Aquon
Aquon is a Dutch non-profit full-service water research laboratory jointly owned by nine regional water boards in Central and Southern Netherlands, providing accredited chemical, biological, and microbiological water-quality analysis, eDNA testing, PFAS detection, and sensor monitoring under a cost-recovery model.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2011
- HeadquartersHouten, Netherlands
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Aquon does
Aquon is a Dutch full-service water research laboratory established in 2011 through the merger of four water board laboratories (Delfland, Hollandse Delta, Brabantse Delta, and Rivierenland). It operates as a Gemeenschappelijke Regeling (GR) — a joint public arrangement without profit motive — owned and primarily commissioned by nine regional water authorities (waterschappen and hoogheemraadschappen) in Central and Southern Netherlands. The organization manages approximately 30,000 sampling points, performs 85,000 chemical/biological analyses per year, and produces over one million tests and reports annually across its laboratory in Houten and satellite logistics sites in Dordrecht, 's-Hertogenbosch, and Zoeterwoude. Its service portfolio covers seven disciplines — surface water, wastewater treatment plants (RWZIs), hydrobiology, swimming water, water sediments, sensor monitoring, and permitting/enforcement — supported by core analytical products including PFAS detection, eDNA-based species identification, ELISA toxin screening, Target Screening against more than 3,000 chemical substances, water-sediment advisory, and 24/7 emergency response.
Aquon's technology stack is anchored in accredited analytical chemistry (LC-MS/MS for PFAS at detection limits of 0.05–0.5 ng/l, ICP-TQ-MS for metals from Q3 2026, AS3000 methods), molecular biology (eDNA and qPCR laboratory operational since 2020/2022), immunoassays (ELISA), and continuous sensor monitoring with 10-minute resolution and real-time dashboards. The laboratory is accredited by the Dutch Raad voor Accreditatie (RvA) for both sampling and analysis, a regulatory requirement for legal recognition of measurement results. Innovation partnerships span Wageningen University (WUR), Hogeschool Leiden, ILOW, RIVM, STOWA, and instrumentation/automation partners such as Barth Industrial Solutions, Eurofins, and Agrolab.
The business model is cost-recovery: total annual costs are distributed among the nine member water boards according to realized production measured in verkooppunten (sales points), with unit pricing set via a Product and Services Catalog (PDC) and billed under multi-year contracts. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is adjusted only at PDC inclusion rather than periodically with market movements. AQUON also serves municipalities, government bodies, and private clients on a commercial basis, but the bulk of revenue is committed under the GR. The organization is led by Algemeen Directeur Jeen Bouma, with an Algemeen Bestuur and Dagelijks Bestuur governed by one representative from each water board plus an independent chair.
Aquon firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Aquon
- Legal name
- AQUON
- Website
- https://aquon.nl
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2011
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Aquon is a Dutch non-profit full-service water research laboratory jointly owned by nine regional water boards in Central and Southern Netherlands, providing accredited chemical, biological, and microbiological water-quality analysis, eDNA testing, PFAS detection, and sensor monitoring under a cost-recovery model.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Aquon industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Water Quality Laboratory Services
- SIC
- Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Laboratory Testing & Analytical Services (in-house/contract labs; microbiology, metals, organics) (EUANAJAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Water Quality Monitoring, Compliance & Reporting (Sampling, Lab, Regulatory) (EUANAAAG), Watershed/Source Water & Raw Water Quality Monitoring (intakes, reservoirs, groundwater) (EUANAJAH), Groundwater Monitoring & Well Sampling (Monitoring Wells, Plumes) (EUAHACAE)
Keywords
Where Aquon is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Houten
- HQ country
- Netherlands
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices4 records
Markets served
Aquon business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Wateronderzoekdiensten voor waterschappen: AQUON is een Gemeenschappelijke Regeling (GR) zonder winstdoelstelling. De totale kosten worden jaarlijks verdeeld over de deelnemende waterschappen op basis van gerealiseerde productie. Een verkooppunt (VP) is een eenheid van productie. Het aantal VP per verrichting staat vermeld in de Producten en Diensten Catalogus (PDC). De vertaling van verkooppunten naar Euro's vindt plaats via een complex systeem van verrekening van vaste en variabele kosten. Daarnaast bieden AQUON diensten aan andere bedrijven, gemeenten, overheid en instellingen.
- Analyses en monstername: AQUON biedt honderden verschillende producten en diensten: van organische en anorganische chemische analyses (85.000 analyses per jaar) tot 24/7 calamiteitendienst. Zij verzorgen het volledige proces: van monstername tot analyse en advisering.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Verkooppuntensysteem op basis van kostprijsberekening |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels6 records
Aquon product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Aquon is a full-service water research laboratory that performs accredited water sampling, chemical and biological laboratory analyses, PFAS and eDNA testing, sensor monitoring, and hydrobiological advisory services. It serves nine Dutch water boards and other public-sector clients with end-to-end water quality data, from field sampling to interpretation, supported by RvA-accredited methods and a 24/7 emergency response service.
Product overview
AQUON is a full-service water research laboratory offering hundreds of products and services for nine water boards in Central and Southern Netherlands. The portfolio includes seven core product categories (Monstername & Logistiek, PFAS, Macrofauna en blauwalg, eDNA, Waterbodem Advies, ELISA, and Target Screening) supported by seven disciplines (Oppervlaktewater, Zuiveringen, Hydrobiologie, Zwemwater, Waterbodem, Sensoring, and Vergunning & Handhaving). The offerings range from organic and inorganic chemical analyses to biological monitoring (eDNA, macrofauna), specialized testing (PFAS, ELISA, Target Screening), sensor monitoring, and advisory services. AQUON also provides 24/7 emergency services and collaborates with research institutes and universities on innovative new analysis methods.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Monstername & Logistiek
Quantifiable outcome
- 30.000 monsterpunten beheerd en 85.000 analyses per jaar
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Aquon
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Aquon technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature7 records
Aquon partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- EurofinscoreAQUON bestendigt de lange termijn samenwerking met Eurofins voor kwaliteit en service voor de waterschappen. Eurofins voert PFAS-analyses uit in de matrix 'grond' met een grote omvang. AQUON gebruikt Eurofins voor analyses die het zelf niet uitvoert of bij lage vraag. De prijsstelling van Eurofins kan strategisch zijn om insourcing bij AQUON te voorkomen.
- AgrolabcoreAQUON bestendigt de lange termijn samenwerking met Agrolab voor kwaliteit en service voor de waterschappen. Agrolab wordt ingezet voor bepaalde analyses als onderdeel van de uitbestedingsstrategie van AQUON.
- Barth Industrial SolutionscoreAQUON heeft Barth Industrial Solutions gegund de automatisering van laboratoriumprocessen te verzorgen, specifiek het robotiseren van het inzetproces en weegproces. Dit moet efficiënter, minder belastend en sneller worden.
- Unie van WaterschappencoreAQUON gebruikt de algemene waterschapsinkoopvoorwaarden die in samenwerking met de Unie van Waterschappen zijn opgesteld: AWVODI 2018 (diensten), AWIV 2018 (leveringen) en AWBIT 2023 (ICT).
- Veldflex (Tijhuis Ingenieurs, Land, Niebeek, Heijdra)minorAQUON vernieuwt de samenwerking met Veldflex, bestaande uit Tijhuis Ingenieurs, Land, Niebeek en Heijdra. Veldflex is het ingenieursbureau dat AQUON ondersteunt bij veldwerk en waterbodemprojecten.
- ILOW (Informatiecentrum Levenswetenschappen voor Onderzoek aan Water)minorILOW is een samenwerkingsverband van Nederlandse waterlaboratoria. AQUON werkt met ILOW aan suspect screening en non-target screening, medicijnrestenonderzoek (ILOW-labs), en AQUON kan via ILOW eDNA-analyses aanbieden die het zelf nog niet doet.
- 5 partijen voor sensormonitoring (5 ondernemingen)coreAQUON selecteert 5 partijen voor sensormonitoring via een unieke samenwerkingsovereenkomst. AQUON combineert diensten van deze leveranciers voor een compleet pakket sensormonitoring voor de waterschappen.
- Hogeschool LeidenminorAQUON en Hogeschool Leiden werken intensief samen aan meer en beter inzicht in de ecologische waterkwaliteit. De samenwerking omvat onder meer gezamenlijke bijeenkomsten en kennisuitwisseling over wateronderzoek.
- STOWAminorAQUON voert in opdracht van STOWA (Stichting Toegepast Onderzoek Water) bemonsteringen uit bij zes RWZI's voor PFAS-onderzoek. STOWA is het kennisinstituut van de Nederlandse waterschappen.
- RIVMminorAQUON ondersteunt het RIVM bij rioolwateronderzoek voor COVID-19 surveillance. AQUON voert bemonsteringen uit op RWZI's en het RIVM gebruikt deze data voor landelijke COVID-monitoring.
- Universiteit Wageningen (WUR)minorAQUON werkt samen met Wageningen Environmental Research aan macrofauna quickscans en knelpuntenanalyse. Ook is AQUON betrokken bij TKI-projecten zoals de DNA Diatom Biosensor, waarbij WUR kennis ontwikkelt en AQUON monsternemingen uitvoert.
- BioMonminorAQUON en BioMon hebben de samenwerking op het gebied van genetische biomonitoring bezegeld. BioMon is gespecialiseerd in genetische monitoring en ondersteunt AQUON bij de uitbreiding van eDNA-analyses.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Aquon competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- ALS Global: Major environmental and analytical testing services provider with strong presence in European water testing. ALS competes directly for routine and specialized water analyses that AQUON provides to Dutch water boards.
- Bureau Veritas: Global TIC company with environmental testing and water quality services across Europe. Bureau Veritas competes for water utility and government monitoring contracts similar to those served by AQUON.
- SGS: Global testing, inspection, and certification company with significant environmental and water testing operations across Europe. SGS competes for large multi-year water monitoring contracts and offers comparable accredited analytical capabilities.
- Royal HaskoningDHV: Dutch engineering consultancy with extensive water and environmental services. Royal HaskoningDHV serves many of the same Dutch water authorities as AQUON and offers water quality monitoring and advisory services as part of broader project work.
- Eurofins: Global market leader in environmental, food, and pharmaceutical testing. Eurofins is currently both a partner (performing PFAS and other analyses for AQUON) and a direct competitor for water board contracts, making it the most directly comparable entity in Dutch environmental testing.
Emerging players
- Deltares: Dutch applied research institute focused on water, subsurface, and infrastructure. Deltares operates in adjacent water research rather than routine laboratory services but shares the Dutch water sector ecosystem and client base with AQUON.
- KWR Watercycle Research Institute: Dutch water research cooperative funded by water boards that performs applied research rather than routine testing. KWR is a knowledge partner rather than direct competitor but the two organizations share ownership ties to Dutch water boards and overlapping research agendas.
Regional players
- Sweco: Nordic-based engineering consultancy with significant Dutch water and environmental operations. Sweco competes for water authority advisory contracts and offers complementary water management services to the same Dutch water board clients.
- Witteveen+Bos: Dutch engineering and consulting firm with significant water management and environmental advisory practices. While primarily a consultancy, Witteveen+Bos performs water monitoring and advisory work that overlaps with AQUON's Waterbodem Advies offering.
Direct peers
- Kiwa: Dutch TIC (testing, inspection, certification) company with extensive water and environmental testing capabilities. Kiwa serves many of the same Dutch utility and water authority clients as AQUON and offers comparable accredited laboratory services.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Aquon social profiles
Digital presenceAquon compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Aquon financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Aquon leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
Aquon funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Aquon 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 Aquon
What does Aquon do?
Aquon is a full-service water research laboratory that performs accredited water sampling, chemical and biological laboratory analyses, PFAS and eDNA testing, sensor monitoring, and hydrobiological advisory services. It serves nine Dutch water boards and other public-sector clients with end-to-end water quality data, from field sampling to interpretation, supported by RvA-accredited methods and a 24/7 emergency response service.
Is Aquon a public or private company?
Aquon is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Aquon founded?
Aquon was founded in 2011. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Aquon based?
Aquon is headquartered in Houten, Netherlands, in the Europe region.
How does Aquon make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Wateronderzoekdiensten voor waterschappen is the primary driver. The others are analyses en monstername.
Who are Aquon's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are ALS Global, Bureau Veritas, SGS, Royal HaskoningDHV and Eurofins. Emerging players are Deltares and KWR Watercycle Research Institute. Regional players are Sweco and Witteveen+Bos. Kiwa is listed as a direct peer.
Does Aquon have an API?
No public API is recorded for Aquon.
What industry is Aquon in?
Aquon's product category is Water Quality Laboratory Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUANAJAB, Laboratory Testing & Analytical Services (in-house/contract labs; microbiology, metals, organics), with a secondary code of EUANAAAG, Water Quality Monitoring, Compliance & Reporting (Sampling, Lab, Regulatory). Its SIC code is 8734.