Russia: SUN Interbrew launches beer production in new five-litre PET-bottle that does not have analogues in the world

SUN Interbrew announced on September 19 the launch of beer production in new five litre PET-bottle that does not have analogues in the world. SUN Interbrew Omsk affiliate has started to produce beer Tolstyak® and BagBier® in new unique packaging

This is a first time when beer is bottled in such big package. New package has a handy handle and wrap around plastic label. Tolstyak® and BagBier® in five-litre format will appear in the sales outlets of Russia in the end of September. Affordable price and the volume very convenient for the big company - these are the characteristic features of the new product.

Marketing researches that preceded this launch confirmed that new packaging will be in great request on the beer market. "The five liter package of Tolstyak® and BagBier® is a step towards the consumer's demand for an adequate packaging for every consumption moment, as confirmed through research done by SUN Interbrew over last two years", said Bertrand van Renynghe, Senior VP Marketing.

New product is produced on the specially installed PET line with production capacity of 7 thousand bottles per hour. Technically complicated project was realized by brewers of SUN Interbrew Omsk affiliate and German specialists of "KHS" company.

Tolstyak® and BagBier® are one of the leading brands in the discount segment of the beer market and hold 4.16 and 2.40 % of the Russian beer market in the off-trade segment in July this year (according to Business Analytic Company). Tolstyak® and BagBier® in new packaging will add a new SKU into the existing brand packaging portfolio - 0.5 L glass, 50 L keg, 1.5, 2 и 2.5 L PET).

SUN Interbrew Limited is the second largest brewer in Russia and the largest brewer in Ukraine. The company was set up in 1999 as a strategic partnership between InBev, the No. 1 global brewer by volume, and the SUN Group, operating in the region since 1958, and in the beer sector of Russia and CIS since the beginning of 1990s.

The company has production facilities in 9 Russian cities and 3 Ukrainian cities. The company also has its own distribution network.

The company's main brands are Stella Artois®, Beck's®, Staropramen®, BRAHMA®, Klinskoye, Sibirskaya Korona, Tolstiak, and BagBier, as well as Chernigivske, Rogan, Taller and Yantar.
For further information please visit www.suninterbrew.ru

22 September, 2006