AquaLab

What AquaLab does

AquaLab by Addium, Inc. is a Pullman, Washington-based provider of precision water activity meters and moisture measurement instruments, serving food manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, cosmetics producers, pet food makers, and cannabis/wellness brands globally. The company's core technology measures water activity by analyzing vapor pressure in sealed chambers, with flagship instruments including the AQUALAB 4TE (0.003 aw accuracy, 1-minute read time), AQUALAB TDL 2 for volatile products, AQUALAB 3 (dual water activity and moisture content), and the AQUALAB VSA vapor sorption analyzer. AquaLab claims the 'gold standard' position in water activity measurement, trusted by 92% of the world's leading product and food producers, with a customer roster including Hostess, PepsiCo, Hormel, Kraft Heinz, Tyson, Unilever, Curaleaf, and Clif Bar.

The business model combines hardware sales of precision instruments with recurring software subscriptions through the SKALA platform — including SKALA Dry and SKALA Solo for AI-driven closed-loop drying optimization, and the MOISTURE ANALYSIS TOOLKIT for data analytics — plus fee-based lab services delivered by food scientists and consumables (sample cups, calibration standards) sold through an online store. Go-to-market is a hybrid enterprise field-sales motion for F500-grade accounts supplemented by an extensive global distributor network spanning more than 30 countries, with a dedicated EU subsidiary (Addium GmbH, Nuremberg) supporting GDPR-compliant European operations. Recent strategic moves include the 2024 corporate rebranding from METER Food to AQUALAB under the Addium umbrella, the 2024 launch of the ROS 1 Moisture Analyzer, and the 2025 launches of the patent-pending WVTR Testing Cell and a major SKALA Solo software release. AquaLab operates as a private subsidiary of Addium, Inc., with 51-100 employees and 40+ years of applied moisture science heritage.

Name

AquaLab

Legal name

AQUALAB by Addium, Inc.

Website

https://aqualab.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2024

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

AquaLab by Addium provides precision water activity meters, moisture analyzers, and AI-enabled SKALA process optimization software to food, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, pet food, and wellness manufacturers globally, operating as the self-described 'gold standard' water activity brand.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Moisture and Water Activity Measurement Instruments

NAICS

Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (3345), Testing Laboratories and Services (54138)

SIC

Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)

akta.pro primary industry

Metrology, Calibration & Testing Equipment (Balances, pH/DO, Standards) (HLAGAIAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Quality Documentation & Digital QMS (SOPs, CAPA, Change Control, Recordkeeping) (AFALALAD), Data Management, LIMS & Compliance Software (ELN, eDMS, reporting automation) (EUANAJAE), Reference Materials & Certified Reference Materials (CRMs) for Food Matrices (AFALAKAD)

Keywords

• Water activity meters
• Moisture measurement instruments
• Vapor sorption analyzers
• Moisture analysis software
• Moisture control solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Pullman

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Water Activity Instruments: Sale of precision water activity meters including AQUALAB 4TE, AQUALAB TDL 2, AQUALAB 3, and VSA instruments
2. Software Subscriptions: SKALA Dry and SKALA software for process optimization and data management with annual subscription model
3. Lab Services: Industry-leading testing and consultation services delivered by experienced food scientists
4. Consumables and Accessories: Sample cups, calibration standards, and other consumables sold through the online store

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

AQUALAB manufactures and sells precision water activity meters and moisture measurement instruments (AQUALAB 4TE, TDL 2, 3, VSA, ROS 1) used by food, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and pet food manufacturers for quality control, shelf-life prediction, and production optimization. The company also sells the SKALA software suite for closed-loop drying control and real-time process data tracking, a patent-pending WVTR Testing Cell for packaging permeability, calibration standards and consumables, and provides expert lab testing and consultation services through its food scientists.

Product overview

AQUALAB by Addium is a comprehensive moisture management platform offering scientific instruments, software modules, and laboratory services for water activity and moisture measurement across food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics industries. The product portfolio centers on water activity meters (AQUALAB 4TE, AQUALAB TDL 2, AQUALAB 3) and the vapor sorption analyzer (AQUALAB VSA) as core instruments, complemented by software solutions including SKALA Dry for self-optimizing dryer control, SKALA Solo for broader automated drying control using machine learning and AI, and the MOISTURE ANALYSIS TOOLKIT for data-driven insights. Recent additions include the ROS 1 moisture analyzer and WVTR Testing Cell for packaging permeability. Lab services provide expert testing and consultation. Accessories include calibration standards and sample cups. The instruments measure water activity by analyzing vapor pressure, while the SKALA software platform aggregates sensor data in real time to optimize production processes.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SKALA: Process control and optimization software including SKALA Dry (self-optimizing dryer control software), SKALA Solo (closed-loop drying solution), and SKALA Control Dashboards.
• AQUALAB 4TE
• AQUALAB TDL 2
• AQUALAB 3
• AQUALAB VSA
• ROS 1
• MOISTURE ANALYSIS TOOLKIT

Products and services

• AQUALAB 4TE Water Activity Meter Fast, precise water activity meter measuring water activity by analyzing water vapor pressure in a sealed chamber with 0.003 aw accuracy; for food, pharma, cosmetics, and research labs.
• AQUALAB TDL 2 Water activity meter using tuned diode laser sensor technology for accurate measurements in products containing volatile ingredients that interfere with traditional sensors; for food, pharma, and cosmetics manufacturers.
• AQUALAB 3 Dual-function instrument providing fast water activity and moisture content measurements in a single device for comprehensive moisture analysis; for QC and production teams.
• AQUALAB VSA Vapor Sorption Analyzer Vapor Sorption Analyzer for generating moisture sorption isotherms to predict how products gain or lose moisture during storage; for food and pharmaceutical stability analysis.
• SKALA Dry Self-optimizing dryer control software that uses sensor data and AI to make intelligent real-time temperature adjustments for tighter product specifications, automating drying decisions in a closed-loop system; for food production operations.
• SKALA Solo Closed-loop drying solution using machine learning and AI to deliver automated self-optimizing drying control across batch ovens, continuous lines, and industrial process systems.
• MOISTURE ANALYSIS TOOLKIT Software that transforms moisture data into actionable insights for quality control and product optimization.
• WVTR Testing Cell Patent-pending Water Vapor Transmission Rate testing cell for packaging permeability analysis enabling quick and accurate WVTR testing, including on challenging sustainable packaging materials.
• ROS 1 Moisture Analyzer Moisture content analyzer for food and pharma applications; the first and only instrument combining reference method-precision, oven simplicity, and moisture balance speed.
• Lab Services Industry-leading testing and consultation services delivered by scientists with extensive water and food science experience to identify customer problems and guide them to moisture management solutions.
• Water Activity Standards Calibration standards (including 0.25 aw and 0.50 aw) for ensuring the accuracy of water activity measurements; sold through the online store.
• Sample Cups Disposable sample cups for product testing in AQUALAB water activity instruments; sold through the online store.

Quantifiable outcome

• SKALA eliminated 50-60% of physical paperwork and significantly increased speed of information sharing between departments
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments9 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Thorne HealthTechcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThorne HealthTech partners with AQUALAB to disrupt the wellness industry with science-driven wellness products. Thorne is committed to product quality and purity using AQUALAB's measurement technology for research and quality control.
• Addium GmbHcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEuropean subsidiary handling sales, support, and GDPR compliance for European customers from offices in Nuremberg, Germany.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Agilent Technologies: Major analytical instrument manufacturer with food testing, pharmaceutical QC, and materials characterization portfolios that overlap with AquaLab's enterprise food and pharma customer base.
• Hach (Danaher): Water quality measurement leader serving food/beverage and utilities; adjacent to AquaLab's moisture and water activity measurement expertise in regulated industries requiring continuous monitoring.
• Endress+Hauser: Process measurement and automation specialist with moisture sensors and analyzers for in-line industrial applications, overlapping with AquaLab's SKALA Dry/Solo process control ambitions in food manufacturing lines.
• Shimadzu: Japanese analytical instrument manufacturer with moisture analyzers, mass spectrometers, and chromatography systems used in food safety and pharmaceutical QC labs; competes broadly with AquaLab's enterprise lab and QA offerings.
• Thermo Fisher Scientific: Broad laboratory analytical instrument incumbent serving food safety, pharmaceutical, and materials testing with chromatography, spectrometry, and moisture analyzers; competes with AquaLab at the food/pharma QA/QC lab level.

Direct peers

• Kett Electric Laboratory: Japan-based manufacturer of moisture and water activity meters, including the Kett FD-series and AquaLab's closest direct competitor in vapor-pressure water activity measurement across food and industrial markets.
• Mettler Toledo: Global leader in precision laboratory and industrial instruments, including halogen moisture analyzers (HX204) and laboratory balances that compete directly with AquaLab's water activity meters and ROS 1 moisture analyzer in food, pharma, and cosmetics labs.
• CEM Corporation: Specializes in moisture/solids analysis systems (Sprint, Smart) for food, pharmaceutical, and chemical applications; directly comparable to AquaLab's moisture analyzers and lab services for food and pharma QA/QC.
• Novasina (now part of Kett): Swiss-origin specialist in water activity measurement instruments (LabMaster, LabSwift); historically AquaLab's most direct global rival in the aw meter category used by food and pharma manufacturers.

Emerging players

• Sartorius: Bioprocess and lab equipment vendor with moisture/water activity relevance in pharmaceutical manufacturing; emerging as a quality-control instrumentation player in the same USP <922> compliance workflows AquaLab targets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aqualab-by-addium
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 AquaLab