Southeast Asia Bottled Water Market Research Report: Forecast (2026-2032)

Southeast Asia Bottled Water Market Report Key Takeaways:

• The Southeast Asia Bottled Water Market size was valued at around USD 13.42 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 24.31 billion by 2032. The estimated CAGR from 2026 to 2032 is around 10.8%, indicating strong growth.
• By product type, the still bottled water captured around 80% of the Southeast Asia Bottled Water Market in 2025.
• By packaging, the rigid plastic packaging holds the largest share, around 72% in 2025.
• By country, Indonesia leads the Southeast Asia Bottled Water Market with a dominant 31% share in 2025. Meanwhile, Thailand is expected to grow at a CAGR of 13.19%.
• The leading bottled water companies are Danone S.A., Nestlé S.A., Spritzer Berhad, PepsiCo, Inc., The Coca-Cola Company, Fraser and Neave, Limited (F&N), Asia Brewery Incorporated, Thai Beverage Public Co. Ltd., Boon Rawd Brewery Co. Ltd., Vinh Hao Mineral Water Corporation, and others.

Market Insights & Analysis: Southeast Asia Bottled Water Market (2026- 2032):

The Southeast Asia Bottled Water Market size was valued at around USD 13.42 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 24.31 billion by 2032. Along with this, the market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of around 10.8% during the forecast period, i.e., 2026-32. The Southeast Asia Bottled Water Market is expected to witness sustained growth, driven by ongoing concerns over drinking water safety and increasing emphasis on environmentally responsible packaging. In several parts of the region, trust in municipal and surface water sources remains limited. In 2025, the Mekong River Commission (MRC) reported arsenic concentrations above recommended safety limits at multiple monitoring sites along the Mekong and Kok rivers, affecting areas in Lao PDR, Thailand, and Vietnam, reinforcing public hesitation toward untreated water for daily consumption and supporting continued reliance on bottled water.

Alongside water safety concerns, regulatory pressure on plastic waste is reshaping product strategies across the region. Governments are strengthening circular-economy frameworks that influence packaging standards beyond national borders. For example, South Korea’s Ministry of Environment announced mandatory requirements for bottled water and beverage producers to incorporate at least 10% recycled PET (rPET) from 2026, increasing to 30% by 2030, signaling a wider regional push toward recycled packaging adoption.

Beverage companies operating in Southeast Asia are proactively aligning with these policy directions. In 2025, Mineré (Nestlé Thailand) launched bottled water made from 100% recycled PET, achieving up to 80% energy savings and a 24% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared with virgin plastic bottles, while preventing over 1,200 tons of plastic waste annually.

Together, persistent water quality concerns and accelerating sustainability initiatives are expected to drive product innovation, packaging transformation, and steady market expansion across Southeast Asia.

Southeast Asia Bottled Water Market Recent Developments:

• November 2025: Sodexo Thailand introduced “Premium Drinking Water” packaged in fully recycled aluminum cans, marking a major sustainability milestone aimed at reducing single-use plastics and appealing to eco-conscious consumers across facilities and retail settings in Thailand.
• June 2025: Spritzer Bhd, a leading bottled water producer in Malaysia, announced plans to spend between USD 19–21 million in 2025 to upgrade and expand production capacity, strengthening regional supply and competitiveness.

Southeast Asia Bottled Water Market Scope:

Southeast Asia Bottled Water Market Drivers:

Sub-standard Quality of Municipal Water Driving Market Demand

Limited confidence in the safety of municipal tap water is a pivotal driver of bottled water consumption across Southeast Asia. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme, 2.1 billion people globally (about 1 in 4) still lack access to safely managed drinking water, which is water that is on-premises, available when needed, and free from contamination, indicating persistent gaps in public water quality even as urban populations grow.

Country-level evidence reinforces this. In Indonesia, government-backed water quality assessments indicate that a significant portion of piped water systems remains vulnerable to bacterial contamination, leading households to avoid direct consumption of tap water.

Similarly, Vietnam’s Ministry of Health has acknowledged repeated urban water safety concerns linked to aging pipelines and industrial discharge, particularly outside major metropolitan centers.

Furthermore, governments and multilateral institutions are investing in improving water systems, but progress is gradual. The World Bank approved a USD 275.38 million loan in 2025 for water and sanitation upgrades in the Philippines, while additional country-level projects in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Lao PDR extend.

Overall, Persistent concerns over municipal water safety, validated by public health authorities, continue to weaken consumer trust in tap water. Until infrastructure upgrades consistently deliver safe and reliable drinking water, reliance on bottled water will remain high, directly supporting sustained market growth across Southeast Asia.

Southeast Asia Bottled Water Market Trends:

Growing Adoption of Eco-Friendly Bottled Water Packaging

The Southeast Asia bottled water market is increasingly shaped by the transition toward eco-friendly packaging, supported by stricter government regulations on plastic waste management and growing pressure on manufacturers to adopt circular economy practices. Across the region, policymakers are introducing frameworks that require beverage producers to take responsibility for the environmental impact of their packaging, accelerating the move away from virgin plastic.

In the Philippines, the implementation of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Act has placed legally binding obligations on large consumer goods companies to collect and recycle a rising proportion of plastic packaging waste each year. The regulation, which targets an 80% recovery rate by 2028, has encouraged bottled water producers to redesign packaging, increase recycled content, and strengthen partnerships with recycling networks.

Alongside regulatory pressure, leading beverage companies are proactively adopting eco-friendly packaging innovations. In Vietnam, Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam has introduced 100% recycled plastic bottled water packaging and developed some of the lightest water bottles in the domestic market. These initiatives have reduced more than 5,000 tons of virgin plastic annually, equivalent to an estimated 23,000 tons of CO₂ emissions avoided, supporting national waste reduction and recycling objectives.

From a corporate perspective, sustainability-led packaging innovation is also gaining traction. In Singapore, BE WTR expanded its operations in 2025 using reusable glass bottles engineered for multiple reuse cycles, reducing dependency on single-use plastic while lowering lifecycle emissions.

Overall, regulatory enforcement combined with corporate sustainability initiatives is driving a structural shift toward eco-friendly packaging, positioning sustainable materials as a key trend influencing product development and brand strategy in the Southeast Asia bottled water market.

Southeast Asia Bottled Water Market Challenges:

Increasing Volume of Plastic Waste

Environmental pressure from rising plastic waste and inadequate waste management remains a significant challenge for the Southeast Asia bottled water market. Rapid economic growth and increasing consumption have led to sharp rises in plastic use, contributing to environmental degradation and straining existing waste systems. According to the OECD Regional Plastics Outlook, plastics use in Southeast and East Asia surged from about 10 million tonnes in 1990 to 113 million tonnes in 2022, with 8.4 million tonnes of mismanaged plastic waste leaking into the environment in 2022 alone, a significant portion coming from packaging such as single-use bottles and containers.

If current trends continue without stronger policies, plastic waste leakage could increase by nearly 70% by 2050, reaching an estimated 14.1 million tonnes annually, worsening pollution in rivers, coastal ecosystems, and urban areas.

Mismanaged plastic, including discarded bottled water containers, poses risks to marine life, human health, and local livelihoods, especially for the coastal communities that are dependent on fishing and tourism.

The plastic waste challenge is compounded by uneven waste management infrastructure across ASEAN countries, with significant portions of waste either openly burned or dumped due to limited recycling capacity and informal practices that hamper environmental protection efforts. This mounting environmental burden increases regulatory scrutiny and compliance costs for bottled water producers, who face rising expectations to reduce plastic use, improve recycling, and support circular economy solutions.

Southeast Asia Bottled Water Market (2026-32) Segmentation Analysis:

The Southeast Asia Bottled Water Market Report and Forecast 2026-2032 offers a detailed analysis of the market based on the following segments:

Based on Product Type:

• Still Bottled Water
• Functional Bottled Water
• Flavored Bottled Water
• Carbonated Bottled Water

Still bottled water dominates the Southeast Asia Bottled Water Market, holding around 80% of total consumption, primarily because it fulfills the region’s core need for safe, everyday drinking water. In many Southeast Asian countries, inconsistent municipal water quality and contamination concerns make still bottled water the most trusted and accessible alternative for daily hydration. Unlike flavored, functional, or carbonated variants, still water is widely perceived as a basic necessity rather than a discretionary beverage, supporting high-volume, repeat consumption across urban and rural populations. Its affordability, neutral taste, and suitability for all age groups further strengthen its dominance. The still bottled water is also the preferred option for household use, workplaces, schools, and public distribution, driving large-scale demand through retail and bulk pack formats.

Additionally, food safety regulations across the region strongly support standardized purification and mineral balance in still bottled water, reinforcing consumer confidence. As population growth, urbanization, and water safety concerns persist, the still bottled water segment is expected to remain the backbone of the market throughout the forecast period.

Based on Packaging:

• Municipal Sector
  • Flexible Packaging
    • Aluminum
    • Pouches
  • Glass
  • Rigid Plastic
    • PET Bottles
    • Thin Wall Plastic Containers

Rigid plastic packaging, particularly PET bottles, leads the Southeast Asia Bottled Water Market with an estimated 72% share, due to its cost efficiency, durability, and compatibility with large-scale distribution networks. PET bottles are lightweight, shatter-resistant, and easy to transport, making them ideal for both long-distance logistics and last-mile retail delivery across diverse geographies. Their low production cost enables bottled water brands to offer competitively priced products in budget and economy categories, which are crucial in price-sensitive Southeast Asian markets.

Rigid plastic packaging also supports a wide range of pack sizes, from small on-the-go bottles to large household containers, expanding its applicability across consumption occasions. Moreover, PET is widely accepted under national food safety standards and is increasingly integrated into recycling systems, helping manufacturers align with emerging environmental regulations. While alternative packaging formats are gaining attention, rigid plastic remains dominant due to its scalability, established infrastructure, and ongoing transition toward recycled PET solutions.

Southeast Asia Bottled Water Market (2026-32): Regional Projection

The Southeast Asia Bottled Water Market is dominated by Indonesia, accounting for approximately 31% share of the regional market size in 2025. High population density, rapid urbanization, and growing concerns over the safety of municipal tap water have driven widespread bottled water consumption across both urban and rural areas. Major cities such as Jakarta, Surabaya, and Bandung serve as primary consumption hubs, where households, offices, and schools increasingly rely on packaged water for daily hydration. The market is further supported by a robust retail and modern trade infrastructure, including supermarkets, convenience stores, and e-commerce platforms, facilitating easy product availability.

Meanwhile, Thailand follows with strong growth, projected at a CAGR of 13.19% during 2026-32, fueled by rising health awareness, tourism, and government regulations encouraging safe drinking water. Overall, Indonesia’s large population, combined with growing water safety concerns and expanding distribution channels, makes it the leading market in Southeast Asia for bottled water.

Gain a Competitive Edge with Our Southeast Asia Bottled Water Market Report:

• Southeast Asia Bottled Water Market Report by MarkNtel Advisors provides a detailed & thorough analysis of market size & share, growth rate, competitive landscape, and key players. This comprehensive analysis helps businesses gain a holistic understanding of the market dynamics & make informed decisions.
• This report also highlights current market trends & future projections, allowing businesses to identify emerging opportunities & potential challenges. By understanding market forecasts, companies can align their strategies & stay ahead of the competition.
• Southeast Asia Bottled Water Market Report aids in assessing & mitigating risks associated with entering or operating in the market. By understanding market dynamics, regulatory frameworks, and potential challenges, businesses can develop strategies to minimize risks & optimize their operations.

*Reports Delivery Format - Market research studies from MarkNtel Advisors are offered in PDF, Excel and PowerPoint formats. Within 24 hours of the payment being successfully received, the report will be sent to your email address.