Refreshment brings you monthly updates on the latest news and insights from our member associations in the vending, coffee and water sectors. Featuring insights from industry leaders, this round-up highlights key developments, events and initiatives shaping the future of these industries, providing essential information on emerging trends and regulatory changes.

Vending and coffee updates

The vending, automated retail and coffee sectors are rapidly evolving, with new initiatives, industry events and regulatory developments shaping its future. Here’s what’s happening in this sector this month:

The Vending & Automated Retail Association (AVA):

• Final call for input on vending hygiene guidelines

The revised Food Industry Guide to Good Hygiene Practice: Vending & Dispense is nearing its official registration. Industry professionals, including vending operators, suppliers, facilities managers and environmental health officers, have a final opportunity to submit feedback before the guidelines are formalised. The updated guide aligns with Directive 93/43 EEC and will be recognised by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Food Standards Scotland (FSS).

• Networking event at The Crystal Maze

A networking event for vending and automated retail professionals will take place at The Crystal Maze Live Experience in Manchester, UK, on 14 May 2025. Designed to foster collaboration and problem-solving, the event offers attendees a fun and engaging way to connect with peers. The event also includes breakfast, lunch, drinks and prizes.

• Date: 14 May 2025

• Location: The Crystal Maze, Manchester

• Cost: £120 + VAT

• Booking: kennedy.warwick@the-ava.com

• Celebrating emerging talent in catering industry

The 2025 Contract Catering Awards, which took place on Monday 3 March at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, London, showcased the growing role of vending in the catering industry, with the Rising Star Award celebrating outstanding new talent.

With vending technology continuing to advance, businesses across various sectors – including workplaces, healthcare and hospitality – are discovering how automated retail solutions can enhance convenience, efficiency and the consumer experience.

European Vending & Coffee Service Association (EVA):

• FrieslandCampina and Fresh at Work join the EVA

Two major players in the food and beverage industry, FrieslandCampina and Fresh at Work, have officially joined the European Vending & Coffee Service Association (EVA) as supportive members. The move reflects both companies' ambitions to strengthen their market presence and foster collaboration within the vending and coffee service sector.

FrieslandCampina, an international dairy company with over 150 years of cooperative history, supplies a wide range of consumer products and food industry ingredients. The company, which has branches in 30 countries and export to over 100 countries worldwide, sees its EVA membership as an opportunity to promote further its products to foodservice professionals, in particular its Lattiz milk foaming technology for foodservice.

The business also expect to increase knowledge on vending industry applications, as Lattiz could be a good solution for drinks in the vending industry. EVA director general, Erwin Wetzel, highlighted: “I welcome FrieslandCampina to EVA. There are of course many synergies between a large, well-known global supplier of dairy products and coffee machine professionals in our sector, so for me the EVA can provide the perfect platform for networking and a greater understanding of the market developments."

"As the self-serve coffee market continues its march towards exceptional quality, fresh milk provision is one of increasingly demanded ingredients for a quality coffee in the workplace; also demonstrated through statistics in the annual EVA market report.”

Fresh at Work, part of the Melitta Group since 2018, provides comprehensive coffee and water solutions for workplaces, including coffee beans, milk and chocolate powder, coffee machines and regular maintenance services. Chief growth officer Lars Finke stated: “We are delighted to become a member of EVA to connect with industry leaders and stay ahead of market trends. EVA offers a strong platform for collaboration, knowledge exchange and advocacy within the vending and coffee service sector."

"We look forward to leveraging this network, participating in key events like EVEX, and contributing to the industry’s growth. Our membership will support our commitment to innovation and help us deliver even greater value to our customers.”

Wetzel added: “I am pleased to see another high-quality machine operator join EVA. Whether it is on coffee or water related trends and preferences in the German market, or finding common solutions to policy challenges, I’m convinced that the contribution by Fresh at Work to the EVA will be valuable. At the same time, the company can now benefit from the wide EVA network, our unique and widely sought-after industry knowledge and becoming part of the wider European family of vending professionals.”

Water updates

The water sector continues to evolve with innovative technologies, sustainability initiatives and industry events driving progress. From watercoolers to hydration solutions, here’s what’s happening in this space:

Water Dispenser & Hydration Association (WHA):

• UK water market shrinks in units but grows in value

The latest UK Water Dispense Market report from Zenith Global Commercial reveals that unit placements fell below 785,000 in 2024, reflecting a decline in the number of water dispensers in operation.

The report says that the decline shows the market's maturity, the ongoing impact of hybrid working and the effect of an unusually rainy summer that slowed sales momentum. Despite this drop, industry revenue rose by 8.5% to £191.9 million, driven by higher pricing in bulk bottled water supply and growing demand for integrated tap systems (ITS).

Zenith Global's consulting director, Akos Petri, said: “2024 marked a year of resilience and value-led growth. While total unit numbers dipped, revenue performance was solid thanks to the sector’s ability to adapt with higher-value offerings and strategic pricing."

Key market insights

Zenith Global’s report also revealed:

• Sustainability efforts: The average bottled water throughput per dispenser reached 793 litres, reducing plastic waste by using returnable and refillable bottles.

• Growth in ITS: ITS units have grown by 22% over the past five years.

• Home use on the rise: Point-of-use (POU) dispensers for homes were the fastest-growing segment in 2024.

  
  

Looking ahead, Zenith Global forecasts moderate growth over the next five years, with the total number of water dispensers expected to reach 803,000 by 2029.

Watercoolers Europe (WE):

• WE unveils full programme for WE 2025 conference and trade fair in Milan

Watercoolers Europe has released the full event programme for the WE 2025 conference and trade fair, set for 6-7 November 2025 at the Meliá Milano Hotel, Italy.

The two-day event will bring together industry leaders, innovators and professionals to discuss key trends, regulatory updates, sustainability and technological advancements shaping the watercooler sector.

Alongside expert-led discussions, interactive workshops will offer practical strategies for business growth in an evolving market. The WE International Trade Fair will showcase cutting-edge products and services, providing opportunities to strengthen industry connections and discover new suppliers.

A highlight of the event will be the Aqua Awards & Gala Dinner, recognising excellence in the industry.

The full event programme is available here. For full details on sessions, speakers and key highlights, visit the Watercoolers Europe website.

International Bottled Water Association (IBWA)

• Bottled water professionals to gather in Las Vegas for 2025 IBWA conference and trade show

Bottled water professionals from across the globe will gather in Las Vegas, US, this September for IBWA's 2025 annual business conference and trade show, held alongside the Pack Expo Las Vegas trade show.

The event, scheduled for 29 September - 02 October, will feature networking events, educational sessions and a trade show showcasing the latest innovations to meet growing consumer demand for bottled water, the top packaged drink in the US.

This gathering will offer valuable opportunities for industry professionals to celebrate successes, network, gain insights and discuss strategies on how to help bottled water keep its status as the leading packaged beverage in the country. Participants will also have the chance to forge new business relationships and strengthen existing connections.

Registration for the event will open this spring.

• Updated microplastics statement: Bottled water industry calls for more research on microplastics in hydration products

The bottled water industry is committed to providing high-quality, safe hydration options for consumers. While micro- and nanoplastics are increasingly found in the environment – present in the air, soil and water – research has shown that bottled water, like many other food and beverage products in plastic packaging, may also contain these particles.

However, with no certified testing methods and a lack of scientific consensus on the potential health impacts of micro- and nanoplastics, the industry is calling for additional research to better understand this important issue.

Although many studies on micro- and nanoparticles have used water samples (both tap and bottled), it is important to note that water is often chosen as a testing medium due to it being 'the least complex testing medium'. Current scientific evidence does not support the conclusion that drinking water is a major source of micro- and nanoplastics intake.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says: “It is not aware of scientific evidence that would support consumers being concerned about the potential level of microplastic or nanoplastic contamination in food, including bottled water. Several studies have found microplastics and nanoplastics in both tap and bottled water; however, at this time, the scientific evidence does not demonstrate that levels of microplastics or nanoplastics in water pose a risk to human health."

After reviewing available studies, the World Health Organization (WHO) concluded that there is no evidence of adverse health effects from dietary exposure to micro- and nanoplastic particles smaller than 10 microns, citing the limited amount of scientific research. The WHO recommends further studies and the development of standardised methods for measuring and quantifying these particles.

Alongside these health agencies, IBWA and the American Chemistry Council (ACC) are calling for more research on the matter. The ACC has pledged nearly $15 million in independent research funding and aims to make all US plastic packaging reusable, recyclable or recovered by 2040, committing billions to improve recycling infrastructure and advocating for policies that prevent plastic waste from polluting the environment.

Natural Mineral Waters Europe (NMWE):

• NMWE and Pilario launch LCA tool to help water sector tackle environmental impact

Natural Mineral Waters Europe (NMWE) has partnered with Pilario to launch a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) tool designed to help companies in the natural mineral and spring water sector measure their environmental footprint with precision. Built around the EU-promoted Environmental Footprint methods, the tool goes beyond carbon impact to address a broad spectrum of environmental concerns, including water use, resource depletion, land use change or eutrophication.

The tool stands out for its accessibility and functionality tailored to the sector’s specific needs. It draws on comprehensive data from the PET and glass supply chains, providing companies with a reliable and consistent framework for assessing their environmental impacts. The availability of a common system also presents valuable opportunities for benchmarking – companies can compare their results against anonymised sector averages, ensuring consistent and objective measurements.

This benchmarking aspect is a significant draw even for larger companies that may already have established LCA processes in place. By utilising the same tool as their competitors, companies can gain insights into their relative performance within the industry, identifying areas for improvement and refining their environmental strategies accordingly.

Pilario’s collaboration with other beverage sectors and packaging supplier sectors further enhances the tool’s appeal. Companies producing other product categories besides water can benefit from using the same interface as all their products. Moreover, they can seamlessly import specific data from suppliers using Pilario products, further simplifying the assessment process and enhancing accuracy.

NMWE currently offers basic access to the tool free of charge to its members, enabling them to evaluate their products’ environmental impacts without financial barriers. For companies seeking enhanced functionality, premium features are available on a paid basis, allowing for deeper analysis and customized reporting.

Though designed for NMWE members, the tool’s development reflects the association’s broader commitment to promoting sustainability across the sector. As more companies adopt the tool, the consistency of data generated can further contribute to collective progress toward environmental goals.

For more information about the tool or how to access it, companies are encouraged to contact NMWE directly. This initiative underscores NMWE’s proactive role in equipping the natural mineral and spring water sector with practical resources for sustainability and environmental stewardship.

Stay tuned for more updates next month.