Orangina Suntory France

The story of Orangina begins at the 1935 Marseille Trade Fair, where a Spanish pharmacist named Dr. Trigo first presented his invention: "Naranjina," a citrus concentrate. It was there that Léon Beton, a French entrepreneur from Algeria who owned an orange grove, saw the potential. He bought the formula and trademark, creating the first version of Orangina. However, the outbreak of World War II paused further development. In 1947, the founder's son, Jean-Claude Beton, took the reins. He was instrumental in defining the brand, launching the iconic bulbous, textured bottle in 1951 to mimic the feel of an orange. This distinctive packaging became a core part of the product's identity. After moving production to Marseille in 1962, the company began its expansion. The brand's journey included several ownership changes, becoming part of the Pernod Ricard group in 1984, which helped launch it internationally. This was followed by a merger and subsequent sale to Cadbury Schweppes in 2001. A major chapter in the company's history was written in 2009 when the Japanese beverage giant, Suntory Group, acquired the Orangina Schweppes Group. This acquisition provided Suntory with a significant platform in the European soft drink market and was a key step in its global expansion strategy. Today, Orangina is part of the Suntory Beverage & Food portfolio, a testament to its enduring appeal and successful transition from a family-run business to a global brand.