A mineral water producer is an operator specialising in the capture, protection and bottling of spring or natural mineral water. In the premium beverages industry, mineral water occupies a strategic place: it is the universal beverage that accompanies all meals, all events and all tastings. Great premium mineral waters, from exceptional springs with unique mineral profiles, are distributed in the same channels as prestige wines and spirits.
The mineral water producer must protect their natural resource with extreme care. Unlike tap water which can be treated, natural mineral water must be bottled at the source in its natural state, without any chemical treatment. Its stable and constant mineral composition is its identity signature and must be preserved at all costs.
Mineral water springs have been known and frequented since Antiquity for their therapeutic properties. The Romans built thermal baths around the most reputed hot and cold springs. In the Middle Ages, pilgrims made long journeys to heal at the blessed waters of certain springs.
It was in the 17th century that commercial bottling of mineral water truly began. In France, Evian was one of the first to develop commercially from 1826, followed by Perrier in 1863 and Vichy Celestins in the 19th century. In Germany, Apollinaris and Gerolsteiner structured the natural sparkling water market.
In the 20th century, bottled water consumption exploded worldwide. The great international brands (Evian, Perrier, San Pellegrino, Fiji, Volvic) became world references and were the subject of massive acquisitions by the large agri-food groups Nestlé, Danone and Coca-Cola. Since the 2010s, the premium and artisanal water market has developed in response to demand for authenticity and terroir.
The mineral water producer is above all a natural resource manager. Protecting the catchment area, permanently monitoring the quality and composition of the water, controlling human activities near the spring are their absolute priorities. A spring contamination can permanently end the business.
The bottling chain is highly automated and subject to very strict hygiene standards. Rinsing and sterilising bottles, filling under sterile conditions, capping and labelling, quality control by sampling: each step is documented and traceable. The capacity to produce millions of bottles per day while maintaining consistent quality is one of the great industrial challenges of the sector.
Environmental protection is a growing dimension of the profession. Water resource management, reducing plastic packaging, developing recyclable glass and recycled PET bottles, carbon footprint of production and transport: mineral water producers are under increasing pressure to reduce their environmental impact.
According to data from Zenith Global and the EFBW (European Federation of Bottled Waters):
Over 400 billion litres of bottled water consumed worldwide in 2022 — Zenith Global
China is the world's largest bottled water market by volume — Zenith Global
France is the European country consuming the most bottled water per capita — EFBW
Over 4,000 mineral and spring water sources recorded in Europe — EFBW
The premium market for mineral waters represents approximately 15% of total value — IWSR, 2022
Still natural mineral water — bottled at source without gas addition, stable and constant mineral composition
Naturally sparkling mineral water — naturally carbonated at source, Perrier, San Pellegrino, Badoit
Spring water — microbiologically safe groundwater, less constrained mineral composition than mineral water
Lightly sparkling mineral water — natural source gas added back, intermediate style very appreciated at table
Luxury premium water — Acqua Panna, Fiji, Veen, Iskilde, ultra-premium positioning, starred restaurants
Thermal water — hot spring, recognised therapeutic properties, Vichy, Contrexeville, Evaux
Low mineralisation water — Evian, Volvic, Spa, ideal for infants and low-salt diets
Highly mineralised water — Saint-Yorre, Vichy Celestins, rich in bicarbonates, digestion and sport
Volcanic water — Volvic (Auvergne), Reykjavik Iceland Spring, unique volcanic mineral profile
Glacier / mountain water — Fiji, Icelandic Glacial, Lauquen (Argentina), exceptional purity and lightness
The main challenge facing the sector is the plastic crisis. Single-use PET bottles are at the heart of global environmental concerns. Producers are investing heavily in 100% recycled PET bottles, the development of glass and innovative alternatives (cardboard, aluminium bottles). Some major groups have committed to achieving plastic neutrality by 2025-2030.
The scarcity of water resources is an existential threat for some producers. Climate change is reducing groundwater recharge in many regions. Conflicts over use between the bottling industry, agriculture and local population needs are becoming increasingly acute in some territories.
Finally, the premium water market continues to develop. In great restaurants, luxury hotels and gastronomic events, mineral water is selected as rigorously as wine. Water sommeliers and water menus are appearing in the most demanding establishments, creating new opportunities for terroir waters and exceptional springs.
Evian — Evian-les-Bains, Haute-Savoie, France
Perrier — Vergeze, Gard, France
San Pellegrino — San Pellegrino Terme, Lombardy, Italy
Acqua Panna — Barberino di Mugello, Tuscany, Italy
Volvic — Volvic, Puy-de-Dome, France
Badoit — Saint-Galmier, Loire, France
Vichy Celestins — Vichy, Allier, France
Fiji Water — Yaqara, Viti Levu, Fiji
Gerolsteiner — Gerolstein, Eifel, Germany
Apollinaris — Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler, Germany
Spa — Spa, Liege, Belgium
Icelandic Glacial — Olfus, Iceland
Veen — Finnish Lapland, Finland
Iskilde — Jutland, Denmark
Hildon — Hampshire, England
Harrogate Spring Water — Harrogate, Yorkshire, England
Lauquen — Neuquen, Patagonia, Argentina
Quezac — Quezac, Lozere, France
La Salvetat — La Salvetat-sur-Agout, Herault, France
Saint-Gerons — Cantal, Auvergne, France
Contrex — Contrexeville, Vosges, France
Hepar — Vittel, Vosges, France
Borsec — Borsec, Transylvania, Romania
Jan — Radenci, Slovenia
Agua de Piedra — Mendoza, Argentina
Reykjavik Iceland Spring — Reykjavik, Iceland
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