HiteJinro announced a technology partnership to produce Japanese Kirin beer in South Korea, and began producing and shipping canned Kirin Ichiban Shibori at its Jeonju plant in the first week of this month. Initial production is approximately 1.5 million liters, and the company is reportedly scheduled to produce approximately 75% of total sales volume by next year.
HiteJinro signed an MOU in July toward a technology partnership agreement with Japan's Kirin and began producing canned products in the first week of this month. This is the first case in Asia of production under a technology partnership with an external company.
Initial production in South Korea is approximately 1.5 million liters, equivalent to 3 million 500ml cans, and approximately 75% of total sales volume is expected to be covered by this production system by next year. The companies aim to improve freshness by shortening distribution times while retaining the existing distribution channels.
As part of Kirin's beer technology, Kirin yeast is being supplied, while Japanese technical personnel spent more than a year establishing the processes, from raw materials through production and quality-control standards, at the Jeonju plant in South Korea. The design and taste of Kirin products for the South Korean market are said to be equivalent to those of the existing products.
The background includes growth in the Japanese beer import market and the need to stabilize supply in the South Korean market. The companies' cooperation is viewed as developing into a future strategic relationship in which they jointly build technology and quality.