Sparkling water on the go

What was your vision for the product?

We had a system in mind with the following characteristics:

- Visually appealing and practical, i.e., good design, low weight, easy to handle.

- Sustainable - also with regard to production and supply chain

- Easy to use, affordable

As ETH students, we had ideal conditions to start our project. We received support during the first steps in the ETH course "Lean Startup Academy", including idea validation. We then received further coaching and financial support in the Student Project House. The infrastructure helped us build our first prototype. We have since moved into the Rocket Hub, where we work at reduced rates and benefit from an extensive network.

What technologies are applied?

We have not invented new technologies but have further developed existing systems/concepts. To make the system mobile, the CO₂ gas must be filled into an intermediate tank, the "carboniser", attached to the bottom of the drinking bottle. The carboniser has to be small and lightweight while containing enough gas to refill the bottle several times a day.

How did you solve this problem?

We solved the challenge by filling the carboniser with liquid CO₂ to maximise the filling quantity. To control the flow of gas, we designed a miniature control unit.

What were the biggest challenges?

Most certainly industrial production. Everything, from the bottle to the carboniser to the base station, had to be redesigned and prepared for mass production. At the same time, we had to consider all the regulations and safety aspects and find suitable producers. For sustainability reasons, we want to produce as locally as possible, which facilitates communication with the producer.

When can we buy your bottles?

We are now literally in the starting blocks. Mass production of the bottles has partly begun. Next are the certification processes for the carboniser and food safety. It is always difficult to give exact time frames because we have a lot of dependencies and something unexpected can always come up.

Where can we buy bottleplus?

Initially via the internet, i.e., our website and on Amazon. In Switzerland, we are also talking to retailers who would like to sell our system in their shops. Incidentally, the gas cylinders of existing home carbonating devices are compatible with our base station.

What are your next steps?

At the moment, we are fully focused on the industrial production of the sparkling water bottle and the hopefully imminent sales launch. However, we are already thinking one step ahead and would like to offer flavours for the water; initial tests are already underway. We also have a filter system in mind in case no clean drinking water is available. We are still looking for investors to optimise production or develop future products to achieve all this.