UBL to Invest ₹110 Crore in New Canning Line at Ellora Brewery, Boosting Kingfisher Growth in Maharashtra
United Breweries Limited (UBL), India’s largest beer manufacturer and part of HEINEKEN, is strengthening its manufacturing presence in Maharashtra with a ₹110 crore investment in a new canning line at its Ellora Brewery in the Waluj MIDC area of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
The new facility is expected to become operational in September 2026, subject to statutory approvals, and is aimed at meeting rising demand for canned beer, supporting premiumization and improving manufacturing productivity.
New Canning Line to Produce 40,000 Cans Per Hour
The new canning line will be the first canning line at UBL’s Ellora Brewery and will have a production capacity of 40,000 cans per hour.
By adding canning alongside its existing bottling infrastructure, UBL will have greater flexibility to adjust its packaging mix according to consumer demand.
The brewery currently has packaging capacity of up to 1.5 million cases per month.
The investment is expected to help UBL:
- Respond to growing consumer demand for canned beer
- Increase packaging flexibility
- Improve utilisation of existing brewery infrastructure
- Enhance manufacturing productivity
- Support premiumization in the beer category
- Strengthen its presence in Maharashtra
Kingfisher Brands to Lead the New Canning Operations
Initially, the Ellora Brewery canning line will produce cans of Kingfisher Strong, Kingfisher Premium, Bullet Strong and London Pilsner for the Maharashtra market.
The company believes the increased availability of canned products will allow it to respond to changing consumer preferences while providing greater flexibility across its beer portfolio.
UBL Managing Director and CEO Vivek Gupta said Maharashtra remains one of India’s important beer markets, with significant potential for category growth and premiumization.
According to the company, consumers are increasingly opting for cans because of their convenience and premium drinking experience.
Maharashtra Remains a Key Growth Market
The investment comes as UBL looks to strengthen its manufacturing footprint in markets with potential for further beer consumption growth.
Maharashtra is considered an important market for the company, and the new canning capacity could allow UBL to respond more efficiently to regional demand.
The company is also focusing on optimising packaging formats depending on market requirements rather than relying solely on one packaging format.
Investment Follows Telangana Expansion
The Ellora Brewery investment follows UBL’s commissioning of a new canning line at its Nizam Brewery in Telangana in July 2026.
The two investments highlight the company’s broader strategy of expanding canning capabilities and improving manufacturing productivity across its Indian operations.
The move also comes as packaged beer companies increasingly look at premium products and alternative packaging formats to cater to evolving consumer preferences.
UBL’s Wider Economic and Sustainability Contribution
Beyond its manufacturing investments, UBL said it continues to build local partnerships and support communities across its value chain.
An independent Socio-Economic Impact Assessment Study by Steward Redqueen estimated that during FY2024-25, UBL supported approximately 295,000 employment opportunities across its Indian value chain.
The company also reported approximately ₹43,000 crore in value added to the Indian economy, ₹30,600 crore in tax revenue and 93% domestic sourcing of procurement.
In Maharashtra, UBL’s Project Oxygen Zone at Waluj MIDC in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar has restored and afforested nearly five acres. The project includes a two-lakh-litre water storage pond and around 50,000 native saplings covering more than 80 species.
What the ₹110 Crore Investment Means for UBL
The Ellora Brewery expansion is primarily a capacity and operational efficiency initiative, rather than a new product launch.
The addition of a high-speed canning line gives UBL greater flexibility to serve the Maharashtra market while supporting the company’s premiumization strategy.
With the new facility expected to produce up to 40,000 cans per hour, the investment could become an important part of UBL’s efforts to improve manufacturing agility and meet changing consumer demand.
Key Takeaway for Investors
UBL’s ₹110 crore investment at Ellora Brewery strengthens its manufacturing infrastructure in Maharashtra and adds significant canning capability to an existing bottling facility.
The development is particularly relevant because it combines capacity expansion, packaging flexibility and premiumization, while targeting a major Indian beer market.
However, the company has stated that the new facility is expected to become operational in September 2026 subject to statutory approvals. The financial impact will ultimately depend on demand growth, utilisation levels and the company’s ability to convert the additional capacity into higher sales and profitability.
Source: United Breweries Limited press release dated September 1, 2026.