Nestlé water
Nestlé exploring options to sell its spring water brands and purified water business. Credit: Steve Johnson on Unsplash.

Nestlé is exploring new strategic options including a potential sale of its spring water brands, purified water business and beverage delivery service under its Nestlé Waters North America.

As part of a review by the board of directors, the company plans to divest the majority of the Nestlé Waters business in the US and Canada, excluding its international brands. The review process is expected to be completed by early-2021.

The board said that the company will focus more on its international brands and will invest in differentiated healthy hydration including functional water products.

The company plans to make its entire global water portfolio carbon neutral and refill associated watersheds by 2025.

To achieve its sustainability goals by 2025, Nestlé is also planning to invest in projects that reduce or capture carbon across its portfolio and also aims to halve virgin plastic usage and replace it with recycled PET.

Nestlé CEO Mark Schneider said: “The creation of a more focused business enables us to more aggressively pursue emerging consumer trends, such as functional water while doubling down on our sustainability agenda.

“This strategy offers the best opportunity for long-term profitable growth in the category while appealing to environmentally and health-conscious consumers. Nestlé is one of the pioneers in the global water business and remains committed to healthy hydration. We are working tirelessly to ensure that consumers can enjoy our beverages in an environmentally responsible way.”

The company added that it is committed to growing its iconic international brands including Perrier, San Pellegrino and Acqua Panna in the US as well as the global markets.

In January, Nestlé Waters North America (NWNA) announced the expansion of its delivery service, ReadyRefresh by Nestlé.

The company had then noted that ReadyRefresh will offer its customers a wide range of beverages, including fibre-infused water, nitro cold brew coffee and energy drinks.