Brands
Heineken introduces Star Can
MUMBAI: Heineken, the world’s No.1 international premium beer announced the launch of the STAR CAN in India, coinciding with the global roll-outof the new modern and progressive STAR CAN design which conveys sophisticated simplicity. In India, Heineken is currently available in 650ml and 330ml bottlesand the latest500ml aluminum STAR CAN, which expands the brand offering in India, is expected to attract new consumers and cater to more consumption occasions.
Commenting on the launch, Samar Singh Sheikhawat – Senior Vice-President, Marketing, United Breweries Limited said, “Heineken STAR CAN will be launched in a phased manner, beginning with Daman, Goa, Delhi, Pondicherry & Bangalore, followed by other key consumption markets like Mumbai, Kolkata, Chandigarh, Haryana, UP and Punjab. Cans will help increase the sales of Heineken and we expect the overall brand to grow organically by over 50% this year. We hope to extend the drinking experience to more drinking occasions and reach out to new consumers.”
The STAR CAN has been designed by the Heineken Design team in collaboration with Amsterdam-based packaging design agency DBOD over the last two years, exploring multiple routes and iterations, with a focus on details aided by consumer feedback and insights.
Commenting on the STAR CAN, Mark van Iterson, Manager – Heineken Global Design & Concept said, “The packaging design of Heineken must always stay true to its core values, it must be progressive and iconic and it must be clearly recognizable on the retailers’ shelf. The visibility of the aluminum on the STAR CAN creates a fresh, masculine look with an open character. Bare aluminum looks very fresh and thirst-quenching when you take the can out of the fridge. The red star is one of our most important visual symbols and has always been part of the brand identity. We’ve made it larger and more visible so it really stands out to consumers.”
Heineken has been targeting the globe-trotting, James Bond-inspired demographic through its various initiatives and the new can plays into the image. Packaging is a vital element of the overall brand experience as it is the most tangible point of contact between a brand and consumers. With Heineken already strengthening its foothold in the super-premium beer market in India, the introduction of the STAR CAN to the existing distribution network will also bring in global consistency.
The Heineken Star Can will be available in the 500ml size and will be priced at Rs. 120/- in Maharashtra & Bangalore. The can is priced at Rs 100/- and Rs 70/- in Delhi & Goa respectively.
Brands
Zydus Wellness expands Ritebite Max Protein into new formats
RTD shakes, ghee jaggery bars and Korean chips target $10–12 bn protein market.
MUMBAI: Protein is no longer just gym talk, it’s making a full-course entry into everyday India. Zydus Wellness Ltd. is stretching its Ritebite Max Protein portfolio across three new formats, signalling a sharper push to turn protein from a niche supplement into a daily habit. The expansion brings ready-to-drink (RTD) protein shakes, culturally rooted ghee jaggery bars, and Korean-inspired protein chips under one umbrella, an attempt to build what the company calls a “multi-format protein ecosystem”. The move targets India’s rapidly expanding protein market, currently estimated at $10–12 billion and growing at a mid-teen CAGR.
The numbers suggest the strategy already has legs. In Q3 FY26, Ritebite Max Protein posted near double-digit EBITDA margins following its acquisition, driven by distribution expansion, product innovation and broader category tailwinds.
At the centre of the rollout is convenience. The newly launched RTD shakes available in Choco Burst and Berry Blush deliver 26 grams of protein per 250 ml serving, designed for on-the-go consumption. Meanwhile, the “Roots” Ghee Jaggery Protein Bars blend traditional Indian ingredients with whey and casein, offering 10 grams of protein and 4 grams of fibre per serving.
But the play isn’t just about nostalgia. On the other end of the spectrum, Korean-flavoured protein chips featuring variants like Hot Chilli, Barbeque and Gochujang tap into global snacking trends. Each 60-gram serving delivers 10 grams of protein and 4 grams of fibre, alongside claims such as no palm oil and gluten-free formulation.
The broader insight is clear: the protein category is fragmenting along lifestyle lines. One cohort is leaning into familiarity and traditional formats, while another is chasing novelty and international flavours. Zydus is betting it can straddle both worlds.
With a nationwide rollout planned across e-commerce and quick-commerce platforms, the company is positioning Ritebite Max Protein not just as a product line, but as a day-long consumption habit, one shake, bar, or chip at a time.
