Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) has announced a €68 million ($79.3m) investment in its Dunkirk plant in the Hauts-de-France region, strengthening its manufacturing capacity for still beverages.

The funding will support the installation of a ninth production line dedicated to products such as iced teas, fruit juices, and sports drinks, alongside the construction of a new syrup plant and upgrades to the site’s logistics and energy infrastructure.

The new line is scheduled to become operational by the end of 2026, and will be the third at Dunkirk dedicated to still drinks, producing well-known brands including Fuze Tea, Tropico, and Powerade.

Currently the only one of CCEP France’s five production sites equipped to manufacture still drinks, Dunkirk has been in operation for 35 years and employs 470 people. Headcount is expected to rise to around 520 once the new line is complete.

The site handles a wide range of packaging formats, including glass bottles (25cl and 75cl), PET bottles (40cl to 1.5L) and aluminium cans (20cl and 33cl), ensuring flexibility across the company’s growing portfolio.

François Gay-Bellile, president of CCEP France, said:

“This investment illustrates our capacity for innovation, industrial excellence and local roots. The new production line for still drinks strengthens our ability to offer beverages that are more diverse and better aligned with consumer expectations.”

The move follows a series of major investments by CCEP in its European operations. Earlier this year, the company completed a €146 million upgrade at its Grigny bottling facility, including the installation of equipment capable of producing 60,000 returnable glass bottles per hour.

At the start of 2024, CCEP also announced a €150 million investment plan for its German operations, with €45 million allocated to a new can-filling line at its Halle site to meet rising demand for canned beverages.

The Dunkirk expansion reinforces CCEP’s commitment to sustainable growth and local manufacturing, while enhancing its ability to supply a diverse range of packaging formats to meet evolving consumer and market demands.