NanoH2O
NanoH2O manufactures reverse osmosis membranes for water desalination, serving global municipal and industrial water treatment markets. Founded in 2005 and formerly part of LG Chem, the company was acquired by Glenwood Private Equity and Mubadala Investment Company in December 2025.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2005
- HeadquartersLos Angeles, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What NanoH2O does
NanoH2O is a Seoul-headquartered manufacturer specializing in reverse osmosis (RO) membranes for water desalination. Originally founded in 2005 and incorporated as NanoH2O Co., Ltd., the company historically operated as the water-solution business unit of LG Chem and was carved out in December 2025 when Korea-based Glenwood Private Equity, in a KRW 1.4 trillion (~$1 billion) transaction co-invested with Abu Dhabi's Mubadala Investment Company, acquired the unit following regulatory approvals advised by Lee & Ko and Kim & Chang.
The company's core technology is high-performance RO membrane technology enhanced with a proprietary nano-structured material designed to provide additional control over key membrane properties such as permeability, selectivity, and fouling resistance. NanoH2O serves two primary customer segments: municipal water utilities requiring desalination solutions and industrial clients operating water treatment and process-water facilities. Its value proposition is framed around sustainable water solutions, with a stated strategic emphasis on water-stressed regions including the Middle East and North Africa.
NanoH2O's go-to-market is industrial in nature, selling membrane elements and related products into global municipal and industrial water markets. Specific pricing models, contract structures, revenue mechanics, and customer logos are not publicly disclosed. The company employs 51-100 people globally and reports global geographic reach. Following the December 2025 change of ownership, NanoH2O operates as an independent, PE-controlled specialty industrial manufacturer, leveraging manufacturing capabilities and technology leadership inherited from its LG Chem heritage while pursuing international expansion under PE and sovereign wealth fund sponsorship.
NanoH2O firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- NanoH2O
- Legal name
- NanoH2O Co., Ltd.
- Website
- https://nanoh2o.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2005
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- NanoH2O manufactures reverse osmosis membranes for water desalination, serving global municipal and industrial water treatment markets. Founded in 2005 and formerly part of LG Chem, the company was acquired by Glenwood Private Equity and Mubadala Investment Company in December 2025.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
NanoH2O industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Water Desalination Membranes
- NAICS
- Water Supply and Irrigation Systems (22131)
- SIC
- Industrial Organic Chemicals (2860)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Membranes, Consumables & Chemicals (Elements, Antiscalants, Cleaning) (EUANAFAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Membrane Treatment (UF/NF/RO for Potable) (EUANABAC), Seawater Reverse Osmosis (SWRO) Plants & Operations (EUANAFAA)
Keywords
Where NanoH2O is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Los Angeles
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
NanoH2O business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales
NanoH2O product offering
Product offeringCore offering
NanoH2O manufactures reverse osmosis membranes enhanced with a proprietary nano-structured material that enables additional control over key membrane properties for water desalination. The company sells these membranes to municipal water utilities and industrial water treatment operators globally, with a focus on sustainable water solutions in water-stressed regions including the Middle East and North Africa.
Product overview
NanoH2O is a Seoul-based manufacturer of reverse osmosis membranes for desalination, serving global municipal and industrial water treatment markets with a focus on sustainable water solutions. The company was previously part of LG Chem's water solution business before being acquired by Glenwood Private Equity and Mubadala Investment Company in December 2025.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Reverse Osmosis Membranes (NanoH2O) High-performance reverse osmosis membranes enhanced with nano-structured material for water desalination applications. Sold to municipal water utilities and industrial water treatment operators globally for seawater and brackish water desalination.
Companies that use NanoH2O
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
NanoH2O technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
NanoH2O partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators2 records
Recent moves4 records
Expansion highlights3 records
NanoH2O competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- LG Chem: LG Chem is NanoH2O's former parent, having divested its water solution business (which became NanoH2O Co., Ltd.) via Glenwood and Mubadala in 2025. Retains adjacency through chemicals/materials, but no longer competes directly in RO membranes; included as a former parent and adjacent chemicals supplier rather than a current competitor.
Broad incumbents
- Pentair: Pentair's Water Solutions segment supplies RO membrane systems and water treatment solutions for industrial, commercial, and residential applications. Comparable to NanoH2O as a water-filtration incumbent with RO membrane offerings, though Pentair's portfolio extends well beyond membrane elements into pumps, valves, and complete systems.
- Veolia Environnement: Veolia operates a broad water-technology portfolio including SWRO EPC and desalination operations (via Sidem) and competes in the same municipal and industrial desalination markets as NanoH2O. A broad incumbent whose product and service footprint overlaps with NanoH2O's membrane-product offering and end-customer set.
- SUEZ: SUEZ is a global water and waste management major offering desalination EPC, operations, and proprietary membrane technologies, serving municipal and industrial customers. Overlaps with NanoH2O at the membrane-product level and competes as a vertically integrated desalination provider in the same end-markets.
Direct peers
- Kobelco Eco-Solutions: Kobelco Eco-Solutions manufactures RO membrane elements for water treatment and desalination, with notable penetration in Japan and selected international markets. Comparable to NanoH2O as a focused membrane-element manufacturer serving the same desalination end-markets, particularly relevant given overlapping customer profiles in industrial and municipal applications.
- Toray Industries: Toray is a major manufacturer of RO/NF/UF membranes under the Toray Membrane brand (including the legacy CSM brand), serving municipal and industrial desalination customers worldwide - particularly strong across Asia and the Middle East. Directly comparable to NanoH2O on product line, membrane chemistry, and desalination end-market exposure.
- Hydranautics (Nitto Denko): Hydranautics, a Nitto Denko Group company, is one of the world's largest RO membrane manufacturers offering spiral-wound elements for seawater and brackish applications. Directly comparable to NanoH2O in product technology, target customers (utilities, EPCs, OEMs), and global desalination focus.
- DuPont: DuPont operates the FilmTec™ RO membrane franchise, the global market leader in reverse osmosis membrane elements used in desalination and industrial water treatment. Directly comparable to NanoH2O in product (spiral-wound RO membrane elements), customer base (utilities, EPCs), and core technology; competes head-to-head for the same membrane-element tenders globally.
- LANXESS: LANXESS (Lewabrane® membrane elements) manufactures reverse osmosis membrane elements for industrial water treatment and desalination, serving utilities and industrial users worldwide. Comparable to NanoH2O as a dedicated RO membrane element supplier with chemistry-led product differentiation.
Emerging players
- MANN+HUMMEL: MANN+HUMMEL has expanded into water filtration and membrane technology via its Water Filtration business and has been building RO/NF membrane capability. An emerging player in the RO membrane category with partial overlap to NanoH2O's portfolio, primarily serving industrial and process water customers and an emerging competitor in certain geographies.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
NanoH2O social profiles
Digital presenceNanoH2O financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
NanoH2O leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
NanoH2O funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds4 records
Investors9 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
NanoH2O M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about NanoH2O
What does NanoH2O do?
NanoH2O manufactures reverse osmosis membranes enhanced with a proprietary nano-structured material that enables additional control over key membrane properties for water desalination. The company sells these membranes to municipal water utilities and industrial water treatment operators globally, with a focus on sustainable water solutions in water-stressed regions including the Middle East and North Africa.
Is NanoH2O a public or private company?
NanoH2O is a private company. It is classified as private equity controlled and is currently operating.
When was NanoH2O founded?
NanoH2O was founded in 2005. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is NanoH2O based?
NanoH2O is headquartered in Los Angeles, United States, in the North America region.
Who are NanoH2O's main competitors?
LG Chem is listed as an others. Broad incumbents are Pentair, Veolia Environnement and SUEZ. Direct peers are Kobelco Eco-Solutions, Toray Industries, Hydranautics (Nitto Denko), DuPont and LANXESS. MANN+HUMMEL is listed as an emerging player.
Does NanoH2O have an API?
No public API is recorded for NanoH2O.
What industry is NanoH2O in?
NanoH2O's product category is Water Desalination Membranes. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUANAFAJ, Membranes, Consumables & Chemicals (Elements, Antiscalants, Cleaning), with a secondary code of EUANABAC, Membrane Treatment (UF/NF/RO for Potable). Its NAICS code is 22131 and its SIC code is 2860.