Who Owns Aqua?

• Parent Company: Danone
• Ownership Type: Wholly owned
• Acquisition Year: 1998
• Company Type: Publicly Traded
• Stock Ticker: Euronext Paris: BN

• Founded: 1973
• Founders: Danone (original development)
• Acquired by Danone: 1998

• Founded: 1919
• Headquarters: Paris, Ile-de-France, France
• Company Type: Publicly Traded
• Stock: Euronext Paris: BN
• Revenue: €27.4 billion (FY2024)
• Employees: Over 90,000

Visit Danone website

• Headquarters: Jakarta, Indonesia
• Manufacturing / Operations: Indonesia, Southeast Asia

Aqua operates within Danone's comprehensive sustainability framework, implementing environmental and social responsibility initiatives as part of the company's Danone Impact Journey. As Danone's flagship water brand in Southeast Asia, Aqua contributes to the company's ambitious sustainability goals while addressing the unique challenges of bottled water production and water resource management.

Danone achieved full B Corp certification across its global operations in 2025, making Aqua part of one of the first major multinational food companies to attain this certification. This achievement demonstrates Danone's commitment to meeting high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency across all operations including Aqua's manufacturing and distribution activities.

Water stewardship represents a core focus area for Aqua's sustainability initiatives. Danone has set a target to improve water access for 20 million people by 2025, with Aqua playing a significant role in achieving this goal across Southeast Asia. The brand implements watershed protection programs, water conservation measures, and community water access projects in the regions where it operates, recognizing that sustainable water management is essential for both business operations and community wellbeing.

Circular packaging solutions are central to Aqua's environmental strategy. Danone is redesigning packaging across its water brands to support the development of effective circular packaging systems. Aqua has implemented initiatives to increase recycled content in bottles, improve recyclability, and support collection and recycling infrastructure in Southeast Asian markets. The brand is working to reduce plastic waste throughout its value chain while maintaining product safety and quality.

Climate action and carbon reduction are integrated into Aqua's operations. Danone has committed to decarbonizing its business and leading the way in cutting methane emissions across its supply chain. Aqua contributes to these goals through energy-efficient manufacturing processes, renewable energy adoption, and logistics optimization to reduce the carbon footprint of water production and distribution.

Regenerative agriculture partnerships support Aqua's sustainability approach. Danone works with farmers to transition to regenerative agriculture practices that protect watersheds and improve water quality. Aqua sources water from protected springs and works with local communities to implement nature-based solutions like agroforestry and wetland restoration, which help maintain healthy water ecosystems and ensure sustainable water supplies for future generations.

Transparency and reporting are fundamental to Aqua's sustainability approach. Danone publishes comprehensive sustainability reports detailing progress toward environmental and social targets, including specific metrics for water usage, carbon emissions, packaging circularity, and community impact. This transparency enables stakeholders to assess Aqua's sustainability performance and hold the brand accountable for its commitments.

Aqua's sustainability initiatives are particularly relevant in the context of Southeast Asia's water challenges and growing demand for safe drinking water. The brand's focus on water stewardship, circular packaging, and community engagement demonstrates how bottled water companies can contribute to sustainable development while meeting consumer needs for safe, accessible drinking water.

Aqua has received significant recognition for its contributions to public health, water safety, and sustainability in Indonesia and Southeast Asia. As Danone's flagship water brand in the region, Aqua has been acknowledged for its role in improving access to safe drinking water and implementing innovative sustainability initiatives.

The brand has been recognized by Indonesian government agencies and public health organizations for its contributions to reducing waterborne diseases and improving community health outcomes through the provision of safe, purified drinking water. Aqua's educational programs about water safety and hygiene have received awards from public health institutions for their effectiveness in promoting healthy water consumption practices.

Aqua's sustainability initiatives have earned recognition from environmental organizations and industry associations. The brand's water stewardship programs and watershed protection efforts have been acknowledged as leading examples of corporate environmental responsibility in the beverage industry. Aqua's work on circular packaging solutions and plastic waste reduction has received awards from sustainability organizations focused on environmental innovation.

Danone's B Corp certification in 2025 represents significant recognition for Aqua and all Danone brands, acknowledging the company's commitment to meeting high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. This certification places Aqua among companies that have demonstrated exceptional commitment to sustainable business practices and positive social impact.

Aqua has also received recognition for its community development programs, particularly its initiatives to improve water access in rural areas of Indonesia. The brand's partnerships with local communities and governments to establish sustainable water infrastructure have been acknowledged as models for corporate-community collaboration in addressing water security challenges.

The brand's quality and safety standards have earned multiple certifications from international food and beverage safety organizations, reinforcing Aqua's reputation as a trusted provider of safe drinking water. These certifications recognize Aqua's commitment to maintaining high quality standards across its manufacturing and distribution processes.

Aqua has faced significant controversies related to plastic pollution, environmental impact, and sustainability claims, reflecting the broader challenges facing the bottled water industry in Southeast Asia and globally.

Plastic Pollution Leadership (2024): Aqua was identified as Indonesia's largest plastic polluter according to a comprehensive river litter audit conducted by environmental NGO Sungai Watch. The audit found that Aqua bottles were the most common type of trash found in Indonesian rivers, accounting for 13% of plastic waste in some waterways. This finding was particularly notable given Aqua's B Corp certification and public sustainability commitments, creating significant tension between the brand's environmental claims and its actual environmental impact.

Plastic Offsetting Project Suspension (2024): Danone's plastic offsetting project in Indonesia, which was part of Aqua's sustainability strategy, was suspended following community allegations. The project, registered under Verra's plastic credit programme, was suspended after complaints that a recycling facility built by a local partner in Bali was constructed illegally close to residential areas without proper community consultation. The facility was accused of impacting community health and breaching housing regulations.

Environmental Justice Concerns: Indonesian environmental campaigners criticized plastic offsetting projects like Danone's as attempts to avoid addressing the root causes of plastic pollution. Groups like the Plastic Diet Movement argued that companies should focus on reducing plastic production rather than investing in removal schemes. The Indonesian government has set a target for 30% waste reduction by 2025, putting pressure on major plastic users like Aqua to reform their practices.

Bali's Biggest Polluter Label: Environmental NGOs have specifically identified Aqua as Bali's biggest plastic polluter, raising questions about the brand's environmental claims versus its actual impact. This designation has created tension between Aqua's marketing as a sustainable water provider and its role in contributing to plastic pollution in popular tourist destinations and local communities.

Circular Packaging Claims Scrutiny: Aqua's commitment to achieving 100% circularity by recovering more plastic from the environment than it uses by 2025 has faced scrutiny from environmental groups. Critics argue that such claims may be misleading given the brand's continued production of single-use plastic bottles and the challenges of implementing effective recycling infrastructure in Indonesia.

Community Health Impact: The suspended plastic offsetting project highlighted concerns about the health impacts of plastic recycling facilities on local communities. Residents near the Samtaku Jimbaran facility in Bali reported health issues related to the facility's operations, raising questions about the environmental justice implications of plastic waste management projects.

Sustainability Certification Controversy: Aqua's B Corp certification has been questioned by environmental groups given its role as Indonesia's largest plastic polluter. Critics argue that the certification may not adequately account for the full environmental impact of single-use plastic packaging and the brand's contribution to plastic pollution in waterways and communities.

Water Resource Management: Aqua has faced questions about the sustainability of extracting and bottling water resources in Indonesia, particularly in regions facing water scarcity. Environmental groups have raised concerns about the long-term impact of commercial water extraction on local water tables and community access to clean water resources.

Regulatory Compliance Issues: The plastic offsetting project suspension highlighted potential regulatory compliance issues in Aqua's sustainability initiatives. The facility's construction without proper permits and community consultation demonstrated gaps in the company's due diligence processes for environmental projects.

Consumer Trust Challenges: The controversies have created challenges for Aqua in maintaining consumer trust, particularly among environmentally conscious consumers who expect sustainable practices from B Corp-certified brands. The gap between Aqua's sustainability messaging and its environmental impact has led to increased scrutiny from consumers and advocacy groups.