Packaging innovations seal the deal in South Africa’s bottled water market

Insight Survey’s latest South African Bottled Water Industry Landscape Report 2024 carefully uncovers the global and local bottled water market, based on the latest intelligence and research. It describes the latest global and local market trends, innovation and technology, drivers, and challenges, to present an objective insight into the South African bottled water industry environment and its future.

In 2024, the global bottled water market is expected to reach an estimated value of approximately $360.0bn. Furthermore, the market is projected to increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.6%, to reach a value of approximately $430.0bn in 2029, as illustrated in the graph below.

Source: Statista Graphics by Insight Survey

In terms of the South African market, the local bottled water market increased by 44.6% from 2018 to 2023, and at a CAGR of 7.6%, over the same period. Moreover, the market is predicted to grow at a 7.5% CAGR for the 2024 to 2028 forecast period.

The current and expected growth of the global bottled water market can be attributed, in part, to the introduction of more eco- and user-friendly bottle packaging solutions. This has resulted in global players like Highland Spring and Gatorade Water, launching more innovative designs to meet this growing demand.

More specifically, Highland Spring, a Scottish water brand, announced its expansion into the flavoured still water market, with the launch of its new still water sugar-free range in the United Kingdom (UK).

In particular, this new range features bottles with attached caps, specifically designed to ensure fewer caps are discarded or lost.

Furthermore, Gatorade launched its first unflavoured water throughout the United States (US), called Gatorade Water, marking the brand’s expansion into the bottled water market. The product is available in 1 litre bottles and 700ml bottles with a sports cap, making it convenient for on-the-go hydration and active-use.

This trend of innovative and sustainable packaging has also gained traction in the local market, with South African players introducing innovative bottled water packaging aimed at providing consumers with more convenient, eco- and user-friendly designs.

For example, aQuellé introduced tethered caps on its 500ml Still Natural Spring Water Bottles, a first in South Africa. Designed to combat plastic pollution, the cap remains securely attached to the bottle, even after opening, with this simple yet effective solution also assisting in reducing litter, safeguarding the environment, and simplifying the recycling process.

In addition, the company also introduced a new range of still, natural spring water called ‘Splash’. The range is positioned as a smart alternative to sugary drinks for children, with a spill-proof cap, which effectively prevents leaks when the bottle is shaken or turned upside down, making it ideal for lunch boxes and road trips.

As a further illustration, Polyoak Packaging, a leader in food and beverage packaging and a founding member of the South African Plastics Pact, introduced tethered closures for polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles to address the problem of litter from small plastic items. These closures remain attached to the bottle after opening, thereby reducing litter and enhancing recycling efforts.

Similarly, Designer Water, a local manufacturer of alkaline bottled water products, recently launched tethered caps for its alkaline bottled water range. According to Designer Water, this new design minimises the possibility of the caps being discarded, thereby aiming to prevent plastic litter.

The South African Bottled Water Industry Landscape Report 2024 (120 pages) provides a dynamic synthesis of industry research, examining the local and global bottled water industry from a uniquely holistic perspective, with detailed insights into the entire value chain – market sizes and forecasts, latest industry trends, innovation and technology, key drivers and challenges, as well as a manufacturer, distributor, flavour, retailer, and pricing analysis.

Some key questions the report will help you to answer:

• What are the key market dynamics of the global and South African bottled water industry?
  
• What are the latest global and South African bottled water industry trends, innovation and technology, drivers, and challenges?
  
• What are the market value and volume trends in the South African bottled water industry (2018-2023) and forecasts (2024-2028), as well as channel distribution?
  
• Which are the key manufacturers, distributors, and retail players (supermarkets and water bars) in the South African bottled water industry?
  
• What is the latest company news for key players in terms of products, new launches, and marketing initiatives?
  
• What are the current bottled water flavour trends and prominent bottled water flavours in the local market?
  
• What are the prices of popular bottled water brands and products (still, carbonated, and flavoured and functional) across South African retail outlets?

Please note that the 120-page full report is available for purchase for R40,000.00 (excluding VAT). Alternatively, individual sections can be purchased for R17,500.00 (excluding VAT).

For more information, please email az.oc.yevrusthgisni@ofni, call our Cape Town office on (021) 045-0202 or Johannesburg office on (010) 140- 5756.

For a full brochure please click here: South African bottled water Industry Landscape Brochure 2024

About Insight Survey:

Insight Survey is a South African B2B market research company with more than 15 years of heritage, focusing on business-to-business (B2B) market research to ensure smarter, more-profitable business decisions are made with reduced investment risk.

We offer B2B market and industry research solutions to help you to successfully improve or expand your business, enter new markets, launch new products or better understand your internal or external environment.

Our bespoke Competitive Business Intelligence Research can help give you the edge in a global marketplace, empowering your business to overcome industry challenges quickly and effectively, and enabling you to realise your potential and achieve your vision.

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For more information, go to www.insightsurvey.co.za.