Frequently asked questions

NWB Water

Where does NWB's water come from?

  • Tällä hetkellä huippuluokan vesilähteestä Urajärveltä

What is the composition of NWB's water?

pH 6.6

Ingredient, Amount
Calcium (Ca) 12 mg/l
Sodium (Na) 5.3 mg/l
Potassium (K) 2.4 mg/l
Magnesium (Mg) 4.5 mg/l
Manganese (Mn) 0.01 mg/l
Aluminum (Al) <0.01 mg/l
Iron (Fe) <0.01 mg/l
Chlorides (Cl) 4.9 mg/l
Sulfates (SO4) 25 mg/l
Nitrates (NO3) 3.8 mg/l
Fluorides (F) <0.1 mg/l

Residue on evaporation (180 C°) 99 mg/l

How is NWB's water treated?

  • No treatment is done to the spring water other than mechanical filtration with a 3-micron filter capsule.

How is NWB's water analyzed and its quality ensured?

  • The water undergoes quality analyses in the laboratory several times a year.

How does Finnish water fare in international comparisons?

  • Finnish water is often considered the best in the world (e.g., Yale Environmental Performance Index and UNESCO: Managing Aquifer Recharge – A Showcase for Resilience and Sustainability).

What is the shelf life of NWB's water? How is the promised shelf life ensured?

  • NWB's bag-in-box packaging is designed to significantly extend the shelf life, as unlike bottles, our bag-in-box doesn't come into contact with unwanted microbes through air and mouth contact.
  • Pure water stored in a clean, sealed container in a cool and dark place remains usable for several months. However, spring water can spoil if stored in warm temperatures (above +30 degrees) or direct sunlight. It's good to note that if water is in a bottle, it lets in microbes.

Is it possible to order sample packages from NWB?

Kyllä.

Is there a minimum order quantity for water?

  • For international deliveries, full containers are required.
  • For domestic deliveries, a minimum of 10 pallets on euro pallets.

Benefits of NWB Bag-in-Box Packaging

How is NWB's patented packaging better than regular bag-in-box packaging?

  • Our 3-liter and even 5-liter packaging fits upright in the fridge, allowing you to directly dispense water into a glass without lifting the package.
  • Our packaging's tap is easier to remove from the package and install than traditional solutions.
  • Our packaging is more convenient as, after use, the cardboard and plastic are much easier to separate for recycling. Our packaging is also more ecological, as it doesn't include a plastic handle like traditional bag-in-box packaging. The absence of the handle also facilitates recycling and reduces the use of intermediate cardboard on transport pallets, as our packaging forms a flat surface.

Our packaging is more visually appealing, and its design stands out from traditional bag-in-box packaging. The large and wide front panel allows for more striking printing.

How is NWB's bag-in-box packaging better than other packaging forms?

  • Our packaging has a significantly smaller carbon footprint compared to glass bottles or plastic bottles (refer to Alko's study on the environmental impact of different packaging forms). We consider it important to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of all food products.
  • The amount of plastic is only 30% compared to fully plastic-packaged water. NWB is also concerned about the ever-increasing amount of plastic, its impact on biodiversity and the progression of climate change, as well as plastic handling from a circular economy perspective.

What are the benefits of NWB's patented bag-in-box packaging?

  • Our packaging fits upright in the fridge, allowing you to directly dispense water into a glass without lifting the package.
  • Even when opened, the water remains in our packaging for a long time because in use, the water doesn't come into contact with air. The bag's volume decreases as it doesn't get replacement air.
  • The packaging stands securely upright on uneven surfaces and during movement.
  • The tap is much easier to remove and install in our packaging compared to traditional bag-in-box packaging.
  • Our packaging has a significantly smaller carbon footprint compared to glass bottles or plastic bottles.
  • The amount of plastic is only 30% compared to fully plastic-packaged water. Our packaging also uses less plastic than traditional bag-in-box packaging since we don't use plastic handles.
  • The packaging is ecological, as after use, cardboard and plastic are easy to separate for recycling. It doesn't include a plastic handle, which facilitates stacking on transport pallets and reduces the need for packaging material.
  • The packaging has an eye-catching and distinctive appearance compared to traditional bag-in-box packaging. The wider front panel allows for a more striking design.

I want to have my products in NWB's bag-in-box packaging. How do I get started?

  • Contact NWB.
  • We offer the most suitable packaging equipment based on your volumes.
  • We will also provide more information on the price you can get for your packaging materials from our partners, depending on package size, volumes, and your printing needs.

Product Packaging Sizes

What are the different size options for NWB's patented bag-in-box packaging?

  • NWB offers bag-in-box packaging in 3 and 5-liter sizes.
  • The 5-liter packaging can hold 5.1 liters.
  • Based on the needs of the wine and beverage industry, we might offer a 1.5-liter size in the future.

Materials and Sustainability

What materials does the bag-in-box packaging consist of?

  • The box is made of corrugated cardboard with small amounts of glue.
  • The bag is non-recyclable plastic, and the tap on the bag is also made of plastic. The amount of plastic is only about 30% of the amount in the equivalent amount of water packaged purely in plastic.

Where are the cardboard and bags for the bag-in-box packaging sourced from?

  • Currently, we source the cardboard and bags from Finland. As the visibility of the packaging grows and sales volumes increase outside of Finland, packaging materials might also be sourced from elsewhere.

What is the carbon footprint of the bag-in-box packaging compared to other packaging options?

  • Glass bottle: 675 gCO2/liter
    plastic bottle: 245 gCO2/liter
    NWB BIB packaging: 70 gCO2/liter.
  • Over 70% less than a plastic bottle and 90% less than a glass bottle.

Why is the bag made of plastic?

  • A reliable alternative solution to a plastic bag has not yet been found in the market that could replace a plastic-made bag-in-box bag with a non-plastic bag.
  • Even tetra packages, which appear to be entirely made of cardboard, are coated with either plastic or aluminum to prevent liquid from leaking.

Are there plans to replace plastic with other materials in the future?

  • NWB will switch to another material for the bag as soon as a reliable solution is found globally that can reliably contain water in place of a plastic bag.
  • Alternative solutions to plastic are currently being developed in Finland, among other places.

Pricing and own Brand

How much does the cardboard and bag cost?

  • The price depends on order quantities, but the approximate cost for a 3-liter bag-in-box (cardboard + bag) is around one euro.
  • Striking prints are possible but will increase the price.
  • For the 5-liter package, the price is slightly more than for the 3-liter package.

How do order quantities affect prices?

  • Recommended order quantities start at around 5000 units. The larger the order, the more economical the unit price becomes.

Are there minimum order quantities for packaging materials?

  • The recommended minimum quantity is 5000 units, or the unit price increases significantly.

Private Label and White Label Products

Is white label and private label possible with NWB?

Yes, NWB offers the possibility of branding with your own label (white label and private label).

How does adding custom printing to the products affect the price?

  • NWB set prices to the design work accordingly, but the cost is relatively small if the ordered volumes are large.
  • The cardboard manufacturer sets the price for printing, but even this cost remains relatively small if the volumes are large.

Who designs the appearance of the cardboard, and how long does the design process take?

  • The design of the appearance is carried out by either the customer themselves or NWB. Implementing the customer's own design work requires the signing of a confidentiality agreement before sharing structural drawings.
  • NWB gladly designs the appearance based on the information and guidelines provided by the customer and seeks approval from the customer.
  • The design process from NWB's side can be completed in as little as two weeks.

Packaging Line

If I want NWB water with my own brand (White Label). Who packages our products in NWB's bag-in-box packaging

  • Currently, a Finnish water facility produces the products using NWB's manufacturing equipment.

Can NWB or one of its partners handle co-packing?

  • For water, yes, if the packaging contains the same spring water that NWB uses in its own products.
  • For other products (private label), NWB cannot handle packaging on behalf of the customer. NWB is willing to set up a packaging line in the customer's premises to the desired level.
  • Of course, co-packing is possible among NWB's various partners.

Contact NWB

I want to have my products in NWB's bag-in-box packaging. How do I get started?

  • Contact NWB.
  • We offer the most suitable packaging equipment based on your volumes.
  • We will also provide more information on the price you can get for your packaging materials from our partners, depending on package size, volumes, and your printing needs.

How can I best get in touch with NWB?

  • Call or send an email to:

Sustainability

How sustainable are NWB's operations?

  • Finland has an abundant supply of high-quality water, unlike many other countries. It's important to us that our water extraction doesn't harm anyone or cause shortages. The water extraction limits set by authorities are not exceeded due to our operation.
  • Our products have a very low carbon footprint, and our packaging contains 70% less plastic than plastic bottles, which make up the majority of bottled water volumes worldwide. Our carbon footprint is much lower compared to glass bottles.

What goals does NWB have regarding carbon footprint?

  • Our goal in the coming years is carbon neutrality.

How much plastic is in NWB's products?

  • About 35g of plastic in each package.

What are NWB's goals regarding plastic in the future?

  • Our goal is to replace the bag with a plastic-free material.