Gerolsteiner modernises mineral water category with 50% rPET reusable bottle
Building on a legacy of packaging innovation that dates back to 1998, Gerolsteiner has announced a major evolution of its best-selling container with the launch of a new, high-stability 1-litre PET reusable bottle.
Introduced to the market in mid-January 2026, this upgraded bottle represents a strategic move to blend premium design with a significantly lower carbon footprint, marking the first time the company has integrated recycled content into its reusable PET pool.
The most notable engineering change is the transition from a traditional four-foot base to a robust “champagne base.” This structural shift, combined with a slight increase in material weight from 48 grams to 62 grams, dramatically enhances the bottle’s durability.
While the previous model was already a staple of the circular economy, the new design can be refilled up to 25 times — significantly more than its predecessor. Furthermore, the inclusion of 50 per cent recycled PET (rPET) is expected to save approximately 1,900 tons of C02 annually, a reduction of more than one-third compared to the previous manufacturing process.
Gerolsteiner has carefully managed the transition to ensure zero disruption for retailers and logistics partners. The basic dimensions, including height, diameter, and label area, remain unchanged, allowing the new bottles to fit perfectly into existing 12 x 1-litre crates.
Because the company’s bottle pool is so vast, a “hard switch” is neither practical nor sustainable; instead, the new and old containers will coexist in the market for a transition period of approximately two to three years. This approach ensures that existing bottles in good condition can complete their full life cycle before being phased out.
Consumer perception played a vital role in the development of the new container, with market research indicating that shoppers view the updated design as more premium and robust while still feeling familiar.
To assist with the transition, Gerolsteiner is deploying special labels starting in January to inform consumers about the packaging change and the environmental benefits of the new rPET content. This initiative reinforces the company’s commitment to a multi-packaging strategy where reusable glass and PET account for 70 per cent of total sales. The rollout will span across food retail, convenience channels, and specialised beverage markets starting in the third week of 2026.
