1966/1967 – The beginning: The AquaDeMat and the first hurdles
BRITA’s story began in 1966/1967, when Heinz Hankammer introduced the AquaDeMat, an innovative water filter that allowed petrol stations to provide low-cost distilled water for car batteries.
The idea was simple but ingenious. Instead of buying expensive distilled water, petrol stations could demineralise tap water, significantly reducing costs.
An idea conquers the world: How Heinz Hankammer founded BRITA
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 in Germany envisioned a better way to enjoy water. What began as a practical solution for petrol stations soon made its way into homes around the world. Over 60 years later, BRITA continues to make clean, fresh water part of everyday life.
1969 – From vision to reality: The BRITA water filter is born
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.
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.
Even then, Hankammer could not completely switch off. His thoughts kept returning to water filters for home use until he reached a breakthrough idea:
“What does someone do when they need water for the coffee machine?” he wondered. “They take a jug, place it under the tap, then pour the water into the machine. So why not filter the water at that point?”
This simple idea became the foundation of the BRITA water filter jug, a practical and portable device that could be used in any household.
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 made an immediate impact and changed the way people drank water at home.
Equipped with activated carbon and ion exchange resin, the filter reduced limescale and unwanted flavours.
The real breakthrough came with a simple experiment known as the tea test. Hankammer prepared two cups of tea, one with filtered water and one without.
The result was striking. The tea made with filtered water was clearer and tasted fresher.
This simple demonstration made the benefits of filtered water easy to understand and helped secure BRITA’s place in everyday life.
1980 – Expanding into professional use
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 helped protect equipment from limescale, reducing maintenance and repair costs.
Hankammer recognised this potential and positioned BRITA not only for households, but also for professional environments. Hotels, restaurants and hospitals began using BRITA solutions, helping the brand expand internationally.
1992 – Sustainability as a cornerstone: BRITA shapes the future
Over time, BRITA evolved into more than a global brand for filtered water. It also became a pioneer in sustainability.
As early as 1992, BRITA introduced a recycling programme for filter cartridges, becoming one of the first companies in the industry to do so.
This marked an important step towards a more sustainable future and laid the foundation for BRITA’s environmentally conscious approach.
The journey continues
Today, BRITA is a globally active company present in millions of households around the world. The brand has evolved from a traditional water filter provider into a lifestyle brand. It now supports sustainability, wellbeing and everyday living with products designed to fit seamlessly into daily life. The message remains simple: Better water, for a better way of life.
