AUBURN — The Pepsi bottling plant on Merrow Road will lay off 23 workers and shut down its production of carbonated beverages in mid-November.

Pepsi has offered some workers early retirement and is working to find new positions within the company for others, said Joe Blackburn, Pepsi’s human resources manager in Maine. He said 86 workers will remain at the Pepsi Beverages Co. site, which will be dedicated to warehousing and sales.

Blackburn said part of the reason for the shutdown was the market’s move from carbonated drinks to water and juice. 

“Whenever we make a decision to close a manufacturing line, it’s not easy for the business or, obviously, for our employees, but it was necessary to do to control costs for our customers and consumers and to strengthen core operations,” Blackburn said.

The Maine Department of Labor is aware of the layoffs and will offer the workers retraining and other help, said David Farmer, deputy chief of staff for Gov. John Baldacci. 

The plant was bought by the Pepsi Bottling Group in 2004. Before that, it was owned by Seltzler and Rydholm.