Coca-Cola/Illycaffè joint venture to launch ready-to-drink line

30th March 2008

Milan-based Ilko Coffee International, the joint venture business co-owned by beverage giant Coca-Cola and roaster Illycaffè, is to launch its first ready-to-drink products in April, the company said.

The canned coffee, cappuccino and latte macchiato beverages are to be launched into European markets initially, before expanding the distribution into other world markets during the remainder of 2008 and into 2009.

Illycaffè and Coca-Cola originally announced their joint venture last year, and plan to start selling the new products in 10 of the 28 European markets in which Coca-Cola distributes its products.

The joint venture should generate sales of €200m in the next five to seven year, a Bloomberg report quoted Illycaffè CEO Andrea Illy as saying.