What Elemental Water Makers does

Elemental Water Makers B.V. is a Dutch privately held company founded in 2012 by TU Delft engineers Sid Vollebregt and Reinoud Feenstra, headquartered in The Hague with regional offices across the Caribbean, Central America, South America, SE-Asia/Pacific, and South Africa. The company designs and manufactures solar-powered reverse osmosis desalination systems built around a patented energy recovery device that reduces consumption to approximately 3 kWh per cubic metre — roughly 70% less than conventional RO — and operates chemical-free. The product portfolio comprises four core systems (Elemental Water Source / plug-and-play, Gravity, Efficient Desalination / hybrid, and Elemental Water Response / portable) plus a modular phased-expansion add-on, deployed at container or skid scale for resorts, coastal communities, private properties, industrial facilities, military bases, crisis-response operations, and water utilities across 35+ countries.

The business model is direct enterprise sales of turnkey systems with custom quotes ranging from approximately €40,000 to €400,000 per installation, complemented by professional services for maintenance, remote monitoring, and permit assistance. Go-to-market combines field sales with a regional partner network that handles local installation and support; humanitarian projects in Somalia, Yemen, and Madagascar are channelled through the affiliated Elemental Water Foundation (a certified NGO co-founded by the principals) and partners such as Save the Children and CARE International. Pricing economics — €1-3/m³ total water cost and 1-5 year customer payback — anchor the value proposition in cost displacement versus imported water or diesel-driven desalination.

Cumulative scale is modest but mission-aligned: 100+ projects deployed, 200,000+ people served, 3.275 billion litres of freshwater produced, and 16,375 tonnes of CO₂ saved. The team remains small (1-10 employees) with no disclosed external institutional funding, reflecting a founder-led, capital-efficient operating model. Recognition includes the 2017 Mohammed Bin Rashid Global Water Award, the 2019 Solar Impulse Efficient Solution label, the 2018 Financial Times Top 50 entrepreneurs list, and a 2025 finalist position in the Saudi Water Authority's GPID.

Name

Elemental Water Makers

Legal name

Elemental Water Makers B.V.

Website

https://elementalwatermakers.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Water Treatment & Desalination Systems

NAICS

Water Supply and Irrigation Systems (22131), Fluid Power Pump and Motor Manufacturing (333996)

SIC

Water Supply (4941), Electrical Industrial Apparatus (3620)

akta.pro primary industry

Seawater Reverse Osmosis (SWRO) Plants & Operations (EUANAFAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Desalination Energy Systems (Energy Recovery Devices, Power Integration, Renewables) (EUANAFAI), Hybrid Desalination Systems (RO + Thermal/Other) (EUANAFAD)

Keywords

• Solar desalination systems
• Reverse osmosis systems
• Water treatment equipment
• Renewable energy water
• Off-grid desalination

Headquarters

HQ city

Delft

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Turn-key Equipment Sales: Direct purchase of solar desalination systems. Investment ranges from €40,000-€400,000 depending on capacity. Includes design, shipping, installation, commissioning, operator training, and one year of operational support.
2. Phased Expansion/Scalable Solutions: Systems designed for modular scalability allowing customers to start with capacity for current needs and add capacity as demand grows. Minimizes initial Capex while enabling future expansion.
3. Professional Services: Maintenance services, technical support, remote monitoring services, and permit assistance for local documentation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Elemental Water Makers designs, manufactures, and sells solar-powered reverse osmosis desalination systems for off-grid and grid-tied fresh water production. The portfolio includes containerized plug-and-play units, gravity-assisted systems, energy-efficient solutions powered by existing generators, and portable crisis-response units, all using proprietary energy recovery technology and chemical-free operation.

Product overview

Elemental Water Makers offers a portfolio of solar-powered desalination solutions centered on reverse osmosis technology. The core product line consists of four main systems: the Elemental Water Source (plug & play solar desalination) for off-grid applications, the Gravity-based solar desalination utilizing natural elevation for 24/7 production, the Efficient Desalination solution for grid/hybrid powered sites with 3x efficiency gains, and the Elemental Water Response portable unit for emergency/crisis deployment. All systems use proprietary energy recovery technology and chemical-free operation. The Phased Desalination offering enables modular expansion of any core system. These solutions serve resorts, communities, private properties, industries, military, water companies, and crisis response organizations across 35+ countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Elemental Water Foundation: A certified NGO focused on helping underserved communities gain access to clean water through solar desalination projects, working alongside Elemental Water Makers.

Products and services

• Elemental Water Source (Plug & Play Solar Desalination) Containerized, solar-powered reverse osmosis desalination system that uses solar energy with minimized battery storage for rapidly deployed, off-grid fresh water production. Features plug & play installation with water production during daylight hours.
• Solar Desalination: Gravity Solar-powered reverse osmosis system that utilizes gravity-assisted water storage and natural elevation to achieve lowest operational expenses. Enables 24/7 water production with reduced brine impact.
• Efficient Desalination (Your Energy) High-efficiency reverse osmosis system powered by customer's existing energy supply (generator or mini-grid). Delivers 3x more efficiency compared to traditional RO systems, available in compact or containerized configurations.
• Elemental Water Response (Portable Solar Desalination) Portable, rapidly deployable solar desalination solution designed for crisis response, disaster relief, and emergency water supply situations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Water cost reduction of 70% compared to traditional desalination
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Greenlink ReGenminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partnered for sustainable tourism project on Fanjove Island, Tanzania. Installation supports eco-tourism and protects island's fragile ecosystem while reducing reliance on imported water or diesel power.
• Gooische BrewerminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Collaboration to brew a special North Sea beer for North Sea Talent Day, showcasing company's technology to turn the sea into clean water.
• DuneaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Supported company's strategy day resulting in Guinness World Record for tallest snowman (over 3m). Dunea provides water services in Meijendel area.
• &BeyondminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2022Luxury hospitality company operating Mnemba Island. Switched from old inefficient reverse osmosis to Elemental Water Makers' solution, now considering third desalination machine.
• Trans MadminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2019Local partner in Madagascar for community water projects. Partnered with Elemental Water Foundation to implement sustainable water kiosk in Efoetsy.
• NXTLVL WaterminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2018Local partner in Philippines implementing water kiosk in La Union, Luzon. NXTLVL Water invests locally in decentralized water production solutions addressing water cost, quality, access, and environmental impact.
• Elemental Water FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCertified NGO dedicated to helping people that need it most. Partnered to bring solar-powered desalination to the front lines of water scarcity. Works with local partners and private sector donations to fund and implement community water projects. Co-founded by company founders.
• Save the ChildrencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership established sustainable water for 18,000 people in Somalia. Solar-powered systems provide steady supply of fresh water even during harsh droughts, allowing local women to lead community development.
• CARE InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated to provide a lifeline in Yemen conflict zone. Fossil-fuel-free solution bypasses broken infrastructure, ensuring families have safe water without the danger of travel.
• Netherlands Water Partnership (NWP)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerOrganizational partner hosting workshops on tackling water challenges in Caribbean. Lukas Valach presented proven solutions and experience in the region.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• DESOLENATOR: DESOLENATOR builds solar-thermal hybrid desalination units for off-grid industrial and community use. Direct competitor in the decentralized, renewable-powered desalination niche targeting similar water-scarce geographies.
• Trunz Water Systems: Trunz manufactures containerized, mobile desalination and water treatment units for remote communities and disaster response. Closely comparable product form factor and end-use case to Elemental's Elemental Water Response and community systems.
• AquaSonic: AquaSonic supplies small-to-medium solar-powered desalination units for islands, yachts and remote properties. Direct overlap with Elemental's resort and private-property segment at the lower-capacity end of the market.

Emerging players

• Source Global: Source Global (formerly Zero Mass Water) produces atmospheric water generation panels using solar/thermal processes. Adjacent in philosophy (renewable-driven, decentralized water) but pulls moisture from air rather than seawater.
• Saltworks Technologies: Saltworks builds modular desalination and brine treatment systems for industrial and remote customers. Comparable in modular product philosophy and chemical-free/low-energy focus, though targeting industrial rather than resort/community niches.

Others

• Energy Recovery Inc: Energy Recovery manufactures PX pressure-exchanger energy recovery devices used inside RO systems — the same underlying technology Elemental integrates. They are a potential supplier or competitive threat depending on vertical integration choices.

Broad incumbents

• IDE Technologies: IDE Technologies is a global incumbent in seawater and brackish water RO, with deep EPC and large-plant expertise. Comparable technology domain but operates at utility scale; could move downstream into decentralized solar.
• Veolia Water Technologies: Veolia operates one of the largest water technology and services portfolios globally, including desalination via its Sidem subsidiary. Broad incumbent that overlaps in RO desalination technology and serves municipal/industrial customers.
• Suez Water Technologies & Solutions: Suez supplies industrial water treatment, desalination and reverse osmosis systems globally. Comparable in core RO technology but at industrial/utility scale rather than decentralized solar-powered deployments.
• Acciona Agua: Acciona Agua is a major EPC contractor for large desalination plants worldwide. Comparable RO technology stack but focused on utility-scale projects; potential threat if it expands into smaller, decentralized systems.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/elemental_water
• Facebookfacebook.com/ElementalWaterMakers
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/2717968

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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 Elemental Water Makers