Samyang Packaging Corp., South Korea’s manufacturer and distributor of beverage PET bottles, has obtained the highest level Halal certification for its ready-to-drink coffee in Indonesia, a move that would lead the company to expand its presence in the $2-trillion worth global halal market.

Samyang Packaging said on Friday that it won the Halal certification from the Indonesian Council of Ulama, the country’s top Muslim clerical body, nine months after Samyang Packaging kicked off the process to receive the certification in September last year. Samyang Packaging is the only Korean beverage firm to be granted the highest A-level Halal certification, according to the company.

The Indonesian Council of Ulama is one of world’s three Muslim clerical bodies that provide Halal certification for products, along with Malaysia’s Department of Islamic Development Malaysia and Singapore’s Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura.

To obtain certification from the Indonesian council, a company must not only submit safety-related documents but also undergo on-site inspection on overall production and ingredient management processes.

Samyang Packaging has been supplying Luwak White Coffee in Indonesia since 2016 in the form of original development manufacturing. More than 4 million bottles are sold every month, figures show.

According to Samyang Packaging, Indonesia’s ready-to-drink coffee industry is projected to grow by an annual average of 10 percent to reach $320 million in 2021. An unnamed official from Samyang Packaging said that having received Halal certification, the company will put out efforts to grow into a national brand in Indonesia.

Samyang Packaging was established after demerging from Samyang Corp. in November 2014. The company manufactures, processes, and sells polyethylene terephthalate containers. It is also an original equipment manufacturer involved in aseptic bottling business that fills tea and coffee in PET bottles aseptically in room temperature.

Shares of Samyang Packaging ended up 2.08 percent at 19,650 won ($17.5) on Friday.

By Lee Duk-joo and Lee Eun-joo

[ⓒ Pulse by Maeil Business Newspaper & mk.co.kr, All rights reserved]