What Aqualution Systems does

Aqualution Systems Limited is a privately-held UK specialty chemical manufacturer founded around 2001, specializing in the production of hypochlorous acid (HOCl) via a proprietary electro-dialysis process. The company manufactures at a facility in Duns, Scottish Borders, with a registered office in Alnwick, Northumberland, and operates with 51-100 employees across technical, operational, sales, and regulatory functions. Aqualution's core technology produces HOCl from water, food-grade salt, and electricity at 99.6% verified purity and 150ppm concentration at pH 7.2, with demonstrated 12-18 month post-opening shelf life that materially exceeds the 3-4 month stability of conventional acidified-bleach alternatives.

The company monetizes across four distinct revenue streams: (1) private-label OEM manufacturing for cosmetics, medical device, and biocide brands (with named partners including RenaSan, NatraSan, and Nursem); (2) supply of compliant HOCl active substance and Letters of Access to formulators requiring UK Article 95 and EU BPR 528/2012 authorization; (3) direct-to-market sales of four own-branded product lines - Salvesan (surface disinfectant), Solosan (animal first aid), Agripure (agriculture and food processing), and Within Skincare (cosmetic-grade Miracle Mist launched January 2024); and (4) regulatory consultancy supporting customer dossier submissions across UK, EU, and US markets. Aqualution is one of only ten companies authorized to supply HOCl as a biocidal active substance in the UK under Article 95, and holds evaluated dossiers for PT1-PT5 product types. The company is ISO 13485 (medical devices) and ISO 9001 certified, with CE-marked medical-grade HOCl and FDA-accessible manufacturing facilities.

Customer base spans enterprise anchors (Marks & Spencer for food safety since 2011, NHS Supply Chain framework, BUPA residential care, MM Flowers for floral biosecurity supplying M&S/Tesco/Waitrose/Co-Op) alongside a long tail of private-label skincare, medical device, and biocide customers distributed across the UK, EU, US, and select international markets. The company has been recognized with the 2018 VIBES Hydro Nation Water Innovation Award, 2021 Scottish Manufacturer of the Year, and the 2022 Business Insider Made In Scotland Best New Product Award for its world-first HOCl gel formulation co-developed with the University of Edinburgh. Aqualution has operated without disclosed institutional funding, is bootstrapped and management-owned, and reports no acquisitions, M&A activity, or capital raises in the source material.

Name

Aqualution Systems

Legal name

Aqualution Systems Limited

Website

https://aqualution.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Aqualution Systems is a UK specialty chemical manufacturer that produces high-purity, long-shelf-life hypochlorous acid via proprietary electro-dialysis, supplying private-label manufacturers, NHS Supply Chain, and enterprise customers across cosmetics, medical, biocide, food safety, and agricultural verticals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialty chemical manufacturing (hypochlorous acid)

NAICS

Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing (325412), Other Chemical and Allied Products Merchant Wholesalers (42469), Drugs and Druggists' Sundries Merchant Wholesalers (424210)

SIC

Medicinal Chemicals & Botanical Products (2833), Wholesale-Chemicals & Allied Products (5160)

akta.pro primary industry

Bulk Industrial Solvents (IMAEAAAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Industrial Wastewater Treatment Chemicals (IMAEAJAC), Disinfection & Oxidation (Chlorine/Chloramine, UV, Ozone, AOP) (EUANABAD), Organic Adjuvants & Spray Aids (OMRI Surfactants, Stickers, Oils) (AFABAKAL), Compounding Ingredient & API Distributors (Pharma Supply) (HLAIAJAO)

Keywords

• Hypochlorous acid manufacturing
• Private label HOCl
• Biocide manufacturing
• Medical device disinfection
• Cosmetic-grade HOCl

Headquarters

HQ city

Scottish Borders

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Private Label Manufacturing: Manufactures hypochlorous acid products for brands under their own label arrangements. Provides complete infection control products across cosmetics, medical, and biocide applications. Partners include RenaSan, NatraSan, Nursem, and others.
2. Own Branded Products: Sells proprietary brands including Salvesan (surface disinfectant), Solosan (animal first aid), Agripure (agriculture and food processing), and Within Skincare (cosmetic-grade HOCl). Products sold through dedicated websites and distribution channels.
3. Active Substance Supply: Supplies compliant active substance (HOCl) to other manufacturers for re-bottling or own-label applications. Issues Letters of Access to dossier holders under UK and EU Article 95 frameworks.
4. Regulatory Support Services: Provides guidance on active substance dossiers, Letters of Access, and regulatory compliance for UK, EU, and US markets. Supports customers through biocide authorization, medical device classification, and cosmetic product safety requirements.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Aqualution Systems manufactures pharmaceutical-grade hypochlorous acid (HOCl) via a proprietary electro-dialysis process for private label use across cosmetic, medical, and biocide applications. It supplies bulk active substance with Letters of Access under UK and EU Article 95, and operates four own consumer/professional brands (Salvesan, Solosan, Agripure, Within Skincare). The company also provides regulatory and compliance support to partners navigating BPR 528/2012 and UK BPR frameworks.

Product overview

Aqualution Systems is a manufacturer of hypochlorous acid (HOCl) offering both proprietary branded products and private label manufacturing services. The company produces four own-brand products: Salvesan (surface disinfectant), Solosan (animal/pets), Agripure (agriculture/food processing), and Within Skincare (cosmetic-grade Miracle Mist). Beyond its own brands, Aqualution provides private label HOCl manufacturing for cosmetics (facial cleansers, post-procedure care, acne treatments), medical devices (instrument disinfection, wound care, dental applications), and biocides (surface disinfection, fogging, water treatment). The company operates a proprietary electro-dialysis process that produces stable HOCl with 12-18 month shelf life, certified under ISO 13485 and compliant with EU/UK Biocidal Products Regulation 528/2012.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Salvesan: Surface disinfectant spray for infection control and reduction of cross-contamination across a range of applications.
• Solosan
• Agripure
• Within Skincare

Products and services

• Private Label HOCl Manufacturing Contract manufacturing of hypochlorous acid for brands under own-label arrangements across cosmetic, medical, and biocide applications. Includes regulatory support for UK, EU, US, and other regions, and active substance dossiers and Letters of Access under UK/EU Article 95 frameworks.
• Medical-Grade HOCl CE-marked, ISO 13485-certified hypochlorous acid for medical device applications, including instrument disinfection, wound and skin cleansing, hospital and clinic sanitation, and dental water line treatment.
• Cosmetic-Grade HOCl Pharmaceutical-grade hypochlorous acid for private label cosmetics, suitable for facial cleansers, toners, post-procedure care, acne treatments, and eye/wound care. Non-toxic, pH-neutral, and alcohol-free.
• Biocide HOCl Hypochlorous acid biocide for infection control, surface disinfection, hygiene applications, water treatment, and animal care. Fully authorised under PT1-PT5 classifications in accordance with EU Biocidal Regulation 528/2012; includes the first HOCl gel formulation in this category.
• Salvesan Aqualution's own-brand surface disinfectant spray for complete infection control and reduction of cross-contamination across healthcare, facilities, and consumer markets; supplied via NHS Supply Chain and direct channels.
• Solosan Aqualution's own-brand animal first aid spray for birds and animals, providing antimicrobial care for pet welfare including wound care, hydration, and biosecurity applications in veterinary and companion animal settings.
• Agripure Aqualution's HOCl solution for agriculture and food processing, used for crop protection, irrigation, post-harvest sanitation, and food safety applications including dry fogging to disinfect fresh produce such as raspberries.
• Within Skincare Hypochlorous Acid Miracle Mist Aqualution's cosmetic-grade HOCl brand featuring the Miracle Mist product for facial cleansers, toners, post-procedure care, acne treatments, and eye/wound care applications, serving as a showcase for the quality of Aqualution's HOCl in the cosmetic market.
• Hypochlorous Acid Gel World's first hypochlorous acid gel developed with the University of Edinburgh, sold as an alternative to alcohol sanitisers and for use in skin and pet care applications; awarded Best New Product at the 2022 Business Insider Made In Scotland awards.
• Article 95 Letters of Access and Active Substance Supply Supply of compliant HOCl active substance to manufacturers for re-bottling or own-label applications, paired with Letters of Access to Aqualution's UK and EU Article 95 active substance dossiers, enabling partners to satisfy BPR compliance and biocide authorisation processes.

Quantifiable outcome

• 99.9999% bacteria elimination (6-log reduction)
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments6 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

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• London School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicinecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Conducted WHO EWASH trial comparing Aqualution hypochlorous acid to bleach for hospital cleaning in Nigeria. Dr. Giorgia Gon led the research, funded by WHO, establishing clinical efficacy evidence for HOCl in low-resource healthcare settings.
• University of EdinburghcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Collaboration with University of Edinburgh and industry partners to develop the world's first hypochlorous acid gel formulation. Development took over 18 months of research and development to successfully blend HOCl with gelling agents, overcoming the notoriously difficult challenge of HOCl stability in gel form.
• Marks and SpencercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011Long-standing collaborative relationship since 2011 working on food safety projects using hypochlorous acid. Development of Agripure dry fogging solution for decontamination of raspberries used in chilled desserts. The partnership includes validation work with Camden BRI and commercial deployment in M&S supply chain including UK's largest IQF fruit producer.
• PPE DefendsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership for supply of Salvesan Skin hand gel via Gelpoles automated dispensing system. Equipment supplier enabling deployment of hypochlorous acid hand gel in NHS vaccination clinics, serving over 25,000 patients.
• Medical Aesthetic GroupminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUK distributor for Natrasan Skin hypochlorous acid skincare products in the medical aesthetic market. Aqualution manufactures the leading hypochlorous acid skincare brand for medical aesthetics, available as liquid and gel formulations.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Kersia: Kersia is a European leader in food safety, biosecurity, and disinfection chemistry, with HOCl-based products used across food processing, agriculture, and healthcare. Direct competitor to Aqualution in biocide and food safety applications and one of the few European players with comparable regulatory dossiers.
• Urgo Medical: Urgo Medical is a wound care specialist with HOCl-based cleansing products (UrgoClean, UrgoStart lines) sold in European and international hospitals and pharmacies. Comparable to Aqualution's medical device HOCl business and the gel innovation target use case.
• Sonoma Pharmaceuticals: Sonoma Pharmaceuticals (formerly Oculus Innovative Sciences) is a US-based manufacturer of hypochlorous acid products under the Microcyn brand, sold into wound care, eye care, dermatology, and animal health. Direct peer to Aqualution given identical core chemistry (HOCl) and overlapping medical/skincare/veterinary end markets.

Broad incumbents

• Ecolab: Ecolab is a global leader in water, hygiene, and infection prevention, selling cleaning and disinfection solutions to food processing, healthcare, and hospitality customers. Comparable as a broad incumbent whose portfolio overlaps with Aqualution's biocide and food safety applications and could expand into HOCl.
• Lonza: Lonza is a global contract development and manufacturing organization serving pharmaceutical, biotech, and specialty chemical customers. Comparable as a broad incumbent with the manufacturing scale, regulatory expertise, and customer relationships to enter or supply into the HOCl market.
• GOJO Industries (PURELL): GOJO Industries is the maker of PURELL, the dominant hand hygiene brand sold across healthcare, food service, and consumer channels. Broad incumbent in the same disinfection end markets Aqualution addresses with Salvesan, Within Skincare, and HOCl gel products.
• Clorox: Clorox is a leading consumer and professional disinfectant manufacturer (bleach-based, hydrogen peroxide cleaners) with strong healthcare and household distribution. Broad incumbent whose brand and channel reach could be applied to an HOCl product line.
• Diversey: Diversey (now part of Solenis) is a major cleaning, sanitization, and infection prevention supplier to food service, hospitality, healthcare, and retail customers globally. Overlaps with Aqualution's biocide and surface disinfection channels and represents potential competitive or partnership scale.
• Veralto: Veralto (spun out of Danaher) houses water quality and product safety brands including Hach and ChemTreat, with strong water treatment and disinfection chemical portfolios. Broad incumbent with overlap to Aqualution's water and surface disinfection applications across municipal, industrial, and healthcare end markets.

Emerging players

• Terra Vera: Terra Vera is an emerging US HOCl platform focused on agriculture and cannabis pathogen control, addressing the same Agripure food safety and crop protection use cases that Aqualution serves with private label and own-brand offerings.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/watch?v=9GoYHSS1l-c

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 Aqualution Systems