ACWA
ACWA Services Limited designs, builds, and commissions water and wastewater treatment plants for UK water utilities and industrial food-and-beverage clients using proprietary technologies such as Nitreat®, Amtreat®, AquaPyr™, MOB™, and MEMTREAT®, operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of CCC.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1986
- HeadquartersSkipton, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What ACWA does
ACWA Services Limited is a UK-based engineering contractor that designs, builds, and commissions water and wastewater treatment plants for UK water utilities and industrial customers, founded in 1986 and operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Consolidated Contractors Group (CCC) since 1991. The company is headquartered in Skipton, North Yorkshire, with regional offices in Dubai (ACWA Emirates LLC) and London, generating approximately £30m of annual turnover.
The company's commercial offering rests on a portfolio of five proprietary treatment technologies—Nitreat® (ion-exchange nitrate removal), Amtreat® (high-rate ammonia removal), AquaPyr™ (pile cloth media filtration), MOB™ (mobile organic biofilm, held under exclusive UK/Ireland licence from Nuvoda), and MEMTREAT® (membrane bioreactor)—supported by in-house design, off-site manufacture, commissioning, and project management services. Customers span all major UK water companies (Anglian Water, Severn Trent Water, United Utilities, Yorkshire Water, Thames Water, Scottish Water, Southern Water, Wessex Water) and industrial food and beverage manufacturers including Coors, Nestlé, Kellogg's, JTI, and Bairds Malt.
Revenue is earned through competitive tenders, framework appointments (e.g., Anglian Water AMP8-9 Nitrate Removal Framework), and subcontractor roles on tier-1 capital-delivery partnerships (CMDP, C2V+, KMI, Doosan Enpure). Contract values range from £3.5m to £50m per project, with longer-term service and maintenance work providing recurring engagement. International expansion is being pursued via the parent's CCC network, notably through a multi-million-dollar, ten-year digitalization partnership with Thinkproject covering the Middle East, Africa, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, and China.
ACWA firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- ACWA
- Legal name
- ACWA Services Limited
- Website
- https://acwa.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1986
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- ACWA Services Limited designs, builds, and commissions water and wastewater treatment plants for UK water utilities and industrial food-and-beverage clients using proprietary technologies such as Nitreat®, Amtreat®, AquaPyr™, MOB™, and MEMTREAT®, operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of CCC.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
ACWA industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Water and Wastewater Treatment Engineering Services
- NAICS
- Industrial Machinery Manufacturing (33324)
- SIC
- Special Industry Machinery, Nec (3559)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Industrial Wastewater Pretreatment & Treatment Services (BPALAMAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Water & Wastewater Treatment Plant Equipment (Clarifiers, Aeration, Membrane Systems) (IMAHAEAJ), Industrial Wastewater Reuse (Cooling/Process/Boiler Feed) (EUANADAM), Industrial Wastewater & Effluent Treatment Services (BPALAHAD)
Keywords
Where ACWA is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Skipton
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices4 records
Markets served
ACWA business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Design and Build Projects: Turnkey mechanical and electrical project delivery for water and wastewater treatment works. Includes civil works, process design, equipment supply, installation, and commissioning. Revenue is project-based, typically through competitive tendering with water utilities.
- Technology Licensing and Equipment Supply: Supply of proprietary treatment technologies including Nitreat®, Amtreat®, and AquaPyr™ systems. Equipment includes membrane systems, filtration units, scraper bridges, and DAF systems. Revenue from equipment supply and technology licensing.
- Exclusive Technology Distribution: Exclusive licensing agent for Nuvoda's MOB™ patented technology in UK and Irish markets. Revenue generated from technology deployment, commissioning, and ongoing support services.
- Framework and Maintenance Services: Multi-year framework appointments (e.g., Anglian Water AMP8-9 Nitrate Removal Framework) providing ongoing project delivery. Service and maintenance contracts for installed systems.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Project-based pricing for nitrate reduction plants |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
ACWA product offering
Product offeringCore offering
ACWA designs, builds, and commissions water and wastewater treatment plants for UK water utilities and industrial clients using proprietary treatment technologies (Nitreat®, Amtreat®, MOB™, AquaPyr™, MEMTREAT®). The company delivers turnkey mechanical, electrical, civil, and process engineering projects including nitrate removal, ammonia removal, membrane filtration, and bio-solids handling, with services spanning design, procurement, off-site manufacture, installation, commissioning, and ongoing maintenance under framework agreements.
Product overview
ACWA is a UK-based provider of innovative sustainable process solutions and technologies for municipal and industrial clean water, wastewater, and bio-solids treatment. The company operates a platform of proprietary treatment technologies including Nitreat® (ion exchange nitrate removal), AquaPyr™ (tertiary solids removal filter), MOB™ (mobile organic biofilm wastewater treatment), Amtreat® (high-rate ammonia removal), and MEMTREAT® (membrane bio reactor), supported by Design and Build, Commissioning, and Project Management services. ACWA serves water, wastewater, industrial effluent, and food and beverage sectors with comprehensive products portfolio including grit removal, settlement equipment, aeration systems, and dewatering solutions.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Nitreat®: Ion Exchange Nitrate Removal Technology - reversible process for nitrate removal from water with no substantial structural changes.
- Amtreat®
- AquaPyr™
- MOB™ (Mobile Organic Biofilm)
- Memtreat®
Products and services
- Nitreat® Proprietary ion exchange nitrate removal technology for drinking water treatment, using continuous counter-current operation to optimize nitrate absorption and softened water usage. Over 38 plants installed in the UK with 228 MLD total network capacity; largest plant is Keldgate WTW at 90 MLD.
- Amtreat® High-rate activated sludge process for treating wastewater streams and sludge liquors containing high concentrations of ammonia, achieving over 98% ammonia removal efficiency. First applied to UK municipal WwTW and now in its seventh plant (Leigh WWTP for United Utilities). Can utilize existing redundant structures to reduce capital requirements.
- AquaPyr™ Pile cloth media filter for tertiary solids removal using vacuum head cleaning technology, producing less than 0.5% backwash waste compared to traditional filters' 2-18%. Available in sizes treating 5m³/h to 80m³/h (up to 2000 PE), with optional phosphorus removal via precipitation and flocculation.
- MOB™ (Mobile Organic Biofilm) Nature-based sustainable wastewater treatment process using mobile organic biofilm media from lignocellulosic kenaf plant fiber (machined to 500 microns). Provides process intensification including increased treatment capacity, simultaneous nutrient removal, improved settleability, and optimized process stability. ACWA is exclusive UK and Irish market agent under licensing agreement with Nuvoda (Raleigh, North Carolina).
- MEMTREAT® Membrane Bio-Reactor (MBR) technology providing small-footprint wastewater treatment with high-quality permeate output suitable for water reuse. Deployed at industrial sites including Bateman's Brewery and Japanese Tobacco International.
- Design and Build Services In-house design capability using 3D modeling, civil, mechanical, process, and electrical engineering with off-site manufacture (DfMA) for water and wastewater treatment projects. Delivered as turnkey mechanical, electrical and process projects under competitive tendering and framework agreements.
- Commissioning Services Comprehensive commissioning services for complex water and wastewater facilities including system design, electrical testing, operations and maintenance handover, and process diagnostics.
- Project Management Services Project management services ensuring regulatory compliance while maintaining focus on project delivery, risk management, and quality standards for water and wastewater treatment projects.
Quantifiable outcome
- Ammonia removal efficiency >96-98%
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use ACWA
Customer profileNamed customers14 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
ACWA technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
ACWA partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.
- ThinkprojectcoreStrategic digitalization partnership for a multi-million-dollar, ten-year engagement. Thinkproject's platform will enable real-time digital handover from construction, provide portfolio-wide visibility across projects, and support faster delivery and operational performance across ACWA's global asset portfolio. Partnership covers Saudi Arabia, Middle East, Central Asia, Africa, Southeast Asia, and China.
- NuvodacoreExclusive partnership to bring Nuvoda's patented MOB™ (Mobile Organic Biofilm) Process Technology to the UK and Irish Municipal and Industrial markets. ACWA is exclusive agent for the technology, which uses a renewable lignocellulosic fiber (kenaf plant) as biofilm growth medium. Nuvoda headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina.
- Northumbrian WaterflagshipMOB technology implementation partner for sustainable wastewater treatment. Joint presentation at EWWM conference on 'Putting MOB to the Test: How a Sustainable Crop Intensifies Treatment for Northumbrian Water STWs'.
- CMDP (Carollo/MMÜ JV for Southern Water)coreJoint delivery of nitrate removal plants for Southern Water at multiple sites (Wingham, Flemings Road, Martin Gorse). CMDP is the capital delivery partner for Southern Water; ACWA provides Nitreat® ion exchange technology and installation.
- C2V+ (CH2M/VekerStevin JV)coreC2V+ is United Utilities Capital Delivery partner that awarded ACWA subcontract for mechanical and instrument portion of IFAS system at Ellesmere Port WwTW (£24m upgrade).
- WGM (Strategic Partner for Scottish Water)minorWorking as strategic partner with WGM to help deliver Scottish Water's Scraper Bridge Framework.
- Doosan EnpureminorDesign and build subcontract awarded by Doosan Enpure for Strongford WwTW liquor treatment plant utilizing Amtreat® technology.
- KMI (United Utilities Tier 1 Contractor)minorKMI tasked with supervising Leigh WWTP site wide upgrade including provision of high rate ammonia treatment solution; awarded ACWA design and construct subcontract.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
ACWA competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Jacobs: Major global consultancy and engineering firm operating extensive UK water utility frameworks (including with Thames Water and United Utilities). Competes at the Tier-1 capital-delivery partner level that subcontracts to firms like ACWA.
- AtkinsRéalis (formerly Atkins / SNC-Lavalin): Global design and engineering consultancy with a substantial UK water business delivering process design, capital programme advisory and framework support to UK utilities. Competes for technical advisory and design roles adjacent to ACWA's process delivery.
- Veolia Water Technologies: Global water-treatment technology and EPC incumbent offering Hydrex, AnoxKaldnes MBBR and proprietary Actiflo/Memcor systems across the UK municipal and industrial market. Overlaps directly with ACWA's Nitreat®/Amtreat®/MEMTREAT® offerings at much larger scale.
- Black & Veatch: Global EPC and process engineering firm with a significant UK water practice delivering treatment plant design-build and process upgrades for major utilities. Competes for large framework commissions but at greater scale and breadth.
- Mott MacDonald: International engineering consultancy with a large UK water practice, partnering with utilities and EPC contractors on treatment plant design. Often acts as owner's engineer opposite ACWA's process-engineering role on framework bids.
- Suez Water Technologies & Solutions: International water-treatment technology and services group supplying ZeeWeed MBR, ozonation and biological treatment systems to UK utilities and industrial clients. Competes for the same DBO/DB framework slots ACWA targets.
Direct peers
- Doosan Enpure: UK-headquartered process engineering contractor competing directly with ACWA in municipal water and wastewater design-build, and referenced as an ACWA subcontractor partner. Both firms pursue activated-sludge/biological treatment upgrades for UK water utilities.
- WGM Engineering: Scotland-based mechanical and process engineering contractor active on Scottish Water and other UK utility frameworks, named as an ACWA partner on the Scottish Water Scraper Bridge Framework. Directly competes for the same MEICA framework work.
- KMI (Kelvin McIntosh): UK water-sector MEICA contractor acting as Tier-1 for United Utilities and awarding design-and-construct subcontracts (including to ACWA). Competes head-to-head on wastewater treatment plant upgrades and framework delivery.
Emerging players
- Nuvoda: US-based MOB™ Mobile Organic Biofilm technology owner; ACWA is its exclusive UK/Ireland licensee. Comparable in process technology focus and biofilm/MBBR category, and a strategic partner rather than pure competitor.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
ACWA social profiles
Digital presenceACWA compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
ACWA financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
ACWA leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
ACWA subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
ACWA funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
ACWA M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about ACWA
What does ACWA do?
ACWA designs, builds, and commissions water and wastewater treatment plants for UK water utilities and industrial clients using proprietary treatment technologies (Nitreat®, Amtreat®, MOB™, AquaPyr™, MEMTREAT®). The company delivers turnkey mechanical, electrical, civil, and process engineering projects including nitrate removal, ammonia removal, membrane filtration, and bio-solids handling, with services spanning design, procurement, off-site manufacture, installation, commissioning, and ongoing maintenance under framework agreements.
Is ACWA a public or private company?
ACWA is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was ACWA founded?
ACWA was founded in 1986. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is ACWA based?
ACWA is headquartered in Skipton, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does ACWA make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Design and Build Projects are the primary driver. The others are technology Licensing and Equipment Supply, exclusive Technology Distribution and framework and Maintenance Services.
Who are ACWA's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Jacobs, AtkinsRéalis (formerly Atkins / SNC-Lavalin), Veolia Water Technologies, Black & Veatch, Mott MacDonald and Suez Water Technologies & Solutions. Direct peers are Doosan Enpure, WGM Engineering and KMI (Kelvin McIntosh). Nuvoda is listed as an emerging player.
Does ACWA have an API?
No public API is recorded for ACWA.
What industry is ACWA in?
ACWA's product category is Water and Wastewater Treatment Engineering Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPALAMAC, Industrial Wastewater Pretreatment & Treatment Services, with a secondary code of IMAHAEAJ, Water & Wastewater Treatment Plant Equipment (Clarifiers, Aeration, Membrane Systems). Its NAICS code is 33324 and its SIC code is 3559.