How to Start a Soft Drink or Juice Bottling Business in Kenya: Equipment and Process
- Water treatment first
- Fill, cap, label, code
- Start semi-auto, then scale
- KEBS before market
On this page
The Bottling Process
- Water treatment: RO and UV give consistent, safe process water (industrial RO plant prices).
- Mixing: concentrate or fruit, sugar, acids, flavours and preservatives by recipe.
- Heat treatment (juice): pasteurise to the time and temperature your recipe and standard require.
- Filling: accurate volumes into clean bottles.
- Capping: screw caps, sometimes induction-sealed.
- Labelling and coding: labels plus batch and expiry codes.
- Packing: shrink-wrapping or cartons.
Carbonated soft drinks also need a CO₂ carbonation system and pressure-rated bottles; plan those with your line supplier.
Equipment on H-TECH’s Price List
Automatic Linear Liquid Filling MachinesKSh 1,900,000
Liquid Filling Machines(Soft Drink Production Line Equipment )KSh 3,400,000
Pneumatic liquid fillerKSh 350,000
Semi Automatic Bottle Washing Machine and Glass Bottle Brushing MachineKSh 110,000
Automatic Round Bottle Labeling Machine Beer Glass Plastic Bottle Labeler Labeling MachineKSh 700,000
Manual Labelling MachineKSh 50,000
LEIBINGER JET2 NEO inkjet printerKSh 1,012,000
Manual Coding MachinesKSh 25,000
SUGAR CANE JUICERKSh 90,000| Product | Price |
|---|---|
| Automatic Linear Liquid Filling Machines | KSh 1,900,000 |
| Liquid Filling Machines(Soft Drink Production Line Equipment ) | KSh 3,400,000 |
| Pneumatic liquid filler | KSh 350,000 |
| Semi Automatic Bottle Washing Machine and Glass Bottle Brushing Machine | KSh 110,000 |
| Automatic Round Bottle Labeling Machine Beer Glass Plastic Bottle Labeler Labeling Machine | KSh 700,000 |
| Manual Labelling Machine | KSh 50,000 |
| LEIBINGER JET2 NEO inkjet printer | KSh 1,012,000 |
| Manual Coding Machines | KSh 25,000 |
| SUGAR CANE JUICER | KSh 90,000 |
Current listed prices incl. VAT (updated 13 October 2026).
The soft-drink filler uses 316L stainless contact parts and tool-free strip-down for cleaning; the linear filler has four nozzles with pump options (see the product pages). Small juice makers often start with a sugarcane juicer or manual filling.
Start Small or Go Automatic?
| Stage | Typical setup |
|---|---|
| Starter | Manual or pneumatic filler, hand capping, manual labeller, date stamp |
| Growing | Linear automatic filler, semi-automatic labeller, inkjet coder |
| Industrial | Full line: bottle washing/rinsing, filling, capping, labelling, coding, shrink-wrapping |
Use the packaging machine output calculator and the manual vs automatic payback calculator.
Licences and Standards
- Registered company, county permits and public health licence.
- KEBS product certification for juices and soft drinks.
- Staff medical certificates and a hygiene plan.
- Labels with ingredients, volume, batch number, dates and your address.
Costing
Cost per bottle = ingredients + water + bottle, cap and label + energy + labour + overheads + distribution. See the cost per bottle calculator. Financing a line? See asset finance for business machines.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to start a juice bottling business in Kenya?
It depends on scale; a starter setup with a manual filler costs far less than an automatic line. Get quotes for each stage.
What machines are needed for juice bottling?
Water treatment, mixing and pasteurising equipment, a filler, capper, labeller and date coder.
Do I need KEBS to sell juice?
Yes, juices and soft drinks need KEBS certification to sell through shops.
Can I start with a manual filling machine?
Yes, many small producers start manual or semi-automatic and upgrade.
Why is water treatment important in bottling?
Water is the main ingredient; RO and UV give safe, consistent taste.