Bottled water firm eyes US$1b IPO

China's top bottled-water supplier Nongfu Spring has filed a Hong Kong initial public offering application to the China Securities Regulatory Commission, aiming to raise as much as US$1 billion (HK$7.8 billion), according to Reuters IFR.

Established in 1996 in Hangzhou, Nongfu Spring produces natural drinking water, vegetable and fruit juices, beverages, tea beverages, and other natural soft drinks.

Meanwhile, Chinese liquid detergent maker Blue Moon, backed by private equity firm Hillhouse Capital, is planning to raise US$1 billion through a Hong Kong IPO this year and has approached China International Capital Corporation and Citigroup to arrange the IPO.

Separately, Jianzhong Construction Development (0589) rose 14.5 percent to HK$1.89 and Kidztech (6918) fell 34.8 percent to HK$0.9 on their market debuts.