1969, Tenerife: It was a clear, warm day when Heinz Hankammer, on his honeymoon, had a groundbreaking idea that would forever change the way we think about water and our daily drinking habits. The family man from the small village of Taunusstein, Germany, envisioned a better way to enjoy water. What began as a practical solution for gas stations soon made its way into homes around the world. Over 60 years later, BRITA continues to make clean, fresh water a part of everyday life.
1966/1967
The beginning: The AquaDeMat and the first hurdles
However, BRITA‘s story had already begun in 1966/1967, when Heinz Hankammer introduced the AquaDeMat – an innovative water filter that allowed gas stations to provide low-cost distilled water for car batteries. The idea was simple but ingenious: instead of buying expensive distilled water, gas stations could now demineralise tap water, significantly reducing costs.
1969
From vision to reality: The BRITA water filter is born
But as a creative inventor, Hankammer was already thinking ahead. He recognised the enormous potential of this technology not only for industry but also for private households. Yet his first attempt to develop household water filters failed: the devices were too expensive and impractical. They had to be permanently installed and were beyond the financial reach of the average household.
The decisive moment came during a three-week trip to Tenerife, where Heinz Hankammer and his wife Monika finally went on their honeymoon. By this time, they had been married for several years and already had two children, Markus and Brita. But Hankammer couldn‘t completely switch off. His thoughts kept returning to water filters for home use – and then he had the decisive idea:
“What does a housewife do when she needs water for the coffee machine?” he wondered. “She takes a jug, places it under the tap, then pours the water into the machine. So why not filter the water right at that point?”
This thought was the breakthrough. The filter had to be portable, easy to use, and most importantly, not permanently installed – a device that could be used in any household with ease. This was the spark that ignited the invention of the BRITA water filter – a practical, portable device that effectively filters tap water. It was a simple yet brilliant solution that allowed people to improve their tap water quickly and conveniently, without relying on expensive, fixed systems.
Fun Fact
Heinz Hankammer originally wanted to name his company after himself. But since a well-known ketchup manufacturer was already called “Heinz,” he had to reconsider. As his wife Monika’s name was too long for a brand, he decided to name the company after his daughter, Brita. And that’s how the name BRITA was born.
1970
The tea test: How BRITA revolutionised taste
Following the successful launch of the BRITA water filter in 1970, the brand quickly grew. The water filter jug immediately made a name for itself and changed the way people drank water at home. Equipped with activated carbon and ion-exchange resin, the filter removed limescale and undesirable flavors from the water.
But the true breakthrough came with a simple experiment: the tea test. Hankammer knew that the difference between filtered and unfiltered water wasn‘t just a matter of taste – it was a visual experience. So, he conducted the tea test by preparing tea in two cups: one with filtered water and one with unfiltered water. The result was striking. The tea made with filtered water was clearer, the taste fresher. This simple yet brilliant experiment conveyed the benefits of filtered water in a relatable way – and helped BRITA secure a lasting place in people’s minds.
1980
BRITA enters the B2B Market
After introducing professional water filters in 1980, BRITA quickly won over baristas and restaurant owners. Filtered water not only improved the taste of coffee, tea, and food, but also protected expensive equipment from limescale, avoiding costly maintenance and repair. Heinz Hankammer soon recognised the potential and positioned BRITA not just for households but also in the B2B market. Hotels, restaurants, and hospitals saw the value of filtered water, and BRITA developed tailored solutions for commercial use. This allowed BRITA to quickly establish itself as a leading provider in the commercial water filter market, laying the foundation for its international success story.
1992
Sustainability as a cornerstone: BRITA shapes the future
Over the decades, BRITA evolved not only into a global brand for filtered water but also a pioneer in sustainability. As early as 1992, BRITA began recycling its filter cartridges – a major step towards a more sustainable future. The company was one of the first in the industry to integrate recycling programmes into its product lines, laying the groundwork for an environmentally conscious corporate philosophy.
Note: Wondering how the recycling of filter cartridges works at BRITA?
We have an informative and visually engaging video for you that explains all the important details of the recycling process.
The journey continues
Today, BRITA is a globally active company present in millions of households around the world. The brand has transformed from a traditional water filter provider into a true lifestyle brand. The brand now addresses not only the need for water filter solutions but also promotes a better way of life – with products that combine sustainability, well-being, and style. The tagline "Drink Better. Do Better.“ sums up this transformation perfectly. Whether it’s hydration or filtration that fits seamlessly into everyday life: we help to create the better, one sip at a time.
