Are you looking forward to starting a mineral water manufacturing plant? If Yes, read this post for a step-by-step guide on how to plan for starting a mineral water manufacturing business.
Mineral water is one of the important items, which is directly consumed by health-conscious people all over the world. Mineral water is bottled under very hygienic conditions and strict quality control. Its major use is in 5-star hotels and hospitals where good quality pure water is required for potable purposes. The consumption of mineral water has gradually increased in developing countries due to the shortage of pure hygienic water.
Packaged Drinking Water Vs Mineral Water
There is a general misconception however about mineral water among people. Generally. you will find two kinds of purified water in the market. One is packaged bottled drinking water and the other is mineral water.
Mineral Water Plant normally uses mountain spring water to produce Bottled Water. On the other hand, packaged drinking water plant uses Groundwater through a borewell as the source of water and then purifies with several purification applications to produce packaged drinking water.
Here in this article, we will deal with packaged bottled drinking water manufacturing as an original mineral water plant is not possible to start on a small scale.
8 Steps to Start Mineral Water Manufacturing Business
1. Understand the Local Market
Like any other business, it is essential to understand the local demand and trends in mineral water consumption. Do market research and gather information about the local competition, pricing, and market volume. Based on the feedback, plan your business so that the gaps and opportunities are explored to the maximum.
2. Learn the Manufacturing Process of Mineral Water
Water in its pure form is an oxide of hydrogen or a hydride of Oxygen. It is a transparent and colourless liquid with a melting point of 0°C and a boiling point of 100°C. Its refractive index is 1.00 and its specific gravity 1.0. Pure water is tasteless. It is the presence of minerals dissolved salts and added elements that enhance good taste in the water.
Depending upon the quality of raw water, suitable treatment is given to the water to make it as per the standards and packed in food-grade plastic Bottles with labels Indicating details of composition, date of bottling, expiry date, quantity, etc.
3. Create a Business Plan for Mineral Water Manufacturing Business
It is essential to develop a business plan for your mineral water manufacturing plant business. If you are looking for finance, it is advised to hire a professional business plan expert to create your business plan.
The most important topics that your mineral water plant business plan must address are as follows:
- Startup & recurring costs
- Target customers
- Pricing strategy
- Manpower hiring plan
- How do you plan to sell mineral water bottles?
4. Mineral Water Plant Setup Cost
A minimum of 1000 Sq. Ft space is required to start a small-scale mineral water plant. Out of that 500, Sq.ft will be covered and the rest will be an open area. The cost of the plant hugely depends on the packaging facility you want to provide.
Packaged drinking water is generally available in the market in the form of 200 ml pouch packing, 500 ml bottles, 1-litre bottles, 2-litre bottles, 5-litre jars, and 20-litre drums. According to the investment capacity and desired packaging, you must select the right type of plant.
The key component of your mineral water business is the plant itself. Key elements include:
- Water Source: Secure a clean and reliable water source, usually a borewell or a treated water supply.
- Purification Process: Invest in water purification equipment, which may include filters, reverse osmosis (RO) systems, and UV disinfection units.
- Bottling Equipment: Acquire automated bottling and sealing machines to streamline production.
- Storage Facilities: Set up clean and secure storage tanks or facilities for purified water.
You can go with a fully automatic plant. Otherwise, a semi-automatic plant is also very effective compared to a fixed-cost investment.
5. Machinery Required
We have listed here some of the major machinery and equipment.
- Alum. Treatment Tanks
- Reverse Osmosis Plant
- Chlorination tanks made of S. Steel
- Sand filter
- Activated Carbon filter
- Micron filters
- Ultraviolet disinfectant system
- Electronic Doser for Alum
- Electronic Doser for Chlorine
- Ozone Generator
- Raw and Purified water collection tanks with motor and accessories
- Automatic rinsing filling and capping machine
- Shrinkwrapping machine for bottle
- Miscellaneous tools equipment, pipeline, etc.
- Laboratory testing and Quality Control, microbiological instruments, etc.
6. Cost & Investment
The cost will vary from one location to the other. For example, the startup cost to start a bottled water plant in the United States will be in the range of $400,000 to $700,000 on a small scale.
If you plan to launch a bottled water-making manufacturing unit in India, a minimum investment of Rs. 50 Lacs to Rs. 1 Cr will be required.
7. Select a Location
Selecting the location for manufacturing mineral water is the most critical aspect of starting the business. You need to check the pH value of the underground water of your mineral water plant site.
The pH value of around 7 is the most desirable. Furthermore, if the water underground is more acidic or alkaline in nature, the cost of maintenance of plants increases, as well as the cost of purification, goes higher.
8. Choose A Catchy Name for your Mineral Water Business
Naming your mineral water bottle company is another important step. That a relevant and catchy name goes a long way in establishing a brand for your company. Check our article on how to name a business.
9. Make your Mineral Water Business Legal
To run a mineral water plant, you need to obtain the necessary permits and licenses. This can include:
- Business Registration: Register your business as a legal entity.
- BIS Certification: In India, obtain the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification for your product, which ensures its quality and safety.
- Pollution Control Board Clearance: Obtain clearances from the state pollution control board.
- Trademark Registration: Consider trademark registration to protect your brand.
Also, check with the concerned authorities about the licenses and permits required to manufacture and sell mineral water bottles.
10. Hire and Train Staff
Hire trained personnel to operate the plant and manage other aspects of the business. Training is crucial to ensure the quality and consistency of your product.
11. Quality Control
Water quality is paramount in the bottling plant business. You must implement rigorous quality control measures to ensure your water meets or exceeds regulatory standards. Also, regular testing is essential.
12. Distribution and Marketing
You need to set up an efficient distribution network to supply your mineral water to retailers, offices, events, and homes.
Like any manufacturing business, the mineral water plant business will also need some time to bring you profits. Create a marketing plan to promote your brand. It is advised to remain dedicated and concentrate on product quality and promoting your brand. If you do these simple things, this business has the potential to fetch good sustainable profits shortly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of starting a mineral water plant?
The cost can vary widely depending on the plant’s capacity, location, and equipment. It can range from a few lakhs to crores of rupees.
How can I ensure the quality of my mineral water?
Quality control is crucial. Regularly test your water for contaminants and ensure that your plant’s purification process is well-maintained.
Do I need a BIS certification for my mineral water?
Yes, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification is mandatory for bottled water in India. It ensures that your product meets quality and safety standards.
How can I market my mineral water brand effectively?
Effective marketing strategies include building a strong brand, leveraging digital marketing, partnering with distributors, and promoting the health benefits of drinking purified water.
What is the demand for mineral water in India?
The demand for clean and safe drinking water in India is significant. Increasing awareness of health and hygiene is driving this demand.
Editorial Team at 99BusinessIdeas is a team of experts led by Rupak Chakrabarty with over 25 years of experience in starting and running small businesses. Started in 2010, 99BusinessIdeas is now one of the largest free small business resources in the industry.