The Gujarat-based steel fabrication firm sees the approvals as a major step in its global expansion in the beer keg market as its location enjoys lower steel tariffs than its Chinese competitors.

Inox India Ltd, a manufacturer of cryogenic equipment and tanks, has received product approvals from global brewing giants Heineken and AB InBev for its stainless steel beverage kegs, the company said in a filing.

The approvals cover kegs manufactured at Inox’s Savli plant in Gujarat and mark a significant milestone after the company entered the keg manufacturing segment in September 2023.

The company views this as a major endorsement of its capabilities in stainless steel fabrication and international compliance, gained through more than three decades of experience in precision manufacturing.

The audits leading to these approvals included stringent evaluations of quality assurance systems, manufacturing hygiene, traceability, and compliance with global safety standards, including ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and FSSC 22000.

With global beer majors expanding their presence in India, demand for beverage kegs is rising. Inox India reported supplying over 50,000 units over the past year to customers in the US, Europe, and India.

The company expects to benefit from competitive advantages in the global market, including zero anti-dumping duties, especially when compared to several Chinese manufacturers who face trade barriers and lack complete international certifications.

Inox India manufactures a variety of keg formats, including EURO, DIN, SLIM, and U.S. standard BBL designs, ranging from 10 to 60 litres.

The company also offers sustainable options like PSP kegs and Cornelius (Corny) kegs, with features such as RFID tagging, logo embossing, and leak testing.

The global market has an estimated 120 million beverage kegs in circulation, with annual replacement demand of 4–5%, creating a shortfall of 1–1.5 million units annually.