Soufflet Malt, United Breweries to build malthouse in Rajasthan

Soufflet Malt has announced plans to build a state-of-the-art malthouse in South Rajasthan in partnership with United Breweries Ltd (UBL), part of Heineken. The facility will supply high-quality malt for brewing brands including Kingfisher and Heineken, strengthening domestic sourcing while supporting regional economic growth.

The first phase, scheduled for commissioning in early 2028, will have an initial production capacity of 110,000 tonnes annually, with plans to double output in the second phase. The project is expected to generate around 400 direct and indirect jobs, alongside 700 roles across the supply chain.

“We are excited to build our second malthouse in India as part of our MALTiply 2030 strategy of leveraging our deep global capabilities locally,” confirms CEO Jorge Solis. “We are thrilled to partner with United Breweries Limited and are proud to supply high-quality malt for their trusted brands. The company’s strong reputation for excellence, quality and sustainability provides a solid foundation for long-term value creation. For us, today is much more than business growth; it's about two industry leaders coming together to deliver the best and benefit our ecosystem: the agricultural community, our partners, suppliers and consumers.”

The investment will support more than 50,000 farmers, with annual barley sourcing targeted at 250,000 tonnes. Designed with zero liquid discharge systems and advanced digital grain handling, the facility underscores both companies’ commitment to sustainability and agricultural development in Rajasthan.

Vivek Gupta, MD & CEO, UBL, says, “We are committed to the long-term growth of beer in India. Our partnership with Soufflet Malt is strategic and future focused, strengthening our backward integration, securing a consistent supply of high-quality malt and preparing us for the next phase of category growth. This state-of-the-art malthouse reinforces our sustainable sourcing ambitions and further positions Rajasthan as an important brewing hub, supporting farmers, local agriculture, economic development and employment opportunities.”

Soufflet Malt already has roots in India with a malt house in Alwar, Rajasthan, boasting an 18,000-tonne capacity. Since 2014, the company has been working hand-in-hand with local growers to cultivate top-notch barley that's grown, malted, and sold locally, adding value every step of the way.