United Breweries Invests ₹110 Crore to Add Canning Line at Maharashtra Brewery

United Breweries Ltd (UBL) has announced plans to commission a new canning line at its Ellora Brewery, located in the Waluj MIDC area of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra. The project is backed by an investment of ₹110 crore and is expected to become operational in September 2026, subject to receiving the necessary statutory approvals.

The upcoming installation marks Ellora Brewery's first canning line. According to the company, it will rank among the fastest in UBL’s network, operating at a capacity of 40,000 cans per hour. This addition will complement the facility's existing bottling infrastructure, providing the company with increased packaging flexibility.

UBL stated that the investment is designed to address evolving consumer preferences, specifically the rising demand for canned beverages and the ongoing premiumisation of the beer category. By introducing canning capabilities alongside current operations, the brewery aims to improve overall productivity and better utilise its existing packaging infrastructure, which has a current packaging capacity of up to 1.5 million cases per month.

Vivek Gupta, Managing Director and CEO of United Breweries Ltd, noted that Maharashtra represents a key market with substantial potential for category growth and premiumisation. He highlighted that consumer preferences are shifting toward cans due to convenience and the associated drinking experience across various occasions.

Upon becoming operational, the Ellora facility will initially produce cans for brands such as Kingfisher Strong, Kingfisher Premium, Bullet Strong, and London Pilsner to cater to the local demand in Maharashtra. The new capabilities will allow UBL to adapt packaging formats according to market trends and support its long-term premiumisation strategy.

This development follows UBL's recent commissioning of a new canning line at its Nizam Brewery in Telangana in July 2026, marking another step in the company's efforts to strengthen its local manufacturing footprint and operational agility.

"This strategic capital expenditure by United Breweries highlights the importance of aligning manufacturing capabilities with shifting consumer preferences. By investing ₹110 crore to introduce high-speed canning at the Ellora Brewery, UBL is proactively addressing the demand for alternative packaging formats while optimizing its existing operational infrastructure. For businesses operating in traditional consumer goods sectors, scaling production flexibility and aligning local supply chains with market trends are crucial steps for sustaining long-term growth and competitiveness." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes