Reliance acquires majority stake in JV with Naturedge Beverages

Reliance Consumer Products Limited (RCPL), the FMCG arm of Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), has marked its entry into the fast-growing healthy functional beverage space with the acquisition of majority stake in a joint venture with Naturedge Beverages Private Limited. 

Through this JV, RCPL says it is focused on offering consumers a range of herbal-natural beverages, thus further enhancing its presence as a total beverage company. The healthy functional beverage space presents a large and rapidly expanding opportunity, driven by a strong consumer shift toward healthier, natural alternatives.

Founded in 2018 by Siddhesh Sharma, a third-generation entrepreneur from one of India’s most trusted manufacturers of Ayurvedic products – the Baidyanath Group, Naturedge Beverages has since focused on solutions that seamlessly infuse the benefits of Indian Ayurveda and contemporary beverage choices. Its flagship offering ‘Shunya’ is herbinfused functional packaged beverage with zero-sugar and zero calories that has already gained the attention of the consumers across India. Shunya is packed with the goodness of Indian super herbs such as ashwagandha, brahmi, khus, kokum and green tea, that provides for that extra boost to help consumers stay ahead. 

Ketan Mody, executive director, Reliance Consumer Products, said, “We are pleased to announce this JV as it strengthens our beverage portfolio with the addition of health-focused functional drinks, inspired by Ayurveda. Within a very short span of time, Shunya has gained wide popularity among health-conscious consumers as it offers the benefits of herbs in contemporary formats. It also fits perfectly with RCPL’s vision of global providing quality products at affordable prices along with promoting India’s legacy. We are delighted to come together with our partner Naturedge Beverages and consumers can now expect more innovation and a wider range of herbal-natural functional beverages in the future.” 

Commenting on the development, Siddhesh Sharma, director, Naturedge Beverages, stated, “The partnership with RCPL is a testament of Shunya’s rapidly growing acceptability among consumers. With our visions aligned on turning Shunya into a pan-India brand that caters to consumers love for herbal-natural functional beverages that are refreshing and fun-filled at the same time, this is a win-win for us. As we increasingly move towards a challenging lifestyle, super-herbs like Ashwagandha and Brahmi not only act as natural stress-relievers but also boost strength, stamina and focus. Through this JV, Shunya will be made available to consumers across India through RCPL’s wide network of distribution and supply chain.” 

RCPL says it is on a mission to transform the beverages experience for Indian since its inception 2022. Apart from rapidly expanding its portfolio through key acquisitions like Campa, launch of Campa Energy and Raskik beverages, the addition of Shunya in RCPL’s portfolio of brands further reaffirms its commitment to offering consumers a total beverage portfolio. This partnership would enable RCPL to expand the beverages portfolio by adding healthy product offerings, including Energy drinks, Stills, Energy Shots, Herb-infused water, among others. 

Naturedge Beverages is a leading innovator in India’s functional beverage space, with a vision to scale globally. Since 2018, our brands Shunya and Armour have been redefining the beverage category creating delicious, better-for-you alternatives to sugar-laden drinks.