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UK faces hydration confusion as one in six young adults mistake energy drinks for a healthy option

New research from the Natural Source Waters Association (NSWA) reveals widespread uncertainty among UK consumers about what constitutes a healthy drink, highlighting a gap in public understanding the organisation says must be addressed.

The research found more than one in six (17.5%) 25-34-year-olds surveyed believe energy drinks to be a “healthy” choice, at a times when new cases of obesity are rising fastest among young adults[i].

The findings also highlight rising public concern about the lack of guidance on hydration, with almost two-thirds (64%) of people surveyed believe that the Government should be doing more to promote healthy hydration.

Worryingly, the survey found that more than 40% of 18-34-year-olds believe that as long as they eat healthily, it doesn’t matter what they drink – a belief the NSWA says demonstrates the public’s poor public understanding of the issue and underlines the need for greater government action.

To help close this gap, NSWA has published a new Health Manifesto, calling for hydration to be given far greater recognition within public health policy. The manifesto includes proposals to strengthen public messaging on hydration, encourage healthier drink choices and support improved public awareness around healthy hydration.

It includes an ask for the upcoming National Food Strategy to be renamed the “National Food and Drink Strategy”, to recognise the role drinks play in the nation’s health system.

Other key findings include:

  • 29% of people rarely or never check the sugar or calorie content of what they drink
  • 28% of 25-34-year-olds have at least one energy drink a day, and 29% have at least one full-sugar soft drink a day
  • More than one in ten 18-24-year-olds (12%), and 14% of 25-44-year-olds, drink no plain water at all

James Withers, Chair of the NSWA, said:

“These findings should serve as a wake-up call. When nearly one in five young adults consider an energy drink to be a healthy choice, it’s clear that simple health messages, including water being the healthiest hydration choice, are just not getting through. Meanwhile, a creaking NHS is spending over £11 billion a year to combat obesity. Public confusion on this scale doesn’t happen in a vacuum; it’s the result of a lack of clear, consistent guidance on healthy hydration at a national level. It is something the Government has a responsibility to address if the nation’s poor health is going to improve.”

Johanna Hignett, Director and Consultant Nutritionist at Nourish Consulting Ltd, said:

“What we’re seeing here is a kind of health halo effect, where drinks associated with energy or performance get mentally filed as ‘healthy’ simply because they don’t look like an obvious sugary soft drink. In reality, all you need to hydrate most of the time is water and many energy drinks are high in sugar and caffeine. Frequent consumption, particularly among younger adults drinking them daily, can have a real impact on long-term health. Hydration is too often treated as an afterthought in conversations about diet, but what we drink is as important to our health as what we eat, and that message needs to be communicated far more clearly.”

Kinvara Carey, General Manager of the NSWA added:

“Two-thirds of the public are telling us the Government should be doing more on this, and yet more than four in ten 18-34-year-olds still believe their drink choices don’t matter as long as they’re eating well. That gap is the clearest possible sign that current Government messaging on healthy hydration isn’t getting through. We need to see that appetite for change matched with real commitment, starting with formally recognising drinks within the National Food Strategy, not treating them as an afterthought.”

NSWA’s Health Manifesto is available now, and the Association is calling on policymakers, retailers and industry to work together to close the UK’s hydration gap.

[i] [i] BBC News, Obesity cases rising fastest in young adults

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Tackling the Hydration Gap to Help Transform Health Outcomes

The UK continues to face a health crisis with the NHS under pressure
from waiting lists, funding limits, and staff shortages with obesity alone costing the NHS £11.4 billion annually.

The Government aims to relieve NHS pressure and improve health
through preventative care, and has published a National Food
Strategy focused on food security, health, environment and economy.

However, about 16% of average UK calorie intake coming from what
we drink and over 41% of 25–44 year-olds thinking that “as long as I
am eating healthily it doesn’t matter what I drink”.

It is vital that Government action and policies do not overlook the
important role that hydration can play in supporting the health of
the nation, helping tackle obesity and promote healthy lifestyles.

Our key asks:

• The National Food Strategy is renamed the National Food and Drink Strategy so the importance of what we drink is recognised alongside what we eat

• All publicly funded research on food and nutrition must also recognise drinks and hydration

• Review the Eat Well Guide to include a prominent glass of water, with the message that water should be the first choice for healthy hydration

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Highland Spring Group announces new partnership with the UK’s largest woodland conservation charity the Woodland Trust

Highland Spring Group, leading producer of natural source waters, has strengthened its commitment to becoming a nature-positive business through a new partnership with the Woodland Trust, the UK’s largest woodland conservation charity.

This partnership builds on the Group’s long‑standing dedication to land and water stewardship across its 2,500 acres of protected organic land in the Ochil Hills, Scotland.

In the first year, the partnership will focus on woodland creation and restoration across 1,200 hectares of conservation land at Glen Devon Woodlands in the Ochil Hills, Perthshire. The work will enhance biodiversity, restore native habitats, and further protect the natural environment surrounding the source of Highland Spring water.
Funding from the collaboration will support essential woodland management activities, including deer exclusion fencing, vole guard recycling, and the restoration of native woodlands to support long‑term ecological resilience. The partnership will also offer dedicated volunteering opportunities for Highland Spring employees, helping them connect more closely to the land which supports the business and brand.

To date, more than 2,000 native trees have already been planted within the extended Highland Spring catchment area to aid river restoration and help nature thrive. This new partnership enables the business to go even further on its journey to becoming a nature positive business.

Jim Fairlie, MSP for Perthshire South and Kinross-shire said: “This is exactly the kind of partnership we need to see more of; local business working hand in hand with environmental organisations to protect and enhance the landscapes that make Perthshire so special. The Glen Devon Woodlands and the Ochil Hills are an important natural asset for our area, supporting biodiversity, jobs, and communities. Highland Spring’s continued commitment to land and water stewardship, alongside the Woodland Trust’s expertise in conservation, is a welcome and positive step towards restoring native woodland and strengthening nature across the region. I’m pleased to see this investment in woodland creation and long-term biodiversity, and I look forward to seeing the benefits it will bring to both the environment and the local community.”

Emily Bond, Head of Sustainability, Highland Spring Group said: “Protecting and caring for nature is part of Highland Spring’s DNA, and we are delighted to partner with the Woodland Trust to help nature thrive through woodland creation and restoration. By extending our efforts beyond our own catchment into the wider Ochil Hills, this project represents an important step in strengthening our long-term commitment to restoring and protecting the natural environment. We look forward to working with the Woodland Trust as we advance our shared mission of creating a positive impact for people, society, and the planet.”

Alastair Seaman, Director of Scotland, Woodland Trust said: “Brilliant to see our new partnership getting off the ground! Working with our neighbours, Highland Spring, in the Ochil Hills has the potential to make a big difference to native woodlands in the area. Their support helps us create and connect habitats that benefit both nature and communities. We’re grateful for their commitment to our shared mission to protect and restore woodland for people and nature.”

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NSWA’s statement on UK Governments UKIMA decision for DRS in Wales

The Natural Source Waters Association and its members have long supported a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for drinks containers, and we have dedicated significant time and resource to making it a reality. The decision of the UK Governments on Wales’s application for an exemption for aspects of their scheme under UKIMA gives much needed clarity on what we, alongside others across industry are working hard to launch in October 2027. We urge all of the UK Governments to continue to work with us to deliver this important step as part of creating a low‑carbon, circular future across the UK.

You can find the Welsh Government statement on the decision below:

Written Statement: The Deposit Return Scheme for Drinks Containers (Wales) Regulations 2026

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UK DMO becomes Exchange for Change as new identity unveiled for UK’s Deposit Return Scheme

The UK Deposit Management Organisation (UK DMO), the not-for-profit body established by industry to design and deliver the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, has unveiled its trading name – Exchange for Change.

This announcement marks another important milestone in the delivery of the UK’s Deposit Return Scheme, which will go live in October 2027. Exchange for Change reflects the scheme’s core purpose: a simple exchange where people return their empty drinks containers to reclaim their deposit, and the wider impact that simple action has in reducing litter and keeping communities clean. It’s a straightforward transaction that leads to meaningful environmental change.

As part of this next phase of development, Exchange for Change has unveiled a new brand icon that will appear on all in-scope bottles, cans and return points associated with the Deposit Return Scheme. The icon has been designed to become the single, recognisable identifier of the scheme – making it easy for people to spot participating containers and return locations at a glance. This consistent visual marker will support correct participation at point of return and enable clear, unified messaging across packaging and infrastructure. The icon visually represents the deposit return process and works consistently across the full range of drinks containers covered by the scheme.

The DMO worked with Uncommon Creative Studio, a global creative agency with experience in major brand projects, on the development of the brand and logo.

Supporting businesses

Exchange for Change will work closely with drinks producers, retailers, wholesalers and hospitality to support the adoption of the scheme logo on labels and packaging. Formal issuance of the scheme logo and detailed guidance on how and when to apply it – including placement, sizing and approved formats – will be shared in the coming weeks, giving businesses time to prepare artwork updates ahead of the scheme’s introduction.

Under the regulations, the logo will be a required part of container design for drinks included in the scheme (PET plastic, aluminium and steel, 150ml-3l), helping customers recognise in-scope items and understand how to return them

Russell Davies, CEO Exchange for Change, said: “Our new name reflects what this scheme is about: making a simple change that has the power to transform streets, communities and recycling habits across the UK. The brand icon is intended to become synonymous with the scheme itself, providing a consistent visual cue that supports participation and helps drive cleaner streets and communities.

“We’re excited to take this next step and will keep working closely with partners across the UK, supporting them in preparing for the launch of the scheme and making sure that together we deliver real change and a scheme that works for everyone.”

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Celebrating five years of partnership with the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust on land stewardship

 

Nestlé Waters & Premium Beverages UK celebrated the halfway mark of its 10-year dedicated land stewardship programme with the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust by hosting an event for volunteers at its bottling site in Buxton this week.

Spanning across 190 acres of land in Derbyshire, the partnership has focused on protecting and regenerating the former Lightwood Reservoir and former Cowdale Quarry, where some of the site’s water sources are based. Its objective is to help enhance biodiversity on the land, safeguard the quality of water underneath, and create lasting benefits for the local community.

 

 

The work could not have been achieved without the help of local volunteers working with the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust. To celebrate them and recognise their great effort, the volunteers were invited to an exclusive guided tour of the Buxton Crescent Heritage Trust’s Visitor Experience to learn more about the history of Buxton town and its waters. They then enjoyed a tour of the BUXTON and NESTLÉ PURE LIFE waters bottling site and of the on-site wildflower meadow and community garden.

It was also an opportunity to learn more about Nestlé Waters & Premium Beverages UK sustainability strategy and projects. In particular, the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust volunteers were the very first to see the new report summarising the brilliant land management work that has taken place over the past five years and spotlighting some of the people involved.

Kyle Winney, Living Landscape Officer, White Peak at the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, said: “This partnership has delivered important impacts over the last five years. Lightwood and Cowdale are being restored making significant contributions to landscape-scale nature recovery and are important spaces that inspire and connect local communities to wildlife. With support from our incredible volunteers, we’re really proud of the progress we’ve made and excited to see these spaces deliver even more for nature and local people.”

Hannah Phillips, Factory Manager at Nestlé Waters Buxton, said: “Celebrating five years of partnership with Derbyshire Wildlife Trust is a proud moment for us. Their expertise has helped us restore two incredible sites at Cowdale and Lightwood, which is supporting biodiversity, engaging our community, and safeguarding the quality of water for future generations. A huge thank you to the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust team and all the dedicated volunteers that make all of this possible.”

 

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NSWA launches health manifesto to highlight importance of healthy hydration

The Natural Source Waters Association (NSWA) launched its health manifesto: Flowing Forward: Tackling the Hydration Gap to Help Transform Health Outcomes in Parliament on Monday 30th June calling for a National Food and Drink Strategy to improve the hydration of the nation.

The NSWA warns that a lack of awareness of the importance of healthy hydration runs contrary to the UK’s fight against obesity and poor health outcomes. Despite being the healthiest choice that contains no sugar or calories, water is rarely prioritised in government campaigns or promoted as the healthiest choice of drink on retailers’ shelves.

The manifesto calls for hydration to be fully integrated into national health planning as the Government develops its 10-Year Plan for the NHS and new National Food Strategy. As Government restrictions on the promotion and placement of HFSS products develop, this creates opportunities for retailers to play their part by promoting healthier options in their place.

The manifesto puts forward a case for Government to take action on three key areas:

  1. Healthy hydration to be included in public health messaging and policy, including the National Food Strategy
  2. Positive incentives to support consumers to make healthier drink choices
  3. A nationwide awareness campaign to position hydration alongside nutrition in public consciousness

Kinvara Carey, General Manager at the Natural Source Waters Association, said: “Hydration remains largely absent from national dietary advice, and this needs to change. Today, we are urging the Government to recognise the vital role that drinks play in the nation’s health by renaming the National Food Strategy the National Food and Drink Strategy. Hydration is a missing piece of the preventative health puzzle. If we want to help ease the pressure on the NHS and improve long-term outcomes, the time to act is now.”

Simon Oldham, Managing Director, Highland Spring Group: “We believe embedding water into national health strategies is one of the levers which could help reduce obesity and associated illnesses. Together with other natural source water producers we are urging the Government to recognise the role water can play in supporting the health of this generation of consumers and the next.”

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Highland Spring Group Launch Solar Farm in Partnership with SSE

Blackford 6th May 2025: Highland Spring Group, leading UK producer of natural source waters, in partnership with clean energy company SSE Energy Solutions, have announced the launch of a new solar farm in Scotland.

Located in the Ochil Hills, Perthshire, the 7-megawatt, 23-acre project will supply up to a quarter of the Group’s electricity needs for their main Blackford site. Construction is due to start in Summer 2025 and it is expected the solar farm will be fully operational by early 2026. SSE has been appointed to manage the installation and running of the solar site on behalf of Highland Spring Group.

 

In addition to providing power to the manufacturing site and offices, the project has direct, tangible benefits for the local community including a sensitive design to minimise its visual impact, providing a free-of-charge electricity supply to Blackford Primary School and rapid EV chargers for community use.

In recent years Highland Spring Group has accelerated their business decarbonisation roadmap, delivering projects and initiatives in collaboration with customers and partners which reduce emissions across their entire operations from source to shelf. They were one of the first companies in the UK to have their science-based net-zero target approved by the Science Based Target initiative (SBTi) under the Net-Zero Standard and recently attained a B score from the Climate Disclosure Project (CDP) for their work to address climate change.

 

Jim Fairlie MSP for Perthshire South and Kinross-shire said: “Highland Spring are an important local employer who have done a power of work in recent years to decarbonise. I welcome this partnership between Highland Spring and SSE, and the community benefit that it will bring both for the school and with the community use EV chargers.”

 

Simon Oldham, Managing Director Highland Spring Group said: “Environmental and social responsibility have always been at the heart of our purpose and this project not only positively supports our sustainability strategy but our good neighbour

programme too. Harnessing the renewable energy transition is a key part of our journey towards a zero-carbon future, and we are delighted to have collaborated with SSE to bring this solar site to life.”

 

Stuart Batty, Senior Project Development Manager, said: “This partnership with Highland Spring marks a key step in Scotland’s renewable energy journey. By uniting our expertise with Highland Spring’s sustainable leadership, the 7MW solar project is a fantastic example of local power in action, decarbonising businesses and enhancing energy resilience for the community”

Margaret McMillan, Head Teacher, Blackford Primary School said: “The solar farm is a major development for the local community and on behalf of the entire school I am delighted that we will benefit in a tangible way from Highland Spring’s focus on renewable, sustainable energy.”

Councillor Liz Barrett, Perth and Kinross Council’s Climate Change and Sustainability Vice-Convener, commented: “The impact of climate change means we all need to consider renewable sources wherever we can as the way forward for energy generation. This is a major project for the Blackford area and I warmly welcome the valuable support to local life that Highland Spring and SSE will provide through the solar farm both in EV chargers for community use and significantly, a free electricity supply for Blackford Primary School.”

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UK DMO appointed as DRS administrator

UK Deposit Management Organisation Ltd (UK DMO) has today been announced as the operator of the new Deposit Return Schemes for single-use plastic and metal drinks containers in England, Northern Ireland and Scotland.

The appointment has been made by the UK Government and DAERA. In Scotland, Scottish Ministers have also decided that UK DMO should be designated as the DRS scheme administrator.*

UK DMO is a business-led, not-for-profit organisation created to deliver one of the most significant environmental infrastructure programmes in a generation across England, Northern Ireland and Scotland. Once launched, the Deposit Return Schemes will cut litter, boost recycling and reduce carbon emissions. According to a report from The Countryside Charity, introducing DRS is expected to create up to 4,000 jobs across the UK and will bring significant investment in infrastructure required to deliver the scheme including storage, logistics, and reprocessing.

UK DMO will now begin engaging with partners including the three governments, business, including drinks producers and retailers, consumer and environmental groups to design and operate a scheme which works for everyone. Producers, retailers and other interested parties are encouraged to visit the UK DMO website and register their interest in getting updates at www.ukdmo.co.uk.

Built by business, working for everyone
UK DMO is governed by a Board that brings together voices from across the drinks and retail sector across all three nations. Members have been nominated by trade associations representing both large and small producers, major supermarkets, small convenience stores
and wholesalers from across England, Northern Ireland and Scotland. Recruitment is also underway for an independent Chair and non-executive directors. The Board includes highly experienced figures from companies including Shepley Spring, Radnor Hills, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, Heineken UK, Lidl, Tesco and Co-op. Many of the Board members bring experience working in international markets where deposit return schemes are already in place.

UK DMO is responsible for designing and operating the systems that make the scheme work – from producer registration to logistics, finance, fraud prevention and public communications.

In a joint statement, the UK DMO Board said:
“DRS is an opportunity to deliver a transformational step forward in the circular economy in the UK and the appointment of the DMO is a major milestone in that journey. We don’t underestimate the scale of the challenge, but our aim is simple – to build a system that’s fair, efficient and easy to use. Our work is already underway, and we’ll be working closely with governments, businesses of all sizes,  environmental groups and consumer bodies to move forward as quickly as possible.”

A landmark scheme
UK DMO has been tasked by the three governments with delivering a Deposit Return Scheme to go live in October 2027. From that date, when people buy drinks containers made from PET plastic, steel and aluminium between 150ml and 3 litres, they will pay a small deposit – which they will get back in full when they return the empty container for recycling.
Every year, 6.5 billion drinks containers are discarded across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. contributing to 43% of all litter. The scheme aims to reduce this significantly while increasing recycling rates and reducing emissions.

 

British Soft Drinks Association Director General, Gavin Partington said:
“The British Soft Drinks Association welcomes the UK Government’s appointment of UK Deposit Management Organisation Ltd as scheme administrator for its Deposit Return Scheme. This appointment marks a key milestone in realising the opportunities of a more circular economy, driving £1.13bn of industry investment over the next three years and creating more than 4,000 jobs across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The British soft drinks industry looks forward to playing our part in ensuring successful delivery of a DRS by October 2027.”

British Retail Consortium Director of Food and Sustainability, Andrew Opie said:
“A well-designed Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), with retail at its heart, will be an important contribution to delivering a circular economy in the UK. We welcome today’s appointment of the Deposit Management Organisation (DMO) to oversee the DRS.
Retailers and the BRC have been central to the DMO’s development, committing significant funding, time and resource to get to this point and we are pleased that our voice will continue to be heard as the initiative progresses. The DMO must now get to work to ensure the smooth delivery of a DRS that works for businesses and consumers.
We look forward to engaging with them and the government to ensure that DRS makes a meaningful difference to recycling across the UK.”

Natural Source Waters Association General Manager, Kinvara Carey said:
“We at the Natural Source Waters Association and our members have been working hard with UK and Devolved Governments, alongside other trade associations, drinks producers and retailers to get to this significant milestone. This announcement is great news for all involved. The DMO will have a clear focus on developing the most efficient
and effective Scheme to reduce littering and enable more drink containers to stay in the loop and be given another life.”

Association of Convenience Stores Chief Executive, James Lowman said:
“This is a major step towards the delivery of a Deposit Return Scheme for the UK. For the scheme to deliver a step change in recycling rates, local shops will need to play an Internal Note: this is the DMO-led press release. Version 13 sent at 10:59 on 01/05/25 integral part, offering a convenient network of return points both for local residents and people consuming drinks on the go.
We are looking forward to working with the newly-formed Deposit Management Organisation to ensure that the scheme is operationally viable and attractive for retailers to take part in. With less than two-and-a-half years before launch, it is vital that retailers can make informed choices about how to take part in the scheme, and we are
committed to providing the information and advice they need.”

British Beer and Pub Association Chief Executive, Emma McClarkin said:
“Our sector is committed to sustainable packaging and a more circular economy and we are proud to have been involved in the development of an industry-led, not for profit, organisation to run the Deposit Return Scheme. The ambition now is to deliver a complex scheme that requires very significant investment in challenging times with
major changes to operations, in a way that’s as cost-effective as possible, while furthering environmental goals.”

The Federation of Wholesale Distributors and the Scottish Wholesale Association jointly said:
“The wholesale sector welcomes the announcement of the appointment of the Deposit Return Scheme Deposit Management Organisation. This is a significant step forward in progressing a workable and effective DRS across the UK.
We are pleased the wholesale sector is represented on the DMO Board, ensuring our voice and the interests of wholesalers operating across the UK, is heard at the highest level. Our engagement will be constructive and grounded in the operational knowledge and experience of our members.
It is vital that the unique challenges faced by wholesale businesses, as both distributors, producers and as retailers are recognised and addressed in a practical and proportionate manner by the DMO. Our priority remains ensuring a DRS that is both environmentally effective and commercially workable for our sector.”

Northern Ireland Food and Drink Association Executive Director, Michael Bell OBE said:
“Food and drink manufacturers want to see the smoothest possible operation for consumers, for industry, and for delivering for the environment. In Northern Ireland we have seen how DRS has developed in the Republic of Ireland and we have been working
with government and industry colleagues on the development of a similar scheme for the UK. We look forward to working with the Deposit Management Organisation as the delivery of the scheme progresses.”

Scottish Grocers’ Federation Chief Executive, Dr Pete Cheema OBE, said:
“SGF understands how important DRS will be for our members and for promoting sustainability across Scotland and the UK. That is why we worked closely with the Scottish Government and stakeholders throughout the development of the Scottish DRS.
Our engagement with DEFRA and the Advisory Council to establish the DMO has been positive, and we look forward to working closely with the new administration team in the coming months and years. Now that the DMO is in place, it provides an important opportunity for our members to address any concerns they have as early as possible
and help build confidence in the scheme. Making sure that retailers have all the information they need about the options available to them.
SGF will also continue to meet with the DRS team in the Scottish Government, and our colleagues across the Scottish sector, to support the delivery of a fully fit for purpose scheme that works for all parts of the supply chain.”

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Highland Spring Group Welcomes First Minister of Scotland to Blackford site

Blackford 14th April 2025

Highland Spring Group, leading UK producer of natural source waters, welcomed First Minister of Scotland, John Swinney MSP to their site in Blackford, Perthshire today. The First Minister met members of the leadership, water resource and manufacturing teams and was given a tour of the Highland Spring water source and catchment area in the Ochil Hills.

The First Minister along with Jim Fairlie MSP for Perthshire South and Kinross-shire were shown the protected, organically accredited Highland Spring catchment area which stretches across over 2,500 acres of the beautiful Ochil Hills in Perthshire. The land has nothing but nature on it and allows the rainfall to filter naturally over many years through the rock to depths of up to 300 feet before being bottled at the Blackford plant in its natural source condition. Responsible environmental stewardship and a focus on biodiversity and healthy ecosystems is central to the company’s mission to ensure the sustainability of the land and water for generations to come.

In the last eight years the Group has invested over £60m in new buildings, plant, and equipment at the Blackford headquarters, including one of the fastest production lines in Europe, which can fill at speeds of 73,000 bottles an hour. As the business focuses on unlocking future growth and reaching £200 million sales, they recently entered the 400 million litres flavoured water category, with a new Highland Spring Flavoured Still Water range supported by a £10 million investment which will provide circa 25% of extra growth capability every year.

The Group’s dedicated rail freight facility in Blackford, the first to launch in Scotland in over a decade, has now been fully operational for over two years. 40% of the water supplied from the main bottling plant in Blackford is transported by rail, removing 8,000 HGV movements from the roads, and saving over 3,000 tonnes of CO2 every year.

 First Minister John Swinney said: “Scotland’s breathtaking landscapes, rich biodiversity, and abundant natural resources are much more than a source of pride – they are the foundation of our future prosperity with investment in rebuilding natural capital being key to economic growth. These natural assets, such as our world-famous water, support at least £40 billion in economic output and around 260,000 jobs.

“Highland Spring is an excellent example of a home-grown Scottish business investing in natural resources and producing exceptional products. The quality of Highland Spring products is reflected in the speed of its growth as a brand, which has allowed for subsequent investment in its production facilities here in Perthshire.

“The company’s innovative rail freight facility, supported by £4.47 million funding from the Scottish Government, has enabled the business to reduce its carbon footprint by transporting its goods more sustainably, whilst also reducing the number of HGV vehicles on local roads.

“Highland Spring’s dedication to the land and the community around this site is clearly key to its success. We will continue to support sustainable businesses like Highland Spring to utilise and steward our incredible landscapes and ecosystems – for the benefit of our economy, our people and our planet.”

Simon Oldham, Managing Director of Highland Spring Group said: “We were delighted to welcome the First Minister to our site and proud to showcase our business, brand, and the untouched, organic land from which we draw our iconic Highland Spring water.

As a key local employer, we are focused on making a positive socio-economic impact in Perthshire and across Scotland as part of our long-term strategy to invest in and develop innovative, high-quality, sustainable products which provide healthy hydration in an environmentally sustainable way.”