What Applied Biochemists does

Applied Biochemists, founded in 1965 and headquartered in Carmel, Indiana, manufactures and supplies EPA-registered aquatic algaecides, aquatic herbicides, lake and pond colorants, and biological water products under its own brand and that of its parent SePRO Corporation (which acquired the company in October 2020 from Innovative Water Care/Sigura). The company's core technology centers on chelated copper formulations (Cutrine Plus, Cutrine Ultra, Algimycin PWF, Clearigate) that prevent precipitation in hard or alkaline water, supplemented by peroxide-based algaecides (Phycomycin SCP) certified for drinking water and organic use, and a patented peptide adjuvant (Amp Activator, US Patent 10010076) that improves efficacy on tolerant species such as hybrid milfoil. The portfolio spans roughly 25+ branded products across four categories: algaecides, aquatic herbicides, colorants, and biologicals, with many products holding NSF/ANSI Standard 60 drinking-water certifications and OMRI organic certifications.

Applied Biochemists serves five primary vertical markets (drinking water utilities, irrigation water for agriculture, recreational water, industrial water, and aquaculture) plus secondary residential/DIY and professional applicator segments. The go-to-market is a multi-channel distribution model: retail partners (Tractor Supply, Rural King) serve SMB/consumer demand, an extensive professional distribution network (SiteOne, Wilbur-Ellis, Van Diest, Nutrien Ag Solutions, Helena, GROWMARK, and others) reaches mid-market and enterprise applicators, specialized aquatic management resellers (Cygnet Enterprises, Aquatic Control) serve professional lake and pond management firms, and a direct DIY e-commerce storefront (diy.sepro.com) provides consumer access. Revenue mechanics are based on one-time product sales with no disclosed subscription or recurring-service component; pricing is not publicly listed and professional buyers obtain bulk pricing through SePRO. Customer engagement is supported by technical content, "Ask the Experts" consultation, industry webinars, and field-sales coverage including a dedicated National Sales Manager and Senior Aquatic Plant Scientist.

Name

Applied Biochemists

Legal name

Applied Biochemists

Website

https://appliedbiochemists.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1965

Operating status

Acquired

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Applied Biochemists manufactures EPA-registered algaecides, aquatic herbicides, pond colorants, and biological water products for drinking water utilities, irrigation, recreational, industrial, and aquaculture markets across North America, operating as a brand under SePRO Corporation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aquatic Water Treatment Chemicals

NAICS

Pesticide and Other Agricultural Chemical Manufacturing (32532), Pesticide and Other Agricultural Chemical Manufacturing (325320), Other Basic Inorganic Chemical Manufacturing (325180), Chemical Manufacturing (325), Aquaculture (11251)

SIC

Industrial Inorganic Chemicals (2810), Agricultural Chemicals (2870), Chemicals & Allied Products (2800), Miscellaneous Chemical Products (2890)

akta.pro primary industry

Biocides & Disinfection Chemicals (Non-Agricultural) (IMAEAJAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Municipal Drinking Water Treatment Chemicals (IMAEAJAA), Industrial Wastewater Treatment Chemicals (IMAEAJAC), Pool & Spa Chemicals (Chlorination, pH Control, Algaecides) (CRAJAKAL)

Keywords

• Aquatic algaecides
• Aquatic herbicides
• Pond management chemicals
• Lake water treatment
• Aquatic vegetation control

Headquarters

HQ city

Carmel

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. Aquatic Algaecide Products: Sale of EPA-registered algaecide products including Cutrine Plus, Cutrine Ultra, Phycomycin SCP, Algimycin PWF, Copper Sulfate Crystals, and Clearigate for controlling algae and cyanobacteria in various water bodies.
2. Aquatic Herbicide Products: Sale of aquatic herbicide formulations including Harpoon, Weedtrine D, Harvester, Navitrol, Shore-Klear, Navigate, and Pond-Klear for controlling nuisance aquatic plants and weeds.
3. Lake and Pond Colorant Products: Sale of decorative and functional colorants including Aquashade, Aquashade Plus, Aquashadow Black, Aquashadow WSP, Blue Springs, and Blue Springs Plus that beautify water and control underwater plant growth.
4. Aquatic Biological Products: Sale of beneficial bacteria products including Bacti-Klear (liquid and pellets), Aqua-Prep protein solution, and Amp Activator for organic matter reduction and supporting bacterial activity in ponds.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Applied Biochemists manufactures and supplies EPA-registered aquatic algaecides, aquatic herbicides, lake and pond colorants, and biological water products for managing algae, nuisance aquatic weeds, and water quality in lakes, ponds, reservoirs, irrigation systems, recreational waters, industrial facilities, and aquaculture operations. Product offerings are organized into four categories — algaecides, herbicides, colorants, and biologicals — supported by an adjuvant technology and applied across drinking water, irrigation, recreational, industrial, and aquaculture markets.

Product overview

Applied Biochemists is a surface water management company offering a comprehensive portfolio of aquatic vegetation management products. The product line is organized into four main categories: Aquatic Algaecides (including Cutrine® Plus, Cutrine® Ultra, Algimycin® PWF, Phycomycin® SCP, and Copper Sulfate), Aquatic Herbicides (including Harpoon®, Harvester®, Pond-Klear™, Navigate®, Navitrol®, Shore-Klear®, and Weedtrine® D), Aquatic Colorants (including Aquashade®, Aquashade® Plus, Aquashadow®, and Blue Springs®), and Aquatic Biologicals (including Bacti-Klear® and Aqua-Prep®). The products also include supporting adjuvants like Amp↑™ Activator. The company serves multiple markets including drinking water, irrigation water, recreational water, industrial water, and aquaculture, providing solutions for algae control, aquatic plant management, and water quality maintenance.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Marine Biochemists: Innovators in surface water management, acquired alongside Applied Biochemists by SePRO Corporation.

Products and services

• Algimycin PWF Chelated copper algaecide/cyanobacteriocide certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 60 for drinking water use; controls algae and cyanobacteria that cause taste and odor issues.
• Amp Activator Concentrated blend of proteins and surfactants designed to improve the efficacy of aquatic pesticides, helping kill tolerant weeds like hybrid milfoil.
• Aqua-Prep Bacterial-enhancing protein solution designed to increase the efficiency of naturally occurring bacteria in reducing organic pond sediment (muck).
• Aquashade EPA-registered blend of dyes that controls underwater aquatic plants by limiting sunlight available for photosynthesis, and beautifies water appearance.
• Aquashade Plus Ultra-concentrated version of Aquashade, 2.4x more concentrated, shades out underwater growth by limiting photosynthesis.
• Aquashadow Black Pond colorant that beautifies cloudy water with a pleasing dark reflective appearance and may provide cover for fish from predatory birds.
• Aquashadow WSP Aqua-blue pond dye in water-soluble pouches for easy application, tints water a pleasing blue color.
• Bacti-Klear Beneficial bacteria blend designed to consume organic matter, improve water clarity, and reduce odors in lakes and ponds; available in liquid and pellet form.
• Blue Springs Lake and pond colorant that improves visual appeal by tinting water a pleasing blue color and helps clarify cloudy or off-colored water.
• Blue Springs Plus Concentrated blue dye which beautifies cloudy water with a pleasing blue color; more concentrated than Blue Springs Lake and Pond Colorant.
• Clearigate Premium chelated copper algaecide and herbicide with emulsified surfactant/penetrant for control of coarse filamentous algae, colonial planktonic algae, Chara, and various aquatic plants.
• Clearigate EC9 Stabilized formula algaecide and herbicide developed for professional applicators to fight toughest algae and weed problems in irrigation systems.
• Copper Sulfate Crystals AB Brand concentrated copper sulfate crystals for algae and root control; fast-acting algaecide that controls planktonic and surface filamentous algae.
• Cutrine Plus Double-chelated elemental copper algaecide that effectively controls a broad range of algae including surface filamentous, planktonic algae, cyanobacteria, green algae, diatoms, and Chara.
• Cutrine Plus Granular Rapid-sinking granular algaecide for targeted delivery to bottom-growing algae, Chara, Nitella, and rooted aquatic plant Hydrilla.
• Cutrine Ultra Premium double-chelated elemental copper formula emulsified with penetrating surfactant for increased activity on hard-to-control algae including coarse filamentous algae and copper-sensitive vascular aquatic plants.
• Harpoon Chelated copper herbicide that controls copper-sensitive aquatic plants without water-use restrictions; ideal for irrigation and golf course applications.
• Harvester Fast-acting contact herbicide containing diquat dibromide for control of submersed, floating, and emergent aquatic weeds; non-selective broad-range control.
• Navigate Selective herbicide on specially treated granules for controlled release; targets nuisance aquatic plants while allowing desirable native aquatic species to remain.
• Navitrol Landscape and aquatic herbicide containing triclopyr for selective control of nuisance aquatic plants including Eurasian watermilfoil and Purple Loosestrife.
• Navitrol DPF Easy-to-apply triclopyr granules for eliminating nuisance aquatic plants; particularly effective on invasive Eurasian watermilfoil.
• Phycomycin SCP Non-copper algaecide/cyanobacteriocide based on sodium carbonate peroxyhydrate; alternative to copper chemicals, certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 60 for drinking water and OMRI listed for organic use.
• Pond-Klear Fast-acting broad-spectrum herbicide for submersed, emergent, and floating pond weeds including duckweed, watermeal, and Eurasian watermilfoil; shows activity in as soon as 3 days.
• Shore-Klear Non-selective systemic herbicide containing glyphosate for control of many herbaceous and woody shoreline plants with down-to-the-root kill.
• Shoreklear-Plus Non-selective herbicide containing glyphosate with blended surfactant for effective control of herbaceous and woody shoreline plants.
• Weedtrine D Non-selective aquatic herbicide containing diquat dibromide for control of submersed, floating, and emergent weeds including duckweed.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 20% increase in crop yields for hydroponic cucumber farm using Applied Biochemists irrigation water treatment program
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• SePRO CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 October 2020SePRO Corporation, an aquatics industry leader, acquired Applied Biochemists and Marine Biochemists from Innovative Water Care, LLC d/b/a Sigura in October 2020. The acquisition combines SePRO's aquatic solutions expertise with Applied Biochemists' surface water management products to form 'the most dynamic aquatic-management organization in the country.' The combined entity offers expanded technologies and technical services for aquatic weed, algae, and water quality management in North America and internationally.
• Cygnet EnterprisescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCygnet Enterprises is a key distribution partner for Applied Biochemists products. The company has a long history with the brand, with former Cygnet National Sales Manager John Goidosik joining Applied Biochemists as National Sales Manager in 2019.
• Tractor SupplycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTractor Supply serves as a major retail distribution partner for Applied Biochemists consumer products, making algaecides, herbicides, and pond colorants available to backyard pond owners through their retail locations.
• Rural KingcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRural King is a retail distribution partner providing Applied Biochemists products to consumers in rural markets across North America, with products prominently featured on RuralKing.com with customer reviews.
• SiteOne Landscape SupplycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSiteOne Landscape Supply distributes Applied Biochemists professional aquatic products to landscape and pond management professionals as part of their agronomic and aquatic product offerings.
• Wilbur-ElliscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWilbur-Ellis, a major agricultural distributor, serves as a professional distribution partner for Applied Biochemists products, focusing on professional markets and agricultural applications.
• Nutrien Ag SolutionscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNutrien Ag Solutions, a leading agricultural solutions provider, distributes Applied Biochemists aquatic products through their specialty/aquatics division for irrigation water management applications.
• Van Diest Supply CompanycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVan Diest Supply Company distributes Applied Biochemists products to agricultural and aquatic management professionals, specializing in crop protection and aquatic vegetation management.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• PBI-Gordon Corporation: US manufacturer of professional turf, ornamental, and aquatic herbicides and algaecides. Sells directly to professional applicators through ag and specialty distributors in the same channels Applied Biochemists uses.
• SePRO Corporation: Applied Biochemists' parent company and direct peer in aquatic vegetation management. SePRO develops and sells its own aquatic herbicides and algaecides for lake, pond, and reservoir management, making it both an internal complement and the closest product competitor.
• Solitude Lake Management: Largest US lake and pond management services company, providing professional aquatic weed and algae control services to HOAs, golf courses, and municipalities. Competes with Applied Biochemists' downstream professional applicator channel for end-customer relationships.
• Cygnet Enterprises: Specialized aquatic products distributor and competing supplier of lake/pond management chemicals, including its own branded algaecides and herbicides. A former employer of Applied Biochemists' current National Sales Manager, the companies sit in an overlapping product and channel space.

Broad incumbents

• BASF Agricultural Solutions: Global chemical manufacturer with crop protection products that include aquatic-use formulations. Provides broad competition in copper-based and herbicide chemistries but does not specialize exclusively in lake/pond management.
• Lonza (formerly Sigura / Innovative Water Care): Previous owner of Applied Biochemists (sold to SePRO in October 2020). Lonza's water care business continues to manufacture and sell competing specialty water treatment chemicals for recreational, municipal, and industrial water markets.
• Syngenta: Global agriscience company with crop protection and aquatic weed management solutions, including products used in ponds, irrigation canals, and rice culture. A large-scale competitor across overlapping active ingredients.
• Corteva Agriscience: Global agriscience major with aquatic herbicide and water management product lines (e.g., diquat- and triclopyr-based formulations). Competes in adjacent categories with substantially greater R&D, registration, and distribution scale.

Emerging players

• EarthTec / Earth Science Laboratories: Manufacturer of copper-based algaecides and water treatment products (EarthTec) targeting similar drinking water, irrigation, and recreational water use cases. Smaller in scale than Applied Biochemists but a direct chemistry competitor.

Regional players

• Aqua Tech (Aquatic Management Services): Regional professional lake and pond management services company offering algae and aquatic weed control across the US Midwest. Competes with Applied Biochemists' downstream applicator network in the same geographic professional-services segment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/abwatercare
• Facebookfacebook.com/abwatercare
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/showcase/abwatercare/about

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Applied Biochemists