Danone is marking the bicentenary of its Evian natural mineral water brand with new investments, environmental commitments and product innovation aimed at strengthening resource protection and supporting the future of the water category.
A New Phase for the Brand
The company said the milestone represents the start of a new phase for the brand focused on water resource preservation, industrial modernization and consumer-focused innovation.
Evian natural mineral water originates from glacial rocks in the French Alps and formed nearly 50,000 years ago, making the protection of its water source a long-standing priority for the company.
New Investment to Protect Water Resources
Danone announced an additional €8 million investment by 2030 to support preservation of its four natural mineral water sites in France — Evian, Volvic, Badoit and La Salvetat.
The funding adds to €17 million already invested over the past decade in water resource protection initiatives.
The company is also renewing its partnership with the Ramsar Convention, which promotes the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands globally.
Danone said it will open-source its SPRING (Sustainable Protection and Resource ManagING) water stewardship methodology, developed in 2004 and already deployed in more than 70 manufacturing plants worldwide, to encourage wider adoption of water management best practices across the industry.
Antoine de Saint-Affrique Chief Executive Officer of Danone said:
“Protecting the water resource is at the heart of our responsibility and our future. By strengthening our commitments, we are reinforcing our determination to act ambitiously to preserve an exceptional natural heritage and ensure that it is passed on to future generations.”
€20 Million Investment to Modernize Evian Bottling Site
To support the brand’s development and environmental ambitions, Danone will invest more than €20 million over the next two years to modernize the Evian bottling facility.
The investment aims to:
- Upgrade infrastructure in line with demanding industrial standards
- Improve energy and water efficiency at the site
- Reinforce its position as a benchmark for sustainable industrial performance
Danone also said all Evian volumes sold in Europe and North America are already packaged in recycled PET (rPET) and that it supports the implementation of a deposit return scheme (DRS) in France and initiatives that encourage collection, reuse and the development of circular packaging models.
Impact Study Highlights Regional Economic Contribution
As part of the bicentenary, Danone released an impact study titled Evian Impact Stories, examining the brand’s economic, social and environmental contribution to its local region.
The study reports that in 2024 the Evian business contributed €364.8 million to the economy.
Additional findings include:
- 97% of wages paid by the bottling site benefit employees living in Haute-Savoie
- 90% of wages paid by the Evian Resort benefit local residents
- 8,222 jobs are supported by the bottling site and the Evian Resort within the French economy
The report also states that each direct job generates 3.8 indirect or induced jobs.
