What Ecolab does

Ecolab Inc. (NYSE: ECL), founded in 1923 and headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota, is a global provider of water, hygiene, and infection prevention solutions and services operating in 170+ countries across 40+ industries. The company's offering is an integrated stack of proprietary chemistry (water treatment, cleaning and sanitization, disinfection), on-site equipment (3D TRASAR monitoring, DishIQ smart dishmachines, CoolIT cooling hardware), digital platforms (Water Navigator IQ, DishIQ app, 3D TRASAR), and direct service delivered by ~48,000 associates including 1,200+ scientists, engineers, and technical specialists. The business is organized into Global Water (Industrial & Manufacturing plus Global High-Tech / Microelectronics & Data Centers), Global Institutional & Specialty, Global Pest Elimination, and Global Life Sciences, with sub-brands including Nalco Water, CID LINES, Purolite, and Pest Management Services.

Ecolab generates revenue through a mix of product and equipment sales (~$3.17B in Q1 2026), recurring service and lease contracts (~$891.5M in Q1 2026), digital subscriptions (~$99M in Q1 2026, growing 24%), and energy surcharges (10-14% globally beginning Q2 2026). Distribution is dominated by direct enterprise field sales with on-site service technicians, supported by an inside-sales phone channel for mid-market accounts and a customer service portal. Named enterprise customers span hospitality (Four Seasons, Marriott Vacations), food and beverage (Nestlé, Kraft Heinz, Sodexo, Sysco, ADM), energy and industrials (AES Andes, Linde, Moeve, Lotte Chemical), high-tech (Microsoft, Digital Realty, unnamed semiconductor partners), with disclosed outcomes including $12.9B in cumulative customer value since 2019, 245B gallons of water conserved in 2025, and 4.7M metric tons of GHG emissions avoided.

Strategic posture is anchored in scaling the Global High-Tech segment through the pending $4.75B acquisition of CoolIT Systems (liquid cooling for AI data centers, expected close Q3 2026) and the completed ~$1.8B acquisition of Ovivo's Electronics division (ultrapure water for semiconductors), funded in part by a $5B investment-grade bond issuance in May 2025. Margin expansion (operating income margin +70 bps to 16.7% in Q1 2026) and double-digit EPS growth indicate operating leverage alongside the M&A strategy, while 89 consecutive years of dividend payments signal capital discipline. A pending California Labor Code class action filed June 2026 represents a minor labor-compliance watch item.

Name

Ecolab

Legal name

Ecolab Inc.

Website

https://ecolab.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1923

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Ecolab is a global provider of water, hygiene, and infection-prevention chemistry, equipment, and digital monitoring services, serving industrial, institutional, healthcare, hospitality, and high-tech customers in 170+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Water Treatment and Industrial Hygiene

NAICS

Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516), Ventilation, Heating, Air-Conditioning, and Commercial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing (33341), Soap and Cleaning Compound Manufacturing (32561), Automatic Environmental Control Manufacturing for Residential, Commercial, and Appliance Use (334512)

SIC

Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826), Sanitary Services (4950), Air-Cond & Warm Air Heatg Equip & Comm & Indl Refrig Equip (3585), Industrial Organic Chemicals (2860)

akta.pro primary industry

Monitoring & Control (Dosing Systems, Remote Monitoring, Sensors) (BPABAJAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Online Monitoring, Sensors & Instrumentation (SCADA-integrated analyzers, probes, samplers) (EUANAJAC), All-Purpose Eco Cleaners (CRAJAOAA)

Keywords

• Water treatment chemicals
• Industrial cleaning solutions
• Infection prevention services
• Commercial hygiene products
• Pest elimination services

Headquarters

HQ city

Beaver Creek

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Product and Equipment Sales: Ecolab sells cleaning chemicals, water treatment chemicals, disinfection products, equipment (dishmachines, dispensing systems), and related consumables. Product and equipment sales represent the majority of revenue at $3,174.6 million in Q1 2026. The company also sells hardware solutions including CoolIT liquid cooling systems (cold plates, CDUs, rack manifolds) following the pending acquisition.
2. Service and Lease Sales: Ecolab generates recurring revenue through service contracts, monitoring programs, technical support, and equipment leasing arrangements. Service and lease sales were $891.5 million in Q1 2026. These include ongoing water management programs, pest elimination services, hygiene audits, and the new Cooling-as-a-Service model.
3. Digital Subscriptions and Software: Ecolab Digital sales increased 24% to $99 million in Q1 2026, including both software and enabling hardware subscriptions. The company offers digital platforms including Water Navigator IQ, Ecolab DishIQ app, and connected monitoring solutions with recurring subscription components.
4. Energy Surcharge Revenue: Ecolab implemented a global energy surcharge of 10-14% to offset rising global energy costs driven by geopolitical developments. This surcharge mechanism allows the company to pass through commodity cost increases and is expected to progressively build through 2026.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

Ecolab develops, manufactures and sells water treatment chemistries, commercial cleaning and sanitization products, infection prevention solutions, pest elimination services, and connected equipment for industrial, institutional, healthcare, hospitality, food and beverage, life sciences, and data center customers. The company complements these physical products with proprietary digital monitoring platforms (3D TRASAR, Water Navigator IQ, DishIQ) and on-site technical service delivered through a global field force of 48,000 associates.

Product overview

Ecolab is a comprehensive water, hygiene, and infection prevention solutions company offering an integrated portfolio of chemical products, equipment systems, digital platforms, and services across 40+ industries. The core product portfolio includes Water Navigator IQ (AI-enabled water performance platform), DishIQ (smart dishmachine program), 3D TRASAR cooling technology, and the recently acquired CoolIT Systems (liquid cooling for AI data centers). Supporting programs include Ecolab Science Certified (certification), Ecolab Water for Climate (sustainability solutions), and eROI (value measurement methodology). The company also offers the Water Use Efficiency Index with CDP and operates a Pest Elimination division. Products range from chemical treatments and cleaning solutions to digital monitoring platforms and cooling systems, all supported by a global service network of 48,000 associates.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Nalco Water: Water management brand serving industrial customers
• Water Navigator IQ
• DishIQ
• eROI
• Ecolab Science Certified
• Ecolab Water for Climate
• CID LINES
• 3D TRASAR
• Get Blue

Products and services

• Ecolab Water Navigator IQ AI-enabled enterprise water performance platform providing site-level insights, predictive analytics, benchmarking, and risk quantification to help businesses manage water scarcity and align water use with business outcomes.
• Ecolab DishIQ Smart dishmachine program with adaptive cycles, remote monitoring, predictive failure detection, and dedicated mobile app for commercial kitchens to automate cleanliness and prevent machine failures.
• CoolIT Systems Liquid Cooling Advanced liquid cooling hardware including coolant distribution units (CDUs), cold plates, and direct-to-chip cooling solutions for high-density AI data centers, holding over 40% of the direct-to-chip cooling market.
• 3D TRASAR Cooling Water Management Automated cooling water management technology with real-time monitoring, chemical control, and leak detection deployed across industrial cooling systems and data centers.
• Ecolab Science Certified Program Science-based public health and food safety certification program for hotels, restaurants and grocery stores involving rigorous standards and periodic third-party audits to elevate cleanliness outcomes.
• Pest Elimination Services (Ecolab Pest Elimination) Intelligence-driven pest elimination services for restaurants, food retail, healthcare, and food & beverage facilities with a new pest intelligence offering.
• Nalco Water Industrial Water Management Industrial water treatment and management programs, chemistries, and on-site service for heavy industry, light industry, food & beverage, pulp & paper, power, and chemical processing customers.
• Water Use Efficiency Index Sector-specific water use efficiency benchmarking tool developed with CDP to help companies measure and improve operational water performance.

Quantifiable outcome

• $12.9 billion in cumulative customer value since 2019 through eROI programs
• +11 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments9 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability6 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and significant.

• Water.orgcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 9 June 2026Ecolab is a founding partner of Water.org's Get Blue initiative, committing $1 million through the Ecolab Foundation ($500,000 delivered immediately, $500,000 unlocked as customers help achieve 255 billion gallons of water savings). Ecolab serves as the official water management partner of Get Blue, connecting water stewardship in business operations to tangible community impact. The initiative aims to reach over 200 million people with safe water access by 2030.
• Ovivo Water Inc.coreTechnology or Integration · 16 December 2025Ecolab completed acquisition of Ovivo's Electronics division (ultrapure water business for semiconductors) for approximately CAD 2.4 billion ($1.8 billion USD equivalent). The acquisition enhances Ecolab's water treatment portfolio in the electronics sector and more than doubles its high-tech water business serving semiconductor manufacturers. SKion Water GmbH was the majority shareholder of Ovivo.
• CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEcolab and CDP co-developed the Water Use Efficiency Index, providing sector-specific benchmarks to guide smarter water management. The Index draws on CDP's database of 10,000+ annual corporate water disclosures and Ecolab's insights from millions of customer locations across 40+ industries and 170 countries. The pilot covers the Beverage and Brew segment of Food, Beverage & Agriculture, with plans to expand to apparel, biotech, hospitality, manufacturing, power generation and other sectors.
• MicrosoftcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEcolab and Microsoft co-developed RushReady, a digital analytics tool for quick-service restaurant general managers, through the Microsoft Garage Hackathon. RushReady uses machine learning to surface operational patterns and anomalies specific to each store, providing real-time guidance during peak hours. The tool is now scaling across major U.S. franchise groups.
• CID LINESsignificantStrategic or Co-development PartnerEcolab and CID LINES partner in global animal and plant production, together helping produce 44% of the world's milk and 36% of its processed foods. The partnership offers more than 1,000 products for farm biosecurity programs, serving emerging needs and providing farmers with complete offerings for animal health and farm profitability.
• Global Water IntelligencesignificantGTM or Marketing PartnerEcolab co-supports the 9th Industrial Water Leaders Forum (IWLF) alongside Global Water Intelligence at WATERTECH CHINA 2026. The forum addresses industrial water treatment technologies and low-carbon pathways, positioning Ecolab as a thought leader in the global water industry.
• Digital RealtysignificantTechnology or IntegrationDigital Realty partnered with Ecolab to pilot an AI-powered water conservation solution. Digital Realty is a leading data center operator with whom Ecolab collaborates on smart water management practices to improve water strategy, minimize overall water use, and ensure reliable performance.
• Microsoft (Customer Partnership)significantTechnology or IntegrationMicrosoft leverages Ecolab's smart water management practices and advanced analytics to increase operational resilience in water-stressed regions. Ecolab helps Microsoft optimize water use at data center facilities and operations, supporting Microsoft's sustainability goals.
• CoolIT Systems (Pending Acquisition)coreTechnology or IntegrationEcolab agreed to acquire CoolIT Systems (pending close Q3 2026) for $4.75 billion, a leading data center liquid cooling provider. CoolIT holds over 40% of the direct-to-chip cooling market and offers advanced liquid cooling technologies including CDUs, cold plates, and direct-to-chip solutions. Ecolab is financing the deal with $5 billion raised through investment-grade bond sales.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Diversey Holdings: Diversey provides cleaning, hygiene, and infection prevention products and services for hospitality, foodservice, healthcare, and retail customers. It directly competes with Ecolab's Global Institutional & Specialty segment in commercial cleaning chemicals and warewashing.
• Pentair plc: Pentair delivers water treatment and flow solutions for residential, commercial, and industrial applications, including filtration and pool/aquatic systems. It overlaps with Ecolab in industrial/commercial water treatment equipment, chemistry, and service contracts.
• Solenis: Solenis is a specialty chemical manufacturer focused on water treatment and process chemistries for pulp/paper, packaging, oil & gas, and mining customers. It competes with Ecolab's Nalco Water in industrial process chemistry and water management programs.
• Xylem Inc. Xylem is a global water technology company providing pumps, filtration, treatment, and smart metering solutions for utilities and industrial customers. It is directly comparable to Ecolab's Nalco Water franchise in serving industrial water treatment and digital water monitoring needs.
• Kurita Water Industries: Kurita is a Japanese specialty chemical company providing water treatment chemicals, equipment, and maintenance services for industrial customers across electronics, power, and manufacturing. It is a direct competitor to Ecolab's Nalco Water business in specialty water chemistry.
• Steris plc: Steris provides infection prevention, sterilization, and surgical instrument reprocessing products and services for hospitals, pharmaceutical, and industrial customers. It overlaps with Ecolab's healthcare and life sciences infection prevention offerings.

Broad incumbents

• Veolia Environnement: Veolia is a global environmental services giant offering water, waste, and energy management solutions to municipal and industrial customers. It overlaps with Ecolab's industrial water services but operates at broader municipal and infrastructure scale rather than Ecolab's chemicals-plus-service niche.
• Suez SA: Suez provides water management, recycling, and waste recovery services globally, including industrial water treatment and consulting. Comparable to Ecolab's water treatment business but with a stronger municipal/utilities orientation rather than chemical specialty focus.
• 3M Company: 3M is a diversified industrial conglomerate that has historically competed with Ecolab in cleaning chemicals, commercial hygiene, and water filtration. Comparable in scale and broad industrial customer overlap though with much wider product portfolio.

Regional players

• A.O. Smith Corporation: A.O. Smith manufactures water heating, treatment, and purification equipment primarily for residential and light commercial markets with a strong North American/China presence. Compares to Ecolab's water treatment franchise but focuses more on hardware for residential rather than industrial chemicals/service.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/everywhereitmatters
• Facebookfacebook.com/ecolab
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ecolab
• Instagraminstagram.com/ecolab_inc
• Xx.com/Ecolab

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A41 records

Investments14 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ecolab