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The
Cleaner
Ocean Foundation and Partners, aim to foster high ethical and moral
standards, in all dealings involving publications and consumer products,
such as 'Solar Cola.' As a not for profit, aimed at reducing plastic
pollution and emissions from vehicles and vessels, in the quest for
cleaner rivers,
oceans and seas. And stability, tackling climate warming, and desertification,
depletion of agricultural land and fisheries,
from acidification.
Our standards are high. We treat suppliers with utmost respect, likewise our
distributors, and all those involved in helping our Foundation to make a
difference.
CLASSES:
GOODS PROTECTED
32 - Beers; mineral and aerated waters and other non-alcoholic drinks; fruit drinks and fruit juices; syrups and other preparations for making beverages.
Solar
Cola is a Plastic-Free
drink, supplied in 100% recyclable glass bottles and aluminium cans. The
exception being biodegradable or 100% recycled plastics.
SOLAR COLA — SUPPLIER BRIEFING & ONE-PAGE BUSINESS CASE
OVERVIEW
Solar Cola™ is a premium, small‑batch craft cola to be launched in the UK and EU markets. The brand is positioned within the fast‑growing “curiosity cola” and artisanal soft‑drink segment, where consumers seek natural ingredients, distinctive flavour profiles, and ethical production values. Our initial production strategy follows the established growth patterns of comparable craft cola brands such as
Fentimans Curiosity
Cola, Dalston’s Cola, and Square Root Cola.
Many of which are now sold on Amazon.
Solar Cola will likely begin with glass‑bottle production, reflecting both sustainability goals and consumer preference for premium beverages.
Unless, recyclable, biodegradable polymer containers, become available.
MARKET CONTEXT
The UK craft‑cola and premium soft‑drink sector has expanded steadily over the past decade, driven by:
- Rising demand for natural, botanically inspired beverages
- Growth of low‑volume, high‑quality craft sodas
- Increased consumer interest in ethical and environmentally conscious brands
- Strong performance of niche colas in hospitality, farm shops, delis, and online retail
Comparable brands such as Fentimans and Dalston’s began with small‑batch production runs before scaling to national distribution.
PROJECTED PRODUCTION VOLUMES
As a new entrant, 'Solar Cola' will follow a tiered production model based on industry norms for craft soft drinks:
1. Pilot Batch (Initial Run) - 1,000–3,000 bottles
Purpose: flavour validation, packaging testing, early retail sampling, and online launch.
2. First Commercial Batch - 5,000–10,000 bottles
Purpose: regional distribution, hospitality accounts, and event‑based sales.
3. Growth Phase (Quarterly Reorders) - 5,000–15,000 bottles per batch
Purpose: expansion into independent retailers, cafés, and coastal tourism outlets.
These figures align with early‑stage volumes for comparable craft cola brands and provide a realistic, data‑driven basis for ingredient planning.
WHY THESE PROJECTIONS ARE CREDIBLE
Craft cola brands typically begin with micro‑batch or small‑batch production, scaling only after market validation.
Fentimans, Dalston’s, Franklin & Sons, Karma Cola, and other craft
brands all launched with low initial volumes before expanding. Solar Cola’s positioning in the premium, glass‑bottle segment aligns with this established growth pattern.
Early demand is expected to be modest but steady, with strong potential for regional loyalty and repeat orders.
SUPPLIER REQUIREMENTS
To support this phased launch, 'Solar Cola' seeks suppliers who can provide:
- High‑quality natural flavourings and cola botanicals
- Food‑grade acids and carbonation inputs
- Consistent batch‑to‑batch quality
- Scalable supply options as production increases
- Transparent lead times and minimum order quantities
We understand that suppliers require volume expectations to plan stock and production capacity. The above projections provide a realistic and responsible estimate based on comparable craft‑cola performance.
COMMITMENT TO LONG-TERM PARTNERSHIP
Solar Cola aims to build stable, long‑term relationships with ingredient suppliers. As production scales, we anticipate:
- Increased batch sizes
- More frequent reorders
- Potential for multi‑SKU expansion (diet, botanical variants, seasonal editions)
Our goal is to grow sustainably and collaboratively, ensuring mutual benefit as the brand develops.
Jimmy
Watson, drinks Solar Cola
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