Water filter systems, filter cartridges and drinking water dispensers for household and professional applications
BRITA SE
Taunusstein (DE, headquarters) · Production Germany · Production UK · Production Italy · Production ChinaNew on Amplifa
About BRITA
BRITA SE is a German manufacturer of water filters headquartered in Taunusstein near Wiesbaden. The family-owned company, founded in 1966 by Heinz Hankammer, produces water filter jugs, filter cartridges, drinking bottles with integrated filters, faucet-mounted filter systems as well as mains-powered water dispensers for professional use in gastronomy and office environments. The filtration principle is based on activated carbon from coconut shells and ion exchange resin, which reduces carbonate hardness, copper and lead and removes chlorine-related taste impairments. The filter cartridges can be recycled; the company offers a Cartridge Service and filter recycling. Production takes place at modern manufacturing sites in Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy and China, partly in-house and partly with components from a global supplier network. With around 2,500 employees and revenue of EUR 759 million (2025), BRITA supplies customers in around 70 countries on five continents.
- Site
- Taunusstein
- Processes
- Recycling of filters/cartridges, Cartridge Service, Product portfolio for private customers and Professional (gastronomy, office)
- Materials
- Styrene-methyl methacrylate copolymer, Activated carbon (coconut shells), Ion exchange resin
- Certificates
- ISO 45001, ISO 14001
- Founded
- 1966
- Employees
- 2500+ (worldwide)
- Industries
- Household/Consumer goods, Gastronomy/HoReCa, Office, Professional/Food & Beverage
- 01
R&D/Product development
- 02
Procurement of raw materials and components
- 03
Injection moulding/manufacturing processes
- 04
Filter filling (activated carbon, ion exchange)
- 05
Assembly
- 06
Quality inspection
- 07
Sales/Logistics
- 08
Recycling & Cartridge Service
Materials & Processes
Styrene-methyl methacrylate copolymer
BPA-free plastic for water filter jugs
Activated carbon (coconut shells)
Removes taste-impairing substances such as chlorine
Ion exchange resin
Reduces carbonate hardness, copper and lead
Sites
Taunusstein
DECentral office / Headquarters
Germany (Production)
DEProduction
United Kingdom (Production)
UKProduction
Italy (Production)
ITProduction
China (Production)
CNProduction
Products & Components
Inside the production
Industries
Additional services
Reference customers
Quality & Certificates
BRITA applies standards and certifications such as ISO 45001 and ISO 14001 at its production sites and regularly participates in third-party audits, including SMETA assessments. Suppliers are monitored through risk assessments, self-assessments and audits.
| Evidence | Taunusstein | Germany (Production) | United Kingdom (Production) | Italy (Production) | China (Production) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ISO 14001 | |||||
| ISO 45001 |
History
- 1966
Founded by Heinz Hankammer, originally under the name AquaDeMat, later named after his daughter "Brita"
- 1970er
First patent for the use of water filters in the household
- 1988
Licensing and distribution agreement with The Clorox Company for North and South America
- 1995
Clorox acquired Canadian rights through the acquisition of Brita International Holdings
- 2000
Clorox acquired sole brand rights for America; Brita agreed to a non-compete clause until 2005
- 2008
Return to the North American market under the Mavea brand
- 2016
Mavea withdrew from North America; products continued to be sold in the USA under Brita (Clorox)