Carbtrol

What Carbtrol does

Carbtrol Corporation, founded in 1983 by Ken Lanouette and Austin Shepherd in Stratford, Connecticut, manufactures activated carbon filtration systems for liquid- and vapor-phase industrial applications. The company designs and builds drum-style activated carbon filters (L-1 and HP-series), high-pressure fiberglass reinforced vessels (up to 600 GPM), vapor-phase canisters and adsorber vessels (up to 18,500 CFM), and complete wash water recycle and reclaim systems (10-1,000 GPM). Its proprietary two-stage PFAS treatment architecture combines activated carbon adsorption with ion exchange polishing, and specialty catalytic carbons (Type CAT2, CAT2E, CAT3) deliver high-capacity hydrogen sulfide removal (0.20 g H2S/cc vs. 0.024 g/cc for standard carbon). The firm also supplies groundwater remediation equipment including diffused/counterflow aeration strippers, multi-phase extraction systems, and oil-water separators. Standard catalog products are priced from $755 (HP-90 canister) to $6,300 (6 GPM PFOS/PFOA skid), while custom-engineered installations such as the 800 GPM U.S. Navy wash water system are quoted on application. Replacement carbon media (Type CSL liquid, CSV vapor) at $192.50-$695 per drum/bag provides a recurring revenue stream tied to the installed base.

Carbtrol operates a sales-led go-to-market combining a carbtrol.com e-commerce store for catalog items, phone-based consultative selling (800-242-1150) staffed by technical sales engineers, custom engineering and installation supervision services, and a network of regional manufacturer representatives (Grundeen & Associates in upstate New York, Dave Heiner Associates in New Jersey, Gierlich-Mitchell in selected regions). Customer segments are diversified across at least ten verticals: golf courses and turf facilities (the primary segment with 300+ installed wash water systems), military and government (U.S. Navy at Little Creek, Camp Pendleton, NJ Turnpike Authority), municipal/public works, industrial plants and manufacturing, craft breweries and distilleries, cannabis cultivation (Standard Farms), natural gas pipelines (Yankee Gas), petroleum refineries, wastewater treatment plants, and environmental remediation sites. The company holds NSF/ANSI 61 certification on select FRP vessels for potable water and food/beverage applications and is recognized for EPA-recommended treatment technologies.

The company is led by President Chris Rotondo, Operations Manager Brian Murray, P.E., and co-founder Austin Shepherd, P.E., C.I.H., serving as Technology Director. Leadership, IP, and decision-making remain with the founders and a small technical bench of licensed Professional Engineers, and the firm has remained privately held without disclosed institutional investment. Its partnership with PlantStar for integrated chemical management systems at golf and turf facilities and ongoing regional rep build-out indicate measured distribution expansion rather than aggressive platform scaling.

Name

Carbtrol

Legal name

Carbtrol Corporation

Website

https://carbtrol.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Carbtrol Corporation manufactures activated carbon filtration systems for liquid- and vapor-phase industrial applications, serving golf, military, municipal, industrial, and environmental remediation customers with drum canisters, GAC vessels, wash water recycle systems, and PFAS treatment skids.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Environmental Filtration Equipment

NAICS

Industrial and Commercial Fan and Blower and Air Purification Equipment Manufacturing (333413)

SIC

Industrial & Commercial Fans & Blowers & Air Purifing Equip (3564), Chemicals & Allied Products (2800)

akta.pro primary industry

Water Treatment Adsorbents (GAC/PAC/Media) (IMAEAIAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Adsorption & Taste/Odor Control (GAC/PAC, Air Stripping) (EUANABAF), Air Quality & Filtration Equipment (IAQ) (IMAHAKAI)

Keywords

• Activated carbon filtration
• Water treatment systems
• Air purification equipment
• Wash water recycling
• Groundwater remediation

Headquarters

HQ city

Stratford

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

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. Filtration Equipment Sales: Sale of activated carbon drum filters, GAC vessels, vapor phase adsorbers, high-pressure filters, and complete wash water recycle systems. Products range from $755 to $6,300 for standard units, with custom-built systems priced higher.
2. Replacement Carbon Media: Ongoing sales of replacement activated carbon media including liquid phase Type CSL (coconut-shell based) and vapor phase Type CSV (coconut-shell based), sold in fiberboard drums or bags. Prices range from $192.50 for 55lb bags to $695 for 200lb fiberboard drums.
3. Custom System Design Services: Custom engineering and design services for wash water recycle systems, groundwater remediation equipment, and specialized industrial applications. Systems can be custom-designed for water flows up to 1000 GPM.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Carbtrol designs and manufactures activated carbon filtration systems for air purification, water purification, and wash water recycling/reclaim. Core offerings include liquid phase drum canisters and GAC vessels for removing VOCs, PFAS, and petroleum hydrocarbons from water; vapor phase canisters and adsorber vessels with integrated fan systems for H2S, mercaptan, and VOC odor control from air streams; and complete engineered wash water recycle and groundwater remediation systems for industrial, municipal, military, golf course, and commercial customers.

Product overview

Carbtrol provides activated carbon-based filtration solutions for air purification, water purification, and water recycle/reclaim applications. The product portfolio centers on three main categories: (1) Liquid Phase products including L-1 and HP-series drum canisters and vessels for removing VOCs, PFAS, petroleum hydrocarbons, and other organic contaminants from water streams; (2) Vapor Phase products including G-series canisters and adsorber vessels with fan systems for VOC removal, odor control, and H2S treatment; and (3) Complete Wash Water Recycle Systems that combine activated carbon adsorption, oxidation, and filtration for vehicle wash water recovery and reuse. All products utilize high activity granular activated carbon manufactured to strict quality standards.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• L-1 Liquid Phase Canister 55-gallon drum activated carbon filter for liquid phase applications, 10 GPM max flow, 200 lbs carbon capacity, epoxy-coated steel construction with polyethylene liner. Removes VOCs, H2S, and PFAS from water streams. Ships in 1–3 days ARO.
• L-1-CL Liquid Phase Canister Coal-based activated carbon canister for the L-1 footprint, particularly effective for PFOS/PFOA removal, with NSF/ANSI 61 certification for potable water applications.
• Two Drum L-1 Canister System Two L-1 drum filters in series with the PK-10 interconnecting piping kit for enhanced contaminant removal and breakthrough monitoring.
• HP-90 Liquid Phase Canister High-pressure fiberglass reinforced (FRP) filter rated for 10 GPM with 90 lbs activated carbon and 150 psi maximum pressure. Used for higher-pressure liquid phase filtration.
• HP-250 Liquid Phase Canister High-pressure FRP filter rated for 12.5 GPM with 250 lbs activated carbon capacity at 150 psi maximum pressure, for higher-flow liquid phase applications.
• HP-90-CL Liquid Phase Canister (NSF certified) NSF/ANSI 61 certified HP-90 with coal-based activated carbon for potable water applications.
• HP-250-CL Liquid Phase Canister (NSF certified) NSF/ANSI 61 certified HP-250 with 250 lbs of coal-based activated carbon for potable water and food grade applications.
• PFOS/PFOA Treatment System on Poly Skid Complete 6 GPM skid-mounted two-stage PFAS treatment system including pre-filter, two L-1-CL drum filters, post-filter, and PVC components on a poly skid. Ships in 2–3 weeks ARO.
• G-1S Gas Phase Canister Epoxy-coated steel vapor phase canister rated for 100 CFM with 200 lbs high activity activated carbon for VOC, H2S, and odor removal from air streams.
• G-2S Gas Phase Canister Epoxy-coated steel vapor phase canister rated for 300 CFM with 170 lbs high activity activated carbon.
• G-3S Gas Phase Canister Epoxy-coated steel vapor phase canister rated for 500 CFM with 140 lbs high activity activated carbon for higher-flow air treatment.
• G-1P Gas Phase Canister (Polyethylene) Corrosion-resistant polyethylene vapor phase canister rated for 100 CFM, for applications where steel is unsuitable.
• G-2P Gas Phase Canister (Polyethylene) Polyethylene corrosion-resistant vapor phase canister rated for 300 CFM.
• G-3P Gas Phase Canister (Polyethylene) Polyethylene corrosion-resistant vapor phase canister rated for 500 CFM.
• Liquid Phase GAC Vessels Large-capacity granular activated carbon adsorber vessels for industrial water treatment with capacities up to 600 GPM, available in low or high pressure designs for VOC, PFAS, TPH, and contaminant removal.
• Vapor Phase Carbon Drum Filter Vessels Activated carbon adsorber vessels for VOC removal, odor control, and air emission treatment with capacities up to 18,500 CFM.
• Activated Carbon Filter with Fan Systems Complete filtration systems combining activated carbon drum filters with blowers for VOC, H2S, and odor removal in commercial and industrial air treatment applications.
• Wash Water Recycle & Reclaim Systems Custom-engineered vehicle and equipment wash water recycling systems using EPA-recommended activated carbon adsorption, chemical precipitation, and oxidation for flows from 10 to 1000 GPM, designed to achieve zero liquid discharge and up to 90% water reuse.
• Groundwater Remediation Equipment Environmental remediation systems including activated carbon filters, diffused/counterflow aeration strippers, multi-phase extraction, oil/water separators, and iron removal filters for contaminated groundwater and soil treatment projects.
• Replacement Liquid Phase Carbon, Type CSL High-activity coconut-shell based liquid phase activated carbon media for drum filters, sold in 200-lb fiberboard drums or 55-lb bags for periodic replacement.
• Replacement Vapor Phase Carbon, Type CSV High-activity coconut-shell based vapor phase activated carbon for gas phase canisters, supplied in fiberboard drum (200 lbs) or bag (55 lbs) packaging.
• Custom System Design & Engineering Services Custom engineering, design, installation supervision, and operator training services for wash water recycle systems, groundwater remediation equipment, and specialized industrial filtration applications up to 1000 GPM.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90% water reuse at military wash operations
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments10 records

Ideal customer profiles8 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• PlantStarcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerJoint partnership with PlantStar for integrated chemical management systems. Combined Carbtrol's Wash Water Recycle Systems with PlantStar's Chemical Mix and Load Systems to provide complete environmental management solutions for golf courses and turf facilities. Joint demonstrations held at customer sites like Meadow Brook Club.
• Grundeen & AssociatesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorManufacturer sales representative for upstate New York territory. Attended technical training at Carbtrol facility in Stratford, CT.
• Dave Heiner AssociatesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorManufacturer sales representative for New Jersey territory. Participated in activated carbon and adsorber training at Carbtrol headquarters.
• Gierlich-Mitchell IncminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales representative that sold and commissioned two Intermediate Flow Odor Control Systems (GC2-21 and GC2-22) at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Calgon Carbon (Kuraray): Calgon Carbon, now part of Kuraray, is the largest North American manufacturer of activated carbon and activated carbon systems for water and air treatment. It directly competes with Carbtrol's L-1/HP-series drum filters, GAC vessels, and vapor-phase adsorbers across municipal and industrial accounts.
• Graver Technologies (a Marmon Water/Berkshire Hathaway company): Graver Technologies manufactures liquid filtration cartridges, adsorbent media, and vessels for industrial water and PFAS treatment. Comparable to Carbtrol in NSF/ANSI 61 certified filtration, vessel manufacturing, and specialty carbon media supply.
• Carbon Activated Corporation: Carbon Activated Corporation supplies granular and powdered activated carbons as well as carbon filtration systems for water and air applications. Overlaps with Carbtrol on liquid-phase carbon filters, vapor-phase adsorbers, and replacement media for PFAS/VOC removal.
• Tig LLC (Texas Industrial Group): Tig LLC designs and manufactures activated carbon adsorption systems and ion exchange skids for PFAS, VOC, and H2S treatment in industrial and municipal applications. Competes head-to-head with Carbtrol's HP-series vessels and two-stage PFAS skid systems.
• General Carbon Corporation: General Carbon Corporation supplies activated carbon products, replacement media, and adsorption equipment for air and water purification. Direct overlap with Carbtrol's vapor- and liquid-phase carbon filters and consumable carbon replacement business.

Broad incumbents

• Severn Trent Services: Severn Trent Services is an established water and wastewater treatment OEM with a strong municipal odor control and filtration portfolio. Overlaps with Carbtrol on H2S scrubber/carbon systems for wastewater plants but typically at a larger utility scale.
• Pentair: Pentair is a diversified water treatment company selling filtration, carbon, and reverse osmosis systems for residential, commercial, and industrial markets. Comparable at the SME potable water and PFAS point-of-use end of Carbtrol's product range.
• Donaldson Company: Donaldson manufactures industrial air filtration, dust collection, and odor control equipment, including activated carbon stages for VOC and H2S removal. Comparable to Carbtrol's vapor-phase G-series canisters and "Activated Carbon Filter with Fan Systems" product line.
• Evoqua Water Technologies (now Veolia): Evoqua, now part of Veolia, is a broad water treatment incumbent offering PFAS removal systems, GAC contactors, and odor control solutions to municipal and industrial customers. Competes with Carbtrol in larger municipal PFAS and wastewater odor control bids where scale and service network matter.
• Culligan International: Culligan is a broad water treatment incumbent offering point-of-entry filtration, carbon systems, and NSF-certified potable water solutions. Overlaps with Carbtrol's NSF/ANSI 61 certified HP-CL series and PFAS/PFOS residential and light commercial applications.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

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Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Carbtrol