GHANA - Twellium Industrial Company (TWI), a leading Ghanaian manufacturer of soft drinks, has officially opened its newest production facility in Kumasi, bolstering its position in West Africa’s beverage market. 

The Kumasi site, built in collaboration with global packaging solutions provider Sidel, introduces two advanced PET bottle production lines, further expanding Twellium’s production capacity and boosting local employment.

The facility is equipped with cutting-edge technology, including Africa's fastest PET water bottling line. 

Using Sidel’s Combi solution, which integrates blow molding, filling, and capping into a single system, the water line can produce up to 80,000 bottles per hour. 

A second line dedicated to carbonated soft drinks (CSD) achieves speeds of 65,000 bottles per hour, positioning the plant as a key hub for Twellium’s production of soft drinks in the region.

The project, which began as a greenfield development, involved constructing the Kumasi site from the ground up. 

In addition to the advanced bottling lines, the facility includes civil works, infrastructure, utilities, a water treatment room, and an automated cleaning-in-place (CIP) system designed to maintain stringent hygiene and food safety standards.

Expanding regional operations

Founded in 2013, Twellium has grown rapidly, cementing its status as a major player in Ghana’s beverage industry. 

Its diverse product portfolio includes well-known brands such as Verna Mineral Water, Planet, American Cola, Rush Energy Drink, and Rasta Malt. Many of these brands are produced under license from Monarch Beverage Company.

Twellium initially started production in Accra with three lines, all supplied by Sidel, and has since expanded to 15 production lines across multiple locations. 

The company operates plants in Accra, Kumasi, and Bobo-Dioulasso in Burkina Faso, with its Burkina Faso facility comprising four production lines dedicated to soft drinks and fruit juices. The Bobo-Dioulasso site also houses a coffee creamer production unit, highlighting Twellium's diverse manufacturing capabilities.

The new Kumasi plant marks a strategic expansion for Twellium, enabling the company to cater to rising demand for both still and carbonated beverages in Ghana and beyond. In addition to producing a wide range of soft drinks, the facility is expected to serve as the company’s PET packaging hub for the country.

Enhanced traceability and compliance

A key feature of the new Kumasi facility is the installation of a customized EvoDeco Roll-Fed labeller by Sidel, which allows QR codes to be applied to bottle caps. This feature enhances traceability and ensures compliance with Ghanaian regulations on product transparency and consumer safety. 

Twellium’s ability to integrate such advanced technologies into its production lines reflects its commitment to meeting both market demand and regulatory requirements.

In a statement, Twellium’s Marketing Director, Ali Ajami, emphasized the importance of the partnership with Sidel in driving production efficiency and affordability. 

“Sidel’s complete PET packaging lines for Twellium ensure that beverage production volume meets affordability, allowing us to keep up with the constant increase in demand,” said Ajami. 

He added that the collaboration not only enhances Twellium’s operational capacity but also creates additional job opportunities, reinforcing the company’s role as a leader in Ghana’s beverage sector.

Innovations in PET bottling

Sidel’s involvement in the project is part of a broader trend in the beverage industry towards increased sustainability and efficiency in packaging. 

The use of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) bottles is growing across Africa, with companies seeking lightweight, recyclable alternatives to traditional packaging materials.

Recent innovations in PET packaging include refillable PET bottles, such as those launched by Petainer and Oonly in Hungary, which can be reused up to 25 times, contributing to environmental sustainability. 

Additionally, ALPLA has introduced a recyclable PET wine bottle, which is lighter and has a lower carbon footprint than conventional glass bottles. These advancements highlight the increasing focus on sustainability within the global beverage industry.

With the Kumasi plant now operational, Twellium is poised to meet growing consumer demand for both water and soft drinks across Ghana and West Africa, solidifying its presence in the region’s competitive beverage market.

Expansion across West Africa

Twellium's expansion beyond Ghana includes a robust presence in Burkina Faso, where the company operates four production lines capable of bottling up to 45,000 soft drink bottles per hour. 

The company’s broad portfolio, ranging from energy drinks like Rush to juices and malt beverages, positions it to serve a diverse consumer base.

The Kumasi site, a key investment for Twellium, is expected to further diversify the company's offerings, enabling it to produce different bottle sizes and accommodate a wide variety of beverages. 

The increased flexibility and production capacity align with the company's long-term growth strategy, which aims to capitalize on the expanding beverage market in West Africa.