United Breweries Partners with Soufflet Malt to Build 1.1 Lakh Tonne Malthouse in Rajasthan
United Breweries Limited (UBL), India's largest beer manufacturer, has partnered with Soufflet Malt, described as the world's leading maltster, to set up a new malthouse in South Rajasthan. The move extends UBL's operations beyond beer brewing into barley sourcing and malt production, marking a backward-integration step for the company.
The facility will have an annual malt production capacity of 1.1 lakh tonnes (110,000 tonnes), with the first phase expected to be commissioned in early 2028. The malthouse is designed to incorporate zero liquid discharge systems, advanced water management, and digital grain handling systems as part of a broader sustainability and decarbonisation focus.
The project includes a sourcing plan targeting up to 250,000 tonnes of barley annually, sourced from growers across Rajasthan, and is expected to support training for more than 50,000 Indian farmers. The facility is projected to create 400 direct and indirect jobs, along with 700 positions across the wider supply chain.
UBL said the partnership will secure a consistent supply of high-quality malt for its beer brands, including Kingfisher and Heineken, as the company prepares for the next phase of category growth in India's beer market. Soufflet Malt said the project, its second malthouse in India, aligns with its global MALTiply 2030 expansion strategy. The facility is expected to position Rajasthan as a growing hub for brewing-linked agro-industrial activity.