The beverage market has been disrupted by a team with a winning combo of innovative packaging and sugar-free drinks.
Co-founders Troy Douglas and Drew Bilbe have a line of superfood-based sparkling ice teas available in flavours of Acai Berry, Pomegranate, and Ginger, and last year collaborated with Coles to launch the next generation of ‘soft drink’ flavours – Cola, Lemon and Orange – a move which saw the company’s sales “grow exponentially” in 2016-17.
The next stage of global growth for the 'Naturally Sugar Free' company will see further changes to packaging.
Nexba has already partnered with several global flavour houses and works closely with Diageo, which contract fills its glass packaging [Nexba collaborated with Diageo for the custom-designed bottle that’s currently produced for the range].
“We do want to trial innovative pack formats to appeal to consumers, and push the capabilities of our production partners,” Douglas says.
One focus might be making the drinks more widely available to kids, which could mean using PET if the material meets Nexba’s sustainability standards.
“If we choose the right material, it could mean the bottles are more efficient from an energy perspective,” he says.
Nexba’s global expansion will include collaboration with multinationals in overseas markets in the UK and US and Mainland China, where the team is currently having conversations. For the full Nexba story, go to the digital issue of Food & Drink Business now.
Troy Douglas will also be sharing Nexba’s plans at our annual LIVE Industry Forum.
This year’s theme is Future Unpacked: Industry Game Changers, and the forum will be held on 22 August in Sydney.
You can book your tickets now.
