BE WTR, the Swiss sustainable, premium water brand, has launched fully circular bottling facilities in both China and France, marking a significant expansion in its mission to revolutionise the water industry with sustainable, high-quality alternatives.

A Landmark Launch in Xiamen, China

On December 13, 2024, BE WTR, in partnership with Intretech, inaugurated China’s first fully circular bottling facility in Xiamen. This milestone deepens the collaboration between the two companies through the BE WTR joint venture for China and provides luxury hospitality and high-end gastronomy in the city with still and sparkling water that is zero plastic, zero waste, and minimises transport emissions.

The launch event welcomed key government, industry, and business leaders from Fujian province, including officials from Xiamen City and Haicang District, who expressed strong support for the project. Mr Deng Jianhua, Deputy General Director of Xiamen Industrial and Information Bureau, stated: "BE WTR does not only bring premium green water to China but also empowers innovative, sustainable development and reduced CO2 emissions."

Senior executives from leading international hotel chains attended the ceremony, including representatives from BE WTR’s first Chinese client, the renowned Lohkah Hotel and Spa. Their participation underscored the hospitality industry’s growing demand for sustainable water solutions.

“We are very happy about our joint venture and the warm welcome in China,” says BE WTR CEO Mike Hecker. “This clearly shows that the Chinese hospitality and gastronomy sector has been waiting for a disruptive alternative to traditional bottled water.”

The Xiamen bottling facility is designed for full compliance with Chinese food norms and local regulations. The innovative system produces hundreds of bottles of great-tasting, capped, still and sparkling water per hour. Each bottle is collected, cleaned, and refilled up to 200 times, eliminating single-use plastics. The success in Xiamen paves the way for the opening of multiple BE WTR facilities in major Chinese cities in 2025.

Setting a New Standard in Paris, France

BE WTR also celebrated a major milestone in Europe with the inauguration of its first fully automated and circular bottling plant in Paris on September 10, 2024. This new facility allows luxury hotels and high-end restaurants in the French capital to serve premium water while minimising environmental impact.

“Paris is the world capital of tourism and gastronomy,” says Mike Hecker. “Being able to now offer water that matches the culinary experiences while respecting the environment is more than essential. Now, the city's famous palaces, as well as the high-end hotels of the Accor Group, one of our international partners, are setting the example in terms of quality and sustainability for the world to see.”

Located in Clichy, in the heart of Paris, the bottling facility can produce up to 1,500 glass bottles per hour of fresh, sparkling water. These bottles are delivered and collected using electric vehicles, ensuring an ultra-low carbon footprint. Each bottle is designed to be washed and reused up to 200 times, significantly reducing waste and reliance on single-use plastics.

“The BE WTR bottling site in Paris is our third, after Lausanne and Dubai, and we are extremely proud to have obtained all the necessary certifications, including the first ever granted to a bottling site within Paris,” adds Mike Hecker. “We are grateful for the support and collaboration we have received from the French water authorities and look forward to hydrating the City of Light in an innovative, modern way.”

A Global Commitment to Sustainability

With the successful launches in Paris and Xiamen, BE WTR continues to lead the way in reshaping how premium water is sourced and served in the hospitality industry. These fully circular, locally compliant bottling facilities highlight the company’s commitment to reducing waste, minimising carbon footprints, and delivering high-quality water solutions to the world’s most discerning markets.