Middle East bottling companies recognized at Coca-Cola group president’s sustainability awards

As part of Coca-Cola’s Eurasia and Africa Group’s Annual Sustainability awards, the National Beverage Company (NBC), operating in the Palestinian Authority Areas, was named the “Best Country Bottling Operation” from among more than 100 country bottling operations. Additionally, the Al-Ahlia Gulf Line in the United Arab Emirates was recognized among the finalists who were nominated for the Grand prize. 

National Beverage Company’s recognition comes with a $100,000 cash prize, with the condition to spend at least half of this amount in a program to support sustainable communities. Further to the Grand Prize, the National Beverage Company also took home the title of Best Performing Plant under the umbrella of Environment, with a win of $80,000 case prize of which 50% will be used to further develop the environmental initiatives that NBC is engaged in. 

The 10 finalists who competed for the Grand prize included Coca-Cola Hellenic in Armenia, Coca-Cola Icecek in Azerbaijan, Wave Beverages in India, Brindavan Agro Industries Limited in India, Brasseries de Bourbon in La Reunion, National Beverage Company in Palestinian Authority Areas, Peninsula Beverage Company in South Africa, SABCO Coca-Cola Beverages Sri Lanka, SABCO Century Bottling Company in Uganda, and Al-Ahlia Gulf Line in the United Arab Emirates. 

Emphasizing bottling partners roles in building sustainable communities, Coca-Cola Eurasia and Africa Group President Ahmet Bozer said, “The private sector and community are in fact not separate entities, they are one. They either thrive together, or fail”. 

The bottling operations in the Coca-Cola Eurasia and Africa Group accomplished an impressive reduction exceeding 20% in the water used for the production of its beverages and in the energy use, since 2004.