Paper Boat, an Indian beverage brand that is part of Hector Beverages, has plans to invest Rs130m ($2m) in the construction of a new research and development centre.

The new research and development (R&D) centre will be located in Bengaluru, a city in the southern part of India.

The new R&D facility will help the beverage company in conducting research in food science and technology.

"We are moving from just recipes and chefs to food scientists, who can research on things like what effect chlorophyll has on oxidation."

Hector Beverages chief executive officer Neeraj Kakkar was quoted by foodnavigator-asia.com as saying: “We want to do our own research on the science of food. We are moving from just recipes and chefs to food scientists, who can research on things like what effect chlorophyll has on oxidation.

“People usually make its juice with artificial flavours to increase shelf life. And Paper Boat will research on offering this and similar natural products without compromising on the shelf life.”

The new facility is expected to be operational within a few months.

Paper Boat was started three years ago. Its products are sold in the Southeast Asian, European and North American markets.

Nearly 75% of total revenues for Hector Beverages come from the sales made by Paper Boat. Hector Beverages also produces Tzinga, an energy drink.

Paper Boat offers ten drinks, which are sold at over 100,000 retail outlets. The beverage company intends to double its retail presence within a year.