Vlasinka Wins “ESG Leaders 2025” Award for Environmental Protection

Vlasinka Rosa Water Bottling Plant, part of Coca-Cola HBC Serbia, has received the award in the Strategy – Environmental Protection category at this year’s “ESG Leaders 2025” competition organized by PwC Serbia.

The “ESG Leaders 2025” award, presented by PwC Serbia for the second year in a row, was given to Rosa Water Bottling Plant for its comprehensive, strategic approach and measureable results that Vlasinka achieved in fighting against climate change. 

The award was presented in competition with over 100 companies from various sectors, reaffirming the position of Coca-Cola HBC Serbia as one of the leaders in sustainable business, and Vlasinka, together with the company’s other bottling plants in Belgrade and Neresnica, stands out as an example of a plan that successfully implements ambitious climate goals in practice. 

This prestigious award comes in a year when Rosa Water Bottling Plant celebrates an important anniversary – two decades since becoming part of the Coca-Cola system. 

Tatjana Stajković, Quality, Safety, and Environmental Protection Manager at Coca-Cola HBC Serbia, emphasized that this award confirms that sustainability is not just a promise on paper, but an integral part of every decision and process within the company:

Vlasinka Bottling Plant, located on the Vlasina Plateau, is today considered the greenest plant within the Coca-Cola HBC business system in Serbia and Montenegro – not only because of its natural surroundings, but also due to its measurable results: greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have been reduced by 78% between 2017 and 2024. This result has been verified through an external audit and confirmed by the ISO 14064 certificate, which Vlasinka has held for two years as the only bottling plant in the business system in Serbia and Montenegro to receive this recognition.

Sustainable development is deeply integrated in all aspects of the plant’s operations – from the use of renewable energy sources and introduction of energy-efficient equipment to the use of packaging with a reduced CO₂ footprint. In 2025, Vlasinka also commenced the implementation phase of the "Zero Waste to Landfill" initiative, through which all production process waste will be either recycled, reused, or used for energy – without being sent to landfills, thus joining the Belgrade bottling plant in this effort.

In addition to concrete measures for reducing its environmental impact, the company actively supports the development of the local community. In cooperation with UNDP and local partners, 47 kilometers of mountain hiking trails have been arranged on Vlasina, contributing to the development of sustainable tourism and the promotion of the natural wealth of this region.

Coca-Cola HBC AG, which includes the Vlasinka plant, was awarded a double A rating on the CDP list in 2024, which is the highest global recognition for managing climate risks and water resources, for its consistent application of sustainability and responsible business practices.

At last year’s “ESG Leaders” competition organized by PwC Serbia, Coca-Cola HBC Serbia received an award for water resource preservation.