Nova Spring Water is Australia’s only bulk water that is in BPA-free and recyclable bottles. The company was founded by Nitlin Lotliker in 2006, selling its first batch in 2007. Lotliker’s new start came in 1990, when he migrated from Mumbai to Australia with his wife. He said it “was like being born again.”
The polymer technology engineer felt compelled to explore ways in which synthetic containers could be healthier for people and healthier for the environment.
When Lotliker decided to start designing synthetic containers that were free of BPA, a commonly found chemical in synthetic materials, few were willing to pay more for the product.
“I found it very difficult to convince large buyers that here is a bottle that gives you a healthy product, but you’ve gotta pay a higher price for the healthier packaging.”
A new life, a new business
Not deterred, he decided to bottle his own water, calling it Nova Spring Water. ‘Nova’ is Latin for ‘new’, a name that fits both product and founder; since moving from India, Lotliker hasn’t looked back.
3 years into the business, he was losing roughly $20,000 a month, with his wife and son helping in the struggling business.
The tough times didn’t last; today, Nova has an annual turnover of $3 million and pumps out 60 million bottles a year.
This is set to grow now that Nova Spring Water has expanded its customer base overseas to the Chinese market. Help came from NSW Business Chamber’s program Export Growth China, which assisted the business to pitch to Chinese buyers, but it was Nova’s BPA-free material that distinguished the company from other water manufacturers.
Nova Spring Water now exports to China.
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