In an exclusive interview during the 2024 Global Water Drinks Congress, Gerrit Smit from Yili Innovation Center Europe chatted to FoodBev media about the company's commitment to sustainable water management and innovative practices in the beverage sector. As Yili showcases its award-winning Inikin Brewed Tea, Smit shares insights on how the brand is addressing global water challenges while meeting consumer demands for health-conscious products.

We are here at the 21st Global Water Drinks Congress in Frankfurt. Gerrit, can you tell us how Yili plans to leverage innovation to promote efficient water use in the F&B sector?

Water is vital for human survival and development. Given the threats posed by global water scarcity and pollution, conserving water resources has become a crucial agenda for international society in promoting sustainable development worldwide.

Addressing the looming water shortages, Yili is committed to the rational use, saving, and protection of water resources. Through comprehensive planning and coordination, we manage to optimise water resource management, adopt innovative technologies and equipment, and reduce water consumption and pollution. Thanks to this holistic approach to water management, we are glad to see sustainable water use across all our operations.

As for corporate governance, we have established an independent Sustainable Development Management Office in charge of the management of water resources. From the group level, besides setting water-saving goals, we are constantly monitoring our progress – not just within Yili’s operations but throughout our entire supply chain.

Believing in the power of digital technologies to propel industrial innovation and transformation, Yili is working on a digital water footprint accounting platform that aligns with the ISO14046 standard. Our goal is to conduct comprehensive water footprint assessments of every single product across all seven of our core product categories.

Upholding the motto of 'no innovation, no future,' Yili has consistently embraced innovation as a pivotal strategy for product R&D. I am delighted to once again attend the Global Water Drinks Congress to share Yili’s innovative developments and sustainable practices in our water products. I am also proud to present Inikin Brewed Tea, winner of the 2024 Global Water Drinks Awards, showcasing the recognition from experts across the global water drinks industry for our innovative achievements in this field.

Could you tell us what specific measures were taken by Yili and its sub-brand INIKIN in the management and conservation of water resources?

In 2023, Yili’s Low Water Footprint Initiative (LWFi) was approved by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs and publicised on the UN website, making Yili the first Chinese company to be approved by and join the UN Water Action Agenda. We are honoured to receive this huge recognition, because it underscores Yili’s contribution and leadership in global water conservation.

Guided by the Group’s 'green industrial chain strategy,' Inikin weaves together the core concept of 'green production, green consumption, and green development,' aiming to contribute to global sustainability efforts by achieving the brand’s own carbon neutrality. Inikin ensures stringent management and protection of its water sources – no industrial or agricultural activities are allowed within the protection zones, which is simply pure nature.

Aligning with China’s national standards, Inikin’s water sources are divided into three protection zones, with site isolation measures applied to tier 1 and 2 protection zones. The precious natural water is fully managed under a daily water extraction limit and transported via a 300-metre fully enclosed pipeline to the factory. Top-quality technologies such as nano-grade biological ultrafiltration membranes for filtering and ozone-free sterilisation are utilised to ensure product quality.

In addition, Inikin chooses environmentally friendly, sustainable packaging materials to reduce environmental impact. For example, the Inikin Ink-free Volcanic Bottle embodies the brand’s commitment to water source protection and green and sustainable development. These efforts have allowed Inikin to receive the Verification of the Product Carbon Footprint from Bureau Veritas, a world leader in testing, inspection and certification.

Congratulations to Inikin Brewed Tea on winning the Best Packaging/Label Design of the 2024 Global Water Drinks Awards. What makes the product so special?

Staying true to the corporate vision of 'be the most trusted global healthy food provider,' Yili continues expanding product possibilities in line with consumers’ nutrition and health needs. We are committed to bringing nutrients and health benefits to all age groups as people go about their daily lives.

To create a consumer-oriented volcanic mineral water brand, Yili carefully screened, investigated and compared hundreds of water sources across the globe, before we finally handpicked water sources in China’s Arxan – known as the 'Natural Oxygen Bar of China,' with a forest coverage rate of 95% – and Changbai Mountain, one of the 'World’s Three Golden Water Sources'.

Yili also constantly leverages innovative technologies to upgrade its products. In response to young Chinese consumers’ preference for sugar-free and convenient tea-drinking experiences, the Inikin Brewed Tea features a patented technique where the bottle cap separates freeze-dried tea powder from water, which is the first-of-its-kind in China. When unscrewing the cap, the tea powder housed in the cap will fall off and dissolve in water in just three seconds, making a fresh sugar-free tea drink.

Furthermore, Inikin Brewed Tea is known for its simple ingredients: tea and water. This sugar-free, calorie-free and additive-free healthy tea drink is the best example of products that connect with young consumers’ expectations for fresh, pure and wholesome choices.