The Hindustan Petroleum Corporation (HPCL) has partnered with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research -Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT) to venture into packaged drinking water market.
The collaboration between the oil producer and CSIR-IICT, which has shared its membrane technology with the former, has resulted in the packaged drinking water brand called Reminero, which is scheduled to be sold in 500 ml and one-litre PET bottles in the city.
HPCL director of finance J. Ramaswamy said the initiative was the first of its kind among oil producing public sector companies in the country. He said the company has taken a significant decision by introducing the brand as it offers safe and pure water to people.
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HPCL retail executive director G.S.V. Prasad said, “Initially, Reminero will be sold through a network of 46 outlets in Hyderabad. As we scale up, we will have the potential to offer the same at over 22,000 retail and other touch points of HPCL.” CSIR-IICT principal scientist S. Sridhar said acidic content in water, which could be harmful if consumed, can be reduced by using membrane technology. “The water which is produced, be it river water or ground water, is good for health as it contains minerals useful for people.” The packaged drinking water is nano-filtered and contains minerals such as sodium and calcium, among others. Explaining the role of CSIR-IICT, N.V. Satyanayana, who heads the Bioengineering and Fossil Fuels Division, said a pilot unit was started at the facility after which over 50 units have been set up now.