Increased Bottled Water Consumption Is Driving the Bottled Water Processing Market

 

Water will always be a healthier alternative to drinks and bottled water will be the healthiest alternative to packaged beverages than any other soft drink. Bottled water is processed water and is considered a healthy and convenient choice among packaged beverages. Bottled water is widely available in retail and departmental stores. In recent years, consumer interest in bottled water has been related to their convenience, safety, health, and its value. The bottled water processing market highly relies on equipment and technology used to produce bottled water.

 

The shortage of drinking water and the contamination of various water bodies is the major driving factor for the market. Moreover, the increasing preference for bottled water is due to its advantages such as being healthy and safe to consume, and easy to use. However, an increase in the consumption of bottled water is driving the overall market growth. Worldwide, Mexico and Thailand had the highest per capita consumption of bottled water in 2018, with 72.4 gallons of bottled water per person. While, Italy was the second, with 50.3 billion gallons per person. Whereas in 2019, Italy had the highest per capita consumption of bottled water, with 200 liters of bottled consumed per person and Germany was the second, with 168 liters per person.

However, high capital investments required to set up a new bottled water processing plant is expected to hamper the bottled water processing market growth. The setting up cost could be a minimum of US$ 2,845.07 or more depending on the machinery/ equipment and others excluding the maintenance costs, transportation costs, manpower, land, and shed. Moreover, bottled water is not always safer than tap water. Tap water, from city water systems, is monitored by the Environmental Protection Agency, while the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) monitors water bottling activities.

The reverse osmosis (RO) segment (based on technology) is expected to witness substantial growth in the market, owing to the widespread use of RO as a water-purifying technology. The technique efficiently removes many dissolving substances, yet produces good-tasting water. Furthermore, the technology is cost-effective in comparison to other technologies. In terms of geography, the bottled water processing market is divided into six regions, such as North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, South America, the Middle East, and Africa. Moreover, new regulations for bottled water that require the addition of minerals are expected to take effect from January 2021. According to new FSSAI guidelines, packaged water companies must add 10 mg of magnesium and 20 mg of calcium per liter in all such products.