Key Takeaways
- Mattoni 1873 has introduced the Czech Republic’s first recyclable canned mineral water, utilizing 70% recycled aluminum.
- The company aims for full circularity in beverage packaging and has reduced truck journeys by restoring its original railroad connection.
- Recent investments of over €40 million focus on expanding production capabilities and sustainability initiatives.
Karlovy Vary, a historic spa town in western Czech Republic, has a rich history dating back to the 15th century, particularly known for its mineral springs. A key figure in its contemporary legacy is Heinrich Mattoni, who, in 1873, established a mineral water spring after acquiring the nearby spa town of Kyselka. Mattoni revolutionized the distribution of his mineral water, laying a railroad for transport, and by 1898 was selling around eight million bottles annually.
Since being acquired by the Pasquale family from Italy in 1991, Mattoni 1873 has become the largest distributor of soft drinks in Central Europe, with operations in several countries including Hungary, Bulgaria, Austria, and Serbia. In the past three years, the company has invested over €40 million to enhance technology across its production sites.
Innovative Canning Line
The company recently launched the Czech Republic’s first innovative canning line from KHS, enabling the filling of mineral water into recyclable beverage cans. These cans are composed of approximately 70% recycled aluminum. “Our new, ultramodern system adds the final container category to our portfolio that has been lacking to date,” stated executive president Alessandro Pasquale. The new canning line allows for high-speed production and significant flexibility, processing various product formats, and meeting diverse consumer demands.
Commitment to Sustainability
Mattoni 1873 primarily produces flavored mineral waters and beverages from various licensed brands, including Pepsi products, which were previously imported. Beyond expanding its product range, the company is committed to environmental sustainability. It restored its original railroad line more than a decade ago, successfully reconnecting it to the Czech rail network, resulting in transportation savings of over 20,000 truck journeys yearly.
“We have been aiming for full circularity of all our beverage packaging for a long time now,” said spokeswoman Lutfia Volfová. The company utilizes returnable glass bottles and encourages local recycling of PET bottles and beverage cans. Furthermore, they launched the initiative zálohujme.cz to advocate for a nationwide deposit system to improve container recycling in the Czech Republic.
Longstanding Partnership and Future Plans
Mattoni 1873 has a longstanding partnership with KHS that dates back over 30 years, leading to continuous upgrades and expansions of production facilities. The recent investments include new machinery and an overall expenditure exceeding €8.2 million, necessary for a market that demands modernized production capabilities, particularly in the Karlovy Vary region and Kyselka, where most capital investments are aimed.
With ambitious growth strategies and a commitment to sustainability, Mattoni 1873 continues to solidify its position as a leader in the Central European beverage market, contributing positively to the environment and local economy.
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