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**Catalonian mineral water distributor Blue Planet has reached a merger agreement with Irish company Aquadirect.

**The new group, Aquadirect Blue Planet, now aims to strengthen its position in the Catalonian market in Spain.

This latest move is Blue Planet's fourth expansion since it began operation in 1997. In 2004 the company acquired Aquanova and in 2005 and 2006, Blue Planet took over the water cooler divisions of Vila Vending and El Cafetó respectively.

In 2008 the Catalan company has also reached a strategic agreement with water cooler distributor Todagua Almacenaje y Distribución, which operates in the Madrid area.

The recent merger will allow Aquadirect Blue Planet to distribute 6.5 million litres of water for coolers only in Catalonia.

Aquadirect was created in 2001 and is a subsidiary of the Queally Group. Ireland's largest privately owned agri-business.

Aquadirect Blue Planet General Manager Lluis Parera stated: "This merger benefits all of us. Blue Planet and Aquadirect share the same distribution area of Catalonia, and this operation will allow the new group to take advantage of the synergies between both firms. The agreement will help to consolidate us as one of the top Catalan companies in this sector."