About C2
Overview
C2 (marketed as C2 Cool & Clean) is a ready-to-drink (RTD) tea beverage brand owned by Universal Robina Corporation (URC), one of the largest food and beverage manufacturers in the Philippines. Introduced in October 2004, C2 became the country’s first mass-market ready-to-drink tea and played a major role in establishing the RTD tea category in the Philippine beverage industry. [1]
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Brand name: C2 (C2 Cool & Clean)
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Product type: Ready-to-drink tea
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Owner: Universal Robina Corporation
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Introduced: October 2004
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Country of origin: Philippines
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Industry: Non-carbonated beverages
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Headquarters (owner): Quezon City, Philippines
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Market: Philippines and several international markets in Asia and other export destinations [2]
History
Before launching C2, URC was primarily recognized for coffee, snacks, and convenience foods. During the early 2000s, the company identified a growing global trend toward healthier beverage choices as consumers sought alternatives to carbonated soft drinks.
In October 2004, URC introduced C2 Cool & Clean, positioning it as the country’s first ready-to-drink tea. The product quickly gained popularity, selling approximately 100,000 bottles during its first month. Within three years, monthly sales reportedly reached around 30 million bottles, making C2 the market leader in the Philippine RTD tea segment. [3]
The brand became one of URC’s flagship beverage products alongside brands such as Great Taste coffee.
Products
C2’s product portfolio has expanded over the years to include:
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Green Tea
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Apple Green Tea
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Lemon Green Tea
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Peach Green Tea
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Lemon Iced Tea
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Milk Tea variants (introduced in later years)
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Limited-edition and seasonal flavors in selected markets
The beverages are typically sold in PET bottles of different sizes, including:
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Solo bottles
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Medium bottles
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Family-sized bottles
Product offerings vary depending on the country and market. [4]
Manufacturing
C2 beverages are produced by Universal Robina Corporation, which operates multiple manufacturing facilities in the Philippines and other Asian countries. The company maintains food safety and quality standards, with products registered through relevant food regulatory authorities in the markets where they are sold. [5]
Marketing
C2 has long been marketed around themes such as:
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Refreshment
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Tea-based wellness
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Everyday hydration
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Youthful lifestyle
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Natural tea taste
Its slogan and branding have emphasized the concepts of being “Cool & Clean,” highlighting tea as an alternative to carbonated beverages. [9]
Over the years, C2 has used television, print, digital media, celebrity endorsements, and sponsorships to strengthen its brand recognition. [14]
Market Position
C2 is widely regarded as one of the most successful beverage brands developed by a Philippine company.
Its launch significantly expanded the country’s ready-to-drink tea market and encouraged greater competition in the non-carbonated beverage category. Today, it remains among URC’s strongest beverage brands and has expanded into selected international markets. [6] [8]
Availability
C2 is commonly available through:
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Supermarkets
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Convenience stores
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Grocery chains
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Sari-sari stores
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Restaurants
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Vending outlets
Outside the Philippines, it can also be found in many Asian grocery stores and Filipino specialty markets in countries with Filipino communities. [10]
Parent Company
Legacy
Since its introduction in 2004, C2 has become one of the Philippines’ most recognizable beverage brands. It helped establish ready-to-drink tea as a mainstream beverage category in the country and remains a flagship product for URC. Its success demonstrated that a locally developed beverage brand could compete effectively with multinational soft drink companies and build a strong regional presence. [8] [13]
