Drinks maker Frucor targets low-sugar future

President of Suntory Food and Beverage Kogo San (left) and Frucor Suntory Group CEO Jonathan Moss (right). Photo/supplied

Drinks manufacturer Frucor is focusing on a lower sugar future - targeting one in three of its sales being low or no sugar products.

The company today hosted its first Australia and New Zealand joint conference in Auckland to discuss its future plans, which include changing its name from Frucor to Frucor Suntory - a nod to its Japanese parent company Suntory.

"We wanted to acknowledge and reinforce the opportunities that have come from being part of Suntory," said Group chief executive Jonathan Moss.

"Suntory has invested heavily in our business while supporting our local leaders, local culture and local brands so we have had the best of both worlds."

The company said low and no sugar drinks currently made up about 34 per cent of its portfolio with these sales growing 19 per cent in the last year.

It said the goal was for one in three of its products sold to be low or no sugar by 2030.

A number of environmental commitments were also announced including a zero landfill campaign, a 35 per cent reduction in carbon footprint and a 20 per cent reduction in water usage by 2030.

Frucor Suntory employs nearly 1000 people across Australia and New Zealand and has a portfolio of more than 30 brands including V, Just Juice, Fresh Up, Sparkling OH and OVI, Gatorade and Pepsi.

The announcements coincide with the 2017 FIZZ conference which kicked off in Auckland yesterday.

The organisation was set up to limit the sale of sugary drinks due to health side-effects.