Acqua Smeraldina

What Acqua Smeraldina does

Acqua Smeraldina is an Italian privately-held mineral water company operating under A.L.B. S.p.A. – Acque Leggere e Bibite, with bottling conducted directly at source in Tempio Pausania, Sardinia. Water is drawn from the Monti di Deu spring at approximately 300 meters depth, filtered through granite formations roughly 300 million years old, producing an oligomineral profile (fixed residue 155 mg/L, pH 6.59, source temperature 16°C). The portfolio comprises three primary packaging formats — PET (0.25L–1.5L), glass (0.25L–0.92L, both returnable and disposable), and Tetra Prisma Aseptic BOX (0.5L) — across three taste variants (Naturale, Sempre Frizzante, Leggermente Frizzante), plus a premium Griffe line targeted at luxury hospitality. Quality control is centralized in an in-house laboratory running 100+ daily checks, with production certified under ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, BRC, FDA, and Kosher standards.

The company operates a multi-channel go-to-market: mass-market retail through all major Italian GDO chains, a direct Ho.Re.Ca. sales force serving hotels and restaurants (with capillary Sardinian coverage and key distributors in Lazio and Lombardia), a direct-to-consumer e-commerce store (Smeraldina Shop), and international distribution across France, the UK, Denmark, Spain, Ukraine, Bulgaria, China, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, and the United States (via the wholly-owned Smeraldina Corporation subsidiary in Chicago). Revenue is generated through one-time unit sales across formats and tiers, with a customized packaging program (Prisma Personalizzato, available since 2016) functioning as a B2B service for hospitality clients. Acqua Smeraldina is family-controlled by the four Solinas brothers — Mauro, Riccardo, Marco, and Nicola — who succeeded founder Giovanni Maria Solinas (born 1926) and continue to lead the company without external institutional investment.

Name

Acqua Smeraldina

Legal name

A.L.B. S.p.A. - Acque Leggere e Bibite

Website

https://acquasmeraldina.it

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Acqua Smeraldina is a family-owned Italian mineral water producer bottling oligomineral water at the Monti di Deu spring in Sardinia, selling PET, glass, and Tetra Prisma formats through Italian retail, hospitality (Ho.Re.Ca.), e-commerce, and distribution in 10+ international markets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Bottled Mineral Water

NAICS

Bottled Water Manufacturing (312112)

SIC

Beverages (2080)

akta.pro primary industry

Mineral Water Bottling (Naturally Mineral) (AFAFACAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Sparkling/Carbonated Bottled Water Production (AFAFACAE)

Keywords

• Bottled mineral water
• Natural spring water
• Premium mineral water
• Hospitality water supply
• Sustainable water packaging

Headquarters

HQ city

Tempio Pausania

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Retail Water Sales (GDO): Sale of bottled mineral water through large-scale organized retail (supermarkets, chains). Multiple packaging formats (PET, glass, box) at various price points. Primary revenue driver.
2. Ho.Re.Ca. Water Sales: Sale of bottled water to hotels, restaurants, and cafes. Includes customized packaging solutions (Prisma Personalizzato) with bespoke graphics for special occasions. Premium formats such as Smeraldina Griffe (glass, gold/silver labels) targeted at luxury hospitality.
3. Direct-to-Consumer E-commerce: Online sales via Smeraldina Shop (smeraldinashop.it) to private individuals and professionals throughout Italy. Direct delivery service.
4. International Distribution: Export sales to international markets including France, UK, Denmark, Spain, Ukraine, Bulgaria, China, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, and the United States via regional distributors.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Acqua Smeraldina extracts and bottles natural mineral water from the Monti di Deu spring at approximately 300 meters depth in Tempio Pausania, Sardinia. The water is filtered through 300-million-year-old granite formations and bottled directly at source under sterile, computer-controlled conditions. The company produces multiple packaging formats including PET bottles (1.5L to 0.25L), glass bottles (returnable and disposable), and Smeraldina BOX (Tetra Prisma Aseptic), offered in Naturale, Sempre Frizzante, and Leggermente Frizzante variants. Products are sold through Italian large-scale retail (GDO), the Ho.Re.Ca. hospitality channel, the Smeraldina Shop e-commerce site, and international distributors.

Product overview

Acqua Smeraldina is a mineral water company producing water from the Monti di Deu spring in Sardegna, Italy. The product portfolio consists of three main packaging lines: PET plastic bottles (1.5L, 1L, 0.75L, 0.5L, 0.25L), Glass bottles (0.92L, 0.75L, 0.5L, 0.33L, 0.25L) available as both returnable and disposable, and Smeraldina BOX sustainable Tetra Pak (0.5L). Water is offered in three taste variants: Naturale (still), Sempre Frizzante (sparkling), and Leggermente Frizzante (slightly sparkling). Premium offerings include Smeraldina Griffe (luxury glass with gold/silver packaging) and customized packaging through the Prisma Personalized Project for Ho.Re.Ca. channel. Products serve both retail (GDO) and hospitality/restaurant (Ho.Re.Ca.) channels with specific format configurations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Smeraldina Griffe: Premium glass bottle line with ultra-transparent Italian glass, exclusive labels in gold and silver colors. Available in 0.75L format, Naturale and Frizzante versions.
• Smeraldina Box
• Smeraldina Vetro

Products and services

• Smeraldina PET Line Plastic (PET) water bottles available in 1.5L, 1L, 0.75L Sport Cap, 0.5L, and 0.25L sizes with faceted emerald-inspired design. Bottles contain 30% rePET per European standards. Available in Naturale, Sempre Frizzante, and Leggermente Frizzante versions for everyday household consumption.
• Smeraldina Vetro (Glass) Line Extra-white glass bottles with faceted emerald-inspired design available in 0.92L, 0.75L, 0.50L, 0.33L, and 0.25L formats. Offered as both returnable and disposable (VAP) versions in Naturale and Frizzante variants for table service and on-the-go consumption.
• Smeraldina BOX (Tetra Prisma Aseptic) Sustainable brick packaging in Tetra Prisma Aseptic 0.5L format, made with 75% recycled materials and plant-based plastic. Features StreamCap closure, is 100% recyclable, and represents contemporary sustainable packaging for casual and outdoor occasions.
• Smeraldina Griffe Premium glass line bottled in ultra-transparent Italian crystal glass with elegant faceted design. Gold version for Frizzante, silver for Naturale, in 0.75L format, packaged in exclusive cardboard box. Targeted at luxury hospitality and high-end retail.
• Prisma Personalizzato (Customized Packaging) Customized Tetra Prisma packaging with bespoke graphics available for hotels, restaurants, and cafes for special occasions, weddings, and corporate events. Requires direct contact with the commercial/marketing team for bespoke branded water solutions.
• Smeraldina Leggermente Frizzante Slightly sparkling mineral water variant with fine, delicate perlage. Released in 2012 as a third taste profile alongside Naturale and Sempre Frizzante, broadening the brand's appeal across consumer preferences.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 100 quality controls conducted daily on water and packaging materials
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• IRONMAN 70.3 Alghero 2026coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 7 June 2026Smeraldina is Official Water Supplier for IRONMAN 70.3 Alghero 2026 on June 7, 2026 in Alghero, Sardinia. The event attracts ~3,000 athletes from 91 countries and ~12,000 total attendees. Smeraldina provides Sport Cap 0.75L, 0.5L, and 1L formats to athletes during the triathlon competition (1.9km swim, 90km bike, 21km run). The partnership aligns Smeraldina with international sports, wellness, and Sardinia's natural beauty.
• Italian Chef Ambassador NetworkcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 15 May 2026Smeraldina's 'Sul Filo dell'Acqua' campaign features 5 chef ambassadors: Roberto Paddeu (Frades, Milano), Federica Ghiani (Osteria dei Mercati, Sassari), Francesco Stara (Fradis Minoris, Pula), Pasquale D'Ambrosio (Capogiro, Baja Sardinia), and Claudio Sadler (Milano). Each ambassador interprets a campaign theme (Origin, Time, Essence, Method/Innovation, Vision) through narrative video episodes. The campaign positions Smeraldina at the intersection of Italian gastronomic excellence and premium mineral water.
• Naked Panda (Production)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 15 May 2026Production company for Smeraldina's 'Sul Filo dell'Acqua' video campaign. Responsible for producing the narrative video series featuring Italian chef ambassadors.
• Queryo (Media Agency)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 15 May 2026Integrated communications campaign across video online, social media, and press for the 'Sul Filo dell'Acqua' campaign. Manages media planning and buying.
• Smeraldina Music Box Contest PartnersminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 April 2026Contest partners for Smeraldina Music Box (April 18 – May 30, 2026): Glisbo (creative agency, Creative Director Fabio Delizzos), WhyWorry (video production), ICT Promotions (contest mechanics management), Red Valley Festival (Olbia), Unipol Forum (Assago, Milan), Kozel Carroponte (Sesto San Giovanni). The instant-win contest awards 48 live music experiences with purchase of Smeraldina BOX. Campaign on Addressable TV, online video, social media, print, and POS.
• 7Pines Resort SardiniacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Ongoing collaboration since 2024. Smeraldina is the official water of the 7Pines Resort Sardinia (75 rooms and suites on 15 hectares at Baja Sardinia, near La Maddalena archipelago). Present across all resort touchpoints: Capogiro restaurant (Michelin-starred, 1 star under Chef Pasquale D'Ambrosio), Rooftop, Spazio by Franco Pepe, Cone Club beach club, rooms, and beach/pool areas. Smeraldina Griffe serves Capogiro and rooms; Smeraldina Vetro serves Franco Pepe's pizzas; Smeraldina BOX serves informal beach areas. Unites quality, territory, and sustainability.
• Illy CaffèminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2009Collaboration began in 2009 when Smeraldina arrived in China. Illy Caffè serves as a distribution channel for Smeraldina in their London and Paris locations, placing the premium mineral water alongside their coffee offerings in hospitality settings.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Lete: Italian mineral water brand (Campania region) with nationwide retail distribution and Ho.Re.Ca. presence. Comparable mass-premium positioning and Italian GDO channel overlap.
• Perrier (Nestlé Waters): Iconic French premium sparkling mineral water under Nestlé Waters. Comparable naturally carbonated mineral water positioning with strong Ho.Re.Ca. and international retail footprint.
• Acqua Panna (Nestlé Waters): Italian premium still mineral water (Tuscany), owned by Nestlé Waters. Closely comparable positioning: still natural mineral water, Ho.Re.Ca.-led strategy, fine-dining affinity, and global distribution.
• Fiji Water: Premium artesian water from a single remote source (Fiji), marketed globally for purity and provenance. Comparable single-source narrative, premium pricing, and Ho.Re.Ca. orientation.
• Ferrarelle: Italian premium mineral water brand with strong domestic GDO presence and a portfolio spanning still, sparkling, and flavored waters. A direct competitor in Italian retail and Ho.Re.Ca. channels.
• Evian (Danone): French premium still mineral water owned by Danone. Comparable premium natural mineral water positioning, global distribution, and sustainability-led packaging initiatives.
• Gerolsteiner: Germany's leading premium mineral water brand, naturally carbonated, with strong domestic retail and growing international presence. Comparable mineral-profile positioning and Ho.Re.Ca. channel strategy.
• Voss Water: Norwegian premium bottled water positioned as a luxury lifestyle brand with distinctive packaging and strong Ho.Re.Ca./fine-dining presence. Comparable premium niche strategy and design-led packaging.
• Rocchetta (Sanpellegrino Group): Italian lightly sparkling mineral water brand owned by Sanpellegrino/Nestlé. Competes directly in Italian GDO and Ho.Re.Ca. with a similar mid-premium price tier.
• San Pellegrino (S.Pellegrino / Nestlé Waters): Italy's most iconic premium mineral water brand, owned by Nestlé Waters. Comparable product portfolio (still and sparkling mineral water), Italian origin, strong Ho.Re.Ca. presence, and international distribution — making it the dominant direct peer for Acqua Smeraldina.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/acqua-smeraldina

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Acqua Smeraldina