Les Grandes Sources de Wattwiller

What Les Grandes Sources de Wattwiller does

Les Grandes Sources de Wattwiller is a French natural mineral water producer operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Belgian beverage group Spadel NV/SA. The company sources its water from a deep artesian spring at approximately 160 meters underground, naturally filtered through Vosges rock and protected by a thick clay layer within the Parc Naturel Régional des Ballons des Vosges (a Natura 2000 site). This geological profile yields a water profile characterized by zero nitrates and very low sodium (0.003 g/L), positioned as suitable for infants, low-sodium diets, and general family hydration.

The product portfolio centers on flat natural mineral water (1.5L and other formats) and a naturally sparkling variant (Eau pétillante), extended in June 2023 by the Fontaine 5L, a recyclable cardboard format offering a 40% reduction in environmental footprint and 68% reduction in plastic use versus PET bottles. A separate refrigerated Fontaine line (compact and floor-standing models) targets enterprise and workplace hydration through direct B2B sales. The company produces approximately 72 million liters annually using 1.1L of source water per liter bottled, among the most water-efficient bottling operations globally.

The business operates as a SAS registered in Wattwiller, France (RCS Mulhouse 383 616 307, €684,800 share capital), with a team of around 50 employees. Go-to-market combines mass retail and supermarkets in France (with the Fontaine 5L launched exclusively through U stores), a direct-to-business enterprise fountain channel, and a historical right of public spring access maintained by the company and the municipality. Wattwiller monetizes primarily through unit-priced bottled water sales, with sustainability credentials (B Corp 86.8 score, AWS certification, full-lifecycle carbon neutrality certified under the Science Based Targets initiative) functioning as brand-level differentiation rather than a separate revenue stream.

Name

Les Grandes Sources de Wattwiller

Legal name

Les Grandes Sources de Wattwiller

Website

https://wattwiller.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Les Grandes Sources de Wattwiller is a French natural mineral water producer and Spadel subsidiary that bottles zero-nitrate, low-sodium water from a 160m-deep artesian spring in the Vosges, selling through French retail, an exclusive U Stores 5L carton line, and a direct B2B enterprise fountain channel.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Premium Bottled Natural Mineral Water

NAICS

Bottled Water Manufacturing (312112)

SIC

Beverages (2080), Bottled & Canned Soft Drinks & Carbonated Waters (2086)

akta.pro primary industry

Mineral Water Bottling (Naturally Mineral) (AFAFACAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Sparkling/Carbonated Bottled Water Production (AFAFACAE)

Keywords

• Natural mineral water
• Bottled water production
• Premium water brand
• Eco-responsible packaging
• Enterprise water dispensers

Headquarters

HQ city

Wattwiller

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Bottled Natural Mineral Water Sales: Wattwiller generates revenue primarily through the sale of bottled natural mineral water in various formats (1.5L bottles, 5L fountains) to retail consumers and enterprise customers. The company produces approximately 72 million liters annually.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Les Grandes Sources de Wattwiller produces and sells natural mineral water bottled from a protected artesian spring in the Vosges mountains of Alsace, France. Its portfolio includes still natural mineral water (1.5L), sparkling mineral water, the 5L Fontaine in eco-friendly cardboard packaging, and refrigerated Fontaine water dispensers for enterprise workplaces. The water is characterized by zero nitrates and very low sodium content (0.003g/L), making it suitable for infants and consumers seeking low-sodium hydration.

Product overview

Les Grandes Sources de Wattwiller is a natural mineral water company offering a portfolio of water products centered around its core natural mineral water sourced from the Vosges mountains. The product line includes flat mineral water (zero nitrates, low sodium), sparkling mineral water (pétillante), the innovative Fontaine 5L in eco-friendly cardboard packaging, and refrigerated water fountains for business use. The company positions itself as a sustainable, B Corp certified PME with environmental commitments including carbon neutrality, biodiversity protection, and AWS water stewardship certification.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Eau minérale naturelle Wattwiller Still natural mineral water bottled at source from the Vosges mountains in Alsace. Zero nitrates and very low sodium content (0.003g/L), suitable for infants and families. Sold through general retail and supermarkets in France.
• Eau pétillante Wattwiller Naturally sparkling mineral water with fine bubbles and a neutral taste. Naturally low in sodium (0.003g/L), positioned for consumers seeking reduced sodium intake while enjoying sparkling water.
• Fontaine 5L Wattwiller 5-liter practical and eco-friendly water fountain in recyclable cardboard packaging. Features an easy-to-use tap, refrigerator compatibility for up to 4 weeks after opening, with a 40% lower environmental footprint and 68% less plastic than PET bottles. Launched exclusively in U stores in France.
• Fontaine réfrigérée Wattwiller Refrigerated water fountain solution for enterprise workplaces, available in two models (compact and floor-standing). Provides naturally pure Wattwiller mineral water to employees, supported by AWS and B Corp sustainability credentials.

Quantifiable outcome

• 68% reduction in plastic use compared to Wattwiller PET bottles (5L Fontaine carton format)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Parc naturel régional des Ballons des VosgescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Wattwiller, the Parc naturel régional des Ballons des Vosges, and private forest owner Bernard Naegel partnered on the 'Munster Forêt 2100' project — a 6.5-hectare biodiversity and climate-resilient forestry initiative. The project aims to cultivate a sustainable, multifunctional forest resistant to climate change through natural regeneration, climate-adapted species planting, staggered harvesting, and water cycle improvement. The partnership is structured under an Obligation Réelle Environnementale (Environmental Real Obligation) framework.
• Bernard Naegel (Private Forest Owner)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBernard Naegel provides private forest land for the Munster Forêt 2100 biodiversity project in partnership with Wattwiller and the Parc naturel régional des Ballons des Vosges. He is actively involved in conducting forest management operations, making his forest an open biodiversity project.
• La Parisienne (Women's Running Race)flagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerWattwiller was an official supplier to La Parisienne, a 100% women's running race with 25,000 participants. Wattwiller provided hydration at refreshment stations and had a presence in the event village with a dedicated '#Sérénité' space. Partnership also referenced in 2019 press materials.
• Grand Tasting (Wine Event)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerWattwiller is a partner of the Grand Tasting wine event, aligning its brand with the gastronomy sector. Displayed in the partners section of the Wattwiller website.
• Salon du Chocolat ParisminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWattwiller is a partner of the Salon du Chocolat Paris, positioning the brand in the premium gastronomy and culinary arts space.
• Les Mulhousiennes (Running Event)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerWattwiller is a partner of Les Mulhousiennes, a local running event in Mulhouse, France. Displayed in the partners section of the Wattwiller website.
• Comédie de l'Est (Theater)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerWattwiller is a partner of Comédie de l'Est theater, a cultural institution in the Alsace region, aligning the brand with arts and culture.
• Fondation de Recherche sur l'Hypertension Artérielle (FRHTA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWattwiller partners with FRHTA to promote reduced salt consumption in France. FRHTA was founded in 2006 and aims to define, promote, and finance research activities related to arterial hypertension and associated diseases.
• Biodiversity Collective (Collectif Biodiversité)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWattwiller created the 'Collectif Biodiversité' involving the Commune of Wattwiller, ONF (French National Forestry Office), local economic actors, and citizens. The collective focuses on projects around the forest (exploitation, preservation, planting, public awareness), the Rechen river (diagnostic, awareness, restoration), and an Atlas de la Biodiversité Communale (municipal biodiversity atlas).
• ONF (Office National des Forêts)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerONF is a key partner in Wattwiller's biodiversity collective and collaborates on forest management and conservation projects within the water capture zone.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• San Pellegrino (Nestlé Waters): San Pellegrino is a premium Italian sparkling mineral water with similar premium positioning, restaurant/foodservice channel focus, and sustainability messaging. Both brands target the same premium occasion-driven consumption moments across European markets.
• Perrier (Nestlé Waters): Perrier is the leading French sparkling mineral water, sourced from a natural spring in Vergèze. It competes directly with Wattwiller's sparkling 'eau pétillante' offering in retail and foodservice, with overlapping premium positioning and event marketing strategies.
• Badoit (Danone): Badoit is a French sparkling mineral water brand owned by Danone, with a similar premium positioning and target demographic to Wattwiller's sparkling line. Both brands leverage natural gas content and low sodium as key differentiators in restaurants and retail.
• Evian (Danone): Evian is a premium French natural mineral water brand, also sourced from an Alpine spring. Both brands target health-conscious and family consumers in France and compete directly on purity, low-mineral content, and premium positioning in retail channels.
• Carola (Spadel): Carola is a French mineral water brand owned by Spadel, the same parent company as Wattwiller. Both brands share group resources and compete in the French retail mineral water category, though Carola is positioned slightly differently in terms of regional identity.

Broad incumbents

• Volvic (Danone): Volvic is a high-volume French mineral water owned by Danone, sourced from the Auvergne region. While broader and more mass-market than Wattwiller, it competes for the same retail shelf space, household consumer purchases, and sustainability messaging in the French market.
• Vichy Célestins (Nestlé Waters): Vichy Célestins is a premium French thermal/mineral water owned by Nestlé, with similar health-positioning claims and spa heritage to Wattwiller's Vosges mountain source. Both compete for premium and health-positioned water consumers in France.
• Contrex (Nestlé Waters): Contrex is a Nestlé-owned French mineral water positioned around mineral content and wellness. While it competes for the same health-conscious French consumers, it operates at significantly larger scale than Wattwiller and with broader geographic reach.
• Salvetat (Danone): Salvetat is a Danone-owned French sparkling mineral water competing in the same grocery and foodservice channels as Wattwiller. While broader in distribution, it overlaps on consumer target demographic and sparkling water positioning.

Emerging players

• Mont Roucous: Mont Roucous is a niche French mineral water positioned around very low mineral content and suitability for infants, mirroring Wattwiller's zero-nitrate and low-sodium claims. It competes for the same health-conscious, family-oriented premium segment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/les-grandes-sources-de-wattwiller

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

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 Les Grandes Sources de Wattwiller