What GL Biocontrol does

GL Biocontrol SAS is a Montpellier-based (Clapiers, France) water-microbiology specialist founded in 2009 that develops, manufactures, and markets quantitative ATP-metry test kits under the DENDRIDIAG® brand, complemented by VIRAPREP® coliphage concentration kits, qPCR-based Legionella services, and a study bureau offering risk analysis, ATP mapping, and training. Its core technology isolates intracellular ATP from living microorganisms via membrane filtration, applies internal and external standardization, and produces on-site bacterial readings in two minutes — a 100–5,000x speed advantage over the 18-hour-to-11-day culture and qPCR reference methods it competes against. The product line spans drinking water (SW), cooling water (IW), sanitary water (ECS), process water, ultra-pure water (UPW), surface control (BF), and viral detection, with ISO 10705-3 and NF T90-471 compliance anchoring the offering for French and EU water safety regulations.

The company monetizes through unit-priced kits and consumables (one-off license sales), professional services billed per engagement (approximately 150 expertises per year, plus multi-year training and surveillance contracts), and a freemium Lumen web application that drives kit adoption by aggregating measurement and physico-chemical data. Go-to-market is sales-led: a commercial team trained users across France, a Grand Est regional agency (Maxéville) served eastern territories, and inside-sales/digital channels handled inbound inquiries. Customer mix spans Tier-1 French water utilities and delegated operators (SUEZ, Veolia, Saur, SOGEDO, ENGIE, Régie des Eaux de Montpellier), industrial accounts (paper mills, electroplating), and healthcare laundries (URBH). Long-standing R&D collaboration since 2011 with the UNèmes Chrome team has generated patents (FR3038616), the RAPID SACAD'eau, VIRKIT+, and READYNOV DIAG'Eau projects, and on 16 September 2025 GL Biocontrol joined LuminUltra to scale its European footprint.

Name

GL Biocontrol

Legal name

GL BIOCONTROL

Website

https://gl-biocontrol.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

GL Biocontrol is a French water-microbiology firm that develops and markets DENDRIDIAG ATP-metry kits and VIRAPREP coliphage kits, delivering 2-minute on-site bacterial detection to water utilities, industrial operators, and healthcare laundries, supported by a study bureau offering risk analysis and training.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Water Microbiology Testing Equipment

NAICS

Testing Laboratories and Services (54138)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

Water Sampling, Testing & Laboratory Analysis (Legionella/Microbiology) (BPABAJAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Legionella Risk Assessment & Compliance Audits (BPABAJAA), Water Safety Plans, Training & Documentation (Logbooks, SOPs) (BPABAJAL), Microbiology & Pathogen Monitoring (Legionella, Coliform, HABs) (EUAHACAI), On-Site Water Testing & Rapid Screening Services (Field Kits, Sensors, ATP) (AFALAJAI), Microbiological Water Testing (Coliform/E. coli, HPC, Legionella) (AFALAJAD), Water & Drain Monitoring for Environmental Pathogens (Drains, CIP Return, Process Water) (AFALAEAE), Risk Assessment, Hazard Analysis & Food Defense/Fraud Programs (AFALAAAO)

Keywords

• ATP-metry kits
• Water microbiology testing
• Legionella risk management
• Coliphage concentration kits
• QPCR Legionella analysis

Headquarters

HQ city

Clapiers

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. ATP-metry kits and consumables (DENDRIDIAG®): Sale of quantitative ATP-metry field kits for water and surface microbiology testing. Kits are sold as products with associated consumables (reagents, filter membranes, sterile sampling pots). Customers perform the analysis themselves in the field with results in 2 minutes. The company also sells the Lumen web application as a free complement to drive kit usage.
2. VIRAPREP® and coliphage detection products: Sale of coliphage concentration kits (VIRAPREP®), PhiX174 positive controls, and MS2 positive controls for enumeration of somatic and RNA F-specific coliphages in water, compliant with ISO 10705 standards.
3. Expert studies and consulting services: The company operates a study bureau offering Legionella risk diagnostics, corrosion microbiological diagnosis (qPCR MIC), risk analysis (AMR/PGSSE), ATP mapping, monitoring packs, and technical-sanitary diagnostics for hot water circuits. Approximately 150 expertises conducted per year.
4. Training services: Training programs on Legionella risk management for cooling towers (TAR) and domestic hot/cold water systems (ECS). Provided as part of the service offering.
5. qPCR Legionella analysis service: Laboratory service for rapid quantification of Legionella pneumophila by qPCR according to NF T90-471 standard, delivering results in under 2 hours.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

GL Biocontrol develops, manufactures, and sells the DENDRIDIAG® line of quantitative ATP-metry field kits that detect total bacteria in water in 2 minutes on-site, plus VIRAPREP® coliphage concentration kits compliant with ISO 10705-3. The company also offers the Lumen web application for data interpretation and operates a study bureau providing Legionella risk diagnostics, AMR analyses, qPCR services, ATP mapping, and training programs for water utilities and industrial operators.

Product overview

GL Biocontrol offers a comprehensive water microbiology monitoring portfolio centered on its DENDRIDIAG® ATP test kit line and VIRAPREP® virus concentration products. The core offering includes quantitative ATP-metry kits (DENDRIDIAG® SW, IW, ECS, Process, UPW, BF) that deliver bacterial detection results in 2 minutes on-site, complemented by the VIRAPREP® coliphage concentration kit for virological quality control. Supporting software includes the Lumen web application for data interpretation. The study bureau provides consulting services including Methodical Risk Analysis (AMR), Legionella diagnostics, qPCR analysis services, ATP mapping, and training programs. The company operates primarily in drinking water, industrial water, and sanitary water sectors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• DENDRIDIAG®: ATP-metry test kit brand for bacteria detection in water - includes kits for drinking water, cooling water, process water, sanitary water, ultra-pure water, and surfaces
• VIRAPREP®
• Lumen
• DIADEM

Products and services

• DENDRIDIAG® SW Quantitative ATP test kit for drinking water (EDCH) analysis, delivering bacterial count results in 2 minutes on-site for water utilities and municipalities.
• DENDRIDIAG® IW ATP test kit for cooling water (Tours Aéroréfrigérantes), enabling real-time microbiological monitoring for industrial facility managers and HSE teams.
• DENDRIDIAG® ECS ATP test kit for domestic hot and cold sanitary water (ECS/EFS), used for Legionella risk management in building water systems.
• DENDRIDIAG® Process ATP test kit for process water, used in industries such as paper manufacturing, electroplating/surface treatment, and food processing to prevent biofilm-related defects.
• DENDRIDIAG® UPW ATP test kit for ultra-pure water (UPW) used in pharmaceutical manufacturing, cosmetic production, hemodialysis, and microelectronics industries requiring very low microbiological loads.
• DENDRIDIAG® BF ATP test kit for surface control, detecting microbial contamination on surfaces across food processing, healthcare, pools, and industrial applications.
• VIRAPREP® Coliphage Concentration Kit Turnkey membrane filtration solution for concentrating somatic and F-specific RNA coliphages from 100 ml to 1 litre water samples, fully compliant with ISO 10705-3 requirements and used for drinking water virological quality control.
• PhiX174 Positive Control Positive control for enumeration of somatic coliphages in water, part of the VIRAPREP® product line for ISO 10705-3 compliance.
• MS2 Positive Control Positive control for enumeration of F-specific RNA bacteriophages in water, part of the VIRAPREP® product line for ISO 10705-3 compliance.
• Lumen Web Application Web-based decision-support application that centralizes ATP-metric and physico-chemical measurements (pH, conductivity, free chlorine, temperature) for drinking water quality interpretation, offered free with DENDRIDIAG® kits.
• Legionella qPCR Analysis Service Laboratory service for quantification of Legionella pneumophila by qPCR according to NF T90-471 standard, providing results in less than 48 hours compared to 7-11 days for culture method.
• DNA Ampli-Flash Kit Kit for Legionella identification by qPCR, enabling rapid confirmation of typical Legionella colonies per NF T90-431.
• AMR Analysis (TAR/ECS) Methodical Risk Analysis (Analyse Méthodique des Risques) services for cooling towers (TAR) and hot water systems (ECS), part of the study bureau offerings for Legionella risk management.
• ATP Mapping Service Cartography service using ATP testing to identify contamination zones and map microbiological risk in water networks across industrial and municipal water systems.
• qPCR MIC Diagnostic Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion (MIC) diagnostic service using qPCR to identify corrosive bacteria in industrial water systems.
• Legionella Risk Evaluation Diagnostic Diagnostic service for evaluating Legionella risk in water installations, part of the study bureau offerings for facility managers and water utilities.
• Legionella Risk Training Training programs on Legionella risk management for cooling towers (TAR) and domestic hot/cold water systems (ECS), provided to facility managers and water utility staff.
• Surveillance Packs Monitoring packs for industrial water systems, combining ATP mapping with regular surveillance support for ongoing microbiological control.

Quantifiable outcome

• Results in 2 minutes on the field vs. 18h–7 days for culture methods
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments10 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• LuminUltraflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 September 2025On 16 September 2025, GL Biocontrol announced it has joined LuminUltra, significantly expanding its scope of action in microbiological water monitoring in France and Europe. This acquisition positions GL Biocontrol within a larger international group while maintaining its brand and operations.
• Thales Alenia Space Italy (subsidiary of Thales)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Thales Alenia Space Italy invited GL Biocontrol to join the BIOWYSE consortium (Horizon H2020 project, selected in September 2015). The project aimed to automate GL Biocontrol's ATP system for space habitat use on the ISS. GL Biocontrol developed two modules (water quality monitoring and surface control) that can trigger disinfection processes. This represents major international recognition of the company's technology by major space sector players.
• Chrome team, Université de Nîmes (UNîmes)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011Long-standing strategic partnership with UNîmes Chrome team since 2011. Collaborated on multiple joint R&D projects: RAPID SACAD'eau (2014–2016), VIRKIT+ (2019+), READYNOV DIAG'Eau (2020–2023). Joint patents filed (FR3038616). Development of VIRAPREP® coliphage concentration kit and pollutant field test. The partnership has produced peer-reviewed publications including Environmental Pollution (2021).
• BIOWYSE European ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe BIOWYSE consortium comprised: Thales Alenia Space (Italy), European Science Foundation (France), GL Biocontrol (France), Aquaisense Technologies (England), Liewenthal Electronics (Estonia), and others — a balanced mix of industry, academia, and research organisations.
• ARS (Agences Régionales de Santé)minorOthersGL Biocontrol maintains collaborative relationships with multiple regional health agencies (ARS) across France. These agencies work with the company on ATP-metry adoption and PGSSE implementation. Several ARS agents were reported to have collaborated with GL Biocontrol in 2023.
• ANSES (French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety)minorOthersANSES recommended somatic coliphages as a viral indicator for drinking water quality and evaluated somatic and RNA F-specific coliphages for SARS-CoV-2 monitoring in wastewater. GL Biocontrol's VIRAPREP® and coliphage products align with ANSES recommendations. Collaboration on ATP-métrie evaluation for wastewater surveillance.
• OIEAU (Office International de l'Eau)minorOthersOIEAU collaborates with GL Biocontrol on water microbiology training and PGSSE implementation support for water utilities and municipalities across France.
• SAS COPEminorOthersSAS COPE (expert Sabine Lapouge) collaborates with GL Biocontrol on PGSSE implementation workshops and training, including a free technical day on PGSSE held in Montpellier and Amiens.
• URBH (Union des Responsables des Blanchisseries Hospitalières)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerURBH collaborates closely with GL Biocontrol on ATP-metry qualification for hospital laundries, working on wash water quality and textile surface hygiene monitoring under the R.A.B.C. method.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• LuminUltra Technologies: LuminUltra is the most direct comparable in rapid ATP-metry for water microbiology, offering the PhotonMaster and Quench-Gone kits that compete head-to-head with GL Biocontrol's DENDRIDIAG® line. It acquired GL Biocontrol in September 2025, making it both the closest product peer and now the parent organization with global reach.
• Hygiena: Hygiena (with the EnSURE Touch luminometer and ATP swab product lines) is a direct competitor in rapid ATP-based hygiene and surface testing. While it has historically been stronger in food and beverage hygiene, it overlaps with GL Biocontrol in pharmaceutical, healthcare, and water-adjacent hygiene monitoring use cases.
• Charles River Laboratories (Celsis): Charles River's Celsis line provides ATP-based rapid microbial detection systems primarily used in pharmaceutical and personal care manufacturing QC release. It directly competes with GL Biocontrol's DENDRIDIAG® Process and UPW kits in pharmaceutical and cosmetics ultra-pure water testing use cases.

Broad incumbents

• 3M (Clean-Trace): 3M's Clean-Trace ATP monitoring system is a global incumbent in rapid hygiene testing, primarily in food and beverage but extending into water and healthcare facilities. As part of a diversified industrial conglomerate, it competes with GL Biocontrol in surface and process water ATP testing where hygiene verification is required.
• bioMérieux: bioMérieux is a global leader in industrial and clinical microbiology, offering culture-based and molecular water testing solutions as well as ATP-adjacent rapid diagnostics. It represents a broader incumbent that competes with GL Biocontrol's qPCR Legionella service and ATP kits in industrial water and pharmaceutical markets.
• IDEXX Laboratories (Water): IDEXX provides microbiological water testing products (Colilert, Enterolert, Quanti-Tray) used widely by water utilities and regulators. It overlaps with GL Biocontrol in drinking water microbial monitoring, though IDEXX focuses on defined enzyme-substrate culture methods rather than ATP-metry.
• Hach (Danaher): Hach, part of Danaher's water quality platform, offers a broad portfolio of analytical instruments and reagents for drinking water, wastewater, and industrial water. It competes with GL Biocontrol where utilities seek integrated monitoring solutions, though Hach's strength is in chemistry/online sensors rather than rapid microbiological ATP kits.

Others

• Eurofins Water Testing: Eurofins operates an extensive network of accredited water testing laboratories that consume and validate microbiological testing methods, including ISO 10705-compliant coliphage and Legionella assays. It is a relevant ecosystem peer as both a potential customer (using VIRAPREP®) and a competing service provider for qPCR Legionella and ATP mapping studies.
• SGS Water Services: SGS offers microbiological water testing and Legionella risk assessment services globally. While it does not produce ATP kits, it competes for the consulting/expert study portion of GL Biocontrol's offering (AMR, Legionella diagnostics, sanitary circuit diagnostics) and represents a comparable water-microbiology service business.
• Veolia Water Technologies (Hydrotech): Veolia is both a major customer of GL Biocontrol and a provider of integrated water monitoring services and solutions. It is relevant as an ecosystem peer that bundles water treatment, monitoring, and digital analytics in ways that could either consume GL Biocontrol's kits or compete with parts of the value chain over time.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@glbiocontrol3677
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gl-biocontrol

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about GL Biocontrol