused functional drinks.” Existing beverage brands under the FMCG arm of Reliance Industries include carbonated drinks brand Campa, Sosyo soft drinks, sports brand Spinner, and fruit-based hydration drink RasKik.
Sales of no-sugar and low-sugar drinks and juices surged in 2024, the highest increase in one year though on a low base, said beverage industry executives, citing data from NielsenIQ. PepsiCo’s bottling partner Varun Beverages reported that in January-June ’25, low-sugar and no-added sugar products contributed to 55% of its consolidated sales volumes, the highest ever.
Reliance has been pushing the strategy of acquiring stakes in mid-sized brands in consumer businesses, with other acquisitions being Ravalgaon and Toffeeman confectionery, Lotus chocolates, and jams and mayonnaise maker Sil Foods.
Naturedge Beverages was founded in 2018 by Siddhesh Sharma, a third-generation heir of the Baidyanath Group. Sharma, director at Naturedge Beverages said in the statement that the partnership would help take the Shunya brand pan-India through RCPL’s network of distribution and supply chain.
RCPL plans to invest nearly Rs 8,000 crore to expand capacity for beverages over the next 12-15 months and take its brands national, as it steps up competition with established players as well as dozens of smaller regional players.
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