Swire Coca-Cola HK is looking to build on stronger sales momentum from Hong Kong’s mega event economy while investing further in safety, innovation and sustainability, as the company continues to strengthen its more than 60-year presence in the city.
Speaking in an interview, Richard Gould, director and general manager of Swire Coca-Cola HK, said the city remains a core market for the company, which continues to invest in its people, supply chain and local manufacturing capabilities to ensure reliable service and high-quality production.
The beverage company operates its Sha Tin plant as a key local manufacturing base, with a portfolio covering about 20 brands and more than 80 products, ranging from sparkling beverages to tea, water and energy drinks.
The company recorded revenue of HK$2.483 billion in 2025, up 2 percent from a year earlier, and is seeking to accelerate growth through new products, closer event partnerships and operational upgrades.
Swire Coca-Cola HK said it has been supporting major local events, including the Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Festival, the Hong Kong Sevens and the Hong Kong Tennis Open. As an official partner of the FIFA World Cup, Coca-Cola is also marking the 2026 tournament with 10 limited-edition packaging designs in Hong Kong, featuring the colors and symbols of popular national teams including Argentina, Brazil and England.
The company said the recovery in tourism and the growth of large-scale events have helped lift demand. Citing Hong Kong Tourism Board figures, it noted that visitor arrivals reached 14.31 million in the first quarter of 2026, up 17 percent year-on-year, with Southeast Asian visitors making up a growing share.
As a founding partner of Kai Tak Sports Park, Swire Coca-Cola HK said the venue’s performance has also brought a visible boost to nearby business. Its direct-serve grocery and eating and drinking outlets in Kowloon City and To Kwa Wan recorded a 27 percent year-on-year rise in sales volume from January to April 2026.
Across Hong Kong, the company’s sales volume grew by a high single-digit percentage over the same period.
The company said the figures reflect the wider economic value generated by a vibrant mega-event ecosystem, with sports, entertainment and tourism activities creating more consumption opportunities across districts.
Innovation is another focus, as the company responds to rising demand for low-sugar, functional and new beverage choices. Low- or zero-calorie drinks accounted for 59 percent of its sales volume in 2025.
One example is Authentic Tea House unsweetened tea, for which the research and development team evaluated more than 20 variants before selecting oolong flavors suited to local preferences. The products use a multi-extraction process to create a fresh and sweet aftertaste aimed at Hong Kong tea drinkers.
Swire Coca-Cola HK is also stepping up workplace safety under its “Zero IS Possible” vision. The company said its lost time injury rate fell 83 percent between 2018 and 2025.
Its safety priorities for the second quarter of 2026 include task force reviews, policy updates and the establishment of a cross-functional safety committee targeting high-risk operational areas.
The company is also using technology to improve frontline safety and operational consistency, including AI monitoring for real-time risk identification, fleet telematics to improve driving behavior, and forklift telematics to support safer warehouse operations.
On sustainability, Swire Coca-Cola HK said its Sha Tin plant received Zero Waste to Landfill validation at silver level from UL Solutions at the end of last year, becoming the first food and beverage industrial entity in Hong Kong to receive the recognition.
The company said the plant diverted more than 90 percent of its waste from landfills through recycling and reuse of operational waste.
It is also pushing ahead with circular economy initiatives. New Life Plastics, a joint venture co-invested by Swire Coca-Cola, is Hong Kong’s first food-grade ready plastic recycling facility and can process up to about two million plastic bottles a day.
However, the company said the facility is currently processing about 800,000 bottles a day because of Hong Kong’s low plastic bottle recovery rate, highlighting the need for stronger community recycling efforts.
Swire Coca-Cola HK has adopted 100 percent recycled PET for Bonaqua mineral water bottles of 1.5 liters or below since 2020, and for 500ml Coca-Cola brand beverages since 2024, excluding caps and labels.
It has also partnered with various organizations on community recycling projects, recovering more than 300 tons of plastic since the initiative began in 2022.
The company said it will continue to invest in local production, supply chain resilience and public education, while supporting Hong Kong’s development as a city for major sports, entertainment and tourism events.
