Coca-Cola Co. plans to launch Coke-branded energy drinks, returning to a growing category that would put the beverage giant in competition with partner Monster Beverage Co.

Coke’s plans became public on Wednesday when Monster executives disclosed that Coke had filed an arbitration claim to resolve a dispute over whether a proposed product called Coca-Cola Energy would violate a deal the companies struck in 2015.

As part of that deal, Coke bought a 16.7% stake in Monster and agreed to distribute the company’s products in the U.S. and Canada, later expanding the agreement to include distribution in other markets overseas. Coke also transferred ownership of its energy drinks business, including NOS and Full Throttle, to Monster.

The deal bars the soda giant from distributing competitive energy drinks but includes an exception for products marketed under the Coca-Cola brand.

“Coca-Cola has developed two energy products it believes it may market under an exception relating to the Coca-Cola brand. We believe that the exception does not apply,” Monster Chief Executive Rodney Sacks said on a conference call with analysts Wednesday after market close. Mr. Sacks said Coke had committed not to launch the new energy drink before April.