ROMANIA: After 2 million euros investments, Calipso obtained a 20% advance in water volumes at 9 months | Progresiv
Romanian spring water bottler Calipso reported a 20% increase in water volumes after the first nine months of 2017, up to 160 million liters of water compared to the same period last year. 
"Every Romanian drank at least 8 liters of spring water bottled by Calipso until October 1st. The increase in these months comes from the investments of more than 2 million euros implemented this year. We have been pursuing both the modernization of production capacity and the expansion of our water distribution chain. From the first months of this year, we have worked to increase our production capacity to make it more efficient, but also to reduce the environmental footprint by reducing the amount of plastic used to manufacture the packaging. We have achieved the performance to reduce the amount of PET waste by about 60 tonnes per year", said Daciana Siderache, the company's general director.
In addition to the recent investment, the company that has been present for more than 25 years on the Romanian market has completed in 2015 another investment, concentrated in modern equipment for pumping, storage, filtration and bottling of water, amounting to approximately 6 million euros.
The factory in Stefanesti, Ilfov County, has four bottling lines, the unit having a production capacity of over 1 million liters per day. Adjacent, there is a warehouse with a capacity of 12,000 pallets. The production unit has been in operation since 2010 and has an area of 40,000 square meters.
Calipso water reaches the consumer through traditional stores, but mostly in the modern commerce stores, in over 90% of the modern retail chains in Romania.
And if on the shelves Calipso is fighting in this market with famous brands, in the private label production, the company is a market leader, because most retailers produce their waters under own brand in the Ilfov factory.
"Before buying a brand or another, we must not forget the quality of the water, inform ourselves and read the label. The most important issues that we need to consider when reading the label are the fixed residue and the amount of nitrites in the water, but also its Ph. According to the regulations in force in our country, mineral water is optimal for daily consumption if the fixed residue is less than 500 mg per liter and the Ph must be as close as possible to the human body's Ph", explained Daciana Siderache.
According to the results of laboratory analysis, Calipso bottled natural water has a nitrite level below the detection limit of laboratory instruments and a Ph of 8, similar to that of human body fluids. The fixed residue it contains has a level of 372 mg / l, thus placing it in the oligomineral water area with a rich complex of minerals present in small quantities, which means it can be consumed without interruption.
In Romania, the bottled water consumption is about 33 liters per capita, half of the European average.
For Calipso, the future announces many plans. One of the novelties that the entrepreneur has revealed is that in the coming period the company prepares the launch of water in 0.5 l packaging. At present, Calipso water logistics comprise 2 l, 5 l, 6 l and 10 l packs, bottling charcoal and still water.
The manager does not exclude the possibility of building new factories in the future in locations that will help make distribution more efficient. Also, a new and "different" product, as the businesswoman described it without giving more details, will be released in about two years.
The product portfolio of the manufacturer also includes Miraqua water and the Viviel range of flavored waters, the latter being available in two flavors - apple and lemon juice - and listed in Kaufland hypermarkets.
The company does not export the products at present, nor does it plan to in the near future.
Calipso was established in 1991, currently having more than 150 employees, and ended last year with a turnover of about 50 million lei.
