In the small town of Breuil-sur-Couze (Puy-de-Dôme), located in the heart of the Auvergne volcano, we no longer hear the light clicking of glass bottles in the small bottling factory. But, within a few days, the machine was restarted. Source Marie-Christine prepares to once again deliver her liquid gold, answering to the strange name Hydroxidase. The beginning of a new chapter for these mineral waters, both natural and naturally carbonated, with an extraordinary composition, originating from volcanic origins. “This is the most mineralized water in the world. This water has accompanied us for generations, and we cannot let this local uniqueness disappear,” smiles Julien Bonnefoi, the new owner of the water source.
Discovered by chance in 1902 during mining drilling in the city, the miraculous Marie-Christine spring was captured at a depth of 110 m, at a constant temperature of 13.9°C. Three years later, a young pharmacist, Louis Tixier, dedicated his thesis to discussing this mysterious water. He gave it a name – Hydroxidase – and developed a revolutionary bottling process: airtight glass dosage bottles, which are still used today to preserve the natural properties of water, without contact with air.
“Good for muscles, fights stress and fatigue”
The secret to this source? Exceptional minerality: more than 9,000 mg/L of mineral salts and trace elements, a richness of magnesium, potassium, calcium and especially lithium (9 mg/L), rarely equaled. “It is the unique composition that makes it, even today, a natural therapeutic water, capable of relieving stress, fighting fatigue and promoting muscle recovery,” assures the president of Hydroxidase.
In August 2024, together with his two partners, Julien Bonnefoi decided to buy the source from the Belgian group Cosmédiet-Biotechnie, which had operated it for twenty years. “This water belongs to the heritage of the Auvergne. It is important for us to return all the company’s activities to their place of origin. »
After several months of investment in a modernized bottling line and a complete rebrand, production has just restarted, just meters from the historic water catchment area. The goal is ambitious: increase from 30,000 to 50,000 cases per year – or 750,000 22.5cl bottles in the first year. A modest volume, but compatible with a very limited source flow rate of only 4 liters per minute.
“This is rare water,” continued Julien Bonnefoi. We cannot produce millions of liters of water. And that’s what makes it worthwhile. » Designed as a natural health remedy, Hydroxydase will only be available in pharmacies, organic stores or on the Internet. “We are not targeting mass distribution,” explains the team, which aspires to develop the brand in France, and then internationally, among people looking for natural and original products. Julien Bonnefoi has one ambition: “We want Auvergne water to become a world reference again.”
