Shanghai, China – Unilever and Yongchao Venture Capital Co., Ltd. have completed the equity transfer of TRULIVA Group. Following the share purchase agreement signed on July 25, Yongchao Venture Capital has acquired Unilever’s stake in TRULIVA. Combined with its existing shares, Mr. Ye Jianrong, the brand founder, has resumed full ownership of the TRULIVA Group.
With this transition, TRULIVA will leverage the resources and strengths across Yongchao’s portfolio of health and appliance brands. This will enable an expansion of its supply chain and product lines, comprehensively serving consumers’ broader “Total Wellness” needs. In 2014, Unilever’s investment in TRULIVA marked a joint commitment to improving the drinking water health for millions of Chinese households. A decade later, TRULIVA, a pioneer in China’s water purification industry, is embarking on a new development stage: “Rooted in China's expertise in water purification, serving healthy living worldwide.”
A Decade of Growth, A Mission Unchanged
Founded in 1998 by Mr. Ye Jianrong, TRULIVA pioneered China’s first water purifier specifically designed for water dispensers, catalyzing the growth of a multi-billion-yuan domestic water purification market. As one of China’s earliest native water purification companies, TRULIVA possesses core technologies and a profound, long-standing understanding of Chinese water quality, consumers, and the industry landscape.
Over the past decade, bolstered by Unilever’s operational expertise, TRULIVA achieved comprehensive advancement—from supply chain management and optimization to brand upgrading, channel expansion, quality enhancement, and corporate culture. It has consistently maintained its leading position in China's water purifier market.
“The original intent behind founding TRULIVA was a firm belief in improving drinking water health. From a small startup to a leader in water purification, every technological breakthrough, every product launch, and every satisfied user has been the best reward for that original aspiration, which remains unchanged, regardless of how our business model evolves,” stated Mr. Ye Jianrong.
Following the equity transfer, TRULIVA’s former Unilever management team and systems will transition smoothly, ensuring business continuity and the ongoing provision of high-quality products and services to customers.
“Over the past decade, Unilever provided TRULIVA with support and resources, comprehensively enhancing product quality and service levels, empowering the brand to demonstrate the strength of Chinese brands on a global stage. The achievements of the TRULIVA team have laid a solid foundation for the brand's long-term development,” Mr. Ye added.
Professional Management, Comprehensive Brand Elevation
Known initially as “China’s Water Purification Expert,” the partnership with Unilever infused TRULIVA with professional and international momentum. During the decade with Unilever, centered on sustainable development, TRULIVA achieved a comprehensive upgrade encompassing brand renewal, technological innovation, green supply chain development, professional talent building, and social responsibility practices. This deep focus on the water purification market laid the groundwork for a full-scale enhancement of the TRULIVA brand, enabling it to provide reliable water purification solutions to more consumers and commercial partners with superior product quality and a more complete portfolio.
In 2021, TRULIVA launched the “Three-River-Source • TRULIVA Initiative” with the China Environmental Protection Foundation. Aiming for “Clean Healthy Water Sources 2030,” the project protects Asia’s Water Tower, honoring the commitment to safeguard drinking water health “from source to tap.”
In 2022, TRULIVA’s factory achieved zero carbon emissions in manufacturing and operations, earning the title of China’s water purification industry's first “Six-Star Zero Carbon Factory”, becoming a model for green transformation in the sector.
In early 2024, the TRULIVA brand underwent a comprehensive refresh. With a new visual identity, product matrix, and brand philosophy focusing on craftsmanship, excellence, and protection, it entered a new phase of development. Upholding the ethos of “Every Drop with Heart, Purity Without End”, TRULIVA continuously enhances its product capabilities through innovative technologies like “Constant Purification & Extreme Filtration”, “Constant Gentle & Smart Protection”, “Instant Heating”, and “Powerful Purification & Cleaning”, creating superior living experiences for users.
Focusing on Total Wellness, A New Journey Begins
“With TRULIVA’s return, we will progressively integrate related businesses within the industrial group, fully leveraging the strengths across different business segments to build TRULIVA into a great enterprise dedicated to enabling healthy lifestyles,” said Mr. Ye Jianrong, outlining TRULIVAs future direction.
For years, Yongchao has focused on building three industrial chains: Healthy Living, Smart Control, and Intelligent Manufacturing. Beyond TRULIVA home water purifiers, its portfolio includes diverse products like Aipucaisi dehumidifiers and portable ACs, Aicote ice makers and air fryers, Youshi food purifiers, and Glacier Snow glacial water. Leveraging Yongchao’s deep understanding of the Chinese market and its array of quality product lines, TRULIVA gains new momentum to provide consumers with more comprehensive and healthier lifestyle services and experiences.
Over the past decade, through cooperation and exploration with a world-leading multinational corporation, TRULIVA has not only steadily improved its brand influence, supply chain management, and corporate culture but has also cultivated an excellent management team and established a robust management system and efficient processes. Looking ahead, the management team is confident. They will focus intensely on the theme of “Total Wellness”, utilizing TRULIVA’s well-known brand and product strengths, rooted in China and serving the world, to contribute to the transformation of healthier lifestyles for all.
