Companies warm up to PET bottle drinks.

(From Asahi Shimbun)

The Asahi Shimbun Beverage companies are pumping out hot new items to cope with the chilly weather and the cool economy

The companies expect brisk sales of their hot drinks in PET bottles this coming winter

``The market will reach 30 million cases this year, double the level of last year,'' according to an industry source

Although the idea is not new, traditionally cold beverages, such as sports drinks, will soon be served hot in PET bottles

In the middle of November, Kirin Beverage Corp. will introduce a hot version of its Amino Supli, a so-called performance drink that hit the market in February

To …