Who Owns Aqua?

Aqua was founded in 1973 by Tirto Utomo, an Indonesian businessman who recognized the need for safe, clean drinking water in Indonesia. At the time, tap water in Indonesia was not reliably safe to drink, and Utomo saw an opportunity to provide purified bottled water to Indonesian consumers. The company was initially called PT Golden Mississippi and launched the Aqua brand as its flagship product.

The early years were challenging. Bottled water was a new concept in Indonesia, and many consumers were skeptical about paying for water. Utomo and his team worked to educate consumers about the benefits of purified water and the risks of drinking contaminated tap water. The brand's name, Aqua (Latin for water), was chosen for its simplicity and universal recognition.

Aqua's growth accelerated through the 1980s as Indonesia's middle class expanded and awareness of water quality issues grew. The brand established multiple production facilities across Indonesia to meet growing demand and ensure product freshness. Aqua became the dominant bottled water brand in Indonesia, synonymous with bottled water in the same way that Xerox became synonymous with photocopying.

In 1998, Danone acquired a majority stake in PT Tirta Investama (the company behind Aqua) for approximately $70 million, integrating Aqua into its global water portfolio. The acquisition gave Aqua access to Danone's global resources, technology, and distribution expertise. Tirto Utomo, the founder, passed away in 1994, but his family remained involved in the business.

Under Danone's ownership, Aqua has continued to grow and expand. The brand has invested heavily in sustainability initiatives, including programs to reduce plastic waste, improve water source management, and support local communities near its production facilities. Aqua's sustainability efforts reflect both Danone's corporate values and growing consumer expectations around environmental responsibility.

Aqua has maintained its dominant position in the Indonesian bottled water market, with a market share estimated at over 40% in Indonesia. The brand is available across Indonesia through an extensive distribution network that reaches even remote areas of the archipelago.