Natural Mineral Waters Europe (NMWE) has published its Industry Report 2026, outlining the economic and environmental performance of Europe’s natural mineral and spring water sector.

According to the report, the industry generates more than €60 billion in annual turnover and supports an estimated 100,000 direct jobs. Europe is home to more than 500 bottling companies and over 900 production sites, many of which are located in rural areas.

The publication also highlights the sector’s role in supporting healthy hydration, saying that natural mineral and spring waters "contribute to healthier diets by providing a natural, calorie-free way to stay hydrate". NMWE also said that bottled water represents Europe’s largest non-alcoholic beverage category by volume.

On resource efficiency, the report states that the sector consumed an average of 0.6 litres of process water for every litre of finished product in 2023. It also details producers’ work to protect water sources and surrounding ecosystems through responsible abstraction, biodiversity initiatives and collaboration with local stakeholders.

Packaging remains a central focus for the industry. More than 95% of natural mineral water packaging consists of reusable glass or recyclable PET, while approximately 12% of production is packaged in glass. Of this glass packaging, more than 90% operates within reuse systems, primarily serving the hospitality sector.

NMWE also reiterated its support for deposit return schemes as a means of achieving the EU’s 90% separate collection target and increasing the availability of recycled material for new food-grade bottles.

The report includes details of wider industry initiatives covering climate action, closed-loop recycling and nature conservation, including NMWE’s Sources for Nature biodiversity project and its life-cycle assessment tool for members.