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Bottled Water Industry Sees Growth in 2010

Bottled Water Industry Sees Growth in 2010

 
After slight losses in the previous two years, bottled water saw a 3.5% increase in overall consumption in the United States during 2010 with an increase in total bottled water consumption to 8.75 billion gallons.  The losses experienced by the bottled water industry in 2008 and 2009 were attributed almost entirely to the economic recession in the United States.  While this industry, like almost all industries, has experienced a challenging period over the past few years, it appears that consumers are now returning to bottled water as a healthy beverage option.
 
In addition to overall consumption, the Beverage Marketing Corporation (BMC) found in their research that bottled water\'s market share of the U.S. refreshment beverage category grew to 15%, with carbonated soft drinks leading the way with a 23% market share.  Joe Doss, President and CEO of the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) points out that while the economy is still rough for many people, \"...the consumption of healthy bottled water continues to be a part of their lifestyle.\"  
 
A continued recovery of bottled water in the U.S. marketplace will undoubtedly bring new bottled water plants, sources and production.  If you are considering becoming a bottler of water, do your research!  Bottled water is regulated by the FDA and is subject to certain standards for not only the water, but the packaging process as well.  In addition, some states will require additional inspections, sampling and certification.  Know what is required of your bottled water plant in your state before you begin the bottling process!    
 
Liquid Packaging Solutions, Inc. manufactures many different packaging machines for the bottled water industry.  Container cleaning equipment can help a bottled water plant to meet certain quality standards for production and packaging.  Inverting rinsing machines can use air, water or other cleaning liquids to remove dust and debris from water bottles before beginning the filling process.  A bottle washer can be used to rinse and sanitize larger water bottles prior to sending them through the filling machine.  The bottle washer can also be combined with a filling and capping machine to allow for three, four and five gallon bottles of water to be quickly and easily cleaned, filled and capped. 
 
Overflow filling equipment is ideal for filling bottled water.  These filling machines allow each and every bottle to be filled to the same level for consistent appearance when your product is on the shelf or in shrink wrapped bundles.  These filling machines are available in tabletop, semi-automatic and automatic designs and are easily upgradeable.  The ability to upgrade allows a bottled water plant to start with, for example, a two head overflow filler, but upgrade to up to sixteen heads as production demands increase.
 
Capping equipment for water bottles will depend on the bottle and cap type and size.  Spindle cappers and chuck cappers are the most popular capping machines for the bottled water industry.  These capping machines vary from simple handheld units that allow for consistent torque to fully automatic capping equipment with cap delivery systems that allow for continuous capping on an automated botted water packaging line.
 
Labeling equipment for the bottled water industry can be manufactured to apply labels in a variety of formats.  The automatic pressure sensitive wrap labeler is probably the most used labeling machine in the bottled water industry.  This labeling machine simply wraps a label around each bottle of water.  However, labels can be applied on the front of a water bottle, the front and back of the bottles, the neck of the bottles or in any other orientation that can be imagined.  
 
If you are considering starting a bottled water plant, or are a current water bottler, and would like more information on the equipment manufactured by Liquid Packaging Solutions, Inc., click on bottled water under the industries tab of our website or call toll free to speak with a Packaging Specialist at 1-888-393-3693.