Volvic, Vittel, Perrier… in the face of drought, the “mineral workers” are trying to preserve their blue gold

2023-05-17 18:55:41

After a rainfall deficit in the Vosges, Nestlé has just shut down until further notice two of the six boreholes dedicated to its Hépar brand on its Vittel-Contrexéville site. Balance sheet JEAN-CHRISTOPHE VERHAEGEN/AFP

DECRYPTION – Everyone insists on one point: water management can only be collective.

While water conservation measures are increasing in France, disputes are resurfacing around mineral water bottlers, accused of contributing to the drying up of springs. The latest, the giant Danone singled out in early May by environmental defense associations, for its supposed role in reducing the water table of Volvic, one of its flagship brands in France. However, mineral manufacturers have multiplied their efforts in recent years to preserve the precious blue gold, which is by definition non-substitutable. Both for environmental reasons, but also so as not to compromise the future of a strategic activity in their portfolio. Among the world leaders Nestlé and Danone, bottled water sales weighed respectively 8 billion euros in 2020 (latest known figures) and 4.5 billion euros in 2022.

If at Danone, Evian is by far one of the biggest brands, efforts have been concentrated in Volvic…

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