National Newspaper Les Échos — SME-Regions Section / Île-de-France · April 28, 2022 · Article by Léo Da Veiga
In *Les Échos*, Léo Da Veiga reveals Castalie ambition Castalie expand into Germany, Europe’s largest consumer of plastic bottles. After doubling its sales in France over two years, the specialist in eco-designed microfiltered water dispensers now aims to attract restaurants, hotels, and businesses across the Rhine. This trend is driven by growing environmental awareness and a new culture of premium office spaces.
Key takeaways
- Castalie to launch its microfiltered water dispensers in Germany in the fall of 2022, targeting restaurants, hotels, and businesses: with a population of 83 million, the country is Europe’s largest consumer of plastic bottles, making it the continent’s biggest market for a sustainable alternative.
- Sparkling water accounts for 80% of the bottled water sold in Germany, a direct advantage for Castalie water dispensers produce still or sparkling water on site, while the German “Mehrweg Pfand” deposit system is losing ground to disposable bottles.
- Castalie installed base Castalie grown from 2,000 to 4,000 water fountains in two years, a growth driven by a €13.5 million fundraising round in 2020 and by the rise of the circular economy as a purchasing criterion for businesses.
- Castalie rental-and-maintenance subscription Castalie 150–250 euros per month per water cooler, including routine maintenance, reusable glass bottles, and washable water bottles: a clear premium positioning compared to low-end water coolers.
- The AGEC law, which calls for the phase-out of single-use plastic, has made microfiltered tap water more appealing to businesses: the regulation has transformed an activist choice into a rational decision to reduce the plastic footprint.
- Lockdowns have given rise to a culture of premium office spaces designed to appeal to remote workers, where plastic water bottles and low-end water coolers have been replaced by thoughtfully designed amenities.
- The Castalie water dispensers and bottles Castalie designed by Eliumstudio, with glass bottles that can be customized in each client company’s colors: an aesthetic choice that sets the brand apart from low-end water dispensers and makes it a decorative feature in professional spaces.
- Castalie 9 million euros in revenue in 2021 and was aiming for more than 13 million in 2022, with a workforce of 110 employees, European production, and filter assembly outsourced to an ESAT, operating as a mission-driven company with ESUS certification.
Source: Les Échos, SMEs-Regions / Île-de-France, April 28, 2022 — article by Léo Da Veiga. Read the original article
