Image credits: Aquablu
Amsterdam-based Aquablu, a startup that aims to eliminate plastic waste, wastewater, and carbon dioxide emissions, announced on Thursday, December 8, that it has introduced REFILL+, a smart water tap system.
Aquablu REFILL+ provides purified water with healthy minerals, flavours, vitamins, and caffeine-on demand without any packaging.
The company says the drinks are sugar-free and contain less than 4cal per 100ml. In addition, the Dutch company offers drinks in multiple flavours (caffeine, Mango, Guave, etc.), each with its vitamin and minerals combination.
The system’s interface shows the real-time nutritional values of the drink according to the desired flavour intensity, claims the company.
By filtering out contaminants like PFAS, chlorine, and microplastics, the Dutch company is on a mission to provide constant water quality regardless of the location or incoming tap water.
“We notice that vitality and personal health are increasingly important topics for businesses. However, to facilitate this transition away from packed beverages, we need to go further than existing solutions,” says Marc van Zuylen, co-founder of Aquablu.
“When your business wants to stimulate drinking water and increase employee well-being, an ordinary water cooler with some canned syrup next to it will not cut it. We need to make sure the message sticks, and not the cup,” says Marnix Stokvis, co-founder of Aquablu.
Through partnerships with trusted brands like MAAS, Jumbo and ISS World Facilities, Aquablu targets both offices, retail and commercial locations.
“By introducing an economic incentive, sustainability doesn’t have to come at the expense of profit. In the end, the business case has to be right,” says Van Zuylen.
Aquablu: What you need to know
Founded in 2018 by Marnix Stokvis and Marc van Zuylen, Aquablu is on a mission to provide safe and clean drinking water for everyone – without using PET bottles.
Last year, the company launched Aquablu Refill, a smart product that can turn tap water into pure and natural mineral water using supreme osmosis technology.
The Dutch company complies with the WRAS (Water Regulations Advisory Scheme) certification mark. All parts that come into contact with water are food grade and certified to the highest drinking water standards (WRAS/NSF), claims the company.
In 2020, the company turned canal water in Amsterdam into safe drinking water with its smart technology. For this, Aquablu drew water from the Keizersgracht, Herengracht, and Prinsengracht canals in Amsterdam.
The company’s proprietary purification system was installed in a portable case on a boat and the water pumped out of the canals was purified, mineralised, and bottled on the spot. This one-litre limited-edition bottled water was then sold exclusively in the Netherlands via the company website for a premium price of €39.